Chapter 1

Hermione Granger walked through the busy crowd, scanning her golden brown eyes above everyone, her brown curls flying in the wind. She pushed pasta couple who were fussing over their daughter. She looked at the time on her watch.

It's only ten to eight. I still have ten minutes.

Where were they?

No matter how much she searched the crowds at the train station she couldn't see any of the Weasley clan. Normally their red hair stood out in the crowd but this time she couldn't see anyone with bright red hair. Nor could she hear the usual screams of Mrs.Weasley.

Something is wrong, the Weasley's are always on time. Even Harry's not here.

Hermione checked her watch again.

What the hell! It was ten to eight five minutes ago.

She looked at her watch carefully and noticed that none of the hands were ticking. She checked the time on the grand clock a couple of meters away from her. Suddenly Hermione stopped.

Oh shit! Something is wrong. I'm bloody late that's what's wrong!

Draco Malfoy stood beside the Hogwarts train and looked at everyone around him. Kids had their family around, fussing over them. He felt left out. His father was in Azkaban, but he didn't feel anything for his father. He deserved what he got. And his mother…his mother didn't even know what day it was! But he didn't care.

Draco looked at the groups of people for one last time and boarded the train. He walked down the corridor to find himself an empty compartment.

He walked right to the bottom and found an empty compartment. He put away his bag and sat down on the seat and stared outside.

The best thing about the last compartment was that it had a door which led you to an outside balcony; there you can stand in between two of the compartments. His and his next door neighbour! It was quiet. Draco closed his eyes and felt the wind on his face. Second by second people at the station began to fade away slowly.

The quiet was soon broken by screams. Draco opened his eyes and glanced around. There, running behind the train was a girl, her brown curls bouncing up and down.

What the hell! Who the hell is she and what is she doing? Draco thought to himself not knowing what to do.

In the distance the final bell went for the Hogwarts train. With look of horror on her face, Hermione began to run as fast as she could. The Hogwarts train started to move and Hermione ran even faster. She couldn't reach the train; it was travelling faster by the minute.

I can't miss the train…It's my last year their…I have to go…what if I miss the train…How am I going to get to Hogwarts…???

Hermione tried to ignore her thoughts. She ran faster. And then she saw him. His blond hair flew in the wind covering his face.

He stuck out his hand. Hermione saw this as a chance and with all her energy, she ran faster and faster with her hand stretched out in front. She grabbed on to his pale long fingers and he pulled her on to the train.

She fell on him and they both rolled over through the compartment door. Hermione had her arms round his waist. She could feel his body tense up.

Whoever this guy was, he had a fit body!

He was lying on top of her, his hair in her face. She was panting hard. Hermione could feel the guys blond hair pricking her eyes and she let go of one of her hands to push the hair away. As she moved the hair out of her face she noticed how soft his hair was.

Once she moved the hair away her eyes met with his. They were the most beautiful, steel grey eyes she had ever seen. She took her eyes of his and looked at him.

Hermione screamed. "Get off me Malfoy!"

How could I even think those things of Malfoy?

Draco got off Hermione. "Thanks would have been better," he said to Hermione looking at her with a smirk on his face. He didn't know why but being on top of Hermione Granger was not such a bad thing!

Shut up! How could you even think that? That's GRANGER you're talking about.

Draco looked around the room, anywhere but not at her.

"Sorry. And thanks. I would have missed the train if it wasn't for you. How did you even know I was out there?" Hermione asked him, looking at him intensely.

"Erm…I was looking outside and I saw you running like a monkey. Sorry." He said after he saw the dirty look from Hermione.

"I actually didn't know it was you to tell you the truth." He said laughing. "IF I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have helped you up!"

Hermione just stared at him. She picked up her bag and left without another word. Draco turned and saw her leave. This made him laugh even more.

Hermione stormed out of the compartment. She could hear Malfoy laughing.

How dare he laugh at me!?

Hermione walked up the corridor and tried to find Harry and Ginny. She saw the two sitting in the middle compartment; Ginny was sitting in Harry's lap.

Hermione opened the door and stepped in. Everyone turned and looked at the door.

"Where have you been? We thought something bad had happened!" Harry said as he walked towards her and hugged her. Ron and Ginny did the same.

"Sorry. I realised that my watch had stopped and that I was late. I ran as fast as I could and Ma…" Hermione stopped.

Should I tell them that it was Malfoy who helped me? Yeah I will…

"And what Hermione?"

Hermione replied nervously, "And…Malfoy helped me get back on to the train." She said the last part quickly not looking at anyone.

"What? Did he know it was you out there?" Ginny said but got her answer when Hermione threw her a glare.

"Of course he knew it wasn't me…he wouldn't have helped me otherwise," Hermione said remembering Malfoy's words.

"Let's just stop talking about the ferret," Harry said after a short while.

They all sat down again and began talking about they had been doing over the last couple of weeks.

In the summer holidays, not a week had passed when war broke out between the Order of Phoenix and the Death Eaters. No one knew how Dumbledore found out about the whereabouts of Voldermort but it didn't matter. Voldermort was killed by Harry. Many of the Order were badly injured and some had died.

"May the feast begin."

Dumbledore had just finished speech. He recalled all that happened during the holidays but was glad that many of his students were safe.

Hermione glanced at the Slytherin and saw that there was hardly anyone sitting there. She glanced left and right and saw that there were some new first years and some from the other years. She saw Draco Malfoy with Blaise and a couple of others.

Not the usual cronies from last year, Hermione thought to herself.

Hermione began to eat alongside Harry and Ginny.

"What did your parents say when you told them that you're coming back to Hogwarts," Harry asked, his mouth filled with potatoes.

"Harry, it's rude to talk with your mouthful. They were a bit upset when I told them but they didn't know much about the war so I wouldn't be worried."

Before Harry could speak, Professor McGonagall came up to them.

"Good evening Miss Granger, once you have finished dinner, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you. No need to look worried," she said at the look on Hermione's face. McGonagall looked at Harry and Ginny, gave them a nod and walked back to the front table.

"What do you think he wants to see me about?" Hermione asked. But she didn't get her reply.

"All prefects please lead the way out," they heard the Head of Houses say.

Hermione got up and said bye to the others. She walked to the table where all the staff sits.

"Miss Granger, how are you?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'm fine Professor, thank you."

"Were just waiting… here's the boy." Hermione turned around to see who Dumbledore was smiling at. She saw Draco Malfoy walking towards them.

"Professor." Draco said not looking at Hermione.

"I have called you both here to discuss something important. If you would follow me."

Dumbledore turned and entered a small door at the back of the hall. Draco and Hermione followed. They climbed the stairs which led to another door. Suddenly, an ugly gargoyle slid out of the door and asked for the password.

Hermione gave a loud gasp but covered her mouth with her hand when she saw Draco quietly laughing at her.

Hermione scowled at him. Dumbledore said the password and a huge wooden door appeared to let them into his office. As revenge to his laughing, Hermione stuck out her foot as Draco walked. He stumbled right into Dumbledore.

"Why you dirty little..!"

"You really don't want to finish that Malfoy?!"

Both Hermione and Draco were staring at each other so hard that they didn't hear Dumbledore clear his throat.

"Ahem!" Dumbledore tried a little louder.

Draco and Hermione both stopped looking at each other and turned their heads towards the Headmaster.

Both muttered their apologies before seating themselves opposite Dumbledore.

"Now, I have called you both hear to congratulate you." Before any of the two could speak Dumbledore spoke again. "You have both been chosen as Head Boy and Girl. As you might know, you both will be sharing a common room but will have your own sleeping dormitories. We shall meet again to discuss your duty, but for now I bid you goodnight. I'm sure you will be tired."

Draco stood up to leave, but Hermione began to talk. Draco scoffed.

"But Sir, where is the location?"

"Where they normally are Miss Granger." Dumbledore replied.

Hermione said a quick thanks and stood up to leave. When she reached the door so had Draco and they both insisted to be the first to leave.

"Ladies first Malfoy!"

"I see no lady Granger!"

"FINE! Ferrets first then!"

"Oh shut up Granger!"

"Make me!"

"Ahem!" Dumbledore saw both of his students leave, Draco first as he pushed Hermione out of the way. "This is going to be an interesting year, very interesting!" he added with a twinkle!