DISCLAIMER: The only thing I have to my name at the moment is five dollars and a new vaccum...oh, and a sack of flour with a picture of George Bush's face on it...Translation: I don't own it.

Dark Heart

Beta: the wonderful moonyNZ

Chapter 2

The library at Hogwarts had grown considerably in the two years that the trio had been gone. There were far more books than before. No doubt most of them were about the final battle.

Hermione stepped through the large oak doors and drew in a deep breath. The smell of old leather reached her and she took in another deep breath. She smiled.

She was home.

Madame Pince was not behind her desk so Hermione just continued on. She went down the first aisle, her fingers running along the spines of the books.

She plucked a newer looking book off the shelf and turned it over in her hands. She saw that the book was about the war. Just as she had expected.

She replaced the book on the shelf and picked up the next one. It too, contained information on the war. She was surprised, though, to see her name in the book as she flipped through the pages. She stared down at it.

"Basking in your fame?"

Hermione stiffened at the cold, mocking voice and swung around to face its owner. He was leaning casually against a bookcase, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared down at her with his dark eyes. He raised one dark brow as he gazed into her orbs.

"Professor Snape," she said in a way of greeting. She turned away slightly to replace the book on the shelf. "How…nice to see you."

"Hmm," he murmured, shoving off the bookshelf and taking a step closer to her. "I had heard a rumour that you and those idiots that you keep around were coming back."

It was her turn to raise a brow. "A rumour?" She smirked at him as she daringly took a step closer. "And here I thought Minerva spoke to you directly."

To her surprise, he returned her smirk. "That she did." He loomed over her as his hand shot out to snatch the book she had just been looking at off the shelf. "So, do you enjoy seeing your name in books as a hero?"

She observed the leather bound book in his hand. "Actually, believe it or not, I am surprised. This is the first time I've seen a book about the war."

He clearly did not believe her judging by his raised brow and the way he was looking at her. She really didn't care, though, whether he believed her or not. She knew the truth herself and that was enough.

"Excuse me," she said as she brushed past him, intending on going down another aisle and losing him. She did not intend on him following her.

But follow her he did.

"So, I'm assuming by the fact that you're here that the 'Golden Trio' has decided to take the positions that Minerva offered you lot."

She glanced at him over her shoulder, brow raised. "Obviously."

She took another book off the shelf and looked at it. "And I'm assuming that since Harry now has the DADA position that you have returned to Potions."

He hid his smirk. "Obviously."

She rolled her eyes, making sure that he saw, before walking on. He stayed right behind her. She ignored his presence, though, and continued browsing the titles of the books. She traced the spines with the tips of her fingers.

"So," he drawled slowly, "you are taking over the Transfiguration position." It wasn't a question. Rather, a statement.

"Yes," she said curtly. She shoved a book into his hands. "Read that, you may learn something."

Curious, he looked down at the cover. A Study of Muggle Psychology and Anger Management Treatments by Jackelyn McKibbler. He looked back up to find her staring intently at him. Tucking the book back into the shelf, he said, "Maybe I will."

He then brushed past her, ignoring her raised brow, and pulled a book off the shelf. "You should take note of the contents of this book."

Hermione took the book from his outstretched hand and glanced at the cover. Proper Etiquette to Use in the Presence of Higher Standing Purebloods by Rocimyer Maynes. She chuckled.

"It might just prove to be a good night time read," she commented. She grabbed another book after replacing the previous one and handed it to him. "Here, this should help tremendously."

He gazed down at the cover and fought back the laugh that so badly wanted to escape. "Calming Techniques for the Stressful Soul by Ricki Barbet?" he read aloud.

"Yes, that way you won't be looming over your students all the time assuming that they're all dunderheads."

He looked at her with what she assumed was his best innocent expression. "Who said that I assumed anything?" he asked.

She fought back the urge to laugh and merely shook her head as she went around the corner and down another aisle. He, as predicted, followed.

"May I offer a piece of advice since you have unwelcomingly given me some?" he drawled from behind her as he reached past her and grabbed a black and silver book off of the shelf.

Hermione shrugged. "If I say no you're going to offer it anyway so why don't you just give me the book."

He smirked slightly as he held the book out for her to take. She stared at him only a second before taking it. After the reading the title, though, she shoved it back at him.

"I doubt How to Behave in High Society will do me any good with the lot that hangs about this place," she said testily, looking pointedly at him. She spun around and walked away from him.

He followed, the smirk still playing at his lips. "Did I finally strike a nerve, Miss Granger?"

"Professor Granger," she corrected automatically with a little bit of steel in her voice, her back still to him, "and no, I'm just searching for a certain book…"

She chanced a glance at him and saw that he now looked curious. She kept going…the book was down the next aisle, she was sure.

Ah, there it was…

She took the book from the shelf and tossed it deftly at him. "Since you still have your same ill conceived notions, this may open your eyes a bit, though I highly doubt it. Goodnight Professor Snape."

Severus watched her as she walked away before turning the book over in his hands so that he could read the title. As soon as his eyes met the words dancing on the cover, he slammed it back angrily onto the shelf.

As he stalked away, he thought back to the title.

Purebloods: The Inbreeding of a Society

o-o-o-o-o

At the age of seventeen, Draco Malfoy learnt what it meant to be a man. At the climax of the war, he had made some startling discoveries that would change his life forever.

Probably the most important and life changing of those discoveries was that Draco finally saw his father and the Dark Lord for what they truly were, and he admitted to himself more than others that he did not like the discoveries that he made.

That discovery prompted his next.

Upon deciding to switch sides, Draco learnt that Professor Severus Snape was a spy. Yes, he always knew that the formable Potions Master was a member of the Order, but he had always assumed that the man belonged to the Dark Lord completely. Imagine his shock when he discovered that it was the other way around.

And so Draco had gone to the Order and had switched sides but for obvious reasons couldn't take an active part in the war. Actually, during most of it he had been kept hidden; his only connection to the outside world was Hermione Granger.

Ah, Granger.

Draco had spent seven years of his life hating and torturing the studious girl but over the course of three months, she had become his only true friend. He began to confide in her and then finally to trust her.

Potter and Weasel were still wankers, though. He no longer categorized Granger into the same category as them. She was okay, they weren't- simple as that.

He didn't really understand her reasoning when she came to him that one day and told him that they were going away for a while. He didn't understand their need for a little privacy.

Personally he always thought that Potter would hang around and bask in his fame.

And yet he just had to prove him wrong. Potter seemed almost…dare he say it?… uncomfortable with all the attention he was receiving after the war. Immediately afterwards, though, they were on a plane bound for some unknown place.

And now they were back.

Or so he had heard. He hadn't really been able to find out whether to rumours were true or not, but he figured they probably were. After all, they had to come back sooner or later…

He tapped his finger against his chin in a steady rhythm as he walked up the slope, wondering about the accuracy of the other rumour- the one where they had supposedly taken on jobs at Hogwarts.

Of course it couldn't be true, he scoffed… Could it?

Granger would certainly make an admirable professor. Hell, even Potter could hold his own if he was given the DADA position, but Weasel? No, that redheaded dunderhead would set a kid on fire with his ill performed spells.

Draco shook the thought from his head as he reached the front steps, taking them two at a time. When he had heard the rumour, he thought of one way to learn the truth- to go and find out himself.

And so he was at Hogwarts.

He had originally just planned on going and seeing his old Head of House and asking, but fate- as we have all learned surely by now- doesn't always do what you want.

And that is why, upon first entering the school, Draco Malfoy ran directly into Hermione Granger. Actually, he didn't know it was her until they were both sprawled on the floor- her on him- and he finally regained his breath.

Her brown eyes looked sheepishly at him. "I'm so sorry, Draco, I wasn't watching where I was going."

She lifted herself off of him but she missed the look that flirted across his face when she did so. "It's alright," he replied nonchalantly. "Actually, I was just coming up to see whether it was true."

She cocked her head a bit to the side and studied him. "Is what true?"

He nodded in her general direction as he said, "About whether or not you guys actually returned."

She smiled and extended her hands. "Well, as you can see, it is true, but I'm really afraid that I'm not exactly the best of company at the moment. I just left the company of our dear old Potions Master."

He raised a brow in a way of inquiry but she offered no response. She merely stood there and observed him for a moment before shaking her head.

Finally, she asked, "Who is it that's saying we returned?"

He chuckled softly. "Come, Hermione, practically everyone is talking about the trio's supposed return. Did you really suspect anything else?"

She joined in on his laughter. "I guess not." She sighed lightly. "I don't think I've ever been more tired in my life. All I want to do is go to bed."

"But you just got here," Draco said and was surprised with himself. Was he pouting?

No, that wasn't possible. Draco Malfoy never pouted.

"Exactly, which is why I should rest and regain my energy," she rebutted. "Anyway, do you need anything specific other than just seeing whether we were back?"

"Dinner," he stated with an air of confidence. "I'm thinking this nice little Italian restaurant in downtown London- Friscerio's. I've heard they make a killer baked ziti."

She smiled slightly and shifted. "Maybe some other time, Draco. Right now I'm just too busy." She grinned. "I'm sure Ron would be glad to accompany you, though."

He grimaced visibly and repressed a shudder. "I think we'll just keep that invitation extended to you and you only."

"Some other time perhaps?" she suggested lightly as she began to back away from him, heading in the direction of the stairs.

He surveyed her for a moment. In truth, he was quite shocked. He had never been rejected for a date before. This was a new experience for him.

He cleared his throat. "Sure, that will be fine. Just send me an owl or drop in whenever you have time."

Her smile brightened as she nodded. "It was nice seeing you again, Draco. Don't be a stranger."

As she walked away, Draco whispered, "I don't plan on it."

o-o-o-o-o

Harry placed the last item on the shelf and stood back to survey it. He nodded, a small smile on his lips, and mentally congratulated himself on his fine handiwork.

That is until it all came tumbling down.

"You defeat one of the most evil wizards of our time," a voice said from behind him, "and yet you can't even manage to put up a decent shelf."

Harry, still frowning from his project's collapse, turned to face the redhead behind him. "With Voldemort, I had a wand," he pointed out. "This I was trying to do the muggle way."

He looked back at the mess before turning to his visitor. "How are you Ginny?"

Her smile could probably light up a room, he thought as she bestowed one on him. "I'm great, Harry, and yourself? Are you glad to be back?"

He motioned for her to take a seat while he drew up one right beside her. "Me? I'm fine. I've had two years of peace and quiet and I'm ready to jump right back into my hectic life. As to your other question, yes, I'm glad to be back."

She continued to smile at him as she toyed with a small string on her shirt. "Me too," she whispered. "I mean…I'm glad you're back as well."

He nodded and they both sat there for a moment, merely staring at each other. Uncomfortable in any sort of silence, Harry cleared his throat. "I guess I left before we could clear up a few things."

"Yeah," she agreed softly, "you did."

"Gin, I'm sorry," he said finally, reaching out to take her hands in his. "I'm sorry that I left you, I'm sorry that I never really told you how I feel…"

"And how do you feel, Harry?" she interrupted.

He gulped. It felt as if his wand was stuck in his throat all of a sudden as his green eyes were locked into her own crystal blue ones. "Er…"

"Yes?"

"Well, I've always had feelings for you, you know that," came his weak answer.

"Harry, I don't give a hippogriff's arse about whether you had feelings for me," she said curtly. "I want to know what your feelings are for me now."

He muttered something that she couldn't quite hear and so she asked him to repeat it. He took a deep breath and said, "I'm in love with you, Ginny Weasley."

His eyes had not been on her at the time; he had been scared of her reaction. However, when he received no reply, he slowly looked up and was shocked to see her grinning goofily at him.

"Oh Harry," she whispered, leaning towards him and placing her lips on his. She pulled back. "I love you too."

He grinned and wrapped his arms tightly around her, pressing his mouth to hers and allowed himself to savour her taste, one he had missed for far too long.

Just then someone else- also with red hair- entered the room. "Harry, look at all the chocolate frogs I got…"

Pause.

"Hey, what are you doing with my sister?"