Weeks later she sat smiling out of a bright compartment on the train. She couldn't believe in a few hours she'd be back at Hogwarts, for a new year. She felt happy and excited, but anxious to see everyone, because from what she witnessed boarding the train, people knew about her parents. She was embarrassed, but shocked at peoples' reactions. She had yet to see Malfoy, so she judged the Slytherine's would probably be as malicious as ever. The talk was light and airy, and for some reason, no one was dreading the coming school year, it was strange.

Hours later she had just begun to eat at the feast, snuggled up beside Harry who was furiously telling everyone who would listen about how he beat Ron at quidditch blindfolded, when she noticed that Snape was looking at her. His gaze was of a softened expression, nothing near the usual sharp and cruel look. She was intrigued, but was once again taken back into reality by Harry, who was encouraging her to eat stating "She was as thin as bones".

It would be two days later before she saw Snape again, as now she'd been accepted into 6th year potions, something that took talent and intelligence. The class had been whittled down to only fifteen students and this was much more beneficial learning time. Harry was also in the class, he needed it for Auror training, but this wasn't a class for socialization, so they remained silent and fully attentive to the lesson and their work. It wasn't until she was summoned to the front of the class to give a speech about her selected potion did she realize Snape was even there. Making her way up she could hear Malfoy and the ugliest cow Pansy Parkinson snickering about her being an orphan. Snape heard too, and very unnervingly told Malfoy and Parkinson to "leave this room immediately". Hermione was taken aback, and tried with all her might to keep from tears welling up. She succeeded, and read her paragraph to the class, receiving an automatic 'A'.

At the end of class, she went to Prof. Snape, to talk to him about what happened. "Hello sir, umm, thanks you for what you did today" She began, trying difficultly to keep from crying. "It was quite alright Miss Granger" he replied nonchalantly "I hope you've been better these past weeks". Her eyes filled with tears and he looked slightly affronted but continued to say "I know, I haven't been the nicest teacher.... But that will change, you've been through enough". He leaned to touch her arm, and the hair on the back of her neck prickled. She pulled away, saying "Yes well, thank you sir", and left as quickly as she could.

Once out in the hallway she took a deep breath, and was about to turn when Harry grabbed her shoulder lightly asking "What was that about". "Oh nothing really..." Hermione answered back her voice high pitched "Just thanked Professor Snape for what he did with Malfoy". "Yeah that was a bit off eh?" Harry replied, "Ah well shall we go off for some dinner?" Hermione nodded.