"Where have you been, 'Mione?" Ginny barrelled into her when she had reached the entrance hall, "We were just going to the Quidditch ground, would you like to come along?"

Hermione glanced over Ginny's shoulder and spotted Cho, Harry, Theodore, George, Angelina, Pansy, Padma and Dean.

"Come on, 'Mione, it'll be fun," Harry coaxed, "you can watch me beat Ginny."

"Har har," Ginny rolled her eyes, "we'll see who beats who. I'm sure by the end of the game you'll be muddy and crying because I beat you."

"Challenge accepted, Ginerva," Harry chuckled. 

"Alright, alright, it sounds inviting," Hermione cracked a smile, "I'll come along."

Dean and George hollered, and the group turned towards the door to head outside. 

"Hello, Hermione," Pansy tapped Hermione on her shoulder. 

"Pansy, it's good to see you," Hermione gave her a brief hug, "did you get here late? I didn't see you in the morning."

"Got a little caught up at work is all," Pansy smiled, "I've heard you've gotten yourself a man."

"I wouldn't say it like that," Hermione blushed furiously, "we're just very good friends. Were roommates, actually."

"Ah, alright," Pansy nodded, "how has work been? Got into the Ministry, haven't you?"

"It's been alright," Hermione said, nodding, "nothing interesting really."

"The Ministry was never exciting unless you work in the auror department." Pansy agreed. She brushed imaginary dirt off her shoulders. Hermione took note of Pansy's elaborate attire. Formal trousers, dress shirt, immaculate jewellery. Hermione glanced down at herself, and her yellow sweater and faded jeans.

"Oi, don't fall behind!" George called from ahead. Hermione and Pansy realised that they had in fact gotten a little far behind while talking. They both ran to catch up with the others. Harry and Ginny were still bickering about who would win. 

"You both better shut it," George said, "because clearly, I'm the best player here."

"Really?" Angelina smacked him upside the head. He yelped and cowered away.

"After you, after you, Angie dearest." 

Angelina gave a satisfied nod, "And that's how to teach someone to be humble.  

"I'll keep this lesson in mind," Pansy said, feigning solemnity.

"Well who do you have to teach then?" Dean asked Pansy.

"Theodore hasn't told you yet?" Pansy cast an accusatory glare at Theodore, who quickly slunk away to cower behind Ginny and Harry. Pansy rolled her eyes, "We've been seeing each other."

"Well that's news!" Dean bellowed, hitting Theodore hard on his back. Everyone murmured their agreement and congratulations. Theodore looked apologetically at Pansy. 

Hermione couldn't help but glare st Theo. All this time he'd been seeing Pansy, and he had had the audacity to eye her in a disrespectful way?

"Where are Seamus and Parvati?" Hermione asked casually, to get the thought out of her mind.

"Gryffindor common room," Ginny said slyly, "doing goodness knows what-"

"Ginny!" Hermione was aghast at Ginny's frankness. Harry looked at her, horrified. She rolled her eyes at both of them, muttering something along the lines of 'children'. 

"Oi Hermione," Harry said suddenly, "do you remember fourth year? When I asked you about how you spent time with Viktor? And you said 'we don't talk at all, really. Viktor's more of a physical kind'."

"Thank you for broadcasting the event Harry, I am eternally grateful," Hermione scoffed disbelievingly and ignored the laughs everyone had erupted into. The moment their laughter had died down, Hermione's thoughts wandered back to Draco.

Was he okay?

Really, she was pointless in her worries. She knew Draco was skilled at duelling. She had seen him at school and had experienced it first hand. He could defend himself well. But still, she couldn't make herself stop worrying. Besides she trusted his judgement enough to know that he wouldn't have asked her to stay behind unless there was good reason.

"You look tense," George pulled her hair teasingly, "everything okay?"

"Yes, of course," Hermione gave him what she hoped was a convincing smile. George nodded and turned back to the front. 

Since none of them had their own brooms, they had to borrow the school brooms. Harry mounted his ancient Cleansweep and shot into the air, Ginny following close behind. Hermione, Pansy and Padma took seats on the stands. Ginny divided the teams. The first, with George, Theodore and Cho, with Ginny as captain. The other with Angelina, Dean, and Harry as captain. Ginny released the snitch, and the game began. There were no distinct positions other than seeker, played by Harry and Cho on the opposing teams. The rest carried out roles of keeper, chasers and beaters. There were no rules, so naturally a whole lot of swearing was involved. Hermione, Padma and Pansy ducked when Ginny flew over their heads, dangerously close. 

"What is so amusing about quidditch anyways?" Pansy grumbled, fixing her hair that was being whipped around by the chilly wind, "I mean I get that the players are hot, and it's nice to watch them playing, but what's the fun of being the one who plays it?"

"It's an engaging sport, Pans," Padma said, "better than watching football. My boyfriend is obsessed."

Hermione chuckled, "He makes you watch it with him?"

"Yes," a tinge of exasperation laced Padma's voice, but it was quickly replaced by a genuine smile, "but I never complain, because I know he enjoys watching it."

"Gryffindors," Pansy grumbled again.

Hermione zoned out of the conversation again. She felt suddenly tight and uncomfortable, almost suffocated. Even though they were all people she knew, people who were her friends, she couldn't help feeling anxious and nervous. She was afraid someone might say something, do something, and it would affect her. What if she had a panic attack? They would all judge her and hate her for ruining the day. Hermione felt awfully guilty about feeling uncomfortable amongst them, because clearly they were only trying to have fun and wished that she be a part of it. Only she couldn't help thinking that they did it out of sympathy or pity, and not because they actually wanted her to be there. It was the most awful feeling in the entire world. 

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Harry and Dean began yelling at the top of their voices and zoomed into the air as Angelina did loops. They had won.

"Who's the better player now?" Harry was yelling at the top of his lungs. Ginny chased after him, and knocked his broom, and they both crashed to the ground. Ginny cast a cushioning charm just in time. Dean laughed heartily. George and Angelina had begun bickering already. Cho was scowling at Harry as he displayed the snitch again, wildly jumping about on the grass of the pitch.

"Hermione, why don't you give it a go?" Angelina shouted from across the other side of the pitch.

"No thank you!" Hermione answered instantly, shaking her head.

"Come on, you played with us several times," George tried to persuade her, "you're not even that bad."

"It's not because I'm bad at it," Hermione shouted back, "I just don't fancy flying on a broom."

"Oh alright, Pans, you come on," Theodore called, waving his hand through the air to call for her. Pansy huffed and stood. She handed her cloak to Padma, and took off her dangly earrings and necklace and laid it on the bench, "You asked for it, Theo. I'm going to beat you now."

"Oh ho! You're on!" Ginny whooped, "Another game, come on."

Theodore picked Pansy up from the stands on his broom and took her to the supply shed so that she could get her own. Hermione was left alone with Padma.

Even though the girls had shared a dormitory for seven years, they had never been actual friends. Acquaintances, maybe. But not friends. Padma had been the kind of girl who went around giggling and gossipping and checking out boys with Lavender and Parvati. She was great at Charms and History of Magic, but she liked Divination. Her frequency hadn't matched with Hermione's at all. But now that they were all grown up and matured, Hermione noticed the girl wasn't too bad. She could have an entire conversation without once bringing up anything even remotely related to boy stuff. 

"So, who is the guy you came with?" 

Hermione was not surprised by the question. She had been expecting it, sooner or later.

"He's my r-roommate," she said uncertainly, "why?"

"You like him, don't you?" Padma placed her clasped hands on her lap and looked at Hermione expectantly. 

Padma had always had a great eye for these kinds of things. She could spot out two people who seemed to like each other, if someone was doing something to impress someone. Hermione couldn't understand how she did that.

"We're friends," Hermione muttered lamely.

"I saw you holding hands under the table," Padma said.

"Oh?" Hermione felt the colour rising in her cheeks, "I see."

"Well, of course I'm not pushing you into it, I'm only curious," Padma said, "but, if you do like him, then here's a piece of advice. Don't wait. I've seen the way he looks at you."

Hermione knitted her eyebrows in confusion, "How does he look at me?"

"Like the room is darkness and you're the only light," Padma smiled at her, "I can tell that he likes you."

Hermione's colour deepened, "Alright." Was she supposed to thank her? 

After the second game ended with Ginny's team victorious, Hermione stood to leave. She had decided to go visit Hagrid. 

"I'll see you later, Padma," Hermione said, giving the girl a smile.

"Sure," Padma smiled back, "we'll all meet up in the Gryffindor common room to get ready for the ball in the evening, is that okay with you?"

"It sounds great," Hermione nodded, "I'll be there around half past five."

"See you then," Padma waved at her.

Hermione began making her way off the stands. Was Draco back yet? He had said he would join her, and since it had already been his intention to have a game of Quidditch, the pitch would have been the first place he would have come to. Outside the pitch, Hermione looked around, trying to spot his curly brown hair or stupid storm colored eyes. 

He wasn't here yet. 

But there was no reason to panic, Hermione told herself. He had said he would come back, so he would come back. 

Hermione decided that if by half past five he wouldn't be back, she would go looking for him.

Hermione traipsed down the grassy hill to Hagrid's hut. It was surrounded by students, and Hagrid was demonstrating something to them. Only, Hermione couldn't see what he was demonstrating. 

"Hagrid!" Hermione called. Hagrid turned away from his students, and on spotting Hermione, his face lit up with a toothy grin.

"Hermione!" he boomed, coming forward to embrace her. He placed the creature in his hands atop a crate and hugged Hermione, "how've ye been?"

"I've been good, Hagrid," Hermione couldn't keep the broad smile from her face.

"Is that-?"

"It's Hermione Granger!"

"She's the war heroine!"

"Hermione Granger!"

All the students erupted in cheers and hollering. Hermione flushed, extremely flattered and embarrassed. 

"Thank you everyone," she tried to be gracious, but her embarrassment wouldn't let her. Hagrid stood beside her with his chest puffed out proudly.

"That's enough now, thank you so much," Hermione tried to keep the whine from her voice. Thankfully, the students settled down.

"They're fourth years," Hagrid explained, "learning 'bout Nifflers today."

"That's great," Hermione smiled at all the students who were looking at her, "would you mind very much if I asked them some questions, Hagrid?"

"No no, go right ahead," Hagrid beamed at her, "the Niffler is in the crate. It's a lazy one, that, it's mostly sleepin'."

"Thanks Hagrid," Hermione glanced at the crate. Sure enough, the Niffler lay sound asleep inside it, surrounded by pearl chains, a few galleons, and what seemed to be someone's wallet.

"Hello lovely," Hermione stroked the creature's fur gently before lifting it up. The Niffler snuggled into the crook of Hermione's arm, and continued sleeping.

"Can we carry it too?" a girl with thick glasses asked. Hermione lifted her head to look at the girl. She had freckles all over her face, and her long brown braid swung back and forth in the wind.

"If Hagrid allows," Hermione looked at Hagrid for confirmation. Hagrid nodded, and all the students surged forward to hold it.

"How about this," Hermione took a step back to be out of reach of their eager hands, "whoever answers my questions, can get to hold him, is that fine?"

The students all mumbled their agreement.

"Wonderful," Hermione smiled at them, "now who can give me the role of Nifflers at Gringotts?" 

Four hands shot up in the air. 

"Go on, you answer," Hermione pointed at a girl towards the back.

"Nifflers are assigned to curse breakers by the Gringotts head Goblin," the girl had curly red hair and bright blue eyes that seemed to sparkle, "they help in searching up treasures at cursed sites."

"Wonderful, very good," Hermione acknowledged her. The girl smiled proudly, "what's your name?"

"Dahlia Odrey," the girl beamed.

"Alright, Dahlia, you'll be the first to hold this little guy after I finish asking the questions," Hermione said, "Alright then, who can tell me about a Niffler's pouch?"

Several hands shot up in the air again. Hermione spotted a boy at the front of the class, who seemed to be looking at the Niffler with distaste and apprehension. His eyes darted between Hermione and his shoes continually.

"Would you like to answer?" Hermione asked him.

"No," he answered immediately.

"Why not, give it a try," Hermione persuaded him.

"Give it a try now, Harris," Hagrid said, "I know you're not afraid of the thing, ye were curious at the start of class."

"It's not the Niffler I am apprehensive of," the boy, Harris, said, "it's the person holding it. She is a mudblood, isn't she?"

Hermione paled, cold fury rising up inside her. Hagrid's smile slipped off his face and was replaced by utter rage. All the students gasped or scowled and looked from Hermione to Harris. Hermione was about to say something to reprimand him, but another voice stopped her. 

"Don't call her that."

Everyone turned a little to the left, looking behind Hermione turned, relief mixing with her anger.

Draco stood, tall and stern, looking murderous. Of course to everyone else he wasn't Draco, he was Carson. Harris glowered at him.

"I would deduct house points," Draco said intimidatingly, "but I don't have the privilege. I believe Hagrid would do it."

"Fifty points from Hufflepuff!" Hagrid boomed. The Niffler in Hermione's arm stirred.

"That's not fair!" Harris cried indignantly.

"Apologise ter Hermione right this instant, Harris," Hagrid grabbed the boy by the scruff and brought him to the front of the class. 

Hermione looked on coldly at the boy's unaffected countenance.

"Apologise," Draco gritted out. 

"It's not necessary."

All eyes turned to Hermione. She was breathing a little heavily, and she slowly placed the Niffler back in the crate.

"If all that has happened," Hermione said, looking at Harris's scowl, "has not changed your views on the world, if you are still going to continue discriminating people just because their blood is different, I have nothing to say to you. You will learn in your own time that these views are pointless. I hope that time is soon, because not everyone will let you off as lightly as I did."

A flicker of fear flashed past the boy's expression. Hermione knew that from next time, he would think a little before throwing the word around.

"Thank you for letting me spend time with them, Hagrid," Hermione turned to Hagrid, "I'll see you at the ball. It was lovely meeting your students."

Hermione smiled at everyone bar Harris, reminded Hagrid to let Dahlia have a go at holding the Niffler, then turned and stalked away. Draco followed close behind.

Hermione felt thoughts flood her head. Bellatrix leant over her, cackling. Blood. The silver knife that had carved her identity on her arm forever. Her scar tingled at the memory, as though to remind her of its existence. Hermione felt tears pricking her eyes, but she refused to cry.

"Wait," Draco grabbed hold of her arm to stop her from her ascent up the grassy hill.

"I'm fine, please," Hermione closed her eyes for a moment and tried to pry his hand away.

"Will you stop for a minute and listen to me?" Draco demanded. Hermione stopped struggling and stood still. She was unable to meet his eyes, ashamed at her reaction to a taunt made by a boy nearly half her age.

"What?" her voice came out weak. 

"Do you know who you are?" Draco asked seriously.

"What do you mean?" Hermione was getting exasperated. She wanted a quiet place to go sit down. 

"Who are you?" he asked again, grabbing hold of both her arms and looking at her. Hermione risked a glance at his eyes.

Those stupid storm colored eyes.

"I don't know," she said finally, "I don't know, I'm not sure."

"Shall I tell you?" he was still serious as ever.

Hermione said nothing.

"You're Hermione Granger," he said, enunciating his words with force, "you are probably one of the smartest people I've met. You're bright minded, and unbelievingly kind. You're stubborn sometimes, and hard headed, but those characteristics just make you you. You're annoying, and hilarious, and are always getting on my nerves. You're the brightest witch of our age. All your friends love you for who you are. You don't have to be anything different."

Hermione was dumbstruck. She knew it was pathetic to depend on someone's reassurance. But the feeling of hearing him saying these things, without a trace of mockery or sarcasm, it made her feel something she couldn't really recognise. Unable to hold her tears back anymore, she let them fall. 

"Thank you," she choked out, throwing her arms around his neck. He seemed shocked at first, but he wrapped an arm around her waist when he had gotten over his momentary surprise. 

"Nothing to thank me for, I just stated a few facts," Draco said, smiling.

"I get on your nerves?" Hermione laughed in between her sobs.

"All the time," he said, "but rest assured that I like it."

"Then I'll try to get on your nerves more often," Hermione pulled back to give him a small smile.

"So long as you don't punch me every time I do something," Draco laughed.

He grabbed a hold of her hand, and they resumed their walk to the castle doors. 

"So, who was at Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked.

Draco tensed, his face fell by the slightest degree. Then he shook his head, "We'll talk about it later, let's not ruin today."

"Are you sure?" Hermione was careful not to be too harsh with the question.

"Yes, absolutely," he nodded, "I'll tell you about it later."

"Alright."

The entrance hall had a few scattered groups of people, chattering and laughing. Hermione spotted Ginny's head of red hair at the top of the stairs. 

"There you are, 'Mione!" she shouted, and Harry turned and waved at her.

"Why is she so loud?" Draco asked jokingly.

"She can get louder, you know," Hermione said.

"Bones," Harry nodded at him when Hermione and Draco had reached the top of the stairs.

"Potter," Draco answered, inclining his head slightly.

"It's nearly five," Ginny informed everyone, "me and Hermione should start getting ready with the others."

"There's still two hours left," Draco said incredulously, "do you need two hours to get ready?"

Harry desperately shook his head at Draco, plainly saying 'wrong move wrong move'. Ginny glared at Draco and smacked his arm. Draco winced and looked at her, shock evident on his face. Hermione pressed a hand over her mouth to stop her laughter from escaping past her lips.

"We like looking nice," Ginny said sternly, "and we are also perfectionists. And, we have lots of things to do, unlike the male species. All you do is use hair gel and wear a suit."

"I beg to differ," Harry scoffed.

"Harry doesn't use hair gel," Hermione reminded Ginny. Ginny frowned.

"Whatever," she laced her arm through Hermione's and began pulling her away, "you boys should go get ready as well."

Hermione flashed an apologetic glance at Draco, who responded with a lopsided smile. 

They walked to the Gryffindor common room like they had so many times before. It felt so amazing to be back here, Hermione felt the need to go running down the corridors shouting for joy. But she wouldn't do that, obviously. 

"We don't know the password," Ginny said when they stopped in front of the Fat Lady.

"No worries, I've got it."

Both girls turned to their right. 

"Dennis?" Hermione said tentatively.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Granger and Miss Weasley," Dennis smiled in acknowledgement.

"Pleased to meet you as well," Ginny said brightly.

"I'll just get the portrait open," Dennis said, "Hippogriff."

The Fat Lady swung forward, and the three of them stepped through the portrait hole.

The pang of nostalgia that ran through Hermione was so strong she felt giddy. The red and gold drapes, couches on which she had sat and done homework on multiple occasions, the stained glass window, the fireplace around which she had spent many nights in merry conversation. It was all very overwhelming.

"Good to be back, isn't it?" Ginny breathed.

"It's fantastic," Hermione agreed.

"Dennis, I've heard the ball was planned by you," Ginny said, remembering that the boy was still standing there.

"Yes, actually," he said proudly, "although I did have lots of help from Professor McGonagall and few of my friends, and the prefects."

"Well, thank you for organising it," Hermione said, "it's been lovely, and the ball hasn't even started yet."

"Glad you enjoyed it," Dennis gave them a sixty four watt smile, then turned and traipsed up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.

"Come on, let's go," Ginny said excitedly, grabbing hold of Hermione's elbow and dragging her up the stairs. Hermione was extremely excited as well.

The two topmost floors had had their rooms treated with undetectable extension charms. Girls milled in and out of rooms, laughing and asking for things, squealing and admiring each other. The noise rang through the air, and Hermione was temped to cover her ears.

"Ginny, 'Mione, in here!"

The girl's followed the sound of Parvati's voice to a room at the end. Padma was waving frantically from the doorway. 

"When did you guys get here?" Hermione asked as she surveyed the state of the room.

It was a disaster. Clothes were scattered everywhere: draped over the bedframes, on top of the dressing mirrors and on the window grills, along with several kinds of shawls and shoes. Make-up products, most of which Hermione couldn't recognise, were set up higgledy piggledy in front of all the mirrors. Angelina was hopping about on one foot, trying to pull off a sock. Pansy was struggling with her hair in front of one the mirrors, and Cho was staring intently at two dresses laid out on the bed, looking deep in thought.. Parvati had disappeared behind the wooden separator, possibly to change.

"Cho and Pansy?" Hermione asked, "aren't you supposed to be in your own common rooms?"

"Daphne and Astoria won't quit hogging the mirrors," Pansy said irritatedly, brushing a strand of hair off her face, "so I accepted Parvati's invitation and came here. It's not a problem, I hope."

"Not at all," Hermione laughed, afraid to say anything else in case Pansy decided to get offended. 

Cho stood uncaring of everything around her.

"Get your stuff out," Ginny patted Hermione's shoulder. 

Hermione reached into the pocket of her cloak and pulled out her shrunken bag. She unshrunk it and placed it on a table beside the window. 

"Do I get to see your dress now, Ginny?" Hermione called over her shoulder.

"Not yet!" Ginny yelled back.

Hermione took out her box with the minimal amount of make-up she had brought and laid it out. Then she carried her bag with the dress to the back of the room, waiting for Parvati to step out from behind the separator.

"Hermione, can I use your Sleakeasy?" Pansy called from across the room.

"Go ahead," Hermione said. Pansy nodded her thanks and grabbed the bottle of hair potion off the table. 

"You can go in now, Hermione."

Parvati stepped out. Everyone gasped audibly. 

"You look beautiful!" Angelina cried ecstatically.

Parvati blushed at the praise. Hermione smiled widely at her. She looked gorgeous. Her dress was a deep blue, with silver embellishments that looked like stars. A deep blue over-cloak covered her shoulders. She looked like a starry night sky.

Hermione took her chance and slipped out of sight behind the wooden barrier. She placed her bag on the floor and pulled out her dress.

She didn't think she could ever thank Narcissa enough for it.

She slipped her old clothes off, letting them pool by her legs. Then she proceeded to carefully slip her dress over her head. Her hair, thankfully, didn't get tangled with it. Hermione gently tugged to settle it in place before zipping it up. She felt suddenly self conscious. Her dress wasn't exactly grand compared to Parvati's. 

But Narcissa and Ginny liked it, so it must be genuinely good. 

With a flick of her wand, she transfigured a panel of the wood into a mirror and looked herself over.

Aside from her hair which was still frizzy, she looked unrecognisable. She cast a quick spell on her hair to make it fall as tresses and not look like a bird nest. Next, she summoned her box from across the room and applied a bit of rouge to her cheeks, and some of the shiny lip thing Ginny had given her. Satisfied, she stepped out.