Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters and media associated with Harry Potter belong to J K Rowling and Warner Bros.

Chapter 2

Being back at Hogwarts after the summer holiday always felt to me like coming home and I suppose it was. For the past five years I had spent more time in the ancient castle with its moving stairways and hidden rooms than I had anywhere else in the world. On top of this was the fact that my family and I hadn't really spent much time together and with them being muggle my magic always seemed to drive a bit of a rift between us. I mean I loved my parents but they just could understand the life I lead.

The Sorting had gone ahead this year with out too much trouble. Although there was some discord at the announcement that Professor Snape was to take over the Defence Against the Dark Arts post. Honestly I don't see what the problem is, for all his faults and terrible personality, the man was a decent teacher. The Slytherins seemed happy at the news. Speaking of Slytherins I still didn't know what to think about my meeting with their so called Prince in the Prefects carriage.

I looked over to their table. Malfoy was talking to a tall dark skinned boy, Blaize Zabini I think his name was. I was surprised, Zabini was fairly decent as far as Slytherins go. If he had any prejudices he didn't advertise them to the public like certain students did. After a moment I realised I was staring at them so turned around to join Harry and Ron's conversation. Not before seeing Malfoy look up at me I might add.

"What were you saying?" The boys looked at me weirdly.

"We were just talking about our chances in the quidditch cup this year Mione."

"Ron I really wish you would stop calling me by that annoying nickname. My name is Hermione. Her- mi- on- e."

"Geez what's wrong with you? I happen to think it's a cute nickname and I'm not stupid."

"Could've fooled me," I muttered under my breath, but apparently I wasn't quiet enough.

"You know what I'm sick of you Hermione, you always act like your so much better than us and we should listen to your every word because your just perfect."

I really wasn't in the mood for an argument with Ron but I knew he wouldn't let it go. I should've just kept quiet.

"Well Ronald maybe if you talked about something other than quidditch every once in a while people would put more stock by what you say."

"Oh so now your speaking for everyone. Wow Mione you just keep bigger don't you."

"Don't call me that! I'm not the only who gets annoyed with your lack of conversational skills. It's like that bloody sport is the only thing you know anything about. Here's a novel idea why don't you read a book every once in a while and maybe you'd have something else to talk about."

"Not everyone wants to be a boring little bookworm MIONE. Just because you can't even get on broom, let alone play quidditch."

Harry seemed to have had enough of our argument because he stuffed a chicken leg in Ron's mouth and asked me what book I was currently reading. I felt sorry for Harry sometimes. Ron and I fought a lot, we were like rubber and glue and Harry was always somehow caught in the middle. It wasn't that I didn't like Ron, he was my friend of course but… well we just weren't very good at conversing. We didn't really have any joint interests. If it weren't for Harry I probably wouldn't be friends with Ron, we were just too different.

The feast came to an end and everyone got up to go to their dorms. As per usual there was no order to the people exiting the hall, everyone just tried to push their way out. After finally getting out of the hall I tripped over a small second year obviously trying to catch up with their friends. I groaned as I lay on the floor. Typically none of the other Gryffindors tried to help me up, they just wanted to get to bed.

I felt strong, masculine hands wrap around my arms and hoist me up to my feet. The hand brushed the dirt of my robes before spinning me round to face my helper. To my surprise I came face to face with Draco Malfoy for the second time today.

"You OK granger?"

"Yes, thank you." It never hurts to be polite.

"You should be more careful and watch where your going." He was smirking at me but it had a friendly undertone to it.

"Definitely, after all its not like you can pick me up every time I fall is it." I was grinning at him. What was I doing? Was I flirting with Draco Malfoy?

"Maybe not, but we wouldn't want you falling over all the time to test that theory. Your thoroughness might exhaust me." That settles it, I was mad. There was no way that Draco Malfoy just made a blatant innuendo to me, a muggle born, was there?

"I don't know, I reckon you could keep up." I'm really not sure which of us was more surprised at that comment. Draco's smirk widened. Wait, Draco? What?

"Well if you think you can handle all the bumps your welcome to try." He moved closer and bent down to my ear.

"Goodnight Hermione" It was barely a whisper, his breath tickled my neck and made me squirm. He seemed pleased by this. I looked up at him.

"Goodnight…Draco" I practically purred his name, I really couldn't tell you why. He seemed to like it at any rate. With one last rather intense look he left towards the dungeons. I watched him go trying to process what had just happened.

That night in bed I couldn't sleep. It seemed like I wasn't the only one who had changed over the summer and this change wasn't just cosmetic either. One thing seemed very clear Draco Malfoy was not the same boy he was two months ago. Something had obviously changed him and I was determined to find out what that was.

My feelings were beginning to confuse me. I felt drawn to him, it was odd, even if Draco had changed, my feelings for him shouldn't have changed this quickly. What was wrong with me? What was wrong with him? Honestly I was starting to feel a bit scared. I was feeling a change within myself, it wasn't just how I felt about Draco, it was like I could feel something buried deep within me awakening. Something that was part of my being and yet separate. It was scaring me and it was starting to manifest itself. I could feel it as I lay here on my bed starting to mix with my magic.

What was it and what should I do about it? These were the two questions that crossed my mind. I needed someone to talk to. Who could I trust, who would understand? Harry and Ron would never talk to me again if I so much as mentioned feelings for Malfoy, even as a joke. My parents were muggles and would have the foggiest clue what could be mixing with my magic. I didn't really have any other close friends and I got the feeling that this wasn't something I should go talking to anyone about. Things that mixed with magic weren't always good.

No, I would do what I always did. I would go to the Library. If I didn't find anything there then I would think about talking to someone. So with that temporarily sorted I put my mind to getting some sleep. Hopefully things would make more sense in the morning after a good nights rest.

As I slept I dreamt of strange and beautiful creatures and a certain blonde. It was one of the most peaceful nights of sleep I'd had in a long time.