Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. It was not my intent. This past weekend we had to put our cat down. It was so incredibly sudden. Even our vet was shocked. Its been tough, but we are slowly starting to heal and mend. Thank you for your patience.

Thank you so, so much for the feedback! I'm so glad people actually like this lol that makes me so happy! Also, for those wondering, the title comes from the song, "Every Me and Every You" by Placebo. It's an awesome song. I suggest going to listen to it on YouTube or at least looking up the lyrics. It's pretty awesome. Anyway, thank you again. You're awesome!

Chapter Two

"Draco!" Vincent stood from the stuffed leather couch, "What's up, man!"

Draco sat his bags down in the living area floor to shake hands with Vincent and Gregory's hands. They hadn't changed one bit over the summer. Vincent Crabbe was still very large, towering over Draco as he shook his hand. Draco always thought he looked slightly gargoyle-ish. He couldn't help but make the comparison. As he shook Vincent's hand, Gregory came out of his bedroom. He nodded towards Draco and shook his hand as well. Gregory was definitely the better looking of Draco's roommates, not that that was saying much.

"How was your summer?" Gregory asked.

"Fine," Draco shrugged, careful never to reveal too much to his friends. Best keep your friends at a safe distance - that's what his father had always said. Right along with someone along the lines of everyone wanting to trample over you to get to their end. Draco had tried to push the words out of his head, but somehow whenever he met someone, his father was right there in his head saying, "Draco, you best be careful, son. Everyone will walk over everyone else to get to what they want. Friendships are weakness." Vincent and Gregory were the first real friends Draco had had. Away from his father's watchful eye, he was free to actually make companions.

"Boring as all hell, am I right?" Vincent laughed, slumping back down onto the couch, propping his feet up on the glass coffee table.

"Alright," Draco chuckled, "Maybe slightly boring as all hell. But my boys, we have a whole summer to make up for. We have trouble to find."

"Ah yes," Gregory took a seat in the matching leather chair next to the couch, "What do you have in mind for our first week back? Tormenting the first years? You know, my brother still has that pet python. We can stick him in the showers of the year one dormitories."

"Not too bad," Draco rubbed his chin in thought, "But I think we need something a bit more. You gentlemen think on it a bit while I go and unpack. I've had a long drive. We will regroup over dinner tonight in the dining hall. We can discuss whatever plans we've thought up by then."

Draco grabbed his bags and disappeared into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. One thing his father had insisted upon was each student having their own bedroom in the suit of their dormitory. The dormitories were all divided up into suites shared by three or more students. Each student had their own bedroom. There was a communal bathroom. Though Lucius had objected to that, there wasn't much he could do. So everyone had to share a communal bathroom on each floor of each dormitory.

Draco set his bags on top of his bed and glanced around his room. He had missed it. This bedroom felt more to him like his own than the bedroom back at the manor. He had his family crest thumb-tacked to the wall, along with a poster of his favorite band. He also had pennants with the school colors tacked to the walls as well. No family pictures. Nothing too personal. Along one wall was his desk, still just as tidy and organized as when he had left. His computer screen had a layer of dust which Draco wiped clear with the sleeve of his jacket. It was a bit musky. Opening the window, Draco took a breath of the fresh air. Even the air felt different here. Not so weighed down with the tensions of a broken family.

He began to unpack his bags. He hung his clothes up neatly in his closet before starting on making the bed. Black sheets. Black blanket. Black pillow cases. All the finest linens imported from somewhere he'd already forgotten. When he was satisfied with how his room looked, Draco walked back towards his closet with the sliding mirror doors. He glanced at his reflection. Turning his head into the light, he ran his fingertips along the yellow bruise of his jawline. Scowling, Draco tried to at least be thankful that it had faded significantly. There was no way Lucius would send him back to school with fresh marks on him - at least not visible ones. Giving into temptation, Draco lifted up his shirt to reveal the purple bruises knotting down his rib cage. Working up his courage, he tested a deep breath. Big mistake. Draco clutched at his side, struggling not to wince. He pulled the shirt back down. Fuck him!

Running his hand through his hair, he styled his bangs like he liked, then headed back out to meet up with Crabbe and Goyle.

"Did you guys here that they've let in outsiders to Kingswright?" Draco asked, adjusting his jacket as they headed out the door.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Crabbe shuddered, "Why?"

"Beats me," Draco shoved his hands deep into his jacket pocket, "Something about everyone needing fair access to the education offered here."

"That's bullshit," Goyle grumbled, "This school is founded on the blood lines of our ancestors. Everyone here has a rich history with this school. Kingswright is in our blood."

"Amen," Draco nodded, "I even met one of them today. This girl had the gall to run right into me because she was looking at a map."

"A map!" Goyle laughed, as if he hadn't used a map his first year to find his way around.

"I know," Draco cackled, "She looked totally lost. Sure as hell doesn't belong here. Luckily we're in advanced classes so we shouldn't have to interact with outsiders like that. There's no way they have the prior education to be in the advanced programs," Draco puffed out his chest ever so slightly, "We should have no problem with them."

"Still, the thought of them on this campus," Crabbe shook his head, "Isn't there anything your father can do about it?"

"Unfortunately, no. He was outvoted. Apparently lots of people on the board were all for making Kingswright more accessible. Hell, they've even offered scholarship programs now."

"Who knows what kind of riff-raff that'll allow!" Goyle added, his foot steps turning into stomps as his anger brewed, "I'm telling you, man - this shit ain't right."

"I know," Draco shook his head, "Just because it's the way it is now doesn't mean we have to like it or accept it."

"I say we chase those outsiders out of our school," Crabbe's voice was rising. Draco had to admit, it sounded like a good idea. If the school was going to just allow them to come into their academy, the least Draco could do was try to get them to leave. It was the only chance they'd have at restoring Kingswright to what it once was.

"Agreed," Draco nodded, "We have an obligation here to our school. We cannot just sit back and let it be overrun by people who have no right to be here."

"So what's the plan?"

"We'll talk about it over dinner."

They trio made their way to the dining hall stationed in the middle of campus. It was a vast hall filled with bench-style tables. As soon as they opened the doors, they were greeted with the overwhelming aromas of freshly made meals. Herbs, spices, sweets. Draco inhaled, savoring the smell. He wished he could bottle this smell up and take it back to the manor with him during break.

Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle took their seats at a table towards the back of the dining hall. The front had a huge banquet table reserved for the teachers and headmaster. During the meal, the headmaster as well as a few selected teachers would make opening remarks, welcoming the students back to Kingswright. It was the same thing each year, and Draco would find it totally dull if not for the delicious food. Not long after taking their seats, their water glasses were filled, and menus were placed in front of them with the options of beef wellington, chicken and herb pasta, or fish and herb pasta. The students could also pick soup or salad, and of course - dessert! They boys placed their orders and began to set about their usual hobby of people watching.

It was then that Draco saw her. She was standing in the middle of the dining hall, looking around for a seat. God, just looking at her made his skin crawl. Why the hell was she just standing there? Where were her roommates? Could she not eat with them? God, just go sit down already! She turned her head glancing around for an empty seat. There were dozens. She was trying to size up who to sit by. She was alone and she wanted someone that'd make her feel less alone. God, she made him sick. Draco chewed on a slice of bread as he continued to watch her. He was smirking, it was sort of entertaining.

And then she did the unforgivable.

Her eyes landed right on Draco. He had been spotted. He quickly looked from Crabbe to Goyle, trying to find a way out. Maybe someone would sit down at the empty seat across from him. Someone. Anyone else but her. But no one did. And she was headed over to him. Draco cringed. What was wrong with her?

"Hi," she waved cheerfully, "Remember me?"

"The girl who barged into me like a tornado," Draco nodded, "How could I forget?"

She blushed furiously, "Sorry about that again! I did find my dorm though. So thank you for your directions."

Draco frowned. He hadn't done anything to be helpful. He had just been trying to get rid of her. Couldn't she take a hint? Seeing as how she took a seat across from him, Draco assumed she couldn't.

"Um...what are you doing?" Draco raised an eyebrow. He tried to ignore the snorts from Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well, you were the one who was nicest to me on my first day here," she blushed again, tucking a strand of frizz - Draco wasn't sure if it could be called hair - behind her ear, "And I was just hoping I could sit with you. Thank you again."

"Uh...no problem," Draco was confused. How could she had mistaken that for kindness? What was wrong with this chic? Draco nibbled on his slice of bread, "Lift your head up." She glanced up shyly. Draco looked her over, sizing her up. She had huge brown eyes. Like the biggest brown eyes Draco had ever seen. And she still had that lost, deer-in-the-headlights look. She had some freckles on her nose, and Draco thought to himself that the girl really should invest in some makeup. And a hair straightner. Good lord. It was like a wild animal had crawled on top of her hair and died.

"Draco, who's the girlfriend?" Crabbe laughed. She lowered her gaze back to her lap and Draco sneered.

"What is your name anyway? It's the least you can tell us if you're going to be sitting here tonight."

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

"Ew," Draco raised an eyebrow again, "Please tell me that's not your real name."

"Um...it is," Hermione glanced around nervously. She was second-guessing her decision to sit there. Draco could tell. She wanted to stand up and leave - go sit somewhere else. But by now it was too late. A waiter was already approaching her to take her order. Hermione lowered her gaze again to her hands, folded neatly in her lap. She just needed to get through this one dinner. Then she'd never have to see these boys again. She should never have sat there. It had been a mistake thinking that he had even been nice to her. Clearly he'd just wanted to be rid of her. Why was she always so horrible at reading certain signs? Hermione sighed, glancing over the menu before her. She would just keep to herself. Not cause trouble. Then, once dinner was over, she'd go back to her dorm and would stay far away from these boys. Their eyes were cruel. She hated it - hated the way they watched her as if they could see through her.

"What can I get for you tonight, Miss?" The waiter asked.

"Um...the beef wellington," Hermione answered, still blushing, "And a salad."

"For dessert?"

"No dessert, please."

Draco sighed and tried to mentally send her away. Maybe if he concentrated hard enough, she'd finally get the hint and leave.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, him, blinking.

"Uh, yeah?"

"You're squinting at me."

"Oh," shit. Draco took a sip of his water. Who did she think she was anyway? She had some nerve sitting with them. Then again, outsiders weren't exactly the most civil or the most educated of people. Draco couldn't exactly blame her for her lacking upbringing. But then again, who was he kidding? Of course he could. When their plate came out, Hermione picked at her food as she talked to no one in particular.

"I am just so excited to be here," she gushed, shoveling a bite of salad in her mouth. After all, she had figured she might as well just make the best of this. If they weren't going to be friendly, that wasn't going to keep her from being, "I've heard so much about Kingswright and I've always wanted to attend. When the school opened up, I just couldn't believe it. And then to get a scholarship! It's such a blessing. I know I am going to love it here. The program seems really great. I'm taking advanced classes..."

Draco choked on his dinner. He had to spit up the already chewed up bite of food in his mouth into his napkin, "Excuse me?" There was no way he had heard that right. Kingswright would never allow for outsiders to be admitted into the advanced classes. There was just no way. Surely he hadn't heard her correctly. There had to be some sort of mistake.

"I'm taking advanced classes," Hermione repeated, "My first class tomorrow is Humanities with Doctor Stein."

"Hey Draco," Vincent nudged him, "Isn't that your first class too?"

Draco swore he was going to be sick.