Author's note:
Hello! This is my first Dramione fic. I hope you enjoy it. It's going to be a bit of a slow burn, so don't expect the next chapter to be smut, cause it ain't happenin'. Anyway, be gentle, but I hope you like it. Let me know in reviews and stuff, cause that would be totally cool.

Full Summary: All Hermione wanted was a normal year at Hogwarts, but when she gets sent a Slytherin Prefect badge she knows it's going to be anything but. Getting switched into Slytherin while Blaise Zabini gets shipped off to Gryffindor, was probably one of Hermione's worst nightmares. But the difficulties Hogwart's younger students seem to have at letting bygones be bygones has her more worried. Putting aside her own wariness and putting on a brave face, that was nothing more than a facade, she moved into the Slytherin dorms with her head held high. However, a few things seemed to be amiss. Promoting unity, she could handle, but the excessive attention being paid to one particular blonde wasn't. Little did she know that her blossoming relationship with one Draco Malfoy would be a catalyst needed for change within the walls of Hogwarts.

Hermione stared at the white page with the neat black handwriting that seemed so familiar and felt anticipation tighten into a knot in her stomach. She had waited for this, waited for the opportunity for things to go back to normal, waited for the chance to dive head first into an old life that almost seemed fantasy now. But now that it was here, she was scared. What if it wasn't what she wanted? What if it's changed too much, if she's changed too much? The war had done funny things to her. She no longer held the naivety she had in her previous years. She no longer felt the compulsion to dive headfirst into things, damn the consequences. She weighed every single one of her choices now. Calculated possible outcomes and analyzed people like she never had before. She was weighed down by night terrors and horrible flashbacks of the worse times of being on the run. After the war, reform came yes, but so did the repercussions of living in the fear of being hunted at any time. The Great Wizarding War had been over for some time now, around a year. But Hermione's internal struggle in finding her spot in this new life was a battle she still fought every day. She begged for things to go back to a time where her days were easy and full of the laughter and smiles with her housemates, and warm summers spent traveling around the world with her parents. But even that had come to an abrupt end, the war had uncovered harsh truths, like how her parents hadn't survived Voldemort's reign of terror, and how she had a little piece of her die inside when she remembers all the love ones lost.

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away. She wasn't crying because she was upset, at least she didn't think so. She was crying because she was finally getting a chance to heal. She needed the normalcy that Hogwarts would bring, she needed to feel the feeling of home again. The burrow was nice and all, but it wasn't a place for her to heal. It was just a reminder of a family she would never really have again.
"Hermione." Harry said, and she glanced up at him from across the table. He looked at her with worried eyes, and nodded towards the letter. "You okay?" he asked and Hermione smiled softly. Nodding her head she took a deep breath and nodded back to the same letter he held in his hand.
"Almost doesn't seem real, huh?"
He let out a startled laugh and glanced down at the crisp paper. "Yeah. I mean, I thought it would be a chance to sort of…start over. You know?" He sighed and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. "Now it just seems a little nostalgic."
Hermione grinned and grabbed the envelope, suddenly remembering a second note. "I suppose we'll have to head to Diagon Alley—" she stopped and gazed down at the silver and green object in her palm.
"I suppose," Harry said, "and what a circus that's gunna be. Reporters haven't left us alone since the…well since everything. Maybe we can get an escort— What's that in your hand? Is that…is that a Slytherin prefect badge?"Hermione didn't reply as she stared at the badge, she glanced up at Harry, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"This can't be right. Right? Why would she send a Slytherin prefect badge?"
Harry eyed it with a weary gaze. "It came with a letter right? What does McGonagall have to say?"

Hermione quickly opened the letter and read it quickly, her brows deepening with confusion after each line.

Miss Granger,

I am writing to you in regards to the Slytherin badge you undoubtedly hold in your palm. No, this is not a mistake. It is part of a bigger plan, I assure you. Upon your return to Hogwarts, I would like to discuss a few things with you regarding your last year at Hogwarts. You are to meet me in my office immediately following the Welcoming feast.

I look forward to seeing you.

Hoping you are well.

Minerva McGonagall

After reading the letter himself, Harry had the same blank look of confusion on his face. "What is McGonagall up to? I don't understand."

Hermione looked back down at the bright and shiny Slytherin badge. She had a tiny hunch, but she was desperately hoping she was wrong. For now though, she shrugged her shoulders and looked up at her bespectacled friend.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Harry. Let's just hope for the best, yeah?"
He nodded, "Yeah. I suppose."

The Hogwarts Express was just as bright and bustling as Hermione remembered it. The smoke billowed out of the train's engine and hoards of witches and wizards, new and old, were crowded onto the platform. Shouting and laughing could be heard all around her, and it put a smile on her face at the same time as making her clutch her wand tighter. Loud noises and fast movements made her nervous, and she kept seeing dark cloaks at the edge of her vision. Her gaze kept getting pulled in every direction and her thoughts started to race. Was that a mask she saw? Who is that behind the pillar? And why is she hearing the cackle of Bellatrix Lestrange behind her? Hermione closed her eyes and started to take deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. Where the hell was Harry? He'd be able to calm her down. Her brow furrowed, and her heart seemed to try to be beating out of her chest. This wasn't what she pictured when she thought of returning to Platform 9 ¾. She pictured smiling with her friends and being happy, not breaking down in the middle of the floor. She felt panic starting to bubble up her throat. She needed to get out of here, she needed to leave she needed to—

"You alright there, Granger?"

Hermione whipped around and met the dull grey eyes of Draco Malfoy. Her panic still clogging her throat, she could only stare at him. His eyebrow rose and a bored look came over his face. "Are you just going stare up at me, or move? You're blocking my way."
The irritation in his voice chipped away at her panic, till she could take a deep breath. She took several, till she was able to speak to the tall blonde in front of her.
"There's plenty of room to go around you know." Hermione gestured her arms wide and smirked as she saw his eyes flash in anger.
"The shortest distance between two points is, in fact, a straight line Granger. Even you should know that, and you're currently standing in front of the door for the train, so if you would…"
Hermione grimaced and took a step to the side and opened her mouth just to be cut off by Harry. He walked up to her, his gaze never leaving Malfoy's.
"Alright, Hermione?" he asked, and she saw Malfoy shoot him a glare.
"She's fine, Potter. Didn't harm a hair on her bushy little head." He sneered and Harry sighed rubbing the back of his neck.
"Look, Malfoy. I know...I know there's some bad blood between the us. But, I— well I'd like to call a truce. Try to at least be civil to each other." He held his hand out to shake. "Deal?"
Malfoy glanced at Harry's hand, and then up at his face. He seemed to be looking for something before he gave a slight nod and shook his hand. "Deal." He nodded his head towards Hermione and immediately walked away onto the train after the stressful exchange. Hermione sighed, and Harry turned her towards their compartment. "That was…easier than I expected." Harry said and Hermione laughed. "Yeah, I was surprised at how smoothly that went, I expected a few Mu-words. To be exchanged." Harry eyed her out of the corner of his eye.
"That word still a, still difficult for you to say?" he asked hesitantly and let Hermione walk onto the train first. She sat heavily down in the cushioned chair and her head drifted back to rest against the wall.
"Yeah. Merlin, why does everything have to be so…messed up?" She sighed and Harry checked to make sure their luggage was secure.
"You said it yourself a while back Hermione." He settled into the seat with a sigh. "It's war. No one comes out unscathed."
Hermione frowned, she didn't really like having her own words said back to her and she was starting to get a migraine. Her panic attack had taken a lot out of her and she voted not to tell Harry about it. It would only cause him unnecessary worry, and Hermione wasn't really up to making her friend upset. The train lurched into motion surprising her and Harry. She hadn't even heard the whistle for last call. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Trying not to focus on motion of the train, and instead her thoughts instead shifted to Malfoy. He seemed…different. Older, more mature. He only said a handful of words to her and was still the insufferable prat she knew from her childhood, but the look in his eyes had changed. He no longer looked at her with contempt or disdain, only with mild annoyance and boredom. He seemed much more controlled and collected, holding himself with dignity instead of self-righteousness. It made Hermione wonder how much the Slytherin Prince had changed since the time she knew him in school.

She was interrupted from her thoughts by the compartment door opening, and the doorway was filled with the smiling faces of Ginny, Neville and Luna. Hermione made an exclamation oof surprise as Ginny pounced on her, hugging her tight around the neck.
"Can't breathe, Gin." Hermione gasped as Ginny pulled away. She was grinning ear from ear and it was hard for Hermione not to smile back.
"You do realize we just saw each other like… a week ago. You act like you haven't seen me in months!" Ginny flopped herself beside Hermione instead of halfway on her lap and crossed her arms. "Well it felt like months to me. You have no idea how annoying it was to have Ron complain about how you two choose to go back to Hogwarts, and that he'd be alone and blah, blah, blah." Ginny scoffed and tossed her fiery hair over her shoulder. "I reminded him that he wouldn't even be in the same country, what with the Chudley Cannons training being in Scotland and all, but he just went on and on…" Hermione frowned. Ron had chosen to forfeit his last year at Hogwarts to become the chaser for the Chudley Cannons, whose training had just so happened to start the same day as Hogwarts start of term. When he told Harry and Hermione of his choice, Hermione had been appalled, and ranted to him abut how big of a mistake he was making. But he wasn't hearing any of it, leaving Hermione to stomp away in a huff and Harry to stand awkwardly in the middle of the Burrows sitting room, listening to an enraged Ronald Weasley rant about anything and everything he could think of about Hermione Granger. Hermione still felt he was making a big mistake, but it was ultimately his choice and she knew she couldn't do much to change his mind.
"And hey, did you hear? Neville got Head Boy! And Luna got Head Girl! Isn't that brilliant?" Ginny asked and Hermione's mood immediately perked and spoke at the same time as Harry,
"That's fantastic you two! I'm so happy for you. You'll do wonderfully."
"Merlin, that's great! Congrats!"
Neville blushed and Luna shot them both dreamy grins. "Oh yes, it was quite a surprise though. I fully expected you to get Head Girl, Hermione." Luna said and Neville nodded furiously.
"Yeah. I nearly fainted when I got my letter. Gran practically had a heart attack." Neville said, "But I didn't expect it to be me from Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled and shrugged, she had thought she was going to get Head Girl, but definitely wasn't upset to find that she didn't. She was still too curious wondering about the Slytherin Prefect badge she had burning a hole in her pocket. "It's not that surprising really, McGonagall knew I wanted a normal school year. Being Head Girl would just add a lot of stress that I'm not too sure I could handle about now." Hermione shrugged again, and Ginny took her hand and shot her a sympathetic gaze. They two had grown very close after the war, what with Harry and Ginny's timid friendship after they realized they just…weren't for each other, much like the situation with Hermione and Ron. They all decided it was much better for them to remain friends. So Ginny and Hermione began a budding friendship that blossomed into practical sisterhood. The two were almost inseparable, and Hermione was extremely grateful of her friendship.
She squeezed Ginny's hand and smiled at her. "Oh! Did you all hear? Hermione got sent a Slytherin Prefect badge." A chorus of confusion rose up at Harry's exclamation and Hermione shot him a glare. He looked back over at her sheepishly, before mouthing 'I'm sorry'. She rolled her eyes and met the expectant gaze of Ginny.
"Well? Why did she send you a Slytherin Prefect badge?"
Hermione sighed. "I don't know. I'm supposed to meet McGonagall for an appointment in her office after the feast."
"Blimey!" Neville exclaimed and Luna cooed in thoughtfulness.
"I'm sure it was just a mistake." Hermione assured, "I'm sure she just wants to exchange the badge for a Gryffindor one."
Harry and Neville nodded while Ginny exclaimed, "Well of course that has to be it. Why else would you have a Slytherin badge? Still, it's a bit odd. Don't you think?"
Hermione nodded and there was a knock on the door. Someone called a 'Come in' and Dean opened the door with a grin. "'ello, Ginny, Hermione, Harry. Good to see you all again." He shifted towards Neville and Luna. "It's time for the Head's meeting. McGonagall says prefect meeting will be held tomorrow at the castle." Hermione's brows rose as Neville and Luna stood from their seats. "That's a bit odd, isn't it?" Hermione said, and Dean rubbed the back of his neck. "Erm, yeah. But it was direct orders from McGonagall." He said, and Harry glanced at Hermione. "This is just odd. First you get a Slytherin badge? Then there's not a meeting till tomorrow? That's not normal, is it?"
"You got a Slytherin badge?" Dean exclaimed in surprise and spoke again before he could stop himself. "That's odd! I heard Blaise Zabini got a Gryffindor badge earlier. D'you reckon McGonagall sent you both the wrong badges?"
Hermione's curiosity soared, Zabini got a Gryffindor badge? What does that mean?
"What?" Harry and Ginny said, outraged. "What do you mean, Zabini got a Gryffindor badge? What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?" Ginny continued, and Dean stuttered and looked at Harry, seeming a bit frightened by Ginny's outburst. "I-I dunno really. I just overheard him and Malfoy talking about it, and then was fetched to go get you two." He nodded his head towards Neville and Luna who had been watching the exchange with wide and observant eyes.
Hermione sighed, and really hoped she had been wrong about the reasons behind the badge mishap. "That's…odd." She resigned to saying and Ginny whirled around. "Odd? Just odd? Blimey Hermione! It's bloody bizarre is what it is!"
Hermione rubbed her head as she felt her headache throb painfully. "Please Ginny. Calm down. There's nothing to do for now. We can only wait till I have my meeting with McGonagall. We'll find out more soon enough." She looked over at Neville and Luna. "You two better get a move on. I expect we'll be arriving soon."
They nodded and said their goodbyes, following Dean out of the compartment. Ginny sat down next to Hermione in a huff and glared at the seat in front of her. "I don't see why you're not more upset Hermione. A Slytherin, had a Gryffindor badge. That's just…wrong."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "And a Gryffindor has a Slytherin badge. Which is just as equally wrong, just leave it Ginny. Please?" Hermione pleaded and leaned back till she was resting against the wall. Harry saw her exhaustion, and suggested Hermione to take a nap. She settled her head against Ginny's offered shoulder and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep with swirls of green and sliver meshing with gold and red.