Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 5

Hogwarts; A Home.

Draco sat back in his chair and watched everybody pile out of the classroom. He was waiting for Hermione to leave first, but she was so far just sitting there with her head in her hands. He cleared his throat and she shot up. Looking around, she gasped and then ran out of the classroom. Draco smirked, and chased after her. Catching up, it took Hermione a few seconds to realise anybody else was there and when she did she tried to get his attention but he just kept walking. She figured this was a part of his plan, so she played along with it.

"Malfoy, what are you doing?" Hermione questioned, trying too keep up with him. He was racing down the corridor. Probable just realised they were late for Potions. Not that he'd get in trouble. Snape always favoured the Slytherins. Everybody knew that. As they turned the corner, she noticed a whole pile of students standing around. They were staring at something unusual. Hermione pushed through the crowd too see what it was, and Draco followed suit. When she got to the front, she let out a small gasp. She turned around and looked at Draco.

He stared at her funnily then looked past her shouldar. Moving her too the side, she watched his face for some reaction but he just stared at the notice on the Potions door, then shrugged, turned around and walked away. Hermione found this odd, but didn't worry about it. She spotted a flash of red hair and set off to find the person who owned it. Running up to Ron, she pinched him on the bum and then slided past him as he turned around to see who it was. Harry smiled at her and waited for Ron to turn back. When he did he saw Hermione smirking and he let out a sigh of relief.

"Blimey, Hermoine. It's just you. I thought Padma was crushing on me again."

"Did you see the notice" Harry asked, pointing to Snapes door.

Hermione nodded. "Why do you suppose Snape cancelled class today. He never cancels."

Harry shrugged his shouldars and began working towards the Great Hall.

"Who cares why he cancelled. Shouldn't we be happy there's no Potions today."

"Yeah, I suppose so. But it's a bit unusual.." She replied, sitting down in her usual spot. Harry sat next to her, and Ron sat on the other side. Hermione looked up too see who else was in the Great Hall but there was only a few Ravenclaws and a couple of Hufflepuffs. They were the only Gryffindors. She felt a little disappointed, she didn't know why. But, she was kinda hoping that Malfoy would be in here. That reminded her about the little incident this morning. She hardly had anytime to digest everything. She had only been at Hogwarts for two days and already there was mischief about. She couldn't think how it could possible get any worse. Glancing up at Harry, she caught a glimpse of his scar, it was redder than usual. Nearly as red as Ron's hair. Hermione chuckled at that thought. Speaking of scars, Hermione just realised she still hadn't asked Ron and Harry why they weren't on the train and why they missed dinner. So much had been going on she completely forgot about it.

"Harry, are you going to tell me why you guys weren't on the train? And why you missed dinner? And why you were beaten up and covered in mud the other night" Hermione questioned.

She stared at them both for their reactions. Ron and Harry looked at each-other, they were hoping she'd forget about that so they wouldn't have to explain. Harry saw no way out and just decided to came out with it.

"You see, Hermione. Ron and I spent most of the summer here at Hogwarts. Dumbledore didn't feel comfortable with me being so far away in case something happened. I did stay at Ron's for a while, but we caught the train two days earlier. We weren't at dinner cause we were helping Hagrid feed his new Hippogriff, Cardirack. We wanted too tell you, but Dumbledore thought it wise not too mention it too anybody. We knew if you found out we had been in the dark forest, you'd just lecture us about safety and we had a long day. We didn't really want to be lectured."

Hermione's blood boiled. "Why didn't you tell me that you were staying at Hogwarts. I could have come and stayed with you as well."

Harry just looked down at his hands and Ron stared at him. Seeing this was his turn to speak-up, Ron simple stated.

"Harry wanted you here Hermione. Dumbledore said only one person can stay here with him. In case, someone finds out and it raises suspicion. Besides, you always liked going home and spending time with your family. My parents were busy with the Order. It was Dad's idea for me to stay with Harry. We are sorry we didn't tell you. We just didn't want to hurt your feelings."

Hermione calmed down and thought about it logically. She nodded, and smiled at them. "It's okay, I understand. I was just worried that's all. How come Ginny didn't know? She was as shocked as I was when we both saw you."

Ron laughed. "Ginny spent most of the summer at Lavender's or Dean's house. She didn't even notice I was gone, most of the time. When she did ask, Mom said I was staying with Fred and George. Fred backed the story up, but George didn't really like lieing to Ginny."

Hermione suddenly smiled really big and put her bookbag on the table. She moved in closer and gestured for Harry and Ron too do the same thing. "Speaking of your brothers Ron, they gave me the potions this morning after breakfast. I have them in my bag. Also, Malfoy transferred classes. He is now studing Anchient Runes with me. And I am going to be tutoring him."

Ron smirked. "How did you manage that Hermione?"

Hermione smiled as she remembered how it happened. "It was easy, now all we have too do is make a list of questions we want to ask him and then give him..."

Hermione was interrupted by an owl who dropped a letter in her lap. She picked it up and glanced awkwardly at Harry and Ron. It couldn't be another letter from Harmonica. She said she'd send one every week. Hermione got the first letter just this morning. She opened it up. It wasn't a letter from Harmonica. It was a letter from Malfoy. Why would Malfoy be sending her a letter. She read it through then handed it too Ron. Both of them read it togeather and then handed it back. Nodding there heads at the same time, Hermione handed Harry the box Fred and George gave her, saying goodbye, she quickly walked out of the Great Hall. The letter stated that Malfoy needed to talk to her and was waiting in the Head Common room. Hermione made her way up there and stopped in front of the portrait. It had changed. Dimitra was gone. Replaced by a dragon that breathed fire instead of talking. She said her password and then rushed in. Malfoy was lieing on his couch with his eyes closed. Hermione prepared herself for whatever he was about too do, walking over too him, she cleared her throat and he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"You asked too see me?"

Malfoy nodded and got up. Walking over too his desk he pulled a seat out for her and sat down in his own. She walked over and sat down. Looking at him, he pointed to an open file and she read it. Breathing a sigh of relief, she let down her guard and started scamming through the folder.

"Dumbledore wants us too set a meeting with the prefects." Malfoy began. "So we can go over this years requirements. He will be here in five or so minutes. He asked me to go get you, but I am too tired too walk around this damn school looking for you, Granger. So, I just owled you."

Hermione nodded and gave him a questionable stare. "Why you tired. Busy night?"

He smirked and closed his eyes. "You have no idea."

Hermione instantly regretted saying this, but she couldn't stop herself. "As a matter of fact, I do."

Malfoy laughed and then opened his eyes again. He looked at her up and down and then just shook his head. For the first time he noticed her as something other than Granger the Mudblood. It freaked him out a bit. He'd been trying to think of ways too get too her. But, so far all he could think of was beating the information out of her. He stopped staring as soon as she raised her eyebrows waiting for his response, but he didn't say a thing. Which surprised Hermione and even himself. He just closed his eyes again and nodded off. It seemed like hours before Draco woke up and when he did, he looked around with a big yawn.

"How long have I been asleep." He asked, like she was just another one of his friends. She couldn't get use too this nice routine. It seemed like he was putting no effort in at all. Yes, Hermione was bending over backwards to find out whether he was really the person who was aiming too get too Harry through her. He was the perfect candidate. But, even though it fitted perfectly, it still made no sense at all. She shook her head and stopped staring at him. Looking at her watch, she counted the minutes in her head.

"About thirty minutes." She said, going back too work on the plans. "Dumbledore is not here yet. I have already begun work on this years schedule. He had made it clear that he wants us too have a least too balls. One in about three or so months and one later on in the year. He wants the prefects to handle the graduation, probable wants it too be a surprise. We also have to arrange the Quidditch tournament."

Malfoy nodded, not in the least surprised that she had been working this whole time. He looked around, then back at her. "I wonder what is keeping Dumbledore."

Just in that minute someone started banging on the door. Draco jumped up and Hermione advanced on him. She recognised the voice. It was Ron. She ran over an opened the door. Ron's fragile state shocked Hermione. She had never seen Ron this distraught, she never wanted to see Ron this distraught. She never thought she'd see him breakdown. Her mind instantly started to think the worst. She gulped, as he rushed into the common room. Pacing up and down, he looked at Malfoy then looked back at Hermione. "Ron, what's wrong?". She heard her say. He laughed slightly and collasped in a chair. He began crying again and Hermione rushed over and held him.

"It's okay, Ron. Just tell me. Tell me what has happened." Ron nodded and let her go. It took him a few seconds to calm down and then with tear stricken eyes, he looked at Hermione. Unprepared for her reaction, and terrified at what he was about to say. It made it that much more real too him.

Draco, on the other hand, watched in astonishment. He saw Hermione crumble to the ground after Ron told her something about the big oaf Hagrid, but he didn't quite hear all of it. Hermione looked up at Ron and asked him to repeat it. Ron looked away, he couldn't bear to say it again. But, he had too. For Hermione too believe it. Draco moved closer as to hear it as well.

Ronald repeated it, then grabbed Hermione and they just held each-other. Neither of them noticed the shock that had risen on Draco's face. He too could not believe what Ron had said. He could hardly believe at the way he was reacting too it. Why he cared, so much, was beyond him. But, he cared. He felt himself go weak and fall back into the chair, looking out the window and replaying over and over what Ron had said.

"It's Hagrid. He's dead."

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