Hermione stood at the gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The castle looked the same as ever, it's long turrets and towers standing tall and silent, gleaming gold in the rising sun. There was no sign, that just a few months back, the castle was almost utterly destroyed. Blown apart by the Great Wizarding War...
Hermione sighed, clenching her jaw. There was no point in dreading about the past. Voldemort was finished, the Dark side had lost, and a new era was going to begin. Had already begun, in fact. Letters were sent out as usual to all the 11 year old witches and wizards across Britain. Many of the students from Hermione's year had decided not to come back though. Too many memories..too much pain..too many loses.
But Hermione had come back. She'd come back after all that happened, because for one, she had to finish her education and take her N.E.W.T.S. and two, she felt like she owed something to the school, like she wanted to give back something to the one place she felt she always belonged.
Standing at the gates, she felt a bit alone, but that was hardly something to complain about. She already missed Harry and Ron, who weren't returning that year, having already started their Auror training. She looked around for some sign of Ginny, Neville and Luna. They'd promised they would meet her at the school gates. She wasn't sure she could face going inside, alone. She inhaled deeply, trying to rid her mind of the screams that had echoed across the grounds on that horrible, horrible night.
Someone put a hand on her shoulder. Ginny.
"Hey.." she said softly.
"What kept you?" Hermione asked, hugging her friend.
"Had to send an owl to Harry. Neville and Luna are coming now. Ah look, they're here."
Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, came walking towards them.
"Hey you guys." said Neville, grinning broadly.
"Hello." Luna said, skipping on her feet.
Hermione smiled at the three of them.
"Ready?"
The four of them stood and watched the castle apprehensively. There was no need to tell what was going on in their minds. Would they ever be able to see the castle, without remembering horrific scenes from the battle?
"C'mon." Ginny muttered and pushed open the gates. They walked towards the double doors, looking around at the grounds. It looked exactly the same, except for one small detail. There was a small pillar in the middle, on which were engraved the names of all those who lost their lives in the battle. A war memorial. Hermione shuddered as the lifeless forms of Fred, Remus and Tonks flashed before her eyes. This was going to be harder than she'd imagined.
Professor McGonnagal stood waiting for them in the entrance hall. She smiled when she saw them, a rare treat to their eyes.
"Welcome back, all of you."
"It's good to be back, Professor." Luna quipped.
"There aren't going to be any drastic changes. You'll all still sleep in your dorms, but I daresay I've informed you three- she said this looking at Neville, Luna and Ginny- that you've been made prefects?"
The three of them nodded. "As for Miss Granger," she turned towards Hermione smiling. "Congratulations on being made Head Girl, dear."
"Thank you Professor." Hermione smiled. "Who's head boy, though?"
"Mr. Malfoy." Hermione felt like a stone dropped in her stomach. Draco Malfoy, ex-death eater, Head Boy of Hogwarts?
Perhaps something showed in her expression, for McGonagal sighed and said, "I hope you will be able to keep your prejudices apart and work together as a team. It has been a terrible ordeal for all of us, and keeping grudges will not help. It will only lead to more pain."
Hermione knew she was right, but after all that Malfoy had done, well she was surprised he was even admitted back to Hogwarts, let alone become Head Boy!
"He has changed." McGonagal said, peering at Hermione through her square spectacles.
Ginny scoffed. "That's surprising."
"You shall see." McGonagal said. "Now I suggest you head to your dormitories. Classes will begin tomorrow. Miss Granger, I take it you know where the Head's dormitory is?"
Hermione nodded. "Next to the statue of the one-eyed witch, on the seventh floor, is that right Professor?"
McGonagal nodded, and they turned to leave when someone joined their little group. Malfoy
"Good morning, Professor." Malfoy said, and nodded to each of the other four, his eyes lingering a bit longer on Hermione.
Hermione noticed there was none of the old swagger in him. Not one bit. He looked dignified, but not at all smug and haughty. His hair was as pale and blond as ever, and his grey eyes, looked as cold as steal. Hermione found it hard to believe that someone lived behind those eyes. He didn't have his pointed face anymore, she noticed. His jawline was rugged and strong. Had he really changed? Or was it some act, just to get himself some power? Yes, that sounded exactly like the thing Malfoy would do.
McGonagal had started talking again. "...course schedules will be handed over tomorrow morning. The sorting will take place this evening, as usual." (Only a few of the older students had been allowed to Apparate directly to Hogsmead.)
When they were dismissed, Hermione waved the others good bye and started climbing the stairs to the seventh floor. She could feel Malfoy trailing along behind her, but she ignored his presence. The more she kept matters with him diplomatic, the better for both of them. Some scars, she knew, just couldn't heel.
The door to the head's dorm came as a surprise to Hermione. It was hidden behind the stone gargoyle next to the statue of the one-eyed witch.
"Albus." she gave the password, and the gargoyle lept aside, to give her access to the door. She turned the nob, and entered, and her eyes grew wide.
It was a circular room, with cream walls and beaded curtains for the windows. There were cushions and sofas in the center. There was a fireplace, next to which her luggage was kept. She could see three doors, one to her right, one to her left, and one at the far back. Hermione walked forward, taking it all in. It was perfect. She could actually imagine herself living here, sitting on the carpeted floor and reading, drinking a cup of hot chocolate on the sofa...
Malfoy had entered and walked past her without a word. He collected his bags from next to the fireplace and went to the door on the left which, she saw now, was labelled 'Head Boy'.
Just as she was collecting her own bags, Malfoy's voice said from behind,
"Granger?" he called. She turned to look at him. He was standing near the the door to his room, his hands tied behind his back.
"What?" she asked curtly. She didn't want any unnecessary conversation with him. Short and sweet, that's what it was going to be.
"I have the list of prefects with me, and McGonagal told us we'll have to a lot them duties. Just thought you ought to know."
And with that he turned around and shut the door. Hermione scowled at the door. Well what kind of an announcement was that? No details? What was she supposed to do with that extraordinary announcement?
"Stupid git." she muttered. She didn't know where the anger was coming from. Or why there was any anger at all. They were supposed to work as a team, and Malfoy hadn't said or done anything that should have aggravated her. Maybe that was the reason? Maybe she had been expecting him to be the prick that he had been? And now that he was being all diplomatic and to the point, it had infuriated her. Did she want to fight with him? Shout at him? Accuse him for all that he'd done?
But she couldn't deny that she blamed him entirely. She could see that his actions weren't on his own free will. He was forced to do it, with his parents and his own life on line. And she didn't forget the fact that when she, Harry and Ron had been captured and bought to his Manor, last year, he had lied that the person they'd caught wasn't Harry. She was grateful for that. But she was also really angry, because when his aunt Bellatrix was torturing her, he did nothing. He just stood and watched her writhe in pain...
Hermione closed her eyes. This wasn't turning out to be the way she wanted it to. She just had to focus on her studies, and not think about things that didn't matter. Forget and forgive, she told herself over and over again.
The forgiving was the easy part.
The forgetting was not...