The entire train seemed to hold its breath the second before Hogwarts came into view.
Carriage fourteen was no different. Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville made an unheard symphony of beating hearts. The four returning students were well used to the sight, but not the new feelings that came with it this time around. They were used to hearts pummeling from excitement rather than nervousness, and hands sweating from anticipation rather than a sick nausea. No one had to say anything as the train parked and they all gathered their things to disembark. They were in perfect understanding. They had all lived through last year, after all.
Lord Voldermort lay dead, but the memories he left behind lived in his place. And what horrific memories they were. Hogwarts only highlighted them further. One didn't have to travel far to start associating where battle took place...where so many lay dead...
Hermione felt Ginny's hand reach hers and give it a squeeze. That made her braver, and she walked to the boats the only way she knew how: with her head up.
Still, no one said anything. The ride was almost silent. Even the first years kept their excited talk at a whisper. Illuminated by lanterns, Hogwarts came into view for the second time towards the end of the ride with a sharp pang to Hermione's heart.
The students kept in a long united stream all the way to the castle and to the Great Hall, where everyone save the first years took their designated seats in orderly and polite silence. The Slytherin table was less than half filled, but other than that, the Great Hall was nearly full, although you wouldn't guess it from the amount of noise currently emitting from it.
Professor McGonagall came to the front podium and if it were possible, the student body digressed further into silence. She gave a passionate and inspirational speech that Hermione teared up at, along with much of the student body. It felt warm and empty all at the same time, hopeful and unsure. It felt like coming back from a war because it was coming back from a war. But more than anything else, it felt like it had always felt. It felt like home.
