It was good to be back on the train after two years. It was familiar and refreshing even more than usually with no dark shadows looming around. No more Voldemort, or Horcruxes, or Death Eaters for that matter.

Even just the thought made her muscles relax. However, it was all in vain as the silent, questioning eyes followed her everywhere as if the youngers were terrified of having her wand to their throats. It was silly, really.

Harry and Ron didn't come back, just Ginny, Luna and Neville from their squad, though she'd run into others from their year when she got on the train, Hannah Abbott, and Susan Bones, Ernie McMillan and Lisa Turpin all were there, not to mention the herd of Slytherins, Parkinson, Zabini, Malfoy with his only remaining body guard and the Greengrass sisters. They seemed to have some fun, together.

It was weird to see smiles all over the platform; everyone seemed to be able to smile beside her.

Stroking the lines of her newest addition of tattoo arsenal absently, she decided to walk to the Prefect's compartment, being this year's deputy Head Girl. Solitude was still better than listening to meaningless stories of her friends. Lavender Brown still had her spirit despite spending two months in St. Mungo's intensive care unit and she didn't stopped babbling about her heroic Won-Won in the last thirty minutes. It may or may not hit a nerve in Hermione – she'd been there during the war, thank you very much.

While walking around, she wondered why McGonagall established a position such as deputy Heads. She found out about it five weeks ago – two days after running into Malfoy in Muggle London – and still was unsure her decision of accepting it.

McGonogall made no sense with this action – well, besides making sure that she and her partner (deputy) Head Boy not feel left out after years of hard work to get the post. Because they did deserved the position! She was sure about it, even though she had just a vague idea who the deputy Head Boy was.

Her guess didn't prove to be wrong – just as she predicted. It was far too clear when catching the sight of the oh-so-familiar bright blonde locks inside the Prefect's compartment. Malfoy.

He sat there, graceful, like some kind of big feline; dabbing his long fingers over his knee while reading, leaning to the back rest. She couldn't not to notice how different he seemed – calmer and more organised than she had seen him in the last two years. There was no sign of exhaustion, no dark circles around his eyes.

They were alone in the compartment – being more than a half hour before the others –, so Hermione seated herself comfortably opposite him without a second thought. He immediately put down the book, and nodded to her, his marvellous eyes never leaving hers.

She mirrored his actions, murmuring inwards how she didn't notice the perfect quicksilver of his irises before. They were spectacular, like some kind of jewels adorning his face. And definitely not haunted – tired yes, but definitely not like in their sixth year.

"Hope you had better holidays, Granger," he greeted, eyes studying her intensively.

"Better?" she cocked a brow at him, just like she had seen him doing a same. It seemed he also recognised the gesture – his eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Better than mine, anyway," he shifted a little, "I wanted to ask. What did you end up with in the salon? I mean, if you had ended up with something," he offered as a subject to roll their conversation further.

Hermione nibbled on her lips as she debated over answering and what she should show him from the numerous things that were now on her skin. She decided in the end with a light shake of her head, pulling her bushy hair backwards; she let him see the tattoo that started on the side of her cheek and ended just under her ear.

His eyes widened, clearly recognising the pattern. How could he not? He was named after this constellation, after all.

He hurriedly picked up his book to hide his blush, the formerly pale face had never seemed so lively in Hermione's opinion ever before. It was adorable and different – the good way different and more human in her perspective.

She narrowed her eyes humorously at him, the mocking glint never leaving from her hazel irises.


Hey there! Thank you for all the amazing responses (hope we can keep the numbers up!) - you gave me a lot of ideas and I ended up expanding the whole story!

BTW I've just found out that tomorrow the whole family is to go skiing - and my parents forgot to tell me. Before going to get myself - possibly - killed, I thought I would give you this chapter. Hope you had fun! ;D If according to plan, next snippet is due to Saturday/Sunday (only if I'm still alive).