Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter…just the plot and all that jazz…blah

Hermione burst through the compartment doors, completely out of breath. Looking around, she noticed the startled faces of all the prefects and professor McGonagall.

Catching her breath, she said," I'm sorry I'm late. I was a bit…ehem…side tracked."

"Let's hope that what ever side tracked you WON'T 'sidetrack' you again in the near future Miss Granger," professor McGonagall curtly replied.

"Yes ma'am"

"Now, as I was saying, each prefect from each house will get their own room and bathroom." All the prefects began to cheer. "Head Boy and Head Girl have their own room with a bathroom that joins the two bathrooms together."

"Umm…Professor…this may be out of place…but why would we share a bathroom if each prefect from each house gets their own? I mean, wouldn't we be residing somewhere near our common house?" Hermione asked. Draco seemed to agree with her, in some aspects.

"Yes Professor, because there is NO WAY I'm sharing a bathroom with the likes of her. Different blood you see. I could-"

"Mr. Malfoy! How dare you speak of such vile things! If I ever hear you say, or even imply something of any racist nature, so help me," Professor McGonagall trailed off. She needed to get a hold of herself.

"Anyway, Miss Granger, the reason why you have an adjourning bathroom is because you will be sharing a house, so to speak."

"A house Professor?"

"Yes, you will have a common room to share and a bathroom, but your own rooms."

"But Professor-!" Both Hermione and Draco yelled.

"But nothing. Be happy with what you have. At least you're not sharing a room." Yea, that shut them up.

"We will further discuss your duties later on this week, hopefully before Thursday. In the mean time, I would hope that you'd set a good example for your peers. You are dismissed." Sounds of chairs and being pulled out and chattering became instant.

"Oh, and Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy," they both looked up," do try and behave yourselves."

By now everyone, except for Malfoy and Hermione, had cleared the compartment. Hermione was sitting in her chair, head bowed, and eyes in her lap. She was still in a state of shock. 'Her, share a room with…with… Malfoy, god of all ferrets and evil? Was Dumbledore MAD?'

Suddenly she felt warm breath on her ear. Her head shot up.

"Granger," Malfoy said," try not to get in my way. If you do, I may be forced to take action." He straightened himself up and prepared himself to leave when her voice stopped him.

"Is that supposed to be a threat?"

He smirked. "Take it as you will."

Hermione then proceeded to raise herself from her seat and began walking towards him until they were toe to toe.

"Get in my way and I promise to make your life a living hell." He moved closer to her until his mouth was right at the shell of her ear.

"Nice try Granger, but I'm already living in it." And then he was gone.

Hermione was yet again, left in a shocked state. 'Well that was…unexpected.' Shaking her head she began walking down to her compartment. When she opened the sliding door, she was meet with yet another shocking sight. Ron was listening to Jacqueline's ipod, while Jacqueline and Harry seemed to be in deep conversation. Every few seconds, Jacqueline would laugh a little and lightly push Harry in his arm. Was she… flirting?

"Uh-hum," Hermione cleared her throat.

"Oh! Hey Herms! How was the meeting?" Harry beamed. Hermione plopped down on the seat across from Jacqueline. Ron had yet to notice she was there. He was still engrossed in the ipod. It was to be expected. 'Probably the first time he's ever seen one.'

"Oh, you know, same old same old. I'm just doing regular Head duties, sharing a room with Malfoy, you know, the usual."

"WHAT?" Harry and Jacqueline both yelled.

"You have to share a room with that prat? Are you serious?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"All I have to say is…be careful," Jacqueline said.

"Eh?"

"Yea, be careful and try not to get sucked into his life. Believe me, it's pretty easy to."

"Um… do you know this from personal experience?"

"You could say," Jacqueline said. 'Yea, because that wasn't vague at all. Can you get anything out of this girl?' The rest of the trip to Hogwarts was left in an uncomfortable silence.

(At Hogwarts)

Everyone was now in the Great Hall waiting for Dumbledore to stop his speech. They had all made it back safely and had witnessed the first years being out into their houses. Jacqueline ended up in Gryffindor. When Dumbledore was done, the food appeared and Ron wasted no time in filling up his plate.

"Hey J?" They had already given Jacqueline a nickname?

"Hmm?'

"So what'd the hat say to you before he deemed you a Gryffindor?" Harry asked. He thought for sure that she'd be put in Ravenclaw with her smartness and all.

"Nothing really. He said that most people like me would be placed in Ravenclaw but my unwillingness to give up, my supposedly 'fierce' personality and bravery outweighed all the other crap." And with that, she continued eating her chicken wing.

Harry just shrugged his shoulders and went back to eating. 'This girl is really something else.' Ginny suddenly appeared at Hermione's side.

"Hey Hermione, Dumbledore wants you and the ferret to escort each other to his office at 9:30 tonight." Hermione began to choke on her pumpkin juice.

While thumping her friend on her back, Ginny said,"Oh, and tonight you and I need to have some girl talk. It's been to long!" Then she got up and left, without a passing glance at anyone else.

"You gonna be ok?" Jacqueline asked. Hermione was surprised, to say the least. Was this the same girl who not just a few hours ago, treated them with a hint of bitterness when asked about her personal life? The one who seemed distant towards all the others that she met? 'Oh well, at least it seems like when it comes to other people she cares. Maybe she's the type of person to always put others before her?'

She took in a shaky breath. "Yea, I'm fine. It's nothing I can't handle."

It was Ron's turn to start choking on his pumpkin juice. "Like hell it's not!" He harshly whispered.

"Excuse me? I could have sworn that this was a private conversation! You do know what that means right?" Hermione retorted.

"You heard me, this coming from the girl who cries every time the fuck face calls her mudblood? Of course, it's understandable, but exactly how is that handling it?" Hermione's eyes narrowed into slits as she began to clench and unclench her shaking hands.

"Listen here you…you…jackass!" Gasps could be heard along the table. Hermione had gotten so frustrated that her voice had been getting louder and louder with each word. But the gasps were more about Hermione's use of language more than anything else.

"Well, sorry for thinking that I actually measured up to the person you thought was brave. Sorry you think that I'm not the type of person who can't handle that type of situation! Do you honestly think that I'm that. Damn. WEAK?"

Ron's eyes were not the size of saucers and he began stuttering, trying to let her know that no, he didn't think her weak. Just that he didn't think that she could handle thins type of situation. "No! I…I-"

"Have you failed to realize that over the years I've grown a backbone? That when Malfoy made fun a Hagrid I punched him in the fucking face?" Well, she had him there.

"We are just walking to Dumbledore's damn office! What the hell do you think is going to happen in the 5 minutes that it takes to get there that I can't handle?"

"Nothing! I just-"

"Or maybe you just didn't notice that I've changed? That I can't take care of myself! That I'm stronger and that I don't need you to protect me anymore." No one dared to breathe.

"What do I have to do, huh? Here's an idea! How about I put up in big flashing lights for you, 'Hermione has grown up'. Will you pay attention then?" Then she fled from the great hall with her head in her hands.

Everyone was…SHOCKED. Did that just really happen Did Hermione Granger, the bookworm of the century, backboneless Granger just stand up for herself in front of everyone else…to her BEST FRIEND Ron? Better yet, did she just curse?

One bye one people from every house (including a handful from Slytherin, shocking!) stood up and began clapping.

"Holy Shit! Was that Granger?"

"I can't believe she said fuck!"

"I always thought she was pretty hot. Did you see her new get-up?" And other such comments could be heard. Ron just sat there with his mouth agape.

"I don't think it's hit him yet," Harry said, waving his hand in front of his face. Ron finally snapped out of his trance when Jacqueline suddenly spoke up. She'd been watching the whole interaction…knowing exactly what it felt like to be looked down upon. She decided then that she didn't really care all that much for Ron at the moment. By now the rooms cheers had died down and everyone was back to their own conversations.

"The worst feeling is suddenly realizing that you don't measure up. And in the past when you thought you did, you were wrong." Here eyes had that far away look, almost as if she was remembering something.

"Anything you have ever said to us sounds like it's about something you yourself have been through. You don't tell us what your favorite color is, why you're even here, what your life is like. Why is that? Don't you ever have anything else to say?" Ron barked out. He was feeling a little defensive at the moment and just felt like lashing at someone. He wanted someone else to be angry too. Seeing before that Malfoy had gotten a rise out of her, he thought he could too. He had to get his mind off of Hermione's little outburst.

"My life…has changed so much…now everything is just simply…a memory."

"And here come the riddles! What's with you?"

"You like her…don't you?" Jacqueline accused with a smirk. Ron became flustered.

"What! I…I-, what the hell kind of random question is that?"

"Hmm, I see. So a crush is it?"

"No! It's more than that! I mean-wait! You tricked me…" He sighed, putting his head in his hands. "Is it really that obvious?"

"Not really…" He shot her a look,"urk…e yea…sort of."

"I don't understand though. I mean, I know she doesn't like me, like me but it's so hard to let go." He sighed. He could not believe he was confiding in Miss Introvert over here but, with those eyes, it was kind of hard not to.

"I want to let go cause I know when she finds someone it will only bring drama and I can't stand drama." Jacqueline showed a lock of mock shock.

"Are you asking me" she pointed her finger at herself," for advice? You don't want to know my favorite color or something?" She asked smirking.

"No damn it! I just…I just want…some advice. Nothing all in-depth or anything. Just something quick, sweet and to the point. Can you do that?" He asked challengingly.

Shaking her head she replied, " I'm not one to give on so easily to anger and its implied challenge. I like to think that I have at least some control over myself."

"Oh yea? Then what was what with Malfoy hmm?" He watched her stiffen. Did he over step some kind of boundary?

"That's different…" She trailed off. OK, to say he was surprised would have been an understatement. He actually got something out of the ice queen. Happy Day!

But much to his disappointment but later satisfaction, she instead gave him her advice.

"Do you know what makes letting go of a crush so hard?"

"No that's why I asked you-"

"The fear, that the moment you let go, they'll catch on." She let him be for a few minutes so he could ponder over what she said.

"I guess since you told me a little secret of yours," he scowled," guess I should let you know one of mine." His head shot up and he looked at her in shock. Was she about to…?

She suddenly got that far away look in her eyes again. " You were wondering why I am like I am. You may not have said anything out loud, but I know you were thinking it." He didn't dare speak in fear of that he's ruin this once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Why the only person that can ever get a rise out of me is Malfoy, why I'm so distant with others…" Her expression became pained, almost as if the memory was to much to bare.

"I loved him so much, that I gave him the power to destroy me."

And that's the end of the fic. Thanks to all who read it!

Hahahahaha Just kidding, theres so much more to come. Not a lot of Dra/her action but next chapter there defiantly will be. Speaking of the next chapter, it should be out in the next hour or so. I decided that since I get 6 more reviews than I asked for that I'd give you guys a treat! Who knows, maybe if I can rack up a few more reviews, I might give you 3! So in this chapter we learn a vague amount about Jacqueline's past and Hermione finally comes out of her shell. Ron's probably out of character but it's important for the story. Bear with me please! Next chapter: Hermione and Draco's 5 minute walk to D.D office turns out to take a little bit more time than expected. The girls talk, taking Jacqueline along with them and you get to learn a little bit more about her past. After chapter 5 (which has already been written!) the story begins to focus more on the Draco/ Hermione relationship. It's important that we focus just a little on Jacqueline write now but there will be a lot of Draco/ Hermione action in these next few chapters! Thanks for reading and review please!

Reply to Reviews:

LeLLa- Thanks! I'm glad you liked her personality. I wasn't sure if anyone would.

Sylverflame-Glad you liked it!

Kaiya Of a Thousand PenName-Your review made me laugh! And your so right about that girl! She can kiss my ass for all I care. But your review defiantly inspired me to write more!

Draco-hotty- lol thanks for the review. Hope your happy that I updated 

Jezebelle of a Queenscove- I call myself we too! Hehe…e yea, I'm lying but I'm glad that you liked it!

Sara83-thanks!

Serpentess-I know right? But when I read the H.P book, it made me so mad that he could walk all over everyone so I made someone that could fight back!

Unspoken words x3- Thank ya kindly!

Brilliantblonde9- Oh I will, I will

Toocute4u-I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying 

Hannah- I'm pretty sure that I asked for anyone to review if they wanted me to continue with the story. So why review if you didn't want me to? That's obviously saying something, think before you say anything next time. Srry for the 'lack of kindness