I was alone again as I did my prefect duties. And with no sign of Harry or Draco I hung back for a little bit longer until I saw Draco. "Hello Love," He says as he takes my hand.

"Draco have you seen Harry?" I ask he shakes his head.

"No, I'm sure he's off with the Gryffindors," Draco says, "come on love." As we walk to the carriages I see two familiar faces.

"Savannah, Lydia," I say as I wave at them. They look back and smile.

"It's been a while," Lydia says. I nod.

"You need to write more!" Savannah says.

"I know I know," I sigh, "I promise I'll get better." We climb inside the carriage and Draco looks over to me slightly worried. "What's wrong Draco?"

"I think I dropped my ring," he sighs, "I'm sorry. I had to get it resized and it's a little big and I guess it just fell off."

"Draco love it's fine," I say slightly upset that he lost the ring. "It was about time to replace it anyways. I mean it's been like 6 years."

"Still," he says, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," I say tightening my grip on his hand reassuringly.

"You two are sickeningly cute," Lydia groans as she looks to Savannah. "Isn't it disgusting."

"No! It's adorable!" Savannah says, "I like it."

"Of course you do," Lydia says. I chuckle and look back to Draco.

"I think we're pretty cute," He shrugs, "probably the cutest."

"Me too," I say as I hear gagging.

"Disgusting," Lydia huffs. As the carriage comes to a halt we file out. But we are met with a couple auros and Professors.

"Names?" Flitwick asks. Draco and I exchange a look.

"Draco Malfoy and Y/n Cultven," Draco says for us, "but you know that."

"I'm just following orders," Flitwick sighs. As we move on the unidentified aurors comb through our belongings.

"There's no need," Draco says. They keep going and I could tell he was over it. "Get your filthy half blood hands of my thing!"

"I can vouch for Mr. Malfoy," I hear as I look up from my now opened trunk. In front of us stood Snape, Who after Harry's mind being used as a trap, wasn't my favorite person.

"Of course you're here," I groan as the auror pushes my truck forward now closing it. They stop combing through Draco's things and we move along.

*****

As we get to the great hall I notice Harry was still gone. "It's not even been a full day? And he's already missing?" I ask Draco.

"Maybe he's with Granger and Weasley," Draco shrugs as we sit down. But I point to the two over at the Gryffindor table.

"No there here," I say, "it makes no sense."

"I'm sure Potter will be fine," Draco says as he wraps his arm around me. I sigh as the sorting ceremony begins. Another year of me not really caring about who got sorted where. Although a rather adorable little witch got sorted into Slytherin and marched all the way to Draco and I to sit down with the good Slytherin. It was an Sweet act but my house mates where unimpressed. Finally as the meal was wrapping up the doors to the great hall swung open a raggedy looking Harry marches in. He was covered in blood and looked like he had taken quite the beating.

"Bloody hell," I whisper watching him as he walks back to his table. Everyone pressing him for the story. From the distance between us I couldn't tell what he was saying. Let alone if he was telling them to buzz off.

"Salazar's sake Malfoy," Blaise says as he looks back to Harry.

"What do you mean?" I ask, "you didn't do that to him did you?"

"No of course not love," Draco says as he strokes my back, "Why would I do that?" I couldn't find an answer for that. Him and Harry have been tame towards each other lately. And even if they had been fighting- he was with me.

"You wouldn't," I say softly, "if anything you would of used a spell." They nod around me.

"That makes sense," Theodore says. For once I felt like a child that people were keeping secrets from.

"Right," I say before returning to my food. My appetite gone. Thankfully Dumbledore took his stand and shushed us.

"The very best of evenings to you!" he says smiling broadly, his arms opened wide as though to embrace the whole room. I look to see his right hand blacked, like one off of a corpse.

"What happened to his hand?" Pansy asks. I shrug. Dumbledore smiles and pulls his sleeve over his hand.

"Nothing to worry about," he says airily. "Now... to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you..."

"What could of happened?" Goyle asks.

"By the looks of it," I say as I observe his hand from a far. "It looks like a curse. Maybe a poison."

"and Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," Dumbledore says, "Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise." I feel Draco smile at me as he nudges my arm proudly.

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn"—Slughorn stands up, his bald head gleaming in the candlelight, his big waistcoated belly casting the table below into shadow—"is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."

"Potions?"

"Potions?"

"Potions?" Pansy asks, "But you said—"

"Well it makes more sense seeing as he is a potions teacher," Draco says.

"Hey and I said 'supposedly' meaning that's just what I heard," I correct Pansy.

"Professor Snape, meanwhile," Dumbledore says, raising his voice so that it carried over all the muttering, "will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"No!" Harry yells loudly causing people to look over. While I sink back slightly. Snape as a the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher? Why would that even be a thing? Why would Dumbledore do that? People around me start to applaud but I cross my arms and refuse.

"That man is no more than a giant child," I scoff thinking back on all of his complaining and fighting from last year.

"He's a good teacher," Blaise says, "he'll be a fantastic one. Maybe even the best we've had-"

"That was Rem- Professor Lupin," I correct almost using Lupins first name. They look and nod fairly.

"He was a great teacher," Draco says, "too bad he's a werewolf."

"Yes but he is a great man," I say as Dumbledore clears his throat to regain our attention.

"Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength," Dumbledore says. Beside me I feel the Slytherins tense. I could understand it was a scary thought. Even Draco was uneasy. "I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them—in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety. But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!" He waves his hand causing the food and plates to disappear and Draco helps me up. As we walk to the common room with the first years I tighten my grip on Draco's hand. Slightly confused and nervous as we walk back down to his room. As I curl up in his bed I could tell he was uneasy. Even more so as I curl up resting my head on his chest. Hearing his thumping heart as I trace along his chest before slowly dozing off.

It's dark. I'm outside standing before Hagrid's tent. It's burning and inside Fangs was trapped. I scream loudly trying to move to help. While around me I see blurs of people around me. The only clear ones being Wyvervest and Bellatrix. Death Eaters. Burning the shack as they laugh loudly. Above the tower is the green dark mark.

My eyes open quickly as I sit up and look around. I was in Draco's dorm, the other boys sleeping peacefully. As I start to settle back in bed I notice an absence of Draco. I climb up from the bed and reach his door. Draco's white tee hitting mid thigh making me feel slightly exposed.I start to open the door but the sound of footsteps on the other side sent me rushing back into his bed. I pull the blankets over my head as I hear the door open. The footsteps lead to the bed and it dips under someone's weight. I feel Draco's arm curl around me as he starts to stroke my hair.

"I'm sorry love," he mumbles softly. I close my eyes tightly trying to fall back asleep. But his slow movements were the final factor to my soft sleep.

****

The next morning as alarms start to blare I peel myself from Draco's arms and rush to get ready. For nothing more than to avoid talking to Draco about last night. What could he be sorry for? Why did he disappear?

"What's going on in that tortured mind of yours?" Ginny asks as she reaches me as I walk to breakfast.

"Tortured?" I ask peeling myself from my thoughts.

"I mean that's your whole brand- Draco's too I mean, he even calls you 'love'!" Ginny teases.

"Oh really?" I ask her, "Miss 'help me I've fallen for the chosen one but all he can see is Cho!'" She elbows my ribs as I laugh.

"I don't like him!" She huffs, "I like my boyfriend."

"Oh Dean?" I ask her she nods, "what's his middle name? His favourite colour? His favourite subject?"

"Well um," she mumbles then snaps, "you don't know any of that about Draco!"

"His middle name is Lucius, his favourite colour is black or green. His favourite subject is potions but secretly he really loves transfiguration," I say then move my hands to act out a mic drop.

"You two have also been dating for forever," Ginny groans.

"Three years at the end of this term," I say to her, "But I knew that stuff about him before we dated. Because we were friends. The point is do you actually like him?"

"Do you trust that Draco won't help the you know who?" Ginny asks.

"Yes I do," I say to her, "I believe that he knows what he's doing."

"Good," She says, "and I do like Dean. He's a good guy." Before I can reply Dean joins us.

"Good morning Dean," I say as he wraps his arm around Ginny.

"Morning Y/n," He says, "morning Ginny." He looks back to me, "Do you know what NEWT classed your taking? Or well requesting?"

"All of them at the moment," I admit and he chuckles.

"Of course you and Hermione both would," He says then looks over to the Gryffindor table as we reach the great hall. "Shall we sit down Ginny?"

"Sure," She says awkwardly. I wave to them before making my way to my own table. A little known fact is that most of my house mates arrive early to breakfast, but today I was the earliest. As I start to eat my cereal I could see other kids staring at me like I had three heads. But my focus was on the flashes of Hagrid's burning shack in my mind.

"Love?" I hear calmly. The twisted orange flames fade from my vision and Draco's calm tired features replace them.

"Draco hey," I say weakly. He looks at me with worry in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asks. I nod.

"Just tired," I lie. In reality I was confused on why my mind kept coming back to that fire and Draco.

"You were out of bed early this morning," Draco says as he fills up his plate. I now notice the others sitting around us.

"Just wanted an early start," I say as I stir my spoon around the bowl.

"Sure of course," Blaise says as he grabs some toast. "You're just so excited to start classes huh?"

"Yeah," I say, "you know how it is."

"I could never be that excited about class," Theodore says as he winks at Astoria.

"You also aren't as smart as she is," Draco says sounding bored.

"Dracypoo what about us?" Pansy asks pointing to her and Astoria.

"You're dreadful," Draco says as he looks to them. They both pout and Blaise smirks.

"I'll still hit it Pug," Blaise mocks. They look at me in shock of my lack of input.

"Are you sure your okay love?" Draco asks placing his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm fine," I whisper, "just tired." Blaise starts the conversation again by insulting Pansy but my mind can't shift away from my dream or how strange Draco was acting. Finally I decide to ask. "Draco darling," I say causing him to look over at me.

"Yes?" He asks.

"Where did you go last night-"

"Ms. Cultven What NEWT classes do you want?" Snape interrupts quickly. I look to Draco then Snape and sigh.

"Oh Of course," I say, "um-"

"Potions I'm sure?" He says, "an outstanding- not that I'm surprised. Still."

"Yeah Potions, Herbology of course, charms, Ancient Runes," I list off.

"Transfiguration," McGonagall cuts in from the table beside us, "put her down." I see Snape clear me for transfiguration as McGonagall turns back to her kids.

"Another Outstandings in Defence Against The Dark Arts? Shall I put you down for that too?" Snape asks.

"And care for Magical Creatures," I say watching as he signs off.

"All of the NEWT classes?" Snape asks curiously.

"Just like my parents," I smile weakly. He gives Draco a soft look before handing me a parchment and my schedule.

"The list of names... for the quidditch team," He says not really caring. I look to Draco as he moves to Blaise.

"I guess I'll see you later- possible by the lake?" I offer. He nods.

"Of course," he says before pecking my cheek.

****

   Hermione and I walk along the path from Ancient Runes in an awkward silence. Before I look at her and sigh.

   "You and I have always been so close," I say to her, "why can't you talk to me?"

  "It's nothing," she says. I catch her hiding her face and stop walking.

  "Mione," I say softly, "what's wrong?"

  "It's just- I'm the smart one. I've always been the smart one," she sighs, "and you beating me out for scores just kinda took that away from me. I mean you're prettier than me and smarter than me I mean no wonder Ron likes you-"

"Ew Ron doesn't like me," I say in disgust, "he's like my brother."

"Oh please," she says, "I've seen how he looks at you."

"Brotherly," I correct, "he looks at me like he looks at Ginny. Like how Bill and Charlie look at me. Like a little sister... besides there is so much more to you than being smart. I mean you're stunningly beautiful and sweet. You're caring. I mean starting SPEW? You're the reason Harry, Ron, and I are still alive. A famous seeker thought you were the prettiest girl he's ever met. Hermione stop doubting yourself." She smiles before pulling me into a one armed hug around our text books.

"You're the best," she says holding on tightly. As she pulls back I set my books down and point my wand at them. Levitating then as we continue to walk.

"Besides you have to understand, I've grown up standing this stuff," I say, "on top of training every summer. I'm nonstop. But I have to. Seeing as my job is to keep Harry alive."

"Are you still the Hogwarts spy?" Hermione whispers. I nod.

"I keep them in touch with a students perspective while working to keep Harry alive and the general student body safe," I say as we reach the DADA room. "So about Ron... Do you have a crush?" She hides her pink face.

"That's preposterous!" She squeals. I roll my eyes.

"You and Ginny both hiding your feelings when they obviously like you back, I mean Ron has had a thing for you since first year," I chuckle. She looks down at her books.

"Really?" She asks, "not that I care!"

"Sure you don't," I say as I look to see Ron and Harry walking towards us. "Speak of the Devil. Hey Ronald! Harry!"

"Hey," Harry says.

"No Draco?" Ron asks.

"He'll be here. I just haven't seen him since breakfast," I say.

"We got so much homework for Runes," Hermione says anxiously, "A fifteen-inch essay, two translations, and I've got to read these by Wednesday!"

"Shame," Ron yawns.

"You wait," she says resentfully. "I bet Snape gives us loads." As if on queue the door to the room opens. Revealing Snape himself.

"Inside," he orders. As we file in I see Draco and part from the group to reach him. We take a seat in the back. The room was different, dark and gloomy. The curtains drawn and pictures of people with different curses on them. We pull out our books and he stops us.

"I have not asked you to take out your books," Snape says closing the door and moving to face the class from behind his desk. "I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention...You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe.... Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be much more advanced."

"I don't know if I can do it with him," I groan under my breath. Draco traces his thumb across my hand and I sigh.

The Dark Arts," Snape says, "are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible... Your defenses, must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures"—he indicates a few of them as he swept past—"give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse"—he waves a hand toward a witch who was clearly shrieking in agony

"Yeah it hurts like a bitch," I mumble to Draco.

"feel the Dementor's Kiss"—a wizard lying huddled and blank-eyed, slumped against a wall—"or provoke the aggression of the Inferius"—a bloody mass upon the ground.

"Has an Inferius been seen, then?" Parvati Patil asks in a high-pitched voice. "Is it definite, is he using them?"

"The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past," Snape says, "which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now..." He sets off again around the other side of the classroom toward his desk, and again, we watch him as he walks, his dark robes billowing behind him. "... you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?" Hermione's hand shoots into the air. Snape took his time looking around at everybody else, making sure he had no choice, before saying curtly, "Very well—Miss Granger?"

"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform," Hermione says, "which gives you a split-second advantage."

"An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six," Snape says dismissively, "but correct in essentials. Yes, those who progress to using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some"—his gaze lingers maliciously upon Harry once more—"lack."

"You will now divide," Snape goes on, "into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on." I partner up with Draco as we stand. Wanda out.

"I don't wanna hurt you," He cautions, "I can go easy." I hit Draco with a wordless knock back jinx. Sending him back to the desk. Snaps walks over and looks to me seeming slightly pleased.

"You've done this before?" Snape asks.

"I spent a lot of time working on nonverbal spells over the summer. Moony helped me," I say to Snape who nods.

"You would be the one who could already do this," He says with slight amusement, "fascinating. Twenty points to Slytherin." As he moves on Draco steps up again.

"My turn," He says. He mumbles his stinging hex but I block it with a shield charm making Draco slightly annoyed.

"Protego!" I hear Harry shout and look over. I see Snape Against a desk and Harry almost proudly smirking.

"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?" Snape hisses.

"Yes," Harry says stiffly.

"Yes, sir," Snape corrects.

"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor," Harry snaps back causing people to snicker.

"Detention, Saturday night, my office," Snape says, "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter... not even 'the Chosen One.'"

As the class ends and break starts I smirk at Harry as we walk out.

"You're brilliant but that mouth will be the death of you Potter," I chuckle. Beside me Draco tenses.

"I'll be fine," Harry says.

"We're gonna head out to the lake," I say to them, "feel free to join us."

"Maybe," Harry says. I wave to them as the group splits and Draco and I get to the lake. As we sit down beside the water I finally take the chance to ask him.

"Where did you go last night?" I ask him.

"When?" He asks.

"I don't know exactly. It was late and you were gone and you came back and crawled into bed and said I'm sorry, why?" I ask.

"I went to the bathroom. And I said I'm sorry because I woke you up," he says, "no reason to get worried." I nod.

"You're right," I say, "I'm just being crazy." But I couldn't help but feel like a part of the story was missing.