Hermione was excited to be on her way back to Hogwarts It almost felt like her first year when she had known nothing except the excitement of a new life of magic.

This year there would be no Voldemort, no Death Eaters. And as much as she hated to admit it, no Ron and Harry to interrupt her studies. They were off in Auror training probably trying to get someone else to research their homework for them, she giggled to herself. No drama, she sighed leaning back in to the comfortable cushioned seats of the Head's car. Just a full year of academic bliss.

Hermione had been a bit surprised to be offered the head position. She had assumed it would go to some well deserving seventh year. But Headmistress McGonagall clearly had other ideas. Hermione stopped short of thinking the word "agenda" but the Head Boy sitting across from her suggested there was more to this assignment than just her stellar grades and winning personality.

Well, more than Draco Malfoy's winning personality anyway.

Hermione looked over her book at the pale blonde across from her. She had to admit he had recovered his looks and then some over the summer. His chest had filled out and his looks were not so much angular and sharp now, more chiseled like a sculpture.

He would have been a prime candidate for Head Boy had there been no war. He was popular and a good student. They had tied for top marks. But she doubted that was McGonagall's purpose. No, she was certain it had to do with mending bridges and playing nice in the quidditch pitch.

Hermione was getting a little sick of her reputation being used to fuel the agendas of others. McGonagall may have a nobler purpose than many, but it still grated on her nerves.

She had not realized she was staring until he looked over and sighed "What do you want Granger?"

Slightly embarrassed at being caught checking him out, Hermione asked "Isn't it about time we met with the Prefects for their initial assignments and to introduce ourselves?"

Sneering he said "I doubt either of us needs an introduction, the Golden Girl and the Death Eater. They know who we are Granger."

Not knowing how to respond to the last comment she nodded. "Of course. But we should still give them assignments and…"

Sighing Draco stood "Come on then" he said heading towards the door. They both reached for the door handle at the same time. Hermione realized this was the closest she had ever been to Draco physically and she could not say she was entirely unaffected.

Trying to look anywhere but at him she noticed the hand he had rested on the door. Frowning she bent forward a bit to get a closer look.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing now Granger?" Draco asked exasperatedly.

"Your birthmark… on your pinky I have never seen another one." Looking closer she noticed it did look exactly like the one she had. A little port wine stain (*) that ran in what looked like a string around her own pinky and ended in the shape of a small red bow. Looking at his she decided there must be something in the way the veins ran that caused this formation.

Draco shrugged and then froze. "What do you mean another one? Have you… seen one before?"

Holding up her hand Hermione showed him her birth mark. "Yes, I have the same one. It must be a very specific way the capillaries encircle the fingers that causes this specific look."

"mmmhmmm" Draco murmured noncommittally and opened the door. He quickly made his way to the Prefect car.

If Hermione did not know better she would swear Draco Malfoy had just practically run from her.

Frowning but shrugging she made her way to the Prefect car and joined Malfoy in giving out immediate instructions and assignments.

o~O~o

Once at Hogwarts, Hermione and Draco went their separate ways. Very few of his old friends had returned, and even fewer of those were still speaking to him, but Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott were still in his orbit.

Their Head common room was large enough and well enough appointed that even when both were entertaining they did not need to be in one another's way. Comfortable couches and chairs were arranged in such a way as to provide reading and conversational areas. Two fireplaces made certain they would never get cold and their bedrooms were large with en suite restrooms. Oddly enough unlike the other dorms these bedrooms were directly across from one another.

Her nerdy bookworm love was almost entirely sated by the large research library that had been set up for them as part of their perks. There were no restricted tomes, but with Voldemort and his Death Eaters gone she could not imagine any reason she would need them.

While Draco and Hermione were not likely to get in each other's way, she had to admit it was not as though she intended to do a great deal of entertaining. Ginny and Luna had both returned and all three would now be in the same classes.

Their first week back at Hogwarts was absolutely dull and dreadfully boring. Hermione loved every moment of it. She was able to color coordinate her study schedule and set up a workable rotation plan for the Prefects.

o~O~o

During the second week while writing an essay for Ancient Runes in their common room Hermione noticed Draco staring at her hand. When he noticed her looking at him he quickly looked away.

She had been surprised at how little she saw of Draco. They patrolled one night a week, which they had done once with very little speaking, studied and shared their space in silence and lived almost as though the other did not exist.

"Malfoy…" she started tentatively "is there… is there something odd about my birth mark?"

"How would I know about your birth mark Granger?" He asked standing up and walking off.

Something in his tone bothered her. He knew something. The mark on her hand meant something. The next day with determination she went to the library and after searching through book after book she finally found a reference in a book on Soul Magic: The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the concept of soulmate or a destined flame.

But according to this book this particular magic only showed up in very old pureblood families. It was an ancient form of magic. She was certainly no pureblood.

And more over, the person whose thread matched was her destined mate. And there was no bloody way that Draco "I Hate Everything Muggle" Malfoy was her predestined mate.

o~O~o

* For those unfamiliar: Port wine stain: A mark on the skin that resembles port wine (porto) in its rich ruby red color. Due to an abnormal aggregation of capillaries, a port wine stain is a type of vascular malformation (vascular birthmark). A port wine stain on the face is a sign of the Sturge-Weber syndrome.