A/N: Thank you for the reviews, faves, and follows. I appreciate every one of them. I plan on posting one chapter a day, two if the muse allows. I also know that I said this would be 10 chapters. There is no way I'll be done by then, so I'll stop guessing and just go with it.

Chapter 4

With brows drawn close in confusion, Hermione turned to look at a thestral-drawn carriage as it emerged from the snow into full view and came to a stop beside her. If she hadn't been so surprised, she would have given herself a pat on the back at how precise her sense of direction was to have remained on the road in a whiteout.

But alas, she let herself stare at the door of the carriage until it was opened, and as the candlelight fell out onto the snow-coated witch, her jaw dropped. Draco was the carriages only occupant, holding the door open for her with one black-gloved hand, looking down at her with a furrow to his dark brows and what she concluded could only be concern in his eyes.

For a moment, neither said a thing. It wasn't a long span of time, but Hermione would later realize the two spent the better half of a minute staring at one another; taking in the other's features as each one studied the others face, quite the contrast to their earlier encounter.

In the end, it was he who spoke first, loudly over the wind, "Allow me to offer you a ride to the school, Granger."

She was not sure when she had started being at such a loss for words around him. Many seconds of silence that passed where the snow began to build inside the carriage door, and up around her legs.

He must have assumed she needed help with speaking, as well as a great many other things, because he asked, "Do I need to take you to the infirmary?"

Hermione blinked at him, shook her head lightly, and drew a deep, cold breath before answering, "No. I do not need a ride. Nor do I need the infirmary."

She turned and continued walking, and she listened as Draco yelled after her through the gusting winds, "Suit yourself, then." She heard the carriage door close, and watched, as best she could, as the carriage continued to bob down the snowy trail towards the school.

Confusion had become her best friend that evening, because she hadn't the slightest as to why Draco Malfoy had been at Puddifoot's, nor did she understand why he'd grab a carriage if not with the sole intention to come after her, because why on earth would he still be on his way to the school and not turning back to Hogsmeade instead?

He had no business being at the school he'd seen to putting in harm's way, and she huffed as she thought how he, of all people, had stopped to offer her a ride. She hadn't expected anyone to be on the road, no doubt, but she hadn't expected the person in the carriage to be him, or for him to attempt chivalry by offering to share the ride.

She wouldn't deny that some semblance of joy hit her as the carriage passed her by, traveling in the opposite direction, a few minutes later. Draco obviously turned around and left without bothering her further. But this was all short lived as she finished her walk to the castle and found the blonde bother standing at the grand entrance, at the top of the stairs, talking to Filch.

Not only had confusion been a long lost friend found that evening, but surprise was beginning to catch up. Filch had not been at the school for days - save the house elves, Hermione had been the only living inhabitant- but here the old squib was. He and Draco were having a conversation that seemed quite mild, which they only paused as the witch came to stand at the bottom of the staircase, looking up at them frowning and expectant.

"Well there she is," Filch said in his gruff tone. "She's the only other one 'ere. McGonagall asked me to be 'ere and greet yeh, Malfoy. I'm not sure why. Yeh know yer way around by now, eh? I also know that yeh know the rules." The elder man paused just long enough to give the younger a pointed look. "And, if yeh've forgotten, I'm sure Granger here will be more than happy teh remind yeh."

Hermione didn't want to admit it, but it sounded like Draco was there to stay, and the absent McGonagall had known without giving the younger Gryffindor a warning. The witch had to wonder if it was because her Headmistress thought she'd be unable to handle it, or that she thought she wouldn't really care.

Hermione had to admit that she could understand either motivation.

As mentioned earlier, Hermione hadn't been herself lately. The girl from her past would have been upset at the news. This recent version of herself, the one that isolated from housemates and no longer raised her hand in class to answer every question, could very well not give a damn about the young Malfoy.

Draco looked down to Hermione, who returned his gaze, and Filch easily dodged the odd exchange as he said, "I'm off to enjoy the rest of me vacation in peace. Don't burn the place down."

With that, Filch moved from the entrance to the great hall, where Hermione assumed he'd used the floo. She looked after the old man until he was out of sight, then turned back to Draco, who lifted a brow at her as he said, "McGonagall and Kingsley are allowing me to finish my final year of school this next term."

Hermione felt her face turn from a frown to a full-blown glare, and replied, "Still doesn't explain why you're here so early, before term starts." The witch walked up the stairs and moved past him, brushing off snow as she went, entirely intent on making her way back to Gryffindor tower without saying another word to her old/new schoolmate.

"I've got studying to do," he said to her retreating back. "Surely that's something you can relate to."

She did not so much as pause to acknowledge his words. She kept walking, up the stairs, around the corner, and out of sight, glare still set in her features.