I miss you, miss you so bad
I don't forget you, oh it's so sad
I hope you can hear me
I remember it clearly
The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same

-I Miss you, Avril Lavigne

Hermione watched to rain beat against the window. She was on her way back to Hogwarts again and she was listening to the conversations of the others in her compartment. Ron and Harry were talking about quidditch and Ginny, who was reading, would every now and then glance at the boys and add a comment or two. Across from Hermione sat Remus and Sirius who were discussing their new teaching careers. After the war was fought and Voldemort was captured Sirius returned from behind the veil and as a free man, he decided to join Harry and the others at Hogwarts to teach. Professor Lupin moved to Astronomy while Professor Black took his place of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Hermione looked back out the window, studying the way the rain slid across the glass. It was almost hypnotizing.

"I can't wait for this year to start. It's going to be great! What do you think Hermione?"

Everyone went silent waiting for an answer.

"What… oh yes Ginny," she answered half-heartedly.

Everyone frowned as she looked back out the window. She hadn't been the same since last year, since the death of her parents. She tried not to think about it, but found it never worked. Even after the war the death eaters wanted revenge and they had successfully lured her away from the house for a while. Luckily she hadn't been the one to find the bodies. It had been a neighbor who, upon receiving no answer on the telephone, decided to investigate further and found them both. Hermione had returned home only to find police cars and ambulances blocking the way to her house. She had been staying with and aunt ever since. She hoped being back at Hogwarts would get her mind off of everything that had happened and she had a feeling that so did everyone else.

The rain was beginning to slow and she leaned her head against the cool glass and closed her eyes taking in the feelings of sadness. It lingered in the back of her mind no matter what she did or where she went. It would never let go of her, but more importantly she would never let go of it. Many times since their death she questioned her love for them. She knew or at least thought she knew that she loved them, but if she did then why hadn't she cried. She shed not a single tear for their passing and she thought it was wrong, but she couldn't force herself to cry over them so she tried not to think about it.

She opened her eyes to see Remus staring at her. She felt the heat in her cheeks flame, a tingle spread through her body, and that burning happiness in her heart. Remus smiled before turning back to Sirius and continuing their conversation. 'Damn' she cursed herself, not this again… not another schoolgirl crush on him. She cursed herself again and tried to get her mind on anything, but Remus.

"Teaching isn't that scary, don't worry about it, you'll do fine,"

"Yeah, well, you've done this before, Remus. It's all new for me." Sirius said smiling.

Remus sighed as Sirius joined Harry and Ron's conversation about the latest quidditch match. He turned his gaze to the window and noticed Hermione. She was leaned up against the window with her eyes closed. She looked so peaceful, so relaxed, so beautiful. What! Where did that come from? He mentally smacked himself. She is a student… What are you thinking! He took a deep breath and tried to steady himself. She opened her eyes and he realized he was still staring. Their eyes met, he noticed the color in her cheeks flare and he couldn't help but smile. After a moment he cursed himself and turned to talk to Sirius again, trying hard not to think about Hermione.