Hermione awoke the next morning with Crookshanks purring against her leg. Rubbing her eyes she grabbed a set of robes and headed for the bathroom for a nice relaxing bath.

Entering the bathroom she placed her uniform next to the sink and started to fill the bathtub/pool with warm water and frangipani soap.

Half an hour later she waltzed out of the bathroom fully dressed and ready for her first lessons of the year.

Greeting Draco hello with a friendly smile she went to grab her book bag.

"I know Installed that frangipani soap for a reason she smells divine." Draco mused to himself.

About half an hour later Hermione was sitting at the Gryffindor table with Ron, Harry and Ginny, who were all badgering her about what it was like to share a common room with Malfoy.

"Look guys I am fine mentally and physically and before you ask Harry emotionally and yes I do have enough room in the bathroom honestly he didn't take up that much space." Hermione purposefully skipped the part of their bathroom rendezvous'.

"That's great Hermione but remember if he tries any funny business just tell me and I will snap him okay." Said Harry.

"Yes Harry"

"Oh my God guys I cant believe I forgot to tell you! Guess who my portrait is?"

"Who?" they asked simultaneously.

"Dumbledore" she dropped her voice to a mer whisperer.

"What?" Harry spluttered in excitement

"That's great Hermione"

"'I know" she said excitedly.

Across the hall a familiar Slytherine was watching the over excited Gryffindors blubbering to each other.

"They are probably plotting your death!" mused a voice in his left ear.

Draco spun around to find a smirking Zambini.

"Hey Blaise!"

"Hows it going Drake? Your little shag pad up to Malfoy Manor standards?"

"Yeah it's pretty good."

"Bet the company is even better" Blaise said giving him a wink and a nudge.

Draco rolled his eyes at his friend's accusation.

"What ever you say Blaise but Grangers not like that."

"Sure she isn't Drake but they made her (he said nodding at the Gryffindors) and you can break her." He said slyly.

"Don't know mate but let's get going before we are late for Arithmacy."

This is going to be the best year ever! Draco thought to himself. Throughout the course of the day Draco was paired with Hermione 3 times to work with throughout the school year. Apparently the teachers thought it was best for them to work together because of their hectic schedules. Unfortunate he lost her to Blaise in Arithmacy but at least he could look forward to potions, Transfiguration and charms so far.

That night after dinner Draco found Hermione in their library crying…

"What's up Granger?" Draco asked tentively.

"Leave me alone go away!" she snapped between her tears.

When she realised Draco wasn't going to leave she asked bairly over a whisper, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Would you prefer u call you mudblood and hexed you every time we are in each others company? Because lets face it we live together and that's not gonna change any time soon. I am just trying to make the best of this situation." He snapped.

"Oh" was all she could say.

"Well why are you crying?" he took another step closer to her.

"Don't worry I was just being silly and overreacted a little."

"A little you have being crying for an hour what's wrong?"

She stood up to leave but Draco pushed her back into her seat.

"Tell me or you aren't going anywhere. I know legilelmens so tell me or I will find out myself."

Giving in she replied "I was scared of you."

"What?"

"I was scared you where going to make me fail because you don't like me."

"That's ridiculous Granger. If you fail I fail we are partners remember? Anyway why would you think I don't like you? We have gotten on fine since yesterday." He finished lamely.

"I know all that now that's why I said I was just being silly because I didn't see that then but now I do, thankyou Draco." She said and rushed upstairs. "Come on we have homework to do." She called over her shoulder to where Draco was standing dumbfounded.

Finally he followed her up the stairs muttering something like "why are the smartest and prettiest girls always so emotional." Under his breath.

Through the week Draco felt like he drank an entire cauldron of Felix Felecin. He was partnered with Hermione for Potions, Transfiguration, DADA( with their new professor Tonks who is taking a much needed break from Auror business after she sustained still in the proses of healing injuries.) Charms, Astronomy, Herbology and ancient ruins. Quit pleased with himself Draco even managed to not scare one single first year in the entire first five minuets of lunch.

Hermione still wasn't quit sure of Draco's intentions but managed to have a delightful week back. Besides, Harry and Ron where doing enough worrying for the three of them.

"I can't believe you have to work with him for the entire year Hermione that's torture." Said Harry.

"Yeah well it can't be any better than having to live with him." Ron interjected.

"You guys its not that bad." Said Hermione.

"We trust you judgment Hermione we just don't trust him. I mean how can we? He tried to kill Dumbledore last year."

"Yes Ron I do remember but you always seem to forget the simple little detail that states he was under the imperious curse." Hermione snapped.

Harry just rolled his eyes and Ron muttered "yeah that's what he wants us to think."

Later that day Hermione was making her way back to her common room when she heard a familiar voice talking to Dumbledore's portrait.

It was a very rare occasion when Dumbledore was actually in his portrait he was usually in more important places like McGonagall's office.

Draco was talking with Dumbledore.

It his Hermione like a bucket of cold water on a freezing winters day. Harry had said it before why had she only just realised it now? Draco tried to kill Dumbledore. 'Oh Malfoy he was fell so terrible even though he didn't mean it he was one of the reasons Dumbledore was dead. Needless to say Snape was fired and he went and joined Voldemort. But still Draco came back even though he knew he would be partially blamed for Dumbledore's death. i cant imagine what he was going through.'

Hermione felt a sudden urge come over her body to run up and hug Draco and tell him she understood and she didn't blame him.

She could just hear what the two men where saying.

"I fully understand you Mister Malfoy. I do not blame you but I respect you for your honesty."

"Thankyou professor.'

"Just remember there is always more than one choice in life you do not have to give into the dark side we on the light side would be most happy to have your assistance."

"I understand professor."

"Oh and also if you ever need someone to talk to I will always be around so will Miss Granger but I also strongly recommend Miss Weasley."

"Ginny Weasley?"

"Yes Ginny Weasley, she is very wise for her age and she has also being through what you have. She was the one to open the Chamber of Secrets by accident of course. But the point is I am sure she will not hesitate on giving you some advice."

"I will keep it in mind professor. Goodnight. Argetlam"

"Goodnight Mr Malfoy."

Hermione started to walk the rest of the distance to the portrait making it look like she was coming from dinner."

"Ah hello Miss Granger."

"Hello Professor"

"Password?"

"Argetlam!"

"Thankyou good studying do keep and eye on Mr Malfoy her seems a bit lost."

"Will do goodnight."

Hermione made her way through the portrait hole.

"Hey Draco how was your day?" she asked as she sat down in the common room.

"You should know Hermione I spent all my lessons with you." He drooled with his familiar smirk just less venomous.

"That's true but I like some people I don't know legilelmens so I obviously don't know how you feel about that. So how do you feel about that?" Hermione said mocking a muggle phycologists.

"You sound just like a physco whisperer."

"A what?"

"You know one of those people muggles go and talk to if you have problems and if they can be fixed they send you home but if they cant little men in white coats come and take you away."

Hermione sat thinking for a while and cracked up laughing.

"What are you laughing at?'

"You!"

"Why?'

"You're clueless."

Draco looked highly offended.

"I mean sorry Draco but they aren't physco whisperers they are phycologists."

"What's the difference?"

"The names I had no idea what you where talking about."

"Well sorry Hermione If I am not muggle born." Draco thought for a moment about the statement he had made then added- "actually I am happy I am pure blood not a Muggleborn but you get the picture."

"Yeah I get it Draco." Hermione said stifling her laughter.

"So I am guessing your day wasn't that bad seeing I was there." Hermione said sarcastically.

"Actually no your right. This week has been way better than expected because I don't have blubbering idiots around me all day long like Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy so I am not complaining."

"Well I am glad to be of assistance." Hermione said mock curtsying before sitting on the couch next to Draco.

Draco just smirked.

"Well I suppose we should do our homework."

"Yeah sure."

They sat n silence for half and hour only talking to ask where a book was or if their notes where correct. Another hour went past when Hermione stopped packed up her books and sat waiting for Draco to finish.