This story will be slightly non-canon as Dumbledore, Snape, Lupin, Tonks, and Fred are all alive. Also, because as the title suggests, Draco and Hermione eventually get together. (See more notes at the end).

Disclaimer: I do not own HP nor do I make any profit from this story. All characters, places, canon references belong to JKR. (Unless otherwise noted). Chapters will be marked accordingly for sexual content, and as the cover summary states this story contains SELF-HARM.

Cover photo is not mine, I take no credit. But I do want to say that the whole story is essentially based off this pic. The plot bunny that hopped into existence when I saw it was too good to pass up. Props to the creator because I love it!

Full summary: Following the war the need for stability runs deep among those who survived. The return to Hogwarts for 7th year has not brought about the changes that were hoped for. Ron longs for a normal relationship with Hermione. He fails, however, to see her inability to cope with everything that happened. The only person that can relate to her is her fellow Head, Draco Malfoy. However, Draco is suffering through his own identity crisis. The life of a Death Eater was not what he expected. He wants to pick up the pieces of his life, yet he realizes that he cannot do it alone. And the only person willing to help him, the only person that can, is the muggle-born witch he was raised to hate. But will grow to love.

Chapter 1

Hermione felt a smile pull at the corners of her mouth as she followed Ron, Harry, and Ginny through King's Cross to the hidden entrance for Platform 9 ¾. Harry and Ginny went first, slipping through the wall between Platforms 9 and 10, then she and Ron followed. A wave of emotions washed over her when she looked up at the scarlet steam engine now in front of her. Nostalgia, excitement, sadness, anticipation. She, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were returning to Hogwarts to complete their seventh and final year of education. She fully intended on taking her N.E.W.T.s next year, and she knew Harry did as well, so going back to acquire the knowledge that they lost out on in the last year was essential.

Hermione followed her three companions on to the train and walked with them towards the back where there were bound to be empty compartments still. Ron gave her a confused look when she didn't immediately stow her trunk on the luggage rack and sit down.

"Aren't you joining us?" he asked.

"She can't," Ginny interjected as she sat down. "She's Head Girl, remember? She has to go up front."

"Oh, right." Ron didn't sound particularly pleased about it, but he finished stowing his trunk and sat down. "You sure you can't stay just for the beginning of the ride?"

"I have to meet the Head Boy up front, Ron, and help hand out the assignments for the Prefects. You know this."

"Just thought you might want to spend to some time with your boyfriend is all." Ron muttered as he grabbed the Quidditch magazine he had left out of his trunk and stuck his nose in it.

Hermione gave him a disbelieving look, but turned in the compartment doorway to leave. She had barely pulled her trunk through into the narrow hall when she felt Ron's hand close around her wrist. She turned back to him to see an apologetic look in his eyes as he stood up.

He followed her out into the hall and shut the compartment door. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I didn't mean that. I know you have responsibilities up front. But…maybe later you can come back here and spend some time with us?" He held her hand and ran his thumb over the back of it.

Hermione felt her heart soften a little and offered Ron a smile. He returned it, then leaned in and kissed her firmly but sweetly, wrapping one arm around her waist to squeeze her. Hermione did not know how she felt about the amount of pressure he was applying or that his hand slipped to her backside. She pulled away, breaking the kiss and shoved his hand away.

"Ron, I told you I don't like that."

"What's wrong with it? I'm just touching you."

"It's the way you're touching me."

"Come on, Hermione, don't be such a prude."

"I'll see you later, Ronald." She grabbed the handle of her trunk and turned, dragging it behind her as she walked away.

Ron watched her go and waved her off with an amused smile. She would come around eventually. When he reentered the cabin, both Harry and Ginny were giving him disapproving looks. "What?" he asked with a shrug as he sat down and pulled his magazine back into his lap.

"That was unnecessary." his sister told him.

"What was?" Ron asked again with a shrug.

"Grabbing Hermione like that. I know if Harry if ever did that to me in front of someone else, I would hex his bollocks off."

Ron watched Harry throw a fearful look at his girlfriend. "You wouldn't seriously, would you? I need them, you know."

"If you ever grabbed my ass like that in public, yes, I would, Harry Potter. Don't doubt me. I don't mind a little groping behind closed doors, but not in view of other people. It's demeaning."

"Right. I'll bear that in mind."

Ginny leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to find Luna. I'll be back later."

Ron watched his sister go from behind his magazine. As soon as the compartment door was shut, he put it down. "You don't think what I did was wrong do you?"

"Not in terms of being in a relationship with her, no. But doing it in front of me and Ginny, yes."

"Come on, Harry, how many times this summer did you and Ginny snog in view of everyone?"

"Plenty, but never indecently. There's a difference between displaying affection and being crude. What you did to Hermione was crude. And offensive." Harry leaned back in his seat, staring out the window. "I'm not trying to pick on you, Ron, but you have been pressuring her a lot lately for things that she's not ready for. You're her first real boyfriend. The only experience you had before Hermione was with Lavender Brown, and even you said that was purely chemical. A lot happened between you two very quickly, and you can't approach your relationship with Hermione the same way. She's not that kind of girl. She doesn't want to spend hours snogging your lips off."

"What does she want? Because it seems like every time I ask her to do something with me she's not ready, or doesn't want to at that moment. She had an excuse for everything this summer."

Harry sighed to himself. He wished he could make Ron understand that just because the war was over, and Voldemort was gone, did not mean the world was going to go back to the way it was overnight. They could not act as though their lives were perfectly normal again. It wasn't that simple. They had all been affected by everything that happened. It was not something you could just forget about and go on with your life as though nothing had ever occurred.

Hermione had been tortured and cursed. As far as Harry could tell she had recovered physically. The cut on her arm had healed, but the scar would never fade. She had worn nothing but long sleeves since that night at Malfoy Manor. Mentally, however, he could not know if she would ever be the same again. There was a light missing from her eyes these days. She didn't talk as much, nor did she like being in groups of people, preferring to spend most of her time alone.

"You need to give her a break, Ron. We all went through a lot. Hermione more so. She took it upon herself to keep us alive while we were on the run. I don't know about you, but I didn't tell her how grateful I was as much as I should have. Not that she was looking for thanks, but it may have made a difference somehow."

"S'pose you're right," Ron muttered. Harry didn't know if he was agreeing with the fact that he had acted like a Neanderthal to Hermione, or that he could have done more in the past year to show his gratitude for her.

Ron returned to his magazine, assuming the conversation was now over. He didn't know if he agreed with Harry, but he would at least put some thought into what his friend said. There were things he wanted with Hermione. To do with her. He had tried at least half a dozen times to broach the subject with her, and she shut him down every time. It seemed like she wasn't interested. Or she wasn't interested in him.

Maybe he did need to rethink his approach. Harry was right. Hermione wasn't the same as other girls. He couldn't treat her the same as he had Lavender. But if he could just get Hermione to see how good it was, how good it would make her feel, perhaps she would come around.

Ron decided to give her a break for now, but he began to devise a plan to show her just how much fun they could have together. He knew he would have to get her alone since she seemed to be more anxious in front of other people. He would go slow, but in the end, he knew Hermione would feel the same way he did.

~~S~~

A prude? Was Ron serious?

Hermione replayed the scene in her head as she marched down the train to the Prefects compartment. The Head Boy and Girl had their own small compartment at the end. Once inside, she stowed her trunk, pulled on her Gryffindor robes, and attached her Head Girl badge over the Gryffindor crest. She then sat on one of the padded benches, setting a book down on the table and began to read.

When the compartment door opened she did not bother to look up right away, being in the middle of a paragraph.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I knew it would be you, Granger," stated an all too familiar drawling voice, edged with sarcasm and amusement.

Hermione felt her eyes widen in shock and looked up to see Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He was already changed into his robes as well, his Head Boy badge pinned above the Slytherin Crest. Draco looked completely at ease, the exact opposite of what he had been the last two years. She noticed that his face had filled back out, he had gained back the weight he lost when under the stress of being a Death Eater. His cheekbones were still prominent, but he had lost that severely angular look of someone who had lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time.

What the hell is he thinking returning to Hogwarts? And how has he been appointed Head Boy after everything that happened?

Draco Malfoy had been a Death Eater. There was no way Albus Dumbledore would appoint him as Head Boy. But Hermione stopped in her musings as her mind put emphasis on the past tense. She had seen the look of reluctance on his face in May to cross the courtyard to his parents. He didn't want to be on that side. Or so she assumed. Perhaps he was just scared.

Whatever the reason, she was stuck with him as her fellow Head until June. Might as well try and make it work.

When she didn't respond to his comment, Draco dropped his bag into the empty seat opposite his classmate and leaned back in the bench. "We have to share a dormitory, you know."

"I'm aware." Hermione stated as she turned a page, glancing up at him.

"Don't sound so excited, Granger. This isn't going to be a problem for you, is it?"

"I thought it would be more of a problem for you." She glanced up at him, giving him a pointed look.

Draco shrugged one shoulder. "Not really. I couldn't care less."

Hermione shut her book and got up, fiddling with the button fastening on her robes. "We have to go give the Prefects their duties for the duration of the trip."

Draco narrowed his eyes at her. Something was wrong. He knew Granger could be snarky when she wanted to be, but this was not snark. It wasn't even sarcasm. She was genuinely upset about something. He had no idea what it was, but he knew that if they were going to be spending the next nine months in close quarters with each other he honestly did not want to deal with a lot of animosity. He preferred for them to get along as much as possible.

"That can wait. Sit and talk to me," he offered.

Hermione turned and gave him a surprised look. "Why?"

"Because something is bugging you."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

"Look, we have responsibilities. Let's go take care of them and then we can sit in here and pretend the other person doesn't exist."

Draco leaned forward resting his clasped hands on the table. "We're not even out of London yet, Granger. Sit. Something is bothering you and I would prefer you get it out now so the rest of the day goes by easier."

"Easier for you?" Hermione asked with narrowed eyes at him.

"Mostly." Draco answered with a nod in confirmation, "So I don't have to deal with this sullen attitude the entire way to Hogwarts."

Hermione huffed and sat back down. "Why do you care?"

"Contrary to belief amongst you Gryffindors, I'm not as much of a bastard as you think."

Hermione looked him up and down briefly. "You still seem like the same arrogant, egotistical prat I've always known."

"Ouch, Granger. That hurt a little." Draco was lying of course, and he did not try to keep the sarcasm from his voice. He took a minute to study her. She still seemed like the same stuck-up, bushy-haired know-it-all that he had grown up with, but there was something different about her. A hardness that had not been there a year ago. Even if they did get along most of the time, he could tell she wouldn't put up with any bullshit. "Why don't you give me a chance to prove you wrong, Granger? You can do that at the very least. Especially since we're going to be living together."

Hermione pondered this. She had always considered herself to be a very open-minded person. She had witnessed some changes in Draco. Even she could admit that back in May he had not appeared enthusiastic to be called over to the Death Eaters' side. She had always thought Draco incapable of acting exactly like his father. He may be as concerned with social standing, titles, and wealth as Lucius, but he was not a bad person willing to sink as low as murder to save his own life.

Hermione relaxed a little, folding her hands on the table between them. "Yes, I suppose I could. But how do I even know I can trust you not to spread rumors once we get to Hogwarts?"

"You don't. But you just said you would give me a chance."

Hermione thought about it for a minute. As much as she wanted someone completely on the outside of all of this to talk to, she could not just trust Draco like this with her deepest worries and personal problems with her boyfriend.

"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you're not a prat anymore."

"So, you're not going to tell me what's bothering you?"

"No, I'll figure it out on my own. It's stupid stuff anyway."

Draco quirked an eyebrow at her, but sat back in the seat. "Suit yourself." He got up from the bench and opened the door. "Might as well get this done then, like you said, so we can ignore each other the rest of the way."

~~S~~

The rest of the journey to Hogwarts remained uneventful. Draco and Hermione put the Prefects on their patrolling duties and then went about their own. They met back up in their small compartment a few hours later, both starving. Draco stopped the passing food cart and Hermione handed him a couple Sickles for her Cauldron Cake.

"Have you calmed down yet?" he asked, handing the snack to her.

"Yes, I suppose." Hermione sighed.

"That doesn't sound so confident." Draco eyed her as he opened his Chocolate Frog.

"Don't worry about it," she told him, picking at the wrapper of her food.

Draco hadn't planned on it. He unwrapped his candy and stuffed it into his mouth in two bites.

When they arrived at Hogwarts, Draco and Hermione told the Prefects to lead the second-year students to the carriages while they helped corral all the first years from the back of the train towards the front where Hagrid was waiting. Draco was surprisingly patient, leading a group of boys that had sat together and were talking animatedly about which House they hoped to enter. He flashed Hermione a grin when one boy stated he hoped he was placed in Slytherin.

"I wonder if Snape is teaching Potions or Defense this year?" she asked once they were seated in a carriage together, trundling up the path to the castle.

"Potions. Slughorn went back into retirement. I heard Dumbledore asked Lupin if he would consider coming back just for this year, but he turned it down." Draco looked out the window as he said this, seemingly bored, as he always was. "So, he found some young guy, just qualified as an Auror. But he jumped at the opportunity to teach. "

"Well, you said young. Being offered a teaching position at Hogwarts is not something to scoff at. And you know all this how, anyway?"

"Letters from Snape. He keeps in touch with my father and me. More so my father. But I wasn't above sneaking peeks at his mail when he wasn't in his study this summer."

Hermione just shook her head. She got out first when they arrived at the stone steps leading up to the oak front doors. They walked up together into the Entrance Hall among other students. They were both about to turn into the Great Hall when Hermione heard hers and Draco's names being called.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, over here please." Professor McGonagall called, directing them toward her office.

Hermione gave Draco a questioning look, but he just shrugged at her and they both followed. Professor Snape was waiting inside, studying a shelf of books behind McGonagall's desk when they walked in. Severus turned at the sound of the door closing, his eyes narrowing on his students. He knew the right choice had been made when appointing the Head Girl and Boy this year. He just hoped the faith he put in Draco was not misplaced.

Yes, the boy had made mistakes and bad decisions. Narcissa had been in touch throughout most of the summer letting Severus know how the family was faring and how Draco was dealing with the fallout from May 2nd. When he recounted to the Headmaster only a few weeks ago that the choices Draco made at the end had been from his heart, and that he was honestly trying to put that part of his life behind him, he knew he had made a strong case for the boy to be considered. Also, it would give Draco an opportunity amongst the students to prove that he was, in fact, trying to change. He wanted a different life from that of his father, and he had to be given the opportunity to show it. If he couldn't start at Hogwarts, where he was surrounded by people who knew and would support him, where would he have a chance?

"Ready for your last term?" McGonagall asked as she sat at her desk.

"Yes, Professor." Hermione answered almost immediately. Draco shook his head, suppressing a smile. She could never resist answering a teacher's question.

"And you, Mr. Malfoy? How was your summer?"

"Dismal," Draco answered flatly.

"I'm sorry to hear that." McGonagall stated in a tone that indicated she was not sorry at all. "I have called you both in here, firstly, to congratulate you on your appointments of Head Girl and Boy. I know you will both do the school proud coming from such historical houses. Secondly, I wanted to give you the password to your dormitory. And lastly, Professor Snape and I wanted to discuss the upcoming year with you both."

"Discuss what exactly about this year, Professor?" Hermione asked right away.

"We want to make sure you both understand the privilege you have been given this year and the trust we are putting in you," Snape began in his usual deep, slow voice. He looked purposely at Malfoy for a moment but then addressed them both with his gaze. "We want to know, given the history between you two, your friends, and your houses in recent years, that you will be able to act with respect toward each other. That there will not be any difficulties in your living arrangements."

"I don't foresee any problems," Draco stated confidently.

"And since when did you become a Seer, Mr. Malfoy?" Snape asked in a mocking tone. Draco opened his mouth to retort, but thought again and shut it.

"Miss Granger, do you anticipate any problems between Mr. Malfoy and yourself?" McGonagall asked her.

"None, Professor. I believe everything will be fine between us."

"Excellent. Your dormitory is on the third floor behind the tapestry of the four Founders. The password is "Newts," but to gain entry, you must cast a nonverbal unlocking charm."

"I believe you both were present on the days I taught nonverbal spells in your sixth year," Snape commented.

"Indeed, we were, sir." Draco responded, an edge of sarcasm to his voice.

Snape stared them down then turned to McGonagall. "I will head down to the Great Hall now, Minerva."

"Thank you, Severus. Inform the Headmaster that I will be along shortly to start the Sorting."

Snape nodded once, and with a swish of his robes he was gone from the classroom. McGonagall turned back to her students. "I will let you two head down as well, but I must first give you the passwords your Houses for the term. Please inform all the Prefects before taking your seats." McGonagall then gave the passwords for Slytherin and Gryffindor.

Draco began to fix his robes as they walked down the corridor after leaving the Deputy Headmistress's office, straightening and adjusting his green and silver badge. "That was an interesting conversation." he commented, turning to look at Hermione.

"Very." she agreed, straightening her own crimson and gold badge. She could hear the din of voices ahead as they approached the Great Hall. Draco walked off to the Slytherin table as they entered without another word.

Hermione turned to her own table and quickly gave the fifth, sixth, and seventh-year Prefects the password into Gryffindor tower. She then took her usual seat across from Harry and next to Ron. The latter slipped his arm around her waist and squeezed her side, leaving his hand on her hip. Hermione let him, not minding it. He wasn't trying to be sneaky. He just wanted to hold her.

"What took you so long?" he asked as the doors opened again and the first years began their traditional march up to the front. Hermione watched for a moment, a feeling of nostalgia washing over her as she took in the looks of awe and wonder on their faces.

"Professor McGonagall wanted to speak to Draco and me, give us our duties for the night. Nothing too serious."

"Do you really have to share a dormitory with him?"

"Yes. That was the other thing she wanted to discuss, along with Professor Snape. They wanted confirmation from us that we would be able to get along and that there wouldn't be any problems between us."

Ron tightened his hold around her and she stiffened at the pressure. He looked across the table over Harry's shoulder at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was staring at the front of the hall, paying his classmates no attention. "I don't like it." Ron stated.

"Well, it's not really your concern, is it Ronald?" Hermione snapped at her boyfriend. "I'm the one that has to live with him."

"But you're my girlfriend."

Harry even looked confused by this when Hermione glanced at him across the table. "Ron, they're not sharing a bedroom, just a dormitory."

"There's no need for you to be so possessive." Hermione wiggled out of his hold and Ron dropped his arm. "Draco's not about to try and slip me a love potion." She turned to face the front and watch the Sorting ceremony, her back to Ron.

"Sorry, 'Mione. I know you're right." She felt his hand on her shoulder and shifted as though to shrug him off, but she did not put much effort into it. She also did not respond to him, and after a minute, Ron took his hand away.

Hermione let out a breath. Her eyes were still on the Sorting, but in her peripheral vision, she could see Ron staring down at his plate. She felt guilty for her cold shoulder, but she was not going to put up with his biased feelings toward Draco. She did not feel like having to hear Ron rant on and on every time they were together.

Ron was silent for most of the meal until Harry finally broke the ice again, bringing up Quidditch and when he thought he would hold trials for the team this year. Ron brightened up immediately, going off on how he thought his Keeper technique had improved since Fifth year and that he may stand a decent chance if he made the team again.

Hermione zoned out, staring across the hall at the Slytherin table. Her eyes found Draco and was surprised to find he was staring back at her. He raised one blonde brow at her in question and she shrugged back in response, dropping her eyes back to her plate. She moved her food around but did not eat it. She was still feeling a little bad about just before with Ron and wanted to apologize for being curt, but he had plowed right into the conversation with Harry, completely ignoring her.

Well, she thought, I can't exactly blame him since none of us were talking and Harry is just being himself, alleviating the awkwardness between us.

Hermione sat up when dinner disappeared and was quickly replaced with dessert. She did not take anything and thought it better to just turn in now, even though Dumbledore had not dismissed them for the evening. She could not just get up and leave like that, much to her dismay. Instead, she sipped what was left of her pumpkin juice.

"I think we actually stand a fair chance against Slytherin this year." she heard Ron beside her, still going on about Quidditch.

Ron glanced up at Harry, waiting for a response and his friend tipped his head at Hermione. Ron looked sideways at her, noticing that her plate was empty and she was slowly sipping her juice.

"Are you ok, Hermione?" he asked through a mouthful of chocolate cake.

She picked her head up and smiled at him. "I'm fine, Ron. Just a bit tired. It's been a long day and I'm not particularly hungry."

Harry knew right away that was Hermione speak for 'No, I'm not ok. I'm actually really mad at you, but I'm going to wait until we're in private to discuss this'.

"You sure?" he asked, trying to get a read on his friend. "You didn't eat much of your dinner either."

At least Harry noticed, Hermione thought to herself. She smiled at him, a tight, pained smile. "Really, I'm fine."

Harry let the matter go. If Hermione needed to talk to him, she knew where to find him. He would always be there for her.

When the feast finally ended, and the golden plates had cleared, Dumbledore stated his parting words for the evening and sent them all off to bed. Hermione helped to shepherd the first years toward the doors and over to the waiting Gryffindor Prefects who would show them up to the tower. Other Gryffindors marched past, knowing their way. She took a last look around the Great Hall to make sure all the first years had left, and then turned to go up the main staircase to the third floor.

Draco watched her leave, noticing the dejected expression on her face. He had not missed the way Weasley had put his arm around her earlier in the evening, nor the way Hermione had basically pushed him off and then ignored him for almost fifteen minutes. By the time she looked ready to talk to him again, he was engaged in some conversation with Potter.

Was her relationship with Weasley what had been bothering her earlier? Not that he cared, but he had thought it weird after the battle when he saw the two together. He would have never pictured Granger with Weasley. Clearly the couple was at odds over something now. Draco didn't want to get involved. It was not his business, nor was it his problem.

Draco followed Hermione up the steps, watching as the other Gryffindors parted from her on their way to their tower. She walked alone along the corridor and then up another flight of stairs. She stopped at the top landing and stood waiting.

"Knew it was me?" Draco asked as he caught up to her.

"Who else would be following me to the Heads' dormitory?" Hermione asked, her tone almost completely serious, but still edged with a touch of cynicism.

They walked along in silence until they reached the tapestry of the four Founders. Draco pulled it aside and Hermione pointed her wand at the door. She executed a serpentine motion then whispered, "Newts." The door swung open a crack, so she pushed it open the rest of the way and entered. Draco followed behind her, and the door locked itself as soon as it was shut again.

The Heads' dormitory was about the size of the Gryffindor common room, except it was split between a common area, two bedrooms-one each on the right and left-and what Draco assumed was a bathroom in between. A fire was already lit behind the grate and crackled soothingly.

"Well, I don't see our trunks. Want to assume they've already assigned our rooms?" he asked.

Hermione shrugged in response and walked off to the bedroom on the right. She twisted the knob and it opened. "This is you," she stated after poking her head inside.

Draco unfastened his robes and loosened his tie before flopping down on the sofa. There was a coffee table in front of it, two arm chairs opposite, and a study table with room for two in the corner. Overall, it was a very nice dormitory to share, and he did not imagine he would have any trouble with that part. They did have separate bedrooms after all. He just wasn't so sure about the shared bathroom.

"It's not bad." he commented as he kicked his shoes off.

"No, I like it. Just please don't decorate with too much green," Hermione requested.

"I wasn't even planning on it. I like it as is."

Hermione let out a breath and looked around. "It is nice." She glanced around once more before shifting her gaze back to him. "Well, I think I'm going to go to bed. First day of classes tomorrow."

"I'm positively riveted." Draco deadpanned. "Hey, Granger," he called as Hermione turned towards her bedroom. She stopped and looked at him. "Everything ok?"

She gave him one of the fake smiles he had seen her use on Potter during the feast. "Fine."

Liar, Draco thought to himself. He watched Hermione disappear behind her door. If she didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't force it. He already knew she didn't trust him, and frankly he hadn't given her a real reason to, except to ask for her to give him a chance. Which, apparently, she wasn't willing to do. It didn't bother him, and if her attitude ever turned sour and she tried to take something out on him, he could stay in Slytherin House.

Whatever Hermione's problem was, it was not his to worry about.

Notes: Canonically, there is no Heads' dormitory. I would like to think if there were, the Head Boy and Girl are given the choice to share the Heads' dorm together or stay in their respective Houses for the year. Draco and Hermione, I think, would both want a place they can run to if they need to be alone. A place that is just theirs, and cannot be intruded upon, even by each other. Because doors lock and their both adults.

Draco was at Hogwarts for most of his 7th year. But he never finished it. I do not consider the characters returning to Hogwarts in their "8th" year. Hermione, Ron, and Harry missed their 7th year completely. So, they are all repeating it, and the same goes for Draco, as he missed part of his. Why is he even returning to Hogwarts in the first place? Because he wants to start a better life for himself, and he must begin from the bottom. With everyone he knew growing up and showing them that he has changed. Because they are ones he will be interacting with (most of the time) for the rest of his life, and influencing him.