To say that Hermione was both emotionally drained and physically tired was an understatement. The past year has taken much from her and while the end had brought triumph, the burden of losses weighed heavily on her heart.

Almost two months had passed since the war came to end when Voldemort was defeated but the road to rebuilding the wizarding community was only just beginning. Hermione wasn't sure where to start repairing her own life; her parents were yet to be found after she wiped their memory and the friendships that were built over the course of several years were blanketed by heavy hearts and Ron… things with him had ended just as abruptly as the war. She couldn't say why exactly things had ended but they had both mutually decided that they could no longer continue trying to salvage the love they had shared. Which was why she had decided to go back to Hogwarts to complete her studies, she needed time to allow herself to heal. So when she and her friends had gotten an invitation to complete the year they had missed, she immediately jumped to accept. Ron and Harry were both employed at the Ministry of Magic as aurors so wouldn't be returning and though she had been offered a position as well, she felt she owed it to herself to take a break.

ʺHey Mione, mum says to come down for breakfastʺ, her best friend Ginny announced strolling in, ʺOh you're almost packed, great you can help meʺ Ginny said, smiling. She smiled back, Ginny had been her best friend for ages and they had both agreed to go back to Hogwarts as a sort of bonding experience for themselves.

ʺOh and this arrived a few minutes ago for youˮ Ginny continued, handing her a large brown envelope. ʺIt's from Hogwartsʺ Hermione raised her eye brows and Ginny shrugged, sitting down on the bed besides her. She tore open the package, read the letter and immediately lit up.

ʺIt's from headmistress McGonagall! She wants to make me Head Girl!ˮ

Ginny lite up with excitement ʺHermione! That's great congratulations. I'm so proud of youʺ Hermione beamed.

ʺCome on, let's go tell the othersˮ Ginny said

ʺIl be right down, I need to send an owl saying Il acceptʺ

"Oh Hermione! That's wonderful newsˮ Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, hugging her.

ʺYeah Hermione, that's really great. You deserve itˮ Harry said as he hugged her quickly.

ʺOf course you made Head girl, you're the most brilliant witch of the centuryˮ Ron said quietly, looking awkward. She simply smiled at him not sure how else to react.

ʺWell I say this is a cause for celebration, Merlin knows we need abit of happy news around here latelyˮ Mrs. Weasley said, glancing away quickly to wipe her eyes.

ʺI also have an announcement mumʺ Ginny said, ʺI've been asked to be a prefect!ˮ

Hermione beamed at her, ʺwhy didn't you say anythingʺ she said, hugging Ginny tightly, who shrugged.

More congratulations went around, with Harry giving Ginny a kiss and smiling adoringly to her. Hermione smiled at them, feeling a hint of jealousy but then dismissing it. She glanced at Ron and smiled at the thought of what was.

ʺCome on let's eat, I'm starvingˮ he said.

Draco

"I think you should acceptʺ Blaise said pointedly ʺIt'll do you some good to get away from the house for abitˮ

Draco glanced across the room to his friend where he had been staring at the grounds for the longest while. He had almost forgotten Blaise was here. He sighed.

ʺAnd you really think Hogwarts is the best place to retreatˮ Draco asked testily.

ʺIt sure beats rejoining society so soonʺ Blaise replied calmly. Draco hadn't been out of the house since the trial. With only him and his mother now, the only visitors they had received were Blaise and the new headmistress of Hogwarts. Although the war that he had so unwillingly played a part of had ended it had left not only him but his mother in danger more than ever. With his father in Azkaban, and some of the death eaters still on the loose, he was reluctant to leave his mother's side.

ʺI'm not going back to that place" he said icily. Too many bad memories were etched within the walls, and if his constant nightmares weren't bad enough, he didn't have the energy to deal with the loathing remarks about him that were sure to follow.

ʺSuit yourself Draco, but you can't stay in this house foreverˮ Blaise said, leaving the room without another word. He continued to stare out onto the grounds, anger and frustration coursing through his veins. He had made up his mind, but just as he was about to throw the brown package into the fire, a small knock on the door halted him. It was his mother. She looked just as bad as he did, small bags beneath her tired looking eyes, her skin paler from lack of sunlight and her hair, graying from weariness.

ʺDraco…ˮ she started softly, ʺ I know you're going to be upset with me, but I think Blaise is right, you need to go. Could you turn and look at me when I'm speaking to youˮ she asked softly. He turned around and crossed his arms defiantly. She smiled at him. ʺI know you don't want to leave me all alone and defenseless, but I won't be alone; the Order will be sending guards to keep me companyˮ. He recalled how his mother had turned to the Order for help; how she had begged, pleaded for them to help him. At that time he had been naive of what was in store; he only wanted to prove himself to his father. His mother who hadn't wanted that for him pleaded with him and he had been relentless towards her. He looked away from her. Only a mother who truly loved her son could have forgiven him. He would never forgive himself. When he could think of nothing to say, she crossed over to where he was standing and hugged him.

ʺPlease go, for meˮ

He stood rigid as ever, arms still crossed. It was only when she left the room that he sighed and picked up a parchment, wrote the reply yes and sent it off with an owl.