Author's Note:
Hello to anyone who chooses to read this story. So a little background about me, my name is Elle and I enjoy writing as a stress relief. I do not claim to be an amazing writer by any means and I do appreciate constructive feedback. I began writing this story quite some time ago and then life got busy and unfortunately I stopped. So I have come back to it now and I am very ready to give it some attention. Like most people I know, I am encouraged by people's interest so likes, follows, comments etc are welcomed and appreciated. I am going to attempt to have a new chapter published around the same time each week, fingers crossed. I really hope you enjoy it and I hope to hear from you in some way.
DISCLAIMER: I in no way, shape or form am J.K Rowling and I therefore have no rights over the characters of which are depicted in this story. This is purely a work of fanfiction written as a hobby and for no personal financial gains.
Chapter One – I Know Nothing At All.
HogwartsSchool of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall.
Dear Miss Granger,
We write to invite you to return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to attend a supplementary term of education. This extension course is offered to all seventh years of 1998 and upon completion will result in the student receiving their equivalent N.E.W.T level qualifications. Be advised that completing this additional time with Hogwarts is not compulsory and not participating will in no manner influence your future career opportunities outside of the school.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins 1 September. We await your owl by no later then 31 July.
Yours Sincerely,
Filius Flitwick.
Deputy Headmaster.
SsSsSsSsSs
Hermione folded the parchment, slipping it back inside the envelope and tucking it within her book bag. Leaning her head back onto the seats and turning her attention to the passing countryside out of the window, she allowed the train's gentle to-and-fro rock to relax her. She had been the one to point it out, on more then one occasion, but it hit her again, in an unapologetic wave that picks you up and throws you underneath its curves, tumbling you within its current, everything had changed once again. When she received the invitation to return to Hogwarts she was filled with so many emotions. She recalled her excitement and sense of relief that, finally, things were returning to normal. Better than normal because this time it really could be just about learning and experiencing Hogwarts as she'd always wanted. A year of becoming exasperated as Harry and Ron left their assignments to the last minute and pretending that she had enough back bone to leave them to work it out without her help. A year of watching Ron try terribly to hide his bliss when beating Harry in wizards chess and quietly reading a book in front of the fire as their arguments over Quidditch became nothing more then a background drone. She had taken her letter and grabbed a cardigan before flooing over to Grimmauld Place, where Ron had been staying with Harry since the end of the war. Hermione was fairly certain that despite Ron's assurances that he was staying there so Harry wasn't alone, that Ron was avoiding spending too much time at the burrow because despite everyone's gallant attempts to move on, Fred's passing was still very vividly felt within the family home. She recalled her anticipation when she burst through the fire place in the old Black house that now belonged to Harry. The house had been through some major renovations since the end of the war. Harry had thrown himself into the project determined to make the house a home as opposed to the dark den it had been. It was no longer a hideout for fugitives, or a secret meeting place for the order, and it reflected it's new 'in the open' status with wide windows and drapes and a light color palate.
"Ron, Harry!" Hermione called to them as she stepped over the threshold in a hurry. She heard heavy footsteps running towards her and not a second later her friends tumbled over each other to greet her.
"Mione!" Ron called out " What is wrong?" She lifted the envelope to their faces and smiled brilliantly.
"We're going back to Hogwarts."
SsSsSsSsSs
The sky had begun to darken as Hermione stared through the window, lost in her own memories. With the changing sky drawing her back into reality, she stood up and retrieved her trunk from the shelves above, rummaging through until she found what she was looking for. She pulled the night black robes from her trunk and looked at them, not making a move to actually wear them. They were the same old Robes she had worn over her last six years at Hogwarts, a simple black design with full length sleeves. The one difference however was the emblem emblazed across the left chest. Instead of the Gryffindor lion being pressed close to her heart these robes had simply the Hogwarts crest. When she had entered Madam Malkin's and the seamstress had handed her these robes Hermione was quick to rectify the perceived mistake.
"Oh no I require Gryffindor sets." She explained.
"You said you were back for the supplement eighth year didn't you love?" Hermione nodded. "Yes well headmistress McGonagall has explained that these will be the specific robes for that class dear." Madam Malkin explained with a friendly smile.
"Have you an idea of why that is?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure I don't love, but you'll find out once you're there."
Hermione shook her head from the memory and with a slight raise of her eyebrows at the offending garment she dressed herself.
SsSsSsSsSs
The sky outside had darkened entirely and as they rounded the last corner the twinkling lights of Hogwarts came into view. Hermione felt the slight shudder as the train's breaks were put to use and they slowed their way into the station. She took a deep breath and stood up, ready to return to the castle that had been her second home for all these years. She opened the sliding door to the compartment, that she had hidden away in all trip, and looked into the train's hallway that was suddenly alive with sound and movement. Clusters of robe covered teenagers crowded into the space. Hermione turned, glancing into her empty compartment and irrationally considering the possibility of just tucking her way back inside, shutting the door and returning back to London. Shaking her head at her foolish thought she stepped out into the corridor making her way towards the exit. Keeping her head down low and avoiding contact with anyone she was suddenly stopped as her body crashed into something hard. She tripped over her own feet upon impact and found herself tangled on the floor, her robes twisted among another. She unraveled herself from the stranger's robes, struggling to her feet and brushing herself off, before finally looking into a pair of steel grey eyes. She braced herself, tensed and waiting, for the arrogant affront she was surely about to receive. She was surprised not to end up back on the floor, for the shock was so great when he tore his eyes from hers to stare at the ground and muttered a quick "sorry" before retreating back towards the opposite exit. Hermione was stunned and felt rooted to the spot, she had ran directly into Draco Malfoy and he hadn't tore her down with his usual vicious insults. It wasn't until she realized the hall had grown very quiet before she was pulled back into reality.
SsSsSsSsSs
Hermione stepped out onto the platform and was greeted with a familiar and welcome sound.
"Firs' years this way, firs' years follow me." She wandered over to where Hagrid was towering over the swarming children. She looked up into his warm dark eyes, crinkling with his trademark smile that was almost hidden by the bush of hair that covered his face. Hermione smiled up at the half giant she called friend.
"Ello Hermione." Hagrid said as she came to stand before him.
"Hi Hagrid. How are you?" She asked him.
"Oh not bad, jus' tryin' to round up these little ones." He replied with a wink.
"Well I'm not so little anymore but I sure feel like I could use an escort up to the castle. Feels like my first time again in so many ways." She said, somewhat sadly.
"Aye, a lot has changed", Hagrid agreed, giving her a sad smile "But we will be alrigh', I know it." He assured her.
Hermione nodded, though not entirely agreeing.
"Well I'll let you get the new first years across the lake, bye Hagrid." She said before turning back and beginning the walk to the carriages. She felt her breath hitch in her throat, for when she approached the previously horseless carriage she was greeted with waiting thestrals. She approached the skeletal looking horses carefully and stopped a couple of feet away from their head.
"Aye, a lot has changed" she muttered under her breath, emulating Hagrid's words from earlier. She looked up at the other waiting carriages and felt her heart beat rapidly and ache as she seen just how many of the other students were acknowledging, pointing at and even patting, the morbid creatures. All of a sudden a wave of nausea hit as the realities of the war over took her senses. These were creatures that should not be visible to children and when they were, awful as that idea was, it should be to the illness of an elderly grandparent. The type of death while sad, it was also expected, a relief of the person having moved on after a life well lived. The idea that these students, who were currently interacting with the macabre animal, had the ability only because they were privy to moments of wizard kind's worst was heartbreaking. They were the survivors and witnesses of death and destruction. Many of them had lost friends, mentors and family during the war and this loss had lead to the recognition of these beasts. The trade just wasn't worth it Hermione thought to herself. She turned away from the creature and made her way to the carriage door, pulling herself inside to the private haven, hidden away from prying and sad eyes. She fell into the seat, exhaling loudly, before looking up and coming face to face, for the second time that night, with a pair of steely grey eyes. She felt herself blush immediately and was certain she could see a tinge rise in his cheeks.
"I thought this carriage was empty, there was no one else around it." She explained, a little annoyed that she felt she owed him an explanation at all. He nodded once before looking down at his hands that rested on his knees.
"I didn't expect any of the Slytherin eighth years to return honestly, especially you." She continued, despite willing her self to stop. He lifted his eyes and a single eyebrow, giving him the most 'Malfoyesque' look she had seen since before the war.
"Well," He began to say, his voice low and gravely, far from the conceited drawl she remembered, "Wonders will never cease, something Granger doesn't know. I'm sure that's a first. I'm the only Slytherin returning. Although it's not like I had anything to stay for." He finished his words quickly. She felt as though the wind had been knocked from her. He hadn't said it with condescension that she anticipated but with a subtle sadness that overwhelmed her. She shook her head, trying to clear away the thoughts that were quickly accumulating after his small confession before quietly releasing her own admission.
"I know nothing at all."