Hermione heads back to London on the Hogwarts Express, where her new life begins.

The train ride back to London had been a very strange experience for Hermione, who’d become so used to being left alone, it almost didn’t sit right with her having to share a compartment with Draco, Daphne and Blaise.

Staring out the window at the scenery going by, she mostly ignored the conversations going on around her, until Blaise decided to interrupt her self-imposed introspection.

“We must really be boring you, Granger. You haven’t said two words since we left Hogsmeade.”

Hermione reluctantly glanced over at the dark-skinned Slytherin and shrugged. “I’m used to having the compartment to myself.”

She immediately went back to staring out the window, missing the frowns on Draco and Daphne’s faces. A few more minutes passed until the trolley came, causing Draco to ask her if she wanted anything. It was the closest he’d gotten to actually buying her sweets, since he’d had to spend the whole year covertly watching her attend Hogsmeade with Krum.

Hermione looked up at him with her big amber eyes, biting her lip and scrunching her nose in contemplation, causing Draco to laugh at the adorable look.

“It’s not meant to be a difficult question, Granger. Chocolate or sugar quills?”

Hermione’s eyes widened a bit in surprise at Draco’s knowledge of her sweets preference.

“Ummm...sugar quills would be lovely. Thank you, Malfoy.”

Draco nodded and grabbed some licorice wands for himself, pumpkin pasties for Daphne and cauldron cakes for Blaise. He paid for the purchases and handed over the treats. Blaise dug in, managing a quick ‘thanks, mate’ while Daphne just politely nodded her thanks.

When Draco handed Hermione her sugar quills, he made sure to gently tease her by caressing her fingers. She gazed up at him smirking at her, and rolled her eyes.

When the train finally docked at Kings Cross, Hermione grabbed her beaded bag and walked off the train with Draco and Daphne in tow. Moving down the platform, she immediately noticed Mrs. White waving to her eagerly, causing her to smile in return.

As she made her way over, she noticed Draco saying ‘hello’ to both his parents. She simply couldn’t remember if she’d ever seen Draco’s mother before, but the woman was astonishingly beautiful. Elegant robes, hair done up fashionably, radiating class and wealth, and she wasn’t surprised in the least. Lord Malfoy was looking at his wife with fondness, while she fussed over Draco, who just stood there allowing his mother to hover.

Mrs. White in contrast, was a handsome woman who didn’t have the wealth nor prestige of the Malfoy’s, but she was kind and Hermione liked her immensely. She felt like her first real magical friend. The woman came over and enveloped her into a brief hug, which was returned affectionately.

“Dear, Hermione! My how you’ve grown up this year. You look more lovely than ever. I do hope you’re hungry? I made Shepard’s pie for dinner tonight.”

“That sounds wonderful, Mrs. White.”

The woman smiled at the young witch. “Oh pish, my dear! You know to call me Madeline.”

“Of course, I’m sorry, Madeline.”

The older witch smiled down fondly at Hermione, but then her eyes widened in surprise for a moment before Hermione saw her posture stiffening. Turning around in confusion, she saw Draco approaching with his parents in tow.

“There you went, Granger.” Draco smirked. “I wanted to introduce you to my mother. Mother, this is Hermione Granger...Hermione? This is my mother, Lady Narcissa Malfoy. I know you remember my Father.”

“Of course. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Malfoy. Lord Malfoy, it is good to see you again. If I may, I’d like to introduce you to a very good friend of mine, Mrs. Madeline White. She was kind enough to sponsor me in her home last summer, and I will be spending part of the summer again with her at her home.”

Lady Malfoy looked over at the other woman with a calculating gaze. “You’re the Madeline White that wrote Principles of Human Transfiguration?”

Mrs. White smiled genuinely, pleased that Lady Malfoy had heard of her.

“Yes, I’m one and the same. Hermione has been an excellent student and so eager to learn, it’s truly been a joy to impart my knowledge to her.”

“I see,” said the regal witch. “I’m pleased to finally meet you, Miss Granger. Draco has written to me often, complaining how you’re always exceeding his marks at school. I’m impressed with your willingness to learn Magical theory. It isn’t for everyone.”

Hermione smiled and bowed her head humbly at the compliment. “No, I don’t imagine many people have the patience required for such Magic’s, although I’ve always felt that the more difficult the magic, the more satisfaction one derives from its mastery. Madeline is an excellent mentor, and I’m most fortunate that she has taken me under her wing.”

Lady Malfoy smiled knowingly. “Well, it was lovely to meet you both. We won’t keep you. Enjoy your summer, Miss Granger.”

“Thank you, Lady Malfoy.” Hermione responded with the upmost politeness.

Draco’s father smirked at the little witch while Draco just stood there staring.

“Come along, Draco. We have things to attend to.” His father stated imperiously.

“Have a good summer, Granger. It was nice to meet you, Mrs. White.” Draco bowed formally before turning around to follow his parents. Madeline stood there for a moment and then took Hermione’s arm as the two made their way to the apparition point.

“I wasn’t aware you’d made friends this year, my dear. After what you told me last summer, I was beginning to worry that you would never find acceptance within your house. The Malfoy family are the most influential family in the Wizarding World and you seem to have won over the Malfoy heir.”

Hermione side-eyed her friend, who winked, causing her to blush.

“He has become more tolerable this year, as have a few others in my house. I haven’t stayed in the dorms this year however, so that might have something to do with it.”

Madeline appeared scandalized. “Where have you been staying? Did your Head of House or Dumbledore know that you weren’t staying in Slytherin all year?”

Hermione nodded. “It’s complicated, so perhaps it would be better discussing it when there aren’t so many ears around.”

“Oh, of course, dear. Let’s get you settled and you can tell me all about it.”

The two witches had reached the apparition point, disapparating quickly, neither noticing the short, bald wizard staring covetously at the little witch, nor realizing that he had overheard and witnessed the entire exchange.