It started during the 6th year.
Professor Slughorn had to bring in that powerful love potion. The scent of freshly mowed grass, new parchment and spearmint toothpaste had never left Hermione since that dreadful day.
She knew what it meant, now. But back then she hoped it would lead her to Ron. However after the war she and Ron decided to remain friends. They realised that their friendship meant more to them than a romantic relationship.
They also felt extremely awkward around each other after the war. She and Ron chalked their attempt at a romantic relationship as something that was brought on by the war.
Hermione learnt that her infatuation with Ron during their school years was well a school girl's crush. She had a deeper more meaningful relationship with Krum than with Ron.
But that potion still lingered at the back of her mind. Constantly rearing its ugly head in the most inopportune moments. Like for example when she went back to Hogwarts after the war, that final year reminded her of what her schooling life would have been like if there was no war.
Not to mention that he was back at school too. Of course he didn't need to complete his schooling, he still had his family fortune after the war. Malfoy was everywhere that Hermione turned. He was in her classes, in the library and even eating dinner with her, well at her table. Hermione felt like she couldn't get a break from him.
What was worse was that since many of the students from her year chose both to come back to school, Hermione, Malfoy and those that chose to return were grouped together and moved into the Prefect's dormitories. Luckily or unluckily for Hermione, she had Ginny with her while Ron and Harry decided to start their careers as aurors.
Now after two years since she completed her education and secured herself a job within the ministry, Hermione is still unable to forget that damn potion. Especially whenever she runs into Malfoy.
They don't get to interact with each other often but since Hermione's job at the Department of international magical cooperation and Malfoy's job at the Department of Magical games and sports goes hand in hand at times, Hermione is forced to meet with Malfoy's team from time to time.
Today was unfortunately one of those days. The departments are in the early stages of their Quidditch World Cup that will take place next year. With Malfoy sitting across from her, Hermione is unable to stop her mind from picking out those three simple details that have been haunting her since her sixth year.