Author's Notes:
First of all, I am forever indebted to Ms J.K. Rowling for bringing the world of Harry Potter to our lives. She made my adolescence much happier, and the magical world stays with me even now when I'm all grown up.
Second, as you all know, many of the characters were killed off during the Deathly Hallows, but for the purpose of the story, I've included some characters like Colin Creevy and of course Severus Snape!
A big thank you to all those who took out their time to read the story; and as it is the very first chapter, please don't forget to leave a review.
Hermione Jean Granger, one among the golden trio of the wizarding world who had played a big role in bringing about the defeat of Voldemort, the most evil wizard of all time, was currently battling with her own friends.
"C'mon 'Mione, the school is awarding us all with honorary graduation. There is no need to go back now. You can come with us; we will have more fun if you do." Harry said pleadingly.
It was difficult for Hermione to say 'no' to Harry Potter, one of her best friends in the world. She, Harry and Ron had endured the toughest time of their lives last year, when they had spent an entire year on the run, hunting horcruxes. Harry had suffered most of all, him being proclaimed the-chosen-one by the wizarding world and a prophesy that pitted him directly against Voldemort. In her opinion it was he, more than anyone else, who deserved a vacation.
"Harry, you know I can't refuse if you keep pleading me to come with you. But I really need some quiet time right now, and I wouldn't feel satisfied if I didn't finish my education." Hermione said in a soft voice.
Harry seemed to get her thoughts. He was like a brother to her, after all. But there was still one other person she needed to convince.
"Don't be a bloody bore, 'Mione. Don't you want to explore exotic new places and study different magical communities all over the world?" Ron asked.
Hermione understood exactly what he meant by that. All he wanted to explore were exotic witches; Ron was always the philanderer in their trio. They both had shared a brief spell of attraction but had soon come back to being friends. Ron didn't like being tied up in a relationship and Hermione lost any physical interest in him when she had seen him kiss other girls while they were still together.
"See it this way, Ronald. You'll be free to do whatever you want on this trip, if I don't come along. Because I can't promise to not nag you if anything seems inappropriate to me." Hermione said truthfully.
Ron did not give her any answer. She could tell that he was weighing the pros and cons of her joining them on the trip. She looked at Harry.
"Well, if that's what you want then I have no problem. I still didn't want to lose the last chance of asking you; but it seems to me that you've already made your choice. Come to see us off tomorrow, will you?" Harry said, his green eyes filled with sincerity.
Ron had now returned back from his contemplation. "Got lots to pack. Mum won't be pleased if we are late. See you tomorrow then, bye 'Mione."
They both apparated to the Burrow, the Weasley Residence. Hermione looked around her empty house. She had not called her parents back from Australia or restore their memories yet. She suspected there were still some Death Eaters free till now, and she didn't want them in any danger. They both were muggles and hence no match for the magical criminals.
She decided that it was time to pack her own school things, she was supposed to be leaving for Hogwarts in two days. It was an unreal feeling; going back again after so much had happened there. Professor McGonagall, the current Headmistress had told her that not a single one of her classmates had signed up for completing their course, taking advantage of the honorary degrees. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to do that. The Headmistress had also offered her the position of Head Girl, but she had politely refused; the position belonged to someone from the current batch.
Also, there was nothing else for her to do. Harry and Ron were leaving for their round-the-world trip tomorrow. The Ministry For Magic had invited them to be Aurors, dark wizard catchers. Harry and Ron were going to join the Ministry after they came back. Hermione had seen enough of the war to want to go back to living that life again.
All she wanted was some peace and gain some knowledge; and Hogwarts was the place she was sure to get them. Hogwarts was her home.
The next day Hermione arrived with her school trunk and her pet cat Crookshanks, at the Burrow. A whole group of people had gathered to bid Harry farewell, including the Minister For Magic himself, Kingsley Shacklebolt. The defeat of Voldemort was still very clear in the minds of the people and they regarded Harry Potter as their hero; Hermione suspected Harry was taking this trip to get away from all that attention. He had never liked being the center of attention; but fate had a way of throwing him right in the center. She was glad that he would finally get some peace of mind.
When it was Hermione's turn to say goodbye to them, they both gave her huge hugs.
"I'll miss you, 'Mione. I'll keep writing to you. Take care. I know you'll be the top of the class even this year." Harry winked at her.
"Yeah, I'll be surprised if you didn't. And remember, if anyone gives you any trouble, write to us." Ron said.
"I'll be okay. I'm going to Hogwarts, after all. You two, please be careful. And don't forget to write regularly." Hermione said, stopping the tears in her eyes with difficulty. She won't be seeing them for a while now.
After Harry, Ron and their farewell party had gone, Hermione sat down with Ginny that evening.
"How's Mrs. Weasley doing?" Hermione asked, sipping her tea.
"She is hiding her grief well. Its too soon, you know. Even I miss Fred terribly." Ginny answered.
They sat in silence for a while. The war had taken its toll on many families. Mrs. Weasley had lost her son. Hermione had seen his body, along with the other fifty dead students lying together, the last time she was at Hogwarts. She had experienced what war felt like; and she hated it.
"Anyways, you'll be going back to Hogwarts with me on the first, right?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, I think so." Hermione said, coming out of her reverie.
"We are going to have a lot of fun this year, you and me. We are going to be in our senior-most year with no boys holding us down. And I am supposed to be the Head Girl." Ginny quipped happily. Being the youngest in the family, her older brothers were always over-protective of her. She was in a relationship with Harry, but even he was going to be absent from the school this year.
"Congrats Ginny. You deserved it." Hermione said sincerely.
"Yeah, Mum was proud when the letter arrived." Ginny told her.
On September 1st, the familiar scarlet Hogwarts Express greeted them at the platform 9 3/4 . Hermione didn't see many familiar faces, and she remembered that she was the only one who had signed up from her year; all the students who met them were her juniors. Everyone was giving her a revered glance, after all she was a member of the golden trio who had just saved the world.
Hermione began rethinking about her decision to come back this year. None of her friends were going to be there this year. Except for Ginny and Luna. More time in the library, a small voice in her mind rejoiced.
Luna Lovegood joined Hermione and Ginny at their train compartment. Luna had a queer personality, but Hermione knew that her heart was in the right place.
When they had arrived at Hogwarts, the students began descending the train and going towards the horseless carriages that usually took them to the castle. There was a great commotion as people had begun pointing at the skeletal horses called Thestrals, many seeing them for the first time. Even Hermione and Ginny could see them now; they were only visible to people who had witnessed death. Hermione felt a stab of pain and fury, but she helped Ginny out in clearing out the crowd.
The Sorting Hat who usually greeted them with a song every year at the start of the term feast, did not sing any song. It was in a bad state and was recovering itself, having taken an active part in the war. However, it performed its duty of sorting the new students into the four houses.
After the sorting ceremony was over, the tables were instantly covered with delicious food. Hermione wasn't enjoying the feast very much, it wasn't so fun without Harry and Ron. It didn't help either that the students kept glancing at her given a chance. Still, Hogwarts was her home and she felt happy to be here.
She looked over at the staff table. Professor Minerva McGonagall was seated at the Headmistress' chair. She glanced around to find that Percy Weasley was also seated at the staff table.
Hermione nudged Ginny. "Look at the staff table, Ginny. So much for a brother-free year!" she gave a chuckle.
Ginny, who had her mouth filled with food, gulped down everything that was in her mouth. "That prat, he never told me. He really is a stickler for rules. That's what mum was on about then all week. Keep your eyes open for your new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Ginny said, giving angry looks at her brother.
Hermione continued to look around the staff table to find the familiar faces of her teachers. There was Professor Flitwick, the Charms Professor; Professor Vector, the Arithmancy professor…and lastly at the end of the table, trying to blend in the background was Professor Severus Snape!
Hermione was surprised that he had shown up to teach at the school, after his disastrous spell as the Headmaster last term. But, now that his contribution in the war was known to everyone, he would probably be treated with the same respect. He was the one who had told Harry at the last minute to surrender himself to Voldemort, which had led to Voldemort killing the part of his own soul inside Harry. He had then lied to Voldemort that Harry was dead by his curse and Harry was able to escape at the right time. Everyone knew about that now. Harry had seen to it that Snape's bravery did not go uncredited.
But Hermione also knew what others did not. Severus Snape had confided his memories to Harry and Harry had told Hermione and Ron all about his story. How he had fallen in love with his best friend Lily, who also happened to be Harry's mother; how she had broken off her friendship with him just because he had called her a 'mudblood' angrily once; how he had devoted himself to the Dark Arts and became Voldemort's follower; and upon learning that Voldemort was after Lily and her son, he had become Dumbledore's spy; and had proceeded to protect her son after her death even when he resembled his father, the person Snape hated the most.
Snape had confessed to Harry that after saving his life, he had felt free; free of the pledge he had taken for his long lost love for Lily. Hermione couldn't see any difference in the professor. He wore the same indifferent scowl she had always remembered him for.
Hermione watched Severus Snape. Somehow, this man had taken upon himself to fight for the love of his childhood and ended up helping to save the world from a terrible fate. She still remembered how his Patronus had guided Harry to the sword of Gryffindor. She truly admired the capacity of this man to love. Too bad, he never received any love in return.
Meanwhile, Severus Snape was aware of the stare Hermione Granger was giving him. He was not in the least surprised to find her here, he himself would have made the same choice to complete his education. What surprised him though, was the curious glance she was giving him right now. What the heck was she thinking about, he had a doubt that Potter had told her about their private conversation. But there was no certain way to find that out now. And so, he tried to concentrate on the food in front of him; in vain.
At least I am home, he thought.