Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all it's wonderful characters are the property of J.K. Rowling

Authors Note: This is my first story, so I apolagize in advance if it's not very good.

Harry Potter and the Necromancer

Chapter 1

Headmistress Minerva McGonegal sat in her office. What was she to do? Last term was severly interrupted by Lord Voldemort taking over the castle. Yes, there was no choice, she would have to make the children repeat the year.

Harrry and Hermione were sitting in the Leaky Cauldron when they got their letters. They had been mulling over what to do with their lives now that Voldemort was gone. They had grown close in the months spent tracking Horcruxes. When Ron had left Hermione and eloped with Lavendar Brown, Hermione had turned to Harry for support, and they'd grown closer still. They opened their letters in joyous shock. Thank god, they were going back to Hogwarts. Passing their NEWTS would make life so much easier. They had both been turned away from every ministry job, and were both currently working at Flourish and Blotts as cashiers. They paid for their drinks and strolled out into Diagon Ally. School started next month, so there was no time to lose. Suplies didn't purchase themselves you know.

One month later, at Kings Cross Station, Harry and Hermione were overjoyed to see farmilliar faces. Neville, Luna, Ginny, Dean, Seamus, and many other friends were returning to Hogwarts too. They all found a compartment, and began to catch up. " My father had me writing for the Quibbler over the summer," Luna informed the crowd. " Maybe you'd seen my article on Dallyrimples, or the one on Monareds." Everyone assured her that they'd loved her articles on Montyrimples and Dallyreds, and she grew silent and a disappointed expression played across her face.

"My Gran thought it would be pointless to try to get me a job, but I did write a book under the pen name Trevor Mottobgnol for some extra cash"said Neville nerrvously. "Oh my goodness!" Ginny squealed, "We are using 1000 Magical Plants by Trevor Mottobgnol for Herbology this year!" Neville quickly changed the subject. "So how is Ron doing?" Ginny stole a guilty look at Hermione before saying that he and Lavendar were very happy and doing well. "So what are you guys doing" asked Neville. " Working at Flourish and Blotts" Harry and Hemione said in unison. Everyone laughed while they both blushed. "You know," Hermione pointed out ," I havn't seen Malfoy anywhere" " Probably too ashamed of being a Death Eater to show his ugly face" Harry snorted. "But still," Hermione continued, "I'd have thought he would have come up with some reputation saving story and come back like he owned the place." "Give it a rest Herm, just be happy he isn't here annoying us" was Harry's nonchalant reply.

"So what's the story with you two," Neville asked slyly, "The two of you seem pretty close." Hemione chuckled nervously, "Yup, as close as siblings" "Yeah," said Harry with equal tension. "Okay, okay, whatever you say," Luna counters unconvincedly, "But I doubt a brother and sister would be holding hands." What Harry thought as he looked down Bloody hell. They hadn't even noticed that they were holding hands. They pulled away quick as if they'd received an electric shock. Everyone laughed as they turned red. "No, stay like that," Ginny teased, "It's just too cute! The tragic heroes fall in love; Skeeter would have a field day!" The laughter grew louder as the color on Harry and Hermione's faces deepened from that of a ripe tomato to that of a fire truck. "Anything from the trolley, dears," asked the kind woman who sold sweets. As everyone made their purchases, Harry took advantage of the silence to steal a glance at Hermione, only to find that she had done the same. They turned away quickly, feeling awkward. As Hermione got up to make her own purchace, Harry risked a quick glance. He had never realized how pretty Hermione was. After years of seeing her as a friend and only a friend, he realized for the first time that she was a girl, and not only that but he was quite fond of her. His heart gave a quick lurch, but he didn't feel awkward as he had with Cho, or rushed like he had with Ginny. In actuality, he felt no different than he had before. Despite the lack of change in feeling, he knew that things between them would never be the same. However, he was kind of hoping that it might be better.

Chapter 2

As the train pulled up at the Hogsmead station, Harry was shocked at how little everything had changed. You'd think after the world as we know it almost ended that things would have changed, but he was happy that they hadn't. It made it that much easier to forget any of it had happened, and he was back for a normal year at Hogwarts. The carrages came to the front gate, and all the students filed through, laughing and talking.

In the Great Hall, Harry and Hermione sat together and waited for MacGonnegal to begin. "Students, as you all know, last year was severly interrupted by certain unfortunate events that have been since taken care of. Apart from our new first years, who we shall address in a minute, you are all retaking last year. " Murmurs went through the croud. People were obviously displeased with the news, even though it had been clearly stated on their letters. "silence, please," McGonnegal continued," Many of you should consider yourselves lucky that you have been afforded the chance to do it over. A good portion of you returning NEWT and OWL students would have failed with or without the interruption. As I was saying, those of you who require special help with your schedules may see me in my office. No without further ado, we will begin the sorting." And she sat silently back into her chair. " I liked Professor Dumbledore's start of term speeches much better" Harry said to Hermione in an under tone a s the sorting began. "Leave her be, she did well enough," was Hermione's stoic response.

In the dormitory after the feast, Harry lay in bed staring at the ceiling. it was so different without Ron here. Dean and Seamus were great pals, and Neville was such a laugh, but none ofe them even held a candle to Ron. Likewise, Hermione was awesome, and Harry could tell her almost anything as long as he didn't mind the occasional teacher's pet-ish comment, but he missed Ron for the guy stuff. Hermione had never cared about things like broomsticks and Quiditch, and probably never would. Since sleep seemed as if it would evade him for some time still, he put got out of bed and went down to the common room.

Sitting by the fire in the Gryfindor common room was Hermione. She was curled up with a book in the big comfy armchair by the fire. She looked up as Harry tripped over a stack of books left on the stairwell. "Hey" she said distractedly. "What are you reading" Harry asked. "100 Magical Remedies, great book you know" she said. Harry noticed that she had the book held upsidedown, and seemed to be flipping pages often, but didn't say anything. Remembering that this was a tri-wizard cup year, although students repeating their 7th year were kindly asked not to enter, he said "Hey, Herm, you know how the Yule ball is like a big deal and it would be kind of embarrassing not to have a date and how last year and you know and…" "I'd love to go with you" Hermione interjected. Harry stammered,"Just as friends of course, cause I don't want it to be awkward and.." "I was kind of hoping It could be like a date" Hermione interrupted again. "I've got to get some sleep, but I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." She began up the stairs, but half-way up, she turned and said "You know, you're really cute when you're nervous" then she rushed up and flung herself into bed. Her heart was going a mile a minute, but she was shocked at how well it went. She didn't stutter, or rush, or embarrass herself in any way. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep. Meanwhile, in the boys dormitory, Harry thought to himself What the bloody hell did I get myself into.