Draco felt confused. He knew Granger was different. Ever since she punched him he knew she was unlike other girls, but it had become a lot more obvious during the war. He remembered the night at the manor when Bellatrix had tortured her like it was yesterday. The look on her face. She had endured it; she had endured it without saying a word. The admiration he felt for her was to be expected. That he could deal with. It was the attraction that he couldn't stand. And the deep feeling of jealousy whenever he saw her with that gangly idiot Weasley. He couldn't help but think it should be him with her, kissing her that way.

He shook his head. It was wrong. They were too different. She was Granger for Merlin's sake. He had tormented her all throughout Hogwarts. If only he hadn't been so keen to live up to his father' expectations. He was a failure and it was all because of his stupid need to please.

...

Hermione was the only one of the Golden Trio to be happy back in classes. It had come as quite a shock to the three of them that they were required to finish their studies. Everyone was required to retake the last year. She gathered it was the ministries way of trying to get back on its feet and show its authority. Many arrests had been made following the war, not to mention the number of casualties, so many positions had to be refilled. The ministry, or what was left of it, didn't want half trained and often traumatised witches and wizards working for it, so it had enforced the need for full qualifications. Not that this surprised her. It made sense.

The school itself was in a shambles as well. It remained headmaster-less, with Professor McGonagol standing in only as a temp. The missing teachers were also temporarily replaced, by witches and wizards of different countries. They had set up a system in which teachers from all over the world could gain experience teaching in Hogwarts while needed. They all knew Voldemort would not have stopped at Britain and were grateful for his demise. It was also a good learning opportunity.

Those repeating year 7, most of which had played important roles within the war, were seen as being more independent and were therefore given more time to themselves. They were put into study groups in order to support and help each other throughout the year, completely many research projects on their own. It was at one of these meeting that she sat musing.

'Hermione?'

She looked up surprised. Apparently she had missed a large quantity of their discussion. She apologised and returned her attention to the rest of the people in the room they had been assigned. She had been grouped with Harry, Padma and Draco. In an attempt to make students less prejudice they had decided mixing houses was the best option. It had worked well so far, with only a few disputes. The time she had away from Ron was also welcomed.

'We were just saying how we should get some lunch and return to this later in the library,' Harry said with a slight look of concern on his face.

'Oh, yes of course.' She smiled lightly and gathered her stuff.

...

In the great hall Draco found himself peering across the table at Hermione. Her curls had lost their frizz and her face was now that of a woman rather than a girl. He had noticed himself looking less young over the past months as well, his features more sharp and angular than before. He was still slim but his muscles were definitely leaner. All of them had grown up so much over the last year. Hermione met his gaze and smiled. He felt the corners of his lips full up slightly in return until he spotted the redhead sat close next to her. He leaned in to peck her cheek and Draco turned away, disgusted. He couldn't stand the little rat.

'Hey Draco, what's up?'

He turned to look at Pansy, muttering that he was fine. He stood slowly, declaring his need to visit the library and left.

Once there he sat alone, musing for a short while, paying no attention to the book he had picked out. The group work they were currently focusing on was based around a rather complicated potion they had to eventually brew for their final exam. It required four months to make, so they had to perfect their techniques now in order to complete it in time. He was sure they could do it. All four of them were fairly smart, so he had no worry about that. It was all the close contact he had with Hermione that was driving him insane. He didn't want to develop feelings for her.

Despite this he smiled as he saw her walk in the room. She hadn't spotted him yet and he felt his eyes drift down her body, taking in her gentle curves and graceful posture. Her walk had always been confident and purposeful, like she always knew what she was doing. Today he noticed her falter a little and wondered why.

She finally found her way to his table, and smiled. 'Hey Draco, I didn't expect you to be early.'

'Keeping ahead of the game as always. Where's Potter?'

'Oh, he's coming soon. Just spending lunch with Ginny.'

'Ah yes, the happy couple. I would have thought you'd stay with the other Weasley if he was.'

His chest fluttered as he saw her face fall temporarily. 'Oh, he's busy with study as well. And it's not like you can have an intelligent conversation with him when he's piling food in his mouth.'

'Not like you can have an intelligent conversation with him ever,' Draco muttered under his breath.

'What was that?'

'Oh, nothing. Just questioning your lovers intellect,' He smirked. 'Hey, I found a book that might help our research.' He was surprised when he didn't get chastised for his comment. Granger just let her gaze fall to the book left on the table unopened and pulled it towards her.