Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter, any characters, settings or objects. It is all owned by J.K Rowling.

For the first time in what had seemed like centuries, there was finally peace in the Wizarding world. The Dark Lord had been vanquished and Harry Potter had become an even bigger hero. Wizarding families now felt it was completely safe to send their children back to Hogwarts and resume their lives before the destruction.

The platform was heaving with the hustle and bustle of everyone boarding the train back to Hogwarts. There were excited faces, screeches hoots and glugs of various animal accompaniments and the smell of smoke billowing from the Hogwarts Express. Harry, Hermione and Ron settled into an empty carriage, all considerably older and more mature than their previous year, talking excitedly about what would await them in their final year. A lot had changed about the trio between their 6th and 7th year, they had faced dangers and expectations beyond their age, yet now, back in their comfort zones they had conformed back to being fearless and witty teenagers awaiting another fun packed year at Hogwarts.

'I can't believe we are going back!' said Hermione, 'We can finally finish our N.E. and graduate!'

'Oh give it a rest mione' interrupted Ron rolling his eyes, 'You think I care about that after the summer we've just had?!'

Hermione scowled, she loved him dearly but if there was one thing that irritated her about Ron was his lack of enthusiasm for education and achievement. She shot a reproachful look at Harry who merely smirked at Ron's comment and shrugged, continuing to read his book Quidditch through the Ages. Hermione sighed, maybe she ought to relax a little more, looking out of the window and watching the fields fly past she smiled, perhaps she would take things easier this year.

There were quite a few changes that had occurred in the school whilst they had been gone fighting the war, McGonagall had now taken the position as Headmistress and had enforced some new rules upon the four houses; Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. They were now to share dormitories and common rooms in order to continue to promote peace and sanity between the students. Despite being mostly made up of pure-bloods who had a knack for causing trouble and being devoted to the Dark Arts, even the Slytherin's had mostly come to their senses since the downfall of Voldemort and had become, not completely, but considerably more bearable. The Gryffindor's and Slytherin's were made to share their living spaces.

'You have to be bloody kidding me!' shouted Ron, looking murderous. As stubborn as he always had been, Ron was one of the few who had not accepted the company of the Slytherin's lightly.

'Give it a rest weaselbee! Maybe now you'll finally get to share a bed with that' barked Draco Malfoy inclining his head towards Hermione, 'Should cheer you right up!'

Ron blushed a violet shade of red, narrowing his eyes so far it was hard to tell whether he still had them open. On the other hand, Hermione shook her head 'That the best you can give us Malfoy? Lost your touch abit don't you think?'

Harry and Ron roared with laughter along with a few others. Malfoy sneered; it looked like Granger had got herself a backbone. But before he could argue back he felt a pair of hands wrap round his waist, it was Pansy Parkinson.

'Ignore them Draco, come sit with us over here, Blaise stole some fire-whiskey to get this new year of to a good start…if you know what I mean' she winked at him. Draco forced a smirk, although she was hot, Pansy still made his skin crawl. All she was good for was a meaningless fuck when he got bored.

As he walked away to the far side of the room, Hermione watched him attentively, he had grown a couple more inches since last year but did not look quite as skinny, his pale blonde hair was shorter and gelled up to give it a messy look and he was wearing a casual grey suit, She continued to stare. When did Malfoy get….good looking? She let her mind ponder on the thought of Malfoy's sudden increase in attractiveness, becoming completely oblivious to the fact that he had taunted her, Ron and Harry for the past 6 years.

On the opposite side of the room, Blaise Zabini had just cracked open a bottle of fire-whiskey and was passing it around the tight circle of Slytherin's gathered round the fire for them to take a swig. Draco was slouched lazily on one of the corner chairs, with one of Pansy's girly gossip magazine's open on his knee, he didn't read it for the information, just to look at the hot witches sporting summer and cheerleading sportswear.

'Oi Draco' Blaise nudged his leg with his elbow. Draco looked down to where Blaise was sat and watched him smoking rings from his cigarette.

'What man?' he asked his longest friend.

'You checked out Granger this year? I don't give a fuck if she's a mudblood man, she's defo gone up to about an 8!'

Draco scoffed, what on earth had possessed Blaise to say something like that! Despite his shock, Draco raised his head interestedly in the direction of Hermione and had to do a double take when he truly focused on her.

She had definitely changed. Her hair was no longer out of control and mane-like, but fell in neat brown curls down her back. Her teeth were no longer bucktooth, she must have found a spell to shorten them. Taking a better look, Draco stared harder over her body, she was stood talking to Potter, laughing carelessly at whatever he was saying. Her boobs had definitely grown a cup size or two and her long pale legs seemed to go on forever. He couldn't believe it…she was hot. Shaking his head violently in an attempt to see if he just had his beer goggles on, he continued to stare. Granger looked perfect.

Hermione smiled brightly at Harry before saying goodnight and turning to head towards the Gryffindor girls dormitory, as she did she noticed Draco was staring at her, once he noticed she was looking back at him he lifted his magazine quickly in front of his face, utterly embarrassed.

Hermione smirked; there was no mistaking that Draco had just been starting at her. Was she flattered? Maybe she was going to have some more fun this year.