The next day the head boy and head girl greeted each other in their common room and walked together to the great hall for breakfast, all the way talking about their new duties and the strategies to approach them. Both of them were happy to have full schedules to keep them busy. They were looking relaxed with each other and smiling, so when they walked into the hall many faces turned to look at them, astonished. They were caught off base by the disconcerted looks but didn't have time to dwell on it. Professor Flitwick, now deputy headmaster interrupted them with an urgent request.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, good morning. I need to ask you a big favor. We have a situation with two of our professors. Professor Slughorn and Madam Hooch are indisposed and won't be able to start their term duties for a month. We have been able to redistribute their time among other classes for most years, but we think the first years shouldn't be rearranged so drastically. Is better if they keep their schedules set so their introduction to magical education doesn't get affected."

The two heads nodded, waiting for the rest of the news.

"So I have decided to assign the two of you as teaching assistants in charge of the first years."

Draco and Hermione opened their eyes like saucers.

Flitwick continued, unconcerned.

"You two are brilliant students, and you are of age. For the potions class, the first month is mostly theory and learning about ingredients preservation and storage and the correct use of a cauldron and how to set the fire. You are both more than qualified for that. And as for the flying lessons, well, that shouldn't be a problem, right? After all, Mr. Malfoy here is an outstanding Quidditch player."

Hermione blink and could only respond

"I'm a pretty bad flyer sir. Malfoy would have to take care of that" she said looking at the blonde with pleading eyes. He gave her a smile and throw her a bone

"Well Granger, I would feel better if I know that you are on the ground ready to halt anyone that falls off their broom. And as for potions, I'm sure we can more than handle the task. We would probably focus on keeping the young ones safe and make sure they don't blow up their cauldron or put rat's tails in their mouths."

Hermione laughed at that and Flitwick chuckled and patted his arm.

"I knew I could count on you. Now, have some breakfast and see me after so I can give you your rearranged schedules so you know where your teaching duties fit."

They both nodded and Draco gestured for Hermione to sit with him on a corner of the Slytherin table to discuss this new development.

He poured himself some tea and looked to offer some to Hermione, and saw that she was fidgeting and looking flustered. He put down the teapot and reached to cover her hand with his.

"Hermione, look at me."

She lifted her head. He smiled and continued

"It's going to be alright. We got this. We are more than capable to handle this. It would be a great experience. Now take a breath and have some food."

She smiled and pushed her cup towards him so he could pour the tea. Then put some food on her plate and started eating, her mind racing so fast she couldn't help the way her facial expressions revealed that she was talking to herself. He smiled. That was adorable, such a Granger thing to do. Then he looked towards the table and saw that almost all faces were staring at them. He lifted a challenging eyebrow and the onlookers all turned their faces away.

Hermione didn't notice that exchange. Her mind was going a thousand miles an hour. She was, of course, flustered at the new responsibilities that were just thrown on them out of the blue. But she was also feeling very unsettled about her Malfoy situation. She was not too surprised by his polite attitude, after all, she saw the fear in his face when she was taken to Malfoy Manor by the snatchers. Having the biggest psychopath in wizarding history living at your house and using it as a torture chamber must have been an awful experience. Then she saw him at his trial, where Harry and she spoke on his behalf, and when he was leaving the courtroom he had turned to them and mouthed "thank you" with tears in his eyes. So a polite, respectful Malfoy was a pleasant situation but not a huge surprise. The big surprise was this sweet, supportive Malfoy. The one that instead of waiting for her to come up with solutions or plans was ready to hold her hand and help her find her way. The one that wanted to help to make her life easier.

She somehow managed to multitask enough to run five trains of thought in her head and still chew her breakfast, and when she was done Draco signaled for her to walk with him to find Flitwick and get their new schedules.

Their schedules were indeed packed, but Hermione felt giddy about it. Since they had enough prefects to help them unload those duties, they went to their first class of the year. After that, they would have the first flying lesson with the first years. Draco seemed unfazed by it, so she decided to just follow his lead.

They collected the training brooms and met the first year class outside. After instructing the children to stand next to a broom Draco walked confidently between them.

"Good morning. My name is Draco Malfoy, and this is Hermione Granger. We are the head boy and head girl and during your first month, we would also act as teaching assistants for your flying lessons and potions class. You can refer to us as Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger. Both of those classes imply some risks, so please make sure you ask questions if you are in doubt or need help with the instructions given."

He kept going and Hermione followed him with her gaze, mesmerized. He irradiated authority. This was probably a reflection of what his upbringing was supposed to give him. Without Lucius' unpleasant influence, Draco was confident and firm, but not nasty. His attitude made her remember that she had teaching experience of her own, as an instructor for the DA. She stood taller and felt self-assured. By now Draco was saying

"Is time to mount your brooms. You will kick on the ground hard, hover for a minute and then tilt the broom slightly down to come back to the ground. Just follow the instructions step by step and you will be fine. Miss Granger will be keeping a close eye on you, so don't be afraid of falling. She will make sure you are safe."

When some of the children still looked scared, Draco mounted his broom and told Hermione

"Miss Granger, care to demonstrate how good you are at keeping people safe?"

He hovered about five meters off the ground and suddenly let himself fall. The children gasped but a half-second later he was slowly coming down. Hermione had cast a silent arresto momentum. The kids clapped enthusiastically and then mounted their brooms. Hermione cast a wide cushioning charm underneath all of them just in case, but it turned out to be unnecessary. The lesson went on without incident. When they dismissed the class and the giddy children walked away talking excitedly about the flying lesson Draco picked up their school bags and offered Hermione his arm.

"Miss Granger, may I escort you to your next class?"

She smiled and took the arm offered.

"Must certainly, Mr. Malfoy."