September 1st

It was Harry James Potter's first day of official Aurora Training at the Ministry, and to say he was overwhelmed and nervous yet also a little excited somewhere underneath all that would be an understatement. Harry's relationship had been tumultuous: ricky at the best of times, non-existent at the worst. So much had happened here, in this one building, so many moments that had made him into the person he was today. And so it was only natural when he found himself staring at the middle of the entrance where Dumbledore and Voldemort had battled That Day. The day Sirius died. Because of him. Because of his actions. Now Sirius would never have the life he deserved, after all that time in Azkaban, he wouldn't have a life with Harry. His new robes felt too tight, and his vision began to blur, a cold sweet breaking out across his skin. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea ...

"I'm so excited, mate. But also nervous. Are you nervous? What am I saying? Of course you're not, you're Harry Potter, conqueror of the Dark Lord, but I am. I wonder if I'll get my own desk, or have to share. I always hated sharing a desk with Hermione when we did homework ..."

Ron's spewed ramble brought Harry back to the moment. Sirius was dead, and the best way to honour his memory was to become an Aurora, to help people, like his father and mother had, like him and Remus had done in the Order. If he was ever going to move on, to have a life after all that had happened, he had to do this, or at least try to. He owed it to the people who had died for him.

"Considering it's only our first day of training, I don't think we'll get a proper desk; that seems like something you'd get once you've completed all your training. But because of everything that happened last year, that shouldn't take too long, it will probably just be like a refresher course, and maybe a few new spells." Harry supplied.

"True," Ron agreed. "I wonder how everyone's doing at Hogwarts."

Ron had said goodbye to Ginny this morning at Platform 9 3/4, but Harry had not. The memories were too raw, too painful. Ginny had asked him only once, and when he had explained that he couldn't, not just yet, she hadn't pushed. Honestly, sometimes he woke up and wondered what he ever did to deserve her.

Harry knew better than to ask Ron if Hermione had been there. After their argument over a week ago, the two had not spoken. Harry had received a letter from her, telling him that she was okay and wishing him well. When he saw that Hermione's stuff was no longer in Ginny's room -they had been sharing one since after the Battle- Ginny had just said that her stuff had been picked up. Respecting his best friends privacy, he didn't inquire further.

"I'm sure it's not easy for everyone being back, but hopefully things will get better. Now, I think it's time we go see Kingsley before we get turned into something creepy for being late.


Sitting at a long desk in one of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's conference rooms, Ron's mind was starting to wander a little as one of the Head Aurors explained the different procedures and what they would be covering in training. Harry had already told the wizard what they had covered in the DA, and in typical fashion when it came to anything related to the Chosen One, the wizard was impressed. Ron was just glad that he wouldn't be going over the same ground. He didn't want reminders of school and what had happened there. Who was now there. After he had got back from Australia, everyone had been mad at him, Ginny most of all. She would barely speak to him because of how he'd treated Hermione. Once a day or two had gone by, she had cooled, but he was still certain that she was the one to curse his socks so that whenever he tried to put them on they bit him, and that she was the one that made the butter dish move at breakfast the other day.

In all honesty, he missed Hermione, and could do with her expertise right now. But she had as much to apologize for as he did, with all her coaxing him to talk and to go back to Hogwarts and find 'closure.' But Ron didn't need closure; he needed distraction, and maybe a glass of Firewhiskey. Maybe if she apologized, he could as well. But until then, he'd just ignore the problem, ignore the hurt. Ronald had gotten very good at that.


Sitting at the back of the Hogwarts Express in an empty compartment, Ginny prepared herself for the battle ahead. Whilst she was not above admitting that she still had some problems to work through -who wouldn't?- she didn't want that to stop her from finishing her education, from moving on with her life, whilst still honouring those who had died. Fred would not want her to stop living just because he had. Five minutes had trickled by when the door to her compartment opened. Draco Malfoy hung in the doorway, looking a little lost and uncomfortable. Whilst nothing in his expression outwardly conveyed this, she could tell by his eyes that he was uncertain about something, and this in itself was intriguing: Draco Malfoy was never uncertain about anything.

"Hello, Malfoy," she said, figuring he would not want her using his first name, "have you come for a cuppa? I'm afraid I haven't got any fancy cream, but I'm sure I could dig up a chocolate frog from somewhere if you want."

"Thanks, Weaslette, but I'm not here for a herbal beverage. I'm here because everywhere else is full, and since you're a decent person, you might let me crash in here with you. I know I'm not exactly the most delightful company, but I'd really appreciate it."

Ginny smiled. "Of course. Come on, Malfoy, it's not like I'm going to let you sit in the hallway and get both physically and emotionally trodden on. We've all made mistakes, all got things that we regret. If we're going to move past what happened this year and rebuild, we need to do it as a community, a collective, and the olive branch works both ways. If you're willing to reach out, then why should I not give you that chance? Besides, you were there for Hermione when she needed you; hell, you've been there for her for weeks. So, sit down and relax. How about a game of Exploding Snap?"


Draco had to admit that over the last six years he had underestimated Ginny Weasley. After the spectacle he made of sitting down and accepting her deal of cards, he found that he did indeed start to relax. When Lovegood joined them later on, it felt only natural to start up a conversation. In light of all that the girl and her father had endured because of him and his family, Malfoy had apologized to Luna the first chance he got. She had been sweet and graciously accepted his apology, telling him that everyone makes mistakes, but that what mattered was that he was trying to fix them, and that things were going to be okay.

In the back of his mind, he couldn't stop thinking about Granger and the occurrences of the previous week. Whilst she seemed okay, was healed and as bright and caring as ever when they talked, he could tell that something inside her had dimmed, and he wasn't the only one. His mother had commented on it only yesterday, telling him to make sure she was okay, and to owl if there was anything she could do. It warmed his heart to know that Hermione and his mother had become so close; Narcissa needed people in her life like Granger, people she could rely on and were always honest. He supposed he needed people like that too, and maybe he had a few more suspects in mind after Ginny beat him thoroughly for the third time. Maybe things really would be okay.


Standing on the lawn outside the Entrance Hall, Hermione straightened her robes for what felt like the eighth time this minute. The Headmistress had suggested that it might help the eight years to see a familiar face before their return, and indeed Hermione was happy to wish luck and comfort to those who needed that extra push to come back. She herself, in her darkest moments, had contemplated her choice to see her education through, but Narcissa and Draco had stopped such doubts from taking roots. She had list so much, but she would not let Voldemort take her live of learning from her. Soon she could see a small huddle of back begin to trek up through the grass. Squaring her shoulders, Hermione put on her brightest smile and became what the people needed her to be.


Minerva McGonagall sat in the Head Chair in her new office, staring into space. She had a few precious minutes before her presence would be expected downstairs and she wanted to use them wisely. She glanced up, looking at the closed door. She still felt like an imposter in this room, still expected Albus to come waltzing in with a smile and a sherbet lemon. But her friend would never again be in this room, and he would not want her to dwell painfully on his memory when she would soon have students who needed her, and the greater Wizarding World. So Minerva smiled at the painting if the late Headmaster that watched over her and descended the stairs. Within the blink of an eye, the Great Hall was full, and faces old and new looked up to her, a pillar of enduring strength after the greatest hardship. "Welcome, students," she began.


Author's Note: I'm back, Potterheads! I have risen from my fanfiction slumber to provide more Dramione for your pleasure. If you've got the time, please leave a review and feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

All my love, Temperance Cain.