A/N: I am so sorry for not updating in such a long time. I thank you all for your great reviews, and hopefully I'll be updating regularly. I hope you're all still with me on this. Let's pray it doesn't suck! Don't stop the reviews they make my day!

Chapter 2

It was 7:56 pm and Hermione Granger was standing on the balcony of the Astronomy Tower waiting for the reason she had been up there in the first place. She slowly closed her eyes and felt the wind whistle around her and tickle her newly bare neck.

It was an impulsive decision, her hair, but she knew she made the right choice. As for other new physical differences, she had more toned muscles in her arms, legs and stomach. The young bushy-haired petit girl was gone and in her place was a strong sexy woman who survived a war.

She managed the nightmares of the horror she had witnessed in Hogwarts by working out. Almost every day this past summer she went for a run around her Muggle neighborhood and did as many push-ups, sit ups, or pull ups as she could. By the end of the summer, Hermione felt stronger and capable of self-defense without magic.

She glanced shyly at the sweater she was wearing right there and noticed that it showed off her curves. Did she wear that on purpose? Suddenly she was snapped out of her daydream as she heard a man clear his throat behind her. Hermione turned around to see the person she had been waiting for.

"Where were you?" she exclaimed.

"Granger, I asked you to meet me here at 8, not quarter to 8," he smirked cheekily, "your pointless need for punctuality was your own fault."

She was considering insulting him but realized that if she started they'll probably never get to the real reason he asked her up there.

"Right then, what is it you wanted to say?" she asked coldly.

"It's quite long… and I'm not sure of how to say it exactly…" he looked nervously around the balcony avoiding her eyes.

"Hurry up, I have homework to do."

"I know for a fact that you've already finished your homework Granger, now before you say how I must be stalking you, just hear me out."

Stalker… she thought before she sighed and turned back to the view as she waited for him to figure out his words.

"Alright, I guess what I want to say to you is thanks," he said after some time. "Without you I wouldn't be standing here right now.

FLASHBACK

Hermione ran through the destroyed castle trying to dodge curses being shot from all different angles. She was looking for Ron and Harry through the crowd of Death Eaters and students, and hated to admit it but was completely terrified she wasn't going to make it out alive.

Right as she spotted a head of red hair turning a corner, she saw Draco Malfoy crunched down and helping someone from under a fallen pillar. She quickly realized that that person was none other than Daphne Greengrass, half unconscious and probably too hurt to walk.

She stood there baffled, watching as the traitor helped his old friend. When suddenly she noticed a Death Eater looking over at the two Slytherins and aiming his wand at them. Without hesitation, she pulled her own wand and aimed it at the Death Eater and shouted "STUPEFY!"

The man fell to the floor frozen, and Draco had enough time to turn around and see who had saved his life. He was shocked to find the bushy-haired girl he had tormented over the years hex a Death Eater that was about to kill him. Hermione turned and ran off to continue looking for her friends; that was the last time she had seen Malfoy before starting her new year at Hogwarts.

END FLASHBACK

She was a little surprised that he had actually thanked her for what she had done but a little part of her was sort of expecting him to say something. After all, she did in fact save his life. Why did she have to curse a Death Eater anyway? But before she let her mind wander she turned back to find Draco waiting for her response.

"Of course, I mean… you're welcome…" she said quietly, "It's just that-" she stopped herself and shot a quick glance at Draco whose expression remained unchanged, "Never mind, is that all?"

"Oh, um, yeah, but can I ask you something?" he sounded apprehensive but quickly hid it with his calm stiff posture.

She just gave him a look as if to say 'go on'.

"Why did you cut your hair?" he asked curiously.

"Why do you want to know?" she challenged.

"Why did you answer my question with a question? Do you always do that?"

"Do you always ask people about their hair?" she asked lamely.

"Do you always have stupid comebacks?"

"Why would I waste my witty comebacks on you?"

"Well who else are you going to argue with? Potty or Weasel? But you know what, you're right, those two probably need a smart remark to keep their brains from shutting down."

"Are you always this annoying? And don't talk about my friends like that!" he was really pushing her buttons now. And here she thought they'd have a civilized conversation.

"Come on Granger, you're smarter than that, at least give me one good comeback, for old times' sake" He said with a horrible smirk stretching across his face.

God she hated that smirk.

"I am smarter than this; I'm smart enough to realize that you're still as immature as ever! And I'm smart enough to realize that this conversation is a waste of my time!" at that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.

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Draco stood at the top of the Astronomy Tower by himself, after watching Hermione walk away. That girl was unbelievable! He couldn't fathom how he actually felt apprehensive at the thought of approaching her to thank her for saving his life. Well, he understood he had to thank her. But to act nervously around her and to compliment her in front of dozens of students?! Was he losing his mind?

He knew that the war had changed him by a great deal. He no longer believed in his previous pureblood mania. After Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban Prison and killed himself in a fit of rage and insanity, Draco spent his summer taking care of his mother who (although relived to be rid of Lucius's burden) felt a horrible sense of guilt and grief at the loss of her husband. They had shared wonderful moments together, and at one point in their lives, they had loved each other. But the Dark Lord came first to him, and that had caused many problems between them.

After time, she had recovered; Draco's name was cleared from any accusation by the Ministry and now he inherited all of his father's properties.

He now had the chance at a better life, and he was happy for this opportunity to start over.

While he was talking to Granger he couldn't help but look at her. The sweater she had been wearing fit all too well, and he could see her thin waist and curves. At some point he had been entranced by the way her new look had made him feel. She looked like a woman. Not like the girl he remembered.

Draco mentally kicked himself for thinking about Granger that way. Although he would not look down on her for being a Mudblood, he still couldn't bring himself to think about Hermione Granger, of all people, as if he actually cared.

But you do care, remember? You saved her. But she'll never know… She can't know. If she ever found out, it would never be the same between them.

At that thought, Draco left the Tower and started to head back to the Dungeons.

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