AN: Hello Readers! This is the introduction to a new story I'm writing. It's not necessary to read it, and I promise the quality of future chapter will be much better. However, I hope you enjoy it!

Please R&R!


It had been a long summer, that year following the Dark Lord Voldemort's death. Everyone with any presence in the magical world - pureblood, mudblood, and squib alike - was called upon to help put the shattered world back together. However, it was also a time of peace. Neighbors who previously had bickered about the little things now banded together to rebuild lost homes. Old pureblood families poured galleons into the efforts to support a new Ministry of Magic or to rebuild Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or to care for the children left parentless after the war. Aurors had a rough time of it, scrambling after rogue Death Eaters who still prowled.

Hermione Granger was involved in it all. From the time Voldemort fell she was there to help. That very night, while everyone else was celebrating or resting or caring for the dead, she had raced back to the Shrieking Shack to save Professor Severus Snape's body, and had found a pulse. He remained unconscious for weeks, barely alive, but thanks to her and the team of Mediwitches who worked on him around the clock, he was able to recover. From there the young witch returned to her home, fostering orphaned children. Every day someone new needed her help, and she would aparate to wherever the Ministry summoned her, eager to lend a hand.

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley did their parts as well, although the former to the reluctance of the general populace. Harry was treated like a new Hercules - everywhere he went the people praised his name. Nobody wanted him to lower himself to help them, but he did it anyway. The new attention didn't make him pompous or arrogant, on the contrary, it reinforced his desire to behave and be treated like a normal wizard. Each day from dawn to late in the night he worked hard. Harry played an important role in the rebuilding of his beloved school, donating a good sum of money and the majority of his time to the effort.

On the other hand, Ronald's new fame went straight to his head. After a brief post-war relationship with Hermione, he had discovered that his new height and unexpectedly good looks could get him any girl he wanted. The red head and his brilliant witch broke off their relationship mutually after only a month, both deciding it was better to stay friends. Ron found his new love while doing construction in Diagon Alley. Her name was Catherine, she had been in Ravenclaw during their time at school. While the rest of the world was rebuilding homes and lives, he only worried about building a new life with his girl. Though it was well-intended, it did leave the result that everyone thought he was too good to lend a hand, and so he gained a bit of a negative reputation.

The Golden Trio weren't the only ones eager to start anew and recover from the war. All the Hogwarts students had been affected by the final battle, including one Mr. Draco Malfoy. Father in jail, mother stuck at home with failing health, Draco had set about changing his family's reputation all on his own. Astounded by the Trio's willingness to support him during his trial in June, the Wizengamot had allowed the boy a light sentence of community service. Malfoy could not have asked for a better assignment. He worked alongside the professors, house elves, and Harry to rebuild Hogwarts, finding new joy in working with his hands, without a wand. The labor changed him. To the surprise of the entire wizarding community, especially the boys themselves, Harry and Draco achieved a peace, eventually becoming steady, if somewhat distant, friends. When his time was up, Draco continued to work throughout the community. He donated money to help families ripped apart by the war. He sent his own house elves to work in soup kitchens and homeless shelters which had sprung up for those left homeless.

So, all in all, it was a new, brighter world which Hermione found herself working in during early August. Once more she had woken the crying of a baby, but that was alright. Today would be a good day, they always were.

"Come here, Lily," she cooed, reaching into the crib. "Hermione's got you, that's right. Shhhh. Hush now." Slowly the child calmed as Hermione bounced her in her arms. Together they walked downstairs into the living room of the witch's old house. The empty picture frames sitting atop the mantel still drew tears to her eyes, but she blinked them away. The Ministry was doing everything they could to negotiate a search for her parents. The wizarding government in Australia was resisting the effort, saying it was unfair to have British Aurors investigating in their country. But that was alright. Hermione new they were safe, and that's what mattered.

Shaking away painful memories, the witch entered the kitchen, switching on a small television to watch the news while she mixed formula for the baby. The muggle world was recovering from their disasters as well, although they didn't know why conditions had suddenly gotten much worse, then improved. Kingsley Shacklebolt had taken over as Minister of Magic, so it was another Auror who aided the Prime Minister, someone Hermione didn't know. It was all yesterday's news, though, so she turned it off again.

Little feet pattering on the hardwood floors alerted the girl to the presence of another child. "Miss Mione, Miss Mione!" the four year old shrieked. "You got letters." Proudly he held out the bundle of parchment envelopes, a tawny owl swaying on his shoulder. His blonde hair was still ruffled from sleep, and he still wore his snitch-patterned footy pajamas, but bright eyes told her he'd been awake for at least an hour. Hermione sighed, wondering what trouble the toddler had already gotten into.

After driving the kids to muggle daycare, somewhere the boy loved to be because he could get into trouble, Hermione sat out on the porch and opened her letters. Two were business related, one was from the Ministry announcing the Malfoy family's public apology for war crimes, and one bore the seal and green lettering of a Hogwarts letter. Casting aside the others, she eagerly tore into the envelope.

"Dear Miss Granger," it read, "we are pleased to inform you of the re-opening of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the coming school year. Due to last year's lack of true education for most students, all students are asked to repeat last year's courses. Students who would have graduated last year are politely requested to return to complete their education; however, those who are of age may choose not to."

The letter went on to explain the renovations, new requirements for students, and new regulations. Hermione skimmed it all, rocking gently in the wicker rocking chair. Included with the first letter was a typical shopping list for the year, a list of electives being offered and the books required (as scheduling had not occurred the year before, this list was to be returned by the end of August in order to make schedules), and a letter addressed specifically to her, from the new Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. Brown eyes lit up happily as it was revealed to the girl that she would take the place of Head Girl, if she were to return. In a flurry of brown curls, she rushed to write a response, eagerly accepting the position.

It would be an interesting school year once again.