Thank you all for the sweet reviews. Here is another chapter for your loveliness. It might seem like a filler chapter, but I really wanted to use it to set the scene for many future chapters. It also gives a nod to Hermione's mindset in regard to things like her coping post-war. I hope you all enjoy, and I hope to have a new chapter up soon. It will be reflective as well but who does not like a little peek into the mind of our favorite witch?

Just as a friendly reminder, all characters & story elements you recognize from the wonderful world of Harry Potter are the creation of JK Rowling and I am just an enthusiastic muggle with a love for stories and all things magic.

Lessons on Cauldrons & Companionship

The halls were expectedly empty with classes still in session. Her life before the war at Hogwarts was often entirely thought of in regard to class sessions and the distinct sound of each bell. Well her academic life at least. There was still the matter of extravagant rule breaking for the sake of survival and the protection of the wizarding world as a whole.

The echo of her shoes on the uneven stone ground was still calming. It represented all the many walks taken with friends to and from classes and meals, the sound that first greeted her when she walked into Hogwarts the very first time, and even the sound of the victory of the battle with all the survivors eagerly finding loved ones and moving rapidly amongst the fighters present. With each step it sounded like home. This was even truer today she supposed.

Following the war she had sought out her parents, now named Wendell and Monica Wilkins, in Australia. After tirelessly searching she found them in a small cottage enjoying their very mundane and content lives. With all the Gryffindor courage she could muster she had knocked tentatively on their door. Feelings of relief washed over her to see the happy faces of her parents, but a sharp pain was felt at the utter lack of recognition. After feigning needing to use a phone, they invited her in.

While her mother made a pot of tea to share, Hermione carefully spelled both of her parents facing away from her frozen. As she conducted the spell indicating the possibility of memory restoration on both parents she was faced with a harsh reality. The memory removal and alteration had been in place long enough that reversal was not possible without serious risk of harm to either party. Withholding tears, she released them from the spell and shared a pot of tea with her once parents before placing an unnecessary call and leaving.

The following days before returning to England were a fog of sorrow and tears only alleviated by the knowledge that her parents were blissfully unaware of their lack of parenthood and they were leading very happy lives. With the confirmation of her parents' state she became one more orphan of the war.

Upon Hermione's return she met with the now headmistress Mcgonagall to discuss reenrollment and update her with regards to her parents. Mcgonagall provided both the open ear and the firm comfort that Hermione needed. Arrangements would be made so that she could be enrolled and could stay at Hogwarts for holidays and indefinitely until other arrangements were made post-graduation. To Hermione's relief she would be provided with her own private room including an en suite for her final year.

Due to the unique nature of returning students there were specific adjustments made. During reconstruction, there was a new addition added on the fifth floor. It seemed unassuming due to the only visible difference from the hall being a large wooden lancet door stained a deep purple.

Once the door was opened however there was a sunken lounge a few steps down with sweeping ceilings and plush furniture. As you entered you immediately faced an enormous ornate fireplace. Regardless of its grandeur, it seemed a bit mish mashed in a very comfortable way.

The first distinction this room had from other common rooms was a distinct lack of coordination of color and style. Rather than the clear representation of a particular house, all of the colors were present in addition to other jewel tones like purples and oranges.

Also, the furniture styles spanned many time periods. The room seemed to be decorated with an amalgamation of décor from all four of the common rooms residing within the castle. There were large sweeping bookshelves echoing Ravenclaw's favorite use of wall space. Across the ground there were clusters of large yellow velvet floor pillows with many tassels reminiscent of Hufflepuff's friendly and relaxed setting. Throughout the expansive room sleek black lacquered tables reflecting polished Slytherin style could be readily seen. Finally, warm scarlet ornate rugs directly mimicking those scattered across the floors of Gryffindor tower brought a level of hominess and softness.

The color and styles were not the only disjointed element to the room. There was floor to ceiling bookcases with ladders framing the large fire place central to the room. Surrounding the fireplace there were chairs, sofas and cushions all covered in an abundance of pillows. Against the walls there were small tables with chairs sporadically clustered around them inviting anyone to use them for work or leisure. Windows were placed around the room with large sills large enough to sit in at random heights.

Like the rest of Hogwarts, the walls were heavily adorned. However, peppered throughout the many tapestries and paintings there were numerous mirrors. The mirrors were all different shapes and sizes all bordered with ornate frames. The biggest of which was an aged mirror towering over the mantle of the large hearth. With the many mirrors, there was constantly light cast about the room either from the many windows or the sconces placed sporadically throughout the space.

Even with the disjointed nature of the colors, layout and furniture, the room was a warm representation of all that Hogwarts was. The room emanated contentment and hominess and following the war it was exactly what all its residents needed.

The lounge had two hallways splitting off from either side. Each hallway had numerous rooms that the returning eighth year students resided in. Since it was acting as student housing the hallways were gendered however the space would be used as guest accommodations once the year concluded.

There were not many eighth years who had returned. The small number made some feel more comforted and others feel lonelier. It was also an adjustment sharing living space with those who you never would have considered before the end of the war. Used to the stark distinctions of house loyalties, it was a change for everyone involved.

Additionally, even though most were newly interacting as housemates, there were still histories from the previous school years at the forefront of everyone's minds. Even so, there was an almost desperate drive to be tolerant and move past previous grievances. Every eighth year was haunted by some element of the war, school disagreements seemed simply too trivial to cling to.

Perhaps the décor of the newly added wing was more appropriate than Hermione had ever realized. Every element of the room had varied histories, roles, tones, and house affiliations that resulted in a type of beautiful chaos. The mis-matching furnishings somehow resulted in a space that was endearing and comforting. Perhaps with this pivotal final year the eighth-year students could have the same result.

With a fond look around the common room she slowly turned and headed to her quarters.