Chapter One: Rebuilding
No point of view
After the battle of Hogwarts, it took quite some time to fully rebuild the school, and for the students, teachers and parents to rebuild their lives. On the first day back at school, a memorial service was held in the Great Hall, and a plaque displaying the names of everyone who had sacrificed themselves or been murdered by Voldemort or his followers was unveiled. The list of names was long, and the plaque itself was hand carved out of marble, each name was filled in with gold. Lily Potter, James Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Cedric Diggory, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Severus Snape, Fred Weasley, Colin Creevey, Lavender Brown, Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom and Dobby, a free house elf, were just some of the names.
Professor Mcgonagall became headmistress, and made sure that during the summer break the castle was rebuilt perfectly, along with some alterations on the previous layout. Slytherin house no longer had their common room in the dark and dirty dungeon. Their new common rooms much resembled that of Gryffindors, except it's lavish furnishings were a deep green and silver. The sofa's and armchair's were plush emerald velvet, with silver throw cushions. The windows over looked the Forbidden Forrest, and the crackling fire was a warm green glow. The Slytherins quickly settled in, and began forming friendships with people they once would've bullied and hated.
Draco returned to Hogwarts, but wasn't his usual self. He was quiet, and polite to teachers and students, but rarely muttered more then three words before returning to his silent slumber. Luna and Neville both reached out to him, offering to talk about what happened, but he always replied with "I'm fine. Honestly." Whenever Harry or Ron saw him, they smiled at him, trying to show him that they forgave him, but he always bowed his head, as if in shame. He was the worst around Hermione. He always sat as far away from her as possible, and if she walked towards him, he'd turn and run in the other direction. She thought he hated her, and that she disgusted him. She would break down and convince herself that he hated her. She couldn't think of anything else that would make him run away from her then pure hatred. Harry and Ron did their best to console her, and she'd always pretend she was okay, but deep down inside she was shattering into a million tiny pieces.
Harry's spent his summer break helping Mcgonagall rebuild and redesign the castle, and also spent time counseling students affected badly by the outcome of the war. As for Hermione, she spent the time away from Hogwarts trying to find her parents again, and gave them back their memories. Her and Ron's relationship didn't last as they couldn't manage the long distance and they found it a bit awkward. They both decided that it would be best if they stayed friends. Ron however, seemed to have moved on with a sixth year called Melissa Kepner, who he'd met over the summer. She was petite and skinny, with a brunette pixie cut, and deep blue eyes. She was smart and funny, and the perfect match for Ron. Her and Harry got along well with her. The four of them had plans to go into Hogsmeade on Friday evening, to relax and unwind from the stress of upcoming exams.