The battle was over and good had won. It had just been a little over two years since Voldemort was defeated. Hogwarts once stood in ruins was now rebuilt and ready to host its next classes of witches and wizards. With the passing of Dumbledore and Professor Snape, Minerva McGonagall was named the new headmistress of Hogwarts.
One weeks time had passed since Hermione received a letter from McGonagall. When she began to open the letter, it finished unwrapping itself and began to speak:
Miss Granger,
I am proud to announce that Hogwarts will be starting its next year in nine days. You have always been one of our top students and a wonderful example of the staple qualities a Gryffindor should possess.
It is because of your dedication to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that I extend to you the title of Head Girl of the Gryffindor house. Your presence will be expected in eight days to get familiar with the new castle and prepare for this years new term, new prefects and new students.
Again, I want to congratulate you and thank you for all you have done for Hogwarts.
When the message ended, the letter dissipated into vapors leaving behind just a ticket for the Hogwarts Express.
Standing outside Hogwarts with the other boys and girls who were selected as heads of their houses, Hermione was happy. She was happy to return to normal. She was always happy at school and was elated when McGonagall originally said the school would be rebuilt.
"Oy, Hermione, can you believe it? Me and you. Heads of the Gryffindors?" Neville came up to stand next to Hermione.
"After your daring display at the final battle, I honestly expected nothing less for you Neville. Those first years will be happy to have you to guide them." Hermione said as they wheeled their trunks through the front gates.
"Honestly, I thought it would be Harry until I heard he was taking another half year off. Can't say I blame him. Must be hard coming back after that." Neville said. "Have you heard from the Weasleys?"
"Actually, no. I haven't. I'm confident that there is no way Mr. and Mrs. Weasley won't have Ron and Ginny finishing their last year here." Hermione responded.
"Yeah. I agree. Hey. You never know. Maybe one of them with make our prefects." Neville replied.
As the heads of the houses were being escorted into the great hall, Hermione though of Ginny. It would be the first time seeing and speaking to her since the wedding.
Hermione had no regrets about telling Ginny how she felt. To be honest, she was quite nervous. Hermione came to terms with her sexuality around the time of the Yule Ball during fourth year. This however was her first time pursuing anyone and she was nervous.
Hermione was completely out of her comfortable area of expertise but she was determined to make year seven the year she had her first love. Mostly, Hermione was nerves that Ginny wouldn't reciprocate her feelings.
"Well we will cross that bridge when we come to it." Hermione thought.
The rest of the day flew by. The head boys and girls were given a tour of the rebuilt school, given all their duties, had dinner with the headmistress and all the new professors, then were free to go set up their rooms and get ready for tomorrow's new arrivals.
Hermione was putting away her clothes when she hears Neville shout "Merlin's beard! Can you believe how if these rooms are?"
The head boy and girl rooms were private connected by curtain to the private smaller room of the prefect.
"Indeed..." was Hermione's only response as she allowed herself to get lost in thought about a certain red head.
The next morning...
The Weasley family was spotted pushing their carts through King's Cross Station in their usual rushed manor.
"Come along. Train leaves in ten." Mrs. Weasley said. She stopped right in front of 9 3/4. "I can't believe it's both of my babies' last trips through this wall." She continued as she squeeze both Ron and Ginny's cheeks.
"Bloody hell mom. There's a load of people watching." Ron said as he brushed his mom's hand away and ran his cart through the wall in front of him.
"What's his problem?" Ginny asked as she and her mom went through the wall together.
"Oh he just had his knickers in a twist because Hermione hasn't owled him in two years. I told him everyone needed their own time to come to terms with the battle. I think he's just feeling a little out of sorts."
"Hmm strange indeed..." Ginny responded. She was well aware of her brother's feelings towards Hermione. He was even joyous about how he had kissed her after they defeated the Horcrux in the Chamber of Secrets which admittedly confused Ginny at first. When she noticed the lack of owls being returned to Ron, Ginny understood that Hermione was dealing with everything on her own.
Ginny knew Hermione didn't share Ron's feelings. Truth being a few days ago, Hermione sent Ginny a letter telling her of how she made head girl. Ginny was happy for her but didn't send a response. Ginny was excited to see Hermione but was worried about her brother's fragile ego. Ginny had always favored women and had been a bit of a tom boy all her life. She never acted on her attractions before.
She was floored by Hermione's oddly placed end of the world romantic declaration. Ginny would be lying if she said she never picture Hermione as more than a friend. Ginny felt shy and inexperienced around Hermione.
"Come now, off my little prefects go." Mrs. Weasley said as she ushered her children on board the train.
"Prefects. Unbelievable. I wonder who our heads are going to be. Crazy they never owled us." Ron said as they found an empty cubby to sit in. "You'd think that would be something they would want to let you know. I mean they wouldn't want to put you with a git you can't get along with..." Ron continued his rant as the train started moving.
Ginny already knew who was to share in her adjoined room and she was excited and terrified at the same time.
Looking out the window, while watching the mountain pass by Ginny spoke, "this is going to be one interesting year."
"Yeah, whatever," Ron grumbled in reply. They rode the rest of the way to Hogwarts in comfortable silence.