Nova Inceptio
Chapter 1: Nova Inceptio
The scarlet Hogwarts Express gleamed in the September sunlight, steam curling around the ankles of returning students. This year, the usual chaos of Platform 9¾ carried a different weight. Parents embraced their children longer, whispering extra words of love. Even the air felt charged with something beyond magic—possibility, perhaps. Or healing.
Hermione adjusted her Head Girl badge for the tenth time that morning, watching families bid farewell through the crowd. The Weasleys had created their usual warm cluster near the middle of the platform, Molly fussing over Ginny's hair while Arthur checked Ron's trunk one last time. Harry stood slightly apart, giving them their family moment, though Ginny kept glancing his way with soft smiles that spoke of summer reconciliations and renewed hope.
"Your badge is straight, you know."
She turned to find Neville behind her, his own trunk notably lighter without the sword of Gryffindor hidden inside. He'd grown into himself over the summer—confidence suited him.
"Force of habit," Hermione admitted, letting her hand drop. "Everything feels different this year, doesn't it?"
"Good different, though," he nodded toward where Luna was distributing what appeared to be dirigible plums to nervous first-years. "We earned this peace."
The Slytherins arrived as a group, their usual grand entrances replaced by quiet dignity. Blaise Zabini led them, his head held high despite the whispers that followed. Theodore Nott walked beside him, looking thinner but determined. Daphne and Astoria Greengrass moved with their characteristic grace, though Daphne's hand kept straying to her wand pocket—old habits died hard.
Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson brought up the rear. They'd both changed over the summer, their sharp edges softened by something that looked suspiciously like humility. Draco's platinum hair fell loose around his face instead of slicked back, while Pansy had traded her usual elaborate hairstyle for a simple bob that made her look more approachable.
"Reckon this year will be interesting," Ron appeared at Hermione's side, his eyes following the Slytherin group. She noticed his gaze lingering on Pansy longer than strictly necessary.
"Interesting is one word for it," Harry joined them, his hand casually brushing Ginny's as she walked past. "McGonagall's letter about house unity was pretty clear."
The train ride north passed in a blur of prefect meetings and quiet conversations. Hermione found herself sharing a compartment with an unlikely group: Harry and Ginny curled together by the window, Ron sprawled across one bench, and to everyone's surprise, Draco Malfoy reading quietly in the corner after asking if he might join them.
"What are you reading?" Hermione finally asked, curiosity overwhelming awkwardness.
Draco tilted the book to show its cover: "Pride and Prejudice."
"That's... unexpected," she managed.
A ghost of his old smirk appeared. "Mother suggested I broaden my literary horizons. Apparently, Muggles occasionally write something worthwhile."
"Occasionally?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"I'm only halfway through. I'll reserve judgment."
Ron snorted, but it sounded more amused than antagonistic.
The first glimpse of Hogwarts stole their breath. Sunset painted the restored towers in shades of gold, making the castle look both ancient and newborn. Students pressed against windows, some crying quietly, others smiling through tears.
"It's beautiful," Ginny whispered, her hand finding Harry's.
"It's home," he replied softly.
The Great Hall buzzed with nervous energy during the Welcome Feast. McGonagall's speech was brief but powerful, emphasizing unity, healing, and fresh starts. When she announced the special arrangements for eighth-year students, the hall erupted in whispers.
"A separate tower?" Pansy's voice carried from the Slytherin table. "With mixed houses?"
"The eighth-year students will remain behind after the feast," McGonagall concluded. "The rest of you, off to your dormitories. Prefects, please guide the first-years."
What followed was a awkward shuffle as younger students filed out, leaving behind a small group of eighth-years—survivors all, in their own ways. McGonagall led them through unfamiliar corridors to a newly restored section of the castle.
"Nova Inceptio," she said clearly, and a portrait of the four founders swung open to reveal their new common room.
The space took their breath away. Circular and warm, it somehow managed to honor all four houses while transcending them. The ceiling was enchanted like the Great Hall's, but instead of showing the sky, it displayed a gentle aurora of house colors that swirled and merged. Comfortable seating areas featured neutral cream and bronze tones, while house banners hung side by side as equals.
"Your room assignments," McGonagall produced a scroll, "have been carefully considered. You'll find your belongings already in place."
The pairings caused another wave of whispers:
Hermione Granger & Pansy Parkinson
Ginny Weasley & Luna Lovegood
Daphne Greengrass & Parvati Patil
Harry Potter & Draco Malfoy
Ron Weasley & Blaise Zabini
Neville Longbottom & Theodore Nott
"This is either brilliant or mad," Blaise muttered, though without real heat.
As McGonagall left them to settle in, an awkward silence fell. It was Luna who broke it, in her characteristic dreamy way.
"The wrackspurts are quite confused," she announced. "They don't know which colors to follow anymore. I think it's wonderful."
Something in the tension broke. Daphne Greengrass actually laughed, a sound that seemed to surprise even her.
Gradually, they began to explore their new space. The common room featured study nooks with enchanted windows, a small kitchen area for late-night snacks, and a massive fireplace with a curved bench perfect for cold evenings.
"Not terrible, Granger," Pansy said later as they unpacked in their shared room. The space was larger than traditional dormitories, with two four-poster beds and a shared sitting area by a window overlooking the lake.
"High praise indeed, Parkinson," Hermione replied dryly, but she was smiling.
Downstairs, others were beginning to bridge old divides. Harry and Draco had discovered a wizard's chess set and were engaged in a surprisingly civil match. Ron was attempting to teach Blaise the finer points of Exploding Snap, while Ginny and Luna had somehow convinced Theo Nott to help them rearrange furniture "for better energy flow."
As night fell, they gathered naturally around the fireplace. Someone—probably Neville—had made hot chocolate for everyone. Conversation was still cautious, but genuine.
"To new beginnings," Daphne raised her mug.
"Nova Inceptio," they echoed, and if some voices were steadier than others, well, that too was part of healing.
Later that night, as Hermione drifted off to sleep, she could have sworn she felt something shift in the castle's magic—like pieces of a puzzle slowly aligning. But that was a mystery for another day. Tonight was for new rooms, new possibilities, and the tentative first steps toward unity.
Across the room, Pansy was already asleep, her face softer in slumber. On the windowsill between their beds, moonlight caught the edges of their house badges, laid side by side. In the right light, the serpent and lion almost seemed to nod to each other.
The castle watched over them all, its ancient magic stirring with something that felt like approval. Change was coming to Hogwarts, in more ways than one.i