(All the characters in this belong to J.K Rowling, this story is set in their 7th year so it is pre-Deathly Hallows and even pre-Half Blood Prince.)

It was early in the morning and the Burrow was packed with people running this way and that, shouting to each other and picking things up in a hurry. Hermione came running down the stairs carrying an agitated Crookshanks. She had spent most of the night awake with Draco Malfoy on her mind and she was feeling the effects.

'Oh good, your ready, you might as well get into the car' Mrs Weasley said as she hurried past and up the stairs. Feeling that she better follow orders, Hermione grabbed her trunk and left the house. Ron and Harry where already in the car and she joined them in the stretched back seat.

'Merlin, you look shattered' Ron said as he looked at her.

'Thanks, Ron' Hermione laughed as she rubbed her eyes wearily. 'I couldn't sleep.'

'Where you worrying about getting ninety nine percent in your charms exam' Ron smirked as he nudged Harry.

'Very funny, Ron, but at least I didn't get thirty percent' Ron's smirk disappeared and he sunk into his chair. After half an hour the rest of the Weasleys were ready and they set off to the train station. Ginny was playing with her Pygmy Puff and Ron and Harry where playing an unsuccessful game of Exploding Snap to Mrs Weasleys displeasure. Hermione looked out of the window as the station came into view, she was dreading seeing Malfoy after what happened. What would he be like, would he just be his usually snobbish self or has he really changed.

The car screeched into the station and they all clambered out. They pulled their trunks out of the boot and rolled them through the hidden entrance to platform nine and three quarters. The platform was packed, Hermione smiled to herself as she looked around at her friends who had all grown over the summer.

'We only just made it' Mrs Weasley was saying and she kissed Hermione on the cheek, 'you better get going. Have a good term and stay out of trouble.' The trio grinned at her and boarded the train. They found a compartment with Neville and Luna and then Hermione and Ron went to the Prefects carriage.

'Does that mean you'll be in charge of me this year' Ron said as they walked down the corridor.

'I suppose it does, me being Head Girl now' Hermione said looking down proudly at the badge pinned to her chest.

'I always knew you'd get that,' Ron said, 'I wonder who's Head Bo-.' They stopped and their mouths fell open. Malfoy had just left a carriage and he stopped when he saw them. Pinned on his chest was a shining badge.

'No!' Ron groaned, 'you can't be?'

'I am Weasley and you'd better get used to it!' Malfoy replied and with a smirk he carried on down the corridor. Hermione and Ron looked at each other in shock, Ron opening and closing his mouth like a Goldfish.

'I'm gonna get him one day,' Ron shouted furiously

'Leave it Ron, come on we're gonna be late.' Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him down the corridor. They entered the Prefect carriage and sat down near the door, Ron scowled when he saw Malfoy sitting at the head of the table.

'Look at him lording it over' Ron whispered into Hermione's ear, she looked at him and put a finger to her lips. The meeting continued and then the timetables were handed out. Hermione looked at it and her heart missed a beat. She had prefect duty four times a week with Malfoy. Ron seemed to have seen too and he looked at her in shock.

'This can't be right; you'll have to get it changed. Look who I'm with,' he pointed his finger at the card in disgust, 'bloody pig faced Pansy Parkinson. Who made up this stupid timetable?'

'It'll be because I'm Head Girl and he's Head Boy. This is going to be the worst year ever. At least you only have duty once a week, I have it four times.' Hermione muttered as the other prefects around them rose and left. 'I've even got to patrol the train now, look.' She showed him the card and he coughed.

'If he does anything, tell me and I'll get him' He brought his fist to his face but Hermione grabbed it and lowered his arm.

'There won't be any need, don't worry I know how to handle him. Remember when I slapped him in our third year.' Hermione said, Ron grinned at her and then looked at Malfoy who was still inspecting his timetable.

'Yeah, don't be scared to do it again, but if you do, tell me, I want to be there.' He got up, stretched and gave her a warm smile before leaving. Hermione looked at Malfoy and caught him staring at her.

'Shall we go then?' She said, he shrugged and followed her out of the carriage. They had been patrolling the corridor for a good half hour when she broke the silence. 'Why did you save me?' Hermione asked. Malfoy didn't reply straight away but after a few seconds he stopped.

'Nobody wants to see anyone without a soul' He said as she turned to look at him.

'Voldemort would and your one of them, aren't you?' Hermione said defiance in her voice.

'Let's just get one thing straight, Granger' his voice rose and his face boiled up, 'my father might be one, but I am not and I never will be. I saved you because that's what any human being should do.' She didn't reply but continued to walk; Malfoy caught up with her and touched her arm. She shivered under his touched and a slight gasp escaped her lips. 'Listen, we're going to have to spend almost the whole year together, let's just try and get on.' Hermione looked into his dark eyes and nodded. He gave her a small smile, 'it's the end of patrol, I'll see you around.' She watched as he entered a compartment full of seventh year Slytherins before joining Ron and Harry.

*

The first week passed without any incident, infact Hermione and Malfoy rarely spoke to each other. It was Sunday night and they were patrolling the seventh floor corridor together when Malfoy broke the silence.

'I'm sorry I seemed a bit cold on the train' he exclaimed, still pacing. 'I've not had a very good summer and I took it out on you.'

'It's alright,' Hermione replied quietly, she was quite perturbed, how come he was being so nice to her.

'I don't even know why I was given Head Boy, I mean Dumbledore knows all about my father.'

'Dumbledore always gives people second chances though, so he made you Head Boy.' Hermione said as they passed a painting of a group of warlocks playing Wizard Chess.

'It's just this stupid bloody war and the way people react towards me!' He punched his hand in frustration. 'Do you ever wish you could just start afresh?' He stopped and turned to her.

'All the time' she stopped to and met his eyes, 'but you just have to get on with it.'

'Yeah, yeah your right' He turned on his heel and began walking again. Hermione paused before following him. Had Malfoy took some potion that had changed his personality? I mean she was a Mudblood and Malfoys didn't mix with them. She shook her head in confusion and caught up with him. Half and hour later their duty was over and they were stood in the Entrance Hall.

'We've got duty on Tuesday, haven't we?' Malfoy asked, shoving his hands into his pockets and yawning.

'Yeah, at nine o'clock.' Hermione checked her watch, 'I'll see you on Tuesday then.'

'Yeah, see you.' He turned towards the dungeons and Hermione started up the Marble staircase. She was halfway up them when she heard Malfoy yell to her.

'Goodnight' He shouted, she stopped and turned around, a small smile etched on her face.

'Goodnight.' She replied and hurried up the remaining steps to the Griffindor tower. All the way to the common room she had Malfoy on her mind and after a few moments she nearly walked into the portrait of the fat lady.

'Password?' The Fat Lady asked as she drank from a glass of wine.

'Quid Agis' The portrait swung forward and she entered the warm common room. Spotting Ron in the armchairs by the fire she made her way towards them and plonked herself into a comfy chair beside him.

'Hi,' she said as she picked up the Daily Prophet 'where is Harry?'

'Harry has gone for a walk,' Ron said, looking angry, 'with non other than my sister.'

'What?' Hermione replied lowering her newspaper and looking in surprise at Ron.

'Harry and Ginny have gone for a walk.'

'So…'

'They are,' Ron began and with what looked like enormous effort he whispered in a mortified voice. 'They are going out'

'As in boyfriend and girlfriend' Ron nodded and Hermione punched the air in happiness. 'Finally, I knew Harry would see sense.'

'You're happy?' Ron spluttered

'Oh c'mon Ron, it's great' Hermione replied, sinking back into the chair, 'wouldn't you rather see her with Harry than with Dean or Michael Corner or even Seamus?'

'She was seeing Seamus?' Ron groaned

'No!' Hermione laughed, 'but you'd rather she was with Harry than with Seamus, wouldn't you?'

'When you put it that way, yes I would.' Ron sighed and slumped back into his chair. 'Thanks, Hermione. You really should write a book.' He rubbed his eyes and didn't see Hermione's sad smile. Oh yeah, I should really write a book, I can't even sort out my own life, let alone someone else's. She looked at her watch and yawned, getting up she bade Ron goodnight and climbed the girl's staircase. She changed and clambered into bed, pulling the curtains closed around her. She knew she was in for another sleepless night with Malfoy and his confusing change of personality on her mind.

(Thanks for reading, please leave me a review, did you love it or hate it?)