There was nothing that was the same about Hogwarts. No longer were there feelings of warmth and home when the students trudged through the doors. There was just a cold empty feeling that settled in their gut, and told them to run. In the horde of students there were more robes with green and silver than anything else. Yet despite being the majority, they received scathing looks and clear rejection from their peers. As they all piled into the Great Hall and sat at their respective tables, there were wondrous eyes that stared at the gaggle of first years.
Slytherin.
Slytherin.
Ravenclaw.
Slytherin.
Ravenclaw.
Hufflepuff.
There was laughter and a head bowed down in shame.
Slytherin.
No muggle-borns were in sight, nor any that couldn't prove they were of wizard decent. That was the rule when they were ordered to come back to Hogwarts. They were not allowed to leave or not return unless they were deemed unfit by the Ministry. The Gryffindors that were forced to return failed to hide their animosity to it all. They were beyond livid when they saw a greasy haired man sitting in the chair that once belonged to Albus Dumbledore. Their anger was only contained due to the hushed soothing of Ginny Weasley, who promised revenge at a later date. It would be beyond idiotic for them to do anything now. With the overwhelming support of Voldemort all around them, they would've been killed in an instant.
"I am aware that the change of staff will cause some need of adjustment," said Snape, his voice soft yet cold. "However you all will obey by the rules set in place or face the given punishment."
A chill ran down the students' spine.
"Welcome our new Dark Arts and Muggle Studies teachers, Amycus and Alecto Carrow."
There was silence from everyone beside the Slytherin table. They were all clapping and cheering, though some were trying to be discreet about it, as if they were hesitant of showing such support. But then there was Draco Malfoy, who sat at the end of the table, biting into an apple and pretending as though nothing of going on around him. He played the look of disinterest well as he carelessly twirled his wand between his fingers. His quicksilver eyes were devoid of emotion, though his hair hid them from view every now and then as platinum locks fell into his eyes.
He wasn't paying attention to anything that the new headmaster was saying. At least, not until he heard his name being called.
"...Draco Malfoy as Head Boy."
The Slytherins cheered once more. Crabbe and Goyle were on either side of him, spewing congratulations as if they had not already seen the shiny badge on his robe. Though, the loud applause was silenced as another name was announced.
"...Hermione Granger as Head Girl."
Not a soul moved nor spoke at the sound of the name. Hermione Granger? The muggle-born? How was that possible?
Ginny found herself scanning her eyes around the Great Hall, searching for her missing friend, and hoping that Harry and Ron were with her too. But no where in sight was the curly haired brunette.
Alecto Carrow stood abruptly and walked to the door, left of the staff table. She slammed the door open and beckoned someone over with in a threatening wave of her wand. Ginny sucked in a harsh breath, along did every other Gryffindor, as a frail figure walked out into view.
The girl was thin, abnormally so, with pale sallow skin and tangled chestnut curls that seemed to make up the majority of her weight. She was wearing Gryffindor's colors, and had the Head Girl badge pinned to her robe, though her clothes seemed to swamp her body.
"Upon insistent request, Ms. Granger was allowed to return to Hogwarts this year. Granger, take your seat," Snape announced.
She walked forward, slowly but confidently, despite how much she was shaking. Her head was held high as she walked over to the Gryffindor table. She failed to miss the gawks and glares from those around her, but focused on the task at hand- sitting.
The Gryffindors took her in warmly, hugging her and sheltering their precious Head Girl from offending eyes. If looks were capable of killing, Ginny would have slaughtered the whole Slytherin table. Hermione laid shaking in her arms as she silently cried at the brief familiarity around her. She missed this. She missed having people who loved her, and who she loved, being in the same vicinity.
"What happened to you?" Ginny whispered in her ear.
Hermione closed her eyes and shuddered at the memory. She shook her head, finding herself incapable of telling the younger girl the truth. How was she supposed to say that the great Hermione Granger was taken while her guard was down? That she was left in a cell somewhere to rot when she refused to provide any information? That she was only at Hogwarts at the moment as a way to lure the rest of the Golden Trio back?
When the feast began, there was a low hum of chatter, though many people simply wanted to eat and return to their dorms. Hermione allowed her friends to force food down her throat, and relished at the taste of her favorite foods.
"Have you heard from them?" asked Ginny quietly.
Hermione shook her head. The dark circles under her eyes seemed to worsen as she remembered something.
"The rest of us plan to stay in the Room of Requirement," Ginny murmured. "It's not the same in the dorms without..." She looked around and saw the missing faces. "It's not the same."
Hermione nodded in understanding. She fidgeted in her seat and stared down at the food, finding her stomach incapable of holding anymore.
"Hermione," Neville said softly, "you've got us. You've got us now." He stared at her with burning eyes and reached out to gently touch her hand. "You're not alone."
She took Neville's hand and felt the warmth of his fingers as they wrapped around her. A single tear trickled down her cheek as she gripped onto him tighter, finding comfort knowing that he was there. That he was real and not some figment of her imagination. She reached out to do the same to Ginny, and took a shuddering breath.
"We have to stay together," she said. The sound of her soft melodic voice was like music. "No one go anywhere alone. Move in at least groups of three."
The others nodded.
"We won't survive this year if we're alone."
