Chapter Two

A Visit To The Tomb &

The Decision Made

She went to the place where Dumbledore was layed, as she looked down on the tomb a tear rolled down her cheek. If only he hadn't placed that cursed ring on his finger he might still be here, taking his place at the head of the staff table and announcing about the school to the first years, and just looking over at them with admiration through his half moon spectacles. It wasn't them that should be admired, he was the one that had told them how to do all that they did, he who had a special bond with Harry Potter that made him trust us completely. If he had been there, maybe Fred might still be here, reattending school. Or Lupin, or Tonks, or... she held back tears as she thought of it, Dobby, who had helped them so much. Or maybe even Snape, who had turned out to be... well, good after all. She looked at the name engraved in the white marble tomb.

Here Lies Albus Percival Wilfred Brown Dumbledore May He Be Remembered In Our Hearts And Minds

She thought about all the good he had done for the world, how much advice he had given them, how much he cared for the school and it's students, and how much he had to do with the destruction of Voldemort. How caring and smart and funny he had been, she had admired him so much, it was still hard to say goodbye. Even though he had the special bond with Harry, Hermione still felt a sort of sadness that he was gone. What was said on this stone was so little to express a man that was larger than life itself. She looked over towards the greenhouses, she walked over and picked some lillies to place on his tomb and thought to herself that Proffesor Sprout most definetly wouldn't mind, for this little act of love towards the past headmaster was enough to make even Draco Malfoy tear up and that was a lot to say since Malfoy was probably the most unemotional man ever. She even smiled to herself because the flowers were lillies, sometimes her coincidences were touching.

Hermione remembered all the times he had given her advice, and as she stood up and walked away she vowed to herself that every two days she, Harry, and Ron would visit the late headmaster and give him fresh lillies. Whether they had to steal them from Professor Sprout or conjure them herself.

As she looked up into the sky she could still see the shade of blue that resembled Dumbledore's eyes through the sunset that streaked the sky, the sorting hat should just be starting his song,she thought to herself. She climbed up the last of the steps and walked through the doors. Everything was repaired from the fight just before that summer. In some ways the place looked even grander than before, was it the new marble in the staircases? The newly restored paintings? The new house banners? The polished stones? Or was it the fact that for now the evil was gone from the wizarding world? Hermione didn't know, she just knew that it was good to be back at her favorite place once more.

When she went into the Great Hall she heard clapping from all around. Why are they clapping?, she thought to herself. She walked over to the Gryffindor table and seated herself inbetween Ron and Harry. "Why did they clap when I entered?" she asked sincerely curious.

Ron answered first, "Duh! The battle last year? They clapped when me and Harry came in too, I suppose that it's because we helped destroy the horcruxes isn't it? They applauded Neville, Ginny, and Luna as well as all the students 4th year and up."

Harry smiled, "The thing that made me laugh is that the muggle born first years were all puzzled. And it made me think about the fact that my reaction would have been the same most likely if I were their age, of course I was a wizard but then again I never knew that..." and he trailed off as he saw the new Transfiguration teacher and the Defense teacher walk into the hall hand in hand smiling.

"Why, are the Malfoys sitting at the staff table?" Ron questioned angrily.

"Well, I suppose that they desperately need jobs since no where else would hire past Death Eaters." Hermione said, "and, I'm just guessing at this, but, Malfoy's father definitly could tell us just how dark lords think seeing as to though he had one living in his house with him." she finished matter-of-factly.

Harry was next to say his share, "And also Mrs. Malfoy did save my life last year in the Forest."

Ron looked as though he would murder Harry, but Hermione stepped in, "Harry, you never told us that!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, I think you owe us the story! Seeing as to though the most evil little prat's mom is probably just as bad! Or that's what I thought before you enlightened us!" Ron said sardonically.

"Look I know that it did save my life, but she said that I was dead when sent to investigate my body. I know that she did it because she could only go into Hogwarts as apart of the posse of defeaters to get Draco. I know what your going to say, and don't she was just being a good mother." Harry replied calmly, "I have no grudges against Narcissa Malfoy so, don't be mad that she's here, just embrace it."

Hermione had tears in her eyes, "Harry, that is so touching. I know that your mom would be proud of you, your dad and Sirius as well." she added quickly.

"Yea, yea. Whatever... girls are way too emotional... " Ron trailed off as the headmistress began to speak.

"It is time to announce our new Head Boy and Head Girl! I hope that you all prepared speeches, you all have a fair chance at this!" she picked up the Sorting Hat again, "I do not know all of you well enough to do this on my own and I am not a good legilimens so, we are leaving it up to our faithful friend! He will read all the seventh year Prefects' minds and decide!" she beamed as she looked around the hall, "Well then let's get started."

"It's not really fair is it?" Ron said.

"What isn't Ron?" Hermione inquired.

"It's just that none of the girls really have a decent chance at this, we all know that you will be the 'Head Girl' Hermione. I just hope that Malfoy doesn't get head boyship, the very thought of you two sharing a common room..." he shuddered, "Just promise me that you won't leave me for him, that would be very, very embarassing." Ron said.

"Um, I half want to say thanks for that and I also feel like scolding you as well. You know that I would never cheat on you Ronald." Hermione whispered, "Anyways..."

"Granger, Hermione!" McGonnagoll said aloud.

Hermione looked at Ron one last time and then walked over to the stool on which the Sorting Hat sat. She looked up at the headmistress before she sat down again. It had been a long time since she had sat on this stool in her first year. For one thing, the hat did not cover her eyes as it had when she was eleven and a half. Second, she knew that she was not being sorted into a house, just into a chance at Head Girlship. And third, the first years looked relieved that they were not the only ones to be humiliated in front of the whole school. She just wondered what the Sorting Hat would see inside her mind...

"Not much has changed I see," he began, "you are still very intellectual for your age, bravery is more relevant no doubt about that, you are cunning as you have always been. You would make a fine Head Girl, leadership skills, you like to play by reasonable rules, I believe my decision for head girl is made headmistress!" He said to McGonnagoll, only loud enough for her to hear, besides Hermione, who was absolutely thrilled.

"Very well, sift through the rest now and we will announce them together." she stated calmly, as though she had done this millions of times. She didn't look surprised by his statement at all.

Hermione was nervous, there were definitely good enough scholars in this room. Certainly some that had not broken as many rules as she had. She got off the stool and walked casually over to her seat trying to hide her nervousness so Ron and Harry would not see it clearly. Unfortunatly for her, they did.

"Hermione are you nervous?" Harry asked while holding back a snort, "Really, don't be. All you have to worry about is how you'll look while you give your speech. Just be glad you know what your doing."

"Really Harry, I won't be giving a long speech, maybe just a 'Thank you I'm so happy to have become Head Girl.' and a, 'Really, I'm so happy that I can make a difference in my favorite place, Hogwarts is my home.' I mean really it's no big deal right?" Hermione said, still nervously.

Harry just gaped at her and then fired off like a cannon, "You mean to say, that I had to go up there and make a huge Voldemort speech and all the things that go with it and you think that all you have to say is a measley 'Thank you' ? Not gonna happen Hermione!" and then he grinned maliciously, "You know, I have been practicing my Imperius Curse and I think I'm quite good at it. Or maybe you'd prefer to be cunfunded?" he smirked at his joke.

"Not funny Harry." Hermione replied just as McGonnagoll cleared her throat.

"Would all prefects please come up to the front of the hall? We shall be announcing our heads now." she smiled warmly as she said it.

Hermione went up the the front closely followed by Ron. Hermione saw Ron look over at Malfoy and saw the look of 'You have no chance at this Weasley' look on his face. She also saw Pansy Parkinson alongside Draco, whining about how she just knew it wouldn't be her and he would be all alone because that 'Granger' was bound to try to take her place and blah blah blah. Hermione smirked and they all stood in front of their peers and awaited the results.

"This is going to be murder being away from you every day Hermione." Ron said in her ear as she blushed bright red.

They waited a long time and then they were surprised to see the Sorting Hat open it's mouth to announce the heads. Hermione closed her eyes and prayed that she would get this without all the humiliation of a speech.

The Sorting Hat yelled, "Our head girl is now and for the rest of the year..."