"Talking about me, Granger?" a deep voice called out from the entrance of the train compartment. Hermione froze, her hands losing the grip on her jeans.

Speak of the devil.

"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" Ron snapped, standing up and looking at him.

Draco scoffed, entering the compartment properly, his hands folded in front of his chest. "I'm Head Boy, you Weasel." Draco snapped back, his face holding his arrogant smirk, his badge shining under the moonlight.

His eyes darted to Hermione, who was staring at the ground in embarrassment, her body shaking.

"Too afraid to face me, Granger? I surely made a mistake in believing that you became braver after the war." He scoffed. Hermione got up from her seat immediately, raising her wand to his throat.

"Shut your mouth, Malfoy. Don't act as if you've changed. You're still the same boy you were before the war. Get off your high horse!" Hermione exclaimed, staring at Draco. She knew her words were beyond cruel, but she had to open her mouth against Draco if they had to work together for the whole year.

Draco gulped, his dominant expression fading from his eyes as he looked at Hermione. He pushed her wand and looked at Ron, Harry and Seamus.

"See you at school." He snapped and left the compartment. Hermione exhaled, keeping her wand inside her jean pocket. Ginny came inside immediately, her face etched with worry. "Was Malfoy here?" she questioned, sitting next to Hermione. "He heard me talking about him and came inside." The Granger said, sighing softly.

"Where's Dean?" Seamus asked.

"He went with erm-- Susan Bones." Ginny said, clearing her throat. Seamus immediately turned beet red as he sprinted out the compartment.

The rest of the train ride was silent, each of their minds occupied with the thought of the upcoming year.

-

"Harry!" A voice called out as Hermione and Harry were walking up the stairs of the Great Hall. They both turned to find Dennis Creevey running towards them. He engulfed Harry in a gut-wrenching hug as Hermione grinned at them.

"Dennis! How are you?" Harry coughed through the hug, smiling widely.

Dennis pulled away, giving a slight smile to Hermione, his cheeks turning red. "I'm good. I just came with Nigel and the others." Dennis cleared his throat. He had matured really well; his voice was deeper and his looks were sharpened. He turned out to be quite attractive.

"Oi, Dennis! Come quick!" A voice called out. Dennis turned around and waved at his friends.

"I'll talk to you later." Dennis smiled and ran to his friends.

Hermione sighed and turned around to be met with Draco and his friends whispering as they were staring and pointing at her.

"Hermione?" Harry called, clutching her arm.

She turned to look at him, her mind still occupied by Draco. "I've been trying to talk to you for the past minute, you alright?" He asked, confusion visible on his face. Hermione nodded, gulping softly.

"I'm alright. Just tired." She sighed, gulping softly.

Harry nodded as they walked to the Great Hall.

-

"Ms. Granger?" A soft voice spoke. Hermione furrowed her eyebrows as she felt something- or rather someone nudging her leg.

She looked down to find Willow, the Pucey Family's house elf. "Willow! What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, patting Willow's soft head.

"After the Wizarding War, Master Pucey presented Willow with a sock. Willow was very happy indeed that she came running to Hogwarts." Willow smiled.

Hermione smiled softly.

"Oh, Willow almost forgot! Congratulations, Ms. Granger, for becoming Head Girl. Willow will help you in any way she can."

"Thank you, Willow. That's very kind of you." Hermione grinned, shaking Willow's small hand.

"Headmistress McGonagall has requested to see you and Mr. Malfoy." Willow said, blinking her eyes.

"Ms. Granger, would you help Willow?"

"Sure, Willow. Anything." The brunette admitted, licking her lips. Willow stuttered softly, gulping and fidgeting with her fingers.

"What's wrong, Willow?" Hermione asked softly, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Could you call Mr. Malfoy with you? Willow must call him, but Willow is scared." She whispered. Hermione smiled softly and cutely touched Willow's nose.

"Anything for my favourite elf." She smiled and got up, walking to the Slytherin Common Room.

She saw Draco standing against Slytherin Common Room, smoking a joint.

"Malfoy?" Hermione voice out, her hands tightening before her chest. Draco looked up at her, showing no reaction.

"What do you want, Granger?" He snapped, throwing the joint away. He tucked his hands into his pant pockets as he walked towards her.

"McGonagall has requested to see us." Hermione said, gulping softly. Draco hummed in response as he walked away to the Headmistress office.

***