Chapter 1

Hermione sighed as she folded her Hogwarts robes and stuck them neatly in her trunk. She had decided that she would attend Hogwarts for her 7th year, even though her two best friends weren't going. Both Ron and Harry decided that they could do without the extra learning, and begin the path to becoming an auror.

She had just packed the latest Daily Prophet with the list of Death Eaters on the run on it, when she heard a familiar popping sound behind her, indicating that someone had apparated into her room.

"Bloody hell." A deep voice said, "You're really leaving, aren't you?"

Hermione turned around and faced her long time best friend, and new boyfriend, Ron Weasley. "Yes," she sighed, sounding exasperated. "I told both you, and Harry that I want to continue my schooling. It's important to me."

Ron reached out and gently grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes desperately. "I won't be able to see you very often Mione. Only on breaks. I'm not sure if I can deal with that." The red head pulled her into his chest for a hug. Hermione laughed at how dramatic he was being.

"Trust me, with you and Harry becoming Auror's, you'll have plenty to do. Soon, you two will be hunting down Death Eaters, and filling the cells in Azkaban." The brown haired girl smiled, "You'll hardly think of me when you're chasing them."

Ron pushed her away, not to be mean, but so he could plant a sloppy kiss on her mouth. "Trust me," he whispered into her lips, "You'll be on my mind even when I'm chasing the most dangerous Death Eaters out there."

Hermione smiled, her lips brushing his. "And I'll make fun of Draco for you."

The red haired boy pulled away so quickly that Hermione didn't have time to process what had happened. "What?" She asked, very confused.

"Malfoy's going back?" He ran his had through his already messy hair. "He hated Hogwarts! Why the bloody hell would he return?"

Hermione sighed and wondered if Ron ever thought to read the information about Death Eaters in the Prophet. "He's got to go back. The ministry is making him. It's his punishment for being a Death Eater."

"Why didn't they just lock his arse up in Azkaban?"

"Because Ronald, he's too young to go to Azkaban," Hermione began, ignoring Ron's look of irritation when she said 'too young', "Plus, he was forced to become a Death Eater by his father. He was acting on his own accord, but it was so he wasn't murdered."

"Are you defending him?" He asked, clearly shocked.

"No. Of course not! I would never defend someone like him, trust me. I was just telling you what they said in the Prophet."

"Good." Ron said, looking relieved, then he checked the muggle watch Hermione had given him after the war (and taught him how to operate and read) and sighed. "I really have to go now Mione. Mum thinks I'm out with Ginny de-gnoming the garden. She won't be too happy if she finds out I left Ginny to do it by herself to come visit you." Ron gave Hermione another sloppy kiss, then apparated out of her room.

Hermione sat down on her bed and put her face in her hands in exasperation. She had never been in a huge relationship before, unless you counted Vicktor Krum, and had no idea how she was going to keep the long distant thing going. No one was allowed to apparate into the castle, and she was pretty sure she'd be skinned alive if she tried to visit him during trips to Hogsmead.

She had no idea what to do. The Hogwarts Express left the next day, which left her little time to think. Plus, she still had to finish packing her trunk, which took away even more of her free time.

Hermione wasn't used to feeling unprepared for something. She didn't even like it when others around her were unprepared. When Harry was entered in the Tri Wizard Tournament their fourth year, Hermione did everything she could to prepare him for each and every task. Even in their second year Hermione attempted to help prepare Harry if he ever had to enter the legendary Chamber of Secrets. Of course, those plans had been interrupted when she had been petrified by the monster itself, a great basilisk, but in the end she had been part of the reason that he and Ginny Weasley survived.

Now was different though. She couldn't just pick up a book and use it as a reliable source for relationship problems. Only her brain and her heart could get her through this, and right now her heart was longing for Ron, who had only been gone a mere 15 minutes. Hermione knew she would never be able to do it, but some lovesick part of her brain destroyed the real logic, and convinced her it would be fine.

"Hey! Hermione!" A voice called.

Hermione's head snapped up from the book she was reading to see Ginny standing outside her compartment. "Oh, hi Ginny." She called back and she opened the door to let her boyfriend's sister in.

The red headed girl came bouncing in, with a huge smiled plastered to her face. "I can't believe it!" She said as she put her trunk up and sat down. "We're in the same year! That means we could be in the same dormitory, and we could have classes together! What N.E.W.T.s are you taking?" Ginny asked, turning Hermione's attention completely away from her book and to the overly excited red head.

"Well, I know for a fact that I'm taking Arithmacy, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Ancient Runes. I may end up dropping DADA because we're so experienced in that already. What are you taking?" Hermione asked, turning the attention away from herself.

Ginny replied happily and soon the two girls were talking excitedly. They talked about school, home, the Wizarding War, Ron, Harry, and every topic that flitted into their minds. It was just after lunch when Ginny left to meet up with some of her friends, and Hermione had the compartment all to herself once again.

She had become deeply immersed in her book, a muggle classic titled Romeo and Juliet, when there was a knock on her compartment's door. She sighed as she glanced up to see who was knocking, knowing that if it was Ginny she would just walk in. It wasn't Ginny. Nor was it Luna, or anyone Hermione had expected it to be. When Hermione looked up from her book, she found herself staring into the grey eyes, of Draco Malfoy.

It wasn't long until she realized that he still had his trunk with him, and hadn't accidentally bumped into the door. Hermione realized with a start that Draco Malfoy, one of her worst enemies, wanted to sit in the compartment with her. Hastily, she shut her book, and stood up to open the compartment door.

"Yes?" She huffed, trying to sound extremely annoyed.

"Granger." He said, sounding strained as if he didn't want to sound rude. "I see you've got a compartment all to yourself."

Hermione turned around and surveyed it. From how it looked now, it didn't seem like Ginny had ever been in the compartment, all her stuff was hidden. "It appears I have." She commented turning back around, stating the obvious. "Now would you like something?"

Draco sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It was obvious Hermione wouldn't let him in unless he went ahead and asked her to, and she was clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Well...as you can see I haven't sat down this whole trip," Draco began, gesturing to his trunk, "So I need somewhere to sit. Seeing as you've got room . . .well, I need . . ." He trailed off and Hermione could see he was having difficulty asking for something from a mudblood like her.

She decided to help him out a bit and finished for him, "You want to sit in here." It wasn't a question, but the silver blond boy nodded. Hermione sighed and stepped aside, so he could get in.

Draco gave her a sort of half smile, and bent down to pick his trunk up. Hermione couldn't help but notice how easy he was able to lift it, and her eyes flicked to his arms, which had become a lot more muscular since she had last seen him. Quickly, she scolded herself. You're with Ron, she reminded herself, and now was definitely not the time to be admiring Draco, of all people.

She watched as he put his trunk away and went back out for his owl. The owl, Hermione would allow herself to admit, was beautiful. She instantly recognized it as an eagle owl, and they were really quite expensive. To Hermione's shock, after he carefully placed his owl with his trunk, he too, pulled out a book. She could tell just by looking at the cover that it was a muggle book, one she had quite often read herself, although, it was a few years ago.

"Of Mice and Men?" The title of the book slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it. A pair of grey eyes flicked up to meet hers, quizzically. "You know that's written by a muggle, right?"

The corner of his mouth tugged up in a small smile. "Is it really?" He asked, sarcasm lacing his voice. "I had no idea. Thank you for informing me."

Hermione instantly regretted talking to him. It's not like she had thought his response was going to be nice either. They had hated each other for years, so why should sharing a compartment change anything.

To both their relief, there was another tap on the compartment door, and Hermione turned to see Professor McGonagall, with a look of shock on her face from seeing the Gryffindor and Slytherin within ten feet of each other, and not fighting.

"Maybe I should come back later." McGonagall said in a muffled voice from the glass, and turned to leave, but Hermione jumped up to stop her.

"Wait!" She called out to the Professor, and McGonagall turned back to her. Hermione slid open the door and stepped aside to give room for her to enter and said, "This isn't a bad time at all."

McGonagall gave a nod of understanding and stepped through the open door.

"Well, as you both clearly already know," she began, "The students that were seventh years at Hogwarts have been invited back, if so desired, to properly complete their seventh year of magical schooling. This presents us with a problem: dormitories. Unfortunately, the rooms in which you have slept for the past seven years, will now become occupied with the upcoming first years. Seeing as there are no extra rooms, in any of the dorms, we have been required to place all returning seventh years, into the same dorm. We expect each house to behave together, and to treat one another like you would the students of your own house."

Hermione nodded, understanding completely the reason for doing this, but Draco objected.

"McGonagall, you can't put Slytherins in the same room as the other houses, we can't stand the other houses."

"That sounds like a personal problem to me, Mr. Malfoy." McGonagall replied, raising a stern eyebrow.

Malfoy glared at her, but didn't object again.

"The only room in the Hogwarts castle, large enough to house members of all four houses, is, of course, the Room of Requirement. I believe that you are the only two, returning students that have ever entered that room, so I have decided to make you Head Girl," She handed a shiny badge with a golden H on it to Hermione, "And Head Boy." She handed a nearly identical badge to Draco, but the H on his was silver, instead of golden. "I trust you both to use your power as Head Boy and Girl wisely. You are responsible for making sure that this extra dorm stays as it should. Both of you, have the power to add, or remove points from any house, but only for good reason. Can you handle that?"

"Yes ma'am." Hermione confirmed, nodding. Draco didn't say anything, but after a moment of thought, he nodded.

"Good." McGonagall gave a small smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go explain this to the other returning seventh years. Goodbye." And with that, she turned and left.

Hermione admired her own badge, with the gleaming H on it, and proceeded to pin it to her robes. She looked up to see Draco, struggling to close the clasp on his own pin. Without thinking, Hermione did as she would have to Ron, or anyone else, and crossed the compartment to pin it for him. Her nimble fingers easily closed the clasp, and she almost turned back towards her seat, when she became aware of the grey eyes watching her. She lifted her eyes up to meet them, and became mesmerized in their beauty.

Hermione's brain couldn't process anything. Her body was screaming at her, reminding her of Ron, and how these eyes belonged to a man that had hated her so deeply the six years they had known each other. But all Hermione knew at the moment, was that those eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes, seemed to be staring straight into her soul.

A jolt of the train brought Hermione back to reality, and she jumped away from Draco, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"I need to go...erm...find Ginny." She stammered, and hurriedly fled from the compartment, trying to avoid eye contact with everyone, and trying not to remember the eyes.

She only looked up when she saw flashes of red in her vision, hoping that it would be Ginny, but it never was. Hermione managed to run into quite a few irritated students, but she ignored their annoyed remarks and continued to head throughout the train, searching for someone she knew.

The young brunette had run into yet another person, and looked up slightly irritated, expecting another rude remark from the student, but suddenly found herself looking into the pale blue eyes, of Luna Lovegood.

"Hello Hermione." Luna said, in her fairy-like voice.

"Oh, Hello Luna." Hermione said, softening her expression.

Luna studied Hermione for a moment, and Hermione tried to appear less flustered, but with Luna, it didn't make much of a difference.

"You look tense." the blonde voiced, "Is something bothering you?"

"Just a little embarrassing mishap in the compartment, that's all."

Luna's eyes widened. "They're getting into compartments now?"

Hermione suddenly became very confused. "Luna, what on earth are you talking about?"

"The nargles of course. They're known for causing trouble. I suspect some slipped onto the train while it was at the platform."

Hermione sighed, she wasn't in the mood to deal with Luna's make believe creatures. "Luna, nargles aren't real." Luna's eyes widened and she was about to object, but Hermione interrupted her. "Have you seen Ginny anywhere?" Ginny was the real person Hermione wanted to talk to. Luna would continue doing as she was doing and blame any unusual happenings on non existent creatures.

"She's in a compartment a few cars back." Luna replied. "Would you like me to show you?"

"No thanks." Hermione declined, and started to retrace her steps, glancing into each car for her red haired friend. Finally, three cars down, Hermione spotted Ginny chatting along with a few other kids in her year.

Hermione tapped on the glass and one of Ginny's friends slid the door open for her.

"Hermione." Ginny said, shocked to see her best friend at the compartment door, with traces of a pink flush on her cheek. "What are you doing here."

Hermione gave the other's in the compartment a quick smile and a nod then turned to Ginny. "I need to talk to you." Hermione said urgently, "Can we go somewhere and talk privately?"

Ginny's shocked quickly turned to concern for her friend, as she stood up to talk to Hermione out of the compartment. Once the glass door was shut, Hermione pulled her Ginny away from windows where students could view their conversation, and Ginny asked what was bothering her, with concern lacing her voice.

"Malfoy's in my compartment." Hermione hissed, keeping her voice low.

"Malfoy?" Ginny asked, "You mean Draco? What's he doing in there?"

"He needed a place to sit and I just couldn't be rude to him."

"So what, you just let him in?" Hermione nodded. "Are you mad?" Ginny's eyes were wide with unbelief.

"You know me, I just can't be cruel to people." Hermione sighed in frustration. "But the thing is, me and him had a sort of, moment."

"Moment?" Ginny asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Like, staring into each others eyes for two minutes sort of moment."

Ginny's eyes nearly popped out of their socket in shock. "Hermione! You're dating Ron! You can't just go off and have lovely dovey time with the first male to enter you compartment! Especially if they're Draco Malfoy! "

Hermione was starting to grow irritated with Ginny. She hadn't sought out her best female friend to be yelled at, she had sought her out for comfort. What Ginny was giving her was not comfort. Hermione was beginning to wish that she had stayed with Luna and her Nargles.

"I'm sorry, but I can't be rude!" Hermione huffed back. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find a new compartment." And with that, she turned, and walked away, trying to calm herself.

Of course, Hermione had no intention of finding a new compartment. She had found Draco to be quite enjoyable to be around. He didn't complain and barely talked, which she preferred at times like this. Hermione reached the small room with the young blond boy in it, and slid open the door. She tried her hardest to avoid the grey eyes that she knew were studying her.

"What's the problem Granger?" He snapped, quickly transforming back to his usual self. "Can take the heat?"

Hermione returned a cold glare to him and reminded him that he was in her compartment, not the other way around. That was met with a glare from him and a snappy retort, then he turned back to his book, ignoring her for the rest of the trip over.

Professor McGonagall had the two get off of the train first to do their Head Boy, and Head Girl duties. Hermione and Draco were required to make sure every student either got on a carriage, or a boat with Hagrid, and since the student body was so vast, Hermione was able to avoid Draco by helping the students on the opposite end of the train.

Soon, she found herself sitting at the end of the 8th year table in the Great Hall, observing everyone, but not joining in on any conversations. It seemed as if everyone was talking about the past Wizarding War, listing family they had lost, describing the fights they took part of. Hermione just couldn't let herself join the conversation. Losing so many people so dear to her caused her to choke up, and start sobbing when they were mentioned. She felt tears spring to her eyes even now just hearing the names Fred or Professor Snape float around in the conversations.

Of course, Hermione wasn't the only one not participating in the conversations at the table. Draco was sitting at the other end of the eighth years table, staring off into space, appearing to be lost in his own world. As Hermione recalled, he had lost an aunt, and his father was now locked up in Azkaban, which probably wasn't an easy thing for a seventeen year old wizard to have to handle.

She was tempted to go sit with him but just then, the giant double doors that were the entrance and exit into the Great Hall sprung open, and Professor McGonagall led a group of first years to the front of the Hall. Most of the kids looked nervous, some of them smug and confident, and the aged brown hat in the Headmaster's hands seemed excited to be placed on their heads, yet again, to decide their houses at Hogwarts.

Hermione rolled over in her bed, unable to sleep that night. She was in a room to herself, which was a luxury that she had never received in her previous years at the school, and Draco was in the room adjuring hers. Draco. His name crossed her mind again. What was wrong with her? It was as if a love potion had been poured in her pumpkin juice on the train ride over and her brain no longer remembered that she was with Ron.

She forced the ginger haired boy's face into her mind, where it normally was. Hermione smiled to herself as she recalled his cheery smile as well as his long, adorable nose which was flecked with freckles. She remembered their last moment together, before the train left to Hogwarts; Ron was sitting with her in the compartment he had set aside for the school's special 8th year student. He was in no hurry to get off, seeing as he could apparate away as soon as his mum needed him. The two were laughing together, not caring about a single thing in the world. That special moment was more than Hermione could have asked for from Ron. Or Harry for that matter, seeing as he had politely left the two together after making Hermione promise to write to him. It was simple, but something she'd never forget. With that happy, smiling thought, Hermione drifted off to sleep with any thought of Draco long gone. At least for the moment.

For the first few weeks, Hermione was able to minimize her contact with Draco. She only talked to him when necessary, and was able to attend all the classes he wasn't taking. Hermione, as well as the rest of the school, knew he had a particular liking for potions, so she avoided that whole corridor. But it seemed that avoiding someone in a school as large as Hogwarts, wasn't as easy as she would have liked.

"Granger," Draco said as a form of greeting as he caught up to her in the corridor. "Why are you in such a rush?"

Hermione slowed her pace to match his, "I'm nearly late for my class."

Draco nodded in understanding, then raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"What's so amusing?" Hermione asked, noticing the smirk.

"Nothing. . .just if you're in such a hurry to get to class, why would you slow down to talk to me? I mean, word is you've been avoiding me."

"Don't be ridiculous Malfoy, I don't avoid anyone."

He shrugged, "Your little Weasel friend told me otherwise. Anyway. . .I was kind of hoping we could hang out, later tonight maybe. That day in the compartment together was rather enjoyable, and I'd like to have that again." He paused, "I also need some help with muggle studies. I have no bloody idea what we're learning in that class."

Hermione thought about it. She was alway available for helping people study, especially now when finals were so far away, but being alone in a room again with Draco worried her. After a lot of thought, which had to be done very quickly because he was sitting there waiting for an answer, she decided she would go. I'll only study, just study, Hermione promised herself as she made plans to meet him near the Whomping Willow that night.

Sooner than she would have preferred, it was time to meet up with Draco. Hermione's mind was reeling and she was becoming nautious as she headed out into the night. Why on earth would she agree to meet at the Willow, when she could easily have suggested the library, a much more public option. Now was not a time to be changing her mind about the arrangment though, because she spotted a fleck of silver blond hair, off in the distance. Hermione's heart involuntarily jumped and her pace quickened. "Hi." She sputtered out as soon as she was in hearing distance of him.

He turned around and grinned slightly, "Hello there Granger."

Draco was wearing a suit, all black, including his undershirt, and Hermione couldn't deny that he looked great in it. The tailoring showed off his broad shoulders, and made his eyes even more mesmerizing. In each of his hands, was a bottle of butterbeer and Hermione gladly took a bottle. Sipping it calmed her down and she was able to think about more than just how amazing he looked.

"So . . ." Draco took a step towards her. "I was wondering something about muggles."

"And what's that?" She asked, fully aware of his every movement.

He took another step. "When a muggle," he paused and moved slightly closer. "Gains feeling towards another muggle," Another step. "Have they gone completely mental?" He was right next to her now, staring into Hermione's eyes with the same look he had on the train a few weeks back.

Hermione looked up at him, trying to slow her breathing, knowing it'd be smart to take a step back but not wanting to. "That depends," she whispered. "Did anyone expect them to fall for each other?"

Draco bent his face down close to hers and whispered, "They didn't even expect that." And without giving her anytime to reply, or even process what he said, he kissed her.

Hermione's head went spinning as Draco's lips touched hers, and without hesitation, she kissed him back. He didn't give her a sloppy kiss, like she normally recieved from Ron, he gave her a kiss so passionate, that she hoped it would never end. Hermione's arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers twisted into his hair. Draco's hands were about to explore the contents of her shirts when she pulled away.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

How did you like that first chapter? It took just a few weeks at Hogwarts for Hermione to kiss Draco, and now, she'll have to face the consequences of talking to Ron about it.

Do you think Ron will forgive her and believe it was a one time thing, or is Romione done for? Leave me a review telling me what you think :)