Disclaimer: All characters and anything familiar from the HP series obviously belong to J.K. Rowling. Only the plot is mine.
Author's note: This is my first fanfic… I'm not sure if the story flows the way I want it to but please give constructive criticism if needed. Thank you!
***I have a beta now that is going over my chapters and helping me improve any mistakes I've made throughout the story. I am going to post the same chapters but with the revisions, so please bare with me since this might take awhile. I'm writing new chapters during this time but it might take some time before they're up. Thanks for reading & reviewing!
After boarding the Hogwarts Express to her long-awaited seventh and final year at Hogwarts, the eighteen-year old Hermione Granger found an empty compartment at the end of the train and settled herself inside. Punctual as always, she was the first of her friends to board the train, and she excitedly awaited their arrival. After ten minutes of reading her favorite book, Hogwarts, A History, Hermione looked up as she heard the compartment door sliding open.
"Finally I've found you Hermione. How come you aren't in the Prefect's compartment bossing them around?" asked Ginny Weasley with a knowing smile.
"Oh, Ginny. I knew you guys would be late so I found an empty compartment for us, for when I'm done with the Prefects meeting...Where are Neville and Luna?" she asked after noticing that no one was behind Ginny.
Ginny walked inside the compartment and put her trunk on the rack above the seats, with help from Hermione, and they sat down across from each other.
"They're coming, Neville is still outside saying good-bye to his grandmother, and Luna is outside as well, saying good-bye to her father. He's become a little over-protective of her since the war, and he wants to spend as much time with her as possible before she leaves," answered Ginny.
Hermione understood, as she had been there when Xenophilius Lovegood tried to trade her, along with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, in exchange for his daughter when the Death Eaters held her hostage the previous year.
Harry and Ron had opted not to finish their magical education at Hogwarts and had gone to join the Auror training program at the Ministry of Magic, hoping to change the Ministry for the better with new Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Hermione, of course, had stayed behind to take her N.E.W.T.s and finish her education, although she didn't need to because Kingsley guaranteed her a position at the Ministry whenever she wanted.
Another reason why Hermione chose not to go straight to the Ministry was because she didn't like her new found status as a celebrity as a result of her efforts during the Second Wizarding War. She felt that staying at Hogwarts would give her one more year to herself, and her studies, before setting out and trying to better the wizarding world. Hermione decided that after Hogwarts, she would study how Muggle-born witches and wizards came to have wizarding blood and power. After witnessing what the Muggle-borns went through the previous year under Voldemort's tyranny, Hermione vowed to prove to the world that Muggle-borns were just as capable as Purebloods and that 'stealing' magical power was just ridiculous.
Shaking herself from her thoughts, Hermione looked up to see Neville and Luna entering the compartment. The train began moving toward Hogwarts, and Hermione realized it was time to go to the Prefects' compartment.
"Hello Neville, Luna. Sorry, I have to go to the Prefects' meeting, but I'll be back when it's over," said Hermione as she got up to leave the compartment.
"No worries, Hermione. Congrats on being Head Girl, although it wasn't much of a surprise. Everyone knew it would be you," said Neville, smiling proudly at Hermione. The war had greatly transformed Neville from a shy and nervous boy to a brave and confident man. During the war, Neville had definitely proven himself to be a Gryffindor through and through by reinstating Dumbledore's Army, with help from Ginny and Luna.
Hermione left the others and walked over to the Prefects' compartment to join the Prefects from the other Houses.
Nervously, Hermione took a deep breath and steadied herself before sliding open the door and walking in. She greeted everyone while they were settling down inside the compartment. Professor McGonagall had sent her Head Girl instructions and duties along with her Head Girl badge and the expected list of textbooks for the new school term. She hadn't mentioned who the new Head Boy would be, but Hermione had assumed it would be Terry Boot from Ravenclaw, or even perhaps Draco Malfoy because he received the second best O.W.L.s during their fifth year. That is, if he even came back to Hogwarts for their seventh year. Hermione had doubted he'd be back but she was surprised to see him sitting in the compartment with the others.
Malfoy looked up to see Hermione walk in and knew at once that she was the new Head Girl. Rolling his eyes, he braced himself for what would be a long speech, as she was known for rambling on and on when she got nervous.
Hermione saw his look of annoyance and brushed it off, promising herself that she wouldn't let Malfoy get to her this year. She planned to avoid any contact with him, especially after what happened to her at his Manor during the war.
"Hello, everyone. I will be the new Head Girl for this year, and I think we can all work together to bring our Houses together and make our school stronger than ever. Especially after what happened during the war, our efforts at rebuilding the school's confidence and ensuring safety and support for each and every student, regardless of blood status, should be stronger than ever. The new Head Boy and I will work together to make this happen, with your help. When we get to school, we will plan monthly meetings to discuss events, hall patrols, and any other things during the year," Hermione finished her speech and waited for the Head Boy to announce himself so she could go back to her friends.
There was an awkward silence after Hermione's speech, and finally, Draco Malfoy stood up and cleared his throat.
"I think Granger said everything that had to be said. I'm this year's Head Boy, and the monthly meetings are a good idea to maintain control at Hogwarts. I think that's it. Wouldn't you agree, Granger?" Malfoy asked.
"Er, yeah. I guess that's it. See you all at school," said Hermione. She was surprised at Malfoy's attitude. Several thoughts were running through her mind. What, no insults? Granger? What happened to Mudblood?
Hermione went back to the compartment she shared with Ginny, Neville, and Luna. She told them about the meeting and how Malfoy had been almost civil to her.
"Yeah, I heard Malfoy's trying to redeem himself now or something. I guess the war really knocked some sense into him, especially since Harry vouched for him and his mother during the trials and he finally had some sense knocked into him," said Ginny.
"Maybe he finally got rid of the Aquavirius Maggots in his brains and doing so brought out the good side in him," speculated Luna.
Chuckling, Neville said, "Yeah Luna, that could be it. Anyways, I ran into Malfoy one day in Diagon Alley, about a week ago, and he asked to speak to me for bit."
FLASHBACK:
Neville and his grandmother were doing some last minute shopping in Diagon Alley before the term started.
Neville was looking for the books he needed while his grandmother went towards the Do it Yourself books section. Neville saw someone in the corner of his eye, looking at the Defense against Dark Arts books. He turned to see Draco Malfoy and quickly looked away.
After several minutes, he walked towards Neville.
"Hello, Longbottom. I know I'm the last person you want to speak with, but do you think we could talk for a moment?" asked Malfoy.
Neville's eyes widened for about a fraction of a second, but he braced himself and waited, curious to hear what Malfoy wanted to say. He agreed, and Malfoy began speaking.
"Er, I know we haven't been on good terms and I, er, just wanted to apologize for everything I've done and said to you in the past. I hope you'll believe me when I say I'm sorry." Malfoy awkwardly finished speaking and waited for Neville to respond.
"Um, thanks for that, Malfoy. I'll be honest and say that wasn't expected, but I guess we can start over and put the past behind us…?" he said as a question. He wasn't sure if Malfoy wanted to be friends or not but figured it was the best thing to say.
"Right. Well, I guess I'll see you at Hogwarts, Longbottom." Malfoy nodded to him and abruptly walked away.
"Wow, Malfoy actually apologized? Huh, I guess miracles can happen," joked Ginny.
They spent the rest of the train ride talking about the upcoming year. It wasn't long before the train finally arrived at Hogwarts. Hermione never got over the wondrous sight of Hogwarts, looming over them, as they got closer. This will always be my home, she thought.
After the Welcoming Feast, Professor McGonagall walked over to Hermione and asked her to follow her to her new living quarters. Hermione followed her up a tower that she'd never been to, and they stopped at a new portrait. The portrait had a scene similar to the fountain at the Ministry at Magic, only the Witch, Wizard, House elf, and Centaur were standing equal to each other, unlike what the statues depicted.
"This will be your new living quarters, Miss Granger. You will have your own dormitory of course, as will Mr. Malfoy. He is with the Head of Slytherin House right now, who is telling him about his new living quarters. You both will share a common room and are allowed to invite guests over as long as you both follow the school rules. Your guests must be back in their own dormitories by curfew. The password to enter is 'Beedle'. Have a great term, Miss Granger. Smiling fondly at Hermione, Minerva McGonagall turned around and walked down the stairs.
Hermione said the password, and the portrait swung open in a manner reminiscent to the Gryffindor portrait hole. She walked into the common room.
The common room looked as warm and cozy as the Gryffindor common room. There were a few plush chairs around the center of the room, with three tables around them. There was a couch in front of the burning fireplace and a small coffee table between them. Hermione looked around and saw two doors on either side of the common room. One was labeled 'Head Girl' while the other read 'Head Boy'.
The portrait suddenly opened, and Hermione turned to see Draco Malfoy climbing through the portrait hole. He patted down invisible wrinkles on his clothes and looked up to see Hermione staring at him.
"Hey, Granger. I just wanted to start this year off with a clean slate, and I hope you can accept this as a truce of some sorts…" Malfoy trailed off uncomfortably.
Hermione felt the awkwardness of the situation and agreed to his truce. Unable to fight the urge, she said, "Excuse me for being so… blunt, but why the sudden urge to become friends? Your conscience finally catches up to you?"
"I guess you could say that," he replied. Malfoy nodded to her and then walked towards his dormitory.
Weird, thought Hermione. She shrugged and went to her dormitory, got into her new four-poster bed, and fell asleep.
Hermione found herself falling into a dark hole. She screamed and screamed for someone to help her and saw the light from the surface of the hole becoming smaller. She looked down and saw Malfoy at the bottom, reaching for her hand. Hermione grabbed his hand without thinking and grabbed on to a rope that suddenly appeared in front of her. She saw her parents at the surface,encouraging her to climb up. Hermione pulled Malfoy up and began climbing up the rope.
Malfoy slackened his grip on her and said, "I don't deserve your help. All I do is drag people down with me. Go on, Granger."
Hermione didn't wait to respond; she just tightened her grip on his hand and felt herself slipping away-
Beep! Beep! Beep! Hermione's eyes fluttered open, and she reached over to silence her beeping wand. I dreamed of Malfoy…huh that's a first, she thought. At least it was better than dreaming of Bellatrix torturing her again and again, as she had been almost every week since the war. Shaking herself from her sleepy mood, Hermione got up to start her day. She washed, dressed, and left her room to go into the common room.
The common room was empty, which probably meant Malfoy had already gone down to the Great Hall. Hermione left the common room and made her way towards the Great Hall for breakfast. She reached the Gryffindor Table and sat between Neville and Ginny.
"How was Malfoy? I know he's reformed and all, but if he hurts you-" began Ginny, but Hermione cut her off.
"Don't worry, Gin. He proposed a truce, and I agreed. That's all. I wonder what made him get over his childish ways."
"Maybe he wants to reform the Malfoy name and all since his dear old daddy will be in Azkaban for the next five years," guessed Ginny.
After the war, the Ministry's Aurors had rounded up the surviving Death Eaters and put them on trial. Harry had testified for Narcissa Malfoy because she'd saved his life. When Lucius was put on trial, Harry mentioned that Lucius had had no part in the final battle, and that he had witnessed Lucius and his wife searching for their son, instead of joining Voldemort and his followers. Since Harry Potter was seen as
the savior of the wizarding world, the Wizengamot took his testimony seriously, letting Narcissa Malfoy go free and reducing her husband's sentence to five years in Azkaban. Many people were outraged that he hadn't gotten a longer sentence since he had willingly joined the Death Eaters and led them to torment the Muggles during the Quidditch World Cup, but Harry had stuck to his testimony and supported his sentence.
Hermione looked over to the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy sitting at the far corner of the table with Goyle sitting nearby. They spoke to each other every once in a while, but Malfoy seemed to be in his own world, lost in thought.
Hermione received her schedule and walked towards her first class, Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was a double period with the Slytherins, since she saw them waiting outside the classroom with the seventh year Gryffindors. The students walked into the classroom and sat down, awaiting their new teacher. Many people were whispering amongst themselves about whether or not their new teacher would be here longer than a year this time. Hermione also wondered if the jinx was lifted, now that Voldemort was gone.
The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher walked into the classroom and put his briefcase on the desk at the front of the room. He was a tall man with curly, dark brown hair and looked a bit intimidating as he surveyed the classroom. He cleared his throat and introduced himself to the class.
"Good morning, everyone. As you all know from Headmistress McGonagall's introduction last night, I am Professor Grant, and I will be your teacher this year. Hopefully this will not be my only year at Hogwarts," he chuckled at his own joke.
"As I understand it, you have been taught by a new teacher every year you've studied at Hogwarts, which means your background in this subject might be inconsistent. I hope to help you discover and enhance your skills and talents so that you can defend yourself, should the need arise. Hopefully our futures in the wizarding world will be safe from such horrendous crimes, as the Dark side was defeated, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
"I'd like you all to start off in pairs and begin by attempting to disarm your partner. Then, I want you all to practice deflecting threatening jinxes and spells to test your strength and speed," Professor Grant instructed. He walked around the room while the class shouted jinxes at each other and attempted to block them.
Hermione was reminded of Harry's D.A. meetings, where he would have everyone pair off and work on what they were learning in class. Hermione partnered off with Neville, who was getting really good at defending himself. He was practically blocking her spells before she finished the incantations. Hermione beamed and praised him for his progress.
Meanwhile, Malfoy was on the other side of the classroom, partnered up with Goyle. Goyle and Malfoy were only participating half-heartedly in the exercise. They seemed to be arguing over something. Apparently Hermione wasn't the only one to notice this, as she saw Professor Grant walking over to them and quietly speaking to them. Hermione wondered what was said since Malfoy reluctantly agreed to whatever the teacher asked him.
"Okay everyone, that was great for today. You all seem to trust your instincts, which is very helpful in situations where you need to defend yourselves. Staying sharp and keeping an eye on your surroundings will help you stay on your toes, should you need to protect yourself," said Professor Grant. Just then the bell rang, dismissing the class. "No homework for today. Just practice, practice, practice!"