I own nothing but the plot.


September 1st, 1998

Carriages trundled through the well beaten dirt track, wheels occasionally shaking as they caught on loose rocks or particularly deep dives in the path. Where once each carriage appeared to be pulled along by invisible means, now the black, skeletal forms of thestrals caught the eye of almost every child and teenager seated. The occasional chirp of insects could be heard in the crisp night, the rustling of the leaves on trees overpowering the few hushed conversations being had.

"It doesn't feel real anymore, does it?" A male voice commented softly from next to Hermione, and she blinked a few times before turning her head to look at Neville. It was all she could do to shake her head, not trusting her words right now as she turned her attention back to the front of the carriage, a break in the trees showing the towering castle that had been their home and safest place for so many years. The castle that had seen so much death and destruction in the last twelve months.

The magical community had banded together and done an incredible job at restoring the centuries old castle in the wake of the final battle, and she was shocked to see just how little damage remained. Walls that had been crumbled now stood strong, and warm, welcoming lights flickered in the windows of even the highest towers once more. As it had once been, Hogwarts continued to be a place to welcome home all those who passed through its doors.

The carriage finally creaked to a stop at the courtyard, and Hermione waited a few minutes for the others sitting with her to vacate before she made a move herself. Neville stood waiting; his hand outstretched to guide her down. The lanky boy of their youth having filled out into a strong young man instead, a weight on his shoulders that she knew none of them could ever compare to. While she had spent the last year camping with Harry and searching for the horcruxes, he had stayed at the castle and done what he could to protect other students whilst being subject to increasing levels of torture himself from the Death Eaters who claimed to be educators.

"Thank you…" Hermione started to thank him, but her words ended up coming out far more strangled than she anticipated as she finally laid her eyes on the courtyard before the front doors to the castle. Where once an area of alcoves had been, now stood a towering white marble wall, inscribed with the names of those who laid down their lives in the Final Battle. Raising a hand to cover her mouth, Hermione struggled to keep in a sob as her eyes trailed over the names, from those she had known and fought alongside of, to others who she had shared classes, dormitories or meals with. Neville said nothing as he stepped up along side of her, his arm coming to wrap around her shoulders as he pulled her smaller form against his side, nothing but a comforting presence as past students milled around the entrance, each paying their respects in their own way to the wall of remembrance.

Barely anyone spoke, regardless of house, and tears flowed freely from those who had been there on the day, or those who recognised names inscribed as those of their loved ones. Ginny stepped up beside Hermione, tears streaking down the redhead's face as her hand came to grip Hermione's, blue eyes locked upon the chiselled letters that spelled out Fred Weasley. Dennis Creevey stood to a side, the boy taller than Hermione remembered, but also far more subdued, a camera clutched in his hand. She watched in silence as he took a few steps forwards and knelt, placing the camera at the base of the wall, under the column that bore Colin's name.

It was at that moment that the front doors finally swung open, illuminating the steps leading up, and Hermione couldn't contain her gasp, nor could many of the students as they saw the burn marks and blast stains, remnants of the damage from the battle left as a permanent reminder of what occurred, and what the price was.

"Welcome home," was the only phrase uttered by the regal and strong willed Professor McGonagall, the new Headmistress standing in the doorway for a few moments before sweeping towards the Great Hall, her stride not as powerful as it once was, a cane still visible at her side. Students slowly began to follow after her, making their way into the castle and heading towards the Great Hall themselves, chatter beginning to fill the air as memories of far better times began to settle in, the knowledge of a feast, and a year of education and safety ahead of them starting to lighten the mood. It took some effort, but the group of Gryffindor's managed to move themselves from where they had been, Hermione stepping aside for the briefest of moments to pull Dennis into a tight hug and draw him back into their group. She wasn't sure if it was her duty as Head Girl driving her movements, or the fact that he was a fellow Gryffindor, or just pure emotion that made her bring him close, but it didn't matter really, not why she was doing it. Only that she knew he needed it.

"He'll always be proud of you," she whispered against his ear, giving the boy one last squeeze before gently nudging him to take a seat on the long benches at the Gryffindor table, making sure to settle him in the direction of those in his year. He would need their support. Everyone would. They may have returned to Hogwarts, and some things may never change within the castle or the way the school year ran, but she knew that they had all changed, and that their world had changed. This was the first year of the new wizarding world, and all the students in this hall were the first generation of that change. They needed each other now more than ever if they were going to have a chance at succeeding in repairing and changing things for the better.

"Should've known you'd'a got the badge!" Seamus Finnegan grinned at Hermione, gesturing towards the Head Girl badge pinned on the front of her robes as he sat opposite her.

"Congratulations!" Dean Thomas piped in as he settled in next to his best friend, the pair clearly happy to be reunited under better circumstances. She wasn't sure what had happened to Seamus in the last year, but she knew that Dean had spent the better part of it on the run.

"Thanks, boys… it's good to see you both back here. It's good to see so many people back here, really. This… maybe we can be normal again, don't you think?" Hermione offered both a smile as she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin, drying her tears from earlier.

"What a surprise, the Head Girl is a huge stick in the mud," Hermione winced as she heard the grating tones that could only belong to Lavender Brown, her suspicions confirmed when her fellow 7th year sat at the table, snickering with the only other female from their year.

"So lovely to see you too, Lavender. Clearly some things never do change," Hermione scowled. Although the pair had never outwardly hated each other, there was no love lost. Not after the rabbit incident of 3rd year, and not after the "Won Won" incident of 6th year. Hermione definitely didn't regret sending those birds after the irritating girl.

Lavender's retort was cut off as a dull thud was heard, every set of eyes going immediately to the front of the hall where a rickety, three-legged stool was now sitting, a hat seated upon it that had seen better years. A line of nervous looking first years stood to the side, some staring around the room in awe, others fidgeting with their new robes, and more than a few looking like they were about to throw up. A few beats of silence passed before the brim of the hat opened, and the Sorting Hat began to sing.

A thousand years or more have passed

Since I was new and bright

And since that time with all the shadows

This castle has been filled with light

Where joined four great friends

A school was built on stable ground

A place of wonder and learning

For when they were no longer around

In the eons that have gone by

I have watched and waited

In my time I have warned when needed

And sat to see what would be created

Four houses nestle within this castle

For so it was divided

And then it was made up to me

To see how each young mind would be decided

Is your home in Gryffindor?

Where courage is second only to heart?

The boldest and the bravest

Find their kind in daring Gryffindor.

Perhaps you dwell with sweet Ravenclaw

Full of wit and the sharpest of minds

Those who yearn to learn and more

Belong in wise old Ravenclaw.

But maybe you're for Hufflepuff

The loyalest of them all

When the chips are down and there's nothing left

You'll find truest Hufflepuff.

Or what about Slytherin?

Where they will do what they must

In order to survive.

There is no shame in Slytherin.

Where once I sat and dreamt

And sang to you of unity

What we feared came to pass

And humbled this great community

Do not forget those who sacrificed

For now is the time to do what is right

The future is yet to be forged

But we must hope that it is into the light

In your hearts forever more

Will you carry those who were lost

Strive forwards into the future though,

For we now know what is the ultimate cost.

For now let us do the task at hand

I've kept you all in enough suspense

Have no fear, that time has passed

Now the sorting shall commence!

Silence descended upon the hall once more for the briefest of moments before each student began to applaud, the thunderous clapping echoing in the hall until tiny Professor Flitwick managed to clear his throat loud enough to bring order back, his squeaky voice surprisingly loud as he read through the list of names, the new first years sorted through to their houses.

When the final name was read and the hat had at last decided on a young Ravenclaw, Flitwick gathered the hat and stool and tottered out of the hall at the same moment as McGonagall rose to stand, somewhat out of place in the seat that Dumbledore had resided in for so long.

"There are a few notes to take care of, although I know you all want to eat. I welcome you all back to Hogwarts and I am incredibly proud to see so many of you returning. The events of last year weigh heavily upon us all, but together we can move forwards and hope to achieve true healing. As you are all aware from your letters, this year will be a repetition of where you were previously at. This has never been done in the past, but it was decided in conjunction with the Ministry that it is the best course for your education. To our new first years, welcome. To our repeating first years, I trust you will do all that you can to welcome and integrate your fellow students into classes," McGonagall paused in her speech, her stern gaze sweeping around the hall. Her eyes held none of the sparkle that the previous Headmaster's had, but there was still something comforting and familiar about it.

"In addition, I would like to announce and offer my congratulations to our Head Girl, Miss Hermione Granger, and her counterpart, our new Head Boy, Draco Malfoy." Silence descended upon the hall as the Head Boy was announced, broken seconds later as whispers started across the tables, heads all turning to look at the Slytherin table, searching for a tell-tale platinum head that was clearly missing. McGonagall waited a few moments for order to return to the hall before finishing her welcoming speech. "Our Head Boy and Girl have been selected based on their academic merits and personal traits and I am confident that both will be an asset to the student body. Now, as a great man once said, nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak." With that, McGonagall clapped her hands once and sat down, the long tables groaning as dishes upon dishes of food instantly appeared.

"So, did you know you'd be sharing with Malfoy this year, Hermione?" Neville asked as he reached for some mashed potatoes, piling them onto his plate before depositing some on Hermione's. She hadn't moved an inch since that bombshell was dropped, and it took her a few minutes more to regain her composure.

"No. I had no clue. No. Fucking. Sodding. Clue."