AN: So, this is another story I've had in the back of my mind for quite a while. And finally, I've found the inspiration to write it (: I hope you all enjoy, and criticism would be greatly appreciated (:
-xo!

When Hermione stepped off of the carriage, the sight of the rebuilt castle took her breath away. The carriages were, of course, being towed by thestrals, which nearly every student, as well as the staff, of Hogwarts was able to now see. She'd missed Hogwarts. Everything about this place brought back all of her memories. Racing through the Transfiguration courtyard with Ron and Harry, spending countless hours in the library, or visiting Hagrid at his little hut. This place was her home, and the ache she now felt in her heart told her that.

Subconsciously, she knew that Harry and Ron, who were standing next to her, felt the same way. Hogwarts had always been there home, especially for her and Harry. Ever since she'd use the Obliviate spell on her parents… She felt her heart clench. She had nowhere else she belonged – Not even at the Weasleys'.

"It's really great to be back," she heard Ron whisper from beside her. It was only now that Hermione realized she had tears streaming down her face – Both happy and sad tears. Memories flooded back to her from the last few nights they'd spent in the castle before they spent the summer at the Burrow. She remembered the ghost-like expression on the Tonks' and Remus' faces, the way Fred looked as though he were still laughing, and how Molly Weasley took out Bellatrix Lestrange.

The lump that formed in her throat was unbearable as she felt Ron reach out and take her hand. Things hadn't been the best between them over the summer. The memories from the Battle at Hogwarts – As the Daily Prophet had called it – haunted her, and she didn't know how to deal with Ron, along with those. She had hoped that being back at Hogwarts would give her some sort of closure that all was well, but it just made the pain even more unbearable.

She shrugged Ron off as the rest of the returning students crowded around them. Among them were Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Cho, Padma and Pavarti, as well as many more. Hermione did notice one face she hadn't expected to see, standing off to the side. Malfoy. For once in his life, he was alone. It suited him, really. Crabbe had died during the Battle, and Goyle was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he thought he was too good for Hogwarts – Hermione nearly snorted at the idea.

"We should be getting inside," Harry said before Hermione could notice all of the other students crowding through the doorway. They were the last ones inside, Hermione noticed, as even Malfoy entered ahead of them.

Professor McGonagall me them in the foyer, standing on the staircase, the same way she had done before their Sorting Ceremony during their first year. She looked as though she'd aged over the summer. On top of the stress from the Battle, she'd also had to deal with reconstructing the school. Hermione imagined it hadn't been easy for her.

"I'm very glad to see you all back," McGonagall spoke, her voice sounding very tired. "As unfortunate as another year at Hogwarts may seem, it is very important that all of you returned to complete your N.E.W.T.s." Her eyes scanned the crowd, assessing the amount of students there actually were. "Since there aren't that many of you, it won't be a problem for you to return to your old Common Rooms, as well as your old dormitories," Professor McGonagall explained. "We have a few new staff members this year. A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, in particular. But you will meet him during the beginning of year feast. Also, I've added something new to your timetables. It's called Counselling, in hopes to aid you in recovering from the trauma you may have suffered from over the summer. For now, I ask you all to head to your dormitories to prepare for the feast and Sorting Ceremony later this evening." With the tiniest of smiles, and a nod of her head, Professor McGonagall turned on her heel and headed back down the hallway.

Hermione sighed softly. She had no idea what this year at Hogwarts was going to bring, but she hoped it wouldn't be like the last seven years.

Begrudgingly, she headed up to the Gryffindor common room with Harry and Ron, and the other Gryffindor students. They were the only ones that were here yet. Perhaps the others hadn't arrived yet, or they were going to head straight into the Great Hall for the ceremony and feast. Hermione wasn't sure, and if she were being honest, she didn't care.

Over the past few months, her mind was a blur. Images scattered throughout her brains, one running into the next. The look on Lavender's face after she'd been attacked by Fenrir Greyback, the Weasleys' horrible reaction when Fred had been murdered, and Malfoy's expression when he realized just what exactly he'd been involved in. Nothing was clear cut and precise with her anymore. Nightmares haunted her dreams every night, and she'd barely slept in weeks, except for the rare occasion that she'd take a sleeping potion.

When they'd entered the common room, Hermione noticed that the fireplace had already been lit. She assumed Professor McGonagall had been up here hours before, preparing it for the students.

Hermione collapsed into one of the chairs near the fireplace and sighed heavily. Harry and Ron flanked her, down the same. "What do you think this year's going to be like?" Harry asked quietly, wanting to start a conversation. While Hermione was grateful for the distraction, she simply shrugged in response.

"I don't know, mate," Ron asked, as equally quiet. "It's not going to be easy, that's for sure."

For the first time since they'd entered the room, Hermione actually looked around. Everything was restored, and it looked like a thing hadn't been touch or moved out of its place, let alone half the school being destroyed.

Finally, Hermione had swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, and she looked over at her two best friends. "I just don't see how things can go back to normal," she murmured, pulling her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. Her chin rested on her knees as she stared back down at the fire.

"We should probably go get ready," Harry said, still just as soft. "You know McGonagall won't want us to be late."

"You go ahead," Hermione whispered. "I don't think I'm going."

It was obvious that something was wrong, but Harry and Ron knew not to pry. They'd talk to her later, after she'd had some time alone. They were her best friends, and they knew that was all she wanted right now. She needed some time to adjust to being back here – They all did.

When everyone had gone down to the Great Hall, Hermione's emotions finally spilled loose. The tears came pouring down over her cheeks, and sobs racked her tiny frame. Finally, after wearing herself out, Hermione's tears began to slow, and she started to regain her breath. Frustrated, she wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and stood from her seat by the fire.

Grabbing her wand, she dressed into her uniform, as well as her robes and left the common room. Perhaps, if she were quick enough, she'd make it to the Great Hall in time for the feast. But, in all honesty, she wasn't hungry.

Instead, she left the castle, and headed down to the Transfiguration courtyard, where she saw a very familiar pale-haired boy sitting with his head in his hands.

Before she had a chance to walk away unnoticed, Malfoy looked up at her, and rolled his eyes.

"If you're going to tell me what a horrible person I am, save it. I already know," he muttered, putting his head back in his hands.

This caused Hermione's stubbornness to flare, and she walked over to him, stopping a few feet away. "Actually, I wasn't going to say anything," she said, feeling the need to make that much clear. "But… It must've been hard for you, coming back here and knowing what you'd face." She shrugged, ignoring his scoff.

"You've no idea," she heard Malfoy mutter without lifting his head.

Drawing in a deep breath, she tried to control her frustration with him. "You know, /Draco/," she said, one eyebrow raised. "You didn't /have/ to come back. I'm sure we would have been just fine without you."

With that, Hermione turned on her heel and stalked away from him, her arms crossed over her chest. It felt good to take her anger out somewhere, even if there was still plenty of it left inside her.

She headed back into the castle just in time to see Ron and Harry coming out of the Great Hall. "Oh, did I miss it all?" Hermione asked, feeling slightly better. She was disappointed that she'd missed the entire celebration.

"Yeah, but it's okay," Ron said. "F- Fred and George showed me a secret passageway to the kitchen, so we can get you something to eat later." It was clear that Ron still had a hard time talking about Fred, his older brother. Losing a family member was hard – Hermione knew exactly how he felt.

"What do you think that new class is going to be like?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione as they headed up to their common room.

"It should help," Hermione said, glancing up at him. "Really, that's what most of us needs. Someone we can talk to…" She had been expecting Ron to pipe up. He'd been on her all summer; try to get her to open up to him about what was going on. But, what Hermione really needed was someone who was oblivious to what had happened during the Battle.

Hermione's thoughts kept going back to what Draco had said to her before. 'I already know'. The lump had formed in her throat again – It seemed almost permanent over the summer. Perhaps he understood that a lot of people hated him for the things he and his family had done. Perhaps he always did. Hermione would never know. If she were being honest, she didn't care if she ever seen him again.