Hermione

Hermione stared at the black skeletal beast in front of her, mouth agape.

She had obviously read about them in both Hogwarts: A History and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and they had learnt all about them in care of magical creatures, but to see them in person was a completely different experience. Their huge leathery wings were easily as big as the carriages they pulled and their pure white eyes seemed to stare straight through to her soul. She tried to repressed a shiver, but was unsuccessful.

The witch looked around, to see if anyone saw.

The golden girl couldn't be scared of a few horses after she'd fought dark witches and wizards and hunted horcruxes for the past year, how would the rest of the eighth-year students have the strength to do this if she couldn't?

But no one was looking at her, they all stared straight at the Thestrals, pale faced and wide eyed. Of course, they could all see them now.

She didn't even notice the platinum haired boy who had slowly strolled over to stand beside her.

"C'mon Granger, this was your idea, gather your troops." Malfoy whispered in her ear, both making her jump and making the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.

His words shook her out of her stupor and kicked her into gear.

"You've all learnt about Thestrals, they may look scary but they will not hurt you. We've all faced more horrors than any 18-year-olds should have to, we've lost friends and family but we got through it. I know you're all nervous to be inside the castle again, I am too,"

A few eyebrows went up in both shock and disbelief.

"But each and every one of us deserves the chance to complete our final year at Hogwarts. To have dinner in the Great Hall for one more year, to sit in our common rooms and laugh with our friends,"

Hermione looked at Harry, who smiled at her, his pride for her gleaming in his eyes, she smiled back and tried to ignore the empty space to his left where Ron should be.

"To complete our NEWT's and have a graduation ball." a few 'whoops' rang out "So walk through those doors, side by side, with your heads held high, eighth-years, not as four houses, not as victims, as survivors."

Hermione turned and climbed into a carriage before her nerves got the better of her. She caught a slight smirk on Malfoy's face as he put his head down and climbed into his own carriage.

Harry and Neville climbed up beside her and the rest of their year followed suit, their chatter slowly building in excitement as they began their journey to the castle.

"That was really good 'Mione, you're a natural born leader, you know." Harry said, smiling.

She took a deep breath and smiled back, trying not to convey her nerves, but failing in the presence of her best friend.

"I'm terrified too." He continued "My nightmares are still as vivid and I'm sure a lot of other students are too." Neville nodded in agreement, looking to the floor.

Hermione took both of their hands.

"I'm going to speak to Professor McGonagall after the feast about having some sort of counselling in place for students of the war. We all lost people and went through a lot just a few months ago and I really think a lot of people would benefit from it."

"That's an amazing idea. This is why you're head girl Hermione." Neville beamed.

Draco

Draco tried to calm his breathing as the castle came in to view, closing his eyes and focusing on his other senses;

the feel of his uniform against his skin

the smell of the black lake, wafting through on the light wind

the way he saw Granger shiver as he whispered into her ear, her strong, melodic voice carrying through the air to every student in doubt,

the high pitched, grating sound of constant chatter from Pansy that was beginning to give him a headache.

"Pans, for five minutes, could you just be quiet?" He heard Blaise ask sounding strained, as he himself opened his mouth to say those exact words.

Draco opened his eyes and was shocked to see cool, calm and collected Blaise Zabini, mirroring his position. Head back, eyes closed and knuckles white as he gripped his robes. Pansy huffed.

"Rude! I was telling Daphne about the dress I plan to wear to the-"

"Pansy!" Draco snapped, flicking his eyes over to her in a scowl. She huffed again, crossing her arms and glaring out of the window.

He let his eyes float back to Blaise, who had opened his eyes and nodded his head in appreciation.

He nodded back and looked around, thinking of something to talk about to keep both of them distracted. Once again, Zabini beat him to it.

"Do you want to bunk with me this year Draco? I know Greg hasn't come back and Vince..."

"Yeah, yeah that'd be good. Thanks, Zabini." Draco said, nodding his head slowly.

He didn't want to talk about Crabbe and Goyle.

Even if they both were still here, he doubted they'd choose to share a room with him this year.

After Draco had started doubting the cause in fifth year, they'd slowly stopped blindly following him. As thick as they were, they weren't that thick that they couldn't see how in doubt Draco was, following The Dark Lord's return.

Blaise and Draco spent the rest of the ride discussing what privileges they believe the eighth years should get.

The carriages came to a stop and Draco was surprised.

They had successfully distracted themselves enough to get through the journey without him having a single panic attack or having to picture a certain muggle-born to get him through, she didn't realise that he was asking for that speech for himself.

He looked at Blaise and saw he seemed as relieved as he felt, locking eyes with him and smirking, he exited the carriage, feeling a lot more upbeat about this year than he did this morning.