And the Lost shall be found

And hope be renewed…

The past be remembered

The future be changed…

That was all they knew of the prophecy. That was the only fragment of it that was left intact. Who was lost? How were they lost? The words made no sense…. But then they'd been through it all before with one prophecy or another. This really should be any different. Except that they needed to figure it out, they needed to find more references to it if they could. This was potentially as important as the prophecy that explained how to defeat the Dark Lord.

As it always seemed to be, whenever a minion of the Darkness was defeated, a new one would arise to take the place of the last; and this time, they weren't sure if they could rely on Harry or not. There was a chance that he'd be able to help as he had before, but they couldn't rely on just that. Harry didn't have the connection with this new evil that he had with the last. That was the reason they were in the restricted section of the Library with Dumbledore's permission. They were trying to help the Professors figure out the prophecy and after all the discovering they'd done in the past, the adults figured best to let them in on it from the start this time, it might save them time and time was a precious commodity.

They had arrived at Hogwart's early… there had been two weeks left before the start of term. However, when the Trio had received those fateful letters, none of them could deny the school help. It was finally the start of term and they were all nervous, and excited. They were seated at Gryffindor table awaiting the arrival of the first years and fondly remembering how nervous and worried they'd all been when they were out there waiting for their turns with the Sorting Hat.

As the Sorting Hat sang its new song, all listened closely… and once more it deemed to warn that something dark was coming. Though the teachers and the trio already knew that more darkness was on its way, it only served to strengthen their suspicions and added to their fear. It once more told them to not let its choice force them too far apart: "Wherever I must put you, Remember these words true - Though I must divide you... You must stick as glue… For a Hogwarts divided, Is a Castle that will fall - But a Hogwarts united, Will defeat them all."

Would they be able to come together again? Would Slytherin be able to cast aside its hopes and dreams, it's evil plots and plans to save the school that they all loved should it be required? Or would they have to fight the snakes as well as the darkness that was coming? Only time would tell… and it was time that they were unsure of. How much of it would they have before they would need to act? For now, they put those thoughts behind them and listened as the first years were sorted…

Once the sorting was over and everyone was seated, they all looked to Dumbledore who would always give a bit of a speech before letting the feast begin… He rose and smiled to the students, waving them to quiet down. Once the talking had subsided he spoke. "First of all to you first years, Welcome to Hogwart's, to those returning, Welcome Back. I hope this will be another interesting year for all of us. Before we get to the festivities, there are a few announcements I must make." He paused, making sure that he had everyone's attention.

"The Forest is as always off limits to ALL students. No one is to go in there for any reason and thanks to a few new creatures that have entered there, I assure you that you will not wish to attempt to get past them to gain entrance. Mr. Filch would like me to remind you all that there is still work being done in the 3rd floor corridor and that you should all entertain caution as you make your way through there. Also anyone caught disrupting things there or anywhere else in the Castle will be turned over to him for detention if they are caught. It seems that the Sorting Hat has chosen to warn us all that danger is still out there… I must agree with it, as one evil dies a new one shall rise to take its place. You must all be on your guard. Voldemort may well have been defeated, but be wise in remembering that it took not only the Boy Who Lived, but it took all of Hogwarts to defeat his army. We will have to be united in order to withstand this new evil. While I will admit that many of you will not like a number of your peers, you must try to get along. There is no telling when we will have need of each other and as the Sorting Hat said A Hogwarts United will defeat them all. Now, with that out of the way… tuck in." He said and the feast appeared upon the platters on the table… He sat down and everyone commenced to enjoy the feast.

Once every one was filled from the feast, Dumbledore rose once more to speak. Every eye turned to him and the hall quieted down. "Would the Head Boy and Head Girl please stay behind after everyone has left, I need to speak with you both about your duties this year Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy. Prefects please lead your housemates to your dorms. Good night all." He said in that warm tone. He knew that the two persons in question knew their titles, but he also wanted to inform the first year students. He waited for the room to clear out and for Hermione and Draco to make their way forward.

Hermione was worried; she didn't know what the Headmaster wanted to speak to them about… She was also not looking forward to sharing the Suite that he Head Boy and Head Girl shared with Draco Malfoy. Of all people… And she had thought that Ron would be the Head Boy, ah well… She would dwell on it later. She looked to the head master expectantly if a bit nervously.

Draco made his way toward the Headmaster slowly. His mind was on many things. At the end of last school year he had made a promise, he had taken a vow and he could not share it with anyone. He was forced to make those that should be his allies suffer as he had been for his tenure here and those that he'd rather not associate with he was forced to count as friends and behave as such. He had to keep up appearances and already it was wearing thin. He finally stopped next to Hermione Granger and looked to the Headmaster.

"Your suites are not located with the other students… and also, I must speak to you of what the Sorting Hat suggested. If we are to stand together, you two must try your best to get along. I am not saying that you have to be the best of friends, but you must at least make the attempt to be civil. Especially since you are the representatives for the two most rivaling houses. Gryffindor and Slytherin may not get along and may have very different views of things, but you must try. I feel that is going to be imperative this year… Just as it was with the battle that took place last year. It seems that none of us will have a break this year. Between the new evil that seems to be headed our way and your NEWTs this will be a busy year indeed. Supporting each other will be of utmost importance… Now, if you will follow me, I will lead you to the place that will be your home this year." He explained.

They followed him until they came to what seemed as a blank wall, but then as soon as they were all standing before it, a niche opened up and there was a Lion and a Snake entwined but not fighting, just twined together in a statue. "Augurey." The headmaster said simply and the statue turned and the passage opened. "You are the only two supposed to be here, and you are the only two that are to have the password. Do be responsible. If you need to speak with your friends, you can still come and go into your houses so long as someone gives you the password. Remember what I have said, oh and do have fun decorating… but try to agree on something as the walls can get confused which has some interesting results… goodnight." He said softly as he seemed to do one of his usual disappearing acts.

Draco and Hermione ascended the small staircase and were surprised at how large the common area was. There was an archway in each of the four main walls, the one they'd just come through, the one that led to the Head Girl's room, the on that led to the Head Boy's room and the one that led to the bathroom. They explored the plain common room and then went off to their rooms… before meeting back in the common area.

"So how are we supposed to decorate the room?" Draco asked, looking to Hermione.

"I suppose we think about what we want. Since we will be sharing this area Draco, I suggest we agree upon something… neutral… so that we'll both be comfortable here." Hermione said, watching him and a bit nervous, after all she wasn't keen on living with the ferret that had tormented her and her friends for so long.

"A study then, without our house colors… it would be both comfortable and a place we could study." He suggested… trying to remain cold and aloof, but it was difficult all things considered.

"That sounds reasonable." Hermione agreed. They both envisioned a study, with overstuffed leather chairs, bookshelves, carpets… and various other things. While their ideas did differ, it seemed they came together rather nicely anyway. Draco had done all he could to refrain from thinking of his father's study as it had been before he'd gotten rid of all the Dark Artifacts… it had worked… And when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see the area. On one wall was a picture of the Gryffindor symbol and on the opposite wall was the Slytherin symbol, it was a fairly neutral and balanced room… thankfully.

"Well that wasn't so bad." Hermione said softly. She was amazed that Draco wasn't making comments… she wondered if he might be ill, but she kept such thoughts to herself. Perhaps he's maturing; perhaps he's going to listen to what Dumbledore said… She could only hope.

"Not bad at all. Goodnight Granger… I'm going to see to my room." He said in a strange tone that Hermione wasn't sure what to make of. At least he hadn't called her mudblood. He made his way off to the archway that led to his room and disappeared… Hermione decided to do the same and went to her room.

She made her room almost like her room at home, though without the television and other muggle things… So she supposed it was like a combination of her room at Hogwart's over the years and her room at home in her parent's house… It was comfortable and cozy and warm… there was a nice desk with a comfortable chair to sit in… There was a cushiony chair by the small fireplace for her to curl up with a good book so as not to have to disturb Malfoy and there was her bed and a couple of bookshelves… A very comfortable room for her. She of course let her house colors show a bit in here, as it was her room and Draco couldn't come in here anyway… It would be a nice retreat for her… Though she would miss going down to the common room and finding Ron and Harry about to go on some adventure.

Draco was doing the same to his room. But where Hermione's resembled a rather respectable if a bit bookish room… Draco's was more a den. Silver, green and black, his bed more a nest with pillows and comfortable sheets… He could do his work on his bed or in the common room, no need for a desk. His trunk was at the foot of his bed and there were a few small tables holding candles and a bookshelf but other than that, just the bed, and it was truly the focal point of the room… it was lavish and comfortable, like the one he had at home… Once that was done, though they were not together to know it, both turned in for the night.