Chapter one

A new term was starting today and everything was the same, yet everything was different. The war had ended and I guess you could say we won but in some respects it didn't feel like much of a win when so many innocent lives had been taken. The only thing we could hope for was the worst days of our lives were behind us now. We all still suffered from the memories and there were days where we just sat in silence because the words just weren't enough but we were healing and it was a process. For the first time in the history of Hogwarts there were to be 8 school years this year, the war had interrupted so much that no one had finished school last year so the eighth years would be re doing the year and every other year would have a mix of recap and new lessons. As Head Girl I was excited to get back to the place I had called home for so long but I knew how hard this would be for all of us.

"You ready Mione? Our first ever drama free year" Harry muttered smirking as we looked at the red steam engine and the platform buzzing with energy. We tried to ignore all of the stares but since May, we'd had plenty of chance to get used to it.

"It better bloody be drama free." Ron muttered from my other side. We all chuckled as we wheeled our cases down the platform. "I've got to go find Lav, I'll come find you guys soon." I smiled as Ron wondered off and Harry hugged me, "I'll find Gin, you gunna be ok?" Harry asked me that a lot these days but a large part of me figured it was just his protective nature. He held so much guilt over the war there was a lot he never spoke about and in many ways that made me worry for him.

"I've got to go to the heads compartment, so I'll see you guys at school, I'll be fine Harry don't worry." I reassured him once more as we each parted ways. Picking up the end of my case I made my way onto the train. It felt strange going back after everything almost as if normality had just randomly returned but you could still see the scars running through each and every person as the parents hugged their children that little bit tighter and the children promised to write every week with a little more honesty.

My case was a little heavier this year, knowing I would get my room I couldn't help bringing a few extra things. A lot of my things I'd had to buy again because my parents had never come back from Australia and I didn't have anything much left. I was determined to make this the best year, I couldn't remember Hogwarts as the battlefield, I had to see it as my home just one more time.

It didn't take me too long to find the heads compartment, walking in backwards I heard the movement of someone behind me as I attempted to tug my case through the door.

"Hi I'm … Malfoy?" I was shocked, I'd turned around and come face to face with none other than Malfoy. No one had heard a word from the Malfoy's since Lucius' arrest right after the war. The truth was no one much cared where Narcissa and Draco were these days but heading back to Hogwarts was never something I'd expected Malfoy to do. My eyes darted to the little toddler sat on the other seat staring at the bubbles that wear appearing from nowhere. He had platinum and his eyes the most beautiful blue. There was no doubt in the world that this was Malfoy's child, my only question was how.

"I'm fairly sure that's my name Granger." Malfoy replied smirking as he pulled me from my thoughts. I scowled at him, he looked different these days. There was a maturity to him, his hair naturally fell rather than being yanked back by gel and his Silver eyes looked more relaxed. He seemed slightly less cold and for once he was in full Muggle clothing, a simple grey hoodie with the Hogwarts crest embroidered on it and blue jeans, even trainers, something I was sure I'd never seen him in before.

"Oh you know what I mean, and who's this little guy." I said leaning down and letting the little guy grab my finger as he giggled. There was something about him, so innocent, I was drawn to his freedom.

"This is Scorpius, my son." Malfoy replied and I noted the softness in his voice and the pride in his eyes as he looked at his beautiful son.

"Is he staying with you at Hogwarts? Where is his mother?" I blurted unable to stop the questions from coming.

"The war took far too much from our world… and Scorpius will one day know of his mother's greatness." Malfoy after a few moments, a hint of almost sadness in his voice. I felt a twang in my heart at his words, I'd never really thought about what he could have lost during the war but I guess none of us knew the full extent of it. Not really.

"He's beautiful." I replied falling into somewhat of an awkward silence, unsure of what else to say.

"Listen… Granger, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Before the war… I wanted my father's approval so much. I want to show I've changed, is there any way we could start again?" Malfoy stuttered a lot through his question as if he was unsure of how exactly to approach the matter. The war had clearly changed him and whilst I couldn't fully trust him right now I did believe in giving second chances to people. After all, the war had left scars far deeper than those visible for any of us.

"You're right Malfoy, if the war taught us anything it's that life is too short for animosity. I'm willing to try if you are." I replied smiling across at little Scorpius who was looking at us both wide eyed.

"He seems to like you… He's normally so shy around strangers." Malfoy muttered as Scorpius pulled himself to rest on my lap as I sat down cautiously next to him. I couldn't help but smile at the innocence on his face and popped one of the little bubbles flying around him making him giggle and clap his hands filled with excitement.

"He's so cheerful. It's refreshing." I commented watching him feeling a weird sense of pride as he too reached up and popped the bubble in front of him.

"He never fails to make others smile." Draco said staring at him with a caring I didn't even think was possible for him.

The rest of the journey slipped by with a slightly awkward chatter between myself and Malfoy. He didn't say much about himself but mostly he spoke of Scorpius and I couldn't help but think that was the best thing he had right now. I could tell he was trying to be polite and make up for the past but I couldn't help but think it was awkward because there was still a very solid wall between us. I guess only time would tell if that wall could be broken down but I had the feeling there were far more layers to Malfoy than he ever wanted people to see.

At the feast there was a silence upon Malfoy's entrance and I couldn't help the sense of pity I felt as he sat down on the corner of the slytherin table as if unsure of him place and trying his best to ignore all of the muttering about Scorpius. It was official, the gossip mill was on the go already and no doubt by morning there would be a hundred rumours about how on earth he ended up with a kid. I guess it was a question we'd probably never know the answer to.

*********1

"Ah Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy, now as head boy and head girl you have your own common room this year, Miss Granger I'm sure you're aware of Mr Malfoy's circumstances." I nodded looking very blatantly at Scorpius, the proverbial elephant in the room.

"I am, and Malfoy if you need any help with him just ask." I replied earning myself a smile from professor McGonagall. She was softer this year as though she was proud of the children she'd raised and had watched win the war.

"Now as well as being in charge of the prefects this year there will be a Christmas ball and an end of year remembrance gala which I would like you both to organise." I nodded and looked at Malfoy who had gone oddly quiet but nodded alongside me nonetheless.

"Ok I think that is all for now. I'll leave you to settle in." Professor McGonagall nodded and turned to leave when Malfoy finally spoke up.

"May I have a word Professor." Malfoy asked and handed Scorpius to me when she nodded. I watched as they walked over to the portrait hole and stepped out. I couldn't help but listen in so I stepped closer to the portrait hole to see if I could hear anything.

"Does it have to be her?" I heard Malfoy hiss angrily and Professor McGonagall sigh.

"She is the brightest witch of her age, and she was a massive part of winning the war, She'd earnt the position more than anyone." McGonagall replied sternly and I felt my heart sinking, Malfoy had gone quiet because I was there, was all that stuff on the train just fake?

"How am I supposed to live with her? I already have to deal with everything else, is there nothing you can do?" I scoffed, yep everything on the train had been complete rubbish. I guess I should've known he couldn't change, not really.

"You will find a way Mr Malfoy, it might surprise you just see how things go." I furrowed my brow at McGonagall's words, see how things go? Was she being serious? This was supposed to be a drama filled year and now I had to live with someone who hated me and 'see how things go'. So much for the war being over, maybe it was just beginning.

****2****

Hey so just a quick chapter to introduce it all to you! Sorry if it was a little jumpy just had to get a certain bits in! Please review let me know what you thought/ any predictions for this story. This is a very new concept so I'm not sure how fast the chapters will come out but hopefully you will enjoy ! xoxox