Disclaimer - hmm... I didn't do this in my earlier chapters but I should soo... Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, not me.

We Belong Together

Chapter 3: Welcome back to Hogwarts!

"Please sit down, Mr. Malfoy. We certainly don't have all day and I would like to get this meeting started, soon!" snapped McGonagall, as he took a seat down beside Hermione.

"Would you mind moving a little, Malfoy? There's plenty of space on the other side of the couch." Hermione said coldly. "I would like to have some space!"

"Anything for you, Granger" replied Draco sarcastically, as he moved a few paces over to the left.

"I trust you two know why you are here?" continued McGonagall as the two Heads nodded in response. "We will just go over a few of the details. You two are to patrol the hallways every night, together, from 9:00pm to 11:30pm. Any student seen out of bed past 9:30 is to get a detention and points knocked off. Any fighting results in a week's detention and more points knocked off. Now, you two will be sharing a common room, your own dorm. The Headmaster uses this method for house unity, and you are to set examples for the younger students, so please behave yourselves. Your password is to not be given out to anyone, but you may have guests over. Select few, may I add. I do not want a party taking place every night!" she stopped to look at Draco before continuing again. "You two will also be in charge of meetings being held with the prefects. You will be in charge of organizing Hogsmeade visits, dances and any other social events you would like to take place. And I trust that you two will still be able to maintain high grades even with these duties and privileges. Good luck to the both of you!" and with that she stood up, dusted her robes off, collected her books and loose parchment and walked off, closing the compartment door behind her.

"Well, Malfoy, just stay out of my way, and that way we can both be happy. Okay?" asked Hermione, walking towards the door.

"Not so fast, Granger." he said, walking ahead of Hermione and blocking the door. "We're going to be living together. I doubt we can avoid each other, that easily. And besides, you look mighty fine this year!" he whistled, smirking.

"Just shut up Malfoy, and get out of my way! You sicken me!" she replied, pushing him out of the way and closing the door behind her.

'What the hell was that? What did he mean, I look mighty fine? What is he trying to pull? Acting all nice… that wasn't even nice! Wait… did he just try and compliment me? What's gotten into him? What's gotten into me? I didn't even give him a chance!' thought Hermione. She was utterly confused. 'Well it's not like I'd give him a chance that easily. After all he's done to Harry, Ron and me? Yeah right! He better not try and do anything he'd regret later. He's so confusing! But… maybe he meant something by what he said. Maybe he was trying to be nice… maybe he changed over the summer. NO, Hermione! Snap out of it. Normal people change, Draco Malfoy isn't normal and will NEVER change!' she kept contemplating everything as she walked back to her compartment, but seeing Harry and Ginny together with Ron no where in sight, she decided to turn around and go back to the Head compartment. 'It's not like anyone will be there. Maybe I can get some peace and quiet. Listen to some music. Read a little bit more.' But not before running into the compartment with Harry and Ginny, grabbing her luggage and running out, down the hall and into the Head compartment.

She grabbed her CD player, popped in a CD, hit play and listened to the music pounding in her ears. She started to cry. It was her favourite song – "Here's to the Night" by Eve 6. Her cousin, Matt, had bought her the album, Horrorscope as an early birthday gift. 'Matt… I miss you so much Matt! How could you…' She started sobbing even harder as she thought about Matt, not noticing the door open and close behind her. Not noticing the young man with platinum blonde hair standing there. Not noticing the footsteps towards her, or the young man sitting down in a chair, staring at her, with sadness and confusion in his eyes.

Here's to the nights we felt alive…
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry…
Here's to goodbye…
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon…

Turning around, Hermione noticed Malfoy sitting in a chair staring out the window. He looked different. His hair wasn't slicked back anymore; instead, it fell loosely around his face. It was slightly longer, shaggy, a few curls at the ends around his ears. His eyes were still silver-gray, but they didn't look cold anymore. They had depth to them, she could get lost in them. He was taller than she remembered, and well built. He was more muscular, but it was just perfect for his toned body. He was tanned, but compared to his pale body before, he looked normal for once. She had calmed herself down and wasn't crying anymore. She was just staring at him. Something took over her; she was staring, not in hatred, but in awe, and confusion.

He turned back to her, realizing the crying had stopped and the room was silent. She turned away quickly, and he saw a slight pink creep into her cheeks.

'She's blushing…' he thought. 'I made her blush. I wonder what she was crying about. Bloody hell! What's gotten into me today? Just looking at her… she makes me feel so calm. More calm than I've felt all summer. Maybe spending more time with her, maybe I'll be able to tell her. I feel like I can trust her… damn, what's wrong with me!' He was becoming flustered with all these thoughts rushing through his head. 'Oh yeah, my father's in Azkaban, my mother is dead, and I feel alone. That's what's wrong. Maybe one day I can tell her… and maybe one day she'll listen…'

"How long have you been here Malfoy?" questioned Hermione, making Malfoy snap out of his train of thought.

"What?" he answered confused.

"You heard me, how long have you been here? What are you doing creeping up on people? Sometimes people like to be alone! You could have at least knocked or said something! Oh, but of course, Malfoy doesn't find the need to be nice to other people. He's the mighty Slytherin king." she said with strong sarcasm in her voice. She was really mad at him. Did he witness her whole crying fest? She wanted to know!

"Listen, Granger! Don't get all mad at me. I did nothing wrong, unless you count sitting down in a chair in a compartment while looking out the window and thinking a crime, you have nothing to be furious about!" he yelled back. He didn't understand how she could be so calm one second and bursting with flames the next. She was getting on his nerves.

"Well, I just got a start, okay? I just want to know what you witnessed. It's not like I want the whole school to know that I was crying on the train ride to school, and knowing you, Malfoy, you're sure to tell the whole bloody world!" she shot back.

"Yeah, okay, I saw you crying, but I'm not going to tell the whole school, Granger. I may have done it in fifth year, or even last year, but I'm not the same as I was before. Not like you'd care or anything, but I'm going through hardships, just like you, by the looks of it!" he said, trying to regain his composure.

"Like what?" she pried. She was starting to calm down, but she wasn't sure if she believed him.

"I'd rather not talk about it. Can we leave it there, please?" he replied.

"What?" she was stunned.

"I said I'd rather not talk about it. So let's change the subject!"

"No, you said… please. You've never said please to me before." she said trying to stop acting like a fool.

"Yeah well, I said I changed, didn't I? I mean, you don't see me calling you mudblood or hexing you the minute I see you, do you?" he said, staring her straight in the eyes.

"N-no. You're right." She looked back at him, right back into his eyes. Those eyes that could pierce her soul, and look deep within her. "S-stop looking at me like that. It's scaring m-me…" she added.

"Fine!" and with those words he turned around and walked out the door, leaving Hermione utterly confused.

'What was that? Maybe he has changed… for the better. But that was so confusing, why did he just leave?' She sighed. 'Well, I have the whole year to figure him out. And I intend to! Those eyes though… those gorgeous eyes. I felt like he was looking right through me… looking for my soul…'

She turned back to her CD player, pulled out her Ancient Runes text book and started reading, letting the music flow in the background. Letting it bury itself deep within her heart.

Let the fighting words lie…
Let the candlelight die…
Let the sun come up…
Let the saline dry…

She stepped off the train, hopped into a carriage with Harry, Ron and Ginny and before she knew it, they were all standing at the entrance of the Great Hall. They walked over to the middle of the Gryffindor table and took a seat. Harry and Ginny sat side by side, across from Hermione and Ron. They waited patiently - except Ron who kept muttering things to himself that sounded oddly like "Hurry it up already", "Bloody hell" and "I don't recall our Sorting Ceremony being this long!" - as all the first years got sorted into the four houses.

Albus Dumbledore stood up, smiling at everyone around the Hall, with his arms outstretched. Everyone in the Great Hall stopped talking and looked up eagerly at the Headmaster.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! A new term has arrived, for both old and new students. Before we fill our tummies and go off to bed, I would like to say a few words, if I may. First of all, I would like to say that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students, and a few of the older students would do good to remember that." He paused, his eyes landing on Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Mr. Filch has also asked me to remind you that the list of objects not allowed on school grounds – unless you would like them confiscated – is posted on the bulletin board in your common rooms. I would also like to introduce this year's Head Boy and Head Girl. Would Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger please come up to the front of the Hall and join me?" he finished as Draco and Hermione stood up and walked over to the Headmaster as the Hall broke out into applause, most of the cheers coming from the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. "I would ask you two to please stay behind after the feast, so you can be shown to your Head Common Room, thank you. That is all, now… Tuck in!" he said as mouth-watering food appeared on the tables and Hermione and Draco walked back to their seats.

After the feast, everyone headed towards the exit, prefects leading the first years to their common rooms.

"See you later, 'Mione. Tomorrow probably, considering that it's late and we aren't allowed out of the rooms!" said Ginny as she hugged Hermione. Ron and Harry nodded in agreement before they left.

"Goodnight guys and I'll see you in class tomorrow." she shouted after them.

"Goodnight 'Mione!" said Harry and Ron in unison.

Draco walked over to Hermione as his friends left in the direction of the Slytherin common room.

"Hey, Granger," he said just as she was turning around.

"What did I tell you about sneaking up on people, Malfoy?" she asked coolly.

"It's not my fault you turned around at the wrong moment." he smirked.

"I did not-" she started, before getting cut off by a hand silencing her.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger. Please do not argue. You need to set a good example for the younger students, and I must say that fighting constantly isn't my idea of a good example. I need you two to lead the other students into house unity. I chose you two particularly because I believed that if you put your pride and ignorance behind you, you will find that you have many more things in common than you believed possible. Being the smartest pupils in your year, you must already know that this is the first time in a century that Gryffindor and Slytherin have been made Head Boy and Head Girl, but now, with the war over, we need to become closer, and I need it to start with you two. Now, please, for the school, the teachers, and for my sake… make a truce!" spoke Professor Dumbledore. He was calm, but the two teenagers knew that he was serious, and they didn't have a choice.

"Truce." said Hermione, determined.

"Truce." agreed Draco.

"Good! Now follow me." said Professor Dumbledore promptly, before turning around and heading up a few stairs. They followed him into a hallway they didn't even know existed. There were at least 5 doors on each side, with a big painting at the end of the deserted hallway. The painting consisted of 3 boys and a girl, in their school robes, with the Head Badge pinned on each of them. They were the four founders in their youth, each smiling widely at the tall boy, and average height girl accompanied by the Headmaster.

"The password is 'learn to love'" said Dumbledore, turning around to face the Heads of the new school year. "Good luck! Ta ta!" He walked off down the hallway, leaving Draco and Hermione alone with the painting.

"Well, let's not waste time out here!" said Hermione to Draco and turning around to the painting once more she repeated the password. The door swung open, revealing a circle in the wall in which both students climbed through before the painting swung shut. As soon as she was on the opposite side of the wall, she stood frozen. The room was fascinating! It was easily twice the size of the Gryffindor common room.

"This is… gorgeous!" she exclaimed as she looked around the room in awe. Draco nodded in agreement, but Hermione didn't notice. She turned around to him. "Aren't you going to say anything? Perhaps how small this is compared to your room, or something witty like that?"

"No." he said simply.

"Oh… okay." she replied slowly, feeling awkward.

The floor was of dark hardwood. There was a fireplace to one side of the room with three sofas surrounding it. The mantle above the fireplace was of the same dark wood as the floor, decorated in gold and silver carvings of lion cubs and baby snakes. The main couch was red and green, entwined in each other. The other two on either side were red/gold and emerald/silver. There was a coffee table set in the middle, made of glass and supported by a lion head with a serpent coiling itself around the lion's head and resting at the very top by the right ear. There were two desks on another wall, one with a red runner along it and the other with a green runner. The two chairs with the desks were each decorated with red and green designs and outlined with gold and silver. There was a whole wall dedicated to book shelves, stuffed with both muggle and wizard books. There was another wall that had French doors which led out to the balcony. The wall directly opposite the fireplace, there were two staircases. They both led to mahogany doors, but one of them had red carpet going up the stairs with lion cubs engraved on the railings of the stairs. At the top, there hung the Gryffindor banner above the door. The other staircase had emerald running up the stairs, with snakes engraved on the railings and at the top hung the Slytherin banner above the door.

Hermione ran up the Gryffindor staircase – the one on the left - to her door, turned the knob and entered into her room. It was beautiful. Absolutely magnificent. The walls were a rich shade of red, scarlet, with a gold leaf pattern around the room at the top of the wall. There was a king size bed in the middle of one wall to her left, with a canopy overtop in scarlet, falling over her neatly made bed. The sheets were red satin, and the quilt was red and gold with lion cubs playfully battling each other. Hermione figured it was a magic spell to keep them moving. Her trunk lay at the bottom of her bed. There were two nightstands with red shades and gold stands. There was a desk to one corner, with a bookshelf beside it and an armoire made of mahogany that was twice the size of her wardrobe at home. All her clothes were neatly hung and folded, just the way she liked them organized – by the season. There was a large window overlooking the fields leading down to Hagrid's cabin, with scarlet curtains pulled closed. There was a dark red couch just below the window. She looked around the room in admiration.

'Malfoy's must be just like this, except in the Slytherin colours.' She thought.

She then noticed a door to the left of the bookshelf made of the same mahogany as her bedroom door. She walked towards it and opened it up only to discover the bathroom. The walls were off-white; the tiles were a creamy colour and warm. Built in heating. She always loved the heated floors, especially during winter. There was a large bathtub to one corner with lots of buttons surrounding the outside edge. There were two sinks on one long table and 4 drawers below each sink for the person's personal belongings, and on the wall was a cabinet with 3 mirrors, above each sink. One sink was white with golden taps and the second was white with silver taps. On the other side of the wall was a shower with blurred glass so that you couldn't see the person in the shower. Beside the shower was a lavatory. She was in love with this dorm, this Head dorm. It was getting better every moment. She noticed another mahogany door which she guessed led to Malfoy's room.

Draco was exploring the balcony which was pretty long and wide, with benches along the edge of the doors and a medium high railing. He then entered his room, smirking. It was just like the Malfoy Manor. He then noticed the bathroom door and walked towards it.
She was just about to turn the knob to go back to her room when she heard his doorknob twist. She looked around and saw his bleach blonde hair sticking out of the door. She smiled.

"Oh sorry, I'll check it out later." He said to her, politely, not wanting to start an argument this late.

"No, no, it's okay. You can come in. I was just on my way out." she replied, trying to stop herself from grinning so widely. It didn't work.

"Why are you smiling so much?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"What? Oh, nothing. It's just… you're being nice." she said, giving in and starting to giggle.

"Well, I'm not incapable of being a nice guy, you know." He started to smile too.

"I guess so… Anyway, I should go to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow and I'm extremely tired." She sighed and turned around, opening the door to her room and entering.

"Goodnight, Gra-Hermione!" he said, smiling at her her as he said her name.

She just stood still, confused. But then she smiled herself. She liked the way he said her name, the certain emphasis he put on it, even if she wasn't sure what he was getting at. She decided to question him tomorrow.

"Goodnight, Draco!" she replied before closing the door, changing into her PJ's and jumping into her warm bed, thoughts of the past day and excitement for the upcoming days passing through her.

a/n - Well there you go. The third chapter is up. I know it was really long, but I had to get a lot in it. Sorry if it got boring. Really. Anyhoo I have a few thank-you's to send out. And keep reading and reviewing:)

RavenEcho - thank you so much for being my first reviewer. Don't worry, it will start to pick up and sorry if I bored you in the earlier chapters. Have fun on your trip and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

zan189 - thanks so much for the long and brilliant review! You made my day! I hope you like this chapter and keep reading. I loved to hear what concerned you and what you thought I should improve on. It really helped me and I hope this chapter satisfies you. Thank you so much, once again! You're fantastic!

FadedRose - Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you like this chapter. I tried to get it up as soon as possible. Enjoy!

morgan000 - haha thanks. I'm glad you like it. Hope you like this one!

Luv ya guys! Peace out!