Chapter 2

At last the train stopped at Hogwarts. The atmosphere in the head's compartment had been strained. Draco had mostly kept to himself. When the train stopped Hermione looked up to find him asleep, she had already changed into her robes. She got up and approached the sleeping form of Draco. He seemed to be quite restless in his sleep. He shook violently,

" N...N...No let her go, please, no no leave her no. Don't hurt her pleaseeee." He kept repeating in his sleep.

Hermione bent down and shook him gently,

" Malfoy, Malfoy... wakeup. We are here." She shook him again.

He sat up with a start. He looked at her, when he realized who it was, he held her hand. Looking into her eyes deeply. Then suddenly realizing what he was doing, he let her go and closed his eyes. Collecting himself, he looked at her with disgust,

" What are you doing so close to me Mudblood?" He said. " Get away." He sneered.

" Fine. Stay there. Look if I care. I was just trying to wake you as we have arrived at Hogsmead. " She said getting up.

His behavior hurt her she didn't know why.

" I should have been used to his behavior. " She thought to herself as she left the compartment.

Draco looked at her retreating back, and slumped back down on the seat.

" I'm sorry love, I'm so sorry." He whispered as he look out of the window.

There was a knock at the compartment door.

" Hey Drake mate let's go." Nott called from the door.

Draco turned to find Theodore, Blaize and Pansy at the door. He got up and walked out with them.

Hogwarts loomed in front of them. It had been repaired through the summer after the war, but it was now scared. There were black spots on the walls were curses had hit the wall. Some places were still beating with some kind of inner magic. There were blood spots on places. In the middle of the grounds was a monument which seemed to dipict house unity was erected. Below it the name of the deceased were carved in golden letters. As the students passed it, Hermione looked up to see the image of a wizard and a muggle standing hand in hand. Above it the lion, the badger, the eagle and the snake were depicted.

Hermione looked at the names scrolling below.

" Albus Dumbledore, Alostor Moody, Several Snape, Fred Weasley, Collin Creevy, Lavender Brown, and many other."

Hermione stood in front of the monument, there were tears in her eyes. So many lives lost.

" Hey Mione let's go." Ginny called touching her on her shoulder.

" Yes let's go." Hermione answered as she started walking towards the huge gates of Hogwarts.

The Great Hall welcomed them in all his glory.

Draco sat at one corner of the Slytherin table, with his friends. He looked up towards the Griffindor table, there she was smiling and laughing with her friends. A smile automatically played on his lips.

" What are you smiling at mate?" Blaise asked.

" Granger." He answered.

" Seeing her smile makes me feel that my pain is worth it. I can live with this. At least she is alive and happy." He answered looking at Blaise and Theodore.

" And what about her. Did you ask her before taking this decision?" Pansy asked suddenly, " What will happen if she ever comes to know?" She asked.

" That will never happen." Draco answered.

In the Griffindor table Hermione was laughing at some thing that Dean had said when, Harry nudged her.

" Someone is starting at you?" Harry said.

" Where?" Hermione asked surprised.

" Straight ahead. Slytherin table." Harry answered.

Hermione looked up to find, Draco looking at her with intense eyes. He looked away as soon as he found her looking.

" He has been quite weird, since the start I don't know lets not bother." She said.

" Hmmm." Harry answered.

But Harry being a man knew the look, there was something going on and he would find out.

Sorting was done after which Mc Gonagall stood up.

" I'd like to welcome all the old students and we'll as all the new students to a new year of Hogwarts. Last year has been really,lying painful for us. We've all lost our loved ones. But then life should go on.

This year we have opened up the 8th year for those students who have missed it the last year.

I'd like to warn you there are places in the walls of Hogwarts which are still pulling with black magic. The black spots on the wall are not to be touched.

The fourth floor west corridors are out of bounds because it still needs repair.

Mr Filch has put up the list of forbidden things on the wall beside the entrance do check it out. The forbidden forest is out of bounds.

Now I'd like to introduce your head girl Miss Hermione Granger and you head boy Draco Malfoy." Mc Gonagall ended.

There was a loud applause on the mention of Hermione's name. But when Draco's name was mentioned there was a loud murmur.

" You are to obey and respect them at all times." Mc Gonagall mentioned in a stern voice.

" I'd like to meet the Head boy and Girl in the front after everyone has left." She said.

Hermione bid everyone goodnight and went to the front of the teacher's table. Draco had followed her.

" Wel follow me, I will show you to the Head's dorm." Mc Gonagall said as she moved towards the door.

Draco and Hermione followed. On the fifth floor they stopped near the portrait of Godric Griffindor and Salazar Slytherin.

" Oh welcome Manirva. How are you?" Asked Griffindor.

" I'm absolutely fine Godric. I've brought the two heads." She answered.

" Oh the famous Hermione Granger and Mr Malfoy. Welcome to the Head's dorm." said Salazar Slytherin.

" The password is 'viers in unitate'. " Mc Gonagall informed.

" Professor what does it mean." asked Draco.

" It means strength in unity." Answered Hermione.

The portrait swung open to let them in.

Draco and Hermione stepped in to find the bright and prestine interiors of the head's common room quite welcoming. The walls were all created , the traditional victorian furniture were upholstered in cream and baidge. The fireplace was intricately curved, the sofas and armchairs were placed around it. On the opposite walls were bookshelves filled with books. There were two desks for both of them to work on.

On the other side of the room we're staircases leading upstairs to a landing then a door.

Both of them went up and found their doors opposite to each other, their names etched on the door. The central door was the bathrooms.

" O...OK, goodnight then." Hermione stammered.

She turned to go, but Draco held her hand, and gently pulled her near. Hermione turned back and looked at him. There was a strange kind of longing in his eyes.

" What do you want Malfoy? " She asked.

He didn't answer, just gently caressed her cheeks, then let go of her.

" Nothing goodnight." He then turned and went to his room.

Hermione kept standing there quite surprised and bewildered.

" What is going on with him?" She thought. After some time she went off to sleep.