Summary: The third week into her eighth year, Hermione Granger begins to experience some emotional clarity during her endeavor to be a "normal witch". She finds herself intrigued by two men and inexplicably drawn toward their magic after shared encounters with a Unicorn foal. Having felt the very essence of their magical cores, Hermione isn't sure how to deal with Neville Longbottom and Draco Malfoy. And she certainly doesn't know how to deal with their antiquated customs.

A/N: This story is a coming of age with a Hermione whose sexual awakening is divided between two potential lovers. Future chapters will include content of an explicit nature. I will leave an author note during those chapters so that you may read that version on A03, as I am trying to remain compliant with this site's ratings.

Thanks for reading and enjoy - Fortunefaded

Hermione waved her wand in a gentle motion, releasing a small spray as she murmured the aguamenti spell. The water lightly showered the Aura Tree she was tending to. She focused on yielding the smallest amount of water she could manage. It was important to be extremely careful with it. Too much would drown the plant, too little would stifle its sentient nature.

Aura Trees were a fascinating study in biocommunication and biophysiology of plant life. Perfect specimens were able to perceive, feel, and emulate the emotions of nearby humans. They displayed mannerisms through movements, often imitating the physical stance of individuals. They turned shades of color to represent the feelings they were absorbing.

Hermione ceased the flow of water from her wand and smiled softly at her tree. It drooped with an almost lazy type of contentment, as though it was satiated and relaxed under her care. The tree was small with soft wide oval shaped leaves. Her tree was currently a pleasing shade of peach. Leafing through her Herbology book she noted that the color peach exuded the emotion charming. She supposed she thought the plant was charming and was therefore projecting the feeling.

Across the workbench, Neville sat with a slightly taller and fuller tree. The leaves were turned upward and dipped in a startling bright red. Neville was beaming at it, running a hand softly on one of the branches. Hermione glanced at the color chart page. Red, Pride.

"That's wonderful Neville," she praised.

He looked up at her with a disarmingly bright smile. "It's a brilliant species isn't it?" He responded. "Difficult to care for, but rewarding when properly done. I'm very proud of how mine turned out, as you can see." He laughed as he gestured to the plant.

A little burst of longing punched in her chest at the handsome expression of wonder and excitement behind his smile. She felt a light blush tinging her cheeks. Recently her friends were throwing her heart off in moments of surprise. At the most unexpected times she would notice something handsome or beautiful about her classmates, evidence that they were now into their wizarding adulthood.

This was to be expected as most of them were attending Hogwarts for an extra "eighth" year. There was still tension and loss in a lot of them, but it was also a sense of relief to spend a final year with no threats looming over them. There were students from every house in the eighth year group. Many were notably absent, but a great number had returned. Nearly all of them were now adults and with adulthood came a new sense to their magic and interactions.

Neville's presence this year was very soothing to her. It was good to have a trustworthy friend around. She was enjoying the partnership they had in Herbology and DADA. Harry and Ron had resolutely decided not to return to school and were instead attending Auror Training. Hermione admired Neville's plant and felt a sense of happiness at his success. He had always loved Herbology and really had a true aptitude for it.

Wonder and pride looked so wonderfully breathtaking on Neville's face. Hermione swallowed around a lump in her throat. He had become such an attractive young man, but it only added to the warm humble personality he possessed.

Neville glanced down at her tree, likely ready to praise her work. His cheeks bloomed scarlet instead as he raised his eyes back to hers slowly. She furrowed her brow and looked down. Her Aura Tree was now tinged with a shimmering light red, the branches leaning toward Neville as though turning toward the sun's warmth. She sucked in a breath, desire. She felt a bit of mortification in her heart and the tree suddenly shuddered backward as though hiding under its now green downturned leaves, embarrassment.

Neville cleared his throat before he spoke, "It seems that your tree is responding very well to your care. They're very intriguing in their rapid response aren't they?"

Hermione nodded and bravely looked back up. She found him smiling once more. The expression was soft, his dark hazel eyes warm and confident, despite the shade of his scarlet cheeks. Neville had grown impossibly taller, even though he'd already had several growth spurts over the last few years. His once chubby cheeks were thin over his aristocratic bone structure; his shoulders broad and sure. They no longer seemed to droop with hesitation as they did when he was young.

"It is rather amazing," she said quietly. "I was a bit afraid that I would over water it. My hands aren't as calm as they used to be. A bit shaky since…" since the war, she meant. The unsaid words were certainly understood by him. All things were different since the war.

"No, you did it perfectly," he responded just as quietly. "You were steady, I was watching."

"Perhaps you could show me how you tended for yours?" She asked him nervously.

His smile broadened. "Only if you show me how you mastered that hex in DADA yesterday."

Hermione tucked a curl behind her right ear and smirked at the table-top before she leaned a bit closer to him. "I mean…we could work on it together tonight. If you wanted?"

He tapped his fingers on the wood. "I don't know. Can I trust you to not hex me?" He raised his eyebrows.

"You can always trust me Neville," She exhaled. His expression turned dark in a way that made her toes curl.

Professor Sprout suddenly appeared over Hermione's shoulder, bursting the bubble of emotion around them. Hermione shivered slightly. Both of the trees jolted upright with a jostle of surprise, startled by the intruder.

"Granger, Longbottom, wonderful – wonderful. You've both done a splendid job!" Professor Sprout exclaimed. Neville's plant sprung back into its pride colored leaves.

"Ten points to Gryffindor for an excellent representation of the species," she declared.

"Alright, let's all pack up. You may take your plants back to your houses to care for them over the weekend. Perhaps some of you may manage to reinvigorate them. I'll expect you to all bring them back on Monday for grading." The clang of students packing up their garden supplies quickly filled the greenhouse.

As she quickly cleaned her tools, Hermione glanced around and noticed that a few of the other trees were in various degrees of dishevelment, with leafless branches, multi-colored leaves, or drooping trunks. It seemed that most people had struggled to get the water and light just right. Luna and Ginny were two work-stations away. Luna's plant seemed well enough, shimmering with a vibrant blue. Ginny's was wilted, but holding a solid blue of its own. She caught Hermione's eye and smiled with a relieved expression. Clearly she had been worried that she'd kill the poor thing.

"See you at lunch Neville," Hermione said softly. He smiled at her once more, no longer red in the face. "Yeah, see you then 'Mione." He hung back to seemingly talk with Professor Sprout about something.

Hermione draped her bag over her shoulder and hoisted the small blue pot up into her arms. She fell into step with Ginny and Luna on the path from the greenhouses, navigating the moving mass of seventh and eighth year students as they meandered around the side of the castle to the front entrance.

"Neville's Aura Tree seemed rather infatuated with you and yours with him," Luna said matter-of-factly. Her tree was thin, but the trunk seemed strong. It bobbed slightly as she walked.

Ginny gaped, turning to Hermione with a firm smirk. "Really Luna? Do tell," she implored. Her voluptuous plant in contrast swayed dramatically back and forth as her owner carelessly waved the pot about.

"Hermione's tree was a lovely shade of desire. Neville was pleased with that, before Professor Sprout interrupted their plant's affections, his had just turned a very determined shade of scarlet." Luna shook a few curls from her face. The wind gently blew against them, whispering against all of their faces.

Ginny snickered and elbowed Hermione as best she could with her full arms. Hermione groaned, staring off into the shade of the Forbidden Forest. It was just beginning to swirl into the Autumn season. She glared ahead, not at all pleased with her emotions being discussed aloud.

"What does scarlet mean, Luna?" Ginny asked innocently, though her Cheshire grin was nothing but. Her flaming hair whipped about as she gleefully turned back toward Hermione. The older girl tried to portray a look of annoyance at her friend, but it failed miserably as she blushed. Luna appeared unaffected by the non-verbal war that was waging between her companions.

"Sensuality, of course," Luna answered dreamily. "Neville is a very sensual man." She walked on as though that wasn't an odd thing to say. She was watching a pair of cranes circle the sky near the shore of the lake.

"How would you know that?" Ginny asked excitedly, walking a little bit quicker to look between Hermione and Luna more easily. Hermione did wonder about the same thing, but she wasn't going to admit it aloud.

"We kissed, at the battle." Luna sighed happily. "And many times after." She seemed rather fond of the memories

"Ooooh!" Ginny goaded lowly, "Luuuunaaa."

"Yes, Ginevra?" Luna asked innocently.

Hermione thought she may have seen a glimpse of amusement in Luna's eyes, but it could have been a trick of the mid-day sunlight. She found her heart bursting with an almost girlish excitement, but couldn't quite place why, perhaps because she had never really been privy to girly gossip before – before the war. Now though, it seemed like an almost welcomed normalcy, being a young woman.

"Luna Lovegood, you can't just leave it at that. You need to at least provide a little more information. It is part of the girls' kiss and tell policy," Ginny burst out in fake exasperation. She smiled broadly as they began to climb the front steps into the castle.

The wide wooden doors were open and inviting, freshly polished. The entire castle had been rebuilt in the year after the war, reopened to the students 16 months after the battle that had decimated its ancient structure. They had been attending classes for nearly 3 weeks. The first week had been difficult, emotional, and sentimental. Things were feeling a bit more normal now. Ginny was determined to be strong and vibrant. Luna maintained the same flowy presence she always had, with perhaps a tinge more knowing in her soft gazes. Hermione found that she was at least mostly back to being herself, but there were parts of her that were missing in a way. Parts that would never fully be back and parts that were also new. Hermione was drawn back to the present by Luna's willowy voice.

"Is that really a policy?" She asked looking at her friends with what could possibly be a smirk hidden under her gentle expression. Her blue-grey eyes were doe-like in their innocence.

The more she knew Luna, the more she suspected that her wide eyes captured more than expected. She seemed to absorb the world around her in an all-knowing way, despite the flighty things she said.

Ginny laughed, "It is now." Hermione rolled her eyes. Luna stared up at the ceiling, seemingly in thought. She tilted her head to one side and then hummed as she nodded to herself.

"Well then…His kisses were gentle in an arousing way, almost as though he was expressing all his desire through them. His lips were soft and inviting, but firm and confident. His smell - woodsy, homey. I rather felt like I was standing in a very welcoming fire every time we touched."

Ginny whistled lowly and murmured, "That's hot."

Hermione blushed, glancing around before she spoke, "That sounds really lovely Luna. What happened after that? You both seem so casual together now."

"We went on a few walks last year and a dinner at my house once. We spent a lot of time talking about the war. He took me to the manor to have dinner with his Grandmother a few times. We kissed often, of course. In the end we decided we are better off friends," Luna shrugged, "Much like Ronald and Hermione, except we were lovers for a time."

They were riding on a moving staircase, making their way up to the hallway where they would split off to go to their own towers. Everyone knew that Ron and Hermione's brief spat of dating hadn't really amounted to much. They loved each other deeply and truly, but realized that they were better off friends as well. The spark was a short and vibrant one, but fizzled under the tension of loss in their lives. He'd lost a brother and she'd lost her parents, unable to bring them back to their old memories.

"Lovers?" Hermione whispered, leaning toward the blonde. Luna grinned, an expression that neither of the other girls had ever witnessed. They both leaned back in surprise, eyebrows arching upward.

"Yes, very much so. He's very gentle and caring. I think I was a bit too explorative sometimes though. He can be shy you know. He wanted to wait to give himself fully to someone he would love for a much longer time." Luna continued to smile as she leaned against the banister. The expression made her face bloom in a way that caused that feeing in Hermione again. Her friend was beautiful as she smiled. It was so lovely. Luna's tree leaned softy against her shoulder in a dreamy way, the leaves drooping in a satisfied pink.

"I had no idea you too were getting so heavy. I mean I knew you were both pretty randy for each other last year, but still!" Ginny laughed, unashamed by her boldness.

"He's a good kisser then? 'Mione, you should take a go at it, you need to release some excess tension," Ginny provoked as the stair halted at its destination. "Go climb that man like a tree, he's interested."

Hermione gasped, "Ginny!" Hermione's Aura Tree flared up in protest, shaking its leaves in agitation.

A busty 13th century witch leaned forward in a portrait hanging to the left of the staircase. She fanned herself with a kerchief, "Listen to your friend dearie, I saw that young wizard kiss a Hufflepuff the year he led Dumbledore's Army. I still haven't recovered. It was heavenly to watch, pushed her right up against this railing and devoured her. A dashing wizard, dashing indeed."

Ginny raised her plant in salute to the witch, "Hear, hear." The girls began to move forward. Hermione was looking toward the ceiling once more, embarrassment seeping through her every pore. Another nearby portrait was whispering something. She barely caught the words "Longbottom…..sword….snake".

"You would enjoy yourself Hermione," Luna sighed as she floated down the hall in thought.

"Not you too!" Hermione groaned, staring at her Ravenclaw friend in exasperation. "Don't encourage her Luna," she demanded, tilting her head toward Ginny. She could feel the heat of a blush burning across her neck and chest again.

"It's the truth," Luna said simply. "See you both later." She smiled and off she went toward Ravenclaw Tower.

Hermione and Ginny nodded since they couldn't wave. They turned and moved on in the direction of Gryffindor Tower. The portraits were mostly back to their old positions, but some were missing entirely. There were a few new ones dotting corridors throughout the castle. Hermione looked at one depicting the black lake in winter. The snowy weather relaxed her beating heart. It hung along the middle of the corridor in a dark cherry frame. She couldn't remember what had hung there previously.

They walked silently for a while, content in each other's company. Ginny stopped just short of the portrait hole and turned to Hermione with a sincere expression, her sky blue eyes soft and loving. "I care about you, you know. I was joking mostly, but don't forget what we talked about this summer."

She hugged the plant tighter to herself as she nodded at Hermione firmly. "We're here to finish up our education, but we're also here to be normal teenage witches for a while. Neville's great, we both know that. It doesn't hurt to flirt with a good friend once in a while," Ginny said warmly.

"Besides that he's effing sizzling these days," she added in a stage-whisper.

Hermione allowed a smile to grace her features. "I know, I know. Normal witches for a while."

She hefted her own tree up higher to readjust her grip. She bit her lip and then looked at her friend's warm expression with a look of certainty as she acquiesced, "And yes…he's pretty damn gorgeous these days. You're right about that too. Just, ease up on the boy craziness. This is all knew for me…this normal witch stuff."

Ginny grinned. "Alright, I'll leave you be. At least you admitted it though, that man has grown into his looks. I know I'd want to ride him like a broom if I wasn't so into Harry."

Hermione sighed. "I don't want to think about you riding anyone like a broom, let alone Harry."

Ginny rolled her eyes, then grinned once more, "Holy Herra though, could you imagine fucking Neville in the greenhouses? Bent over one of those work benches, he's tall enough for it anyway."

"Ginny!" Hermione grit out, "You're spending too much time with your crass brothers!" She turned looking back to make sure no one was in the corridor behind them. To her mortification Seamus and Dean were just entering the other end of the hall.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright. Come on lovely, let's get these to their new home and then we can go work on Transfiguration like we said we would this morning."

At lunch, Hermione sat next to Dean and Seamus as she waited for Ginny to arrive from her History of Magic lesson. She slowly ate a garden salad, lost in thought while the boys debated about their favorite Weasley Wizard Wheezes product. They were trying to determine which one was best of all.

"I'm telling you mate, Miraculous Mystic Mayhem Makers are where it's at," Seamus said assuredly.

"No, you've got it wrong. The Dung Bomb. It's a solid bit of work and it's an oldie, but a goody," Dean argued. Dean leaned toward her, brushing his forearm against hers to shake her back into the conversation.

"Hermione, we need your opinion on this. We need to put this to bed and let it rest," He demanded.

She sighed and shook her head. "You're both wrong," she stated.

"U-No-Poo is the absolute best. It's devilishly secretive, bound to harm any unsuspecting person. It's positively evil, as far as jokes go."

Seamus and Dean shared a flabbergasted look. "You're cruel Hermione Granger," Dean laughed his words out harshly.

Seamus nodded in agreement, "Not going to eat around you anymore Hermione, you're going to poison me."

Ginny unceremoniously dropped her bag onto the bench beside Seamus. "Hello all," she greeted brightly. Hermione smiled, Dean nodded, and Seamus turned to her with a grin. "Just the girl we need to settle this debate," he affirmed, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"What kind of debate," Ginny asked as she piled her plate with mini-sandwiches and fruit slices. She began to dig in quickly as the lunch hour was nearly over. Seamus and Dean rushed into speaking all at once and had to sheepishly stop talking over each other. Hermione filled in for them.

"A heated discussion about the best Weasley Product," she told her, packing up her bag and taking a last sip of her pumpkin juice.

"Oh, that's a tough one," Ginny agreed and took another huge mouthful, sometimes she was more like Ron than she knew. She chewed in thought for a moment. Dean listed their choices so far.

She blanched at Hermione's suggestion, "Cruel indeed 'Mione." Hermione shrugged with a smirk in return. The Great Hall was beginning to empty around them. Hermione hadn't seen Neville yet. She wondered briefly if he was avoiding her. The idea seemed a bit preposterous though. Her stomach seemed to jump at the thought, squirming nervously.

"I'd have to say I'm partial to Pygmy Puffs, but I think I'm biased since I own one," Ginny proposed. She bit her lip, "Hmm. I'd say the Dung Bomb. Dean's right, it's an oldie but a goody. Tried and true."

Dean pumped his fist and Seamus shoved him good naturedly. "Don't gloat you tosser!" He growled in a fake response.

They all rose to exit the hall together and travel out to Hagrid's hut for their last lesson of the day. Care of Magical Creatures had been a welcome familiarity upon their return to Hogwarts. Hagrid remained as chipper as ever and his continued love of creatures and beasts was all the more endearing.

As they reached the heavy wooden doors they were passed by Draco Malfoy. His face was turned down as he slid into the Great Hall and made a quick bee-line for the Slytherin table. Hermione watched him stuff an orange into his black leather satchel and swiftly fold a sandwich triangle into a napkin to take with him. He fell out of sight as she walked through the doorway.

She sighed. If truth be told, Hermione was a bit worried about Malfoy. He was still thin and pale like he had been at his trial 10 months ago. He'd been on house arrest up until his appearance before the Wizengamot. Harry, Hermione, and surprisingly Ron had spoken on his behalf – all attesting to the events that they witnessed during their 6th year and the war. He'd been put on probation with the stipulation that he attend his final year of Hogwarts and take Muggle Studies as a course. He hadn't spoken much in their courses so far and he seemed to only talk to a few friends outside of the classroom.

She'd had a lot of opportunity to ponder him, something that seemed absolutely out of the ordinary for Hermione Granger, but she assured herself that it was all due to her Prefect duties. He'd been partnered with her for rounds. They were required to roam the castle on Thursday nights. So far it had been a rather silent job. They solemnly greeted each other with a nod or a murmured welcome: "Granger", "Malfoy". Once in a while they spoke to determine which way they would go during the patrols.

His voice, low and deep, seemed so different from the pitchy snide tones she was used to previously hearing. He'd grown taller and broader like Neville and many of the other boys. Most of them looked more like men than boys seemed to be this year. His gaunt features were sharp though, his eyes a more muted silvery grey. He rarely looked her fully in the face. She shook her head and carried on walking with her friends.

They arrived at Hagrid's hut with several minutes to spare, piling their bags along the fence. Hermione peered into the paddock, but didn't see any animals within. Hagrid was petting Fang's head as he slobbered all over his owner's giant black boots. Hermione smiled rather fondly at the scene. She'd always had a soft spot for the burly mutt.

"Wonder what Hagrid's got fer us today, I don't see anythin'," Seamus said aloud. Hermione was thinking the same thing as she watched the swaying trees surrounding the enclosure. Whatever it was must be hiding just beyond the largest of them.

The last of the students meandered into the area as Hagrid walked toward the group with a broad smile. Neville stumbled over to the Gryffindor's tripping over a tree root and quickly catching himself with a hand on the fence. He smiled sheepishly at them.

"Alright all?" he enquired. They murmured various levels of assent.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, referencing his slight misstep with a nod toward the offending root.

He nodded, "Yeah, thanks 'Mione."

His hand lightly brushed against her arm as he tossed his bag down beside her left trainer. She wondered if it was a purposeful or accidental motion. A fuzzy heat shot up her arm at the light touch. They both turned toward the paddock to watch Hagrid open the gate and wander in. In her peripheral vision she saw Malfoy quietly slip into the back of the group, his silvery hair gleaming in the late afternoon sun.

"Aft'noon," Hagrid bellowed as he addressed the assembled group. They all followed his greeting with a mirrored response of, "Good afternoon."

"Today we're talkin' 'bout a very special beast. I'll be usherin' 'er out shortly. Firs' we need ter talk 'bout safety. This can be a dange'rous beast if not dealt with properly. They need respect and care. Do not approach the beast, let it come ter you. Do not touch it unless it appeals ya to. Today we're workin' with a Unicorn. They're difficult ter catch and rightly so, 'cause they have powerful magic. Now, I understand that many o' you saw Unicorns during yer 4th year. They prefer a woman's touch as you might remember. Today though, we are goin' to attempt to interact with a young Unicorn. Babies are a boo'iful golden color that is mesmerizing to most. Young Unicorns seek out pure hearts and can often only be touched by virgins. We'll be formin' a circle round er to feel the magic that emanates from the Unicorn's presence. Let's get ter know er."

Hagrid clicked his tongue as though beckoning a horse. The light sound of hooves galloping rose from the far end of the area. Behind the curve of the trees a beautiful sight appeared. The golden foal shimmered as it moved in the sunlight, staring hesitantly at Hagrid and then scanning its ocean hued eyes across the students. Nearly everyone had pressed up against the fence eagerly. Hermione's breath caught. She could feel the pull of warm magic vibrating through the area. She'd read that Unicorn young had less control of their power and often projected it on animals and humans nearby.

"Right, ya don't have ter be honest if ya don't want ter be. But, those of ya who be virgins can come 'round the gate and form a circle 'round this pretty girl. If not, stay where ya are. She'll be skittish 'round anyone who's not and we're lookin' to see if she'll approach someone pure o' heart. We're lookin' fer strong magic to come forth from er," Hagrid said, swinging an arm around the gate to open it slightly.

Hermione glanced nervously around. Ginny gave her a sheepish look and Hermione widened her eyes at her friend. Clearly Ginny had spent more time with Harry in quiet quarters than she'd thought. Dean and Seamus both seemed a bit nervous too, looking at the girls with hesitation. They stayed firmly in place. Luna smiled lightly at Hermione with a soft nod toward the fence, apparently feeling the need to encourage her. For a moment Hermione wondered if she should stay where she was, she felt a bit foolish to be honest. She grasped her Gryffindor bravery though and moved toward the gate, the first one to venture into the paddock. Hermione turned to look over the tall wooden posts, aghast that no one was following her. Hagrid coughed awkwardly.

"Don't be shy now, we aren't judging you lot. But, like I said ya don't have ta if you don't want to. 'Mione come on over, why don't you start over here." Hagrid pointed toward a spot about 10 paces to the left of him, closer to the beautiful beast.

She took a deep breath and cautiously approached the foal. It watched her with sharp eyes. As she took her position she observed a slow stream of students entering through the open gate. She tried not to gape at a few of them, namely all of the Slytherins. Every single one had entered the fenced in paddock, with the exception of Blaise Zabini. He stood near the gate, twiddling with his wand as he watched his friends with a focus. None of them seemed surprised that he had stayed behind.

Hermione's eyes fell on Draco Malfoy, standing with his back steady and shoulders back. He was directly across from her. He was composed, but his eyes seemed hesitant. It occurred to Hermione that she had read a number of years ago about the customs of pure-blood wizards and witches. It had been expected that they wait until marriage to engage in serious carnal relations. It was to prevent the births of bastard children, which would affect future marriage prospects. She had no idea the notion was still so prevalent among her peers.

Hagrid silently pointed to various spots around the Unicorn. The students formed a slow ring. Hermione's eyes scanned the circle and landed on Neville just a few people away. He was standing just as tall as Draco, looking out among the students in front of him with a sort of boldness. Hermione suddenly realized that virginity and purity were held with utmost respect, that one who waited until marriage was highly regarded. The archaic social construct was almost laughable to her.

All of the purebloods were looking on with proud faces. Hermione felt a bit strange standing in such a peculiar group of traditionalists. She had never truly meant to wait; she just hadn't felt the need or taken the opportunity to engage in a relationship of that nature. She had certainly considered it with Victor and Ron, but it just didn't seem pertinent at the time. It wasn't something she viewed as highly valuable and honorable. It was just a normal thing to engage or not engage in sex.

Neville met her eyes with a very slight blush tinging his cheeks. She felt her hands quivering slightly. This felt a bit too revealing to know which of her classmates were still pure in body. This activity was not solely about that though; they were here to find someone pure of heart. It was said that a person pure of heart might ride a Unicorn and receive a magical blessing. Hannah Abbott was the last to join the ring. She hesitantly smiled at Hermione. "A bit scary, yeah?" She mumbled. Hermione nodded in agreement.

Once Hannah had come to a full stop Hagrid clapped his hands, "Right, come on lil' one, show us your magic."

Everyone stood unobtrusively still as the foal regarded all of them. It looked out at the students beyond the fence, and then refocused on the group surrounding it. Its deep blue eyes landing on each person. It huffed as it slowly began to move around the ring of students, smelling each of them in turn. Its hot breath breezed over Hermione, ruffling her curls and heating her face. She was amazed at the feeling of peace she felt as it breathed on her. It felt as if the beast's eyes were looking into her very soul. A deep sense of calm crept through her body.

It moved onward measuring each person in time. The coat of gold seemed to radiate a visible magic. It was almost like watching static or a perceptible vibration. Hermione glanced at the students who had remained on the other side of the fence. They were all looking on with matching expressions of awe. After the foal had finished its inspection it neighed quietly. The sound was throaty, but held a jingle as though it had an undercurrent of wooden chimes.

It slowly walked forward and nuzzled against Neville's cheek and neck. He looked shocked. "Neville, go ahead and touch er. She's givin' you a blessing," Hagrid implored.

Neville shakily raised his right hand to run his fingers softly along the mane and neck of the Unicorn. It huffed happily and nuzzled him once more. "Hello there girl," Neville murmured quietly. It suddenly knelt down in front of Neville and he stood back, surprised. "What…" he trailed off.

"Simply amazin', go on Neville. She'd like fer ya ter take a ride. Yer a very lucky fellow. Few can say they've done it. An honor, a true honor," Hagrid smiled broadly, pride gushing through his voice.

Neville gently bent a leg over the beast and when he was sat securely behind the shoulders, it rose to walk him round the outside of the circle. The golden hue caused Neville's skin and hair to appear bronzed. His hazel eyes were effervescent in the glow. Neville looked simply amazing. Hermione's heart swelled at the beauty of his presence. Her heart and stomach seemed suddenly knotted in the haze of her magical peace. She wondered briefly whether everyone was so enraptured with him.

The foal trotted as it made two rounds about the ring of students. Then it neighed softly as it came to a stop, moving toward them once more. Hermione gasped as it nuzzled over her shoulder, pressing to her cheek. All of the pureblood students sucked in a collective breath, the sound of which startled Hermione. Her heart began to race more rapidly, despite the calming effect of the Unicorn's magic. Unicorns represented 'One' in Arithmancy. She puzzled over what that could mean. Why would it want her to join Neville on its back?

She glanced out at Ginny and Luna, looking for reassurance. Ginny's eyebrows were so high they had disappeared into her fringe. She was gaping at Hermione, eyes shifting up to Neville in a look of complete surprise. Luna was the only one who didn't seem at all stunned. She was smiling, rather widely. Luna tilted her head toward the foal, another silent assurance for Hermione to follow through with her Gryffindor bravery. She tucked her wand into her inner robe pocket.

Hermione turned toward Hagrid, uncertain about what she should do next. He smiled in a strange way, pleased yet somehow nervous. "Bloody amazing that. 'Mione, go on, turn round. It wants ya ter ride with Neville," Hagrid said with amazement.

Slowly she pivoted on her right leg until she was eye to eye with the beast. It seemed to nod at her with reassurance as it knelt down once more. Neville was gazing down at her with a fierce look that filled her gut with a peculiar longing. He stretched out his hand to help hoist her up behind him. She swung her leg over the golden back, her arms automatically coming up to wrap around Neville's waist. She could feel the firm form of him beneath his robes. She shook slightly against him. Neville's right hand squeezed her knee in reassurance. He seemed solid and sure of himself.

A warmth radiated up at them from the foal. Even though it was young, it was rather tall and strong. A shimmering magic buzzed around them, filling her ears with a light ringing sound. Neville lent forward to hold tight to the neck and mane. Then suddenly the Unicorn pranced forward quickly, running round the enclosure. Hermione shrieked in surprise, squeezing Neville tighter with her arms. She was amazed to feel the heat that was radiating off him as well. Magic, she realized. She was feeling his magic mixing with her own. Her hands splayed across his chest, soaking up the untainted joy of their magic flowing together. She could feel his heart beating just as wildly as hers.

"This is amazing!" Neville laughed, tilting his head back toward her.

"I feel so wonderful," she exclaimed, "It's like pure light and goodness is bursting around us."

"I think I feel your magic," he said more smoothly. She gripped him tighter in answer.

The wind whipped their hair and robes and Hermione began to laugh with delight at the merry feeling that overcame her. Neville laughed as well, a deep booming sound. His left hand rose up to grasp hers over his heart. He clutched her fingers firmly. Her belly burned, intensely exultant at the feel of his energy against her. The Unicorn slowed down until it had approached their side of the ring. Then it stopped and allowed them to slip off. Neville squeezed her fingers once more before letting them go. Immediately she noticed that she could no longer feel the energy that had surged between them, although she seemed to still be affected by the Unicorn. Hermione was shaking slightly, but her cheeks were aching with the largest smile she'd ever had.

"Brilliant," Hermione breathed as she beamed at Hannah beside her.

Hannah spoke with astonishment, "I can't believe what I saw. You rode the Unicorn with Neville. That's…" Hannah's voice faded as Hagrid's booming words startled her.

"We're lucky ter see this. Bloody lucky, we are." Hagrid grinned around.

Everyone seemed to be smiling; especially large smiles graced the faces of those within the enclosure. Perhaps they were all feeling the exhilarating feeling that Hermione felt in the presence of the beast. The Unicorn huffed once more before it turned away from her and trotted across the circle to Draco Malfoy. The smile fell from his face as he stared wide-eyed with surprise at the beast before him. It leaned forward and nuzzled against his chest. Hermione's heart was still beating rapidly, her chest rising up and down. Draco continued to stare at the beast with an air of awe and surprise, a look that settled a pleasure in Hermione's chest. He looked handsome with the expression so clear and innocent on his features. The Unicorn knelt once more and there was a slight gasp heard from a few of the students.

"Draco, up ya go. A blessing for you as well," Hagrid clapped him on the back happily. Hermione had never heard Hagrid refer to Malfoy as Draco. Malfoy seemed hesitant to move.

Daphne Greengrass was standing just a few paces away from him. "Draco, please. Take the blessing. It's good. It's the purest magic," she seemed to beg, somehow knowing he might refuse.

The golden beast looked up at Draco expectantly. He appeared to be shaking as he mounted it and murmured a soft greeting to it. As he swung his long leg over the back his skin became startling pale silver, the opposite tone to the bronze that had blazed from Neville's skin. For a moment, Hermione wondered how she had looked. The Unicorn moved in a graceful trot twice around the circle. This time Hermione followed the entire path with her eyes, watching the beauty of calm melt across Draco Malfoy. He looked radiant and full, a more attractive visage than his gaunt features held only an hour ago.

After the second loop the Unicorn entered the middle of the circle and walked determinedly back to Hermione. She gasped, automatically raising both hands to cradle the head as it pushed against her face. The same radiating peace and wonder pushed through her heart. Draco was breathing heavily and looking down at her with an expression akin to admiration. Everyone was now murmuring amongst themselves excitedly, some with expressions of confusion and concern, others with amazement. Hermione again glanced toward Ginny and Luna. Ginny looked concerned and awe stricken at the same time, while Luna seemed pensive.

"Granger, no one's ever ridden a Unicorn twice," Malfoy whispered almost shyly. He held his hand out to her as the beast bowed. His long fingers were shaking. His eyes were intense and exquisite in the glowing magic, irises reflecting almost white.

"Take my hand," he whispered more firmly. Malfoy was scared, she could see it. Yet, he was also sure of something.

Hermione was shocked at the range of emotions she was seeing from everyone and beyond that, the range of emotions she was feeing herself. The Aura Trees had been revealing in and of themselves. This magic however, seemed to engulf all of them. Hesitantly she grasped his fingers, shivering as he gripped her hand and pulled her up in front of him. His chest was firm against her back. She shook against him, wondering what this all meant. 'One' – the number represented by the beast; she had ridden as one with Neville Longbottom and then again with Draco Malfoy. It made no sense to her, the request of this magic.

Hermione could feel Malfoy's body quivering in resistance to hers. They knocked against each other nervously, their motions out of step. She gripped the mane in front of her, knowing that the Unicorn would again race through the enclosure. Malfoy expected it too. He slowly wrapped Hermione with his arms, weaving his fingers into the foal's mane just below hers. She felt the barest of brushes from his skin.

This time the Unicorn ran at a faster gallop, weaving through the ring of students as it moved outward around the fenced area. Malfoy released a breath against her ear. Hermione burst into a laugh once more just before she heard him exhale an energetic laugh of his own. She briefly caught sight of her friend's gasping faces. Luna had jumped up onto the bottom rung of the fence, her hair flying widely in the wind as she screamed with delight. Ginny looked almost as if she might vomit.

The magic beat against them in time with the galloping of the foal's feet. Hermione felt it bursting from Malfoy as well. She found herself leaning back into his chest to seek the happiness she felt there. Malfoy gasped at the eruption of her energy as it thrust against him. Hermione felt him shaking once more and her heart urged her to calm him. She pulled her fingers backward on the foal's mane until her palms settled over the backs of Malfoy's hands. She gripped onto him and basked in the pulsing of her magic blending with his and with that of the Unicorn. It was different than Neville's vigorous warm magic. Malfoy's magic felt serene beneath its timid energy. It surprised her and opposed every thought she'd ever had about him. Hermione wanted to know what her magic felt like.

The Unicorn galloped even faster, jostling them together. Hermione pressed her legs firmly against the rolling back, trying to keep herself from sliding further backward. Malfoy leaned into her, squeezing his arms inward as if to shelter her from falling sideways. She could feel her heart racing with his.

"Don't let go," he gasped. His left cheek pressed against her right, as his chin rested over her shoulder. She felt the merging of their magic sizzling across her face. Something was wrong. He was afraid, like the Unicorn.

"Draco," she exhaled a note of fear in her own voice.

Hermione was beginning to feel the terror rising and didn't even pause as she said his given name. Her bubble of happy energy ruptured. Something was spooking the Unicorn and it would injure them in the process if it didn't calm down. She could vaguely hear the students running and yelling, Hagrid shouting for them to "Get out. Get help!"

"It's alright Hermione. Just don't let go," Draco beseeched her in as calm a voice as he could manage. She could sense the tension in him though and she was now truly frightened.

Suddenly, the young Unicorn reared back, lifting its front hooves high as it let out an alarmed shriek. Hermione screamed and gripped the neck tightly between the withers and the crest, subconsciously bringing Draco's hands with her. Hermione and Draco molded flat along the Unicorn's mane and back, gripping the belly with their legs as their bodies attempted to tumble from the flanks, over the point of hip and past the croup.

"Woah, girl!" Hagrid was yelling. The sound seemed to rally the beast's fear, rather than calm it.

Draco's shoulders were squeezing her so tightly that tears sprung to her eyes. Hermione could feel his legs slipping off the Unicorn's hips, gravity ready to pull him over her tail. "Draco!" She yelled as he began to slide away from her. Her mind surged with energy and she suddenly felt compelled to whisper to the Unicorn.

Hermione pressed her face into the silky mane and began to whisper sweetly to the beast, "Sweet girl. Beautiful girl. Calm. Be calm. We're here. We won't let anything harm you. We'll protect you. Sweet, wild thing. Gentle, calm." She felt the shoulders shudder as the forelegs slammed back into the ground.

Tears were leaking from Hermione's eyes, but she continued to murmur softly to the foal, "Thank you for your blessing. We'll protect you. Always. Calm sweet girl. Calm." Her voice shook as she spoke. Draco was breathing heavily above her, his weight full on her back as he pressed over her. They continued to lay flat, arms gripped tightly together around the withers.

"Shhh," he whispered shakily when Hermione could no longer speak. He continued hushing the beast as it began to slow its pace. "It's alright. We're safe. You'll be safe with us. Shhhh." Hermione shook beneath him, crying heavily as she felt the Unicorn's fear begin to abate. The foal neighed nervously. Draco sat up, pulling Hermione slowly back into a sitting position. He wrapped one arm around her, pressing the hand against her middle. The other hand he kept tangled tightly in the mane.

"Shhh, Granger. We're alright. I've got you," he soothed. Hermione lent her head back on his shoulder as she raised her hand to grip his in the mane, the other rose backward to grasp his neck, pulling his head onto her shoulder as well.

"Don't let go of me, please." She wept openly.

He nodded against her. "I won't if you won't," he replied his voice still quivering lightly. He cleared his throat as the Unicorn came to a hesitant stop.

Hermione opened her blurry eyes and saw Hagrid ahead of them, palms outstretched as he cooed at the beast. She inhaled shakily as the beast lowered into a kneeling position. Instantly, Draco pulled her off and pressed her behind him. They began to back away slowly, clinging to each other. He continued to hush the foal and gently speak to her as they retreated. Hermione felt arms envelope her from behind and quickly pull her through the gate.

Hands pressed against her tear-stained face. "Miss Granger," Professor Sprout spoke her name earnestly, her face filled with concern. She felt Draco's hand leave her waist and turned to him with a dazed expression.

Madam Pomfrey had her own hands pressed against Draco's face just as Professor Sprout was doing to her. "Mister Malfoy," she soothed. Draco's head turned away from her and his shining eyes met Hermione's.

"You alright?" He asked. His voice was gravelly as though clogged. He swallowed thickly.

Hermione nodded unsteadily. "I – I think so."

His eyes scanned her quickly, presumably looking for injury. Hermione noticed that the right leg of his trouser was torn from knee to ankle, blood weeping from the gash beneath. She gasped, taken aback. Madame Pomfrey waved her wand performing several incantations and spells, binding the bloody flesh back together.

"How did – "she began. "Blast-ended skrewt escaped from its pen," Hagrid boomed beside them.

"It was probably attracted to the magical energy," Professor Sprout explained.

"Sorry it scratched you sum'in terrible Malfoy," Hagrid said sincerely. "It scared the right mind out o' that poor young'in. She could 'av killed ya both." He looked properly ashamed.

"It was an accident, Hagrid," Hermione murmured. Draco nodded shakily, surprising Hagrid with his lack of fuss. A far cry from his old mantra of, my father will hear about this.

"It was all rather beautiful before that," he added. His eyes met Hermione's and she nodded in agreement, still shaking with residual fear and magic.