DISCLAIMER: All characters are property of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series. This story is not gaining unsolicited profit in any form. Please enjoy for your entertainment.
Chapter One:
The summer air filled her lungs as she took a deep breath trying to reassure a smile would be pastured across her face as she said her goodbyes to her parents.
"Now mum, everything is going to be fine. Trust me."
Ginny Weasley stated to the shorter woman who was wrapping her arms around her waist in an embrace. Her once always so happy features had been replaced with sadness and hurt. Her eyes no longer shined gold; they were dulled by the darkness underneath them. Her hair, once red, now had more silver in it than Ginny could remember. She sighed and hugged Molly back.
She could feel her mother's sadness in her own being; the years have taken their toll upon her, and this last year has topped them all. Their grieving for her older brother Fred wasn't even close to finishing and to make matters worse, Ginny was leaving to finish school. It was her seventh year and she was doing it all by herself. There were no older siblings to accompany her on this journey. The only familiar faces she would recognize would be those of her professors, but even some of those would be replaced with brand new faces. Hogwarts would be grieving just as much as her own family.
Molly squeezed her youngest and only daughter as tight as she could until she felt a hand lay gently on her shoulder. Ginny looked up at her father, he too had seen better days. Arthur had less hair upon his head and more wrinkles across his face. When Ginny looked into his eyes, hoping for the slightest bit of happiness, she was only met with the same sadness her mother's eyes carried. She smiled softly at him as she pulled away from her mother's embrace. She couldn't blame them, grieving was the only appropriate option right now, they had lost someone who was more than just part of their family, he was a part of them.
"Have a great final year dear, your mother and I will owl you as much as possible. Now with the house empty except for ourselves, I'm sure we'll have nothing better to do than bug you while you're away."
Her father smiled slightly at her. She nodded and fought back tears starting to push over her eyelids. He had hope, and she could see that.
"I love you both. I'll owl you within the next couple of weeks, I promise." Quickly kissing her mother's cheek and hugging her father she turned and walked away from her parents. They waved good-bye to the redhead young woman as she mingled in with the sea of other young wizards and witches.
Turning around and waving goodbye, Ginny Weasley made her way on to the Hogwarts Express for one of the last times of her life, but this time she's not just any student board this train. No, this time she is the Gryffindor Head Girl and she had to be strong for the rest.
"I'm glad you were able to join us again this year Miss Granger. Have you enjoyed your holiday?"
Headmistress asked Hermione as they walked the empty hallways of the ancient castle. Even without the presents of students the hallways still smelt of new ink and parchment paper. The summer was ending and within a few hours these halls would be filled with students, the eager first years and the seventh years, ever longing for the end of their last year. Hermione couldn't help but smile as she walked the familiar hallways.
"Yes, prof… I mean yes, Ms. McGonagall. I had a lovely holiday. Well, as lovely as it could possibly be given the circumstances."
She felt her heart fall into her stomach as she started to remember the events taken place not so long ago. They all had fought so hard and were almost down to have nothing left in them, but Harry fulfilled his destiny and ended the everlasting war. All their fighting and struggles were at an end, but only to be dealt with in a different way. They had lost so many brave souls; friends and family. Hermione sighed as she looked around the empty hallway hoping to see the familiar faces of her friends that she had lost. Emptiness and silence was all she received, her hopeful wishing had let her down. A hand rested softly on her shoulder causing her to turn around and look at the older woman next her.
"They will not be forgotten, unless you don't remember them for who they were."
Hermione nodded in agreement and continued along with Headmistress McGonagall down the empty halls of Hogwarts. They walked toward the Gryffindor House which caused excitement to run though Hermione's body. The familiar smell of cinnamon and butterbeer filled her nose as they entered though the Fat Lady's portrait hole. The Gryffindor Common Room was empty, but the fire place was still going as if someone was just here. She couldn't help but miss all of this, which is why she was so eager to except the invitation to come and assist the new Potions Professor.
"Now, I hope you don't mind but you'll be staying in the Gryffindor House's Head Girl's room along with this year's head girl. We've expanded it enough to give you each your own space along with your own bed and washroom."
Hermione turned to Minerva McGonagall with a raised eyebrow, curiosity escaping her lips, "Who's the head girl this year?" it was more of a demand than a question, and she realized this after it had already been said. "… Ms. McGonagall…" she added softly hoping the older woman wouldn't notice her previous tone.
The older witch smiled and with a simple response answered the younger woman's question.
"Ginevra Weasley."
Hermione felt a smile creep across her face once she heard the response. Sharing a room with Ginny would be absolutely no problem for her. They have always been extremely close and have never had a serious confrontation in their friendship. Besides, she has missed how Ginny's and her friendship had been before the war. Ever since the death of Fred she hasn't been the same, by all right she doesn't have to be, but she hasn't recovered even the slightest. It truly did worry the brunette, but she was going to help in any way she possibly can.
'Maybe this will bring us close again…'
"No, Head Mistress I do not mind sharing a room with Miss Weasley."
Hermione responded with a twinkle in her eye that caught Minerva's attention. She has only seen that sort of happiness, between two individuals, in someone a few occasions and this was not one she was expecting, especially between Ginny and Hermione.
"Well, let us start making our way back to the Great Hall. The students will be arriving shortly and we must ready ourselves for their arrival."
The Head Mistress stated as she strolled to the Fat Lady's portrait hole. The younger woman followed behind her, but she wasn't worried about the returning students or the new school year to start. All her mind could focuse on was seeing her old true friend.
'Oh, Ginny, have I missed you. I can't wait to surprise you!'
The students started showing up in small herds, and within a few minutes there wasn't ground to be seen from view of the castle's tower windows. The crowd made their way into Hogwarts, first years following the years ahead of them being lead to the Great Hall. The room was filled with laughter and conversation due to old friends reuniting and discussing of what had taken place over everyone's holiday. The only difference between this year and last year were the seventh years. Most of them were either silent or conversing quietly, for everyone knew of what had happened over most of their summer holiday.
Hermione scanned the room searching for her old friend, which shouldn't be hard, seeing how she would be the only Weasley with that red hair in the entire room. She frowned when she hadn't seen her seating with the usual Gryffindor crowd. She sighed and sat back in her chair glancing over the room again hoping to see Ginny among the students.
'Come on Ginny, where are… There you are!'
Hermione almost jumped out of her seat with excitement when she spotted her friend mingling around the Ravenclaw table. Just as she was about to leave her podium and surprise Ginny, the sight before her kept her feet grounded. She couldn't believe her eyes, the must have been lying to her. She blinked what felt like a thousand times, trying to be sure they were being true.
'Did she just kiss Luna?'
Ginny leaned in and placed a quick kiss on Luna Lovegood's lips before rushing over to the Gryffindor Table. Hermione's heart dropped into her stomach as she watched the scene, not only in front of herself but in front of the whole student body and staff. Not that it would have mattered, Hogwarts did not tolerate discriminating against anyone, regardless of their true person. With her heart still in her stomach and her eyes on the redhead woman, Hermione replayed the scene once again in her mind.
"Good evening students."
Headmistress McGonagall was standing in front of the crowd of young wizards and witches. You could hear the hushing from the perfects and Head Boys and Head Girls. The room grew silent and everyone's attention was on Professor McGonagall.
"Welcome back to another wonderful year at…" Hermione's mind washed out the woman's voice and all she could focus on was the redhead girl sitting several feet away from her. She watched Ginny turn her attention from the Headmistress over to Luna, who was staring back just as much. Jealously took over Hermione when she saw Luna blow the Weasley girl a kiss.
'She hasn't even seemed to realize that I'm sitting here? She's more focused on that… that girl.'
Hermione frowned looking way from the crowd of students down to her hands in her lap, when she realized where her mind was going. Questions began running through her mind like a marathon. Why was she so upset over this? Why did this bother her so much that Ginny had developed a relationship with someone? Why did this thought make her heart fall in her stomach? She racked her brain for an answer as to why she was so against this situation. Ginny's sexual preference has been known for quite a bit of time now, and seeing her with someone of the same sex isn't something Hermione thought she would truly be uneasy about. It wasn't because of Luna, she had done nothing wrong to Hermione; definitely not Luna.
'Would I feel better if she were with a boy…?'
The thought made Hermione's stomach turn. Ginny with a boy is an uneasy sight, even thinking about the past times just didn't seem right. Hermione was confused as to why she's feeling all these feelings of hurt, jealously, want, and just plain heartbroken.
'It has to be due to the lack of friendship bonding over this last holiday…'
With the feeling of someone staring at her, she looked up in the direction of Ginny and realized her friend had finally noticed her presents. She felt her heart jump inside of her. If not for it being behind her ribcage she was certain it would have jumped right out of her chest. Her eyes were focused on Ginny, who had a giant smile form on her face when their eyes met. A blush crept across Hermione's cheeks causing her to divert her eyes back down to her lap.
'Why am I feeling this way? This is Ginny! You know, you're best friend. The one you spend almost every summer with? Goodness Hermione what is wrong with you?'
"…We will be having the Soaring Ceremony momentarily. First let me introduce a few new professors."
Minerva turned to the staff sitting behind her, raising her hand up to the new staff members, who began standing before the crowd of students. The sound of footsteps shuffling drew Hermione back to the occasion around her. Standing up along with the fellow new members of Hogwarts staff she couldn't help feel the gaze of Ginny Weasley on her. Staring at Professor McGonagall, trying with all her might to not avert her gaze at the redhead witch, Hermione waited her turn as each professor was addressed. As each one sat down, the more gazes Hermione felt on her.
"Professor Rupert McDownley, who will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."
The older man standing next to Hermione bowed before taking back his seat. It wasn't until she drifted her gaze to the crowd of students that she realized she was the only one left standing other than Professor McGonagall. Her gaze caught Ginny's once again causing butterflies to flutter in her stomach.
"Last but not least, most of you already know her, Hermione Granger. She will be assisting me with teaching the Potions class. She is not a professor, but you will mind her and treat her with the utmost respect."
Hermione smiled at the crowd, but her eyes never left Ginny's, before she took her seat along with the rest of the Hogwarts staff. Headmistress turned her attention back to the student body, and motioned to the Sorting Hat placed at the front of the Great Hall.
"Let us begin."
At that an unrecognized tune escaped the mouth of the head wear, causing the first year students to jump a little. Hermione smiled, remembering her first time here in the school. Watching the first new student take a seat on the stool, she felt as if someone was staring at her. Hermione turned her attention to Ginny Weasley, who had not moved her gaze from the brunette since she'd spotted her moments ago. Ginny flashed a small smile at Hermione, causing her breath to catch in her throat, their eyes connecting sending silent messages across the room.
'I'm glad to see you.'