Departing the train, Ginny, Luna and Hermoine heard the familiar call of Hagrid saying, "Firs' years over 'ere!" Luna looked over at Ginny who smiled back at her remembering the first time they ever heard that call. They had been in the same boat on the way to the castle that first year together. It seemed strange that they would be in separate years starting this term.

They approached the carriages and for the first time ever, Hermoine and Ginny saw the thestrals. "Oh," Hermoine was nearly speechless as she eyed the skeletal horse like creatures. Luna, already used to their somewhat odd appearance approached the lead thestral, reached her hand out and patted it on the nose. "It's alright. Remember they're quite gentle." Her voice was soft and the thestral's ears pricked at the familiar tone. Hermoine and Ginny both reached out to touch the creature they had once ridden unseen through the night sky. "Amazing," Hermoine almost couldn't take her eyes off of them.

"Hey guys!" A familiar voice from behind distracted the three girls from the thestrals.

"Neville!" Hermoine turned around a big smile gracing her face. Ginny grinned and went over !to hug him. "You're a surprise! What are you doing here" the redhead asked, "I thought you graduated this summer."

"I did." Neville beamed and then said, "Professor Sprout offered me an internship to start learning how to teach Herbology." He hugged Ginny back and then hugged Hermoine and Luna in succession.

"Congratulations," Luna beamed up at him. Neville let out a nervous laugh and reached up to run his hand through his short hair. "You're going to do really well teaching." The positivity in her voice was absolute.

"Heh," Neville slightly laughed again and then said, "Thanks."

Luna stepped back as Hermoine and Ginny also congratulated Neville. He looked at Hermoine and said, "Surprised to see you back Hermoine but glad of it. It'll be nice to see familiar faces here." His sentiment echoed Luna's thoughts exactly. Neville started to assist the girls into the carriages and followed with another question, "Where are Ron and Harry then?" That question earned him scowls from the red head and brunette.

"I think they had to find another carriage," Luna looked ahead where the carriages were already starting to depart. "This one was rather crowded as it is." Neville sat down and gave her a perplexed look. It was just the four of them in the carriage and there were a few empty seats left.

On the way to the castle they shared information with each other about their respective summers. Ginny had been at Hogwarts finishing her 6th year teachings. Hermoine had gone to Australia to hunt down her parents and retrieve them and their memories, succesfully without any confusion or confundment from her Obliviate spell. Neville had finished his 7th year and to his delight, aced Herbology and Defense Against The Dark Arts in his final NEWT levels. Luna spoke of her summer spent with her father. For once their vacation had been mild beach trip, instead of trekking in the wilderness to find fantastic beasts.

Reaching the castle, the quatro stepped out of the carriage and looked up at their school. The war ridden remains of stones and pillars blasted apart, had been put back together using extensive repair magic. The suits of armor, the statues, the gargoyles that had done their duty to Hogwarts in the battle, had also been treated. Any and all objects that could be saved or repaired had been done so. If only it had been so easy with the lives that had been lost.

Solemn faces looked at the castle entrance and it was Hermione who said, "It seems like nothing happened here even though it was barely four months ago." Her voice was grim with the reminder of everything. Ginny's face tightened further and she said, "Fred would hate me if I cried right now."

Luna supposed that was true. She had heard he was laughing when the curse hit him and killed him. Walking towards a pillar she laid her hand on it. Her voice was quiet as she said, "Years will pass but the memory of what happened will never fade away as long as these walls stand firm and strong." It was one of those lucid moments where her ability to comfort others drew forth. "Rest happily and laugh always Fred."

Neville put his hand on Ginny's shoulder giving it a squeeze. "We ought to go inside. I'm betting Ron will need you guys to face this too."

Ginny nodded and reached up to wipe away tears that were threatening to spill out of her eyes. She pushed her red hair behind her ears and said, "Alright let's go inside."

They split once inside the Great Hall. Hermoine and Ginny went to the Gryffindor table. Luna sought out her housemates at Ravenclaw. The oddest sight was watching Neville make his way up to the professor's table at the head of the hall. He was welcomed there and sat next to Professor Sprout.

The hall was buzzing as students gossiped, discussing everything from the rebuild of the hall, to the fact that the trio Harry, Ron and Hermoine were back, along with what they could expect from the new term.

It was not long until Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stood from her place at the table and called for attention. "Your attention please!" Her voice ran out clear through the Great Hall. It took a moment but eventually the hush died down. "Please join me in welcoming the new first year students who will be presented for Sorting this year."

A smattering of applause greeted the announcement. The large doors of the Great Hall parted open and twenty first years marched in. Luna noted they all looked really nervous yet excited, a feeling that wasn't all unfamiliar to her. She clapped with her housemates.

It was unusual that so few first years were attending, but since the battle had taken place, Luna could only surmise that fear of You Know Who's servants, the Death Eaters still unaccounte for and on the run, had many home schooling their children.

The sorting hat was brought out and as tradition demanded, it sang the house songs and then each new first year found their new house. Of the twenty students, Ravenclaw gained 5, Gryffindor gained 6, Hufflepuff gained 6 and Slytherin gained 3. Each student got a cheer from their house table when they were announced.

"Now if I may," The headmistress adjusted her spectacles on her nose as she said, "This year we have one more sorting to do.." her voice grew soft but those closest to her podium heard her comment, "highly unusual." Her volume lifted but her tone was solemn as she shared, "The Great War has not only affected those of us at Hogwarts who have fought or lost loved ones," her eyes skimmed to Dennis Creevy, Ron and Ginny, and others who lost their family members, "But also wizards and witches who, for reasons of their own, had homeschooled when others did not." She looked over at the entrance and in a solemn manner said, "Please welcome Trevor Dormoll who lost his home and parents in the war. Trevor wishes to finish his NEWT levels here at Hogwarts since his home, also his school, was destroyed."

Almost immediately heads were swiveling in curiosity. At the entrance to the great hall, a young man of about 17 stood there. His skin was light and blemish free. His face was uniquely handsome with a strong jaw, a chin dimple and chiseled features. His eyes were a piercing blue color and his hair was raven black. Almost immediately the hall interrupted in a buzz of questions. Who was this boy?

"Please step forward Trevor." Professor McGonagall waved her age spotted hand, urging the boy to come to the front. After a slight pause and a glance around, he proceeded towards the small stool and sat down upon it.

A few titters broke out, mostly from the boys at the tables. The stool, designed to fit first years, looked ready to topple the near full grown seventh year boy. As Trevor sat up there, he stared out at each of the tables.

Luna looked at him, her curiosity as always, insatiable. No doubt the entire hall was staring at Trevor, but somehow when he looked at the Ravenclaw table, she would swear his blue eyes were centered directly on her. Generally when people were met with her stare, they fidgeted uncomfortably. And yet when his piercing blue eyes met her lustry silver ones, his lips quirked up and he smiled almost knowingly.

There was an odd sensation tugging at her somewhere in her chest, like Luna's heart was attached to a string and someone had just yanked on it slightly. Usually she caused others to look away but after a minute of the staring contest, he was still looking at her. It was only when Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head, did his eyes get shadowed and dissapear under the brim.

Not less than ten seconds after the hat was placed on his head, the Sorting Hat shouted, "Slytherin!" Cheers erupted from the Slytherins although some look mystified by this new addition in the seventh years as they clapped for Trevor.

As the hat came off of Trevor's head, his gaze was no longer on Luna, so she breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, he was staring at the Gryffindor table a moment longer than necessary before walking towards the Slytherin house table.

Professor McGonagall went over the rules that were standard every year. The Forbidden Forests were always proclaimed as off limits but Luna marveled to herself that somehow it seemed every year someone went in there and got lost or found. A new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was introduced. Professor Nicholas Bockree had attended Hogwarts in the late sixties and Luna thought he looked a rather mellow sort. His hair was slightly shaggy and he he lifted his fingers in a V sign when introduced.

"And last but not least we have a recently graduated student Neville Longbottom who has returned to us," McGongall was almost beaming at her former student, "To start an internship and will be assisting Professor Spout in Herbology." There was a round of applause and stomping over at the Gryffindor table at that announcement. Neville, to his credit, just flushed a dull red and ducked his head.

Once the traditional announcements were over, with a reminder that they would get their timetables on the morrow, Professor McGonagall said, "And now.. let us have a moment of silence in rememberance of last year's losses."

The entire hall went silent. Luna lowered her head as did her housemates for this moment. Nobody spoke. The moment seemed to last and Luna lifted her head with the intent to sneak a glance at the Headmistress to gauge when the moment would be up.

She was shocked a bit to find that someone else had lifted their head. It was that new seventh year Slytherin. He had his hand propped under his chin, staring at her like she was some fascinating new object on display. Luna's eyes widened giving her an even more surprised look and then because she could only assume he was lonely and needed friends, she attempted to smile at him.

He smiled back at her, and once again she felt that fluttery feeling as if someone had tugged on her chest. As Professor McGonagall ended the silent moment with a prim, "Thank you everyone. Now please enjoy the feast," Trevor had turned his head to his fellow Slytherins appearing to get to know everyone there.

Food appeared in front of all the students and with a great appetite they all began to feast.