‘I can’t believe you’re still planning to spend your nights with Malfoy,’ Ron grimaced into his breakfast.

Hermione looked at him as Harry let out a tired sigh.

‘Ronald,’ Hermione said, for what seemed like the millionth time, ‘I’m not spending my nights with Malfoy. Do you need to say it like that? I’m using what McGonagall gave me and I like the privacy, okay? Just drop it.’

Ron grumbled something but she ignored him. Hermione looked up as all at once the owls flew into the Great Hall. Grey, white and black owls flew to their designated owners as Hermione, Harry and Ron ate their breakfast. 

A familiar black owl landed in front of Hermione. It's eyes were electric blue. It was the owl that always delivered Hermione’s Daily Prophet newspaper. She smiled slightly, wondering if the owl remembered her since it had been a year that she hadn’t had a newspaper delivered to her.

Hermione fed the owl a piece of her toast and let it nip her finger briefly before flying off.  She ate her toast and opened the paper as Ron and Harry struck up a conversation about their new timetables. On the front page was Lucius Malfoy's face, staring at her.

She put down the piece of toast and read the paper intently, giving it all of her attention.

It was a whole article about Lucius Malfoy. It said he would be questioned by the Ministry of Magic about his involvement with Voldemort. It stated, to reassure their readers, that he is locked up at the moment.

Immediately Hermione's mind thought of Draco. How he must be feeling and if he was going to be questioned too. Hermione stood up suddenly, her eyes flitting down the Slytherin table, looking for Draco. He wasn’t there and she hadn’t seen him after their brief encounter last night.

‘Hermione, where are you going?’ Ron asked, looking at her as she stood up.

 ‘I... I have to go... You know, Head Girl duties.’ Hermione stuttered, lying without a second thought.

She didn’t have any Head Girl duties. She didn't know why she was lying to Ron. She could tell him anything but at the moment she couldn't bring herself to do so.

‘Oh, sure, well see you.’ Ron said and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Hermione gave a small smile and walked out of the Great Hall. She stopped and thought for a while, wondering if Draco would still be in their dorm. Hermione decided to go up to the Head’s dormitory which seemed like the most suitable place.

The dormitory was on the highest floor. There weren't many rooms up there which was perfect for the Head Boy and Girl. They had all their privacy to plan things and hold meetings without any disturbance.

When she got to the dorm, he stopped suddenly as she saw a figure sitting on the sofa. It was Draco. He hadn't noticed Hermione as she stood stock still. His head was in his hands and his back was to her.

Hermione walked forward, hesitantly, until she was near the sofa. He turned around and his eyes were red around the edges. A newspaper lay curled on the floor beside him.

‘Draco...’ Hermione didn't know quite what to say.

Without a word, Hermione sat on the sofa beside him. They both sat in silence, hearing the clock ticking every second. Draco had his head in his hands while Hermione stared at the floor, she didn't want to say anything until Draco spoke.

‘Thank you,’ Draco whispered, after a few long moments. He lifted his eyes and glanced at the newspaper on the floor and the one in Hermione’s hands, knowing she must have read the news about his father.

‘For what?’ Hermione asked, glad that he spoke

‘For being here with me. I know I've been a... a...’ Draco waved his hand, trying to think of a word, ‘A jerk, what I'm trying to say is... I'm sorry.’ Draco looked at her, the apology clear in his grey eyes.

‘Draco, that was the past. It's over now...’ Hermione said, after a while she asked the question, pointing to the crumpled newspaper,’ Are... Are you getting questioned too?’

Draco stiffened suddenly, his eyes pausing on her face. Hermione felt herself shrink under his intense gaze and she wondered if she had stepped a line. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about it.

‘Sorry, it's your business, I shouldn't have...’ Hermione tried to apologise.

‘No I'm not getting questioned. My father... He... He could have avoided this, but for some reason he gave himself up. He told them everything. He told them of his involvement. And when I asked him why he claimed that he's protecting me and my mother... And now he's getting questioned and after that he'll go to Azkaban and I hope he rots there.’ Draco sneered.

‘Draco, he protected you! You shouldn't say that!’ Hermione gasped, wondering how he could ever think that of his parents.

‘He's not doing this for me or for my mother! He's still on HIS side. He still thinks of himself as a deatheater. I... I just want this bloody mark to go away!’ Draco spat out and pulled his sleeve up.

On his arm was the Dark Mark. The snake was dull and black. Hermione flinched at the sight of it, thinking of the war and being kidnapped and bought to the Malfoy Manor. She had seen many Dark Mark’s there and it had affected her.

‘I hate him! I hate what he's done to me!’ Draco pulled down his sleeve and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up.

‘Draco, you have changed and I know that. It won't be easy. People will say a lot of things about you being an ex death eater. But you aren't one anymore! And if you need my help I'm here for you.’ Hermione stood up, ‘all you have to do is ask.’

Draco stood up and looked at her for a second. Hermione stared straight back into his eyes, determined to make him realise she was here for him. They had a staring match which finally made her impatient.

‘Stop staring at me!’ Hermione lightly slapped his arm, not thinking twice about her actions or the fact that this was Draco who she was joking with.

Draco smiled slightly, glancing at her hand that had playfully hit him. He stood up, ‘I think class is about to start. I should...’

Draco looked at her for a second and then headed out without waiting for Hermione. Hermione sighed and watched him go. She picked up the newspapers and threw them into the fire before following him.

---

The week passed by quick enough as they didn't have any homework since classes were only just starting. Despite that, Hermione frequently spent her time in the library. She wanted to read from one end of the library to the other, which was an achievable goal as she had read so many books already. Ron thought that idea was stupid and would fight with her about it.

The argument went something like this:

‘Where have you been?’ Ron asked, watching Hermione write with a frown on his face.

‘In the library,’ Hermione said, casually, writing with her ink pen, carefully.

Ron looked at Harry, incredulously. Harry didn't say anything, he was used to Hermione being in the library. She went there for answers, to get away from everything, to do homework or just to sit and read. If it was up to Hermione, she would sleep there too.

‘School just started!’ Ron exclaimed.

‘I know... I just want to read the whole of the library, you know, before we leave,’ She tried to explain.

‘Listen, Hermione, we are guaranteed a job when we get out of this place. You really don't have to read the whole library! Or even study!’ Ron said, chuckling and leaning back in his chair.

‘Ron, just let me do what I want to do!’ Hermione said packing up her books, ‘Stop controlling me,’ and with that she walked out of the common room and to the library, leaving a stunned Ron looking after her.

Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny were all sitting outside, enjoying the fresh air on a Saturday night. The morning was spent by watching the boys play and fight over chess games. Several chess games were played to determine a winner and obviously Ron won each one.

They sat outside as it started to grow darker. The moon shone brighter, giving them the light they needed, and the stars twinkled in the sky like tiny light bulbs.

Harry and Ginny were whispering and giggling quietly, kissing each other occasionally. While Ron sat with his back to them and looked at Hermione, who was sitting beside him, looking at the stars, quietly.

She had been thinking of Draco when Ron interrupted her thoughts.

‘I'm sorry, Hermione,’ Ron whispered moving closer to her, so their arms touched. ‘I just wanted to spend some time with you.’

Hermione smiled, she knew Ron found it hard to say sorry. Ron, delighted, smiled back and then leaned forward to kiss her. Their lips met and they kissed each other softly, their eyes closed.

When Ron pulled back they smiled and held hands, staring at the stars quietly. The silence was peaceful and not so awkward.

‘Hey, guys!’ It was Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan who broke the silence.

They were two of the people to come back to Hogwarts too after the war. Although Hermione doubted they came back to study since she had just seen them messing about.

‘Hi, guys,’ Hermione smiled, sitting up a little.

‘Hey, guys. Hermione, we have a message from McGonagall. She says you've to meet her tonight in the Heads common room.’ Dean said, reading the paper in his hand, lighting his wand with a simple 'Lumos'.

‘Okay, what time?’ Hermione asked, thinking that this must be her first duty as Head Girl. That also meant she would see Draco tonight too.

‘Half past nine,’ Dean said, pocketing the piece of paper and grinning at her.

‘Okay thanks guys!’ Hermione said as they waved goodbye and walked off.

It was 8:30 right now which meant she had about an hour to go. She got up pulling Ron up with her and looking at the couple who were still lip locked. Hermione found it cute since they hadn’t had any chance to be together last year so they were making up for it now.

‘Harry, Ginny!’ Hermione called and watched as they broke apart, looking annoyed, ‘dinners about to start.’

They nodded, grumbling something, and got up. They all walked together, chatting to each other. After they had dinner; fish and chips, chicken and lots if other choices, everyone left for their common room while Hermione walked up to the Head's dormitory, alone.

She walked in and saw McGonagall sitting on a sofa and Draco sitting opposite her, looking as handsome as ever. A smile played on her lips.

‘Miss Granger, come in and take a seat,’ McGonagall waved her forwards.

Hermione took the seat next to Draco and she saw him look at her for a brief second before looking back at McGonagall.

‘I have called you here to inform you that Hogwarts is throwing a party for seventh year. Which means the seventh years we have and the people who came back for another year. We thought it would be good as lots of people helped with the war,’ McGonagall said as Hermione and Draco nodded, thinking it was a good idea too, ‘Anyway you will have to organise it and ask the prefects to help.’

Hermione groaned inwardly; she hated parties! But everyone would love it so she kept her mouth shut. Plus, it was a pretty good way for all of the previous seventh years and the ones who came after the war to relax.

‘The students can wear fancy dress and keep the party appropriate,’ McGonagall said sternly, looking at each of them in turn.

‘Will do, Professor.’ Hermione said, nodding her head professionally as Draco smirked slightly.

McGonagall nodded once.

‘The prefects are coming up here right now. You must give them tasks to perform. I must go now. I know you will do a great job.’ McGonagall said and walked out of the room after saying goodbye.

Draco sighed and leaned back on the sofa, stretching his arms and legs just as the door opened and eight prefects walked in. Ginny was the prefect for Gryffindor along with a boy Hermione didn't know.

‘Take a seat,’ Hermione said, to them, gesturing to the sofas.

Some of them sat down on the sofas and others leaned against the walls, staring at the Head Boy and Girl. Hermione, feeling nervous herself, stood up and faced them as did Draco. Draco kept his hands in his pockets and let Hermione start.

‘Well... McGonagall thought it would be a good idea to throw a party for the current and new seventh years.’ Hermione said, nervously.

‘So we have to set you tasks,’ Draco said, simply, looking at them, ‘and meet up with you to discuss all about the theme, snacks, dress code, and times.’

Hermione nodded and thought how to do this. Everyone waited for a few moments, keeping quiet. Draco looked at Hermione, smiling slightly at the way her eyebrows were drawn up as she thought.

‘Okay,’ Hermione said finally, ‘Gryffindor prefects, you are in charge of the decorations, we are setting this party up in the Great Hall so you'll have to move the tables. You’re allowed to ask the house elves for help.’

‘Right,’ Ginny nodded, smiling.

‘Slytherin are in charge of snacks and drink, please be responsible. Hufflepuff, you will have to spread the word, make flyers and make them colourful. Lastly, Slytherins are going to...’ Hermione stopped, her mind going blank.

Everyone looked happy about their task except the Slytherins or maybe Slytherins faces were permanently stuck in a scowl? Hermione sighed and looked towards Draco for some help.

‘Think of a theme?’ Draco suggested, looking to Hermione for confirmation.

Hermione nodded and thanked Draco, ‘yes, a theme. The most important aspect of a party. Draco and I can help with that too and we’ll set a date to meet up.’

‘When's the party taking place?’ Some Ravenclaw prefect asked.

‘How about Saturday night?’ Hermione asked, wondering if that would be enough time.

Everyone looked happy, even the Slytherins and Hermione guessed they liked parties. They probably just didn’t like helping with them.

‘Okay, okay, meet us back here Draco tomorrow night. And I want ideas... Off you go now.’ Hermione waved her hands and they walked out talking excitedly.

She turned to Draco and smiled, hearing some of them discuss about themes and what snacks they would need. Hermione was confident they would do a very good job.

‘You... Did a good job, Granger,’ Draco said, sitting on the sofa and stretching out.

‘So did you, Draco,’ Hermione said, sitting across from him. Her eyes grazed over the muscles on his arms and his chest.

Draco caught Hermione checking him out and laughed slightly as Hermione went a deep shade of red, averting her eyes.

‘You're blushing,’ Draco stated, sitting up a little and still laughing,

Hermione smiled at the sound of his laugh, she really liked it. All thoughts of what they had been discussing about his father before had been forgotten and she basked in the sound of his laughter.

‘We should go back to our common room.’ Draco said, standing up. He stretched briefly and headed towards the door.

Hermione didn't want to go back but she also didn't want to stay there alone so she walked out behind him. They both said goodbye and walked in the opposite direction.