The war hadn't long since ended and the wizarding world was still recovering. They had lost so many great wizards that had been taken away from them far too soon. The war had left its impact on everyone differently. Those who weren't directly involved had the excitement that they could finally live their lives without worry now that Voldemort was finally gone but it was a different story for the ones that had fought. The mental and emotional impact it had on them wasn't something that was easy to talk about or bring up. Harry couldn't help but feel most of the deaths were his fault. They had been fighting to help him, to protect him and that was heavy on his shoulders. Not to mention the fact he had died and miraculously come back. That wasn't something one could wrap their head around so easily. Ron was mourning his brother and trying to put on a brave face but the cracks were there. It wouldn't be long before he crumbled. As for Hermione, the nightmares of being tortured came to her every night. The reminder on her skin where the word 'mudblood' was etched into was a constant reminder of that night at Malfoy Manor.

They were alive and that was something they were never going to take for granted. No matter how much they struggled, they had a better fate than Fred, Remus, Tonks and all the other endless names that had been taken from them. They were never going to take their lives for granted again.

That was why they stood in front of the entrance to platform nine and three quarters.

A few weeks ago as they sat around the table at Grimmauld Place which had been left to Harry, the last thing they'd expected was a letter from Hogwarts. Each of the Golden Trio had received a letter from newly appointed Headmistress McGonagall asking them if they wanted to go back for an eighth year to get their N.E.W.T.s since none of them had really completed their seventh year. Hermione was quick to jump up, grab some parchment and write back letting the new Hogwarts headmistress that she would be going back. Ron had read the letter then threw it in the trash. He didn't want to go back and neither did Harry but that had changed after a week. Harry knew he had to make his parents proud. Not only them but Sirius, Lupin, Tonks and anyone else who had died over the last few years. Ron had pointed out that saving the entire wizarding world would've made them proud but that wasn't enough for Harry. If we was going to become an Auror like he wanted to be then he wanted to do it the right way. Of course, since both Harry and Hermione were going back, Ron had caved in and decided to, too.

"We should've taken the Floo," Ron mumbled, the grip on his luggage cart tightening as he gazed at the magical wall in front of him.

"It'll be okay," Hermione spoke softly as she placed a gentle hand on his to calm him. "I know you're not too fond of going back but I think doing this the way we always have will make it easier. We first met on this train, Ron," she smiled fondly at the memory. "It's given us nothing but happy memories..."

"Apart from that time dementors decided to try and suck our souls out," Harry butted in.

Hermione gave him a pointed glare. "Well, yes, there was that but most of the other times have been good. To try and lead a normal life again we have to try and do all the things we used to. It'll help."

"Fine," Ron sighed. "I'm not going first, though."

"I will," Harry barely gave his two friends the chance to speak before he was running full pelt at the wall and disappearing through it. Ron took a deep breath, casting a glance at Hermione.

"See you on the other side," he gave a half smile then followed Harry's lead. Hermione followed straight after.

Greeted with the loud chatter of parents sending their children to Hogwarts for the first time, students who were returning and the whistles of the Hogwarts Express.

For the first time in months, a genuine smile appeared on Hermione's face.

It was bittersweet to be back in the place they'd called home for so many years. While there was a part of them felt that way once again, the war was still so fresh that there was an uneasy feeling among the students. Especially the students who had been there during the battle. Hermione was trying not to think about it. She was solely set on trying to move on, trying to get life back to normal. If she sat and really thought about everything that had happened she'd be a mess. It wasn't really like she had anyone to talk to either. While Ron and Harry were her best friends and she knew she could tell them anything, they had both been through so much and she didn't want to add onto that. So, she'd taken the role of being the rock of their trio. She was there for Ron when he was mourning Fred and there for Harry whenever he needed her. Harry was stubborn like her, though. He wasn't going to show anyone how he was really feeling but Ron wasn't that good at hiding his emotions no matter how hard he tried to. It was always easy to tell when he was upset.

After their kiss in the chamber, it was pretty much official that Ron and Hermione were together. Being in a relationship wasn't easy right now but they were making it work. Hermione wasn't sure where it would lead them but that was the least of her worries.

After the sorting ceremony, the feast was in full swing. As if tradition, Ron was happily stuffing his face with as much food as he could fit into his mouth. Hermione watched with a face of mild disgust and mild amusement.

"It's like you haven't eaten in years," she said, amused.

"Nothing beats Hogwarts food, does it?" Ron grinned through a handful of food.

Hermione took the time to glance around at all the other tables. So far she recognised a few students from their year. Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan, Hannah Abbott, Padma & Parvati Patil, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott were among the ones she spotted. Surely there had to be more than that.

The feast passed with mindless chatter among friends and before Hermione knew it, the Headmistress McGonagall was asking all Eighth Years to stay behind while the others headed to their dormitories.

"Wonder what this is about," Harry whispered, looking between his two best friends.

"Beats me," shrugged Ron.

"It goes without saying that last year was hard on all of us," McGonagall started, eyeing all the students who were eagerly waiting to see what she had to say. "For that reason, I wanted to give you all the space away from other students to deal with the events of the past year in peace with people who know what you're going through. As Eight Years, you will have your own common room and dormitories. You will still contribute points to the houses you were sorted into your first year but will all unite in one common room. On top of that, I have taken the liberty to put a support group system in place. You, along with other students who were involved last year, will meet up for weekly meetings to talk through things and hopefully help each other out. In your dormitory you will find your group. They are non negotiable."

With a stern look, she eyed all those in front of her before dismissing them all to their new living area for the next year.

"This is weird, isn't it?" Ron said as he threw himself down onto one of the couches in their new common room. It was a cozy place with couches and comfy chairs in front of a roaring fire just like in Gryffindor common room. There was even a nice dining and kitchen area for them to make their own meals if they didn't feel like going into the Great Hall for dinner. It really was a space for them to feel comfortable. Hermione was thankful they had somewhere new to hang out and spend their time.

"Weird but nice," Harry agreed. Conversation carried on between the trio, Ron's arm thrown around Hermione's shoulders as she chimed in every now and again. This felt normal — like how it used to be.

Neville made his way over to them, handing them a sheet of paper as he plopped down in one of the free chairs around the fire. "Your group."

Hermione was the one who took the paper scanning across the names. Their group consisted of the three of them, Neville, Luna, Ginny, Theo and one name that caused Hermione to almost burn the paper right there and then.

"No, this has to be a mistake," she shook her head. There was no way he was coming back to Hogwarts. "He's not even here."

"What're you talking about?" Harry took the paper from her hands, eyes instantly shooting up as he saw the name too. "Draco Malfoy?"

"That's my name, Potter. Don't wear it out."

Instantly, their heads all spun around to see the one and only Draco Malfoy stood there with his signature smirk on his face.