Hello, if you've read any of my magically 'vanishing' stories, I apologise. There will be aspects I despise and then I change them. Hopefully, this will be a story I look forward to write and keep. Thank you for clicking and I hope you enjoy :) Please review, favourite and follow, and let me know what you think!
"Look," Ron hesitated, guilt smothering his face. "I wasn't planning on our relationship to end like this."
Hermione's eyes narrowed at his attempt to explain himself. "Oh shut up," she snapped. "You're trying to act as if you haven't done anything wrong!"
"We were drifting away, you know that. There's an awkward tension all the time and things just aren't what they used to be…" Ron's voice managed to get smaller and smaller until it completely trailed off.
That was when Hermione's heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach. How was the man she loved so oblivious to her affection? "Do you know what, Ron? I, Hermione Granger, loved you. But I thank you for opening my eyes and allowing me to realise what a-" she stuttered, "what a jerk you are!" She spat.
The war, that appeared never-ending, had finally finished. All witches and wizards around were finally able to live the remainder of their lives at ease. Voldemort was no longer around, due to the famous Harry Potter who was capable of defeating him, and lives were moving on from the unfortunate events that had occurred.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was a victim to the wrath of Voldemort's relentless power, however, the past few months had allowed the galleons which had been donated to rebuild and renew the classrooms and dormitories, allowing access by the students and professors.
"You are indeed a jerk," Hermione muttered underneath her breath, clenching her fists. "Weasel," she added.
Hermione Granger was returning to the school to complete her last year at Hogwarts. The idea of 8th Year was not compulsory; Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter didn't take up the offer because jobs were being offered to them faster than a snitch could fly. Also, the majority of the students had already completed their NEWTs while the trio were out destroying horcruxes. Hermione, however, wasn't capable of living her life without completing her final year and after finding out she was capable of becoming a figure like Head Girl, she couldn't reject the offer. However, she kept pondering on the thought of who was going to be the Head Boy.
It was September 1st; the Hogwarts Express was on its way to Hogwarts and outside, autumn was just around the corner. Hermione had been studying the different coloured leaves which were decorating the trees: reds, yellow, oranges and the faded greens. Autumn was the most meaningful season for Hermione Granger for it was the time of the year were she was finally able to revisit Hogwarts to spend time with her beloved friends and rejoice in their summer memories. This was the first year she was travelling on the train without her friends, even the first year she had spent the journey with Neville, and then met Harry and Ron later on in the journey.
A single tear formed in Hermione's eye. She wasn't quite sure whether it was for joy, or sadness.
There was suddenly a knock at the compartment door, interrupting Hermione's nostalgia. "Yes?" Hermione responded with her gaze still hooked onto the scenery outside the window.
The door shifted open and a figure stood lurking in the doorway. "Hello, Granger," a familiar voice chimed. A repulsed meow and a slight clawing was heard from Crookshanks cage.
Hermione's head immediately darted to fixate on the person who had intruded on her peace. It was the one and only Draco Malfoy with a polite smile on his face, or as Hermione had newly named him: Death Eater. "Hello," she just managed to respond with.
"You seem terribly uncomfortable," Draco admitted. "Are you…" he trailed off, "crying?"
"No!" Hermione spluttered defensively, wiping away the tears which had managed to escape her eyes.
"Don't lie to me," Draco glowered at her, perching lightly on the seat opposite her. "Why are you crying?"
The once arrogant, conceited Draco Malfoy appeared to have transformed into a considerate, caring wizard. Hermione was confused as to why he was suddenly taking interest into her feelings and assumed it was just a façade.
"Hermione, I'm not stupid," Draco rolled his eyes.
Hermione bit back at her bottom lip, "Everything's over."
"And that means you don't have to worry anymore. Even about me."
Hermione didn't want to think about how badly Draco had treated her over the years, or even how badly he treated everyone else. The fact that he even dared to return to Hogwarts meant he was willing to change.
"How can I be so sure?" She retorted, a playful smile on her face. Draco responded by shaking his face, embracing the smile which they both exchanged. "I honestly had no idea you were returning," Hermione changed the subject.
"Honestly," Draco started, "I regretted not being able to complete my NEWTs, so I had no choice. Also, job offers are low without a full education," he paused. "Well, for me they are. They wouldn't be for the 'greatest' witch of our time, however. So, tell me why she's here?"
Never before had Hermione been capable of maintaining a civil conversation towards Draco, especially not without a few harsh names being thrown about. Even though they'd only be talking for a few minutes, Hermione felt comfortable around the boy – there was something different about him.
"Do you really think I'd be able to live the rest of my life peacefully without fully completing my school work?" Hermione said guiltily.
Draco chuckled, an attractive smile plastered upon his face. He stretched his arms out, stifling a yawn. The bottom of his shirt lifted, revealing his stomach. In response, Hermione flushed a bright pink looked away. The smile that was on Draco's face growing even more.
"Did you get the letter from Professor McGonagall about our return?" Hermione asked, pulling the letter out of her bag.
Draco nodded, taking his out of the top of his bag too. "She said about their only being two students, but she avoided telling me who the other student was."
"Same," Hermione agreed, opening up the envelope and reading through it again.
It said:
Dear Hermione Granger, former student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
I am grateful to welcome you back to Hogwarts where you are able to complete your final year of Hogwarts. I am aware you weren't fully able to finish your 7th year, due to Voldemort and saving the world, however, I am glad you took up the chance to come back.
In your return to the school, there have been minor changes put into place. Firstly, there have been refurbishments to different sections of the school: classrooms and dormitories. You may not actually be able to recognise the routes or rooms, however, I'm sure you'll be able to make your way around quickly and get the hang of where you're going. Secondly, I know you missed the opportunities of being Head Girl and Head boy in your 7th year, so I have given you the position of being Senior Girl and Senior boy with the other student that is joining you on your return. Thirdly, you won't be staying in the dormitories of your house. There isn't enough room for you to be situated in the houses, so you have both been assigned to a tower which is circled in red on the map which was also given in this letter. The password will be 'fortify'. Fourthly, you will be able to visit Hogsmeade at any time of the day, as long as not during lesson and apparition spells are able to be cast for easier travel.
I'm sorry if the changes that have been chosen affect your experience of your last year, but we, as teachers, have tried to find a solution which would be most suitable for you. I will try to welcome you as soon as possible, however, to avoid distractions I would prefer you both not to be present in the Welcoming Feast or the Sorting Ceremony. Food will already be in your common room upon your arrival, so we will not be starving you for the first night, fortunately.
I hope you are looking forward to your final year as an 8th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Yours sincerely,
Head Mistress,
Professor McGonagall
"So you're the new senior boy," Hermione finally pieced the letter together, knowing who the other student was.
"Lucky you," Draco winked, smirking.
After an hour of catching up on their summers, the two felt closer already. Hermione still appeared sceptical of Draco's return, but she tried to push the thought of Draco still being who he was before out of her head. They both were comfortable in each other's presence.
"So, this is the entrance to our tower?" Hermione questioned, staring at the portrait of Miss Helena Parfait in front of her.
"I'm guessing," the portrait laughed, "if you are Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Draco Malfoy?"
Both of the students nodded and spoke at the same time, "Fortify." The portrait swung open to the left, revealing a modern, muggle-like common room.
The room was mainly black, black and different shades of grey. The walls were nearly white, and the windows, which were covering the majority of the wall in front, were framed with black, laced curtains. The sofas were a dark grey, almost black, and there were two two-seaters and one armchair surrounded by a black wood burner, which was pressed up against the right wall. To the left of the room were three doors. The middle door led to the bathroom and the other two were bedrooms. The bathroom contained a shower and toilet in two separate rooms than the main bathroom, for privacy reasons, and then there was a large counter, with a long mirror above, which held two separate sinks. Both of the bedrooms were exactly the same, except mirrored. The both of them held: a double bed, a desk, bookshelves, however, no windows. It allowed enough room for all of their belongings to be placed. Also, the bedrooms continued the theme of black and white, the same as the bathroom and common room.
"I'm taking the room on the left!" Draco grabbed his bags and ran straight into the room.
Hermione didn't mind Draco's rudeness because she actually wanted the room on the right, so she levitated her bag and picked up Crookshanks's cage and made her way into her room.