Hermione had been reading a book, as usual. None of her characteristics had changed, except that she had grown more confidence over the summer. Volleyball does that to you. She realized she needed a better way to relieve her anger, so she joined the best sport she could think of. I mean, the whole point of it is to smash the ball into your opponent's face. Volleyball changes your physique, and your attitude. She even would keep her spandex short on under her bottoms, she had gotten so comfortable in them. She finished her book and as she stood up to retrieve her laptop, a picture (presumably her bookmark) fell out. Draco took no time at all snatching it up.

"Well, what do we have here- woah."

He was at a loss for words. Who could blame him? It was a picture of her volleyball team, none of the players were unfortunate looking. Hermione was in the top row, on the end. Volleyball uniforms are Spandex shorts, and fitted tops. They allow more speed on the court. Draco had no idea what he could make fun of her for anymore, and slowly placed the picture on the seat Hermione was occupying.

She absent-mindedly giggled to herself, seeing how she dropped the picture on purpose. It was her 7th year, and in hopes of making it the best, she was not going to let Draco Malfoy ruin it. Snapping out of his astonishment, the signature Malfoy smirk crawled across his face.

"What the bloody hell do you find so funny, Granger?"

"Oh nothing. Only the fact that the great Draco Malfoy-King of Insults-can't find a way to hurt poor old book-worm Granger. In your final year at Hogwarts, too. You're losing your edge."

With that snide remark she sat back down in her seat, cross-legged, her laptop sitting...well in her lap. She could feel Draco craning his neck to see what she was doing, she could feel his frustration as she turned it further away from him. She had to try hard to suppress a fit of giggles.

No wonder he liked to tease her. This was fun. The look on his face when he realized that I'm not poor old "Mudblood Granger" anymore. Did he change over the summer? Yes. But everyone changed. It's not just him, you are not crazy. But then again you are talking to yourself...

She was looking through some of the pictures she had on her computer. She had known the spell for it to work for years, but she simply had no use for it until now. She was looking at a picture of her spiking a ball over the net, when she felt Draco staring over her shoulder...

Draco caught a glimpse of a picture and was astounded. Was that really Granger? She looked so fearless. She looked like she could defend herself. She looked...like she wouldn't take any of his crap this year. He hadn't even noticed he was leaning closer and closer until Hermione picked up another book and whacked him on the head with it.

"Do you mind? I would like to forget that you are in this compartment with me." With that, she plugged in some headphones and started to play music, anything to take her mind off the big-headed, arrogant, spoiled, gorgeo--no. No, no, no, no, no. NO. She turned up the volume so loud that Draco could hear it.

As most of the 7th years had, Draco and Hermione had changed. Hermione had spent most of the summer in a gym, playing volleyball. She had grown into her body, and even grown a few more inches, putting her at about 5' 7". She had started to wear clothes that actually fit her shape, something that no one was used to. Her hair was now tamed, and though she was reluctant at first, she was wearing it down more often. It fell in soft curls, as opposed to a frizzy mess. She had been wearing glasses (I know, I know. HERMIONE DOESN'T WEAR GLASSES. Well she does here. So P ), something no one had seen before. She had been wearing contacts up until then and had done a good job hiding it. They were thick-rimmed, orange frames. They seemed to fit perfectly on her, but on anyone else they would look ridiculous.

Draco had spent his summer playing Quidditch, and had gained more muscle because of it. Not overly muscular, just enough to make all the Hogwarts girls swoon. Except one. He had grown taller, putting him at about 6 feet. His skin was still on the pale side, but all the time in the sun gave it a slightly darker tint to it. His hair was still platinum blonde, but it had grown out a touch longer, lingering over his eyes. His eyes had still stayed the icy blueish-grey, but had suddenly developed a greenish undertone to them.

Both had taken in the changes and were surprised.

The compartment was too quiet for far too long, and finally Hermione had broken the silence. Draco had noticed earlier that she was mouthing along to her music, but as the train ride progressed, she lost all consciousness as to where she was. She was singing openly to the compartment, and Draco.

I know that you're an artist,

but you're the hardest one to deal with.

Everything that you conceal

is revealed on your canvas.

You find all of your ugly meanings

in all of the things I find beautiful.

Do you see the fall is coming?

Come, I'm falling into you.

You perceive all of these things

I'd never have known.

Love, will you turn off the lights?

we're already home.

You painted me in pastel,

colors that don't tell of any boldness.

That's the way you'd love to see me:

so delicate, so weak, so little purpose.

But your eyes are drawn of charcoal

they're black, they're so cold, they're so imperfect.

Because they see a sleeping world,

where waking isn't worth it.

You perceive all of these things

that I'd never have known.

Love, will you turn off the lights?

We're already home.

Hermione had been staring out the window the entire time, not even acknowledging Draco's presence. It wasn't until he coughed that she even knew he was there. She snapped around to see him looking dumbfounded, and she was surprised to see him like that. "How loud was I singing?"

"I could hear what you were saying, but you weren't terribly loud. It was a pretty song. I didn't know you sang."

"Sometimes people keep secrets." Was this what an actual conversation between them? Was this a dream? "Don't tell anyone. Please. This isn't really a subject I would like to be public."

"Yeah…sure, fine. Are there any other secrets I should know before we get to Hogwarts?"

She appreciated him trying to lighten the mood, and responded with the carefully chosen sentence of, "Yes, but I guess you'll just figured them out when we get there. Oh shoot, we're getting close. Time to get our robes on."

And with that, she walked out of the compartment.