Chapter 3:

When Hermione awoke the next day, it took a while for her to remember she was back at Hogwarts. Going a year sleeping in tents took an effect on her, but she awoke from a good nights sleep ready for her first day of classes.

She got out of bed and walked towards her dresser, pulling out a shirt, skirt and tie and grabbing a robe from her closet. She set them on her bed, put on her housecoat and walked towards the bathrooms. It must have been early because there wasn't any other girl up, and, being teenage girls, it took awhile for them to get ready.

Hermione showered and returned to her room and got dressed. She magically dried her hair and applied a little mousse and hairspray to it so it would stay styled and not as bushy. She added a little neutral shade eye-shadow and mascara before packing her bag and walking out her room.

On her way to the common room, Cassandra Wonder, a Ravenclaw that Hermonie barely ever spoke to, walked out of her room. She looked as if she just woke up; her hair was all over the place and her had sleep dust in her eyes.

"Morning," Hermione said.

"Yea, whatever," Cassandra replied. "I don't mean to be rude; I'm just not a morning person."

"Try sleeping in a tent for about six months and then sleeping here. This morning is one of the best I've had." Cassandra smiled and continued on her way towards the bathroom.

When Hermione entered the common room it was to find Richard already up.

"You're up early," Hermonie said.

"Could say the same for you,"

"Actually, I have reason to be. Best sleep I've had, as I was just telling Cassandra,"

"Cassie's cool, a little perky and grumpy in the morning though." Hermione nodded, "So, what about during the summer, didn't you sleep then?"

"Well yes, but my summer was filled with events. First I had to go to Australia and remove the charm on my parents and bring them back here. Then I had Ministry meetings to go to. Kingsley, the Minister, asked if I'd consider joining the Auror department but I wanted to return here first. I had to go to the Ministry a lot and so I didn't get as much rest as I would've liked."

"You're on first term bases with the Minister?"

"Well yes, he was a member of the Order, as is Sturgis, the new Defense teacher."

"I see," Richard replied. Hermione took a seat on one of the crimson chairs and set her bag beside her. "I really missed this place," she said softly.

"There wasn't much motivation for me last year you know. With you out of the picture, and Malfoy only being here half the school year, and Potter gone, I was the top student. But it was too easy, since I had no competition."

"So?"

"Well, it's another reason I returned. I felt as if last year was a given. I had good marks in most the classes, because there was nobody to compete with."

Hermione didn't say anything.

"It's good to have you back Hermione Granger," was the last thing he said before exiting the room. Hermione sat in the chair for five minutes before what he said registered in her mind. She got up and left for breakfast.

Along the way, Ginny, who's always been a semi-morning person, met up with her.

"Hey Mione how's the common room?"

"Bloody brilliant," Hermione grinned, "It's nice to have a place that's just for me."

"And the others,"

"There are only five of them. It's no big deal really. You want to visit it during a free period?"

"That'd be great, can I really?"

"McGonagall said as long as no one stays after seven thirty, friends are aloud." Ginny grinned.

They entered the Great Hall and took a seat at the Gryffindor table. A few staff members were there already and most of the first, second and third years were there along with various fourth years and up. Younger students were always excited for the first day; the older kids had their excitement worn off.

"I can't believe Sturgis is actually our new Defense teacher," Hermonie said.

"That was a surprise, but a good one. I always liked him."

"Yea, he was a good Oder member."

"Wasn't he one of the guards for Harry in fourth, your fifth, year when he was picked up from the Dursley's?"

"Mmhmm," Hermione said nodding her head, "that was the year he fought off the dementors and was angry with us for not telling him about the Order."

"Yea, I felt so bad we couldn't tell him anything."

"Same here and all the yelling he did when he arrived at Grimmlauld Place."

"That was rough,"

"Yea, but at least he's staying there now. Kreacher has gone back there to live with him. He's treated better than any house elf I know."

"I never thought I'd hear the day Hermione Granger said a house elf was treated well." Ginny said with a laugh.

"Shut up," Hermione said smiling, "I know now that some of the house elves enjoy being slaves, and some good always comes from it. Look at last year when the lot of them came in with knives and stabbed all the Death Eaters."

"That was a lovely sight wasn't it," Ginny sighed.

Hermione buttered a banana muffin, "You know, it is going to be very different with out Harry and Ron here."

"I know, but at least I won't have Ron breathing down my neck for talking to a guy."

"What about Harry?" Hermione asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the only reason he ended it with you, back in sixth year, was because he was worried Voldemort was going to go after you. Voldemorts gone now, there's no more worry. You guys can be together now!"

"I know, but he's busy at the moment and I want to live these last two years to the fullest."

"Is that fair to Harry?"

"He's not the boss of me. Yes, I love him, but he's busy at the moment so I'm going to take advantage of the time I have. Do you think that Richard guy would consider going out with me?" Hermione stared at her. "What, he was pretty hot to me!"

Hermione giggled, "Come on, here comes McGonagall with the time tables."

McGonagall was walking down the aisles handing out the new time tables.

"Well Miss Granger, I see you decided to take it light this year. No time turner needed?"

Hermione laughed, "No professor, I decided I'd rather have my last year stress free, rather than be over worked. Besides, with all the classes I took in third year, and all the extra work, that gives me more free time."

"Well here you are Miss Granger and Miss Weasley," McGonagall handed them their time tables. "I haven't announced the new head of house for Gryffindor or Slytherin. That will be tonight during dinner. Incase you were wondering why the headmistress was giving you your time tables, I have Filch giving the Slytherin theirs." Hermione glanced over and grinned at the sight of the caretaker and the Slytherins.

But Hermione didn't realize that McGonagall wasn't head of house anymore. She was so use to McGonagall being her head of house; she didn't realize she was now headmistress. As she walked away Ginny leaned over and asked, "Who do you think it'll be?" Hermione shrugged, finished her breakfast, agreed to meet Ginny outside the library third period, and walked off to Potions, her first class.

A/N: so chapter three… what'd you think? Who should the new head of house be huh? You'll find out!!! Please review!!