Disclaimer: Most of this isn't mine. But the plot is.

Summary: A new student arrives at Hogwarts, entrancing the male majority of Hogwarts with her looks. When Draco and Hermione are forced to team up to help settle the new student in, Draco has an evil plan on his mind, while Hermione only has good intentions. Will the event with all its bickering bring the pair further apart or closer together? DMHG

Author's Note: Sorry if anyone is offended by my interpretation of Elise and how she has trouble speaking English…. IN THIS, BLAISE IS A PREFECT:D Adds some variety, I guess. The next chapter will be longer.

Chapter One: A New Student, A New Year

"Now, I know my arrival is unexpected, but I won't be staying too long-", Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts announced at a prefect meeting, a place where he usually did not visit.

He had only done so once, at last year's meeting informing the prefects and heads of the security changes that would have to occur due to the war…

The war that had been started by Voldemort, the Dark Lord, one of the most powerful wizards of all time. Although, Voldemort always miraculously returned, despite constantly being defeated by Harry Potter. Harry Potter attended Hogwarts and was only a boy of sixteen who had lost many he loved fighting Voldemort, but still continued. In fact, that very summer Harry had again defeated Voldemort, but all expected his return, as usual. It was a temporary relief. It was that which made Hermione Granger, best friend of Harry Potter, worried.

"But, important matters cause important meetings to occur. Now, as prefects from last year would know, security regulations still apply. You will receive your patrolling timetables by owl," the old wizard explained carefully. "You must be very prompt and begin patrolling before or just when your time slot begins, not afterwards, " he eyed some particular prefects, one being Draco Malfoy.

Draco Malfoy was evil, in Hermione's opinion. His dad was a death eater, a follower of Voldemort, and had been locked away in Azkaban. Hermione figured he deserved it. It was Harry who had been responsible for having Draco's father sent to prison. This meant that Draco absolutely loathed Hermione and Harry and their friends as well, in fact, he had for quite some time. He hated almost everyone. Hermione just assumed he was born evil.

Draco smirked, before Dumbledore continued, "You must only patrol the areas you have been instructed to patrol, you will go no further. If you do, however, come across anything, whether it be something or someone that does belong there- a ghost, or a student, you will handle the situation in an appropriate manner."

The prefects looked at Dumbledore, who had not been carefree and happy since the end of fourth year, when a student had been killed by Voldemort.

"Now, on a lighter note, a new sixth year student has arrived. I expect a least two students to help her settle into Hogwarts. Her name is Elise Cantane, she was sorted at the ceremony into Slytherin. I am expecting a Slytherin student to volunteer, with busy schedules and settling in the first-year students, teachers do not have time to give her a tour of the Slytherin common room, or for that matter educate her on the Slytherin manner, whatever it may be," Dumbledore paused, eyeing each student in the room very carefully, "Also, it is desired that a student from another house volunteers to promote interhouse unity and so Ms. Cantane can become familiar with students outside of their house…" Dumbledore eyed Hermione, who blinked slowly, and as she did rolled her eye brows. But nevertheless raised her hand slowly into the air anyway.

"I'll volunteer sir," Hermione said, as Dumbledore gave her nod to indicate his approval.

Across the table from Hermione sat Malfoy, who leaned closer to his friend Blaise Zabini and whispered, "Oi, Elise Cantane? She was the one sorted today, right?"
"Yeah, the tall, thin, blonde one," Blaise replied, giving his friend a wink.
"Awesome, I'd volunteer," he smirked.

Draco was one of the least expected students to raise his hand in the room of prefects and as he did, other students furrowed their eyebrows, except Blaise of course, who knew the very reason as to why his friend who usually could not care less about helping people was volunteeringly, well, volunteering.

Dumbledore seemed pleased, he clapped his hands together with glee and said, "Alright then, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger, good luck, she's waiting just outside. And I expect you two to get along; I don't want a chance of interhouse unity to be spoiled by your constant bickering which seems to be a habit you two share when alone." He lowered his glasses, eyeing the pair before he bid farewell and left the prefect meeting room.

And as he did, Draco smirked with pride, having felt he had certainly made a good choice in opting to help… Even if it meant he would be forced to work with a mudblood, he provided a chance for him to perhaps promote unity between the Cantane girl and himself.

Hermione tugged on the sleeve of her friend Ron's shirt, and titled her head into Malfoy's direction.

Ron laughed, but felt sympathy towards his friend, "I reckon, Hermione! Who would have thought he would've volunteered, bit of a bad catch, I'd say… Don't worry, if he tries anything, I'll kill him."

"As assuring as that is Ron, thanks anyway, but no… As long as he covers the Slytherin introduction part, we're fine, right? I mean, I just have to help her around and show her places outside the Slytherin dorms."

"Yeah, yeah I guess, if Malfoy bothers to help at all, that is," Ron pointed out.

"Why else would he volunteer…?" She glanced over at Malfoy who was grinning at his friend Blaise, making obscene gestures and laughing, "As long as we don't bicker we'll get it over and done with, I mean, how hard can it be?"

Ron grinned, slapping Hermione on the back roughly, forgetting that she was not as tough as some of quidditch players on Ron's team, "Exactly!"

However, both knew that Malfoy was a prick, to put it simply… This opportunity only meant that he was provided with more chances to insult Hermione. Which was probably most of her time, what, with prefect meetings and being in the same classes for almost everything? She figured herself doomed; she may as well live with bloody Malfoy.

The head of the School stood and shuffled some papers, "Right, that's about it. I don't expect to call any meetings soon. And remember everything Dumbledore said about the patrols, good night!" The two heads left the room, soon followed by other prefects, leaving Ron, Blaise, Draco and Hermione behind.

Draco approached Hermione, smirking, "So, mudblood, any ideas to what we're going to do?"

Ron rolled his eyes and said between his teeth, "Don't call her a mudblood!" Malfoy always had called Hermione a mudblood since the first time when they were in second grade at Hogwarts. It has become a habit of his, even something Hermione had come accustomed to… An over used derogatory term that each time he said it meant less and less to her.

Hermione smiled slightly at Ron, pleased for his efforts but knew saying such a thing would get himself more annoyed then Malfoy. Malfoy didn't care. He was like that.

"Piss off Weasley, you're girlfriend is talking about serious stuff now- we don't want to confuse you."

Hermione blushed, she always did. Everyone always assumed Ron and Hermione were together, but things weren't like that at all.

"Why, you th-," Ron began. Before stopping after an annoyed Hermione interrupted him.

She knew she could never like Ron more than a friend, he was angered to easily. She felt she could not rely on him to defend her without ending up in the Hospital Wing with several broken bones and a bruised ego.

Hermione sighed, "Look Ron, just leave, okay, I'll tell you about it later."

"The mudblood is right, Weasley… Leave. " Malfoy said, before tilting his head to the door, gesturing for Blaise to leave as well.

Ron looked slightly taken aback by Hermione's response, and furrowed his brow, "Right. Fine, I'll leave, but only because she told me to, Malfoy, not because you want me to."

Malfoy didn't seem to care less, "Pfft, whatever, Weasley."

Ron left, annoyed with Malfoy, as usual, not before stopping in amazement at the girl outside of the room. Blaise, who copied his actions unintentionally, shortly followed him. "Damn." Blaise said, realising that Ms. Elise Cantane much more appealing up close than further away, like she had been from the Slytherin table when she was sorted.

"Finally!" Malfoy said, leaning against a chair, we his arms folded. "Right Granger, you don't have to do any of this, I mean, I don't mind doing it at all… accompanying her around showing her where bathrooms and.. broom cupboards are, and places of the like."

Hermione immediately realised Malfoy's real intentions behind volunteering. "You sleaze! You're only doing this for your own benefit! And to think some people are probably think how nice you are to volunteer! I should've known…"

Malfoy stopped pacing and his hand fell from his hair, "Yeah and-? Why are you doing this, then? For her benefit?"

Hermione paused, "Yeah, I guess.. Wait, no, not really… I don't really know why I'm doing it actually, Malfoy, but at least my intentions are innocent in comparison to your's," she admitted. "Anyway, I told Dumbledore I'd help, so I will, right? So the first thing I suggest we do is at least let the poor girl know what's going on and let her in!"

Malfoy nodded curtly, actually agreeing, before opening the door of the room, to find a tall, thin, blonde girl waiting expectantly at the door.

"Oh, hello it eez someone who can help me!" Elise giggled, offering her hand out to Malfoy, who had his eyes seriously enlarged, "Ah, I am Elizee Cantane! I come from Beaxutons!"

Malfoy who usually acted cool around women had no control over the situation at that moment, "Heh... Figures..." He almost smiled before shaking her hand.

The two stood in the door for several moments, before Hermione coughed slightly and laughed, "Right, anyway, I'm Hermione… Malfoy, or Draco, whatever, and I will be accompanying you around the school helping you to settle in… And stuff.. Yeah, so.."

Elise giggled, "Oh, well, hello Hermyknee! Thank you for your kind gezture! I am quite.. appre..appre..-"

"Appreciative?" Malfoy asked, slightly dazed.

"Oui, oui! That is it, Draco! I am quite appreseetive of youze both!" Elise smiled, her intentions good. Well, much better than Malfoy's, at least. "I am sorry, my engleeze izn't too good, I am just still learning the bazics, do youze know where I could find a tutor?"

Draco's eyes lit up, "I happen to be a good tutor, I can give you lessons… In a room... Alone..." Draco smirked, very pleased with how is brain was functioning.

"Oooh, I would lurve that, thank you, Draco! Now, where can I find a bathroom?" Elise asked.

Hermione before able to help, saw Draco offering to help her find the bathroom. "I've got it now, go…Leave, Granger."

"-But Malfoy, we need to organise the situation! We need to plan who does what and-,"

"Look, Granger, don't worry. We'll organise it tomorrow, me and Elise will meet you at breakfast."

"Alright, but we really need to get organised then!" She warned.

"And we will, c'mon Elise, this way." He said to Hermione, preoccupied with girl in front of him.

"Thank you Hermyknee for ze help!" Elise called out to Hermione as Draco led her towards the girl's bathroom.

"Yeah..." Hermione muttered to herself, frustrated she had volunteered to help.

The opportunity meant she had more of a chance as being chosen for Head girl the proceeding year. Even if she could not imagine tolerating spending anymore time with Malfoy she knew she still had her friends to support her.

Author's Note: In the next few chapters I'll try to make Elise less of a ditzy bimbo. She has to be in Slytherin for some reason, right? Please R&R:) I'd really appreciate some advice!