Disclaimer: The usual. Now onto the story.

A/N: This story contains a gay relationship between Messrs. Moony and Padfoot ;).

Hermione looked wistfully out of the window of her compartment in the train. It was a sunny September afternoon but it wasn't too hot. The cool wind ruffled her hair as she looked up at the blue sky to watch birds soar beneath the clouds. She sighed. She wished she could be as carefree as they could.

She looked behind her to see Harry and Ron munching on the chocolate frogs they'd bought for lunch on the train but she wasn't hungry. They were in their seventh year now and Harry was the Quidditch captain whereas Ron was the new Keeper. They were discussing new ways on how to beat Slytherin to the Quidditch Cup. She moved to look out of the window again.

He's gone, she thought, brooding won't bring him back. She felt someone tap her shoulder from behind; it was Harry holding out a chocolate frog to her and his green eyes were wide with concern.

"Are you all right, Hermione?" he asked. "You haven't eaten anything on the train."

"And you're awfully quiet," added Ron.

Hermione sighed. "I'm not hungry," she said. She didn't feel like talking, either.

"Is it about that Victor Krum again?" said Ron, hitting the nail on the head. When she was silent, he knew he was right. "Look, Hermione," he said. "Obviously that Krum doesn't know what you're worth. You should be over him by now. And honestly, it's his loss."

"Not to mention that he's a coward as well." Harry rolled his eyes. They exchanged a knowing look. Only two months ago, right after they'd finished their sixth year, they'd engaged in a fierce war against Lord Voldemort himself.

And won.

The war had affected everyone in many ways. Lucius Malfoy was now in Azkaban, while most of the other Death Eaters were…well…dead. Sirius Black's name had been cleared and Remus Lupin had come back to Hogwarts. It had taken a while for Harry to digest the fact that Lupin and Sirius were lovers, now that he was living with them.

But most surprising of all, was the fact that Draco Malfoy had joined their side during the war. They were all expecting a change of attitude from him, now that the term was going to start.

During the war, Victor had wimped out and dumped Hermione, saying that he was a lot older than she was and that perhaps they should start seeing other people. Ron and Harry were both aware of how much Hermione had loved Krum but they both felt that she could do a lot better and that sooner or later, she would find someone who would respect and love her for who she was. After all, Hermione (and Professor Snape) had played an important role in the defeating Voldemort.

Many others (namely Buffy the Vampire Slayer and her friends, along with Lestat) had also helped them. Dumbledore's idea had been to reach out to the vampires before Voldemort did. And the plan had worked.

Harry put a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder and handed her the chocolate frog. "Eat," he said gently. "Chocolate helps relieve depression."

Hermione managed a little smile as she took a bite. Harry and Ron had always been there for her and she didn't know what she would do without them.

She hadn't been able to concentrate on anything since Victor had dumped her – which wasn't like her at all. I need to get over this. She didn't realize that she'd said it aloud until Ron added, "We'll help you."

After a moment's silence, she spoke. "You must be excited about the fact that we'll be leaving Hogwarts in a year's time."

Ron said, "Yeah, we are. Although we're not too sure about you." There was a twinkle in his eyes.

She frowned, strands of her chocolate hair falling down her cheek. "What do you mean?"

"We thought that you might want to remain there as a teacher," said Harry. "Have you given it much thought? I mean, after all, you are Head Girl now and your grades are excellent."

Hermione thought for a moment, she was sure that the idea of her becoming a teacher had crossed her mind once or twice back in second year, but nevertheless it was an idea that was now long gone from her head. "No, I was thinking about going to the Unseen University to learn more magic. Or maybe even get a job in the Ministry."

Ron snorted. "Just like Percy. Thank God, he can afford his own place now that he has a promotion. All his 'important talk' was killing me. Even Penelope was annoyed."

Percy had gotten married to his long-time girlfriend Penelope Clearwater of Ravenclaw, just last week and they were now living a few miles away from the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley was excited about the fact that Ginny was now the only Gryfindor Prefect left in the school, that and she was now Harry's new girlfriend.

There was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal Remus and Sirius. They both had a little smile on their faces, and no one noticed that they were holding each other's hand, beneath the darkness of Sirius's robes. "Mind if we join you?" he asked.

For a moment, everyone was quiet, unsure of what to say. Then, Remus, looking at Hermione, said gently, "Still thinking about Victor Krum, are you?"

Sirius sighed, knowing the girl had thought of nothing else since the breakup. "There will be other men, Hermione. Take it from me."

At this, Hermione managed a wan smile and finished off the rest of her chocolate. "I wonder what this term will be like," said Ron. "You know not having any evil to defeat or anything." Harry smiled at him and Hermione simply shook her head.

"Well, one thing's for sure," said Remus, taking a seat next to Sirius who was sitting next to Harry, "It's going to be…different."

They arrived in Hogwarts a few hours later. Hagrid was there to meet them all at the station, along with Fang. The enormous giant wasted no time hurrying over to the Gryfindor gang and hugging them tightly in his huge arms. "Good ter see yeh all," he said. "Professor Dumbledore's waiting at the castle ter have a word with yeh."

Hermione looked to find Draco Malfoy standing a few feet away from them, with Crabbe and Goyle. At another time, he would have been insulting her friends but it was just as Remus had said it would be. Different.

Draco caught Harry's eye and they exchanged a silent greeting. She took a deep breath. Perhaps the new environment would help her take her mind off Victor and enable her to concentrate on her studies.

They were all dressed in their school robes, ready for the new year as they climbed into their carriages to be taken to the castle.