A/N: This is a Harry Potter fic that I started a while back, so I decided to post it. I most likely WILL continue it, but if I don't, please don't rage. D:

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters within the series or this story. I only own the plot. And I'm not J.K Rowling.

And I'm not British. Waah.

Back In Time

Prologue.

The rain hurtled through the sky, casting its anger down upon the metal holding the rickety train together. The metal rumbled with disapproval, making it almost impossible to hear from inside the locomotive. Hermione always found it better to just sit there and read, rather than make an attempt at conversation. Plus, she didn't particularly like the person she ended up having to share a compartment with.

In fact, she spat upon the ground he walked upon. And though they had joined sides after Voldemort was defeated, they still had a loathing for each other, and curses and insults were flung at the mere sight of the other. They were being surprisingly civil, at the moment; Hermione sat there, reading the pamphlet McGonagall had given them earlier and paying no mind to him, while he sat there engrossed with writing in his own little black book. The compartment they occupied was special; it was the Heads' compartment.

Hermione was delighted to hear she had been chosen as Head Girl for her seventh year at Hogwarts. Her face immediately became sour when she heard Malfoy was Head Boy. When Hermione was told she was to report to the Heads' compartment, she travelled down the long halls, towards the back of the train. She finally found the compartment, which seemed larger than all the others, and when her hand reached for the handle to slide the door open, another hand reached for it at the same time, and they touched. Hermione looked up to see the handsome blonde, and immediately both teens jerked their hands back as if the other had a disease.

"Jesus, Granger! Keep your filthy hands off of me!" he spat. He was rubbing his hand on his pants, as if someone had sneezed all over them.

"Get over yourself, you git," she hissed back, although she was wiping her own hand on her jeans, rather discreetly. "It was an accident, and besides, aren't a ferret's senses supposed to be sharp?"

"Why don't you get a new joke, Granger?" he growled, that infamous arrogant smirk plastered across his lips. "That joke had gotten quite old over three and a half years."

"Insecure now, Malfoy? Have I hit a nerve?" Hermione folded her arms over her chest, her own small smirk crossing her face. Draco was about to open his mouth to retort, when McGonagall POOFED right in between them. They jumped back, and Hermione let out a small squeak.

"I apologize for frightening you, Miss Granger," McGonagall said briskly, before opening the door to the compartment and motioning for them to enter. They did as they were told, and looked around when they stooped through the door. Hermione looked around in awe; the compartment was luxuriously decorated in maroon and silver; Gryffindor and Slytherin colors. The seats were red velvet, and looked impossibly soft.

Low, almost dim lighting engulfed the compartment, and red blinds with silver trims were closed on the window, keeping the room mostly dark. "Sit," McGonagall said, and the two sat, on opposite sides of the compartment. McGonagall stood between them, and she looked at them both. She finally said, "First off, I chose you two because you are two of the brightest students in the school. Second, you two are from completely different houses, almost enemy houses, if you could call it that."

Hermione nodded, casting a small glare at the blonde across from her. She found his eyes to be just as filled with loathing, as well. "I also chose you two because you two are known to be quite uncivil, and disrespectful to one another. So, this year is also a test, to not only you, but to your houses as well. You both know very well that you are an example for the students in your houses, and will follow your actions. Therefore, this is a test to try and put House Unity into effect."

McGonagall held out a pamphlet to them both, and Hermione took the pink booklet into her hands. The title said, 'Guide to Head of House.' She scoffed at the poorly-chosen title, and looked up at McGonagall. "Those are your rulebooks, I expect you to have them read by the time you get to the castle. I would also, if you two can bear it," there was a hint of disapproval in the woman's voice. "Like for you to stay in this compartment. If at all possible."

With that, she disappeared with a POP, and left the two alone. Instead of looking at him (for she knew it would start another fight, which she didn't feel up for at the moment), she turned to her travel bag, and pulled out her robes. "I'm going to change, so I don't have to later," she said without further comment, and left the compartment in the direction of the bathrooms.

She soon returned, her modest jeans and black shirt replaced with her uniform, which consisted of a gold and red plaid skirt, a white blouse with her black vest lined with red and gold over it, and her Mary-Janes. Her long robe was draped over her, and she looked rather plain.

She settled herself down in her seat, and began reading the pamphlet thoroughly. She was only halfway through the pamphlet, about half an hour later, when she glanced at the blonde. He had put away the pamphlet and was writing something in a little black book. She dropped her hands (and the pamphlet) in her lap, slightly irritated. "How did you get finished so quickly? The Headmistress clearly stated-"

"I know what she said, Granger," he broke in, not even looking up from his black book. "I'm not stupid. I have a memorization charm I like to use for things like that." he quickly tapped his quill to his head for emphasis. "It's all up here, like I memorized it."

Hermione's eyes widened. She couldn't believe he actually knew a spell she didn't. Biting her lip and deciding the need for a break from the boring pink booklet was greater than the need to keep away from him, she quietly asked, "Could you teach it to me?"

He looked up from the book. It was then Hermione fully noticed the color of his eyes. They were a stormy grey-blue, the hue switching constantly so that one could not really identify which one it was, exactly. Hermione figured they had a time deciding his eye-color on his drivers' license. But then she remembered that he was a wizard and had no reason for something like a car or a driving license.. She peered even closer, eyes squinting, and saw the it seemed clouds were constantly rotating around the pupil, a stormy, electric grey-blue.

"Something on my face, Granger?" he asked, and she shook her head, blinking several times.

"What?" she asked, voice sounding rather dumb.

"I asked if there was something on my face, since you seem to have a hard time tearing your eyes away from it. Or am I really that good-looking?" he said, a devilish smirk playing at his lips.

She huffed, glaring at him. "I won't even go into detail on how ugly you are. For now, I think I'll be content to just go to the loo and vomit."

"Saying things like that won't be your ticket to learning that spell, Granger." Draco's smirk only grew wider. Hermione turned red in the face, and glared, but stayed quiet.

"Flick your wand like so," he said lazily, drawing his wand and swishing it, before jabbing at the air. "And then say, 'Memerio Revelio.' And then touch the pamphlet."

She repeated his wand motions, saying, "Memerio Revelio." She then touched the booklet, and information flooded her brain. Everything she'd been studying for the past half-hour was clear as a bell, as was the rest of it.

"Do I hear a thank you, Granger?" he scowled at her.

"I, er- Thank you." she said awkwardly, returning his scowl. A pink blush rose to her cheeks at the look he gave her. He continued to stare for a moment, expression unreadable. It was then she took the opportunity to study him.

His platinum blonde hair fell into his mysterious eyes, much like the way it did in their third year, maybe a bit longer; it made him look even more enigmatic than usual. His eyes, as described before, pierced her in a way nothing else had. She felt as if he could even see through her clothes; the thought made her cross her legs and pull her cloak more tightly about her. His bone structure was impressive; his jaw was finely drawn, high and imperial, yet strong. He was cleanly shaven, and smooth, from what she saw. His nose was not large, nor was it too thin, yet it was not petite enough to have a girly essence to it. His lips, were very kissable. Not too thin, but not too thick, they permanently rested in a luscious pout or debonair smirk.

"You're staring again, Granger." he said, and she snapped out of another daze she was apparently in, though she did not know it. "Honestly, you look like you're undressing me with your eyes. It's quite flattering, though don't think a mudblood like you could ever touch me, much less see me nude."

Hermione snarled, and resisted the urge to hex him. "Shut your trap, Malfoy. You're the last person I would want to see naked, and-"

"Who would be the first? Weasley?" he scoffed, an evil smirk on his face. "Honestly, Granger, even you could do better than that."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Hermione screeched, standing up abruptly. Draco peered at her, eyes dancing with amusement.

"What do you think it means?"

"I'm.." she blinked, face turning blank. "I'm not sure."

She was frustrated with herself. Never in her life had Hermione Granger's mind gone blank like it just did. She was befuddled, and for the first time in her life, she felt stupid. She soon snapped out of her daze, and was walking out of the compartment before she knew what she was doing. She walked along the halls, looking for a compartment that wasn't completely full. She finally decided on a compartment that was almost empty; only Ginny and Luna resided in the seats.

"Hello, girls," she said, sitting down next to Ginny, across from Luna.

"Hey, Hermione!" Ginny smiled brightly, giving her a bear hug. Choking, Hermione returned the hug cheerfully. "I heard you made Head Girl, congrats," said the red-head.

"Oh, thanks Ginny," Hermione's face fell. "But I don't exactly think this will be a good year for me."

"Why?" asked Luna.

"Well, Head Boy is.. Malfoy." Hermione scowled.

"Oh, don't worry Hermione," Luna smiled reassuringly. "Father predicted he'll be eaten by Nargles soon."

Hermione and Ginny looked at her as if she'd grown another head. Luna merely continued reading the latest 'Quibbler' with a small knowing smile on her face.

"In any case, I would let Malfoy get to you this year." Ginny said, patting Hermione's shoulder.

"I could try.." Hermione frowned. "McGonagall did say for us to act civil. Maybe he'll give it a try, too."