Disclaimer- I Own NOTHING, all belongs to JKR.

Chapter 1

She wasn't going to waste this year. She was given the opportunity to complete her education, and sit her NEWTs. While she wasn't at Hogwarts for her pseudo seventh year she was happy to go where people didn't exactly know her. She was free, they didn't know her bookworm ways, they didn't know her past, her heritage, her being a war heroine. None of it. Only the professors knew, many of the wizarding schools around the world opened their doors to the displaced Hogwarts students while the school was being rebuilt from the last battle. Harry decided not to join her, even after her tantrums, and most persuading arguments. He was given the opportunity to become an Auror, and he wasn't wasting it, or so he said. Looking up at the school's spires she couldn't get over just how different from Hogwarts Ilvermorny was. She wasn't sure if any of the other displaced students opted for the school so far from their families, and the reconstruction efforts in Britain. To her the American school was the only option, after her failed attempt to track down her parents she knew that she didn't want to be any where near Europe. Ron was also in Auror training with Harry, Ginny, Luna, and Neville had all opted tor Beauxbatons since that was the closest option.

Summoning her lioness courage, she dragged her trunk up the steps of the school, and pushed open the doors to the large sprawling manor that was to be her new home. She hesitated only briefly over the threshold before she watched as hundreds of students made their way to the dining hall. Completely at a loss as to which direction she ought to go she stood by the door and just observed the area. The foyer was large, but dark, not the stone that she was used to in the castle. It was wood paneled in a deep rich mahogany, the floor was tiled in black and white, and there was a large grand staircase with marble steps leading up to several floors from what she could see. The staircases didn't shuffle, and there weren't nearly as many portraits as the ancient Scottish school. Glancing around she noticed that the smallest students were huddled together just off the entrance of the dining hall. A tall wiry professor with kind eyes was speaking to them, when he looked up, and saw Hermione staring. He nodded at her and excused himself from the frightened first years. Striding over to her he introduced himself as Professor Walton. Gesturing for her to follow him he brought her to an antechamber off one of the many doors to the dining hall.

"You must be one of the Hogwart's students." He proclaimed confidently. She only nodded meekly, overwhelmed with this new environment. "When the International Confederation of Warlocks made the decision to allow the Hogwart's students to choose a school we expected more of you, but for us here at Ilvermorny, it's only you, and one other Hogwarts student."

Finding her voice at last, she held out her hand, "Hermione Granger." He took it smiling warmly at her again, and looked over her shoulder as the door had opened slowly.

"Ah, here is our other international contingent."

Hermione turned and felt her jaw drop. Standing before her was Draco Malfoy. He looked just as surprised as she was. She felt a flush climbing up her cheeks and quickly turned back to Professor Walton. Draco took a couple tentative steps toward them and extended his hand to the Professor.

"Draco Malfoy, Professor." He stated quietly

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Malfoy, I suspect you, and Miss. Granger here are already acquainted." He intoned pleasantly.

Draco nodded but didn't look at her. She glanced at him and took in his appearance, gone was his haughty demeanor, and air of superiority. He looked defeated, and nervous. The war had not been kind to him, and the trials were even worse for Lucius. Hermione had watched Draco throughout the trials, after his own where he was given only a short probation, which included a stipulation of completing his academic career, and sitting his NEWTs, so that he could become a productive part of society. His choices of school were more limited than others. He was barred from attending Durmstrang to prevent him from 'slipping into bad habits.' She didn't expect him to choose the American school, but it somehow made sense. He was here for freedom too, wasn't he? A fresh start, where no one knew him, it warmed her slightly to think of it.

Lucius had not been so lucky with his sentence of life in Azkaban. True, the dementors were gone, and wards were stronger than ever, but it was still a miserable existence. Harry had given testimony at both Narcissa, and Draco's trials, giving evidence that they were not willing participants, but products of their environment, and a life that they were thrust into. As Draco was not of age when he took the mark, they only tried him for any indiscretions he may have been subject to from his seventeenth birthday until the battle of Hogwarts had ended, which ended up being reduced offenses to give him his light probationary sentence. Hermione was drawn out of her reverie by Professor Walton's voice. He must have been speaking for a moment because he was looking at her expectantly for a reply.

"I… I'm sorry I didn't catch that, could you please repeat yourself, sir?"

"I was just saying, you will have to be sorted with our first year students, we understand you had houses at Hogwarts, we have them too, and since this is a bit of an unorthodox sorting the two of you will go last. Just follow the first years into the dining hall, and then we will get you sorted, you may leave your trunks here, they will be delivered to your dorms as soon as you are sorted. "

Once everyone had assembled into the dining hall, the Headmaster William Isolde stood.

"Welcome new students, and returning students. Another year at Ilvermorny! If the returning students could file back out into the main hall and up to the balcony for the sorting ceremony, so that we can begin our term on the proper footing."

The students rose from their seats and filed two by two back into the main hall and up the grand staircase. What Hermione had failed to notice earlier was that the first landing held a circular balcony all around, gazing up she noticed the four carvings; the Thunderbird, the Wampus, the Pukwudgie, and the Horned Serpent. One by one the first year students stepped into the middle of the floor over an image of the fabled Gordian Knot, and each carving reacted differently if it decided the student was to be in it's house. Some students waited quite some time prior to being selected. It was fascinating to watch the ceremony, before long it was just Draco and her. He turned to her and smirked, gesturing that she go first. She swallowed and stepped forward to the Gordian Knot and waited. Looking up at the carvings she noticed how beautiful they were, and suddenly a gem on the head of the Horned Serpent glowed. She stepped over to the carving and watched as Draco stepped up to the knot. He glanced around, catching her eye and winked. As soon as he did the gem on the Horned Serpent glowed again. Hermione's breath hitched slightly as he strode toward her, but he said nothing and turned toward the center of the room.

The returning students marched back to their respective house tables, while the first year students were ushered over. Draco and Hermione followed the group of Horned Serpents silently, once they crossed the threshold of the dining hall their uniforms were instantly transfigured to blue, and cranberry robes respectively. The sat next to each other at one of the long house tables, still not uttering a word, but relishing some sense of familiarity in this strange new place, when the Head Master stood again.

"Again, Welcome to Ilvermorny. I do have an announcement to make before we begin our start of year feast. We are joined by two students who have just come from Hogwarts in Britain, as their school is being repaired, and their final year disrupted by war they have chosen our humble school to complete their education, and sit for their NEWT exams. Please show them your utmost respect, and welcome them as if they were here from the beginning of their schooling. Please join me in welcoming Miss. Hermione Granger, and Mr. Draco Malfoy."

The students all politely applauded, some of the older boys wolf whistled at Hermione, and many of the girls eyed Draco appraisingly. Once the commotion had died down, the Headmaster told everyone to begin, and food magically appeared on the tables.

Hermione sighed to herself, this part felt normal, however the food wasn't traditional English fare, everything from macaroni and cheese, to pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, American Chinese foods, and Mexican burritos. Draco looked appalled, but took a bowl of Spaghetti as it must have seemed the least offending item available. Hermione decided a salad was her best bet, after travelling, and the stressful day, and shock of being seated next to none other than one of her school rivals/enemies she found that she had no appetite.

The feast was ending and the students were being ushered to their dormitories, when Professor Walton appeared again by Hermione and Draco's side.

"You will follow me to the Horned Serpent Dorm, I'm the head of that house, we have a special arrangement for rooming here for you, you were each to get your own room within the dorm of your sorting, however since you have both been sorted into Horned Serpent, you will be sharing a room. You're both of age, and old enough to make proper decisions, but we thought it would be best if you either had your own space should you be sorted into separate houses, or shared a space in the event that you were sorted into the same. Having a familiar face in this new structure, as well as a foreign country is the best practice to assimilate here. You will have a common room that you can get to know your new housemates in."

He led them up the stairs, three flights, then down a winding hallway. The manor had so many twists and turns, it was amazing that they didn't get lost. Hermione was trying to absorb everything on the walls, and Draco just looked sullen next to her, his eyes trained ahead. They reached the last door in the hall, and Professor Walton tapped it in a pattern of two and two. He turned to explain, "the way to enter the dorm is tapping out the words 'scholars succeed." The door opened inward and Hermione, and Draco followed Professor Walton in. The common room was large, and round. There were books everywhere on floor to ceiling shelves. It looked more like a library than a common room. There were blue and cranberry armchairs in small groups around a large handsome wood carved fireplace. The carvings were those of a horned serpent. The carpet which was a creamy shade looked plush and inviting, large windows, with seats built into them lined the far wall of the dorm, and more carved wooden staircases led to small balconies with more books. The entire room was beautiful, Hermione gasped in awe. Professor Walton, led them under one of the balconies, and there was a small hall with a row of doors.

"Your dorm is the third on the left." He motioned for them to come forward. Swinging open the door Hermione stepped in first, followed by Draco. This room was also large for the two of them, It had three floor to ceiling windows looking out over the grounds, two mahogany canopied beds one with cranberry satin bedding, the other with blue satin bedding, facing each other at angles. In the middle of the room was a large leather sofa, and a smaller fireplace. They each had a small walk in closet, next to their beds, and the far side of the room a small en-suite bathroom. Draco took the blue bed, and Hermione sat on the Cranberry. Professor Walton excused himself, and left them alone.

The sat there just staring at each other silently for a quarter of an hour. Finally, Draco stood, and sauntered over to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him, Hermione heard the shower turn on. She decided to unpack and change into her pajamas while he was showering. With a flick of her wand her robes, and muggle clothes flew to her closet, and the few knick knacks she still possessed landed on her the writing desk next to her closet door, and the small night table by her bed. Pulling on a tank top, and baggy pajamas she settled under the covers, she was so exhausted she didn't even read. She was still trying to process how she ended up in a shared bedroom with Draco Malfoy, halfway across the world. She had been planning to read a little, but found herself falling asleep within only a minute or so of being in her bed. She didn't hear Draco emerging from the bathroom. He dug through his trunk, not bothering to unpack it, and pulled on a pair of pajama pants. He sidled over to where Hermione was sleeping and just gazed at her, transfixed at how peacefully she slept, her mussed curls falling into her eyes. Before he even knew what he was doing he had brushed a wayward curl from her forehead. Withdrawing his hand in horror he practically flew to his bed, and got under the covers. Swearing to himself he closed his eyes, and fell into a fitful sleep.

When Hermione awoke she silently padded to the bathroom, opening the mahogany door slowly so as not to wake Draco, and slipped inside. Shutting the door with as much care as she could, she muttered a quick 'colloportus' to make sure it was locked. Flicking her wand to turn on the taps, she held her hand under the stream of water to feel the temperature, and watched the steam rising to the ceiling. Turning to face her reflection she noticed that despite the shock of her first night in this strange setting hadn't effected her sleep. The deep purple under her eyes had faded slightly. She removed her pajamas and tank, and stepped into the hot, steamy water. Feeling it pour over her and relishing the heat. Rolling her shoulders feeling the tension diminishing, she couldn't imagine what the school was thinking having her dorm with Malfoy. Sighing she was determined to make the most of this situation, she was here to sit her NEWTs and get away from Britain, that was all, she could ignore her roommate for the most part, if necessary. Reflecting back on the evening before she had noticed a reserved, less haughty Malfoy. Perhaps he was just as determined to escape his former life and prejudices as much as she was. Finishing her shower, she wrapped a fluffy blue towel around her slim for, and flicked the water off with another swish of her want. Enveloping her curls in another towel, and grabbing her discarded pajamas she listened at the door for any sign of movement. Determining that Malfoy hadn't risen yet, she opened the door and peeked out. He wasn't in his bed, but he wasn't in the shared space either. She scuttled over to her closet, and closed the door behind her to dress.

She emerged a few minutes later, crossing back to the bathroom to put hair potion in her hair to tame her unruly curls. Brushing the potion through her hair with her fingers, she dried her hair using a drying charm, and made for the door. As she was exiting she bumped directly into a firm fleshy form. Startled she looked up and met Draco's surprised gaze.

"Sorry." She muttered, scooting past him. He said nothing, his face didn't hold the same disdain he usually had when she had ever brushed him, he just looked confused. He slipped into the bathroom, and she heard the shower turn on. Deciding now was the best time to make her exit she grabbed her book bag, and headed into the hall that led to the Horned Serpent common room. There was an array of students already assembled, Professor Walton standing by the fireplace.

"All right, all right, you eager beavers, I'll give you all your schedules in a moment." He was looking harried, and shuffled many papers in his hands, he flicked his wand hand and the papers scattered to the appropriate students. Hermione grasped hers and noticed that it was not at all like Hogwarts. She had Arithmancy first, then a free period, Potions, then lunch, and then Defense against the Dark Arts. A girl who looked about her age made her way over to Hermione, she had long dark hair, and a pretty smile.

"Hi, I'm Amy Thomas, we're going to have a kind of orientation meeting after DADA, to kind of get you and the other transfer acclimated to Ilvermorny, and answer any questions you may have. We'll hold it in the classroom next to the dining hall, so I'll see you then." With that she flounced off, over toward Draco. Hermione sighed, and gathered the strap of her bag tighter on her shoulder and made for the door, she desperately was hoping for a scone and some strong tea at breakfast. Following the other students down the winding hallway she made her way to the dining hall. Sliding down at the end of the long bench she noticed that there was a severe lack of tea, not to mention scones. She settled for some toast, and pouring herself a steaming cup of coffee from the silver karafe on the table. Sighing again, resigned to the fact that she had forgotten the American's weren't nearly as fond of tea as the British were (how could anyone forget they threw tons of it into a bay once), she sipped the bitter coffee. Choking a little she plucked the cream off the table with force, and dumped quite a bit into her cup, adding three full spoonful's of sugar she stirred and tasted the drink again, better she thought to herself. She was so busy fussing with her coffee that she didn't notice the tall, pale form sitting across from her.

"Granger, would you like some coffee with your milk?" Draco drawled sarcastically.

Hermione looked up sharply at him. It was the first thing he had uttered to her since they had met in the entryway of the dining hall the evening before. As she looked at him, he just raised his eyebrows, and smirked, before setting to making his own cup of coffee. He didn't eat anything, just read his arithmancy text and sipped his coffee. She didn't respond, to his question, as she was just so shocked he had talked to her at all. She thought they were going to politely ignore each other for the year, and just get through their NEWTs. He didn't look like he was interested in a conversation anyway. She continued nibbling at her toast, and opened her arithmancy text, propping it up against a pitcher of orange juice.

The sat in peaceful silence, until the bell rang for the start of the first class. She and Draco exchanged a look before each standing and grabbing their texts respectively. As she rounded the corner of the dining hall entry and crossed the circular antechamber where their sorting took place Draco fell silently into step beside her. He didn't engage in conversation, just walked beside her, it felt as though he were an ally in this strange new place. Amy sidled up beside them, and walked only slightly faster.

"Hi." She said breathlessly, as though she had run to catch up with them. "I figured you both might need some assistance in finding your way around until we have our orientation. We have all the same classes today, I checked with Professor Walton. Anyway, you're both going the wrong direction for Arithmancy, you should have turned left at the top of the second floor, not the fourth." They all stopped abruptly.

"Why didn't you stop us, instead of continuing to walk?" Draco growled menacingly.

"I figured I would steer you in the right direction. No need to worry about being late, it's Professor Walton's class. He figured you two might get a bit lost."

The all turned and headed back the way they came, scurrying down the stairs as fast as the could without tripping. Once they hit the second floor they turned right, Hermione, and Draco allowed themselves to be led to the classroom by their American classmate. As they entered the classroom Professor Walton was at the head of the room, the second bell tolling just as they crossed the threshold, he looked up and smiled genuinely at the three of them.

"Ah! I was wondering when you would turn up. While this school may not be as tall as Hogwarts, it makes up for it in winding corridors. I assume Amy was able to locate you before you got too lost in the maze?"

"Y-Yes professor." Hermione managed to stammer out. Hermione's face tinged pink at the attention they received, all the student's heads had turned to look at them.

"Best get it over with. Class, we have two exchange students this year, please welcome Miss Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy. They are from Hogwarts, as their school was nearly destroyed in the recently ended war there, they have graciously decided to complete their studies here with us in America at Ilvermorny. I know the Headmaster mentioned it last night, but as we are now in closer proximity I expect you all to be welcoming to them. It's not easy to leave everything you know behind, to start at a new school when you are going to be leaving that same school only ten months later, not to mention their families and friends have all been separated."

Hermione's thoughts trailed to her parents. She looked down, and desperately wanted the attention off of her. Professor Walton gestured at them to take their seats. There was only one table with two seats left, Amy had meandered over to one of her friends who had saved her a spot. Draco and Hermione slumped down next to each other. Professor Walton began the lesson. It was more of a review to see where everyone was in their understanding of the tricky divining subject. Before they knew it the bell had run again.

With a free period, she decided she would walk outside for an hour to get to know the grounds. That was what she missed most about Hogwarts. The familiar landscaped, in which she had traipsed with Harry, and Ron. Thinking of them with a pang of longing, she noticed a small pond with a bench beneath a willow. Sitting down, she hadn't noticed that Draco had followed her. He plopped down haphazardly beside her and she started with surprise.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" She demanded a bit more harshly than she had meant. He had just surprised her so much. He said nothing for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts the best way to tackle the question, finally after a moment, and a deeply furrowed brow he answered.

"I have an identical schedule to you, I don't know anyone else here beside you and that Ashley girl-"

"Amy-" Hermione corrected automatically.

"Whatever. Anyway I don't really feel like getting cozy with anyone, I'm here to get my NEWTs taken, and be done with it. I'm fulfilling my probation without the constant stares of everyone who knew me at Hogwarts, and the full transcriptions of the trials out in the public mean they know everything I've done. I know you'll get all Hufflepuff and make some friends this year, but its comfortable with you as I know you. You were at my trial, you defended me, you testified for me. I don't know why you did it, but I appreciate what you did, despite the many years of my being horrible to you. Despite what my family did to you at the Manor. I don't usually go around expressing my feelings, it goes against all self preservation, but I realize honesty works with you. We don't have to talk, I'm just looking for companionship at the moment-"

He drifted off as he watched her expression go from frustrated, to confused, to empathetic. He didn't need her pity, he just wanted someone to avoid being the weird loner. Finally she relaxed and let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"All right." She turned toward the pond and just gazed at it. They said nothing else to each other and sat in companionable silence for the remainder of their free period. When they heard the bell they both rose and walked back toward the entryway. Amy met them at the door, and gestured for them to follow her. They fell into step again, and followed her down a small curving stairway made of rough limestone. If the school had been a castle it could have been a dungeon, but alas, this was America, it was more of a limestone cellar. The stairway itself led right into the potions classroom, it was a huge open space, with a low exposed beam ceiling. There were lantern sconces along the walls, and a wide wagon wheel chandelier. At the back of the room were huge pewter, silver, and gold cauldrons. All bubbling and releasing different vapors. The front of the room held potion tables that sat two students comfortably. Again Amy headed off to sit with yet another friend, and left Draco and Hermione to sit together in the last row. The Professor a pinched looking woman who reminded Hermione of Professor McGonagall swept into the room. The class went silent at her approach, once she reached the head of the class and took roll she finally broke into a smile. She looked up and addressed the pair sitting in the last row and stated simply that her name was Professor Gianni.

Another lesson of review. Hermione sighed she was eager to learn new things, why did every professor do review? The end of the lesson had Hermione's interest again, Professor Gianni announced that they were to do a project. They would need to find a partner to work on this project with, however a student may have more than one partner, one that could also be from a different house. Each pair would have to come up with an experimental potion of their own design. This was to be done outside of class, however Wednesdays were reserved for work on the potion while in class, She would be assigning times to each pairs once they had been made in thirty minute increments to go over their work one on one with them, and coach them on what the next steps would be. This was the most exciting portion of the lesson thus far. As the bell rang Professor Gianni announced that she expected every student to have a partner by Wednesday, if there was one student paired with multiple students, then she would allot the thirty minutes of private study with her consecutively.

Find a potions partner by Wednesday? That was an impossible task! She didn't know anyone yet! Draco had caught up with her, and walked beside her to the dining hall again for lunch. They sat opposite each other on the end of the bench and tucked into their sandwiches. One lunch ended, Amy came to gather them again and walked them to DADA. Professor Martin was a friendly fellow. He was tall, thin and had dirty blonde hair. He talked with great enthusiasm about learning the final year of defense against the dark arts. The class was more review, and Hermione wanted to cut holes in her eardrums. This class was possibly the worst to take, not just for her, but for Draco as well. She turned her head slightly to catch his eye, he smirked. He must have been thinking along the same line as her. He was a master of dark arts having lived through the terror of having Voldemort in his house. He knew the counter curses for all the jinxes, and unforgivable curses he was forced to deal out to unwitting failures of the dark lord. She was the heroine of the light. He pulled out his quill and began doodling a cartoon dragon eating the professor on a Scottish moor. The ink was enchanted to be animated. She snorted to herself, and pulled the parchment from him, she added herself dressed as Bellatrix to the dragon's back, falling into a lake.

Looking amused at her addition, until dawning comprehension crashed over him. He looked at her with startled eyes. Pulling his doodle back toward him, he scratched out the whole thing and looked back up to the professor. The class passed in endless silence. Finally the bell rang, and they both sprang up. Amy had headed them off, and led them back to a classroom next to the dining hall. The smell of dinner wafting heavily into the walls permeating the space. Hermione heard her stomach give a telltale gargle, but she sat at an empty desk and looked out the window.

"Well, I've been instructed to give you each one of these." Amy passed out an enchanted map of Ilvermorny, much like Harry's Maurauder's map, only it didn't show where everyone was. Draco looked up, an angry mask overcoming his features.

"Why couldn't you have given this to us this morning?" He demanded.

"Because, I was supposed to walk with you this morning to give you someone you could ask questions, a buddy of sorts. However, you both don't say much, so it seemed rather silly."

"I'm sorry." Hermione stated simply. "It's just a big change, and a bit overwhelming."

"That's what this orientation is for, to help you adjust. I'm someone you can both come to with any questions. If I don't feel I can answer, then I will bring it to the head of house, or the head master. How did your classes go today?"

Caught off guard by the direct question Hermione and Draco both looked at each other with bewildered eyes, Hermione started.

"They were fine, but everything was review, are all the classes going to be like that? At Hogwarts the professors assumed that we had reviewed over the summer and went straight into the new material."

"Well, yes, we aren't given work over the summer break, so each professor usually spends the first week reviewing material. I didn't think either of you would have an issue. I read about the horror of the war, I know that Mr. Malfoy attended for part of the year but didn't go back after Christmas and had to live with Voldemort-"

Draco inhaled sharply at the name and winced, Amy continued.

"And I know that you were traipsing the countryside with Harry Potter. You didn't get to learn anything new." She finished lamely.

"I remember everything I have been taught, yes I traipsed the countryside but I was reading the whole time when not being almost killed, and hunting horcruxes." Hermione retorted. She didn't like talking about the year in the tent, and the horrors she herself had experienced with Harry, and Ron at her side.

Amy nodded sadly "I didn't mean to offend you, I'd really like us to be friends."

Amy continued with her basic orientation and going over the map. She directed them to where the library was, and the quidditch pitch. After about forty five minutes it was time to depart. Hermione's stomach was rumbling loudly now. Once dismissed Draco shot up and practically ran out of the room. Hermione and Amy picked up their things and packed them away.

"I meant it you know, I'd really like to be your friend." Amy muttered quietly.

"I know, I'd really like to be your friend, I just really don't want to talk about what happened last year. I came here to avoid it really, I could have gone to any school, but this seemed separate enough from everything that it felt like my best chance."

"Friends?" Amy asked her hopefully.

"Friends," Hermione confirmed, and beamed at Amy.

"So, what's his deal?" Amy inquired nodding toward where Malfoy had departed.

"He, also wants to escape his past." She shrugged and began to walk toward the door.

"I find him intriguing, and cute too! I wonder if he'd agree to be my potions partner."

Hermione felt something in her chest tighten at her new friend's apparent interest in Malfoy. She tamped it down, and just shrugged. She was planning on asking him at dinner if he would be her partner, but Professor Gianni had mentioned that a student could have two. She felt a pang of jealousy rise in her stomach. Chiding herself for being ridiculous she walked with Amy to the dining hall. Malfoy was absent, he must have bolted his food down and ran for it. Amy and Hermione sat next to each other chatting about their lives and growing up in Magical Britain versus Magical America. Hermione was fascinated, it felt like everything was different.

After finishing her dinner Amy hurried off to the dorm, and Hermione went for a walk to locate the library. She consulted her map, and found it on the fourth floor almost to the end of one of the winding corridors. She stepped inside and gasped. It was a huge room, floor to ceiling shelves, with as many window seats as anyone could desire. The room was one of the lighter colored in the whole manor. A pale mossy green, with honeyed wood paneling below the paint. It was quite possibly the most beautiful room she had ever seen. Once settled with her tour of the magnificent room, she headed back down to the Horned Serpent dorm. Making her way to Draco, and her shared room, she entered, and practically threw her bag down on her desk. Malfoy was hunched over his desk writing something, he hadn't noticed her entry. She flopped down on her bed, on her back, and began wriggling out of her robes. Toeing off her shoes, and removing her tie she unbuttoned the first three buttons on her shirt. She hadn't noticed Draco staring at her, he had obviously stopped what he was doing and had been watching her intently. She felt a flush creeping up her cheeks.

"I was uncomfortable." She stated rather lamely.

He smirked, but his eyes had darkened slightly. She felt the heat become stronger and knew she was blushing furiously. She sat up and looked down at her hands, fiddling with them, gaining the courage to ask if he'd be her potions partner.

"I- uh, would you, um could you-"

"Spit it out Granger"

"Would you consider being my potions partner?" She felt her face flush more if it was possible.

He smirked, and cooly responded "Why Granger, I didn't realize you wanted to work with me so closely, as it so happens I do already have a potions partner, that Ainsley girl-"

"Amy-" Hermione corrected again

"Whatever, she asked me after dinner."

"You could have more than one." Hermione argued

"True, but it would require a lot of work on my end."

"Please, Malfoy." She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

He sighed resignedly. "Of course, I'll be your potions partner."

With that he strode toward his the bathroom and she heard the tap of the tub turn on. Hermione took the opportunity to change into her pajamas as well. When he returned she had already snuggled into her bed, and was sound asleep. He walked over to her again, and removed the book she had obviously been reading. He closed it and placed it on her bedside table. He again, brushed an unruly curl off her forehead and sighed down at her. He didn't recoil this time, but found himself studying her features. She really had grown very pretty, her lips were full and pink, her hair while wild and curly, had been shinier, and she was thin with womanly curves. He noted her swell of her breasts peeking out from the top of her tank top, and felt himself growing hard at the sight of them. He backpedaled over to his bed, and drew the hangings around it. Casting a silencing charm he found his relief by pulsing his hand over his hardened erection, fantasizing about a naked Hermione coming closer to him and straddling him, sinking onto his hard shaft and screaming in pleasure. Sated, he scourgified himself, and fell asleep.

A/N: I've begun a new story! I will continue to update Et Draco Lutra, but this one came to me so I'm going to work on both. I hope you enjoy my new take on an eighth year fic. This one isn't very dialogue heavy, as I needed to build this new school and go through what was happening a bit. There will be a lot more dialogue later on! Thank you for reading. I'm still working through the process of writing, so forgive any glaring mistakes!

HUGE THANK YOU TO LADYKENZ347 FOR THE LOVELY COVER!!!