Harrie waved her hand and her new Hogwarts robes moved from the wardrobe to her out stretched hand. Wandless magic was the best, she was so happy her already considerable magic had increased nearly as dramatically as her appearance. She had decided to forgo the traditional train ride this year. She didn't think she could have put up with all the endless staring and crowds just yet. Hogwarts will be bad enough. She would be flooing from her newly renovated home at 12 Grimmauld Place, straight into Professor McGonagall's Office just before the start of the feast.

There was a sharp crack and her house elf appeared at the door. "Mistress? there is a fire call, Miss Granger would like to speak to you" Kreacher said with a bow. Harrie smiled at her now loyal elf. When Harrie had brought magical contractors into the old ruin she had not been sure how the old elf would cope, but with the new changes to the house it was as if yet more of the shadows that had hung over Kreacher had departed and he now took great pride in keeping his Mistresses new home in perfect condition. The fact that Kreacher was now a mated elf helped too. Another crack brought Winky into sight "Mistress are you wanting Winky to take your trunk to school?" the smaller female elf said.

Although it had put Hermione and her SPEW principles into a tizzy Harrie had been happy to agree to having Winky join the house hold when Kreacher had asked. Although Harrie had said they could wear whatever they liked and have time to themselves both had refused to wear anything but pure white pillowcases and had been happy with their new living quarters, which consisted of a large cupboard off the kitchen.

"Whenever is good for you Winky, there is no rush. Is it safe to do so? You're not meant to be resting?" Harrie's brow furrowed with worry

Winky laughed softly "Winky be breeding, not hurting Mistress. It is fine for Winky to do her duties" she clicked her long fingers and Harrie felt the elf's magic and watched the heavy trunk disappear. Kreacher watched with pride as his mate moved into the room to straighten things and disappearing any dust, a wide smile breaking out across his face. Smiling herself Harrie made her way downstairs to the kitchen fireplace which was currently the only fireplace Harrie would let anyone use as she, for some unknown reason didn't want anyone, not even Ron and Hermione to see all the changes she had done to Grimmauld Place just yet.

She knelt and smiled at her bushy haired friend.

"Morning, I just wanted to check that you hadn't changed your mind about the train?" Hermione had a tentative smile on her lips and hope in her eyes. Harrie shook her head at her friend. "I am not going on the train Hermione"

Her sighed and nodded resolutely "You will have to come out of hiding soon enough Harrie"

Harrie bristled at the barbed words of her friend. It was true over the summer Harrie hadn't left the house other than when necessary or going to the Burrow and hadn't let people come to her house either that was the part Hermione really hated. Harrie had wanted to get used to being herself, without anyone else. Hermione knew this yet seemed to think it was ok to keep rehashing past conversations, Harrie heard Ron's raised voice and Hermione's look of annoyance as she opened her mouth to reply.

"I will see you at the feast Hermione" Harrie spat out and waved her hand dismissively ending the fire call. Another wave had the fire blocked she felt the tingle of the wards signaling Hermione's attempts to get through and shook her head at her friend's temerity.

Harrie moved off into the other rooms of her house looking at all that was changed. It was hers now. No longer the house of horrors and misery that it had been. Light and open, happy and warm. Everything it should have once been. Harrie looked longingly around wishing she wouldn't only be seeing it on the occasional weekend for the next year she had grown to be at home here.

Ever since effectively 'dying' Harries out look on her life had altered, not surprisingly she had grown to appreciate things she hadn't really thought much about before. Light and the feeling of home was something that she was loathing departing from even briefly. She was also worried how the rest of the world would view her as well. For the first time in her life she felt nearly normal, though she had a rather odd feeling that something was missing, she couldn't put into words. She hoped that this year being a 'normal' student without the threat of Voldemort would ease her troubled mind.

Too soon it was time for Harrie to floo to Hogwarts. Kreacher and Winky stood at the fire place waiting for their Mistress to depart.

'Take care' Harrie smiled down at her small house keepers ''The last of the renovations will be finished in the next two weeks and then I will start coming home for the odd weekend once I settle in at school again" The two-elves bowed. "Just call if you need us Mistress" Kreacher's bull frog voice seemed to reverberate around the kitchen, Winky's ears flapping as she nodded in agreement. Harrie wanted desperately to stay with the two creatures that had started to represent home to her, taking a deep breath Harrie stepped into the grate and with a whoosh was engulfed in green flames.

The heat of the flames vanished and Harrie opened her eyes and gazed around the circular office of the Headmistress of Hogwarts, and mental gave herself a high five for not falling onto her face. She looked around at the room and felt something wilt inside at the missing trinkets that Dumbledore had been so fond of and the missing phoenix made her want to cry. Though seeing all the Quidditch Monthly magazines and the broom stick guides stacked beside the desk made her break into a smirk, seemed everyone had a guilty pleasure.

"Potter?" Professor McGonagall tall and ever serious looked at her with unveiled shock before she seemed to pull herself together and stepped forward to take Harries hand.

"You have changed since I last saw you Potter" It wasn't a question, and Harrie blushed under her Professors examination.

"Somewhat, yes" Was all she could say in reply. Harrie knew she was different but each time someone saw her she forgot just how different she was. She tried not to pull her uniform length skirt down further but honestly why they have to be this short was beyond her.

The headmistress looked at her student with a frown marring her face and seemed unsure how to proceed from this revelation, it wasn't often that the severe scot felt the need to cover up a student but for some reason that was how this new…developed Harrie Potter made her feel.

"I am happy to have you attending Hogwarts again and hope you enjoy your year with us and manage to get your NEWTS. Your timetable will be at your house table as always in the morning" The older woman smiled tightly and motioned for Harrie to make her way down the spiral staircase into the castle.

"Just a moment Professor there is someone I wanted to speak..." Harries words ended abruptly when the fire flared green once again and the tall, lean, blonde form of Draco Malfoy stepped into the room. Grey eyes clashed with green and the pair froze in place looking at each other. Harrie had not seen Malfoy since she had spoken for him at his trials shortly after the war had ended. He had lost the half-starved, terrified look that he had been suffering from during the trails, he looked firm and healthy once again. Harrie was shocked that this struck her as incredibly good and had a sudden urge to step closer to the man, the memory of his strong arms wrapping around her waist and his breath close to her ear as she had flew them out of the room of requirement burst into her memory and she had to control the sudden rush of desire she felt for...Malfoy? Really? She took a step back and tried to order her thoughts and control the images her traitorous mind was creating.

Draco was in shock. Harrie Potter was not meant to be in this room and certainly wasn't meant to look like that...Gone was the weedy slip of a girl that had been the focus of his ire and dislike for seven years and in her place stood an absolute vision. Long black hair, perfect skin, a body that looked made for him alone. The only thing that hadn't changed were her eyes, no one else had eyes like that, they were large and brilliant green…breath taking. They had been a near permanent feature of his dreams for the past six months (maybe years if he was being honest) ever since the little witch had spoken on his and his parent's behalf at the war trails. She had been different then, but Draco had thought it was him that had changed now he could see it had been her all along. Just what he needed to make this year even worse. An even stronger, unwanted attraction to the savior of the wizarding world. Fantastic. And why was her damn skirt so short?!

"Mr. Malfoy, Welcome back to Hogwarts" Professor McGonagall smiled encouragingly at the blonde man who seem ready to step back into the flames. He stood motionless at the fireplace, his gaze never leaving his former rivals changed visage.

"Thank you for letting me use the fire Professor" He gave a short but respectfully nod to his Head Mistress. He had been in France ever since the end of the trails. His Mother had insisted they have the Manor completely redone before they returned there, and his Father was still under watch. He had been having private lessons with some potions masters while there and had been advised to return to get his NEWTS before progressing into high learning.

So here he stood.

"Hope this year turns out a rewarding time for you both. It is nice to see you both again" Professor McGonagall strode towards the back of her office, effectively dismissing them both.

They stood awkwardly at the top of the stairs once the door had closed behind them.

Awkward silence took hold of the two standing on top of the stair case outside the head's door. Harrie opened her mouth to say something or anything really when the blonde bet her to it.

'Potter, I want to thank you for what you have done for my family and myself. The fire also...' Draco said all this without looking at the figure in front of him. Harrie was surprised at how his voice affected her more than his words. So, she took longer to respond than was strictly polite. "You're welcome. I offer my own…gratitude to you as well (God could I sound any more stupid! She cried internally). You saved me from Bellatrix, please don't think I am in anyway ungrateful for that risk you took"

Draco turned and watched Potter ringing her hands in awkward tension, merlin how he wished he could just ignore this girl, this was going to be a 'fun' year.

"After you Potter" Malfoy gestured for Harrie to move ahead of him and in doing so accidently brushed his fingers over the top of her hand as she reached for the stair rail. Harrie looked up into his face then and Draco had to hold back a gasp at the look of heat she gave him. He clenched his hand at the tingling feeling touching her had given him. The pair stood there frozen, neither being sure how the other would respond.

Harries mouth went dry at the dark lust that crossed Malfoy's handsome face. He looked like he wanted to devour her. She parted her lips and gave in to the pull he seemed to have over her leaning towards him. Instead of answering her obvious wanton invitation he stepped back, a muscle twitching in his tightly clench jaw. Rejected, Rejected! Shut up brain! Harrie felt her cheeks burn and quickly made her way down the stairs.

Harrie made it down to the entrance hall just as the others made it through the towering front doors. She spotted Ron's red head above the crowd and waved.

She became instantly aware of the moment when people recognized her. A hushed rumble of whispers made the crowd seem to quiver as people turned to confer with their neighbor.

Hermione elbowed her way through a group of incredibly young looking Hufflepuffs to Harries side. She embraced her friend tightly and spoke against her ear "Just stay calm and indifferent, remember this will be the worst day" Harrie sagged against her friend and gave her a squeeze. Hermione really did have an answer to everything, and she felt her tension giving way. They made their way with the crowd and sat down at the Gryffindor table and looked around the great hall, returned to its former splendor it really was amazing.

Harrie could feel peoples stares and was ever grateful to her fellow eighth years who started taking seats beside and in front of her effectively blocking her from most of the stares.

"Thank you guys" She smiled at Neville and was mortified to see him flush brighter than the Gryffindor tie he was wearing and knock over a couple of goblets.

Seamus's amused Irish accent rang out "You are now even more intimidating Harrie"

Dean smiled hugely and gave Ginny a tight squeeze as she slid along the bench, adding "I am glad I was warned before seeing you, you certainly … um grew up"

"Told you she was delicious" Ron looked aghast at his younger sister's words.

"Ginny the fuck?!"

"Oh can it Ron, you are such a prude sometimes" Ginny said turning her attention back to Dean

Draco watched Potters flight down the stairs with a mixture of relief and regret. For a moment he had thought she was going to kiss him and to make matters worse he had wanted her to. He had agreed to return here and keep to himself as much as possible. "Do nothing except study" His Father had said to him before he had left "The Malfoy name needs to be completely void in any drama or scandal this year. Do nothing and we should be able to restore some of our name's prestige" Draco knew his Father would never admit to how much regret he had for the choices he had made and despite the cold visage Lucius Malfoy presented to the world he was very much trying to make amends. Draco knew that his life would never again be the smooth path that had been his as a Malfoy, his very name caused disgust and mistrust whenever uttered aloud now and if it hadn't of been for Potter, they would not have kept hold of their vast wealth. To be fair that was something Draco could care less about currently as he made his way after Potter heading towards the sound of students filing into the Great Hall. As he strode towards the Slytherin table he watched the dark head of Potter cursing himself at the depth of feeling she had stirred in him. He took a seat next to Blaise and opposite Pansy and felt genuine pleasure at seeing his friends again even if he didn't let it show on his face. This was going to be a long year but at least he had two friendly faces to look at, he was aware of the looks some of the other students sent his way, but in true Malfoy fashion he just looked down at the masses and kept his face neutral.