A/N: Dear readers, I am so sorry I have been away! This year was a hassle, and if any of you are reading my other fic, you know that I have been having some difficulties. I am also working on this, my other fic (as mentioned), and some other writing avenues. Apologies for the lack of updates. To those of you reading, thank you for staying and welcome back. I will make an effort to be more present in the future!

Hermione was feeling frazzled, which was frustrating. Hermione never felt frazzled. And thank god she didn't. This feeling of dread and nerves, sending butterflies through her stomach, was the most irritating and irrational feeling she had ever experienced. She needed it to stop.

Standing in front of her mirror for the fifth time in two minutes, she ran her fingers through her hair and adjusted the scarf around her neck. Looking herself up and down, she nodded slightly at her reflection, somewhat satisfied with how she appeared. Then she frowned at herself. What was she doing? She shouldn't be overthinking this.

It was the day of the Hogsmeade trip, and she was supposed to chaperone the day with Draco. Ron was planning to stay back at school, saying that he wasn't feeling well and didn't want to socialize. Harry was to meet them at Hogsmeade later, but only so that he and Ginny might have a few hours to themselves. For some reason, Hermione was beyond nervous. She seemed to want to try harder with her appearance, and wanted to think of things to say or do to keep herself occupied while with the reformed Slytherin. The idea of spontaneity being involved with the day was intimidating.

As Ginny came into the dormitory room from downstairs, Hermione turned away from the mirror, promising herself that she wouldn't look into it again before she left.

Ginny looked her over in passing. "You look nice. Dressing for someone?"

Hermione played it off. "I just want to be warm. The snow is incredibly heavy in Hogsmeade today." She knew that Ginny had seemed to pick up on certain tension between Hermione and Draco. Until now, however, she hadn't acknowledged anything, and Hermione was too nervous to try and explain anything.

The youngest Weasley nodded absentmindedly, and after picking up a small over-the-shoulder bag, walked back to the door leading out. She turned back to Hermione. "You coming?"

As Hermione followed her fellow Gryffindor, her stomach twisted, and she wondered what was in store for her that had turned her into such a bundle of nerves.

A/N: Okay, I realize that this isn't even a full chapter. But I just wanted to get something up so you all know I haven't abandoned this! Otherwise, it would've been a very long chapter, and I wouldn't have been able to post this until a much later date. Please be patient, thank you.