-Hermione's P.O.V. -

I awoke with a cat-like stretch. We must be nearly at Hogwarts now. I had fallen asleep on the train because I was all alone. Harry and Ron had decided not to come back for their eighth year at Hogwarts. I had of course decided to come back for my studies. I had a revelation over the summer. I was not, in fact a muggle-born but a pure-blood veela. My turning had happened on my eighteenth birthday. I immediately read up on veela and found I had to find my mate, a soul-mate I was bound to life with. Otherwise, I would die on my nineteenth birthday. I had to kiss every boy at Hogwarts until I found my mate. I had already tried Harry and Ron, out of understanding they said it was okay to try. Fleur had been especially helpful as she was a quarter veela.

Everybody kept staring at me at platform nine and three quarters. Just because my hair had turned a few shades blonder, de-frizzed and grown down my back, does not mean I was a new person I had just changed into a veela, no biggie. Just because I looked a bit different people were asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions! I arrived at the heads-compartment and pinned on my badge, having taken it off when I was asleep. None other than Draco Malfoy was lounging around in the compartment! A purple badge emblazoned with the letters HB lay on his chest. "Well, well are you new, I certainly don't know you? I think I would remember talking to a beautiful thing like you!" he drawled casually.

"Malfoy, I know I look different but it's me, Hermione." I said brazenly

"Granger, why do you look so different?" he sat up in disbelief.

"Malfoy, I'm a veela, but you can't tell ANYONE! Clear?" I mumbled turning fierce at the last words.

"You're a veela? So you need a mate right? I'm guessing you already tried the-boy-who-should-have-died and Weasel King right? I mean you are friends right?" He asked in dis-belief.

"Well, I tried with Harry; Ronald refused, and stalked out of the room yelling about his best friend being a disgusting monster!" I sniffed miserably

"That was rude of the weasel king." He muttered

"Draco, I know it's impossible, but would you try, for me, if I don't find them by March I'm literally dead." I said weakly.

"Kiss you? I guess. I have changed since the war you know. I do not believe in any of that blood superiority crap, anymore anyway." He mumbled to himself. He leant forward towards me. He captured my lips into the most mind-searing kiss I could ever imagine. It felt like my biggest dream was coming true while my biggest fear was vanishing. It was exactly like I had just taken an extreme elation potion. I broke away, gasping for air. "Well?" He asked impatiently.

"Draco, I'm so sorry but, you are my mate." I said apologetically.

"Really? That's, that's great!" He said picking me up and swooping me into his arms for another kiss, gentler this time, like he wanted to protect me with all he had.

"I don't understand, Draco why are you so happy I'm your mate?" I asked after going through one of the most amazing moments of my life. I could get used to this.

"Mione, I have been in love with you ever since you slapped me in third year!" He admitted sadly.

I didn't reply, instead I expressed my gratitude by kissing him. I had only found him today but already, kissing him, him holding me, it felt so right. "Well, how do you think we should break the news?" Draco asked weakly, sitting down on to the train seats.

"I think we walk into the Great Hall, I sit with you. And all hell breaks loose." I leaned into him, put my head his lap and closed my eyes.

"Having a nap are we?" Draco asked curiously, smoothing my hair down absentmindedly.

"mm-hmm" I mumbled, already half-asleep.

"Sleep tight, mate." Draco whispered.