Two
September 1st 1998:
Hermione Granger appeared on Platform 9 and ¾ . The moment her foot hit the pavement, she felt at home. She was happy to see the children, excitedly running around ready to begin their first year at Hogwarts. She however, was back for her redo seventh year or eighth year as those returning have decided to call it. She would be the only member of the golden trio returning to school this year. Harry and Ron were given early admission into the Auror training program.
Alongside Hermione, was Ginny Weasley. The two quickly became inseparable after the war. She became more than just Ron’s little sister. She became Hermione’s best friend.
“I’ve heard that Malfoy and the other Slytherins have been allowed back. There’s some controversy about it but McGonagall wouldn’t hear it. She insisted that they should be allowed to attend if they choose to.” Ginny paused. “Have you seen him since his trial?”
“No. Not since he apologized to Harry, Ron and I in the hallway afterwards.” Hermione, Harry and Ron did in fact testify for Draco Malfoy and his mother at their trial following the end of the war. They spoke on behalf of their freedom. Draco lowered his wand, he had no intention of fulfilling his duty and killing Dumbledore. He was just a child who was a product of his environment. Harry spoke on behalf of Narcissa because she’s the one who lied to Voldemort. She risked her own life to protect her son. She knew Harry was the only one who could ensure Draco’s safety, by defeating Voldemort. She was just like her son. A product of the environment she was raised in. It was all they knew, no one could blame them for not thinking twice about it.
“If you turn around you will.” Hermione spun around and saw the white-blonde hair of Draco Malfoy. Next to him, Blaise Zabini, Theodroe Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bullstrode. “There’s something about him. You can tell he’s changed. Look at the way he’s looking at the muggle parents” Hermione could see it too.
“He’s still Malfoy though.” That was all Hermione said before boarding the train, Ginny following close behind.
“Look, there’s Neville and Luna.” Hermione followed Ginny through the crowded pathways of the train until they reached their friends.
“Hermione, Ginny, It’s good to see you both.” Neville smiled at them and so did Luna.
“Are you both excited to be back?” Ginny asked them
“It will certainly be an interesting year.” The four of them quickly found a compartment.
Hermione sat in her own world, thinking about the year ahead of her. She wondered about the classes she would take and the information she would learn.
“Ms. Granger,” Hermione snapped out of her daydreams when she heard the stern voice of Professor, now Headmistress McGonagall. “Please follow me” Hermione gathered her things before following her head of house out the compartment, muttering her goodbyes to her friends.
The two women walked in silence until they approached the Heads Compartment.
“Congratulations Ms. Granger, you are the Head Girl.” Hermione screamed internally. This was her dream.
“Thank you Headmistress.”
“You deserve this, Hermione. You’re the brightest Witch of your age.” Hermione smiled but held back a groan. She knew she was smart but hearing others call her the ‘brightest witch of her age’ or ‘the brains of the golden trio’ she felt like all she was known for is her brain. She’s done other things.
“And who is Head Boy?” Hermione always pictured this moment happening with Ron.
“Draco Malfoy” Hermione froze. “I understand the two of you have your differences but this year is about uniting together. While we will still have the four houses, as well as the house competition, we will be preaching house unity.” That’s understandable. The war divided people. This will just be the beginning of the undoing.
“I understand. I will do my best to provide the students with an example of House Unity”
“Excellent. I will be going to retrieve Mr. Malfoy now. Wait here.” She left Hermione alone with her thoughts. She’d be living in the Heads Dorm with Draco Malfoy. It can’t be that bad, right? He certainly has to have changed. She knew she had. She no longer resented him for his bullying.
“Ms. Granger,” McGonagall reappeared. This time, the tall blonde that is Draco Malfoy was standing behind her. “Mr. Malfoy, I will be leaving the two of you to get reacquainted with each other. If there are any problems, do let me know. The two students nodded.
“Granger.” Malfoy greeted her.
“Malfoy” He motioned for them to sit inside the compartment. When Hermione nodded, he opened the door for her, following her inside.
“I did not know McGonagall’s intention of making me head boy. Personally, I do not think it's the best idea. With the protest to even let my friends and I back into the school.”
“McGonagall doesn’t care too much when it comes to people telling her what to do. She’s known for making her own path in life” Malfoy’s lips curled into a small smile.
“I just wanted to say, I am truly, deeply sorry for our past. This is not meant to be an excuse but my entire life I was taught that muggles and muggle borns were flaws, glitches. I was told they’re incompetent. And then I got to Hogwarts, met you and you are the exact opposite of everything I was ever told. You were top of our class and my father didn’t like that.” He paused. “Blaise and Theo are the only ones who know this. My father beat me that summer. Before second year. It was the first time he ever laid a hand on me. But when he found out I was bested by a muggle born, he grew angry. That’s why after the first year, I was so cruel to you. Self preservation.” Hermione reached out to him.
“We are all products of our upbringing. Yours just happened to be worse than the rest of us. I no longer blame you, or resent you. I know that there are things in the wizarding world that i do not understand, and maybe I never will.”
The conversation was cut off by the train arriving to Hogwarts Station.
“I should go find my friends. I’ll see you later” Hermione gathered her things. “Goodbye Malfoy”
“Bye Granger” Draco smiled. Once he found out he’d be be head boy and Hermione Granger was head girl, he thought it would be the death of him. He’s imagined the conversation he would have with Granger but the outcome was not what he had expected. He imagine screaming and hexing, not something that felt like forgiveness.
"How'd it go with Granger? Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott appeared. The three friends grew up together and had always been close. It wasn’t until first year, when Draco decided he needed goons instead of friends, that Theo and Blaise found themselves pushed to the side for Crabbe and Goyle. After the war, Draco found himself in need of a new friend group, considering Crabbe died in the battle and Goyle was convicted of willingly being apart of Voldemort’s crimes and found himself facing fifteen years in Azkaban. His childhood friends opted to reignite their friendship with Draco. The war made everyone realize that they need to keep the friends they have left, close.
Along with Theo and Blaise, he regained the friendships of Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, and Millicent Bullstrode. His friendship with Pansy Parkinson restarted by a slap to the face. Draco had to admit that he did not treat the former very well in their early school life. Daphne, Pansy, and Millicent were a triple deal. They stayed together. The six friends spent the summer together. In a time of post war, they were not well liked. Each of them either had a parent who was a death eater, funded the death eaters, they were a death eater themselves, or tried to hand Harry Potter over to Voldemort which resulted in the Slytherins being stuck in the dungeons during the final battle.
To say they weren’t well liked would be an understatement. They will be the only Slytherins from their year returning.
“Well he’s still breathing so that’s a good sign.” Pansy said going next to Blaise. While it wasn’t public to the group that the two are sleeping together, it was quite obvious. Draco and Theo shared a joint look, smirking at their friend.
“Have any of your parents tried setting up marriage contracts yet?” Daphne asked the group. “Since i’m the oldest, they are telling me i need to be engaged by the time I leave Hogwarts.”
“I’m an orphan.” Theo smirked. His father was killed during the war. This caused Theo to become the sole heir to his father’s family fortune.
“My mum could care less. She off trying to find herself another husband” Blaise’s mum was known for her many husbands. All of whom, find themselves faced with a mysteriously natural death. Leaving the Mrs. their fortunes. “Think she’s gonna go for a muggle this time around. Said something about eliminating any claims of prejudice against her.”
“As long as they’re rich, she has no prejudice” Theo mumbled and Blaise smacked him.
“Dad is dead. Mom is dead to me. I’m rich, young, and beautiful. I don’t need a contract to get someone to marry me.” Pansy’s humor and confidence covered her insecurities and her fears.
“Mum mentioned it to me but nothing is for certain.” Milli had it the easiest out of all the Slytherins. Her family moved before the war. Choose to run away instead of picking a side.
“I’m sure my mother has something in the works. Whatever it is, i’ll deny it. I have no need to continue the Malfoy bloodline. I say it should die with me.” The group was silent. “Anything to piss off my father.”
“Your father is in Azkaban”
“Which means he can’t do anything to stop me.”
“I bet he can sense the threat to the Malfoy line. Sense that you wish for it to die out.” Theo threw his arm around Draco’s shoulders. “But I’m here for it. Let’s all let the lines die! Single forever!” Theo started chanted as the group walked to the castle.
“I will not be following along with that course. I intended to find a wife and be happy. I do not wish to become my mother.” Blaise joined Theo in harassing Draco’s shoulders.
“I think i know someone who’d like that.” Theo whispered and Draco smirked. Blaise pretended not to hear it.
And so they went, up the path until the great hall of Hogwarts. Many stared, whispering about why and how they were there. Glares from every angle, except one. One person, sitting in the sea of red and gold, smiled at them. And for a quick second he smiled back.