A/N: I've decided to continue writing for this story thanks to the many helpful reviews I've recieved as well as story alerts. So thank you for all your help. For the time being I'm going to remove the one-shot from earlier, so readers don't get confused by what's going on. So sorry, but it'll be back, don't worry. But only when it actually fits. Unless you want me to post it as it's own one-shot for now, though I don't think that would be very fair to future readers. I don't know let me know what you think, read and review. Apologizing ahead of time for any grammatical errors on my part, I read this chapter over probably 10 times, it's 3:30 am where I am now, I'm tired. So I'm sorry for that.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The magical world of Harry Potter all belongs to the wonderful J.K Rowling. I just have an overactive imagination seeing stories that never actually happened.

Here is where the tale begins...


It was about three months after the war had finished and the middle of July when Hermione had found her parents and restored as much of their memory as she could. Unfortunately some things were still lost to them so she was spending as much time with them as she could over the summer holidays.

Ron had started helping George in the shop along with helping his mother cope with the loss of Fred as much as he could. Needless to say Hermione and Ron were much too busy to spend a lot of time together this summer.

Meanwhile, Harry was spending most of his time with Ginny but also fixing up 12 Grimmauld Place for him to move into before attending Hogwarts to finish his seventh year that the golden trio had missed out on while searching for the Horcruxes. They still had about a month and a half left of summer however and wanted to spend as much time with their loved ones as they could.

Draco and his parents had spent the three months trying to recover their name after realising they had taken the wrong side during the war. His father was sentenced to Azkaban for life, his mother was under strict house arrest for a minimum of 5 years on good behaviour, and Draco, well, he was under revision for a deal with the Ministry was to allow Draco to make up his classes in the seventh year that he had also missed. He was to be watched, but also do some kind of community service within Hogwarts to make up for all that he has done.

A lot of lives were lost in the war, and everyone was doing their part to help bring the families closer together.

It was a hot summer in England, particularly today in the Granger household. Even with magic there was no possible way for Hermione to be able to contain her wiry mass of brown curls. She blew a piece of hair from her eyes as she tied it back, giving up on trying to tame her hair. She collapsed on her couch with a fan facing towards her. This would be so much easier with magic she thought. Even though her parents' memories had been restored, some things they were still a little unsure of. Magic, was one of them, along with a few events they used to attend annually. Sure they remembered their daughter was a witch, they knew about Hogwarts, and they were still absolutely excited about Hermione being able to perform magic. They just still preferred if she tried to do things the muggle way while living with them.

Crookshanks rubbed along Hermione's legs before jumping up on her lap. "I just wish there was something I could do, if they could just let me try the spell again I'm sure I could get their full memory back" she said as she scratched her cat's ear only to receive a purr in response. Hermione sighed. All of a sudden there was a loud thud against the window. She couldn't help but laugh as she saw Pig fly into the window, thudding against it a second time. She got up and opened the window as the owl flew around the room, landing on a shelf attempting to hide from Crookshanks, clearly remembering the last time they had gotten too close to each other. Hermione reached up, gave the owl a treat, and untied the letter from his talons. She went to the kitchen to read Ron's letter while the owl flew about the room, only landing for a few seconds before the cat was jumping at his feathers.

Dear Hermione,

Sorry I haven't had time to write you in a while, George has kept me busy all summer with repairs on the shop. He's doing all right. He told me to tell you he better be seeing you soon. He really needs company now. And I think he's right, it's scary thinking of the poor bloke alone. I guess he's got Angelina around if he needs anything though. Oh that's right! You don't know! I guess he's been sorta seeing Angelina lately. Well she's been around the shop a lot at least. She stays over sometimes. It's good for the both of them I think. You know, with Fred gone… Er well yeah, so I guess I'm happy for him, he deserves to be happy. He has been making some brilliant products though! And some that might even be great for everyday use, not just pranks! Mum's doing, well she's holding up. She also hopes to see you soon. It's weird. Being in the house you know? It's just Ginny and I now, out of the kids at least. Well Harry too but he's always over at Grimmauld Place fixing it up, and Gin, well she's usually there with him. So I guess it's really just me left. Anyway, yeah, the other boys come when they can; everyone's been hit pretty hard though. Dad's been a help but it's hard for him too, you know? I've been helping out around the house when I'm not at the shop and I think having me around does help calm mum's nerves a bit. George tries not to come around much, not for right now at least. Last time he did she locked herself away in her room the whole night crying. Merlin why'd they have to be twins, it gets hard to look at him and not think of Fred. Wouldn't ever tell him that though. But other than that the family's been holding up for now. I miss you though. How're things with your parents by the way? I haven't really heard much about it lately, everything all right? Have they finally gotten their full memories back yet?

Please come visit soon, we all miss and love you.
Tell your parents we all wish them the best.

Love From
Love Ro
From Ron.

(Ps. Sorry about Pig, but you really should get your own owl, get rid of that mangy cat. Okay, okay I was kidding. Please don't hex me.)

Hermione wiped away a tear as she let out a low chuckle, looking for where the small owl had gone into hiding. She looked out at her parents working on their garden, laughing with each other. She couldn't help but smile. I hope I have that one day Hermione hoped as she went upstairs and sat at her desk. Grabbing a piece of parchment, the young witch began to write back.

Ronald,

Glad to hear that everything is going well all things considered. I feel terrible for your mum. Please send my regards to her will you? I truly am sorry I can't do anything to help. It's just been hard; I want to spend as much time with my parents as I can before I am gone for another year. I had suspected as much would happen between George and Angelina. Good for them, they do deserve each other, especially given the current situation. Who knows, maybe she'll straighten him out a bit. Lately though I could use a visit to see George, I do need a few good laughs. I also hope to try out a few of his new products. It could be interesting. Actually, could you ask your mum if I'd be able to come to Burrow for the last week of Summer. I love my parents, but I don't know how much I can take, not being able to use magic. It makes it rather difficult when trying to study. We do have N.E.W.T.S this year. This reminds me, you should be studying too! Although, I do understand that you've been rather busy. Ron that is so wonderful of you to be helping out the way you have been. I'm sure a bigger help to your parents than I am with mine. I fear they won't ever fully recover. Did you know they forgot about the summer barbecue we always have for my mother's birthday? We didn't even go to the carnival on the last weekend of June like we usually do as well! I just don't know where I went wrong. I've tried to remind them with past videos and pictures but so far no luck. If I could just use magic- although I do understand their reasoning, magic is what caused them to forget in the first place. Well, as long as they're happy that's all that matters right? Oh god, I'm rambling aren't I? Well please send me a reply if it's all right for me to come over at the end of August. I'll have to walk to a safe apparition point but that's fine, it's no trouble really. I miss you.

Sincerely Hermione

(Ps. Your owl is completely bonkers! And don't worry I won't hex you. I won't even hurt you. Can't say the same about Crookshanks though.)

She read over her letter twice, satisfied she walked back downstairs to find Pig hiding on the chandelier. She walked over and attached her letter to his foot and with a treat Pig flew off back out the window before her cat had the chance to pounce.

Her and Ron's relationship was complicated to say the least. Yes, she had kissed him in the chamber of secrets during the war, and he had accompanied her to Australia to help retrieve her parents. However, there was always something that would hold them back from each other. The most they had ever done was snog. Even then that wasn't that often. She did love him, and he loved her, but at the same time there seemed to be something missing. She had always dreamt of taking their relationship one step further, and she knew he felt the same way but any time they had had the chance, one of them, or often both, would back away. They kept up their relationship, thinking that it was probably just from being so apart and having family duties to attend to, hoping that when they returned to Hogwarts things would pick up from there.


Meanwhile somewhere in Wiltshire, England, a scared Draco Malfoy was sitting on a chair in his family's manor, waiting to be escorted to the Ministry to hear the final decision upon what his sentence would be.

He looked about the room that he was in, realising this was the very room that his aunt had tortured one of his school mates, Hermione Granger. He shuddered at all the other poor witches and wizards that he had witnessed being tortured by Bellatrix. I could have stopped her, no should have stopped her. But he was scared. All the Malfoys were. Towards the end, that was the only reason they had even stayed on the Dark Lord's side, pure fear, because they knew if they had even tried to run, they would be killed.

An Auror by the name Williamson walked over to where Draco was sitting. "It's time" he told him as he picked him up by the arm and apparated to the Ministry.


"Oh good, right on time" said Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Draco looked up at the minister, and then around the room at who would be deciding his punishment, he noticed his former Professor, Minerva McGonagall sitting beside the Minister. What's she doing here? He pushed that question to the back of his mind. Seriously, you should be lucky they're letting you off this easy he told himself. He gulped, still nervous that they could have possibly changed their minds.

"Draco Malfoy, son of former Death Eater Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy née Black, do you plead guilty to the crimes that you have committed or aided in as a Death Eater, serving Voldemort? Thus taking full responsibility for your actions?" Shacklebolt questioned.

Draco inhaled. It's now or never. "Yes your honour."

"The ministry and I have discussed your case, and we have taken into account that despite them being your own choices, we also understand that you cannot choose your parents. We also understand that you had many times hesitated, and to our knowledge you and your family had a change of heart during the war and had actually aided in the defeat of Voldemort. Your father has been granted the chance at parole after 15 years because of this. However, to lessen your sentence, he has graciously denied this opportunity in hopes that you could attend school, thus being sentenced to Azkaban for life." Draco looked back up in shock. "Your father has accepted his actions for what they were and only hope his only son would be able to live his life as he pleases. So for this we are granting you a second chance, allowing you to attend Hogwarts for your seventh year as well as being pardoned for any crimes under the assumption you were merely doing what you could to keep you and your family alive."

Draco could not believe his own ears, "tha-" he began to stutter, only to be stopped by the minister raising his hand.

"However, we cannot erase all charges completely on account that they were in fact done by your own hand, especially those done towards Hogwarts. For that you will be monitored during your school year to assure that you complete the services that you will be required to fulfill while attending. Speaking with the new Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, we have both agreed that a suitable arrangement would be for you to have you perform the duties of Head Boy. Do not take this position lightly, or as a reward, we have taken into account that your past marks are more than high enough for you to acquire this title, but there is great responsibility with this role. Do you accept this duty? Or shall we find another punishment that will not allow you to attend Hogwarts during your final year?"

Head boy? Why on EARTH would I want to be head boy? There goes any chance of getting my reputation back. Draco thought for a moment, at least they are giving me this opportunity. I should be grateful. "I accept" he finally replied.

"Wonderful. You will be filled in with your full duties on your first day back to school. Until you arrive at school, you will be under strict house arrest along with your mother as well as being required to help finish with the rebuilding of Hogwarts. While at the school, you are not allowed to leave the grounds, unless otherwise approved by the Headmistress and the Ministry. Is that understood?"

Draco nodded.

"Good, then this court is hereby adjourned," he announced, "Williamson, would be so kind as to escort young Draco back to his home?" With that the Auror grabbed Draco's arm once more and apparated back to the manor.


When he returned he found his mother on the couch next to a fire. He recalled everything that had happened during his trial and what he was sentenced with to her. They talked some more about his father, about the war, about everything, often having to take a few breaks to allow each other to wipe their tears or just sit there crying in silence. The night crept upon them, and his mother refused to leave the couch as she drifted off to sleep, tears staining her cheeks. Draco draped a blanket over his mother, kissed her on the top of her head, and made his way to his bed.

He lay for hours, unable to sleep, replaying the events of the trial. His mind began to wander to those months just waiting to hear what his own parents had been sentenced to, let alone him. He began to think about the events during the war.

He remembered his mother lying straight to the Dark Lord's face in hopes to save her son, he remembered trying to escape the grounds of Hogwarts before being attacked by Death Eaters for betraying Voldemort, he remembered telling his parents to go on without him as he was stopped in his tracks watching his classmates battle against the side that he had so wrongly chosen two years ago.

"Draco, Draco honey, please, we must get out of here! We have to hide until it is safe" his mother called out to him. He just stood there staring at the sight before him. His fellow classmates, fighting side by side, defending each other, and their world from the Dark Forces, no matter what the cause.

"Father, get her out of here! Go, I'll be fine, I promise" he yelled after them. His mother looked as if she was going to protest, but his father just nodded and carried her away. Next time he looked, they were gone. He ran up the steps towards the school where he hid behind a pillar looking in at the once Great Hall. He couldn't believe all the damage that was done. The castle walls and ceilings were collapsing all around the witches and wizards while they duelled until someone had died. The next thing he saw was a boy with fiery, red hair fall to the ground. It was Fred Weasley. He winced as he watched the boy who had once filled the school with so much joy fall to his death. As he looked around he realised that many bodies lay on the ground. All of them he recognized. He shivered as he recognized each face of the fallen students of Hogwarts. Then he noticed a face among the bodies. It was a Death Eater, he couldn't recognize the name, but he knew he had seen him before. His eyes panned across the room, recognizing students, teachers and other Death Eaters fall. Then his eyes caught his aunt, her face was twisted and contorted as she concentrated trying to defeat whoever she was up against. He gasped as he saw who was giving her such a hard time. Granger? He thought. She was only seventeen, and was muggle born, yet was standing up to one of the strongest Death Eaters there was, the very witch that had tortured her just months ago. Draco was shocked. He never doubted Hermione was a strong witch, in fact he knew just how smart and talented she really was, he just had never imagined anyone being able to hold off his aunt like that before.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing here Malfoy?" he heard a voice call from behind him. When he turned around he saw none other than the youngest Weasley with her wand pointed directly at his face. He gulped. "Well? Are you going to answer me?" she barked. He glanced around her seeing another young girl with flowing blonde locks standing behind her.

"Granger. Bellatrix. You have to help her" was all he could manage to get out before the two girls ran off in Hermione's direction. He stepped from behind his hiding place, running down the hall, hoping to find some place that he could help without being seen and attacked by either side of the war.

But that's when he heard it. From somewhere behind him he heard someone yell, "stupefy!" Then everything went black.

Draco woke in the middle of the night breathing heavily. It was just a dream. He told himself but after that nightmare, he didn't sleep the rest of the night. Instead, he sat on his bed crying. Crying for all the people he had watched die, all the people he had hurt in the past. He decided right at that moment that he would change. He had to if he were going to survive school this year, but also if he were going to survive his on conscious for he truly regretted every single moment where he had intentionally caused any form of harm to anyone. However, he knew that in order to show that he truly has changed he had to first prove it to the one person that nobody would ever expect to forgive him.


A/N: The next chapter will be skipping towards the end of the summer because there's not much else that really happens with the few weeks until then. Will try to post soon, just depends how my week goes. Have most of it written though, just a matter of editing and posting. Let's hope I do it during more convenient times. Here's to hoping though...