The steam was thick on Platform 9 3/4 as the Hogwarts Express waited for all of the students to board. As Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny passed through the entrance, with Arthur and Molly Weasley in tow, they instantly felt the change in atmosphere from the previous years.

"There's...nowhere near as many people here as there should be," Harry mumbled as he scanned the thin crowd.

Ginny took his hand quietly and squeezed it comfortingly. "I heard my parents talking about it. Apparently a lot of families just aren't ready to send their kids back."

Hermione frowned. 'No wonder McGonagall was ok with me and Malfoy being Heads instead of an incoming Seventh Year. There's hardly anyone left, anyway.' She glanced at Ginny while managing to put on a hopeful smile. "Well, maybe most of the parents will change their mind by Christmas or Halloween even!" Harry gave her a small smile.

"C'mon, guys, let's find a compartment." Ron started to push his cart forward.

"Where do you think you're going, Ronald?! Without even a goodbye to your mother!" He turned sheepishly to face Molly, who quickly pulled her youngest son into a tight hug. She then turned to each teen in turn, ending with a long hug for Harry. She backed up to allow Arthur to embrace them all, and cleared her throat. "Now, I want you four to write us as much as you can. I know you will be busy with NEWTs and all, but you can find some time. And make sure to be careful and if I hear from Minerva that any of you are causing trouble-" she choked as her eyes filled with tears. Hermione had to look away before she began to cry herself. After the war, Molly had become extra affectionate. Hermione thought it was her way of grieving. She noticed Harry and Ron in similar emotional states, while Ginny just gazed sadly at her mother, as if unsure what to do.

Arthur stepped behind Molly and placed his hands on her shoulders lovingly. "We love you all, kids. Now, you best be heading off! We'll see you come Christmas." The four nodded and waved their goodbyes as they headed towards the train.

As they entered the train, Harry laughed. "Well, it looks like we won't have any trouble finding a compartment, there's empty ones all around." He glanced at Hermione. "Are you sitting with us?"

Hermione shrugged. "McGonagall never mentioned a meeting on the train, so I guess I'm free until someone says otherwise."

Ginny looked around before easing her way into the empty compartment. "Speaking of, I haven't seen Malfoy at all yet."

"Maybe he changed his mind. The ferret isn't dumb, he must have realized by now that being a Slytherin head right now is a horrible idea." Ron put his feet up on the seat across from him and smirked in satisfaction.

Hermione shrugged and pulled a book out of her beaded bag. "I doubt it, but I wouldn't mind if it was true." She looked up as the compartment door slid open. "Neville!" She grinned as Neville peeked into the compartment.

"Any room for us?" He opened the door wider to reveal Luna standing behind him.

"Of course!" said Ginny, unceremoniously pushing Ron's feet off the seat next to her. "Luna, I've missed you so much!"

Luna smiled serenely at the redhead. "So what was everyone talking about? It was a pretty serious topic, I don't see one Wrackspurt in here."

Harry laughed. "We were wondering if Draco Malfoy is going to be Head Boy still, or if he decided to not return to Hogwarts."

Luna cocked her head to the side. "Hm. I think he'd make a great Head Boy. I hope everyone's prejudices and grudges don't scare him away. After all, the Slytherins who were actually dangerous have all already been sent to Azkaban."

Everyone shifted uncomfortably. It was obvious that Luna hadn't lost her ability to always say the one thing that rendered everyone speechless.

"So." said Neville after an awkward pause, "how has everyone been?"

As everyone filed into the Great Hall for the feast, Hermione took the time to look around. She was pleased to see that Hogwarts had been restored to its former glory, and noticed that the Headmistress had wisely hung only banners with all four of the Hogwarts Houses represented, instead of emphasizing the division between the students. As she looked to the head table to get a look at the Professors, she gasped in surprise. In place of the window that had previously been at the end of the Hall, there was a giant gold Hogwarts crest, surrounded by a black marble wall. As she looked closely, she could see golden names engraved into the wall, randomly scattered with no order to them. She smiled a she realized that it was a war memorial. She had hoped there would be a remembrance of some sort incorporated into the restoration of Hogwarts, and this seemed like a beautiful way to do it.

"Hermione, look." She turned to where Harry was gesturing, and saw Malfoy sitting at the Slytherin table, closest to the head table. She frowned.

"Where did he come from? I didn't see him coming off the train."

Harry shrugged. "He just came in after everyone else."

As the First Years entered to be Sorted, Hermione grimaced to see there were far fewer than normal. However, the Sorting was a happy affair, and it was not lost on everyone that a new incoming class was something to celebrate. The cheers were louder from the Houses when they gained a student, and the feast rapidly filled the Hall with talking and laughter. Hermione noticed, however, that the Slytherin house lacked many of the older students, and there were only three Seventh Years: Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass. She also noticed that while the three were engaged in polite conversation, Malfoy was more often than not sitting quietly, merely listening to the other two.

With two loud claps, McGonagall shifted the attention of the hall quickly. "Welcome back, and welcome to the new First Years, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She smiled at the applause before continuing. "Now, as you can see, behind me is a significant change to the hall. There are some, especially in the Ministry, who wish to forget the war and the effect that Voldemort had on our world in the past decades." Many mumbled uncomfortably at the name. "I however, do not agree. I believe, and I know many in this school do as well, that the only way to change the future is to remember the past. Therefore, I chose to place the memorial where we would be reminded, every day, of the strength of those lost and the changes we must make in our lives to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. For House unity, acceptance of each other and love are the only ways to heal the wounds this war has left behind." She paused for a moment to let the enormity of her words sink in. "Now, for some announcements. It is with great pleasure that I announce our Head Boy and Girl for this year: Draco Malfoy, and Hermione Granger!" There was applause through out the hall, though whispers and mumbles could be heard underneath. Hermione inwardly groaned, and glanced at Malfoy to see that, while he had remained facing McGonagall, his entire body had tensed. "I also would like to remind the previous students and inform the new ones that the Forbidden Forest remains exactly that, forbidden, and any trespassers will be punished. A list of banned items, such as Weasley Wizard Wheezes, are posted on the bulletin board of every House, and anyone caught with a banned item shall receive detention immediately. With that, I bid you all a good night." The Hall was filled with students clamoring to get to their Houses.

Hermione smiled at her friends as they gave her sympathetic glances. She turned to McGonagall, who had come down from the table, and noticed Malfoy had joined them. "Now, you two. Come this way and I'll show you to your rooms." She turned briskly towards the entrance to the Great Hall, Malfoy filing in behind her. Hermione took a deep breath as she trudged behind them, nervous for her first night living with Draco Malfoy.

A/N: So here's a longer chapter. I know the story is a little slow to take off, but I promise it'll get a lot better! I have a lot in store for them.

Please review!

~PrincessLeah80