Authors note: This chapter is a little bit risque. I am writing this chapter at a time so uploading is going to be at really weird times. Also I don't own harry potter, just putting a spin on it.
"Hermione, I have done awful things in the past. I know that you can never forgive me or my family name for what grief and anguish I have caused you. But I would like you to know that from the depths of my heart I am truly sorry."
Hermione stood still as Draco turned and left. She had seen the pain in his eyes, "He really did mean it." She exhaled. "Malfoy, you really have changed."
The ceremony have been branded into Hermione's mind for more than a month. Her peculiar encounter with Malfoy. It was all she could think about, other than the letter that had arrived. She had sat at her desk, pining over the ending of a book, when a misty white owl had flown in and perched on her window cill. Its beady eyes stared Hermione down until she had retrieved the letter from its talon beak. Turning it, Hermione saw the seal of the school she had attended for the previous six years. She gasped and ripped it open. The letter inside was rather thick parchment, the ink inscribing it was a watery turquoise.
Dear Miss Hermione Granger,
As a student of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry I am pleased to inform you that you have been excepted into our honorary 8th year program. We realise that many of our students may have been denied an education, vital during the year of their scheduled OWLS. Those who do not wish to complete the year will be mandated to spend the first week at school for us to process the test results and for them to receive their Graduation Certificate. We believe that to have this document in their possession is adamant for a career in the Wizarding world.
Term begins on the 1st September. Enclosed are the advanced books and equipment required for the classes available for the year 8 students.
As clarification, the year 8 students will be attending classes with the 7th years as both will be taking their OWLS. Only specific classes can be attended separate from the rest of the year. The 8th years, as a small year group, will have a single common room/dorms shared amongst all of the participants' houses. We believe this will be a profitable experience that will be a sufficient bonding method. We expect your full cooperation.
Minerva Mcgonagall
Head Mistress of Hogwarts school
Hermione knew that today would be the perfect day to get all of the supplies she needed at Diagon Alley. She apperated to the Burrow after stuffing her supplies list into her beaded bag than hung from her wrist. Hermione had apperated into the kitchen where Mrs Weasley had been cooking.
"Hermione, dear! You gave me a right old fright, apperating like that." Molly raised her hand to her chest, her expression still a bit surprised. Hermione wheezed an apology while catching her breath. Apperating still shocked Hermione a bit, even after doing it so frequently.
"Molly, are Ron and Harry upstairs?" Hermione gulped even though she was already heading towards the staircase.
"Actually, dear, they left with their brooms a good hour ago. Off to play quidditch, no doubt!" Molly chortled. "Oh, dear. Did you make plans?" She patted Hermione sympathetically.
"Oh, no. I was just hoping that we could get our stuff for school."
"That can't be right! Ron told me he wouldn't be needing his school supplies as he wasn't going to be returning for his 8th year." Molly added.
"What!" Hermione snapped. She cringed, her face flushed crimson.
Molly gasped, "That little git. Not even telling his own girlfriend! The cheek."
She jolted, sounding a gasp. "I know! Why don't you go in with Ginny. She doesn't have all of her things yet and I'm sure she'd love the company. In fact, she's upstairs right now! You two go have fun while I plot for the return of our cheeky devil."
Hermione and Ginny strolled down the cobble stone pathway. Wizards, Warlocks and plenty of mischievous children pushed and shoved their way down the high street. Ginny was sucking on her popsicle from the Weasley emporium. The popsicle's side effects included slowly extending the length of her vibrantly red hair. The'd all ready visited every where they needed to visit. Except for Flourish and Blott's.
"My arms hurt Mione. Do we really have to go into the bookstore?" Ginny grovelled.
"You know very well that nearly half of your equipment list is made up of books! And besides, it's my favourite shop." Hermione retorted.
The bookstore itself was almost empty. The store's interior was very strangely shaped. The walls bent at odd angles and the corners didn't seem to be at the same angle either. The book cases were scattered all over the floor plan with no room in-between. But the books were neatly stacked and shelved, the smell remained as comforting as ever. Fresh parchment and newly printed ink. Hermione breathed in deeply as she crossed over the threshold, Ginny close at her heels. Bookstores always felt so personal, Hermione never really felt comfortable reading if someone watched her. She was relieved to find that only one other person appeared to be browsing for books. She and Ginny rounded up their books and ticked off the last items on their shopping lists. Hermione wandered to the back of the store while Ginny stood by the till, counting out her sickles. A book with gold binding stood out on its shelf. Hermione picked it up and surveyed it carefully.
"Hermione!" Ginny's voice rung out. "I'm ready to leave when you are. So, you know, by all means take your time!" She added sarcastically. Hermione smiled at her hyperactive friend. She suddenly felt the hairs on her neck stand up. Like someone was watching her. Hermione spun quickly around to make eye contact with Draco. "He had been the other figure browsing books!" She snapped.
Hermione held his gaze for a single second longer before storming out of there, Ginny being pulled by the wrists. For some reason seeing Draco there made her angry.
"Ouch! Hermione, not so tight." Ginny whined as she messaged her wrists. She suddenly giggled. "I know how you can make up for it! There's a place I really want to go to. Please, please!"
"Fine. Where do you desperately have to go?"
"The lingerie store…" Ginny gushed.
Ginny had found out that just outside the entrance to Diagon Alley, through the leaky cauldron, was a muggle lingerie store. Apparently, all of Ginny's friends had been dropping in. But it seemed like Hermione was the only one who wasn't interested in the slightest. She certainly did not want to be standing inside the satin pink coated lingerie store with erotic music seeping out the doorway. Ginny was prancing around with a hand full of lace bra's.
"Answer me this, Miss Weasely. Why do you want lace bra's and knickers?" Hermione drawled.
"Well, they make me feel sexy when I wear them." Ginny looked at Hermione accusingly. "What? You can't tell me that once in a while you like to get dressed up."
"Yeah, but I get dressed up in nice clothes for other people to see." Hermione deflected. In all honesty, even though she didn't want to admit it, she was itching to buy something. Not specifically for anyone, she had been adament with Ron that she wanted to take it slow, but she'd never really had girly stuff like this. Also, the store was teaming with incredibly attractive women. Ginny had really grown into her skin, Hermione on the other hand felt more like a boy when it came to her body. Hermione had always been strong but had never really grown out of her self consciousness.
"How do you know that someone isn't seeing them. Harry thinks lingerie is sexy too."
"Eew!" Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Like a brother, Ginny. He's like a brother."
Ginny shrugged it off and was soon distracted by the satin maroon section. She held them up for Hermione's inspection. "They're perfect! Gryffindor colours for-" Ginny stopped herself when she caught a glimpse of the face that Hermione had made. "Sorry, I forgot." Ginny then not so discreetly put them in her basket.
"Hermione, you should get some. I promise that I won't judge if that's why your holding back." Hermione didn't even try to deny it and instead went immediately over to a stall. She gasped when she spotted a beautiful silk set. The bra was a hunter green silk that had white late bordering the cups. The underwear was made of a thin sliver of material with delicately soft lace on either side. Hermione finally coaxed Ginny out and they exited the store, Ginny carrying a bag sizeably larger.
The weeks passed and she spent family dinners at the Weasely's after they moved back into the burrow perminately, explored London with Harry, went on another shopping trip with Ginny. Summer passed quickly, and Hermione was glad of it. It was the last night of August and after packing away all her things, Hermione sat down for a moment to admire her handy work. Her suitcase was ready and she'd even managed to squeeze her extra books in without another case. It was impressive considering what extreme measures she made in previous years to accommodate her mobile library. Hermione yawned and stretched out her arms. She had intended to get a good night's sleep but looked at her watch and cursed. It was midnight all ready. Hermione flung herself onto her bed and shut her eyes tightly.
The morning was groggy, although Harry had made her a strong dose of caffeine to help her get through it. The coffee was foreign on her tongue like it reigned from another world, tasting of spices and earthiness. They apperated to the station with their luggage in tow. Harry had far less than she did. Unlike with Ron, Hermione and Harry had talked about his future. Harry was going to be an Auror and was just getting his certificate. Both he and Ron would be gone after Christmas.
They walked side by side into the station. Marched for the last time through the 9th platform's wall. Harry blushed as he was bombarded with recognition amongst the crowds, even more now with his Order of Merlin. After fighting their way through the hordes of people, Hermione had managed to secure a free cabin. They hadn't run into Ron yet but they had spoken with Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan who were Hufflepuff's only returning students. Hermione's stomach twisted when she realised that she might be the only Gryffindor to come back for their 8th year. However, she was put at ease when Dean Thomas came to join them in their compartment. He was followed by Natalie Fairbourne who was a Gryffindor that Hermione didn't seem to remember meeting. While Natalie asked Harry about his prospecting career at the Ministry, Hermione interrogated Dean.
"Dean, you don't happen to know who is going to be in the 8th year?"
"Sorry, Hermione. I know that Seamus isn't and that no one from Gryffindor besides me and Nat are coming back. At least not for the whole year." Dean sighed. "I guess we'll all have to make new friends. Even with the Slytherins."
Hermione sighed, realising that they would be again paired with the Slytherin house. "Who do you think it will be?"
"My money definitely isn't on Crabbe." Dean joked. "Maybe Theodore Nott. He was always more serious about school than the others. He seemed alright, even if he was a bit of a loner." Hermione couldn't help worrying who she would have to face at school. With Harry scheduled to leave so soon after the start of term, who would stick up for Hermione? Who could she trust? Perhaps she would have to go with her heart. Trust her gut to tell her who would be a friend and who would be a foe.
Dean spoke out after everyone had been silenced by time. "Harry, how did you know what you wanted to do?" Dean knotted his furrowed brow, "I still don't know what I want to be. Too much happened and know we're supposed to carry on like nothing changed? Get jobs, start families. Doesn't it all seem too normal?" Hermione felt like it was more of a rhetorical question. That, she'd realised, was what they all had in common. An understanding between house, race, blood heritage. That nothing would be normal every again.
But it was Harry who found the answer. "I thought I knew why I wanted to be an Auror in our fifth year. When Sirius was alive. I thought it was because I could fight the darkness in other people and in myself. That being something good would make me good. But that's not what it was. When I was fighting-" Harry provoked no gasps or even the faintest noise when he spoke the word, "-Voldemort. I thought I could do it alone but so many people died. It was stupid to think I could. I realised for the first time that being an Auror for meant protecting people and working to achieve something else. Peace, safety, whatever it was. Sirius would have wanted it." Harry finished with a determined look in his eyes. Hermione nodded reassuringly at Harry.
Natalie spoke up. "What about you, Hermione?" Hermione had thought a lot about it and she was left blank every time.
She grimaced, "I don't really know what I want to Pursue."
"Well, don't be scared about it. With a brain like yours and a order of Merlin distinction, plenty of people with be begging you to work for them." Natalie grinned.
Dean nearly fell of his seat. "Blimey! I completely forget to congratulate you guys." In his embarrassment, Dean's face melted into a rosy chocolate colour.
"God, you look like a plum!" Harry snorted. "Don't worry mate, there's no need to congratulate anyone." Harry and Dean joked for the rest of the train ride.
Hermione gazed out the window in a trance. Outside, the night plummeted from a fruit basket canvas to a dark moth bitten cloth draped over the sky. Pinpricks of starlight glistened through the waves of the night. Hermione felt peaceful, only remembering certain things before drifting to sleep. Cold glass pressing firmly against her cheek. A blur of voices. The scratch on the lacquer windowsill. Smells like Natalie's rose oil, Harry's shampoo. Hermione's head throbbed with a dull dizzy pain. Eyelids dropping with the heaviness of sleep. Black spots clouding her eyesight, head swimming, useless limbs. Then darkness...