AN: I'm back! And better than ever! Welcome to my new Dramione story! Obviously, SJM owns all the characters, and all rights go to her and her publishing people.
Chapter 1
After the Battle of Hogwarts, the devastation left behind by the war took its toll on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor McGonagall led the rebuilding process and tirelessly oversaw the cleanup efforts. Restoring the school to its former glory proved to be a monumental undertaking, even with the aid of magic. It took nearly a year to repair the physical damage and ensure the safety of the school grounds.
A year after the war's end, Professor McGonagall, now the esteemed headmistress, decided to reopen Hogwarts. She extended a heartfelt invitation to all students who missed their seventh year due to the war's disruption. However, she clarified that attendance was optional, as many students had already ventured into the workforce, having received job offers despite their incomplete education.
Harry Potter had become a prominent figure in the wizarding world as an Auror and was busy hunting down rogue Death Eaters alongside his fellow Aurors. Ron Weasley, ever loyal to his best friend, joined Harry on dangerous missions rather than finding a job closer to home. When the invitation from Hogwarts arrived, Harry and Ron discussed the matter and decided that since attendance was optional, they would continue their Auror duties instead.
However, Hermione Granger, wanting to give back to the school that had taught her so much, was determined to return to be another student on Hogwarts' roster. She saw this as an opportunity to return to the school that had been her home for so many years and ensure her education was complete.
As the Hogwarts Express sped towards the beloved school, Hermione gazed out the window, her thoughts drifting to the rolling landscapes passing by. The familiar sights brought back a flood of joyous and heartbreaking memories. Sitting in the compartment without Harry and Ron by her side was bittersweet, as they had been inseparable since the boys rescued her from the mountain troll their first year.
Beside her, Ginny Weasley was engrossed in a Muggle romance novel. The sound of turning pages and occasional chuckles provided a soothing backdrop to the journey. Ginny's presence was a source of solace for Hermione, a reminder that she was not alone in this new chapter of her life.
Across from them, Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom engaged in an animated conversation, catching up on events that had unfolded since they parted ways after the Battle of Hogwarts. After discussing their own lives, the conversation turned to the lives of their friends. The air in the compartment was filled with nostalgia and the warmth of rekindling friendships that had withstood the test of time.
Hermione couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as she listened to Luna and Neville's tales. Their stories echoed the experiences she and her closest friends had shared, but without Harry and Ron, it felt like a piece of their shared history was missing. The compartment's atmosphere was tinged with an indescribable sense of emptiness, as if a void had formed where Harry and Ron had once sat playing Exploding Snaps and Wizard Chess.
Though they had all kept in touch through letters, there were limitations to the communication owls could carry. Hermione's heart longed for their familiar presence, the dynamic trio that had faced countless trials together, relying on each other through thick and thin.
Despite the tinge of melancholy, Hermione recognized the opportunity that lay before her. This was a chance for personal growth and to discover more about herself outside of the confines of her closest friendships. Even though she would miss Harry and Ron, she knew this was her chance to find out who she was without the other two members of her Golden Trio.
As the Hogwarts Express continued its journey, Hermione couldn't help but be filled with anticipation and uncertainty. The school year ahead held promises of knowledge, friendship, and adventures yet to unfold. She knew that Harry and Ron would always have a special place in her heart, their bond was unbreakable, but she was also ready to embrace the new experiences and relationships that awaited her.
With a determined smile, Hermione took one last glance at the passing landscapes, cherishing the memories that flickered through her mind.
Luna and Neville's conversation was common; everywhere along the train, students were reconnecting, sharing tales of the past year and recounting their experiences since they had last been together. The train had become a vessel of reunions and conversations, where friendships were rekindled and bonds strengthened.
However, amidst the cheerful chatter, there were also traces of sadness that lingered in the air. Cries and sniffles could be heard from a few compartments as students recounted the harrowing events they had endured during the war. The stories, though important to share and process, reopened wounds and reminded everyone of the sacrifices that had been made. The weight of loss and tragedy hung in the air, intermingled with the hope and excitement of returning to Hogwarts.
In the compartment at the opposite end of the train from the Gryffindors, Draco Malfoy found himself seated with his fellow Slytherins: Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and Pansy Parkinson. None of them were particularly thrilled about returning to Hogwarts. Still, they recognized the importance of rebuilding their reputation and showcasing their loyalty to the school ravaged by Voldemort's deceit, just as Draco himself had deceived the Ministry.
As the train traversed the scenic landscape of rolling hills and sprawling fields, the view went unnoticed as their attention remained fixated on their conversation. They discussed the upcoming school year with distaste and resignation. They speculated which teachers would return, which would have retired, and which had tragically lost their lives in the war.
"Remember that batty Divination teacher?" Pansy giggled from her spot next to Blaise. The boys chuckled in remembrance, then sneered when they recalled her soft spot for muggles and mudbloods.
"I bet she's not coming back." Theo mused across from her. "Not like she can foresee any other death and destruction." He mocked the tone she'd use whenever she read Potter's future. The compartment roared with laughter.
"What about Slughorn?" Blaise asked, keeping his voice light. He remembered the potions professor who had allowed Professor Snape to take his rightful place as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
The group paused, contemplating. "I bet not," Draco finally spoke. "Now that his precious headmaster is dead, no one can protect him. He knows he sealed his fate as one of that oaf's biggest supporters." The other three nodded. Talking about Dumbledore's death reminded them of the short-lived career of his successor, Professor Snape. The mood in the compartment noticeably shifted as they thought of his sacrifice to the Dark Lord.
The guessing game continued as they switched gears and began speculating which students had chosen not to return for their seventh year. They had seen a few familiar faces on the platform but knew they had yet to see everyone aboard. The conversation shakily steered around the three students the Slytherins wanted to discuss most. Finally, it was unavoidable.
Theo broke the tension with a question directed at Blaise, "Alright, Weasley?" His tone carried a hint of mischief, knowing Blaise's reaction would be entertaining.
Blaise couldn't resist the opportunity for a joke, responding with a wicked cackle, "Which one?" The compartment erupted into laughter, their shared amusement momentarily overshadowing the seriousness of their discussion.
Theo, determined to steer the conversation in a specific direction, clarified, "Potter's boy." Playfully, he tossed a nearby copy of the Daily Prophet at Blaise, who caught it with a smirk.
Looking to contribute her insights, Pansy said, "Last I heard, he was an Auror. Potter, too." She shrugged casually, her voice carrying a note of detachment as she casually flipped through a magazine she had retrieved from her bag. "They're going after all the cowards who left the Dark Lord when he needed them most," she added, her tone suggesting a mix of curiosity and disdain. "The Aurors have a huge list of names. Not sure how they got it, though."
Draco, usually the one to spearhead such conversations, was unusually quiet. The mention of Harry Potter, his former rival, brought a surge of conflicting emotions. He still harbored resentment and envy towards the Boy Who Lived, but he remembered how the pair had formed somewhat of a silent truce after the battle.
The silence in the compartment lingered for a while, the weight of their previous conversation hanging in the air. Then, Theo broke the silence.
"I saw the Granger girl on the platform," Theo commented nonchalantly, picking a piece of lint off his clothes. "She got on with the Weasley girl." Pansy sneered, remembering her constant battle with Ginny over boys.
Draco nodded, not really caring about Weasley's little sister. He hated Granger, though. He had always harbored a silent resentment since she punched him in their third year. Now, however, he hated how much of a role she had played in the Dark Lord's downfall.
"You know what would kill Potter?" Theo asked, his gaze fixed on Draco, waiting for his reaction.
Draco raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Theo's provocative statement. "What?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
A wicked grin spread across Theo's face as he unveiled his idea. "If Granger fell in with the wrong crowd," he declared, his voice dripping with a hint of menace. Pansy and Blaise, who had been quietly listening, now leaned in, captivated by the discussion unfolding before them. "Feel like a bet, Slytherin Prince?" Theo's eyes locked with Draco's as he continued, relishing using Draco's old nickname.
Draco's expression morphed into a mix of uncertainty and intrigue. "What are you suggesting?" he asked cautiously, unsure if he wanted to entertain Theo's proposition.
A mischievous smirk danced on Theo's lips as he laid out the terms of the bet. "I bet that you can't make the Granger girl fall in love with you by the end of the year," he proposed, confident in the potential havoc such a pursuit could wreak.
Draco scoffed at the audacity of the suggestion. "And why should I suffer through that Mudblood?" he retorted, his lingering prejudices resurfacing.
Theo, undeterred, leaned in, his voice laced with subtle manipulation. "Imagine how much it would kill Potter to know that his precious Gryffindor Princess switched sides. And he wasn't there to stop it," he insinuated, his words hitting Draco with a calculated impact.
Blaise, now joining Theo with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, added his voice to the persuasive chorus. "Come on, Draco," he chimed in, his tone filled with encouragement. "Think about the chaos it would cause. Ruining the Golden Trio, destroying Potter's hero narrative— it's too enticing to pass up."
Pansy remained silent, her expression inscrutable. The wheels in Draco's mind turned as he contemplated the tantalizing prospect laid out before him. The chance to undermine Potter, to tarnish his perfect image and strike a blow against his oldest enemy, held a certain allure.
After a few moments of deliberation, Draco relented. "Alright, alright," he acquiesced, his voice carrying a hint of caution. "But if I get sick of her, I'm calling it. I'm serious. There's only so much Mudblood I can take." Theo agreed to his terms, and the pair shook hands.
As the train chugged onward, the landscape outside continued to pass by, untouched by the concerns and musings of those aboard the speeding train.
AN: Let me know what you think!