Disclaimer: I'm trying something different.

"Harry! Ron!" The two men turned to see Hermione Granger running over to them, scarf flapping in the breeze. She grinned when she finally reached them.

"Finally! I was looking all over for you two! Where were you?"

Ron glanced over at Harry and smirked.

"No where in particular..." Hermione glanced between the two and put on a skeptical look.

"What's going on?"

Harry grinned, shaking his head.

"Nothing... Well, come on! Let's go!" Both men grabbed Hermione by an arm and dragged her down the crowded streets of Hogsmeade. Hermione loved it there. The sights and smells hadn't changed much since her final year and she loved being close to her former home for seven years. She was currently laughing as she was towed from store to store, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Harry stop! I'm tired!"

"Yes, please Potter. Seeing the mudblood is enough to make me hurl. Don't give me more reasons."

The trio stopped to face Draco Malfoy. Strangly, he was alone. Ron and Harry observed that he was also paler than usual.

Nothing to do with the weather, I'm sure, Ron thought, glaring at the man.

Malfoy was taller, almost reaching up to Ron's six three height. Almost. He wore a long black cloak, probably a designer and his hair was sleeked back, which was a surprise seeing as it was extremely windy.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione asked, trying to keep a level head with the rising testosterone level. She had suddenly reversed roles, holding onto Harry and Ron. Malfoy glanced her way with mild interest.

"Nothing you could offer I'm sure." Ron started for him, only to be held back by Hermione. She was shaking her head.

"Don't. You're an Auror..." Ron regarded her for a moment then began to move off toward The Three Broomsticks. Malfoy was smirking.

"You going to listen to the little whore." Hermione whirled around and marched up to him.

"Listen. I don't care what you call me, but you start taunting my friends and we might just have ourselves a repeat of third year," she hissed. The next moment she was on the ground, clutching the side of her face.

"Why you son of a bitch!" Ron screamed. Malfoy was up against a building quicker that his hand had come down. Harry helped Hermione up then addressed Ron.

"Don't! He's not worth going to Azkaban for."

"Yes he is," Ron gritted out, his wand digging into Malfoy's pale throat. The blonde was laughing.

"You going to kill me Weasel? I beg you, do it!" Hermione didn't like the situation at all. Ron actually looked like he was going to do it. Hermione reached out and touched Ron's shoulder.

"Ron don't..." Ron's muscles relaxed slightly and he released his hold of the suffocating Malfoy. He fell to his knees, holding his neck and glaring up at the redhead.

"The next time you place your hands on Hermione I will kill you," Ron stated. It wasn't a threat. It was a promise. Malfoy stood up, straightening his cloak and started to move away. As he did his eyes made contact with Hermione's and she saw something. Something she hadn't expected to see in a Malfoy. She saw fear.

"Ron, I'm fine." Hermione exclaimed, swatting away Ron's hand. He had stayed behind at her apartment, while Harry had to leave. He was currently trying to dab some sort of foul smelling potion on her face. Malfoy's Hogwart's ring had caught on Hermione's skin, scratching it badly.

"No, you're not. Now hold still." She groaned and held still, letting him heal her. He was kneeling right in front of her, stroking the cloth across her face gently. She was extremly aware of how close they were and wasn't entirely comfortable with it. Everytime Ron got near her, she always had this urge to kiss him and that was a dangerous feeling. She wasn't about to allow herself to get caught in one of those situations. As soon as he was done, she stood up, moving to the kitchen. She opened the cabinet and cursed herself. Harry had been over yesterday and she had told him to put away the dishes. He had put them on the top shelf. She reached up on her toes, trying to grab hold of them, totally forgetting her wand. She continued to reach until she saw a hand pull down two tea cups and place them in front of her. Turning around she froze. Ron was standing there, his body now touching hers. Time seemed to stop, both of them paralyzed, gazing into each others eyes. The sound of the kettle broke the silence and shocked them into reality. Hermione pulled away from Ron's beautiful artic eyes and looked over to the shrieking appliance. Glancing back up at him, she moved around him and pulled out her wand.

"Accio tea cups," she muttered. The cups zoomed into her hand and she poured the tea. She handed a cup timidly to Ron. He smiled and took it, their hands brushing causing them both to blush. Hermione turned back to the tea, her back facing Ron and cursed herself. Stop it! You're acting like a stupid little schoolgirl. Pull yourself together and get a grip!

Turning around she smiled and led them back into the living room. They sat in silence, each going over the days events. Hermione's mind wandered back to the expression on Malfoy's face. What had that been about?

"I'd better go." Ron's voice broke into her thoughts and she looked up to see him standing up. She frowned.

"Do you have an early morning?"

"Yeah. Paper work." He wrinkled his nose in disgust. She laughed and walked him to the door. Opening it, he leaned against the door frame.

"What about you? You have an early morning?" He asked. Hermione nodded, sighing.

"Unfortunatly. St. Mungos needs a Healer there in the morning to help with some of the interns." Ron smiled.

"It could be worse." She frowned.

"How?" she asked. He grabbed his cloak and started down the stairs of her apartment building.

"You could be assigned to Lockhart!" He called. She burst out laughing, watching him disapear. She closed the door and continued to giggle as she cleaned up and got ready for bed.

A/N: Hope you like it!