Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter just using the great characters of JK Rowling

Thank you so much for all the great reviews and I am currently writing a storm, some parts for far in the future and lots I am pasting together!

I'm working fast, so hope you enjoy this long chapter!

-------------------------------------------------

Part 7

The last two weeks of summer went by fast. Hermione was busy reading all through all of her new school books and rewriting a few of her scrolls. Hermione had to lie to Draco about where she was staying. She was at the Order of the Phoenix hide out with the Weasley's. She was ok, though she was worried about Draco being stuck in a Death eaters house. While cleaning one of the many rooms, Hermione overheard Sirius telling Harry about the Black family tree... that he was related to Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. As everyone left the room Hermione got a close look at the picture. She could see a line, like the one connecting Narcissa and Lucius faintly forming beside Draco's name, and she wondered who's name would be added next to the pure-blood Black family tree. Harry had been acting horrible to her and Ron since he arrived and Hermione couldn't wait to return to Hogwarts and begin her studies with Draco for their fifth year OWLs. Since communication was closed off to non Order of the Phoenix members Hermione couldn't even tell Draco the good news, that she made Gryffindor prefect!

~~~

Draco spent his time by reading through his books (to keep up with Hermione) and practiced up on Quidditch. As well as trying to pass time between his fathers many death eater talks about how great it was to have Voldemort back, that was when Lucius wasn't off working for him which was almost every night.

One thing they both knew was that Draco was going to have to act even worse to her this year, since Voldemorts return would prove to test their relationship even more.

It was once again time to go to Platform 9¾ to get on the Hogwarts Express for their fifth year. Draco had arrived early and was standing on the steps onto the train, talking to Crabbe and Goyle, waiting to spot Hermione. He arrived early because he couldn't wait to see the look on everyone's face if Hermione decided to dress like she did the day at Diagon Alley. He didn't make a big deal about Hermione's new look, he loved it of coarse, he is a guy, but he knew his feelings for her were more than physical.

Draco had just finished insulting something Crabbe had said when he heard murmuring from the crowd of students. Before he looked up he knew what is must be about, he put a smirk on his face and turned his gaze to Hermione.

Even though all of the boys heads were turned in her direction, and the girls were gossiping, Hermione was on her tip toes looking for her friends, particularly Draco, and he was leaning on the train door smirking at her. He was probably the only one who noticed that Hermione had not really changed a bit, because as soon as she made eye contact and mouthed a quick "hey" to Draco she fumbled with her book bag which was packed full of books.

As the crowd of students returned to normal Draco took a few more moments watching Hermione greeting Ginny. Her hair was half tied back and she was wearing a light blue shirt, that showed off her figure, and her school skirt.

Draco then noticed Harry and Ron's reluctance to talk to Hermione, and a lot of great insults came to mind. Then it hit him, Hermione was at the Weasley's house for a whole week and they did not seem to have known about her new look. She must have waited and let him see her for the first time, which of course compelled him to go confront Potter.

Draco made his way through the crowd to where Harry and Ron were standing, Hermione was now about to join them and Hermione and him shared a glance,

"From the look on your face Scar face I'd be convinced you'd never seen a girl with a figure before. I guess your glasses are rose coloured to ignore the difference between boys and girls"

(Ron) "Shove off Malfoy"

"What, are you trying to ignore the issue again Weasel, just like you did last year at the Yule Ball"

Hermione pretended to roll her eyes at Draco

"Come on guys, we need to find a good seat on the train"

She finally gets Harry and Ron to turn and leave while Draco just stands there watching her walk off, with thoughts lingering to what this year may bring.

----------------------------------------------------

By the middle of the train ride Hermione was sick of the Gryffindor boys making excuses to come and talk with Harry and Ron to get a look at her, and the awkward looks that Harry and Ron were giving her. This was why she wore the baggy clothes and they knew it. Since se was finished with one of her books she decided to go get the rest of her Hogwarts uniform on.

On her way back to her seat she passed Draco in the hallway, he dropped a note in her pocket and quickly whispered,

"Want to meet in the library after the feast?"

Hermione shook her head yes, and they passed each other, not able to remove eye contact, practically walking backwards to their compartments.

~~~

With her school robe on she felt more comfortable sitting with Ron and Harry, they even stopped giving her weird looks. Things would hopefully return to normal. She picked up another book and slipped out her note from Draco,

"Lovely entrance at the train station, too bad I couldn't help you with your books"

Hermione smiled to herself and settled in for the rest of the trip.

-----------------------------

Fifth year had started the same as last year for Hermione, carriages brought the second years and above to Hogwarts from the train, the first years got sorted, and Professor Dumbledore gave his announcements to the school and started the feast. But one thing was slightly different from last year, it seemed that (through talking to other fifth years) all of the fifth years had a note waiting in their carriages with their names on them. These notes informed all of the fifth years and above to stay behind after the feast for a special announcement which related to only their years...

After all of the years had left the hall Dumbledore stood up and started to explain,

"This may come as a surprise to all of the fifth years but Hogwarts holds a ball every year for the top classes. This year our Hogwarts ball will take place between Halloween and Christmas. Those of you who are surprised that these dances have been held, under your noses for 4 previous years, should now be remembering the times of suspicious activity involving gossip of dancing and dates. This is just the first year we have announced the Ball at the beginning of the year. We have had the worst inter-house relations in a certain year, which I shall not name, and hopefully this Ball will help improve the situation. More information will be given to you at later meetings of your years, now you may all return to your houses."

----------------------------------------------