When August 31st rolled around, Hermione was already going a bit stir-crazy. She itched to train, like she had during the summer, but the first time she had done calisthenics in her and Ginny's shared room, the girl had looked at her like she was bonkers.
At least at school, Hermione would be able to research and study in peace. Most of the year would be a waiting game, and she was honestly concerned about being bored out of her mind. If only she had Draco, perhaps this wouldn't have seemed like such a lonely mission. Her friends would be around her, true, but they weren't yet the friends she remembered from the future.
She did bond more with Ginny, who seemed to have taken the Heroine of Sussex as a new idol. She was so taken with having a female figure to look up to, that she seemed to stop hero-worshipping Harry as much. Instead, she started instructing Hermione on how to be more like the Heroine, which she took with a smile. After all, when Hermione was a thirteen year old, she had obsessed over Gilderoy Lockheart of all people. This was a much better use of Ginny's time.
In a show of support, she gave Ginny a wand holster for her birthday. It didn't keep her from feeling like she would be babysitting the girl – along with all of their friends – as soon as term started.
So it was with a heavy heart that Hermione arrived at King's Cross, with her new trunk and Crookshanks in tow. She made a point to walk up and down the train a few times, just to get a feel for how all the other students were feeling (She refused to call it patrolling). As she passed them, she greeted her year mates warmly, and gave a little smile to everyone she passed. She wasn't blind enough to her own faults to realize they all looked taken aback by her. She was the know-it-all, teacher's pet Hermione Granger, not someone who smiled and didn't try to confiscate the pet tarantula or fanged Frisbee she saw someone sheepishly holding,.
When she passed a compartment with Marietta Edgecomb, Cedric, Cho, and Luna, however, she had to stop. She saw Cedric and Cho paid a little too much attention to each other's mouths, and was turning away to give them some privacy. As she did, she saw Marietta grab Luna's bag and rifle through it.
"Did you find another make-believe insect, Loony?" Marietta said, sniggering at Luna's copies of The Quibbler. Luna smiled thinly, like this was something she dealt with every day.
"No, Marietta, I didn't run into many nargles this summer. They seem to be surrounding you very thickly though," said Luna distantly. She didn't fight Marietta as she continued rifling through the bag.
Eventually, Marietta came upon a chocolate frog, and squealed with delight. "Oh Loony, another chocolate frog for me? You're such a sweet friend."
Hermione looked in disgust. It had been a while since she acted on her Gryffindor tendancies, it was about time for them to come out to play again.
"Luna, I've finally found you!" She exclaimed excitedly, then made a show of looking around the compartment. Cho and Cedric broke away, slightly embarrassed, and Marietta looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "Hi Diggory, Chang." She continued flippantly. "Oh, Luna, do you have the latest Quibbler? My parents don't have a subscription. They're dentists, you know."
Luna, to her credit, took the entire thing in stride. "Hello Hermione," she said, "I'd be happy to lend you my Quibbler. Marietta seems to have it right now, though."
Marietta sat there dumbfounded, chocolate frog still in hand and the bag sitting dammingly in her lap. Before the girl could make any excuses, Hermione rounded on her.
"What are you doing with Luna's bag, Edgecomb? Decided to pick on a poor third year?" She snarled. "It's not very intelligent to steal someone's stuff. You're fortunate that Luna's too nice to fight back. And you!" She whirled on Cedric, who was watching with a blank look. "You're supposed to be a prefect, and you're letting this girl bully a housemate in your own compartment!"
She turned to Luna and gave her a sad smile. "Do you want to join me in my compartment, Luna? You're always welcome to sit with me, Harry, and Ron."
Luna smiled brilliantly. "I'd love that."
Carelessly, Hermione turned on the remaining students. "I hope you'll reconsider your actions this year. Gryffindors aren't afraid to get revenge for a friend." Her eyes were icy, and the three had no words to reply. "Accio, Luna's bag," Hermione said lazily, and the bag came flying towards her. "Let's go, Luna."
They left without a word. In the hallway, Luna turned to her with the most un-Luna-like incredulity Hermione had ever seen from the girl. "Thank you, Hermione Granger." She said serenely, and continued, "As far as I know, we haven't been friends in the past."
Hermione responded definitively, "We are now. You're a nice girl, Luna. I won't let people hurt you like that." Luna had been the one to warn them about the destruction of the Ministry, and while Hermione had never truly understood the girl, she had come to accept her quirks. "Come on, let's get to my compartment. I'll need your help figuring out if there are any nargles in there."
She slid the door open, and Ron and Harry turned to look at them. "Blimey, Hermione, where have you been?"
"Around," she said vaguely. "By the way, this is Luna. She's a Ravenclaw in your sister's year, Ron. She'll be sitting with us today." She glared at the two boys, and they said nothing to argue.
"Hi, Luna," said Harry kindly, breaking the silence. "I'm Harry."
"I know who you are, Harry Potter," Luna said in the same distant voice she'd used in the hall. "It's very nice to meet you."
Ron leaned over and whispered to Harry, "Is it just me, or did Hermione get scary over the summer?" Harry nodded in agreement. "Erm, welcome, Luna." He said awkwardly. "D'you like Wizard's chess?"
The train ride passed enjoyably after that. Ron found Luna to be an excellent Chess player, and Harry filled Hermione in about all of his adventures in Berlin. "Thanks for asking Dobby to come over, by the way. I really appreciate it."
Hermione smiled brilliantly. "Of course, Harry. Dobby helped me after my visit to the Hospital Wing last year. I had no idea Hogwarts had so many house elves – I do hope they're treated well – but it wasn't stated in any of the editions of 'Hogwarts: A History,' I've ever read. I can't believe they'd leave out something so significant!"
Harry cocked his head. "There are multiple editions of 'Hogwarts: A History?"
"But of course, there's loads. They update it every seven years. I'm certain you'll be in the next one, Harry. They talked about the youngest seeker in the 1891 edition."
"Blimey, 'Mione, how many editions of that book have you read?"
"Oh, nearly all of them, I'd imagine." Hermione replied smugly. "All the ones we have in the library, at least. Where do you think I learned about the pipes that ran through the castle?"
Harry gaped. He clearly didn't realize exactly how much Hermione read. "I read a few books over the summer hols, you know." He said conversationally. "Sirius gave me a few to read. Said they'd be interesting."
"That's wonderful, Harry." Hermione was glad Sirius had kept to his word and taught Harry something. "What were they about?"
"Oh, all sorts of things. I learned a few spells, I'll have to show you them."
He seemed weirdly reluctant to tell her about it, but Hermione didn't push. "I wonder what our new Defense professor will be like," she said instead, even though she knew the answer. (In fact, she knew the answer better than anyone else in the castle this year).
"Dunno," Harry replied. "I can't imagine anyone better than Remus, though." Hermione nodded her agreement. "I sorta wish Sirius could teach Defense – I know it's hopeless, but I really miss him."
"I hope you'll be able to see him soon," Hermione said, although she knew it would be a while longer. "At least he's safe, right?"
They passed the rest of the train ride happily chatting, talking about upcoming classes and, naturally, the Heroine of Sussex. Luna was of the opinion that she was a super-spy from America who had defected to protect the Muggles and Muggleborns of Britain. Ron, on the other hand, thought she was a Greek witch from a mysterious cult.
Jokingly, Hermione threw in her own theory about the woman being a time-traveler from the next millennium, cleaning up the messes of Britain's past. Harry vetoed that one, claiming that there were much better things to travel back for. What surprised Hermione most of all, though, was the lack of interruption from Draco and his goons. She remembered him coming in and bragging that he knew about the Tournament. She wondered what had changed.
They rolled into the station at dusk, and Hermione was determinedly pulling Luna along with them. They were a little squished when Ginny and Neville joined them in the carriages, but no one questioned her inclusion. When Hermione got out of the carriage, she pet the Thestrals and said goodbye. To her surprise, Luna joined her.
"I didn't know anyone else could see them." Luna said softly. "It was my mum, that I saw. Who have you seen die?"
"Too many people, Luna. Too many."
AN: Wow, I'm amazed by the response I've gotten! I'm so pleased that this story has gotten such amazing responses. Thanks for your support, you really keep me motivated to write. Especially those that have stuck with me and commented almost every single chapter. Whether or not it's a positive response or a critique, I'm pleased you've chosen to spend your time reading my story.