A/N – Thanks to those who read the Prologue. It would be nice to get some constructive feedback on the story if you like it, or not. My first HP fanfic!

Disclaimer – This all belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling, except my OCs.

Hogwarts

Hermione Granger was lying in the small bed, staring at the ceiling. She seemed to spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling recently, trying to avoid sleeping. Sleeping brought all the memories, memories of things that she could push to the back of her mind when she was awake, for example from that day in the Malfoy manor. She shuddered as the brief recollection flitted through her thoughts, before she shoved it aside and concentrated on something happier. Ron kissing her in the room of requirements, that was a happier memory. When she was asleep she had no control at all, and that led to the nightmares that turned her into a sobbing, shaking wreck when she woke.

She rolled over on her side, and instead of the ceiling found her eyes focussing on the youngest Weasley. As usual the night before Hogwarts started Hermione was staying at the Burrow, sharing Ginny's room. More unusual was the fact that they would also be sharing a dormitory and classes this year, given that Hermione didn't attend school at all last year due to their quest to find the Horcruxes she was a year behind all her former classmates. As the NEWT exams last year had been severely disrupted, what with the fall of Voldemort and all, everyone had been given the opportunity to redo the year, but she wouldn't be sure who turned up until she got on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow. Well today really, Hermione thought as she looked through the light drapes covering the window at the setting moon, the sky already beginning to lose some of its blackness.

Thoughts of Hogwarts turned her attention to the letter she had received by owl a few days before, enclosing her Head Girl badge. She had been disappointed when Ron and Harry hadn't been sent a similar owl, but on reading Headmistress McGonagall's letter it made far more sense.

'Dear Miss Granger,

'I am delighted to announce that after some consideration it has been decided to award you with the position of Head Girl at Hogwarts. As I'm sure you are aware this honour is not given lightly, and it is expected that continue to display the exemplary dedication to your education and school that has prompted this award.

'In light of the recent unrest it is imperative that the wounds of the wizarding world begin to heal, and it is hoped that in your new position you will strive to do everything in your power during your final year at Hogwarts to achieve this goal. There will be additional duties requested of the Head's at this time to work towards this.

'I await our first meeting, the evening of your arrival at Hogwarts at 8pm.

Professor McGonagall.'

Hermione hadn't known what to make of the letter, but took it to mean that the Head Boy and Head Girl positions would be chosen to reflect the recent Ministry attempts at promoting equality. Knowing her luck, the Head Boy would therefore be a pure bred Slytherin, someone like that irritating Zabini. With a sigh she turned onto her back again, picking out shadows on the ceiling as the light outside began to penetrate the room. Well there wasn't much she could do about it, just had to work with whoever they had decided. She just hoped, no prayed that it wasn't Draco Malfoy.

-x-x-

Fate was out to get her, Hermione decided as she stormed away from the prefect's carriage back to where her friends were waiting. It had to be Malfoy, didn't it. That bleached blond, ferret faced elitist who took so much pleasure in making her life difficult. She paused for breath and leant against one of the walls of the carriage, trying to regain some composure. The minute she entered the prefect's carriage and saw him there with his shiny Head Boy badge, her heart had dropped. Suddenly Zabini seemed like a great alternative. He had smirked as she took the list of tasks that McGonagall had left them and started to assign the prefects onto a patrolling rota, not bothering to lift a finger to help. Once the prefects had left, she turned to mention the meeting with McGonagall that evening but he had already swept out of the carriage ignoring her completely.

She fumed as she resumed her march down the train, scaring the younger students with her face like thunder. She had thought for a moment that maybe the events of last year and the long summer would have done something to change his character, to erode some of his inbred elitism against muggleborns, but evidently that wasn't going to happen. He was the same stuck up, arrogant prick that she remembered from her younger years.

She was still inwardly cursing him when she threw herself into the spare seat next to Ron. The trolley must have just been by, because Ron and Harry were eagerly opening new chocolate frogs and comparing cards, barely noticing Hermione's arrival except for a quick peck on the check from Ron and a wave from Harry. It was Ginny, sitting leaning against Harry and flicking through a book, who noticed her thunderous expression.

"So who is it?"

"Malfoy."

One word was enough to stop the boys in their quest for Agrippa. Both Harry and Ron stared at her, the chocolate frogs forgotten between them.

"What? How could they make that git Head Boy! He shouldn't even be allowed to come back to Hogwarts after all he's done!"

Even though her thoughts ran along similar lines, Hermione couldn't help but defend him. "He's been through a lot Ron, with his father in Azkaban for life now and much of his family estates seized. He's probably changed, I know anyone would in his situation." Not that he seems to have done, she added to herself as an afterthought.

Ron splutted indignantly on the frog he was eating. "I'm sorry Hermione, but once a Death Eater always a Death Eater." Hermione sighed and looked at Harry, who avoided her gaze.

"I don't know Hermione…he may have changed, but I don't see it being very likely. Not that I ever think he was properly bad – there were several times he could have seriously hurt any of us and he didn't, however I can't believe he's suddenly a good guy."

Ron may have mumbled something like "Not through lack of trying," but Hermione chose not to hear it.

Hermione rubbed her eyes, feeling very tired suddenly. "You're probably right. He'll be just as unhappy about working with me as I am with him though, we all know how he feels about 'Mudbloods'." She grimaced at the term, before dragging a new book out of her bag and settling down to read it for the rest of the journey, Ron's arm looped comfortably around her. That was one good thing to have come out of the war, she and Ron had finally managed to admit their feelings for each other and were comfortably an item. Sure it wasn't the fairytale as such, no Richard Gere climbing up her fire-escape to rescue her and sweep her off her feet, but real life was never like that anyway. Her and Ron were comfortable, had been friends for so long now that they knew each other inside out and it just made sense for them to fall into the relationship. The summer had passed in a comfortable haze of peace now that the war was over, fragmented sometimes by sadness at the cost.

The compartment fell into silence as the train wound its way through the British countryside on its way to Hogwarts.

-x-x-

Threstrals certainly were unusually, Hermione thought as she helped the other students onto the carriages. It was the first time she had ever seen them, and judging by the horrified faces of some of the younger students it was a first for them as well. She had her hands full keeping everyone calm and ensuring that every carriage went off full to really notice that the Head Boy was doing the same, until they both climbed into the last carriage simultaneously. She had to notice then, because their heads banged together with a crack.

Rubbing her head in pain Hermione couldn't be bothered with an argument when she was so tired anyway, and just stepped back to meekly let Malfoy in ahead of her. His grey eyes flashed slightly but he climbed in with a muttered 'sorry' that Hermione thought she must have imagined and sat staring out of the window away from her. She slipped into the seat furthest from him and they rode to the castle uncomfortably silent.

Being in the last carriage they were the last to enter the Great Hall, except for the first years who were still coming across the lake. Hermione gave a small wave to the Ravenclaw table, where she could see Luna Lovegood dreamily gazing at her, before sliding in the Gryffindor table next to Ron. Malfoy scowled and headed to sit at the opposite side of the hall next to the Slytherins.

Looking around the Gryffindor table, Hermione could see that of the other members of her year only Neville Longbottom had returned to go through it again. There were similar numbers from the other years, looking at the Slytherins she could see that only Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson were there alongside Malfoy. Looking over, she saw that both the Patil twins were at the Ravenclaw table, although Parvati waved when she saw Hermione looking. I'm not the only Gryffindor girl from my year to come back then. She knew she would be sharing with Ginny and all the other girls from the year blow – although now she thought about it they weren't all there either and her mind shied away from the reasons why – but it was nice to have a familiar face sharing her dorm. She had never been particularly good friends with any of the girls but anyone was better than nothing.

She was distracted from her thoughts by Professor McGonagall standing up to start the sorting. She watched as the new students were divided neatly into the four houses, and then waited while Professor McGonagall started her speech. Looking at the top table her mouth opened slightly in surprise. She had not expected to see Snape back as a Hogwarts professor. She knew he had been put on trial and pardoned, mostly thanks to Professor McGonagall's and Harry's staunch defence, but she hadn't ever imagined he'd be teaching again. Especially, and a glance down the table confirmed this, Slughorn was still here so he must be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. Snape was sat at one end of the long table, staring at nothing during McGonagall's speech. His head jerked abruptly when the Headmistress said his name.

"I am pleased to announce that Professor Snape has returned as our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year and will resume his position as head of Slytherin house." There were some murmurs around the great hall at this announcement, and McGonagall hurried quickly on. "There are also some new additions to our teaching staff this year. I am proud to introduce Professor Dante as our new Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor house." There was applause this time, and Hermione craned her neck to get a closer look at the new professor. Professor Dante was a young-looking lady with fiery red hair that made Ginny's look dull by comparison. She had a pale, long face and crystal blue eyes that twinkled as she looked around the room. Catching Hermione's gaze she winked, causing the brunette to blush and look back at her plate. She must have missed McGonagall's other announcements, because suddenly she heard her name called.

"Our Head Boy and Head Girl this year are Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. As well as their usual duties they have been given the task of arranging several social events throughout the year for students and relatives at Hogwarts, to try to bring out wizarding community together."

This was news to Hermione, and she sat stunned for a moment before realising she should be standing to receive the applause. She glanced over at Malfoy, and saw the familiar scowl on his face as he glared at the new Headmistress. Looking back, Hermione almost thought she saw something that passed as amusement cross the witch's face as she continued with her speech.

"I think all that remains is to welcome our new first years, welcome back our returning students and wish you all a very pleasant and educational year." With that McGonagall sat back down to a round of polite applause, and food started appearing on the tables. Hermione fell onto it hungrily; it was a long time since the pumpkin pasties she'd eaten in the carriage. The great hall quietened, a few conversations filling it with a low level hum of comfortable noise. Hermione smiled happily, it felt like she had come home after a long holiday. She turned to Harry and Ron.

"Aren't you glad you came back now?" Harry looked up and thought for a moment before answering.

"I think I am Hermione, yes. I know I could have gone straight into the auror programme but now that I'm here, I think perhaps I needed a year to get myself back together."

Hermione smiled brightly at him. It had been her persuasion that had brought the pair of them back to school to complete their NEWTs. Admittedly, she'd only really convinced Harry, but the thought of starting the auror programme without his best friend or girlfriend there to keep him company had convinced Ron to join them as well. The promise from the headmistress of helping the new eighth years to study for their future careers alongside their NEWTs had incentivised them further.

Ron made a noise that sounded somewhat like 'hmph' from behind his mouthful of trifle. He wasn't yet pleased to be there, Hermione could tell, but she had every confidence that he would be once he'd settle down. She had missed it terribly in the year they'd been away. She loved learning, but there was also something about Hogwarts that made it special, there were so many happy memories for her.

The castle had not entirely recovered from the war, large sections had been ruled out of bounds and the Hufflepuffs' had needed to find a new common room. The rest of it had been patched up but there were constant reminders of what had taken place, Hermione had noticed even during her short walk to the great hall. However, it still felt like home and as she gazed up at the stars twinkling in the ceiling she felt more at peace than she had done for a very long time.

Dinner ended and Hermione began to help the prefects show the first years where to go. She followed on, only remembering that she was meant to meet with the Professor McGonagall when she was halfway back to the Gryffindor tower. With a gasp she turned and began to run, passing both Harry and Ron. "Meeting, with McGonagall," she panted as she sprinted past them.

"Wait, Hermione…" Harry began, but she had gone. He turned to Ron with a confused expression. "Does she realise she's going the wrong way?"

-x-x-

Hermione crashed into Professor McGonagall's office, already apologising.

"I'm so sorry professor, I was so busy helping the first years I forgot about our meeting."

An unfamiliar figure stood up from her desk, and looked curiously at Hermione. "I'm afraid I don't recollect that we had a meeting."

Hermione's eyes grew wide as she realised she was staring at Professor Dante. The new transfiguration professor was watching her with amusement twinkling in her blue eyes.

"Professor McGonagall…"

"Is the Headmistress now. This is her old office, I believe."

Hermione looked around her, one hand flying to her mouth. "I am so sorry…"

The new teacher just laughed. "The gargoyle's password is 'gummy bears'. Nothing quite like keeping with tradition."

"T-Thank you." Hermione stammered, before fleeing. She felt so stupid, not only had she shown herself up in front of the new professor but she was also going to be doubly late for the meeting with McGonagall.

Eventually she reached the gargoyle who sprang aside at the password. She ran up the stairs and tumbled through the door at the top, nearly bent double to try to remove the stitch from her side.

"So…sorry, professor. I…went to….wrong office…" she panted, trying to get her breath back. She heard a snort from behind her and closed her eyes in embarrassment. Malfoy. Just what she needed right now.

"If you could take a seat, Miss Granger," McGonagall replied, gesturing to the sofa that Malfoy was already sitting on. Hermione sat down, still breathing heavily and trying to stay as far away from the blond as she could. He noticed, and scowled at her as she sat primly, waiting to hear what the headmistress wanted.

"Now I am relying on your support to put in place some events this year to improve the integration between all members of the Hogwarts community. There will be three events in total: a Christmas ball to start and then a further two events in the spring and summer. I would like you to work together to organise the Christmas ball including guests, entertainment, decorations and menu. Are you up to this task?"

"Yes Professor McGonagall," they chorused.

The witch gave them one of her fiercest glares, causing both of them to fidget nervously. "Following the events of the summer I am counting on both of you to overcome your differences and promote unity. You will lead the other years by example and so you will need to start being civil to each other. You can start now by shaking hands."

Hermione and Malfoy shot horrified looks at each other. Shaking herself mentally, Hermione stood up and held her hand out stiffly towards the Slytherin. He just stared from it to her, an almost bewildered expression on his face.

An impatient noise from McGonagall sent him out of his stupor and he jumped up, knocking Hermione's hand as he did so. She rolled her eyes at him and his scowl returned before he briefly touched her hand with his to shake it and then dropped it as though it was on fire. The headmistress sighed. "It is a start. I have converted a classroom into a common room for you so that you have somewhere neutral to go to make arrangements. It will also be somewhere you can study in peace and quiet if you need it. Friends may accompany you, but can only be in the room if you are present. It is behind the portrait of Professor Dumbledore on the fourth floor, near the transfiguration classrooms. Now Mr Malfoy, you may leave. Miss Granger, I have something else to discuss with you."

The blond nodded curtly and disappeared down the stairs while Hermione turned to her former teacher expectantly.

"Miss Granger, as you are aware for 'eighth' years we are offering the opportunity to study vocational courses. I understand you wish to become a healer?"

Hermione nodded eagerly. She had replied almost immediately when she had received the Hogwarts letter offering extra tuition, but hadn't been sure that there was anyone at Hogwarts who would be able to teach her.

She was distracted by the sound of footsteps behind her, and her jaw dropped as Professor Snape appeared through the doorway, his robe billowing as menacingly as it always had. Following on his heels was Professor Dante, and Hermione nearly groaned aloud as she remembered her earlier mistake.

"Severus, Guinevere, perfect timing. I was just asking Miss Granger if she still wished to pursue further studies in healing."

Realising all three teachers were waiting for a response, Hermione cleared her throat nervously. "Yes, I would love to. If you think I'm good enough that it."

Professor McGonagall snorted in a very unladylike manner. "Miss Granger, you have been the top student in your class every year since you first arrived at Hogwarts. Naturally we believe that you are good enough. Professors Snape and Dante have agreed to tutor you privately after dinner three evenings a week. One session will be based on healing potions, one of general healing magic and the third a combined session. I believe they have distributed the tasks accordingly." She paused then and looked to the two teachers.

Professor Snape looked at Hermione and she started a little. His dark eyes were still cold, but there was something else there as well. She almost would have said he looked lost. "I will be tutoring you in healing potions on Monday evenings. Do not be late Miss Granger." With a nod to the headmistress he swept away again, Professor Dante looking at his retreating back with a pensive expression.

"Your other sessions will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays," Professor McGonagall continued, as though the interlude hadn't occurred. "Professor Dante will tutor you in general healing, and the combined class will involve both professors. I don't think you need me to tell you how much of their time the professors are giving up for you."

"No, of course not Professor McGonagall." Hermione stole another look at the new transfiguration teacher as she said it, and received a warm smiled in return. Inwardly she was relieved, at least with Professor Dante there one of the two sessions with Snape wouldn't be so bad.

"Very well Miss Granger, you may leave." With a wave of her hand, the headmistress dismissed the others. Professor Dante stood back to allow Hermione to go down the stairs first.

"It's good to finally meet you properly Miss Granger," Dante said as they reached the bottom and both walked along it towards the Gryffindor tower. Hermione blushed again in recollection, but her embarrassment was relieved at the professor's chuckle. "We've all done it, don't worry about it." Bright blue eyes turn to regard her as they were about to part ways. "I look forward to working with you, Miss Granger."

"Please, call me Hermione," she mumbled.

"Very well Hermione, I will see you tomorrow in class."

With a sweep of her robes she was gone, and Hermione was left to walk the rest of the way herself. As she went through the portrait hole, she was greeted by an enthusiastic redhead.

"Hermione! What did McGonagall want?"

"Professor McGonagall Ron," Hermione corrected. "She wanted to discuss some of the events she has in mind for the year. She also has found me tutors in healing."

"That's great news Hermione!" Harry called from his seat on the sofa, Ginny lying with her head in his lap. Smiling, Hermione went to join them.

"Yes it is, but it does mean that I will be voluntarily spending time with Professor Snape."

Ron looked shocked, "They can't make you do that?!"

Harry looked more thoughtful than shocked. "How do you feel about that?"

Hermione looked at her friend. "I don't really know. We found out so much last year…I think we've never really known the real Professor Snape. But I don't expect him miraculously to have changed."

Harry smiled a little. "I think it will take time, but he will change. I wrote to him a couple of times over the summer."

"You did what?" Ron was shocked, Hermione was very surprised and even Ginny looked like she hadn't known about it. Harry held up his hands guiltily.

"After learning everything he went through and why, all that information at his trial, I thought I should say thank you. And he replied, and it went from there. It was only a couple of letters and we didn't exactly say much."

Hermione considered. It wouldn't be a surprise if Snape had changed, even if he was still putting on a show as Hogwarts' most disliked professor. Her reverie was interrupted by Ron, stubbornly insisting that "Snape would always be a slimy git to him."

Hermione was a little irritated by that, it wouldn't hurt for Ron to lose some of his prejudices. She didn't want to bring it up though as she didn't need an argument right now, instead she yawned loudly and set everyone else off. They said goodnight hurriedly and separated to get to their dormitories.

"Are you okay, Hermione?" She looked over to see concern in Ginny's eyes as the girls were getting into bed, in the same dormitory for the first time. It feels nice to have a close female friend, Hermione decided as she reassured Ginny that she was just tired. She pulled the curtains on her bed shut and stared up at the ceiling, thinking over the events of the day. It's good to be home she thought briefly before sleep overtook her and she slept dreamlessly for the first time in many nights.