A/N: You will find that this does not always stick to the books or the movies. I also did some research on the Gryffindor girls' dormitory, notably Hermione's dorm and I found that she shared a room with four other girls; Lavender, Parvati, Fay and a fourth girl that is unnamed (she was referred to as Fay Dunbar's friend). As I couldn't find the girl's name anywhere I decided to name her 'Luice Sweeney' as I needed a name for the story and because I couldn't think of anything else to do. As usual, any hate in the comments will be blocked.

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to, I do not own any of the characters or anything that comes from the story.

This is a possible Dramione Fanfiction.

How regularly would you like me to post?

This story is rated M. You are more than welcome to leave reviews or constructive feedback.

I hope you enjoy!

CHAPTER 2. WELCOME BACK

Monday, September 1st

The sun was low when Hermione climbed off the train on the platform at Hogsmeade station. She set off towards the carriages to join her friends. When she arrived at the carriages few people were still there. Hermione spotted her friends and walked towards them.

"There you are 'Mione," said Harry grinning at her.

"Draco wasn't too annoying?" Ron asked. Hermione shook her head smiling.

"Didn't take any notice of him," Hermione replied.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, come join us!" called Ginny. The three of them climbed into the carriage where Ginny, Neville, and Luna were waiting.

"How was your break Neville?" asked Hermione, smiling at Neville.

"Oh, just the usual. I stayed with my grandmother," replied Neville.

"I went to Ireland," added Luna in a calm voice.

"Wow," replied Hermione. "What did you do there?"

"Oh, I just visited distant relatives," replied Luna in a daydream-like voice.

"I went to Canada," said Hermione.

"And I lived through hell, Ron-Ron and Lav-Lav type of hell," grunted Ginny. Everyone laughed.

"You weren't alone," added Harry, nudging Ginny. Ginny smiled at him.

"We aren't that bad," muttered Ron. They all laughed.

"Don't worry mate, we're all happy for you two," answered Harry.

"Yeah, we are," added Ginny, smiling at him. "It's just fun to make fun of you," she said grinning. "Ron-Ron," she added in a teasing voice. Ron frowned at Ginny and everyone laughed. The little carriage made its way up to Hogwarts while the six of them had time to catch up and have a laugh.

They arrived at Hogwarts and everyone filed into the great hall. Hermione sat between Harry and Ginny and Ron in front of her. Hermione caught a glimpse of Draco Malfoy who was sitting directly behind Ron at the Slytherin table. She rolled her eyes and turned to Harry.

"Isn't it great that Professor Lupin is headmaster?" she asked, smiling at him.

"Yeah it is, I must admit I'm surprised it wasn't McGonagall or Snape," Harry answered.

"Neither of them wanted to take up the post," said Hermione shrugging.

"I think it's a nice change," chirped Ginny.

"He was a great teacher back in our third year," said Hermione.

"And he's going to be great now too!" added Harry.

"Are you still going to study to become an Auror, Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded.

"Yes probably, I sti-"

"Ron-Ron!" cried Lavender cutting Harry off. She hugged Ron tightly and smiled at him. "Where have you been?" she asked giggling and she kissed him.

"I know how we said we were happy for him but come on, that's a sickening sight," muttered Ginny. "I mean, give the guy a rest." Both Harry and Hermione had to choke back laughter.

"Attention everyone," called Mrs McGonagall. The room fell silent and everyone turned to look at her. "Professor Lupin would like to say a few words." Professor Lupin rose.

"Last year was disastrous for all of us, but we can now say that that is all in the past now. This is the start of a new year and I will expect each and every one of you to work hard. You all know that the school was practically in ruins after June last year. The biggest damage has been fixed but naturally, there are still things that need taking care of. Despite all of this the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s will still be taking place at the end of the year so for those who are in their fifth and seventh year, hard work will be expected from all of you. So that everyone is aware, this year your teachers for each subject are; Professor Snape for Potions, Professor McGonagall for Transfiguration, Professor Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Binns for History of Magic, Professor Trelawney and Professor Firenze for Divination, Professor Flitwick for Charms, Professor Sprout for Herbology, Professor Sinistra and Professor Firenze for Astronomy, and I shall also be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as being your Headmaster. And finally, will both Head Boy and Head Girl come to my office after the feast, thank you." Professor Lupin paused and looked around the room. Everyone clapped and cheered. He smiled. "With all that said, let the feast begin!" and with those words said the feast appeared. No one talked much during that meal. Ron was busy trying to eat while Lavender was all over him and Harry, Ginny, and Hermione were too hungry to have a real conversation. When the feast was finished and everyone had eaten as much as they could, Harry, Ron, and Ginny got up.

"You coming 'Mione?" asked Ron. Hermione shook her head.

"I have to go see Lupin, remember?" she replied.

"Oh, right," Ron replied.

"Meet us in the common room when it's over?" asked Harry. Hermione nodded.

"Sure thing!" she replied smiling. They smiled at each other and Harry and Ron walked away. Ginny waved at Hermione and followed the two boys. Hermione watched them walk away for a second and then turned and headed off to Lupin's office. Hermione was walking along a candlelit corridor when she felt a hand close tightly on her shoulder and spin her around, pressing her back against the wall. There she stood pressed against the wall, staring right at Draco Malfoy.

"You shouldn't be wandering around the corridors, Granger," he smirked, his lips inches from her ear. Hermione felt his breath on her neck and it made her feel uneasy.

"I'm not wandering, I'm going to see Professor Lupin," she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. Draco gave a small chuckle.

"So am I Granger," Draco whispered. He leaned in so that his lips were nearly touching hers and held her gaze for a while. Then he stepped back and ran his fingers through his hair watching her. Hermione relaxed and let out a small sigh. "Lead the way Granger" smirked Draco and without a second glance, Hermione headed to Lupin's office once more, closely followed by Draco. When they arrived outside the door Hermione knocked shyly.

"Come in," came Professor Lupin's calm voice from inside the office. Hermione opened the door, and in she and Draco came. "Ah, good evening you two," said Lupin.

"Good evening Professor," replied Hermione politely.

"I won't keep you too long, I just have a couple of things to say and something to give to you both," He opened his desk drawer, pulled out two keys and handed one to Hermione and the other to Draco. "Those are keys to your shared private common room and study, you two, not counting myself, are the only ones with a key to it." He paused and looked at the two of them. "Naturally you are allowed to invite a few friends too, but no more than three or four at a time." He sat back. "As head boy and girl you have privileges but you also have responsibilities. You have both been chosen not only because you seem fit to be head boy and girl or because you two were both prefects prior but because you both have a high academic level when it comes to your work, and in past years you have been managing your work very well. This is a very important year for both of you, as for the rest of the seventh grade, but I believe you two will be able to manage these responsibilities as well as your workload. If there is a problem and you are not able to manage everything, you are more than welcome to come and see me and we can sort things out. But I highly doubt that will be necessary." Professor Lupin smiled at them. "With that said you may go now." Hermione and Draco both thanked him and left.

"Guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then, in our 'private' common room," smirked Draco. Hermione rolled her eyes as they both walked back to the great hall. She glanced at him.

"I'm surprised you would even consider using it," she said dryly. They both stopped.

"Of course, I will. No teachers are going to bother you in there," replied Draco with a chuckle. Hermione raised an eyebrow, shook her head and turned to leave but Draco grabbed her arm. "See you, tomorrow Granger," he said in a low voice. Hermione shrugged him off.

"Yeah, yeah see you," she called dryly over her shoulder and left. Draco watched her walk away before turning to go to the Slytherin common room in the dungeons.

"'Mione over here!" called Ron, as Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room.

"Oh where's Lavender?" asked Hermione, sharing a smile with Harry.

"Lav-Lav is in her room with her friends," replied Ginny imitating Lavender's voice. Harry and Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "On a more serious note she should come back down in a couple of minutes, so tell us what Lupin said," added Ginny

"Oh, he gave both Draco and me a key to our own private common room," replied Hermione. Seeing the disapproving look on both Harry and Ron's faces she added "I'm allowed to bring people with me. Don't worry I'm not going there alone."

"Bring me with you, please Hermione" begged Ginny. Hermione laughed.

"Of course, I will," she replied smiling.

"Thanks," said Ginny grinning.

"Oh I've just remembered," exclaimed Hermione. She opened her bag and took out two wrapped presents and handed one to Harry and the other to Ginny. "Happy late birthdays," she said laughing.

"Oh I have a present for you too," said Harry, grabbing his bag.

"Me too," said Ginny, grabbing her bag. Harry gave Hermione a present and Ginny handed Hermione her one. Ron grabbed his bag and handed a present to Hermione.

"I already gave Gin and Harry their presents," explained Ron.

"Thank you guys," said Hermione.

"Thanks," said Ginny and Harry, grinning. Hermione opened Ginny's present which was a pair of pearl earrings, Harry's present was a white quill and a white marble inkpot and Ron's present was a box of Berty Bot's every flavoured beans and a picture of Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the train ride back from Hogwarts before last summer.

"These are so nice, thank you so much!" gasped Hermione. "I love them!" She gave them each a hug.

"Thanks for the little snitch pen Hermione," said Harry grinning at her.

"The bracelet is lovely Hermione!" exclaimed Ginny beaming. Harry helped Ginny put the bracelet on. "Thanks," Ginny said to Harry.

"No problem," replied Harry. All four of them grinned.

"This is going to be a great year," said Ginny grinning.

"Loving the optimism," added Hermione, laughing.

"Ron-Ron!" cried Lavender, coming down the stairs.

"Here she comes," muttered Ginny "Maybe not the best year after all," Ginny mumbled just before Lavender jumped into Ron's arms. Harry and Hermione giggled. Hermione looked at her watch. 10:13.

"It's pretty late, shouldn't we head up and start unpacking before going to bed," said Hermione getting up. Harry and Ron groaned.

"Yeah, we should," added Ginny getting up.

"Oh come on Gin!" whined Ron.

"We have a long day tomorrow Ronald!" added Hermione raising her eyebrows at him but smiling. Ron sighed and Harry grinned.

"Alright, night girls!" called Harry as the two girls headed up the stairs.

"Night!" they called back.

At the top of the stairs, Hermione hugged Ginny goodnight and then pushed the dormitory door open. She saw Fay and Lucie already in the dormitory and smiled.

"Hey you two," said Hermione, smiling at them.

"Hermione!" cried Lucie rushing to hug Hermione.

"Lucie! Oh, it's good to see you," replied Hermione laughing. She then hugged Fay. "How were your summers?" Hermione asked the two girls.

"I went to Ireland," answered Lucie.

"And I went to see my cousins," added Fay.

"That's your bed, on the right, by the door," informed Lucie "It's next to mine," she added with a smile.

"We're sorry that you didn't have a say in the beds, but Lucie and I took those two beds," said Fay pointing at the bed in the middle and the bed on the right to it "and Lavender and Parvati took the two beds on the left so that was the only one left."

"Oh it's fine don't worry about it," answered Hermione with a smile "I really don't mind being next to Lucie," she added laughing. Hermione pushed her case under her bed. "She would unpack it tomorrow," she thought, as a wave of tiredness rushed over her. She put her school bag next to her bedside locker and looked at her watch. "Gosh it's 10:30 pm already?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, travelling days go by fast," replied Fay. She was brushing her hair and Lucie was getting changed into her nighty.

"Tell me about it," muttered Hermione. She quickly got changed, brushed her teeth, washed her face and was pretty much ready for bed. She sat on her bed and smiled to herself. "Oh it's good to be back," she thought to herself.

"Hermione?" asked Lucie. "Do you think you could plat my hair?" she looked hopefully at Hermione.

"Of course Lucie," Hermione answered. She loved plating Lucie's long hair.

Halfway through the second plat Lavender and Parvati walked in.

"Hi, Hermione," called Parvati cheerfully.

"Hey," replied Hermione.

"Wow, those plats look really nice," added Parvati. "Could you plat my hair tomorrow morning," she asked.

"Sure," Hermione replied. She tied the plat and said to Lucie "All done!" Lucie bounced up and hugged Hermione.

"Thanks, Hermione," said Lucie with a huge smile on her face.

"Uh, Hermione?" asked Lavender.

"Mhm," Hermione replied, turning to look at Lavender. She looked a little embarrassed.

"Well you know I'm dating Ron," started Lavender. Hermione nodded and smiled.

"How could I not know he's my best friend and all he does is talk about you," said Hermione. Lavender smiled.

"He talks about me?" she asked.

"Only good things don't worry," Hermione replied grinning. Lavender blushed and smiled.

"Well, you know how you two had chemistry and like now you're fine but before you two dated back in our fifth year" continued Lavender. Hermione pulled a face.

"Yeah... That was kind of stupid I must admit, he and I were always better as friends," replied Hermione. She looked at Lavender and added "That's all in the past now Lav don't worry. There is only friendship between him and me now, nothing more."

"I know, I know. I was just wondering if it was awkward between you and me," finished Lavender. Hermione stared blankly at Lavender so she added "Because he's your ex and now I'm dating him," Hermione laughed.

"Oh, Lavender, don't be silly. He and I are just friends and I'm happy for you two," Hermione replied. "Honestly, there's nothing to worry about," Lavender let out a sigh.

"Oh good. I was worried you were mad at me because you left when I came down," she explained.

"No no not at all, I just thought it was late and I should get ready for bed," Hermione answered smiling.

"Talking about late, it's nearly 11:00 pm," added Fay.

"Oh and we have to get up early tomorrow," whined Parvati.

"Gosh, I hate mornings," added Lucie grumpily "I'm already in a bad mood just thinking about it," everyone laughed at that and Hermione hopped into bed. Lavender and Parvati quickly got changed, brushed their teeth and hopped into bed. Everyone turned off their lights.

"Good night everyone," whispered Lucie.

"Good night," answered Parvati.

"Night," said Hermione and Lavender.

"I'm gonna shut my eyes and the next thing I'll know is Fay will be saying "wake up you're late" and I'll still be really tired," moaned Lucie. Everyone laughed.

"Go to sleep Lucie!" shushed Fay but you could hear the smile on her face. Hermione rolled over and stared out of the window. She could see the moon and hear an owl hooting. "Welcome back Hermione," she thought to herself. Hermione fell asleep with a smile on her face and excitement bubbling in her stomach. A new year with a ton of surprises was about to begin.