Hermione picked at imaginary lint from the front of her dress. She sighed as she did a second pass at her outfit before walking into the common room. It was the last Hogsmeade weekend before OWLS started and Hermione was looking forward to relaxing before the grueling tests took place on Monday.

She walked towards the couch to see Evan waiting for her. She gave him a tight-lipped smile. This was not how she saw her last Hogsmeade trip of the year going but she had little choice. When he had asked she was ready to politely turn him down but when she noticed Tom had no reaction to the invitation, decided to accept it on a whim. The only person more excited about the date then Evan was Druella.

It had been two months since everything had changed.

Tom had returned from his outing a changed person and Hermione had no idea what had actually happened besides what she knew from the timeline. He kept to himself after returning, no matter how many times Hermione tried to talk to him, he would say the same thing, "in the grand scheme of it all, Hermione, nothing matters here." And would shut the door once again.

After this Hermione threw herself into her studies. She was confident in her abilities for her OWLs but she needed to be prepared for what may happen with Tom. There was still time to change the future but she still had to be prepared for whichever way he may go.

She walked with Evan out of the porthole and down into the courtyard to await the carriage to the village. Not far from them, stood Druella and Cygnus. Druella waved them over to wait with them.

They spent the wait time with small talk, avoiding the elephant in the room at all costs. This followed them into the carriage once it arrived. This is where the two pairs split, Druella and Cygnus heading towards Madam Puddifoot's tea shop- which was just as tacky and nauseating in this time as it was in hers- and her and Evan heading towards the bookshop.

The two of them spent the day browsing the shelves. Hermione found herself actually enjoying Evan's company. He wasn't as bright as Tom but he held his own in conversations with her. They broke for lunch in the Three Broomsticks before chatting as they walked around the village. Before Hermione knew it, it was time to head back up to the castle for dinner.

They got a carriage alone this time, talk turning towards the day and books they had found interesting. From the courtyard, they walked directly to the great hall to see most of their fellow Slytherin friends already seated.

Hermione Saw Tom, who was eating as he normally would, the space to his right still vacant. It was the space she usually sat. The symbolism was never lost on her but in the past, she had chosen to ignore it in hopes of a better outcome. With how his attitude had been lately Hermione decided to pull a power move. To show him that he was not in charge and she would bend to his will- she was not something he could pick up and put down as he saw fit. While Evan sat on the bench diagonally across from Tom, as usual, she sat down to Evans right, right in front of Tom.

The silence was palpable. The move was not missed by anyone in the group. Tom's fork paused on his way to his mouth momentarily. Everyone's eyes darted between the three of them, not knowing where the drama was going to start and anxious not to miss it.

They, however, were disappointed when Tom continued to eat with no further indication as to the change in dynamics.

Dinner continued in the same fashion. Everyone tentatively attempted normal conversation but their eyes never straying from either of the three of them, waiting to see what would happen.

When nothing did, everyone finished their supper and walked the familiar path to the common room. Once there the boys all followed Tom into the dorm, not sparing a second look to the girls as they sat down on the couch, all save for Evan who smiled at Hermione before following the rest.

As soon as the dorm room door clicked shut the three girls turned on Hermione with expectant looks.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Yes?"

She obviously knew what they wanted to ask but she refused to be the one to breach the subject first. She had catered to these Slytherins for far too long already.

Druella was, as always, the first to speak, "what was all this in the Great Hall?"

Hermione sighed, "If Tom wants to act the way he's acting I'm not going to just conform. I had a nice time with Evan today and after that, I'm not going back to dutifully sitting beside Tom, especially when he's made it very clear he doesn't care if I am or not."

Druella nodded in agreement but Walburga sighed, "Do you think that is wise Hermione? No offense to you Druella or to Evan but shunning Tom like that is not a good idea."

Even though the group known as Death Eaters were not officially formed yet Hermione knew the truth to Walburga's words. The meeting taking place down the hall was proof enough that it was clearly underway and spurning Tom could spell disaster.

Hermione replied, "I know Walburga, and believe me, I didn't think things would turn out this way just two months ago but they have and a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do to get ahead, surely you three understand that?"

They did nod in understanding so Hermione continued, "besides I did honestly have a good time today, he actually took me to Hogsmeade when he said he would."

Druella smiled, "I do admit, I like the two of you together. I know our parents would forgive your ancestors lack of judgment in your case if anything were to progress. He spent all Christmas talking about you."

Hermione brushed off the first comment, "He did? What did he say?"

Druella laughed, "It really started once he opened his gift from you. He went on and one about how you weren't the typical female and had real values blah blah blah." She finished with a giggle.

The other three followed. Hermione in an attempt to look as if she belonged.

Talked flowed into easier topics and before she knew it, it was time to get ready for bed. All 5th years were going to take the Sunday to start reviewing for their first OWL – Potions.

Hermione turned out the bedside light as she and the other girls climbed into bed. In the silent room, her mind raced. She thought about the events of the day and how they would affect the rest of her time here and life general. As she closed her eyes, the last thing she remembered thinking was if all this was for nothing or would it all work out in the end.

A\N: I do hope that was the changeup I intended it to be! I felt like we laid the ground work enough and we are starting getting into the more dramatic elements! Please, please a review if you liked!