Sorry about how long it took to update. There was a Blackout by my house.

A week after Hermione had arrived at Hogwarts, the students arrived. She knew that while she may be a bit curious about Draco, she had to focus. A disorganized teacher is one thing Hogwarts didn't need. She ran into Harry several times, but they were both busy and didn't have much time to talk. Professor McGonagall called her into her office on the final day before the summer was officially over, and the students would arrive. She walked to the gargoyle of the seventh floor, and the gargoyle rotated to face her. It snarled at her then said in a snide voice, "Password?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "Dumbledore Triumphs!" she said rather loudly. She walked into the office and found her standing with three other people presided upon by Professor Minerva McGonagall. The people there were Luna, Neville, Cho Chang and- she gulped- Draco Malfoy. Minerva was sitting in the headmaster's office, which had been slightly remodeled since its days as both Dumbledore's and Snape's office. Behind McGonagall underneath the previous Headmaster's portraits was now a complete wall mural showing a picnic featuring many of the portrait's downstairs occupants. McGonagall looked Hermione over and said, "Well, Miss Granger, I'm glad you could join us this evening."

Then she focused upon all of them then and said, "Well, my former students, you have returned this year from your travels, some of whom," she focused on Malfoy, "I feared may not be able to return. Perhaps I should tell you now, that those who leave in the middle of the school year for any reason except of the highest and most urgent importance will be not invited to return. As these things go, we are also in danger from a new foe. Certain Death Eaters are reforming into an army and gathering followers. While they are not strong enough to mount an attack on any place of such security as Hogwarts, " she smiled, "as nowhere is quite as magically guarded as Hogwarts- perhaps the Ministry may be a close tie- but they are becoming an unwelcome worry. Well-as I said- we are most likely safer here than most other places on the planet, they may be foolhardy of thickheaded enough to attempt an assault."

She paused a moment, as if allowing this news to sink in. It didn't need to. It had been news all over the Wizarding World that Voldemort's followers were reforming against the ministry. The main leader appeared to be Rudolphus Lestrange. McGonagall harrumphed a little for attention, then continued. "As this is a danger to everyone, we ask you be on the lookout and do not fail to report any suspicious activity, " at this point she looked at Malfoy, a little sourly, "Even if they are just a student."

She turned behind her, and then Hermione saw a triptych of Albus, Aberforth and Arianna Dumbledore. She waved her wand over her shoulder and the door of the office opened. Then she said curtly, "You are free to go."

As Hermione left, she walked up alongside Harry, "I heard that Malfoy had been to Florence, " Said Harry. Hermione nodded. She had heard that from Ginny, who had probably been the one to tell Harry. Hermione then said, "So, why was he there?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "No one seems to know. All we can guess is he went there for some reason."

Hermione rolled her eyes. They continued down the hallway. Harry asked inquisitively, "Why do you want to know about Malfoy?"

Hermione blushed a little, then said, "Just curious."

"Oh, " Harry said. Then he turned, and winked at Ginny.