The day before classes officially started was always the most chaotic day out of the school year. The hallways were cluttered with students, veterans and first years alike, as they prepped for the new year. Returning students scrambled to get their last minute supplies and first years bumbled around to learn their way around the castle.
A hindrance occurred in the main corridor as a pair of students made their way to their common room from the library. There wasn't anything particularly abnormal about either of them. Both minded their own as they carried their respective books down the long hallway. Except for the fact that one of them held a stack of books that strongly resembled the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Her companion looked onward with hesitance.
Ginny kept her voice low. "Everyone is staring at us."
"I can see that, Ginny—" Hermione remarked. "—and I'm pretty sure it's just me they're staring at."
"I wonder why that is." She glanced wearily to the tall stack of books in Hermione's hands, preparing for when they eventually decided to topple over.
"It's obvious, isn't it?"
"I'd assume it's because you've overdone it." The redhead said plainly.
"Overdone what?"
Ginny gestured wildly to the books in her hands. "You do see this, correct?"
"My books? What about them?" Hermione almost sounded offended.
"That stack is enormous, Hermione. It's no wonder why everyone is staring. Did you really need all of them?"
Her hold on the books tightened, almost in a protective manner. Defense flashed in her eyes. "Don't be silly. This is only some of them."
She lifted a brow at her. "Some?"
"Yes." She tilted her head up. "Evidently, someone else had the same idea so the library could only hold some of the ones I requested."
She was appalled. Ginny had some exposure to Hermione's study habits in their later years but this was more intense than she expected. "You mean...they're not even mandatory?"
Hermione glanced away. "Not...exactly. I wanted to take extra classes to compensate for last year and there is so much I need to catch up on. This is only–ahem–supplemental material..." she mumbled the last bit.
Ginny was rendered speechless as she tried to understand how she managed to look after their boyfriends and keep up with her grades so meticulously. Hermione mistakenly took her silence as judgmental disbelief.
"Regardless, I'm pretty sure they're looking at me because they're getting used to me being here when I shouldn't be—"
Oh.
Right.
She had nearly forgotten about that.
"—not to mention people here are used to my mannerisms by now," Hermione continued to ramble. "—they know to avoid me on the first day after a trip to the library."
Ginny turned to her. "Hey, hey easy. I was only joking." she smiled reassuringly.
Hermione cleared her throat, "Right then."
"But what if you run into some unsuspecting first year who has no idea?" She asked in a lighthearted manner.
Hermione caught on to her attempt to ease her tension. "If they can see me, then there's no need to be concerned. Not to mention the fact that I have you to guide me as well."
"That is flawed logic." She sounded amused.
Hermione blinked. "How is that flawed?"
"You're assuming I'm looking out for you." She responded teasingly.
She then scoffed, flipping her bundle of curls around as she turned her head to face the grinning redhead.
"Are you going to let me run into someone, then?"
"If you run into someone, it's going to be because you decided to reserve more than ten books at the library."
"So it's my fault that I want a fulfilling education."
"No, it's your fault because you can't see where you're bloody going."
"It'll be alright, Ginny. Now hurry it along, would you?" Her legs picked up the pace slightly. "I want to get back and have enough time to sort them before cur—"
"—Mione, watch out!"
Cries of pain were expelled as the books in her hand were suddenly forced back on her body, throwing her off balance. Her bottom throbbed as it made contact with the solid ground. Hermione winced and rubbed her sore areas as the situation sunk in. Someone had crashed into her and as a result, their books were scattered between them, spread in disarray.
"—so sorry about that. Are you alright?" she heard a velvety voice directed at her. She straightened her gaze to see a hand outstretched in front of her, offering to help her off the floor. She looked up, eyes burst into shock. She heard herself gasp as she recognized him. The witch concluded she must be dreaming or hit her head when she fell.
A Slytherin was asking her if she was alright?
Nonetheless, she tentatively took the extended hand and let herself be helped from the ground.
"Hello, Granger. Lovely to see you again." he acknowledged her with a brief nod once she got on her feet.
Hermione's jaw remained dropped as she looked at Ginny for reassurance. She seemed to be on the same level of confusion as her. "I'm-uh-it's good to see you as well, Zabini." She hoped her skepticism wasn't too evident.
Blaise reached down to extract his wand out of his pocket. "Apologies for my carelessness. I was carrying around quite a tall order. Bit hard to see where I was going." He waved his wand, forcing their books to fly from the pile on the ground to assemble into two neatly stacked towers. She stared at them, wide-eyed.
"You're not hurt, are you?" He asked, concerned while pocketing his wand.
"Oh! No, no—" She was taken back at his sincerity and shook her head slowly. "Not to worry. I've been through much worse." She smiled faintly though instantly regretted it when she became aware of her poor choice of words. His frown and guilty expression only proving so.
"No-no-no, that's not what I...I'm quite clumsy, is all I meant. It's reassuring to see I'm not the only ambitious one around here." She gestured to his own stack of books slightly shorter than hers.
He chuckled. "You misunderstand. The books are mine and my friends' combined. I drew the short wand and was sent to get them while they remain giggling away in the common room." he shrugged.
Ginny stifled a laugh. "That's unfortunate."
He hadn't acknowledged her at this point. "Indeed. Until now." he eyed her with intent, a sly smile grew.
Ginny flushed and cleared her throat, looking down to avoid any eye contact. Blaise seemed pleased with himself.
Hermione flickered her eyes between the two of them, willing to do anything to break the tension. "I wasn't aware there were members of Slytherin returning as well. I was under the impression you were in attendance last year." she blurted.
The dark skinned wizard turned his focus back to her, handsome brows fully raised. "Am I the first you've seen?"
"I saw you and Nott at the banquet but that's it. Just you two."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her words. "I see. Yes, I will say our final year was rather...unsatisfying to say the least. You know...with new restrictions in place and the impending war—minor details." He waved his hand flippantly. "It didn't help nearly all the professors were constantly on high alert. So, like you, a select few were also offered a second chance to return once the trials were over for a more...fulfilling experience."
"I take it not everyone took advantage of that opportunity," she evaluated.
He shook his head. "Not many were offered the chance to begin with since it depended on the severity of their involvement with Voldemort's affairs. Others decided to work straight away or pursue a life of peace elsewhere."
Hermione gnawed the inside of her cheek as she took in the new pieces of information. "Understood. Well I'm glad you and Nott decided to return."
"As am I. Well, I best be off. I need to get back before my so-called friends get their knickers in a twist—" he knelt down to pick up the stack of books, "—absolute wankers, the lot of them. They're the ones who actually care about their grades." He finished with a grunt as he tried to adjust them in his hold comfortably.
"And you don't?"
"I'd be lying if I told you it was my sole priority. I have other...reasons for returning if you know what I mean." He winked at her.
She scoffed, eyes twinkled with amusement. "Not a chance, Zabini." She giggled when he feigned a pout. "Though I will say, it was relatively pleasant chatting with you," she added.
"Oddly enough, the feeling is mutual, Granger. I was mostly kidding by the way. But I'll tell you this; as a bloke who's seen both sides of the war—" he leaned in closer, "—I regret how we treated you. Truly." his lips twitched upward.
She exhaled, floored by his integrity and nodded meekly in agreement. "I appreciate that, Zabini."
"I'll see you around, Granger." He shifted to look at Ginny. "Weasley." He drew her name out in a low tone before brushing past them with his books in hand, a slight limp in his step. Hermione was shaking her head, laughing lightly. She turned her head back to her redheaded companion who was still staring at his retreating figure.
"Ginny? Are you alright?"
"Hmm? What was that?" She sounded far off. Distracted. Hermione rolled her eyes and nudged her shoulder.
"Knock it off, Ginny. We need to get back. Besides, how would Harry feel about you ogling over another guy?" Hermione bent down to pick up her books with only minimal tussling.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Probably the same as I did when I caught him eyeing Parkinson."
Hermione shuddered with repulse. "I still can't believe he found her attractive, even if it was only for a little while. She was an awful person."
"Men work in mysterious ways, Hermione." Her eyes shifted to her face and to her books in hand. "And give me some of those, will ya?" Ginny reached up to take a third of Hermione's monstrous stack of books, making it significantly more manageable. "You look ridiculous carrying that many books around, you know? Someone could get hurt."
Hermione stood in place, baffled as she watched as Ginny walk away with a pleased look on her face.
A few moments passed.
"You...you're joking! You could've done that this whole time!" She stood quickly and followed the laughter echoing from the other end of the corridor.
The Gryffindor common room was relatively empty when they made it with their books in tow. Ginny dropped her books on her bed with a dramatic huff while Hermione spread hers out on her own bed. The redhead bit the inside of her cheek while she thought. "What do you think that was about?"
Hermione responded distractedly as she shuffled her books around. "Sorry?"
"Zabini. What do you think he was playing at? Acting all nice to us. It was very out-of-character, don't you think?"
"I suppose," she offered weakly. To be honest, it was the only thing on her mind since they collided. She wasn't even sorting through her books properly, for she had been picking up the same book and misplaced it for the fourth time.
She gasped. "Maybe it was a prank!" She gasped again. "Maybe he planted a hex in your books! Quick, we should check your books now and make sure—" Hermione grabbed her frantic hands before she could disturb her books.
"Ginny, relax. I think...I think he was being genuine." She looked down at the pile and put the book in the proper spot before proceeding onto the next one.
Hermione looked up when the redhead didn't respond verbally. Ginny had simply placed her hands on her hips with an expression she could only interpret as, 'you can't be fucking serious.'
"What?"
"Do I need to check that head of yours? Maybe you fell harder than you think—"
The thought had crossed Hermione's mind once or twice.
"Believe me," she cut her off. "—it's strange to me as well. But it's not like he was forced to be here. He's old enough to decide that for himself so if he didn't want to be here, then he wouldn't be. And if I'm wrong about him, then I'm wrong but I refuse to let my speculations keep me distracted the one year I can finally have some peace." She stopped at the sound of tapping. Both looked to the window where an owl was pecking the window with a letter in its beak.
Ginny sighed and walked over to the window to let the owl in.
"I suppose you're right." She took the letter from the owl, petting it briefly before opening the letter. Her eyes rapidly scanned over the script, crinkling at the corners as she approached the end.
"Now come on, we need to prepare for our last first day of classes tomorrow." Hermione said, excitedly. Ginny only shook her head, her teeth shining brightly.
"You go on and start. I'm going to respond to Harry." She lifted the unfolded sheet of parchment.
Hermione sat up, inhaling sharply. "Of course, their first day! How did it go?"
"Great! Harry said he couldn't get into details but they're advancing through the training since the department is short staffed." She paused. "Wait, has Ron not reached out to you?"
Hermione shook her head dejectedly. Ginny had been aware of the minor details regarding the strains on their budding romance but not of the latest development as of their parting at Kings Cross. She felt guilty for not informing her female best friend of the current state of their relationship but she felt it was best to keep details discreet for the time being. At least until she was able to figure it out herself. Her heart was still fragile on the subject, it seemed.
Ginny grimaced sympathetically. Deciding in that moment to keep her spirits up, her bright smile returned. "I'm sure his letter will turn up soon." She put her hand on her shoulder in reassurance. "Now, I'll hurry and send off Harry a response and we'll get our things ready for classes together, yeah?"
Hermione beamed as the doubts cleared out of her mind, making space for her desired priorities. She reminded herself she was here to enjoy her last school year and she was not going to let a single thing ruin it.
"—excuse me...pardon me...so sorry!"
Hermione was a pace shy of running as she made her way down the corridor, nearly colliding with half the students along the way for she had done the impossible.
She was late for class on the first day.
Multiple sets of wandering eyes followed a blur of curly brown hair as passed by. Hermione zipped her way through, squeezing her way in the crowd of students. One hand held her potions textbook and assorted notebooks while the other held her growling stomach. She hadn't missed breakfast before.
Her blood pumped maddeningly through her veins as her adrenaline skyrocketed with fear of being reprimanded for running in the halls. A sigh of relief escaped when she spotted the entrance to the classroom. Quickly, she looked both ways for any professors before she bolted towards the classroom. Unfortunately, due to her tunnel vision, she was unable to see the cluster of first year boys heading straight for her until it was too late.
She let out an exclamation of surprise when someone pulled her back to hold her firm against a warm body as the books previously in her grasp were sent flying to the floor. The boys ran past them, oblivious to the girl they had nearly run over. Professor Filch passed shortly after in pursuit of them, grumbling to himself as he did so.
Hermione's chest heaved as the adrenaline subsided. She felt the large hands holding her arms release her and heard them brush off freshly pressed robes as she knelt down to collect her books.
Hermione frantically reached for her scattered books and didn't pay any mind to identify the stranger who had caught her. She was on the brink of thanking her savior until she heard him speak.
"Late for class, are we? That's unlike you..."
Her hand froze in its position over her potions textbook.
She recognized that drawl anywhere.
Almost in slow motion, Hermione stood and turned to face him. She looked at him as if he were a ghost although his complexion was comparable.
"Malfoy." His name left her lips in a hushed tone, like a forbidden curse.
"Granger." He cleared his throat, showing discomfort under her scrutiny.
She choked on her breath when it came her turn to add to the exchange, quickly rummaging through all the things she could possibly say to him:
Good to see you, it's been a while since your trial.
How are you faring now with your mother on probation and your father in prison?
You're looking healthier than when you spent all of last year trying to assassinate our headmaster.
Maybe just a simple hello would suffice. Things were different between them now, right? They were on the other side of a war, after all. She'd like to think they could move beyond their childhood rivalry. Zabini appeared to have moved on.
Zabini wasn't the one who hexed you to have enlarged buck teeth in front of everyone.
He wasn't the one who openly called you 'Mudblood' on a regular basis.
He wasn't the one who brought you to tears after consecutive weeks of teasing because he was 'bored'.
Hermione slammed her eyes shut, attempting to suppress the negative thoughts and memories. Forgiveness was not an option at the moment, it seemed.
Don't overthink it, Hermione. Just talk to him.
Ultimately, she was overwhelmed with the surprise of seeing him here knowing he was offered a position with the ministry following his trial. Letting her feelings take over while her brain was on overdrive, she settled for the first decent option that came to her mind.
"So..." she started lamely, "—you've returned to Hogwarts." She wincing as soon as the words left her mouth.
"Astute observation, Granger. Your ability to point out the obvious is quite remarkable."
It didn't matter. She felt that no matter what she said, he would find a way to taunt her about it. She inhaled and closed her eyes, reminding herself to maintain her composure. "What are you doing here?"
He raised a brow. "Getting an education? That's what you do at a school if I'm not mistaken." Maybe she deserved that one.
"But you have no need for that, you were pardoned." All signs of amusement disappeared from his face.
"My presence here is none of your business. Just slow it down next time, would you? Someone might mistaken you for a prepubescent first year." He spat in a condescending tone.
She crossed her arms, unimpressed. "There's no need for the attitude, Malfoy."
"As I recall, you were the one asking unnecessary questions."
"Some of us are naturally curious and welcome questions."
"Some of us avoid rhetorical ones and despise small talk."
"Good to see you're still a detestable cad."
"Good to see you're still an insufferable know-it-all." He winced as soon as the words came out. It appeared to affect Hermione as well, the echoes of his words ringing in her ears as if their late potions professor were back from the dead and saying them himself.
"I..." Her momentary pause seemed to snap him out of his brief stupor.
"Don't you have a class to get to? That is why you're in such a rush, is it not?" He held out her textbook with a raised brow.
When did he pick that up?
Horrified at the truth to his words, she abruptly jerked the book out of his hand while muttering a curse under her breath. She overlooked the mirth plastered on his face as she dashed away.
Bursting through the door, she attracted the attention of a few of the occupants, eyes focused on only her and her frantic presence. Her entrance did not go unnoticed by Professor Slughorn who was in the middle of going over lesson plans.
"Ah Miss Granger, glad you could make it. Please, have a seat." He turned back towards the board to continue writing.
She felt her cheeks heat up when several snickers were expelled throughout the crowd. Her eyes swiftly scanned the classroom for any vacant seats, attention drawn to the seat next to Ginny that she likely saved for her. Once she walked over to it, she sank in it dutifully.
Ginny didn't waste any time to interrogate her. "About time. Where have you been?"
"My alarm didn't go off this morning. It didn't help that I ran into someone on the way here." She answered, frustrated.
"Ah. Someone who wanted to chat?"
Hermione huffed. "Not exactly—"
At that moment, the door opened again. This time, a composed blonde walked through. He kept his head down as he proceeded to the remaining seat beside Blaise on the other side of the classroom. Hermione's jaw clenched and shifted her head to the front where their potions professor hadn't made a second glance in his direction. She looked around the classroom.
No one batted an eye at him.
"You must be joking." She muttered, furious.
"—and you didn't think to wake me up for breakfast?" Hermione was livid as they exited the classroom. She had held back her temper for the duration of the lecture though it only grew the more she tried to keep it in.
Ginny let out a laugh, "I tried, Hermione. Really, I did but you weren't budging and I was not going to wait around and miss breakfast. I figured you'd want to sleep in anyways given how late you stayed up sorting your books."
She groaned in frustration. And hunger. "I was making adjustments to my potions textbook," she explained.
"Adjustments?"
She nodded. "I remembered the renditions Harry did with every assignment sixth year. All of his potions came out perfect."
"Ah yes. The 'Great Chosen One' who miraculously had the highest grade in your class." She said jokingly.
Hermione laughed. "Only in potions—" she corrected. "He wasn't even second of our class." Her smirk faded briefly.
"Really? Who was?"
Hermione cleared her throat, disgruntled. "Doesn't matter. Regardless, I know I can score higher on my N.E.W.T.s with these adjustments. Even if it is because of that cursed textbook—"
"Cursed textbook? Are you referring to the same textbook you practically begged him to get rid of?" She sounded almost proud. "You're wicked, you are!"
"Look, I'm not denying in saying that it wasn't a dangerous book but there were useful edits made by Professor Snape himself. I am simply adjusting the recipes in my own book to what a former potions professor had done," she reasoned partly to herself.
"I think it's smart." Luna offered as she stepped up to them.
"Hello Luna. It's so good to see you."Hermione greeted her.
"You too. I'm glad to see you are doing well."
Hermione cocked her head. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You ran into someone. Or rather, someone grabbed you it looks like."
"What? What is she talking about?" Ginny asked.
"How did you know?"
"You have a few wrackspurts. Strange pattern, though. You've also been rubbing your arms."
Ginny's brows drew together. "What are wrackspurts?"
"They're tiny particle-like beings—" Hermione tuned them out when she saw Malfoy exiting the classroom, head down in the textbook as he walked off.
"Excuse me for a moment..." she murmured. Neither Ginny or Luna acknowledged her as they became engrossed in their own conversation. Hermione skipped swiftly to catch up to him, provided he had the benefit of having longer legs to carry him greater distances. A few strides later and she was walking along side him at the same pace as he kept his head down in his textbook.
"I never thanked you earlier." She said, a little breathless.
He made no obvious attempt to acknowledge her. She wouldn't have known he heard her if she didn't see his blinking stutter.
"Your gratitude is unnecessary." His tone was even and unwavering.
Hermione pressed her lips together. "You didn't mention you were going to the same class." She tried again.
He glanced at her, jaw already tightened. "Didn't realize I owed an explanation of my whereabouts every minute of the day." He retaliated.
She'd had enough of his stiff persona, and her pent up rage finally set itself free. "So how does this work? You maintain an exceptional grade in our potions class so that you can waltz in whenever it pleases you?"
"Maybe you didn't hear the part where I said it was none of your business."
"No, I did. This is me disregarding your comment and addressing your arrogance."
With a slam of his textbook, he faced her head on, stopping their progression down the hallway to an area with less foot traffic.
"What are you on about?" He snapped, glowering.
"This. You prancing around like you own the place. Professor Slughorn didn't even flinch when you walked in late and the only explanation I could come up with was your nearly perfect grade sixth year."
Much to her surprise, he smirked at her. "Well, well. Keeping tabs on me, eh Granger?" Hermione felt the faint brush of nostalgia at the sight. She hadn't seen that infuriating smirk of his in a long time.
Similarly, she felt the familiar arising urge to slap it off his face.
"Obviously. I needed to know just how much effort to put in order to stay just above you without overexerting myself." She replied, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Who would've thought you to have a comedic side?" He retorted dryly.
She squinted at him.
"How is that funny?" She asked, dubious.
"It's funny," he began, a hint of malice taking form, "because you're the most arrogant person I've ever met and you're here lecturing me."
"I'm only telling you what no one else will." She replied simply.
"What else to expect from someone who thrives on bossing people around." He glared at her pointedly.
She scoffed, "I didn't realize helping people was a crime."
"How difficult it must be for you to have that mentality," he remarked, mockingly. "Tell me, how embarrassing was it knowing when you started your last first day here tardy and unprepared?" He applied a harsh emphasis to the words he knew would stick out to her the most.
"As were you!" She spat back.
"Not that it is any of your concern," he drawled in a posh tone, "Professor Slughorn already knew I was going to be late. I was on my way to class when you showed up and I certainly wasn't expecting to see you nearly get yourself killed by first years."
Her breath hitched.
The fuel was cut.
The flame extinguished.
She continued to breathe heavily as her boiling blood settled and receded from her ears.
The same boy who used to wish for her death just…willingly saved her? She kept her eyes ahead, refusing to look at him. "You...why did you—?"
He snorted, "It was purely instinctual, believe me. I've already begun to regret it."
Her brow furrowed.
"Oi! Draco! Are you ready to go?" Came Zabini's voice from down the hall. She could practically feel his curious eyes flickering between the two of them.
The blond straightened himself and the corner of his mouth lifted, seemingly pleased with her current confounded state.
"See you around, Granger." He brushed past her to walk in the other direction towards Blaise while she stood in place, fists clenched as she tried to calm the rapid thumping in her chest.