Disclaimer: I forgot to put one of these things. I don't own it, JKR does. If I did...

Buzz.

Buzz...

Buzzzz...

The alarm clock was ringing. A hand reached out of the blanket and turned it off with a slap. A groan could be heard from the bed's occupant. It was early in the morning, far too early for most seventeen year olds to be awake. The sun was shining brightly through her bedroom window, yelling at her to get out of bed. She could hear the annoying chirping of the birds outside her window.

Urgh…I don't want to get up. I wish I could just go back to sleep and let the day pass by. For once I would like to get away from it all. Nevertheless, it's impossible. I have to get an early start today. If I'm late then he might get mad. He always thinks that I am sneaking around with another guy whenever I'm not on time.

Hermione languidly got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She turned on the shower to get the hot water running.

I can't believe the war is finally over. Miraculously, Harry defeated Voldemort in the final battle at Hogwarts.

She looked in the mirror at her unblemished face, thinking of all the lives that had been lost.

Fred, Tonks, Lupin, Mum, Dad, and countless others, all of them dead now. No one was left unharmed by the aftermath of the war. They would never be able to see how much the wizarding world have changed. How tremendous things are now. It's like we are all living in a whole new world.

Sighing, Hermione turned on the tap and washed her face. The water felt cool against her warm cheeks, refreshing her.

I'm so tired, we're all tired. Still it's truly over now. The wizarding world was safe once again and it was all because of them and all who had helped. No more running and hiding. We're all free to do as we please. Harry can finally have a somewhat normal life if he can get past all the fame of course. He and Ron can become Aurors or Quidditch players, whatever they want.

When she finished brushing her teeth and taking a shower she went into her room to find an outfit to wear. Hermione opened up her wardrobe and scanned the clothes she had. She turned and saw her Hogwarts robes lying on her trunk, already pressed and ironed.

This year the three of us are going to finish Hogwarts and take our N.E.W.T.S at last. There will probably a lot of new students this year too. Most people were too afraid to let their children go to Hogwarts last year because of the war. There will be a lot of people returning to finish their last year and new first years and second years that were held back last year. I won't get the chance to be head girl though.

Hermione finished dressing and glanced at the clock.

I still have time left to get to King's Cross. If I leave now and make a stop at the pastry shop for breakfast I will get there almost exactly on time. Merlin, why does having a boyfriend have to be so hard. Anthony is so sweet though. He is a Ravenclaw and a prefect. His marks are impeccable but not as excellent as mine and he always brings me flowers and sweets. He is the perfect boyfriend. It was only every once in a while that his temper gets a hold of him. He's just been frustrated with all the stress he has lately.

Taking one final look in the mirror Hermione made sure that she was showing as little skin as possible. Then she headed out.

Hermione walked into the station. This would be the first time her parents wouldn't be there to see her off. She looked around at all the other students saying their good byes to their family. Her heart tugged with a sense of longing. Hermione missed them dearly. She felt her eyes prick with the start of tears. She shook her head to get rid of them. Hermione went off to find her friends and her boyfriend to get away from it all.

I'm so happy that Harry and Ron approve of Anthony. I was really worried for a while that they wouldn't like him. The three of them got along brilliantly and Harry and Ron always get a smug look whenever he fawns over me. Who knows, maybe Harry and Ginny will get together again this year. When I visited the burrow during the summer holidays they had been glancing at each other a lot, even if they didn't notice it. I had only visited that one time, so I'm not really sure about it but usually I am right about theses things. Anthony had gotten mad that I hadn't told him about that visit. He was so angry it looked as if he was about to actually strike me, he didn't of course. I didn't visit them again for fear of him getting angry again. It will be so wonderful too see them all.

"Hermione!" yelled Ron. She turned around at the sound of his voice. She saw him standing next to Harry, Ginny, and Lavender. She smiled back at him and walked over to her friends careful not make her hips sway back and forth too much. Anthony hated that.

"Hey Guys! How was your summer holiday?" asked Hermione. Lavender was holding Ron's hand and looking up at him with a blissful smile.

I forgot that Ron and Lavender were seeing each other now. I hadn't expected them to last through the summer holidays. I remember when Ron first told me about his relationship with Lavender. He was so worried that I would be upset since he didn't have those feelings for me. I laughed when he said that and told him I was happy for him. Really, it did hurt a bit. Somehow there was always still that hope that one day me and Ron would fall madly in love with each other and get married. We would have our own happily ever after. I know better than that now. I have Anthony now and he loves me. It would have never worked out, especially considering that incident that occurred last year with Slytherin's locket. She knew Ron wasn't himself but it still frightened her. Kind of like—no she was just being silly again.

Hermione shook her head to get rid of the thought.

"Hermione, you still there?" asked Harry.

"Yes. Sorry. I just wandered away for a minute there. I'm fine. I'm just really happy to be back and see all of you again." Hermione smiled back at him. This time it was a genuine smile.

Ron began to fidget, "We haven't seen you much after that one time you came to visit at the burrow. You know since-"

Harry elbowed Ron and glared at him for his insensitivity. "We just wanted to know if you're okay."

"I'm fine, really I am," she dropped the topic and asked them about their summer holidays.

I'm just not ready to talk about them again yet. After all that crying I just want to forget. I still haven't told them about the will yet. How does one go about doing that?

She felt a pair of clothed arms close around her waist. For an instant panic stirred up in her belly. She quickly squashed the feeling and pasted a smile on her face.

"Hello Anthony."

"Hi, how was your summer holiday?" He brought his arms back to his side and stood next to her.

"Oh boring really. I stayed inside and read mostly."

He seemed pleased with her answer and joined in the conversation the others were having. Soon the whistle for the oncoming departure blew. Students began to board the train and spill out their last heart filled promises to write home often. Mothers clung to the new first years and second years that didn't come last year, unwilling to let them go until the last possible minute. The group of friends on the platform joined the countless other students boarding the Hogwarts Express. They found an empty compartment big enough to fit all of them. The train gave a lurch as they all sat down and started on its journey to Scotland. Hermione stared out the window and watched the passing scenery, lost in her thoughts about N.E.W.T.S. and the upcoming school year.

I've missed so much while I was gone with Harry and Ron looking for the horcruxes. It will take me weeks to catch up on all the work.

She heaved out a heavy sigh.

"Why so quiet Hermione?" inquired Ginny.

"Oh, no reason. Just thinking about all the work we missed last year,"

"Honestly Mione, if you keep thinking about it your head will explode. No one likes a know-it-all," said Anthony using his personal nickname for her.

Her friends laughed taking the remark as a joke but his words cut into Hermione's skin deep. They felt like barbs digging into her skin with pain as its only goal.

Am I really a know-it-all? Does being smart put me in jeopardy of losing my friends? This year I have resolved to let others answer more questions in class. Too much is at stake to take such a big risk and lose. I don't wish that I am not as intelligent as I am but I don't want others to think I am unapproachable because of it. Anthony is right. No one likes a know-it-all. Not even Harry and Ron liked me at first. They were so mean to me in the beginning of first year. The only person that talked to me about anything that didn't pertain to school work was Neville. The sole reason being that he was ostracized by the other Gryffindors in their house too. I like to think that even if the Troll incident hadn't happened then eventually the three of us would have still become friends.

Anthony put his arm around and pulled her closer to him. Ron and Harry exchanged knowing smiles across the compartment. Hermione moved closer to him with a slight smile.

I'm glad that at least Anthony likes me even still although the other boys don't even glance at me twice. I'm still know-it-all Granger to them and they only know me as a part of the famous trio. I'm just Harry Potter and Ron Weasley's smart friend. I know I'm not as pretty as the other girls but I think I look okay. Anthony is always constantly reminding me that he is the better looking of the two of us and that's the reason why people always stared when we walked past. They couldn't fathom how a girl like me got with such a handsome and charming guy like him. At least I was able to get a boyfriend because of my brains.

Hermione snuggled against Anthony's arm and nestled down to take a nap. She was thinking too much again and the train ride back to Hogwarts was always long. A nap would be just the thing to relax here. She felt moist, soft lips pressed against her forehead in a kiss

It was okay if I have to pretend to be less smart for a bit. As long as I still have Anthony next to me. He loves me just the way I am.

Hermione felt someone nudging her. Slowly she woke up and peered out from underneath her eyelids. She couldn't get them fully open and decided to just go back to sleep. The person kept nudging her. She mumbled something unintelligible and shifted away in annoyance. They were relentless though and kept poking her over and over again. A flash of pain blinded her. The person prodded her hard with the tip of a quill.

"Get up Hermione you lazy cow," said Anthony exasperated, "Do I have to do everything for you?"

Hermione got up quickly and gave the compartment a cursory glance. It was empty except for the two of them. The train was no longer in motion and everyone must have left already for the feast. A small circular indent could be seen on her arm, bright pink from the force which Anthony pushed the quill point in. The skin around it was blotchy and red from the pressure. It wasn't bleeding though. She just felt a sharp pain whenever she moved her arm.

"Sorry. I was knackered," Hermione apologised.

"It's okay," Anthony gave a wry grin, "What have you been doing the past few weeks to make you so tired? I had to poke you with my quill just to wake you up."

"I told you already that I read most of the summer holiday," she snapped at him. A dark look crossed his face at the tone of her voice. "I didn't do anything. Just too much studying for the new year I guess," Hermione said softly, "Where did everyone else go?"

"They left for the Great Hall already. I stayed behind to wake you up like a good boyfriend. Your friends were too preoccupied thinking about their stomachs to even give you a second thought, obviously the gesture wasn't appreciated," sneered Anthony.

With that last statement he walked out the compartment door leaving her all alone.

No, he's walking away from me. I have to do something fast.

Hermione grabbed her things and exited the compartment.

"Anthony! Wait!" cried Hermione.

He kept walking at a brisk pace. She struggled to catch up with him. When she finally caught up to him she pulled on his arm in an effort to get him to stop. He did. He turned around without even looking at her. His eyes focused on her hand on his arm. Hermione moved it as if his flesh had just burned her. His eyes rose to stare into hers. They were fiery with anger. Submissively she cast her eyes downward and muttered an apology. She didn't look up at all to meet his piercing gaze.

"We're going to miss the sorting."

That's all he said as he walked away once again. This time at a steadier pace that Hermione could keep up with. Obediently she followed him to the Great Hall only a few steps behind him.

The Great Hall was filled with busting excitement, friends catching up on each other's lives and faces robust with cheer and exhilaration. At the front of the room the teachers sat at the head table looking appraisingly at the mass congregation of students this year. Headmistress McGonagall looking the most pleased of them all. Nervously the first and some second years were lined up at the door waiting to be sorted. The sorting hat lay atop the stool awaiting the newest members of the school. A smiling Hagrid was watching over them. Some of them gaped at his amazing height and stature. A swift elbow to the gut by a friend and their mouth was soon closed and they regained their composure.

At the front entrance stood Anthony and Hermione. He gave her a smile before heading off to go sit at the Ravenclaw table with the other returning seventh years. Quietly to keep up appearances Hermione went to her seat next to Ginny and across from Ron and Harry. The two stopped their Quidditch conversation and smiled at her. A clanking noise was heard from the head table. The Headmistress stood up from her seat to address the students and staff. Once the hall was quiet she began to speak.

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

A rush of cheers and foot stomping erupted in the Great Hall. Hermione laughed her body bursting with excitement. They were finally home. Professor McGonagall rose up her hand and the room became quiet instantly.

"Now! Let the sorting begin!"

The sorting ended with an enormous amount of new additions to each house. Surprisingly, Slytherin received the most out of all the houses this year. Purebloods who had skipped previous years with the rise and return of Voldemort now felt it was safe to come out of hiding and rejoin the wizarding world. Also those who had missed last year because their parents were servants of Voldemort returned too. Professor McGonagall went on to give the customary speech that started each new school year. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table instead of listening. She had already heard it too many times before. Among the people that could be seen was none other than Draco Malfoy. Sitting next to him was Blaise Zabini and Gregory Goyle. Goyle was looking down at his plate in sorrow.

"Reckon he misses the food," said Ron looking over at Goyle.

"Ron! What a horrible thing to say. His best friend is dead. How would you feel if Harry or I died?" exclaimed Hermione.

"Yeah. So what? He was a death eater," said Ron nonchalantly.

"I can't believe that git Malfoy had the nerve to even show up here again after all his family has done," Lavender remarked.

"Yeah mate. Why did you go and stick up for the ferret and his mother," Ron asked Harry.

"You wouldn't understand," he said thinking about the events that preceded the final battle, "What difference does it make anyway if Malfoy and his mother are free. Lucius Malfoy still got the kiss for being a Death Eater. He was the only real threat."

Hermione ignored her friends arguing and turned back towards the Slytherin table. Zabini was trying to cheer up Goyle with some witty remarks. All he got out of him was a slight smile though. All of a sudden Malfoy stiffened in his seat. He turned around and searched the faces behind him. His eyes rested on Hermione. He gave her a smirk and refused to give up eye contact. The two stared at each other for a while longer in a battle of will. McGonagall's voice boomed through the room catching their attention once again.

"In light of the fact that many were detained due to fear and," she paused and glanced at both the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables, "other priorities there will be some changes made in regards to student positions of authority. First, I would like to say that anyone who was a prefect will still be a prefect no matter if they missed last year or not."

Hermione's heart beat began to pump faster.

"In regards to the position of head boy and head girl it has been decided by the governors that this year there shall be a separate position for a head boy and girl that will become part of the staff and have more responsibilities and authorities than the regular head boy and girl. It was deemed unfair for these two students who have worked diligently throughout their school career to miss out on the honor they would have had bestowed on them," announced McGonagall, "These two worthy students are none other than Hermione Granger from Gryffindor as staff Head Girl."

McGonagall had to stop mid speech from the burst of applause and congratulations that bust out from the Gryffindor table. The whole Great Hall was applauding vigorously. Hermione stood up. She had never felt so proud.

I'm head girl. Not only that I will probably be the only head girl in history to have this special honor. Mum and Dad would have been so proud.

The enthusiastic cheers died down.

McGonagall continued, "In the position of staff Head Boy is Draco Malfoy from Slytherin."

Malfoy?! Malfoy! No, this cannot be happening. How was Malfoy able to make staff Head Boy?

Hermione turned around and saw Malfoy standing up with a smug look on his face. The Slytherins were applauding loudly for their Slytherin Prince and cat calls and whistles could be heard. Malfoy turned to look at her and gave her his patent smirk. When the applause was finished Hermione sat down in a daze. She felt eyes at the back of her head and turned around. Anthony was smiling at her and mouthed his congratulations silently. He had a prideful look on his face but his eyes told a different story. Hermione gulped and turned back towards the table to stare at her plate. Her thoughts whirled around in her head in turmoil. She was lost in her thoughts until Ginny shook her shoulder and gently told her it was time to eat. Hermione smiled at her and looked at the wide spread of food in front of her. Harry and Ron were already stuffing their faces with whatever they could reach. She began to slowly pile some food onto her plate.

When she was finished eating she looked up at the head table and noticed some new teachers. She was so busy in her musings earlier that she hadn't heard Professor McGonagall introduce them. There was of course a new Muggle Studies and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Slughorn had retuned to be the Potions professor once more.

"Hermione, you ready?" Lavender looked at her curiously underneath her fringe. She saw that everyone was exiting the Great Hall having already finished their dinner.

"Yeah, I'm ready," she said as she got up to join Lavender in the walk to their dormitory in Gryffindor tower. She was almost out the door when she faintly heard someone calling her name. She turned around and saw Professor McGonagall rushing to meet her.