Dear Students,
Due to the irregularity of having an extra year, you will notice many differences to your schooling.
As those of you who have been invited back are now adults we have relaxed certain rules for you.
If you are agreeable I would like to arrange a meeting to discuss this further on 31st August, 6pm.
I do realize that this will mean you come a day early, I can arrange a floo connection for those who were relying on the Hogwarts express. Those who wish to apparate may do so, but into the outlying village of Hogsmeade
I apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Please confirm availability by return of owl at your earliest convenience.
I am most pleased to welcome you all back.
Yours
Minerva McGonagall
Hermione had apparated into Hogsmeade at three pm.
Both eager to start her new school year and escape.
The atmosphere at the burrow had become frosty towards her. Not all occupants of the burrow had received the news so badly.
Her parents, in particular, had been overjoyed at the prospect of Hermione completing her education.
Despite knowing very little, even still, education was education to the Grangers and they thought education was extremely important.
Mr and Mrs Weasley congratulated her, they knew she was an accomplished witch but she had deserved the time to relive one more achool year in peace.
Molly had assured her that her parents were welcome to stay on with them whilst repairs to their house was completed. The Weasleys loved having the grangers around and vice versa.
Both very similar in personality they enjoyed learning from each other very different cultures.
Hermione suspected her parents had also enjoyed being just a little closer to the foreign world she lived in. A rush of affection for her mother and father washed over her.
The twins could not fathom why she would want to go back to school at all. What was the point they had asked laughing. They teased the bookworm mercilessly.
Percy had raved about the opportunity in his pompous manner. Exclaiming he would love to return to the safety of school now that he had been in to the big wide world.
Hermione like everyone else just rolled her eyes at him.
Ginny was Ginny and would support her no matter what.
But Harry and Ron on the other hand had cooled considerably towards her.
Since the war had ended Hermione and Ron had become somewhat of an item.
Meaning they had kissed and held hands a few times but they had not dared say anything about it to each other.
Both so wanted the relationship to happen but neither knew how to go about it.
She had tried to sit down and talk seriously with Ron but he either went bright red in the face and cast his eyes towards the floor or she would starting giggling nervously and the more she tried to get her words out the more her laugh became a full on shrieking cackle.
Hermione had loved Ron ever since she had been attacked by a troll in her first year at Hogwarts.
Even though they were only eleven years old, Harry and Ron had come to her rescue, facing the big ugly beast.
He had seemed so brave then and she had seen that side many times more over the years. Thats what she loved about him.
He was brave, intelligent even though he failed to believe it himself, commanding when he needed to be and he was loyal, mostly.
He had also over the years annoyed her, hurt her, frustrated her and driven her insane on numerous occasions.
Usually with his moods. Just like the one he was in now.
if she were terribly honest, she was quite glad of their impending separation at the moment, maybe some time apart would force them both to reevaluate the situation.
The either needed to take it forward or let it die, hope to remain friends.
A horrible part inside of her did not know which she wanted more at the moment.
When she had announced she wanted to return to Hogwarts she had asked Ron for his opinion, she had always valued his input and she thought it the proper thing to do.
He was delighted for her and she relieved at his reaction.
"Of course you should go back, if anyone belongs there its you" he had said hugging her.
But as soon as she had sent her acceptance letter his attitude changed, he became cold and distant.
They barely spoke anymore. He and harry would speak in hushed tones when her back was turned.
If she entered a room he was in, he would get up to leave.
And worst of all was the looking he had been giving her.
She thought she saw pure hate in his eyes whenever he glanced her way.
Hermione fought back the tears each day until releasing them, into her pillow, at night.
She did not know what she had done wrong, she had asked him what he thought of the situation and he said he'd wanted her to go.
Now Hermiome had decided to forget about him for a while, concentrate on her studies.
Harry's attitude toward her had been no different either. She knew he too, desperately wanted to go back to the school. She had even written to Professor McGonagall to see if she could ask him to but there was no room.
He treated her indifferently, as if she were to blame for his suffering right now.
He would make snide remarks whenever she spoke. Demeaning her in front of others. It hurt her.
Hermione knew harry was in a dark place right now, you'd be a fool to miss it. She had tried to talk to him, to help but he just brushed her off.
It hurt her to see her friend in such pain, unable to do anything to help.
But she had suffered too and for once in her life she was going to put her needs above all others.
Her last day at the Burrow arrived quickly. She finished her final preparations and double checking, ensuring she was ready to leave. Mrs Wesley and her Mother had prepared her a farewell lunch. All of the burrows occupants had been in attendance. ignoring harry and rons sullen expressions, Hermione enjoyed the celebrations with her loved ones before saying her final goodbyes.
She would miss her parents fiercely now that she had them back but she knew they would be just fine here.
Hermione had left early hoping to enjoy the castle in silence, in this rare window of opportunity.
She had not seen it since the repairs had been completed and was dying to have a look around.
When she arrived at the gates, however, she could not gain access. The gates were firmly locked and not a soul was in sight.
She had no choice but to turn back in the direction from which she came and walk back into Hogsmeade levitating her belongings behind her.
Hermione looked in a few of the, now reopened, shops before finally setting down in The Three Broomsticks.
She ordered a butterbeer and then at waiting, slowly sipping her drink. She would not wait to leave and enter the castle once more.
It was 3:25pm she would wait until four and then try again.
Now she sat in the three broomsticks waiting for the time to pass until she could leave.