Much to his displeasure, Severus found he was unable to fully immerse himself in the book in front of him. No matter how he tried to focus, his eyes kept flitting to the clock and to the fireplace expecting an arrival by floo. Except perhaps the visitor wasn't coming via floo, in which case he also needed to be listening out for a knock at the door.

As lunchtime ticked round, and Severus had only made it to the 2nd chapter, the fireplace roared into action. Hermione looked up from her book and placed it to one side, making sure to mark her place for later.

She strode over to the floo and enveloped the guest into a tight embrace. Well, Severus must have well and truly lost his mind, because there was no way Hermione Granger would be hugging Draco Malfoy.

The young blonde returned the hug and then turned to flash a huge smile at Severus.

"You don't know how glad I am to see you," he said.

"Don't expect a Granger-esque hug from me," countered Severus.

Draco settled for a handshake and then took a seat next to his godfather. Hermione bowed out of the room, mumbling something about putting the kettle on but realistically she wanted to give the two men a chance to catch up without her interference. Draco was the last person she thought she'd be friends with after the War, but without Harry and Ron by her side when she returned to school, the unlikely friendship blossomed (courtesy of a small amount of meddling from Minerva.)

The student mentorship programme had been set up by the Headmistress to pair 8th year returning students with any student who was suffering the aftereffects of attending Hogwarts after the Battle. As Head Girl, naturally, Hermione's name had been first on the sign up sheet. There had been a 2nd sheet, enchanted for confidentiality so you couldn't see who had signed up, for those who felt they could benefit from mentoring. The staff then paired students appropriately with partners from different houses to promote unity.

XxX

Hermione made her way to the classroom she had secured for her first meeting with her mentee. The enchanted parchment that she had been using to communicate with her partner was folded neatly in her pocket. She was early, of course, but she'd got her Potions essay in her satchel she could work on whilst she waited. Her library books were spread out on the desk in front of her but she was jostled out of her thoughts by someone entering the classroom.

They both spoke at once.

"This room is occupied, Malfoy, you'll need to find somewhere else"

"You've got to be kidding me" Malfoy seemed to comprehend the situation, just seconds before Hermione did.

"No, absolutely not, I'm not mentoring you."

Draco wordlessly turned on his heel and headed back to the dormitories. Seething with anger, Hermione found she was no longer in the mood for schoolwork so she packed up almost straight away. Painfully aware she would need to walk the same direction as Malfoy, she waited a minute or so before heading off.

As she walked, she planned in her head what she'd say to the Headteacher tomorrow - but a shout from the corridor ahead jerked her out of her head. Instantaneously her wand was out and her feet quickened as she went to investigate. Draco Malfoy, it seemed, had been caught unawares and was hit by a rather nasty stinging jinx. There was a handful of students, Gryffindors according to their ties, emerged from their hiding place behind a suit of armour and held their wands towards him.

"Oi, Death Eater.."

But before they could continue, Hermione flourished her wand and silently disarmed them, their wands clattering on the floor at her feet. If they were startled by the turn of events, that was nothing compared to their faces when they saw who had spoiled their fun.

"Attacking an unarmed student from behind, bit cowardly for a Gryffindor don't you think, Mr Nolan?" Hermione addressed the 4th year in front of her. "It's a good job for Mr Malfoy that you're too incompetent for anything more advanced than a stinging jinx."

The boy began stuttering and mumbling something that sounded strangely like an excuse "he deserved it.." but Hermione silenced him with another swish of her wand.

"You and your comrades can explain to the rest of your house how you lost them 50 points each, and perhaps a week of detention with Filch will teach you better manners. Now go."

Not needing to be told twice the boys scarpered back towards the Gryffindor tower, and Hermione made her way over to Malfoy who had started walking alone again as he rubbed the stinging sensation away from his thighs. She ran to catch up with him.

"I don't fucking need your sympathy so just leave me alone, Granger."

"No, but you could say thank you for helping you.."

Malfoy scoffed, he would never thank someone like her. But Hermione persisted, despite feeling like it was all a waste of her time.

"For what it's worth I think it's preposterous not letting you have your wand outside of classes, what was the Ministry thinking sending you back here without the means to protect yourself?"

He didn't respond, but he pace slowed to match hers as if he wasn't keen to get away from her any longer. Neither spoke for the rest of the walk, seemingly resigned to walking back to the 8th year dorms together. It wasn't until they arrived that Hermione broke the silence,

"Has this happened before? Students attacking you?" The silence she received was a clear indication of his answer. "I'm going to walk with you between classes, we do the same subjects anyway, but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. And Malfoy? I'm rescheduling our first mentorship meeting, I'll see you tomorrow night."

XxX

Hermione returned to the living room with a tray of tea and coffee, where she found the men talking amicably.

"Draco was telling me he also works for you, seems like someone has a penchant for playing the hero and employing ex death eaters - or is it only the ones who can help keep your business afloat?"

Draco shot his godfather a warning look, then turned quickly to see how Hermione was reacting to the scathing comment. Making an excuse of forgetting biscuits with the tea she turned on her heel and made a swift exit before the tears could fall.

Draco followed.

"Has it been that bad?" he asked, using his thumb to wipe away the falling tear.

"No worse than I expected, there was no love lost between us at school. I had kind of hoped, though, that the way he used to treat us back then was all part of his act and that he might be slightly nicer?"

"Hermione, it's only day two. You can't work miracles."

"I know. I just hate that he still gets under my skin like this."

"You're a brilliant brewer, don't let him get you down. He's a cantankerous git and has been for most of his life. Anyway, I must get back, I'll warn him to be on his best behaviour in the lab tomorrow. See you in the morning."