Back in Time
I do not own any parts of Harry Potter, characters, places or events. This privilege entirely belongs to J.K Rowling, as she owns EVERYTHING! But, I hope you like this fan made story anyway!
This FanFiction is set after the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione Granger went back to complete her 7th year at Hogwarts, as did Draco Malfoy. In this, he had mostly been forgiven for his actions in cooperating with the Death Eaters, and was allowed to return to Hogwarts to continue his education. Many realised that he didn't have a choice behind his actions, and eventually came to accept him. Harry and Ron did continue to study there, as Hermione convinced them that they needed to pass their N.E.W.T.S. Everything was back to normal - well, almost anyway.
Chapter 1: Back to Hogwarts
Hermione stepped onto the familiar Hogwarts arrival platform and surveyed the surrounding area. She smiled inwardly, as her eyes scanned past the first years, all nestled together, with mixes of fear and bewilderment sweeping over their faces at once. I remember being just like them, she thought, relishing the distant memory, full of hope and potential. Dreams no more than an arms length away. She sighed as she became more consciously aware of her surrounding again. It was Harry and Ron who had pulled her out of the dream-like memory she was indulging in.
"Hey Mione! I'm so gad to see you again." Smiled the black haired boy, pulling her close for a hug.
"And you, Harry. I feel like I haven't seen you in such a long time!" Replied Hermione, embracing Harry warmly.
The hug lasted for a few seconds longer, and then they released each other and stepped back slightly. Again, Hermione embraced another figure; Ron this time. After a few more seconds, they each stepped back and grinned at one another. They were finally back to the place where it all began. For a few moments, they all took in the memories and the significance of where they were.
Hermione finally broke the silence by addressing Harry and Ron.
"So, what have you two been up to lately. I heard you went to stay with Ron, Harry? What did you get up to?"
"Well, I did. About half way through the summer, I went to Ron's house" Harry agreed, continuing his plights of the summer, " I was getting bored at the Leaky Cauldron. I mean it was better than the Dursely's, but..." His voice began to trail off.
Ever since Harry could remember, the Dursley's had treated Harry very badly. He had been starved, humiliated and locked in a cupboard for the majority of his childhood, which still to the present day bought back some horrific memories for him.
"I see", Hermione nodded, bringing Harry's attention back to their current conversation.
Harry smiled back at her, as Ron piped up.
"Shouldn't we be getting to the great hall about now? The sorting ceremony is going to start soon - and I want to see the newest Gryffindor's" he reminded them, causing Harry and Hermione to grin simultaneously.
"What are we waiting here for." Laughed Hermione brightly, "Let's go!"
Hermione, Ron and Harry all arrived in the Great Hall 10 minutes later, just in time to watch the opening ceremony. They took their seats with the rest of the Gryffindor's as Professor McGonagall took to the podium to give her yearly speech.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts," she began, her comforting voice stretching across to the four corners of the room, "I trust that you have had an excellent summer break. Now, to our new students, we welcome you to Hogwarts, and to our older students, we welcome you back."
"Now, I must remind you that that Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Another notice that I have been asked to tell you is from Mr Filch. His message is to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death."
Professor McGonagall's eyes twinkled as she relayed the last message to the students; the older students all grinning as they were reminded once more of the danger.
Once she had spoken, the sorting ceremony could officially begin. She stepped away from the podium, and into the centre of the stage. The first year students watched in awe as she flicked her wrist, and a small stool appeared where she stood. Shortly followed by that was a grungy looking hat, and a long list of names. The sorting ceremony took place without a hitch.
Once all of the new students had found their house, McGonagall once more approached the podium, and the hall silenced.
"Now, I would like to give my congratulations to the new head of prefects. Please welcome our new Head Boy and Head Girl to the stage. They are no other than Miss Hermione Granger and Mister Draco Malfoy!"
The hall erupted in a cheer as Hermione tried to casually stand up from the bench, that was encased too close to the table. Her eyes twinkled as she reached the centre of the podium, to stand next to Professor McGonagall. She smiled at her, reaching her hand out to shake Hermione's, as she pressed the pin to her tie.
She had received the pin weeks ago, alerting her of her new authority in the school, yet she felt it to be unfitting to put it on anywhere except for Hogwarts. She had managed to keep it a secret from Ron and Harry all throughout the summer, yet they still didn't look very surprised when Hermione was announced as the next Head Girl. It was almost to be expected of her, being the 'brightest witch of her age' and all. Still, this didn't stop them from erupting in a terribly loud cheer as Hermione's cheeks flushed a scarlet red.
Draco was standing directly behind Hermione, already wearing his glistening Head Boy badge, just above his Slytherin tie pin. He too had shook hands with McGonagall and took his place beside Hermione to be congratulated by the rest of the students once more. Hermione continued to smile, her cheeks now a burning red, while Draco simply smirked, trying to consider all of the advantages his new found power would bring him. Once the hall had settled down, Professor McGonagall continued her speech.
"It is with great honour and privilege that I announce these students as the Head Boy and Head Girl. However, now without further ado, I officially open the great feast."
With a swish of McGonagall's wand, each and every table was lined with glorious looking food and sweets. The smell emanating from the hall was divine. From this, the students needed no further prompting and immediately dove in for the food. Chatter began to rise up from the students gleefully talking among themselves as Hermione and Draco looked over. This was the Hogwarts that they had wanted to remember.
Once Hermione had reached the Gryffindor table, she settled back in between Ron and Harry, who were already enjoying a selection of sandwiches, cakes and other delightful foods that were in their reach. However, as soon as Hermione sat down, both boys looked up at her expectantly.
"So, Hermione," Ron started, gesturing his eyes to the gleaming pin proudly conveyed on her tie, "How long have you known?"
"Known what?" Hermione asked, trying to avoid the subject, reaching over to grab an apple from the fruit bowl.
"Oh, don't play stupid with me, Mione. We're really happy for you. But why didn't you tell us sooner? Like as soon as you found out?"
Hermione bit her apple slowly, trying to consider the safest way out of her predicament without hurting either of her friends feelings.
"I didn't want to say anything because I wanted to make it a surprise - for everyone. Including you two." Hermione remarked, gesturing towards her two best friends.
Both Harry and Ron smiled acceptingly at Hermione, and returned to their food. They all ate in silence for a few minutes, before Ron spoke up.
"So, I guess you will be working with Draco now, huh? That's going to be a challenge. If it was me, I would have already Avada-ed myself. Ferret."
Hermione laughed quietly, looking up at Ron, who was grimacing at the non-existent thought of him working with Draco.
"Oh, Ronald. You are so dramatic - I mean, it's not like I've got to live with him. We just have to work together to make sure the prefect team is run right. It can't be that bad."
"Suit yourself, Mione. As for me though - well, I've told you what I think. Just don't let him get to you, that's all."
Hermione smiled as Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron, although it was thankfully unseen
by him as he turned back to the food on his plate.
By the time the students had finished eating, it was already getting late. The sky outside had gone from a light blue to an inky black, and stars had begun to emerge from behind the clouds. At the notice of this, Professor McGonagall stood up and reached the podium to make one final announcement for the night.
"Now that the plates have cleared, you may leave and head off to your dormitories. Lights out are at 9.30pm for first to third years. For the rest, I expect all lights are out by 10 o'clock. Is that understood? Now, I would like the first years to remain seated, and the prefects to remain seated please. The rest of you may go."
As soon as the professor had said that, the noise of the great hall increased dramatically as the benches shuffled across the slate flooring. Chatter began to rise, as the majority of the students quickly exited the hall, and turned to their houses. By the time it had settled down again, only the prefects and first years were left in the hall.
"Now, prefects. Draco and Hermione will lead you. I expect that you will have a meeting tomorrow, however, you must confirm this with either Draco or Hermione. Now, please assist these first years down to their dormitories and show them where to go. I expect you already know the passwords so I won't need to bother there. Okay, I think that is it. Goodnight."
The prefects began to depart from the hall, each trailing behind them three or four first years who were incoherently chatting, and trying to avoid getting lost. The last people who were about to leave were Hermione and Draco, but were abruptly stopped when professor McGonagall called them back.
"Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy. I expect you have realised it now, but I will notify you anyway. You will not go back to your dormitories now. You both have allocated rooms in the Head dormitories, and you will share a common room that is exclusive for you two. I hope you will find this dormitory to your taste. The password is Papillon. You will look for the painting of a young boy with a dog. That is where you dormitory is located. I look forward to seeing you in the morning. Goodnight."
With that, Professor McGonagall waved her hand dismissively at the two students who stood staring at her. However, as soon as she had waved them away, they each turned and strode out of the Great Hall and along the corridor in hope that their dorm wasn't too far away.
By the time they had found it, it was already 9.15pm. Hermione muttered the password to the little boy, and he obligated and swung open almost immediately. Hermione stepped into the room first, quickly followed by Draco. Inside was very cheerful; a roaring fire, several puffy chairs and a fur rug. Behind this, there were two desks, side by side, with two wooden chairs tucked into them. Each held several pieces of parchment, a selection of different quills and a few bottles of ink for their disposal. Beside this rested two oak doors. Inside each, there was a beautifully made up bed, a small chest of belongings and a bedside table, on which rested an elegant candle. All in all, the rooms were spectacular, even down to the smallest details.
Both Hermione and Draco spent a few more minutes admiring their rooms, and the shared common room. It took a few seconds for Hermione to speak up and interrupt the awkward silence between them both.
"It's a very nice room. Which do you think is your room?" She asked, gesturing towards the half open doors.
"Well, I think that would be pretty obvious if you had a look inside." Draco retorted, "Our stuff is already in there, anyway."
Hermione grimaced as she nodded at Draco, reaching for the door handle that was in front of her. She pulled open the door, and headed straight for the chest. She pulled the latch open and lifted it slowly up, half expecting to see Draco's clothes staring back at her. But, no. It was her chest, thankfully. This meant that she was in the correct room, and the bed really was hers. She took in a few seconds to admire the room, beautifully decorated and the candle cast a soft glow across the room.
By the time she had re-emerged from her room, Draco was already standing in the common room, staring intently into the fireplace. The constant crackle was a comforting sound, and almost eased the tense silence between them. Draco sighed quietly as he made his way over to one of the puffier looking chairs, and quickly sat on the edge. His elbows were resting on his knees as he leaned forward into the flames, continuing to stare at the flickering pattern. For a few moments, everything was calm. Everything was going to be alright. Hermione almost smiled as she eased into one of the chairs opposite Draco, and tucked her legs up behind her. Draco looked up at Hermione, she already seemed so settled, so confident that she was doing the right thing.
"Mu-" Draco started, quickly trying to deter himself from the childish phrase he had been bought up with, "Granger?"
"Hm." Hermione responded, almost oblivious to the fact that he was talking to her.
"Why are you here?" Draco sighed, trying to avert his eyes away from Hermione's face.
"What do you mean?" Hermione shot back, beginning to become defensive.
"I mean as Head Girl, and all. You must have realised that you would be working with me. Surely it must have been obvious."
"I did think that it would be a distinct possibility." Hermione replied, calming her voice to more of a whisper now, "But what would have give you the impression that you would have been Head Boy, no matter what?"
Draco rolled his eyes, and sat back more into his chair.
"And why wouldn't I have been? My family has a lot of power and influence. I suppose that it was only a matter of time, really."
"So that's what this is? You felt you were entitled to it?" Hermione laughed sarcastically.
"No, not that. I just knew that it was inevitable. My father being who he is an all. As I said, we have a lot of power and influence. But that brings me back to my original question, why are you here?"
"I've told you, Malfoy." Replied Hermione sharply, "I'm here because I want to look out for the school, and be responsible. Besides, unlike some people, my daddy didn't have to buy my way in."
Draco rolled his eyes again, but continued anyway.
"Whatever, Granger. My point being, however, is why do you accept working with me. I know that, after all these years, you truly do despise me. So why are you acting so - so, civil?"
Hermione shot up on her chair, and looked directly at Draco, who was still looking down at the ground.
"I never once said I despise you. I suppose that was your own judgement."
As Hermione said that, Draco looked back up at her, as she carried on speaking.
"In fact, I have rather come to respect you. Yes, you can be very childish and immature, but you are loyal, and that is something I respect. I think that we will be able to get along, Malfoy. Just please try."
Draco looked back at the floor again, to try and avoid Hermione's soft smile.
"I suppose." Malfoy replied, glumly.
Hermione smiled back at Draco, before standing up from the chair, and began walking towards her bedroom door.
"Goodnight, Malfoy." She nodded.
"Goodnight, Granger." Draco smiled back.
Hermione began to undress and change into her pyjamas, as she shuffled into her bed. She softly blew out her candle beside her bed, and closed her eyes. From behind her closed door, she could hear Draco shuffling around to his own bed, and trying to close his door as silently as he could. Hermione smiled to herself in the darkness, as she tried to picture Draco almost prancing around the floor, trying not to make the floorboards squeak on the way to his bed. After a few seconds, everything went silent again, and Hermione breathed in deeply.
She closed her eyes once more, listening for any sounds. Just as she began to fall asleep, she heard a very soft voice mutter, "Goodnight, Hermione" from beyond the wall. Hermione's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink, as she recognised Draco's voice. She smiled, and softly fell asleep; a light, rested sleep.
Author's Notice
Hey! I really hope that you have enjoyed this first chapter. I really have enjoyed writing it! This is my first Fanfiction and I don't really know what you guys will make of it - so please review! I have decided that, for the mean time, I will try and solely work on this fic alone to see how much of it I can get done. I don't really know how often I will be able to upload a new chapter, but I will try and aim for every fortnight (that's 2 weeks).
Also, I don't really know if this is a good length for a chapter (Do you guys want it a bit longer or a bit shorter?) I will try and keep consistency with it though, so each chapter will probably be about the same length. I really hope you liked this chapter, and I will continue to write the next ones in my next update.
Thanks, guys! C x