Ok so it wasn't done by the end of the weekend but one day later is good for me :S Enjoy sorry it's quite a short first chapter but i'm shattered and need my sleep!
Narcissa Malfoy sat eyes closed a half empty wine glass hang loosely between her fingers. A soft string of music travelled out of a magical radio not far from the chair lulling her into a light sleep. Leaning against the doorframe her only son Draco stood arms crossed over his chest watching his mother drift slowly into unconsciousness. The firelight flickered over her pallid skin, in these past few months she had aged fast. Now instead of looking ten years younger than her actual age she looked ten years older. The golden glow caressed her taught face, Draco sighed inwardly no matter what had happened he would always love his mother she was the only family he had left. His father was dead to him the moment he tried to save his own skin by selling his soul to the Dark Lord. There was a soft thump as Narcissas' wine glass slipped from her hand, she started staring around taking in the shadows with a fearful look in her eyes. Draco moved forward placed a hand on her shoulder she flinched her head whipping round to stare at him. Seeing his angular face with soothing smile she relaxed and patted his hand, "I'm sorry Draco sometimes it seems as though nothing has changed." He nodded
"I know Mother but there is nothing to fear anymore the darkness is gone from our lives, we can start again." Sadness reflected through her eyes,
"Has it Draco? I feel that the darkness will never be truly gone from our lives we harboured too much of it. You have the chance to change your life for the better, but I'm afraid it's a little too late for me." She turned away from Draco and as she watched the dancing flames a small tear slid down her cheek leaving a dark blot on her green robe. Sensing her wanting to be alone Draco patted her shoulder one last time turned and headed back out the room. Before he totally vanished Narcissas' soft voice called out "Draco..." he turned one hand resting on the doorframe, "I love you...remember that." Hearing the tears behind the voice he returned to her side bent kissed her forehead and whispered
"And I love you no matter what." Seeing a watery smile he kissed her once more and left leaving Narcissa with a lingering sense of warmth and regret hanging in the air. She believed that Draco did love her but she also understood that he regretted staying with her after the war although he would never say it; she knew. At least he had a second chance at redeeming himself and changing his name hopefully returning to Hogwarts to retake his final year would do that for him. She was truly in debt to Minerva McGonagall if she hadn't allowed Draco to return she wouldn't have been able to bare the guilt of robbing him of his future. She knew it was going to be hard but everyone had matured a great deal over these past few months and she hoped people would just let everything lie. Deep down she knew that would never be the case, when it came to her and Draco people could not and would not forgive them for playing part to the darkest following of all time. And it made her desperately sad to think that his life had been ruined by her.
He shut his door firmly behind him and sighed, the sight of his open trunk sitting on the dark green bed spread caught his eye. Inside lay folded pieces of clothing, neat piles of bound books waiting for the start of term and his Quidditch gear (although he wasn't sure if he'd be accepted back on the team after what he did). This was going to be a difficult year, he wasn't going back to redeem his title as Malfoy heir but for his education so he had a chance at getting a decent job. Ten hours, that was all he had left of summer, ten hours then he'd be standing once again on the busy platform waiting to board the Hogwarts Express. He crossed the room, his shoes making a light clipping noise against the wooden floorboards. Drawing back a heavy thick curtain he looked out onto the peaceful countryside that lay beyond his bedroom window. A clear night sky revealed a star speckled canopy above the sleeping world, the fountain splashed gently in the centre of the gardens as white Peacocks roosted in the nearby hedges. Malfoy Manor had be been his home and his prison over the past two years. Although he returned to familiar surroundings during the holidays that gave the impression he was returning to a family home he was actually returning to a four walled cell where Deatheaters were is only company and the Dark Lord had been his captor. "I will make amends," he thought "I'll show the wizarding world that I am not my father I will not become a flick pathetic man like him, I'm going to change one way or another."
Hermione stood, list in hand and pencil in the other, Ginnys' room looked like a bomb site. Her books lay heaped in piles over the floor while her clothes took up the majority of the little space left. Her trunk was open at her feet, empty. It was the third time she'd unpacked everything; it wouldn't all fit. "Right and again, uniform, parchment, quills, ink, text books, cauldron, ingredients, cloak and own clothes." Resisting the urge to enlarge the trunk to accommodate her other sources of 'light' reading she slammed the lid down and locked it shut. "There all packed thank god," pulling her wand from the back pocket of her jeans she pointed it at the remaining mess and quick as a whip two neatly stacked columns of books stood in the corner. "Hope Gin wont mind me leaving some of my things here, it's not like they'd be in her way she'll be at school with me." Getting up to leave the now tidy room Hermione paused, a feeling of sudden loneliness came over her this year she was going to be at school on her own. True she had Ginny but Ginny had her own friends, Harry and Ron were trying to get training jobs at the Ministry, they didn't feel the necessity to repeat their final year. She did on the other hand, and knew damned well that she was going to prove to them that knowledge will always win out.
As she padded quietly down the stairs she paced Harry on his way up, "Mione I was just coming to look for you," grabbing her hand he placed something into it; a folded bit of parchment. "I thought you might like to have a bit of fun now and again, or failing that," he quickly continued noting the look she gave him, "you could use it to get into the restricted section." Hermione gave him a sideways grin and pocketed the Marauders Map then continued down the stairs in search of Ginny. She found her sitting in in a squashy armchair in the kitchen a mug of hot tea clasped in her hands. She looked up as Hermione approached and smiled,
"Only a few more hours eh Mione then once again we will be on our way for our final year; strange."
"Yea just a little" Hermione answered softly "Gin the room's tidy now shall we go to bed?" Ginny nodded and downed the last bit of tea got up and followed Hermione out of the kitchen extinguishing the candles before she left.
September the 1st was close and muggy, not usual British autumn weather but pleasant non the less. Mr and Mrs Weasley stood by the front door waiting while Ginny and Hermione said their goodbyes to Harry and Ron. Harry kissed Ginny while Hermione kissed Ron, then both girls hugged the other boy, waving a final goodbye they got into the back of Mr Weasleys' new car and drove off. Ron turned to Harry "Drink?" he asked as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Harry grinned
"Yea sure why not," closing the door behind them they returned to their new found adulthood unaware of how much of an extraordinary year Hermione was about to embark on.
Kings Cross was busy as usual not just with muggles but with obvious magical people too. On passing through the bollard between platforms 9 and 10 Hermione was pleasantly surprised to see as many students returning to Hogwarts for the new school year. The train gleamed in the sunlight, blowing great funnels of smoke onto the crowded platform. Hermione smiled turning around she found Ginny was no longer standing next to her but had thrown herself into the arms of Dean who was looking quite pleased at having so much attention. "Who's that Hermione?" Mrs Weasley asked from behind her,
"That's Dean Thomas he was in my year but like me has decided to retake so we will all be in the same year together now."
"Oh I see, well he looks very nice," Hermione looked at the woman who seemed torn between want to prise her daughter of the boy while needing to let her grow up.
"He is Mrs Weasley, and don't worry I'll keep an eye on her." Mrs Weasley smiled appreciatively at Hermione while Mr Weasley scanned the crowd searching for familiar people, suddenly he sniffed and turned his head sharply back towards the two women.
"You'd think she'd have more decency than to show her face in public after all she did,"
"Who Arthur?"
"Narcissa Malfoy that's who look she's over there with her son," Hermione looked round and caught sight of Draco standing in the shadows apart from the crowd his mother even further back. He looked nothing like his former self, older like his eyes had seen too much for his young 17 years. The whistle blew long and loud snapping Hermione out of her thoughts, feeling a pair of arms around her she returned Mrs Weasleys' hug, reached up and kissed Mr Weasley on the cheek then ran off to find Ginny.
The compartments filled up fast Hermione had to move fast to grab an empty one for her and Ginny, pushing her trunk of the overhead racks she heard the door slide open. "Oh good glad you found me, now would you mind telling me why you were throwing yourself all over Dean when you have a perfectly good boyfriend at home?" Turning around she gasped it wasn't Ginny who had come in but Draco, he looked at the floor. They didn't speak for a moment,
"Hello Miss Granger, did you have a good holiday?" Hermione was gob smacked not only had Draco called her Miss Granger but he had also asked whether she had a good summer.
"Ummm yes thank you Draco, did er… did you?" His eyes flicked up to meet hers a pained look flashed through them, "I'm sorry Draco I didn't think, I know it must be hard for you." A small grimace took over before he opened his mouth
"Yes it is hard Miss Granger but I hope it'll get easier,"
"I'm sure it will Draco don't give up. Ummm Draco can I ask you something?" Draco nodded, "Why are you calling me Miss Granger? You know my name you can call me Hermione,"
"I thought it would be quite rude of me to talk to you without formalities considering we haven't been friends."
"Well I suppose we haven't been friends but that doesn't mean you can't call me Hermione, I mean it looks like we'll be in the same classes again so I think Hermione would be easier don't you think?" He looked up at her, another pained expression coming over,
"Ok Hermione it is, ummm, Hermione can I ask you something now?" She nodded, Draco ran his fingers through his blonde hair "Would you mind if I shared your compartment? I mean I understand if you don't want to be seen with me and that you despise everything about me and my family I wouldn't blame you if you did, but I-"
"Draco your mother saved my best friends life I couldn't hate you even if I tried to now, your father maybe but you and your mother well from a certain point I'm forever in your debt. Of course you can share the compartment with me." Draco flushed a little,
"Thank you Hermione, I'm very appreciative of everything you just said and I agree with you about my father, I hate him too." They stood for a moment before sitting down by the window opposite each other, closer to the light Hermione could see that her observation of Draco on the platform was an understatement, he looked terrible. Although he didn't seem to have lost much weight around his face his body was thin with protruding bones on his wrists and collar bone. His fingers were long and white resting on his knees, his eyes had taken on the similar trait as his aunts sunken back inside his head with dark rings around them. His hair wasn't as shinny as it had been but strangely his actual facial structure had become more masculine stronger and more angular with slight stubble around his chin. He looked up feeling her eyes on him, she smiled guiltily, "What is it Hermione, what was interesting you so much?" Hermione opened her mouth not sure what to say,
"You've changed Draco," she answered sheepishly.
"So have you, your hair is smoother with more ringlets now."
"It's the spell, if I was to remove it my hair would revert back to it's original bushiness." A sad smile turned the sides of his mouth up, Hermione was surprised she hadn't seen Draco smile properly before, only smirk and that wasn't exactly becoming to him. But his smile suited him much better, she smiled back. Opening her mouth to say something she was cut off by the door sliding open and Ginny running in and stopping short at the sight of Draco sitting in the same compartment without writhing in agony.
"What is he doing in here?"
"Ginny I said Draco could share the compartment with us,"
"Why should we let some filthy Dea-"
"Ginny watch what you're saying. Dracos' mother saved Harrys' life your boyfriend, or had you forgotten that?" Hermione fixed her best friend with a steely glare, Ginnys' jaw clenched a small vein began to appear on her forehead,
"Sorry Draco, I didn't mean it." Draco nodded, shooting Hermione a look she turned and stomped out of the compartment and slammed the door shut.
"You didn't need to do that Hermione I deserved what she was going to say and more,"
"Look Draco the past is the past and people need to move on. You were redeemed along with your name when your mother saved Harrys' life, Ginny will come round but I'm not going to stand people holding grudges. It's pointless we can't do anything to change what happened and that's that." She hadn't realised it but her voice had become quite fierce, seeing to surprise look on Dracos' face she blushed and looked away. Hearing the familiar sound of the tea trolley being wheeled down the isle Draco jumped up and headed for the door, he returned a moment later with two big bottles of pumpkin juice, two pumpkin pasties and two boxes of Bertie Botts every flavour beans.
"Here you go Hermione I wasn't sure what you liked so I brought the same as me I hope that's ok?" She was quite shocked at the sudden generosity,
"Thank you Draco but you really-" He held up a hand to silence her,
"It's just my way of saying thank you for defending me when you really shouldn't have." Hermione looked down at the food in her hands she smiled unscrewed the bottle lid and held it out to him, in a toasting manner
"To new beginnings." Locking gazes he lifted his bottle too,
"To new beginnings."
Smooth runnings?
