Title: Through the Fire and the Flames

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the songs used for the title and chapter headings belong to their respective owners. I did not and will not receive any payment for this work of fiction.

Pairing: Draco/Hermione

Rating: M

Warnings: Language.

A/N: I must say, I'm doing much better at this whole updating thing now than I was at the beginning of the month. Because of my success, I give you another chapter.

Draco wasn't all that excited to find out what his friends thought of him now, but he didn't know how long he could be in the same room with the new Hermione. She was hot now. Someone had taught her how to dress. And damn, her confidence was almost scary. Draco let Hermione do what she wanted as far as their duties were concerned, knowing that would get it done faster than if he fought her.

Draco passed the prefects he needed to speak to on the way to find his friends. After leaving the Slytherin prefects, who had given their Prince due respect, giving him hope, Draco passed Crabbe and Goyle. He quickly left when, every time he tried to speak, they either spoke over him or ignored him completely.

Farther down the train, Draco found Pansy, Blaise, and Theo sitting together. When Draco opened the door, Theo was the first to look up. He gave the blonde boy a sad look, as though he knew what was about to happen. Theo quickly looked away when Pansy began speaking, not wanting to have any part in this.

"Well, look here, boys. Draco has decided to grace us by returning," Pansy began. "So, I guess the train ride last year was all talk? You didn't kill Dumbledore; you didn't help the Dark Lord. You really didn't do much of anything, did you? You couldn't even switch sides properly. You were almost a traitor. You almost helped ruin our chances at pureblood supremacy. You are useless. The younger years only prove their stupidity by still believing you to be their Prince. I'll be sure to correct them after the feast tonight."

"Very well, Pansy. But know that I will do everything in my power to defend my position. And considering I am Head Boy, my power is much greater than yours." Draco turned to leave, hoping Theo got the message in case he wanted to talk.

When Draco got back to the head compartment, he saw the room was empty. 'Of course the Golden Trio would be closer than ever after the battle,' he thought. He was angry at the idea that they could still be happy when he was not.

Draco was surprised when Hermione returned just a few minutes after he did. "I take it your reunion went about as well as mine," she said after sitting down.

"So it would seem," he admitted. 'If my friends don't like me, why not make new ones,' he thought. 'The girl that kept me out of Azkaban seems like a good place to start.'

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, clearly trying to make an effort.

"There's not really much to say. The goons ignored me. Pansy called me a useless traitor. Blaise just sat there. Theo, at least, had the grace to look upset to be losing his oldest friend," he said, admitting much more than he normally would. Hermione looked as though she was about to respond when he added, "And Pansy is going to try to impeach me after the feast, when I'm not there to defend my position."

"As head boy?" Hermione asked, forgetting what she had been about to say.

"No. As Slytherin Prince. I've heard some call you the Gryffindor Princess, but that's really just a title for being bright and the epitome of Gryffindor values. In Slytherin, to be the Prince means I have the most power under the Head of House. In first year, I had more power than the Prefects," he explained, wanting to show he would make an effort, too.

"Wow. Of course Slytherin would have a hierarchy," Hermione commented jokingly.

"Who else would need one," Draco responded in kind. "Noble Gryffindors always do the right thing. Ravenclaws do the smart thing. Hufflepuffs are too scared to do anything. Slytherins can take there pick of the three, so they need someone to make that decision."

"Just tell her all our secrets, why don't you?" they heard from the door. Whipping his head around, Draco found Theo with a hopeful smile.

"Theo," Draco greeted, feigning indifference.

"I'm sorry for what happened back there. I would have sat with you up here, but I didn't know how you would be after the trial, if you would even want company. I don't believe anything Pansy said and I am willing to do what I can to help you keep your position," Theo said.

"You're forgiven, Theo. Meet Hermione Granger." Turning to Hermione, he added, "Granger, meet Theodore Nott."

"You may call me Hermione," she said, holding out her hand.

She had intended for a handshake, but instead, he bowed low over her hand, kissing her knuckles. "You must call me Theo, Princess."

Rather than respond to the title, she turned to Draco, pointedly saying, "You may call me Hermione, as well."

"And I suppose you intend to call me Draco?" She nodded. "And if I say no?"

"You always seemed quite fond of Drakey-poo," she replied with a cheeky grin.

He glared, but more with resignation than anger. "Then Draco it shall be, Hermione."

They continued the rest of the train ride in much the same fashion: antagonizing each other, without truly angering. They were about to change into their robes when there was a hesitant knock on the door. Hermione opened the door to let Harry into the compartment while Draco and Theo took up stance by the window. They were ready to defend themselves and Hermione, if needed, but did not want to provoke the Savior without just cause.

"Hi, Harry," Hermione greeted, not wanting to ruin her friendship with Harry just because of Ron.

"Hi, Hermione. I'm sorry about earlier. I wanted to tell you over the summer, but I didn't want to ruin your vacation. I told him to tell you before you found out on your own, but as you saw, he didn't listen," Harry explained.

"It's fine, Harry. It wasn't your responsibility or your news to tell me. I'm sorry you had to see me like that," Hermione soothed.

"Like what?" Draco cut in, curious to what happened since Hermione had not told of her reunion.

"You know when we went to find our friends?" He nodded for her to continue. "Well, I found Lavender straddling Ron. I don't know if you noticed or remember, but he and I were quite close at the end of last year. I mistakenly believed that, despite escaping the publicity after the battle, the closeness would be maintained. I was a bit… vexed."

"She called Lavender a bint and a crazy, obsessive whore," Harry clarified.

"I know Draco said you changed, Princess, but that is polar opposite," Theo commented.

"Well, I just wanted to come apologize. And Ginny said to say hi and congratulations. She would have come by herself, but didn't want to risk Ron saying something to Molly," Harry said.

"Tell her I said thank you and I understand. And both of you need to find me this week so I can show you where the head dorms are. That way you know where to find me," Hermione ordered.

"Oh. No. It's perfectly fine by me to invite Scarhead and the Weaslette into our rooms," Draco said.

"I'm letting you invite Theo," Hermione responded.

"Excuse me for assuming, but it appeared as though you actually liked him," Draco retorted.

Hermione decided to ignore him rather than rise to the bait. She turned to Harry and told him, "Go put your robes on. We're almost there. And don't forget to come find me."

After changing into their own robes, Hermione and Draco argued the benefits and failures of their friends the rest of the ride to Hogwarts. Theo just sat to the side, chuckling at what no one else seemed to notice.