Chapter 1

The war was over, and the ministry had hastily removed any evidence that it ever occurred at all. Hogwarts was fully restored in a matter of weeks, muggle newspapers no longer wrote about unexplainable deaths or disappearances, and even here, in Diagon alley, the air seemed lighter. People were happy. Stores had begun to reopen. Children were allowed to leave their parents sides once again. And yet, Hermione Granger was unable to shake the uncomfortable feeling she got from not being protected under the invisibility cloak.

Six months ago, the trio of wizards would never have dared to leave the safety of their charmed hideouts without a fully thought-out plan. But now, none of that was necessary. Voldemort was dead, and the remaining death eaters were either in Azkaban, house arrest, or still on trial. The world was once again a safe place.

In attempts to return to normality, the ministry of magic insisted that Hogwarts term restart in September. For many students, including Harry, Ron and Hermione, that meant going back to the castle to complete the year they had skipped prior. Even those like Neville, who had attended last year, had to go back to learn under proper conditions and achieve their required N.E.W.T.s for future jobs. And so, once again they wandered through the streets of Diagon Alley, with the remainder of the Weasley family, in order to attain all of their required supplies.

"…an owl or cat or toad…" Harry stated flatly, reading the end of the list.

"It's not mandatory Harry. If you're not ready, you don't need to pick a new pet," Ginny said in attempts to console him.

"No, I think I should. Hedwig never approved of me using the school owls, didn't think they were up to standard."

And so, Harry and Ginny wandered towards the Magical Menagerie to sought out a new owl. It was likely he would return with a snow owl just like his beloved Hedwig. Another attempt to return to normality, Hermione thought.

Her and Ron continued down the street, passing by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, which was as busy as ever. In previous years they would have entered to hear about the twin's new creations. Might have even picked out a few things to bring with them to Hogwarts. However, they didn't bother entering the store this time because George had left the shop assistant, Verity, temporarily in charge while he grieved the loss of Fred. Ron and Hermione had already seen any unreleased inventions, as they were being workshopped in George's apartment, which they had visited frequently throughout the summer. Although none of his inventions seemed quite right without Fred.

Hermione liked seeing George. She felt he understood her pain better than some of the others. Although Ron was suffering for the losses he endured from the war, he did not seem as damaged. In a very Ron-like manner, he seemed to brush things off and only got uncomfortable when the war was brought up. He didn't seem broken, just awkward. Ron never was one to discuss feelings.

George however had lost his other half. He understood what Hermione meant when she brought up night terrors or constant pain because he was experiencing the same thing. Sometimes she even felt guilty crying to him about memories of her torture, because for George, the rest of his life was the torture without Fred. At least he was slowly finding comfort at Angelina's side.

"I think we managed everything on the list. What do you say we go check out the brooms? I've been dying to see if any new models came out while we were away," Ron said, cutting off Hermione's thoughts about the twins.

"You go, I think I might pick up a few extra books."

She didn't actually need another book; she just wanted some space. She loved him but ever since the war, she just wanted to be alone.

After Ron had left, she walked around aimlessly and watched how everyone around her seemed okay. It felt so weird to be so impacted by something, while everyone else was acting as if it never happened. That's when she saw him, Draco Malfoy, entering Madam Malkin's, no doubt to buy replacement school robes for the ones he had outgrown.

She hadn't really stopped to think if he would be allowed to return or if he would even want to return to achieve his N.E.W.T.s. But he seemed to be carrying all the required supplies for a Hogwarts student and so, it only seemed logical that Hermione would be sharing the school with the ex-death eater.

"There you are Hermione," Harry called from across a crowd of people.

People parted the way for Harry, Ginny, and Ron. His fame had not subsided after the death of Voldemort. Harry was, and always would be, the chosen one. People would never stop staring, stop thanking him, or stop clearing the way for him to walk easily.

"What are you looking at? Bloody hell Hermione, you're white as a ghost," Ron gasped.

"It's nothing. I just saw Draco buying new school robes. Did you know he would be returning to Hogwarts?"

"Hadn't really thought about it. Him and his mom only received house arrest given that she tried to help our side at the very end. Not giving me away an all… I guess school is part of the ministry deal," said Harry.

Ginny added, "the ministry is pushing for everyone to go back to normal. Part of that is how important education is to the growth of the wizarding society. It's probably mandatory. I can't imagine him being excited to return, given what everyone thinks of him."

The conversation shifted as they headed back to the burrow. It seemed the others were more confident in their return to school than Hermione.

At night, Hermione's dreams were vivid. Some nights, she was back at the castle, watching Fred die. Other nights, she watched Greyback rip at Lavender Brown's flesh or walked through the great hall to see Lupin and Tonks lying stiff at the other end. On those nights, she would wake up with tears in her eyes.

However, this night she would wake up screaming. Tonight, she would relive being tortured by Bellatrix in the Malfoy Manor. The scar on her arm would burn more than usual and she would feel the pain of every bone breaking.

"Hermione…. Wake up, it's only a dream. You're okay," Ginny calmly said by her bedside.

Ginny was always there to try an ease the pain on nights like this. To soothe her back to sleep, where another nightmare was waiting.

When she made her way downstairs in the morning, she knew instantly Ginny had told her brother about the night terrors. Everything hushed when she walked into the room and Ron began to fumble words.

"Want me to pour you some eggs… or I mean juice, pumpkin juice. Blimey. How are you 'Mione?"

She responded not with words but a subtle noise. She loved Ron more than anything, but their relationship was not the same since the war. He didn't even know how to talk to her. She knew being around her was uncomfortable for him because she always seemed sad, scared or empty. Sometimes all three at once, which did not exactly make sense. Ron wanted to ignore the pain of the war, but Hermione did not know how to do that. And so, they seemed to be drifting apart, despite still loving each other immensely.

Molly rushed into the room with four trunks following behind her.

"Just got to get these into the cars and we'll be off to Kings Cross. Everyone ready to head out?"

All four of them nodding in agreement. It was time to go back to the place that was both home and an open wound.