A/N: This update is a little early, but I'm at work tomorrow and then going to see the Fantastic Beast movie in the evening :) So I wouldn't have been able to upload this until Saturday afternoon and I thought earlier was better than late.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter- that was the most review/comments I've gotten on a chapter so far! You guys are amazing and I hope you enjoy this chapter too.

Enjoy,

Lexi.

Draco stepped off the train onto the platform of Hogsmeade. Pansy, following closely behind him was still prattling on about the latest fashion trend she had read about in Witches Weekly. Draco couldn't have cared less, he had stopped listening to the blonde's inane chatter hours ago.

At least, he thought, she wasn't yelling at him anymore. Having been caught half naked in a compartment alone with Hermione Granger hadn't exactly put his ex-girlfriend in the best mood.

"What the hell, Draco?" Pansy barked after Granger, red faced and fuming had snatched up her cloak and marched herself out of the compartment. She had left the explaining to Draco.

"Is there something going on between you and Granger" Pansy ask, her facing and voice horrified at the idea of it.

Draco rolled his eyes "Of course not Pansy."

Pansy scowled

"Well then what is all this?" she waved her hand at Draco's naked chest and the discarded clothes. "And why were you with that… that… Mud-"

"Pansy." Draco barked, before she could finish her accusation. "Shut up and maybe I'll explain. Or would you rather to continue running your mouth of with ridiculous falsehood?"

Pansy snapped her mouth shut, but she folded her arms and continued to glare at Draco while he explained.

"Well why didn't you ask me to do it?" She whined when Draco told her that Granger had healed his ribs.

Draco scoffed

"I didn't know you were here, did I?"

He hadn't mentioned that he wouldn't trust Pansy with a healing charm if it was he last dying breath, she may have been a gifted witch in some departments but healing magic was not one of them.

Even after he had explained and venomously denied that not in a million years would he ever willingly consider touching a witch like Granger, Pansy had harped on about how lonely she had been over the summer and that he had never owled her.

Draco wanted to scream at her. Was she really so vapid that all she cared about was the latest fashion trend and not being able to go to Paris for the summer?

Pansy's father had been sentenced to Azkaban the same as Draco's but he knew that Pansy had never been dragged into Death Eater business, at least not like he had. Once, he had enjoyed listening to Pansy complain about the other houses in their year, she had an ear for gossip and befriending her meant that Draco always knew everyone's naughty little secrets. It was worth it, even if it meant putting up with Pansy asking him if he thought her new hairdo was nice or whether she should buy this dress in Hunter's green or Phthalo green.

Now, Draco would have emptied his vault at Gringotts to have her shut up about how hideous the colour of Granger's shirt was, and hadn't she seen the article in Witches Weekly about how Ice Blue was out and Baby Blue was in?

Looking around as they departed the platform at Hogsmeade, Draco finally saw the rest of the Captain's. Eight in all, there was one girl and one boy from each house. Obviously Pansy and himself were from Slytherin, he had already run into Longbottom and Granger. He recognised Hannah Abbott and Justin finch-fletchley from Hufflepuff, but he wasn't sure about the Ravenclaw captains.

One was obviously a Patil twin- Padma, he thought, the other- Mati? No, Parvati- was in Gryffindor. He recognised the boy, with short brown hair and an ordinary face but Draco couldn't remember his name.

The Hufflepuff's and the Ravenclaw's looked quite friendly with each other, chatting as they all walked towards the Hogwarts carriages awaiting them. Draco and Pansy steered clear of their little group, quiet content to be left to their own devices.

Draco had always been curious about the horseless carriages but now he wondered if there were any students who didn't know what truly drew them to the castle each year. So many had been scarred by the war, losing friends or family. Draco noticed that the others had drawn quiet, most likely coming to the same conclusions as they approached and saw the Thestrals standing calmly attached to the carriages. The Ravenclaw boy, the one Draco couldn't remember the name of shot a nasty glare at the Slytherins before he climbed onto the carriage with the others and it began to roll away towards the castle.

Draco had already climbed into the carriage and sat down across from Pansy when he realised the mistake they had made. There were only two carriages.

Draco groaned and looked back towards the station to see Granger and that bumbling oaf Longbottom walking off the platform.

Brilliant. This was going to be a pleasant ride up to the castle.

"Oh, do hurry Neville" Hermione said, rushing off the platform.

They had been late off the train because, as usual, Neville had lost his toad. Trevor, now tightly wrapped in Neville's hands had been found attempting to climb onto the conductor's chair, who had been less than amused by the unexpected guest.

There was only one carriage left by the station and she hoped they weren't going to be late. Hurrying Neville quickly she shooed him into the carriage in case Trevor made a last minute dash for freedom. As Neville entered the carriage, with Hermione stepping into it behind him she heard a faint

"Oh" of disappointment from Neville, followed by a high-pitched shriek and

"Don't you dare bring that filthy animal near me!"

Hermione stuck her head inside and was dismayed to find that they were not the only ones occupying the small space. On her left, Draco Malfoy glared at her and on her right Pansy Parkinson was yelling at Neville's toad. Hermione cursed her luck, surely she had endured enough of these two today.

From the scene before her she gathered that Pansy was less than comfortable with Neville, or more specifically, Trevor sitting beside her. Finally Neville yelled

"Alright, Alright!" and plonked down next to Malfoy, who looked less than impressed.

Both Slytherins glared at Neville, who was talking softly to Trevor consoling the toad. Hermione sighed and stepped into the carriage, making Pansy's eyes turn to her. Hermione tried to ignore the sneer and flash of anger in the blonde girls eyes as she moved to sit next to her.

"No!" yelled Pansy, before Hermione could make it here. "I am not sitting next to her."

Pansy looked at Malfoy, but the other Slytherin ignored her and looked at his fingernails uninterested. Hermione sighed and looked at Pansy

"Well, were else would you like me to sit?"

There was only space for four in the small carriage with the place next to Pansy being the only place left to sit. It wasn't as if Hermione wanted to sit next to the Slytherin. Malfoy obviously wasn't moving, despite the puppy dog eyes Pansy was attempting to move him with. Pansy scrunched her nose and relented

"I'd rather sit next to the toad boy that the likes of you."

Hermione sighed, again, and looked at Neville. The Gryffindor rolled his eyes but got up to move seats again. Hermione attempted to shuffle awkwardly backwards to let him move without falling out of the carriage herself. Neville managed to squeeze in next to Pansy but as Hermione was moving past Malfoy to get to the remaining place Trevor really did make a dash for escape, leaping from Neville's hands and landing on Pansy's lap.

Hermione could only stare in horror as pandemonium ensued.

Pansy screamed and attempted to fling Trevor off of her, leading to Neville attempting to snatch the now flying toad out of the air. Hermione wasn't sure who but between the two students and the flying toad, someone knocked her over and falling backwards she landed in the worst place possible.

Draco Malfoy's lap.

A hand touched her hip and Hermione's blood ran cold. She felt the body beneath hers tense and she could almost feel the fury radiating off the Slytherin.

Hermione attempted to get up but was almost smacked in the face by one of Pansy's flailing arms. It appeared Trevor had clasped onto the sleeve of her robes and was now clinging on for dear life as Pansy's flung her arm around trying to dislodge the toad. All the while she was screaming at Neville, who was yelling back at her to stop frightening his pet.

"That's ENOUGH!" Roared Malfoy.

Hermione was almost deaf in one ear from the yell but everyone in the small, rocking carriage stopped moving instantly.

Pansy stopped flailing and whimpered, Neville stopped yelling and snatched Trevor from where he hung as Pansy's robes finally stopped swinging, and Hermione stopped wriggling attempting to make her escape from quite possibly the most embarrassing place she had ever sat.

"Pansy sit down and SHUT UP!" Malfoy yelled, causing the girl to sit down quickly with a sniff.

"Longbottom, control that god damn animal or I will hex it into oblivion." Neville sat, looking sheepish and tucked Trevor into his robes.

"And you." Malfoy turned to look at the stunned witch in his lap, eyes darkening.

Hermione opened her mouth to snap at him, she wanted to tell him this could have all been avoided if he had just offered to move earlier.

Instead Hermione found herself being unceremoniously dumped off Malfoy's lap and onto the empty carriage seat next to him just as the carriage jolted and began moving towards the carriage.

The rest of the trip passed in silence.

For this, Draco was incredibly thankful. Trust Longbottom to bring a toad, and Pansy to make such a scene.

And Granger, Draco scowled, she was the most infuriating, clumsy witch Draco had ever met. Next time she fell into him he swore he would curse her feet to the ground.

When the carriage came to a stop Malfoy practically leapt out of the carriage, manner be damned he wasn't going to sit in there with those idiots any longer. No waiting for the others, not even Pansy, Draco stormed up to the castle where Professor McGonagall was waiting on the steps leading up to the front entrance.

As furious as he was Draco couldn't help but stop and stare. Hogwarts. It was different.

Of course it was, what was he expecting. It was only a few months ago that most of these walls were blasted to smithereens, many witches and wizards and even children inside lost their lives. Draco's mother loss her life in those walls.

Draco's breath hitched, was a stupid idea this all was. How dare they make him come back here. He wanted nothing more than to turn on his heel and flee, no one would welcome him. Not after everything that he had done, all the pain he had caused.

Pansy stormed pass Malfoy, he briefly wondered if she didn't care about the oh-so-visible changes in the castle stones, the black spell marks on the walls or the shine of the newly replaced parts, or if Pansy was just to mad at him to notice right now.

"Oh" a small voice whispered behind him.

Draco turned to see Granger looking up at the castle, her face pensive but he could see a tear in her eye. She too must have seen the changes in the castle that stood out as grim reminders of the battle waged here.

"We're all meeting in the Great Hall for supper." Interrupted McGonagall softly.

The remaining Captains followed the professor silently into the rebuilt Great Hall. It looked the same as before but Draco could tell the stones of the walls were new. There was only one table set in the middle of the large room, with a small number of teachers chatting to the captains that were already seated. There was a single space between Pansy and Professor Slughorn, and two between Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout.

Draco and the two Gryffindors took their places at the table while Professor McGonagall walked around to her own place and stood behind the chair.

"Thank you all for coming" she said, "I know the last few years have been filled with trials and tribulations…"

In her pause the Ravenclaw boy flashed a dark look across the table at Draco. McGonagall, who was not so blind as to miss the look gave a pointed stare and continued

"For all of us."

The Ravenclaw looked down sheepishly at his empty plate.

McGonagall raised her glass and filled goblets appeared in front of all the members of the table who raised them in polite return

"May the future of the wizarding world be filled with unity and acceptance to all."

Ah, thought Draco, there is was again. Unity.

Professor McGonagall sat down at her place after the toast finished.

"Now," she said "I know you are probably all hungry so I thought we could eat while I explain a bit more about your roles this year."

With a wave of her hands a small feast appeared in front of them and murmurs of appreciation spread around the table. Draco had to admit, he had missed the food at Hogwarts.

While everyone helped themselves to the food before them McGonagall went on to explain the new roles of the Captains.

"The Wizarding world is divided. We could blame the rise of a certain Dark Wizard but to be honest it started long before that. We separate ourselves" she looked around at the table "Into blood purity, into wealth classes and even here, at Hogwarts, we separate ourselves into the houses."

There was a pause at the table, most of the students looked at McGonagall apprehensively.

"Now, I'm not saying the houses aren't a good thing, I for one am very proud of being a Gryffindor."

There was a small sigh of relief around the table, no one had dared voice their fears that McGonagall may decide to do away with their houses. Hogwarts would not be the same.

"But just because we are divided into houses by traits does not mean that we should not stand united." McGonagall looked passionately at them as she said "The wizarding world need to learn to work together, to accept our differences and embrace them. We must learn from each other, use of differences as strengths and not as weapons against each other"

Draco looked down the table to see Granger, leaning on the edge of her chair as if getting closer to the Professor might let her understand more. He wanted to scoff but he kept his mouth shut.

"I'm not saying that the world will change overnight" McGonagall said "but I, we, think that this kind of unity is something that can be taught and begun here at Hogwarts."

There were murmurs of agreement, mostly from the teachers around the table. The Captain's looked inspired by McGonagall's words but confused at the same time, they had no idea how to achieve such a goal.

"This year there will be no head boy or girl. Instead we would like you, as Captains of Hogwarts to lead the way."

The students looked dubiously at each other

"In addition to the usual Head student duties, you will be in charge of promoting inter-house relations. You may decide to change the way we usually do things at Hogwarts, with permission from your teachers that is; create events to increase school spirit, and most importantly mentor the younger students especially the large group of first years that will be beginning in a few days time."

McGonagall smiled around the table, as if this change made complete sense.

"I think that is about all for tonight" she said, picking up her cutlery "Tomorrow you will have your first meeting, and we shall discuss the topic in more detail."

The rest of the meal was filled with discussion, from summer activities to new teaching plans to the Captain's role. Draco sat, for the most part, quietly thinking. How was he, a formed death eater meant to promote inter-house unity? McGonagall must have been desperate when he forced him into the role. Thinking about it though, if Blaise and Theo turned it down the only other male Slytherin that Draco knew was coming back to repeat their 7th year was Goyle. The thought of Goyle sitting in his place at the table discussion ways to promote cohesion brought a small smile to his lips. Well, he thought, even if this was a disaster it's not like he had high expectations to live up to.

Finally as everyone finished their meals and eyes began drifting closed McGonagall clapped her hands and the dishes clear themselves away.

"Ah" she interrupted "I have one final surprise for you all."

Professor McGonagall rose from her seat and said

"If you'd follow me please"

She lead eight bleary eyed students out of the Great Hall and to the main staircase. Climbing up to the 2nd floor she lead them down a hallway and came to a halt outside a large painting of a young girl surrounded by wild horses. Turning to look at the Professor fondly the painting smiled

"This" McGonagall announced "Is the new dormitories and common room of the eighth year students."

The eight of the of the stared blankly at the Professor. The Ravenclaw boy was the first to blurt out

"What? We're not staying with our own houses?"

"No, "

Ahh, Boots thought Malfoy, Terry Boots.

"Due to the number of students that are enrolled in Hogwarts this year and the difficulties remodelling after… well after, there was an issue of space."

Draco frowned, it was a magical castle surely they could just magically extend the dormitories. This seemed like a far reach.

"We needed to build a new dormitory to accommodate the number of students and therefore" McGonagall said sternly, indicating it was not up for discussion "It made sense for all the eighth year students to stay in the same area."

Draco could tell there were definitely more questions to be asked but by this point everyone was in such as stupor from the feast they had no energy to argue with McGonagall.

"Well, Goodnight then." She said "You will find you names on the doors to your dormitories, you're quiet lucky- it's only 2 to a room in there, and you luggage has already been delivered and unpacked. Miss Parkinson, if I could have a word with you please."

Without a further word the Professor walked away and before Draco could ask her what it was about, Pansy trailed after her looking miserable, back down the hall to the staircase. Draco curiously watched them go, he would have to ask Pansy what the Head Mistress had wanted when he saw her later.

The students looked at each other until Granger pointed out

"Err, did Professor McGonagall tell anyone the password?"

There were a few groans but the painting in front of them just giggled

"No need, Miss Granger, I know who you all are."

The painting swung open to reveal a large common area with dark purple carpet and dozens of comfortable yet fashionable couches and chairs. A large fireplace sat at the end and Draco say the wall they had just entered from was lined with bookshelves. Across on the far wall there was two hallways, most likely the boys and girls dormitories Draco thought.

Most of the students wandered around the common room for a moment, looking at the space before slowly moving towards the dormitories.

Draco saw Boot and Finch-Fletchley walk into a room together and heard the awkward giggle of Abbott and the Patil as they realised they too were bunking together. Draco stopped in front of a dark wooden door and grimaced, just as he thought it appears the Captains had been paired away together and below his name on the door in neat cursive was Neville Longbottom.

Draco sighed and pushed the door open. This was going to be a long year.

Only one thought cheered Draco from his misery, if Captains were together than meant that Pansy was stuck sharing a room with that know-it-all Granger for a whole year.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

So far NaNo has been going well I'm almost at 35k words so maybe I'll give you another chapter before next Friday?

I don't know, what would you guys prefer: super regular updates in November, then maybe slowing down after NaNo (depends on how motivated I am) or weekly updates for the next few months cause I have a bigger buffer?

Anyway if you want to hear about my 2am ramblings and misbehaving characters as well as snippets and updates on Sorrow & Spice you can follow me on tumblr (remove the spaces) - lexingtonharris . tumblr . com