AN: This chapter is really, long. There's a lot of explaining of situations and betraying, back stabbing, and all sorts of other stuff. So I hope you enjoy. If you have questions please ask. I will answer them.

LADY ECLYPSE

Back Tracking

"What if McGonagall knows who I really am now that I've stopped altering my personality," Hermione asked, the desperation lingering in her voice, as she spun her engagement ring.

Draco took her left hand in his, "Stop. Breathe. Relax. Everything is going to be fine, and if you are really that nervous, I do have this," he said as he showed her the vial filled with purple liquid. "But I'd much rather prefer my lovely wife-to-be as she truly is, and not as everyone thinks she should be."

She smiled weakly at him as the train came to a sudden halt. "You're right, I shouldn't worry, I'll just act as normal as possible, because I am not going back to the know-it-all, and I can't stand the frizzy brown hair," Hermione decided as Draco opened the compartment door and they entered the crowded sea of students rushing off the train.

After all of the first years had been herded to Hagrid, it was a mad dash to grab a carriage for everyone else. Draco and Hermione managed to sneak into the carriage that Mandy Brocklehurst had slipped into with an unsuspecting Blaise Zabini.

"Holy Christ Draco, why don't you announce your situation to the world?" Zabini roared as Draco helped Hermione in.

"Shove it Zabini, can't he just be nice for once with out catching any shit from anyone?" Hermione growled as she smacked Draco's hand away from her thing. "Don't push your luck with me Malfoy," Hermione narrowed her eyes at him as menacingly as possible, which was convincing enough to Blaise and Mandy, but was enticing to Draco.

"Congratulations to you both for making Head Boy and Girl, I hardly think they could have chosen better. Since they are trying to promote school unity and all," Mandy remarked sweetly, trying to ease the tension.

The rest of the trip Draco and Blaise made light conversation about their summers, as did Mandy and Hermione. It was a short fifteen minute ride to the gates of the castle, and like true gentlemen, both Blaise and Draco helped the two young ladies out of the carriages.

"Well, that was quite the impressive stare down you gave me, you almost had me for a minute." Draco teased, as he licked the top of her ear.

"Keep yourself under control there Tiger, let's save the rough housing for the bedroom." Hermione giggled, playfully pushing him away from her.

"You know you love it," he said grabbing her butt, which she quickly turned and hit him in the arm for.

"You do too, don't forget that," She hissed seductively in his ear this time.

"Oh you had better believe it," he chuckled, knowing that he would most definitely be getting some that night.

"Draco, give me that Vial, I just had a brilliant idea…" Hermione whispered to him as they walked up to the castle together. She had spotted the Weasley's and The-Boy-Who-Thought-He-Was-Invincible. "How many doses are in here?" She asked as he handed her the vial.

"Enough for the week, maybe two; I have Snape making some more for me," Draco told her as they crossed the thresh hold of the double doors.

"So, tell me, how much do you think will alter my appearance back to the know-it-all but leave me as myself for the most part?" Hermione wondered raising he eyebrows at him slightly.

"Three drops or so for tonight, I'd say six or seven for an entire day…wait…I see where this is going; Pansy makes a good scapegoat for your out of character actions, since they won't know any different. Just…mind you manners and play nice with the blood traitors and the half-blood, I'll see you later my Love." Draco remarked as he kissed her lightly and left her to herself.

Hermione went in search of a secluded area that would let her transformation take place with out drawing attention to herself. It was quick and nearly painless, and seconds later Hermione re-joined the sea of seat seeking students that entered the great hall.

"There you three are!" She called as she spotted Harry, Ron and Ginny, "I've been looking everywhere for you,"

"Hermione, how…what happened to the black hair you had on the train?" Ron asked in shock.

"Black hair, Ronald, why on Earth would I have black hair? The Pansy Parkinson look would not suite me," Hermione remarked with a slight chuckle.

"We saw you, you had black hair, and you kissed Malfoy!" Harry accused, not sure what about what was going on.

"Now, Harry, why would I kiss Malfoy? I would rather die than kiss that slimy snake!" She said with a shudder.

"Then where were you?" Harry demanded.

"In the bathroom, that was the first thing I did. When I got to the Head's compartment with that disgusting pustule of an excuse for a wizard, he was all over Pansy Parkinson, and Millicent Bulstrode was going through my trunk. Malfoy did have the courtesy to mention that you two came by, as I was walking out the door going back to look for you." Hermione explained. "I went through most of the compartments looking for you, but after a while, I started to feel sick, so I spent the rest of the trip in the bathroom and the Head's compartment," Hermione's elaborate lie continued.

"See Harry? We should have known better. But you scared us over the summer Hermione, we found some of your stuff at a house that the Aurors raided…It was a House that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was living in," Ron announced as quietly as possible, with Harry staring him down menacingly.

"Why would my belongings be at the residence of something so…sinisterly evil? That just doesn't make any sense to me…"

"Unless you're hiding something from us," Harry barked, as he continued the verbal assault on Hermione.

"Like what?" Ron questioned looking at Harry.

"Like the identity of Voldemort's children…"

"Oh please Harry, just because I don't agree with the manner in which you conduct yourself over the issue of Voldemort and his spawn, doesn't mean that I know anything about whom they are, or where they are for that matter." Hermione insisted. "That's just bloody ridiculous,"

"Then take Veritus Serum," Harry decided.

"No, Harry, I am your friend, I haven't done anything wrong, and I will not be bullied into doing something I don't want to do. I do not have to prove where my loyalty lies," Hermione hissed as Professor McGonagall stood to make the yearly announcements.

"She's right Harry, she hasn't done anything wrong, and since when has she approved of the way we've always done things?" Ron remarked quietly taking Hermione's side.

"…And Head Boy this year is Draco Malfoy from Slytherin, while Hermione Granger from Gryffindor has been named Head Girl." Professor McGonagall said as Hermione and Draco stood at the announcement of their names.

"Dear God Hermione, where ever did you get that ring?" Ginny gasped snatching up Hermione's left hand to examine the diamond encrusted band.

"Early birthday present from my father. They aren't real diamonds Ginny; they're man made, Cubic Zirconia." Hermione lied without even blinking.

"Well, even so, I'd like to see Pansy Parkinson's out to that sparkle. Did you know I heard she wasn't chosen as Draco Malfoy's fiancée? They're saying that Voldemort's daughter is his bride-to-be…"

"Really," Hermione wondered taking deep interest in hearing the gossip about herself, "Who are they exactly Ginny?"

"I overheard Daphne Greengrass telling Millicent Bulstrode, and some Hufflepuff. Pansy's dreadfully upset over the whole ordeal," Ginny blurted out.

"I can't ever imagine why," Hermione giggled with the roll of her eyes. How she loved playing these ignorant peons.

"…And lastly, Prefects will lead the first years to their dorms, and I shall need to see the Head students after the feast," Professor McGonagall finally finished.

"You know Ginny; you shouldn't pay too much attention to Malfoy and his betrothed, because they'll both be dead before this time next year." Harry remarked vengefully as he piled food onto his plate and glared at Hermione.

"Harry what if they aren't bad like him, what if they don't even know that he's their father?" Ron asked spraying the entire table with crumbs.

"It doesn't matter; they have the potential to be just as evil, if not more…"

"Just like you or me or anyone else in the world. That's not justice Harry," Hermione snapped irritated with his selective incompetence.

"She does have a point Harry," Ginny agreed with Hermione as she softly brushed Harry's arm with her finger tips.

"Well, let's just focus on the tasks at hand and deal with the details later," Harry finally decided with a slight smile forming across his lips.

'She's getting the best of him…this could work to my advantage.' Hermione thought smiling to herself, as she silently ate the rest of her food, pretending to listen to everything Ron had to say about Quidditch and what he and Harry had been doing for the Order of the summer.

Hermione gave a sigh of relief when Professor McGonagall finally sent them off to bed. "Well, I guess we'll see you in the morning Hermione," Ron said giving her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, which she had to hide her repulsion from.

"I'm sorry I accused you of those things Hermione. It's just not going to be the same without you in the Order." Harry apologized.

"I understand, let's just forgot about it, and get a good night's sleep." Hermione said as she felt her hands begin to tingle, "Good night," she called as they left her in the great hall.

Draco found her a few moments later, leaning against a pillar holding her stomach. "Hermione, are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine for now. I don't have much time until I change back, so let's find the Old Bat and get the hell out of here!" She winced slightly and leaned on him for support for a minute before collecting herself and taking a deep breath.

"How did it go?"

"Well, the red headed muskrat believed me, both of them did actually, but I'll tell you more about it later," Hermione whispered as Professor McGonagall approached them.

"It's good to see that the two of you have finally put your differences aside, and are at least trying to get along. This way please." The Newly elected Head Mistress commented as they obediently followed her out of the great hall.

"We had a chance to do some bonding on the train, and we have more in common than we ever thought possible," Draco remarked rather sarcastically.

"Good, because I will not hesitate to strip you of your titles if I see that you can't manage to be civil to one another," She warned as they stopped at the portrait of a Unicorn on the seventh floor, "Your password is cooperation, good night." With that Professor McGonagall left them to explore their dorm as the portrait swung open.

As soon as they entered and the portrait swung shut again, Hermione felt her knees go weak as she clutched her abdomen in irritation. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she whispered, as she gasped for breath from another sudden dull pain.

"It'll pass soon, just breathe," Draco soothed as he helped her off of the floor, "Come on," he urged as he led her to the bathroom, where he started the water for the Olympic pool sized bath tub.

"What are we doing in here?" Hermione wondered.

"Well, warm water loosens muscles, I thought it might help to ease your pain," he admitted as their lips met.

"Are you sure that was the only thing on your mind?" She teased as she pulled her sweater and blouse off at the same time, leaving her in her black satin bra and her school skirt.

"Well, I was until I saw that," he chuckled huskily running his fingers over her ribs and her hips, and stroking her back as he kissed her again, begging for her to open her mouth slightly, so he could divulge in reclaiming what he considered his territory.

She moaned in delight as he caressed her breasts, and that was all he needed to plunge his tongue in to her mouth and massage hers in a very seductive, yet almost pleading manner. Their kiss broke, and he moved from her mouth to her jaw line, and down to her neck.

She took the initiative to rid him of his tie, sweater, and dress shirt, as they're lips met feverishly in between, while he finished stripping himself down as well as her stripping down as well. They gingerly made their way to the bath, kissing, moaning and letting their hands roam over one another's bodies.

Draco found a spot to sit, and Hermione gratefully joined him, taking a seat on his lap, as she faced him, she rocked back and forth on her hips, giving him unimaginable pleasure.

They stayed in the bath for nearly two hours, before they emerged, in fits of laughter and complete happiness.

"So, what happened at dinner? I noticed The Undead was being rather hostile toward you," Draco asked as they snuggled together in his bed.

"I am going to be under much scrutiny I believe, by Potter. He's convinced that I am not what I seem and that I know more than I'm letting on. Which is correct, I mean, I have to give him credit on being so bloody observant. But both Weasley's are far too trusting," Hermione explained with a sigh.

"Yeah, I saw the Weasel try to kiss you," Draco teased looking into her hazel eyes.

"He did kiss me on the cheek, I came very near to vomiting, and it was ghastly." Hermione said as Draco began to laugh, "Oh shut up, how would you like it if Ginny kissed you?"

"Well, if you put it that way, I'm pretty sure I would much rather die," He said becoming very serious instantly. "So, how are we going to handle them then? I'm going to find it very hard to keep my hands off of you now that I know I have you for good,"

"I'm not entirely sure yet, but I think that it would be wise to lie low for the time being, until we can figure something sure fire out," Hermione advised.

"Yes, that does seem like the intelligent thing to do, doesn't it? Well, in that case, I shall try not to reveal all of our relationship to the world right away. I will only sneak kisses and the like when I know the boyfriends are not within hearing or seeing range." Draco told her.

"No, there will be none of it in public at all!" Hermione demanded haughtily.

"God you are so hot when you're frustrated, what do you say are you up for round two?" Draco asked pouncing on her and lathering her neck with kisses again.

"When have I even refused you when the moment presents?" Hermione asked with a giggle as they turned out the lights.

"God I love you," Draco breathed heavily.

"I love you too," Hermione gasped.

"So, please, tell me again why I wanted to do this?" Hermione asked Draco, pointing out the ugly, ratty, frizzy, brown hair the next morning as she came out of the bathroom in just her bath robe.

"Considering that you never divulged the intimate details of you scheme to me, I wouldn't know the exact reason, so don't ask me, or blame me." He told her as he pulled a chair out for her and served her some scrambled eggs. "Think of it this way, at least you only have to go through the day like that, and you get your real hair back every night."

"You never told me that you can cook!" She almost wailed in surprise.

"Believe me when I assure you that I don't. We have a private breakfast menu that the house elves bring up to us each morning." Draco smiled at her.

"Oh, did I tell you that Ginny is deathly jealous of my ring?"

"Of course she is! The man she marries won't be able to afford even a quarter karat, that's if anyone marries that wretched woman," Draco announced with a shudder of disgust.

"Pansy is jealous as well," Hermione giggled at Draco's reaction to hearing about Ginny.

"Once again, that is clearly obvious, and why shouldn't she be? But then again, she's more jealous of you then she wants everyone to know, not only do you stuck marrying me, but you are the Dark Lord's daughter, the heiress to his empire and half of his fortune." Draco said as he left to get dressed. "Oh, before I forget, I got this for you." He commented quietly setting the blue vial of liquid on the table. "It's a pain relieving potion."

"I'm not a bloody idiot, I know what it is," Hermione laughed," I'm just wondering why it wasn't me to think of it first,"

"You aren't the only one with brains, which by the way, I almost forgot to tell you that we are placed in all the same advanced classes together,"

"That doesn't really surprise me, I figured as much actually." Hermione said as she took her turn to stand up and swaggered sexily into her room.

They both returned to their common room a few moments later, completely dressed in their school uniforms and they were actually taking the chance at holding hands all the way down to the great hall, of course when any thing that looked like a student of ghost they immediately relinquished each other's hands and jumped away from each other. "Good luck my Love," Draco whispered to her as they entered the great hall and he whisked himself away from her to the Slytherin table.

"Hey, Hermione, what classes do you have?" Harry wondered as Hermione sat down between him and Ron.

"I have all my classes with that evil Ferret! Double advanced potions, advanced divinations even thought I think that Professor Trelawney is a bloody mental case, then…"

"Hermione, you never say bloody, and now that's twice in fourteen hours that you've said it," Harry commented looking strangely at her.

"So I'm letting my hair down a little so to speak. The world is changing Harry, and so am I," Hermione remarked, "Now where was I…? Oh yes, then I have advanced Herbology advanced Defense against the Dark Arts and double advanced transfiguration. Tomorrow I have double potions, double Arithmancy, double transfiguration, and advanced history of magic, YUCK!" Hermione made a funny face as she finish reciting her schedules.

"Since when do you hate the history of magic?" Ron asked as he stuffed as many pieces of bacon in his mouth as he could manage.

"Just because I pretend to like every subject by intently paying attention, doesn't mean that I actually love all of my subjects. I stride to excel in everything, not just what I like." Hermione explained in the know-it-all tone she always explained everything in.

"We don't have any of the same classes as you except for the history of magic, how did that happen? We've got all the classes required to become Aurors…" Harry contemplated.

"I'm Head Girl Harry, I've been put in all of the top classes because I have the top grades, as does the Head Boy, for as much as I hate to admit it," Hermione announced. "Now if you don't mind, I have double potions that I'm very close to being late fore," She stood up and glanced across the room and locked eyes with Draco, who also stood up and they left the great hall, Hermione, and then Draco close behind her.

"They have to show up together, leave together, sit together, and get along," Ginny remarked as she noticed the looks that Harry and Ron were giving each other.

"How do you know?" Ron snapped. Ginny was starting to sound vaguely like Hermione.

"You would know if you read, or if you even tried to pay attention to Professor Binns in the history of magic." Ginny hissed as she grabbed her rucksack and left the great hall as well, heading for Divinations.

"What do you think?" Harry wondered.

"I think that if Ginny's known about it the we better pay attention in class,"

"I think they're something else going on. I saw Hermione in Draco's room last night on the map,"

"Ginny did say that they have to get along, they were probably just making a schedule up to avoid one another as much as possible, as well as find suitable times to have their infamous rows, as we would usually have things done," Ron told Harry about the way his mind was processing the situation.

The breakfast bell sounded, letting them know that breakfast was over and classes would begin momentarily.