And here's chapter 9, I hope I'm not posting too rarely. And I hope you like the story. Enjoy:)

Just a disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the book's characters.

Raven post

A few days later Hermione was sat at the Gryffindor table between Harry and Ron. They had gotten over the fact that she'd disappeared after she had fed them another cock and bull story and at the moment were filling her head with their Quidditch talk. Everyone around them was enjoying the welcoming feast.

"I hope McGonagall lets us play for Gryffindor again."

"She will, mate. You're the Chosen one after all" Ron said through a mouthful of chicken and mashed potatoes. "Besides, she wants Gryffindor to win so she'll want you on the team."

"Professor McGonagall is Headmistress now" Hermione interjected. "She can't want either of the Houses to win the Cup."

"That's the difference between you and her, Mione" Ron turned to her. "She's got Quidditch spirit as well as a big brain."

The brunette rolled her eyes then let them sweep over the Great Hall. She didn't see many familiar faces from their year.

"Draco Malfoy isn't back" she commented, taking a sip from her pumpkin juice.

"He left to study abroad" Harry surprised her and Ron with knowing this piece of information about their former classmate. "Andromeda Tonks told me" he shrugged. Ron brushed it off, but Hermione was intrigued.

"She knows too?"

Harry nodded.

"She's been mending bridges with her sister this summer, it seems" he explained. "I even met Narcissa at Andy's house once. It was after her and Draco's trial – she thanked me for defending the two of them."

Hermione returned her eyes to her plate, not quite seeing it. Hearing this news made her think of Bellatrix. How would the older witch feel about her sisters reconciling? She would be happy, the brunette thought remembering how fondly Bellatrix had spoken of them. Then she realized it probably didn't matter either way since the dark witch had made it clear she wanted no contact with people ever again. The young woman didn't believe Bellatrix would accept her offer for help and had resigned to the fact that the other witch didn't want to come out in the open.

When the last remains of pudding and treacle tart were removed from the plates the food disappeared and the Headmistress stood up.

"I hope everyone had a good time this evening and I hope we will all have a good time this year. The last few months have been hard on all of us. I do hope the rebuilt castle can bring you a sense of safety. Do not fear anything can happen to you here anymore, save for having to go to detention if you misbehave. This year we have a few returning students who would wish to finish their education. Our eight-years will be sleeping in dormitories made specially for them in their Houses' Common rooms. I hope everyone finds Hogwarts as welcoming as it has always been. Now go and have a good night, I'm sure your teachers expect you to be on time for your lessons tomorrow morning. Off you go!"

The usual commotion ensued as everyone tried to go through the double doors first. Harry and Ron joined the crowd, stating that the earlier they went to bed the earlier they could wake up and go practice their flying skills for the Quidditch tryouts on Thursday. Hermione hung back, not really in the mood to have people pushing into her from all sides. Eventually, she found herself alone by the Gryffindor table watching the students leave. Looking up at the High table, she caught Professor McGonagall's eye and smiled. Her favorite teacher smiled back at her. The brunette felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Hello, Hermione" a dreamy voice spoke, and she instantly knew who she was going to see when she turned around.

"Luna!" she exclaimed happily and hugged her friend. "It's great to see you."

"You too, Hermione" the blonde smiled at her. "I seem to have missed Harry and Ronald."

"They went ahead. I didn't feel like pushing through the crowd."

"Understandable" Luna nodded and the two of them began to walk slowly towards the now almost empty doorway. "How have you been, Hermione?"

"As good as one could be. What about you?"

"I've been well. Daddy and I went to Hungary this summer. Apparently, their wizarding villages are full of Crumple-Horned Snorkacks in the summer. Daddy says they probably go on vacation there to take a break from all the cold in Sweden."

"Did you find any?" Hermione asked offhandedly. She was used to Luna believing in all sorts of strange, non-existent creatures.

"No" Luna said but didn't sound sad about it.

"Maybe next time."

"Yes."

"Well, it was nice catching up" Hermione said, seeing they needed to go in opposite directions. "I hope we have some classes together."

"I do too" Luna smiled at her. "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Luna."

The short conversation with Luna kept a smile on Hermione's face all the way up to the Gryffindor Common room. It felt relieving, talking to someone like this – no hard topics, just genuinely innocent conversation about this summer. Entering through the portrait, the brunette nodded to some old friends as she scanned the room for Harry, Ron and Ginny. They didn't seem to be there, and she crossed the Common room to the door leading to her new dormitory. As she was the only Gryffindor eight-year girl, she wasn't surprised to see it contained one bed with an adjoined bathroom. Being alone suited her perfectly well. It meant she would be able to find solitude somewhere outside the library this year. Opening her trunk, Hermione took out her pajamas and slipped inside. She went to bed quickly, thinking of the busy days she had ahead of her. She was finally where she belonged: in Hogwarts, in her bed, falling asleep to wake up to interesting lessons and challenging tasks. How she'd missed this.

Hermione had almost fallen asleep when she heard a tapping noise. Deciding it was simply the wind, she ignored it until she heard it again. The young woman opened her eyes and looked around. Noticing movement outside the window she stared at it. There, on the windowsill, a beautiful black raven was perched, staring at her with its beady eyes. Hermione went to open the window, but the bird simply stuck out its leg, not flying inside. The brunette noticed a tiny roll of parchment tied to its leg, so she untied it and moved away so the bird could take off. It didn't move, however, and Hermione's curiosity was piqued. She didn't recognize the raven; it even seemed a little strange to her – somehow bigger than the usual ones; yet it seemed to be waiting for an answer. Hermione unrolled the parchment and read its contents.

Miss Granger,

I don't know why you think you can help with my situation, but I'll accept whatever help I can get. Something tells me not many people will jump at the opportunity. I don't know a good meeting point, so I'll leave it to you to pick a discreet place and time. Burn this piece of parchment and return a new one to me by the same bird. Be as vague about information as you can.

B.B.

The brunette's eyes were wide open, and her jaw was slack. This was obviously written by Bellatrix. The other witch wanted her help. And she wanted her to set up a meeting for the two of them. But where? Hermione was stuck at Hogwarts until the Christmas holidays, and there was no way she could get Bellatrix into the castle. The raven on the windowsill clicked its beak to remind her it was waiting for a reply. Hermione glanced towards it and saw the Hogwarts grounds in the back. The Whomping Willow was throwing its branches around at a bird who was trying to land on one of them. An idea struck her, and she took a piece of parchment from her bag, quickly scribbling a few words on it, then rolling it up and tying it to the raven's leg. The bird flew off without hesitation. Hermione watched it become smaller and smaller until the darkness made it impossible for her to see it. She then picked up the letter it had brought, remembering Bellatrix's warning to burn it. Dropping it down onto the cold stone floor, the brunette took her wand from her bedside table and whispered "Incendio." The parchment burst into flames, bringing Hermione's attention to something she had missed. She watched as the signature burned away. 'B.B.' Why had Bellatrix signed it like this. It had to mean Bellatrix Black. But wasn't she still married? Even though Rodolphus had died at the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione decided to let it go for now as she banished the ashes with a flick of her wand. She went back to bed falling asleep within minutes, her last thought being how she was going to convince Harry to give her the Invisibility Cloak.