The first week of classes had flown by. Without Harry and Ron here, or the idea of death lurking just around the corner, it was calm and quiet. Studying was easier, and I had already finished the assignments that were due by the end of next week.

I was taking almost all N.E.W.T level courses, the couple I weren't just simply did not have the option. It was so comforting to be back in the Hogwarts library, it truly was my favorite spot in the castle. The smell of aged books, and quiet murmurings always seemed to calm me immensely, I was just finishing up some light reading that would put me ahead in potions and I had just come across a particularly-

"Mind if I join you? I promise I won't talk."

Theo was sporting a small, silly smile on his face as I looked up. It seemed he was responsible for breaking up my inner monologue recently. I had been thinking about talking to him this week, but every time I saw him in the Common Room he always seemed to be sitting with Malfoy, Zabini, Pansy… basically any of the Slytherins who had come back

"Hmm, I'm not sure. Maybe if you were to pay me, say 10 Galleons. There would be an opening for you." I looked up at him with the same playful look he had given me.

He chuckled while sitting down across from me. "My, I didn't know your time was so expensive."

"Maybe I'll give you a discount eventually." He rolled his eyes and opened his books.

"So, what did you think of Advanced Arithmancy this week? I thought they took it quite easy on us, considering how difficult they made the first week in 6th year. I know part of that was to weed out anyone who didn't belong, but my god, it's like they think we haven't done school work in 2 years." He gave a dramatic fake sigh as he glanced up from his book.

I scrunched up my nose. "I actually didn't consider that. I also thought it wasn't very 'advanced' all things considered, but I guess it makes sense that they're worried we might not be up to the task, or out of practice at this point." I suddenly felt a little silly, I had actually planned to go speak with Professor Vector, but now I definitely was not. Perhaps he did think he was doing us a favor by taking it slower and going over things that we'd already learned, but isn't that what summer reading is for?

"It's like he doesn't trust us to do any of our summer reading."

Had he really just voiced exactly what I was thinking?

"I thought the same thing." He looked up and we smiled at each other.

The rest of the time was spent with small comments on the work or the reading we were doing. A couple small debates on the meaning of something and a comfortable silence everywhere in between. The same comfortable silence that we had shared on the train. It really was quite surprising how nice it was to spend my time with him. It wasn't like hanging out with Harry or Ron, I didn't have to force him to do his work, or hold his hand while he did it. We were quite intellectually matched, and I had never realized how much I had craved having this sort of companion to do work alongside. Before I knew it, we had been sitting together for several hours and Madam Pince was announcing that the library was closing. We began to gather our things and started heading out.

"You know, if you want, I can trail behind, so we don't walk into the Common Room at the same time." I looked nervously over at him, expecting his agreement right away.

"Don't be daft, I don't need to hide that I was hanging out with you in the library. Sorry if it felt like I was ignoring you this week," Theo stopped and looked unsure if he should keep speaking.

"On the train, I really did enjoy our chats. I simply didn't want approaching you in front of your friends—or mine, for that matter—to make you feel uncomfortable. I am aware that some of us have been a touch harsh in the past." putting up a hand in a way that suggested a fake surrender.

"The others aren't that bad, none of us actually buy into the whole blood supremacy thing anymore. I mean, for fuck's sake, Voldemort was a half blood. So pretty silly that anyone ever followed him over that junk."

"Well, I think they're about as interested in me, as I am in them. I did enjoy having you here today, though. No one else I know usually wants to stay here that long unless they have to." I snorted.

"Pftt, you should study with Malfoy then. You'd be surprised, bloody git is much smarter than me, and enjoys the library. He just hides it well." He's right. I would be surprised.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure whether we could do that without biting off each other's head." I snorted just thinking at the ludicrous idea of it all.

Malfoy and I studying together wasn't going to happen anytime soon, whether Theo was chaperoning or not. I really can't imagine he'd be very happy spending any time with me.

"I wouldn't hold out hope for Malfoy and I being friends."

"Did you ever think we'd be friends?" He said, looking at me.

"Are we friends?" I felt stupid asking, but I wasn't sure why he was hanging out with me.

We had a couple small friendly conversations on the train. So what? Did that just automatically make him want to befriend me? I guess it made me want to befriend him.

"Well I'd like to think we're getting there, and don't worry I can get that money to you by tomorrow if that's what's making you unsure. Just have to sell a couple of things" He looked over and gave me another small smile.

Theo really did seem to be a nice person, maybe I had been judging some others as well.

The rest of the way was silent, the library was much closer to these dorms. Which to me was very practical, actually everything was much closer besides the Great Hall. By the time we got to the dorms, Mr. Klamka was clearly in a good mood because he said nothing more than hello before letting us in.

Inside there weren't many people in the Common Room, Theo waved goodbye and headed over to Blaise and Malfoy who were sitting on one of the many sofas. I saw them both look strangely at me and then strangely at him, but I walked over to the staircase and headed up to my dorm. I had those plans with Ginny tomorrow to go into Hogsmeade, and I wanted to make it to breakfast in time so we could arrive nice and early.

By the time I got to the Great Hall in the morning, Ginny was waiting with a plate of food she had just started to eat. Perfect, I wasn't too late at all.

"Hey Gin!" I smiled and waved as I headed to the Gryffindor table and took my seat. "You haven't been here too long, have you?"

"No, not at all, and don't worry we're in no rush. Not like we have to deal with a ton of other students." She smiled and gave me a small wink. Taking another bite of her eggs and a sip of her tea.

"Oh, I nearly forgot that not everyone will be attending."

"I, for one, am excited to not have any of those snot-nosed 3rd years there anymore."

"We were those 'snot-nosed' 3rd years at some point, Gin."

"And we were just awful." She said.

I had really believed I would be so busy, but sneaking out with Ron and Harry as well as helping them with their own coursework seemed to be what had filled up my time so much. I missed them dearly already, and I had wanted to write, but it felt like they needed to apologize first. Ron blew it all out of proportion by telling me that I was out of line, that I was trying to prevent them from their dreams, and so on. Harry didn't want to get in the middle, and I don't blame him, but I never meant they didn't deserve it. I just knew that I would feel like I didn't. Wherever I end up in this world, I want to know I earned every part of it, and not just because I helped kill Voldemort.

Maybe I was being harsh. I guess I could write them later this evening, I didn't want this fight to go on too long.

"Ready to leave Hermione?" I had been absently picking at my food but had eaten more than I thought I did while mulling things over.

"Oh, yes. Umm, of course Gin. Let's go." We headed out and started to leave the castle.

It was still only the start of September and the weather was fairly nice, just a little cool. I had a jumper and some jeans on, as did Ginny. The walk was perfect, it had been dark on the carriage ride over, and I hadn't gotten to see the expansive fields and soft tree line that followed the path up to Hogsmeade.

"Are you talking to Ron and Harry yet? I asked Harry, and he said you guys are fine, but it's not like he was the one with the problem in the first place." She asked me, hands on her hips. Emulating her mother more than ever.

"I actually was thinking earlier, and although I think Ronald owes me an apology. I plan to write to them this evening, maybe I can pick up some sweets for them in Hogsmeade." I considered being petty and only attaching the sweets to Harry's, but I didn't want to make Ron more mad at me than he already was.

"I think that's great, Mione. I know they'll be happy to hear from you. I'm sorry Ron is such a plonker sometimes. You know he's always been jealous of you and Harry. I think he just feeds into all of that too much."

"I know Gin." We gave each other a knowing smile and continued to walk, chatting about the new start of term.

When we arrived in Hogsmeade it wasn't busy, there were a couple other 7th and 8th year students who had clearly had the same idea. In the corner of my eye I saw a flash of pale white hair and saw Theo walking alongside Malfoy. He saw us and gave a small wave. Malfoy looked over, clearly expecting to see someone they both would have been pleased to see, and after seeing us gave Theo an odd look.

"Did Nott just wave in our direction, or am I a tad mad?" She gave me a look of disbelief, then glanced around to see if anybody else may have been the recipient besides us.

"Oh… no, I didn't mention. Theo sat with me on the train — we talked a little. I also ran into him in the library last night, and we studied for a bit…" I trailed off, not really knowing what to say. It all was a little strange that we were hanging out, if you could even call it that.

"DiD i NoT MeNTiOn ThAt?" Ginny said to me in a mocking tone, slapping my arm. "No, you did not mention that you've become chummy with the enemy!" Her eyes were wide and her mouth agape.

"Gin, I'd hardly call him the enemy. Plus, our relationship is quite academic."

And a little jokey, but no need to mention that.

"YOUR RELATIONSHIP? You're calling it a relationship? Do you like him or something?" Her eyes had doubled in size and her mouth was wide open now. She'd said the 3 questions in about 3 seconds.

"Academic. I said it was academic. And no, I don't like him. Not like that. I think we're friends. I don't know. There is no crush on him. He's quite nice though really, a little funny and he's very smart. Most of the talking has been about course work."

"You're one of the smartest people I know Mione, so if you believe Nott is a good guy I trust you, but be careful. Next week you'll be telling me you're having pillow fights with Parkinson, or cozying up to Malfoy."

She said with a laugh. "God, this is so weird, but I guess if you do start liking him, you can tell me Mione. Or if he misbehaves with you in any manner, I will curse him so severely that his descendants will feel it."

She looked slightly disturbed by the whole idea but was taking a humorous approach at least.

"Trust me, if you catch me doing any of that, you can send me away to a looney bin yourself." I giggled a bit at the idea of either of those things ever coming to fruition. "I don't think I'm going to develop feelings for Theo though, it feels much more platonic than that so far"

"Okay, well let's get moving. I want to get some shopping done before we head to The Three Broomsticks, and then you can tell me all about your platonic, academic relationship with 'Theo'." She said his name, exaggerating out the two syllables in a sing-song way.

The rest of the day went on smoothly, we had stopped everywhere we planned to, and I even picked up some sweets for Harry and Ron. I also got some extra Parchment, some spill proof ink, and a new toque for when it got cooler. We eventually made it to The Three Broomsticks and sat down for a warm butterbeer, and I filled Ginny in on the small details that made up my 'relationship' with Theo. We decided to call it a day and headed back to the castle. I bid Ginny farewell and headed back to my room, so I could write out the letter for Harry and Ron.

Dear Harry,

How is Auror Training? I know it's only been a week, but I'm sure there are loads to tell. School has been wonderful so far. A little lonely without you and Ron, but I'm making the best of it, and maybe I'll make some new friends. Who knows? Course work is going well, and I'm already ahead of reading for the next 2 weeks. Maybe tomorrow I'll read further, that way I can reread the material again.

Maybe Gin mentioned it, but the 8th years have their own dorms and a shared Common Room. The privacy is quite nice, and the room itself is very cozy. Anyway, please write back with how yours is going. Miss you already, and I just know you'll do fabulously.

PS, I've attached an extra liquorice wand for you, don't tell Ron.

Love, Hermione

Dear Ron,

I've decided to forgive you. Although I think you were being obtuse with your accusations, I don't want us in a fight. I hope Auror training is going well and that you're paying attention and studying as well. I've attached some sweets for you, because I assume they aren't giving you any there. It would be lovely to hear from you. I miss you and Harry, but I am doing just fine on my own.

From, Hermione

I sealed the letters both up, and made my way to the owlery. It was a bit late at this point, but I wanted to send them out before I forgot. At this late hour, most students had already settled in for the evening, so the stroll was peaceful. Just as I turned the last corner on the stairwell, I bumped into something hard, dropping both of my letters.

"Potter and Weasel need you to do their Auror assignments for them too? Can't say I'm shocked."

Malfoy craned over me, not only was he already a decent chunk taller, but he was standing a stair above as well.

I jutted my chin out and looked up at him, refusing to let him win. "They're perfectly capable of it on their own. Why do you need help with your coursework?" That would shut him up.

"Granger, if I need help on my coursework, it won't be you I come to." He started walking down the stairs, brushing past me, but turned back. "What's up with you and Theo? Are you feeding him love potions or something?"

He sounded bored as always, checking his nail beds as he asked the question.

"Because if you are, that's quite desperate. The door knob, turn you down?"

I scoffed. "No. I'm not. Thank you very much. Some people just enjoy my company, and I could be asking you the same thing. I'm not sure why someone like Theo enjoys hanging out with ferrets like you."

I stomped up the stairs to mail the letters. I couldn't understand why he continued on troubling me.