As the Malfoys exit the battle of Hogwarts Bellatrix makes a snap decision to go with them. How will her decision effect the wizarding world?

Set after the battle of Hogwarts, Bellatrix left prior to the downfall of her lord thus gaining herself more favourably with the ministry still not a free witch but definitely better of than had she stayed by her lords side.

Just under a month later and Hermione and Ginny where sat in their carriage of the Hogwarts express.

Ginny was still trying to say goodbye to her mum through the small window as the the train slowly left the station. Hermione thought back to the times her parents had dropped her off to the station and with a twinge of sadness quickly shook that memory from her head.

"It feel strange to be going back, doesn't it."

"You can say that again 'mione. Last year was... well...all I can say is come back umbridge all is forgiven!"

The two burst into laughter as a blonde head popped through the door.

"Hello Hermione, Ginny. Are you ok? There's a lot of wrackspurts in here!"

"Luna!" both girls shouted at once and jumped into her waiting arms.

"I didn't know you where coming back Hermione. But I suppose that's why there's so many wrackspurts, all the confusion."

"ERM... ye probably Luna. How have you been? How's Neville?"

"I've been good, me and dad went looking for the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks again. Neville's good, he's in the prefects carriage currently. He will be down soon I'm sure. Theres a lot of Nargles in some of the first year carriages, so I expect that will be taking up a lot of his time."

Ginny indicated next to her on the seat "You can sit down you know Luna? We're allowed to mingle with other houses again now the Carrow's are gone"

The blond girl's eyes went unfocused and she seemed lost in her thoughts.

Ginny placed a hand on your girls arm "Luna?"

"What? Oh sorry must have been one of these wrackspurts. They seem to be finding me more frequently since...well since the battle. There's been a spike of activity in Wrackspurts and Nargles. Although the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks have gone all but invisible. I mean, Hermione, have you even seen a single Crumple-Horned Snorkack this year?"

"Er... no I haven't to be honest Luna. Do you want to sit?"

"No it's ok, I'm going to get as far away from the Wrackspurts as possible they're flying everywhere right now. I'm sure Neville will be around soon."

She dissapeared behind the door but then popped her head back in "Oh and just a reminder. You will see the thestrals this year I expect. They really are beautiful creatures but some people still get scared of them. Bye"

And with that she was gone. Ginny laughed "Well at least Luna's not changed one bit!"

"No, no she hasn't" Hermione agreed.

"So tell me why was Ronald absolutely unbearable this past month? I knew you would never tell me when we where at the burrow right under his nose but I need it know!! He's been so easy to windup and it's great!!"

A deep crimson blush rushed to Hermione's cheek, she wasn't ready for this conversation. She had only come out to Ron so far and that was half an acciden, somehow the more she said it the more it felt real.

"OH. MY. GOD! You finally did it didn't you! You and Ron finally did it!"

Hermione gave her friend a quick slap to the shouldn't as an incredulous look crossed her face "Ginevra Weasley, we have done no such thing!"

"Ok Ok I'll believe you, thousands wouldn't. So what is it really? There's something up between you. I had assumed it was just sexual tension but.."

"I told Ron I'm gay. I... we broke up" Hermione waited for the moment where Ginny would shout at her, scream at her that she was abandoning her brother and her family, waiting for her to end their friendship.

All that happened was she gave a whoop grabbed Hermione's face in her own and said "Hermione Jean Granger I could kiss you!!! You just won me 100 Galleons!!! Me and Harry have had a standing bet since the Triwizard tournament. I said you where gay and Victor was your beard, he said you where straight and went with Victor because you where just too shy to admit you wanted to go with Ron. He truly believed it so he offered me 100 Galleons if he was wrong!"

"But what if he was right? Gin you don't have 100 Galleons?"

"1. how is that the important part of that story and not that I've known you where gay for years. 2. I didn't have to give him Galleons, all he wanted in return was a kiss and well that's not exactly a hardship for me is it! But non of that matters! I am so proud of your 'Mi so freaking proud of you. And before you say it. Yes! I'm angry at you for dumping Ronald. But not because of him, because I never get to be your sister in law! But Ron never deserved you. He expected you to just fall into his arm but that's not what you want. You don't want someone who will catch you when you fall. You want someone who will challenge you! Your a feisty witch you 'Mione and Ron could never keep you forever. I'm so proud of you!"

Hermione had been listening to this with tears in her eyes. When she heard that Ginny wasn't angry with her, at least not really, and that she was (in fact) proud of her the tears finally fell.

"shhh shh hey hey it's ok! Come here you silly witch. You thought you where going to lose us all didn't you?" Hermione nodded as she snuggled into the younger witches arms. "You've not lost me. Ron will come around. Mums the one you'll have to watch out for but she loves you 'Mi and she would want you to be happy too. Just give it time ye?"

Hermione nodded once again and sat herself up and wiped away her tears. This was not a cause for tears, this was a cause for celebration...even if she had only told her exboyfriend and best friend.

Ginny nudged her with her shoulder "So...Whose the flavour of the month then?"

A while later a voice came from behind "Everyone start changing into your robes. We're nearly there" quickly the two witches had their heads poked out of the door

"NEVILLE!!!!!!!"

Neville had grown up so much since they had last seen him, his hair was shorter, he has a hint of stubble coming through and he has lost a lot of his baby fat.

This was not lost on the girls and Ginny waisted no time in saying "Woahhhhh Luna better keep an eye out! Neville your HOT!"

Neville went beatroot red "Ginny stop it! Your worse than my grandma! Hermione hey I didn't know you where coming back! Thought you'd have some big ministry job!"

The three shared hugs.

"Can't get rid of me that easily! the ministry can wait a year for me I'm sure. What about you I thought you'd be snapped up after your stunt with Nagini!"

"Well actually that's why I'm back! I've been offered to take over for professor sprout when she retired but for that I need to get my NEWTs and I'll be doing some work expired with her this year too."

"So that's me, 'mione, you and Luna. I wonder who else is back. We've lost Ron and Harry obviously and I'm sure there's loads of parents who won't send their kids back. We're gonna be a rather small 7th year! I'm just so happy to have you all back with me!"

"Me too Gin! Anyway I best get on with it, need to make sure the first years are all changed" he pointed to a shiny badge on his robes "I am head boy after all!"

"Congratulations!! I'm head girl, but well I haven't actually been given any dutys yet."

"'Mione after everything you've done for us all you deserve to take it easy! Just a nice normal year at Hogwarts." Neville smiled as he headed further down the train.

Ginny sniggered "A normal year for you is danger and adventure. I'd rather ask for a boring year! At least then we will all be safe!"

"Your right about that Gin, I never did get a 'normal' year did I. Let's get changed we'll be there soon"