(This is first fanfic and I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The chapters are short, and the storyline isn't brilliant but it is okay for a first attempt I suppose.

I don't own the characters; they belong to JK Rowling and her fabulous imagination. The plotline is mine though, unfortunately.)

Chapter One

The book landed on the floor with a 'mumph' sound. Hermione Granger, a seventh year student at Hogwarts, bent down and picked it up. She sighed with exhaustion from having been in the library for the last seven hours, revising for her NEWTS. The entire school year had passed almost without important events, apart from the two times Harry had gone off searching for Voldemort's Horcruxes; which he found and destroyed. Hermione had been highly useful both those times.

Stumbling back to the Gryffindor common room Hermione didn't think to use her wand. She trailed her hand across the walls, helping her find her way back. She didn't think to use 'Lumos', so because of this she dropped her book two other times and had to search for a minute both times to retrieve it. She continued on her way, fumbling through the darkness, one hand clutching the book to her chest, the other sliding along the cold walls of the castle. She turned a corner, her hand feeling the sharp turn, and bumped into something hard. She fell backwards, the book falling with her. Both landed with a soft 'mumph' sound.

"Miss Granger, what are you doing out of bed at this hour?" A cold, sneering voice asked. A pale hand reached down to offer her help. She took it and it strongly pulled her up off the floor. Hermione's tired eyes slowly looked up into the face of her potions professor. "Well Miss Granger. You haven't answered my question." Professor Malfoy said impatiently. Lucius Malfoy had taken over the post since Severus Snape killed Dumbledore and ran away. After Voldemort murdered Draco for not completing his task, Lucius had a turn of heart and in memory of his son, changed over to the light side. It has to be said that Lucius was a great virtue to the Order of the Phoenix in their task of defeating Lord Voldemort. Lucius looked at Hermione, his eyes sweeping up and down her curvy figure; as he waited for her answer. Finally, it came.

"Sorry Professor. I've been in the library revising for my NEWTS. You know how stressful they are. Anyway, I just lost track of the time. I'm on my way back to my dormitory now sir." Hermione explained in a monotonous voice. Lucius Malfoy could see her exhaustion in the bags under her eyes, hear it in her voice and feel it in the way her hand had hung limply in his helping hand.

"You are worn out. Here, let me take you to your Common Room. It wouldn't be good if you were to collapse on your way there." Professor Malfoy said kindly, taking her hand in his once more, leading her through the corridors, his wand outstretched casting an eerie glow. If Hermione had been more awake and alert she would have commented on his sudden niceness seeing as he thought of her as a common filthy mudblood, but instead she remained silent and walked at his side, the book lain forgotten in the corridor.

Once outside the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was currently asleep, Professor Malfoy released Hermione's hand from his grasp and turned to her.

"Miss Granger. I know you want to revise hard and pass your exams, but let me remind you that you are en exceptionally bright witch. You do not need to spend so much time in the library, getting yourself tired like this…especially on a Sunday which is one of your free days in the week. Please take my advice. Get some rest, work less hard and eat more." Lucius advised, staring at Hermione's figure once more, noting how there was less flesh on it than before. Hermione nodded.

"Thank you for your advice sir." She said quietly. "Oh…and thank you for walking me back to my common room. It was quite an unexpected gesture from someone who hates me so much." She added, having woken up slightly and noticed who it was being kind to her.

Lucius looked at her inquisitively before saying.

"Miss Granger…..Hermione….I do not hate you. Far from it in fact." He said in a soft tone, as he bowed before her, picked up her hand and gracefully kissed it. "Goodnight. Sleep well." He said, dropping her hand, turning swiftly and walking away with swift strides.

Hermione watched him leave, her jaw hanging wide open. She closed it, spoke the password to the Fat Lady; who scolded her for returning late, and walked inside the common room. She rushed up to her dormitory, took off her clothes, did her teeth, crept into her bed and lay there thinking. She was glad that the Fat Lady had been asleep and hadn't seen what took place between herself and Lucius Malfoy. She was also glad it actually took place. Hermione Granger fell asleep with a smile on her face that night.