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"Hey, Hermione!"
Harry entered my compartment and sat down opposite me. He had a smile on his face which was good to see. I hope that doing something for the war is giving him the same kind of satisfaction that it gives me. It definitely looks like it.
"I'm so glad to be going back, aren't you? I can't believe we almost had to give it up forever." Harry is smiling so happily at me it warms my heart to see it, he deserves something to be happy about, after all he's been through and all he's got to go through.
Ron, Ginny and Neville came in at that moment; it's so great to see everyone again. It's hard to believe that there's going to be so few people coming back now.
As Professor McGonagall said:
"Yes, well Hermione, we didn't expect many. Actually 50 is very good considering we have no Slytherines and quite a few of the parents are reluctant to let their children go for obvious reasons."
I guess it's going to be very different to the Hogwarts we're all used to.
I wonder what we're going to learn, I mean I asked McGonagall and Harry about it of course, but Harry just said he didn't know and McGonagall said wait and see. It's going to be so exciting, after the sadness I felt about the school being closed this is a welcome relief. However it still doesn't seem quite right though I don't know why.
I do know that me, Harry and Ron are going to be teaching a class; now that is going to be great. Just like the DA. In a way this is a lot like the DA for the whole of the top two years. Also I know that a few ex-students (who've already graduated) are going to come back to talk to us about Voldemort and the war.
"Earth to Hermione…!" Ron's voice penetrated my thoughts. "You were miles away there. What do you find to think so hard about?"
"The question is more how do you not think?" I retorted but I was laughing. "You know we're going to be teaching classes this year, to people our own age and older. You're going to have to think pretty hard about that!"
"You what?" Ron looked so shocked that I tilted my head at Harry and raised an eyebrow. Ron followed my glance and positively glared at Harry, "You never told me that Harry!"
"Erm… well, you never asked Ron."
Ron turned rolling his eyes at the window. Harry grinned at me and Ginny who was sitting with her shoes kicked off, legs curled around herself and her head resting on Harry's shoulder. I smiled at the sight, they are so cute together, I wish I could find someone like that. Once upon a time I might have thought about Ron but after last year I know we're not really suited for each other. We sorted things out over the holidays and hopefully they aren't going to crack again.
The train pulled in at Hogsmeade station after a long journey full of laughter and reminiscences. It really is strange to think that whatever happens, this will be the last time I ever return here as a student. Though I have been thinking that if the war ends during this year (wishful thinking I know) or even if it doesn't I would really like to become a teacher. Though of course if the war doesn't end I'll have no where to teach. Well, I could teach at Beaubatons Academy or Durmstrang Institute I suppose. After all they haven't closed, but I wouldn't want to. There's something special about Hogwarts that no other school can match, even with Dumbledore gone.
I wonder what the rest of the wizarding world knows about Dumbledore's death, I mean I told my parents exactly what happened on top of the tower, Harry's version, but is that what everyone else knows? I don't know, I mean they must know he's dead, right?
As I climbed off the carriage I felt slightly sad, this is the end of something very special. However the changes to come may be even more special, who knows? I hope so. Harry standing next to me glanced down and smiled at my bleary eyes.
"You ok 'Mione?"
"Sniff…I will be Harry, I will be. It's just; I can't believe that this is the last time we'll ever get off the train, ready for a whole new year full of learning and discovery. We're never going to be Hogwarts students again."
"I know, isn't it great!" Ron cut in, obviously he hadn't heard the rest of the conversation or noticed that I was about to cry. Ginny kicked him hard in the shins. "Ow! What was that for!"
"Shut up Ron!" Ginny put her arm around my shoulders, "just because you're not going to be a student any more doesn't mean you'll never come back." Behind us Ron's eyes widened in sudden realization. I saw them out of the corner of my eye and smiled slightly.
"Oh, sorry Hermione… I didn't mean… well, you know."
My smile widened. "I know what you mean Ron don't worry." Three puzzled faces turned to stare at me. "What? Even I understand the pleasure of no more school you know."
Laughing I turned and walked off down the path to the carriages. They were pulled now by normal winged horses, well if you can call winged horse normal, instead of thestrals, most of which were being used to help the Order with the war.
Harry shook his head sadly at there absence, "it's going to be strange here without them." He informed us. "I've gotten used to them, I almost expect them now, they give me comfort."
We climbed into the carriages to bump up the long drive to the Oak front doors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was a longer journey than usual due to the absence of the thestrals. But it was well worth it, the castle looked even more beautiful and perfect than usual, maybe because we had almost lost it.
As we walked up then stone step to the front doors they were thrown open and there stood Professor McGonagall. She was looking tired and worn but she had a huge smile on her face.
"Hello and welcome back to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall opened her arms wide in a gesture of welcome.
A/N Thank you so much for the reviews, you make me so happy!
1madcat: thank you so much, you were my first reviewer! Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Sparkle Black: you'll have to wait and see about the Draco/Hermione but that was a very good question about Dumbledore. I'd never thought about it before. Thank you so much for your review. XD
Miss Moonshadow
