Chapter Two - Welcome Back
Hermione Granger was by no means, the type of girl to dwell upon the past. In fact, she prided herself on the ability to look forward in life, set goals and ultimately achieve anything she set her mind to, but, looking at the grand castle before her she couldn't help but reminisce the childhood memories experienced within the building that helped to shape the woman she's become. She found it hard to comprehend the fact she was no longer the bushy haired, over eager, naive eleven year old girl who had once taken her first steps towards a new life within those walls. The past eight years she had overcome so many obstacles; from fighting to belong in an unknown community, to fighting to exist in a well acknowledged civilization divided by a single belief... So many obstacles in fact, that she herself still struggled to believe the battle was done and the fight finished.
Walking slow steps towards the castle she reflected on the days gone by after the first day she set her eyes upon this new unfamiliar world. She remembered the people who had influenced her, the knowledge she cherished, every experience, every book and every moment leading her on a path she was always fated to follow. A path still walked upon, desperate to know where it would ultimately lead her. Hoping that wherever she ended up, it was worth every ounce of pain she had suffered. For now, however, she would patiently amble along the path until the prize at the end reveals itself and the choices until that point unfold like a never-ending puzzle.
Taking a deep breath to steady her considerable thoughts she opened the doors to the castle and took those well rehearsed steps, once again into a now familiar world of unknowns. Entering the great hall she was surprised by how vast it seemed when it held only 46 students as opposed to the large quantity she was so acquainted to seeing. Instead of the four long tables where the different houses sat on each year there were 46 chairs arranged facing towards the front where Professor McGonagall stood awaiting the few remaining students. She sat down at one of the few remaining spaces near the back catching her former head of years eye and receiving a small nod in greeting.
Looking around to see which fellow students would be joining her in her last year, she was pleased to note she wasn't the only Gryffindor returning. From where she sat, she could see Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Padma Patil and Dean Thomas. That meant only five students returning were in Gryffindor and she suspected that Ravenclaw made up the majority of students returning as, based on their stereotype, they would be most eager to complete their schooling. Although she could see a few Hufflepuff and most suprisingly a fair few Slytherin mixed in too, including a head of platinum blonde hair that could only belong to one person. She frowned slightly at seeing him here but shrugged it off hoping she wouldn't need to deal with him anyway. If the schooling was to be done mostly via a coursework type approach then that should ensure any contact be kept to a minimum so she could choose to simply ignore his presence and that suited her just fine. Hearing McGonagall clear her throat she looked back up at the stern professor and listened intently.
'Welcome back Students, I am pleased to be able to offer you this opportunity and I'm glad to see so many of you were eager to complete your studies and take your NEWTs.' She gave the students a small smile as she looked around the crowd of familiar faces.
'Now, I have already mentioned through previous correspondence some of the changes we have had to make and would just like to take this time to discuss with you anything I feel you need to know for your year here at Hogwarts and answer any questions you may have about the changes. Assuming you all read the letters that have been sent..' She peered over the top of her glasses at the students making a couple of them, who she suspected hadn't the details of the changes, look guilty away for second '..that you know that you will be not living on the grounds, but instead in your own apartment with one roommate which will be determined by the compatibility scores of the assessment you completed and returned a few weeks ago. The results of the assessment are final, and all of your flat mates have been chosen. There will be no switching and no disputes.
You will attend two classes a week in each subject area and will be assigned copious amount of coursework to complete in order to pass each class. You should also be made aware that as there are only forty-six of you back for your final year, there will be no Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. You are no longer students of Hogwarts but individual adults revisiting the castle to complete your education and as such, you will be expected to behave as adults and set an example to the students still here. There will be no curfew, no house points, no head of house and no prefects. You are all capable of looking after yourselves and should you need any guidance or advice, you can talk to either myself or any other professor in the building. And of course, you have each other so I would recommend you to make use of your peers because no one else will understand what you're going through, like they do. Are there any questions?' She surveyed the room once more over the tops of her glasses wearing a bemused smirk as the students... no, young adults, before her all looked in a state of shock after being told they are without rules. All except Hermione Granger, who had her hand raised as accustomed.
'Miss Granger?' She acknowledged her favourite student, ignoring the eye rolls from a few of the other students and a snort from Draco Malfoy on the right of the crowd.
She took a second to glare at the back of Malfoys' head before she spoke. 'In the letter you said we would have access to all the facilities, such as the library, that Hogwarts has to offer. I was just wondering how we are able to get access to these with the wards set in place around the castle?'
'Good question Miss Granger. The wards have been adjusted for each of you to enter whenever you feel necessary. To open the gate will require a swish-flick of the wand and the words 'porta aperio'. She demonstrated as she spoke. 'Any other questions?' She kept her eyes on the brunette as her hand shot up again. 'Miss Granger?'
'Will we have access to the restricted section?' She asked taking notes as she spoke.
'You will not need permission from a professor but you will need to clear it with Madam Pince. Anything else, Miss Granger?' She asked a now sheepish Hermione who was just realizing she held the attention of everyone in the room.
'Er.. just one more thing actually. ' She smiled slightly at few impatient looking students before looking back a McGonagall. 'When will we find out who we're flat sharing with?' The other students looked back at the professor, apparently also eager to know the answer to this question.
'You will all be using the floo in my office to transport you to your new living space. I will call out two names at a time and that will be the person with whom you are going to spend the next year occupying that space with. Any other questions?' She asked the crowd who were now looking around the group to see if they could suss out whom they would be dwelling with. 'Good, now if you would like to follow me to my office.' She began exiting the great hall accompanied by the now anxious group.
Once inside the office she picked up a roll of parchment and looked again at the forty six people huddled into the room. 'In each appartment there will be a welcoming pack which will include your timetables, coursework deadlines and other relevant information. Can I call forward Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott.' The two came forward with smiles of relief and listened to Professor McGonagall as she gave them each a key and told them the number to their apartment as well as instructions to the floo.
Two by two this went on as Hermione waited nervously as all her fellow Gryffindor's were called but Seamus. Now it was just herself, Seamus, Ernie MacMillan and Draco Malfoy. She chanted to herself silently as McGonagall looked back at the parchment.
'Not Malfoy, Not Malfoy, Not Malfoy... anyone but Malfoy.'
'Seamus Finnigan and Ernie MacMillan please.' McGonagall called but instead of walking forward as the other students had, the irish boy and Hufflepuff instead chose to look between Hermione and Draco in disbelief. Hermione looked to her left at the blonde with her wide eyes and her mouth partly open to see the same horror filled expression flit across his face before it was masked with a neutral one as he turned to look back at McGonagall, although she could just spot the telltale signs of tension as his jaw appeared tighter and his nostrels flaring slightly. A million thoughts went through Hermione's head in those few minutes as she stood in shock, not even noticing when Seamus and Ernie reluctantly walked towards McGonagall and listened to their instructions, but if you were to ever to ask her what went through her mind in those few minutes, then there was only one thought that stayed static long enough for her to grasp.
'Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.' McGonagall called.
'Oh Fuck!'
A/N - Hey guys. I'm so pleased so many of you wanted me to continue and your reviews really encourage me to write. If I'm ever taking a while to upload a new chapter, just know it's because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and take a great deal of time making sure the story comes across on paper exactly the way it does in my head. Your reviews inspire my work so please keep them coming! Oh, and also, I'd like to thank the people following this story too. It's nice to know your reading and I hope you're enjoying it so far :D