Disclaimer: All rights go the J.K Rowling, none of these characters, places or scenes etc. are mine.

_

First years were sorted, (five Gryffindor's, seven Ravenclaw's, three Hufflepuff's, and eight Slytherin's) and the feast had begun.

'So, tell me what you and Malfoy talked about, and how it went. Was he awful?' Ginny asked Hermione in a quiet voice so the boys wouldn't over hear.

'Actually, it went fine; Malfoy and I were civil to each other, and we didn't have a bad talk.' Hermione said with a shrug, 'Oh, and did you tell the boys about Malfoy being Head Boy?'

'Yes I did, and wait, wait. You guys were civil? Malfoy, Draco Malfoy the boy who has tormented you Ron, and Harry for six years played nice?'

'Strange I know, but drop it for now.' Hermione mumbled casting a wary eye at Ron and Harry. However, she need not worry because they were absorbed in a conversation about Quidditch.

'Fine. But if anything happens, you will tell me. Right?'

'Yes Ginny. But I'm going to the library now. Goodnight.' With that, Hermione got up and walked out into the entrance hall. But Hermione had no intention of going to the library; no, she was going to go check out her common room.

Professor McGonagall had said the common room was located behind a portrait of a young girl in a white dress, on the third floor.

Going up the stairs to the third floor at a slight run Hermione didn't realize someone was heading down until they collided.

'Hey, wat- oh, hello Hermione,' glancing up Hermione saw it was Malfoy, whom she'd run into.

'Oh, sorry Draco,' she mumbled, 'guess I wasn't watching where I was going, I was in a hurry to get to our common room. Have you been?'

'No, I haven't. Shall we go together?' Malfoy asked, Hermione nodded and they continued up the stairs.

Reaching the painting of the young girl who looked to be around eighteen or nineteen smiled, waiting for the password.

'Buttersnout.' The pair said at the same time. Laughing the painting disappeared revealing a dark tunnel. They both clamoured in, and the portrait appeared again behind them, engulfing the two in darkness.

Hermione pulled out her want muttering 'lumos' underneath her breath, and her wand ignited casting a faint glow just bright enough for them the see by.

'Kind of spooky isn't it?' Malfoy asked. His pale skin glowing slightly or well looked like it was glowing.

'A bit, yeah.' Hermione answered. 'Though I still can't help but wonder if-' she stopped talking as their common room came into view.

The pair moved forward awestruck. It was beautiful. There was a fireplace already lit casting a warm glow on the two. Two bookshelves built into the wall stood on either side of the mantle (already adorned with a medley of books); in front of the fire were one large black sofa, two oversized and overstuffed armchairs, a dark wooden coffee table, and a light blue rug beneath it all.

Turning to her right Hermione saw that there was also a kitchen. A kitchen. It wasn't huge but it looked just right for two people. In addition, to her left a small staircase must lead up to their bedrooms and bathrooms.

Nothing that she'd check those out later, Hermione walked to the middle of the room and faced Malfoy who was just standing there.

He just smiled and nodded. 'Beautiful isn't it?'

'It's gorgeous, it's huge, and it's ours. Like I know, it's not a house and we're still at school, but can you believe it? She asked excitedly. 'We get to live here all year, with no annoying first years badgering us or anyone else except our friends. I can't wait to see my room; it has to be wonderful if our common room is already so brilliant. I mean, just wow.' Hermione finished breathlessly. She looked back at Malfoy who as smirking and just staring at her.

Hermione suddenly blushed, 'Sorry I didn't mean to overwhelm you and bore you with my rant, sorry' She said again, turned and hurried up the stairs, faintly hearing Malfoy mumble something like 'you didn't,'

Taking a guess Hermione opened the first door she saw which happened to be on the left, hoping she picked her room. She did, and it shocked her even more than the common room.

Her bed sat in the middle of the room, and it was giant, made of brass it had a soft golden canopy that draped down over the bed, allowing the crimson bedspread decked with the Gryffindor crest to show through, and a few dark gold, deep red, and black pillows were stacked nicely at the top. She had a floor to ceiling window with pale crimson blinds leading out onto a small balcony. Her room also included a desk, and two more doors on the right side of her room.

Choosing the one furthest back Hermione found that this one led to a long, walk-in closet that already had her clothes, shoes, and accessories sorted neatly out.

Closing that door Hermione opened the other that revealed her bathroom, or she thought it was hers until the door across from hers opened and Malfoy walked in and he walked towards the tub to inspect the room, not looking up from the floor.

'You'd think they would have made two bathrooms what with a boy and girl sharing. But no,' Hermione said and she guessed that Malfoy hadn't noticed her because he jumped and the mat under him slipped causing him to fall and land flat on his back.

Hermione burst into laughter but she tried to restrain from giggling a weird snort came out as she slid to the floor clutching her side and even heard Malfoy chuckle softly.

Yes, I'm fine we'll pretend you asked,' He said, 'my pride is a bit wounded but overall I'm fine,'

Hermione heard footsteps come closer, and looking up Malfoy held out a hand to help her up. Eyes streaming she took his hand, and once up she noticed that his hand was so warm. She looked into his eyes and it was as if they caught fire. It seemed like Hermione would later describe as the first time she help her wand, and Draco as if a bunch of wires were suddenly connecting them, pulsating electricity.

Only when they heard a cough did they break eye contact and turn to see a house elf looking patiently at them.

Merlin, what just happened? Hermione asked herself as the house elf led them downstairs saying Professor McGonagall wanted a word.

This was Malfoy, Draco Malfoy! But suddenly Hermione found herself not really caring what his name or blood-status was anymore.