The typical summer conversation began around me talking about how the Weasleys finally took a vacation, and went to go see Charlie. I think it's best that they took the vacation, time to heal away from where Fred always was. Harry was listening intently and had his arm around Ginny, and on occasion he would look down sweetly at her. They are so in love, and it's so adorable. Oh Merlin, am I the fifth wheel now? Lavender and Ron, and Ginny and Harry…but my thoughts were cut short as I was asked questions by Ron.
"How was it?" he asked, looking at me intently.
"How was…what? Sorry, I wasn't listening," I said blushing at the fact that for once I really hadn't been paying attention.
"Australia," he said in a no-duh tone.
"Oh yes, it was beautiful. After I got my parents memory back well we decided to stay for awhile and enjoy the sunny beaches, and I of course went through a variety of books. I got some quality time with the family, and after…everything it was needed." Everyone nodded in agreement, and the conversation slowed as everyone remembered, but just for a second because the sadness wasn't going to take over now. I laid my head on Ron's shoulder in the silence, and closed my eyes drifting off to sleep. Next thing I remember I am being shaken.
"Mione, wake up. Wake up. Bugger, who knew she was so hard to wake up?" said Ron.
"I'm awake. Merlin, I'm not that hard to wake up," I replied rubbing my shoulder.
"We're here. You need to change into your robes, and we'll meet you at the carriage," he said. I took my robes out of my bag, and hurried towards the loo and changed. As I stepped off the train again, I saw the amount of students hadn't decreased by much. The chatter was as loud as it had been in previous years, and things appeared…normal. I saw Ron waving his hand in a carriage not too far away and sprinted off to it, only to see that Neville had also joined us. I'm no longer the fifth wheel, thank Merlin.
"Hello, Hermione," Neville greeted in a friendly manner. He was larger now, no longer the tubby boy he once was. He was actually quite handsome, though still fairly clumsy the war changed him into a fine young man and the words tall, dark, and handsome fit him quite well.
"Hi Neville," I replied giving him a hug. There was light conversation on the way to the school, which as we looked out the window didn't appear to have any damage done to it at all. It looks exactly the same, things seem exactly the same…if only it was known that things will never be the same. We finally arrived, and stepped out the carriage taking in the vision of the huge castle for one last, final time. Harry grabbed my hand and squeezed it as we shared a look. This is it. We can do it, but only together. I gave him a weak smile, happy that we were all here together and though we had lost, we could persevere. We stepped in the school together, and were immediately ushered into the Great Hall by the teachers. I really want to look around, I wonder why they are being so pushy when it comes to getting to the Great Hall. As we stepped into the Great Hall, what surprised me most is there were no long tables. There were round tables that fit about 10 scattered all around the Great Hall.
"What's going on?" asked Ron.
"I am not too sure myself, but I suggest we take a seat and the headmistress will explain," I said and guided the group to the table nearest to us. There were multiple students who began to follow our lead and sit down. The first years had yet to arrive, which was odd but Professor McGonagall had already stood attempting to quiet us all.
"Hello, returning students. I know usually the speech is done after the feast and the sorting but I felt you all should be informed of the changes, and that the first years should never know that Hogwarts wasn't as it is now. This past year was…," she paused for a second, taking a deep breathe in, "This past year was challenging, and many families were torn apart due to the recent happenings, but it has also brought about the new. This past year made the teachers at Hogwarts realize, that it was time for a change. That the war was the turning point for us all, and hopefully everything we experienced wouldn't have to be experienced again. As you have noticed we no longer have tables for the houses, but smaller tables. I understand now that you will choose to sit with your friends which are most likely in your house, but I hope that as the year goes on you choose to sit with people you may not know as well, or don't know at all. And that you choose to learn to get to know other people, and enjoy their company because friends and family are irreplaceable. There are still houses, and you will be roomed with the people you were previously roomed with, except for the fact that now all the common rooms have been joined into one common room. There is now one formal common area for all four houses in the same location, and from there are individual paths to the bedchambers and bathrooms. Our hope as the staff is that grudges which were once held, disappear and that you all realize that you can all be friends. Our goal is inter house unity, but also to create ever lasting friendships behind that. Things are going to change," and with that she sat down. The chatter broke out immediately between the students including my table.
"One GIANT common room? Are they mad?" were the first things to come out of Ron's mouth.
"I think it's an interesting idea," said Ginny looking up towards the charmed sky in thought.
"Agreed," said Luna who had joined our table.
"I don't know if it's the best idea," contributed Harry.
"I think…it will help," I said unsure of my answer, but now I was unsure of the whole entire year. What's going to come out of this? What will change? Now what does the year hold ahead of me? It's strangely…exciting.
The first years were brought in shortly after, and the conversation stopped to see who was sorted into which house. The first years were invited by students of different houses to sit with them, mainly by the younger students because they had more in common, but nonetheless some older students had the first years sit with them. The feast came in front of us, and as per usual everyone stuffed their faces. Everything's normal. Everything seems so normal. I smiled as I looked around and everyone was enjoying their dessert. Oh, what a year this is going to be. As the tables cleared, everyone settled down again waiting for McGonagall to speak and make the closing speech.
"Welcome everyone. As a new year begins, we have new rules and expectations from you. The Forbidden Forest is in fact forbidden, to all students. We expect the older students to be as helpful as possible to the younger students in starting off the new year. The heads, which have not been announced yet are in fact, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy." There was abrupt clapping, yet at the same time a strange silence. Draco Malfoy? Why? I am for once totally confused. What's McGonagall thinking about putting him as head boy? The boys each gave me a hug though it was clear they were perplexed by the recent announcement too. "They will be available to help you in anyway possible, and now the teachers will guide you all to your new common room," she said finishing with a smile. Apparently oblivious to the confusion which had spread across the room, as all the students stood to follow the teachers to our new and improved common room.
I know it's been forever, school took me by storm.
I hope you enjoy this update, I think the school year just got interesting. =)
Please review,
Love you all!
Dracoshott28