Chapter 1 - Child Soldiers

Hermione Granger was standing at the witness podium in the middle of the Wizengamot chamber. She was wearing a black pantsuit cinched at the waist with a golden belt and snow white robes with a thin gold thread at the edges, on her feet were black stilettos that had clacked on the marble floor all the way to the stand. She was both grief and renewal.

The chamber was dark, from the grey stones all around, the dark purple robes of the members and the low light, Hermione shone like a bright light in the middle of a storm. To her right stood Draco Malfoy, in a cage with manacles around his wrists. He was wearing an Azkaban prison uniform, grey pants and long sleeve shirt with black horizontal stripes. The guards had not waited for his trial, and the Azkaban prison tattoo was visible on the side of his neck, black bold numbers on red angry skin. Draco Malfoy had been the epitome of proud and arrogant his whole life, but today he was looking down at the floor, shoulders slumped in resignation and eyes devoid of light and hope. He had been waiting for his trial for almost two months in a cell with a straw mattress, two tasteless meals a day and dementors all around.

As for all Death Eaters trials since the end of the war, Acting Minister Kingsley Shacklebot was presiding. He looked very much like the statesman he was, wearing a black three pieces suit with a purple tie and inky black robes with the Minister emblem stitched in. His face was carefully neutral, a born politician.

He banged the gavel in front of him to start the proceedings. "Today, 30 June 1998, we open the trial of Azkaban prisoner number 0506198098, Draco Lucius Malfoy. He stands accused of willingly joining the terrorist organisation known as Death Eaters and acting on the orders of the dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort. The charges are the following: attempted murder of Katie Bell, attempted murder of Ronald Weasley, conspiracy against Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, giving access to several Death Eaters to said school, attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore, the torture of Luna Lovegood, the torture of Dean Thomas, the torture of Garrick Ollivander, and finally the act of treason against Wizarding Britain.

Mr. Malfoy, how do you plead?"

"Guilty." the emotionless voice of Draco Malfoy replied, without looking up from the floor.

"Very well. Court Scribe Weasley, please note the guilty plea of the accused."

A short pause later, Acting Minister Shacklebot finally looked away from Draco Malfoy and Percy Weasley to look at the stubborn form of Hermione Granger, resignation and annoyance in his eyes. He cleared his throat, "Miss. Granger, you have volunteered yourself as a character witness for the accused. Please proceed, you have 10 minutes."

Hermione Granger straightened her shoulders and held her head high, "Esteemed members of the Wizengamot, Acting Minister Shacklebot, I stand before you today because of Draco Malfoy. While it is no secret our relationship has been fraught, volatile and downright hostile at times, I come before you today to plead for mercy on his behalf. During the war, I was brought to Malfoy Manor by snatchers along with Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. Draco Malfoy was asked to confirm our identities by his father Lucius Malfoy, his mother Narcissa Malfoy and his aunt Bellatrix Lestrange. He refused to identify us or confirm our identities. Because of this single action, we were able to eventually escape and bring down Voldemort. During our stay at Malfoy Manor, both Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter were brought to the dungeons while I was interrogated personally by Bellatrix Lestrange in the drawing room of the Manor. Narcissa Malfoy had to physically restrain her son to stop him from trying to save me. I was tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange by means of the Cruciatus Curse and a cursed knife. The torture lasted multiple hours, and from beginning to end Draco Malfoy was wandlessly and non-verbally healing me, soothing me and trying to ease the pain, while adding his own occlumency shields to mine. Draco Malfoy saved me from losing myself to insanity that day.

Moreover, during the Final Battle, Draco Malfoy never sent a single spell against a fighter for the Light, and he gave his own wand to Harry Potter so he could defeat Voldemort.

Beyond those actions, I would like for you to understand the impossible situation Draco Malfoy was in. He was 16 years old, asked to choose between being Marked by Voldemort or watching his own mother die instead. That is not a choice. Voldemort then gave him the task to kill Albus Dumbledore, knowing he wouldn't succeed, to punish Lucius Malfoy by killing his only son in a suicide mission. Albus Dumbledore was aware of his mission during the entire year and did nothing to help, while Severus Snape killed him on his own command and to save Draco Malfoy's soul.

Draco Malfoy was a 16 years old child, who made mistakes, but never truly hurt anyone, nor did he ever want to.

I have with me letters written by both Luna Lovegood and Garrick Ollivander who attest that Draco Malfoy did everything he could to help them while they were held prisoners. Giving them food, water, and warmth. While he did cast the Cruciatus Curse, he made the curse as weak as possible and they faked the pain.

Draco Malfoy was a child thrown into a war by adults who did nothing while teenagers defeated Voldemort.

Thank you for your time, I leave with you the letters mentioned as well as my memories of all the events I have mentioned, the memories of Severus Snape regarding the death of Albus Dumbledore and the memories of Luna Lovegood during her time as a prisoner."

The chamber was silent, and Hermione turned around without another word and walked out, her heels clacking in her wake. Draco Malfoy finally looked up to watch her leave while mouthing I am sorry.


A couple of hours later, the Golden trio was at Grimmauld Place. Harry Potter was sitting in a worn armchair next to the fire, a glass of firewhiskey in hand and a resigned look in his green eyes, refusing to take part in the conversation unfolding around him. Ronald Weasley was standing, his hands curled in fists to his sides, his face red and his eyes blazing. Hermione Granger was in front of him, refusing to back down, a defiant look in her eyes.

"Why would you do this to me 'Mione?"

"It had nothing to do with you Ronald."

"He tried to kill me! He deserves to rot in Azkaban! How dare you defend him!?"

Hermione took a deep breath, "He did not try to kill you, he was a child stuck in an impossible situation and was trying to survive."

Ronald scoffed at her and his mouth turned into a sneer, "What is wrong with you 'Mione? He's an evil little ferret!"

"People are more than good or evil Ronald! He deserves a second chance, a chance at redemption and a chance to make his own fucking choices beyond his father and Voldemort!"

"He's a Death Eater, he deserves nothing and he doesn't deserve your fucking pity, how could you do this to me 'Mione?"

"I did nothing to you Ronald Weasley! I only said the truth and it's not on me if you refuse to see that." Hermione replied calmly.

Ronald shook his head and punched the nearest wall in frustration, "You're just a Death Eater whore 'Mione!" he yelled.

Hermione gasped a shocked breath and spoke in a deadly tone, "How dare you speak to me like that?"

Instead of responding, he shook his head again and left the room. Hermione tried to catch Harry's gaze but he refused to look at her and stared at his glass.

Feeling the sting of incoming tears, Hermione apparated away.


Hermione Granger spent the next few days alone, in her childhood home. She had cast the Fidelius Charm on the house before leaving for the Burrow last year. She had refused Molly Weasley's offer to stay at the Burrow after the war and quickly went home instead. Most of her days had been filled with sorting her belongings from her beaded bag, shopping for new clothes, cleaning the house and preparing for the incoming trials, as she was a victim in many of them and had to testify. Her presence at Draco Malfoy trial was the last one, and the only one she went to of her own volition.

Her childhood home was in the outskirts of London, a beautiful Victorian house with ivy growing up the walls. Inside, the furniture and decor made a modern look, contrasting with the façade. The garden held more wild flowers and weeds than grass and she spent a lot of time outside, next to the pond, sitting on a blanket and reading the time away. After only a couple of weeks, she had reached out to Andromeda Tonks to ask if she could recommend a Mind Healer or a Muggle psychologist aware of the Wizarding world. Andromeda's reply was quick and she was soon able to start seeing Healer Adams, who diagnosed her with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder almost right away. She was seeing her twice a week for almost two months now and it had made living after the war a much easier transition.

She has tried a few times to bring the subject of mind healing to both Harry and Ron, she mentioned how much it helped her, and how it lessened her burden to simply talk about everything that had happened since she was 11 years old.

Harry had nodded in understanding but stated he refused to talk about the war to anyone and he would not be changing his mind. While Ronald had scoffed, said the war was over and he wasn't crazy so he didn't need a Mind Healer. She had stopped bringing up the subject since, and continued her own therapy.

While she was reading in the garden outside, a small barn owl flew up to her and deposited an envelope bearing the Hogwarts crest in her lap. She quickly opened it and read the letter:

"Dear Miss. Granger,

It is my pleasure to invite you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy for a remedial 8th year. The war has taken its toll on everyone and I would like to offer you the chance to come back this coming September in order to pass your N.E.W.T.s next May.

The bonus 8th year is not mandatory, but I do encourage you to come back.

If you choose to accept this invitation, the Head Girl position is yours, as it should have been last year.

I hope to hear from you soon,

The deadline to accept or decline is 31 July.

Warm Regards,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall."


"What do you mean no? Kings said the three of us could start Auror training in August!" Ronald Weasley exclaimed in confusion.

Hermione was having lunch with Ronald and Harry in a small café in Muggle London. After their argument following the trial of Draco Malfoy, she had remained distant until Ron mumbled a small apology and she had given in while Harry looked pleadingly at her.

"I am going back to Hogwarts, I already confirmed it with Headmistress McGonagall. I want to study and gain my N.E.W.T.s, I have never wanted to be an Auror and I have chased dark wizards enough for a lifetime." she explained carefully and calmly.

"What about me? If you're in Scotland for 10 months, what happens to us 'Mione?"

"What do you mean 'us' Ronald? We kissed once, almost three months ago and have not talked about it since. There is no us." Hermione retorted, shaking her head, while Harry closed in eyes in resignation besides Ron.

Ron's face turned red and his hands curled into fists on the table, "Is this because of the ferret? Were you shagging him in secret or something?"

"You can't expect one kiss 3 months ago to mean something without having talked about it! We are friends, I wish to remain friends, you are one of my best friends but I don't want more.

And no Ronald, I have never shagged Draco." she said, rolling her eyes.

"And yet you're calling him Draco?!" Ron spat at her, ignoring everything she had said.

"Yes, I call my friends by their first names. I told you this already, since his pardon we have talked a few times and made amends. I consider him a friend." Hermione said, standing up slowly.

"So you're choosing him then? You want to be his little Death Eater whore 'Mione?"

At this, Hermione finally snapped, "I am not choosing anyone, I am going back to Hogwarts, that's it! If you continue to talk to me like that though, I won't remain your friend." She started walking away, but turned back before she opened the door, "And my name is Hermione!" and left.


The rest of the summer was spent isolated, since that day in the café, Hermione had heard nothing from Ron, and Harry had not replied to any of her letters. His birthday had come and passed without an invitation, nor an acknowledgement of her gift. Hermione spent her time reading the material for her upcoming 8th year, re-reading Jane Austen, going to therapy twice a week still and shopping. She had never been a frivolous shopper before but the whole almost dying in a genocide thing made her more impulsive. She had a whole new wardrobe, both Muggle and Wizarding, in a more mature style than she used to. She had also developed a slight shoe shopping addiction and now owned several pairs of Doc Martens, and various high heels, the contrast making her giggle. She had even gone to a Wizarding beauty parlour while spending a week abroad and had her hair cut, highlighted and learned the charms to make it run down her back in soft shiny curls. She had also invested in some make-up and now felt much more confident in her own skin. A few days before going back to Hogwarts she had gone to a Magical Tattoo Parlour in Oxford and had gotten a Phoenix in reds, golds and purples on the inside of her left forearm to cover up the scar left by Bellatrix. As she was already at the tattoo parlour, she also got runes tattooed down her spine, Protection, Safety, Strength, Intelligence, Love, Family and Renewal.

The morning of 1 September 1998, she stood alone on Platform 9 3/4. She was wearing black skinny jeans, dark red Doc Martens that almost reached her knees, a red cashmere v-neck jumper and a full-length black leather jacket. Her hair was braided to the side, reaching her lower back and she was wearing a small line of eye-liner and a dark purple lipstick. She had raided her mother's jewelry and was wearing small black pearls earrings and a gold chain with a black rose dangling from it and resting below her collarbones. Instead of her beaded bag, she wore an off the shoulder messenger bag her father had bought at least 20 years ago and her trunk was shrunk down in her pocket.

A few people were staring at her but the stares were more curious and puzzled than the awe or hatred she was used to. It seems no one was recognising her. She finally went inside and found an empty compartment at the end of the train where she sat down with a sigh. A few minutes later, the door opened to reveal Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott, "Mind if we join you?" the former asked.

She nodded and they sat down opposite her, "It seems you're the only one who has recognised me today."

Draco rolled his eyes, "People see what they expect. Besides, I've seen you multiple times this summer so I'm familiar with the Dark Granger look." he drawled out.

Theodore cleared his throat, "I'm Theo Nott by the way."

"We sat next to each other in Ancient Runes for 4 years Theo, I believe we've met." she replied dryly.

"I wasn't aware you knew I existed Granger." Theo said smirking.

"Do Slytherins have a thing about not calling people by their first names, or is it just the two of you?"

"We don't have a thing, Hermione." Theo purred in reply, while Draco rolled his eyes and smacked the back of his head.

"She's not interested, Nott."

"She could be, do not speak for the lady Malfoy."

"You're gay Theo, just stop the shameless flirting."

"Never." Theo declared primly while dusting off invisible lint off his clothes, "By the way, can I ask, when did you two become best friends?"

"I think it was when I got him drunk on cheap vodka in a Muggle club early August." Hermione said, not looking up from the book she had taken out while they bickered.

Theo sat up straight and rubbed his hands, "Tell me everything!"