DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything except for the story line. Characters are J.K Rowling's.

Chapter 1:

War. When it strikes, it hits everyone remotely near. Loved ones are lost, friends are betrayed, and homes are destroyed. Ending the war still doesn't erase the pain it caused. People are left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath and try to achieve some form of normalcy again.

Keeping this in mind, Dumbledore made a choice that would forever alter the lives of the children returning to Hogwarts School. The twinkle in his eye was more prevalent than ever as he thought about a certain witch and wizard, their fate already decided.

Hermione Granger lay on her bed at Number 12. Taking a break from packing her school trunk, she thought back over the last couple days:

The hurt from the war was still evident in everyone's expressions and thoughts. The Golden Trio and the remaining Order members had their time to grieve the dead and attempted to heal over the last year.

Harry had taken the deaths especially hard. He still believed that his friends shouldn't have died because of him. Eventually, with Ron's jokes and Hermione's never-ending logic, Harry forgave himself and things returned to normal; well as normal as it can get in the aftermath of war.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at the dinner table when a great midnight colored owl pecked at the window. Their curiosity peaked since only Order members knew the location. Molly Weasley let the owl in and it immediately flew to the table and distributed Harry, Ron, and Hermione's letters from Hogwarts before dumping the rest at the table in front of Molly and retreating back to the night sky.

To say that the Golden Trio was surprised would be an understatement. They had heard that Hogwarts School was being rebuilt and was planning to reopen, but they had no idea that it would happen so soon!

Due to the events of the previous year, the three best friends were excited to return to the place they considered home for a last year.

The next day, they all went to Diagon Alley and purchased the necessary school supplies and a couple new treats for themselves, including a new broom for Harry, a couple new books for Hermione, and new Quidditch gloves for Ron.

Hermione smiled to herself and continued packing. Her trunk was considerably bigger than last year. She had made a few improvements to her overall body image over the last year. Since Voldemort was dead, she had nothing to focus on, so she settled for a makeover.

Hermione found a de-frizz potion that made her hair fall in soft curls down to the middle of her back. She always had a great figure, so she bought some new clothes that showed it off a bit more. She shortened her school skirts a couple of inches and tightened her school blouse a little to make it look fitted and elegant, no longer too big yet not skanky. Hermione also started wearing a little makeup, just a little eyeliner and mascara that really made her chocolate eyes look endless. New makeover in hand and her two best friends behind her, Hermione was ready to start school again. She could only hope it would turn out to be a good year.

Draco Malfoy stood in his bedroom staring at his closet. He flicked his wand and all of his clothes folded themselves and settled in his school trunk. It really was a miracle that he wasn't sentenced to life in Azkaban. Since he secretly switched sides in the war, working as a double agent, he was pardoned from the sentence. All of the other Death Eaters, including his father, were locked up in Azkaban for the rest of their miserable lives. 'Good Riddance' Draco thought. His father did nothing but fill his head with lies and force him to take the Dark Mark. As far as Draco was concerned, he no longer had a father.

His mother called to him from downstairs telling him to hurry up and come down for dinner. His mother was the only light in his life. Everyone had no idea that he had changed sides in the war. They thought he was a Death Eater and he was sure to be feared. His mother was his rock, and kept him strong enough to deal with his mistakes and even motivated him to try his best to fix them.

Draco was a changed man. He no longer cared about blood status and rejected anything having to do with the Dark Lord. That said, Draco didn't change THAT much. He still was arrogant, snobby, and entitled. He just wasn't cruel anymore.

Draco was not looking forward to school to say the least. The changes were sure to be immense. He was labeled as a Death Eater. There was no telling what people would think or do to him.

Hermione sighed happily as the Hogwarts Express came into view. Harry and Ron popped in next to her, echoing her smile. They were just making their way over to the luggage car just as a pale blonde head popped into view. Ron snorted and turning to Harry and Hermione said, "I can't believe he has the nerve to show his face here. Why is the Ferret here? Him and his friends have done enough damage." Harry just looked down at his shoes, almost guiltily. His queer behavior granted a puzzled look from Hermione, but he shrugged and Hermione turned to face both boys. "Guys, lets just leave him alone. I'm sure he won't be bothering us."

"Fine", huffed Ron and boarded the train, the other two following close behind. They seated themselves in an empty compartment and Hermione allowed her eyes to close and immediately fell asleep, dreaming of the possibilities that the new year at Hogwarts would bring.

Draco walked up to the Hogwarts Express, taking in its beauty. Nothing had changed about the train and for a second, it seemed as if the war never happened. He calmly walked to the luggage car, ignoring all of the glares he got from his fellow students. "Ugh this year needs to go by quickly" he thought. Draco stored his luggage and turned around, a flash of warm brown hair flickered into his vision. He took a few more steps toward the girl and stopped dead in his tracks as he realized it was Hermione Granger. 'Wow. That can't be Granger. She sure does clean up well. Who knew that she was hiding that body under all of her robes!' Her white cashmere sweater and muggle jeans fit her curves deliciously. Draco's pants suddenly felt a little tight. 'Oh Merlin, I'm going mental.'

He tore his gaze away from Granger and found an empty compartment. He knew he wouldn't be bothered, so he settled down taking up the whole bench and looking out the window.

The students had finally arrived at their home away from home. Hogwarts stood brilliantly illuminated upon the hill. It looked just like it did before the war. The students walked into the Great Hall and sat down at their respective house colors. The familiar faces and teachers put everyone at ease, that and knowing that Voldemort will not be ruining this year.

Dumbledore sat at his place on the staff table looking down at the students that just walked in. His plan had come together very nicely. Everything was in order and the students were seated. With this knowledge, the Head Master stood up, welcomed the students back, and sealed the fate of the Seventh Years.

The last thing Hermione thought before her world was turned upside down was 'Oh no…Dumbledore has that blasted twinkle in his eye again.'