It was almost her lunch break. Hermione Granger sat at her desk trying to focus and get the pile of work that sat in front of her finished. She put her hands to her head, a headache forming across her forehead. Nothing had felt right this week at all. She was tired from her sleepless nights. She tossed and turned, her stomach in a knot, her head spinning. Dark circles formed under her eyes. She looked AWFUL. There was a knock at her door.

"Come in." She said absentmindedly.

"Oh, hey Harry." She said, emotionless.

"Mione, are you alright?" Harry asked, "You haven't been yourself this week, and it looks like you haven't gotten any sleep."

Hermione smiled at her best friend. He always made an effort to care for her, and it made her happy that he'd noticed her state of mind. Though recently Harry hadn't focused on Hermione much because of Ginny, she still knew he cared, and that made her feel better.

"I'm fine Harry, like you said, I just haven't been sleeping well. Maybe I'm coming down with something." She sounded distant. Harry frowned.

"Well alright, if you say so. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." He gave her a small smile and left her office.

Hermione decided to take her lunch break and walk around outside. The ministry can get stuffy and dull, so it was nice to have some fresh air. She stopped outside a cute café, and decided to go in and get a salad and some tea. Strolling in, she felt fine until she saw him. Ugh. Draco Malfoy.

Draco Malfoy now worked in the Ministry. He was surprised that they allowed him to do so, considering his parents, and regrettably him, worked for Lord Voldemort. Draco didn't feel himself lately. He was 20, turning 21 soon, and he wasn't even excited for his birthday. In fact. Draco Malfoy had a huge change of heart after you-know-who left, and no one knew why.

Instead of throwing insults at people, his eyes were dark, he never smiled, and he turned quiet. Most people assumed it was because he was ashamed of his actions in the final battle, but Draco himself knew there was much more it then that. Everything he had done at Hogwarts had been a mistake, but one thing in particular stuck out to him- he was absolutely brutal to someone he never truly wanted to hurt.

Sipping his coffee, deep within his work, he never noticed Hermione Granger walk in, and she was thankful. Hopefully she could just get her lunch and leave without him noticing.

She held her breath as she strolled by, but he still didn't look up. She kept stealing glances at him for an unknown reason, which she convinced herself was checking to make sure he didn't notice her.

Every time she glanced at him, she was surprised to find something changed about the familiar ass of a child. He had grown out of his childish form, and was now a man, and a good looking one. His blond hair was thick and messy, shaping his face. His body was grown and muscular, and he'd lost that nasty, whiny, Malfoy look. No. She thought to herself, I can never think Draco Malfoy is attractive. Suddenly, Draco felt a pair of eyes on him. Looking up, he caught the eyes of a woman. Those eyes. Those big brown eyes. Hermione Granger.

She was more beautiful then he remembered. She had really grown up. Her teeth were whitened, and her hair was combed and straight instead of bushy and frizzy. She'd really grown into her figure, and the slight amount of makeup she wore made her eyes pop. She actually looked rich, with her stylish office clothes and modern briefcase. Of course, she was holding at least two books. Something was off though. She didn't look like the headstrong mudblood that he once knew. She pressed her lips together.

"Ugh he caught me looking at him." She mumbled. She waited for that familiar smirk, but it never came. He gave her a very very small and thin smile, nodded, and then returned to his work.

Hermione tried not to stare at him for the rest of her wait in line. He looked at her and felt the pang of sadness, that guilt. Look at her now. She's beautiful, I'm shite. He thought miserably to himself.

Getting her food took longer than she thought. The service was rude, got her order wrong, and to top it off, one of the cashiers had screamed at a house elf. Hermione scowled at the cashier for being rude and yelling. Now angry, she stormed towards the door.

Oh no, she thought, I have to walk passed Malfoy. Feeling flustered as ever, she hurried passed his table, but just her luck, all of the books she'd been carrying toppled from her grasp right in front of Malfoy.

All of the insults she thought he would fire at her were coming to mind, when he did the COMPLETE unexpected. He slid off his chair, bent down, picked up the books, and gingerly handed them to her.

"Careful, Her-Granger." He stuttered.

Why did he stutter? I mean yeah she was beautiful, but he'd seen many beautiful wome-oh those eyes. She was looking at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. No Draco, you could never find her that attractive, he told himself.

"Th-Thanks." She said softly, with that expression still on her face.

Tears came to her eyes. She had expected the worst of him, and he did the exact opposite. She wondered why she was being emotional, and quickly wiped her eyes, making sure she wasn't crying.

"Are you… alright Granger?'

"Yes, I'm sorry Malfoy, I'll let you get back to what you were doing."

She tripped on the garbage can behind her. He smirked, not like usual though, and said, "Would you like to stay?"