Disclaimer: Harry Potter DOES NOT belong to me. If it had I wouldn't be writing this now, would I? So ya,all the credit goes to J.K Rowling. But the plot remains mine. Any resemblance to any other story shall purely be coincidental.

So here's presenting you the first chapter of A Fine Mess (Title credits to my friend).

A FINE MESS

Chapter 1

Platform 93/4 was bustling with activity like never before. Parents were hugging their children and giving them last minute advises, mothers were crying to their hearts content, few men were busy socializing with the other parents and students were excited to meet their friends and classmates.

Indeed, Platform 93/4 was a sight to behold. And why wouldn't it be? The war was over and Voldemort had finally been defeated by Harry Potter who was now no less than a hero in everyone's eyes. The Death-Eaters had been captured and put into Azkaban. Many of them had died during the war, few had been let loose after been proven that they were innocent and had done no harm. Not only the death-eaters but also members of the Order, wizards supporting them and even students had lost their lives in the Battle of Hogwarts. The War had actually turned out to be a life-changer for many.

Hermione Granger was standing in a corner lost in her chain of thoughts when her two best friends arrived right behind her. Knowing that she had not yet noticed their arrival, Ron screamed into her ear, "Earth to Hermione."

"Arrghh." Hermione jumped around to find both her best friends grinning foolishly. "Ron! You scared the hell out of me. It was an extremely childish act."

"Sorry Head Girl." Ron said, still smiling.

Harry smilingly hugged and wished her. "Congrats Hermione, the Head Girl."

"Thanks guys but you still don't need to be too vocal about it." Their brunette friend replied, she herself smiling. "So how did the vacations go and how is Mrs Weasley?" she asked now turning a bit serious.

"She's fine. She is doing better than we thought, actually everyone are." Ron replied honestly. True to the fact, the Weasley's were indeed handling the death of Fred quite well.

"It all seems a bit surreal isn't it, our last year at Hogwarts?" Harry asked, trying to divert the topic of their conversation. Hermione who understood this, nodded and answered, "Yes, I couldn't believe it when I got the letter from McGonagall asking to complete our last year. It was supposedly the Ministry's decision. They wanted all the students to repeat their respective year because of all the nonsense taught the previous term."

Hermione clearly remembered the letter which had been delivered to her exactly a month ago. She had read it ten times to make sure that she was not daydreaming or something and had memorized the words clearly:

Dear Miss Granger,

I am pleased to inform you that Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would like to invite you back to complete your education. Since the Ministry has issued the' School Year Repetition' order, all the students are to repeat their respective years', hence you shall be in the seventh year even though you are of age. Therefore all students of the Seventh year shall not have the Trace on them but still will be subjected to school rules.

Furthermore, I am pleased to inform you that the Student Welfare Board has decided to honor you with the title of the School Head Girl. However, as a result of the Ministry's order of repeating School Year we shall have an extended First Year Batch which would mean more number of students as well as more number of responsibilities.

You will find an attached list of books and supplies required for the year. Please send us your reply within ten days regarding your decision.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress, Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Thoughts of the letter bought a huge smile on her face. She had zoned out completely when she heard a female voice which brought her out of her reverie. Turning around she found her best girl-friend and Harry's girlfriend Ginny standing in front of her with the same smile she had on her face a few seconds back. "GINNY! Where were you?" Hermione screamed in excitement, hugging the girl to death.

"Calm down, Head Girl. I was right here, but seems like you were too busy to notice." Ginny replied in mock anger.

"Oh come on Gin, not you too," said Hermione.

"By the way, who is Head Boy? Nobody knows who it is yet" Ginny asked curiously.

At this point even Ron and Harry joined their conversation who were till then busy having their Quidditch-talk. "I myself don't know who it is." Hermione replied thinking of all the suitable candidates for the position.

"Must be some bloke from Ravenclaw, pretty intelligent those people." Ron pointed out.

"Anyways, we shall find out later. Now I think we must go and find ourselves an empty compartment." Harry said, looking over his watch and showing them the time.

Draco Malfoy was not a coward. The war had destroyed families of many Death-Eaters including his but he was happy. He was happy that Voldemort had been defeated. He was happy that all the wrong-doers were being punished. He was happy that he and his mother had been cleared of all charges. He was happy that they could start their lives all over again. But all this happiness had come at the cost of something.

The last two years had been the worst times of his life. He had known that his father was a follower of the Dark Lord but never had he known that his father was a murderer. He had been taught to treat Mudbloods were filth but never had he known that his father treated them like filth. He, who wanted to be like his father, now hated the very name of his father. His father had been subjected to life imprisonment in Azkaban and banned from using magic and Draco felt nothing for him, maybe a bit pity. Draco Malfoy had seen things that people his age wouldn't have even dreamt of. He was now more calm and mature than ever before.

Surprised is even a small word to explain the emotion Malfoy felt when he saw the letter from Hogwarts along with a shiny badge which had Head Boy inscribed on it. Never for a moment did he think that he would have been called back to continue his studies but what surprised him the most was the title of Head Boy given to him. He knew that McGonagall had a dislike for him though she never expressed it often and by now he was used to the stares, taunts and comments wherever he went. This letter had come completely unexpected but his mother who always wanted the best for him encouraged him and pursued him to complete his education.

And now here he was, in an empty compartment looking outside at all the excited first years lost in his thoughts when he heard someone say, "Hey Buddy."

He looked up and saw the face of Blaise Zabini who smiled slightly at him. Zabini's parents weren't Death-Eaters but had been supporters of the Dark Lord who were killed in the war.

"Hey Zabini," Draco replied, "Good to see you again." Blaise nodded and took a seat in front of him and they both sat there with a comfortable silence surrounding them.

"So I see that you have been made the Head Boy?" Blaise asked trying to sound as normal as possible, though Draco could find a tone of surprise. But wasn't he himself surprised?

"Yes, I myself was a bit amazed at the news. Had thought Goldstein would have made it." Draco replied honestly. He knew that Blaise was one of the few people he could trust keeping in mind his current situation and reputation. As expected his friend just smiled and nodded at him.

It had been an hour since the Hogwarts Express had departed. All the compartments were filled with students either relaxing or chatting.

"Okay guys, I think I have to go for the Prefect Meeting now. It's in fifteen minutes." Hermione announced closing the book she was reading and getting up from her seat. Soon all, i.e. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna turned towards her and stared except Luna of course who was busy reading the Quibbler.

"What?" she asked feeling slighting nervous. "Nothing Herms, just tell me who the Head Boy. I suppose it's the Ravenclaw prince- Goldstein." Ginny winked and gave a dreamy expression.

"Ginny!" Harry yelled, faking hurt over his face. "Come on Harry, you know I was kidding." Ginny replied giving her boyfriend a don't-act-so-silly expression.

All chuckled at the couple and Hermione made her way out of the compartment and started towards the Meeting Room. Soon she could hear people talking about her.

"That's Hermione Granger." one girl commented.

"-Harry Potter's best friend" another person replied.

-"War heroine," a young boy told his friend.

She made her way through all the stares and comments and reached the Meeting Room. She opened the door to find that someone was already there, scratch that, her enemy for six years, Draco Malfoy was there.

"Malfoy! What are you doing here?" Hermione asked in tone filled with surprise and anger. But then her eyes moved wide when she saw a shiny badge stuck to his chest and a smirk on his face which she had come to hate for a few years now.

"You gotta be kidding me!" she spat when realization dawned upon her.

This was going to be a long year ahead….

A/N: Hello Everyone, this is my first try writing a HP fanfic. I just want to say a few things: firstly, Ron and Hermione are not a couple in my story. I just can't see them in that light. Secondly, I know that this chap is a bit or maybe a lot messy, but i assure that things will seem more clear later. Lastly, this shall have a happy ending. So ya, please bear my writing and read and review if you like it. :)