A/N: I don't own anything. The lovely JK Rowling does and she is bloody lucky. Anyway, I hope you like the fifth chapter and please review!!!!

Severus grinned slightly at the looks of utter horror on the faces of his niece and prized student. The latter of the two was banging his head against the mahogany table, hands fisted in the silvery locks that adorned said head. The former, however, gazed at the aged stone of the wall in front of her, eyes glassy and round. Despite the feelings of disgust, pain and anguish that he knew the two teenagers must be feeling, Severus could not keep the look of complete mirth out of his eyes. He was not so completely devoid of emotion that he would be kept from finding joy in the discomfort of his young niece and her most hated enemy. Of course, the real humor in the situation came from the expressions on the faces of her two companions. While one was listless, making no noise or movement, the other was clenching his teeth, clenching and unclenching his fists and seemingly not taking in any oxygen. This site caused Severus to try extremely hard to not break his usual surly demeanor.

"My Severus, is that a smile a see playing on your lips?" said Dumbledore who sat next to the potions master.

"It certainty is not," said Severus, though his lie was swiftly proving fruitless. "I am merely finding amusement at the faces of our Head Boy and Girl,"

"This certainly will be an interesting year, won't it Severus," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling behind his spectacles.

"Yes Albus, it will,"

As the hall began to disperse, only Hermione and Draco remaining, unmoving, Hermione began to dread the news that the headmaster would tell her and her fellow head of the student body. No news concerning the two of them deemed well and so worry and fear became etched in her mind. It was when the hall was cleared, leaving only three occupants, that Hermione's worry was quelled.

"Once again I congratulate you on your head positions," said Dumbledore as the pair came forward.

"Thank you sir," said Hermione whilst Draco remained silent.

"Now, if you will follow me, I will take you to your quarters," said Dumbledore, leading the way out of the Great Hall.

The pair followed and as they moved through the labyrinth of corridors Hermione tried desperately to remember the exact way back to the Great Hall so as not to be lost the next morning. However, after ten minutes of walking Hermione realized that it was all in vain as every corridor, no matter what the painting, looked exactly identical to the one that preceded it. One glance at Draco told her that she wouldn't be the only one who would be lost next day; he was looking down at the stone floor, scowl set firmly in place.

"Ah, here we are," said Dumbledore as they came across a large painting in a gilded frame.

Hermione stared at the painting with wide eyes. No where in Hogwarts was there ever such a painting as the one that stood before her. She had read about it, of course, in Hogwarts: A History, but she never thought she would get the privilege to see it. On the canvas, smiling beautifully stood the Founders in all their glory. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Huffelpuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, whom Hermione had a blood relation to, smiled down to them as a welcoming gesture. They all wore garb of the time period, the women long flowing dresses in their house colours and the men dressed rather lavishly in long robes of their own colours. To Hermione's surprise, each one held an animal in their arms, the one their house was famous for. Godric held a lion cub snugly in his crimson arms, Helga a badger who was trying vainly to get free. Rowena had a beautiful raven perched on her shoulder and Salazar had a green snake curled loosely around his right arm.

"Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy, I give you the four founders of Hogwarts. They will be guarding the entrance to your rooms," Dumbledore told them.

"Welcome Heads of Hogwarts!" said Godric joyously, pride evident in his voice.

"Yes, welcome," said Helga, beaming at them, round cheeks glowing.

"Thank you," said Hermione somewhat shyly.

"Welcome," said Rowena, her voice as smooth as water over silk.

"Welcome, we hope you enjoy your stay in these quarters," said Salazar, onyx eyes resting on Hermione knowingly.

"The password is 'probable future'," said Dumbledore as the painting swung open on golden hinges.

Stepping through the portrait hole Hermione found possibly the most lavishly furnished common room she had ever laid eyes upon. Rosewood furniture draped in plush velvet coverings were conveniently littered about the room, a large fireplace was crackling merrily and a winding stair led up to what she assumed would be the rooms of her and Draco. Said Slytherin was not at all thrilled and had barely even looked up from where his eyes rested on one of the ornate rugs that were strewn about. Hermione was so caught up in the majesty of the common room that she barely heard the headmaster's instructions.

"Your rooms are upstairs, as is the lavatory, and they are all labeled accordingly. The first prefect and heads meeting is on the twelfth. I do hope you enjoy your time here," said Dumbledore, beaming.

"Thank you headmaster," Hermione breathed.

"You're welcome Miss Granger," he said before departing.

"This place is amazing isn't it?"

"Yes, splendid," Draco replied, walking towards the stairs.

"Malfoy, this is most likely the best room in the castle. How can you just shrug it off as if it's nothing?" said Hermione, slightly outraged.

"I can and I did. Goodnight Granger," he said, not even glancing at her.

With that the blonde retreated up the stairs and to his room which Hermione suspected would be received with the same level of enthusiasm. Once he was gone, his steps no longer heard, Hermione walked over to one of the large sofa's and sat down, sinking into its plush coverings. Before she explored her own room and the bathroom that she would, to her great discretion, be sharing with Draco she allowed herself to revel in the royalties that had been bestowed upon her with her position. As she did this, her eyes gazing around the room and studying every piece in its vicinity, her thoughts wandered back hours to the train ride. She had meant that the next time she saw Draco she would corner him and demand to know how he got that bruise on his throat, but she missed her chance. The boy who was now plaguing her mind with curiosity had locked himself in his room doing god knows what. There was no time for inquiry, no time to quell her thoughts.

"I guess I should go upstairs too then," she said to herself, rising up from the sofa.

Up the stairs and along the hall lied three doors, two with initials belonging to Hermione and Draco and a third labeled as the bath. Upon entering her room, Hermione found it too was lavishly decorated, containing a large four-poster bed, wardrobe and desk as well as a vanity with an ornate oval mirror which Hermione assumed spoke, as most wizarding mirrors tended to do. As she gazed, her eyes caught her trunk and Crookshanks' wicker basket which currently no longer held the cat within. Both were at the foot of her bed and were unpacked immediately by the Head Girl. As the late hour pressed upon her, fatigue set in, and Hermione retired to the land of dreams.

*

Severus swept into the staff room that evening with his usual dramatics, finding few professors present, and sat down to review his lesson plan for the following day. The only other person in the room happened to be Lavinia O'Riley who was currently seated at the other side of the long table, head buried in a rather thick novel. There was relative silence minus the occasional scratching of Severus' quill. After a few minutes, Severus felt eyes on him and raised his head to see who was staring at him in such a rude and distracting manner. Lavinia was reading her book.

Again Severus lowered his head and reviewed the second year lesson plan with slight disgust, until he felt eyes upon him once again. Piercing eyes rested on his form and sent a chill down his spine. Once more he raised his head and only found that Lavinia had switched books. This occurred several more times, each time Severus became more agitated and unable to concentrate. On the fifth occasion, Severus raised his head, eyes blazing, to once again find that it was only he and Lavinia, her blue eyes concentrating on the tomb in front of her. With a slight growl of frustration Severus once more lowered his head to finish his lesson plan.

"I'm surprised at you Severus. You haven't said two words to me since I've arrived and you are acting quite queerly," said the crystal voice of Lavinia.

Once more rising his head Severus found himself face to face with piercing blue eyes that gave him the same feeling of distraction. "The reason I act queer is because someone in this room has continued to stare at me without speaking. If you must know Lavinia you are quite annoying when you have to be."

"I'm hurt," said Lavinia, faking mock sadness. "I thought you thought more of me,"

"Lavinia, it's been nearly sixteen years since we have spoken. Your presence here is somewhat thought provoking thus my silence." Severus said, setting his quill down.

"I try to keep people on their toes,"

"Seems that way,"

Silence passed between them as Severus resumed his writing, paying absolutely no attention to the blonde who sat in the room with him who was presently glaring at his head.

"Lavinia I would like it if you would please stop staring at me. Unlike some I do have work to do,"

"I was no staring. I was merely waiting for you to take up the conversation," Lavinia smiled.

"What you have been doing all these years is of no consequence to me. I am neither curious nor inquisitive and I am quite content to live in ignorance. Now please, stop distracting me," said Severus, glancing at her briefly.

"I had no idea I meant so little to you. I guess I should be leaving. Good evening Severus, pleasant dreams," said Lavinia in a formal and rather cold manner.

She gathered her things and swept out of the room with un-noticed grace and quietly closed the door behind her, leaving Severus to his preparations. Lavinia herself was in need to a slight revision of her own lesson plan, but that could be done in her quarters. She had actually been interested in speaking with Severus, having heard nothing from him or the rest of the Order in quite some time.

*

"Class dismissed!" Professor Flitwick squeaked, students around him gathering their books and quills.

Hermione tried desperately, as she and her friends exited the class room, to drown out the sound of Ron's complaining, but all her attempts, be they staring at her shoes or rifling through her book bag were for not, for Ron continued to talk. Though it was only the second day of school, homework had been piled on for the seventh years. Lectures about their NEWTS at the end of the year were the first thing any professor talked about. The new text books were extremely weighty this year and Hermione, with all of her extra classes, felt her shoulder becoming horribly sore. At present, it was lunch, and Ron's tirade followed them to the Great Hall where the trio was happy to drop their things and sit down to eat.

"Ron, please, I am not in the mood," Hermione mumbled, rubbing her temples where she could feel a headache forming.

"It's unjust Hermione. How in the hell do they expect us to keep up with all this? I mean honestly, with everything that's going on you would think they'd go easy on us," said Ron, brandishing his fork at her.

"Ron, the school will not change just because of the events of recent years. It is our seventh and final year, they're preparing us for the real world," said Hermione, eyes closed and eyes covered with her hand.

"Like I'll need all this in the real world," Ron mumbled, taking a bite fish.

"If you want to get a good job you will," Hermione said before removing her hand and taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

Ron mumbled something incoherently and continued to eat. Harry had wisely stayed out of the conversation and was eating a salad in peace. Hermione, on the other hand, did not get the opportunity to eat in peace, as the Head Boy who had so eluded her the past two days had stalked into the hall. What puzzled her, however, was that he didn't hold the same cocky air about him. His holier-than-thou demeanor was gone and his head was bowed low. Though no one else seemed to notice, Draco seemed quite melancholy as he took his seat at the Slytherin table and no one spoke to him. The other students in the hall went about their business, eating and talking and laughing, whilst Hermione pondered the enigma that Draco Malfoy had become.

He had always been so proud, so arrogant, so horrible to anyone below him in wizarding status, and while the latter was still true, the former seemed to have left him. He no longer held his head up high, reveling in his father's status and family name, he no longer strutted about like he was a prince and though the sneer and trademark smirk were still in place his eyes seemed colder, hallow.

"Herm, Herm," said a voice in a sing-song tone. "Earth to Hermione,"

"What is it Ron," she snapped.

"No need to get in a huff. I just said we should get going. Time for Herbology," said the redhead.

"Oh, yes, class,"

Gathering her things Hermione followed her friends out to the grounds and to the line of glass greenhouses. A few students had already gathered there, awaiting Professor Sprout while they talked and ate the little food they had snagged from the Great Hall. While Harry and Ron delved into a discussion of when the first Quidditch practice would be, Hermione took the time to plan her confrontation of Draco. His queer behavior, not to mention the mark on his throat, caused many questions to spur in her mind and she wanted answers. Though she disliked him for many reasons, though she had a right to, Hermione was naturally curious and yearned to know what was happening to him.

"Alright class, into the greenhouse," said the stout Professor Sprout, ushering them into the nearest glass building.

This particular class was, to the discretion of possibly every Gryffindor, with the Slytherins. The class segregated each other into the two houses, stood along either side of the long wooden table and waited for instruction. As they settled, Professor Sprout brought forth a rather tall potted plant. It had the appearance of a very tall rose, the petals blood red in colour and glistening with silvery dew. However, at the base of the flower, covering the black earth and creeping up the thin column of the stem, were ivy leaves. Or at least, the appeared to be ivy, for they were glass-like and gave off a silvery hue. They looked as if one touch would break them.

"Now, does anyone know what this is?" asked Professor Sprout, however no one, not even Hermione, knew the answer. "Alright then, this is Rosa Aetas or the Rose of Ages. They have extremely long lives, are very rare and contain very special properties. They are also very delicate and need special handling.

"Rosa Aetas has the power to unlock things hidden deep inside of you. Weather it be a desire, yearning, memory or the past, it will unearth it. As it unlocks the past, it does have a tendency to unlock the future. While to most of us the future is unknown, this plant can see into your very soul and tell you what is in store for you. It was said that You-Know-Who used this flower himself and it showed him his future, but of course, that is just a rumor.

"Rosa Aetas does this unlocking by wrapping its delicate vines around your hand and arm. It can take any amount of time for the unlocking to occur, but normally not more than fifteen minutes or so."

The class was rapt in awe. To think such an innocent plant could hold so much power. Most plants in the wizarding world were deceiving, such as Devils Snare, which looked like harmless vines.

"Now, I would like you all to write a six-inch essay on the Rosa Aetas. It's to be handed in tomorrow," said Professor Sprout, leaving the class on their own for a moment.

It wasn't long after she left that the class got into an uproar. Surprisingly, it was about the flower. Everyone was wondering about this strange and exotic plant that sat at the end of the desk. Of course, being the curious class that they were some had to get a closer look.

"Come on. She's not here, let's just go and look at it," said Ron, dragging Harry and Hermione over to it.

"Ron, we'll get into trouble. We shouldn't be playing with it. You heard Professor Sprout, it's very rare," Hermione chided.

"We're not going to destroy it Herm, just look," said Ron, moving closer to it.

As they neared it, they found that its fragrance was phenomenal. The bright scent wafted throughout the room, slowly seeping into pores and clinging to clothes. The ivy shone in the afternoon light and the whole of the plant seemed to glow ethereally. A million questions passed through Hermione's mind as she and her friends neared the flower, the most prominent being if her father, her true father, really did use this flower to see his future. If this vision was what drove him forward in his quest for world dominance.

When they had neared the plant, the once brave boys stopped short, not sure which one of them should try out the plant's powers. To Hermione's annoyance, it was decided in the end that it would be she to let the plant take hold of her. Warily, she walked forward; arm outstretched, and placed a pale finger on one of the ivy leaves. The affect was almost instantaneous.

The iridescent vines wrapped around her hand and up her forearm. She felt her body go ridged and cold and all thought fled from her mind. Time seemed to slow and she embraced the numbness that the vines offered. Her vision was foggy, until, after a moment or so, it cleared to present what seemed to be the heavens to her eyes. The spiraling cosmos passed by her eyes slowly, gradually speeding up. Stars wield overhead, plants formed out of the corner of her eye, all speeding as she viewed. Suddenly, the speed doubled and she was vaulted forward into a mass of images. She saw a dark haired boy dressed in white running through a field of flowers, a room full of people in colourful garb, a blonde haired man standing in a corner and a snake moving past a doorway. The last few images were possibly the most frightening she had ever seen in her short existence. She saw a pair of eyes, snake-like in appearance, though blood red and enraged. A high, cackling laugh pierced through the silence that had previously reigned and white hot pain shot through her arm and into the rest of her body. Lastly she saw the Dark Mark, burned into a forearm, blood seeping from the edges. The scent assaulted her senses and she felt the sudden urge to retch. The blood was so strong, her body was throbbing in pain, a woman screamed, and then it stopped.

The vines let go.

Her vision cleared.

The greenhouse materialized before her.

Rosa Aetas pulsed with energy.

Voices surrounded her and yet, she felt herself becoming withdrawn from them.

Darkness enclosed her vision and she knew no more.

A/N: I know! I'm a horrible person. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter to see what happens to poor Mia. Yes, I am rubbish at making up species (be they plant or animal), but this is just how it is. Also, I know Hermione wouldn't willingly give in to Harry and Ron's stupid plans, but I needed her to for the plot to work. Please review!!

Thank you's:

ProwlingKitKat- yes, Malfoy Sr. is evil. He should die or be locked up in Azkaban…but lets see how the story goes shall we?lol! Anyway, thanks!

nastyslacks- thanks!

paprika90- she'll try to be discreet about it. Thanks!

ghypscee- thanks!

Li-chan- thanks!

Annie- you'll see. Thanks!

lgobgirlie15- interesting new penname. Thanks!

HermioneTheGoldenFox67- you'll have to wait and see. Thanks!

kitty-cat2134- as you can see, I did. Thanks!

Tara-Yo- thanks!

kamakura- let me take a wild guess at who this is.lol. You damn well better read this. Oh, and Inuyasha on Friday was awesome! New ending! You'll love it!