You Picked Me

A/N: Hey, yeah I started a new story. I had been debating awhile whether it would be chapter or one-shot. It will be chapter story. I got inspired by the song You Picked Me by A Fine Frenzy…a fantastic song by the way. I'm rating it M for later chapters.

Background: It's after the war and the Golden Trio and everyone are heading back to finish up properly. The thing is Draco is returning different and slightly darker. Both him and Hermione are 7th year Head sharing a dorm. Is DH compliant but not Epilogue compliant.

Disclaimer: No I do not own Harry Potter and I do not own the song but I own the plot of this story.

Hermione was pushing her belongings through the magical barrier at King's Cross. If someone had told her she would be doing thing again a year ago, she would have though it impossible. Last year deciding to fight with her best friends against Voldemort seemed much more important than books. It was the destiny of the entire world in the three seventeen year old's hands. All of that year was spent looking for the last of the horocruxes eventually ending in a battle at their beloved Hogwarts. Harry finally defeating his longtime enemy of 16 years was dead. Officially.

The professors and other war veterans had helped over the summer to rebuild the historical school. The rest of the summer she spent with her parents after bringing them back from Australia. She had missed them terribly but there was no way she could leave them out in the open while she was gone.

With that behind her, Hermione felt that now she could really and truly focus at Hogwarts. Well she was able to do it before but now will be easier because the threat of Harry being killed has vanished. Thankfully McGonagall, now Headmistress appointed her Head Girl. Her grades and well the fact she was a War hero helped qualify her. She had no idea who the Head Boy was. She hoped it would be Harry or someone she could get along genially with.

Speaking of people who she got on with, Hermione saw Harry Ginny and Ron standing around, probably looking for her.

She walked up and tapped Ginny on the shoulder.

"HERMIONE!! How are you? How was the rest of your summer? You look fantastic!" Ginny said in a rush. Hugging the older girl.

Hermione had gotten a little taller and she had filled out nicely with her curves. Her hair had taken on an amber color with being out in the sun so much. Her curls were much less unruly and had taken on the shapes of waves.

"Thanks Ginny. I'm great, really happy to be able to go back to Hogwarts. My parents are great and I filled them in. They were reluctant to let me comeback even though Voldemort is gone. But they realized I am adult so I can make my own decisions.

Harry waited patiently after Ginny to get to his best friend in the world. Ron just decided to rush things.

"Oi Ginny stop hogging Hermione, we would like to hug her too!" Ron smiled at Hermione. She loved that goofy smile. It was the best in the world. When he kissed her in the Room of Requirement she thought finally he came to his senses. Well that was a short-lived dream. All during the summer when they worked side by side on the rebuilding he didn't mention it. She didn't want to mention it because what if that was one of those heat of the moment thing? You know where you think you might not survive so you kiss the person you love thinking it was your last chance. But then you do survive so now you think you have all the time in the world. Hermione figured that's what he thought. So she was willing to wait for him to realize. What was another few months? How long could he wait? He must be close by now, it was September.

"Hullo Ronald, Harry. How are you both?" She said while hugging them both. She saw both of them had grown again over the summer. They towered over Hermione and Ginny. Both of them had their lanky builds. Harry had some stubble on his chin and Ron's had let his hair grow into a shaggy mane again. They both looked handsome. But Hermione only had eyes for Ron.

Ginny saw how Hermione's eyes still shined for her ignorant brother. 'Either I'm going to have draw clues for him or Hermione just needs to give up. But she didn't make me give up Harry…I just think she could better…so much better.'

"Come on you guys, the train is about to leave." Ginny said. The group headed onto the train, ignorant of a shady presence following in after them.

DM&HG

The four had a found an empty compartment and was joined by Neville and Luna. They recently got together over the summer. Hermione thought they were cutest couple next to Harry and Ginny of course. Their relationship just represented such an innocence and honesty that it seemed like they had no trouble getting out their feelings. 'If only Ron was that expressive about his feelings like Neville, we could be just like them.' Hermione mused.

Him, Harry and Neville were playing a round of Exploding Snap. Ginny and Luna were going over the latest issue of the Quibbler. Hermione looked around and saw how things should be. Everything was normal and the wizarding world she loved was safe. Hermione looked down at her watch and saw she needed to get to the Heads cabin to meet the Head Boy.

"Hey guys, I need to go." Hermione announced. Harry tore his face away from the game to respond.

"Why?"

"Oh I can't believe I forgot to tell you guys. I got promoted to Head Girl" She squealed. 'Well Harry definitely not it, so who?' She wondered

Congratulations were said all around the cabin. Hermione thanked them.

"I'll see you guys at the feast, later" She left the compartment.

When Hermione got to the first compartment she saw it was empty. She decided to look out the window and wait for him.

DM&HG

Apparently Hermione fell asleep because she woke up with a start because she heard a door slide open. Her eyes fell on dirty beat up trainers. The bottoms of dark jeans frayed and covered in grime. There was a hole in one of the knees. Her eyes travelled upward to see pale hands and they were sticking out of a black sweatshirt. Finally she stopped to see gaunt grey eyes staring back at her. His platinum blonde hair looked dirty and dulled.

Were her eyes deceiving her? Was Draco Malfoy really standing in front of her looking like that…?

So she rubbed her eyes and tried to focus. It was not hallucination it was Draco Malfoy looking less than perfect. His skin didn't even have it's usual porcine shine. It looked yellow and again dirty.

'Where was the Draco Malfoy I knew? The one that no matter how much of a git he was, he dressed impeccably. In suits and dragon hide shoes. He would never let himself be seen so rough and grunge looking. This one looked like it crawled out of somewhere and decide he was going to Hogwarts today.'

He was still standing looking at her. She had to get him to say something that would make him seem normal.

"What are you doing here Malfoy, this is for the Heads only!" She said

"I knew you would be Head Girl. Of course, the know-it-all mudblood" His voice still had its refined silk touch. He sounded like the same Malfoy just looked rougher.

"Take that back" Hermione said offended. Couldn't believe after all that has just happened he still used the slur.

"Granger, when are you going to learn that I am never going to listen to you. Also you are what you are. A Mudblood"

Hermione stood up to him and didn't even come near his 6'4 figure. Either way she looked him in the eyes even though they scared her a bit.

"Listen Malfoy, that whole blood purity shit is dead. It died with Voldemort and all his Death Eaters. The fact of the matter remains is that I will always be better than you magically and a better person. I will have friends and people will care when I leave this earth. All people will think when you go is Thank Merlin!"

His eyes flashed to a darker grey. The darkest she ever seen them. Between that and his dark circles he looked quite dangerous at the moment.

"Granger, get over yourself. I don't care what happens to you when you die or that people will mourn your death. As for me I already know people don't care. They expected me to die in the war or at least rot in Azkaban with my parents. Don't start feeling pity for me either. I don't need it. I know the routine, poor little rich boy is now orphaned and alone. Let's help him. Well this poor boy doesn't need you or anyone else." Draco sat down and stared out the window.

Hermione didn't know what to say to that at all. She couldn't help but feel pity for him. 'Damn morals'. She didn't like feeling it because it was for Malfoy. Someone who has never shown her compassion or respect. But it is kind of sad to not have anyone love you or care when you go. What was sadder is that he knew people wished him dead.

"Malfoy you still can't stay here. Head's only" Hermione reiterated.

"Are you really that dense that you can't figure out I'm Head Boy?" He said without looking at her.

"Why would someone make you Head Boy? You were almost convicted for your part in the war and attempted murder on Dumbledore."

Again without looking at her he spoke. "Listen to your diction, Granger. Keyword, Almost. I was pardoned on the fact that I was still 16 and had the unfortunate luck of having Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy for parents. It is possible for me to be Head Boy you know. I may not have outshone you but I did have the grades for be second place to you. If you want proof. Here. I didn't knick it from anyone." He pulled out the shiny gold badge with a large red H on it.

"Okay fine." Hermione grumbled. It would be just her luck that Draco Malfoy would be Head Boy. 'There goes my perfect year…'

DM/HG

Hermione was sitting the long Gryffindor table with all her friends enjoying the feast. Everyone who needed to came back and there was a sizable first year class. So Hermione felt like everything still normal, despite the very different Draco Malfoy.

The rest of the train ride passed very quietly. Malfoy never spoke to her again and she kept staring at him when she thought he didn't know. He was very different not just in the physical sense but also his personality. He seemed darker. Not that he was all rainbows and sunshine before but he was just a sarcastic fool. Now he had an edge, a certain kind of delinquent aura about him. She didn't understand it and couldn't explain it to the others. As long as he didn't give her trouble this year, she could ignore him.

Hermione decided to focus on her friends right now. They were more important than one insignificant Malfoy.

Harry and Ron as usual were engrossed with Quidditch. They were worse now that there wasn't an impending doom looming over them. Ginny was talking with Parvarti Patil about their summer. Neville seemed to be the only one she could talk to.

"So Neville you had a good summer?" She asked brightly.

"Oh it was great. I met Luna's dad and she met my Grandmother. I was quite happy she didn't scare Luna off. Then again Luna doesn't scare easy and she is a little out there but I love that about her." Neville finished.

"Yeah Luna is one of a kind but you guys are great." Hermione said

"Thanks. Uh Hermione I don't know how to tell you this but Draco Malfoy is staring at you." Neville nodded across to the Slytherin table.

Hermione gazed across and her brown eyes met with his grey. He was staring at her. She knew it wasn't anyone else because he had a clear shot of her. No one sat next to him and he looked like he preferred it that way. Those eyes that scared her earlier, scared her now but now they were inviting. 'What is going on?' Hermione was more confused when then she was about Ron. Draco Malfoy seemed to be switching moods on and off with her.

"I don't know why he's staring at me. Maybe he realized that I was right about blood is only something that flows through you. It didn't make you better." Hermione knew that wasn't the answer but she had to make up something.

"That would make it seem like he had a conscience. We both know he doesn't and even if he did he wouldn't use it." Neville laughed at his own joke.

Hermione laughed with him but found it hard to make it true. Therefore she was glad McGonagall got up to speak.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I can't tell you how much it means to me seeing all of you sitting here. It shows that we are moving on. That those we loved and lost did not die in vain. They died protecting us, this institution and our way of life. We owe this to them. Let's take a moment of silence." McGonagall closed her eyes.

The whole Great Hall ceased all noise. Peeves could come in and drop a pin. It would be the loudest thing in the room at the moment. Hermione looked up and saw Draco Malfoy still staring at her. So she mouthed 'stop'. He smirked and shook his head. Hermione saw he wasn't going to be so easy to shake off this year.

"Now let's get on with school business. McGonagall continued. We have some changes in faculty this year, as always. I would like you all to welcome Professor Higgins for Transfiguration, Professor Roberts for Defense against the Dark Arts. Also welcome back our seasoned Professors. Now I would like to announce our Head Boy and Girl for this year. It is Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger" The Headmistress clapped as well as the other professors. Other students clapped but most were either staring at Draco or at Hermione.

Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville all stared at Hermione wide eyed. She couldn't speak because the only person who stopped staring at her was Malfoy. Well she did want him to stop but right now she give anything for him to turn and look at her. It would be better because he didn't require answers, the other did.

"Will the Heads please some see me after the feast. Thank you" McGonagall sat down.

When the students felt safe to talk there loud chatter going around. What Hermione could tell it was mainly about her and Malfoy. They were probably rumors that they were going to end up killing each other by tomorrow morning

Hermione decided to continue eating her pudding and ignore the incredulous looks from her friends.

" 'Mione…did you forget to tell us something?" Harry asked.

"Nope" She responded nonchalant.

"Oh really. Because I don't know if you noticed but McGonagall just announced Draco Malfoy is Head Boy. The boy whose a Death Eater. The one who should be rotting in Azkaban instead of roaming free." Ron interjected.

"I know all that Ron. But he wasn't convicted." Hermione retorted. Did she just defend him?

"Guys it's not like she can't take care of herself. It's not like McGonagall would let him be in the school if she thought he was dangerous. She obviously has a reason to trust Malfoy." Ginny proposed. She sounded like a voice of reason and sanity. Hermione appreciated that.

"Oh great so we have a Dumbledore-Snape thing again. I wonder what the implicit reasons are this time!" Ron exclaimed.

"Ron, if it wasn't for Snape I might be dead right now. If his love for my mother didn't make him feel guilty for telling Voldemort about Trelawney's prophecy, our world would be a different place. So maybe Ginny's right, but Malfoy isn't a threat like Snape seemed to be." Harry said. He knew part of his life was owed to the old potions master.

"Fine, Harry. I still think he shouldn't be Head Boy. It seems the standards are obviously low for the job." Ron chuckled.

"Ron!" Ginny and Hermione chimed.

"What?" He asked

"Hermione has worked extremely hard. Head Boy and Girl have to be the top students in their class. I know you liked to think Malfoy is a complete dunce bucket but he has worked hard. He's earned his grades. I've seen him studying before in the library." Ginny really thought her brother was the dunce bucket right now.

Ron was about to retort but Harry held up his hand. He knew Ron would lose against his sister. He's lost to her as well. Always a loosing battle with Ginny and Hermione.

"Come on, feast is over. See you tomorrow Hermione." Harry said with a small smile.

Everyone was saying bye to her. Some said they would hope she would be alive tomorrow. The Great Hall emptied out quickly. Soon it was just her, McGonagall and Malfoy.

"Ah. Now you two will follow me while I explain your duties." The Headmistress was already walking out. Hermione rushed to keep up the with the woman. She saw Malfoy was doing it with ease. Grant it his legs were longer but his stride seemed wrong. They seemed to move too fast. Though he didn't look like he was exerting himself. He looked graceful. Each step looking as light as a feather. She looked at his face there were some scratches if she looked really close.

"Now this year it will be both your duties obviously to patrol the corridors at least one night a week. Schedule the prefects to do it and conduct prefect meetings. Those meetings need to be held at least once every two weeks.

I also want the both of you to come up with a fun idea for the school to do. We need to raise the morale of the school. " McGonagall said to both heads.

Hermione saw they were coming to a long corridor. At the end of it there was a portrait with what looked like a tree.

When they got the portrait she saw it was a pear tree. Some were already growing on it.

"Your password is Cauldron Cakes. You each have your own rooms. Shared bathroom and library. There is a common area for you to share. Now you two are the school's best students. Do not screw this up over something petty, do you understand.?" Minvera said.

Both shook their heads yes.

Draco had already went in before Hermione could stop nodding her head. The Headmistress was about to walk away but Hermione caught her.

"Headmistress, may I be frank?" Hermione asked

"Sure" The Headmistress had a feeling what the young girl was going to ask but didn't want to answer unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Why did you make Draco Malfoy, Head Boy? He was almost a convicted felon and he tried to kill Professor Dumbledore. Plus me and him don't exactly mesh well."

"I have my own reason to trust him. I think he is very capable for the job. He has had some things happen to him and he might be in a little bit of a dark place but he will do fine. Just don't pressure him or if you see he's getting angry just brush it off ok?" McGonagall obviously didn't want an answer because she walked away quickly.

'Brush it off ? She's got to be joking.' Hermione thought the woman was going mad.

Hermione went into the dormitory and saw Draco Malfoy looking straight at her. He started to advance. Hermione was backing into a wall. In two not human steps he made his way to her.

"Why are you asking McGonagall about me?" He said in a deep growl.

" I asked her about classes." Hermione said even though her voice was shaking.

"Liar. You asked her about me. It's written all over your face. Why?"

"Curious as to what would make her choose you as Head boy."

"She tell you anything of importance?" His eyes seemed to be getting dark again.

" No, just that she had her reason. Also if you get angry brush you off."

"Hmm. Tell me Granger, do you find me scary?" He asked in a very charming voice. Hermione was confused.

"No. Should I?"

"Yes. You should be worried, scared and absolutely hysterical. How about we make a deal. You stay out my life and I stay out of your life. I also promise not to tear you apart." Malfoy's hands came to rest on either side of her face. She felt no heat coming from him just a chill and he didn't even look tired holding himself up. Plus he hadn't blinked in the last five minutes. She wondered why she should be scared of him. That of course only made her want to know more."

"Ok that seems fair" Hermione replied

"Good." Malfoy took a deep breath it looked like. Like he was trying breathe her in. His face seemed to be getting closer to her. His pupils dilated so much that they looked almost black. "You smell absolutely ravishing. Night Mudblood."

Hermione stood there wondering what in the bloody hell happened to Draco Malfoy.

A/N: Hey everyone I hope you liked this chapter. For those of you reading Dreams Choices and Secrets and Teach Me How To Love, I haven't forgotten them. I just wanted to get this idea out first. I will update faster if you review those and this one! Thanks.