A/N: Hello readers! Sorry I took so long to update, but I've been enjoying some much needed rest and vacationing. More chapters shortly! Please review!

The smell of fresh parchment forced my eyes open to find I'd fallen asleep while studying the night before. I pushed all of my supplies off of me and forced myself to glance at the clock. 5 a.m. Great. I pulled the covers over my head, but it was no use. I was fully awake and nothing was going to change except for a full day of work. And as much as I loved my job, I was not looking forward to returning. I stood up, stretching every muscle in my body at once and began to prepare for the day ahead of me. As soon as I finished, I glanced once more at the clock.

5:37. Damn it.

I decided maybe a walk and a portkey trip would kill the time, instead of the instantaneous floo-ing to work. The snow on the ground was fresh like it was every morning. I felt like a child with all the excitement I had to walk into it and ruin its soft appearance. I couldn't wait any longer as I threw my boot covered feet into the snow, smiling up to the sky and sticking my tongue out to catch every nearby falling snowflake. It was magical.

"Having fun, Granger?"

His voice pierced into me like an icicle. I froze where I was. "How did you find me?"

"Wasn't hard," I heard him mumble. He sauntered into my view, his cocky demeanor glowing from every inch of his body. "It's not like I was looking. I was simply on a walk when I realized I was walking the same direction you left in. I continued on to catch you here, acting like a child." His smirk made my blood boil and I suddenly felt every terrible emotion he had ever caused to burn through me.

"Prancing around in the snow, Granger? How old are you, really? That is child's play. You're acting like a bloody first year-"

BAM!

The shock of the frozen snow smacking his face caused Malfoy to stop his banter. He wiped the remainder of it from his face, his features already pink from the cold. He looked at me, his expression a cross between confusion and a glare. I couldn't help but laugh aloud and had to lean against a nearby mailbox to keep myself from falling.

Malfoy's face lightened, but only a bit. "You think this is funny?"

I nodded, laughing harder. "Have a wonderful day, Malfoy." And with that I turned, plowing through the snow to the nearby portkey that was to take me to the Ministry.

BAM-BAM!

The back of my head and my arse were suddenly covered in snow. I flipped around abruptly to catch Malfoy's chuckles, before he attempted to stifle them with a mitten-clad hand. "Very funny, Malfoy." I smirked.

"Glad you thought so!" His other hand came around from behind his back, revealing another snowball that he promptly threw at me. I dodged it easily.

"Your aim is quite unimpressive."

He shrugged. "I'm a bit rusty."

"Just a little." I smiled. It was strange. I hadn't laughed and enjoyed another person's company like this in so long. The relief I felt forced another burst of laughter, which he reluctantly returned.

"What are you doing out here, Malfoy?" I asked seriously. He had no business in this part of London. Frankly, he had no business being here at all, especially so near to Harry's home. If Harry was awake to know…

His smile faded a bit. "Living with my Aunt, remember? Andromeda and Ted moved a couple of blocks north of here." He shrugged again. "The world's new again. I feel I must take advantage of this freedom while I still have it."

I looked at him. He had changed so much since the war. His features were still pointed, but his cheeks had more color to them and were slightly filled out. His bright white hair was combed sharply to the side in a handsome fashion and he dressed a little more casually than I had ever seen before, but still in his black with his old house colors, green and silver, accenting. And his eyes. His eyes didn't glow in hatred as much as they used to either. I couldn't put my finger on what they were exactly expressing at the moment, but they were most pleasant to look into.

I sighed. "Well, welcome back to real life."

He smiled at the ground. "I appreciate that. For some reason," He looked back up at me, and felt something inside me change. As we parted ways, me heading for the portkey, I couldn't help but want to see the Slytherin boy again.

I watched her walk away and couldn't help but smile slightly at how she waddled her way through the snow. Her backside was still snow-clad, and I resisted the urge to throw another snowball at the same target.

What the hell is wrong with me, I thought suddenly. This is GRANGER's arse you're staring at! Muggle-born Granger. I knew now that I was capable of caring for those associated with muggles, like my uncle, but this was different. I had hated Granger with almost all of my being while at Hogwarts, watching her strut around with Potter and the Weasel. She was annoying, crazy haired, muggle-born, know-it-all, Granger…

… Who had kindly welcomed me back to reality, despite our history. Who had just instigated a snowball fight. Who had just smiled so brightly that I had had a loss for words.

I was using positive adjectives to describe Granger.

Well. Shit.