Sorry for the long delay in updating!! Finals took over my life and refused to give it back! But now that they've surrendered my life back to me, hopefully I can get this story underway!! Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I do not own, have never owned and will never own Harry Potter. Just my own ideas.

For the first time in months, Hermione was starting to feel like a sense of normalcy was coming back to her life. She had thought that it might have been an emotional roller coaster to come back to the place that had plagued her sleep for so long. But she had actually found it quite easy to get back in routine. The only thing she wasn't adjusting to was the fact that she had to live with Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts new Head Boy. It had been a shock to find out who would occupy the new title. No announcement had been made at dinner, and she hadn't even given the notion a thought as McGonagall told her where the heads' dormitory was and what the password was.

Walking into the room had certainly taken her breath away. The main level contained the common room. The furniture was a neutral beige color and did not seem to favor either heads' house. On the opposite wall was a grand fireplace with windows on either side. A staircase on the right led up to a mini study hall and private library. Hermione gasped at the sight of all the books. It was everything she had wanted in a library and more.

"No surprise here. Of course Know-It-All Granger made Head Girl."

Jumping a bit at the voice that filled the common room, she turned around to find the owner. But no one else was in the room. Then, rising out of the chair in front of the fire, was Draco Malfoy. With her heart still fluttering from the earlier fright, she couldn't be sure if his physical appearance appealed to her or not. He wore a nice pair of black slacks, a button-down shirt with all but the two top buttons, buttoned. His hair looked slightly tousled, as if he had been running his hands through it. His grey eyes seemed to be piercing right through her but showed no signs of any other emotion. She had been aware, for a few years now, why all the girls oogled over him and now, with him standing before her, the fire causing all sorts of shadows to play across his features, she was more aware.

"What? No biting remark? No hurtful glare?" he challenged, walking up to her. In the dim lighting Draco had no problem seeing the slight flush form in her features. Her breathing had slowed to a normal pace, letting the natural roundness of her breasts show. He was making her uncomfortable. She did everything she could to not meet his gaze. "Do I intimidate you?" he whispered.

With that question, Hermione's courage ignited. "You do nothing but disgust me. How you deserve the title of Head Boy, I'll never know. But if you step one toe out of line, I won't hesitate to report you." She stood taller now, no longer passive. "Don't expect anything from me. I won't tolerate anything."

Her words had made his insides boil. After everything, he was still a monster in her eyes. She acted as if the war hadn't affected him at all. He stared her down, determined to show otherwise.

"Listen Granger, I'm here to finish what was interrupted for me as well. I don't know why I made Head Boy either but if I have to deal with your prude, arrogant and intolerable attitude, you can be sure I'll make your life unbearable." he turned his back, making his way to a far corner. It must've lead to his bedroom, as he had opened a door she had not noticed. "If you feel like being the soft-hearted, forgiving girl I've heard so much about, I would be interested in having a decent conversation one day. If not, just sod off." He had the last say, as he closed his door, leaving her alone, surrounded by shadows and hurt.

*****

School, so far, was passing by uneventful for Draco. For the first time in years, he felt like he could live in peace. There was no imminent threat of danger or grief. Every day passed liked the one before. After a sleepless night, he would remove the silencing charms on his room, shower, dress and get ready for classes. His new quarters pleased him immensely. From the main door was a staircase that twisted down, to reveal his main room. A four poster bed had been placed in one corner, complete with a deep, emerald green comforter and sheets. There was an adjacent bathroom, along with a walk-in closet.

He checked his appearance in the mirror, wondering why he bothered. He felt there was no more need to impress anybody. He knew his name no longer held the respect and fear it once had. Old habits die hard apparently. Making his way to breakfast, McGonagall stopped him, wanting a word.

"Mr. Malfoy, if you don't mind, may we speak?"

"Yes?" he said with an air of annoyance. McGonagall also noticed and pointedly stared him down. Catching his mistake, he sighed deeply, not ready for what he knew he had to do. "I'm truly sorry professor. I didn't mean --" he coughed roughly.

She continued in a soft, almost maternal, voice. "I was going to tell you how pleased I was to see your return. You're one of our top students. And now that you're Head Boy, I have an assignment for you and Ms. Granger. Not as many students have returned as I would've liked. The memories are still too fresh, I suppose." she quieted for a moment, a saddened look in her eyes that he had never seen before.

"Professor, if I may?" he asked. She nodded, encouraging him to continue. "I never had the chance, you know, to give... well, to give my condolences," he was speaking to the ground now, ashamed to meet the professors eyes, "Regarding Professor Dumbledore. I just - it just never felt, enough." He wanted to explain more, but didn't know how to continue. He looked into her eyes and knew that she understood. She cleared her throat and continued.

"I want to host a school orientation, so to speak. It will be an all day event. I want those few students to see that we are not going to let the past affect us. I want them to know that this is a safe place again. Near the end of the day, I would like to dedicate a new wing of the school to fallen war casualties. Would you be so kind as to speak to Ms. Granger about this please?"

Draco nodded, hoping to not have to say anything. McGonagall smiled and walked away. Draco entered the Great Hall and took his place among the Slytherins. He felt another weight on his shoulders as he thought about this task. How was he suppose to work with Hermione when she wouldn't even talk to him? Their confrontation in the common room had been days ago and she had yet to utter a syllable to him.

His gaze drifted to the Gryffindor table and observed the scene. Most students were silently eating. A few had engaged in some small chit-chat. He noticed Hermione talking to the little Weasley girl. Harry sat, listening, but mostly staring at the young Weasley. And then it dawned. Shouldn't there have been four of them? He could only see three. Where had Weasel gone? He looked up and down the table but noticed no other red-head. It seemed odd that he wasn't there but Draco gave it no extra thought. He had bigger things to worry about.

So there's the next little bit! Sorry they seem so short. It seems like I have something huge going on and then, when I post it, nothing. Many thanks to those who have reviewed and alerted! Please keep reviewing! Let me know what you think of it or if you have any ideas that I should incorporate. And many thanks to Hidge, who let me use his idea for the Heads' separate rooms!