Hermione took the final steps that lead her into Hogwarts. Her body feeling the sensations of excitement mixed with anxiety, to the point that she struggled to tell them apart. She accepted them all the same, taking a deep and shaky breath. The castle looked similar to how it was before the war. Some walls had been rebuilt and the damage done could still be seen, but the effort to rebuild the castle was clearly seen as well. Hermione had fully realized on the train ride here, sitting in a train car with Ginny and Neville, that this would be her first year at Hogwarts alone. Of course, she did had Ginny and Neville, but as they had started dating and Ginny had no classes in common with her, Hermione would be on her own for the year. There was a certain bitter sweetness to this realization. Harry had decided that he couldn't come back to school after all that had happened. He joined the Auror's office and drowned himself in work to keep himself busy. A common coping technique Hermione was well aware of. Ron, on the other hand, had refused to return. He had been debating on returning, knowing school was never his strength and he could have any job he wanted after being a part of the golden trio. The deciding factor had been the fall out between him and Hermione.
Hermione did not mean to break Ron's heart. It happened before she even had time to realize. It had started with their kiss in the chamber of secrets. Followed by a desperate hold on each other after the war. They were each other's security blankets, Hermione just realized this first. The kisses and sex felt more like filling time than love. It was understanding that they went through the same things, side by side, and they didn't have to explain it to each other. This sense of security and safety was enough for Ron, but Hermione realized quickly it was fleeting and unfulfilling. She had ended it two weeks before leaving for Hogwarts. Ron, in his ever so predictable fashion had lost his temper.
"You want out Hermione? Fine, leave! Go get your books and your stupid never ending purse and haul it off to Hogwarts where you can shove your nose in your studies for the entire year. I won't be following behind you"
She could still taste the acid that fell from his words in her mouth. She closed her eyes at the thought.
She wasn't here to read books. She wasn't here for top marks or to be head girl. Hermione was turning a new leaf. She was here to live out the years every other student had while she was off running after Harry and Ron and constantly saving the day. She was here to have her final year as a stupid, thoughtless teenager who didn't have to worry about the real world. She didn't have anyone to worry about anymore. Harry, as everyone knew, could take care of himself, Ron didn't want her around anymore, and after what felt like millions of failed attempts, she was never able to reverse the obliviation she had done to her parents.
Her breath caught at the thought. Alone. Nowhere to go.
Sure, she came to have a great, carefree year, but she also had nowhere else to go.
"Mione!"
Hermione turned at the sound of her name. Ginny came bounding towards her with Neville in tow. She smiled.
"Are you ready to be back?" Hermione asked them. Her words echoing the excitement and anxiety she had felt when she stepped into the castle. Ginny smiled a tight lipped smile.
"As ready as we will ever be"
Neville placed his hand on Ginny's back, likely knowing her thoughts were on her brother Fred. Hermione smiled lovingly back at her friend. She knew there were no words to ease what she was feeling. She was glad Neville was there to comfort her.
Neville and Ginny had become close after the war. Ginny had become frustrated with Harry, claiming he always was working and refused to deal with what had happened. Their relationship had fallen apart quickly and quietly. No screaming fights or angered words. Just over. Neville and Ginny fell into place after, just as quietly as the previous relationship ended.
"I'm going to go get set into my dorm before dinner. I want to freshen up" Ginny said, quickly pushing a tear that had begun to fall away from her eye.
"Of course, I'll save you a seat" Hermione said. Neville smiled appreciatively and followed Ginny down the corridor to the dorms.
Hermione turned on her heels and began walking towards the Great Hall that was beginning to fill with students eager to find their seats. She stopped at the doorway, her hand resting on the giant wooden doors. She looked at the tables before here, recognizing some faces and not knowing others. She did notice that there were fewer students than she had ever seen within the school. She wasn't surprised, the kids from last year, tortured by other students and carrows would likely never return. She was also not surprised to see the Slytherin table especially sparse for students. Only a handful of students, mostly within her own year, remained. She recognized Daphne Greengrass and Theodore Nott, sitting beside one another with the trademark Slytherin aloofness, making small conversation. She took a sigh of relief, thankful to not see-
"Granger"
She whipped around to see the very person on her mind. She had almost not realized it was him when she heard his voice, as it missed its usual icy tone and his face didn't hold a cold sneer.
Draco Malfoy stood beside her, leaning casually on the opposite side of the Great Hall door. His ankles and arms crossed as if it was entirely normal for the former death eater to have returned to once again be a Hogwarts student. He was dressed in all black, besides a white shirt underneath his coat with the classic emerald green tie. His hair was swept to the side, almost too casually untidy for a Malfoy. Hermione hadn't realized how long she had been staring at him, unsure what to say or do in this situation, before he cleared his throat.
"Enjoy the feast" he said. His tone was bored, even lacking venom, something Hermione had never heard before. His confidence must be shaken with all that has happened, she told herself, he was still the same old Malfoy, his ego just a tad smaller.
Hermione looked away and proceeded to walk to the Gryffindor Table, saving two seats for Ginny and Neville as she had promised. She sat close to Seamus and Dean who were talking about their summers at home. She joined the conversation, quickly bombarded about the whereabouts of Harry and Ron. She forced a smile, remembering she was alone,
"They decided to go off to work," She explained. It was enough said, as most understood why many students had decided to not return. Ginny and Neville returned just before McGonagall took to the podium.
"Welcome back everyone, we are looking forward to another year at Hogwarts. I understand a lot has happened in recent months, and I am so truly happy to see each one of you here with us today" McGonagall's eyes scanned the crowd, and Hermione could have sworn her eyes had stopped on Malfoy while she spoke. Malfoy kept his face steady and showed no reaction to the clear appraisal of his return to Hogwarts. Hermione, surprised at such an open encounter, didn't have much time to think about the interaction before it was time for the sorting ceremony.
"First years will, of course, be sorted into one of the four houses" McGonagall began.
"Ravenclaw, the house known for their intelligence and wit. Hufflepuff, known for their kindness and generosity. Slytherin, known for their ambition and cunningness.."
At the mention of Slytherin house, the Great Hall was full of whispers and glances over to the table that happened to be full of family members of death eaters. Hermione, despite knowing better, felt a pang of remorse for them. She had seen the parents and homes these students came from and it was no easy childhood. No wonder so many of them had grown up so spiteful.
McGonagall continued despite the ongoing whispers, "And Gryffindor, the house of the brave" The Great Hall erupted once more, with talk of the golden trio and heroism. Eyes turned towards Hermione.
"I heard Harry Potter was too messed up to return to Hogwarts"
"I heard the golden trio split up"
"Why did she come back alone?"
Alone.
The staring and the comments cut through her like glass, and suddenly she couldn't breathe. She looked around frantically, all eyes on her, and the room began to spin. She could feel her heart racing in her chest and her body felt as though it were on fire.
Hermione shot up from where she sat and did her best to leave the Great Hall in less than a run. She truly had no idea what she looked like, as her anxiety continued to worsen as the whispers continued.
"Her a hero? She can't even get through the first day of school" A snotty first year commented as she made her way out of the giant wooden doors she had previously entered. She sat against the wall in the hallway, for once being thankful she was alone.
They're right. I may have been a hero but I'm not anymore She told herself. I'm done playing the hero. No more brave stunts. No more being the know-it-all everyone depends on.
That was when Hermione realized she needed a change. Not just leaving behind Harry and Ron, but leaving behind her old self. It was time to experience new things and new people.
She got to her feet and turned to open the Great Hall doors. The entire hall turned to look at her, most students still questioning her departure. Hermione took a breath, her hands still shaky, but she walked towards the front of the hall until she was standing in front of the sorting hat and the new headmistress.
"Hermione Granger" McGonagall stated her name, questioning what she was doing.
"Headmistress, I want to request to be re-sorted. I am not the same person I was before the war and I want that to be taken into account for my final school year."
McGonagall said nothing at first, and Hermione worried she had embarrassed herself in front of everyone in the Great Hall. She could imagine the shocked faces that were likely staring at her. Before she could take back her request she was met with McGonagall's response.
"A fair request" McGonagall laid her hand out in front of her, inviting Hermione to sit on the stool to be sorted once again. For a moment Hermione felt like a first year again. Coming to the castle for the first time, not knowing what was in store for her.
She sat upon the stool, her hands clammy with nerves. Maybe she would just be sorted in Gryffindor again, the Gryffindor Princess taking her rightful seat as head of the house. She shuddered at the thought.
She didn't want that anymore.
McGonagall placed the hat upon her head. It fit her better than first year, that was for sure. Her curls practically held the hat up alone.
"Hermione Granger…"The hat cooed, "Welcome back my dear, quite a few changes since the last time we met. The same brain and bravery I see...but what is this? Less...eagerness to prove it. I see, I see"
Hermione looked around anxiously at the Hall filled with students eagerly awaiting her placement. All eyes were on her once again, but this time she knew she needed an answer, she didn't care what anyone had to say. She had to know.
"We could put you into ravenclaw...a strong mind could produce some strong work...no? I don't see Hufflepuff in your future...not enough patience. Gryffindor would sure be sad to lose you...but I see the gears in your mind have been turning to a new path...better be SLYTHERIN"
Hermione was shocked to hear the hat throw her to the snakes. She was not the only one. Ginny had her hand covering her mouth in shock. The entirety of Gryffindor house looked at her with confused and slightly hurt faces.
"Well Mis Granger...It will sure be an interesting year" McGonagall stated, removing the hat from her head and showing her to the Slytherin table. Hermione looked up and caught the eye of Malfoy, who looked back at her. His eyes steady once again, but Hermione could see the confusion in him as well.
The mudblood put with the purebloods.
What a year it would be.