Ron watched Draco walk over still weary. He didn't believe his story nor did any of his family, but Harry did and Hermione did, and who was he to argue. As the third and less known member of the Golden Trio he was jealous of the "brightest witch of their age" and the "boy who couldn't be killed" but he had a plan this year that would put him at the top, if only they would talk to him. Harry didn't even listen to his Quidditch stories, he just sits there daydreaming. Why would Harry even believe Draco's story he didn't know Draco had tortured them for years. The imperious curse that was the stupidest excuse he had ever heard. He must have bribed the ministry to use a fake Veritaserum; stupid Malfoy's had all the money. "Yes, yes that must have been it."
He had mumbled something to Harry at the beginning of the summer, and again now about being yet able to forgive Draco for his years of torture so instead he joined Lavender in the next carriage over. Had Ron not been oblivious, he would have noticed the blush that coated Hermione's cheeks as Draco sat down, Harry's eye role at his immature friend, and the relief Draco felt to be surrounded by Harry and Hermione. Both were fed up with Ron's antics and disbelief. Ron was selfish and they knew it, but they had hoped that he would eventually come around. Ron had yet to tell Harry his plans on not staying in the room with him and Draco and was going to offer him a choice, he could go back to the Gryffindor common rooms to live, or forget their friendship.
The first time Ron had tried convincing Harry and Hermione that Malfoy-was-still-a-death-eater it didn't go well. Hermione had cried, and Harry had ranted for hours. After voicing his suspicions once it was obvious if one more word came from his mouth he would never be able to have children so he kept his mouth shut. He had given up on getting Hermione back after that, but maybe he could still convince Harry.
Harry knew something was up with his best friend he saw it in the way Hermione's confidence faltered when Draco got so close. She became the bashful flirty girl he used to see before the war and before she knew about Ron and Lavender Brown, and the look he saw in Hermione's eyes was the same look in Draco's eyes.
Hermione grew tired and rested her head on Draco's shoulder and he slung his arm around her shoulder lazily. To Harry's surprise it didn't look awkward, it looked normal, and right.
The new trio talked quietly on the way to the castle having the occasional outburst of laughter at the sheer coincidence of it all. Draco Malfoy, of all people, in the carriage with him and Hermione, He touched Hermione's opposite shoulder lightly and watched Draco pull her tighter against him protectively. He laughed to himself at seeing Draco jealous. Draco had nothing to worry about , he didn't love Hermione like that, but he knew Draco would, or might already, and if he hurt his Hermione, he would kill him and he planned on letting him know.
It was warmer once they entered the castle wards and Draco seemed uncomfortably warm, so he took off his sweater; he felt a feeling of content as Draco held his forearms on display. Where the Dark Mark would be there was just a blank slate. Harry smiled and he watched as Hermione too looked at his arm relieved, although he didn't doubt she'd already seen his forearms in their lessons practice. As they sat at the table Hermione and Draco started a conversation "Is there a purpose to the separate house tables? For promoting inter-house unity, it feels like a step backwards." "I agree," Hermione opened the Hogwarts: A History book that Draco had been reading and just a chapter later, pointed out the requirement to house pride, despite the fact that it might create some division, "I don't think they wanted it to get as bad as it did." Harry tuned out and watched the odd couple. Hermione looked so lost in Draco eyes he was worried that she might forget to breathe if he moved much further forward, and it pleased Harry to see the same look reflected on him toward her. After the loss in the war and all the sadness they all deserved a bit of happiness.
McGonagall came up to the front and made a speech, "Welcome back Hogwarts students. You have a long hard year ahead of you but you must persevere. We all fought on the same side of the war; we will all continue to work together, and now for the sorting." They went through the whole alphabet for the first years and as the last first year was sorted the food was served.
After dinner McGonagall dismissed them to the houses. Harry Draco and Hermione hung behind waiting to be shown when Ron came up.
Ron came up to Harry puffing out his chest; sure Harry would choose him over Draco. "Harry, you should come back and stay in Gryffindor." Ron gleamed at Draco's discomfort. "You fit in there, and don't have to worry about being cursed by ex-death-eaters"
Harry replied frustrated "Ron don't you listen, he was imperiused. You have been invited to stay in the room provided you wish to."
Ron glared "It's me or him Harry, you can choose."
At that moment McGonagall walked up and Harry looked at Ron for a last second then at McGonagall and proceeded to follow Draco and Hermione up to the new house.
Hermione smiled as Draco walked almost protectively at her side, she knew better than to hope for him to be thinking what she was. She was just a know-it-all witch after all that's what Ron had told her after he kissed her before the battle at Hogwarts. Recounting the incident she had to let out a small sigh. She had told Harry what happened and he threw a fit trying to reassure her she was not, but he was like her brother; he was probably used to it. Unbeknownst to Hermione, Harry had told Draco the story as well why Hermione went home early on the day before the hearing.
Hermione suddenly noticed Draco looked at her with a look she couldn't place and Harry staring at her with one of his knowing looks. He was giving up a lot to come back with her and Ron this year, but now it was her and Draco she had to keep reminding herself, but he wanted to finish his education the right way and she knew it. He had told her in the tent at one point over those long months and she had hugged him and cried, with hopes they could make it that far. She ignored the look from both boys and looked at the new room. It was so different and looking at McGonagall she smiled; the woman had helper her so much with herself and recovering from the torture of the battle and her damage from the amount of the Crucio curse she suffered.
Hermione, Draco, Harry, Ron, Lavender, Neville, Dean, Pavarti, Susan and Hannah knew there were the only 8th years had special classes, special eating times, and a mutual common room but stayed in their normal rooms excluding Hermione Draco and Harry. The other 8th year students had already seen this room before and were now in bed.
"Hermione" she heard her name being called and she smiled when meeting Draco's eyes, "Yes?" she replied. Draco paused for a moment debating on asking her right then and there to be his, but shook his head slightly and instead asked "Do you think it will be safe here this year?" she smiled remembering the conversation she had with Ron and Harry so long ago. "A safe year yes. But a quiet year at Hogwarts Draco? Only in my wildest dreams." This earned her a smile and a laugh from Harry as well as a smirk from Draco as he replied "Well let's see if I can make your dreams come true Hermione" she blushed and smiled softly, "I might have to take you up on that offer." She kissed Harry and Draco on the cheek and went up to her room to sleep.
Harry and Draco stared at each other for a moment before Harry broke the silence. "Don't hurt her like Ron did Draco."
Draco stuttered "I don't- Am I?- I have no intention of hurting her Harry. I'll swear on my magic that I don't want to hurt her."
Harry replied "That's good enough for me."
Then the boys nodded at each other and bid each other goodnight.
She kissed him softly on the lips afraid of scaring him away, but he was so perfect she couldn't resist. If only he could love a muggleborn. He twisted his hands into her hair and kissed her back with a fierceness she didn't think was possible.
Hermione awoke with a start as she thought of Draco actually liking her. No, it wasn't possible; he could never love someone like her, someone so... plain. No matter how different she was, or how different he was, it wasn't possible... was it? She shook the thought and glanced around her room, it just wasn't possible. She wasn't his type maybe Susan, but not her. She closed her eyes tight and drifted back into an uneasy sleep.
Draco was still awake trying to think of a way to get Hermione; she was unlike another girl he had ever met. He wanted her and only she and he intended on having her. It wasn't the arrogance he had a long time ago under his parents control, but determination to do something the right way. He had an idea and walked into the common room to see when he could start, he had to talk to Harry. Harry knew her better than anyone.
Instead on the couch Draco saw Hermione with a book on her lap, reading quietly as Harry stared off into the distance, he had thought they had both went to bed, however he too had said he was going to bed and had gotten distracted. He sat across from Harry, next to Hermione and she closed her book looking at him in the strangest way. It wasn't just him that noticed, Harry noticed too.
"'Mione," he whispered as if not to break the moment "are you alright?" She nodded and stopped staring at Draco. They were all rather awake for two o'clock in the morning. Harry however, was not stupid he could see Hermione loved Draco, whether she knew or not, it was true. He had known since the trial, he watched her feelings grow every day for the last very long time. She had been a mess when he was hurt, once they figured out what happened, that was his best friend his 'Mione.
He had just confessed to her his feelings for Hannah hoping she would do the same and confess her feelings for Draco, but all she said was "If you love someone you have to tell them Harry".
Hermione had hugged both of them subconsciously and went to her room, she had to find a logical reason why she was feeling this way but the more she thought about it the more there wasn't a logical reason she was in love with Draco Malfoy, and it felt so fast, but she knew she was, and it wasn't fast, but now she just had to figure out what to do about it.
Draco sat there staring at Harry, neither breaking eye contact until Draco looked down and spoke so softly Harry thought he was hearing things until he repeated it. "I love her Harry, I love Hermione". Draco didn't love her for her looks (although that certainly didn't help) he loved her for her brain and her heart and her soul. And he felt Harry's eyes pierce him as he explained "I love everything about her".
Harry stared, it wasn't like he didn't know this already; he could see it in the way they looked at each other, but he was worried, it was fast, it felt like it was happening so quickly, in the course of a few simple months they had fallen in love with each other without a second thought. Maybe there wouldn't be a war this year, maybe there would just be love; and maybe Hogwarts would stay safe, but he could never hope for a quiet year. There was no such thing as a quiet year at Hogwarts.
Harry finally replied to Draco, "I know... but if you break her heart you will wish you were dead" and there was silence as Draco simply nodded his head and went back to his room.