A/N: Just wanted to write a note to pstibbons. You bring up a great point, and I want to clear it up. You're going to have to "endure" a lot of flashbacks, because that's how I'm going to tell this story. Think about it this way: the beginning is really just the foreshadowing of the future. Honestly, though, it's less that there's going to be a lot of flashbacks, and more that there are going to be a couple flash-forwards. For example, the first chapter was a flash-forward. I'm going to be introducing the flashbacks, like I did in Chapter Two, as the actual plot, which is going to eventually lead into where the flash-forward begin. The actual storyline is Draco and Hermione falling in love, and as you can tell, the first chapter was where they had already done so. These flashbacks are going to describe their lives until it reaches that breakup scene.

Haha, I know writers are supposed to have a way with words… irony, huh? You should hear me talk ) Please ask if you have any more questions! Thanks for the reviews! I love nice reviews!

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When Hermione arrived at Platform 9 and ¾ on September 1st, she was absolutely thrilled. Not only was she Head Girl, but she was a seventh year! Seventh years got to do exciting, mysterious things the rest of the school had only heard distant rumors of. Of course, she doubted it was quite as glamorous as she had heard – honestly, there were NEWTs to study for –but she was still ridiculously excited. Grinning broadly, she kissed her parents goodbye (they had declared quite stubbornly that if Hermione had gotten used to the barrier, then they would, as well, for nothing would stop them from sending off their only child!) and boarded the train, dragging her huge trunk behind her. Although she knew that she was supposed to go to the Heads compartment later to meet with the new Head Boy and Professor McGonagall, Hermione figured that she would touch base with Ron and Harry before she did so. She hadn't seen them in a few days, as her parents decided to steal her back from the Burrow for a week before she went back to school, and she missed them. Hermione knew Ron and Harry too well to expect them to wait for her to find a compartment, so, smiling reminiscently, she peeked through each compartment window until she found them.

And find them she did, not that she expected the sight she stared in on. Clearly there were other seventh years that were even more excited about being the rulers of the school than she, because the teeny compartment that Harry and Ron were currently ensconced in was packed to the brim with people dancing like it was a nightclub. Lights flashed (how they managed that, she'd never know), party favors hung from the ceiling, and feeling the compartment door, she felt the pumping of bass. In the center of the very small compartment (had they really put an Enlarging spell on it? That was some impressive bit of magic, if they had. Of course, they couldn't remember how to do one to save their lives in Charms, she thought crossly, but that's boys for you), was Ron and Harry, looking extremely pleased with themselves. Pleased enough to have… to have arranged this whole thing. Ginny, who was wearing a Muggle party hat, held a mysterious drink in her hand. She was sitting on Harry's lap, beaming, and unexpectedly placed a big, wet kiss on his cheek. He grinned at her in response, while Ron rolled his eyes, smiling despite his faux disgust.

Hermione was stunned. They arranged all of this… on the Hogwarts Train?! They were going to be in so much trouble! If the Prefects were to find out, or worse, the Heads, all hell would break loose! The Heads would go to Professor McGonagall, and who knows what she would do! She could suspend them, or exp- oh. Wait. She was a Head.

And she did find them.

What a pickle.

Standing there for a moment indecisively, she slid open the door quickly as to not let the sound out and slipped her way through the small opening. Pushing her way through the throngs of people (honestly, how did they fit so many people in here? This was ridiculous!), she managed to reach the center where Ron, Harry and Ginny were seated, laughing loudly at a joke Ron had just cracked.

Hermione cleared her throat and their laughter died quickly. It wasn't that she was a mood-killer, or anything, it was just that is was completely obvious that the boys had figured she would go directly to the Heads compartment and not bother to look for them. They looked guiltier about not inviting her than anything. Of course, Hermione was rather furious that she wasn't invited – and that it really didn't seem to be a simple oversight – but also that they had put her in this hideous position. They knew she couldn't possibly pretend to forget to report an incident like this—there were probably about thirty people packed into this compartment! Looking around, however, Hermione did momentarily manage to shake off the indignation to appreciate how well the Enlarging charm had worked.

But that was seriously besides the point. The boys and Ginny, noticeably apprehensive, were clearly gauging her reaction. She spluttered, not knowing where to begin.

"You- boys- how- when- how did this happen?!"

Ron and Harry shared a look. They clearly hadn't thought of an excuse because they clearly hadn't expected getting caught. This is why they always had Hermione's help, Harry thought ironically. They weren't remarkable at coming up with quick excuses.

Despite the fact that Ron's mouth was gaping open, it seemed as though his vocal cords were going to stay firmly in place. Ginny, realizing the situation, slid out of Harry's lap and knit her fingers together, looking ashamed. Although it had been the boys' idea to throw a party on the train, she had been more than happy to help. Everyone knew her Enlarging charm blew away the OWLs test fifth year.

Except Hermione, obviously. She was still staring at the boys in a combination of shock and dismay, really trying to judge whether or not the boys had actually put her in this kind of position. I mean, really, she thought crossly, what kind of best friends know that they're going to throw a party and don't even invite me?

Harry had had enough of this awkward situation. He started to open his mouth to explain how it had begun – it really had started as an idea stemmed from a slightly intoxicated Dean over the summer – but didn't get the chance. A dry voice cut through the background noise.

"Now, now. Did the famous Scarhead really throw a party on the Hogwarts train? I would hope not, because then the probability of a Head catching them would be absolutely astronomical. And, oh, wait! What's that? One third of the Golden Trio is a Head? How perfectly hideous for her. What a devastating conundrum. Well, perhaps I can be of assistance."

Draco Malfoy was leaning against the window frame, arms crossed, looking very pleased with himself. In fact, he was positively basking in the looks of disbelief that had spread across the faces of his small audience. Ginny was alarmed to see the rage that appeared quickly on Harry and Ron's expressions, and quickly positioned herself between the two of them and Malfoy. She really could not care less about Malfoy, the prick, but she certainly did not want her boyfriend and her brother to be put on suspension so early in the year for beating his face in. Besides, Mrs. Weasley would have her head if they got in a fight, even if there was nothing she could have done to prevent it.

Hermione, on the other hand, was sporting a look of pure, unadulterated shock. Malfoy seemed to be particularly interested in her reaction. Something had clearly crossed her mind—fuck! No! He couldn't possibly be the other Head! He wouldn't make a claim like that, especially as smugly, if he wasn't. No! No no no! This was absolutely, perfectly, and completely hideous. THIS is who Dumbledore thought she would do well with? THIS is who she would have to work closely with for the entire year? THIS is who she would have to LIVE with?

No, no, no. She was absolutely horrified. And judging by the look on Draco Malfoy's smug look, she knew she had deduced absolutely and terrifyingly correct.

For the first time in her life, Hermione desperately hoped she was wrong.