Hermione's eyes shot open. Her mind was racing, as she tried to collect her thoughts and remember what had happened last. Nothing, everything was fuzzy. Hermione made a mental note, that she could not handle any amount of alcohol, and she needed to avoid it at any cost. Right now, all Hermione could think of was her growing headache.

I wouldn't mind some coffee right now, she thought.

Hermione slowly stretched her arms until her hand reached the headboard. It was soft, unusual. She didn't have a leather headboard. Hermione sat up in the bed. There was a large window to her right, and it took Hermione a second to adjust her eyes to the light which was flooding the room. The bedroom had dark grey, bare walls. There were no pictures or mirrors, or even posters. The bed that Hermione had slept on was big, for just one person. There were beautiful, silky emerald sheets and more pillows than anyone could possibly need. Hermione quietly hopped off the bed and walked toward the door on her left. It was slightly open, and she slid through, making absolutely no sound. She found herself in a large bathroom, with a doorway on the right hand side. It was a walk-in closet filled with men's clothing. That's when Hermione remembered that Draco had offered her a bed for the night. She went back to the room and opened the door at the end of the room. There was a short hallway which led to what looked like a kitchen to Hermione. She quietly made her way down the hallway holding her breath.

"Good afternoon."

Hermione gasped, in surprise. Draco was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea out of a large clear cup. He was wearing a white, somewhat see through shirt, with grey pyjamas. Hermione walked over to him and sat down across the table.

"What time is it?" She asked, quietly.

Draco took his phone out of his pocket, and placed in on the table, showing her the time. It was five past three. Hermione ran her fingers through her hair, she couldn't believe she had slept that long. Draco waved his hand in the air. A mug and a teapot rose up in the air from the kitchen counter and slowly floated over to Draco. He grabbed them and poured Hermione a cup.

"Drink this, you'll feel better."

Hermione grabbed the mug and took a sniff. It was chamomille tea, her favourite. She took a slow sip and relaxed in her chair. Suddenly, she realized something.

"My clothes."

Hermione looked up at Draco, accusingly. She just realized that she was wearing the same pyjamas as Draco and a grey tank top with a snitch on it.

"It was a spell, Hermione. And the lights were off in the room. The bottoms are mine, and that top belongs to a friends." Draco explained.

Hermione took a deep breath, and took another sip of her warm tea.

"I really have no clue where your shoes are, though." He added.

Hermione groaned. Those were her most comfortable, and sexy heels. She'd have to ask Nadia to find her the exact same pair.

"Would you like some food?" Draco asked.

Hermione's stomach growled, right on queue. Draco smirked.

"Alright, head over to the den and relax, I'll bring over some food."

Hermione filled her mug to the brim, took a large sip, and walked slowly over to the direction Draco had pointed out for her. It was a small room, with a large black couch in front of a television. Hermione put her mug on the table and picked up the remote control. She never watched television, but she sat back and flipped through the channels. Draco walked into the room two minutes later, carrying two very large plates with stacks of pancakes. Hermione grabbed hers and thanked him.

"I'm a very great chef."

Draco took a big bite, as he watched Hermione eat hers. It didn't take them long to finish their food, and Draco filled up their cups again with more tea. Hermione thanked Draco for the delicious pancakes.

"You still have to tell me about Kingsley." Draco reminded her.

Hermione sat back and began to tell Draco in detail, about the wizards and the potential danger that could have took place the previous night. Draco listened quietly, and when she finished telling her story, they had a discussion about the wizards. Hermione found herself enjoying talking to him. He seemed like a completely different person. Draco was calm, polite, and thoughtful.

"Well Percy will probably want to talk about security for future events, with Harry and Ron tonight."

Draco agreed.

"You should come along." Hermione added.

"No, it's fine."

Hermione insisted that he come along. He had been very helpful the night before, and he had let her sleepover. After a little persuasion, Draco agreed. Hermione cleared her throat.

"Actually, I wanted to apologize for last night as well. I don't remember everything, yet, but you were very kind to me and all this, it's just too much. Thank you so much." She said, very grateful.

He had indeed acted like a gentle,am. which wasn't unexpected. But still, she was very grateful that someone was there to take care of her.

"It was no problem at all. You could say I'm trying to redeem myself." He added with a shrug, and then smiled.

Hermione looked down at her hands. Although she had a reason to be mad at him, Hermione was proud to call herself mature, and open-minded. It wouldn't be fair to hold the things he had said to her as a child, now. It was only fair to give him a chance.

"We've all changed, for the better." She said, finally.

She then smiled.

"Let's go then."

Hermione waited, while Draco showered. He decided to wear a long grey coat and black pants, he didn't want to be too underdressed or overdressed either. Hermione assured him that he looked fine, and they both apparated to her home. She took a little longer than he did, but Draco was patient, and even made them both tea while he waited for her to get dressed. Hermione slid on a plain black dress. Effortless beauty, was what Hermione said to describe her taste in fashion. Hermione used a glamour spell, to dry and style her hair, and made her way down.

"I understand, Xanthippe."

Kingsley was walking with Percy Weasley, behind Harry Potter and Xanthippe. They were deep in the heart of the Forbidden Forest. Xanthippe was speaking to the Minister, on behalf of the centaurs.

Xanthippe was a beautiful centaur. Although she looked to be about in her late thirties, Kingsley knew she reaching her second millennia. She had blonde hair that flowed down her back.

She had asked them to meet her at the faerie pond, and had been walking them over to her home since then. Xanthippe had just been explaining to the Minister why she had to walk them. The centaurs wanted their secrecy, which the Minister respected.

They arrived to what marshy area, where they saw one of the widest trees in the world. As they walked closer, a large grove in the tree on one side. Xanthippe pressed her hand on the grove. After she removed her hand, the part where her hand had been began to glow. At first, it was just a small area, then the entire bottom portion of the tree trunk was lightly glowing.

"Follow me, closely."

Xanthippe walked into the trunk, and disappeared. The men followed suite. The inside of the trunk did not look like anything Harry could have possibly imagined; it was clear that it was magically enlarged. There was a large, well lighted staircase with got wider as they walked further down. There were long platforms in between steps, and all the way down there were doors on either side of the platforms.

"Not long, Potter."

Xanthippe somehow sensed the skeptical look on Harry, who was wondering how long they would walk down the never-ending staircase. Xanthippe stopped at a platform, and Harry saw that there was still a long ways to go down. The door that Xanthippe stood in front of had small gold writing, along the entire doorway. Xanthippe waiting for Kingsley to catch up, then put her hand on the door, slowly opening it.

"Kingsley."

An elderly looking centaur stood near the door. Kingsley bowed to the centaur, who kindly put her hand on his shoulder and guided him over to the center of the room.

"Nyx, dear friend, it's been too long."

Nyx gave a soft laugh, as she sat down on the enormous, thick, floor pillows. Harry, Percy, and Xanthippe sat down across from them. The room was dark, but there were long candles in the corners.

"I've heard about the wizards, Kingsley." Nyx told him.

Harry found himself admiring the elders voice .Nyx reminded him of Dumbledore.

"We only need your support, and everyone else's support. If we stand united once more, we can assure no tragedy will fall upon us again." Kingsley said.

Nyx nodded in agreement. Kingsley went on to explain about the intentions of the wizards, and what it could mean for their world.

"I can assure you, dear friend, that even without acknowledging our alliance, the centaurs will remain on your side, as long as you wish for the best for our world. I would like to thank you on behalf of all of my children, for coming here yourself and informing us. Know that, we will do anything in our power to aide you."

Kingsley bowed his head slightly, showing his gratitude.

"Xanthippe, won't you get our guests some nectar."

"My apologies."

Xanthippe rose up, and walked out the door. When the door closed behind her, Nyx turned to Kingsley and put her hands into his.

"Friend, I must warn you. By opening our doors to these new worlds, we have opened the doors for their troubles as well."

Kingsley looked down at her hands.

"Listen." Nyx ordered.

Harry stared at the two, sitting hand in hand, in silence. He tried his best to listen closely, but he could not hear anything. He saw Kingsley close his eyes, and tilt his head up. Nyx did the same. Silence. Something seemed odd to Harry, he noticed that Nyx's eyes seemed to be glowing. He was so caught up with the elderly centaur's eyes that he did not notice the low hum coming from the ground. Harry looked over at Percy for answers, and saw that he too was just as confused. The hum lasted for a minute, and disappeared. Nyx dropped her hands and put them on her lap. She smiled at Harry and Percy.

"Here you go."

Xanthippe had come back and offered Percy and Harry a long horn, filled with a thick red liquid. He had not noticed her walk in, and assumed that Nyx must have known she was coming, and that was why she stopped. Harry took his drink, and had a small sip. It was surprisingly cold, and delicious. Harry then found that he had gotten quite thirsty from their long walk. He finished the nectar quickly, and thanked Xanthippe.

"I trust that your companions can keep a secret, Kingsley." Nyx said.

Kingsley assured Nyx that they were trustworthy.

"Well, Xanthippe will be taking you back now."

The three men bowed to Nyx, and followed Xanthippe up the stairs. Percy and Kingsley lagged behind, they were discussing further events that had to be planned, such as birthdays for their guests. Xanthippe and Harry were quite a few steps away from them, whispering about the forest, and the school.

"You know, I've heard a lot of stories about you, Harry."

Of course. Harry tried to avoid conversations turning onto him, but he decided to let this one slip. Xanthippe had been awfully kind to them, by being their guide.

"I've heard that you have a scar." Xanthippe continued, cautiously.

Harry nodded. He stopped walking, to move his hair out of the way, and show her the scar. Xanthippe was in awe.

"May I touch it?" She asked.

It may have seemed odd to some people, but Harry got asked this very thing quite often. He agreed to let her, and Xanthippe slowly ran her finger over the scar.

"It's not a big deal really, it hasn't even bothered me since that day." Harry explained.

Harry looked up at Xanthippe who was standing still like a statue. Her eyes were fixed on Harry, and they were glowing. Nyx's eyes were nothing compared to Xanthippe's. Her eyes had turned completely purple, and lit her entire face up. Being in the middle of a dark forest, Xanthippe looked quite intimidating. Kingsley and Percy who were still talking about current government wages, had not noticed a single thing. They were still far away from the centaur, walking ever so slowly.

"Potter."

The same hum that had been coming from the room, was now coming from the forest floor. Harry. He looked at Xanthippe's lips, but she had not spoken those words. Although, he could tell it was her distinct voice.

"Harry Potter. The boy who lived."

Harry took a step back, but before he could get further away from her, she grabbed his wrist tightly. He was confused, and slightly scared. He didn't know how he was supposed to react to this event.

"Glory of the war shall soon be forgotten. Tragedy was always in your destiny."

Harry tried to get his arm out of her hand, her words echoed in his mind. Xanthippe gasped. Her eyes stopped glowing and she was back to her normal self.

"Oh."

She noticed she had gripped Harry's hand tightly and let it drop.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know why I did that."

She had no idea what she said, Harry thought. He rubbed his hand quickly, and started walking.

"It's fine."

Favourite, follow, review!