Over the past several months, she practised her  occlumency  skills each day, twice a day. Her mind was stronger, and her defences were up, ready to fight off any intruder. The upside of the more than difficult skill though was slightly unexpected. Hermione wasn’t sure why it surprised her– she knew Draco employed the skill often– but when she finally succeeded in shielding her emotions from public view, and focusing her mind on neutrality, she marvelled at how level-headed she felt for the first time in her life. Her mind was clear, not clouded by the emotions she often felt overruled her rationality.