Hermione leaned her head against the stone wall down a side street. She could feel the tenseness in the air. She closed her eyes trying to slow her heart rate. She had six months to pick up the courage to come back here, afraid of what she might see of this new magical world, or maybe what the world will see of her. She looked back down at her watch and saw that it has been almost twenty minutes since she arrived. She heard children's laughter up ahead. She didn't know if she was in the right place, she peaked around the corner and found what she was hoping for, a crowd of people all cooped up in their own little bubble. She never understood this fame that followed her but if there's a crowd she could just slip right into it without being noticed. Flipping her grey hood over her head, she brought herself off the cool wall and into the busy streets of Diagon Ally. The thick uneven cobble stone path reminded her of her younger days here, all bright eyed and bushy tailed, she wished she could go back then. She overhead a mother speaking to her child "We still need to get a pet and a wand, come along boy, we have other shopping to do." She couldn't help but smile, that sounded exactly like her mother on her first shopping trip to this place, although it was a lot more confusing having muggle parents wondering around asking where to get her school supplies. Sadness drifted over her slowly, her parents, she shook her head with tears starting to threaten in her dark brown eyes. 'Keep it together Hermione, everything will be okay' She pushed past all the memories and continued through the crowds and ended up at the bright white stairs of Gringotts bank. She entered the busy bank and removed her hood, no one flinched. She smirked, 'goblins, at least they don't care'. After withdrawing what she needed she set off and headed to the rest of the stores to get her school supplies, as tomorrow she's catching the train back to the re-built, re-newed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Standing at the bottom of the concrete stairs of the front doors at Hogwarts, Hermione didn't know if it were too late to turn around now. Her thoughts drifted around keeping her rooted to the spot.
"Hermione", a voice behind her startled her. She turned to see the blonde girl staring back at her.
"Ahh, hey Luna, how was your break" Hermione replied, very briskly.
"Very relaxing thank you, it's nice to not have to look over your shoulder all the time. I would ask you how yours was, however, I can see you don't want to talk about it, it's okay" Luna replied softly, "Just know, Hermione, the memories that you had here at Hogwarts will be different this time." Luna winked at her. Hermione half smiled at her, Luna was definitely a little bonkers, but she had a different kind of heart which the dark-haired witch admired.
Once inside, Hermione took her time to admire the castle. Last time she was here the staircases were broken, there was rubble everywhere, the paintings were empty. 'Everything is back to normal' as if nothing happened. The paintings were talking again, there was a different kind of energy in the air. The staircases are back to their usual tricks. She made her way up the changing staircases to the ever familiar fat lady who, for once, smiled at her and welcomed her. Hermione took a deep breath as she entered the Gryffindor common room, cheers erupted as everyone saw her. The scarlet and gold banners hung high once again with joy spread across the room. Some, more than others.
Ginny came up to her and hugged her tightly. "Hey Hermione" she whispered, "I missed you so much."
Hermione clutched onto Ginny for a little longer smelling her strawberry blonde hair, "I missed you too, Gin." They both pulled away and looked into each others eyes, there was something in Hermione's eyes that screamed 'Im so sorry'. Ginny squeezed her arm and nodded at Hermione in recognition. They both smiled softly at each other until she felt someone crush her with a hug, she recognised these skinny arms they belonged to Harry and buried her head into his shoulders.
After taking in the moment Harry broke the hug and stared into Hermione's eyes. "alright Hermione?" He broke the silence. "Yeah, Harry I'm all good." Which he smiled in response.
She continued through the room hugging everyone making light conversation, but who she was really looking around for was Ron. She hadn't seen him in a good six months. After they said their goodbyes on the bridge, she told them both she was going to Australia to go get her parents back and try to re-instate their memories. He offered to come with her but she politely declined and said that it was her mess that she needs to deal with. She hadn't spoken to him since she left.
She waded through the newly rebuilt room until she found Ron sitting in a corner ignoring the crowd looking a little bit drunk. She approached him with caution, knowing the outcome of the conversation. "Ron, hi, I umm" Hermione stumbled over her words, "I just want to say hi and I'm glad to see you've returned."
He looked up at her with a blank expression, " Hermione, the brightest witch of her age, why exactly are you here?" Some form of emotion rippled over his face, Hermione couldn't tell if it were sadness or anger. Maybe even both. He looked at her as if he loathed her.
"I just" Hermione couldn't get the words out, "I think, I needed some time to myself Ron" She didn't even hear his question; she was talking about these past six months without him. She didn't know how the words slipped out of her mouth but they did and it seems as if they had cut him.
She looked down at her hands which fiddled with her black robes. Before Ron could answer there was a shout for everyone to shut up and a beautiful tabby cat patronus appeared. Hermione turned around, to face the patronus and breathed a sigh of relief 'saved by the bell' she thought. Professor McGonagall's voice boomed out of the patronus welcoming everyone and requesting that they should all go to the great hall for dinner. People quickly scrambled around making sure they look some form of decent. Hermione turned back around to Ron, but luckily she came face to face with an empty chair. 'I guess I'll have to deal with him another day' she walked away to prepare herself for the massive feast.
The air in the Great Hall was thick, full of emotion and memories. Just the other day dead bodies were lying in the place where the benches now stand. The ceiling had a mind of its own casting a dark and gloomy night sky tonight. There was a quiet hum around the hall. The other houses were keeping to themselves, not knowing where their boundaries are anymore. Should they speak loud or interact with one another? Are they all back as rivals or friends? There was definite confusion going around, it might as well have been served as a dish. The tables were filled with their usual food. Whatever your heart desired it was there. Hermione sat next to Ginny who was also taking in this awkward air, sticking to herself for the moment, eating quietly.
A voice cleared their throat at the front of the hall, there was McGonagall dressed in her usual black robes looking as if she hadn't slept a day since the battle. The headmistress once again cleared her throat collecting the halls attention. She gripped the podium as if her life depended upon it. Hermione started to think that McGonagall might faint. "Good evening ladies and Gentleman, today we celebrate the lives that were lost six months ago in this very school. We celebrate them because what they sacrificed for us, is all this. As students to learn, for us professors, to teach, and to live not in fear but to enjoy every aspect of life," McGonagall cleared her throat again, "Onto brighter matters, as you can see we have obtained some new professors during the break. Let us give them a warm welcome, professor Lumbwick will be teaching charms, Professor Norrow will teach potions and it seems as though our defence against the dark arts teacher is running late." McGonagall continued to speak in the background while Hermione sized out both professors, Lumbwick looked rather odd, his oversized robes made him seem old and overweight not to mention the way he looks at you half squint. Norrow was extremely pale, her wrinkles stretched across her face and when she smiled it looked as if her canines were carved to form sharply pointed dagger. Hermione couldn't tell if the paleness was her actual skin or her powder, either way, she hoped that the lady would spend more time in the sun in the next month.
The side door to the great hall suddenly flew open, some professors stood up abruptly wand in hand pointing at the door, ready for battle. McGonagall stopped in her tracks and smirked at the appearance at the figure at the door. All attention was at the side door. That's when Hermione felt it. The thrall licked at Hermione's skin wasting no time. Hermione went pale. The figure stepped out of the shadows moved towards the headmistress. She was dressed in a tailor-made blue and white pin-stripe suit, her undercoat a darker shade of blue which complimented her newly tanned skin. Her blonde hair was covered with a gentlemen's hat while the rest of her blonde locks spilt over her blue suit. Her white collared shirt fitted in nicely, while her pants cut perfectly for her every curve. Her red bottom heels collided with the blue suit which made her look immaculate. The whole hall was staring at her, mouths gaping.
"Ahh, and late, as usual, I hope you aren't late for your classes this year professor Delacour. As stated earlier, this is your new defence against the Dark Arts Professor, Miss Fleur Delacour." McGonagall stated. The hall now erupted with cheers.
"Bonjour, I am looking forward to teaching zis year. Please bare wiz my accent, for now, I have just returned from France, eet should get better as the monthz progress." Fleur spoke as eloquently as she could. Her eyes were trained not to find the Gryffindor table. It took everything out of Fleur to not search for her however her veela craved her, her thrall spilt out of her finding her mate. She tried to rein it in, tried with every ounce of strength to deny her veela the power that it had over her. She couldn't bear to look at Hermione, not just yet.
As Fleur sat down in her spot and was greeted by her fellow professors. Ron piped up next to Ginny with half a chicken drumstick in his mouth "Oi, why is that thing teaching here, surely she could teach at her own school. Mum is going to be furious when she finds out about our new defence against the dark arts teacher".
"Ron, stop being a git, Bill and Fleur were never meant to be, okay" Ginny retaliated with a little more spice in her voice than usual, also trying to avoid Hermione's gaze "and besides, Mum is okay with it, Bill has moved on and its time you do too" Ron put his hands up in apology as if Ginny was about to hex him.
Hermione gave her friend a little smile to thank her for sticking up for her. Hermione's head was swirling from the thrall nipping at her every now and then. Her body couldn't take the torture anymore. All she wanted to do was look at her. Her mental strength was wearing down after what felt like hours of trying to avoid looking at the professor's table. After all that she has been through, this woman brought her to her knees. She gripped the bench as tightly as she could, and finally gave in. Hermione tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, tried to take a good deep breath, turned her head to sneak a peak, however, those blue eyes did the same, and their worlds collided. Fleur's thrall washed over Hermione like water breaking over rocks. Hermione's breath hitched. Fleur licked her lips subconsciously trying to get a hold on the situation. She begged the veela to just stopped, but the thrall wasn't letting up. Hermione started to feel light-headed, everything seemed in slow motion. Arousal built up in her. Gods, fleur was breathtakingly beautiful. Hermione was struggling to breathe, she couldn't take it anymore, so she broke the staring competition whipping her head back to try focus on the table.
Ginny squinted at her and whispered "Hermione, are you okay?"
Hermione shook her head and Ginny knew what was going on, she quickly jumped up, grabbed Hermione under her arm so she could lean on Ginny. Hermione half walked out of the hall with her best friend helping her with each step.
" Hermione, where should we go?" Ginny asked hesitantly.
Hermione was barely audible "As far away from the Veela as possible right now."