Disclaimer: I sadly don't own the wonderful world of Harry Potter! But, I think you all already know this.

Head Boy

"How in Merlin's name did you manage to become Head Boy!?" Hermione couldn't help but blurt out.

Malfoy had no time to respond as they were both pushed into the cart's seating arrangements by McGonagall.

"Sit down, please." Both followed as instructed. "I would like to give you some information before the Prefects join you"

At this Malfoy gave Hermione a quick glance. She ignored it, of course.

They were both acquainted to this part of the their ride ritual. However, not to be the ones leading it.

Hermione reached for her purse, where she pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and pen. At this she glanced over at Malfoy with a smug look on her face. She had a feeling he wasn't as prepared for this as she was. Malfoy just snarled at her and rolled his eyes.

Their trunks were placed magically on their way to Hogwarts along with them. Luckily they wouldn't have to drag them with them for the rest of the trip, as they would make their way to their dorms without problems. Hermione smiled at the thought of this, she surely loved magic!

"I'd like to begin by going over some ground rules. You two are to handle all Prefects, along with their schedules. Hogwarts is under renovation, as you probably know, and all Prefects, along with the both of you, are to be out and clean after hours. In teams of two, you are to restore Hogwarts to it's original grace."

At the thought of the war and the final battle at Hogwarts all three got a depressed look that clouded their faces. A deep mundane haze. The losses they had all experienced were beyond them all. It hadn't been long ago, they had all stood fighting on Hogwarts grounds. No matter if it was for the light or dark, didn't matter at this point. All had suffered severe loss, and any one bringing up the war was to bring up the memory of those that had fallen.

Of course it did matter if they were light or dark, good or evil. Al though the point was that we all have a little of each in us. We simply have to fight for the light inside us all. Just like Harry had done, throughout all the years. Not just fighting Voldermort, but that piece inside him. And the light had concurred!

At first it had been a lot alike the end of the first war. Wizards and muggles walked the streets in unison. Muggles had no clue as to what was going on, and found it rather weird. Never the less, some muggle teens hadn't skipped the opportunity to celebrate some lunatics' victory. Because that is how they acted, like lunatics. The joy was beyond belief. It was finally over, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had been defeated, once and for all!

But a few days later, when the initial shock and joy had subsided, a long mourning period had followed. People had caved to drinking, not out of joy, but out of sadness. All those people that had lost their lives for the sake of freedom. For the sake of love. Some had died mid battle, some had sacrificed their lives. Everything for this.

McGonagall took a deep breath, to collect herself, before continuing.

"You two are to go over the Prefect details in about an hour together with the Prefects. I encourage you to talk this over together until then so you feel confident directing them." At this she looked directly at Malfoy. "However, you are free to move about the train until then."

She made a move towards the door. "Oh, don't forget that you are leading the first years, together with Hagrid, over the lake." She gave them both a nod before she left.

Malfoy clapped his hands down on his thighs and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked in annoyance.

"You heard her? We're free to move about, aren't we not?"

"I was hoping we could go through some things before you go join your slithering snakes."

"I believe you have it covered." He gave her a small smile and moved to the door.

"You honestly just going to leave me to do all the work?" He's no better than Harry and Ron, she thought.

"I have a feeling you already have." Hermione couldn't say anything in response to that, since it was true. "But I will come back a few minutes early. Don't worry; You'll get to see this sexy man soon enough. It's not all yours you know." A smug crooked smile placed on his face.

A snarl escaped Hermione's mouth and her face turned a deep shade of red. She waved him off and started to go over her notes. "Annoying, self-absorbed git" she mumbled.

"I heard that, mudblood!" He yelled back from the door, and exited.

/

She sat alone, in complete silence going over some final notes. She was scribbling frenetically on a separate piece of parchment. Draco was standing, just watching her from the door. He was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed across his chest. As far as he knew, she hadn't gotten up once to go visit her annoying friends. He felt a slight sting in his gut when he thought about this. Was it admiration? Can't be, he thought. She's Granger. A mudblood!

Nevertheless, no one could deny the fact that she was extremely dedicated and smart. The brightest witch of our age, as many had pointed out. All for a very good reason as well, she worked hard.

He didn't believe in the ridiculous blood prejudices anymore, mostly cause of the witch in front of him. She had proved all his father had told him wrong! Proven that even if you're not a pureblood one can be a brilliant witch or wizard. However, she annoyed him to bits. Even more now when he admired her!

He looked down at his watch and decided it was probably best to join her, or she would through a hissy fit once he did. His footsteps echoed a little bit when he walked over to Hermione.

Hermione, oblivious to the world, and completely encapsulated by her work, hadn't heard the man coming up behind her. A silky lock brushed her cheek, and she went to put it behind her ear. When she got it between her fingers she stopped. It felt too smooth. Too light. She looked over her shoulder and almost screamed when her face was mere centimeters away from Malfoy's.

"How is it going?" He said with his infamous crooked smile.

"Bloody Merlin! You scared the life out of!" She hissed and tried to move further away from him, as he was way too close for her liking. His scent reached even a seat away.

"I didn't mean to scare you shittless, though I must admit it was rather amusing."

"I could have had a heart attack."

"Too bad you didn't." He mumbled and sat down on her seat she had left when moving away from him.

"So you could direct them yourself you mean?" A smug look crept on Hermione's face. She knew how to push his buttons, always had.

"Don't think I'd be able to?" He snarled at her.

A knock on the door left Hermione unable to answer. A head popped through the door opening. "Is it okay if we come in now?" It was the Prefects.

Hermione quickly collected herself, and stood up out of curtesy. Malfoy joined her, and rose quite far above her. Why does he have to be so darn tall, she thought to herself. "Please, sit, sit." She gestured towards the other seats in front of them. While the rest of the Prefects joined them and sat down on their separate chairs Hermione leaned over to Malfoy and slid a parchment over towards him. It was the very same one she had been scribbling on just moments ago. "Here" She whispered. "I wrote down a few things you could bring up, and I will take the rest. I will signal you when you can explain one of the points I have written down"

He just nodded in response. At first he had felt a little bit annoyed at the thought of her babying him the way she did. Now he felt a little bit grateful, this way he barely had to think. He could lean back and let her do her thing. By now all of the Prefects were sitting down and watching them intently. Draco simply made a wavy motion towards them, signaling for Hermione to start.

She cleared her throat. "Ehm… Hello" As much as she loved being in control and leading people, she wasn't used to it. Not anymore. After such along time on the run, and away from the uptightness school had about it, she felt a little bit awkward standing in front of them now.

Draco felt her hesitation, so he spoke up in her place. "This year will be quite different than any other year. First of all Harry bloody Potter doesn't have to fight off a maniac killer, and second, Hogwarts doesn't look the same. Thirdly, Granger and I are in charge of you. This means things will be pretty strict, and there will be a lot to do. As you all well know you have Prefect duties that Granger will go over with you in a little bit, but on top of that you will also have clean up duty in pairs of two." He looked over at Hermione who looked much calmer now. "This will be conducted after hours, in order to not interfere with classes as well as scholastic activities. This will be on top of your rounds." He looked over at Hermione who looked about as ready as can be, finally.

She immediately took charge, and Draco sloped down into his chair. He took the time to look at the Prefects sitting infront of him. Several faces he recognized, even from his own home. Pansy Parkinson, being one of them. He sighed and rolled his eyes at this. Other Prefects included Colin Creevey (Gryffindor), Parvati Patil (Gryffindor), Ernie Mcmillan (Hufflepuff), and some other ones he didn't really know well enough by name, most in a lower year than what they had been in.

Every once in a while he had to pitch in with a few words Hermione had carefully chosen for him. He was surprised at how well all of them behaved. At the end of things, almost half an hour later, Hermione finally asked if they had any questions.

To neither's surprise Pansy's hand shot up into the air. "Will there be any perks, 'cause right now it just sounds like a pain to be a Prefect"

Hermione and Draco both rose one eyebrow. What had she expected? Champagne and strawberries every evening in a separate dining hall?

"No, it's an honor to be named Prefect" Hermione said slowly. "It's not supposed to be luxurious, but rather the opposite. However you will gain some great experiences, of leading and guiding people. It will also look really good on your resume, and considering your grades so far I believe you'll need it." She couldn't help herself but shoot that last comment in.

pansy looked disgusted and highly offended. "Ey, mudblood, what made it seem like I was talking to you?"

"If you ever call her a mudblood again I will hex you back to London in a heart beat" Draco's wand was pointing straight at her and his silver eyes were shooting fire. If looks could kill…

"Well… She's not like you and me…"

"That's right. She's not like you. She's not a slut, a gold digger, who's probably filthier than any of us in here, no matter if we're born to a muggle parent or not. And thank Merlin for that"

Pansy looked paler than usual. Scared quiet.

"Now, can we please have some real questions?" No one dared rise their hand. "Then I suggest you make it back to your places. Start telling people to change, because we will arrive pretty soon."

They all stood up fast and started to collect their things before heading for the door.

Hermione suddenly came back to reality and remembered to remind them of something important "And don't forget you're going to lead the first years into their dormitories after dinner!" after this she was quietly watching them exit while Malfoy was folding her note over and over.

Once they were all alone he decided to say something, since Hermione hadn't. "A simple thank you would do."

"I could have handled it myself, you know."

"Of course, I do something nice for once, and not even that is good enough for miss perfect." He made his way towards the door. He didn't know why this frustrated him so much. Or even why he had gotten so angry in the first place.

Hermione was still in shock and didn't quite know what to say or do. Her initial reaction was to point out that she wasn't in need of being taken care of. That didn't mean she didn't appreciated it, or like it for that matter.

"I din't just do it for you, you know." He continued before leaving. "I'm just so tired of all this blood stuff. It's what got us into the war in the first place. Might as well keep a zero-tolerance, or what do you think?" He turned around to face her.

She had the softest and most confused face thus far. They looked at each other, almost as for the first time. They weren't the same people they used to be. The war had changed them. This long and excruciating war had had them grow up into these beautiful, yet scared people.

After a little while of watching each other, she nodded and added "That seems like a great idea."

He nodded back and left.

Had Draco Malfoy just defended her, against Pansy Parkinson out of all people? She had thought they were as much as married by now. I guess I stand corrected, she thought. Had they both shared some sort of agreement? Agreement to put down their axes, and burry their differences? She hoped so, for the sake of their partnership. Only for that reason, of course. Why else?

She rested back in her seat the rest of the journey. The Hogwarts towers were now visible in the distance. A warm, fuzzy feeling came over her. She was home.

/

Hey! I first wrote this chapter, combined with the next. However, it became much too long, so I thought I'd split it up a bit. I hope you liked it!

Love