Hermione

9:15 p.m.

The Burrow

The squeal coming from upstairs had everyone in the house running to the room Ginny Weasley was sharing with her bestie, Hermione Granger.

"What is it guys?! What's happened?" Ron called as he bound up the stairs two at a time.

His long legs carried him twice as fast as Harry's, who stumbled once or twice in his haste to get to the girls. It was Ginny's face which appeared in the doorway of the room as both Ron and Harry skid to a halt. The rest of the Weasley clan filed in soon after. Ginny's smile was bright and the motion lit up her face as she welcomed the hoard into the tight space.

"You won't believe it everyone! Hermione's done it!" she happily crowed to the room of onlookers.

Harry snatched his glasses off and began to clean them, a sure sign he was feeling nervous and confused. Hermione didn't look happy to him. She didn't even look like she noticed the crowd of ginger Weasley's in the room. Instead, there was a terrible frown on her face, as though whatever was on the parchment she held were some sort of sentencing. The contrast between the happy blotches of red on Ginny's cheeks and the mottled blotches on Hermione's cheeks were also a dead giveaway that something was wrong. For one, Hermione didn't flush. She was always rational, even when it came to things that upset her. In fact, there was only one thing Harry had ever found that could rile her to such a point that her skin would blemish, and that thing was Malfoy. The youngest Malfoy to be exact. The rich blonde prat who'd made it his life's goal to ruin the good fortune of all other's in their school by allowing death eaters into the home and sanctuary of nearly 1000 students, staffers, and house elves.

No, whatever Hermione was so intently looking at on that parchment couldn't be good. Her eyes were screwed up to the point where they were nothing but slits on her face, and her lips were pressed and pursed into an awful scowl. There was a sensation in the air of electrostatic. Harry knew it couldn't just be his imagination because the twins looked around and at each other in complete confusion before grinning and touching each other, sending mini-shocks right through their chests.

"Eer… Gin? What exactly is it that Hermione's done?" Harry hedged, though the grin on Ginny's face didn't falter.

"Head Girl, Harry! She's made Head Girl of course! Isn't it great? We're finally going to have a decent year at school. Hermione will be in charge. No more dark clouds. No more fear. No more Malfo-"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that next one Gin." Hermione harshly interrupted.

The scowl she'd so dutifully fixed on the parchment a moment ago lifted to shoot directly into the eyes of her best friends. They recoiled from the sheer force of it. Ron, going so far as to shudder.

"I can't deal with this right now," Hermione stated before thrusting the parchment at Harry and walking out. Moments later, the shower next door turned on and Hermione's music began to float from the walls. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley turned to each other in silent agreement to let the younger generations take this one as they had an inkling as to what the problem could be, and turned to head back downstairs with a quick, "Give Hermione our congratulations once she's feeling better, won't you dears?"

All remaining eyes turned to Harry for an explanation of the mixed signals they were receiving, Ginny included. He read the missive in silence for a moment, allowing no emotion to show on his face. At least, until he read the last bit, after which, a scowl to rival Hermione's appeared as though the letter were to inform him that The Dark Lord himself had been released from Hell on good behavior.

"What utter shite is this?!" he bellowed as he fisted the letter and shook it.

Ron's face was turning nearly as red as his hair in a show of solidarity to his friends. Whatever was bothering them would be sure to bother him twice as much. He just knew it! The twins, however, were quickly growing bored.

"Out with it then mate! What's got Hermione's knickers in such a twist?"

"Yeah, out with it!"

Harry looked up at the occupants of the room and breathed out slowly, his brow-line nearly covering his eyes. He looked first to Ron, who appeared to be in a fighting stance. Good, they would need that. Then he looked at Ginny. She was worrying her lip and wringing her hands. Probably feeling she'd been the one to upset Hermione for calling everyone up to see this debacle. The twins adopted serious looks for a change, finally beginning to understand that this situation wouldn't call for a show of fireworks. Not unless the sparks and flames were going to abolish whatever insanity had caused the ever-polite Harry Potter to shout and curse in their mother's home. Rather than express to them his extreme distaste for the message clutched in his fist, Harry decided to let the words speak for themselves.

"Dear Ms. Hermione Granger,

I, Professor Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, do hereby applaud you on your exemplary showmanship in the areas of courage, intellect, and compassion these past seven years. It is now my great honor to award you with the title of Head Girl for this coming school year. You will now lead your class and all other years alongside your counterpart and the Hogwarts staff as we attempt to revive our school and our community from this past year's suffering. The task ahead of you will be great Ms. Granger, but I believe in your abilities to unite the school houses for the betterment of all current students and for the future generations of Hogwarts Alumni. Enclosed is a list of duties you should expect to begin performing with your partner as early as August 23rd, on the train ride to school. Please wear your badge, indicating your status as Head, on the outer left pocket of your robe at all times, and do remember that no amount of misbehavior will be tolerated from either Head student whilst in your positions this coming year.

Once you have arrived at school, I will address both Heads at the close of speeches and the feast to pass instruction and the password to the Head Dormitories.

On a personal note, Ms. Granger, I am counting on you to make this arrangement work with your fellow Head. The decision in selecting our Head Boy this year was based on the knowledge that festering wounds will not heal. As such, we have brought back Mr. Draco (fucking) Malfoy under the conditions of good behavior and restitution to the school through service and leadership. I know that you of all people will understand the necessity of an education in its many facets.

You may owl me with questions and concerns regarding your Head Girl status any time before the start of Term on August 25th.

Professor M. McGonagall

Professor M. McGonagall

Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry".

Silence. Utter silence.

After Harry finished reading aloud, he looked around the room at the astonished faces. Ginny had her mouth covered with both hands, eyes wide in a silent scream. Both twins seemed to be thinking hard about something sinister. Likely some way to banish Malfoy without a trace. They could do it, but it probably wouldn't be permanent. Ron seemed to have been stunned. The normally belligerent red head was purple in the face, but his lips were pressed tight and he seemed to be fighting some internal battle.

"Ron? What do you say about this?" Harry asked.

He had expected Ron to blow his top just like he had, but… this was eerie. Ron had begun nodding his head, fists clenched at his sides. All of his colorings had begun to drain from the top of his head.

"That murdering bastard. That pansy-arsed blowhole. I can't believe he's done it again. What's it gonna take Harry? Hmm? What's it gonna take to finally get that ferrety blonde GIT out of our lives for good? And now McGonagall expects Hermione to share a dormitory with him?! He let death eaters into the school! He nearly got Katie Bell killed. He nearly got YOU killed. He nearly got ME killed! He SUCCEEDED in getting Professor Dumbledore killed! He's never given two shits about Hermione or anyone else's well-being! And she wants HIM to lead the school?! What sick twisted game is she playing at? Eh, Harry?!"

Harry shook his head in the negative.

"I don't know Ron. But I'm gonna find out-"

"Don't waste your time Harry."

Hermione stood in the doorway, clad in a fluffy white towel and her bath shoes. Harry, Ron, and the twins stared at her in awe for a moment before catching themselves. It wasn't like Hermione to walk around in anything less than full attire.

She walked into the room with her head held high though, and one hand clutching closed the towel that protected her modesty. Her hair was still soaking wet and little droplets fell from the slightly curled tips onto her shoulders. She did not note how Ron's eyes followed those droplets from the soft curve of her collarbone down toward the tops of her pert breasts. He swallowed hard and averted his eyes, only to find Harry attempting to do the same, but failing miserably. Hermione walked slowly over a plush carpet to the bed Ginny occupied and sat next to her, crossing her legs at the ankle.

Harry had never noticed it before, but his friend had grown a lot these past few years. Her eyebrows were different- maybe she'd plucked them? They reflected her preference of natural beauty. Thick, straight, but not a hair out of place. A tiny pink scar shone just under the left of her beautiful almond shaped eyes. The hazel nut shade of which was most becoming paired with her lightly tanned, vaguely freckled skin. Other than the one blemish, there was not an imperfection to be found on his female counterpart. The straight bridge of her feminine nose led down to a lovely cleft above two of the plumpest pink lips he'd ever appreciated. She didn't have rosy cheeks like he remembered. The baby fat that used to fill out her face had sunken from the stress of months on the run whilst locating horcruxes. At least he'd thought so. It seemed now that maybe she'd just outgrown it while he was too busy to pay attention. There was a bronze sheen to her high cheekbones now. Natural. Sun-kissed. Healthy.

Interesting.

Harry licked his lips before delving into the topic few would ever wish to discuss. Never noticing the strange and panicked looks Ron was shooting him across the way.

"Hermione, what do you mean? It could never be a waste of time to protect-"

"No, Harry. I mean it. I've thought it over and… and I think Professor- Headmistress McGonagall is right." Hermione paused and looked around for understanding. No one moved a muscle.

"Allowing Malfoy back into the school isn't a mistake?" Ginny asked.

She was timid in her approach, as though she thought perhaps Hermione had cracked. Rather than proving Ginny's thoughts wrong, Hermione smiled. A creepy serene smile that brought a dim light into her eyes.

"No… I don't think it is. Think about it. He was acquitted of all charges by the Wizengamot. Sitting on the Board of Representatives were Kingsly Shacklebolt, who is now Minister for Magic. Also, there were representatives for most of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, including your father Ron. Malfoy's age, his father's status as a Death Eater, his mother's deal with Snape, his upbringing, his fear-"

At this, Ron stepped forward.

"Fear?! Hermione, what are you saying? You think Malfoy was scared? The bloody idiot fixed a cabinet that allowed who knows how many Death Eaters into a school for children! Rapists! Murderers! Psychopaths! Dementors! Werewolves, and who knows whatever else!"

"Ronald-"

"No! I won't understand this Hermione. I can't. I just can't. His father nearly killed my baby sister. And he nearly killed me. They're bad eggs Hermione and no Malfoy should ever be allowed to set foot in Hogwarts again. There isn't a punishment great enough for everything he's put us through. Right? Gin, am I right?"

Ron stood in the center of the room now. He made a slow turn as though he didn't recognize his surroundings. Hermione turned slightly to address Harry instead.

"Malfoy was practically King of Slytherin House. Every one of them listened to him. Followed him. As though they could achieve a greatness by following his lead. You've seen it, Harry. If Hogwarts remains segregated, nothing will change. All we have done will have been a moot point. There may even one day be another Lord Voldemort. So think about it, Harry. How do we create an environment where everyone is included? Rest assured they won't listen to me. They might fear your strength, Ron's temper, and my brain, but they will never follow us. They won't understand, those younger years. Draco Malfoy? They know him or know of him. They will be able to learn from his mistakes if he is so willing to teach them."

Harry gave the floor a very hard look as he began nodding. So slow were his movements, Hermione wasn't even sure he was actually doing it.

"Yes Hermione, but what makes you think Malfoy would be willing to teach anyone anything? His entire life is one giant fuckup."

"That's why. How often does someone get a chance to start over? With a promotion to boot? Sending Malfoy to Azkaban will have gotten rid of that problem, but there would be sixty more waiting at Hogwarts. Keeping Malfoy in the dungeons would allow him to blend in, maybe. He could get an education, but at what cost? No one could look after him down there. The rest of the snakes would either eat him alive for being the fuckup that he is, or they would attempt to help him finish what he started like the total fuckups that they are. How do we give a weak boy who made all the wrong decisions in life a chance to redeem himself plus get an education, and allow others to learn from him- and how do we keep him safe whilst doing it? We put a spotlight on him and make him an example. Total reformation."

Ron remained skeptical in his appearance, but the twins thought maybe Hermione was on to something. They tilted their heads in polite contemplation of what she had said before raising their fingers in perfect unison.

"So where to start with the Great White Ferret's reformation, Hermione?" they asked.

Hermione lifted her hand in the direction of Ginny's study desk. Sitting atop it was a copy of the Daily Prophet, and a copy of the Quibbler. Ginny went straight for the Quibbler, preferring truthful accounts of the news to the Prophet's fish-eyed tales. She handed it to Hermione, and Hermione flipped to one of the center pages. There was no flashy photograph or gigantic title for this small article, but the words told big news.

"Sons of Death Granted New Life" it read. A short list of names told readers that there were a chosen few Death Eaters who were going to serve an eight-month probation period, without magic, in scattered muggle neighborhoods across the world. It gave names, dates for beginning sentences, and countries in which these Death Eaters would be housed. No real specifics were given for locations. Probably for fear that someone may attempt to search them out for a bit of retribution.

"There. Draco A. Malfoy. USA. May 25th, 1999. 10 months." Hermione read the last bit with a hitch of surprise in her voice. Malfoy had been dealt extra time. It didn't seem fair, but who was she to complain.

"What do you suppose he's doing there? Probably lying on a beach…" Ron started, but Hermione shook her head.

"No Ronald. While in their foster homes, Death Eaters are meant to learn to live without magic for the purpose of understanding what they couldn't before about muggles. These people are privileged beyond belief and have never had to work for much beyond telling their house elves what to do. For goodness sakes, the elves even punish themselves. Here, they will walk on their own two feet, cook their own meals, work for a living, take transportation the muggle way if necessary. They will learn to operate seemingly inanimate objects and learn about electricity. Perhaps they could even find reasons to help upgrade the magical communities. Think about it Harry, a tele in the dorm rooms! Let's not forget that each of the people on this list is someone influential."

Harry grudgingly began to nod his head again.

"I see where you're going with this Herms, but I just don't know. What if he, Malfoy, can't make this work? What if he hasn't changed his views on anything?"

"That's exactly my point. Malfoy has never had a viewpoint on anything. He has always just done what he was told to do by his father. Professor McGonagall wants to see what his probation time has done for him. She wants to see if we can use him for the betterment of the school. She wants him to see me differently."

Everyone took some time to process the information. It was difficult. Could Malfoy be trusted? No. Could he be brow beaten? Yes. Would he reform? Maybe. Could he be a stand-up citizen? They didn't think so. Did Hermione take a five-minute shower and come to a conclusion about this? Definitely. What to do, what to do… The twins, beyond all odds, were the first to speak.

"Well, I feel sorry for you Herms!"

Hermione lowered her eyebrows and frowned in confusion.

"Sorry for what?"

"Your year with Malfoy is going to be an interesting one."

"And you won't have us there to make it even more interesting!"

"We've been working on a great new recipe called 'Wanker's Delight'!"

"You just slip it into the wanker's pumpkin juice and,"

"Wait for it!"

"WHAMO! They spill all their dirty secrets, their most embarrassing life's moments to whoever is near enough to hear it! They don't stop!"

"We were attempting to brew Veritaserum, but we're nowhere near as gifted as you."

Hermione looked ready to spit acid on the two.

"That's barbaric! And completely unethical! The two of you are going to lose your license to brew if you keep that up! Has it even been sanctioned by the Department for the Regulation and Control of-"

CRACK! CRACK!

Both twins were gone in the blink of an eye, leaving a gaping brunette, a smirking ginger, another smirking ginger, and a smiling raven head behind. Feeling the need to offer some support to his friend, Harry put his hand on Hermione's shoulder, noting her skin was completely dry now, and her hair was beginning to frizz. She looked up at him with a red tipped nose and he smiled down at her.

"Alright, Herms. If you really think you've got it figured out, because Merlin knows I don't, then I'm willing to follow you for a change. It's not likely there's anything we can do about this anyway as we've been able to change McGonagall's mind on just about ohhh… nothing in the past."

Ron shuffled his feet towards the door to the girl's room, hands in his pockets. He appeared to want to argue but really wanted to put forth a new effort this year. No more temper tantrums. He wanted to grow up. Be a man. They were eighteen now after all. Nineteen for Hermione. Adults.

"Alright then. But Merlin help me, Hermione. If he harms one hair on your head, or if he looks at me the wrong way, like if he blinks just one eye! I will hammer him. When that happens, no Auror is going to be able to save him. I mean it."

Hermione smiled at her boys. They really were growing up. She didn't know what this school year would bring, but she knew that she had dreamed of being Head Girl ever since she'd read her first copy of Hogwarts, A History. If she had to share her dream job with the likes of Malfoy, well, she wouldn't let him ruin this for her. She would do what she had to do to steer him in the right direction or avoid him all together.

A soft snoring drew the three friend's attention to Ginny's side of the room. No one had seen her move, but Ginny was tucked underneath the covers, sleeping like a baby. Content to let the three who had saved her countless times take the lead once again and figure this out. Whatever outcome they decided on by morning would be one that most of the school would follow up on. Of this, she was certain.

Hermione smiled as the boys filed out of the room, saying their goodnights. Closing the door, she turned and allowed the soggy towel to drop to the floor. Her twins sprang free and the peachy tips jiggled a bit as she walked in front of the mirror to the wardrobe. She sighed in contemplation as she pulled out a pair of sleep shorts and pulled them on. They were small and ran inside the crack of her ass, but they were still soft and comfy. It was definitely time for a new wardrobe, however. A little Sleak-Easy and her hair was once again frizz-free and petal soft. Forgoing a top altogether, Hermione exhaustedly flopped down onto her borrowed cot. Three days. Just three days and she would be back on the Hogwarts Express.

"I am homeward bound." She whispered to the room, then licked her thumb and forefinger to extinguish the candlelight that kept her from total darkness.