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.
Hermione awoke in the burrow early in the morning as she had for the past thee month's since the battle of Hogwarts.
With her own parents somewhere in Australia with no idea who she was and Hogwarts in a state of ruin she had quickly accepted the offer to stay with the Weasley's. She had been sharing with Ginny and Harry was sharing with Ron.
Things had been tough for them all since the battle and the three of them had been called to the ministry on multiple occasions to explain their stories and officially pardon them for their crimes during the war, after all it would be unfair to hold breaking into gringots against the golden trio.
Of course they had all been offered positions within the ministry itself but had been informed they would, of course, be allowed to return for their final year if they wished. They had been given until the day before the school year began to make their decisions.
It was now the beginning of August and the general topic of conversations had turned to who would be returning for the next school year. Ginny of course would be returning as she was not yet of age, Harry and Ron had celebrated when they had found out they could receive honorary NEWTS so they deffinatly weren't returning, that left Hermione.
Her education had always been greatly important to her but she didn't know if she could face the castle again, face the place where she had seen so many of her friends die. She of course had been offered a position within the ministry and (as it happened) was the department she would most want to work for, the department of regulation and control of magical creatures, but was she ready for that yet?
Hermione's pondered everything that happened in the three months since the battle as she quietly made herself a cup of tea, she spotted the Weasley clock and everyone was showing as at home so she figured everyone was still asleep, the weather was beautiful so she decided to sit outside the burrow and watched as the world woke up around her.
Some time had gone by when Hermione heard the kitchen door open and the youngest redhead popped her head out the door "Mione here you are, I came down and you weren't in the kitchen. I thought something had happened to you!"
"Sorry Gin, just needed some time to myself. It's been lovely and quiet out here."
"Out with it!" Ginny's face broke into a smirk.
"Out with what?"
"Whatever it is that's got your wand in a knot. I can see the cogs turning in your brain. What is it?"
"Eugh... fine." She motioned for Ginny to sit and they both rested they're backs against the wall of the burrow.
"I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my life. All I've wanted for so long is to win the war but now we have, I don't know what to do. If I go to the ministry then my record will forever show I got honorary NEWTs, but if I go back to Hogwarts... I don't know if I can do it Gin, I feel like all I'll see is Fred, and Tonks, Remus, Jesus even Snape! I don't know if I can face it. And what am I meant to say to the first years? You know as well as I do me, Harry and Ron where never left alone as it is. Now I doubt I'll even be able to get through the common room without being asked for an autograph. I don't mean to sound big headed but .. it's the truth. What do I do Gin?"
"Well, the way I see it 'Mione, the ministry will offer you a job whenever your ready, they're never going to turn down the brain's of the golden trio. But you won't ever get the chance to go back to Hogwarts. If you start work now that's it, you can't go back. Come with me 'Mione, if you hate it and it's unbearable I'm sure both McGonagall and the ministry will let you leave without question. I mean you are their golden girl" she gently nudges Hermione's shoulder with her own.
"But I'm 19 just after school starts. I'll be 8 years older than the first years it just makes me feel too old. Back to a curfew, only allowed to leave the ground of specific days, I've become accustomed to me freedom here Gin and I love you but I don't really want to listen to your snore every night for the next year! I don't know, maybe I should just go to the ministry. I just...god I want my NEWTs! If I pass all my course's I'll be third overall for most NEWTs passed. Annoying at the top of that list is your bloody prat of a brother Percy, even with a time turner I'd never be able to take 12 NEWTs! But it'd still be amazing to get too three!"
"My bloody perfectionist brother! You wonder why me, Ron and the twins never really bothered with school. Ha! We knew we would never compete! Who's second anyway?"
"Eugh don't. It's Lestrange!"
"How the hell did he get so many bloody NEWTs! Isn't he thick as pigs shit?"
"No not Rodolphus, Bellatrix. She got 8. But I refuse to take divination!"
"Oh that would make sense, brightest witch of her age and all. Mione, it kinda does sound like you've made your mind up. Yes there's some creases to iron out with the common room and your freedom but... well you seem pretty set on your NEWTs apart from that and you are the golden girl. Maybe McGonagall would give you special privileges or something, maybe she can scrap your curfew. It's worth an ask at least?"
"Ye I suppose your right Gin, but so help me if you don't put a muffling spell on your bed Ginevra Weasley!"
Ginny hopped up off the ground and offered her hand to Hermione.
"You'll leave me alone and join the ministry. I know, I know! Now come on I can smell breakfast!"
As the Weasley's, Harry and Hermione ate they're breakfast there was a tapping at the window from a beautiful Tawney owl.
It was carrying four envelopes addressed to Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny respectively.
Inside was their typical welcome back to Hogwarts letter. However attached to Harry, Ron and Hermione's where each a personal letter from McGonagall.
Harry and Ron's both said mostly the same thing, that whilst she would be thrilled to have them back she knew that they had both outgrown their education and would most probably be accepting positions as aurors. She wished them well and told them that they would always be welcome at Hogwarts.
Hermione's on the other hand was much different.
To my Dear Hermione,
I understand you have been offered a job at the ministry and whilst I am confident that you would shine there, I also know how important your education is to you.
I understand that returning to school life after all you have been through will be difficult for you and as such I have made some adjustments to your circumstances.
First, as you are now a celebrity in our world, much more than you ever have been, I have arranged for you to take one of the empty teachers lodgings. You will have your own private lounge, bedroom and bathroom so as to avoid any eager first years during your leisure time.
Secondly, as you are well above age and having lived away from us for so long you will not have a curfew and I have also made sure that Filch and the professors know that you may leave school grounds whenever you require. You will essentially be treated as staff although I'm sure you would still rather sit with your friends during meals. The students will be told you are head girl and thus given additional privileged. You won't however have to take on the head girl duty as I have shared them amongst the prefects.
Finally, and this has little to do with your education, our new DADA professor believes they may have a way to cure your scar and has agreed to regular meetings with yourself to rectify this situation.
I do not have my hopes up that Mr potter and Mr Weasley will be joining us this year but as you know you have always been my favourite student, although as headmistress I'm not meant to say that, so on both a personal and professional basis I truly hope you will return to us this year.
All my love,
Minerva
Ginny saw the look of amazement on Hermione's face "Well? What does it say then?!"
"It... well... Gin, you know all the things we where talking about before? The reasons I didn't want to return to Hogwarts?" Ginny nodded "Well. McGonagall has sorted them, all of them. And the new defence against the dark arts professor wants to help me fix my scar. Gin, it means I'm going back to Hogwarts!"
Ginny whooped in delight and dived on her friend, narrowly avoiding an elbow full of beans thanks to Mrs Weasley's quick removal of the plates.
Mrs Weasley smiled down at her daughter and Hermione (who was as close to a second daughter as she was ever going to get) "Well then, We best be off to diagon alley at once! We've surely got new books to buy!"
"I guess we do! I'm just gonna finish this cuppa outside then I'll get dressed. Won't take me ten minutes to get ready you know me!"
"Always the first ready" Mrs Weasley gave her cheek a pat whilst she smiled down with love shining down. "My Mrs punctual! Right out you go then, rest of you upstairs!"
"I'm just gonna wait with 'Mione mum, if that's alright?"
"Very well Ronald, but shoo! Out my kitchen, I need to finish cleaning up in here before we go. Out with you bo
She shooed them out the door with her wand and final shut the door with a satisfied smile.
Ron looking down at the floor with one hand on the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed, cleared his throat then finally looked up at Hermione.
"Look 'Mione I... I've been wanting to say this for a while but... god this is hard. I didn't want to bring it up before you had made your mind up but...I don't want you going back to school to break us up. I mean.. Well I love you 'Mione and I want this to work. I mean I know it's really new and that..."
"I'm gay Ron. I... I've been meaning to talk to you I just didn't know how. I... I should have told you before but. I"
"Woah woah woah Hermione it's fine. I don't care if you like girl!"
"You... you don't?" He placed both hands on Hermione's face.
"No Mione it's fine, I don't care if you like girls because well... your with me. It doesn't matter who else you like because we're together. I'm not gonna dump you coz you think girls are hot, girls are hot 'Mione"
Hermione placed her hands on his, lowering them from her face.
"No Ron, let me explain. I'm gay. And I'm not telling you that because I think you will dump me. I am telling you I'm gay because I'm dumping you. I love you I do... but like a brother, there was so much going on in the battle and you where there and at that moment I wanted to love you. I wanted to be the girl that you married and had kids with. I wanted it. But I never had it. I love you Ron but I was never in love with you. I was clinging to the girl everyone expected me to be. But that's not who I am, I like girls Ron, only girls. This can't carry on."
Ron dropped his hands and his jaw as this speech went along, too shocked to speak, but heart break and anger plain to see on his face. "I...I...I...I can't do this now"
He fled from the garden straight into the house and upstairs.
Hermione shook her head "Great going there Granger. That really could have gone better!"
