‘I would like to present to you the Head Boy and Head Girl: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.’ Professor McGonagall announced to the students, after the sorting had taken place.

There was no denying that this years first years had decreased in numbers than the previous years. Hermione guessed that parents were still a little wary of sending their children to Hogwarts after the war but she knew that soon enough, lots of students would be studying here. Hogwarts was the best school, in her opinion.

When they finally reached Hogwarts, Draco and Hermione had to sit near  the teachers table so that the students could see them and recognise them as Head Boy and Girl.

When McGonagall presented them to the students they stood up and thanked her. Every pair of eyes were fixed on Draco's face and muttering spread around the tables, wondering why an ex-death eater was Head Boy. Hermione glanced at Draco as he tried to keep his head up.

He knew some - or most - were thinking how he had gotten the position of authority and not Harry or someone else who deserved it.

‘If anyone has any problems or needs any help, these are the people you talk to. I assure you, my choices have been completely right. Moving on, the forest is forbidden to eve-’ McGonagall continued, after quietening the students.

Draco zoned out and didn't listen to McGonagall as he had heard it every year since the start of Hogwarts.

Draco could see Potter and Weasley staring at him, also not listening to McGonagall. He knew they thought he'd hurt Hermione or something of that nature but of course he wouldn't. He wouldn't even think of it, not after the war. He turned his gaze to Pansy, who was staring at him too. When she realised he was looking, she smiled and blew him a kiss. She couldn't take a hint.

‘Have a lovely feast.’ McGonagall rose her hands up and food magically appeared in front of them.

Draco reached for the roast chicken at the same time as Hermione. He pulled his hand back and let her fill her plate in first, ignoring her thank you.  Hermione and Draco dug in like they hadn't been fed in ages, not talking to each other although Draco’s eyes would waver to her.

After dessert, they trays vanished completely of food and McGonagall dismissed them.

Hermione stood up and made to walk to her friends, but Draco caught her arm, stopping her from leaving. Her eyes turned to him, not holding the familiar civility he had seen before.

‘Let me go, Malfoy,’ Hermione spoke, coldly, looking away from him. Harry and Ron looked up at them, watching very carefully.

‘Listen, I'm sorry about what I said on the train. Meet me in our dormitory If you don't come... I'll understand,’ Draco let go of her arm when he had said his piece. He wished she would come so they could learn to get over their past and do a good job in their new positions.

Hermione didn't hesitate to walk away from him when he let go of her. Draco's heart broke, watching her. He knew she wouldn't come. Why would she when he had basically snapped at her on the train. She was just trying to be civil towards him. She was the rare few who were trying.

Draco led some first years to the Slytherin dormitory and endured them talking excitedly about the rumours they had heard. They also asked him a number of questions as they walked along the hallways.

‘Is it true that If you fail your exam a ghost comes and haunts you until you study it all again?’ A brown haired boy said, staring at all the ghosts, fear etched upon his face.

Draco sighed and replied with a solemn no, he couldn't be bothered with anyone except Hermione. Especially not little kids. They entered the dormitory and he told them where their rooms are. They scattered off chatting excitedly about ghosts.

Draco hesitated only briefly before walking out of the Slytherin common room and to the Heads dormitory.

---

‘So, how was it?’ Ginny asked, staring at Hermione in the dormitory.

Hermione didn’t look up as stared at her trunk. She wondered if Draco would use their dorm for anything and immediately she answered her own question. No, she didn’t think he would. That meant that she could take the dorm and sleep and study there since she could use the privacy this year.

‘How was what?’ Hermione asked, realising Ginny was waiting for an answer.

‘You know,’ Ginny rolled her eyes, plopping down onto her bed. She wiggled her eyebrows, ‘him!’

‘Oh, you mean Draco,’ Hermione said, absentmindedly.

 ‘Draco? On first name basis now?’ Ginny asked, with a slight frown. She lifted her eyebrows, her eyes never wavering away from her.

Hermione bubbled with anger as she thought of the train incident. He's such a jerk.  She had only tried to be understanding and he had snapped at her that they weren’t on first name basis. Well, she wouldn’t act nice to him anymore!

‘Malfoy is such a jerk.’ Hermione said, pulling her trunk down onto the ground with a little more force than she had intended.  She headed for the door before Ginny could say anything and murmured, ‘see you later.’

Hermione left the room as Ginny shrugged her shoulders and went to the bathroom. Hermione climbed down the stairs to the common room where she saw Harry and Ron, near the fireplace. She walked over to them, trying to calm herself.

‘It feels great to be back. Peace and quiet... Hey, Hermione!’ Harry said, noticing her.

Ron looked up and smiled. He patted the chair next to him. Gratefully, Hermione took it, sitting down and letting Ron put his arm around her.

‘Yes. It is nice to be back. No horcruxes, no war...’ Hermione stopped suddenly as Ron went rigid.

She knew Ron was still grieving over Fred. Everyone missed him so much. George tried to be in a good mood most of the time but sometimes his facade vanishes. Hermione couldn't even begin to understand how it would be to lose your twin. Your other half.

‘Sorry, Ron, I... I miss him too...’

‘Yeah, we all miss him,’ Harry spoke up, feeling a surge of guilt hit him. He looked down at the ground between his feet.

‘Yeah I know... I just...’ Ron muttered, shrugging.

‘You don’t have to say anything, Ron,’ Hermione grasped his hand. She knew that talking about the war bought up a lot of memories, not just for Ron but for all of them.

It was silent for a few minutes but Hermione changed the subject changed to Teddy Lupin. Teddy is Lupin and Tonks son. He has his mothers metamorphmagus ability. He changes his hair colour often, which is quite amusing, and giggles a lot whenever he looks in the mirror.

The conversation continued into the late hours of the night. Hermione, forgetting about Draco who sat waiting up for her.

---

‘Malfoy! Wake up!’

Draco started, nearly toppling off the sofa, as he grabbed the intruders arm, yanking them down. It had become a habit to always be prepared, even in your sleep. He had learnt that last year, during the war. He heard a wince and suddenly let go, realising it was Hermione’s arm he had been yanking.

Hermione glared at him, rubbing her arm, ‘what is wrong with you?’

‘I thought you were...’ Draco trailed off, shaking his head, ‘never mind. I didn’t know it was you.’

Hermione frowned, ‘well, you know, there are two rooms here. You don’t need to sleep on the sofa.’

Draco stood up, wavering slightly, ‘ah, so you decided to show up after all. I was waiting for you.’

Hermione sighed, ‘I don’t want to hear it. Forget it, I was just trying to be nice and change things between us. But obviously-’

‘Thank you,’ Draco said, quietly, meeting her eyes when she looked at him. He tried to go on, despite her surprise, ‘thank you for trying to... for not thinking I’m some sort of monster.’

Hermione was silent for a few second before she murmured, ‘I think everyone can change, Draco.’

Draco nodded, loving the sound of his name coming from her lips. They kept eye contact for a while before Hermione started to look around the room.

It was huge, that was for certain. The floor was a maroon shade and the walls were a simple cream. There were four doors leading into other room and a sofa with a table in front of it. A fire raged on in the fireplace with a love seat in front of it and a magnificent bookshelf lining one wall.

Hermione went to her room. She opened the door silently and gasped. It was beautiful. A window was right in front of her with red and gold curtains, hanging loose. And a huge double bed in the middle of the room with red and gold drapes. A chest of drawers was in front of the bed and next to the bed was a huge cupboard with a note stuck to it. Hermione went over to see the note.

Dear Miss Granger, 

I hope you like your room, the colours of your drapes and bed sheets will change to whatever colour you wish. Simply tap the bed sheet or drapes with your wand and say 'Mutatio' and say the colour you wish it would change to.

Also this cupboard is not your usual cupboard. It will change according to whatever kind of clothes you may need.

Try it out and I’m sure you will appreciate it.

Professor McGonagall.

Hermione grinned to herself. This year would be great!