Chapter 1

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Going back to school after everything that happened seemed like something that would never happen to Hermione Granger, she thought she could never face it, but there she was, boarding the Hogwarts express to begin her redo of 7th year, trying to keep herself from turning around and leaving.

"Come on Hermione, you can do this. Pull yourself together." She chants in her head, mentally wanting to run away and never return.

The train pulls away from the platform and Hermione wanders down the train with her trunk, looking for the carriage where Ron and Harry would be and after a few minutes of looking she locates them, not far from the top of the train. She slides the carriage door open and enters, her trunk trailing behind her.

"Hermione, nice to see you!" Harry exclaims, getting up and pulling his best friend into a well needed hug while Ron stacks her trunk on the luggage rack.

"Right Harry, budge over it's my turn." Ron says while shoving Harry out of the way and pulling Hermione into one of his bear hugs that she secretly loved.

"It's so good to see you guys." Hermione sighs as she sinks into the seat, Harry and Ron following suit.

"Where's Ginny?" She questions, only just realising her friend wasn't there.

"She's sitting with Luna and Neville." Harry says, "She should come along later." He adds.

The friends sit in silence for a few minutes, not knowing what to say to the others, until Harry breaks the silence.

"Is it just me, or did you guys debate on whether to come back or not?" He asks, a little awkwardly.

"I was debating coming back, but I realised I wanted to come back and try and get things back to normal." Ron says.

"I couldn't decide whether to come back or not, I didn't think I'd be able to face it." Hermione says, a feeling of relief washing over her as she realises she wasn't the only one who couldn't decide.

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The Golden Trio spoke about anything and everything until Hermione excused herself to go and get changed. Stepping out into the corridor, Hermione felt a significant amount of weight lift from her shoulders. Harry and Ron were feeling the exact same way she did, it was normal.

She headed in the direction of the toilets but was caught off guard by a voice calling her name.

"Hermione!" She heard the voice call again and turned around. She was shocked by who had called her name. It was none other than Draco Malfoy.

"What is it, Malfoy?" She asked, trying to make her voice sound strong, while inside she wanted to run. Seeing Malfoy brought back memories. Memories she had fought so hard to forget.

"I just want to talk to you, can you give me five minutes?" He asked, a slight quiver in his voice.

"I really-" she started.

"Please?" He asked.

"Okay, 5 minutes." She said.

Draco pulled her off to the side, Hermione clueless about what he could possibly want to talk to her about. He fiddled with his finger and refused to make eye contact.

"Hermione, I-I…" Draco stuttered, staring at his shoes as if they were the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

"Take your time." Hermione says, in a voice she hoped was comforting.

Draco looks into her eyes and says the words she never thought she'd hear from him.

"Hermione look, I just wanted to apologise for everything. The way I treated you over the years was horrible and you didn't deserve that at all. I'm sorry for not stepping in and helping you at the manor and I'm sorry that you had to go through that because it should never have happened but it did and I can't change that but I just want to apologise. You don't have to accept, you can keep on hating me but I really need you to know that I'm sorry. I hope we can make amends but if not then I'll accept your wishes and leave you be." Draco rushes out, not pausing for breath. This had obviously been on his mind.

"Th-thanks" Hermione manages to stutter out after getting over the initial shock that Draco Malfoy had just apologised to her.

"Do you think you could ever be able to make amends with me, start fresh?" Draco asks, a pleading look in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'd like to start fresh." Hermione says holding out her hand. "Hermione Granger, nice to meet you." She adds.

"Draco Malfoy. It's a pleasure to meet you." Draco says taking her hand and shaking it.

"Are you going to get changed?" Draco asks, noticing the messenger bag slung over her shoulder.

"Yeah." Hermione says, forgetting that was where she was going in the first place.

"Well I'll let you get on your way and I shall see you back at the castle, Hermione Granger." Draco drawls, his signature Malfoy smirk plastered on his face.

"I shall see you there, Draco Malfoy." Hermione says, before turning to walk away. She walks a few yards before turning just in time to see Draco enter his carriage and disappear.

What had just happened? What had caused the sudden change of heart? What did this mean?

Hermione walked to the toilets, mind reeling from her recent conversation. What had gotten into Draco Malfoy?