Prologue

-The Burrow 3:12 am-

Lying in bed in the dark so that she wouldn't wake up Ginny, Hermione contemplated finally going back to Hogwarts.

It's over. The war is finally over. Voldemort is gone and I can finally live a normal life. I'm going to have to study for NEWTS, won't I? Oh well. If I get good marks, maybe St. Mungo's will accept me as an intern.

Suddenly a thought occurred to her. What about the Slytherins? She had never thought about that before. She was sure McGonagall would not turn them away, but what would happen to them socially?

She knew for sure Ron would not be happy about that. She thought about the conversation at the dining table earlier that day.

"Hermione will probably get an E in everything." Ron teased.

"Maybe if you studied, you would get better grades as well." Mrs. Weasley chided.

"Yeah Ronniekins." added Ginny laughingly.

"Shut up." Ron tartly replied.

"I'm just happy that we don't have to worry about whether our children are off on daring adventures we have no control over." said Mrs. Granger. "

Oh I know!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, "But I'm worried about George. He has been applying himself to the gift shop, which is nothing new believe me. However, when he's at home, he doesn't joke anymore. Nothing. It's like an empty shell. And now with the others leaving, I'm worried he'll just stop trying."

"Mum… maybe I should stay here." said Charlie.

"No, darling, you love your job so much and besides Percy's here. He'll stop by the joke shop during lunch, RIGHT?"

"Of course Mum."

Everyone's going to miss Fred but I think it hits Percy and George the hardest. Percy because he feels like he should have protected his little brother instead of ignoring his family and George… well George because every time he looks in the mirror, he sees Fred.

-Malfoy Manor same time-

Draco was sitting in the drawing room with his mother and father. They were arguing. Well, rather, Narcissa and Lucius were arguing, Draco was remembering the look on everyone's face when he went from the side of Hogwarts to the side of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. And Hermione… she looked so disappointed as if she had hoped he was better than that. But Draco knew he must have been just imagining it. After all, she had Weasel. Why on earth would she want Draco, a horrible Slytherin?

"Draco! Were you even listening to me?"

"Of course father. You were discussing what we should do now that the Dark Lord is gone."

"Lucius give the boy a break." interjected Narcissa sympathetically. She was the only one who knew how Draco truly felt about Hermione. She could guess by the look on his face what he was thinking about.

"And don't you dare let that filthy mudbl-"

"Don't call her that!"

"She is a mudblood and does not deserve a Malfoy's respect!"

"No, Father. YOU don't deserve HER respect."

"How dare you contra-" But Draco had already apparated from the room.