Hermione slowly looked up at the new Hogwarts. It remained about the same as it had in her dreams and memories. However, it was noticeably bigger, and didn't look as ancient. She sighed, wondering why on earth she had come back to obtain her NEWTs, without Ron or Harry. She would be the only eighth year at school this year.

Looking outside the window, aboard the Hogwarts Express, she ran her mind through the last few months after the Battle of Hogwarts. True, now that Voldemort was finally defeated, life could move on and the whole world would finally feel at ease. However, the joy of this news was marred by the fact that her parents… were also gone. After removing the spell she had cast on them, Hermione allowed Wendell and Monica Wilkes to remember that they were Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and that their daughter was safe. But then… after a couple of days, while Hermione was at the Ministry of Magic, she received the horrifying news that they had gotten into a car crash.

Hermione had rushed to the hospital, but by the time she got there, they had already passed away. Harry had come immediately when she contacted him, understanding the pain of losing parents. However, her boyfriend, that Ronald Weasley, was abroad visiting his brother Charlie in Romania, and couldn't make it back to London until the funeral. Hermione had been numb during the whole service, holding both Harry and Ron's hands and not really hearing anything. Afterwards, both boys had to return to the Ministry and continue Auror training. Harry was much more comforting, murmuring consoling words the whole time, while Ron just sat there, looking at her worriedly. After Harry had left though, Ron stayed behind and informed her that although they were now together, he had to really concentrate on his Auror studies, and wished her the best of luck for her year at Hogwarts, directing her to just Owl him, as visits could not be possible for their busy schedules until the winter holidays.

So Hermione had spent the rest of summer taking care of everything her parents had left behind, selling the house, cleaning everything out, and putting into storage everything that was valuable. She couldn't bear to take anything from the house that reminded her of them, and resolved never to speak of them again. It was as if a part of her soul had been permanently buried, and she was more than impressed by Harry's ability to speak freely of his lost loved ones. But then again, they had died when he was a baby, and Hermione had always had her parents up until now.

Sighing again, she looked out the window, watched as the train slowly stopped. She was at Hogwarts again. But this time, she felt so alone, and dreaded the year ahead of her, instead of looking forward to everything, as she had for the past six years. She slowly got up and used her wand to float her trunk down from the overhead racks, along with Crookshanks, who was snoozing in his cage, and exited her compartment. "This is the first time I've ever been by myself for a whole train ride," she thought. She wove her way through the excitement of the other students, whom were all speculating on how Hogwarts was going to be run this year, and from now on. When she stepped onto the platform, she made out Hagrid's massive form, and hurried over.

"Hagrid!" she called, feeling a tired smile begin to spread on her face. Hagrid turned toward her, and an energetic smile filled his face. "Hermione!" he shouted. "And Crookshanks! C'mere! I actually have a special message from Headmistress McGonagall for you!" Hermione finally reached him, rather curious to find out what the special message was. Hagrid handed her a scroll of parchment and said, "Good to see you again, Ms. Granger. Listen, I'm so sorry about your parents…"

"Hagrid," said Hermione."It's fine. I see your hut looks like it's had work done over the summer…"

"Oh yes," beamed Hagrid, his eyes twinkling. "I did it meself, I did. The outer wood has been replaced, and… oh wait! Your carriage has arrived." He announced.

Indeed, a black carriage arrived… pulled by a thestral! Hermione blinked. She could see them now? "Oh right…" she thought. She had witnessed several deaths during the Battle of Hogwarts. It made sense that she could see the creatures now. Though she knew they weren't harmful and she shouldn't be prejudiced towards them just because of the death association, she felt uneasy inside. They just reminded her of all the deaths she had witnessed when she looked at them. She tried to turn her mind away from those dark thoughts. Noticing the cover was up on the carriage, she looked up at the sky. The clouds were looking stormy and she knew it would start raining anytime. Crookshanks had woken up, and was also looking nervously at the skies.

As if reading her thoughts, Hagrid said, "You'd best be getting in, Ms. Hermione. You don't want to get that message wet!" he said, motioning to the scroll Hermione was still holding. "Or Crookshanks, for that matter." He chuckled. "I've gotta get to the firs' years. And also, the Headmistress told me that there's also another eighth year that's to take this carriage wi' ya. A last minute enrollee."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "Who?" she asked, very curious. She could have a companion for the year! Crookshanks's ears flattened.

"I dunno," chuckled Hagrid. "But really, get into the carriage, Hermione," as raindrops started to fall. "You'll find out soon enough!" With that, he waved, and strode off, calling "Firs' years! Firs' years! Over here!"

Hermione smiled, happy to see Hagrid, and eagerly looking forward to seeing who she would be interacting a lot with for the year. She climbed into the carriage with her trunk and Crookshanks's cage, which settled down on the seat across from her, and noticed that the carriages seemed larger than they had previously. She sat down and unrolled the scroll from McGonagall, while listening to a purring Crookshanks, who was pawing the bars of his cage. She decided to let him out before reading the message, and as soon the cage door swung open, Crookshanks eagerly leapt out onto the floor, then straight onto Hermione's lap. Stroking his fur gently, she began to read.

Ms. Granger,

I am very pleased to have you back at Hogwarts this year and immensely admiring of your tenacity to earn your NEWTs. However, seeing as you are going to be an eighth year student, special exceptions will be made for you and the other eighth year student.

Firstly, your living quarters will not be in the Gryffindor tower this year. During the rebuilding of the castle, we added an extra "Special Purpose" dormitory for you and your classmate's use. You each will have your own bedroom but will share a bathroom and common room. The portrait you should look for as your doorway will be one of a certain Lady Montecino, and the ghosts will help you find your way there. The password is currently "House Unity," I believe.

Secondly, as you probably already know, Ms. Ginny Weasley and Mr. Zacharias Smith are this year's Head Boy and Head Girl. However, the staff and I agree that the eighth years should have the highest leadership position this year, so we have created the titles of Senior Boy and Senior Girl for you two. The Head Boy and Head Girl will report to you, although their other job descriptions remain the same. This post is not meant to be a burden, but as a way to make you feel like you actually are attending your seventh year without intruding on the seventh years' planned year.

Thirdly, as much as it pains me to say this, I think it would be best for you and the other student to not come to the start of term feast tonight. This is because you and the other student were both part of the war and we don't want to create a stir among the students during the first night, since you two are both quite known now. The house elves will bring you plenty from the kitchens, and you can come to the Great Hall tomorrow morning.

And lastly, Ms. Granger, there is a reason why you have not been told who your schoolmate will be for the rest of the year. However, please note that you will share all the same classes and breaks, since you are indeed the only eighth years. When you find out, treat him as you would Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. House Unity will be the most important aspect of the school from now on, and it would behoove you to get along with the person you will be spending most of your time with this year.

Wishing you a successful term,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

If Hermione had been curious before, she was now truly perplexed. "Who could this person be?" she thought. Whoever it was, she was determined to follow Professor McGonagall's wishes and make friends with him. "It can't be that bad," she mused, "After all that I've been through."

As she sat thinking, Hermione's thoughts drifted back to Ron and Harry, wishing they were here with her. Perhaps she should have just taken Minister Shacklebolt's offer to immediately join the Ministry, doing whatever she wanted, after all. And Ron, goodness knew she would miss him! Now that they were finally together, after all those years of pining for him, they were to be separated until the holidays. Add on the fact that her parents were gone, and Hermione knew the term wouldn't start out at its best. "Stop it, Hermione!" she mentally snapped at herself.

Just then, the carriage door opened. In floated another trunk, which settled itself next to Hermione's. Draco Malfoy came into view, and Crookshanks hissed.