Did You Know? A Guardian.

"Did you know," Professor, now Headmistress McGonagall, paced in front of the blond, "that I am not surprised at your return, Mr Malfoy." The matriarch stops directly at him, her eyes meeting his own. "Compared to the alternatives, I would say that being here is positively easy. Except, it will not be as easy as you hope. There are rules and guidelines that you will have to adhere to. Any toe out of line and you shall be beside your father."

Draco simply nods at her. He knew just how much she had campaigned for his return. He was after all, still just a child. With so much of his education disrupted, he deserved, needed, that second chance. Although given the scroll of rules he was to follow, maybe his mother would be happier than himself. At least he was to given his own room, high within one of the towers.

A polite knock upon the wooden door startles him from his reading. Another part of the agreement of his return. A babysitter. He wasn't sure who he was expecting, perhaps someone like him; Theo or Blaise would have been ideal. But this, the person who stood in the doorway was blasphemous. His guardian was to be Granger. Who in their right mind had decided that this was a good idea? Clearly by the dismay on her face she was caught unaware too. Her brown eyes dart between himself and McGonagall. Her arms folded across her chest. Fire ignites behind her eyes, the golden flecks sparking. Her temper, he knew, was fraying. She was clearly attempting to keep it under control. Deep breaths in through her nose, out through her mouth.

They both knew better than to argue.

In silence the pair follow the head of house through the castle to one of the shorter towers. The arched wooden door at a midpoint of an abandoned corridor. It had been made hospitable; scones illuminating their path and various still paintings at regular points. Nothing obvious as to where it leads to. A brass hand is a doorknob, creepy in a way. The professor encourages Draco to give it a solid shake. In turn it twists, opening the door into a compact circular hallway. Black and white tiles create a checkerboard on the floor. To the left were pegs upon the wall, logically to hang coats and cloaks on. Below was a small stool and a shoe rack. The right-hand side formed an archway leading to a staircase to the upper floors.

Straight ahead was another doorway, this time with an ordinary knob. The ribbed black sphere turned easily. The trio duck under the eave into a semi-circular room. A small gasp comes from behind him. No wonder, Draco thought. The female would classify this room as heavenly. It was, he supposed, a study of sorts. Books from floor to ceiling, blocking around rectangular windows. Built in, poking out from the shelves, were desks already complete with inkwells and parchment.

He had to admit, a personal library was something of a perk. In scanning the shelves there were volumes to suit both of them. Majority of them were tailored to their studies but there were some more interesting concepts; muggle fiction. Lucius would have hexed him had he even enquired.

A full spiral of the stone staircase leads to the next floor. Draco wasn't used to the circular stairs. The dungeon stairs were wide and vertical. Hermione on the other hand seemingly thought nothing of it. A door to the left, duplicate of the one below, opened to another room. The warmth of a lit fire greeted them. The stone walls draped in a soft grey fabric. Hermione mentally noted that they matched the Slytherin's eyes, wondering if he had made that link. A couple of armchairs and a sofa in a smooth black fabric with orange cushions surround the fireplace. A low rectangular coffee table sat in the middle of a vibrant orange rug. A copy of witch weekly, the Quibbler and the Daily Prophet were arranged on top.

More bookshelves aligned with either side of the chimney breast. Fiction books were beside vases and bowls, once again in the orange tone. The shapes, Hermione noted, were boxy. Squares, rectangles and the occasional triangle. The lines parallel and sharp yet somehow welcoming. The shock of colour bringing a smile to her face.

Another staircase leads to two doors in opposite sides of a small hallway, another arch at the end with more stairs. One door left. One door right. They each are encouraged to pick a door. Hermione takes the closest; the left. Draco with his back to her, the right.

Both rooms were identical.

A double four poster bed in oak was taking up most of the space to the right. Their trunks sat at the base. White sheer fabric draping over the corners and sides as curtains. The white bed linen simple but soft to touch. A silvery metallic throw and cushions scatter the bed. Both sides had low bedside cabinets and small silvery lamps on top. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Small tealight candles flicker in square alcoves. The left had a wardrobe, drawers and a vanity complete with a small mirror in the same wood. A large rectangular mirror was propped up against the wall. Behind the door was a small desk, similar to those in the study and with a few textbooks already in place.

Another short staircase would lead them to a small bathroom under the conical roof. The stairs would vanish when in use. A clawfoot tub, a narrow shower beside it. A sink with storage underneath and a lavatory. Nothing fancy but necessary anyways.

McGonagall leaves the teenagers be, soon they would be given their schedules. If they were to venture down to the lounge area they would be on the coffee table.

Curiosity soon gets the better of Hermione, taking the couple of steps across the hall to Draco's door. She finds it open. The blond lies upon the bed, his shoes kicked off. Dozing, she notes, he looks younger and untroubled. Closing the door lightly she finds herself in the lounge, drawn to the comforting fire. Picking up the parchment with her name on, she breaks the red wax. Unfolding it she finds a note; she was to attend the four subjects with everyone else; Potions, DADA, Charms and Transfig. She also had two more to pursue on her own in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. Draco, she found out not long later, was also to teach her Occlumency as well as attending Alchemy in which she had to accompany him. They both were to teach younger students in the Unforgiveables having had varying experiences in the curses. Apparently, it was vital for them to share this knowledge.

Finally, down in the Great Hall at lunch, they manage to separate from each other. Hermione joining Ginny and Luna, chatting easily. Draco joins his fellow Slytherins. Harper Zabini, Blaise's younger idiot of a brother, commenting that he was late. Draco much preferred Blaise to his step brother. Harper was born to Mrs Zabini's fourth husband, Blaise to her third. Pansy silences the younger brother with a scathing look. This Draco was grateful for though really didn't need her sticking her oar in. He didn't care for the rest but noted that the Carrow twins and Adelaide Murton were talking to Daphne's younger sister. Astoria, he knew from social circles was more tolerant of Muggleborns. The Greengrass sisters had refused to take sides; their views met with distain to most Purebloods. The Carrow twins were more studious though fared well last year being related to Alecto and Amycus. He no longer cared. Hermione, he noted, was far more relaxed with the Weaselette and Looney.

This, he supposed was how this year was going to be. Alone. His guardian would fare better.