Hermione woke early on the morning of her trip to Diagon Alley, nervous excitement building. She was looking forward to meeting the young girl and her parents and excited to help someone who was in the same position as she had been twelve years ago. She did have some nerves though, mostly about Malfoy being around Muggles. She still remembered the looks he and his father gave her own parents in Flourish and Blotts the day Lockheart had been signing books. She told herself firmly that this was his idea; his charity and his plan to meet the girl. Was is possible that he had grown out of his prejudices? Maybe. Hermione was simply hoping that in the five years he had been away that he had at least learned to keep them to himself. She didn't want to spend the day walking on eggshells; afraid of Malfoy insulting the family.
She showered and dressed with enough time remaining for breakfast and two large cups of coffee; setting her up for the day.
She was to meet Malfoy and the family outside the Muggle street entrance of the Leaky Cauldron at eleven o clock. Draco had briefly met the family after McGonagall had confirmed that he would be the one to accompany them on their shopping trip, so they knew who to look out for on the day.
At ten minutes to eleven, Hermione apparated into the pub then walked outside into the warm sunshine. It was nearing the end of August but still warm enough outside for her to wear her favourite blue sundress.
She soon spotted Malfoy walking down the street towards her. She had to do a double-take initially as she assumed he would be apparating like she had, but their was no mistaking the platinum blonde hair that shone brightly in the sunlight.
"You walked?" she asked him as he reached her.
"Don't sound so surprised. I only live ten minutes from here and it's a nice day," he appraised her outfit. "Not that you haven't noticed; I see your legs are making a guest appearance today. I have to say they look better in that dress than the fluffy dressing gown."
"Oh would you stop with that already? You know what it's like with those stupid memories, they take you at any time, from any place."
"Well, let's hope they don't choose now, our guest have arrived," he pointed at a family now approaching, the woman was waving at Draco.
"Hello again," he said as they reached the entrance of the run-down pub. "I'd like to introduce Hermione Granger, a work colleague of mine who has agreed to accompany us today."
Hermione jumped a little at Malfoy using her first name but greeted the family politely.
"Hermione, this is John and Hazel Summers and their daughter, and future Hogwarts student, Jane," he gestured to each family member in turn.
John was a tall, bald-headed man with a friendly face. His wife was almost half his size, her head topped with mousy-brown, poker-straight hair, reached well below his shoulders. Their daughter seemed to have inherited bits from both parents; her hair was the same shade of brown and she was tall for her age, a shy but friendly smile on her face.
"Hello," said Hermione, reciprocating their smiles, "it's lovely to meet you all. Tell me Jane, are you excited to go shopping for your school things?"
Jane nodded enthusiastically prompting Draco to open the door to the Leaky Cauldron and gestured inside. John and Hazel looked skeptical as though they were still wondering if this whole thing was a practical joke, Jane looked scared but curious. The group passed straight through the quiet bar and into the brick courtyard out the back, all thankful to be back in the sunlight.
Draco took out his wand and tapped the brick that revealed the large archway that opened up to Diagon Alley. Three audible gasps were heard from behind and Hermione smiled kindly at the family.
"Amazing isn't it?" she said, and they nodded fervently. "Gringotts first?" she asked Malfoy.
He agreed and they walked to the Wizarding bank. Upon her arrival, the Goblins of Gringotts glared at her, suspicion and accusation in their eyes. They still hadn't forgotten the hole she blew into the floor over five years ago, though she, Ron and Harry had long since apologised and helped to repair the damage.
They helped to convert John and Hazel's Muggle money into Galleons, Sickles and Knuts and left the bank quickly.
"Are they always that...mean?" Hazel asked, glancing back at the goblins in the doorway who were watching to make sure Hermione really had left.
"Not that mean, and not to everyone..." Hermione said uncomfortably.
"Yeah, they're only like that when people steal their dragons and fly them out of the bank taking half of the building with them," Malfoy said, smirking at Hermione who was now glaring at him.
"Dragons?!" Jane squeaked.
"Ignore him, Jane," Hermione said before quickly changing the subject. "Right, take a look at that list Jane, what do we need?"
Jane reached into the small pink bag that hung at her waist and pulled out an envelope that was very familiar to Hermione and Draco. The parchment inside was crumpled, Hermione guessed that the girl had read and re-read the letter many times, reassuring herself that it was real.
"Um, it says I need my uniform, there's a list of books, a cauldron, some phials, scales, a telescope and a wand," she said, glancing around at the surrounding shops.
"Let's do uniform first, Madam Malkin's is just there," Hermione pointed to a shop on her left and the group headed over to it.
In less than an hour, they had managed to buy Jane's robes, potion equipment and telescopes. They decided that was a good time to stop for a bite to eat and a rest. Hermione suggested Cleo's Cafe, a quaint coffee shop that was formerly Florean Fortescue's ice-cream parlour.
Once their food arrived, Hermione decided it would be an opportune moment to see how Jane was feeling about Hogwarts.
"So, Jane. Are you excited to start school?"
"I think so. I'm still not sure this is all real. It feels like a dream, you know?"
"I do. And trust me, it's all very real. Is there anything you'd like me and Ma-Draco to explain about school or magic?" she glanced sideways to see if Malfoy had noticed her slip-up; his smirk suggested he had.
"I just want to know everything!" Jane gushed. "What's it like, Hogwarts? Where will I sleep? Will I have to do maths?"
Hermione chuckled. "Hogwarts is...magical, that's the only way to describe it. You'll see when you get there. You sleep in a dormitory with other girls your age. There are four houses, like teams, and each has a common room where you can relax or do homework and dormitories to sleep in. They're called Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. And no, there's no maths," she smiled kindly.
"Wow...which house were you two in? How do they decide who goes where?"
"I was in Slytherin," Malfoy began, "and Hermione was in Gryffindor. They have a way of sorting you, I won't spoil it but don't worry, you don't have to do a test or anything."
Jane visibly relaxed and continued to ask questions, mostly about the lessons she would be attending. She seemed particularly interested in Quidditch and delighted in explaining football to Draco after she told him she was on the school team and he had no idea what football was.
After lunch, they headed to Hermione's favourite shop in Diagon Alley: Flourish and Blotts. Malfoy told her he would help Jane, leaving Hermione free to browse the shelves and she ended up leaving with more books than Jane did.
Hermione and Draco had deliberately left the best until last; buying Jane's wand. Ollivander's was opened once more fairly soon after the war. Ollivander spent a few years training an apprentice he had hand-picked; Corbin Finkle now ran the shop alone though Ollivander was often seen in the shop ensuring it was being ran effectively.
On their arrival, there was already another family in the shop. His parents sat on two rickety chairs by the window, watching as he was handed one wand at a time to try out.
"This is getting boring," the boy moaned, "can't I just pick one and be done with it. I want to go and look at the brooms."
"Sorry, lad. It's not up to you to choose a wand; it has to choose you. Try this one," Corbin said, handing him another wand.
"Don't worry love," the boys mother said. "It took me about twenty goes before I found the right one!"
Three wands later, the red sparks flew, money was exchanged and the boy dragged his parents out of the shop. Jane, who was now very quiet, stepped forward when summoned by Corbin. It took only four attempts to find her the right wand; maple and unicorn hair, ten inches. John handed over eleven sickles and they left the shop.
"Is everything alright love?" John asked his daughter once they were outside. "I thought the wand was what you were most excited about, didn't it feel right? We can go back and swap it if you like?"
"No, Dad, the wand is fine...it's perfect. I was just wondering..." she looked at Hermione as though she wanted to ask her something.
"What is it Jane?" Hermione asked her.
"Well, that boy in there. His mum and Dad were magic too. Will they all be like him? The kids in my year? Or will there be others like me, with normal mums and dads?"
"Of course there will. I was just like you Jane. My parents are dentists, not magical in the slightest." Hermione replied.
"Did it matter? That your parents weren't magic?"
Hermione's heart sank at Jane's question. Did it matter? Not so much now, but it certainly did when she was at school. And it mattered a lot to the man standing next to her. She looked at Draco, and saw sadness in his eyes. He looked away from her, to Jane.
"No. It doesn't matter at all. A few years ago, some people thought it was important. Some people thought that you shouldn't be allowed to go to Hogwarts or to be a witch or wizard if your parents weren't. Then along came Hermione, determined to change the world," he grinned at Hermione. "She helped to get rid of the man who really believed in all of that, and all of his followers. She made people realise that you can come from parents like yours and still become the brightest witch of your age. Now she's not just changed the minds of people here, but doing it in other countries too. So no, Jane, it won't matter. And if anyone tells you it does, then tell them you know Hermione Granger and she proves it doesn't."
Jane beamed at him and began talking animatedly once more to her parents about all of the things she would soon be learning to do with her magic wand. Hermione quickly wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek whilst Draco wasn't looking.
"We had better be off now," Hazel said, "we've got a train to catch. Thank you both so much for today, it's been an amazing, albeit surreal day. And thank you for all of the help and advice you've given us. I'm sure Jane feels much less nervous about starting school now."
They all bid farewell, Draco remembering before they left to instruct them how to get on to the platform on September first. Jane promised to write to both him and Hermione to let them know how her first week went and which house she was sorted into.
"Fancy a drink in the Leaky before you go?" Draco asked Hermione after the family had gone.
"Er, sure. Why not," she replied.
Draco ordered and they say down in a small booth, an awkward silence between them.
"So, today-" Hermione finally spoke.
"Where do you-" Draco spoke at the same time.
They both laughed and Hermione gestured for Draco to continue.
"Where do you think Jane will get sorted then?"
"Tough one but I'd have to say Hufflepuff, you?"
"Hufflepuff? Are you kidding, the girl's a blatant Ravenclaw!"
"Five galleons says Hufflepuff," Hermione said, holding out her hand for him to shake.
"You're on, Granger," he shook her hand firmly. "Anyway, I best get going. I said I would write to McGonagall and let her know how today went."
He drained the rest of his drink and stood up. Hermione mimicked his actions; not wanting to stay in the pub alone. He said goodbye and headed for the door that would take him back to the Muggle street and she apparated on the spot back to the living room of her flat.
It wasn't until she went to bed that night that Hermione realised she had just spent most of the day with Malfoy and actually enjoyed herself. How times had changed since Hogwarts.