A/N: This will be updated pretty frequently, I am already writing the next chapter, which is where you find out a bit more. Warning: This story will be moving pretty fast, but it's just the way I planned it. It should start slowing down after about the third or fourth chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise – and I probably don't own anything you don't recognise either.

Hermione, Harry and Ron stepped off the train at Hogsmeade station and looked around. Hermione began to walk over to one of the carriages, gesturing Harry and Ron to follow her. Hermione stepped in to one of the carriages and took the seat furthest from the door, allowing the other two access. Ron was the last one to climb in the carriage, so he shut the door and took a seat, waiting until the carriages began to move. They didn't have to wait long, and soon – the carriage lurched in to motion, throwing the three a bit off balance.

"So, I wonder what we are going to have to do this year. Have you noticed that every year at Hogwarts, we always seem to have some sort of adventure. Either involving Voldemort, Deatheaters or some deranged member of Harry's family." Hermione said, with a slight chuckle.

"Hey, what do you expect, he was locked up in Azkaban for twelve years, it's a miracle he didn't go insane." Harry said, defending his God-father.

"Mate, he couldn't go insane, he already was insane." Ron joked, earning a mock glare from Harry, "hey, I was only joking." The three of them laughed, before lapsing in to a comfortable silence.

Before they knew it, they were climbing out of the carriage and walking up the path to Hogwarts. The night sky was a deep, royal blue with the stars twinkling, it looked relaxing and calm, not like the Wizarding world had just undergone a war, during the summer. The doors were wide open, welcoming the students back. Harry stepped through the threshold and felt like he was finally back where he belonged, somewhere he was wanted; somewhere he had friends. Hermione pushed him forwards a bit, he had stopped dead in front of them as soon as he had entered.

"You okay, mate?" Ron whispered.

"Yeah, sorry." Harry replied, his voice quiet. He continuted to move, and they found themselves outside the Great Hall. They looked at each other and smiled before pushing the doors open, welcoming the new school year. They made their way to the table baring the red lion banner and sat down towards the end. Ginny soon joined them, although she wasn't one of their best friends, she sat with them a lot, and Harry really wasn't going to be the one to complain. She sat opposite him and his cheeks got a pink tint to them – barely noticeable, except to Ginny who, in turn, blushed. The four of them talked among themselves about what they did during the summer while waiting for the remaining people to come in. Once every one was seated, Professor McGonagall walked in holding the stool and the old, worn hat. Everyone fell silent and watched as the sorting commenced. When the last person had been sorted (Hilda Zaslin – Slytherin) McGonagall moved the stool out of the way, and placed the hat on top of it, and stood at the front between all the tables.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, I hope that you have a great year, I'd just like to remind the seventh and fifth years that you have extremely important exams coming up towards the end of the year – revise for them. Also, please – new and old students – do not go in to the Forbidden Forest – it has that name for a reason. Mr Filch has added new rules to his door, look at them when you have the time – the list now totals to three hundred and sixty-five rules. I'm going to spare you an long speech, I am sure you are all hungry." McGonagall said, addressing the students. The students clapped at the prospect of being able to eat. As soon as Professor McGonagall sat down, the empty golden plates filled up with various foods, the goblets filled with different drinks. Harry and Ron shoveled the food on to their plates, while most of the Gryffindors, particularly the girls, looked on in disgust. Hermione added food to her plate, but didn't eat it.

"Mione, are you not eating?" Ron asked, in between mouthfuls of mash potato.

"Yes, Ronald, I was just thinking." Hermione sighed and lifted her fork.

"What's new there, then?" Harry quipped. Hermione just sighed and continued to eat, she pulled out one of her heavy tomes and began to read – only tearing her eyes away from the pages every now and again to make sure it was her food she was eating. The plates cleared nearly an hour later, and McGonagall stood up once more.

"After that marvelous feast, I am sure you all want to go to bed and sleep - I have one more message: seventh year, tomorrow, instead of going to your last lesson – come straight to the Great Hall." With that, she dismissed them. Everyone rose from their seats and walked out of the Great Hall, before most went their separate ways to their dormitories. Hermione, Ron and Harry walked up the the Gryffindor common room, and waited for the prefect to come up and let them in. When she finally did, they scrambled in and crashed down on the sofa.

"What do you have tomorrow then, Ron?" Hermione asked, trying to make conversation.

"Don't have a clue." Ron grunted.

"What about you, Harry?" Hermione asked, directing her question.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts then double potions." Harry answered.

"Same, I'm going to go to bed, I'm tired and I need to get up early in the morning. Hermione said, before going up the stairs and in to the girls dorms.

"Same, you coming, Ron?" Harry asked, standing up and streaching.

"Yeah, might as well." Ron said, mimicking Harry's movements. Both boys climbed up the stairs that led to the boys' dorm, changed their clothes and fell in to bed.