'If it was not for the immense prestige of Hogwarts I imagine the refugee crisis during and subsequent to the war would have been far worse. Families returned to these Isles in order to send their children to Hogwarts.'

Minerva Mcgonagall, The Importance of Hogwarts, Daily Prophet 8th February 1990

The next month passed in a blur for Harry, and before he knew it Professor Snape had come to pick him up for his Aunt in the car park of King's Cross Station. After pulling Harry through a brick wall as he screwed his eyes shut as hard as he could, the Professor soon disappeared. This left Harry adrift on the platform clutching luggage, at least until he saw a similarly adrift looking young bushy haired girl nearby.

Spotting him she rushed over.

'My parents couldn't come through to the platform! Was it the same for you!?' Harry wasn't really sure how to handle the obviously upset girl he had exchanged roughly 3 words with prior to this point, but answering her question seemed a good start.

'No, my Aunt just dropped me off in the car park and Professor Snape came and picked me up.'

'Oh, how come?'

'Well my Mam was a witch, I guess she knew she couldn't come through.'

'Oh, that makes sense' Hermione paused her brows furrowed. 'Well at least we found each other!'

'Do you want to try to get on the train?' Harry didn't see much point hanging around on the platform watching everyone making their tearful goodbyes. It made his chest feel tight, missing something he didn't know he wanted.

'Well we can, but we aren't able to take a carriage together. Boys and Girls riding together is prohibited until we are older. I read it in Hogwarts: A History!' Hermione beamed, happy about her ability to recall trivia, and then frowned when she realised the implication.

'Oh.' They stood awkwardly looking at each other for a few seconds before they were rescued.

'Hail, Harry.' Came a smooth if still childish voice from behind him.

Harry turned to see Draco and an Woman with thick dark hair and heavy lidded eyes approaching them.

'Hi, Draco.' Harry had thought a lot about how Draco's family were Voldemort supporters, and still wasn't sure how he felt, but he didn't blame Draco.

'May I introduce my Father's Second Wife and the Mother of my Sister, Bellatrix of The Most Noble Lestrange family. This is Harry of House Potter, but I have yet to make the acquaintance of the young Witch beside him'

'I'm Hermione Granger.'

'You parents are Muggles?' Asked Bellatrix, words quite sharp enough to cut a nervous eleven year old.

'Yes, why?' Replied Hermione, sounding wobbly.

Bellatrix ignored the question, instead turning her head to Draco. 'I will be departing, be careful who you associate with. And stop with this 'Hail' nonsense, it is not the 9th Century, regardless of what your Father thinks.' With a half spin on her heels and a crack she disappeared.

'I'm Sorry for her behaviour Hermione, she does not like Muggles or those descended from them.' Draco's smile looked brittle, but his words were pleasant, trying to paper over the cracks caused by Bellatrix's curt dismissal of Hermione. 'Welcome to the Magical World, Hermione.'

He turn from the sniffling Hermione to Harry. 'Will you join me aboard Harry? Unfortunately due to the segregation of Wizards and Witches Hermione will be unable to join us.' Draco's tone did not indicate that he thought it very unfortunate.

Harry, to his shame, wanted to get away from the nearly-crying girl and so agreed. 'Sure. I'll see you at Hogwarts, Hermione!'