Disclaimer: I own nothing of the characters or their settings, they belong to a great author, not to little old me!
Prologue
The train made its usual calming rickety noise as it rattled down the track. Hermione Granger let a true smile light her lips as she wandered along it. Life was once again peaceful, as it often seemed to be when they travelled along its route to Hogwarts, and she truly hoped that this year there would be a little less life endangering drama and a little more time to worry about exams. Hermione stopped when she heard a voice that she recognised coming from a compartment with a door that had been left slightly ajar. She looked in and saw Neville sitting with Luna and Ernie Macmillan. With a small chuckle of happiness at the odd trio, seemingly in a hot debate, Hermione moved on, trying not to get trampled on by some rambunctious first years. There were twice as many first years this year, due to everybody repeating a year. It was optional for the seventh/eight years as some of their year had already moved on to apprenticeships, or working for family companies so Hermione was certainly intrigued to see who had come back to finish their studies; whether voluntarily or forced. Hermione opened the compartment door and returned to Harry and Ron, picking up a textbook as the boys were in a heated discussion about Quidditch as some things never changed.
A few carriages down, with a pronounced scowl on his elegant face, Draco Malfoy sat watching Theo attempt to unlock an unusual box using a number of unsuccessful charms. Draco had already had to save Theo from several unsavoury jinxes to his immense displeasure. His day was not going well. Not only had his mother sprung on him that very morning that she expected him to return to Hogwarts to finish his studies, but she had packed his trunk, no doubt not the way he liked it. Of course things refused to improve as when he arrived at the station he was greeted with sneers and contempt shooting at him from every angle, although Draco wasn't entirely sure why he was being regarded with such hatred. As soon as he stepped on the train and finally found Blaise, he realised he would have to spend the entire journey devoid of his best friend due to the fact that a certain Weaslette was sucking on his face. So his choice of companions for a day's journey that he hadn't wanted to take in the first place were Theo (who he'd rather spend, at most, an hour a day with) or Pansy, Tracey and Daphne which would be an unbearable time or gossip that his mother had already filled him in on, no matter his protests. Draco's dreary train of thought on the horrors of his day was cut short as a choking noise replaced the usual muttering of spells from across the table. An unsightly number of boils had spread across Theo's face and neck and it was clear that his air supply was being cut off. Draco lazily flicked his eyes to his wand that was lying on the table in front of him, trying to decide if it was worth it. As Theo slumped forward slightly, his protests becoming less pronounced, Draco sighed and lifted up his wand, he wasn't quite ready for murder on his hands, no matter how tempting at that moment.
A year had passed since some had travelled on the train, and a year of pain and despair had gone too. But Hogwarts has been reborn although the years past have not been forgotten; they are clear in the memories and lives of the students that still walk the corridors. Memories of worse times and of some better times, memories that will shape the future.
AN: I know this is a very short opening, but it sets the scene for Chapter 1 and the rest! Please review no matter how much you hated it :P