*DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it.*

RAINA POV

As the carriage pulled up to the front gate of Hogwarts, Draco helped Raina off.

Unsure of how to react, Raina simply said, "Oh, um, thank you."

Draco nodded.

Raina maneuvered her way through the growing crowd of students that flooded the corridors. She headed to the West wing, knowing Hermione might already be in their dorm.

Due to her petite frame, Raina was able to easily slip through the maze of wizards and witches. She quickly found the correct stairwell and raced up the stairs. She couldn't wait to be in her dorm again, sadly for the last time.

She walked into the Gryffindor common room, then walked up the staircase that led to her room. She opened the door to see Hermione and Ron making out on the bed to the right, which was Hermione's. She scrunched up her nose and closed her eyes, waving her hands.

"Could you guys not do that in here?"

Hermione and Ron stopped, realizing Raina had walked in. Ron's face turned a bright shade of red, which did not clash well with his hair. Hermione grinned.

"Sorry, Rai, we didn't know you'd be here so soon. We assumed Malfoy was going to hold you up." Hermione said.

"No, he was actually...sincere, I'd almost say. Speaking of Malfoy, I never got to tell you what happened on the train before I came and sat down in our cart."

"Oh, do tell." Hermione said eagerly. The two made room for Raina on her bed, and she began to explain her strange conversation with Draco.

"I wish I had been there to see the look on his face." Ron commented.

"He seemed almost...embarrassed. But I could tell he was telling the truth. He really does want to change. On the carriage he told me he wanted to try being friends."

Ron had to keep himself from laughing. Hermione smacked him in the arm.

"Ow!" He exclaimed, rubbing his arm. Raina laughed.

"I'm beginning to think he's actually trying. Though, I don't know what made him want to change in the first place." Raina said.

Hermione chimed in. "Maybe he finally realized what a jerk he's been."

"Orrr, maybe he's just had a crush on you all these years, and realized that being a prat wasn't going to get him the girl," Ron replied.

Hermione sent him a glare, while Raina punched him.

The three broke into a pit of laughter.

"That's the stupidest thing that's ever come out of your mouth, Ronald. And you've said some pretty dumb things," Hermione responded.

"I'm gonna have to agree with Mione on this one, Ron."

"Alright, maybe it was a bit far fetched. But come on, that would explain why he's being so nice to you, Rai."

"Or maybe he's actually trying to be a nice person for once," Raina huffed.

"Uh, guys, we're going to be late for dinner in the Great Hall if we don't head that way," hermione pointed out.

"Bloody hell, it's already been an hour since we got here?" Ron asked.

"Well, you two did spend thirty minutes making out before I got here."

Hermione blushed.

"Come you two. Let's go, before the first years try to take our seats."

Raina grabbed the arms of her two best friends and pulled them out the door.

The trio walked through the Gryffindor common room and found their way to the stairwell. As they walked through the hallway towards the Great Hall, Raina stumbled, almost falling. She looked to her left the see the silver-eyed Slytherin. She scoffed. Draco smirked in her direction, although, she didn't see hatred in the blonde's eyes, only amusement.

"Bloody Malfoy.." She murmured as she shook her head.

"What was that, Rai?" Hermione questioned, a strange look on her face.

"Nothing," Raina replied.

Hermione shook her head and decided to leave it alone.

The three Gryffindor's walked through the double doors and sat down in their usual spot. They watched as the returning students and newcomers filed into the Great Hall and sat down at the various arrangement of tables.

Not long after everyone had taken their seats, Mcgonagall walked to the front and began talking. She acknowledged the returning students, and gave a warm welcome to the first-years.

"Now, as you all know, this is our first time being back here since the war. We've all lost loved ones, including our beloved professor, Albus Dumbledore. He would have wanted us to make the best of this year, and cherish the memories we had with him." Mcgonagall voiced.

As she finished up her speech, Raina couldn't help but replay the image in her mind of watching Dumbledore die. Her eyes teared up at the thought, but she quickly gained her composure. He was one of the few people in Hogwarts that she had confided in, and she would miss not having him around.

DRACO POV

While Mcgonagall was giving her speech, he grew impatient. His eyes drifted, where his gaze eventually landed on Raina Potter. She looked as though she was about to cry, but then she suddenly looked like nothing was wrong. Although, he knew something had gone through the raven-haired girl's brain to bring her to the point of tears.

She turned her head, and Draco realized he had been caught staring. Fortunately for him, there seemed to be no awkwardness as the two watched each other. He noticed how vividly green the girl's eyes were. They were as green as the greenest emerald he had ever seen, except they were far more interesting to look at.

Raina smiled at him, then turned back around.

'Did she just..blush?' Draco thought. She had a nice smile, too. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her. He would find her when she was alone, gently grab her waist and pull her as close as he could, look her in the eyes, and then kiss her.

He hadn't even noticed that his eyes were closed. He quickly opened them and shook his head. They could never happen. She had no interest in him like that, and probably never would. Merlin, why was he even thinking of her in that way? He would admit, she was one of the most attractive girls in their year. She had grown up from the 11-year old she had once been. She was still petite, yet she had grown some curves.

Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't seem to think of anything to do that would annoy her. Something in the back of his mind wanted to protect her. He knew she had had a rough time before she had come to Hogwarts, and even during her early years at the school (he wasn't much help, either).

"What's up with you, Draco?" Blaise asked.

Draco rolled his eyes. "The fact that you won't shut up."

Blaise sneered and continued his conversation with Pansy, who had been sitting next to him. Draco was surprised the Slytherin girl had not been chatting his ear off. He stopped questioning it, realizing it was a blessing in disguise. He never did like it when Pansy Parkinson decided to chat non-stop as he was forced to listen to her.

After the dinner was over, Draco quickly headed to his room where he could sit, alone.

RAINA POV

As dinner finished, Rain snuck away from her two friends and went to find Draco. She saw him walking alone, and quickened her pace.

"Hey, Malfoy," she said, walking so fast she almost tripped. When he didn't reply, she said,

"Could you not walk so fast? You're much taller than me, so it's easier for you to walk this fast."

Draco stopped walking and looked at her.

"What do you need, Potter?"

Raina looked at him in surprise.

"I just, you know, thought we were friends. Friends have conversations."

"Well, I'm not in the mood." Draco huffed.

Raina rolled her eyes. "You know what, Malfoy. Forget it." She went to storm off, only to feel her arm grabbed by Draco.

'His grip is much more..gentle, than I thought."

She quickly let go of the thought.

"Look, Potter, wait." Draco said, pleadingly.

"I'm waiting," she stated.

"I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's just...never mind. But the point is, when Hogsmeade comes around, would you like to go with me." He asked. Anticipating her to say no.

"I thought you hated Hogsmeade."

"Well, it would be less boring if I had a friend there with me."

Raina could see the fear in his eyes. She could tell he was thinking her answer would not be one that he liked, until she said, "You know, I would love to accompany you to Hogsmeade, Malfoy. I think that's a great idea," she beamed.

Malfoy's eyes widened.

"It's settled, then." Draco smirked.

"Wipe that look off your face Malfoy, before I wipe it off for you."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly would you wipe it off, Miss Potter?"

Raina's eyes widened. "Bloody hell, Malfoy. What's wrong with you," she burst out laughing.

"See you later, feretface," Raina said.

Draco nodded.

RAINA POV

It was getting late, so Raina decided to go ahead and walk to her dorm. Ron and Hermione would eventually find her, if she didn't find them first.

Raina arrived at her dorm. She walked inside, but no one was there. She laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

Ten minutes later, Hermione came storming into their room.

"Thank Merlin, there you are! Where have you been? Ron and I lost you and have been looking all over the place for you," Hermione huffed.

"No where, Mione. I just had to speak with someone, I'm fine."

"Let me guess, it was that little git, Malfoy, wasn't it?" Ron said as he walked in.

Raina rolled her eyes. "So what if it was. It's not like I went to go snog him."

Ron sighed. "I'm going to go to my dorm before I get caught. I'll let you handle this one, Hermione." Ron walked out, closing the door behind him. Hermione walked over and sat down next to Raina, who was still lying on her on bed.

"Just watch your back, Rai. We still can't really trust him."

Raina sighed. "I know, Mione. I want to believe that he's changed."

"I think, in a way, we all do. It would be nice to have one year where Draco Malfoy wasn't a complete jerk," she smiled lightly.

"Yeah…" Raina said.

"We should get some sleep. Classes start tomorrow." Hermione added.

Hermione quickly drifted off into sleep, while Raina still lay awake, thinking.

'What if it's all a trick? What if he's only being nice so he can turn around and betray me. I mean, there's no way someone can change that quickly..'

Raina thought. She couldn't think of anything else. After a while, sleep finally took her.