HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

Dear Ms. Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as the head girl for this academic year by our school's board of governors. Being a head Girl imparts to the position holder a lot of responsibility and owing to the present circumstances the duty increases by manifold. Considering these aspects and your capabilities we have chosen you for the rank. I and the rest of the school hope that you can live up to your name. You will meet me on 31st July in the Prefects Carriage where I will introduce you to the rest of the appointments and announce your duties for the year.

As far as your books for this academic year are concerned, they will be sent to school directly and you will receive them from your respective subject teachers in the classes. This is because of the present situation that it is unwise for all of you to go outside your homes. Uniforms, if required, can be purchased at Hogsmeade. If you are taking potions then supplies can be used from the cabinet at school. Other than extreme necessity, Hogsmeade is out of bounds for students because the present dark times do not allow us such a liberty.

Please send an owl letting us know if you wish to discontinue schooling at Hogwarts. Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl no later than 31st July.

Yours sincerely,

Professor McGonagall

Even the school letter was so different this time. Every two lines the same phrase "this present situation" was repeated. She thought that she would have felt much happier if Dumbledore was alive and she was Head Girl. As she looked at the glistening badge with the Hogwarts' crest and Head Girl inscribed on it, tears came to her eyes. How long would Hogwarts remain open? They were trying so hard to keep it safe, but would anyone give it such a safety as Dumbledore had? Would they be able to protect it from the wrath of the Death Eaters? Even if it was open, how many students would go there this year? By the end of last year, nearly one-fourths of the student body had been removed. Only the ones purely faithful to the school would go back, but how many of them were alive? At the rate people were being killed…

Was Harry head boy? She was pretty sure he was. He was the only boy who was capable of protecting the school. And he had such a big responsibility on his shoulders. The horcruxes. No book which Hermione read gave any hint as to how to destroy a horcrux. Not even the exact definition of a horcrux was given. It was very advanced, dark magic. So dark that it lead of the death of the most famous and powerful wizard; the only wizard whom Voldemort was scared of.

Malfoy. That…that…she could find no words to describe him. She knew he was evil, but she also thought he was too cowardly to openly join the dark side. He was the reason Dumbledore died. He repaired the Vanishing Cabinet. But deep inside her mind she felt sorry for him. She remembered his words that he was working under the threat of death from the Dark Lord. Voldemort certainly knew his ways.

Too many thoughts, too many thoughts, she said to herself. Brace yourself, Hermione. You have a whole year to look forward to. What has happened has happened. Malfoy proved to be the biggest ferret God ever created. It is time you help Harry prevent any further loss.

She went off to sleep.

Platform 9 ¾ looked not the same this year. It was so empty, so silent. There still were people, but there was also suspicion. Everyone was huddled together. Almost like Voldemort is going to pop out from the engine driver's carriage, she giggled to herself. Her parents had dropped her still the barrier and waved her goodbye with anxious tears as she re-entered the magical world.

'Write to us, Mya," her mother had tearfully said. Even being a muggle, she knew that Voldemort was a danger.

"Hermione!" She turned around to see Harry's pale face and lean body.

"Harry! So good to see you! I missed you all summer. "

"You've grown tall," remarked Harry with a tinge of sarcasm.

"Well, so have you." The both laughed and there was an awkward pause.

"So," said Hermione, "where is Ron?"

"Oh, he. Umm, he is looking for seats I suppose. Tonks and Lupin are here too. Come meet them. "

The Metamorpmagus was standing far off, in huddled conversation with Ginny.

"Hi, Tonks," she said brightly. "Yo, Ginny."

"Oh, Hermione!" Tonks came and hugged her tightly. She looked beautiful and a little freakish in her bright purple layered hair. A simple diamond ring glistened on her ring finger. "Missed you, love. I hope you've been okay?" she asked anxiously.

"No probs. And congratulations," Hermione smiled. There was still love in the world.

"Oh, thanks," she admired the ring vacantly. "This fall, I suppose. You'll be coming. It will be a break from your head girl duties. Which reminds me, congratulations to you too. I'll just be back."

"So, head girl, huh? Nice, but no big surprise. I was kinda guessing that you and Harry'll hit the jackpot," Ginny mused. "Wonder how this year'll be. What without Dumbledore to help us and protect us."

From the corner of her eye, she could see Harry turn his head around.

"Let's talk something better, Ginny. How was the wedding?" Hermione asked.

"You're asking the wrong person. The wedding was good, but the couple pairing…well, you know what I mean."

"Oh, c'mon Gin. Fleur isn't that bad. Considering that Bill falls sick every month and has to remain in bed, she has put up pretty well with it and she is hanging on to him," Harry pointed out.

Ginny murmured something like "tosh". But conversation was interrupted because Lupin came and smiled.

"Alright, Hermione? All set for head girlship? Show them!" He looked tired, but no longer old. He beamed at them. "Well, I have to go off, now. Lot of work to do. See you somewhere in November?" he blushed and walked away.

At least someone is happy, thought Hermione. "Let's go."

She heaved her trunk onto the footboard and spotted Mrs. Weasley talking to something red sticking out of the window.

"Now, you take care, keep writing every two days, don't go anywhere alone…oh hello, Hermione dear." She bustled up to her and kissed her on the head. "Just giving Ron some safety tips." The red thing hastily popped back in. The engine had revved up.

"Stay safe children. And write to me so that I know no harm has befallen you. I will be coming to meet you every 6 weeks. Oh, and congratulations, Hermione. Take care…" Until she was no longer audible. She waved frantically and then dropped her hands hopelessly down by her sides.

They were on their way to Hogwarts.

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A/N: third chapter up. So far I've not put nay of the "real" stuff into the story…but hang on everyone!