Chapter One
'''Hermione Granger stood in front of her floor length mirror in her sunny little room. The large bay
window looked out on a pleasant garden that formed the backyard of the Granger residence.
Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains and shone on the long, soft hair of the girl looking at
herself in the mirror. Her hair, waist length, and free of frizz with the help of several smoothing
potions, fell in loose curls down her back. At 17 years of age, Hermione stood five foot five
inches tall. She had changed in the few short months since she had last seen her friends, vigorous
exercise had left Hermione's hourglass figure trim and lightly muscled, and her face had
softened, glowing lighting with the healthiness of a restful summer. She was tanned from hours on
the beach, and sported a tiny diamond hanging from a ring through her belly button. Her outfit,
Muggle for the travel to the train station, had been chosen carefully the night before. Hip hugger
jeans of faded denim clung to her hips and hugged the soft curve of her legs. She wore a light
pink tank top that left a good inch of toned stomach and several inches of cleavage revealed.
This was covered with a gauzy, white button-down shirt, which accentuated her tan. A thin sliver
bracelet and necklace matched a cute toe ring around her second toe, and small silver studs and
hoops filled the 4 sets of piercings in her ears. A pair of brown and pink flip-flops completed her
outfit, and Hermione surveyed herself with satisfaction as she applied the little make up she
needed. A light line of black liner ran across the top of her eyelashes, which looked full, soft, ad
deliciously curled with the help of a simple curling charm and a touch of mascara. The only other
make up she wore was a clear gloss on her lips, and, with one last smile at her reflection,
Hermione left her room, excited for her final year at Hogwarts.
-'-'-'-'-'-
'''Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was extremely crowded, and Hermione could not see Harry
or Ron anywhere. After disposing of her luggage (and there was a lot of it!), and kissing her
parents goodbye, Hermione boarded the train, and began to look for Harry or Ron in one of the
many compartments. She smiled inwardly at the gaping looks and quiet whistles of the male
population of the train as she worked her way down the length of the train. Finally, she heard the
deep chortling laughter that she knew to be Harry's, and spotted Ron's flame colored hair in the
window of a compartment. She slid open the door and smiled widely at her two best friends,
laughing as they stopped, turned around, did a double take, and gaped at her, their mouth
hanging open like fish out of water. She stepped towards them, put a hand under each of their
mouths, and shut them.
'''"Hey guys, lets keep the saliva off the floor of the train!" she said, cinnamon eyes sparkling.
"Hermione...I...you...wow..." stuttered Ron, his messy red hair setting off his soft blue eyes and
round face. Although his face was still young, his body had developed form a summer of hard
work and playing Quidditch. He was tall, but no longer gangly, his shoulders were broad and
muscular and his arms rippled with sinewy muscle when he moved. Next to him, Harry was an
intense contrast. He was more compact than Ron, at 5 foot 10, and his muscles were lean and
trim. His hair was as messy as ever, and his green eyes sparked with intensity. After tracking
down Voldemort and killing him in the summer after his 5th year, Harry had a quiet air of calm
and dignity about him, compared with Ron's boisterous behavior. Both boys however, were
looking at their best friend as tough they had never seen a girl before.
'''Hermione set down her messenger bag on the seat next to Ron, and after looking at them for
several more moments in bemused silence, she finally turned, walking out the door, saying
cheerfully, "Well, I must report to the Head compartment and check in, I'll be back as soon as I
can you two!"
-'-'-'-'-'-'-
'''Hermione wandered the hallway of the train until she came to a door with the Hogwarts crest
emblazoned on it. She was a little nervous as to meet the Head Boy, she had hoped it would be
Harry, but on learning it was not, she had resigned herself to working with someone she did not
know. Well, she thought to herself, here goes nothing. She slid open the door to the
compartment and was met by the ice blue gaze of none other than Draco Malfoy.
'''He lounged lazily on the bench across from her, his long legs stretched out in from of him, and
his arm draped across the back of the seat. His white blonde hair fell into his eyes, as it hung
loosely about his face, setting off his chiseled bone structure and handsome, squared chin. His
eyes, already aqua in hue seemed even bluer because of the paleness of his face and hair. He
was, of course, clad in black, his shirt silky and flowing compared to the trim cut of his pants.
His trademark smirk made an appearance as the door slid open, but when he saw who it was
his expression changed drastically...