Updates will be quick for these first few chapters. I have already written a bit of this story and just need to edit. I hope you enjoy. If you find any mistakes, or inconsistencies, let me know and I will fix them.

(I do not own any of J. K. Rowling's characters, just wanted to take them out to play.)


Her mind raced as she stepped into the horseless carriage, already occupied by a group of young Ravenclaw girls. She nodded at them, smiled kindly, and pulled a Quibbler from her bag. Hermione settled deep into the seat, hiding her face with the publication, hoping the excited Ravenclaws wouldn't bother her.

How in the world could Headmistress McGonagall have chosen Draco Malfoy to be the Head Boy? Over the summer they had pardoned him for his position in the war. They found that not only had he been groomed by his horrendous father, but thanks to memories obtained from Severus Snape, and other convicted Death Eaters, Draco had never directly harmed another witch or wizard. In fact, while at Hogwarts for the final battle, Draco had helped save the wizarding world from Voldemort. Per the Daily Prophet, Malfoy had been required to complete extensive community service over the summer, rebuilding Hogwarts and assisting with the patients at St. Mungo's Hospital.

How could McGonagall have thought the pair of them would be a suitable match as Heads? They had never got along in their years. Hermione could only look back at their relationship and see prejudice, contempt and hatred from Malfoy. Why would this year be any different?

"Urg!" She groaned, slamming the magazine into her lap. The girls opposite stared wide eyed. "Sorry." She whispered, looking away. The castle was just visible over the trees, looming above their heads. At that moment she could look past her fear and frustration, she was finally back home.


The Great Hall was grandly lit with hundreds of white candles, as was customary for the first feast of the year. She could feel the heat radiating off the tallow candles overhead as she breathed in the familiar scent of the old halls. "We're home." She breathed as she allowed her body to relax into the familiarity.

She realized quickly that the great hall was... different, clearly rebuilt from the war, some stones still bore the tell-tell signs of battle, while others were clearly new. The four long tables were in their normal places, but the decor no longer separated the magnificent tables, instead it combined them. The tapestries hanging near her incorporated all the houses in each image, instead of focusing on one. There were no clearly assigned tables anymore. Students were sitting at haphazard around the hall, it was near impossible to tell who belonged to which house.

"Hermione, over here!" Luna called from what was once the Hufflepuff table. Hermione sighed happily and walked over to the table. Familiarity was what she craved, and Luna was just who she needed.

"Luna!" She said as she grabbed the misty eyed blond into a tight hug. "I didn't see you on the train." Hermione said, sitting on the wooden bench next to her friend.

"I suppose you didn't. Dad apperated with me to Hogsmeade before the feast." Luna looked suspiciously over her shoulder. "Father's certain the train has an infestation of Grumblewugs." She now whispered. "He's been speaking with the Headmistress since we arrived."

Hermione looked up at the head table and sure enough, Headmistress McGonagall was nowhere to be seen. Hermione laughed at the thought, and surely the look McGonagall had upon her face at that exact moment.

Hermione looked around the table, a table she had never sat at in her school days. She found the table filled with a variety of students. Directly to her left was a Ravenclaw she had seen a few times in the past, talking vividly with a young black-haired Gryffindor. To her left was a second year Slytherin boy sitting shyly next to a small red-haired Hufflepuff girl. He kept glancing in her direction, a shy smily on his lips.

"Pretty amazing, isn't it?" Luna said next to her. She had an odd ability at guessing Hermione's thoughts. "Not surprising, though. The magic in the castle feels different, like it's trying to fix us..." She said dreamily, with a tilt of her head. "Have you seen the pudding yet?"

"Hmm..." Hermione said, smiling at her friend. She didn't understand Luna's rambling, but she had noticed that the castle had changed, or maybe it was that they had. The war had changed everything, the castle, the professors and the students. Surly the magic had changed as well.

It didn't take the Headmistress long to make her appearance, as she lead in a group of students to the front of the hall. She placed the ragged Sorting Hat on the stool and stepped back patiently. The Sorting Hat sang of song of hope and unity, but a single line stood out to Hermione.

It sang, "Should your heart feel lonely and out of sorts and those around you stray. Keep strong and unite with those you fear most, for they may save you one day." And the hall burst out in applause.

The sorting ceremony was an interesting experience, different from previous years. Hermione had thought there would be fewer student starting, but the opposite happened. There were more first years than she had ever sorted and something she had never experienced occurred, there were transfer students.

Dark-haired boys, clearly not first years, stood out, pulling at their tight ties as they waited to be sorted. A group of beautiful girls followed them. The transfers appeared to be from a variety of schools, though she could pick out the transfers from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons instantly. Hermione couldn't help but smile as the freshly sorted student made their way to various tables. Young students welcomed the new older transfers, regardless of their house. Following the sorting, the Headmistress spoke.

"Good evening students." Headmistress McGonagall said to the full great hall, her pointed nose lifted high in the air. "And welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He arms flourished, and she smiled brightly. "As many of you have noticed, this year may be different. We have, for the first time in over 100 years, students transferring from other schools and we welcome them." She nodded at the students before her. "We must come together this year, as students. As friends. As companions. As confidants." Her smile faltered. "I challenge every one of you to find the happiness our souls need and crave. Hold tight to it. It is with the great sadness we have endured that we shall find the soon find the happiness we all deserve."

Applause filled the hall as her speech concluded and the food appeared on the table in front of them. Hermione could not help but smile as she brushed away the slight wetness on her cheek. Hogwarts had changed, and for the better. The Battle of Hogwarts has changed everything, including the magic on which the castle was built. She looked around the hall and took in the scene. So different from her last time here. The school had rebuilt itself, and though some battle scars lingered, Hogwarts was renewed.

The bowls of food in front of the students diminished as they emptied their plates. Hermione happily took in the buzz and laughter as she lazily looked around the hall. Her eyes landed on what was once the Slytherin table. It held fewer students than the other tables, but still an odd collection. A light blond head stood out from the others.

Draco Malfoy sat surrounded by an exuberant group. Hermione recognized some as transfer students, Slytherins, a couple of Ravenclaws and even a few Hufflepuffs. They were all talking loudly, laughing as they shared stories with each other.

Hermione looked back at Malfoy and was taken slightly aback when his dark blue eyes bore directly into her golden eyes. She couldn't pull her eyes away from his gaze. Instead of looking away, she squared her shoulders and smiled at him. It was a new year after all, and unity was the theme. Maybe he had changed over the summer.

He was expressionless at first, his strong jaw set. Hermione's smile faltered slightly, and she almost turned away when his mouth slowly turned into a signature smirk. He shook his head, turning back to his gaggle of friends as he started talking. Before she could look away, the others at the table turned to look at her... snickering.

Something's apparently don't change, she thought as she looked down at her empty plate; her face burning deep into her neck.