AN: Harry Potter and its fabulousness belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling.

Chapter Nine - Back to School

Over the next few weeks Draco and Hermione helped with the rebuilding of Hogwarts.

Hermione had spent many hours with Madam Pince in the library, repairing the damage. She had cried the first time she walked in, and Madam Pince had hugged her until she stopped, knowing that Hermione was the only other person who would feel as distraught as she had. Together they had managed to repair most of the furniture and the main part of the library. The restricted section was taking a little longer, as they had decided to get the main library ready for the students, and focus on the restricted section once this was complete. A lot of the older books had been sent away for special magical repair.

Hermione was currently putting the finishing touches to the Herbology section.

"Looks good Granger" came a voice from behind her, and she turned to see Draco.

"Thanks Malfoy" she responded

"Ready for dinner?" he asked, and Hermione nodded and the pair headed down to the Great Hall.

As they walked through the school, it looked almost as good as new. Portraits had been repaired, as had the grand staircase. It was the Great Hall that had needed the most work, and where the teachers had spent most of their time over the last few weeks. Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick had repaired the enchanted ceiling, which was showing a wonderful clear blue sky. The rest of the room had been completed the night before and this was the first dinner that had been held in it. It was a special occasion and all those involved in the rebuilding were attending. Draco and Hermione would be the only students.

As they entered the hall Hermione gasped, it was just like walking in on her first day at Hogwarts. It looked just as breathtaking. The last time she had seen it was the night of the final battle. She hadn't been able to go into the room since. She'd told Draco she didn't want to see it like that. She wanted it to the be awe-inspiring breathtaking room she remembered.

Draco smiled beside her when he saw her face. He'd been in the room since, he'd helped with some of the furniture early in the week. Draco nudged her shoulder and the pair exchanged a smile before heading to the table that was set in the middle of the hall.

Once everyone had arrived, Dumbledore stood. "I promise this will be quick" he smiled "I just want to thank you all for your efforts. I know Hogwarts has a special place in all of your hearts, and it was because of this that you have all worked so hard to bring it back to its former glory."

There were lots of nods around the table, "so lets enjoy tonight before the madness descends tomorrow" Dumbledore finished with a smile, before sitting down. The food appeared on the table and everyone tucked in.

Once dinner had finished, Draco and Hermione had headed back to their room, to prepare for the arrival of all of the students. Usually the Head Boy and Girl would brief the prefects on the Hogwarts Express, but as they were already in the school, this was to happen just after the Welcome Feast.

They had a list of prefects:

Slytherin - Astoria Greengrass and Theodore

Ravenclaw - Luna Lovegood and Terry Boot

Hufflepuff - Hannah Abbott and Justin Finch-Fletchley

Gryffindor - Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevey

Hermione had done up a roster for the patrols, and allocated various tasks. Dumbledore had requested that the pairs were made up of different houses, inter-house unity was even more important now than ever. Draco was glad of this, as it meant that he wouldn't be paired alone with a Slytherin. He wasn't quite sure what reception he would get from his housemates but he had a feeling it wouldn't be a pleasant one.

Hermione on the other hand was more excited. Not only would she get to see her friends again, she would be studying again, she would be doing something that was familiar. Hermione looked over at Draco who was sitting at the other end of the sofa. She knew he was apprehensive about the next day, and she couldn't totally blame him. He had made the right choice and he had done what he believed in, it just went against everything that was expected of him. She knew he'd received a letter from Blaise Zabini, but she didn't know what it contained. She hoped it was a letter of friendship.

She thought back to the letter she had received from Ron when he found out she'd left Grimmauld Place. In typical Ron fashion it was short and sweet, "What are you thinking Hermione?" She'd also replied in her usual fashion, of at least 2 sheets of parchment, explaining why she could not turn down the opportunity to assist in the rebuilding of a place that was so special to her, and that he really had to get over his hatred for Draco, as he had changed. Ron hadn't responded to her letter and she had a feeling that was due to the fact she had told him she now considered Draco a friend. Harry on the other hand had written her a letter when he returned to the Burrow, and it was obvious that he had read her letter to Ron. Harry was a little more understanding but did not appear totally convinced, but agreed to trust her judgement and they would talk about it when he arrived at the school.

Draco and Hermione had the morning free as the rest of the students were not due until mid afternoon. They decided to take a walk down to the Black Lake, and enjoy the fact they had the school to themselves, for the last time. Draco had been quiet all morning, and eventually Hermione decided she needed to say something.

The reached the lake and sat down, watching the Giant Squid splashing about.

"Draco" Hermione said hesitantly, "I know your nervous, but I just, I just want you to know that I'm here for you. You do have a friend", she said looking down as her hands in her lap, not really sure what his response would be.

Draco turned his head to look at her, and saw her looking down. He knew they had been getting closer, which was no great surprise due to the amount of time that they had been spending together, but would he call her a friend? The more he thought about it the more the answer was yes. They had more in common than either expected, and they were fairly intellectually compatible, and if he was totally honest with himself he enjoyed her company.

"Thanks Hermione" he whispered "I am a little nervous" he continued honestly, "I'm not quite sure what to expect. Blaise has said he understands, but I don't expect anyone else to. I've alienated my own house and the other houses are going to be hesitant of me and I can't blame them".

"You did what you believed in your heart, what you felt was right, that's all that counts" Hermione told him.

He smiled at her, "you might need to remind me of that" he sighed.

Together they sat in silence for a little longer before they realised they should head back and get ready. As the Head Boy and Girl were getting ready for the Welcome Feast the Hogwarts Express was arriving in Hogsmeade Station, and the students were making their way to the castle.

As Draco and Hermione made their way down to the Great Hall they could hear the noise of the other students arriving and making their way into the hall. Draco paused momentarily on the stairs, "you'll be fine" Hermione told him as they continued on their way. The pair arrived at the Great Hall and joined the other students entering. There were a few mummers as the pair joined the group, but they ignored them and headed to their respective tables.

Hermione was greeted by Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville, while Draco was met with a fairly cold reception, with no one meeting his eye or even acknowledging him. Blaise entered the hall and walked over to Draco and together they sat at the end of the table, "Guess there'll be a new Slytherin Prince this year" he joked, earning a smile from Draco, who had always hated that nickname.

Once the sorting was complete Dumbledore gave his speech, which encouraged unity and friendship between all students, and informed them that there would be changes and inter house friendship was encouraged. Hermione and Draco were then announced as Head Girl and Head Boy. Hermione was warmly greeted, but Draco was met with some murmurs and hisses. Even the meeting with the prefects was a little awkward, with the Slytherin prefects giving Draco a hard time.

By the time their duties were completed and they headed to their Common Room, Draco was convinced that this year was going to be a long year, and not an easy one. Upon entering the Head's Dormitory Draco headed straight to his room. Hermione did the same, to get changed out of her robes, before heading to the kitchen. She made 2 cups of hot chocolate and placed them on the table in front of the fire, where she curled up on the sofa and picked up a book. It wasn't long later that Draco, who'd also got changed, came down and sat down on the sofa next to her, with a book in his hand. Together they sat in silence, reading and drinking their hot chocolate.

Draco felt himself calming down, and not feeling as scared about the year ahead. No matter how bad the days were he had his scantuary in his room. Thank God Hermione wants to keep this place just for us he thought. It might have only been a few weeks but the Head's Dormitory felt more like home than anywhere else he'd ever been. He gazed at Hermione, who was totally engrossed in her book, and smiled. She really had become a friend, a good friend. They still hadn't talked about the war, his past, her past or her trip to Australia, but they were comfortable with each other, they could be themselves with each other, and that was something he'd never really had. Even with Blaise there were still things that were never discussed, but he felt he could discuss them with Hermione, even though he hadn't dared yet.

Draco turned back to his book, and didn't see Hermione raise her eyes to glance at him. She couldn't believe he was the same boy who had made her life hell for the past 6 years. He was different. She could see that a weight had been lifted of his shoulders when he made the decision to follow his heart and his beliefs, but it was coming back, and she knew that was because he was scared about what people thought, and if they believed him. She did. She knew this was the Draco he always wanted to be, and she liked this Draco, he was a good person, and now a good friend. That thought made her smile. She loved Ron and Harry and they would always be her best friends, but she liked having Draco as a friend. There were certain things he understood that they didn't, she also didn't have to dumb her conversation down all the time. She felt like she could be totally herself, and the only people she had been able to do that with previously were her parents.

Smiling, Hermione stretched her legs out across the sofa, and across Draco's lap. He looked up from his book, and just smiled at her, "Comfortable?" he asked

"I am now" she replied and turned back to her book.

Draco absentmindedly stroked her legs and retuned to his book, and that's how they remained for the rest of the night. Tomorrow they would face the first day of school and whatever that was going to bring, but for now they were both just enjoying feeling safe.

AN: And now the romance begins :)

Thank you to those who have stuck with this story so far, its not coming together as easily as my others have :(
But I promise to keep going with it, it just might been a bit of a gap between updates - sorry...