1999:

Hogwarts' students were to repeat the previous school year. Since the school had been taken over by Voldermort and then destroyed in the Battle of Hogwarts, the new headmistress, Professor McGonogall, decided it would be best.

Padma looked around the great hall. Everything seemed like how it always was. Except, there were a few sad faces, of those who would have been sat next to someone who was lost in the war. But it seemed the majority of the students didn't talk about it, like it was an unwritten rule.

Padma sighed once more, as she looked over to the Slytherin table. Draco wasn't there. But there was Goyle, Crabbe, Parkinson, Blaise, their whole lot. Why do I care anyway? I was done with him along time back, she assured herself.
"Are you okay?" Asked Cho, grabbing her attention.
"Yeah, of course." She replied.

Suddenly, she noticed quite a few students looking towards the door, and the room generously grew quieter. She turned her head.

Draco Malfoy was walking in. It had been almost a year since she'd seen him. Actually, since anyone had. Everyone had assumed he'd dropped out, even his friends, since he wasn't to be seen on the train.

"I'd be too ashamed to show my face if I were him, as well," Anthony Goldstein had commented at the time, "if I were any one of those... Death Eaters."

"He did switch sides though, right?" Padma could now hear Michael Corner asking. When she looked around the room again, it seemed that was on everyone's minds.

She looked back up at Draco. He was blatantly avoiding eye contact with her, much to her relief. However, she couldn't help but feel bad, she had never seen him look so... Vulnerable. He was avoiding eye contact with pretty much everyone, and it was obvious to her that he was keeping his head held high to hide is nervousness.

He eventually let out a genuine, and slightly relieved, smile once he got closer to his friends. Of course, Pansy Parkinson was the first one to shoot up.
"Draco! I thought I wouldn't see you!" Her voice sounded muffled as she was tightly squeezing him in a hug. He merely solemnly patted her back in return. Padma could feel her grip around her spoon tighten and she let out a heavy breath. Blaise eventually pried Pansy off and Draco joined them for breakfast, after giving him a grateful nod.

Eventually, people began carrying on with their own breakfasts.
"He looks bad... Well, as bad as he can look." Lisa Turpin commented. Even though most girls despised him, no one could deny the fact he was good looking. But Lisa was right, he did look different. His once silvery, Snow-White skin was now almost a dull grey. And his light, sparkly eyes looked steely and distant. But he still looked...
"-Beautiful." Padma caught herself whisper.
"Huh?" Lisa asked with her mouth full.
"Um, yeah, he does look pretty worn out."

"Hey, Padma's gone bright red! What are you talking about?" Michael joined in in amusement.
"Draco Malfoy." Lisa replied.
Padma shot her a look. Everyone around looked at each other in suspect.
"Isn't everyone talking about him? He looks kinda ill." Lisa added.
"Oh right, yeah." Michael agreed, clearly disappointed with the gossip.
"... I still don't get why Padma's gone red." Anthony continued. Everyone turned to look at her once again.
"Um, I'm just really hot. I feel a bit feverish. I'm going to get some air." With that, she quickly got up and rushed out the hall. She turned to see a pair of steely grey eyes watching her walk away.

It's been more than a year... Why? Why will these stupid feelings not go away? Padma closed her eyes. Her heart pounded every time she remembered it...

The Battle of Hogwarts:

Padma ran through the battle field, avoiding hexes as best she could. Suddenly she was cornered. The towering individual smirked at her sudden vulnerability. In less than a second a powerful hex was thrown at her, but it seemed to be thrown back at her opponent without her doing anything.

She turned to see Draco, with his wand in his hand. He looked just as astonished as she did. She quickly saw her opponent lying still on the ground.
"You shouldn't have done that." She panted. Draco just stood there and blinked. "Y-you should go." She finished.

Padma sighed as she got up from her stance. I wonder if he's ever regretted it...