Author's notes:
This is my first fanfic so reviews and feedback would be most appreciated.
Thank you so much to LaBelladoneX for all your help and support and being the best Beta ever. This story wouldn't be here without you.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JKR
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As dawn broke and the birds started to chirp, everyone within The Burrow slept soundly. Well, almost everyone. Hermione quietly slipped out of her and Ginny's room to head down to the kitchen. It had been three months since the War had ended and finally they could live life without watching over their shoulders. Hermione made some tea and headed outside to watch the sun rise, it always helped her think.
I wonder what this year will be like. We lost so many people and I know others have decided not to return .I wonder how many of us will be there.
Dean and Seamus had gone straight into Auror training while Padma and Parvati had decided to spend the year travelling. Ron was devastated to learn that Greyback had taken Lavender's life, which is when he and Hermione realised they weren't meant to be.
If she was honest with herself, certain daydreams should have also been evidence enough for her to know Ron wasn't the one.
He'd become so lost and distraught over finding Lavender's body that he'd almost shut everyone out. And when they found Fred, George had been hunched over his body, completely distraught and refusing to leave his twin. They were all still struggling with his death and they'd barely seen George since Fred had been buried.
Hermione, still clutching her now empty mug, headed inside. She entered the kitchen to find Molly preparing breakfast; the rest of the house rousing to the delicious smells and the heavy sounds of footsteps shattered the morning peace.
Once everyone was seated, they dug into the meal which could rival the breakfasts at Hogwarts. While they ate - or stuffed their faces as per Ron - they discussed their return to Hogwarts. As Ron attempted to speak around a mouthful of bacon they heard a tapping at the window. Pigwidgeon kept tapping impatiently until Ginny let him in. She collected the post and handed the owl some treats before dispersing the expected Hogwarts letters between their recipients.
"I'm so excited to go back! We'll be in the same dorm 'Mione!" Hermione flinched as her best friend squealed in delight at the idea of sharing a dorm. Once they had all finished breakfast and were ready for the day, Ron grumbling he was hungry again, one by one they travelled to Diagon Alley via the Floo. With lists in hand they wandered around getting everything they needed to return for their last year at Hogwarts.
"All we have left is... Flourish and Blotts!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly, causing the rest of the group to groan inwardly. She'll be in there for ages! We'll be stuck there for an hour! I'm hungry! Harry came to their rescue.
"Why don't we have lunch at the Leaky first? I'm sure I've been hearing Ron's stomach growl. Then we can finish off at Flourish and Blotts before heading home. It's lunchtime anyway."
As the group entered the pub and sat down, whispers from another table could be heard. If the group could hear what was actually being said, they'd have a massive shock.
" Honestly, Pansy, I know you met mystery man while you were away but going back to Hogwarts will be good. It's only a year and you can see him during holidays and maybe you could meet up on Hogsmeade weekends."
Shivers ran down Hermione's spine at the sound of Draco Malfoy's voice. Oh, how she had spent the last three years imagining those silver eyes, his blond hair, his long fingers…
"Mione!" Ginny called, her hand waving in front of Hermione's dazed expression.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, guys. Daydreaming." She blinked a few times and glanced quickly at the menu Harry held out to her.
"I asked what would you like?" He repeated patiently.
"Oh, em, fish and chips, please. And a Butterbeer."
Draco froze as he heard her voice. She'd occupied his every thought since the very first time he saw her. She'd when she'd bumped into him while looking for Longbottom's toad on the train their first year. She wasn't the prettiest of girls - with her prominent teeth and all that hair - but, to him, she was perfect.
Ever since fourth year, when she walked down the stairs in that dress for the Yule Ball, how his dreams of her had changed. She'd somehow tamed her hair, her teeth no longer too big for her face, her slender waist and…
"Draco, you good mate?" Blaise asked his best friend, who had turned even more pale than normal - if that was at all possible.
Of course, the other snakes knew of his feelings towards Hermione but they never spoke of it. They also knew she was the reason he was returning to Hogwarts; he wanted to make amends, all of them did.
"Yeah, sorry, just thought I heard something strange."
The other Slytherins turned to Draco with glares on their faces.
"What?"
This time it was Theo to speak. "Oh nothing, just thought it might've been because of a certain Gryffindor princess is all. You seriously need to get a grip."
Draco stared at him in disbelief. "Says the ones who won't even speak to their love interests at all. Honestly, you and Blaise need to both grow a pair."
Blaise jumped in alert at the statement.
"I'll have you know that our situations are completely different; our interests are currently dating each other."
Pansy just sat there shaking her head at the three men she called her best friends. She knew for a fact that Luna and Neville weren't together because he was interested in men. They were just best friends and she helped Neville cope with his sexuality. She knew this because she overheard them discussing it back in Sixth Year before the War started.
This should be a very interesting year indeed, Pansy thought to herself with a small smile twisting at her lips.