This is the first story I've uploaded in a while, let me know what you think! Always looking for a Beta or someone to look it over before it gets posted, too. Hermione doesn't exactly fit the movie, so if some of the description seems a little off, that's why. I also have a Tumblr and Pintrest I can be reached at. All mistakes are my own, if anyone would like to alpha/beta read for me please let me know.

Disclaimer: I, of course, own nothing other than the plot idea. All characters and previously established plot is not mine.

Chapter 1

Shaky hands steadied as she grasped the letter in her hands with familiar green lettering and flourishing signature:

Miss Granger,

We are pleased to hear that you have chosen to return to finish your last year at Hogwarts. With a large number of students coming back, we are instating an 8th Year policy for the children of war. Please note that you are expected to catch the train on September 1st by no later than 11 O'clock as usual.

Due to encouraging inter-house unity, we have several surprises for the returning students. If you have any questions, please owl me immediately.

Headmistress McGonagall

Hermione frowned slightly at the mention of surprises-something she had never been a fan of-but chippered up immediately as she wondered how many returning students qualified as a "large amount" with the number of students who didn't survive the war.

She glanced at the picture of herself, Ron, and Harry waving at her and laughing as snow fell and smiled sadly before turning it around; she hated to think of how their relationships had changed. Nothing drastic, Ron helped George with the joke shop and Harry was pursuing being an Auror, much to her dismay, and the trio drifted slowly in life's different directions.

Harry and Ginny's relationship had again taken a break but she had been informed that this one may be more permanent as they both had decided to take some time apart and see other people while Ginny finished school and Harry focused on Auror training.

Ron...her hot-tempered redheaded friend had tried to excitedly dive straight into a relationship that both parties quickly realized was not a remotely good fit and decided they were far better off as remaining good friends. This news did not blow over the Weasley family well due to Molly, who took months to come around and decide her wonderful pseudo-daughter was far too "brilliant to be wasting her time with either joke-shop partners" and thankfully wasn't trying to pair her up with another son.

Ginny...Oh! Hermione, remembering that Ginny and Luna were returning for their 7th years and would be there for company, sat down at her desk and scribbled a letter before attaching it to Eeyore, her owl. Eeyore was deemed appropriately named with his sad, droopy eyes and what seemed to be a permanent frown-if birds could frown-and flew off lazily, leaving Hermione to pack her things.

All packed and ready to go, she looked around the empty house sadly, remembering when it once was full of life…

Warm sunlight came through the large windows in Muggle London as the home rang with a little girl's laughter as her father swung her above his head. Mother was making breakfast and grinning at her "two children, one small one big" before calling them into the dining room for eggs Benedict and waffles.

The image faded as she shook herself from her reverie and fought tears as she grabbed her purple bag, black polka dots littering it, along with Crookshank's cage and apparated to meet Ginny and Luna at King's Cross Station to catch the train.

King's Cross was lost in the din of people laughing, suitcases rolling, and mothers scolding children for various reasons before shooing them onto the train. As she looked around, Hermione sighed and decided to wait for Ginny and Luna on the train.

They are always terribly late...She grumbled to herself, storing her luggage and walking to find a, hopefully empty, compartment. Loud voices came from every compartment until she got to the very back and found a seemingly empty one to let herself into, walking nose-first straight into someone's chest.

Rubbing her nose, her mouth was open before she knew it, "Excuse me, what are..." The words died on her lips as she stared up into a pair of surprised cobalt eyes.

At nearly 6 feet tall the stranger arched his eyebrow at her, looking down his nose and steadying her with a warm hand on her shoulder as recognition flickered behind his eyes. Backing up slowly the large Slytherin gestured to let her continue into the compartment where a dark-skinned Italian and blonde young woman were already sitting.

She blushed furiously and excused herself, shifting from foot to foot for a moment, "I'm sorry about that. Is...is it okay if I sit here? The other compartments are full-and loud." Relief flooded her when all three nodded their agreement and she sat down on the far end of the student she recalled as being Zabini…Blake? Blaine? Bl..uh.

Zabini caught her thoughtful look and waved a hand in waiting as she paused. He looked at her for another moment before looking back out the window with an annoyed sigh. Hermione huffed quietly in her seat at being caught.

A silence grew until the blonde sighed loudly and slammed her book shut-startling everyone-and threw her hand in front of her, "Daphne Greengrass. Not sure if you remember me." she said quickly, although not impolite or brusque. Hermione took her hand for a moment and nodded, appreciating her brisk demeanor.

"I do. We had Charms together, right?" Daphne visibly brightened and nodded, "Yes, first through Fourth year. This is Blaise Zabini-" and she pointed to the man opposing her, "-and that is Theodore Nott." she moved her finger to the tall man who took a seat between Hermione and Blaise.

Hermione nodded, "Right. Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, right?" the question caused Theo's eyes to widen, losing his Slytherin mask for a moment before schooling his features back and nodding. She remembers me? He wondered when she noticed him, he tried to fall into the background in school. But you always remember her...a small voice reminded him, Can you imagine what would have happened if Father ever found out? Tut tut. She'd be dead. Pushing thoughts from his head, he leaned it against the back wall.

Silence overtook again until a set of crashing and thundering feet came through the door, throwing it wide open as four students fought to get into the small compartment-all the while oblivious to its current occupants. Hermione hopped up on her seat, Daphne gasped and was promptly bowled over by one of the bodies, and Blaise made a noise of complaint and glared from his spot perched on his seat.

Finally, a thundering yell cut through, "Stop it, Stop it right now!" Theo bellowed while pulling a disheveled Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley from the pile, allowing them all to see that Luna Lovegood and Pansy Parkinson were clearly caught up in their friends' wrestling for the door. That was different...Hermione noted that the usually quiet man was terrifying when he was angry, face twisted into a snarl and straightened from his slouch. Both violent invaders were off the ground due to Theo's height.

"It's where my friend is!" Ginny snapped, her red hair wild and half of it over her face.

"I think you've mistaken, Weasel, clearly it's my mates..." Draco trailed off as he looked around and saw that both of their friends were here and all looking quite grumpy-even his fellow housemates' anger was breaking through their usual masks with cold glares.

In a low, scathing voice Theo brought the shorter witch and wizard up to face-level, "And what, pray tell, are you doing? Barging into a perfectly pleasant, albeit quiet, compartment with your arguing and...punching?!" He ended incredulous as he saw a bruise blossoming on Draco's cheek and Ginny's arm.

Eyes low Ginny replied, "Well...He just stepped on my arm when we came through." She cleared her throat and cast her eyes to the side as she was uncomfortably suspended by the back of her robes. Theo set them both down and told them to sit with a withering glare as he turned to see Hermione and Daphne helping their other two comrades to their feet.

Pinching his nose, he turned and spoke through gritted teeth, "Blaise, why are you still standing on the seat? Merlin, do any of you have manners of any kind? I don't care where you two sit, just...just sit. The train is moving." He ended frustrated and sat down in a huff between Hermione and Blaise again.

Wiping the invisible dust off of his robes, Blaise scoffed "Manners? Excuse you, I was trying to make sure my delicate self was out of harm's way-or would you have rather me trampled by elephants?" a small smirk tugged at his lips as he looked over and gestured at the two properly-shamed parties. Theo's eyes rolled and shoulders fell as he realized his friend would wiggle out of being chastised.

Ginny's face went red and Draco pulled together his cold and collected mask, "I was trying to prevent these-" gesturing to Ginny and Luna "-from barging their way into our compartment." he held his head high, daring them to disagree.

A snort came from the dark haired Pansy, who now sat on the floor with Luna, and an eye roll, "Not quite. We were looking for you, and they were looking for her and these two imbeciles got into a screaming match over it." She cleared her throat and stuck her nose up in the air, imitating Draco, "My mates wouldn't be seen dead with the Griffindork bookworm!" She crossed her arms and huffed until her face was red, imitating Ginny "Well my friend wouldn't wander into your snake pit, you prick. And what if she did? Inter-house unity and all." Pansy waved her hands wildly for a moment before settling.

Ginny and Draco both looked horrified and gaped at the girlish voice she used for Draco and nasal tone for Ginny-and then realized everyone else was silent. Hermione's face was red as she held back laughter, Theo's hand grabbing her arm as he attempted-and failed-to hold onto his blank demeanor. Daphne had her head in her hands with Blaise's attention turned to Luna's hair (who, in turn, was amusedly beaming).

"That was a wonderful account of it, Miss Parkinson!" Was the airy reply that came from the doe-eyed blonde. That was it. Theo was unsure who broke first but soon they were all howling with laughter.

"It's not funny!" Insisted both offended parties in unison, who immediately glared at each other.

"Yes, yes it is!" Hermione gasped out and wiped tears from her eyes. She didn't notice as they all calmed down that she was being observed.

Theo was startled when he was bounced into and zingy curls tickled his nose as the petite witch with panic in her eyes opened the compartment. She looked like she was going to have a panic attack he mused quietly and now let himself quietly look her over, her olive sun-darkened skin had pink and beige scars littering what he could see of it. Her caramel brown eyes were darker than he'd seen before and bags under her eyes were hidden badly under a glamour, Is she sick? Or was it all that time on the run...He noticed her usual beaded purse was missing and in its place was an oddly decorated purple bag with a long strap. Bangs had been grown out and her curls fell neatly to her waist now. Odd.

"Theo? Hello?" He blinked and came back from his thoughts to a smirking Daphne who pointed out that he was asked a question. "S-sorry. What?"

Draco sighed and Ginny repeated herself, "So how did you all end up in the same compartment anyway?" He shrugged and pointed to Hermione who was leaning her head against the wall.

"The other compartments were too loud. I wanted a quiet space and I thought this one was empty." replied the witch next to him. She looks like she's trying to hide as small as possible in that corner, Theo noted.

Silence

"So...what surprise do you think McGonnagal has planned?" Daphne tried to break the decidedly awkward silence that followed in contrast to their companionable quiet earlier while wedged between the youngest Weasley and Draco.

"Don't know, don't care," Blaise said flatly as he stared out the window.

"Well...why did you five come back?" It was Ginny's turn, a spared look of empathy shot at the taller blonde. The room felt cold as the four Slytherin's looked at the floor, window, or roof to avoid eye contact.

"We didn't have much of a choice." a throat was cleared and Pansy continued sharply, "We could either come back and try to prove we aren't all like our idiot parents or follow in their footsteps to Azkaban. Even without dementors, I'd rather finish my education and attempt to have a life not trapped in a cell." Draco tugged at his left sleeve while the other two men did nothing to hide their Dark Marks-greyed and faded since Voldemort lost power.

"Dunno how, but they gave the younger Death Eaters freedom for the most part. Most of us were forced or tortured into taking it in the first place." Draco spat bitterly. The room felt heavy and awfully small all of the sudden, causing Hermione to shift her weight to be half against Theo and half against the wall.

Silence

The rest of the trip was quiet until the train came to a halt. 8th years were let off first with the 7th years to the carriages, almost all of the students gave the Thestrals a wide berth, a few 7th years screamed at seeing them for the first time. Theo noticed with interest that both Luna and Hermione stopped to lay a hand on a few before getting in a carriage. Luna, Hermione, Theo, Pansy, and Daphne all got in before the other three again clawed their way in, this time with Blaise fighting to get in before both of them.

"Oof! Idiots! Get in another carriage!" Pansy shrieked only to be ignored as they were all shoved uncomfortably close. Hermione hoped the blush on her cheeks was hidden under her glamor as she was pushed nearly onto Theo and Daphne's laps. A strong arm held her in place and smiled ever so slightly when she looked up. I could get lost in those eyes...drown in them. An internal groan followed when she realized how close their faces were and what she was thinking, No! No. We'll get to the castle and sit at different tables and then I can stop being silly.

Finally, they came to a halt and toppled out of the carriage. "Glad we were in the back, that was embarrassing," mumbled Blaise as they walked in to be greeted.

"Wait...It's empty?" Ginny asked, confused.

"Why yes, Miss Weasley. I have asked the First thru Sixth years to come a day late this year." Boomed a voice from up front, effectively startling everyone. Looking around Hermione noted their 8th year looked to be about 20 people, 50 in total for 7th and 8th years. McGonagall continued, "Come to the front all of you." She cleared her throat,

"As all of you know, many of your years are not here for various reasons-some will be sadly missed. For those of you that are here and chose to come back, welcome! Please note that due to the number of students, classes will be shared by 7th and 8th years. We are also instigating a strict Inter-House Unity rule this year-if I hear any derogatory terms in any way-" a sharp look was given to both the Slytherins and Gryffindors who had grouped up, "And I mean any blood-status or otherwise offensive terms, you will be given detention. A second offense means immediate expulsion."

A quiet murmuring rolled through as students glanced in equal amounts at those clad in red or green. "Shush, all of you. Also, given...everything that has happened...We are aware that people change. People have been lost, have seen loss, and for some have been forced to do horrible things. Due to this, we are re-sorting all of you."

The room froze, objections coming from every house and being silenced with a hand. "No if, ands, or buts. All of you are being re-sorted and I expect you to continue to be examples of your houses." She stated sharply.

After herding the students into a line they began being sorted again, the hat looking worse for wear after being patched up again. Student after student were called, several to different houses as silence rang out. Hermione didn't focus on it much until her name was being called and she sat on the far-too-small stool, the hat somehow still falling over her eyes.

Oh my, my! Miss Granger, much different than last we met...let us see...Daring still, oh yes. Reckless, more so than ever. Still bright, but...what's this? Hmm...Cunning, deceptive, and it looks as though your moral compass has changed...The rules mean less unless they are your own, aren't they? Knowledge is wonderful, but you no longer wish to learn for the sake of learning and instead seek to further your own. Yes...

"SLYTHERIN"

The hat yelled and her blood ran cold, frozen in fear as it was removed and her tie magically changed to her new House colours. The entire hall was silent as she rose stiffly and made her way over to the green and silver table, still trying to grasp what happened. Ginny got her attention as she looked at her friend worriedly.

So far the table was made up of those previously in Slytherin, as they weren't in alphabetical order and she made way to an empty side until flash of blonde and black hair stopped her. Blinking, she found a concerned looking Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson who grabbed her arms firmly to drag her to their seats and sat her on Daphne's right. They'll hate me. They have always hated me-how did this happen? she mulled over the hat's words as Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor again and Luna into Ravenclaw.

Seamus Finnigan sat across from her with raised eyebrows and a look of shock, Dean Thomas went to Hufflepuff. Several other students were sorted into new houses as well, but she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice until it was Theodore Nott's turn. The gangly young man walked up to the stool awkwardly, as though he didn't know where his arms and hands should go. Reaching the tiny stool built for First Years, he didn't even attempt to sit on it and instead put the hat gingerly on his own head. Theo winced internally as the hat blocked his view of other students and their gaze.

Ah, Mister Nott...Still the same I see? Pureblood, fighting against his father's own hatred, sharp as a tack. There is new...remorse. Oh, this is new...Well, no desperately asking for me not to put you in Ravenclaw and anger your father? You don't fit anymore anyway...How about Hufflepuff, wouldn't that be amusing? Theo could feel the hat's attempt at humor and gave it a defeated Whatever. Which seemed to disgruntle it. Very well then.

"SLYTHERIN"

The hat shouted and he stalked over to the table with a grimace. Maybe it's better. They know me...know what it was like. He sat next to Hermione, who seemed shaky and unsure. He felt their hands brush and focused on keeping himself appear calm and cold as he put her small hand in his.

Hermione glanced up to see Theo attempting to engage in a quiet conversation with Seamus Finnigan as sorting finished up and people began quietly eating. Feeling as though a million eyes were on her, she looked around the table to see several sad smiles being given to her, Seamus, and several other students who were newly sorted into silver and green.

Hannah Abbot from Hufflepuff. Padma Patil from Ravenclaw. Terry Boot from Ravenclaw. Justin Finch-Fletchley from Hufflepuff. No other Griffindors...

She noticed that Hannah was kindly attempting to have a conversation with Tracey Davis while Justin Finch-Fletchley looked like he was about to have a breakdown. She had begun to feel sick when the hand that held hers moved to the small of her back, making her jump and whip to look at Theo who looked cold other than the concern in his eyes.

"Did you hear her?" He gestured to McGonagall and Hermione shook her head emphatically, "She said since we know where we are going that we can head to our dorms and show new students the way. All passwords until tomorrow are 'Unity' and you look ill. Want me to show you there?" The offer was punctuated with a little pressure on her back and she nodded, fighting back tears.

Why is he being like this? She thought back to their time together previously, He never made fun of me though. Laughed, sure. But always so quiet. Never part of Malfoy's group, he never said more than a few words at a time and nearly always had his nose shoved in a book, much like herself. She fought with herself for a moment, arguing pros and cons until he let go and his shoulders dropped, taking her silence as a no.

"I would like that." The softness in her voice barely made it to him but he nodded, standing up and clearing his throat, "If there are any new students who would like to go to the dorms, feel free to follow."

Theo exited the hall, feeling her right behind him until they got to the stairs where she nearly sprinted in front of him down to the dungeons. Looking at the wall she sighed, forgetting the series of bricks that were the actual door until he caught up alone, panting slightly from his run, She's a quick thing, even with those short legs. Theo grumbled to himself and glanced behind him. No one else had followed.

"Do I want to know how you knew where it was?" He accused with a raised brow and saw her flinch, immediately regretting his tone.

"No, you don't." She snapped back, tears in her eyes instead of the fire he used to see. He grabbed her hand and led her over to a moss-covered section that was uncomfortably uniform and whispered, "Unity." The wall opened to admit them and they walked in. She felt acutely aware that he had yet to let go of her hand as he led her to chairs in the corner of the room.

"What are you doing, Nott?" she bit out, leaving her hand in his but feeling frozen in place. He had to be tricking her, right? Get her to do something to make fun of her later, right? He sat down and sighed, looking bored.

"Well, Granger, I was trying to be nice and help you avoid a panic attack in front of our whole year. What, not handling being without your bodyguards?" Theo held back as much venom as he could while trying to hold onto his cold mask.

You can't save her you know. Death Eater's son-a Death Eater himself. The small cackling voice in his mind said as he waited for her response. Her head bowed and curls fell in front of her face. That's why she keeps it so long. Hermione stalked into the room and the wall closed behind her. She was now facing away from him.

"Don't," she whispered. He realized too late that tears were beginning to litter the floor at his feet. I told you, she hates you. All of you, no matter how much you admired her brilliance. Theo winced as he thought of how he listened to Potterwatch every night hoping she was okay and keeping it a secret.

He watched her in class, admired her opinion and the fire that was in everything she said, Where is that witch now? Without another thought, he fell into the seat behind him and yanked her to his lap to lean his forehead against hers. She held back tears, her body wracked with silent sobs as she refused to look him in the eye.

"It's okay. I'm...it's okay. I know you don't believe it, but very few of us actually followed our parents' terrible logic. The monster is gone, and you will be safe here." He whispered softly and was startled by the barking laugh that tore from her throat, "The monster is gone? The Monster is gone?" she laughed with her head thrown before coming back to meet his eyes, hers now free of tears but just as empty, and she shook her head. "No, Nott. The monsters are always around. They hide in your head, behind your eyes. They change by face and name but the monster is always there." She said humorlessly and shook her head. What happened? He wondered, holding a blank face as she looked at him.

"See? You keep your mask on to hide it, just like everyone else. We all hide behind masks-of silence, of righteousness, of power, of grief." She moved off his lap and realized her legs decided to stop supporting her, falling and pulling him down with her. His hand never left hers for a moment.

Silence

Jasmine, she smells like jasmine... he braced himself over her and looked into her eyes as they laid in silence. "Theo. It's Theo." He said against her jaw. Clearing her throat she spoke, "Well...Theo. You're uh...there's um...My thigh?" She squeaked the last part and he flushed as he realized what she meant, sitting up and then pulling them both to stand. The uncomfortable air of horror and anger had gone and awkward humor was left in its place.

"O-Oh. Sorry." He looked at his shoes for a moment before pointing to a staircase, "Girls' is up that way. 8th years are on the single floor down that hall, girls on the left and boys on the right." He cleared his throat nervously and nodded his goodnight.

Walking down to his room he heard her say quietly, "Goodnight, Theo." The door swung shut. He hit his head against the headboard as he fell into bed, groaning "Stupid, that was stupid. Scare her off, why don't you? The witch you admired in school and feared for during the war gets sorted into your house and you just scare her off." Enemy house. He ignored the voice and rolled over. What happened to her?...What happened to all of us? Are we that broken…?

Sandalwood and cigarettes. He smells like Sandalwood and muggle cigarettes. Hermione let herself into her bed beside a purring Crookshanks-who had taken quite a liking to the new room-and let tears slide down her cheek. None of them know. She knew that for a fact, none of them knew what she and Harry did for them all. She slid into sleep slowly.

Silence