I awoke to the sound of laughter and talking. Groaning, I slowly opened my eyes. I felt awful, having not slept properly at all the night before. Stretching out my limbs, I climbed out out bed and pulled aside the bed hangings to the site of the others getting ready for the first day of classes.

"Good morning, Hermione, did you sleep well?" Ginny called out as she saw me. "Morning,Ginny. I slept just fine," I lied. "How about you?" I asked her. "Fine, fine." She answered back. I nodded at her and went to take a shower. After my long shower which raised my spirits markedly, I proceed to get ready with a bit more bounce in my steps. I would be starting classes today so that was definitely something to be excited about. Grabbing my bag I headed to the common room and went quickly through the portrait hole and down to the great hall for breakfast.

As usual, the place was buzzing. I made my way to the Gryffindor table and loaded my plate with more food than I normally would have but since I had only eaten a small amount last night I was famished.

"So, Hermione, what's going on with you and Ron? Everyone heard about the kiss between you two a the final battle and you two did seem to fancy each other since 6th year. Are you together now?"

All this was said to me by an excited looking Parvati. I aw Ginny rolling her eyes in response at the direction the conversation had taking. Smiling I shook my head at her, while mentally rolling my eyes too, I really did not want to talk about my relationship with Ron but I should just answer her and get it over with. Trust Parvati to bring up romance first thing in the morning—she must have been dying to ask me since last night.

"We were together for a few weeks right after the battle but that's over now. Ron and I both agree that we're much better off as friends you know? So yeah, that's that."

She looked much too disappointed by my answer so before she could pounce again I turned my attention towards Neville, who was talking about our upcoming classes and looking slightly nauseous. Poor boy.

It was nearing the end of breakfast when our class schedules arrived. I eagerly looked over mine. First up for me was Potions with the Slytherins. I grinned to myself imaging the reaction from Harry and Ron had thy been here. After a quick trip back to my dorm to gather the materials required for Potions class, I made my way down to the dungeons.

Walking into the classroom with all its familiar sights and smells warmed my heat. It was moments like this that made my decision to return worth it. I smiled a little, cheered by knowledge that I had a full day of learning ahead of me.

I took a table with Ginny,Neville and Seamus. It was strange sharing a class with Ginny having been a year above her my entire school life.

Professor Slughorn came in shortly and welcomed us all back fondly. He also lamented the decision by Harry and Ron not to return—mostly Harry though. I wondered if he would keep the Slug-club going this year.

Having been given our instructions about the potion we were to brew, I volunteered to go get the ingredients form the cupboard. On my way there I bumped into Malfoy—quite literally. Having automatically put his hands on my arms to steady us, he dropped them instantly after realizing who he was touching and stalked of toward the cupboard. I rolled my eyes at his retreating form. Some things never change. Having seen him close up for the same time since our return, I have to say that he looked awful— thinner than I remember with his usually perfectly styled hair in disarray and large dark circles under his eyes that made it clear he was no sleeping well at all. Guess I'm not the only one with issues.

Putting thoughts of Malfoy behind me I made my way to the cupboard and gathered the necessary ingredients before making my way back to the was quite the change working without the boys. For one, no one kept bothering me for help under their breath (Ron) or cheating with the use of an old book (Harry). It made for a nice change truth be told. Not that I wouldn't love to have them here with me of course.

It was nearing the end of class and I was putting the finishing touches on my work which came out rather well if I do say so myself. I took a glance towards the other occupants at my table to see how their work was going. Ginny's looked quite good, Seamus's was sticking to his cauldron,badly burnt and Neville's was actually looking decent.

Professor Slughhorn then came around to examine our work and he positively beamed when he saw to mine. "Excellent Miss Granger!" "Ten points to Gryffindor." I beamed at him. Praise for one's work is always appreciated.

There was the sound of scraping benches as everyone got up to take samples of their work to Professor Slughorn for grading.

As fate would have it, I was again standing close to Malfoy while we waited for our turn to hand over our samples. Again, I couldn't help but notice his appearance. I was quite openly staring—and he noticed.

"What are you looking at Granger?" He said, his tone cold— looking defiant.

I winced. I could see why he would be upset at my staring. H probably thought I was judging him. He was a former death eater after all. Never mind that he was under coercion at the time or the fact that he nor his family didn't actively fight against the light side during the final battle—people weren't keen to forget and he must have realized this. I wonder if anyone had confronted him about his past actions yet and not for the first time I though about why he had decided to come back. He must have known that his reception would be met with all sorts of negative emotions.

"Nothing, Malfoy. Nothing at all. I'm sorry if I offended you,I assure it was not my intention."

I laid it on thick in my most contrite tone of voice—hoping to convey to him that I was not in fact judging him. I had no idea what he was going through and I sure as hell didn't want to make things harder for him.

Malfoy grunted in response and that was that.

I handed in my sample next and after gathering my things,left the dungeons and headed to the Greenhouse with the other Gryfindors for Herbology class.

It was now dinner time and I had spent a rather enjoyable day in lessons. Having been distracted by school-work, there as not much time for me to dwell on the little bursts pain that kept popping up in my hear after I would encounter something that reminded me of the final battle. I had no choice but to keep my feelings at bay during class but I knew everything would come back to me tonight in bed and I was already panicking but I put on a brave face, not wanting to alarm any of my friends.

After diner, I spent a good chunk of time doing my home-work in front of the blazing fire in the Gryffindor common room. Trying to put off going to bed as long a s possible. Finally my tiredness got the better of me and I put my things away and went up to bed—I was the last one to leave the common room, the other girls having already gone up hours ago. They all appeared to be sleeping as I got ready for bed.

Having got into bed, I drew the bed hangings and put the silencing charm on them again. I had a feeling it would be repeated for the rest of the year.

As was the night before sleep came slowly and was fraught with nightmares—all my pent up emotions from earlier in the day came out in my sub-consciousness.

It was going to be a long year.

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