Chapter 1. A Few Changes.
A skinny teenager lay awake in the early hours of a Sunday morning pondering the day head. The Hogwarts Express would be leaving in just under five hours, carrying with it the golden trio for their seventh and final year at the wizarding school.
I am not speaking of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, The-Chosen-One, hero of all for saving the magic world from the evil of a dark wizard. Our story circles around another teen, Harry Potter's best friend, Hermione Granger. Known to most as the smartest witch of her age and a bit of a know it all. No one knew the Hermione that Harry and Ron did. The loyal friend who was always there for them. The girl who stayed up all night to insure they past their tests, the girl who just days ago had thrown her life to the winds to stand before an injured Harry as Lord Voldemort, terror of the wizarding world, threw curse after deadly curse at him. If it had not been for Hermione's presence of mind in the face of death Harry would not be returning to Hogwarts, the name of Potter would be dead while Lord Voldemort continued to gain power.
Hermione fearlessly deflected Voldemort's curses, giving Harry time to recover enough to stand up. Voldemort grew angry at the distraction, throwing Killing curses at Hermione.
"You cannot kill me. I stand for the people you have murdered, the families you have destroyed, and for my best friend!" Hermione screamed fiercely.
She felt herself weakening but she could not let Harry die. An inhuman strength seemed to possess her, helping her, keeping her on her feet.
"Crucio!" Screamed Voldemort.
As Hermione writhed in pain he laughed, "you cannot stop me little mudblood. Your friend will die. I have waited too long. He will die NOW."
Voldemort stepped over Hermione, bearing down on Harry. With a final ounce of strength, Hermione pulled herself up, whispering the first thing that came into her head.
"No, Tom."
Voldemort stopped in his tracks. His horrible face contorted with anger and pain, he looked around at Hermione. The moment of hesitation gave Harry the chance to leap to his feet yelling "Avada Kedavra," his wand pointed straight at Voldemort's chest.
And then, the great dark wizard, horror of the wizarding world for so many years, fell, to a seventeen year old, in the graveyard of Tom Riddle, his father.
. Hermione pulled herself up from the ground, still panting from the curse, to watch as Voldemort was thrown backwards to the ground, the light leaving his red eyes.
And then something unspeakable happened. Out of Voldemort's fallen wand came first a teenage boy, by the name of Cedric Diggory. He looked around dazedly, as if wondering where he was. Hermione thought she must be dead and gone to heaven, What was happening? Next came an old muggle with a balding head. Hermione looked at Harry, suddenly realizing who must be next.
Lily and James Potter came forward, brilliant smiles on their faces. A strange white light seemed to emanate from the duo, obscuring them from Hermione's vision. As they drew nearer to their son, the light dimmed enough to reveal the scene. Harry stood before them, his face bloodied, his broken arm hanging at an odd angle, forgotten. Tears poured down his cheeks as he saw his parents.
Lily and James wordlessly drew their son into a tight embrace, letting the emotion of the moment speak for them. Hermione found she was sobbing uncontrollably as she watched the family reunite.
Hermione thought of what had passed in the time since that night. All the people that Voldemort had killed were miraculously brought back to life. There were many other casualties of the war against Voldemort however. The wizarding world would take many years to rebuild itself after the destruction of that summer. Hermione frowned thoughtfully as she remembered another part of the fight in the graveyard.
Hermione and Ron stood back-to-back, wands raised, as the Death Eaters closed in on them. Lucius Malfoy's snakelike voice cut through the sounds of fighting around them.
"So this shall be the end of the mudblood Granger and her blood traitor friend. A pity, I am sure you would have been a great witch."
Just as he raised his wand to deliver the Killing curse, another Death Eater burst through the circle, knocking Lucius over. The man drew his wand, screaming curses right and left at the Death Eaters around them. Kingsley Shacklebolt and Remus Lupin soon appeared to fight back to the rest of the dark wizards surrounding Hermione and Ron. The man that had saved them grabbed Hermione's arm yelling, "Run you idiots, I'm saving you!"
Hermione gasped as she heard the voice behind the cloak and Death Eater mask, Draco Malfoy.
Draco pulled her and Ron away from the fight towards a huge gravestone to hide behind. When they were behind it, Hermione turned Draco.
"Why did you save us Malfoy?
He pulled his mask off for a moment, looking her straight in the eyes he said, " I figured out where my priorities are when I saw my father torture a child."
Before either of them could say another word, someone came around the gravestone, wand pointed at Hermione. It was Bellatrix Lestrange, her eyes maniacally gleaming through the Death Eater mask in the darkness.
"So, look at these three friends. I never would have thought it of Lucius Malfoy's son. He will be most pleased to hear of the developments. Perhaps I should save you from his punishments Draco, shall I kill you now or would you rather wait to be killed by your own father?"
As she said these words Hermione felt a hatred boiling up in her like never before. Before she could think her wand was drawn at Bellatrix. "Crucio!" She yelled. The Death Eater fell to the ground, twitching.
"How DARE you?" Hermione felt herself screaming. "You killed Sirius, now you'll kill your own nephew? You are nothing but a monster!"
Just then Malfoy was knocked to the ground by a stunning spell, distracting Hermione from the Death Eater before her. Bellatrix got up, her eyes glittering malevolently.
"You will die first then Mudblood but I can't let you go without being taught to respect your superiors." Raising her wand pointed straight at Hermione's heart she screamed "Crucio!"
Pain wracked Hermione like nothing she had ever felt. It went on and on.
Bellatrix finally let up the spell. She stood over Hermione, wand raised. "Now, you will die mudblood. Avada…"
Alas for Bellatri,x she had forgotten about a certain Ronald Weasley. Ron, his eyes flashing with anger at Hermione's prone form, screamed with all the strength he could muster, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Bellatrix looked at Ron for a split second, her eyes widened in surprise, and then she was dead.
Sparing Bellatrix barely a seconds thought, Ron knelt be Hermione.
" Oh please don't be dead. You can't be dead."
Hermione heard his words as if from a far off place. The length of time she had been under the Cruciatus Curse had almost finished her. As Ron shook her she heard another voice, speaking words she did not know. As the voice finished speaking, she felt energy rush through her limbs again. Opening heavy eyes she saw Draco Malfoy standing over her, wand pointed at her face. Ron had killed Bellatrix but she would have died anyway if not for Malfoy's healing spell.
Hermione looked at the clock beside her bed. It now read 7:03am. Sleeping was pointless now so she got and prepared for the day. By seven-thirty she was downstairs eating toast and reading the Daily Prophet that she still had delivered over the summer. Glancing over the front page announcing the capture of five more Death Eaters, Hermione searched through the paper for an article she knew would be in it. Sure enough, page three showed a photograph of Harry sitting between his parents, grinning from ear to ear. The caption under the photograph read THE GREAT MIRACLE OF OUR TIME. The article went on to explain what had happened when Lord Voldemort was killed. James Potter was quoted saying " when an evil as terrible as that of Voldemort is reversed, miracles can only be expected."
Articles of this type had appeared in the papers every day since the news of Voldemort's downfall. The magic world rejoiced, celebrating the freeing of their kind and return of the beloved witches and wizards they had lost.
Flipping through the rest of the Prophet, Hermione found a smaller article featuring a smiling picture of the Diggory family. The article read:
A tearful Mrs. Diggory hugs her reunited son as she proclaims, "Thank Merlin for Harry Potter, I have my son back…"
Hermione smiled absentmindedly, flicking through the rest of the article. After that was a small piece saying that Draco Malfoy had officially been pardoned for his Death Eater activity after testimony from many members of the Order of the Phoenix including that of Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.
After the death of young Draco's father in the Final Battle many assumed that Draco would go after his father's killer, Remus Lupin. However, a startling calm Draco walked over to Mr. Lupin and shook his hand before looking disgustedly at his father's body and walking away.
We all wonder what took place to warrant the young Malfoy's reaction to Lucius' death; it was certainly a shock to all on battlefield that night.
Hermione stared at the photograph accompanying the article of Draco and his mother in front of Malfoy Manor. From the smirk on his face no one could have known the change that had occurred within the former Death Eater. Hermione remembered his words of "getting his priorities right" as they hid behind the headstone. After waking up in the St. Mungo's Hospital next to Harry, Ron and many others from the battle there had not been much time to discuss Malfoy. Harry had been immediately reconciled with his parents upon his recovery and they were in the process of restoring their old home in Godric's Hollow. Ron's family was at home, still recovering from the aftermath of the battle. They had all been in it and miraculously come out alive.
As Hermione finished her toast and her paper off, she heard a tapping at the window. It was Hedwig, Harry's snowy white owl. Hermione let her in and gave her the last of the toast. Untying the letter, she saw her name in Harry's rather untidy scrawl across the front. Opening the letter she read:
Dear Hermione,
I hope you have been able to rest the last couple of days. I have a bit but I am so excited to be back with mum and dad that I haven't nearly s much as they say I should have. Our house has been completely rebuilt thanks to dad's skill with carpentry spells and all the people who want to help us, its great!! Anyway, I'm writing you because my parents would like to see you before the Hogwarts Express leaves. I know you briefly met them at St. Mungos but honestly I think we were all too tired too remember much of it. They want to thank you for saving my life so many times during the battle, and Hermione I want to thank you for that too. You and I both know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, oh and Ron of course (he managed to kill that big Death Eater that was about to kill me when I broke my leg before you could help me fix it, don't know if you knew that), but it was you who stood in front of Voldemort, blocking curse after curse, I thought you were dead… well actually I thought we were both dead when I saw my parents at first. I'm not sure I could say any of that to your face; you know I'm not so great with expressing my emotions but I wanted you to understand how much I am grateful to you. Anyway, mum and dad would like to meet at the Leaky Cauldron at ten, and then we can apparate to platform 9 and ¾ before the train leaves. I'm sending an owl to Ron about it too so he should be meeting us there. Send an answer back with Hedwig when you get this. See you soon Hermione!
Love,
Harry
Hermione felt a little teary while reading the letter. She could tell how happy Harry was with his parents. She strongly felt that no one had ever deserved that happiness more than him. Grabbing a piece of paper from her room she quickly wrote:
Hi Harry!
I am so pleased to hear about your house, that's absolutely wonderful! Of course I would love to meet you at the Leaky Cauldron. And Harry, I want you to know that we are all lucky to be alive after that night. I'm as grateful to you and Ron as you are to me. I don't know if Ron has told you but I'm grateful to someone else for saving my life that night as well. Draco Malfoy. I know I briefly told at St. Mungos but I don't think you know the full story; it's quite shocking what he did for me. See you in a few hours!
Love from,
Hermione
Tying the letter onto Hedwig's foot, she gave her a quick pat on the head before opening the window once again to let the owl out.
Mrs. Granger came into the kitchen a few minutes later and Hermione explained her plans for later that morning.
Though the Grangers were Muggle dentists they were very proud of their daughter. They had been told of Voldemort and the fight against him so they were just as relieved as their daughter upon receiving the news that he was gone for good.
Mrs. Granger and her daughter spent a pleasant hour talking about the upcoming year over tea and bacon and eggs. At nine, Hermione went back upstairs to finish packing her school trunk, and at nine fifty-five she kissed her parents good-bye for the year before stepping into the fireplace and disappearing. The Granger's fireplace had been connected to the Floo Network for the summer to make it easier for Hermione to go places in the magical world.
Carefully stepping out of the fireplace, dragging her trunk behind her, she saw the Potters and Ron seated at a table a few feet away. Waving, she made her way over to them. Harry and Ron jumped to hug her. She saw a different look in their eyes from what had been there for the past few months. A look of contentment.
Hermione felt she would burst with happiness at the sight of her two friends. Safe and sound, unhurt by the horrors they had faced. Looking at them she suddenly realized what Dumbledore had meant when he talked of the power of love. It was what had had held them together through the war, the power that had saved their lives.
As Hermione hugged her best friends, the face of Draco Malfoy suddenly swam before her. A thought hit the girl as she remembered the look in his eyes that night in the graveyard, an emotion so strong she couldn't place. That was what had saved Draco Malfoy, why his soul had not been corrupted like his father's, why he had recoiled at the torture of an innocent child; it was the power to love.
Harry's parents stood behind the joyful threesome, smiling happily at the scene before them.
After the introductions had been made, Lily Potter threw her arms around Hermione.
"I cant thank you enough my dear. I truly can't." She whispered in the younger witch's ear.
Hermione grinned. "It's good to have you back Mrs. Potter."
"Oh please call me Lily. And Hermione, anything we can ever do to show you our gratitude. Never hesitate to ask."
"Thank you…Lily." Replied Hermione, touched.
James hugged Hermione too. Thanking her profusely for what she had done. Both seemed determined to prove their deep gratitude to her.
The five of them sat down to talk for a bit before leaving for King's Cross. Hermione found a kindred spirit in Lily. They were soon in a heated discussion over the pros and cons of various potion ingredients.
James shared an amused glance with the two boys before suggesting a quick trip to the Quidditch store in Diagon Alley. The boys eagerly agreed and they left the two witches to their discussion.
Hermione rapidly became enthralled with Lily Potter. The older witch seemed to think in exactly the same way as her. Lily had been the top student in her year at Hogwarts as well. They happily chatted away about various potions and charms, barely noticing the boys leave. Lily gave Hermione some helpful tips about spells she would learn in the upcoming year.
Hermione was extremely grateful for the help. She had been chosen as Head Girl and she wasn't expecting the responsibility to make life any easier.
James and the boys returned to the Leaky Cauldron just as the two witches were beginning to think they would have to apparate to Kings Cross without them.
They arrived at the bustling platform scarcely a minute later. Hermione felt a thrill of excitement when she saw the brilliant red of Hogwarts Express materialize in front of her. Steam curling around it as students climbed aboard.
Ginny waved from the other side of the platform. Hermione saw Harry's parents smile discreetly at one another at the sight of the red head. Harry's eyes lit up as he ran to greet her before introducing the younger girl to his parents.
Hermione was shocked at the similarities between the two pairs as they stood talking. Ginny with her brilliant red hair and petite figure was strikingly similar to Lily and Harry was practically a carbon copy of his father save one thing. Those brilliant green eyes were his mother's alone.
Ron smiled to Hermione, obviously thinking the same thing. The two of them said good-bye to Harry's parents before climbing aboard the train, leaving Harry to finish introducing Ginny to his parents.
Hermione and Ron had some trouble finding a compartment, as they were almost the last people to get on the train. After stuffing their trunks into the last compartment, Hermione remembered she was supposed to meet in the prefects' compartment with the Head Boy before the prefects meeting. Looking at her watch she realized she was already late.
"Ron I've got to meet with the Heady Boy alright? I'll meet you at the prefects meeting." She said before dashing out of the door.
As Hermione made her to the front of the train she couldn't help but wonder who the Head Boy could possibly be. She had assumed it would be Harry after everything he had done but Professor McGonagall had told her that while Harry was the obvious choice she decided it would be better to keep him out of the limelight a bit after everything. The professor had also explained that there was someone else who she felt needed the boost of confidence.
Hermione tried to think of else could be chosen. Her only logical answer was Ernie MacMillan, but why would he need a boost of confidence? Didn't he already have enough for the whole school?
By this time she had reached the prefect compartment. Taking a deep breath and smoothing her hair, she pushed open the door. To see….
