A/N: This is my first ever Fanfiction! Please just give it a go and if it's terrible or if you like it, please let me know. Rating may go up as the story progresses. Eek, I can't believe I'm doing this. Constructive criticism is always appreciated too:) Love, MessOfADreamer

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Harry Potter, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. All recognisable character and places belong to her, I've just borrowed them.

Chapter 1

I'm not a girly girl. I never have been and I never will be because quite frankly, I believe there are more important things in life than the shade of my lip gloss and the colour of my nail polish. I'd rather spend my time working or doing something remotely productive, like reading up on all the work I missed in my seventh year. So in mid-August, I prepared myself to start reading up on non-verbal shield charms and how to increase their power when I heard a tapping at my bedroom window. I got up and headed for the window, where I saw a tawny owl holding an envelope in its beak that was far too thick for it to manage comfortably. Casting this to the back of my mind I opened the window and the owl dropped the letter on my desk then flew off. I turned the envelope over and I saw the wax seal with the Hogwarts crest on. This certainly piqued my curiosity as it was a strange time to be receiving any information about my subjects. Utterly confused, I broke the seal and took out the first piece of parchment and began to read.

Dear Miss Granger,

I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected as Head Girl at Hogwarts for the following year, due to your excellent record of behaviour and academic results, as well as upholding what the school and Gryffindor itself stands for.

Included in the envelope is the list of tasks you will need to complete when on the train to Hogwarts, the time and location of our first meeting to discuss future plans for the next academic year, and a map on how to reach your new dormitory as we do not advertise the location to younger students. Your password is co-operation however it can be changed into whatever you and the Head Boy agree on, as it is your privacy.

This goes without saying but I must remind you that you are somewhat of a role model to the younger students and, due to the circumstances, many are missing family members. If they come to you for support or guidance, please treat them with equal respect and sympathy, despite their house. I'm sure you would have done so anyway.

Hope you are enjoying your summer,

Professor M. McGonagall

(Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor)

I read through the letter twice more to make sure I haven't misread something. I'm the head girl of Hogwarts! I think to myself. Everything I have worked for in the last seven years, all the tests, examinations and extra revision have finally paid off. Although I suppose hunting down the Horcruxes and helping my best friend to defeat the most evil wizard ever known probably had helped too. I knew I could make it, muggleborn or not! This then leads me to think about who got the Head Boy position. It's unlikely to be another Gryffindor as this year inter-house relationships were more vital than ever, what with our dwindling numbers due to the sheer amount of lives lost in the Battle of Hogwarts. I'm sure I'll find out on September 1st if I don't hear about it before then. Anyway, if Professor McGonagall has chosen, I'm certainly not worried. I'm so distracted by the letter that I cannot work all morning, and find myself writing to The Burrow, but I stop and screw up the parchment. I'll give them time, I think; they don't need me celebrating around them while the loss is still fresh in their minds.

By the time September 1st actually rolls around, I've completely memorised the list of things I have to do on the train and have worked out a plan of action, involving me and the other head, to make sure it is done efficiently and properly. As I get to King's Cross and say goodbye to my parents. They're so proud of me! They might not understand magic and spells and whatnot, but they understand Head Girl and it seemed that my excitement was contagious, as we spent the entire summer laughing about how I would use my power over all the Hogwarts students, especially my friends! It finally dawns on me how much I have missed Harry and Ron this summer, especially as I spent the entire year with them (apart from when Ron left; but I don't think about that) and saw them every waking moment. But this year, for the first time, I felt as though I was intruding, what with the loss of Fred and Harry and Ginny's relationship. Not to mention the awkwardness around Ron. I push these thoughts to the back of my mind as I look for the boys who I've known since I was eleven and risked my life for on many, many occasions since then.

"Hermione!" Harry calls as I head towards their general direction. I see them both standing with Ginny, just by the train doors, looking older than ever before. Although I suppose that's what war does to a person. However, it was impossible to ignore the glow that surrounded Harry and Ginny, and how content they looked with their arms around each other. Ron on the other hand, looked as though he had had enough of them and was looking for a way to avoid being the third wheel as well as getting his best friend back.

"Hi guys," I respond cheerfully, making sure not to bring up any topics that could remind us of the past year. It seems ridiculous to ignore the huge pink elephant in the room, so to speak, but I don't have the energy to relive the last year. Not when I'm finally getting my life back. Coming back to Hogwarts was a big decision for all of us, as it wasn't necessary but somehow I couldn't bear to turn my back on the place when I hadn't even properly finished. Harry was coming back for Ginny because of how tough the war had hit her and he had sworn never to leave her again, and Ron, well I suppose Ron couldn't bear to be left behind even though the place had so many ghosts for him.

We all talk politely about the weather and other things equally light until Ginny notices the HG badge on my shirt.

"Oh my God, Hermione, congratulations!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I didn't want to make a big deal out of it," I shrugged, hoping she wouldn't pick up on the uncomfortable vibe I was surely giving off.

"We totally knew it would be you, didn't we Ron?" said Harry, elbowing him in the ribs.

His ears went red as he looked me in the eye for the first time, since, since our last meeting.

"Yeah. Congrats." He murmured as I glance up to the clock, trying to avoid his accusatory glare. It was 10:55.

As we board the train, I leave them to go to the head's compartment. I'm preoccupied by what Ron was thinking, and how he felt. A squabble going on in the compartment near to me between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor distracts me long enough for me to realise I have four minutes before I have to put a stop to it. Some things never change, I think to myself as I open my compartment's door, still watching the two younger students. That's when I hear the unmistakable sarcastic drawl.

"Why am I not surprised, eh Granger?"