Disclaimer: Again, if it weren't for J.K Rowling's work, this story wouldn't even exist. I take no credit at all.

To say the train ride was exhausting for the friends was quite the understatement. First they had to deal with Mrs. Weasley almost make them miss the train, on purpose of course, because she just couldn't imagine the thought of being alone. Of course she wouldn't be alone, she had her husband, George, Bill, Charlie, on occasion albeit, and even Percy after he came back to the family. Ron and Ginny tried desperately to reassure their mother of this fact.

When they finally got on the Hogwarts train, they groaned at the sight before them. The last time they had seen the train this full was in second year, after the events of that year parents were too afraid to send their children off to Hogwarts while it was clear they could very well be in some sort of danger. This year however, certain that the danger was gone, parents were all too eager to send their children to the school. Along with new first year students, there were new students from other years as well. This was rather odd because Hogwarts has never had a new student that wasn't a first year before. They even noticed some students returning to try and make up their final year much like Harry and his friends. Hermione groaned a second time as the thought processed through her brain that she would have even more students to look after this year, as Head Girl, but she didn't let that thought stir too long in her brain.

Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione all tried to squish and squeeze their way past the excited crowd of students to reach the car where they usually sat. As they went from car to car the whispers from the students seemed to grow based on the age of them. It seemed the trio hadn't gone unnoticed, and people were talking about the great things the three friends had done for the Wizarding world over the last year. Finally they all heard the familiar airy voice pipe up from the compartment just ahead. Then they saw the face to match it. They walked towards where the blonde witch had called them from and took their seats and shut the door behind them, clearly trying to avoid as much publicity as possible.

"Hello Harry," Luna smiled before nodding to the other three friends, "Ron, Hermione, Ginny. Wonderful day to be going back to Hogwarts isn't it?"

Hermione smiled at the other witch as they all shared stories of their summer. Before long the conversation died down and the students found ways to distract themselves until they arrived to Hogwarts. Harry and Ron had taken up a game of chess, Ron undoubtedly winning by a landslide, Ginny had rested her head on Harry's shoulder and was fast asleep, while Luna was going up and down the train trying to pass out copies of the latest Quibbler to the new students. Some things never change it seems Hermione sighed.

To pass the time she started to read her favourite book, Hogwarts: A History for what was possibly the fifty-third time. After about an hour she looked up from the book towards the scenery passing by. Her eyes gazed at the endless hills they passed, covered in tall grass that blew effortlessly in the wind. She traced along the point where the sky met the earth, following down into the valley, and then across the lake they passed every single year. The warm early afternoon sun was beating on her skin through the glass. She closed her eyes and smiled as she remembered all the memories on this train from when she was younger.

Opening her eyes she looked at her friends, remembering the moments when she first met them. This was it. This was their final year at Hogwarts and she couldn't help but sigh. Just a few months ago I wouldn't have ever thought I would ever be able to go back. Looking around the compartment, she realised her friends had fallen asleep. Putting her book aside, she leaned her head against the window and gently drifted off to sleep, joining her friends in a peaceful slumber.

The train came to a halt, jerking Hermione awake. She looked around to find the others doing the same. Looking out her window, she recognized just where they were. "We're here" she calmly said, more to herself than anyone else. She smiled. Quickly grabbing her things, Hermione lead her friends off the train to where the carriages would be waiting.

Ron, who was still trying to focus after his sleep, almost missed the step getting off the train. "Bloody 'ell, I 'ad such a gud sleep too" he stifled through a yawn, "now we gun' have to wait to get to the school before I can sit again," his stomach growled as if on cue, "and eat."

"Don't worry mate, that's the best part about being in our final year, we get the first carriages" Harry said to his friend, patting him on his back. He was right too, before they knew it the first set of carriages pulled up in front of them.

Everyone gasped once they saw what was pulling them, well everyone except Harry and Luna of course, "wh-what are they?" Ginny asked, uneasily. Harry wrapped his arm around her and held her close as they climbed into the carriage. "Why haven't I seen them before?" she added.

"These are Thestrals" Harry told the young witch. With the help of Luna, Harry explained to his friends what they were, why they couldn't see them before, and how the war had changed that. Hermione, Ron and Ginny just nodded in silence. This was not a conversation that all had wanted to have, not so soon at least. The rest of the ride to the school was silent.

Draco hung back and caught one of the last carriages as he usually did in the past. Only this time it was because he was delaying his entrance to the school for as long as possible. It wasn't being at the school that made him uneasy, he did help re-build it over the summer after all, no it was the fact that he was afraid of what all the other students would say when they saw him. He hoped that he had enough of his reputation still intact that maybe they would be too scared to confront him, but he knew that wouldn't stop the whispers behind his back.

When he opened the doors to the Great Hall, his suspicions were proven right as soon as he entered. He quickly made his way to the Slytherin table and took a seat at the far end, trying to hide from the wandering eyes that followed his every move. It was no surprise that they all knew his role during the war, and he knew that everyone probably hated him for it as well. Looks like I'll be spending the majority of this year in my room he thought. At least until this whole mess stops. Which is unlikely. He piled some food onto his plate and slowly ate, not even looking up once. Even during the sorting of the first years he kept to himself. Only when headmistress McGonagall begun her final announcements did he start to pay attention to his surroundings.

"Before you all head off to your rooms for the night, just a few final announcements of the year to come. First, I would like to say that all first and second year students must be in their common rooms by 9 pm sharp. Third year to sixth year students must be in their respective common rooms by 11 at the latest, seventh year students and prefects must all be in their dorms by midnight, and finally the heads must be in their own rooms by 1:30 after their duties. However, there will be a few exceptions to this rule. Seeing as it is essentially a new beginning for Hogwarts, there will be a few festivities to celebrate. First, we will be having a Halloween party here in the Great Hall. The curfews will all be extended by two more hours." Everyone cheered, "Settle down. Now, you will have the option to go home for Christmas holidays this year, but for those who wish to stay at Hogwarts, there will be the usual Christmas feast, but we will also be trying something new this year. On December 31st, there will be a ball held in this very room to celebrate the New Year. It will be required that you all dress up in formal robes, and gowns, there will be a feast, and students will be allowed to stay out until 3 am." McGonagall smiled as she added "oh, and there will be dancing, so I suggest finding a date to accompany you to the ball." All the girls started to giggle, already planning on what they were going to wear, the boys just groaned. "All right, so off to bed all of you, classes start bright and early tomorrow. However, I ask that the prefects and the head boy and girl all remain behind; I would like a few extra words about your duties this year. Thank you, and have a successful year at Hogwarts." The hall erupted in cheers as the students all stood and made their way out of the hall.

Draco however remained in his seat, going unnoticed by all. Once the hall was empty, he made his way over to the headmistress and the other students that were to stay behind. He walked up beside one particular student with brown, bushy hair.

"Oh good, Draco, you're here." McGonagall stated. Everyone else just turned around and looked at him in shock. "Students, Draco here will be your head boy this year, so prefects make sure you listen to him and Miss Granger." McGonagall then proceeded to explain to the students what their duties will be and the importance of fulfilling those duties.

"How the hell did HE get head boy? Let alone be able to attend Hogwarts! I mean" Hermione screamed as she burst through the Gryffindor common room door. "And they expect me to share a bloody common room with him?" she waited for an answer from the terrified Ron and Harry sitting on the floor. "Well?"

"Blimey Hermione, we don't know what the hell you're talking about" Ron finally sputtered out.

The witch just stared at them for a moment before calming her nerves. Sitting down between them sighing, she rested her head on Ron's shoulder before continuing. "Draco Malfoy is head boy" she muttered. As soon as his name left her mouth however, both the wizards were now standing and yelling at her for answers.

"What? Why didn't you-" Ron began.

"McGonagall's off her rocker!" interrupted Harry.

They both looked at each other, suddenly realisation hit them and their eyes widened as they both looked at their exhausted friend, "Share a common room with him?" they questioned at the same time. Hoping they had heard her wrong. She just nodded.

"Yeah, I just came by to tell you guys the news and grab some of my stuff before heading out" Hermione said as she stood up to face her friend, and well, boyfriend. "I should get going" she added.

Ron hesitated for a moment then looked at Harry, Harry just nodded and after giving Hermione a hug he headed up to his own room. Ron looked at the ground and shuffled his feet across the burgundy carpet, trying to decide what to say next. But before he could get anything Hermione kissed him. "It'll be okay, you know I can handle myself. Besides, you might like this, my new room, well I can whoever I want in it, as long as they have my permission that is" she winked as she reassured Ron. He blushed and gave her a hug.

Scratching his head he yawned "well, I better get to bed then. But uh, I'll see you tomorrow? For breakfast?" he asked "I promise if I don't hear from you I'll storm to your room and I'll hex the ferret for anything he might have done." Ron added, puffing up his chest. Hermione chuckled as she shook her head.

"It's okay Ron. I'll come by here first and wait for you before heading for breakfast. Don't worry. Besides you won't be able to find it unless you're with me" she said waving her hand around dismissively. "Goodnight" the witch said as she turned away and headed out the doorway from behind the portrait of the fat lady.

She made her way up a flight of stairs and down the hall to the right. As she came closer, the door to the shared head common room magically appeared on an empty space on the wall between two suits of armour.

Read and Review :) Thanks. Hopefully I'll get a few chapters up in the next week. When an idea hits me I can get a chapter done in a night. But when I hit a wall... well unfortunately everyone suffers :(