Hermione walked quickly down the corridor of Hogwarts and up the stairs to Divination.

As Hermione walked she remembered her conversation she had had with Professor Dumbledore after the welcoming feast last night.

Flashback

'Professor?' Hermione asked as she approached the withered, old, but wise headmaster of her school.

'Yes, Miss Granger?' Dumbledore asked, turning his gaze from the students who were filing out of the hall.

'Umm, I know I dropped out of Divination four years ago, but I was wondering…could I possibly take it up again?' Hermione watched as the dazzling blue gaze studied her own.

'I would have to ask why.' Dumbledore answered, 'as Head Girl, you will have less free time this year…not to mention all the tests and your NEWT exams.'

'I know sir, but I think I can take the pressure.' Hermione looked determined.

'And I do not doubt that, but I ask you again, why?'

'Well, sir, I wasn't very fond of the subject before, but I didn't exactly warm up to the old divination teacher.' Hermione paused.

'Yes, many found that hard. Please, speak on.'

'Yes, but my parents and I have discussed the matter, and they wish me to do it…they want me to know as much as I can out of school before being "let loose" as they called it. I think they also wanted to make sure that I could understand Divination if I came across it in the future, and even though I would read books about it, they think it would be better if I learned about it first hand.'

Dumbledore thought for a minute.

'This would be the only subject that you wish to add to your already extensive list of subjects?'

'Yes sir, I learned at the end of my third year, that overloading myself is not the best way to go about it.'

'Very well.'

'Thankyou.'

End of flashback

Earlier that morning, Hermione, along with the rest of the school, had received her time table, and it just so happened that she had Divination today, first subject.

Hermione still wasn't keen on the subject, but she knew that she had to obey her parent's wishes.

Hermione arrived just in time for the trap door to be opened and for the ladder to fall and meet the feet of the awaiting students.

Harry and Ron's mouth dropped when they saw Hermione.

'What are you doing here?' Ron asked.

'This is Divination isn't it?' Hermione asked, smiling, and starting to ascend the ladder.

'But-'

'Oh Ron, I'll explain latter.' Hermione interrupted.

Harry just smiled and ascended the ladder after Hermione, leaving Ron to follow.

'It's good to have you back.' Harry whispered in her ear as they walked over to one of the small tables at the back of the room, draped in cloth.

'Thanks.'

The rest of the class was just as stunned as Ron that Hermione had returned.

They could all remember when Hermione had stormed out of one lesson four years ago, after the old Professor Trelawney had said something to her.

As Hermione sat down and opened her bag to get out her quill, ink bottle and book, she noticed something or someone with platinum blond hair sitting in the back corner on the other side of the room.

'Malfoy?' Hermione said to herself, completely stunned.

'What?' Harry asked.

Hermione pointed to the slimy Slytherin.

'Oh yeah, he started this class at the end of last year…I thought we told you?'

'No, I don't recall it…'

But at that moment, the new Divination teacher walked into the room.

The Divination teacher, who had taken over Professor Trelawney, had been a centaur, cross between a man and a horse.

However, he became very tired of the castle and it's cooped up places…so he had asked Dumbledore at the end of last year to try and persuade the others of his kind, who had banished him, to let him back or at least roam free in the Forbidden Forest.

Dumbledore, to the surprise of everyone, had managed to convince the other centaurs to let him back in the forest, let him visit them, and not try to kill him on sight.

The new Divination teacher was male, but he was more relaxed.

He had light brown hair, chocolate eyes, and a face that looked like it was carved by angles. Many of Hermione's girlfriends had fallen for him, as he looked just one or two years older than them.

"That's ridiculous." Hermione had said when she had heard the news. "falling for a teacher?"

But alas, they had, and Lavender and Parvati were at the front of the room, and they were looking dreamy eyed.

'Welcome to my class room.' the Professor started. 'As I understand it, before the centaur, who, by the looks of your work, has taught you well, you had a Professor by the name of Sybil Trelawney?'

The class nodded.

'Now, can someone please tell me what she covered with you?'

Almost everyone looked at Hermione, but she hadn't been there that much, so she stayed quiet.

Instead, Lavender, who along with Parvati, admired Professor Trelawney, raised her hand.

'She showed us about the solar system…planets, that sort of thing, tea leaves, crystal balls-'

'She told you about the solar system?' the Professor interrupted.

'Yes sir.' Lavender answered.

'Well, I can tell you now, whatever she taught you about the solar system, you can forget it!' the class looked confused, but Lavender and Parvati looked upset. 'It's all loopy. I imagine that when you told the centaur this, he laughed and told you that it was nothing but superstitions?'

Lavender, who the Professor had been looking at, nodded.

'Good. At least he knew what Divination is really about.'

The rest of the lesson was the new professor (who had introduced himself has Professor Cherly) asking the class what the past two teachers that they had had taught them. Most of that Professor Trelawney had taught them, in his opinion, was rubbish. But he mainly agreed with that the centaur had taught them.

Everyone in the class was warming up to this new professor, all except Malfoy.

He would smirk himself stupid, laugh, and just, to sum it up, be Malfoy.

Professor Cherly noticed, but let Malfoy do what just came naturally for him.

When the class ended, the class lumbered out, all talking about Professor Cherly, and repeating the things he had said about Professor Trelawney.

'He seams nice.' Hermione said, as the trio climbed down the ladder, and the stairs.

'Yeah. I think we might actually learn something this year!' Harry laughed.

'What have we got next?' Ron hadn't paid one bit of attention to the conversation, as he was fixing up his bag.

'Er…Hermione?' Harry looked at Hermione.

'We have Potions next- with the Slytherins.' all three groaned as they made their way from the highest point in the castle, to the lowest and darkest.

'Hermione?' Ron asked on their small journey.

'Yeah?' Hermione answered.

'Why did you return to Divination?'

Hermione explained what her parents and she had talked about over the summer.

'Besides, I think I should have one more subject…since I'm head girl, it would be my duty to show the new, and less inexperienced first years that they can get somewhere if they put their minds to it.'

'Fair enough.' Harry said. Loveable Harry. He always understood Hermione, but Ron needed Harry's help- a lot!

Surprisingly, all three of the trio, and many Gryffindors had made the cut for Snape's advance potions class, although, Hermione was an exception, it would have been ludicrous if she didn't make it.

As they approached the cold and dark corridor, they spotted all the Slytherins there, in one big group, speaking softly, and laughing loudly.

Thankfully, the rest of Gryffindors arrived shortly after the trio, so they didn't have to wait to long in the presence of the Slytherins.

The Gryffindors did the same as the Slytherins, they grouped together, laughed, talked softly, but they raised their voices when they said things like "Pansy? Really?" or "I always knew Blaze would do something like that!"

After a few minutes, the Slytherins were beginning to tire of the Gryffindors pretend tormenting.

But before a brawl could break out, Snape opened the black dungeon door, and the class walked in.

There was low muttering, but when the door slammed shut, everyone went quiet.

To the Gryffindors, the sound of the door shutting was torture. It was like they where locked in, and wouldn't be able to escape.

To the Slytherins, it was great. It meant that the Gryffindorks where trapped, and should prepare for hell! As it was about to bare down on them.

The Potions master stood at the front of the class.

'Today,' he said in his oily voice, 'we will be brewing a potion that could kill small children. Miss Granger, you would be familiar with the potion I am referring to, can you please tell the class before you interrupt me? As usual.'

Hermione quickly raced through her brain's files…there, it had to be that potion!

'I think sir,' Hermione said after a brief pause, 'that you are referring to the Colerander Potion, capable of killing small animals and small children, usually no older than three. It has Coleranders in it, which are small creatures that move quickly, and are very difficult to catch. They are used in many deadly potions, though their blood and meet isn't poisonous.'

'Very good.'

The class, Slytherins included, all drew a surprised breath…did he just complement a Gryffindor?

Something's up.

'You will all pair with someone who is the opposite sex to you, and sitting oh…' he closed his eyes for second, 'three seats to your left, four rows up or back.'

Hermione looked three seats to her left, Neville, then four rows up, since she was seated at the back with the rest of Gryffindor.

Hermione groaned as she saw that her partner was Malfoy. DAMN!

But Hermione took brief comfort in the fact that Professor Snape had made it that the two houses had mixed. One or two people were lucky, and they were paired with someone in their house. But many had to suffer.

Malfoy looked behind him when he heard Professor Snape's instruction, and smirked as he looked four rows behind him. NEVILLE? It couldn't be! Wait! Three seats to the right…MUDBLOOD?

Well, she's better than longbottem.

'Hermione? Who have you got?' Harry asked.

'Malfoy.' Hermione answered. 'You?'

'One of Pansy's friends.' he answered.

'Me too.' Ron added, he looked sad, but then smiled. 'At least it's better than who Neville has.'

'Ron! That's not nice!' Hermione looked past him at Neville.

'Neville? Who are you partnered with?' Hermione asked politely.

'Pansy.' he answered glumly.

Hermione looked sympathetic.

'I'm sorry.' she said.

'That's ok, you didn't do it.'

'Move off to sit next to your partner!' Snape barked from the front.

Hermione waited for Malfoy to come down the class room. He didn't budge. He was talking to Blaze, and he wasn't going to move.

Well, neither was Hermione.

Ron had moved to the front, next to his partner, Harry stayed, and his partner came to him. Neville moved, so Harry moved over, closer to Hermione so there was a seat for the Slytherin.

'Mr. Malfoy?' Snape said at the front of the class.

'Yes sir?' Malfoy drawled.

'Who are you partnered with?' he asked.

'Granger.' Malfoy answered.

'Why then, if you know who she is, aren't you sitting with her?'

'Because, she can come here.' Malfoy said.

Hermione looked to her right- spear seat. Malfoy's left or right- taken.

Looks like he will be moving.

'Mr. Malfoy, please move next to Miss Granger- I promise she wont bite.' he added as Malfoy opened his mouth to protest.

Malfoy grumbled as he made his way down to Hermione, but he cheered up, ever so slightly, when he saw that to the right of Granger, there was a spear seat, but on the other side of that, there was one of Pansy's friends…well, at least she's a Slytherin.

But his little bubble of happiness burst when she saw him coming. She was smiling like an idiot, and Malfoy saw her quickly check her face in a small mirror.

Malfoy sat down, and looked daggers at Snape.

Hermione didn't say anything while he was there, thinking of ways he would like to kill Snape and Potter.

But Hermione did say something when she had collected all of the ingredients and the cauldron and Malfoy hadn't moved.

As Hermione watched him for a minute, she saw only his chest and his eyes moving. She followed his gaze with her own, and saw that it was staring at Snape.

Snapping back, Hermione flicked Malfoy's ear.

'Excuse me, I'd hate to interrupt the silent session you're having, but are you going to help?' Hermione spoke politely, but only someone like Crabbe and Goyle wouldn't pick up on the ice touch she had in her voice.

'Yeah, yeah.' Malfoy dropped his gaze, stood, grabbed a knife and started chopping after he read the instructions that were on the board.

When the class was over, and Malfoy and Hermione had successfully completed the potion, Hermione joined Harry and Ron, as they made their way back to sunlight and warmth.

They joined the stream of kids heading to the Great Hall for lunch, and sat down at their table.

'How did your potion go?' Hermione asked, as Ron piled his plate with food.

'Yeah, it did ok.' Harry said.

Ron just grunted, as he had already, in the space of 30 seconds, filled his plate, and ate a quarter of its contents.

After Lunch, they had Transfiguration, with Professor McGonagall head of Gryffindor house.

Her lesson pasted the same way, with a greeting, then about fifteen minutes of revision, before starting the work they had to get through.

So far, they had been lucky with homework, not getting any in Divination, or even Potions, as Snape almost always gives it, but McGonagall gave them homework, and lots of it.

Everyone groaned, except Hermione.

After Divination, they had Herbology, which they didn't get any homework.

Thankfully, after a long day, it was drawing to a close, and they all sat in the Great Hall, devouring a meal fit for a King and Queen.

Dumbledore stood, once everyone was full, and there was a very heavy mist of sleepiness.

'May I please speak to the Heads?' he sat down and waited for the two heads, Hermione and Draco to get to him.

Once they had, he spoke.

'I wish to show you your dormitory. Do not panic, your things have been moved there today. But first, I must dismiss my tired students.'

Again, he stood, and Hermione and Malfoy went to the opposite ends of the teacher's table.

'I think everyone is tired, so I bid you goodnight. Can the Prefects please help the first years back to the common room if they ask it of you? Thankyou, Goodnight.'

The hall buzzed, as students stood, and made their way to the exit.

'Now, teachers, can you please wander the school for a few minutes to make sure no one is lost?' They all got up, and walked through the door behind their table. Dumbledore turned to head Boy and Girl.

'You two can follow me please.'

He led them through the Great Hall, out into the Entrance Hall, then up the marble stairs.

Down one corridor, turned left, down another corridor, this time he turned right…up some stairs, down three corridors, and finally, to a portrait, were he stopped and waited for them to catch up.

'This,' he gestured to the painting, 'is the entrance to your common room. Beyond that, your rooms, in them a bathroom, which you share. Any Questions?'

They both shook their heads.

'Very well. Pick a Password.'

Malfoy and Hermione looked at each other.

'Lost!' Hermione said.

'No! Coal!'

'No way!'

That went on for about three minutes, before Hermione suggested something.

'Dark Shadow?'

'Yeah. Ok.' Malfoy sighed, pretending that he really didn't like it, but he secretly loved it.

'Ok, I shall leave you here. I wish I could give you a tour, but I cannot. Goodnight.' and with that, he turned around, and walked off down the corridor, humming to himself.

Hermione turned to the painting and studied it for the first time.

It was of a dark forest, moon light shining through gaps in the trees. There was a wolf walking along the edge of the forest, and when he spotted Malfoy and Hermione, it came cautiously closer.

'Yes?' it had a deep growl, and it was scary.

'We have the new password.' Hermione said.

'And it is?' the wolf growled.

'Dark Shadow.' Hermione said.

'Very well. Dark Shadow it is.' the wolf studied each person a minute, then swung open and let them in.

There was a small corridor, which was flooded with warmth and light. Hermione followed the corridor, and into a big round room.

There were two couches, two chairs, and two tables and chairs.

Roughly, Hermione thought it was the same size at the Gryffindor common room, but when Malfoy walked in behind her, he snorted.

'What?' she snapped.

'This is puny compared to the Slytherin common room.' Malfoy smirked.

'Well, I guess you'll just have to get used to it, wont you?'

'I guess.'

Hermione studied the couches and chairs more closely.

One was a deep green, the same green as the Slytherins, and had silver out lines. It had two cushions, same green with the silver out lines. It looked quite smart.

One of the chairs where the same and Hermione decided Malfoy can sit on them.

The other couch was the Gryffindor red, and it had gold out lines. The cushions were the same, red with gold out lines.

The last chair was the same too.

There was a big fire in front of the couches and chairs.

The table and chairs were set on other sides of the room. THANK GOD!

Behind the couches there was two doors.

Hermione made her way over to the one with gold out lining, while Malfoy studied the common room in more detail.

The doors where brown, but the gold and silver out lines looked ok.

Hermione walked through the gold trimmed door, which was on the lift, and saw a round room with a four poster bed dead a head. There was a glass door to the right of the bed, which Hermione saw on a closer inspection, was a balcony.

There was a door near the glass door, and Hermione decided that that must lead to the bathroom.

On the right side, there was also another door. Hermione walked over to it, and saw that it was a walk-in closet. Hermione smiled to herself when she thought of what Malfoy would think when he saw it.

On the left side of the bed was a smaller version of the table in chair that were in the common room. Next to that, there was a mini fire place.

And at the foot of Hermione's bed, there was her trunk.

When Hermione walked over to the bathroom door, she saw that inside, there was a huge bath, or swimming pool, Hermione wasn't sure, and a shower, toilet, sink and mirror.

All around the edge of the pool thing, there were small seats carved into the wall.

Hermione sighed as she realized that this was her last year in this castle as a student.

But I can defiantly spend it in this place! Hermione smiled.

Returning to her room, Hermione sat on the bed, while she rummaged through her bag.

It was then that she noticed Crookshanks sleeping near her pillows.

She patted her cat, and then returned back to her bag and its contents.

Retrieving her Transfiguration book, quill and ink, she made her way through the door to the common room.

Malfoy wasn't there, so Hermione picked the table and chair closest to the fire, and began her homework.

When she was finished, she closed her book and collected her things. There was a faint sound of thunder and lighting, but she ignored it. However, she secretly hoped that it would rain, because she falls asleep easier when it rains. But today, she was that tired, she wondered if she would need the storm.

Returning to her room, she put them on her table, and opened her trunk.

She looked through it for her Pjs, and then headed to the bathroom.

Malfoy was in it.

He was looking at himself in the mirror.

Hermione placed her Pjs next to the shower.

She walked up to Malfoy, who was watching her through the mirror cautiously.

Hermione reached him, reached past him, turned on the tap, and washed her hands.

Turning the tap off, Hermione stood properly, and dried her hands.

Walking back to the shower, she turned to face Malfoy.

'Can you please leave?' she asked.

'No.'

'Why not?'

'Cause I was here first.'

'Please, I wanna have a shower.' Hermione said, almost pleading, she was so tired, and this was making it worse. She just wanted to have a shower, and get to bed.

'I know.'

'Please Malfoy?'

'No.'

Sighing frustratingly, Hermione tried again.

'Well can you at least move away from the mirror and turn around?' she asked.

'Why? Would you deny me the horrific honor?' he smirked.

Hermione blinked slowly, and disbelievingly.

'Excuse me?'

'You heard me.'

But he turned around, and checking more than twenty times before she stripped, Hermione jumped into the hot shower.

Malfoy left after that, and closed his door.

When it was time for Hermione to get out, she waited a few minutes after she had turned off the shower. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling that Malfoy might burst in unexpected.

When she was sure he wasn't going to, Hermione slipped out, dried off, and got dressed.

Tomorrow night, she promised herself, she would have a long, hot relaxing bath.

But for now, her shower was enough.

She made it back to her room without falling over from exhaustion, and collapsed in her bed.

Luckily, she hadn't landed on Crookshanks. Reaching over, she grabbed her wand from the bedside table, waved it, and the lights dimmed.

Hermione closed her worn out eyes, and slept.

It was then that the thunder rolled, lightning cracked, and rain fell heavily to the ground of Hogwarts.

Well, I hope this story goes well.

Please R&R!

Next chapter, the thing that happens in the summitry will happen, but you need to review in order for that to happen!

Thanks,

Aj