At Last Chapter IX, a harry potter fanfic

CHAPTER IX

JULY 1999

- London -

(Year 8 – Return to Hogwarts)

Draco Malfoy couldn't sit still. His mind kept drifting to the gift he had sent late last night, unsure whether he needed a slap over the head for his stupidity. He slid his left arm into the fringe of his hair in frustration. Sensing that something that was bothering her son, Narcissa was about to ask when his owl Fornax flew through the open window over to her son's chair. Dropping the single letter she was carrying into Draco's outstretched hands the owl silently landed next to Draco's breakfast plate. Draco opened the letter with one hand, affectionately stroking his owl's feathers with his other.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

I am pleased to inform you that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry invites you to return to Hogwarts to complete you education. We feel that many students missed the opportunity to complete their final year of schooling to the best of their ability and are offering an eighth year program, for all those who missed out to complete their final studies. This course is purely optional, and it is up to you whether or not you choose to return.

As you are of Wizarding Age, you will be exempt from certain school rules, of which a complete list will be provided up your return.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide you with accommodation as you are accustomed to in your respective houses, due the dormitories being completely full with the other year's students. A separate dormitory has been created for all the eight years who choose to return in the West Tower.

I am also pleased to inform you that after careful consideration, we offer you the position of Head Boy should you choose return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to complete your education. If you accept this post, you will be sharing your own separate dormitory with your fellow Head Girl.

Please find a list of books and supplies attached.

Please send a reply by owl, no later than the 31st July, informing of your decision.

Sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Draco blinked in disbelief and read the letter again, his mind disbelieving that he of all people had been offered the position of Head Boy. It was a pleasant surprise that Hogwarts was allowing the seventh year students from last year to redo the final year but he supposed given the amount of students that missed out attending or were distracted by partaking in the Second Wizarding War he could understand why. What he couldn't understand was why he had been made Head Boy. He certainly felt like he hadn't done anything in his years at Hogwarts that indicated he deserved the title. He could understand someone like Hermione but him?

He paused, his mind backtracking to a sentence he had read in the letter. "If you accept this post you will be sharing your own separate dormitory with your fellow Head Girl." If Hermione was indeed the Head Girl, he would be sharing a dormitory with Hermione for a whole year. He would have her all to himself and wouldn't have to share her with Weasley. Whilst he didn't mind Potter so much these days, he still detested the red haired Weasel. And the Weasel detested him, not for once believing he was anything other than a Death Eater. A small smile formed a Draco's face at thought of sharing a dormitory with Hermione, a smile that was not missed by his mother.

"Draco dear, are you going to tell me what is in that letter that is making you smile so?"

"Um, Hogwarts is offering a repeat year and they have made me Head Boy." The words sounded foreign on his tongue even as he said it.

Reaching out, Narcissa patted his hand gently. "Of course you are Draco, you deserve it for all your sacrifices the last couple of years." Her gentle smile, turned serious. "Draco dear, I'm not sure I ever said this but I am very proud of the man you have become. I couldn't have been more proud you for the hard decisions and right choices you made. I am proud that you didn't loose your way like your father did."

Draco smiled affectionately at his mother, "Thank you mother. Your opinions and praises have always meant the world to me." And Draco meant every word of it.

His smile died however, when Narcissa returned it with a wide smirk of her own. "Unless something has changed over the years I believe the Head Boy and Head Girl share a dormitory." Draco nodded his head in response. "I also imagine that the Head Girl would be Miss Granger." Draco nodded his head again and agreement, not sure what his mother was getting at. "Well then, you have a year to charm the girl. I expect by the end of the year that…"

"Charm her!" Draco admonished.

"Yes dear, it's what boys do when they like a girl."

"I don't like Hermione!" Narcissa only raised her eyebrow in response. "Okay fine I like Hermione! But I'm not going to charm her."

"Do you not want her to be your girlfriend? Would you rather she dated someone else? Perhaps the youngest Weasley boy?" She bit back a smile, when she noticed the jealousy sparking in her son's eyes.

Draco breathed deeply to erase some of the jealousy he was feeling of Hermione being someone else's boyfriend, least of all the Weasel. "Yes mother but I'm still not going to charm her." Not wanting to admit to his mother, that he was afraid that Hermione might not return his feelings.

Sensing that her son was going to be stubborn, she grabbed both his hands and squeezed affectionately. "Draco you deserve to be happy and you deserve to go after what you want. If Miss Granger make's you happy then go after her. Not that you need my approval, but you have it. Nothing would make me happier than having her as a daughter-in-law. She is loyal, intelligent, graceful and beautiful and most importantly she brings out the best of you."

"You don't care that she's a muggle-born?" Draco asked hesitantly.

"Draco, I won't lie. There is a small part of me that is sad that should you choose to pursue her, our line will no longer be Pureblood. Sad, not embarrassed or disappointed, it's important to note that distinction. I was raised to believe in blood purity, so even though I don't believe in many of its values a small part of me will always hold onto some of those beliefs. However, I need you to remember this. Whether the person you love is either pureblood, half-blood, muggle-born, muggle or even a squib, I don't care. I don't care about their blood status as long as they make you happy. I want you to be happy and grow old with someone you love."

Warmth spread across his heart at the knowledge that his mother approved of Hermione. She was right that he didn't need her approval, but it was still nice to have. He stood up and walked around the breakfast bar before engulfing her in a big hug. He knew that if his father were alive he would never have his approval, nor would he care, however he always hoped that his mother would approve of his affections towards Hermione. They were the two most important people in his world.

...

The sound of tapping woke Hermione up. Peering up grumpily from her pillow she noticed her owl was waiting patiently behind the glass, a package and a letter in tow. She opened the window, the owl immediately flying in dropping the letters on her bed as he made his way over the bowl of food Hermione always left of her desk for him.

She opened the letter first, excited to discover it was from Hogwarts. Curiously she opened the letter, oddly reminiscent of when she had opened her acceptance letter for the first time.

Dear Miss Granger,

As you are of Wizarding Age, you will be exempt from certain school rules, of which a complete list will be provided up your return.

I am also very pleased to inform you that the position of Head Girl is yours for all your hard work, bravery and diligence during your years, should you choose return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to complete your education. If you accept this post, you will be sharing your own separate dormitory with your fellow Head Boy.

The teaching staff has missed you greatly during the last year and would be excited to see you return for another year, myself included.

Please find a list of books and supplies attached.

Please send a reply by owl, no later than the 31st July, informing of your decision.

Sincerely,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione sunk back into the bed, relief and excitement rolling off her. Whilst she knew it hadn't bothered Harry and Ron, she had always been concerned that she had never taken her N.E.W.T.S. She had been planning on asking Professor McGonagall if there was anyway she could go back and complete them but now she wouldn't have to. She would also be able to attend with her friends for one final year it would seem, and they had set up another dormitory for any students who chose to return.

A second smile surfaced at being made Head Girl. She had always hoped that one day she would be Head Girl, and felt very privileged that Professor had chosen her to hold that title. Remembering that a second parcel had also come, she reached up and unwrapped it.

A beautiful, ornate book slipped out of the wrapping accompanied by a letter. Picking up the letter, she read it first.

Hermione,

Whilst I know your birthday is still another month away, I couldn't keep this locked away in my bedroom from you any longer. This newly updated version will be released by the end of the month and I know how much you cherish this book.

Yours sincerely,

Draco.

Hermione's hands shook as she picked up the book, flipping it over to reveal the title "Hogwarts: A History". She traced the engraved letters on the cover with her fingers. Hermione smiled cheerily. Draco Malfoy had bought her a birthday present! And not just any present but something that meant the world to her. It was by far her most favorite book. She had even taken it with her when she had been with Harry and Ron hunting down the Horcruxes.

She wasn't sure how he had managed to get a copy, and such a beautiful one at that, before it was released but she was glad that he had. Standing up, she grabbed her quill and a bit of parchment to write a response back to Draco.

Dear Draco,

Words cannot express how excited I am to have a new copy of the Hogwarts: A History. As soon as I finish writing this letter I shall read it immediately! Thank you for such a beautiful present. I hope you don't think I have forgotten you! I have your birthday present right here. I just couldn't bare to send it by owl!

I have received a letter to return to Hogwarts to complete my N.E.W.T.S. I am eager to attend and expect to see you on the Hogwarts Express on September 1st! I would have liked to have given your birthday present before then, but I've been spending the last month repairing my relationship with my parents after my actions to protect them during the war. Whilst they can understand my decision from my point of view, they are still mad, understandably, that I removed the memory of even me being born from their minds. But we are getting through it slowly.

And guess what? I made Head Girl!

Hermione.