Hermione rushed down the empty halls. After the last year, Hogwarts, her home, felt empty and cold. She was nearly late for her first class of the year. As she approached the Arithmancy classroom she peered past the door and saw that nearly all were seated. As the last students filled the front seats, Hermione slipped into the classroom inconspicuously as Professor Vector had her back turned, writing on the board. She looked around only to find that the last empty seat was at the back of the classroom. She hurried towards the seat and sat down.
As class went on, Hermione found herself in deep thought. This year was set to be difficult, particularly for Harry. With their NEWTs, Voldemort growing stronger and the loss of Dumbledore, she felt Harry slipping away, distancing himself from herself and Ron. Their summer at The Burrow showed Hermione this. Harry stayed up in Ron's room while the others tried to enjoy what seemed to be their last free summer. Whenever Ron or Hermione went to check up on him, they found him sitting on the window seat, with Hedwig at his feet. He had one or another open his lap, but his gaze was fixed outside, looking out the window. Each time they entered the room, he dismissed them with a blank smile and limited conversation. It was like this during meals as well, a blank and empty Harry with his usual emerald eyes void of their shine. Adjusting to this new Harry was especially difficult on Ginny, with whom he broke it off with before the summer.
She shook her head and tuned into what the Professor was saying. Soon after, class was dismissed and Hermione packed her belongings. As she put all her quills and parchments in her bag, she dropped a quill. She bent to pick it up and was faced with a large foot pressing over it. She looked up and saw Malfoy. He was unaware of the quill as he stood over his desk positioned directly next to hers. She hadn't seen him, which was strange as Malfoy dominated a room every time he was in one. She peered at him. His face looked gaunt and worn, with deep bags under his eyes. His usual slicked back hair was loose and around his face in light wisps. Hermione tugged the quill and he looked down. He removed his foot. No remark, no comment. Not even a glance in her direction. She straightened and adjusted her bag on her shoulder. Slowly, she followed Malfoy out of the room and headed straight to her next class. Potions. Ron and Harry were seated at a table with Neville. She filled in the last remaining seat.
"Hermione" Neville beamed, "How was your summer?" Hermione returned the smile and answered the question. As it was the first lesson of the year, Slughorn assigned a simple potion which Hermione completed within 20 minutes. She sat back and glanced around the classroom. Harry, Ron and Neville still had their heads down working, without result it seemed, on their potion. She looked around the classroom and was suddenly faced with direct eye contact with Malfoy. It had seemed that he had also finished his potion. He really wasn't looking too good, she thought to herself. It seemed to Hermione that he was staring at her, but with closer observations she saw that his eyes were glazed over and his hands absently fiddling with his wand. His eyes were blank and void of all the malice and cold humour. Looking at him, Hermione thought to her, what could make the great, pompous Malfoy into a shadow of his old self-"Hermione?" Ron's voice broke through her train of thought "what are you looking at?"
"Nothing" she replied "Need help?" Hermione turned to help Ron and soon forgot the look Malfoy was sporting.