Disclaimer: Sorry for the lack of disclaimer on Chapter Two. I do not own Harry Potter or anything J.K. Rowling came up with…I merely own the plot.

Authors Note: I'm hoping this story gets less angsty, unfortunately I foresee the first four, maybe five, chapters being on the angsty side. =] Bear with me.

Chapter Three: Coffee?

I never realized that the Head position came with so many responsibilities. Well, I did, but did I honestly believe that I could fulfill them? I could hear McGonagall's nagging voice as I trudged up the flight of stairs leading to my new dorm. 'Heads must patrol every night together and report all misdoings to the students Head of House.' Okay, that one isn't too difficult I suppose, but every night. Don't I get any free time at all? I'm going to need to set up a new place of residence for myself. I paused slightly on the third flight of stairs but quickly brushed the thought out of my mind.

'Heads must live together to promote unity.' I shuddered at the thought. I had run a head of him in the hall to reach the dorm first, but he caught up quick. He was currently on the staircase right below me. 'Heads must inspect each dormitory after Patrols.' That wasn't bad; at least I now knew all the passwords to all the house dormitories. I dreaded inspecting the Slytherin dorm. Maybe I would leave that for Malfoy.

'Heads must schedule, decorate and attend all Hogwarts events including dances, trips, quidditch matches and must attend together.' WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK!

I stopped in front of a portrait of a girl being pushed on a swing. She had long black hair, flowing down past her waist and it flew out behind her and curled around her suitor with every push. The man pushing her was gorgeous. He had soft facial features and short blonde hair, free to fall into his eyes. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Malfoy had a portrait twin. They suddenly stopped their merriment when I arrived and looked at me, both with cautious smiles on their faces.

"You must be Miss Granger?" The man asked, his voice made my knees shake. It was smooth and delightful. I almost had trouble responding.

"Hermione." I replied. He smiled at me before turning back to look at the girl next to him.

"Where is Mr. Malfoy?" The girl asked sweetly, with a voice that of an angel's.

"Somewhere behind me." I answered. Her smile faltered slightly.

"I'm sorry. You look as though you are ready to collapse in bed, but we must wait for Mr. Malfoy. You two must agree on the password." She stated, her sweet voice the only thing stopping me from ripping the portrait right off the wall.

"Great." I replied, sliding down the wall to settle myself in front of the entrance. I tilted my head up slightly. "What are your names?"

"My name is Annabelle. My mate's name is Dominic." I heard from above me. I nodded, even though I was pretty sure they couldn't see me.

"Could I ask you a question Annabelle?" I asked, cautiously. I heard her delicate reply of 'Of course.' "How important is family?" There was a slight pause.

"Why do you ask?" She retorted. I sighed. Why do I ask?

"Well, should I treasure my family and love them, even if they don't love me? Even if they hate me for what I am?" I asked, close to tears.

"Hermione, never be ashamed of what you are. Your family is not your choice. They are who you are born from, nothing else. For some, they mean everything and push them along in life. For others, they are a hindrance." She spoke with a wisdom that didn't befit her, but it gave me some peace and I whispered 'Thank-you.' And with that I gently drifted to sleep.

******

"Mum, please, let me stay!" I yelled at the shadow of my mother in the living room. "Where am I going to go?"

"You don't belong here Hermione."

"But I want to. I don't want to leave!" Tears were streaming down my face, and I felt her hand gently caress my cheek.

"We love you Hermione. Come here." She pulled me into her embrace and at that moment I felt safe, I didn't care that I couldn't see her and her voice was a whisper; I felt her embrace.

"Please don't leave me mum." I whispered.

"I don't have a choice."

******

I was gently awoken by voices a little while later.

"You be nice to her Mr. Malfoy…" I heard Annabelle say.

"Draco. Call me Draco." I heard Malfoy respond. I struggled to open my eyes, I was so tired.

"Well, Draco, like I said, she's going through a rough time, so you wake her up gently. I mean it. She's a sweet girl." Annabelle replied, sounding aggravated.

"I know. Don't worry." He replied. I was so confused; so out of it. I felt someone kneel in front of me. I felt someone's hand touch my face. "Granger? I know you're tired, but listen to me." I nodded slightly but turned my head to sleep again. His hand pushed my face back to face him. "Can the password be Green Lion?" I nodded and I felt him pick me up. I didn't have the energy to fight him away. I felt like I hadn't slept in days, weeks even. I was aware of the tears drying on my cheeks but I wasn't sure if he was aware of them. My head fell into the crook of his neck and I felt him step through the portrait hole and begin ascending a set of stairs.

A door opened.

And I was placed gently on something soft; a bed, my bed.

"Why did you..." I tried to mumble out but he 'shhhed' me.

"You've had a rough time, I can tell. Don't expect this often, but I have been known to be nice. Goodnight Granger." He responded and began to leave my room.

"G'night Draco." It came out a little muffled by my pillow, as I had already buried my face into the corner of the bed but he still heard it. I think.

I fell into a peaceful sleep, for once, not plagued by nightmares.

******

I woke up and it was still dark. My clock read two am. I couldn't remember what time I fell asleep. I felt rested though, and refreshed. There was a tapping on my window. At first, I couldn't tell what it was; I assumed it was a branch or something. Then logic settled in and I realized it must be an owl.

I stood up slowly from the bed and hobbled over to the window to spring the latch. The window swung open and a large brown barn owl flew in. I didn't recognize the bird. It dropped the letter onto my bed and flew out, not stopping for payment or a thank you.

The letter felt heavy. I weighed it in my hand and one side had a weight or something causing the heaviness. I tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Hermione,

We moved all of your belongings to a storage facility in downtown London. Conveniently it is near that pub you go to in order to reach your world. The locker number is key is enclosed. Good luck.

Dad

I looked down at the small key attached to the letter by a small strip of scotch tape. It was silver, with an orange cover over the top. It had the number '32' printed on it. I felt the tears before they fell.

They were serious.

I walked down the steps into the common room and was surprised to see Malfoy standing at the bottom of his steps as well. He was clutching a letter in one hand and a bottle of alcohol in the other. I had no will to fight. I had no energy to sneer.

So all that came out was "Coffee?"

He replied, "Fire whiskey?" holding up the bottle of amber liquid.

"Please."

Authors Note: Sorry my chapters are so short and far between. I'm hoping they will get longer.