In the months following the war, Draco couldn't find much solace at home. With his mother distant and his father in Azkaban, there wasn't anything there for him. The only thing he could do to keep his mind off of everything that had happened in the previous year was read. He absolutely loved to read, something most people didn't know about him.
Recently, Draco had stumbled across a small shop in Diagon Alley that sold both Muggle and Wizarding books alike. It had become his favorite shop ever since he found it. He had to visit the shop at least once a week, if not more, to pick up more books for him to read.
After a quick visit to the shop to pick up 'Hogwarts: A History' for his library, Draco found himself wandering home at an ever slowing pace. Honestly, he didn't want to go home. Going home meant facing his mother, something he couldn't stand any longer. With her face growing ever paler, Draco couldn't look at her anymore.
When he finally arrived at home, he found his mother waiting for him just inside the doorway, letter in hand. Confusion marked his face as he closed the doors behind him.
"This arrived for you just after you left," Narcissa said as she handed Draco the letter, "I wanted to give it to you personally."
Taking a quick glance at the letter in his mother's hand, he instantly recognized the seal and what it meant before he opened it. Hogwarts had reopened. That's what the letter was about. In the three short months following the war, Hogwarts would reopen in the next month and classes would resume.
Taking the letter from his mother, both Draco and Narcissa went into the family room. Quickly sitting down in one of the grand chairs surrounding the fireplace, he sliced the candle wax seal and hastily read the letter.
"Are you going to go back?" Narcissa chimed from a chair across from Draco's. "I mean, do you think it's a good idea after everything that's happened?"
Not lifting his eyes from the letter in his hand, Draco sighed. "I... I don't know."
"I think you should," Narcissa said as she stood up and crossed the short distance between the two of them to stand next to Draco's chair, "I think you should go back and finish your education at Hogwarts."
"Really?" Draco looked up, completely stunned at what his mother had said. "You really think I should go back?"
Following a filling three course meal, Draco excused himself and went to his room. He had been thinking about his decision all day to the point of sheer mental exhaustion. Just before dinner, he had decided to take an early night.
As he lied in bed, his mind kept wandering back to his decision. Should he go back? What would be waiting for him if he did? Would anyone even want him there? He didn't know what to do. He knew that finishing his education was important and he would love the opportunity to get away from home, but what if he wasn't welcome back?
"Enough! I'm going back. No matter what happens, I have to go back." Draco said as he sat up in bed. Looking around, he searched for some sign of someone to answer him. He felt ridiculous having said his decision aloud, but he felt even worse expecting someone to answer back.
Now that his decision had been made he knew he could get to sleep. Lying on his stomach with his arms wrapped around his pillow, Draco began to drift into sleep. Unlike other nights, sleep came easy for him.
Sleeping peacefully, he dreamed of a better time. In this dream, he wasn't a Malfoy, he had no Death Eater family, and there was no war. Only happiness and excitement flooded into him during this dream as he spent time with his new found friends, Harry and Hermione. In this dream, Ron wasn't around. Ron wasn't there to ruin his fun.
He woke the next morning to the light click of his door being latched closed. Attempting to hide from the sudden eye-burning light that flooded around him, Draco buried his face deeper into his pillow and grunted.
Lying there for a few minutes, he determined that he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep any longer. Lifting his head slightly, he decided to examine where that assaulting light was coming from. Taking a few moments to let his eyes adjust, Draco looked around his room. What he had found didn't surprise him; Narcissa had been in to open the drapes that covered his three grand windows.
After showering, dressing, and brushing his teeth and hair, Draco walked down the main set of stairs as he headed towards the kitchen. As he got about half way down, he decided to stop and look out one of the windows that overlooked the path to their door. The grass outside was a brilliant green; the sky a light, summer blue with little clouds overhead. Surprisingly enough to him, he felt good. His decision had been made and he was happy with his choice.
"I'm going back, mother," Draco said as he crossed the threshold into the kitchen. "I'm going back to Hogwarts to finish my final year."
Narcissa stood up and ran to her son. "Oh Draco, I'm so proud of you!" she managed to say around the tight embrace she held Draco in.
Authors note: It's a little short, but here's chapter two, this time from Draco's POV. Each chapter is going to be changing between Draco and Hermione, but it still follows the same time frame. I hope that doesn't get confusing to you guys. Again, review review review!