Disclaimer(that I forgot in the 1st chapter; forgive me): I do not own any of these characters or anything to do with this story except for the plot. These are all property of J.K. Rowling!

text signifies flashback

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Chapter 2

"This Ruined Puzzle"

When Harry and Ron left her room, Hermione sank into her chair and sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. She never wanted to come into contact with Draco after they left Hogwart's.

"Did I just call him Draco?" she asked herself subconsciously.

Her mind was racing and the flood of emotions that filled her body was foreign to her. She hadn't felt like this since...well...since her last year at Hogwart's...

Hermione and Draco were named head boy and girl their 7th year of school. This came as no surprise to most of the staff and students because they were the top two students in their year. They lived in the same quarters and shared a common room. A truce was made between the two rivals at the beginning of the year to make the year as productive as possible. Friendship was out of the question, but they at least managed to refrain from referring to each other as "Mudblood" and "Ferret Face" for the most part. It was during this time that Draco seemed to change. No one actually took notice while he was changing because Lord Voldemort was on the rise and they had more important things to worry about, but once the war of Dark against Light calmed down, a new Draco emerged. Most of the Slytherins had long since taken their place by their parents' side at the meetings of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, but Draco remained behind. It was later discovered that he refused the Dark Mark and pledged his allegiance to Dumbledore and the Light Side. No one quite understood his motives behind his actions, so he wasn't trusted easily. Hermione was the only one who knew why Draco had actually switched sides so abruptly. She hadn't told anyone and didn't plan on it either...

Hermione put these thoughts out of her mind as she looked down at her lesson plans for the upcoming spring term. She couldn't possibly dwell on Malfoy while more important things had to be taken care of.

"Why?" she asked herself aloud, "Why bring him back into my life when I was just ready to let him go..."

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Harry and Ron took seats in Dumbledore's office and awaited the news that he would inevitably tell them.

"It has come to my attention," began Dumbledore, "that the Dark Lord plans to attack Hogwart's at the beginning of the next fall term." Harry and Ron both sat up straighter and listened more attentively. "He believes that it is easier to influence young, naïve minds. I don't have to remind you of the incident with Ginny Weasley in her first year here. I fear that he may gain some followers if he succeeds in infiltrating Hogwart's. I'm not quite sure of the exact date of the attack, but our very own Sorting Hat has forseen grave danger and many deaths of both the Light and the Dark Sides.

"Professor...I mean, Albus, are you sure the Sorting Hat said that Voldemort was coming to Hogwart's?" As Harry said the name of his arch nemesis, Ron flinched for an instant. He still wasn't accustomed to you-know-who's name being used so freely. Harry and Dumbledore seemed to ignore Ron's actions as Dumbledore answered Harry's question.

"Oh, I'm quite sure Mr. Potter. As you know, our Sorting Hat has always been a bit clairvoyant when it comes to the events that will take place in the near future. I will remind of the time in your 7th year when it foretold of a certain "Slytherin prince" becoming a very prominent part of the fight against Voldemort."

Harry remembered that part of the Hat's song very well.

...Before this year comes to a close,

the Slytherin prince will bear many woes.

He has to make a choice in this war to decide who is right,

In the end he will choose the side that is light...

It had gone on to say why Draco was joining the ranks of Harry, Ron, Dumbledore, and the Order of the Phoenix, but this part of the Sorting Hat's song didn't mean much to Harry at the time so he had long since forgotten it.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, leaned forward, peered over his glasses, and touched his fingertips together. Harry and Ron were so accustomed to hearing bad news after he took this position that they braced themselves for the worst.

"I believe you two already know what I'm going to ask of you."

They had an idea, but remained silent so Dumbledore could finish his thoughts.

"Instead of going back to Grimauld Place, I ask that you two, along with Draco, remain here over the spring and summer in order to protect the castle and teach the older students, willing to fight, some Defense Against the Dark Arts. As you both know, the DADA teacher hasn't always been helpful, and I fear that even our brightest students wouldn't stand a chance against a Death Eater."

Without hesitation Harry agreed. "Of course I'll stay."

Ron nodded his head slowly. He was a bit more reluctant but knew that it would be in the best interest of everyone in the magic world if the best aurors were all present in this time of need.

"It's settled then," finalized Dumbledore. "Please inform Draco of our plans, and I'll see all three of you back here after the Christmas holidays."

They said their goodbyes, and Harry and Ron departed from Dumbledore's office as Fawkes went up in flames.

As they passed the Great Hall, Harry turned to Ron and groaned.

"What's the matter, Harry? Does your scar hurt?"

"No, it's not that. It's just..." Harry paused. "Do you know how mad Mione's going to be with us for saying Draco could come along and live here?! Here as in within the same castle's walls where he first tormented us. Here as in the place where she, up until 2 weeks from now, didn't and wouldn't have to deal with any snide remarks and dirty looks. Here as in..."

"I get it Harry!" Ron cut in because Harry looked as though he might burst from all his hysterics. "She should be able to understand and let things go by now. We have! What makes her so different from us? If anything, Draco tormented you in school worse than her. Did something happen between them or something?"

"I'm not sure Ron, but I am sure that we have to break this news to her easily. And if something did happen between the 2 of them, we're going to have to be the one's to resolve it..."

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A/N: Here's chapter 2...Hope you're enjoying so far. Please review!!!