Disclaimer: I don't own it, I wish I did but I don't. I just write stuff. Hope you don't mind JK but your books really are too brilliant not to write for. Thank you!

A/N: I don't know if all the time lines are straight in this, I was never very good with figures so I hope I haven't offended anyone and I apologise in advance.

I also apologise for any spelling mistakes with the names, I am lazy and cannot be always fetching my books from the top of my bookshelf. It's just not good for me, I have a bad back. Read and Review as always, you people keep me running, thank you!

PS This is intended as a MMADness and HermiRon fanfic, so sorry if you don't like those pairings but those are the ones I believe, but it's a fic all the same, so please, read and review! You can read the ships as you please, there's chemistry everywhere!

Summary: Hermione left Hogwarts and she got hurt. Now that she's back, will she get hurt again? Read to find out!

She Goes Back Again

Chapter 1: Returning

Hermione Granger touched her hand lightly against the sturdy, huge wooden door again, a slight smile touching her mouth, one that did not reach her eyes. It was the first time she had been back since leaving four years ago, after the battle was finished and everything seemed so much better, when in fact, her world was about to fall apart. She sighed, grazing her hand lightly over the hard wooden carvings, feeling as if she had only left yesterday, knowing them almost off by heart even after all these years. As she had walked up the grass, memories from the battle and other happier times had popped into her head like bubbles.

One particular patch was where Mr Weasley had been attacked and had died in his wife's arms during the final battle; another was where they had had their first flying lesson and Neville had fallen off his broomstick in their first year. Hermione sighed again, feeling again the now very familiar feeling of sadness that swamped her as she thought of what had happened to all those people who had been so good, and had suffered because of it. Because they had strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.

"Hermione?" A gruff voice ventured behind her, sounding like who ever it was, was just behind her. A grin flashing on her face, she swung around and flung herself on one of her dearest friends.

"Hagrid!" She cried as she hugged him and he lifted her slightly off the floor as he swept her up in his arms, both very happy to see the other. He laughed and she could feel the breath being squeezed from her lungs as his arms squashed her.

"I'm so happy to see you." She rasped as he put her down, running a hand over his wild and bushy hair. He nodded, watching her.

"Aye, me too. How're ye anyway?" He asked, smiling proudly down at her. She smiled, keeping the sadness and regret out of her eyes.

"I'm fine, pretty good actually." She answered, striving to sound truthful. He was too happy to notice the slight strain in her voice and he swelled with pride as he looked her up and down. She certainly looked different to how he remembered her. She almost looked like a younger version of McGonagall! Her hair was in a tight bun at the centre of the back of her head, slicked back with some sort of potion, not at all as bushy as he remembered, her robes were not in the least colourful, in fact, they were completely black, except for a small thin line of silver around her waist and at the edge of her wide sleeves, and her eyes were the only place Hagrid could read any emotion. Her smile no longer looked like a true smile; it looked more like a show trying to make it seem she was happy, when in fact she was being destroyed inside. Hagrid swallowed and tried to lighten his thoughts, for her sake at least. He knew she could read what he was thinking, even without Legilimens.

"Ye know, I'd swear you'd grown since the last time I saw ye." He chuckled. She laughed and nodded.

"It has been too long. I'm sorry I stayed away so long, and I'm sorry I didn't write as much as I should have done." She looked down at her feet, guilt twisting in her stomach. Hagrid lifted a hand and titled her chin up so she looked at him.

"Don't be sorry. I know why you didn't." He answered, cuffing her gently on the arm, letting go of her chin. She nodded and pulled on that fake smile again as she straightened her robes from his crushing hug and ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it back. Hagrid watched her, his eyes sparkling as he watched the little girl that was as dear to him as a daughter that had become a woman so quickly, without him being there to see it.

"You're very different from that little sprite I knew ten years ago." He said almost sadly, meeting her eyes as she raised them to his in surprise. She nodded, sighing then perked up a little.

"That little sprite is now a teacher at Hogwarts." She said proudly, straightening her back and standing taller. Hagrid beamed at her.

"I know, Dumbledore told me a few days ago, as soon as he got yer letter he came right down to my hut and said "Hagrid, she's coming back." I was right pleased, still am 'Mione. I'm so proud of yer. And so would yer parents be, if they were here." A shadow passed over her face as he said it, and her whole face went stony. She stiffened and replied in a rush,

"I supposed they would. I've got to go and unpack; I'll see you at dinner Hagrid." She turned her back on him to disguise the tears in her eyes and pushed open the huge doors, to enter Hogwarts for the first time in four years. Hagrid turned away, not wanting to say something else to upset her, for it was clear he had. A sad smile lingered around his beard as he walked back to his hut, the sight cheering him. He knew she had been hurt, more than anyone should be, and he knew she hadn't come back sooner because it was still painful. He shook his head, his beard swaying in the light breeze. He shouldn't have mentioned her parents.

Hermione looked around the Entrance Hall, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes for a few seconds before she blinked them away hurriedly, leaving no trace they had ever been there. She couldn't be weak now. She pulled on a smile as she looked about her, then she looked up as she heard soft foot falls on the stairs. Dumbledore was watching her as he descended the stairs, and she wondered for a few seconds whether he had seen her moment of weakness, but quickly dismissed the thought.

She stepped forward and greeted him as he reached the last step, glowing with happiness that she truly felt, glad in the knowledge that some things never changed. He was just as she remembered him, if perhaps a little more lined around his face and hands. His eyes still sparkled with the familiar glow, his face still gave her the same comforted feeling, a safe feeling, his robes were still blue and welcoming, all the things about him making you feel everything was right with the world.

"Professor." She offered, stepping forward again, holding out her hand. He stepped forward and took it, shaking it heartily. The smile he gave her warmed her in a way she couldn't remember feeling for a long time.

"Hello Hermione. It's good to have you back." He smiled, his half-moon glasses twinkling in the sun light filtering through the glass windows behind her. Hermione nodded, pulling on her smile too as she answered,

"Good to be back." He nodded and dropped her hand, where she slipped hers into her pocket to be wiped off later. She hadn't had human contact for a while; it was something she assumed she must get used to. Dumbledore looked her in the eyes and asked,

"Is it?" She looked up warily, understanding the undertones in his voice, but not knowing what answer to give. Finally she settled for what sounded like an honest answer.

"All in all, yes it is." She replied, her smile faltering but it seemed to pass his test as he nodded and lead her up the Marble Stairs, pausing only to wave his hand at her suitcases which were congregating around the doors where the coachmen had left them. Hermione smiled as she saw them ascend the stairs ahead of them and float off in the direction she hoped was her room. She followed Dumbledore with a purpose in her step, her black, dragon-hide boots tapping the floor sharply as she swept up the stairs behind him, memories soaring inside her again.

The sound of thousands of feet pounding up these stairs after the first night's feast resounded in her head, mixed with the feeling of sadness that had swamped her as she had walked down these stairs for what she had thought would be that last time. Dumbledore heard her steps slow and turned to find her walking up the stairs with her eyes half closed and her hand trailing along the banister, and he knew she was savouring the feeling of bring back here, among people and things she knew and loved very dearly.

Her expression was one of utmost content and he smiled happily, finally assured in his decision she was supposed to be here with them. He had been apprehensive about asking her to come, considering her past and the memories which still must still haunt her and be very painful to encounter when her mind drifts, as it must do occasionally, but Minerva had persuaded him that here was the best place for her. And as always, Minerva was right. She had to stop wandering and where better to come than a place she knew so well? Where else would she be so well watched over, and cared for? All the staff had some kind of attachment to her, and they all cared about her, even Severus, though he did his best not to show it.

"Did you miss it here?" He asked her, watching her as she came to the top of the stairs and paused, still with that blissful look on her face. To him, it seemed that she was also lost in memories, and indeed he was right. She opened her eyes fully and answered with a sigh,

"Every day I was away." He nodded and tuned back, to lead her to the staff room. She caught up with him, her expression back to the impassive one that had become so typical of her recently. He noticed but didn't comment.

"Would you like to see the staff first, or would you prefer to see them at dinner?" He asked, pausing on another set of stairs. She shot him a look that said "You know very well" and answered with a voice laden with impatience,

"I would like to meet them now, if it's convenient." He grinned and continued to ascend to the next floor, now with her by his side.