Disclaimer: Against my greatest wishes, I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, I wouldn't be publishing on a fanfiction website.
OOC/Plot change warning: no Fred death, ignorance of "19 years later", ignorance of book 7 Romione events
Prologue- a few days after the battle of Hogwarts
Hermione made her way through the rubble. She sighed as she walked past Filch, who was sweeping the floor- as if that would do anything. The school was ruined. Completely and utterly demolished. The great castle that had stood for hundreds of years had fallen, years of history turned to dust and ashes. How would young British witches and wizards learn, now that the best magic school was gone? She saw Professor McGonagall talking to Kingsley Shacklebolt, and overheard a bit of their conversation;
"I must congratulate you on your new position! Minister of Magic! We are all so proud."
"Only temporarily, only temporarily…"
Hermione rushed over, the news spinning in her head. "Congratulations, Kingsley!" She gave him a hug, savoring the good news like a young child would candy. The euphoria from winning the battle had faded days ago, and with all the death and destruction, she could find little to be happy about. Thinking of the destruction, she released him from her grip. "What will happen with the school? You must know, being minister and all."
"It's amazing what magic can do, Hermione. Hogwarts will be up and running in no time. In fact, it will hopefully be ready before you come to school next year."
She looked at him questioningly, "Kingsley, I'm too old to-"
He laughed a bit. "Hermione, you have yet to take your NEWTs, and as smart as you are, they really are quite necessary when applying for a job. All students are required to repeat their last year- standard procedure, seeing that the curriculum wasn't taught and half the students didn't even come."
Hermione hardly knew what to think. They got to come back? They were going back to Hogwarts? She felt like jumping up and down! She embraced Kingsley once more, before running off to tell Harry and Rom the good news. They got to come home, and finish their time in Hogwarts peacefully. No drama, no death, no Voldemort. It was going to be a fun year!