A/N: Thank you to whatever readers I have. Review and follow if you would, I know it's not much of a story yet, but I plan on working on it! And clearly, I am not J.K. Rowling, so I do not own the HP characters or universe.

**Hermione's POV**

We sat at the Gryffindor table, feeling all the eyes on us, well mostly me. Gods, when are they going to stop staring at me? It's been months since everything ended.

"Ginny, come on, straighten your tie, honestly. We have enough people looking at us, we don't need them seeing your tie crooked. Thank God there are no paparazzi here."

McGonagall started her opening speech.

"You're right about people looking at us, that's for sure. You even caught the attention of a certain blonde Slytherin, Mione. And he's looking especially gorgeous today, especially poetic." She wiggles her eyebrows at me. I looked up to see Malfoy peeking glances at me. "Even he can't keep his glimmering silver eyes off the war heroine."

"I really should never have let you read anything Gin. I don't even have those, and what if they fall into the wrong hands?"

The sorting hat talked about unity and how we can't hold on to the past, but look to the future.

She rolled her eyes and we waited for the feast to begin before finishing our discussion.

"You always signed them with a little genie lamp, didn't you? Did you ever actually write Hermione, or HJG, or Hermione Jean Granger?"

I pursed my lips at her.

"Now, all students here for their eighth year, whether it's because your seventh year wasn't up to par, or if it's because you weren't here at all," McGonagall said, sending a pointed look in my direction. "your rooms that you have used all these years unfortunately had to go to the first years. But worry not. There are plenty of rooms in this castle. Since there are not many of you, one boy and one girl shall share a common room and bathroom, spread throughout the castle. They will be your partners for the project due at the end of the year. They probably won't be in your house. Stay behind please. First years, follow the prefects. Everyone else, dismissed."

Ginny gave me a smile and a nod of recognition to the girl I hadn't even realized I was sitting beside.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Gryffindor's pet boyfriend stealer. How is Won won anyways? Missing a real woman yet, like me?" Lavender Brown sneered at me. I really truly looked at her. She had short, choppy hair now, a few new scars, and looked a lot ruder now. By the way she's itching at the bite scar on her arm, I'd say that Fenrir left her with a certain... condition... I smirked a little.

"Hello Lavender, have you got fleas? And I'm not dating Ronald anymore, not that it's any of your business. 'Won won' certainly isn't missing you, that's for sure. And I'd think you'd be more grateful to me. I kept Greyback from using you as a chewtoy!" I rolled my eyes at her.

I noticed that Draco was watching me, looking between me and the sheet of paper he was sketching on. Probably drawing some more anti-'mudblood' cartoon or something to show my wild hair... I saw Blaise looking over it and me with delight on his face. With Pansy Parkinson scooting closer to Malfoy to join in on the laughs. Marvelous.

**Draco's POV**

My hand flew across the page, trying to capture that perfect smirk. It's perfect because it's different than her full on smile. It isn't shown as often. I wondered what triggered it this time.

"Look at that Drake, she's giving a fellow Gryffindor the smirk normally reserved for when she bests you!" He kept looking between the paper and her.

"Drakeyboo! I'm like so so SO happy you came back this year!" Pansy was suddenly next to me with her screeching voice and I smoothly hid my sketch with years of practice. "What a weird coinkydink! Who do you think will be sharing a private common room with you?"

I look at Blaise for an explanation and he rolls his eyes as McGonagall walks up to Granger. She held up a bowl with slips of paper for both Granger and that other Gryffindor girl that dated the Weasel I think to pick from. Hermione's smirk fell as Brown said something nasty. Granger, however, responded smugly after looking the other girl's slip of paper. Lavender looked down in disgust.

"Draco Malfoy is with Hermione Granger. Ernie Macmillan is with Lavender Brown." McGonagall made her way over to Pansy. "Draw please."

She fished around for a moment and read her slip. "Ugh, Longbottom. Tell you what, I'll trade with Granger. Much more pleasant for all involved, yes?" She looked rather pleased with her solution, even though I looked at Blaise with wide eyes.

"No. For this project to work, you need to learn about someone you don't know all about. You are to tell me who Mr. Longbottom is. His ups and downs, with no prejudices. Mr. Malfoy needs to learn to see past his prejudices as well. We all need to." She turns on her heel and walks away to one of the Patil twins in Ravenclaw. "Blaise Zabini is with Padma Patil. I have ghosts set to show you where each of your rooms are. Your schedules will be on the table. Good night, and behave."

Nearly Headless Nick went to Granger and they both came over to me, seemingly impatient.

"Come along young Mr. Malfoy, I'm your guide. All your things are already in your room."

We walked along in a very uncomfortable silence before getting to a portrait of a gothic fairy.

"Your password is 'Quod exit amicis'. The project mentioned will be worth about 80% of your total grade for this year. Good night Ms. Granger. Mr. Malfoy." He looked me over before floating away. We both tried entering the painting at the same time.

"Excuse me, you aren't entering until one of you utters the password," a sultry voice said. "And not one of you has. The rules are simple: I will only allow you two in besides emergencies and if you have the person with them." The fairy fluffed up her black ball gown.

"Quod exit amicis!" We said at the same time. Fascinating, I frustrate her when I haven't even done anything. Once we stepped inside, she looked me over warily.

"Let's at least agree to be civil. We can ignore each other as best we can, but I will NOT fail this project because you decided to act like a royal git. I will punch you again without hesitation if I feel you deserve it, and I will make you think you are a prima ballerina in the Muggle world if you cross me." She turned on her heel and went into her room.

A/N: Well, that's a tad bumpy. But thing's will smooth out.