This chapter tells you about the change in Lucius Malfoy's opinions about muggleborns. Remember! Voldemort has been defeated by Harry 2 years ago.
Enjoy!
Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley were now standing on platform 9 and 3 quarters. Molly was lecturing everyone. "I'm sure you will perform really well this year too, Ginny dear. Ron! Try to pay some attention in class and BEHAVE YOURSELF! Harry dear! Score well." She then beckoned Harry forward and said, "And please keep an eye on Ron will you?" This, however, did not go unmissed by Ron. He glared at his mother but said nothing. Molly then turned to Hermione. "I know that you will be the top of your class as usual Hermione. Do well this year." "Thank you ." she replied.
The Hogwarts Express left in 20 minutes, so they still had some time to talk. They were standing on the platform chatting and cracking jokes while Ron sharply nudged Hermione. "What?" she asked annoyed at such a hard nudge. "Hermione look! Malfoy!" he pointed in their direction. She followed his finger, and saw Draco Malfoy, who was engaged in deep conversation with his father Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy, who just staring here and there at the platform. Lucius Malfoy had a hatred for muggle borns like her, but recently, there had been rumours that he no longer believed in such kind of prejudices. She wondered whether they were true.
There had been an article in the Daily Prophet about it. The Prophet said that the whole Malfoy family was forced to join Voldemort. And hence, they were also forced to hate muggleborns and muggles. Not only have the Malfoy family, but many other pureblood families such as the Parkinsons, the Nott's and the Zabini's suffered from this. Now that Voldemort was gone once and for all, they had no fear and could let out their real feelings. Everyone, including Hermione and her friends had found this hard to believe.
Looking at the Malfoys made Hermione wonder whether they were really telling the truth. Draco's behavior said that they were. This was a long train of thought to think, and she was staring at the Malfoys while thinking it. She suddenly realized that they were looking at her now. Lucius and Draco nodded at her, while Narcissa smiled. They seemed very pleasant and friendly all of a sudden. She was taken aback by their behavior. She was completely shocked. It was time to leave by now and Molly ushered them to the black, gleaming train that was now ready to leave.
The four of them boarded that train. Then they went to the window to wave to . They all waved her goodbye. She too, waved back. Harry, Ron and Ginny went to find a compartment. Hermione was about to follow them, while a patch of platinum blonde hair caught her eye. It of course, belonged to Lucius Malfoy. Beside him, stood Narcissa. They were both waving to Draco, who was waving to them from the window beside her. She was surprised that she hadn't noticed him yet. Narcissa suddenly caught sight of her and began to wave. Lucius saw his wife waving in her direction and he gave her a friendly smile. Hermione thought that she would have a massive heart attack.
Draco, who saw his parents looking at someone at the window next to his, wanted to know who this person was. He turned his head and saw Hermione Granger standing there. She just waved back with a stunned expression on her face.
The train m began to speed away, and platform 9 and 3 quarters disappeared from view. Hermione, who was still utterly surprised, turned to find Draco Malfoy staring at her. He gave her a small smile and left to find a compartment for himself.
Hermione thought she was just dreaming. Maybe she was still asleep in her parents' house. "Malfoy just smiled at me!" She thought. But he had smiled on numerous occasions. Those smiles were cruel. There was something about this smile that kept her thinking. There was something about the way he smiled that she found was different from the previous ones.
SHE FELT THAT HIS SMILE RIGHT NOW, WAS GENUINE.
Draco's change in behavior seems to be nice doesn't it? Just wait and watch!