Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. Hopefully JK Rowling will gift them to me for my birthday...yeah...that'd be nice. :)

Hermione's lip quivered, her hands shaking as her mother rubbed her back, whispering soothing words.

"Darling, if you keep pacing like that, you'll run a hole in the carpet." Jane said, a tense smile on her face.

In fact, Hermione's father was pacing about, a letter held in his hand. His eyes flying across the page, as if to comprehend the words upon it. "They want her to go back?" he growled. "We just got her back, why the hell would they think I'm letting her go again?"

Jane sighed. "She never completed her seventh year, Hugo. She's eighteen now, it is her choice. There's nothing we can do but support her."

Hermione wiped the tears falling from her eyes. "I only just got out of therapy for everything that happened—"

"—So you're not going to go" Her father's voice was filled with a new found hope that his daughter would preside with him and his wife for a full year once again.

Hermione's lip quivered. She took a breath. "In order for me to attempt to get a job at the Ministry, I have to graduate first."

"So you are going…" Her father's shoulders slumped.

She bit her lip. "I have to. I'm just not sure what this entails. Let me see the letter again?"

Her father sighed, before handing the letter back to her.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmistress: Professor Minerva McGonagall

Dear Miss Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Please note that since you will be repeating your 7th year, your accommodations and requirements will be different. Due to the fact that Hogwarts was closed for the year, we have two extra classes to accommodate. We hope you are patient as we work through the arrangements made this coming year.

In addition, please know now that there will also be special circumstances for all 7th years attending Hogwarts this year. More will be revealed after dinner upon your arrival.

Term begins on the 1st of September. We await your owl by no later than the 31st of July.

Yours sincerely,

Deputy Headmaster Rubeus Hagrid

"I just wonder what the special accommodations are going to be. It's not every day that Hogwarts has double the amount of 7th years. We're like an 8th year, but since the war got in the way, they're just giving us another shot." Hermione chewed on her thumb, scanning the paper again. "I won't need new text books, and I can lengthen my robes and repair them…I have my wand…but I think I'll want an owl this year.

There was a meow of distaste from her feet, as Crookshanks looked at her with disdain.

Hermione laughed. "Well, I'm going to keep you around, Crook. It's just that I want to send mum and dad letters, but Hedwig…" Tears swelled in her eyes again. "…is gone now." She ended lamely.

Jane patted her on the shoulder. "It is your choice. And of course your father and I will support you in anything you want to do. Do you want us to come with you to Diagon Alley?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'll call Harry and see if he wants to come."

Ever since the battle, Harry had been living at Grimmauld Place, and had installed a phone line to get ahold of Hermione when she needed to talk.

Her parents nodded, and backed out the door, whispering in soft, concerned tones ad they softly closed the door.

Hermione took a deep breath, using breathing exercises she had been taught by a muggle therapist. She calmed herself, before picking up her phone and dialing Harry's number.

It rang a few times before picking up. A drowsy but familiar voice came from the other side. "Hello?"

"Harry? Did I wake you?" Hermione bit her lip.

There was a bit of shuffling and some shifting before Harry answered, more alert this time. "No, not really. Just been lying on the couch. What's up? Something wrong?"

"Not this time." Hermione replied. "Have you gotten your letter from Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, got it yesterday. Glad I kept all our school stuff around, or else I'd have to go buy more."

"Oh yes, because you have no money to spare to buy an extra pair of everything." Hermione rolled her eyes

Harry laughed a deep, throaty laugh. "There she is. Snarky Hermione has always been the best Hermione. But you must have called for a reason."

"Yeah. I was wondering if you'd like to come with me to Diagon Alley? I'd go with my folks but I just don't feel like showing them how bad it is yet."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, I understand. What are you needing?"

"Some new books for some light reading during the year, new cauldron since I lost the other one, I need to fill up on potion ingredients and I…"

"Sorry, I didn't catch that last one?"

"I need to get an owl. I'm sorry, I just thought that it was too soon. She was your first real—"

Harry cut her off. "Hermione, you need some way to get messages to your parents. This isn't about me or Hedwig."

Hermione flinched when he said his deceased owls name. She took a deep breath. "So you'll come with me?"

"Of course I will. Will it be just us two or will Ron be there too?"

Hermione almost dropped the phone when Harry said her other best friends name. Ron. She bit her lip. "We're still not talking."

"You know, it's really hard to stay friends with both of you when you wont talk to him."

"I just…I can't believe what he did. He changed after the war."

"We all did."

"Not like he did. He became some pretentious snob who thought he was above everyone else and took me for granted. He cheated on me, Harry. I don't know how he thought I was going to react to that."

Harry sighed. "I get it. I'll just make two trips. I'll probably forget something anyway."

"Thank you, Harry." Hermione said softly.

"Of course. And Hermione?"

"Yeah?"

"We'll get through this. We can survive anything. Even whatever this year brings. We've faced the dark lord for fucks sake."

That's the first chapter! Now, I'm not going to go totally by the books, but I sadly am going to try to keep the deaths and such in the story. Let me know what you think so far, and leave any suggestions. My only request is no hate! Thank you!