A/N: Well here's the next chapter people! Please feel free to let me know what you really think. I've got the next few parts mostly thought out but I'm still undecided on the ending. Things are planned to get pretty graphic before the end, so just a heads up. Once again... please review!

… … …

It was raining when the Granger family arrived at platform 9 and ¾ 's. Hermione, bright and energetic as ever, only had two expertly packed bags and her trunk which her father helped load into the baggage car.

"Well dear," her mother said with a beaming smiling, her stark white teeth flashing, "Write as soon as you can."

"Oh Mom, don't I every year?" Hermione said, showing the same set of perfect teeth with her comforting smile.

"I just can't believe this is your last year," her Dad added.

Hermione just laughed. She thought about how any other times the uncertainty of that statement had sent her into a fit…

Hermione liked to know exactly what was going on. She was just that kind of person, there was no getting around it. The idea of this being her last year terrified her, she didn't know what she was going do yet and she hated it. It tortured her to no end. She felt everyone expected for her to know everything, and be so sure in all her actions. The pressure caused her immense amounts of pain sometimes, which often left her utterly exhausted. But not right now, the blue pills currently circulating through her system kept her energized and focused.

After hugs and kisses and the "I'm so proud"'s, "love you"'s and "miss you"'s Hermione got onto the train and began looking for her dear friends. Sadly, the first thing she found was Malfoy.

"I take it that was your uncouth, hilariously dressed parents out there wasn't it Granger?"

"What's it to you Malfoy?" she said back with as little snarl as she could. She was going to be nice, but if he was going to insult her parents…..

"You better watch you attitude with me Granger!" he demanded, "It's about time you learned to talk to important people with respect! Of course, you must really be confused about station though. Any mudblood who has stayed 7 years at Hogwarts and hasn't realized they don't belong yet must have a hardcore identity problem and needs a good lesson in how things really work."

Hermione tried to mask the sting she felt. He just called her a Mudblood to her face, again. She looked at him blankly, remembering her goal. But this was too hard, she couldn't think of anything nice to say when she had a few words of her own she desperately wanted to scream back at him. With all her might she retained herself, and as soon as her legs would move again she pushed passed him and continued down the corridor.

Draco just watched her the whole time. 'She didn't even say anything back,' he thought, 'that little snot, saying nothing is even worse when she does fire back!' He was fuming once again because of her. What had even prompted him to stop and say something? The moment he saw her there though, tall and slender, with the same shapely legs he liked so much in the bookstore. Her golden curly tendrils framed her pretty face, her brown eyes sparkled through her long black curled eye lashes. Her lips were full and pink and her cheeks had a naturally rosy hue. She wore a very complimenting white button up shirt which formed to her chest in an alluring way. Once again he found himself staring. She looked so well dressed and groomed, she looked so ready for the entire year already! It just provoked him.

His harsh words echoed in her head and she put as much distance between them as she could without breaking into a run. Her watery eyes were close to dropping a tear which frustrated her to no end. And then she heard her name being called. She looked back, it was Ron! She had completely blown passed their cart. Immediately she felt relieved, she turned to go back while disguising any signs of crying.

Harry, Ginny and Ron were already in the cart, and the before they knew it they had spent the whole entire ride catching up on holiday events, laughing and cracking jokes. It was like they had never even been apart. When Hermione told them the news about being head girl they were so excided for her that they didn't even remember to ask who headboy was. Hermione was a bit relieved though, she didn't feel like recalling how mean the head boy is to her just then, when everyone was having such a good, worry free time.

They all heard the squeal of the breaking train wheels and knew they had arrived. Excitement filled the cart as they all got up and began exiting. Ginny and Hermione began walking off together as Ginny was whispering excitedly in Hermione's ear. It was obvious Ginny had a lot she wanted to gab with Hermione about that she didn't want to talk about in front of the boys. They left together giggling.

Completely oblivious to Harry and Ron, Seamus and Colin budged right past them to exit the train themselves. Seamus let out a wolf whistle Hermione didn't hear. Colin laughed and nodded his head in enthusiastic agreement.

Ron shot an annoyed glance over to Harry, both having witnessed the whole thing.

"Looks like we're in for the same old thing as last year," said Ron bitterly, "You'd think they'd get over how hot she's gotten…. But damn her, she looks even prettier."

"Yeah, I noticed, Harry replied, "Looks like she had a good summer."

"I'm just sick of seeing all the guys drool over her, I mean Merlin, everyone knows we're her best mates"

Harry laughed, "Well you didn't think she'd stay the same little sidekick Hermione forever did you?"

"I guess you're right Harry," Ron reluctantly agreed as they headed off to the castle.

… … …

The beginning of the year feast was delicious as usual. Hermione was delighted to see all her school old friends. They ate enormous amounts of food as they talked and laughed and got reacquainted at the Gryffindor table. And, like usual, when the last of the desserts had disappeared Dumbledore got to his feet to make his yearly welcome speech and go over certain issues.

It was more or less like all the other speeches to Hermione except when it came time to announce head boy and head girl.

"I'm please to present to you this years head girl, Hermione Granger. Hermione if you could please stand," said Dumbledore.

Hermione felt a rush of excitement as she stood up and all eyes were on her. Cheers erupted from the majority of the school and praises were shouted at Hermione. It felt so great. Until, she remembered she hadn't told anyone Draco was headboy yet... Panic and embarrassment fell upon her as Dumbledore continued.

"And I'm also very pleased to announce to you headboy, Draco Malfoy! Draco if you would please stand…."

Respectable applause from all and rumpus cheering from the Slytherin table filled the hall.

Hermione smiled sheepishly and shrugged when she made eye contact with Ron and Harry, whose mouths were gaping.

The applause died down and the two took their seats as Dumbledore finished off his speech. Upon the end he dismissed everyone to find their dormitories with their house prefects. Immediately Ron and Harry ran up to Hermione.

"Draco? Headboy? How is it possible?"

"Hermione, why didn't you tell us?"

"Uh, well I forgot I suppose." She answered.

"Forgot? Forgot to tell us Draco is headboy? Hermione, he'll harass you all year…we better go tell him not to give you any…"

"Oh honestly, boys, thanks, but I can take care of myself. I think can deal with a little prat like Malfoy with no problem," she said, getting a little defensive.

"But Hermione, he's pure evil. And he hates non-purebloods. Hermione you've got to be careful around him, and don't let him push you around! Why I oughta go over there right now and make absolutely sure he knows he better not…."

"Really! Boys, thanks for the concern, but I'm not worried about him, and neither should you."

"Alright Hermione," they begrudgingly agreed, "I guess you're right. But you let us know the SECOND he needs a talking to. I won't tolerate him being an ass to our Hermione."

Hermione laughed. "Thanks guys, I'll be sure to."

It felt good knowing they were always there to protect her and support her. She smiled widely at them. Draco watched her from across the hall as she hugged them both. He especially watched the look on Ron's face as he held her tight, loving every second of being embraced against Hermione's body. He walked over to where she was.

"Granger," he interrupted. Ron and Harry looked up amazed to see him confront the Gryffindor table.

"What do you want punk?" cried Ron.

Draco shot him a murderous look. "Was I talking to the likes of you weasel?"

Harry put himself between them as he sensed Ron's anger growing.

"Got a problem Malfoy?"

"I don't recall talking you either potty!"

Hermione, annoyed and disappointed that they were already causing tension, piped up, "I believe he was just trying to address me," she said as she put her hand in Harry's face to silence him. "What do you need Malfoy?"

"I'm only here because McGonagall asked me to fetch you. Dumbledore wants to see us." He said while staring down Ron and Harry.

"Very well then, let's go," Hermione said, "See you later," she said to her friends in an annoyed tone. Even as they walked away the boys stared each other down.

"Idiots." Draco said loud enough for Hermione to hear.

"Oh, yeah, and your friends are geniuses," Hermione responded as she was referring to Crabbe and Goyle already down on the floor wrestling over the last cupcake.

Embarrassed and mad, Draco said nothing else until the met Dumbledore up by his chair.

"Ah, this way my dears." He said as he led them into an office just off to the left of the great hall. Once there he handed them some books, their sashes and pins, and a map with some passwords.

"For places only headboys and girls are allowed to go." He said with a smile. "You're excused to your rooms."

They exited together looking at the maps. Much to their dismay, it looked like their rooms were conjoined.

"Bloody hell," Draco said, "what will Father say."

Hermione ignored him and made her way towards the 3rd floor. Draco followed behind her.

After many twist and turns they found themselves at the beginning of a long dim corridor. Judging from where they were, it appeared there were many roundabout ways to get the entrance to their quarters. Their main door was doubled and tall dark cherry wood. A painting of Dumbledore's mother hung above it.

"It is customary for the headgirl to pick the password on the first night," said the painting.

Hermione smiled, "Ferret" she said.

"Very well," said the painting, "ferret it is." And the doors opened.

"Think you're clever do you?" Draco said hotly.

"Oh relax Malfoy, it was just a little joke."

"Well that joke just might cost you dearly Granger," he said. But Hermione wasn't listening.

She was in awe of the huge beautiful room. The commons was circular, leading her to believe they were in their own tower. To the left and to the right were long staircases, which meant their bedrooms were their own smaller towers as well. The center was filled with burgundy, overstuffed, leather armchairs and sofa surrounding a dark cherry-wood parlor table arranged near a huge fireplace. To the left and right of the fireplace were extremely tall book shelves filled with reference books and supplies privy to only headboy and girl. It was dim, cozy and classy.

"Well this will do I suppose," Draco said, "Oh yeah…." He added, "I bet this is a mansion compared to what luxury you're used too eh muggle-born? Better not take this for granted right?"

Hermione looked at him with hurt and frustration. She held her tongue back and decided to just get away from him. She turned to go up the stairs and see her room, leaving Draco distraught and his hunger for her attention unfed.

It was amazing, her room had its own set of sofas and chairs for more private company, a huge down-feathered bed with a silky white canopy, french-windows that opened up to a beautiful view of the lake, a corner for studying, with her own cherry-wood desk and door that led to the bathroom.

The bathroom was big and vaulted too. The front half had the walls covered in floor to ceiling mirrors with marble floors and countertops, and through an archway was a bathtub big enough to be a small swimming pool. It was steaming with sweet smells and had many decorative knobs and levers for bubbles and soaps. Just beyond the bath tub was a square room with 5 different shower heads aimed to the middle, a huge marble shower! Hermione was amazed.

"How beautiful," she said to herself

"It is, isn't it," Draco said suddenly.

Startled by the fact that she wasn't alone, she jumped. Draco was standing in a doorway opposite hers. They shared this bathroom; it connected to both their bedrooms. Hermione, still startled stared speechlessly at him as she thought of what it was going to be like sharing a bathroom with him.

Draco smiled a little as he watched her. He knew he had frightened her and he liked it, for once her guard wasn't up and she didn't know what to do at first.

"You know, Granger, if you're going to check me out all the time you could at least make your staring a little more subtle."

Embarrassed, Hermione snapped out of it. How arrogant of him! "Don't flatter yourself Draco, I just spaced out for a second," she finally said.

"Yeah, well I tend to make a lot of girls go dizzy and forget where they are from time to time," he said smugly.

Once again Hermione was taken back. Was he being flirty or making fun of her?

Draco loved it when she didn't know what to make of things. Miss always in control didn't know what to do.

"Well goodnight," he said with a sly smile. He turned to go, but stopped suddenly; he faced back at her and looked her up and down. 'Damn,' he thought to himself. And with that he kissed the air while looking her right in the face and left the bathroom.

Hermione turned and closed the door, and rested her back against it. 'What the hell was that?' she thought, 'He just checked me out, and acted like he was hitting on me.' She didn't know what to think. She wondered about it while she got ready for bed. Soon her thoughts turned to how ludicrous it would be if she flirted back. She laughed out loud. 'Yeah right,' she told herself, 'that'll be the day; I don't care how attractive he is.'

She meant it too, she could barely tolerate him. But…she did admit to herself how sexy he was. His body was large and hard and his face was memorizing. She fell asleep still puzzled by his behavior.

Draco knew she didn't know what to think either, and he loved it. He had found his power over her, something to use against her! 'So perfect and organized' he thought, 'until I come around…then you don't know what to do, do you? Little Hermione Granger….off her pedestal… and in the palm of my hand.'