Chapter Text
It was official: Hermione was off to complete her eighth year at Hogwarts and Harry and Ron weren't joining her. When McGonagall extended an invitation to repeat their final year at Hogwarts, Ron was in a fit of hysterics "We bloody killed Voldemort. I could probably be headmaster or something!" Harry's response wasn't much better, "Hermione, I've almost died every single year attending. Might as well start Auror training where that actually means something." He wasn't wrong, none of them had to go back. Harry and Ron received an invitation for early entry into the Auror program and she was thrilled for them, really. Well, she was a little sad to be heading off alone but thrilled for them nonetheless. She thought Harry deserved something like that, a bit of happiness. But she didn't want that life, especially after the awkward month of Ron and her realizing they were better off as friends. Like kissing my brother, bleh! She didn't want to train and fight more bad guys. She wanted to work and help people. The world was changing into a better place and she wanted to be part of the change. Freeing House Elves was just the tip of the iceberg.
She glanced around at her empty train compartment before rummaging her knapsack trying not to think about just why there were so many empty seats on the Hogwarts Express that year. "It's going to be better..." Murmuring to herself, she pulled out a book barely noticing a man looking in and opening the door until he was already a foot inside.
"Granger." Her throat felt dry.
"Malfoy." Goodness she hadn't seen him since the trial. His unmistakable hair was longer, his oxford was wrinkled around the collar as if he'd been tugging at it, and she noticed a small scuff near his knee when he determinedly walked in the car. With a jolt, she realized Malfoy looked more haphazard then she could ever remember seeing him. And this would not have been nearly as significant if the last time he hadn't been wearing a black and white jumpsuit.
"Should have expected you'd be back." He glanced at her narrowing eyes. "Well the brightest witch of her age wouldn't miss out on her NEWTS" scoffing he added, "not that you couldn't walk in the Ministry right now and be the bloody Minister of Magic." It was probably the most he had ever said to her. It was deeply unsettling.
"Yes." Beat. "I mean, my Education is very important to me." Boy, this was awkward. She could tell he noticed how uncomfortable she was from his casual manner on the other seat in the compartment. At least, if his trademark smirk was anything to go by. You go through a war and some things never change. "I didn't realize you could lower yourself to talk to the likes of me anyways."
"You give yourself far too much credit Granger." He was rolling his eyes and opening up a book she hadn't noticed he'd brought in until now. His bored tone took her off guard. This was Malfoy, Draco bloody Malfoy infamous blood-purist, semi-cleared Death Eater, and tormenter of her friends for the entirety of their schooling. Said man purposely choosing her compartment, striking up a casual conversation, and not calling her a Mudblood in the first two minutes was almost shocking. Ron could have been tap-dancing in the corner and that wouldn't have been nearly as bizarre. So she did the only thing she possibly could do at that moment.
"Right—I’ll see you then." The compartment door slammed behind her.
What an absolute ninny. Running from Malfoy, who was she? She fought in a war, darn it, she wasn't scared of him. On one hand she didn't really care what he thought but on the other hand all of the returning eighth years were sharing close quarters in a newly repaired part of the castle and she didn't want him strutting about thinking she was afraid of him. Not that she cared what he thought, she didn't. He was not going to be a distraction to her academic goals this year. She was tired, exhausted really from all the restoration events and trying to track down a healer who could help her parents. Apparently an emotionally distressed caster can cause absurd potency in a memory charm. Another thing she didn't have time to properly research before heading off with the boys to hunt for Horcruxes. Shaking her head she tried to focus on the first night feast and the few friends that came back this year but she was distracted. Distracted and if she dare admit it, lonely. Going to Hogwarts without Harry and Ron seemed like a great idea to stand on her own two feet and achieve her goals but as Hermione looked across the faces of the few returning Gryffindors: Parvati, Seamus, Neville, the mousy brown haired boy she couldn’t remember the name of...in a room full of people she couldn't help but feel alone.