"Times have changed, Malfoy. Your views are old news these days my friend." After his eventful evening in the library, Draco had returned to his room to find his second and final flatmate downing a glass of whiskey on the sofa. His name was Miles, and despite all the signs telling Draco he shouldn't like this man, he did. Miles was only a little taller than him with short curly hair, and the posh accent Lucius had always wanted him to have but never caught on. Within ten minutes of meeting, they were both sat on the sofas putting the world to rights, while Jacob sat with a bottle of beer listening eagerly.

"But your family goes way back too, you must have been brought up on the same views as me." Draco was currently trying to understand how Miles didn't have the same opinions of Muggleborns and blood purity. Their upbringings were similar by the sounds of what had been discussed so far, so what was different.

"Yes, we believed in pureblood supremacy, I'm not saying we didn't. What I'm saying is that voicing those beliefs isn't a feasible practise anymore. People won't put up with it, there are too many talented Muggleborns. Heritage doesn't mean squat to people if you can wave a wand decently. It isn't 1990 anymore, it's nearly 2000. You have to roll with the times, let prejudice go, or you're going to have a very lonely existence." Miles seemed to know what he was talking about, an air of confidence surrounding him. He'd been taught at a wizarding school in the south of England, which Draco hadn't even known existed until now.

"So you're telling me you don't think Muggleborns are inferior to us purebloods? We were born into this world, our parents were born into it. Yet they can flounce in whenever, without any of their family having been magical. I don't get how that can be seen as okay." Draco wasn't going to let it drop, not yet anyway.

"Inferior, no. Challenged, yes. No one gets to decide who shows promise of magic in their veins. They most certainly don't get to choose to enter our world. I imagine a lot of them would have an easier life not knowing about our existence. If you're chosen, you're chosen." Their new flatmate took another swig of whiskey, seemingly enjoying this little discussion. It was enjoyable to have someone intelligent to talk to, even if that persons views were slightly old fashioned.

"Challenged? HA. They get things handed to them on a plate because of their blood. This isn't as black and white as your making it out to be." Draco leaned forward, elbows on his knees and glass in hand. He didn't think he'd meet someone his own age who also liked whiskey, it was a pleasant surprise.

"Handed to them on a plate? Are you having a laugh? We have had it handed to us on a plate, our blood was seen as better than everyone else's since we were born. I say it's about time someone else has the gauntlet." Miles seemed deadly serious, which worried Draco slightly. On the other hand, this was all making him rethink things. Things he had been quite happy to think were set in stone. "The only thing that makes them different to us, Malfoy, is the fact their parents can't perform magic. That's it." The man got to his feet and placed his now empty glass in the sink. He stood briefly at Draco's side and said, "Not much, is it?" before wishing them goodnight and retreating to his room.

Draco sat on the sofa for a long time after that, Jacob had departed and his whiskey was drained. A lot to mull over, despite not wanting to mull it over. Could Miles have been right? He was also from a high standing family, he wasn't one of these Muggle hugging people who thought everything non-magic was great. Things were changing around him, while he stayed the same. Life was leaving him behind in a pool of self righteousness, that was becoming increasingly difficult to get out of. As Miles had said, a lonely existence lay ahead of him.

Hermione sat with her back against the trunk of a large oak tree, knees up to her chest with a book resting on them. She had decided to retreat outside after Grace and Mildred had started a heated debate over something or other, their loud voices too much of a distraction. The walls weren't thick enough either, as she could hear them clearly from her room. So the grounds had been her best bet, as it was a nice warm day. The clouds were sweeping slowly across the sky, sometimes engulfing the sun to bring a cold breeze across Erudio Academy grounds.

The book Hermione was reading would prepare her for her next lesson, 'Ministry Policies'. Perhaps not as exciting as her other lessons, but still very necessary. A lot of students at the academy would have to take this lesson, as many courses were for jobs in the Ministry. Unfortunately, none of the words she read were sinking in. Her mind was too preoccupied with the encounter yesterday; Malfoy had been exactly how she remembered him. A horrible, stubborn, ignorant, idiot. What was it going to take to change his mind? The witch wasn't even sure why she wanted to change his mind. He wasn't her friend, he wasn't her problem. Someone else could deal with him, and good luck to them because Merlin knows they'll need it.

"Morning, sweet cheeks." Hermione jumped, looking up to see a man she recognised from one of her classes.

"Morning." She smiled politely, not at all sure what he wanted or what his name was. He was bulky and unshaven, wearing a sports jacket like ones she'd seen in American movies at home with her mum.

"What you reading?" The man got on the floor beside her and rested an arm on the tree behind her head. Hermione didn't like to be judgemental, but it was obvious he wasn't particularly bright and she didn't know how he'd managed to get into the academy.

"'Ministry Policies and Where They Came From'." She quoted the title while closing the book to show him the front, just in case he had difficultly reading it. The witch became acutely aware of his body moving a lot closer to hers as he leaned over to study it. Something didn't feel right about this.

"You and I both know you'd rather be hanging out with me in my room, than reading this rubbish." That was blunt, she couldn't help thinking. Some men just didn't know how to speak to women, and he was one.

"Excuse me? This book is far from rubbish, it-"

"Come with me back to my room, I've got loads of books you can read." His hand grasped her wrist and alarm bells stared ringing in Hermione's head.

"No, thank you. I'm fine here." She tried to yank her wrist from his tight hold, but failed.

"Come off it, I saw the way you were looking at me in Regulation and Control yesterday. You want me." It was almost laughable that she still didn't even know this mans name, and yet he thought she'd been admiring him in class. Hermione only remembered looking at him once at the start of the lesson, she didn't know where he'd been sat during the entire time either.

"I'm sorry if there's been some miscommunication here, but I don't even know your name."

"Stop stooling and let's go." He knocked the book from her hands and she yelped, pulling away from him harder now.

"Hey!" A male voice echoed loudly in her ears, and she became dizzy as someone approached them. The mass of man holding onto her wrist was wrenched away from her sharply, but spots were forming in her sight and she couldn't really see properly. Hermione focused on the grass at her feet, getting her breathing back to normal as quickly as she could. "Now fuck off, and don't come near her again!" The voice was at more of a normal volume now, and she quickly got to her feet. In less than a minute she felt fine again, turning to see whom exactly had saved her.

"Malfoy?" Hermione's jaw dropped. Malfoy was stood with his back to her, watching the other man hurrying back to the building. She'd know that back anywhere though, and took a tentative step in his direction.

"Did he- did he hurt you?" Draco slowly turned to look at her, his face red and hands balled into fists.

"Not really, I'm fine." She rubbed her wrist, it smarted a bit. "You- you saved me. Why?" The wizard didn't not look like he wanted to answer, nor like he understood what had just happened. Maybe he hadn't realised it was her, maybe he'd just seen a woman being harassed and didn't register it was her.

"I honestly…don't know." Draco stared at her, baffled. He'd been taking a walk around the grounds for fresh air, when he'd heard a woman cry out and instinctively run towards the sound. Upon seeing Granger struggling against a man, adrenalin must have kicked in. He would have done the same for any woman, the fact it was Granger was mere coincidence. Yes, that was it.

"Thank you." Hermione's lips twitched into a small smile, and she found herself not caring if Malfoy had just knocked seven bells out of the man. Draco's eyes caught the twitch in her lips and he stared at them momentarily, before shaking his head, turning on his heel, and walking back to the building. That was his good deed done for the year, and there would be no more said about it.

Hermione watched the blonde disappear inside, a whole load of new thoughts running through her head. She would have to report the man from Regulation and Control, but didn't feel up to it right now. Instead, the witch gathered her things and made her way back to her room. It was a lot quieter than when she'd left earlier, no sign of Mildred or Grace in their shared area. She put her bag on the kitchen table and made a cup of tea the Muggle way. Doing things the Muggle way was almost therapeutic, not as fast as magic. As she sat down, Mildred's bedroom door swung open and a giggling Grace appeared. Hermione's eyes grew wide in surprise, as Grace was scantly clad in just a shirt too big for her and a pair of knickers. The shirt was one Hermione could remember Mildred wearing.

"Oh! Hermione!" Grace stopped dead in her tracks, giggle fading in her throat. "We didn't know you were back." The pretty girl tugged Mildred's shirt down to cover more of her thighs self-consciously. Hermione was speechless, taking another sip of her tea because she had no idea what else to do. "I guess we have some explaining to do." Grace turned to glance back into Mildred's room, obviously looking for help that wasn't coming.

"Just tell her." Hermione heard Mildred say from inside the room. Grace nodded, suddenly smiling again.

"Okay. Hermione, Mildred is my girlfriend." There it was, out in the open. For some reason, Hermione wasn't as surprised as she thought she'd be. The two girls were evidently close, she just hadn't anticipated how close.

"That's great! Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione smiled, still in unfamiliar territory though.

"Mildred didn't want to tell you yet, she wasn't sure how you'd take it." Typical Grace again, not beating around the bush. Mildred said something inside the room that Hermione didn't hear, making Grace giggle again.

"Well, I think it's lovely." Hermione wasn't sure how to take Mildred's thoughts on her, but didn't dwell on them.

"Yay! We'll try to make sure this doesn't happen again though." Grace grinned, before hurrying over to the fridge to grab a carton of orange juice.

"It's fine." Hermione smiled back, watching Grace retreat back to Mildred's room and disappear behind the closed door. Well, that had been slightly awkward. How she hadn't seen it coming, Hermione would never know. Looking back, all the signs were there. The subtle touches, Mildred laughing at the fact they had a room each. Merlin, they must have been sharing a room since getting here. It was astounding, the things a person could miss when preoccupied.

After finishing her tea, Hermione entered her room and got comfortable at her desk. Clouds had completely taken over the sky outside, and raindrops began to spatter on the window. It was then that an academy owl appeared behind the glass and tapped with his beak. She hastily let it in, grabbing a treat from the draw and feeding it to him. Erudio Academy had its own fleet of post owls, so students didn't have to bring their own. Once the owl was satisfied it flapped its wings and flew back out the window, which Hermione closed behind him. Poor thing, having to fly out in that weather.

With eager fingers, the witch opened the first of two letters. It was from Harry.

Hermione,

How are you? How is the academy treating you? I expected you to write to us by now, but Ron thinks you'll be studying too much to write, probably true. We're doing fine, so don't be worrying about us. Training is exhausting but as I keep telling Ron, it'll be worth it. The hard work makes him eat even more than he usually does, if that's possible. Stay safe. We miss you!

Harry & Ron.

The witch laughed at the comment about Ron's eating, unable to imagine what his eating habits were like now if they were worse than usual. He could eat like a trooper at the best of times, and she was almost glad not to be there telling him to chew his food. Hermione grabbed her quill and some parchment, writing out a reply and being careful not to mention Malfoy. Neither of the men would be happy to hear that rumours were true, and she wouldn't be surprised if they turned up to check on her instead of settling for writing letters. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to turn up, she'd had far too much attention and could only guess how much he would get.

Once she was happy with the letter, she folded it up and stuck it in a small envelope ready for the post owl in the morning. Hermione then opened the second letter, recognising Ginny's handwriting immediately.

Hermione,

I hope you're well, and enjoying Erudio? I landed in Paris with the team yesterday, ready for training on Monday. It is so beautiful here, I know you'd love it! We went up the Eiffle Tower last night! Oh, Hermione, I can't describe how amazing it was! The view was just breath-taking! Anyway, are there any good looking men at Erudio? Have you found a suitable replacement for my brother? If not I know just the guy to set you up with! Write back soon, miss you.

Ginny xxx

She had been wondering how long it would take for someone to mention the whole Ron situation. Luckily, Ginny only mentioned it ever so slightly, and that was about finding a replacement. Hermione was glad the Weasley's weren't mad at her for things not working out with Ron. She loved him, of course she did, just not in the way she'd first thought. Their personalities were not well suited enough for a romantic relationship, a friendship was the best way forward for both of them. It had been a mutual decision to part ways, and everyone had taken it well.

Hermione wasn't sure how to respond to Ginny's letter, cautiously writing a reply that informed her friend she was fine and that there were currently no men in the pipe line to replace Ron. She didn't want to replace him, and she wasn't actively looking for a new boyfriend. Education came before finding a partner, once her feet were firmly inside the Ministry maybe she would start looking. The witch rounded off her letter by asking how everything with the team was going, as Ginny had recently started playing Quidditch professionally. It was the youngest Weasley's dream come true, even if Harry wasn't too pleased about how often she went away. The couple were still going strong, to Hermione's knowledge, they just didn't see each other as often as they would have liked.

Once the second letter was in its envelope, Hermione set about trying to prepare for her next lesson, determined to concentrate this time. However, instead of Malfoy preoccupying her mind this time, her fatigue did. The witch fell into a slumber at her desk, and didn't get to see any more of that day.

A/N: Hello one and all! Firstly, I'm sorry about the lack of breaks between changing perspective, I am putting breaks in but they aren't showing up once published. Also, thank you so much for reading and all the reviews! I welcome constructive criticism! And anyone of tumblr, I'd love to see your dreamcasts for my characters! Thank you again for reading folks!