Chapter 1

"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."

― Albert Einstein

1 September 1998

The Malfoys stood closely together on Platform 9 ¾. They were receiving hostile glares from the other occupants on the platform. As historically slippery as Lucius Malfoy was, and again proven, he could not dodge all the consequences. The Malfoys dodged a stint in Azkaban but they have not escaped the scorn of the public.

"Draco, do you see why you need to marry Lady Astoria?"

"Yes, Father."

"I know she's a bit loose in her values, but she has a good reputation with these people. I am willing to endure what I must to ensure our revival of our name," Draco's father went on.

"I am quite aware of what you are willing to do to survive, Father," Draco said snidely.

Draco had had to endure humiliation, fear, terror, murder, fiendfyre and now public shunning. This was due to his father's need to remain pure and superior. Draco had quite a bit of time to think and rehash all those horrible memories. From that muggle studies professor's death to the mudblood's,no, muggleborn's torture in his own home.

No, house. Not home. That place was not his home anymore. The Dark Lord tarnished that building and it will never be his home again.

Despite his resentment towards his father, he knew he would have probably done the same if he was in his father's position. They all shared the same ideals for centuries. The same motto. Sancitimonia Vincet Semper, Purity Will Always Conquer. From Armand Malfoy, this was the doctrine of their family. Nine centuries later, it is a major task to change a motto, to change their values.

Draco had four months to mull over things, memories, ideals, prejudices, racism, war, conflict, death and love. Yes, love. Love was a pivotal driving force in his family even though from the outside it looked like love was a foreign concept. Lucius Malfoy was a conniving, slippery snake but there is nothing he would not do for his family. It did not only have to do with their family name, though Lucius still held that in high regard. Lucius loved his family dearly. It became quite evident in his actions in the past year.

"Draco, watch your tongue!" Narcissa Malfoy said sharply.

The regal beauty that was his mother, glared at him. His mother was blindingly beautiful and sophisticated. Where Lucius portrayed power, she was the class of their family. It was a formidable vision. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Power, class and wealth.

It did not help them in the past year.

In the final battle, love for each other helped them survive. Narcissa lied to the Dark Lord. She lied to the Dark Lord! She knew the only way her family would be safe again was for Harry Potter to win. So,yes,she lied. Due to that, their entire family was spared Azkaban.

It probably also helped that Draco did not actually murder Albus Dumbledore. It helped that he did not identify the three musketeers when they were brought in by the snatchers. It had bought them time and they had escaped.

His father offered as much information as possible to aid the ministry in capturing the errand Death Eaters. Including finding out that Granger's parents were horrifically murdered by his ever-lovely aunt Bellatrix. The same woman who tortured the Granger girl in the Malfoy drawing room. That Weasley woman did the world a favour by killing his deranged aunt.

"Yes, Mother," Draco said quietly and with a hint of frustration.

"Now go along. Owl us when you get to Hogwarts," with a kiss on his cheek, his mother manoeuvred him towards the Hogwarts Express.

"I love you, Draco."

"You too, Mother," Draco said as he walked towards one of the train's doors.

As he walked towards the door, away from his parents, Draco noticed a couple. They seemed to be having a very intense moment. The ginger haired boy was holding the girl by her shoulders and talking very sincerely. He seemed to be looking to reassure her. She looked up into his eyes and seemed to want to explain something to him but was failing, which was something as the girl was Hermione Granger, Hogwarts' resident know-it-all.

"I'm not sure what happens now."

"Nothing. Nothing happens. You and I will just complete this year and hopefully be whole by next year."

"Isn't that slightly naïve?" she enquired.

"Probably but there's always hope. And that got us through last time, "Ron caressed her cheek and lowered his lips to hers.

The kiss was exactly like their relationship, sweet and passionate. It was a chaste one, but she felt it down to her toes. Her heartbeat sped up and by the time she opened her eyes she was inhaling rapidly. If that wasn't proof that they were perfect for each other, no other form of evidence would be enough.

Ron, despite his own losses, was her rock in the past four months. They were together all the time. They slept in the same room at Grimmauld Place. He chased away her dreams more often than not and when he couldn't, he rocked her to sleep and allowed her to soak his t-shirts with her never ending tears.

He distracted her and comforted her. How she was going to survive Hogwarts without him, is a task she had not figured out yet. Hermione Granger was always independent. Her parents instilled that in her. Financially, she was secured. They made sure of it. But emotionally, she needed Ron like a new born baby needs his mother. It was unhealthy, but she could not cut the proverbial umbilical cord. He helped her take her breaths, he helped her live. Ronald Weasley was her source of strength.

Now she had to let go but before she could do that she hugged him so tightly. She was absorbing him. His strength, his love, his hope.

She had her eyes closed during the embrace, and with her arms still firmly around Ron, she opened her eyes.

She saw him, again.

Staring right at them with his liquid silver eyes.

Domino. Plunk.

Hermione was startled and reacted accordingly. She let go of Ron, with a slightly embarrassed blush, and said good bye. She hugged Harry, and with Luna and Ginny, hopped on the Hogwarts express for her final journey.

Once the three girls, with Neville included, who joined them shortly after boarding the train, was settled, the four friends were chatting and catching up. Though, honestly, there was not much to catch up on. Their conversation turned to what changes they thought Hogwarts had made. Ginny was made Head Girl. Hermione turned down the offer. She just wanted to focus on school this year. Nothing else. No distractions.

This year will be her breathing room to heal and grow. Hopefully when the year was over, she would be ready to go back to Ron. With no drama to hamper her healing, the probability was high.

With all these thoughts swirling in her ever-busy mind, Hermione Granger sped towards Hogwarts ready to start her year of academics, friendships and healing.

Nothing else.

Edit:31.10.2018

Disclaimer: All recognisable characters, plots, etc. do not belong to me. This is my manipulation of J.K Rowling's characters. They belong and will always belong to her.