OK, here I go on story number 3. When I finished Pure I thought I'd leave it for a while before I started a new story but I guess I'm addicted so here I go again...enjoy. x

Hermione sighed and wondered for the hundredth time why she didn't feel as happy as she should. Voldemort was dead at Harry's hand, the war was over, the threat to them all was gone and Hermione had been re-united with her parents who now knew who she was again. She knew some of her mixed up feelings were because she missed Harry and Ron, Hogwarts didn't feel right without them but they had chosen not to come back to re-do their 7th year and had both gone onto a training course at the Ministry.

There were about 20 students who had returned to re-take 7th year and they had been put with the students from Ginny's year. Hermione was very glad Ginny was here and the two of them had become closer than ever before.

"Hey." Ginny's voice broke into her musings.

"Hey, Ginny."

"You look deep in thought?" Ginny asked taking a seat next to her on the grass. The spring sunshine was warm and everyone was enjoying the first spell of warmer weather.

"Not really. I was just thinking the same old things, wondering how the boys are." Hermione sighed.

"I know. You'd think we'd be used to it by now, wouldn't you?" Ginny looked pensive. Hermione decided it was time to tackle her about why she hadn't seemed her normal, confident, happy self lately. She kept thinking it might be to do with Harry. The pair of them had agreed to split because of Harry no longer being at the school and Ginny needing to concentrate on her studies. At first Ginny had seemed fine with their decision, almost happy to have a little bit of freedom back again. She'd been on a couple of dates with Dean again but in the last couple of weeks Hermione had noticed her friends light hearted mood had dropped. This had coincided with news that Harry was dating someone else as well.

"So, are you going to tell me what's been the matter lately? Is it Harry?"

Ginny looked at her for a moment. "No. I'm fine with the whole Harry thing."

"So what is it then?"

"It's nothing, just mid-term blues." Ginny dismissed Hermione's question.

"I don't believe you." Hermione nudged her on the arm. "It's a boy isn't it?"

Ginny grinned at her friend. "You seem to think that's all I think about!"

"That and Quidditch!" Hermione joked. "Come on tell me, I won't give up till you do."

Ginny looked at her friend seriously. "You won't like it."

"Why not?"

"You just won't."

"Never mind that, tell me anyway." Hermione pressed her for an answer.

"Well, I kind of like someone but it's a hopeless case so I'm just trying to get over it." Ginny looked down at her feet.

"A hopeless case? Don't be ridiculous, you could have almost any boy you want! I think they might be forming a GW fan club soon." Hermione smiled. It was nearly true as Ginny had loads of admirers. She was beautiful with her long, auburn hair and equally long legs. She was also supremely confident and outgoing, happy to join in with the boys or her girlfriends.

"Thanks but really this is never going to happen."

Hermione looked at the resigned expression on Ginny's face and a thought suddenly hit her.

"He's in Slytherin isn't he?"

After a moment Ginny nodded and answered shortly with just a "Yep."

Hermione's gaze was drawn towards the large field just across from them where a group of boys, mostly Slytherin and Ravenclaw were messing around with some Quidditch equipment. It was the same group as usual hanging around together not doing anything in particular except messing around and making a display of themselves to any female who happened to be nearby. Seemingly the only qualification to join this group was that you had to be strikingly handsome, full of yourself and confident enough to strut around in front of the entire female population of Hogwarts. Hermione, Ginny and their friends had taken to calling them the GIT gang (God I think I'm Terrific). Hermione's eyes were drawn to a tall, dark skinned student who was in the process of rolling up his shirt sleeves whilst a group of 5th year girls ogled him from the edge of the field.

"Blaise?"

Ginny looked up at Hermione. "No, but he is cute though."

"Theodore?

"He's cute as well but no. Stop guessing."

Hermione's eyes continued to scan the group of boys when someone came into her line of vision and she gasped.

"Oh my god, please tell me it's not him!"

Ginny followed Hermione's eyes but said nothing.

"Malfoy! Tell me you don't have a thing for Draco Malfoy!" Hermione couldn't keep the distaste out of her voice.

"See this is why I didn't want to tell you and will you keep your voice down!" Ginny said in a whisper. "I told you to leave the subject alone. I know it's entirely wrong for a million reasons but I can't help it!"

"But Ginny, Draco Malfoy?" Hermione repeated, truly shocked by her friends confession.

"Yes Draco Malfoy! Have you seen him lately? He's bloody drop dead gorgeous!" Ginny asked defensively.

Hermione looked over to the field again and fixed her eyes on Draco. He and Blaise were throwing the Quaffle between themselves, both of them had their shirt sleeves rolled up and plenty of buttons undone. There was no denying that the whole group of boys looked great, that was the whole point and the reason they were all hanging around together after all. If she were entirely honest Draco and Blaise were the most noticeable, their contrasting colouring making them look incredible standing together. They were both tall and lean with nicely toned arms and striking good looks. Hermione could see the attraction, of course she could but it didn't change who Malfoy was and what he had done over the past six years. She turned her gaze back to Ginny.

"Yes, of course he's gorgeous, Ginny. He's in the GIT gang isn't he? It doesn't change who he is and it never will." Hermione knew her voice sounded harsh but she couldn't help it. "Surely you're looking for something other than a perfect six pack, Ginny?"

"Of course I am!"

"He's an arrogant, self centred, spoilt..."

Ginny interrupted her. "No you're wrong. He was all those things but he's changed, you know he has!"

Hermione sighed because a small part of her knew Ginny was right. Draco had changed noticeably since his return to Hogwarts. His family had been cleared of everything and were keeping a very low profile and he was following suit. He was still hanging around preening himself in front of every available female of course but most of the time it was other members of the group doing the talking. Draco seemed to keep his head down in lessons, working hard and he no longer walked around the halls with his nose in the air. The sneer and sarcastic comments had all but disappeared and Hermione had even seen him laughing and joking with his new group of friends.

"He may have changed a little but he's still Draco Malfoy. He can't change the six years of hell he put us through, especially Harry!" Hermione felt the need to point out to Ginny that she was lusting after her ex boyfriends arch enemy.

"I know! I get the whole Harry thing, Hermione! It would be like a slap in the face for him, I know that. I have been trying to ignore it, really I have but it won't go away! He keeps being nice to me in lessons and joking and stuff." Ginny looked down at her hands sadly and Hermione felt a twinge of pity for her. She bent over to Ginny and pointed her finger at her head.

"Ginny, you need to be thinking with your head and not any other part of your body! Get over it because it's got trouble written straight across it." Hermione said this in a gentler voice. "I'm sorry if I yelled at you, I don't want you to get hurt."

Ginny gave her a small smile. "I know."

Hermione stood up. "Listen, I've got to go now but we'll talk again later and I promise not to shout at you. We'll think of something to help you OK?"

Ginny nodded. "OK, Hermione. See you later."

There you go then, as you can probably tell things are going to get complicated...keep reading and please review. x