The First of September had fast approached, and Hermione Granger found herself wanting to cherish the familiar feelings of nervousness and excitement that she was experiencing, knowing full well that this would be the final chance for her to start another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
A very lucky one at that. After the devastating events of the previous year, Hermione did not expect to receive another letter in the post inviting her to return to her beloved school, and she was very grateful to be given the chance to give her exams another go.
As she sat up in the warm cosy bed she was staying in, she took note of the sunshine inviting itself in through her blinds and stretched comfortably, smiling slightly at the shiny Head Girls badge sat on the bedside table next to her.
'Miss?'
Hermione jumped at the loud knock on the door, then leapt up, shaking her head to herself at her nerves.
'Hello Tom,' she smiled, not even having to finish opening the door to know who had interrupted her thoughts.
'Good morning Miss Granger, I trust you slept well?' The Leaky Cauldron's bar keeper grinned back at her, exposing the few teeth he had left after misplacing many over the last few years.
'Perfectly, thank you,' she nodded appreciatively.
'I'm extremely glad to hear that! I'm sorry to have disturbed you, but you have a guest waiting for you downstairs, can I send him up?'
'Tell him I will be five minutes,' Hermione smiled, knowing exactly who the unnamed guest was.
'Of course, thank you Miss Granger,' Tom gave her a small bow.
'Now Tom what have I told you about doing that?' She grinned, rolling her eyes.
'I'm so sorry Miss Granger it just comes naturally, you and your friends did defeat the Dark Lord after all!'
She smiled. 'Thank you Tom. Now I best get ready.'
'Of course, of course.'
She fought back the urge to laugh as Tom's knees twitched as if he was going to bow again and he quickly straightened up, his cheeks tinged slightly pink as he scurried away.
Hermione pulled some jeans and a top on, muttering a smoothing spell to sort her frizzy hair out. Taking one more quick glance around, she left the room and walked quickly downstairs. As she entered the main bar area, the room grew significantly quieter, and Hermione was quick to notice the hushed tones of voices that spoke quickly to each other. She sighed; she had grown used to this. Ever since Voldemort's defeat, Hermione had been subject to rooms growing silent at her entrance, people staring with wide eyes and even applause on one or two occasions.
'Hermione!'
She whipped round at the sound of her name and quickly beamed as her eyes were drawn to a small table in the corner of the room.
'Good morning,' she smiled as Ron Weasley stood up and pulled her into a tight embrace.
'Morning. Come sit down,' he gestured to the old little wooden table where he had been sat waiting for her.
Following Ron's orders, Hermione sat down across the table from him, noticing his freckled cheeks were slightly red as he took in their very obvious audience.
'You'd think they'd get bored eventually,' he frowned.
'You'd think,' Hermione sighed. 'Where's Harry?'
'He's at the shop with George and Ginny, he said he'll see you in a few hours at the train station.'
'Sounds good to me,' She smiled.
'It's really taking off you know, the shop. It's just a shame Fred isn't here to enjoy it,' Ron's smile had faded, and Hermione could see the sadness he was desperately trying to conceal.
'He would be proud,' she said gently, taking his hand and squeezing it softly. 'How's your mum?'
'She has her good and bad days,' Ron was staring hard at the little bottle of vinegar sat in the middle of the table.
It had been almost four months since the Battle of Hogwarts, and Hermione would feel her heart break every time she witnessed the effect it had had on the Weasley family. Whereas before when the Burrow had been a loud, bright and happy place, it now held a strange, inhuman silence. Mr Weasley had been putting a brave face on, throwing himself into his busy work at the Ministry, occasionally losing his temper over small, insignificant things, which Hermione knew was very out of character for him.
Mrs Weasley on the other hand, was different. As Ron had put it, she would have good days and bad. On the good days she would throw extravagant meals, piling third and sometimes fourth helpings onto people's plates, bustling round the house singing loudly along to the witches she would hear on the radio. Occasionally something would make her stop and close her eyes in pain, whether it was a comment or memory about Fred, or an old pair of socks she would find. But she would then open her eyes, her face full of colour and eyes sparkling.
On the bad however, she would be a shadow of her former self. She would get up bright and early, busying herself with chores, scrubbing hard at the floor that she'd only cleaned a day ago. She would barely speak to anyone, snapping angrily at her sons, Ginny, or Hermione if they dared asked her if she wanted a hand. Percy was aware of this and seemed to know how to handle her best, quickly ushering her away to her room for a rest when she would finally break down, sobbing in heart breaking wails at the loss of her son.
The Weasley siblings were trying to cope; Bill had Fleur and his new werewolfish tendencies to distract him. Charlie had hesitantly returned to Romania after pleas from his parents not to worry about them and to continue with his studies. Percy would busy himself with work, just like Mr Weasley, and with taking care of his mother. Ginny would still occasionally break down in tears, but had spent the majority of the holidays with Harry, who after suffering many losses of his own, had been her rock. Ron on the other hand was different. After initially spending the first couple of months pouring his heart out to Hermione, it was almost like he had stopped wanting to talk about Fred at all. Hermione would encourage him to open up to her, and sometimes he would, but most of the time he would fall silent, and she would have to change the subject before he would talk again.
The most heart breaking for Hermione however, was the change in George's character. It was almost as if half of his personality had been taken from him. He would shut himself up in his room for hours, and the explosions which Hermione had grown used to that would often erupt from the twin's room were no more. The only time she would see a flicker of the old George was when he was in his beloved joke shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He would put on a brilliant act for the customers, and Hermione believed this was one of the reasons why the business was still booming in the absence of Fred.
After many squabbles with Ron, Hermione had eventually relented when he had told her that he wasn't planning on taking up his invitation to return to Hogwarts. Instead he was going to stay behind and give George the help he very much needed in managing his busy store. Hermione had worried for Ron's future, but seeing how determined he was to help his brother out, she knew it was the right thing for him to do.
Taking Ron's silence as a hint to change the subject, Hermione asked. 'Have you eaten?'
'Not yet,' he shook his head.
'Lets get some breakfast then,' she said cheerily, trying to lighten his mood.
'Okay,' he smiled and Hermione was relieved to see it. They ate their breakfast, then Ron went up to Hermione's room with her to help her carry her belongings to the train station.
As they reached Platform 9 ¾ , Hermione turned to face Ron, suddenly feeling sad.
'Feels weird that this will be the last time I will be getting this train.'
'Feels weird I'll never be getting it again,' Ron replied, and Hermione caught the wistful longing on his face.
'You know it doesn't have to be this way,' she said gently. 'McGonagall would take you back in a shot.'
'No,' he frowned, clearing his throat. 'I need to help George. I can't leave him by himself. Plus, I like working in the shop. It gives me the chance to see the real George again.'
'I understand,' Hermione nodded.
'Ron, Hermione!'
They both turned to see Ginny rushing towards them, her cheeks pink in excitement, Harry trailing behind with both his and Ginny's luggage.
'Hey Gin!' Hermione beamed, accepting her best friend's hug.
'You do realise we may share classes this year,' she grinned.
'Well it'll be up to me as Head Girl to make sure you behave,' Hermione brandished her Head Girl's badge, returning her grin.
Ginny rolled her eyes. 'You better not be anything like Percy was.'
'Of course not,' Hermione winked, laughing as Ginny groaned.
'Guys,' Harry interrupted them impatiently. 'I think we ought to get on the train, it's going to leave any minute.'
Hermione turned to look at Ron, who was looking gloomy. 'I guess this is it.'
'I guess so,' he cleared his throat again.
'Come on Harry, lets go,' Ginny gave Hermione a knowing nod, and led Harry away to the train, allowing them some privacy.
'I'm going to miss you,' Hermione whispered, and threw her arms around his neck, holding him.
'And you,' Ron mumbled, and she could feel him breathing in the scent of her hair.
'You better write to me, every day!' her voice broke as she pulled away, and she furiously wiped the tears away that had begun to slide down her cheeks.
'Every day,' he promised, then paused. 'That's if Pig finds his way okay,'
Hermione smiled through her tears at the thought of Ron's tiny, foolish little owl. 'I should hope so.'
The train made a loud noise of warning to the students who were saying their goodbyes on the platform, and Hermione took this as her cue to leave.
'Bye Ronald,' she whispered.
He pulled her into another quick embrace, kissing her furiously, fingers tangled within her now messy hair. 'Bye Hermione.'
Pulling away, Hermione took one last loving look at her boyfriend, then hurried away onto the impatient train, struggling slightly as she pulled her luggage up the steep steps. She stored her belongings and then made her way down the narrow carriage, trying to ignore the whispering and stares of the students already sat in the booths. She finally spied Harry and Ginny sat comfortably with Luna Lovegood across from them, and slid the door across, plopping herself down onto the soft seat next to Luna.
'You okay Hermione?' Ginny asked sympathetically.
'Yes. I'm fine thank you,' she nodded, swallowing down the lump in her throat. She turned to Luna. 'Hello Luna. Good summer?'
'Quite extraordinary, thank you,' she replied dreamily, pulling out a copy of the Quibbler.
Hermione bit back a smile as she turned it upside down and started reading.
'Oh would you believe it,' Hermione looked up, shocked at Ginny's snarling tone, and followed her narrowed eyes to the door of their booth. Draco Malfoy was making his way down the confining carriage, closely followed by Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott.
Hermione shuddered slightly, thinking of the last time they had met. They had been in the Room of Requirement, and Harry had saved their lives. She found herself automatically touching her neck, where Malfoy's aunt Bellatrix Lestrange had scarred her when she had tortured her at Malfoy Manor. As Malfoy turned to look inside their booth, Hermione was shocked to see the dark circles under his eyes, contrasting significantly with his extremely pale skin. His silver eyes looked haunted, the evil glint in them had vanished, leaving behind a strange emptiness.
His empty eyes met hers, and for a second they searched them, before breaking into a scowl. Hermione quickly looked away, feeling herself growing hot with embarrassment. Nott and Zabini sneered at them as they followed their friend, and Ginny scowled back at them.
'Why the hell has McGonagall allowed them back?!' She exclaimed, looking furious.
'Maybe she thought they'd changed. I thought Malfoy would have at least,' Harry frowned.
'It was because of him this all started,' Ginny's cheeks were flushed red in anger.
'You know that's not true,' Harry said gently.
'He doesn't deserve a place in this life, not when Fred had to lose his,' angry tears were now falling fast down the youngest Weasley sibling's face.
Harry pulled her into his arms and Hermione reached out to squeeze her hand. 'If McGonagall has allowed the Slytherins; Malfoy, back into Hogwarts she must have a reason behind it. And she must trust them,' she said reasonably.
'House Unity,' Luna said simply, from behind her magazine. The three of them stared at her, having nearly forgot she was there.
'Sorry?' Ginny looked puzzled.
'McGonagall will want the houses to get along now the war has ended,' Luna looked up from her copy of the Quibbler.
'Yes, that makes sense,' Hermione nodded earnestly. 'We need to trust McGonagall. She knows what she's doing.'
'I hope so,' Ginny whispered in reply.
The train journey seemed to take longer than usual, and Hermione was relieved when she spied the silhouette of the castle in the near distance. As they approached it, although she could see the improvements that they had made to the castle, she could still see some of the damage the war had caused to the ancient building, the grounds in particular. The Whomping Willow has been set on fire, and although there had been some growth to it since Hermione had last seen it, she could see some of the branches hanging on by threads pathetically. The Herbology Greenhouses were still damaged on one side, looking burnt and dishevelled compared to the rest of the building.
As Hermione followed her friends off the train and onto the platform, she caught a glimpse of Hagrid ushering the first year students towards the boats, and waved. As she caught his attention he grinned, waving very enthusiastically at the four of them, nearly knocking a tiny first year girl into the lake.
As they made their way towards the castle, Hermione was pleasantly surprised to spy a few familiar faces who had obviously chosen to re take their seventh year. Parvati Patil threw her arms around her in a tearful hug, her sister Padma stood closely behind. Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom greeted them cheerfully, Seamus clapping Harry hard on the back and Neville blushing when Harry praised his bravery during the war. Hermione felt slightly more comfortable after seeing her fellow Gryffindors, and felt a sudden warmth of happiness as she entered the Great Hall, seeing it had returned to it's pre war state. The ceiling was cloudy but still looked beautiful as it mirrored the outside sky, and the four long house tables were starting to fill up with students chatting happily. Hermione scanned the tables eagerly, trying to spy a shiny Head Boy's badge, but soon got distracted as the front doors opened loudly. Professor McGonagall was leading the way as a group of terrified looking first year students were walking tentatively to the front of the hall, eyes wide in a mix of fear and amazement as they took in their surroundings.
Hermione looked to the teacher's front table, noticing an unfamiliar, but friendly looking wizard sitting in Severus Snape's old seat, and swallowing down the lump in her throat as she looked at Professor Dumbledore's empty headmaster's chair. She looked curiously towards the Slytherin table, and spotted Malfoy sat with Theodore Knott and Blaise Zabini. He wasn't sneering at the first year students as usual; instead he was frowning down at his hands, ignoring all conversation that was taking place around him. Feeling Hermione's eyes on him he looked up at her, and Hermione couldn't read his expression. She frowned slightly and his face quickly screwed up into the same scowl he had thrown at her earlier.
'Ignore him,' Harry's voice interrupted Hermione's thoughts.
'That's probably wise,' she sighed, turning her attention back to the Sorting Hat, who was finishing his usual song.
As the sorting came to an end and the first years were nervously getting to know their new house mates, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.
'May I have your attention?'
The room quickly fell silent. 'Now as you know, I will be your new Headmistress this year,' she looked stern. 'After the devastating effects of the previous year, I would like to invite you all to start again, to have the chance to study hard for your exams. I expect there to be no nonsense, and I want no trouble between any of the houses,' Hermione noticed her quickly glance between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. 'We need to put what happened last year behind us and carry on as a school, and I warn all of you that if anyone breaks those rules, then they will be expelled. Immediately,' she looked at them all grimly, her lips pursed into a tight line.
'Hopefully Malfoy will be out of here tomorrow then,' Ginny whispered, her eyes flashing angrily towards the Slytherin table.
'You heard what she said Ginny, we have to get on!' Hermione hissed, warningly.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat again, and Hermione felt her cheeks burn red as she met her Headmistress' eyes.
'Do we all understand?' McGonagall scanned the hall and the students nodded and muttered in agreement. 'Good,' she nodded approvingly. 'Now, on a lighter note, I would like to introduce you all to Professor Nithercott, who will be taking over as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year.' A short round of applause was given as the friendly looking man in Snape's old seat stood up, beaming as he gave a short bow.
'And to answer a question which I'm sure is on many of your minds, yes, I will still be teaching Transfiguration,' Professor McGonagall continued.
'Brilliant!' Hermione exclaimed happily.
'Lets have a brilliant year this year, one to make Professor Dumbledore proud. We shall begin our feast, but please allow a moments silence for us to remember those who sadly didn't make it through the war.'
Hermione bowed her head as the room fell to a deafening silence. She felt the lump in her throat return as she remembered the friends she had lost. Suddenly, with one click of McGonagall's hand, mountains of food appeared on the four houses tables, and Hermione found her stomach rumbling in appreciation as she started to pile her plate high.
Feeling full and her eyes slightly heavy, Hermione was relieved when Professor McGonagall bid the students good night and ordered them to go to their dormitories. She had stood up and was walking with Harry, Ginny and Neville out of the hall when she heard Professor McGonagall behind her.
'May I have a word Miss Granger?'
'Of course Professor,' Hermione nodded, feeling slightly nervous. She followed her back towards the front of the hall, quickly waving goodbye to her friends. McGonagall led her towards a slightly confused looking Ernie McMillan, whose face broke into a relieved smile when he spotted Hermione, and when she saw the shiny Head Boy's badge on his robes she understood why.
'Now, as you are both aware, I have awarded you two with the responsibilities of being Head Boy and Girl,' Professor McGonagall began.
'Thank you Professor,' Hermione answered appreciatively, and Ernie nodded.
'Not that I need to explain this to the pair of you, but I expect you two to perform your duties impeccably. I expect school events to be planned and executed promptly, for proper organisation of the prefects and night patrols, and for you two to work together as a team.'
'Of course Professor,' Ernie puffed his chest out importantly.
'Most significantly,' she continued, eyeing them both sharply. 'I want you to ensure that the houses are getting along. I will name no names but there a few Slytherin members that I will be keeping a close eye on, and they are aware of this as part of their agreement that they were allowed back this year.'
'No need to guess who that is…' Hermione thought to herself.
'I must ask something Professor,' Ernie piped up. 'Why have you allowed the said Slytherin students back?'
McGonagall narrowed her eyes slightly at Ernie's question, but her expression softened as she answered. 'To get over what happened last year, we need to learn how to work together and promote house unity. We are not a school to deliberately outcast anyone, Professor Dumbledore always awarded everyone with his trust and acceptance. We need to learn to take on the same attitude that he had, in his honour.'
'I see,' Ernie nodded promptly.
'Any questions Miss Granger?' McGonagall turned to Hermione.
'No. I agree with everything you said,' she replied.
'Thank you. I will be holding a meeting with the pair of you at the end of the month to discuss forthcoming events and any issues you may have had. Now, your beds are waiting for you. I do hope you enjoy and make the most of your new roles,' she smiled warmly at the pair of them.
'I'm sure we will, thank you Professor,' Hermione smiled in return and Ernie nodded his head.
They walked out of the hall in silence, and Hermione found herself struggling to lift her heavy legs as they climbed the stairs up to the entrance hall.
'Well, this is me,' Ernie said gesturing towards the door leading to the basement. 'I look forward to sharing Head duties with you, Hermione.'
'You too,' Hermione said politely.
'I must ask though…' Ernie looked curious. 'Do you agree with McGonagall allowing Malfoy and the other Slytherins back?'
'Yes,' she nodded. 'I believe that we need to allow them a second chance. Otherwise some of the issues we had before the war will never be fixed.'
'But… I hope you don't take offence to this, but I heard what Bellatrix Lestrange did to you at the Malfoy Manor. How can you bring yourself to look at him?'
'I have to forget what happened to me. It's for the best.'
'You really are very brave. I admire that.'
'Thank you. Now I really must be getting to bed.'
'Of course, of course. We'll have to arrange a meeting with the prefects soon.'
Hermione nodded, smiling. 'I'll see you tomorrow about it.'
'Okay then. Good night Hermione,' Ernie smiled warmly at her before departing towards the basement door.
Hermione was relieved when she reached the Gryffindor Common Room, and even more so when she spotted Ginny waiting by the portrait, suddenly realising she had no clue what the password was.
'Billywig,' Ginny said to the Fat Lady, who was grinning madly at Hermione.
'Of course, of course! Anything for the third member of the Golden Trio!' She exclaimed.
Hermione sighed. 'Thank you, but there's no need to-'
'Silence! You helped defeat You Know Who! I will call you what I like!'
Ginny smirked at Hermione who giggled as the Fat Lady swung forward, allowing them to enter the common room.
Hermione felt the familiar warm and happy feeling overcome her as she took in her surroundings. The first years were grouped round the new Gryffindor Prefect who was explaining one of the portraits to them in full detail, students were milling around lazily on the squashy red armchairs playing cards and sharing sweets. The atmosphere of the room was the complete opposite of the last time Hermione had been there. There was now a relaxed, happy aura, completely contrasting the fear and sadness that had been there at the end of her sixth year.
'Hermione! There you are!' Harry greeted her. 'What did McGonagall want?'
'I'm absolutely exhausted Harry, mind if I tell you tomorrow?' She smiled, rubbing her temples.
Harry sighed. 'Fine. Good night 'Mione.'
'Night Harry, Ginny,' she waved at her friends and made her way up to the girls dormitories, feeling relieved that she had finally reached her bed. As she sunk down onto her cozy four poster bed, there was a sudden series of excited taps on the window next to her. Groaning, Hermione sat up and opened the window, allowing the manic, tiny little owl to give her Ron's letter. Pigwidgeon whizzed round the empty dormitory happily, not even phased when he went smack into the side of a bed post. Hermione sighed, shaking her head at the little owl, and opened the roll of parchment.
Hermione,
I hope you got to Hogwarts safely and that Ginny and Harry are okay. Let me know of the next Hogsmeade visit. Mum is already planning the Christmas dinner as well so you will be welcome of course.
Love Ron.
P.s give Pig the owl treats I put in your suitcase if you struggle to catch him.
Hermione's eyes burned slightly as they reached the last sentence. She hadn't had a chance to realise how much she missed Ron until now. Blinking her tears away, she reached for some parchment and a quill and quickly wrote her reply. Catching Pigwidgeon was the hard part, he was still whizzing around the room in circles happily, and it was when Hermione found the Owl Treats that Ron had packed away for her that he finally whizzed over to her. Quickly attaching her note to his legs, Hermione opened the window and he flew off excitedly.
Hermione shook her head, grinning as she watched him quickly turn into a tiny dot in the distance. She turned back to her bed, pulling her robes off and finding a nice clean pair of pyjamas. As she dressed, she turned to look in the mirror at the thin scar on her neck. She ran her fingers along the soft, bumpy, texture, and closed her eyes as images of Bellatrix Lestrange haunted her mind. She could still hear her evil cackle ringing in her ears.
For a month now Hermione hadn't thought about her time at the Malfoy Manor. Every time she would get flashbacks she would force them out of her mind, and desperately try to think of a different subject. At first she struggled to do this, but as time went on she had grown used to it, and the nightmares had faded and been replaced with dreams of the school where she had grown up.
She closed her eyes again as Bellatrix's evil voice hissed 'Mudblood,' in her ears. It was seeing Malfoy that had done it; he was a reminder of the torture she had faced at his home. Hermione shook her head and turned her back on the mirror, taking a desperate note to avoid Malfoy at all costs. She finally sunk into her soft bed and wrapped herself in the cosy duvet, filling her mind with dreams of Ron, and finally passing her N.E.W.T exams as she finally fell into a deep sleep.
Thank you to anyone who has read this! Obviously it's only the first chapter so I'm just getting started, I have planned the rest of the story and it will become a Dramione one. I know it's a love/hate ship but I just happen to be one of those people who love them and would have loved to have seen them get together. But anyway please let me know what you think, and I'll try and get another chapter up when I can! I would also like to add that I don't own Harry Potter, as much as I would like to!