A/N: This is just a fun little story. It's a series of clues that are all places around Hogwarts during the Trios eighth year. Feel free to try and solve them as the story progresses. As of right now, I'm not sure exactly how long it will be. Mostly this story is compliant with DH, but some characters may have survived that were pronounced/presumed dead while others may have died in the Battle whose fate was not given. On another note, I have no idea how to go about getting a beta. So, if anyone would like to be a beta for me I would greatly appreciate it (just PM me if you want). Eventually there will be mentions of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other traumas so take this as an overall warning.
DISCLAIMER: I, unfortunately, do not own any of the characters, books, or movies of the Harry Potter series. I am, however, borrowing them to put my little spin on things.
Hermione sat down in the Great Hall for her first day back at Hogwarts in over a year. Technically, it was her eighth year even though she never completed her seventh. Headmistress McGonagall decided to offer all seventh-year students a chance to repeat their year and receive their NEWTs, if they so choose.
Hermione looked across the Great Hall, remembering all those that were lost in the war. She caught the eye of Padma Patil and gave a weak smile. They were never close, but Hermione did spend 6 years with her twin sister, Parvati. Parvati died from an unknown curse cast from an unknown Death Eat in the Battle of Hogwarts. No one thought Padma would return for their final year, but apparently, she needed something that could not be found outside of Hogwarts.
On some level, Hermione felt the same way. She didn't want to come back to the place where so many lives were destroyed, but she couldn't help the feeling that something was missing. Who knows, maybe Hogwarts will give her that something to help close the wounds from the war.
There were only 12 returning students from the trio's year at Hogwarts. Padma being the only Ravenclaw. Hannah Abbot was in a similar situation as she was the only Hufflepuff. There were five Gryffindors in total: Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Lavender Brown, and Hermione Granger. The most surprising was the number of Slytherins that opted to return. Draco Malfoy, Theo Nott, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, and Daphne Greengrass all returned to complete their education.
After the Sorting, which was over relatively quick with only 20 first year students joining Hogwarts, Headmistress McGonagall stood up to deliver her start of the term speech.
"Welcome new students, returning students, and Professors. This year is going to be slightly different. As you can all see, there is going be another year added for the students that would like a chance to complete their education. You will all be housed in a separate dorm to accommodate that all of you are of age. I ask that you stay after the feast, so I can give you directions to your common room and a slightly different set of rules to follow. As always, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, forbidden. Any questions can be directed to myself, the professors, or the Head Boy and Head Girl, Collin Creevey and Ginevra Weasley. Prejudice of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, houses, blood status, and wealth. We did not come out of a war to get sucked back into the same things that people gave their lives to end." She looked across the entire hall at that last statement. Her stern demeanor in place to detour any students who felt like arguing.
"We have a few new professors to introduce. Our slightly new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Remus Lupin." Whispers broke out at the news. People objecting to letting a werewolf teach students were most of the complaints. However, there were also students who were excited to have a competent professor again. "Silence!" Immediately all talk ended.
"Remus Lupin is the most qualified person for the job. I will not have anyone talking poorly about our professors. If you have a complaint you may take it up with me personally after the feast. To address some of the issues you may have. Yes, Professor Lupin is a registered werewolf. No, he is not dangerous. We will be taking precautions to ensure everyone's safety. I must repeat that there will be no tolerance for discrimination. Now, our new Culture Studies class will be replacing Muggle Studies. You will still be learning about life beyond the Wizarding World, however you will also be learning about life within the Wizarding World. It will be mandatory for all students; Miranda Bagshot will be the professor. Last, but certainly not least, we have Elanor Doge as the new Transfiguration professor. Now, let us enjoy the start of the term feast." With that Minerva sat down and food appeared on all the tables.
Hermione looked to her left at Ron, who immediately started to pile heaps of food on his plate. She rolled her eyes at the site; some things will never change. Harry sat to her right and was slightly more reserved when he served himself food. He ate his fair share, there was no doubt about that, but he didn't need to shovel it all in at one time. Ever since the time spent on the run, Hermione couldn't eat full meals. She would graze throughout the day. In fact, it was that very thing that put a wedge between her and Ron.
They started to date directly after the war. The fateful kiss they shared was the spark they needed to bring their relationship to the next level. However, Hermione was broken from the war and Ron was, unfortunately, not who she needed to help her pick up the pieces and put herself back together.
They fought like cats and dogs over everything. Ron wanted to live at the Burrow for a few years, and Hermione wanted to get into a flat as soon as possible. They were all awarded handsomely for their efforts during the war, which Hermione and Harry tried to refuse. She wanted out from under everyone's feet; she wanted a quiet place she could call her home.
When they weren't fighting, Mrs. Weasley was nagging Hermione, mainly about the fact that she hardly ate a thing. Molly meant well enough, but she just ended up pushing the poor girl away. Ron never once stood up to his mom for his girlfriend, adding yet another thing for the duo to argue about.
A few months after the war, Ron and Hermione sat down and hashed things out. They agreed they weren't right for each other and split up. Due to the fact they decided to split amicably, they remained best friends, who just happened to know more intimate details about each other.
With the feast wrapping up, McGonagall stood and dismissed the staff, and all the students except for the eighth years.
"If everyone could gather around up front so I don't have to yell." Once all twelve students were gathered around, Minerva explained how this new year would work. "I'm sure you all were expecting to go back to your various common rooms this year, however, I believe it will be beneficial to give you your own set of rooms. Now, you all won't individually have your own rooms, but you will collectively have your own common room with 6 bedrooms attached."
At this every student started to look around to see who they wanted to share a room with. "Before you all decide who you are sharing a dorm with, I have already paired each of you up. Hannah and Padma as the only returning Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students you will share a room. Lavender and Hermione, you two will be housed together. I figured you have made it this long sharing a space you can make it another year. Daphne and Pansy, I trust you two will be comfortable living together for another year as well. Blaise you'll be with Theo, and Neville you'll be with Ron. Now, Harry and Draco I understand you have this school boy rivalry between the two of you. However, you are both looked at as leaders in this community and as such you will behave that way. This is final. Am I understood?" McGonagall took a minute to not only look between Harry and Draco, but at Ron, Blaise, Theo, and Neville.
The boys all mumble their agreements, though none of them looked particularly happy with the arrangements. This is not to say that the two sets of boys who remained with their previous housemates were unhappy, but they were looking forward to being all back together again, respectively speaking of course.
The headmistress was not done there, "I understand you are all over age, and therefore are privileged with a few more freedoms. You are free to go to Hogsmeade on the weekends, but you may not bring contraband into the castle for the younger students. You are all of age to drink and may do so. Be warned, you will not be excused from morning classes because you decided to go overboard the night prior." Again, the headmistress eyed the 6 boys in attendance. "Most of you fought next to many of the professors during the Battle and even use their first names during personal conversations. However, please be respectful and address them with proper titles during classes and meals. If you need anything please ask, we are all healing from the horrors that occurred. If you see younger students struggling, be a helping hand. Your common room is located down the hall and to left of the Transfiguration class room. Your password is survivors. Off to bed."
The 12 eighth years made their way out of the Great Hall and toward their new dorms for the year. There was little talking while they made the trek through the castle.
Upon the entrance to the common room was a portrait of a warrior in all his armor. Theo gave the password and the portrait swung open to reveal a large space decorated with earth tones and a large blazing hearth. One long tan couch, two arm chairs, and two loveseats surrounded a dark brown coffee table in the corner with the fireplace. Various desks and bookcases were scattered around the edges of the room. There was even a small kitchenette tucked in another corner.
Everyone stood in the center taking in their new surroundings. Hermione was scanning what books she could see from her position, and she was delighted to find that not only were their books on every subject there was also a variety of other books one might find need of.
Two hallways lead to the dorms. Hermione assumed one was for the boys and the other was for the girls. The girls walked one way, and they were presented with their dorms. Each door has the girls' names that would be housed inside on the front in gold script. The Slytherins were on the right, Gryffindors on the left, and the shared Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff room was at the end.
The boys' hallway was set up the exact same way with the Slytherins on the right, the Gryffindors on the left, and the shared Slytherin/Gryffindor room at the end.
Once unpacked and settled in, everyone gravitated to the sitting area. With the 5 Slytherins huddled together on one side and the Gryffindors on the other. Hannah Abbot and Padma Patil sat at the head of the small group.
"I think it best if we set some ground rules." Hermione suggested.
"Like what?" Draco asked warily. He looked as if the rest of the group was about to banish the Slytherins from Hogwarts.
"Well, I would really like to be able to spend at least one of the many years at Hogwarts not constantly fighting and looking over my shoulder for the next threat." She managed to leave out the bit that she does that enough already; she did not need the added stress of being hexed in the common room. The trio had yet to fully abandon the constant worry the war ingrained into them. The boys were slightly better about adopting to life after the Battle of Hogwarts, but Hermione was left slightly on edge.
The 5 students donned in green and silver looked between themselves, apparently coming to a consensus. Draco spoke for the group, "we won't start anything, but we also won't sit back if the others start it first."
"We won't do anything. We just want a peaceful year to heal." Although Hermione spoke confidently she had to jab Ron in the ribs with her elbow to keep him from saying a snide remark.
"How about we play a game? As an ice breaker of sorts." Hannah suggested after a slightly awkward silence engulfed the group.
"Anyone have firewhiskey?" We could play truth or dare?" Lavender spoke up. She was more subdued after the war; this was largely due to Greyback's attack which left half her face covered in scars and a slight limp from where her leg broke. Even magic cannot completely fix everything.
This time Theo spoke up, "I have a few bottles of Ogden's in my trunk."
"How can we be sure it's not poisoned?" Ron mumbled to Harry.
"Ronald Weasley! We just got done saying we were going to be civil. Can't you make it at least a night without being rude?" Hermione chastised the redhead.
"Can't keep your boyfriend on his leash, Granger?" Malfoy retorted with a bored drawl.
"Don't you dare talk her that way! And not that it's any of your business but we aren't dating." Came Ron's reply. His neck was started to get flushed showing just how angry he was getting.
"Let's not argue on the first night. It's going to get very old very fast." Daphne tried to reason with the boys, who were very much acting like children in that moment and not the men they were supposed to be. "Theo go get your firewhiskey, and let's play the game."
With that everyone settled down to get to know each other a little better.
A/N: There's the first chapter. Up next, I'm planning on doing the game of Truth or Dare and introducing the game that will be offered to Hermione. I don't know exactly who I'm going to pair up with her yet, but it's either going to be Theo or Draco. Let me know which pair you would like to see. Also, I'm planning on updating at least once a week. Due to a lot going on right now I don't want to promise anything more than that and not an able to deliver. Also, as I get more of the story done I might update sooner (who knows). Thank you for reading my first stab at a chaptered fanfic! Let me know what you think!