So I've finally gotten this chapter reviewed and I've taken into consideration some of the suggestions people have made about it previously in reviews and have adjusted some aspects of the wording accordingly :)

Thanks to everyone who previously reviewed, I'm now going to slowly begin to upload more chapters.

Important!

While this story does follow the seven books mostly, there are a few key differences.

Fred did NOT die. I had to change this as I can honestly not see Ron being at all forgiving about it and I need his support behind Harry 100%.

Similarly, Snape did NOT die. He was just severely injured and is spending the entire summer in Mungo's recovering.

Also, Teddy was born a few years before the end of the war, making him about five in this story. Remus and Tonks still died in the war, but a little earlier, when Teddy was about two.

I think that's about it for that, if there's any other major changes then I'll be sure to put it in the notes at the beginning of the chapter.

Disclaimer: Characters are not mine.

New Hope

Chapter One – Returning to Hogwarts

It was the first day of yet another summer holiday. The battlegrounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were silent. Huge chucks of stone littered the grounds along with fallen tree's and broken glass. Inside the castle the Great Hall was blackened with the result of spells having missed their marks. The four tables were charred, splintered and obliterated in some areas. Windows were smashed, the library a mess, random classrooms destroyed – there were even some gaps in the castle walls and the occasional corridor had caved in completely. Flights of steps lead to nowhere and the occupants of the pictures had long since hidden.

A lone figure walked through the broken gates of Hogwarts, one side of the grand gates only holding on by a few rusting screws. He walked quietly, but determinedly, up the path towards the one place he'd ever truly called home.

It felt strange, being back here with no one else around. It was oddly quiet, even the Forbidden Forest was silent, as if out of respect for all those who had lost their lives here a few short weeks ago. For those who's lives had been completely changed, their futures that had been stolen.

As he passed through where the doors to the Entrance Hall had once been, Harry Potter paused.

"Kreature?" He called out softly.

A loud crack announced the arrival of the House Elf, all big eyes and ears, stained pillow case and crooked teeth.

"Master Harry Potter is wanting Kreature?" He asked in a squeaky, hopeful voice.

"I'll be staring here for a while, so why don't you head down to the kitchens and see if you can find yourself somewhere to stay." Harry said with a small smile at the elf.

"Yes, Master Harry Potter." With another loud crack the elf was gone and Harry continued on his way up to the seventh floor. He had to take a different route twice due to a caved in corridor and a missing set of stairs, but Harry finally found himself standing before the Room of Requirement.

Taking a deep breath, he walked past the stone wall three times; thinking of a place he could comfortably stay in for a while. He was relieved when a door appeared before him. He had been concerned that the fire might have destroyed the room completely.

Turning the door handle, he found a simple room with a large fireplace, couch, a small table with two chairs, a large four-poster-bed in the far corner and a door that he assumed would lead off to a bathroom. It was exactly what he needed.

He went over to the couch before the fire and dropped himself into it. Staring into the fire, he allowed his mind to wander for a moment, but images of the war quickly began to fill his mind. Sighing, he sat up as a small coffee table with parchment, quill and ink appeared before him. Sighing again, he began to pen two letters.

'Dear Hermione,

How are you?

How are your parents taking it all?

Currently, I'm at Hogwarts. There's a lot of work that needs to be taken care of if the school is to open again in September. As McGonagall is in St Mungo's for the foreseeable future, I thought it'd give me something to do besides testify at trials and listen to people act like prejudice twits.

Don't worry about me though – I'm perfectly fine. Just tired from everything, it's been so busy lately… Though what with the end of the war I guess that's to be expected.

Anyway, just letting you know what I'm up to. I'm not sure if I'll see you some time this holiday. But if not, it'll be on the train on September 1st.

Write back soon,

Love, Harry.'

Taking another piece of parchment, Harry began another letter.

'Dear Ron,

How are you?

How's Fred recovering? Is he demanding outrageous things just because he's stuck in bed?

I'm staying at Hogwarts for now, peace and quiet from all the people being prejudice morons towards the families of Death Eaters. While I understand we should be cautious I don't think the Minister standing on his pedestal should be declaring them dark by association. If it wasn't for some of them turning we'd never have been able to get all the information which ultimately lead to the defeat of HIM. Honestly, it was driving me nuts!

Anyway, the castles' in pretty bad shape, as is to be expected, I guess.

So, how's your family doing?

Love, Harry.'

Once finished, Harry folded both letters up, sealed them, and then left them on the table. With a small pang of sadness, he was reminded that he'd have to hope there was a school owl around now that he didn't have Headwig anymore.

With yet another sigh, he reclined back on the couch, eyes reflecting the glowing flames as his thoughts drifted unavoidably back to the war once more.

***()

Harry spent the next two days walking around the castle with a piece of parchment and a self-inking quill, compiling a list of things that needed to be fixed before the school could safely be opened again. As it was, it came as a surprise when Kreature appeared before him while he was noting down yet another caved in corridor on the second floor charms corridor.

"Master Harry Potter. Miss Granger is waiting for yous in the Entrance Hall." The elf squeakily informed him.

Surprised, Harry shoved the quill and parchment away in his cloak pocket.

"I'll be right there." He said as the elf nodded before disappearing with a loud crack.

Harry made his way down to the Entrance Hall, walking along the right side of the once Grand Staircase as the left had been blasted off. The witch stood beside two large trunks, a nervous look on her face as she bit her lip while waiting for him to approach.

"Mione?" Harry called out, confusion colouring his voice as he eyed the trunks. "What's with all the luggage?" Though his tone was light, it did the last thing he'd expected it to.

Hermione's big brown eyes suddenly filled with tears and she ran over to him, almost knocking him over as she threw her arms around his torso.

"Oh H-Harry! They were s-s-so angry about A-Australia. I was beginning to g-get desperate when they t-told me I had a-a w-we-week to get out. Th-They kicked me o-out! I didn't know wh-what to do, but I got your le-letter so I-I came here." She suddenly pulled away and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"I-I'm sorry! Pl-Please, don't be m-mad."

Harry just looked at his normally calm and composed friend in shock. As her words slowly sunk in, he grabbed her and pulled her back into his protective embrace.

"Mione, I could never be angry with you, you silly girl. You're one of my best friends and I'll always care about you. Of course you're welcome here, you're always welcome wherever I am." He pulled away slightly so he could look into her tearful brown eyes.

"We're family, remember?"

His simple words caused her to cry harder as she latched onto him, tears quickly soaking through his shirt, though neither appeared to care.

***()

Harry spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in the Room of Requirement, the girl who was his sister in all but blood wrapped up safely in his arms. It was as the clock chimed seven that she finally spoke again, tears finally having stopped falling.

"Sorry." Her voice was horse from crying so much.

"You don't need to apologise to me. You were upset, it's perfectly normal to cry and want a hug." As he spoke he tightened his arms around her slightly.

They were silent for another moment before his stomach grumbled loudly. Hermione suddenly burst into giggles as she pulled herself up and stood.

"I'm going to wash my face, you can grab us some food." She said before disappearing into the bathroom.

Calling Kreautre, Harry got them both some dinner before going over to his own trunk and rummaging around for a clean shirt. As he was pulling his tear-stained top over his head, the quiet click of the bathroom door alerted him to Hermione's return.

"Kreature's grabbing us something to eat." He said, turning around and pulling his clean shirt on.

"You're lucky I'm not one of your crazy fans; getting shirtless in front of me." She teased him gently. Rolling his eyes, Harry went back to the couch and sunk into it again.

"Mione, we're practically family. There's nothing weird about my sister seeing me without a top on."

A pleased flush suddenly covered her cheeks as she smiled at him warmly before flopping down beside him.

The two spent the next few hours in comfortable conversation as they ate dinner. It wasn't until they were ready for bed that Hermione's new insecurities showed through again.

"Do you mind if I stay with you tonight?" she asked quietly, before beginning to babble at the surprised look on his face.

"Just next to you on the bed; just for tonight. I just – I just don't want to be alone tonight." Her voice trailed off in a whisper.

Harry smiled slightly at her in understanding. He knew that feeling of just wanting to be around someone who cared, when it felt like they were the only person in the whole world who would care that you weren't happy. The feeling of not wanting them to be even a foot away from you for the fear that they might leave you. While a completely irrational fear, Harry was sure that the feelings of betrayal and hatred coming from her parent's wouldn't have helped.

"Come on then, I'm sure you're tried. It's been a long day." Harry said, turning towards the bed.

They climbed in and Harry doused the lights, leaving them both lying on their backs beside each other. Everything was silent and still for a moment before Harry felt a small hand curl around his much larger one.

"Harry?" Hermione's quiet voice broke the silence. "Thanks for – you know." There was a beat of silence before she gently squeezed his hand.

"Love you, my brother."

Harry was glad for the darkness, so she couldn't see the ridiculously pleased grin that covered his face at her words.

"Love you too, my sister."

She seemed to let out a breath as his words and relaxed as he squeezed her hand back. He heard her shift slightly and before long her quiet, even breathing announced she was asleep.

As Harry lay there, slowly falling asleep, for once his mind wasn't plagued with images of the war and the horrors of that time. Instead he was thinking about the girl beside him, promising himself that he would look after her at all costs. She was now alone in the world, just like he was. Though he knew the Weasley's would take them in without a second thought – it was in their nature to do so – having just one person who understood your situation from experience made all the difference.

As he finally felt sleep claiming him, his last thought was one of hope for the future and a feeling that he was finally on the road home.

***()

"So, how much work is there to be done, really?" Hermione asked over a cup of tea the next morning. Harry looked up from his breakfast of hash browns, toast, bacon and eggs. Taking a moment to chew as he rested an elbow on the small breakfast table they were seated at, he gave her a thoughtful look.

"Well," he began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "There are bits and pieces all over the place, the Great Hall's completely destroyed and you saw what the Grand Staircase looks like. Some of the corridors have completely caved in and stairwells lead to nowhere. Then there's all the rubble and stuff on the grounds." He shrugged casually, trying not to dwell on the reasons why everything was so badly damaged.

"So," Hermione began dryly. "Just a bit of work to do?"

"I've got a list of what I've found so far." He said, leaning over to his cloak and pulling out a large wade of parchment before handing it over to her.

"Hmm." Was all she said as she began skimming the list, mentally highlighting the largest and most important things they'd need to fix.

Harry, for his part, continued eating his breakfast. He was used to her going over everything mentally before offering an opinion on something. They sat that way for five minutes before Hermione made a definitive noise.

"Right… ok, we're going to need some help with this one." She glanced up across the table for Harry's thoughts.

"Is it possible to get it all done before September?"

"With enough people working on it every day, we should just manage. It might also be a good refuge for some of our friends…" She offered the last bit with some hesitation. Harry looked at her carefully and could already see her mind ticking over various ideas and plans. Clearing his throat, he finished his breakfast and drank the last sip of his tea; Harry gave her a reassuring look.

"I'm sure whatever it is you've got spinning around in that head of yours will end up being a good plan. You do what you need to while I go out and check I've got everything, ok?" He asked, standing up from their small breakfast table.

"Ok then, I'll get started on it right away." She agreed, passing the list back to him.

Nodding, Harry left her to it and went on his own way, quietly confident that she'd figure everything out for him. He felt much more optimistic about getting everything completed on time now that he had her here over-seeing everything for him.

***()

The two only saw one another in passing during lunch, when Harry stopped by to grab some sandwiches and Hermione briefly looked up from the mound of parchment she was hovering over.

It was at dinner that Hermione's plan became obvious to Harry. He had come back to the Room of Requirement a little after sunset, having lost track of time in the dungeons, only to be greeted by three faces rather than the expected one.

"Harry, mate!" Neville Longbottom stood from his seat before the fire.

Grinning widely, Harry was pulled into a manly hug by the taller, bulkier boy.

"Neville? What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Harry asked with a grin.

"Harry." Looking over, Harry's smile got wider upon seeing yet another of his fellow Gryffindor's.

"Dean, how are you mate?"

"Hermione here sent us an owl. Told us about a little 'prejudice and hero-worship' free summer project." Neville injected as Dean hugged Harry.

"With the way the world is going now, well, we jumped at the chance." Neville continued.

"Nev and me bumped into one another at the Gates. Figured we may as well come up here together. The castle looks like crap, by the way." Dean added, grinning the whole time.

"So, this is what you meant by help?" Harry asked, looking over to the only girl who was once again seated at the small table.

"Well, really, our year was seriously disrupted by the war, so I thought; what better way for us all to reconcile than with this project?" Hermione shrugged.

"Who else did you invite?" Harry asked as the other two boys sat down again and Harry walked over to join her at her table.

"Well, now don't be mad, but I invited our whole year. As in, everyone from all four houses." She said the last bit quietly, biting her lip in fear of incurring his anger.

Harry took a moment to understand what she meant before he took a deep breath and reminded himself that this was a new world he wanted to help create. He needed to let go of past wrongs just as much as everyone else.

"Mione, this is the beginning of a new world for all of us. Anyone who wants' to continue to hold onto past grudges and blood supremacy beliefs can bugger off for all I care." He said it in a gentle manner, but his eyes seemed to almost be on fire with determination.

She gave him a small smile before pointing to the food on the table.

"Don't forget to have dinner."

Smiling, he let out a small chuckle before sitting down and doing as he was instructed.

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