This is war, and there is need for ruthlessness and callousness, and as much as Draco's attitude on missions has scared her in the past it makes her feel safe too. And although she doesn't like that about herself and it makes her feel uneasy, as if she somehow isn't the same Hermione Granger, she also accepts it. Because things change, and Hermione, and Ron, and Harry – and Draco, especially Draco – they have all changed. None of them have been left untouched by the greedy, sooty fingers of war, clawing over them and leaving stains on their skin and their souls.