Hi Everyone! Welcome to my new series :) The last one didn't end well because I did not want to continue writing it, but I love the plot of this and I hope you all do too! Updates will be typically once a week, if not, then every other week. This is going to be my first fanfiction with a pairing in it, so please do not judge if something is off! I love to hear what everyone thinks so please leave a review (Maybe a One-Shot Idea or two? I sorta need some)! Thank you!
Prologue
Screams…
It was the only thing she could hear.
Pain…
It was the only thing she could feel.
Blood…
It was the only thing she could taste.
Horror…
It was the only thing she could smell.
Black…
It was the only thing she could see.
Hermione gasped as she shot up covered in sweat. She was shaking from head to toe. It had been a month since the war had ended, but it didn't mean that their lives were completely back to normal. In fact, for a few people, their lives hadn't gone back to any sense of normal at all. Familiar places felt strange to them as if they weren't familiar at all. The losses at the battle were heavy.
The Weasley's were as welcoming as ever to Harry and Hermione, but it wasn't the same. Fred was on all their minds, having died from an explosion during the battle. Everyone was haunted by the thought of him, especially George, who had lost his other half. George spent most of the day locked in his room, only coming out to use the bathroom or to grab something to eat. Ginny, who shared a room with Hermione, spent most of her day at the window of the room, staring out to where they all used to play Quidditch. She recalled memories, and she sobbed quietly. Ron was angrier than usual, taking it out on almost everyone. He hung out with Harry most of the day, but mostly in silence on the couch. Molly and Arthur Weasley tried to stay strong for the children but were awake throughout the night grieving.
Harry… he had taken it really hard. He had lost so many people in his life already. His parents, Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Fred, and even Snape. Even worse, he blamed himself for all the deaths that had happened.
Finally, there was Hermione. She suffered the worst nightmares out of them all. Having been tortured for a long period of time, she was traumatized. If she had been tortured anymore, she would have met the same fate as Neville's parents. However, she was not left unscarred. She had the word on her arm to prove it and was also left with side effects. For instance, nightmares, random shoots of pain up her arm where the dagger had done its work, and even hallucinations. She was really jumpy as well. Everyone constantly worried about her, and Hermione felt guilty. They had their own problems, and she was just increasing their worries.
All students had been reinvited back to Hogwarts to complete their education. Hermione immediately jumped at the chance of going back. However, she knew it would be difficult. In the end, with enough persuasion for Mrs Weasley, they all decided to continue their magical education.
Draco Malfoy lay in bed staring at the ceiling. His parents were going to trial soon, and he was originally supposed to join them. The only thing that had saved him was surprisingly...Veritaserum. His father had been asked many questions about his time as a death eater at the ministry, and he had let something slip about Draco's childhood. Fear and control. For this, Draco was let off the hook, as they believed he was not a threat. Draco was actually thrilled at the fact that his father may get sent to Azkaban, the dark and chilling prison crawling with dementors. As much as he tried, he could not feel anything towards him other than pure hatred. However, he worried for his mother. As a young boy under Lucius Malfoy's roof, his mother would do everything she could to make sure Draco could experience at least a bit of a normal childhood. He loved his mother and was desperate for her to stay out of Azkaban. He was even considering asking for help, but he could not think of anyone who would be willing to do such a meaningful thing for him. He was, like everyone else, offered the chance to resume school. Although it would be a crazy year, he accepted and hoped things would soon be better than they ever were before.
