I own nothing but the plot.

August 3rd, 1998

The conversation around the kitchen table in the Burrow was subdued, only the occasional quiet request to pass the butter, or jam. Most of the noise came from the clinking of cutlery on plates as the Weasley children, plus Harry and Hermione ate.

A screech filled the air as a regal looking owl swooped through the open kitchen window, depositing a stack of letters in the centre of the table. Molly Weasley reached for the pile with a frown, starting to go through the mail, issuing out letters to two of her children, and the two guests.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Ron exclaimed as he recognised the Hogwarts crest on the envelope.

"Ronald Weasley watch your language!" Molly scolded, her frown deepening. She had expected a letter for Ginny, but was surprised by the other three, although she was also relieved that things were going back to normal.

"Sorry Mum," Ron apologised sheepishly, throwing his letter down with disgust and looking towards his best friend and girlfriend, hoping they would feel the same. Harry was distracted as he stroked the tawny owl, feeding it bacon from his plate, clearly pining the loss of Hedwig. Hermione, on the other hand, was biting her bottom lip, tears shining in her eyes as she looked at her cupped palm.

"I… I… I'm Head Girl…" was all Hermione managed to choke out, the glinting badge resting in her hand, the letter abandoned on the table, still unread.

"You what!? How?!" Ron started, snatching up the letter, his face slowly turning a similar shade to his hair as he read more and more.

Dear Miss Granger

We are pleased to invite you back to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to complete your 7th year.

In light of the events of the last twelve months, a decision has been made with between educators and the Ministry of Magic that all students shall repeat the previous year. New and existing first year students will be combined.

Whilst we realise that this is an unprecedented situation, your cooperation and understanding is appreciated and as such, we are pleased to announce your new position as Hogwarts Head Girl.

Term starts on September 1st, and we await your confirmation of attendance by owl no later than August 20th.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

"This is absolute fucking bullshit, they can't seriously expect us to go back to school like nothing happened. Like there wasn't a fucking war!" Ron threw the letter down in disgust, turning to Harry for support, though the Chosen One just sat still, clearly not sure of what to do.

"Ronald Billius Weasley I will not have such language in my house and you most certainly WILL be attending school once more. Things need to get back to normal and I cannot keep worrying about you all," Molly scolded her youngest son, her eyes flicking to the empty seat that Fred once occupied. A silence descended upon the kitchen, heavy as everyone remembered what had been lost, and tried to come to terms with what would be.

"Maybe it'll be nice to get back to normal?" Ginny tried to lighten the mood, reading through her own letter that announced her repeat of sixth year. Reaching for Harry, she placed her hand over his. "It's just one more year, if you could get through the War, we can get through this. It'll be fine."

She didn't have to say anything else, those words having an impact on Harry as he suddenly pushed himself back from the table, standing abruptly. With barely a word to anyone, he stormed out of the kitchen, disappearing through the back door. Sighing, Ginny made to follow. This was not an unusual event these days, as the suffering war hero tried to come to terms with who and what he was, and what his role in the new order of the wizarding world would be. Raising a hand, Ron stopped her movements.

"Don't, I'll go. I know what he's going through. Hermione?" Ron turned his gaze to his girlfriend as he stood to follow the leader of the Golden Trio, but her attention was still firmly on the badge in her hand. "Hermione!" Still getting no response, he gave a disgusted grunt before storming out after Harry.

"I'm Head Girl…' Hermione whispered once the boys had left the kitchen, leaving her with Molly and Ginny. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks as she became overwhelmed with emotion, the sorrow at not being able to share this moment with her parents mixing with the joy of one of her childhood dreams being realised.

"And we're so very proud of you, Hermione dear," Molly was quick on the uptake, bustling around the table to wrap the quietly sobbing girl in a loving, maternal hug. Molly could only hope that Hermione would be the one to convince the two boys of the need to return to school and finish their education, everyone in desperate need of some form of normalcy in order to continue with their lives in the post-War world they found themselves in. Death Eaters were still being hunted down and captured daily, as Voldemort sympathisers slipped back into the shadows and those in favour of blood status quietened down.

There was a lot of work ahead of the community, but all Molly knew is that she didn't want her children, and the teenagers that had become her family too, to be wrapped up in more than they needed to. It had been enough that they fought in the war, now it was time to find their own lives.

"C'mon 'Mione. You, me, shopping. We need new books and robes and definitely need some girl time," Ginny was quickly up and hugging the older witch as well, trying to stop the depressed rut that Hermione had been in since returning from Australia from taking over again.

Hermione couldn't even respond, just nodding as she choked back another sob, her fingers closing around the badge to make a fist. It was no question that she would return to school, the younger students needed guidance and if she could help, then she was going to be there.

"Wonderful, Ginny. You girls go. Be home before dark," Molly shooed the pair away, relieved that at least her daughter was aware of emotions even if almost all of her sons completely lacked the ability.

The whump of flames was barely heard as the two girls disappeared for a day in Diagon Alley, and Molly Weasley slumped into a chair at the family table as tears of her own started to streak down her face. The War had taken from them all, the loss of one of her sons, and she feared she was going to lose another two as she stared out the back window, barely able to see the backs of the two young men who had shouldered more than anyone their age should.

Hogwarts was what they needed. Hogwarts was what they all needed.