Getting the Hogwarts students packed and out of Grimmauld Place was no easy task. Between Luna Lovegood's whimsical packing methods, or rather her lack thereof, Neville's fussiness over the proper storage of rare, British plants Professor Sprout had given him as a sort of peace offering, to Molly Weasley's unsuccessful darting around and trying to be mother for everyone, the afternoon had been chaotic. Finally, the students had been packed up and were ready for their foray into London.

Knowing that the Ministry would not have resources to spare for a sponsored trip to King's Cross, they had arranged for the Knight Bus to arrive, with ample room for the students and all of their worldly possessions. By the time that they had descended into the magical Platform 9 ¾, the group had only a few moments to say their good-byes to the Weasley family and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix. With a fierce hug from both Weasley parents, Harry had agreed to keep an eye out for Ginny and promised to not end the school year with any life-threatening missions. He felt a genuine gratitude towards the two parents for all of their unconditional love throughout the years and dismissed their insistence that they would move out of Grimmauld Place. They were practically family now, he felt that they should remain in his family home.

The goodbye between Ron, Hermione and Harry was much harder. All of the battles in their previous years of school and during the war had forged a connection between the three that transcended traditional friendship. There was no need to express these words out loud; their sacrifices for each other were more than enough.

"Listen, Hermione, Harry…I'm sorry for being a bloody prat about this whole thing", Ron began. "I know, deep down, that you two need to finish school. I just thought that the three of us would always be together. I'd even start spew with the two of you if I thought that it would keep you here".

"Ronald Weasley, for the last time, it is S.P.E.W., you know that!" Hermione's admonishment of Ron had been kind, but she still hit him on the arm for good measure. "Ron, you know that we love you. Send us owls, send us whatever harebrained inventions you and George think up, and we'll be back before you know it…Oh, my parents made it!" With this, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before scurrying off to say goodbye to her parents that had been brought back, whole and safe from Australia.

"Yeah, listen mate, I'll be there for Hermione. We'll be safe and this year will be done before you know it. Take care of your parents, and for Merlin's sake, don't kill yourself at work. I have a feeling George is going to be back to his favorite pastime with you as his victim". Harry and Ron gave each other a stiff, yet meaningful, hug before Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express.

In the back of his mind, Harry had known that they would have to arrive to Beauxbatons in style, like the other school had during the Tri-wizard Tournament. However, he did not anticipate that the Hogwarts Express had been fitted with brand-new tracks that would make it seem to be like a Muggle ski, effortlessly gliding over both the English Channel and the French countryside. While it was not as ostentatious as flying in with Abraxan horses, he felt that it fit the image of Hogwarts well and was a comfort that not every experience in their magical education would have to change.

Entering the train, he immediately scanned for a compartment to sit in. It was somewhat to his dismay that every compartment he peered into held the faces of reverent students. While only a small portion had been present during the actual Battle, the story of the war and Harry's heroism was the most-talked about event in all of Wizarding Britain. While the realities of fame had been present in all of Harry's time in Hogwarts, he was now not the Boy-Who-Lived, but the proven Chosen One. While he was definitely not attached to that particular title, it was better than "Desirable Number One" that the Daily Prophet had tried to label him as. Even now, he could see Ron's smug grin and hear the muttered, "the line starts back here, ladies".

Harry was finally able to find the compartment he wanted. Pushing the door open revealed some of the leaders of last year's Dumbledore's Army: Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley. The three immediately made room for Harry, and he sat down while they continued to discuss their theories on the inner-workings of Beauxbatons and its classes.

"Do you think that they have a Room of Requirement too?" Neville asked rhetorically. "I know that ours was a big help last year and we could meet and study in there like old times".

Ginny retorted with, "Neville, we used the Room last year as barracks. I HARDLY think that there'll be any need for those this year…the war's over".

"Oh yes, the war's over, it'll be more important to see what kind of French creatures are hidden in the school. I've heard that nargles are even worse in France than in Britain too", Luna added, with only some recognition of the conversation around her.

"Anyway, what do you reckon Professor McGonagall is going to be teaching us this year? Her invitation to the N.E.W.T students to not take DADA was good though; I know I would have been bored to tears learning about what we had trained for all of the last year. Do you think that there's going to be any real Dark Magic taught, so we can learn to see the next Voldemort before he gets going? Or maybe alchemy, that's like Transfiguration and she's the best at that? Harry, what do you think?" Neville asked.

Harry paused for a moment, remembering that he was talking to Neville, the hero of Hogwarts, and not Neville, the young boy who was afraid of anything outside the Herbology greenhouses. "I dunno, Neville. I don't think it'll be alchemy, but you're guess is as good as mine past that".

"Yeah, no sense in speculating when we'll see soon enough", as he nodded in agreement. "Hey Gin, have you talked to Fleur at all about her time at Beauxbatons? Did she say that there's anything that's really different than Hogwarts?" he asked.

"She said that the Charms work is going to be harder than we have it in Hogwarts, and that they use Moste Potente Potions as their N.E.W.T. equivalent textbook-I guess they have a much more liberal idea about the potions that students are supposed to learn".

At the same time that she finished speaking, the door had opened again, to reveal Hermione. Her eyes were still glistening, and it was clear that she had just been crying. "Hi everyone, sorry I'm late. It's just so good to see my parents back to themselves…I think they've finally understood why I did it". Harry instinctively reached for her hand, to squeeze in comfort. This drew a raised eyebrow from Ginny, but nothing was said.

Much like Ron and Hermione, Ginny and Harry were too busy this summer to pursue anything romantically. She had been mourning the death of her brother, and he had been faced with the trauma of the final battle. Harry expected that Ginny believed they were on pause to recover, but Harry had not had any time to think about the future. It had been too stressful, too heartbreaking of a summer to consider love right then for him.

The train started to rattle, and began to lurch forward. Once in motion, the group could hear Professor McGonagall, who had used a Sonoros charm to magically amplify her voice for the train to hear.

"Attention Hogwarts students. We are now in motion, and will be arriving at Beaubaxtons in several hours. I will now warn you that any student caught bringing a poor light to the Hogwarts legacy will be punished. Please respect the hard-work of the Ministry, and the hospitality that has been extended to us by the French magical community."

"I would now like to have a moment of silence for all of the souls lost in the War against Lord Voldemort and during the Battle of Hogwarts. Their heroism is the reason that we can continue to be safe and study magic".

A moment later, "As you are aware, the number of students is much smaller now than it has ever been. In addition, because we are no longer in Hogwarts, there will be no Sorting ceremony and Houses are to be disbanded for the year. Now is not the time for inter-house rivalry, but the time for Hogwarts solidarity. Do not make this an issue. Rooms will now be divided by gender and class level. As your two staff members for the year, please see Professor Flitwick and me for any further questions. Thank you".

As the journey dragged on, the group circled back to discuss their classes for the next year. Hermione, having at least skimmed the books before, led the conversation about the different types of magic that they were taking. Ginny, dragging Luna, left the compartment and claimed they were going to greet others from their year.

Hermione felt with some pride that her knowledge was not met with bemusement or downright scorn. Rather, the two seemed to drink in every word and engaged with it. In large part because of the war, the two had become impressed with the disparity between their known magic and what was possible. Now that it was a time of peace, Harry and Neville felt that they should soak up as much knowledge about magic as they possibly could to fight any future battle. They even pulled out Hermione's book after discussing the Patronus Charm, and had a lively brainstorming discussion on its potential for other uses, like the Order had shown through messages. Harry immediately taught Neville the Muffliato spell learned from the Half-Blood Prince textbook. Neville then brought up the relevant point that it was as important for the messenger to be hidden as it was for it to be silent. With help from the boys, Hermione was able to duplicate the message effect, but added an incantation with the ability to only be heard by the intended receiver and to be Disillusioned while speaking it.

While Neville was most definitely not Ron in their group dynamic, he was a welcome addition to the vacancy. Although he was very proficient at dueling, Neville was still behind in terms of more traditional spells. What he lacked in knowledge, he made up for in a desire to learn. However, Harry and Hermione were both soon reminded that he was not Ron; they had allowed their conversation to last a couple of hours, before realizing they were all famished. Ron was much more than a reminder to eat; he was their rock. Harry had always acted with his gut, Hermione worked to always make those gut reactions come to fruition, while Ron had kept them tethered to reality and sane.

When Neville had left to catch the trolley for some food for them, Harry had vocalized this into a half-serious joke. Hermione had begun to chuckle, before her eyes grew wide looking at the door. Into the compartment slid Draco Malfoy, his taut, milky-white features looking even more hollowed than ever.

"Potter," Draco began in his traditional, bullying fashion, "I'm glad I caught you when it is just you and that Mu-…Granger". At this omission of Mudblood, Harry refocused his attention at Draco, somewhat easing his grip on his wand by his side.

"Malfoy, what could you possibly want? Hear to bully me again like it is first year all over?" Harry's voice did not contain the unadulterated hatred that it normally did when speaking to Draco Malfoy, but rather something more towards disinterest.

"Actually, Potter, that is what I came to discuss with you…You…I-You saved my life in the Room of Requirement. I don't know that I will ever associate myself with the likes of you, much less be your friend, and yet I am indebted to you. I come with an olive branch. My father had Snape private tutor me in Potions, and here is his Potion master project," Draco pulled out a small book and handed it to Harry. Its title read Most Potent Potions: A Modern Improvement by Severus Snape. "I'm aware that this is not worth my life, but it is a peace-offering. I'll ignore you, you'll ignore me. Can we have a deal?"

Draco put his hand forward to shake on it. Remembering the last time that Harry had chosen to dismiss a handshake of Draco, Harry could tell the new understanding the two would have would be lasting. Harry lifted his hand to Draco's and they shook on it.

"Thank you, Draco-", Harry began. "Cut it, Potter, save the inspirational speech. We're not friends". With that, Draco swept out of the room, still carrying himself with aristocratic grace even after all that he had been through.

Harry turned to Hermione, who seemed equally confused. The fact that Draco Malfoy had not insulted either one of them was a true miracle. That he had been somewhat polite, if not friendly, seemed impossible.

"Are we going to get into a year-long feud about this book too?" he teased. For that quip, he was hit on the arm-hard.

"No, because we're both going to use it this time. Snape was Dumbledore's man, after all. And it's about so much more than rules for us now, it's about perfecting magic. If this will make the potions better, why should we care who the author is?" Hermione stated, with a new resolve to dedicate herself to learning magic with whatever it took.

Neville then returned with their food, and the three devoured it, before trying their best to nap for the rest of the journey. Harry had finally been able to glide into slumber, before his nightmares took control of him once more. He was vaguely aware of the screaming in the back of his mind, before quickly realizing that it was coming from him. He snapped out of his nap, and looked in horror to find that the hallway around his compartment was filled with curious bystanders. Ginny soon made her way into the front, pushing and cursing in order to get through. She embraced him a tight hug, wrapping her arms around his skinny, but growing, figure.

"Oh Harry, it's going to be just fine… it's going to be okay, they don't matter now," she cooed at him while stroking his hair. When she finished with "they don't matter now", Harry felt the rage and bitterness that he had long held in reignite. What exactly did she think did not matter? Teddy not having a mother and father? Sirius, dead because of him? His parents' sacrifice? Hermione, suffering under Bellatrix Lestrange's Crucio? He fumed with that poor choice of words. However, rather than make a spectacle by yelling at her in front of the crowd of people, Harry instead shot up and mumbled something about seeing Professor McGonagall.

Harry walked along the corridor before spotting a door he had never seen before towards the front right. When he opened it, he was met with a fierce wind. Although it was a relatively cold night, he decided to brave the conditions and get some fresh air and a beautiful view of the French countryside. After some time, he noticed some movement in the corner of his peripheral vision. With the reflexes of a Seeker, he reached out to feel what it was. However, he soon realized it was nothing material, but rather an otter-shaped Patronus. When he stared at it, he heard the ethereal message in Hermione's voice.

"Harry, I know you wouldn't have the nightmares if they didn't matter. You love them, and that's precisely what makes it matter", the otter dissolved upon the completion of the message.

The understanding between him and Hermione had always been absolute; she knew exactly what to say, and when to say it. Smiling, Harry realized he was over his swelling anger now. He returned to the compartment, facing wayward looks from those that had heard his screams, and still more looks of absolute idolization. He knew that this this was his life now, and that he should expect it for some time to come. He sighed, before reopening the door to their shared compartment.

When he returned, he sat back down, and said "Hermione did it, and it worked like a charm, Neville". After a second of a furrowed brow, Neville looked up and beamed. "Brilliant!" he replied with a genuine grin. This was a good start to their new friendship with Neville; the success of the charm seemed to have proven to him that he could be as helpful with spells as he was with fighting. And just as immediately as Harry got comfortable, the Hogwarts Express creaked to a surprisingly quick stop. They were stopped inches away from the Beauxbatons' gardens. They were where home was going to be for the next year.

Author's Note: Thank you everyone for reading, and a special thanks to those of you who have reviewed. I appreciate the kind, supporting words. To address some of the concerns about canon-relationships, here are my thoughts on the subject:

Ron and Hermione- I think that two are the perfect match for Harry as his best friends. I don't know that this extends to romantic entanglement. For the most part, I believe that they are more compatible as friends. My story's goal is not to sweep the canon-relationship under the rug. I personally think that after the war, the trio would be more focused on getting a shred of normalcy before even considering their relationships. It would have been selfish of them to pursue what was mostly a crush during the summer right afterwards, especially if the premise of this story, with them living in Grimmauld Place, was true. I hope that this second chapter proves that it is not through hatred of Ron that I chose to not get the two involved immediately. Ron will still be a presence in the story, and this will not be a "Harry and Hermione realize that without Ron, they can be happy together" tale.

Harry and Ginny- This relationship in canon does bother me more than Ron and Hermione. Obviously there were off-page moments of growth for Ginny, and that she has evolved to a passionate woman. However, I do still feel that her love for Harry was as much hero-worship as it was love for the man himself. Harry's involvement with her makes even less to me. I get that she's a pretty girl, but the book never really made it clear what he saw in her other than soothing the monster in his chest. For this story at least, I just don't think Harry is interested in pursuing a relationship with her after all that he has been through. There'll be some heartbreak on both of their parts, but I just can't fathom them sticking together through the end of where I intend to bring this story.

I know that I had mentioned that this will eventually morph into a tale about Harry and Hermione. While I don't see them immediately engaging in a torrid affair, I think that the two bring out the best in one another, whether as friends or as something more. In this, they're not going to get drunk off of nice French wine and realize that they've been interested in each other the whole time. You'll see in upcoming writing how I envision their relationship blossoming. It will be slow going, just as a warning.

While I think that a Harry Potter story should be told from his perspective, as it is in the books, I hope that I can improve on the characterization of Hermione. In the books, she displays moments of normal teenage angst, but for the most part is relegated to the role of enforcer and that the story often has moments of "Hermione ex machina", where she solves their problems at the perfect moment. I just hope to further fill out the character, and that she becomes the strong woman I see her as.

Finally, my characterization of Neville. He has been the hardest character for me to write about. I'm struggling with not falling into the trope of "Ron is an idiot, so the two replace him in the Trio with Neville". I don't particularly plan on him becoming an inseparable best friend for Harry and Hermione. I do think that he will be loyal to them until the very end, and that he can be an invaluable asset in the upcoming battles.

Please leave a review, I thrive off of the thoughtfulness. Thank you again for taking the time to read.