It was a brisk summer day as Hermione anxiously walked into the entrance to Diagon Alley, wearing a heavy traveling cloak. Although she was turning 18 in a few days, Hermione decided to return to Hogwarts for her final year at Hogwarts. She had been contemplating this for several weeks, unsure of whether she should actually go. It had been really hard when she found out that her two best friends, Ron and Harry, weren't going to return to school. In the end, Hermione decided that getting into the ministry was her main priority and left both of her friends in a depressed mood. Hermione looked at the shops that surrounded her as she walked down the wide, sunny street. A lot had changed in the last few months. More shops were open and the Happy atmosphere was back. The last time she had been here, Hermione had broken into Gringotts and stolen a dragon. Hermione shot a nervous glance up the street towards the bank. Hopefully, the management would forgive her for destroying half the street. She giggled nervously and pulled the hood of her cloak up higher. So far, nobody had noticed that one of the most famous witches of today had walked right into one of the busiest wizarding areas in Britain. Hermione had been avoiding the notice of the press. Ever since the Battle of Hogwarts, Daily Prophet reporters asking her personal questions about her life had swarmed Hermione everywhere she went. Going incognito was the only way she had been able to run away from her life as a celebrity. She glanced around and stopped in her tracks. Hermione had almost walked past Gringotts, and hastily walked towards the doors. As she entered the majestic hall, the goblins around the walls looked up from the walls and a hush fell over all of them. She noticed at that moment that she was the only customer in the usually packed bank. "Miss Granger," said a goblin sitting at the leftmost desk. "What an honor to have you visit our humble establishment." Hermione stood there for a moment in shock. "A-aren't you angry at me," she stammered. "Last time I w-was here I nearly destroyed the entire building? The goblin raised his eyebrows in a puzzled way. " Miss Granger, you saved my brother, Griphook from the death eaters." He exclaimed. " There is no way I can ever repay you for what you did." Hermione grimaced. She didn't especially like Griphook. The goblin had betrayed them and nearly got them captured. In fact, she hadn't even rescued Griphook. That had been the work of Ron and Harry while she was unconscious. Hermione decided that the Goblin didn't actually need to know this. Having a goblin ally could be useful in the future and she didn't want the goblin to hate her. "May I ask your name," Hermione said, smiling. The goblin smiled back. "My name is Engorm, now Miss Granger, what can I help you with?" Hermione took out her beaded bag. " I would like to exchange Muggle money." She took out £500 out of her bag and placed it on the counter. As Engorm counted out the money she also took out an empty bag for her money. " 100 Galleons Miss Granger," The goblin said cheerfully, "would you like to open an account with us?" "No, I think I'm fine," said Hermione as she walked passed the door. It's quite strange that I haven't encountered anyone from Hogwarts yet, Hermione thought. It was a week before school started. She would have expected to see people she recognized. Luna or Ginny at the very least. She assumed that they would be coming a different day to do their shopping.

Hermione decided to have a quick coffee outside the new café that had opened where Flourean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour used to be. When she got there, Hermione opened her letter from Hogwarts for the first time. As she took out the letter, a shiny badge fell out from the folds of the paper. As Hermione picked it up with trembling hands, she ran a finger over the engraving of Head Girl in the silver. She felt a rush of joy to have been picked for the Head Girl position. At that moment, she imagined Ron and Harry congratulating her for her achievement. A tear ran down Hermione's cheek and landed on the Badge in her hands. Everything would be different this year. Harry and Ron weren't going to be here. They were her best mates. Hermione had never gone a school year without either of them. She didn't have a lot of other friends outside those two. Hermione began to cry openly. She missed her friends more than she originally realized. What if she spent the entire year without anyone to talk to? As silent tears dripped down her face, a sign across the street caught her eye. It was a small display outside Eeylops Owl Emporium. The sign read "Rare Boreal Owl's! Just arrived today! Limited stock only! Only 25 Galleons!" Hermione's heart rate quickened. This was the solution! If Hermione bought an owl, she could send letters to Harry, Ron and even her parent's whenever she wanted. She was going to do what she intended to do back in her third year and buy an owl. Twenty minutes later, Hermione walked out of Eeylops Owl Emporium with a beautiful Boreal Owl resting in a silver cage, gripped in her hand. She had decided to name the Owl Nymph after Tonks. Hermione had been told by the clerk that the Boreal Owls were quite rare in Britain nowadays and that she was lucky to have gotten one. She was overjoyed at the thought of having her own personal owl. Hermione spent the next few hours going to various shops. She went to Flourish and Blots first to buy her required books. Next she restocked all of her potions ingredients. After that, Hermione went to Madam Malkins to buy new robes. She went next door to Amanuensis Quills and bought new quills. Finally, Hermione stopped by Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. When she walked up to the joke store, she immediately noticed a difference. The purple poster that had been plastered onto the wall had been replaced by a black poster of Fred Weasley, who was pulling faces at a pair of 8-year-old witches walking with their parents. Hermione walked into the store and noticed large black banners hanging from most of the banisters. She also noticed George Weasley talking to a family of 6 in a corner of the shop. Hermione immediately walked over to George and poked him in the back. "Hey, Hermione. You startled me," he said in mock irritation. Hermione noticed that Fred was wearing an odd hat that covered his left ear. "Hi George," Hermione said cheerfully. "How are you doing?" The grin fell from George's face. "I'm not doing to well. It is harder to run a shop when there is only one manager," Fred said gloomily. Hermione could see the sadness in George's eyes and knew that he was still depressed over the death of his twin. "I am so sorry about what happened, George," Hermione said calmly. "There is no need to apologize," said George swiftly. "It wasn't your fault. In fact I have come up with a temporary solution." George led Hermione towards the front desk. She gasped in shock. Hanging above the desk was a portrait of Fred Weasley, who was snoozing in his frame. "I got him professionally done so he could be like the Headmaster portraits at Hogwarts," said George. He walked over to Fred and started yelling. "Fred! Wake up!" Fred's eyes opened slowly. He blinked a few times and looked down at the two of them. "Hello Hermione," said Fred grinning. " I would shake your hand, but I am stuck in this frame." Hermione giggled under her breath. She was glad that George at least had a portrait of Fred. That was more than harry had of his parents. "Hi Fred," Hermione said. "Can I go back to bed now," asked Fred. "I was having a really good dream." George chuckled. "Suit yourself. Now Hermione, is there anything you needed?" "No, I just wanted to say hello," she said. After a quick chat with George, Hermione left the shop and wandered down Diagon Alley. She noticed a group of 20-year-old wizards looking in her direction. Hermione pulled the hood of her cloak up higher. It was going to be a strange year, but Hermione would make the best of it.