A/N: Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters and such belong to J.K. Rowling.
Okay, so just a quick note (if you hate A/N's then feel free to ignore XD). I used to be entirely against Dramione. Then I was introduced to a few fics that entirely changed my perspective. I grew to enjoy the two of them together (as long as they are well written) and decided that one way to make up my mind was to try my own hand at writing a Dramione multi chap. This takes place after all the events of the seven novels have occurred, when Hermione heads back to school for her Seventh Year. I have not read much Dramione at all (like three stories) so I don't know many of the cliches, but I hope mine will present some original ideas and be enjoyable! I hope to update about once a week, as I also wanted to take a shot at writing longer chapters, and need time for editing. Reviews are always appreciated! :)
Here it goes...
As Hermione pushed her way though the boundary between platforms nine and ten, she was bombarded by all the memories of the last seven years, and everything that they had held. For some reason, as close as these memories were, they also felt extremely far away. As though they had happened a life time ago, rather than simply a few months prior. She guessed it had something to do with her return to Hogwarts after a year away; she had felt as though her life as a student was over indefinitely, and now she was going back.
Coming through on the other side, to where the Hogwarts Express waited, was both pleasant and painful. Pleasant, because it felt like she was coming back home and painful because she knew that her two best friends were not there to share this final year with her. They were here to say goodbye of course. But that just wasn't the same.
She had been at The Burrow when all three of them had received their letters. Well, technically all four of them, as Ginny was of course coming back. It had been a shock to Hermione, and to Ron and Harry as well. All three of them had felt like their school years were part of a distant past, one that was no longer a part of their present lives, so receiving the letters as per usual had been extremely strange. Hermione had been the only one to take the news well; Ron and Harry had plans to start Auror training with Kingsley, who was also the new Minister for Magic, in the fall. Having both taken part and been key components to winning the Second Wizarding War, their lack of having taken the NEWTs was seen as inconsequential.
"Oi! Hermione!" Ron's voice cut into her thoughts, and she turned quickly to see that the others had all joined her on Platform 9¾. For the last time, "You don't even have a book, and you're still not paying attention!"
Rolling her eyes, Hermione punched Ron in the shoulder. "You're lucky I don't have a book, because that would have been a lot more painful with one," she muttered.
Wincing, Ron rubbed his shoulder and grimaced: "It was painful enough as it was."
Instantly, Hermione's eyes flashed with a slight amount of worry, and she reached out to touch Ron's shoulder, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't actually –"
"I'm teasing!" Ron cut her off, laughing at the aggravated look on her face: "I've been through the Second Wizarding War, do you really think a little punch is going to bother me?"
"Git," Hermione stated, trying to hold back her own laughter. It only worked for about three seconds, before she started laughing along with him.
"What are you two giggling about?" Harry questioned, wandering over to stand beside them, hands in his pockets. His eyes betrayed his discomfort, and both his friends stopped laughing to study him. Harry averted his eyes momentarily. This place reminded him of all the people he'd lost. Sirius in animagus form, saying goodbye in his fifth year. Fred and George teasing each other and joking about what prank they would pull next. Then, of course, with these thoughts would come rushing in everybody else, even those whom he did not closely associate with this place. Dumbledore. Snape. Lupin and Tonks. His parents.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione's voice broke through his mental list, and he slowly shook his head yes.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine, mate," Ron responded.
Harry sighed. He didn't want to burden his friends with his thoughts, especially when Hermione and Ginny were leaving for the year. That was hard enough to handle. Of course, he was sure that the professors wouldn't mind the occasional visit, but still…even a month without Ginny seemed impossible. And he was so used to Hermione always being there that he hated the idea of her being so far away.
"I'm just – thinking – about how much I'm going to miss you two. You and Ginny," Harry stated, going with a half-truth and gesturing at Hermione, "We've been so close for the last seven years, it just seems impossible that we're all going our separate ways."
"Bloody hell, mate," Ron responded quickly, "Isn't that getting a little overdramatic? I mean, you and I are both training to be Aurors, and Hermione and Ginny are just finishing up their last year. It's not like we're going to be across the world from each other."
Harry nodded absentmindedly, "I suppose you're right. It's just strange, that's all."
The other two nodded, and an uncomfortable silence settled between them all for a moment. Finally Ron broke it:
"Do you want me to help you bring your bags onto the train?" he questioned.
"You know, I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself. I had to do it alone for the first six years," Hermione teased, trying to break the tension.
Ron laughed, "I know, but I'm trying to be a gentleman. Now that we're together, I thought I should probably pay a little more attention to you."
Rolling her eyes in mock exasperation, Hermione sighed: "Well, if you insist."
"I do," Ron responded, giving her a mock bow.
Harry chuckled at the two of them. Apparently Hermione's attempt to make him feel better had actually worked: "Well, if you two have got this sorted out, I'm going to go and help Ginny," he said.
Pretending to straighten a non-existent tie, Ron sniffed dramatically: "I was wondering when you would figure out that you should probably pay some attention to her. And I always thought that you were the gentlemanly one."
Hermione groaned at Ron's antics, but it was Harry who responded: "I am the gentlemanly one. Everything you know you learned from me. I'm the one who told you that you should offer to take Hermione's bags in the first place."
Ron turned a light shade of red, and whispered, "He's lieing," to Hermione as Harry walked away.
"I'm sure, Ronald," Hermione responded, with a small sigh. She wasn't sure at all. In fact, she was quite certain that Harry was telling the truth. Ron had always been a little – okay, a lot – awkward when it came to so-called gentlemanly things. At first she had found it annoying, then cute, and now she had just accepted it as one of his many quirks. Oh well, she sighed, it could be far worse.
Picking up her bags, Ron guided the two of them towards the train, and then up the steps: "Where are you wanting to sit?" he questioned. Hermione considered this, having not thought about it before.
"I suppose wherever Ginny is sitting," she responded, once again feeling the pang that it would not be with Ron and Harry like it once was.
"Ginny's Head Girl, remember?" Ron reminded her, "She has to sit with the prefects, and then patrol the corridors and make sure everyone's doing their duties."
Again, that pang. Hermione had desperately wanted to be Head Girl in her seventh year, though the prospect had seemed entirely unimportant during the war. When she received her letter, the hope had been reignited, only to be smothered again. McGonagall, who was now the Headmistress of Hogwarts, had written her a personal note, which was nice. It didn't change Hermione's feelings, but it was kind of her anyway. It had simply explained that because Hermione was rejoining a new class, the professors did not think it best to burden her with the duties of Head Girl, nor did they think it fair to the majority of the other seventh year students. Ginny was, of course, the obvious choice after Hermione. She had followed in Bill, Charlie, and Percy's footsteps, getting some of the highest marks in her year and being an all around good student.
Ron's voice cut through her thoughts: "What in the bloody hell is he doing here?" He stated angrily. Hermione raised her head instantaneously, searching for the person who had gotten Ron so worked up. When she saw him, she groaned inwardly. Draco Malfoy? He stood a ways down the corridor, talking with Daphne Greengrass and Theodor Nott, two other Slytherins. McGonagall had also mentioned that she wasn't the only one in her in her year returning, but in none of her wildest dreams had Hermione thought that Draco Malfoy, of all people, would be one of them.
"I don't know, Ronald," she responded coolly, doing her best to remain calm. The idea of having to deal with Malfoy for a year, without Ron and Harry, simply sent another pang through her. Loathsome cockroach.
"Having second thoughts, Hermione?" Ron questioned, tone a mixture of jest and seriousness.
"Of course not, Ronald. Though I bloody well wish he weren't here," she seethed.
Ron's eyebrows raised automatically: "Language, Hermione," he said.
"Hypocrite," she responded, though inwardly she felt weird for allowing the word to pass through her lips. Not that it was technically that bad – for the average person – but Hermione Granger was not nearly the average person, and for some reason it made her feel dirty, "Sorry," she muttered.
Laughing, Ron rolled his eyes – a habit that he had picked up from Hermione, though he didn't do it nearly as often as she did – "Bloody Hell, Hermione, I was joking," he said with a wink, and she knew that he'd used his famous phrase on purpose just to get to her. She simply shook her head slightly, and looked back in the direction of Draco and his cronies. They'd disappeared, probably into one of the compartments. At least Pansy wasn't with them. Though, of course, it could simply have been that Hermione hadn't seen her. It seemed unlikely that Pansy would pass up on any opportunity to be near Draco.
"Come on, let's find a compartment," Hermione finally mumbled, not wanting to continue on that train of thought. She decided she would just expect all of the Slytherins to be there, rather than expect fewer of them, and deal with the truth later on.
"Why don't we find Luna and Neville?" Ron questioned, and Hermione's spirits instantly lifted.
"Neville's coming back?" She asked happily, and Ron nodded, "That sounds like a good idea then." It seemed strange that Neville being there could lift her spirits that much, but he was as close to a friend as anyone else Hermione knew on that train. Except perhaps Ginny, whom Hermione had known since second year.
Ron gave Hermione a slightly questioning look as they began to search the compartments for the pair, who would certainly be together. Hermione ignored him, not wanting to figure out what his look might mean. They walked about half the train – passing the Slytherin compartment, where to Hermione's encouragement Pansy was not seated – before finally finding the pair. They entered the compartment, and were greeted by smiles and hugs from both:
"I didn't know you were coming back!" Neville said to Ron enthusiastically, "I thought you'd decided to train as an Auror."
Ron's cheeks turned red again, and he shook his head: "I'm not coming back, I'm just bringing Hermione's things in for her." He held up the bags in his hands, and piled them in the overhead compartment as he said this. Neville's face instantly drooped, but he brought himself together again when Harry and Ginny appeared in the doorway.
"Can we fit this stuff in here?" Harry questioned, holding up Ginny's bags. Their trunks, of course, were already loaded underneath the train.
Both Neville and Luna nodded enthusiastically, and another round of embraces began.
"It is really too bad that you aren't coming back this year," Luna breathed, gesturing to Ron and Harry, "We really will all miss you."
Harry and Ron nodded, but before they could respond a whistle sounded, signaling that the train was ready to leave and would be departing soon. Again, Hermione felt the familiar pang, and the knot in her stomach tightened. She wished she could just hold onto Ron and Harry, and keep them on the train with her. She felt her eyes become teary, and turned and buried her face in Harry's chest before anyone could see.
"I'll miss you," she whispered, breaking off the hug a moment later and turning to Ron, who had been similarly embracing his sister. Ginny turned to Harry as Hermione turned to Ron.
"You'll write?" Hermione questioned, which seemed stupid and cliché, but was the only thing that she could think of at the moment.
Ron simply nodded, and Hermione fell into his arms, hugging him tightly. He embraced her, and then the two broke apart. Ron touched Hermione's cheek gently, and she felt a tingle go through her at his touch. Then he leaned in and kissed her, pressing his lips against hers as though he never wanted to let her go. And Hermione wished he didn't have to. She kissed him back, feeling warmth run through her whole body, and when they broke away she felt cold where he was no longer there.
"Don't go," she whispered, winning the prize for the two most cliché statements that she could possibly have made, but she honestly didn't care.
"Hermione, you know I have to," Ron said, "Hogwarts just isn't for me anymore."
Nodding, Hermione gave him a second hug, and then watched as he turned and followed Harry out of the compartment. She felt tears welling up in her eyes for the second time that day. Looking over at Ginny, it seemed that her friend felt exactly the same way. Hermione reached over and put her arm around Ginny's shoulders, giving away comfort that she herself desperately needed. And, she realized, hated that she needed.
"Hey, at least we have each other," Hermione stated, though the words felt somehow empty. Ginny nodded, and gave Hermione a quick hug.
"I have to go to the Prefect's cabin – you know – sorry." Then she turned and walked out of the compartment as well, and Hermione felt entirely alone. Which was a feeling that she absolutely hated.
Hermione curled up in a seat by the window, and waved half-heartedly to Ron as the train pulled out of the station. She didn't know what it was, the feeling that had hit her just now, but she didn't like it. It scared her. She knew that being entirely dependent on anyone was something that she had always loathed, but she had never realized that this had started to be how it was with Ron. She loved Ron, never wanted to be with anyone else. He was her best friend besides Harry, but that was different of course. Harry was like her brother.
Sighing, Hermione pushed these strange thoughts to the back of her head, and turned to face Neville and Luna, who were both staring at her compassionately, as though they knew what was going on inside her head.
"So – how was your summer?" she questioned, though at the moment she could not care less about their answers. Luna tilted her head slightly, and gave Hermione her typical smile. Then, setting down her upside down Quibbler, she reached out and gently gripped Hermione's hand:
"It's alright, you know. To not talk if you don't want to," she stated softly, "I can tell you don't really care about our summers."
Luna's bluntness was, unexpectedly, the exact thing Hermione needed to cheer her up. She felt a bubble of laughter rise inside her, and then simply gave in and burst out laughing. Neville and Luna smiled, and gave each other knowing looks. The two had developed quite a deep friendship since the war, and had grown to know each other quite well. As well as Luna could be known, that is.
"I'm just – well – upset about Harry and Ron not coming back," Hermione finally sighed, "and…" she broke off, not sure how much she should tell them. It wasn't like her strange feeling really mattered, and she hadn't even figured it out herself. Most likely it was simply her mind being overdramatic about the situation. She couldn't deny that she'd felt – well – slightly betrayed by Ron ever since he'd decided not to come back, but she knew it wasn't his fault. She just needed to get over it.
Neither Neville nor Luna pressed her for more information; instead, both nodded sympathetically.
"It will be strange," Neville agreed, "Though, maybe we will have a quieter year without them." He winked at Hermione, and she laughed softly, though it hadn't really helped. As much as a quiet year sounded good, she would far rather have a repeat of the many non-quiet years if it meant having Harry and Ron back with her.
"So, why are you coming back?" she asked Neville, "After your incredible display with the snake last year, I'd be surprised if they didn't accept you into Auror training. And didn't you finish seventh year anyways? I mean, you were back last year when the three of us – Harry, Ron, and I - weren't."
Neville blushed slightly, and tilted his head: "That really wasn't anything. I mean, anyone would have done it."
"No, they – "
"Besides!" Neville cut her off, "I don't want to be an Auror. I was thinking I'd like to be a teacher, maybe Herbology when Professor Sprout retires. Last year, with the DA and the Carrows, well it wasn't much of a year for learning, and nobody wrote their NEWTS anyways. I'll need those if I want to teach."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at this, thinking that she definitely should have guessed. As much as Neville had improved over the last few years, he wasn't the type to desire to be an Auror.
"Do you know who else is coming back?" Hermione questioned, suddenly realizing why Pansy wasn't on the train. She had technically been there last year as well, and it was unlikely that with a brain like hers she was planning on doing anything that would require NEWTs.
Neville considered this for a moment, "Well, I think Seamus's mother wanted him to come back, get his NEWTs properly and all. I don't know what he decided. I don't think Dean had plans to return. Parvati was going to come back, so I suppose her sister – "
"Padma," Luna injected.
"Padma," Neville continued, "would be coming back as well. That's about all I know. I don't know many outside of Gryffindor. Oh- " Neville's face brightened again, "Actually, I heard that Ernie and Susan were coming back too. We aren't going to be the only ones, Hermione."
Hermione rolled her eyes: "You know, that's what I'm worried about. I saw Malfoy on the train earlier. Draco Malfoy," she repeated, as though clarification was necessary.
Neville's face immediately fell, so quickly that if they hadn't been discussing Malfoy it would have been comic, "Why in – why would he come back? Doesn't his family have money stored away that would last them for years? Are you sure you saw him? And he didn't get off?" As much as she agreed with Neville, Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at his panic. He immediately turned to Luna for some kind of support, as though Hermione's laughter meant that she was no longer on his side. Unfortunately for him, Luna had gone back to her upside down Quibbler and was no longer paying attention to either of them.
"Go check if you want," Hermione responded, "He's only a few compartments down from us; him, Theodor, and Daphne."
"Yeah, and get my face hexed off? No thanks," Neville huffed.
Hermione sighed: "You stood up to Lord Voldemort last year. Don't you think you can stand up to a few Slytherins?" she questioned.
Neville considered this, biting the inside of his cheek, a habit much like Hermione's eye rolling. "You know what, you're right," he finally stated, "I'm not going to let them push me around anymore – "
Right on cue, their compartment door swung open. Hermione turned, expecting to see Malfoy along with Crabbe and Goyle, ready to taunt Harry as per usual. Then she remembered that Harry was no longer here, and neither were Malfoy's two cronies. Instead, it was Ernie:
"It's so good to see you guys! I thought it was going to be Susan and me alone with the Slytherins. Have you guys seen? Malfoy is coming back."
"You're a little late to the: what is Malfoy doing here party," Hermione responded sarcastically, though she also started laughing. Ernie shot her a confused look, and she expounded: "We were just discussing that."
"Oh," he stated, stepping into the compartment, followed by Susan, "Any conclusions?" he questioned as the two sat down.
"None," Neville jumped in, "Except that he's such a git he plans to come back just to make more people's lives miserable." Ernie and Susan laughed, then turned to Hermione:
"Harry and Ron not here?" Susan questioned, her voice it's normal chirpy and happy tone, which bothered Hermione for some reason.
"No, they're training to be Aurors," Neville responded, noticing the annoyance that had passed through Hermione's eyes. What's up with her? He wondered, and then put it down to her still getting over missing her friends.
Hermione felt her eyes mist up again, and once more her stomach began to knot itself tightly. She turned quickly and looked out the window, drowning out the conversation. She wished she had kept a book with her, but they were all in her bags, which she would have to stand up and grab at in order to retrieve. What's going on with me? She wondered, I thought I was used to the idea of being at Hogwarts without them. Or at least as used to it as I'll ever be. But she had obviously been wrong. Only now, she didn't only feel upset about being left alone, and aggravated at feeling dependent on someone else, but also angry. Angry that they couldn't just take one more year out of their Auror training to finish off their schooling. It wasn't like it was going to hurt them anyways. She rested her head against the window, and entirely unexpectedly, with the train bumping along the tracks, and her mind still racing, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Draco! What's up with you today? Get your head out of the clouds!" Daphne stated, poking Draco in the shoulder. He glared at her, shoving her hand away, but turned from the window nonetheless. Daphne sat across from, pushing her dirty blonde hair out of her eyes and glaring back at him.
"You alright?" Theo questioned, studying Draco from his seat near the compartment door. He already knew the answer, both the correct one and the one Draco would actually respond with, but he asked the question anyway.
"I'm fine," Draco stated coolly, feeling a small tinge of guilt for lieing to his friends, but quickly pushing it aside. He didn't want to burden them with his problems, or at least, that is what he told himself. In reality, he was still holding on to the small strand of dignity he thought he had left, and had decided that keeping up appearances was the best way not to lose this.
Astoria, Daphne's younger sister, groaned from beside him: "We all know you're lieing, Malfoy." He shuddered slightly at the use of his last name, wondering when this had started to bother him. At one point, he had forced everyone to call him that. It's because of the stupid war, he told himself, the Malfoy name doesn't command the same respect it used to.
It took him a moment to realize that he hadn't answered her question. Not that she had technically asked a question, but it was certainly implied in her words. Or at least Draco assumed it was, though he could simply be overanalyzing the situation. He shook his head slightly to clear it, reminded himself that these were his friends, and he didn't have to analyze everything when he was with them. But don't you? Don't you always have to analyze everything? He shook away this voice, too.
"Look, I'm fine," Draco finally responded, though the cold tinge was no longer present in his voice, "Alright?"
His three friends nodded, though none of them looked convinced in the slightest. Draco turned away from them, aggravated, "Where's Blaise?" he questioned, after a moment.
"Probably with some girl, like usual," Theo joked, "That's the only reason he came back, and we all know it."
Daphne gave Theo a disgusted look, shoving him into the door. Draco grinned at her coyly, earning him another hard poke in the shoulder. He'd known for the last what – two years? – that Daphne had a thing for Zabini, but the kid was entirely blind to it. Which was absolutely hilarious at times.
The compartment went silent for a moment, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Then Astoria leaned over on Draco's shoulder, putting her arm around him and closing her eyes. Over her head, Draco saw Theo's eyes narrow, and groaned inwardly. Draco and Astoria weren't officially a couple – which was only due to his continually putting it off, knowing Theo's feelings – but it bothered Draco to no end that Theo wouldn't just say something to her. Theo was no Zabini when it came to girls, of course, but he couldn't expect Draco to hold off Astoria forever. He sighed, audibly this time. One of the things he hated most was relationship drama when his friends were involved. After all, if there was one thing Slytherins cared about most, it was their friends.
Draco was in luck this time, however. The lunch-trolley witch came knocking on their compartment door at just that moment, giving Draco an excuse to move away from Astoria in order to grab his money. He handed the witch a galleon and she gave him a random assortment of treats from the trolley. Feeling like he was once again in first year, he snatched a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from the pile and gestured to his friends to help themselves. If there was one thing that the Malfoy's hadn't suffered after the war, it was loss of money.
"Here, Theo," Draco stated, tossing his friend a random bean. Theo grinned and popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly. Then his face wrinkled in disgust and he swallowed quickly:
"Dirty socks," he choked out. Everyone laughed, and Draco felt instantly better. Maybe this year wouldn't be so bad after all. He plucked out another bean and handed it to Astoria, who looked wary, but put it in her mouth reluctantly. Then she grinned:
"Grape," she stated, sucking slowly on the bean. Daphne groaned loudly:
"You probably gave that to her on purpose!" she accused him.
Draco held up his hands in self-defense: "I did not!" Daphne simply glared at him, though there was no malice in her eyes. Finally she broke the silence:
"Alright, give me one." Draco grinned at her, and made a show of closing his eyes and randomly choosing another bean, which he tossed to her. She popped it in her mouth, and immediately spit it back out.
"Banana! I hate banana!" She spewed, narrowing her eyes as her three friends laughed at her. She knew what they were thinking: Banana? Really? But she'd had a bad experience with a banana when she was young, and hadn't been able to swallow one since.
"Your turn, Draco," Theo stated, gesturing for Draco to give him the box. Reluctantly, Draco handed it over, and Theo haphazardly shuffled through them, before pulling out a rather strange looking multicolored one: "Here," he said, handing it over.
"Unfair!" Draco argued, "You don't get to pick! I just chose randomly." Either way, he took the bean from Theo, and looked it over before sticking it in his mouth. A mixture of terrible tastes invaded Draco's taste buds, and he felt like he was going to be sick. Putting his hand to his mouth, he coughed, spitting out the bean without being noticed: "I have no idea what that one was! It tasted awful," he stated, pretending to swallow.
Theo pulled out the key card and looked over the list of all the beans in Draco's package: "Oh! It's a rare one. A mixture of all your least favorite tastes. How'd you even finish it?" He glanced at Draco with respect, before noticing the sheepish look that had made its home on Draco's face: "Oh."
Draco held out the half eaten bean, and quickly stuck it in the empty chocolate frog box that Daphne had been holding. She was studying the card intently, and after a moment handed it to Draco, "Look at this," she said, face and voice blank.
Taking the card from her hand, Draco needed only to glance at it to see what had his friend so stricken. Potter's face looked out at them, just as annoyingly as ever. The explanation under the card was so long, and in such tiny font, that Draco could barely read it.
"The first and only known wizard to survive the Killing Curse, earning the title "The Boy Who Lived." Youngest Quidditch player in the last century after gaining the spot of Seeker in the Gryffindor Quidditch Team in his first year at Hogwarts in 1991. Also known for having found Salazar Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets and defeating the monster within, which was a basilisk, in his second year at Hogwarts. Only known Gryffindor student able to speak Parseltongue. Youngest competitor of the Triwizard Tournament and winner of said Tournament at the age of 14 in 1995. The last master of death for having gained true possession of all three Deathly Hallows. Most famous for the defeat of the most dangerous dark wizard of all time, Lord Voldemort, in 1998."
Draco scowled, and crumpled up the card in his hand, gaining him yet another hard poke to the shoulder:
"Hey! Maybe I wanted that," Daphne stated, frowning at him, "I don't have that one yet, obviously."
"And you don't need it," Draco responded coldly, feeling jealously well up in him again, as well as annoyance. He'd had extremely mixed feelings regarding Potter, ever since the war. Potter and Weasley had saved his life, twice. And Potter had returned his wand once The Battle of Hogwarts had ended. Draco had tried to tell himself that he had technically saved Potter's life first, that night in Malfoy Manor, but he knew that was somehow different. He hadn't even fully figured out his own reasoning for doing it, after all. All he knew was that if he had identified Potter, knowing full well that it was him, Voldemort would have shown up and the whole war could have ended quite differently. Draco shuddered at the thought. Either way, he was used to disliking Potter, so he tried to keep it that way.
"I've got Newt Scamander," Astoria stated, sighing, "I already have like six of him."
Theo laughed: "What are we, first years? We've been through the Second Wizarding War and we're still collecting chocolate frog cards?"
This out loud mention of the Second Wizarding War brought silence into the compartment again, as all four of them found themselves pummeled with memories and regrets. Though they all came from slightly different backgrounds, and had different experiences with the war, they had come out generally the same. More-or-less thankful for Voldemort's demise.
"Here, pass me a frog," Theo cut in quickly, trying to bring back the lighthearted mood that had broken through their gloom for once, "I need to get me one of those Potter ones," he said with a wink. Astoria and Daphne laughed half-heartedly.
Draco glared at him. "Not funny, Theo," he stated simply.
Pulling out his card, Theo's eyes widened. "Not funny is right." Draco immediately made to snatch the card from his friends hand, but Theo pulled it away, "I mean it," he stated, "You don't want to see this one." Draco sighed dramatically and made to take his hand away, and then pounced over quickly, grabbing the card from Theo's hand. Theo simply shrugged: "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"It can't be that –" Draco began, and cut off as he caught the name on the card: Hermione Granger. He immediately went silent, causing Theo to laugh. Daphne attempted to retrieve the card from him, but he now pulled it away.
"It's the bloody mudblood – Granger," Draco spit out, causing the other three to go silent for a moment.
"Woah, Draco, let's not get carried away," Theo stated, "That's hardly proper language anymore."
Theo's rebuke hit Draco hard, especially because he hadn't actually meant it. The word just came out, which made him feel sick. It's because that's who you are, the little voice in the back of his head told him, that's who you will always be. Draco pushed the voice aside, not bothering to combat himself when he knew he would probably lose.
"Sorry," he muttered, still finding it difficult to let those words pass through his lips, even with his friends. He knew that he'd changed during and since the war, but it was extremely difficult to put aside everything that he'd ever been taught and forced to believe in. Especially when he was reminded of everything he'd done every time he looked at the – mark – on his arm. It had faded, but it was still easily visible. He wished he could make it disappear. Having a death eater father who still spouted off about Voldemort's defeat, and blamed his son in many ways, didn't help things. Draco sighed, wondering how he could have forgotten about all this for even a few moments. He knew this was why he needed his friends – if he was stuck by himself he would probably lose his sanity. That was one of the major reasons he had decided to come back this year. He couldn't have stood having to deal with his home life, and the regrets it caused, any longer.
Honestly, that was one of the reasons all of them had decided to come back.
Hermione was jolted awake, what seemed like only moments later, by the train pulling into the Hogsmeade station. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up from the window and surveyed the compartment. Luna was dozing, with her head on Neville's shoulder, who was flipping through her edition of the Quibbler. Ernie and Susan were whispering to her right, something about getting off the train before the "death eaters" got to them. She assumed they meant the Slytherins, only one of whom was actually a death eater, to Hermione's knowledge. She yawned slightly and then started as she realized that Ginny was now sitting across from her. How she had not noticed her in her search of the compartment she didn't know – perhaps she just had not been expecting to see her.
"What are you doing here?" She questioned, causing Ginny, who had been looking out the window, to jump slightly.
"I'm sorry," she stated, "I didn't realize you were awake. And I just got here like two minutes ago; I came when I realized the train was slowing down." Ginny yawned, and stretched out her arms, "Being Head Girl is hard work."
Hermione had a sudden urge to tell her not to complain; at least she got to be head girl. Though she didn't actually say anything, Ginny's face gave away that she had practically read Hermione's thoughts.
"I'm sorry Hermione. That was thoughtless of me," Ginny stated, turning slightly red, reminding Hermione of Ron only hours earlier.
"Don't worry about it," Hermione responded, knowing that Ginny certainly hadn't meant anything by her comment. Besides, Hermione couldn't bear to have any kind of a fight with Ginny, who was her best friend here. The two sat in silence for a moment before Ginny finally broke it, speaking to everyone:
"We should probably get our stuff and get off the train. There's a special announcement that's going to be made before we can get going to Hogwarts, and McGonagall wanted me to hurry everyone up," Ginny said. Hermione looked at her quizzically:
"McGonagall's here at the station?" she questioned, confused. Hagrid was the only Professor to have ever shown up at the station before, as far as Hermione knew, "What's this announcement?"
Ginny turned slightly red once again: "I'm sorry – I'm not allowed to say," she responded apologetically, before grabbing her stuff and hurrying out of their compartment. Hermione sighed, trying not to have hard feeling towards Ginny, knowing that she would have been the same way had she been made Head Girl.
"We really should go, then," Luna said in her regular slow and gentle tone, having woken up only moments before, "We wouldn't want to be late." The others nodded and began grabbing their bags and heading out of the compartment, and off of the train.
McGonagall stood surveying the students as they exited the train in droves. Ginny Weasley and Midas Banks, the Head Boy and Girl, stood next to her; they were the only two aware of the new – rules – that she was planning on putting into place this year. God only knew how much Hogwarts needed a change after everything that had happened, and the prejudices that had developed during and after the war. McGonagall knew that, as difficult as last year had been, this year would likely be worse. Or at least more important. After all, what happened this year would likely shape Hogwarts forever. She had one chance to change these newly forming prejudices, and perhaps even to break down old ones. It was a challenge, but Kingsley Shacklebolt, their new Minister for Magic, had assured her that there was no one more suited to the job. Taking a step forward, McGonagall clapped her hands twice and whispered: "Sonorus," holding her wand up near her mouth.
"Attention students!" she called, her voice thundering on the small train platform. Silence descended almost immediately; those who had been to Hogwarts previously knew not to mess with McGonagall, and the first years were still in that "obey everything" phase. "I have a few short announcements before we head for Hogwarts. First, I want to welcome everyone back after all that – occurred – last year. I know that times have been difficult lately, and I hope we will be able to comfort one another and rely on each other if difficulties arise. However, due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the return and defeat of Lord Voldemort – " a hush ran through the body of students, many of whom were still not used to hearing anything other than He Who Shall Not Be Named, " – Myself and the other Professors have decided that changes are necessary. While more will be explained later, these changes begin tonight. Those travelling back to Hogwarts should know that the carriages have been bewitched with a spell so that they will only move when occupied by one student, and one student only, from each house. On entering the castle, each person will be required to give one fact about the three others in their carriage. Anyone who chooses not to comply with this – shall we say, test – will be appropriately dealt with. That is all, you may go." McGonagall clapped her hands, and the students began to move frantically about, grabbing their friends from different houses, and rushing for the carriages. She smiled knowingly and, turning on her heel, apparated back to the castle. Being Hogwarts Headmistress had its advantages.
Hermione managed to get a hold on Ernie and Luna, though she wasn't certain how Neville hadn't gotten to Luna first. The three were some of the first to make it to a carriage, and all breathed a sigh of relief. Ernie, being the gentleman he was, helped Luna and Hermione inside, before taking the seat across from the two of them.
"Guess I'm stuck with the Slytherin," Ernie joked, and Hermione smiled. Luna stared at the two of them for a moment, as though looking through them, and then turned around to stroke one of the Thestrals. Hermione turned to watch for a moment, before remembering that she could now see them as well. Closing her eyes, she turned back around. Memories pummeled her brain, making her feel sick.
"I can see them too, now," Ernie offered softly, "It's strange, knowing that they were here all along. They haven't changed at all, but we've changed immeasurably."
"Immeasurably is a funny way to say it," said Luna, turning back around and tilting her head. She didn't feel that she had changed immeasurably, though perhaps this was because she had always been able to see the Thestrals. She smiled gently at Ernie, and then pulled out her Quibbler, turning back to the page on the Crumple Horned Snorkack. Hermione, beside her, opened her eyes and turned to read over Luna's shoulder. While she didn't believe in much that the Quibbler had to say, it was a distraction from her thoughts.
"Oh, I've got the perfect carriage for you, Malfoy," Hermione heard after a moment, and immediately her head shot up, "Close your eyes," the same voice teased. Astoria, Malfoy, and Zabini were walking towards them, though only Astoria was looking her way. Hermione had only spoken to Astoria on one other occasion, but knew that it had been her voice. Malfoy made to look up, but Astoria shoved him playfully, "Trust me."
Glaring sideways at her, Draco sighed, "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter anyways. Unless we want to walk to Hogwarts and face whatever consequences McGonagall has in store we're going to need to choose a carriage," he grumbled, "So fine, pick one for me." He made a dramatic show of closing his eyes. Draco had no desire to play games at the moment, but he was hoping that his cooperation would keep his friends from a continual questioning of his mental state. Anything was better than that.
Watching this from her perch in the carriage, Hermione's hands balled into fists. She knew how this was going to end. Please, not Malfoy. Please, anyone but Malfoy. Anyone, anyone, anyone, she repeated over and over in her mind.
Astoria turned and met Hermione's eyes, smiling playfully. During that short conversation Hermione had once had with her, Hermione had finally decided that perhaps not all Slytherins were terrible. So much for that, Hermione thought, wishing she could just leave, but having far too much pride for such a thing. Once again, she found herself thinking about Ron and Harry, and desperately wishing they were there with her. And again, that new feeling of annoyance and even anger invaded her mind and she shut down her thoughts.
Holding Draco's arm, Astoria led him to the door of their carriage. He walked in and she led him as to where to sit down. Then she let go of his arm, and both herself and Zabini burst out laughing.
Immediately, Draco knew something was wrong. His eyes shot open, and he saw that he was sitting across from none other than Granger. What an idiot, he mentally berated himself, you think you can trust your friends for just one second. He considered getting out, but had far too much pride for such a thing. Plus, there was the fact that an invisible boundary had been put in place the moment he had entered, so that wasn't even an option. Idiot! He mentally reminded himself. Granger was glaring at him, and he returned the look, before doing a quick scan of the other members of his carriage. Some Hufflepuff whose name he couldn't quite remember, and Loony Lovegood. Great, he thought with an inward sigh. This is going to be a long ride back to Hogwarts.
To be continued...
A/N: So, this was a long chapter, but I wanted to bring Draco and Hermione together in some form before finishing. Let me know what you thought and thanks for reading! :)