The Train Ride

Well, it is the first day back at Hogwarts, and everyone is excited. Couples have blossomed over the summer after the war. No one really knows if it is because people have time to spend with one another now or if everyone is helping everyone heal. It is September first, and the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are boarding the train. Many for the final time. 

Many students who left because of the war last year are returning, thanks to McGonagall, who happens to be the new Headmistress. Hermione, Ron, and Harry walk together toward the train for the last time. Harry has a small smile on his face; he's finally going to be able to go home. Be safe. Have a normal year. Hermione has her nose stuck in a book and is narrowly avoiding colliding with others. Ron is frowning, of course. Hermione had to practically beg him to return and finish his education. He had just wanted to start working with George in his shop after the war. Claiming he didn't need school any longer. George had been the one to finally convince him to go back, though Hermione doesn't know that. 

"Hey, guys, wait up!" Ginny calls from a distance back. She had been visiting with Charlie that summer. Telling everyone that the fresh air was what she needed. Harry picked her up into his arms and swung her around. 

"I missed you, Gin." He told her as he set her down and kissed her head. They had written every day they had been apart, but nothing is as good as holding the one you love. 

"Ginny, it is so good to see you again." Hermione put her book in her bag so that she could hug her best friend. 

"Ginny." Ron smiled and pulled his little sister into a hug. His frown seemed to disappear after that. 

"I think we should get on the train; we wouldn't want to be able to find a compartment." Hermione motioned toward all the people boarding. As they were getting on, everything was going well until Harry stopped on the last stair and Ginny bashed into him, which caused Hermione to run into her. 

"Harry, are you alright?" Ginny looked worried, but soon she started frowning. She knew exactly why Harry had stopped right in his tracks. 

"What is he doing here?" Harry whispered. Two cars down boarding the train were none other than Draco Malfoy. 

"Ignore him, Harry," Ginny said, grabbing her boyfriend's hand. She still had a disgusted look on her face, though. 

"I am sure it is not a big deal; if the Headmistress allowed it, I am sure it is fine." Hermione chimed in, climbing, pasted them on the stairs. "She does send the letters to us. I think she knows he is here." She added the matter of factly. 

"You are saying you are okay with this?" Ron looked mortified.

"I am saying I trust McGonagall, and you should too." Hermione spat back. Ron and Hermione had tried dating one another, but Hermione was too independent, and Ron needed someone who wanted to take care of his every need. It had caused quite a lot of arguments, and they eventually realized they were better off as friends. Most of the time, they were civil with one another, and they had even started becoming close again. Other times, however, they would fight like that is what kept them alive. 

They found a compartment to sit in and soon were joined by Neville and Luna. Everyone chatted peacefully and comfortably with one another until they were almost at their destination. They heard a knock on the door, and there stood Malfoy. Harry looked stunned, as did Neville. Ron was red with anger, and Ginny was not far behind him. Luna and Hermione seemed to be the only ones that were calm about the situation. Luna opened the door. 

"I am very sorry to interrupt, and I can see my time is limited, but I was wondering if I may have a word with Granger." His voice was one flat tone, and he barely looked up from the floor. 

Hermione stood up and was about to leave when she felt someone grab her wrist. When she looked down, she noticed it was Ron. 

"What do you think you're doing 'Mione?" His face was mixed with anger and fear. 

"I was thinking I could take care of myself and that Malfoy wanted to have a conversation. Not kidnap me. Now let go." Hermione's voice was like ice. Ron caught onto the tone rather quickly and did as he was told. With that, Hermione walked out and followed Malfoy down the hallway.

The only reason she went honestly is that she had received a letter from the ferret a couple of weeks back explaining to her that he wanted to tell her something. None of her friends knew this, of course, and she was curious as to what he had to say. In truth, she was still angry about what had happened to her at Malfoy Manor, but she knew it wasn't his fault and that he was forced to do a lot of things he did. They all were. 

They finally stopped in an empty compartment, and Hermione sat down opposite of Malfoy.

"I...I just wanted to tell you that I was sorry. For what I have said to you. What my family did to you. Everything. I didn't know what to say in that letter, and I really don't know what to say now. I just wanted you to know I am trying to see things in a different light and trying to become someone different. I just thought you should be the first I told because..." He trailed off.

"Because I am the one you tormented the most?" Hermione finished his sentence for him. Her tone wasn't malicious or angry. Mostly matter of fact, "I have already forgiven you, Malfoy. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have come here to speak." She flashed him a quick smile. 

He squirmed in his seat and shifted uncomfortably for a while. Thinking that is all he wanted to tell her, she got up to leave. 

"Hermione." It sounded foreign to his lips, and she froze as it hit her ears. 

"Yes?" She didn't dare say his name. 

"I found them." He looked at her with his slate-colored eyes. Never once blinking. 

"Excuse me?" She could hardly get the words out.

"I found your parents in Australia." He waited for a response. 

"How did you know about that?" She was starting to panic.

"It was mentioned at one of the hearings. I have been researching a way to reverse it. I know you don't think it is possible, but if you would like the papers and books. You can have them." He seemed genuine, and Hermione was unsure how to take this. 

"That...I would like that very much. Thank you." She paused, "Draco." She was surprised she had said his name to his face. His head shot up when he heard it, and he relaxed for a second before stiffening back up and looking at the ground. 

"I will send them to you when we get there." He said before standing up and opening the door for her. She smiled once more at him by accident and rushed back to her compartment. 

"What happened." Ginny blurted out as she sat down.

"He apologized," Hermione said. She was still trying to calm down.

"He did what?" Harry said, unsure whether to take his friend seriously.

"Harry, I don't know why you are holding a grudge over Malfoy. He helped you at the Manor; we saved him and Blaise in the Room of Requirement. His mother saved you, and you are the one that saved him and his mother at their trials." Hermione was out of breath from yelling and speaking so fast. 

"'Mione." Harry looked at his friend with concern. All she could do was look at the ground. No one spoke for the rest of the ride. When they pulled up at the station, Hermione pulled Harry behind everyone. 

"Harry." She started, but Harry just kissed her on the cheek and nodded. They had all been through so much, and they were dealing with it. Some days they dealt with it better than others. They both knew that. "Thank you." She smiled at him, and they both caught up with their friends. 

Now the real tests would begin.