Hi guys, I'm back. Terribly sorry about my absence, stuff happens and needed to be dealt with. I had published stories before but I deleted them because they contained errors which I missed when I proof read them and there were in consistencies but now that I'm back, I feel I have improved so now I'm willing to share :D

I hope you enjoy my story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything is borrowed with which I have no intention of keeping. All yours J.K Rowling :D

Hermione Granger strode purposefully to the library, her mind buzzing with possibilities of becoming an animagus. At eighteen years old, Hermione had accomplished more than anyone her age. Her keen intellect and logic, amongst other things, helped Harry defeat Voldemort in the Final Battle within the walls of Hogwarts.

After being presented to opportunity to return to Hogwarts to complete her seventh year and final year, Hermione had taken to her study as easily as ever, despite the previous onslaught of the second war. Ron and Harry had decided to take up Kingsley's offer and went straight into Auror training. Ginny had continued with her education like it wasn't interrupted… even if it was hindered by the Death Eater Professors, her common sense helped her reach her seventh year.

Unfortunately, Draco Malfoy; the insufferable Slytherin had also decided to return to Hogwarts. Sure, Hermione could see no reason why he couldn't but it was simply unexpected, she will always see him as the amazing bouncing ferret. Draco had returned to fulfil his late Godfather, Severus Snape's wishes, of completing his education. He was apprehensive at first, but after some coaxing from his mother, he realised that this was a chance to work hard for a well deserved reputable name for himself, to separate himself from old prejudices and the influence his father had over him. The deaths of the war had had been an eye opener for him seeing how weak it was to follow the beliefs of someone else, someone as influential as Voldemort.

With his mind free from any external influence, Draco has been able to make judgements on his own. He couldn't find the effort to antagonise Gryffindors anymore…he found Hermione to be more than a know-it-all…more like an intelligent young woman; a beautifully, intelligent young woman.

Hermione noticed a change in the Slytherin's behaviour; he wasn't obnoxious, or arrogant, or even remotely interested in provoking Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs anymore. He was almost likeable in a general sense.

Not realising she missed the staircase on her journey to the library, Hermione was interrupted from her thoughts when someone suddenly covered her mouth and eyes before she could even pull her wand out, and pulled her against them into an empty classroom.

She recognised the solid arms and broad chest of Draco Malfoy. Her face turned bright red in anger and struggled against him for release. He tightened his arms until her struggle weakened; he then locked and silenced the room with a swish of his wand.

"Hermione, stop struggling I'm not going to hurt you!" Hermione found the strength to struggle further; his fingers found its way near her mouth so she bit him.

"OW!" and he instantly released her to relieve his hand of the pain.

Hermione went to whip out her wand but found it no where on her person. She looked to find an exasperated Draco watching her.

"Give me my wand!" she demanded.

"No, let me speak first, I said I wasn't going to hurt you, once you've heard me out you can go…" he finished.

"Give it to me Now Malfoy, before I…"

"You'll what?" he intercepted sarcastically.

"You will be facing a repeat of third year! Hand it OVER!"

"Yeah, sure; in case you haven't noticed this isn't third year anymore, there's no Voldemort anymore, there's no reason why I would want to possibly want to hurt you anymore! I'm sorry I dragged you in here without your permission but would you have given me a second glance if I asked politely??!" he yelled.

"Oh yeah? What about the fact that I'm a MUDBLOOD! That's excuse is good enough for you!"

"My father you mean. I. Am. Not. My. Father. If you remember we fought for the same side of the war."

"Yeah, to save your own necks." She cynically replied.

"Its Malfoy instinct, I won't deny that. I also won't deny the fact that I find you intelligent and brilliant either." He replied with a small sincere smile. He took a step closer.

Hermione looked stunned. Did he really just compliment her intelligence? What is he playing at? Is this a joke?

"What are talking about?" she demanded.

"I think your brilliant… what do you think it means? I'm saying I like you. I like that you aren't a dim witted girl like Brown or as over emotional as Chang. You can hold intelligent conversation…something Slytherin girls seem to lack. I also think its cute when you scrunch your nose in concentration or frustration… like now," he finished with a chuckle. He took another slow step towards her… almost like she'd run at any moment. He studied her face.

"I…uh...I…what?" she stumbled.

"Wow. Hermione Granger speechless? I never thought I would see the day," he said arrogantly.

"Oh shut up you, what brought this on, as far as I know, you don't like me, or my existence," she retorted.

"Weren't you listening?" he stepped closer. He was in arms length with her now. She realised this, and stepped back only to touch the wall. He slowly raised his hand to her face and hesitantly caressed Hermione's cheek, leaving a warm tingly feeling trailing from where his knuckle where..

He whispered, "I said I wouldn't hurt you, and I won't." He pulled Hermione's wand from his back pocket and slowly placed it on the window sill next to her. Hermione watched with confusion, her face flushed from the innocently intimate gesture. Draco stepped back and turned to walk away. He raised his wand above him and released the silencing spell and locking spell and continued walking out.

Hermione looked at him in disbelief before he entirely left the room. She was frozen on the spot, processing what just occurred. After five minutes, she grabbed her wand and ran from the classroom, her face stained with a permanent red blush upon her cheeks. She ran to the library to hide herself behind the pages of books she appreciates so much, hoping the blush on her cheeks will disappear before dinner.