Hey Guys! Here is the first chapter of Part 2! I hope that you like it! Try to leave a Review! The next chapter will be posted soon!
September 1, 1998
The Hogwarts Express was about halfway to the castle when Hermione turned to her boyfriend, "Draco, I need to go change into my school robes. Could you let me out, please, love?"
He nodded and scooted out of his seat at the table and let her out. Ginny, who had been sitting across form her also stood up once Harry moved out of her way.
Luna had left ten minutes prior to meet with the Head Boy and speak with the Prefects.
Pansy and Hannah joined the Gryffindor girls as they grabbed their school robes and headed out of the car to find an empty cabin to change in.
"I wonder who's teaching this year." Harry commented as he opened a chocolate frog, "I'm sure that many professors stayed but…" He paused, unsure about how to word his statement, "well…many passed or were injured so badly…"
Draco nodded, flitching slightly as the familiar itch on his left forearm that reminded him of the Dark Mark's constant presence.
Neville and Ron scoot over to their table.
"We were just discussing how…interesting Quidditch will be this year." Ron smirked.
Draco huffed a light laugh and nodded in agreement. "It's going to be really tough on all of you when Slytherin kicks your arses and wins the Quidditch Cup."
Blaise chuckled, overhearing the comment and nodded, "Hell yes we will!" He grinned, high-fiving Theo.
Draco chuckled as Ron huffed, "That's not happening."
As the blokes bantered back and forth, Draco noticed the train car door open. He expected to see the girls by instead, it was Gregory Goyle, Carter Wolfe and Nolan Whitcombe.
Draco sighed, he knew something would happen, he should have been more prepared for this.
"Malfoy." Gregory said.
"Goyle." Draco replied in a tone of boredom.
"I think I owe you for our last interaction." Goyle said in a growl of anger, "At the Quidditch game."
Draco nudged Neville, hoping he'd move so that the blonde could stand up.
Goyle swiftly but inconspicuously pulled his wand out, aiming it at Draco as the other two Slytherins blocked view from the doors on each side of the car.
"What are you going to do? Kill me?" Draco asked angrily.
"Murder is a bit harsh for a busted nose. No, I was thinking more along the lines of a bit of pain." Goyle smirked and opened his mouth to speak the curse when he was suddenly struck mute.
The others in the car looked confused. It had been clear that he meant to use the Cruciatus Curse on his fellow Slytherin, but nothing came out. As Goyle began to panic, Draco looked past his ex-lackey and noticed his girlfriend with her wand aimed at Goyle and her eyes narrowed in anger.
Draco bit back a smile.
After Luna and the Head Boy named, Spencer Tomlin, a Hufflepuff, took the three Slytherin boys away, Hermione re-entered the train car and sat down next to her blonde boyfriend. He had a small smirk on his lips, and she felt him lay his hand on her thigh, under the table.
She raised her brow, but he simply shook his head and pressed a kiss to her shoulder before turning back to Harry.
As the train pulled into the station at Hogsmeade, the students began to get excited.
Draco and Hermione waited with their friends until most of the train was unloaded before getting off themselves and catching the last two carriages up to the castle.
Draco, Hermione, Ron, Pansy, Harry, and Ginny all climbed into one. As they rode, Draco looked to his right at his girlfriend and smiled. He nudged her shoulder with his before pressing a kiss there.
She smiled and met his eyes, "I'll meet you in the common room of the Eighth Year Dorms, yea?"
He nodded, "Yea."
As they arrived at the castle, the six of them met up with Theo, Luna Neville, Hannah, Blaise, and Timothy. The group made their way into the Great Hall before the room suddenly went quiet. Everyone was looking at the twelve of them.
It was hard for many to believe that people who had been such extreme foes for so long were now so close.
Hermione noticed some of the Slytherin girls glaring at her and turned to Draco, "I'll see you in a bit."
He nodded and pressed a kiss to her cheek, "You will." He muttered, before making his way over to the Slytherin table with Blaise, Theo, and Pansy.
Luna walked straight to the Ravenclaw table, head held high while Hannah bid Neville farewell and made her way towards the Hufflepuff table.
"Let's go then." Harry said, leading Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Neville, and Timothy over to the Gryffindor table.
The room broke out into hushed whispers of gossip.
After a moment, Headmistress McGonagall stood up and stepped up to the podium causing the room to be silent once more.
"Hello all and welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I know this year will be different for many of you and should you need any help, feel free to speak with your head of house. For now, let us welcome the first years and have them sorted into their houses." She said, nodding to a man none of the students recognized.
He was in his forties with wisps of grey hair throughout his darker ones. He led the crowd of first years to the front of the Great Hall and began calling their names from a scroll of parchment.
While the sorting went on, Draco turned to Blaise, "There's an awful lot of new faces at the faculty table." He muttered.
Blaise nodded, "Yea. Though, I don't blame some of the professors for leaving. After everything that happened…this place has quite a few…memories."
Draco nodded and looked around, catching Hermione's eyes from across the room. She smiled at, causing him to feel a bit more at ease. He smiled back before hearing Professor McGonagall speak up.
"Welcome, First Years. Before our feast, I've got a few announcements to make. Due to the circumstances of last year, we have quite a few new faculty members to announce. To start with, taking over as Deputy Headmaster is Maximus O'Conner. He will also be your Professor in Ancient Runes." She paused as the man who had led the first years in nodded to the students and took his seat next to McGonagall's empty one as the Headmistress continued "As Transfiguration Instructor, we have Professor Octavius Madden." She said, indicating a young, somewhat odd-looking man, who nodded at her. "Taking over as Astronomy Instructor is Professor Astrophel Throndsen." McGonagall announced, nodding to a very mysterious man who nodded back but otherwise made no movement.
"As for our Potions course and Head of Slytherin House, Professor Horace Slughorn has agreed to come back and take up those positions. Our new Muggle Studies Instructor is Boman Lehrer." She said nodding to both Professor Slughorn and a man who was far more relaxed and laid back than any other person at the faculty table.
"With Madam Hooch moving on to other opportunities, we welcome Professor Boris Yotov as the Flying Instructor." She said, shocking Hermione and the rest of the group.
It couldn't be true.
But it was. Viktor Krum's brother-in-law was their new flying instructor. Hermione looked over at Draco who was looking at the new instructor with a hesitant, uneasy expression. She sighed as McGonagall continued.
"This school year we are trying a new system for History of Magic. First years through fourth years will be taught by Professor Maverick Gibson while fifth years through eighth will be taught by Professor Eve Hubert." She announced, motioning for those two new professors to stand.
Professor Gibson was all muscle and wore a leather jacket while Professor Hubert was a short woman who simply smiled at the students.
"The Healing Magic Course will be taught by Professors Galen Jennings and Jaison Bachmann." She said, nodding to two men who each looked equally wise while being complete opposites. Professor Jennings was tall and thin, well groomed and stoic while Professor Bachmann was short with a long beard and grinned, waving at the students.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is now being taught by Professor Cortez Davies who will also be Head of Gryffindor House." The Headmistress said, looking at a man who if anyone had asked, Draco would have said he was a Slytherin. It shocked many in the room to learn that the dark eyed wizard in all black was a Gryffindor.
McGonagall looked at the students and said, "If you are in need of anything, our new caretaker, Nigel Dankworth will be happy to help you." She said, indicating the man with strict eyes at the other end of the Great Hall.
"I know this is a lot to comprehend, but these professors and other faculty members have all worked extraordinarily hard over the summer months to make this castle a safe, secure and welcoming place to learn once more. The names of every professor, their courses and office hours are posted in the common rooms on the bulletin boards."
"You will all notice that there are now wardens located throughout the castle They have Hogwarts Warden Badges on their robes. They are here to keep you safe. Should you feel as if you are in danger or that you have a safety concern of some sort, you can either report to them or to a professor." She said, pointedly. "Now, classes will begin on Monday. You have the weekend to learn your way around the castle and I suggest you each take the opportunity to do that. "Your schedules will be delivered to you tomorrow. After we finish eating, First Years and Eighth Years are to stay in the Great Hall. As for now. let's enjoy the feast!" She said with a small smile as the food appeared on the tables in front of everyone.
Draco looked at Blaise who huffed, "Krum's brother-in-law is working here? Blimey, I did not see that one coming."
Draco nodded and looked over at Hermione who met his eyes with a look of concern. He smiled at her and winked, letting her know that everything was fine. He could see the worry leave her as her shoulders eased a bit.
After the feast was over most of the student body left while the youngest and oldest pupils remained in their seats.
"First Years, the Prefects will show you to the dormitories." McGonagall said, motioning to the waiting group of Sixth Years.
After the First Years had left, the Headmistress and Professor O'Conner, the Deputy Headmaster, stepped onto the main floor.
"All of you, come sit closer." McGonagall said, waving them closer.
Draco and his Slytherin friends were the first ones to stand up and move to the Gryffindor table. He sat next to Hermione and held her hand under the table.
Once they were all at one table, McGonagall spoke again, "I know that this year is going to be difficult. Very few of your classmates have returned and you have all faced a tremendous about of danger in the past. Times have changed though. You need to be an example to the younger students and encourage interhouse friendships. Some of you have already begun this and I am happy to see that. I am now asking the rest of you to look past your differences." She paused and looked at everyone with knowing eyes. Eyes so knowing that they nearly put Albus Dumbledore to shame. After a moment of heavy silence she continued, "As you are adults now, we have put you in your own Eighth Year Dormitories. Professor O'Conner will show you to them. Should any of you need anything, my door is always open."
The Headmistress nodded to the class that had once been double the size. As she turned to leave, she looked directly at Draco and Hermione, catching both pairs of eyes with a pair of sharp green eyes. She looked away, but each of them felt as if she knew something, they hadn't quite figured out yet.
As she left the Great Hall, Draco looked down at where their hands were intertwined and bit his lip, feeling as if there was something he wasn't seeing. There was something in McGonagall's eyes that had sent an uneasy feeling to his gut.
Professor O'Conner stepped closer, "Hello all." He said with an Irish accent as a small, genuine but professional smile appeared on his face, "Follow me, yea?"
"I'll do my best to get to know each of you. As Headmistress McGonagall stated, if any of you ever need anything, let either of us know." He said, loud enough as he led them up to the third floor, past the library and down a corridor on the right.
When they came to a painting of the Hogwarts Emblem, Professor O'Conner spoke up clearly, "Amor Vincit Omnia!"
The painting swung forward, allowing them to enter into a large room with vaulted ceilings. It was different than any other common room. Each house's color was displayed throughout the space, whether by a throw pillow or blanket. Four banners hung above the mantel of the massive fireplace, each one representing a house. There were tables around the room as well as several sofas and lounge chairs.
"Up to the right are the Boy's Dormitories, on the left are the Girl's Dormitories. Each Dormitory has two beds. Your dormmates will be listed on this bulletin board over here. Each dorm also has its own lavatory with a bathtub, shower, toilet and two sinks." The Professor explained, "There is a small kitchenette through that door so that you all are able to have a cuppa whenever. Your belongings will be in your rooms. Enjoy your weekend. I'll see you all in class on Monday." He nodded before leaving them to themselves.
"So, it's true then?" Draco heard after the painting shut behind the Deputy Headmaster. He turned to see Carter Wolfe, a fellow pureblood Slytherin, glaring at him and Hermione. "Malfoy and the Mudblood."
"Did you not hear anything they just said, Wolfe?" Pansy asked, stepping forward.
"You're really okay that your shag buddy is with a Mudblood?" Carter asked with anger in his voice as Gregory Goyle watched the scene closely from behind him with a small smirk on his lips.
Ron and Draco both moved towards the Slytherin with rage radiating off of them. Hermione reached out, grabbing Draco's arm while Pansy stepped forward herself and slapped Carter across the face.
"Don't call her that!" Pansy said angrily, surprising everyone with her first concern being Hermione and not her own reputation. "As for my dear mate, Draco, yes, he and Hermione Granger are in a bloody relationship, and they are happy!" She said, blowing up in Wolfe's face, "Some of us have changed. You ought to try that, Wolfe." She glared before turning on her heal and pulling Ron towards one of the sofas.
Draco glared at the other Slytherin who stood in shock before reaching for his wand.
"Don't even try it, Mr. Wolfe." They heard from the door of the kitchenette.
Draco and Hermione spun around and saw Headmistress McGonagall standing there with a look of utter disappointment on her face. A man, in a light grey shirt and a pair of black trousers with a calm demeaner stood next to her.
"I know that during previous years at Hogwarts, houses have been known to have rivalries. I understand your reasoning, but I will not stand for that behavior anymore. I know that you are adults but until you begin to fully respect each other, you're going to need some sort of supervision. This is Aldo Ashford. He is the Head Warden here at Hogwarts and will remain living in the Warden's Dormitory that is located just off your common room here." She said, nodding to another door that none of them had noticed before. "I do not wish to expel any of you, however, should your behavior become a burden on any other student, specifically on their ability to do schoolwork and make achievements while here, I will not hesitate to do so. Your education is immensely important me, but I cannot let the hatred that hovered in the halls seep back into this renovated castle…I won't. Is that understood?" she said in a tone that left no one wanting to test her.
Most of the Eighth Years nodded before the Headmistress left.
"Hello. You are welcome to call me Warden Ashford. If any of you have concerns about fellow classmates, come talk to me. You will either find me here or in my office which is located near the Hospital Wing in room one-fifty-seven." Warden Ashford said before looking directly at Carter Wolfe, "Mr. Wolfe, this is your first and only warning to lose that kind of behavior."
Warden Ashford nodded, seeing Wolfe's shoulders deflate slightly. He walked over and sat down at one of the tables where a copy of the Daily Prophet and cup of tea was waiting.
Draco turned, glancing at Wolfe before looking back at Hermione, "I'm going to go change out of these robes. I'll meet you in here, yea?" He asked as other students began to split up, going off to find their own dormitories.
The brunette nodded and smiled at him before following Parvati up the left set of steps.
Draco watched her for a moment before following Blaise up the right steps. They found the wooden door with their names above it and opened it.
The room had two four-poster beds with privacy curtains just like the other dorms but there was much more space. A fireplace separated the beds with two lounge chairs on either side of it. There were two sets of bookshelves and a small table with two wooden straight chairs.
Green was the main theme in the room, but it wasn't an overuse of the color like the other Slytherin Dormitories.
"This is nice." Blaise grinned as he pulled his robes off.
Draco nodded and tugged his sweater over his head.
"So are we going to talk about it?" Blaise smirked as he waved his wand, causing certain clothes to fly out of his trunk.
Draco didn't look at the taller bloke. He knew what his friend was speaking of, but he wasn't sure what to say about it.
"Draco, mate, you and Hermione were in that locked room, that night at the Manor. Come on now?" Blaise sighed as he tugged a black tee on over his head and pulled on a pair of jeans.
Draco sighed and looked over at his best friend, "Blaise, it just…things were…heated."
"In a good way, right?" the dark-skinned wizard asked while slipping on a light jacket.
Draco nodded, "Yea." He muttered, still unable to stop thinking about that night at the Manor. He and Hermione had been quite close to taking the next step but had been interrupted. Had they not been…who knows? "Listen, her birthday is the nineteenth. Is there anyway you could find another place to sleep that night? I'm not saying that we're going to…"
Blaise shook his head, "Mate, relax. Of course, I'll find another place to sleep. Don't worry about it." He smiled genuinely at his friend.
"Thanks, Mate." Draco nodded, pulling a blue tee on before adding, "It's her Golden Birthday." in an odd tone.
Blaise paused, "Really?" he asked with an intrigued grin as Draco pulled on a pair of jeans, "So she's turning nineteen on the nineteenth…" He muttered, "Golden birthdays are incredible. Mine was when I was ten and it was brilliant. I got everything you could possibly imagine. What about you?"
"I was only five, but I got to spend it with my mother. I remember a lot of laughter." Draco grinned.
"I know she's the brightest witch of her age, but being muggle-born, do you think she knows about magical folks and their golden birthdays?" Blaise asked as they finished getting changed.
"I would think so, but I'll find out." Draco said as the two of them left the room and went back down to the Common Room.
Their other friends had already gathered on some of the sofas and lounge chairs. Draco walked over to Hermione, who was sitting in a lounge chair. She stood up and nodded for him to sit down. He did and she took a seat on his lap, making him smile.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow? We need to do something. It's a big day." Blaise said.
Theo shook his head, "It's not that important."
"Theo, it's your birthday, mate." Draco said pointedly, "I bet we could find some sort of cake in the kitchens, and I know for a fact that Blaise has some Firewhiskey."
Theo grinned, "We could just bum around in here."
"Or we could go to the Quidditch pitch. It's supposed to be a nice day tomorrow if a bit chilly." Harry said from his spot next to Ron and Pansy on the sofa.
"That's nothing." Blaise waved it off, "We're all in relationships, we can keep each other warm." He said with a smirk, catching Draco attention.
Pansy spoke up, grinning, "You and Timothy?"
Blaise nodded with a wide grin.
"Where is he, anyhow?" Ron asked
"He had to write his mother. His father passed a couple months back, so she's alone." Blaise said.
"So he'll be going home for Winter Holiday, right?" Draco asked.
Blaise nodded, "Yea. Actually, I meant to talk to you lot about Winter Holiday. We ought to have a New Year's Eve Bash." He grinned.
"Where?" Ron asked
"Yea." Pansy said, "I'm guessing that you want to have a bit of a lewder bash than the Burrow will allow."
Blaise smirked, "Hell yes, I do. I was thinking the Manor. Narcissa will hardly know we're there."
"Erm, she'll know." Draco said, not wanting to put his mother through that. "Any other place?"
"Yea." The nodded, "My place. My brother may be there during the holiday, but my mother will be with my uncle." He noticed the confusion and shook his head, "My father's an imprisoned Death Eater and we all have an odd family dynamic." He muttered.
As the others chatted, Hermione turned her head, looking at Draco with a small smile on her lips. She fought the urge to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth when he smiled back. His eyes softened as he squeezed her thigh gently, letting her know that he understood her current emotions and he too wanted to kiss her.
She blushed and looked behind him at the entrance to the Common Room that had just opened. Ginny and Luna walked in and straight over to the group. Ginny plopped herself down on Harry's lap while Luna sat by Theo's feet, on the plush rug.
"We're having a New Years Eve Bash at Nott's house." Harry told Ginny.
Ginny turned to look at Them, "At the Nott Castle, really?"
"Wait, you live in a castle?" Ron asked in shock.
"Did I forget to mention that?" Theo asked.
Draco chuckled, as Harry spoke up, "We were also just discussing what to do for Nott's birthday tomorrow."
"I'll be making a Carrot Cake. It's Theodore's favorite." Luna informed them.
Theo smiled and leaned forward, "Thank you." He murmured to her, causing a rare and endearing blush to appear on Luna's cheeks.
Hermione looked over and noticed Seamus and Dean walking over with Parvati and a girl she didn't recognize.
"Theo?" The girl said in a surprised tone.
Theo looked over and his eyes widened, "Fiona…"
"Bloody hell." Blaise muttered, recognizing the name as the Hufflepuff girl Theo had been talking about non-stop before he and Luna had gotten together.
"Well, I suppose some of you already know, Fiona O'Sullivan…my girlfriend." Dean said in a slightly defensive tone, "She and I were supposed to be at your End of Summer Bash but were unable to make it. We thought we'd come over and say hello."
"Nice to meet you, Fiona." Ginny smiled from her spot on Harry's lap.
"Fiona is my dormmate." Hannah said from next to Neville.
Fiona smiled and nodded, glancing at Theo nervously.
"Would you four care to join us?" Luna asked nonchalantly as she leaned back against Theo's legs.
After an about an hour of chatting, some of the group decided to head to bed. Ginny and Luna had to leave due to curfew, so they all made plans for the next morning.
"We'll meet you all in the Great Hall for breakfast." Ginny said to the others before leaving.
Blaise grinned as Draco and Hermione disappeared to Draco's dormitory.
"This is a lot like mine but Slytherin and…boyish." She smirked, looking around.
Draco chuckled and nodded, "I was thinking that on your birthday, we could have dinner in here. Blaise said that he'd find another place to sleep, so you can spend the night…if you'd like." He said with a hint of nervousness.
She smiled, "That sounds lovely. You know, if Neville goes to Hannah's room, and Fiona goes to Dean's then Seamus could go to my room to be with Parvati, and I could come here which would leave Timothy alone in his room."
Draco chuckled, "You truly are the brightest witch of her age."
"Well using my knowledge to help everyone get their proper shags in seems like a good idea." She smirked.
Draco chuckled and nodded, pulling her close. "So, you do realize that this birthday of yours that's coming up is your golden birthday, right?"
Hermione frowned, "Golden Birthday? What do you mean?"
Draco shook his head in surprise, "I'm a bit taken aback that you don't know but in the magical world when you turn the age of the day you were born…for instance, you're turning nineteen on the nineteenth…well, it's a lot like taking a vial of Felix Felicis. All day, it's just about the luckiest you'll ever be without taking a potion."
Hermione was completely surprised by the new information, "Really? I've never heard of that. That would mean that yours was when you were five. What do you remember from that day?"
He nodded with a fond grin on his lips, "I recall getting sweets all day long and not having to go to any of those pompous gatherings my father always attended. I believe I was able to stay home with Mother and we spent time actually playing together. It was by far the luckiest day I ever had when I was younger."
She smiled, cupping his jaw, "I had no idea. I've never read much about birthday traditions."
He nodded and leaned in, kissing her lips softly. She tilted her head, kissing him back as she threaded her fingers through his hair at the base of his skull, pulling him deeper into the kiss.
After a few minutes of snogging, Draco pulled back and met her eyes, "Could I ask you a question?"
She nodded and pressed a kissed to his neck before pulling back, "Go ahead."
"Did…erm…did it seem like McGonagall…was…was hiding something?" He asked.
Hermione furrowed her brows and nodded, "It did. When she looked at us as she left the Great Hall, it was a bit odd. I figured it was because everyone knows we're a couple."
He nodded and shrugged, "Yea…it probably was just that." He said, nodding once more before meeting her eyes and smiling as he leaned in to kiss her again.
That night, after walking her to the bottom of the stairs that led to the girl's dormitories, Draco went back to his own dorm. He got ready for bed and laid down, falling into a restless sleep.
September 2, 1998
When the group of Eighth Years got down to the Great Hall for breakfast, they found Ginny and Luna at the Gryffindor table. Instead of splitting and eating at the own house's tables, Draco and the other Slytherins, as well as Hannah and Fiona, joined the others at the Gryffindor table.
This break in tradition caught the attention of everyone in the room. Draco looked up at the faculty table and caught the green eyes of the Headmistress. She nodded to him before turning to speak with another professor.
Draco let out a breath of relief and looked at one of his best mates, "Happy Birthday, Theo."
"Thanks, Mate." Theo grinned as Luna placed a raspberry scone in front of him, making his smile widen, "Thank you, Hun."
Luna smiled and nodded, "It's your favorite…raspberry."
He turned to her with a smile, and everyone noticed once more how Luna's face tinged a bit.
Owls began to soar in through the open windows and land near their owners.
Athena landed in front of Draco, and he took three letters that were tied together from her. He gently scratched her head, "Thank you, Athena." Draco muttered, giving her a bit of toast.
As she flew off to find more food, Draco untied the letters, seeing that one was from the Weasleys to Ginny, one was from the Grangers to Hermione and the last was from his mother to him.
He passed the girl's their letters and opened his own.
Draco,
I hope your first night at Hogwarts was pleasant. I already miss you and am eager to see you at Christmas. The Weasleys, the Grangers, Andromeda and I have all been discussing the possibility of celebrating Christmas together. How does that sound to you?
Write back when you are able. Help your cousins around the castle. They may not ask, but they are nervous, your Uncle Ezio sent me a letter saying as much. He was hoping that you'd be there to assist them, should they need anything.
How is Hermione? I do hope she is well. She's such a lovely young woman, Draco. It's strange, she reminds me of a witch I read about who I believe had the surname Granger as well. Though, they can't be related, seeing as Hermione is muggle-born.
Anyhow, take care and I hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
Mother
He set the letter down as Ginny spoke up, "Blimey, Fleur is almost five weeks pregnant."
"Oh cool. I'm going to be an uncle." Ron grinned.
"How are your parents?" Draco asked Hermione, leaning closer to her as his hand came to rest on her hip.
She smiled, still reading as she leaned into him. After a moment she nodded, "They're well. Mum said that the whole lot of are having Christmas together." She replied, looking at him, "Dad and Arthur are apparently spending hours discussing all sort of things. They've become rather close according to Mum."
Draco smiled, "That's good."
"Mr. Malfoy. Miss Granger, please come with me." They heard and turned to see Warden Ashford.
Draco grabbed his letter and slipped it in his pocket before looking at Hermione. They both stood up and followed him out of the Great Hall and straight to McGonagall's office.
The Headmistress was sitting behind her desk, reading a letter with a look grave seriousness on her face.
"Have a seat Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy." McGonagall said, looking up at them from the letter.
As they sat down, she continued, "I've received a letter from the Minister of Magic. They have found and imprisoned Basil Fernby. Your families are being informed as we speak."
Draco nodded, grateful and was about to stand when she cleared her throat, "I'm afraid this is about another matter entirely."
Draco swallowed at the tone in her voice and could practically feel Hermione's urge to hold his hand, but they didn't reach for each other.
The Headmistresses looked past them, up at the wall and sighed, "Well, you ought you help, seeing as you felt the need to keep it from the dear girl." She said, surprising them both.
The couple turned and were met with the twinkling blue eyes of their previous Headmaster, "Hello, Hermione, Draco…we should talk." Albus Dumbledore spoke from within the frames of his portrait that hung on the wall of the office.