A/N: I haven't wrote in a while, but thought what better way to begin again and be able to get reviews from others to help improve my writing. I will leave my first chapter here to see what you think.. if you like it, please review and I will continue on with the next chapter!

I do not own Harry Potter. Just this story line.

Chapter one.

Hogwarts was quiet, the summer breeze coming through the empty corridors as it waited for the students to come back to fill it. The sun was beginning to creep through the windows, giving off the lights that the students would need to make their way throughout.

It was an early morning in September. The war had ended that summer; a courage battle and bravery from Harry Potter and his two brilliant friends. They had made it. Survived, if only just. Survived everything that had been thrown toward them. Now after a much earned reward, they could move forward in life to what they had hoped to be normal and a better future.

After what seemed to last the entire summer, Hermione Granger had begged her two best friends to join her to go back to Hogwarts for their final year. Each year they had been thrown for a curve and this was the year they needed to be normal. It had been tiresome for the three teenagers, and she believed they deserved this.

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley hadn't seen a point in returning. They after all, had defeated the Dark Lord! What else could they need to go through at Hogwarts that they hadn't already gone through? With weeks and weeks of begging from Hermione, they finally agreed. They would take their final year at Hogwarts and share the year with Ginny Weasley.

The seventh years from the previous year had been given the option of returning to Hogwarts for a true education and what they hadn't been able to receive when the Dark Eaters had roamed the halls. Nearly all the Gryffindors had decided to returned. They didn't know of others that could be returning to their house other than when they were informed that Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. It seemed that Ron was more irritated than anyone else that they were allowed to return.

"Any funny business from him and I will punch him in the nose again." Mumbled Ron, when he had seen them on the Hogwarts Express.

It was comforting sitting in the Great Hall once again together the next morning. Things felt relatively normal compared to what the Hall had been like just months ago from the Final Battle. Sausage links, eggs, biscuits, pumpkin juice laid out throughout the tables, each student helping themselves.

Hermione slightly smiled, her book in her heads as she went through it and nibbled on her toast. Ginny Weasley sat beside her, too early in the morning for her to hold a conversation as she had Harry on the other side of her. Ron sitting across from the three of them.

"Hermione, Merlin. What on earth could you be needing to read a book about? We haven't even started class." Said Ron, as he began to eat his sausage.

"You can never be too prepared. We missed so much last year while we were searching for Horcruxes." Answered Hermione, not looking up from her book.

"I still can't figure out how you persuaded us on coming back." He moaned, as he rolled his eyes at Hermione

"Ronald." Snapped Hermione, "Having an education is important and can help you. Even if you don't believe it will."

"You do realize we had a free ride into Aurora training immediately if we wanted too. Without our last year. Instead we are sitting here now."

"Just think of it as another year of Quidditch, mate." Said Harry, smiling.

That seemed to brighten the day up for Ron. As they went into a discussion of Quidditch tactics and Harry was offered position of captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. It would've been Ginny, but she wanted Harry to have it, knowing that it was a position that he well deserved.

Hermione finished her toast and closed her book once she saw Professor McGonagall moving around the Gryffindor table to hand out their schedules for term. Hermione glanced up to the Great Hall ceiling, the enchanted view revealing the bright blue sky and the sunlights coming down upon them. She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking of who they lost in this room.

"Hermione, we had a free ride into Auror training immediately if we wanted too. Instead we are sitting here. I don't think any more education for us was really needed."

As she brought her head down, and her eyes opened she made direct eye contact with Draco Malfoy. He sat at the Slytherin table with Blaise Zabini sitting next to him. They both sat quietly together, away from the rest of their house. Her breath caught in her throat as she started in those gray eyes, luckily her friends too engrossed into their Quidditch conversation to take notice.

It had been the second time Hermione had caught him watching her, while she didn't think anyone else was paying attention. The time before, he had been standing in the corner of this hall months ago, right after the battle.

-flashback-

The Weasley family sat quietly together, hugging Harry as the battle was over. The cried together silently. Not wanting to let go of each other as they couldn't fully accept that even in this moment of victory, they felt deep sorrow. Their hearts were broken, the world still crashing down upon them from the loss of Fred, Lupin and Tonks.

At the end of the bed that Fred laid peacefully in, George and Ron sat together, nearly holding onto each other as they cried. The war was over, they wouldn't have to run any longer and no longer fearing for her life on every day she was given. Yet, she now had an empty feeling in her that was difficult to handle.

She was rooted at the spot as Ginny hugged onto Harry, afraid that if she were to let go, he would be gone too. Hermione could feel the tears stinging her cheeks as they fell. Sadly, Hermione looked through the Hall when she noticed Draco Malfoy sitting alone in the corner and staring at her.

She nearly waited for him to yell something at her, but she couldn't look away. His eyes looked lost and broken as he watched her. Only imagine that the look she saw was the same look that was within her. She wasn't sure how long they looked at one another, but after what felt like minutes, Draco gave her a sad smile before he turned away and left the hall.

—-

"Hermione? Are you alright?" Asked Harry, breaking her from her trance. Hermione blinked a few times before she looked to Harry.

Ginny glanced around to see where Hermione had been staring at, noticing who. "What is our first class today?" Asked Ginny, as she tried to find the schedule that Professor McGonagall had just handed out.

"It's going to be strange having classes with you." Said Ron to Ginny, as they stood up from the table.

"We have potions with the Slytherins." Said Hermione, answering Ginny as she looked from the scheduled. Ron groaned.

"Are you kidding? Why?!" He said, trying to not raise his voice. "You would think Hogwarts likes to purposely torture us by always putting us with them for a double class. Why couldn't we be with Hufflepuff?"

"Oh come on, Ron," said Hermione, leading the way toward the dungeons. "It may not be as bad. Now that Harry defeated Voldemort, they probably wont even speak to us."

They walked quietly the rest of the way, dreading the class. It was hard to not look around the castle as they remembered the way things had been just months ago. How some of the sections of the castle had crumbled down and the brutal marks that had taken place. Now, it looked like the gruesome moments had never taken place. Piece by piece the castle had been put back together.

Hermione was relieved. As many others, Hogwarts had been her home for six years of her growing up. Her year away she truly missed her school, the teachers and the library. The countless nights Harry and Ron had begged for help with an essay or to write anything for them. She was finally back home and it helped take some of the weight off her shoulders.

When the four of them arrived to the dungeon, they were the first ones to get to class. Ron and Harry immediately went into a table together and Hermione and Ginny took the able next to them. Not long after, Professor Slughorn entered the class and immediately expressed how pleased he was that the trio decided to return to Hogwarts.

When the bell rang for class, the rest of the students came piling in. Malfoy and Zabini were the two last to arrive, and took the table that was available behind Ginny and Hermione. Ron immediately took notice and muttered under his breath, scowling.

"Stop it." Muttered Hermione, quietly to Ron. "The last thing I want to start this year with is a fight.

"My dear students, I am so pleased to see us here!" Said Professor Slughorn, as he stood at the front of class, with his arms out in welcome.

"Since last year wasn't as what many of us had planned for, we will start with a potion today called 'Volubilis Potion'." He flicked his wand, directions appeared on the black board behind him. "Can anyone tell me what this potion does?"

Hermione's hand immediately shot up in the air. "Yes, Ms. Granger?" Beamed Slughorn.

"The Volubilis Potion is a potion that alters the drinkers voice. This potion is also a potion you want to drink if someone has put the silencing charm on you." Answered Hermione, grinning.

"Excellent. Five points to Gryffindor. Now everything you will be needing is in the cupboards. You have until the end of class to create the brew. Good luck."

Hermione looked up to the blackboard to see the ingredients. Honeywater, mint sprigs, stewed mandrake and syrup of Hellebore. Being one of the first students to jump up from her seat, she went to the cupboard and gathered her ingredients. When she went to exit, she nearly ran into Draco Malfoy, who stared down at her.

"Excuse me." He said quietly. Hermione gaped, nearly dropping her didn't say anything as she walked to her seat, glancing back over her shoulder to Malfoy as he now made his way to his own seat.

"What was that about?" asked Ginny quietly, who took notice of the two students.

Hermione shrugged, cutting her eyes to Ginny. Ginny nodded and continued with her potion, taking note to ask questions later. Within forty minutes of class, not very many students seemed to manage to successfully brew their potions. Then potion was supposed to turn a slight golden color. Ron's potion was a bright green, sending off a foul smell of rotten eggs. Harry's smelled of burnt tires but close in color and Hermione's potion was right on cue, with Ginny's close behind as she had a few pointers from Hermione.

"Granger?" said a voice quietly behind her. Hermione glanced around, seeing Malfoy standing at his cauldron looking down. "Can you tell me what I did wrong?" he asked, when he knew he had her attention.

"I thought you were fairly good at potions?" asked Hermione, glancing at Ginny who had her eyebrows up in surprise. Malfoy glanced up to her, as she studied his potion.

"I am good with potions, I just missed something. Would it be too much trouble for your assistance?" snapped Malfoy.

Hermione rolled her eyes, there he was with that attitude.

"How many mint sprigs did you put it?"

"I think it were six."

"You're supposed to put in seven." He frowned, unsure of how to fix the potion now since he was further along.

Hermione and Ginny glanced at one another once more, before going back to their own potion as they put some in the vile that Professor Slughorn had handed out. Once Potions ended, Malfoy and Zabini were one of the first to leave the classroom. Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny walked out together to head to Arithmancy.

"What was that about?" asked Ron, as soon as they exited Potions and no other ears were around to listen.

"What?" asked Ginny, already knowing what Ron was asking.

"You know damn well what I am talking about. What did Malfoy want? Why were you even talking with him?" asked Ron, as Hermione and Ginny looked at each other. They both knew Ron was asking Hermione more than his sister that stood there.

"What does it matter, Ronald? He asked me a question about his potion. What is wrong with that?"

"I don't want you talking to him." Hermione stared at him, eyebrows raised and her eyes wide.

"Excuse me?" asked Hermione, stopping in her place. "You do not get to tell me who and who I don't speak with. Is that clear?" said Hermione, fuming.

"Alright!" said Harry at once, "You both need to calm down."

"For once I can say there was nothing wrong with how Malfoy was acting with me. The way you are acting now, on the other hand, I can't say the same!"

"I'm just worried about you, 'Mione."

Hermione rolled her eyes, leaving the boys standing there as she continued with Ginny beside her.

"Really, mate?" asked Harry, adjusting his bag on his shoulder to continue walking with or without Ron with him.

"How are you all right with that git speaking to her?"

"I think you are more bent out of shape about this then I am because how you feel about Hermione." said Harry, as he looked at Ron from the corner of his eye.

"You're mental, what are you talking about?"

"Ron, don't act like you don't know what I'm speaking about I see the way you stare at her when you don't think anyone is paying attention."

"Come on, Harry. Even if I had feelings for Hermione –" Harry began to interrupt, "Not saying that I don't! How are you all right with that prat talking to her?"

"After all the things that have happened to us in the past two years, I don't want to fight anymore. In some twisted way, he did try to help us that night and at the battle he gave me his wand. Malfoy hasn't thrown one insult at her, his father is locked tight away and his mother, although she did help me escape from Voldemort, it seems like she never plans to see the light of day again." The reached their next class. "Besides, he tried anything funny we can easily take care of him."

"Believe me, I would enjoy punching him in the face again. I know Hermione can take care of herself. She has proved that many times before."

"Maybe you could start telling her how you feel, before you start coming off as a jealous prat." Said Harry laughing, before Ron punched him in the arm.

The next few weeks of Hogwarts were a blur, adjusting back to school for the trio was easier said then done. The year before at this time they were in the middle of woods, going back and forth trying to figure out the next step in their mission. Now they sat together in the library, Hermione in her zone of studies, as the boys tapped their pencils and talked of quidditch.

"Hello?" said Hermione, finally getting annoyed with the chattering lot. "If you're not going to study with me, what are you doing?"

"Where's Ginny?" asked Ron, realizing his sister wasn't with them. Hermione couldn't focus anymore on her book so she began putting her books back in her bag.

"Oh, she's in the common room. Said she just wanted to relax in there this afternoon."

"I'm going to take a walk."

"Well, we can come with." Said Harry, trying to gather his things together once Hermione stood up.

"No, Harry. I can go on my own. You two stay here."

"No wait, can I come with you?" asked Ron, finally getting the courage to find the moment to speak with Hermione alone. Hermione hesitate, not wanting to tell him no, but no wanting him to come with her either.

"I would prefer you not. I would just like to walk by myself." He looked hurt, but let it go.

"Oh, alright. Well, maybe we can talk later this evening then?" he asked, "We can meet you in the common room later before dinner."

Hermione sighed and smiled before she left the boys at the table. She started her walk with not sure where she was going; after a few moments she found herself at the wood line by the Black Lake. She stood there for a moment, dropping her bag to the ground and walking a short distance as she kicked a few rocks in the water.

"Granger." Said a voice behind her, she nearly screamed, as she jumped nearly falling in the water, but firm arms caught her. The arms let go as quickly as they had grabbed her, as she turned to see Draco Malfoy standing there.

"You startled me!" Said Hermione, uncomfortably as Malfoy backed away from her.

"I didn't mean to scare you." He backed away further from her, both of them feeling very uncomfortable to be in each other presence.

"Malfoy, "said Hermione, hesitating before she asked, "Why do you keep staring at me?"

"What?" he asked, clearly surprised she would ask him such a question.

"I've caught you multiple times. You've stared at me, asked for my help with potions. I'm a mudblood, don't you remember that?"

"Yes, I recall that." The sudden hurt flashed through her eyes, but she didn't let it bring her down.

"You're a-" she stopped herself, not wanting to sink to Draco Malfoy's level of name calling. Of course, yes he had been a death eater, but why? Was it something that was forced on him by his own family? Did he choice it on his own? What if he had wanted out but knew they would have killed him?

"Yes, Granger. You can say it, I was a death eater." he mumbled, he looked away from her, "I was with no other choice, but death. Did you know that? Of course not, I have the Malfoy name so I must immediately be guilty of following the Dark Lord."

Hermione hesitated, sighing as she could see the hurt in his eyes. The amount of harshness he had probably dealt with the last few months were noticed by her. "Malfoy, I never said any of that."

"I don't need your pity." he snapped.

"Well, then why are you speaking to me then? What do you want?" he stared straight into those brown eyes, for once not seeing disgust, or anger of someone that would like to choke the lights out of him. instead he saw a strong witch standing before him. Even after everything she had gone through, she stood there as if she were ready to take on the world.

"A chance at something." He looked as if he was lost in thought. "A chance to feel something. A real friend."

"W-What?"

"I don't want to repeat myself. What am I even saying?" he snapped at himself, looking disgusted that he was standing there. Hermione wouldn't let him stop now, wanting to know now what he wanted.

"What do you mean a real friend? Who is this friend you are looking for?"

It was his turn now to kick the rocks in the water as she had done shortly before.

"I thought maybe you."