A/N - Hi all! Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter. Finally returning to Hogwarts in this chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 27

Reunion

26 August 1998

Hermione woke screaming for the second morning in a row. Looking frantically around the room, her heart beating wildly, she finally got her bearings as Crookshanks rubbed himself up against her. Letting out a shaky breath, she pushed her hair back from her face, still breathing heavily as she willed her heart to slow. Sitting up, she leaned back against her headboard and pulled Crookshanks into her lap, burying her hands in his fur as the dream came back to her

"Tell me! Tell me where you got the sword!" Bellatrix screamed in her face as Hermione sobbed.

"We found it!"

"Liar!" The pain started again and Hermione screamed until her throat was raw. When it finally stopped, she opened her eyes blearily and looked to the side. She stood there, her blue eyes staring at Hermione with revulsion and pity.

"Help me," Hermione mouthed silently. Narcissa Malfoy stared at her for a moment longer and then turned her back. Hermione's eyes shut just as the pain began again.

Hermione shuddered and closed her eyes. That wasn't what had happened, she knew that. She had never looked to any of the Malfoys for help. Just as her dreams had morphed into including Bellatrix handing Hermione over to Greyback, they had changed to include Mrs. Malfoy refusing to help Hermione when she asked.

Hermione knew it was because of the encounter in Flourish and Blotts. The nightmares had slowed, only occurring a couple of times a week and Hermione had hoped that meant they would soon be gone for good. But seeing Narcissa Malfoy and watching her flinch when she looked at the glamour on Hermione's arm had brought the memories back in full force. Hermione wondered if she would ever be able to put them behind her.

Sighing, she scratched Crookshanks behind the ears before she nudged him off her lap. He gave her a baleful look as he pulled himself to his feet, jumping off the bed and then sitting and staring at her.

"Yes, I know it's time for your breakfast," she said as she threw the blankets off and got out of bed. The cat watched her as she pulled her hair back into a sloppy ponytail, then sniffed as he turned on his heel and left the room. He looked back once to make sure she was following. She rolled her eyes but smiled fondly.

When they reached the kitchen, Hermione opened the tin of food and dumped it into his dish.

"Mum and Dad are coming home today, you know," she said. Crookshanks gave her a side glance as he continued to eat. "I can see you're overwhelmed with excitement." Hermione, on the other hand, was looking forward to seeing her parents. She hoped that being back in their home would make them want to return to England permanently.

Still, there was a lot to do before they arrived and so Hermione turned to prepare her own breakfast, making a mental list of what she would need to get at the market. She also decided to strengthen the silencing charm on her bedroom. There was no need to worry her parents with her nightmares, after all.

29 August 1998

"I think that it's up to you," Remus said as he took a sip of his tea. The letter lay on the table between them, Andromeda having asked him to read it a few minutes ago.

"That is not really what I had in mind when I asked for advice," Andromeda said dryly. Remus chuckled.

"I realize that, but only you know if you're ready to do this." Andromeda sighed and picked up the letter from her sister again. Narcissa had requested to meet Andromeda at a café in Diagon Alley after she had taken Draco to King's Cross.

"Diagon Alley is always crawling with reporters," Andromeda said. "I am not sure if I am ready to deal with that."

"Perhaps you should suggest somewhere else," Remus replied.

"Muggle London would be the only place we would not have to worry about the press."

"True," Remus agreed.

"And I doubt Narcissa would agree to that." Remus shrugged.

"If she really wants to see you, she might," he said. Andromeda stared down at the letter, contemplative look on her face.

"There is that small coffee shop just a block from King's Cross," she said. "Ted and I used to stop in there after we had taken Nymphadora to the train."

"It sounds like a good solution," Remus said, his wife's name still causing a pang in his chest.

"Narcissa has no idea how to dress Muggle," Andromeda said with a snort.

"Doesn't know how or will refuse to?"

"That too."

"You can only make the suggestion," Remus said. "She may agree if you emphasize wanting to avoid reporters."

"Yes, I would think she would not want anything to do with them either."

"Besides, there are plenty of Muggles that dress differently. She might get a few looks, but I doubt anyone would bother you." Andromeda nodded absently. Remus put a hand over hers to bring her back into the conversation. "The main thing to decide is if you want to do this. If you're ready to do this."

"I am not sure I will ever be completely ready," Andromeda admitted. She looked up at him. "But I miss my sister and I would like her back."

"Then, I'd say you've made your decision." Remus patted her hand. She smiled at him.

"Thank you, Remus."

1 September 1998

Hermione, holding Crookshanks' carrier, her shrunken trunk in her pocket, glanced quickly to either side before she walked through the barrier at King's Cross. She had said good-bye to her parents outside the station, as they had dropped her off on their way to the airport. They were returning to Australia today and while they had promised to come back for Christmas, there had been no discussion of moving back to England permanently. Hermione had wanted to ask, but she'd held herself back, as they were getting along so well. She hadn't wanted to ruin anything.

They had gone to dinner at the Burrow on Sunday which her parents had seemed to enjoy. They'd never seen a wizarding household before. Arthur had, of course, peppered her father with questions about Muggle things all night until Molly had scolded him enough to get him to stop. Her dad had just found it amusing.

Hermione glanced around the platform, looking for Ginny and Luna, as well as the three Muggle-born first years. Hermione wasn't sure who else from her year was returning, although when she had talked to Dean at Harry's birthday, he'd said he was considering it.

"Hermione," a familiar voice said and Hermione spun to see Harry behind her.

"Harry! What are you doing here?"

"Patrolling the platform," he said. "Our first official assignment."

"Our?" Hermione questioned.

"Yeah, Ron and Neville are here too."

"Just the three of you?" Hermione questioned. She knew that Harry, Ron and Neville were more than competent, but there were a lot of people here.

"Nah, Proudfoot, Dawlish and Williamson are here too." Harry made a face as he said the last man's name.

"Still having problems with him?" Hermione asked.

"Who, Williamson?" Ron said as he came up behind Harry. "He's a wanker."

"Ron," Hermione admonished.

"What?" Ron said. "Harry knows he is."

"Yeah, mate, but it's probably not a good idea to announce it in front of everyone," Harry said. Ron glanced around and then shrugged. They were as alone as they could be on the crowded platform.

"Anyway, we should keep patrolling, but have you seen Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Not yet," Hermione replied. Ron snorted.

"Harry it's still a half hour until the train leaves. D'you really think my family is going to be here already?"

"Fair point," Harry said while Hermione laughed. Ron smiled at her.

"I'll tell Ginny you're looking for her when I see her," Hermione said. Harry gave her a quick hug and turned to walk back towards the front of the platform, helping a younger girl right her trunk as he did so. Hermione saw the girl's mouth drop open when she realized who Harry was, but he continued walking.

"Don't you have to get back too?" Hermione asked Ron, when he hadn't followed Harry.

"Oh, yeah, in a minute," Ron said. He rubbed his hand against the back of his neck nervously. Hermione gave him a quizzical look.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"No, nothing," Ron said. He looked at his feet and then over her head before he met her gaze again. Hermione was starting to wonder what was going on.

"I just, erm, wanted to say have a good term," he finally said.

"Thanks," Hermione replied. The whole thing was becoming rather awkward.

"So, I guess I'll see you at Christmas, then."

"My parents are coming for another visit, but I don't think they're staying for the entire holiday, so yes, probably."

"Okay, good, that's good," Ron said. The tips of his ears were pink. "Hermione, I-" but whatever Ron intended to say was cut off by the squeal of Hermione's name.

"Hermione!" Claire ran up to her and hugged her around the middle. Hermione laughed and hugged the girl back.

"Hello, Claire. Where's David?"

"He's coming with the trolley," Claire said. Hermione looked up to see David, followed by Claire's parents and her brother. David was indeed pushing the trolley with two trunks on it. Hermione glanced at Ron, who was looking at her with a sad smile on his face.

"Claire, you remember Ron, don't you?"

"From Hogwarts," Claire nodded. "You're Hermione's boyfriend." Hermione's eyes widened and Ron's face turned red.

"Oh, well, no, he's um, he's not," Hermione said quickly.

"I'll see you later, Hermione," Ron said and turned and strode off before Hermione could stop him. Claire watched him go as her parents and David finally arrived.

"Sorry, Hermione, did I say something wrong?" Claire asked, looking nervous.

"No, Claire, it's fine," she said. "Ron and I aren't dating anymore, that's all."

"Oh, sorry."

"You didn't know," Hermione assured her and hugged the girl again. "Have you talked to Annie?" Claire's smile returned.

"Yes, she should be here soon. My mum just talked to Amy on her mobile."

"I'll help you with your trunks when she gets here, then," Hermione said, still wondering about the strange conversation with Ron. She didn't have long to contemplate it, however, as Annie arrived moments later. Amy looked just as stunned as she had in Diagon Alley, as Annie led her towards her two friends. The three children began chattering excitedly to each other and Hermione tried to reassure both Amy and Sarah who looked like they were about to change their minds about letting the children go back to Hogwarts after all.

"I'll look after them, I promise," Hermione said again as Sarah wrapped Claire and David in a hug.

"You two write to me tonight, understand?" Sarah said and both children nodded.

"You too, Annie," Amy said. "If I don't get a letter from you by tomorrow, I'm going to contact Mr. Dawlish and send him to bring you home."

"Okay, okay," Annie said, rolling her eyes. "I'll write, I swear." Hermione glanced at her watch. There were only ten minutes until the train left.

"Should I help you find a compartment?" Hermione asked.

"Can you sit with us?" Claire questioned.

"Not right away," Hermione said. "I'm a Prefect, so I have to sit in the Prefect's carriage and have a meeting first. But I'll help you find a spot and Ginny can check in on you. You remember her, right?" Claire nodded and gripped Hermione's hand. She turned back to her mother with a sniffle.

"I'll miss you, Mum," she said quietly. Sarah hugged her tightly again.

"You're going to have so much fun, you won't have time to miss me," Sarah said, blinking back tears. Her husband hugged David and then his daughter, Sarah wrapping David in a hug. "If you need anything, anything at all, you let me know." David nodded and Sarah kissed his forehead. "We love you, both of you." Amy was saying something similar to Annie.

As excited as she knew the three children were, Hermione also knew that they were scared. Last year, they'd had a much different outcome when they had come to board the train. She wished she could sit with them the entire time.

"Hermione," a voice called and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Ginny's red hair. She had obviously shrunk her trunk as well, as there was nothing in her hands.

"Gin," she said as Ginny reached them. "Where's your mum?" Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Stopped to talk to Ron," she said. "Honestly, I told the woman I was more than old enough to get myself here, but she insisted."

"Did you find Harry?" Hermione asked. Ginny's smiled widened.

"Yes, I most certainly did."

"You remember Annie, David and Claire," Hermione said quickly, cutting Ginny off before she said something about giving Harry the perfect snog.

"Of course, I do," Ginny said with a smile. Hermione introduced her to everyone else and then glanced at her watch again.

"We should probably get on the train." After one more round of hugs, Hermione and Ginny helped the three first-years with their trunks, casting featherlight charms on them and pulling them aboard the train. Just as Hermione was going to climb up the steps, Ginny laughed.

"Well, didn't know Neville had it in him." Hermione looked over her shoulder where Neville was enthusiastically snogging Luna, right in the middle of the platform. Luna pulled away with a dreamy smile and put some kind of necklace around Neville's neck before kissing his cheek and walking towards the train. Hermione watched Neville look around and turn bright red, obviously realizing just how many people had seen him kissing his girlfriend. Hermione hoped that none of his superiors had noticed.

"Hello, Hermione," Luna said as she boarded the train. "Hello, Ginny."

"Hey, Luna," Ginny said with a grin. "Nice good-bye there."

"Oh, yes, Neville is a very talented kisser." Hermione nearly choked on her tongue. The three first-years were staring up at Luna with a variety of expressions on their faces. David looked disgusted, Claire obviously thought the entire thing had been romantic and Annie just looked like she was trying to figure Luna out.

"Good luck with that," Hermione muttered under her breath. As much as she loved Luna, she wasn't sure anyone would ever figure her out.

Hermione began ushering the children down the train cars until they found an open compartment. Ginny and Luna joined them while Hermione left to go to the Prefect's carriage. She promised to return as soon as she was finished. Ginny was pulling out the Exploding Snap cards when Hermione left.

As she made her way down the corridor, she looked out one of the open doors and saw Ron standing on the platform. His eyes were roaming along the cars as if he was looking for someone. Hermione paused in the doorway and Ron caught sight of her. A wide smile broke out over his face and he waved. Hermione waved back and then hurried along the corridor, still wondering what was going on with him.

Andromeda sat nervously in the coffee shop, checking her watch every few seconds. Truthfully, she had been shocked when Narcissa had agreed to meet here instead of Diagon Alley. She never would have thought her proper Pureblood sister would set foot in a Muggle establishment. Andromeda wasn't sure if that alluded to how much Narcissa wanted to see her or the fact that she could avoid the press this way. Andromeda, while hoping for the former, suspected it had more to do with the latter.

She glanced out the window again and froze as she saw the distinctive blonde head walking down the pavement. Narcissa was glancing apprehensively from side to side as if a Muggle were going to accost her at any moment. Andromeda nearly groaned aloud when she noticed that Narcissa had her wand palmed in her hand, hidden mostly by her sleeve. Still, she didn't rise from the table as Narcissa finally entered the coffee shop. Instead, Andromeda sipped from her cup of tea and waited for Narcissa to spot her.

Andromeda took the extra few seconds she had to examine her sister. Andromeda's warning to dress Muggle had been half successful. Narcissa wore a frock, but one that was more suited to the 50's than the current style. Merlin forbid she wear something as inappropriate as trousers, or even worse, show her knees. One thing Andromeda had never missed about the Pureblood world was the heavy, corseted robes she and her sisters had been forced to wear, not only to formal events, but in the house as well. Her father always insisted that they dress 'properly'. While Andromeda still wore robes at home sometimes, they were lightweight, casual affairs that Narcissa likely wouldn't be caught dead in.

Narcissa had finally noticed her and made her way to Andromeda's table. Andromeda stood in greeting.

"Andromeda," Narcissa said.

"Narcissa," Andromeda returned. The two sisters stared at each other for a few moments before Andromeda gestured to the chair across from her.

"Would you like something?" Andromeda asked.

"Tea would be lovely, thank you." Andromeda caught the server's eye and waved her over. Narcissa flinched when the girl asked her what she wanted. Andromeda asked for another cup of tea and two scones. Narcissa looked warily around the coffee shop as the server walked away.

"No one is going to attack you," Andromeda said offhandedly, as she took another sip of her tea. Narcissa glanced at her sharply.

"I did not think they were." Andromeda held back a snort, but her expression must have given her away. Narcissa's eyes narrowed. "I do not have the experience you do in such…establishments." Andromeda sighed.

"Then why did you agree to come here?"

"As you said, it is a way to avoid the press." They stopped talking as the waitress returned, setting the tea in front of Narcissa and the plate with the scones in the middle between them. Narcissa stared at the cup as if it were going to bite her.

"I assure you; you are not going to catch anything by drinking out of a cup touched by a Muggle." Andromeda caught the slightest pinkening of Narcissa's cheeks. She said nothing and Andromeda passed her a packet of sugar, remembering her sister's sweet tooth. Narcissa looked at it in confusion.

"It's sugar," Andromeda explained.

"Why is it not in a bowl?" Not wanting to waste their time trying to explain germs to Narcissa, Andromeda just shook her head.

"It is easier this way," she simply said. Narcissa finally tore the packet open and poured it into her tea.

"Did Draco get off all right?" Andromeda asked as Narcissa stirred her tea.

"Yes," Narcissa replied. "He was not all that eager to return, however."

"I cannot say I blame him," Andromeda said.

"I suppose your son-in-law had plenty to say about him," Narcissa said, a bit defensively.

"Remus knew him for a year when he was thirteen," Andromeda replied, refusing to rise to the bait. "Hardly a time to form an opinion about someone." Narcissa said nothing. "I know when I was eighteen, I was nothing like I had been at thirteen."

"No, that is certainly true." The two women sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Narcissa looked up at met Andromeda's eyes. "I have missed you. Very much." Narcissa's eyes were bright and Andromeda felt her own well up. She pulled in a breath to steady herself.

"I know that you were following Father's orders after I left," Andromeda said. "But you could have contacted me once you were finished with school." She was a bit surprised to hear the slight harshness in her voice.

"And how would I have done that?" Narcissa asked quietly. "I was betrothed to Lucius and still living at home with Mother and Father. Father would have been able to intercept any owl I sent. And before you suggest I should have gone to Diagon Alley and sent an owl from there, you know as well as I that I was not allowed anywhere without a chaperone. After you left, Father became even more obsessed with making sure I did nothing that would reflect badly on the family. I had no chance of escaping anywhere on my own."

"After you married, then," Andromeda said. "Father held no sway over you then."

"And do you think Lucius did not?" Narcissa asked disbelievingly. "He was fully beholden to the Dark Lord by then and our entire lives were dictated by what that man wanted."

"I highly doubt your husband kept you in a dungeon and threw away the key," Andromeda accused.

"You do not understand what it was like," Narcissa hissed. "The Dark Lord, even if he was not physically present, was always there. Do you honestly think I would have been able to keep in contact with my sister who had shamed the family by marrying a Mudblood?" Andromeda's ire flared. Her eyes narrowed at the slur; her mouth pressed into a thin line. She was about to get up and walk out, reconciliation be damned, when Narcissa spoke again. "I only avoided taking the Mark myself because I fell pregnant." Narcissa's eyes widened and she immediately looked away as if she had not meant to say that.

Andromeda's brow furrowed in confusion. Draco had not been born until 1980, a full six years after Narcissa and Lucius had married, but Narcissa was talking as if she had gotten pregnant much earlier. Andromeda looked back at her sister who looked despondent.

"There were…losses," Narcissa said quietly. "After the third, the Dark Lord was convinced that I was too frail to bother with and lost interest in me."

"Oh, Cissy," Andromeda said, reaching out a hand to her. Narcissa grasped it tightly.

"I am sorry to say that I thought of little else than having a child those next few years. You were pushed almost completely from my mind. It was not until Draco was born that I wished you were with me." She looked over Andromeda's head, lost in her memories. "Bella was, well, we both know she did not have a maternal bone in her body. And the first war was nearing its peak by then. She was much too busy out torturing and killing to bother with her nephew. And Mother was Mother. She only wanted to see Draco for a few minutes at the beginning of our visits. She would then make me send him off with a House-elf so he would not interrupt our tea." Narcissa paused and looked at Andromeda. "I wished I had someone to share him with. Someone besides Lucius."

Andromeda pressed her lips together to keep from crying. She had felt the same about Nymphadora from the moment she was born. Ted's family had been wonderful to them, his parents loved and doted on their granddaughter. But it hadn't been the same. They weren't hers. And they weren't magical. Andromeda, raised in a sheltered, Pureblood family was trying to adjust to the very Muggle world they had moved into and now had a little Metamorphmagus to boot. It had been so difficult those first few years, when their family circle had gotten even smaller so as to try and protect the Statute of Secrecy when Nymphadora had no control over her morphing. Andromeda could remember crying herself to sleep at night, wishing that she could at least speak to her sister.

So too, did Andromeda understand loss, although of a different kind. She and Ted had tried for years to give Nymphadora a sibling, without success. They had never lost a pregnancy simply because there was never any to begin with. Even the Healers they saw couldn't explain it.

"I am sorry, Andi," Narcissa said. A lump formed in Andromeda's throat at the nickname. Ted had called her that once, just after they were married, and she had made him promise never to do it again. It had been too painful.

"I know, Cissy." The two sisters stared at one another, hands still clasped.

"I know that you have no reason to forgive me and I doubt I would deserve it if you did," Narcissa began. Andromeda held up her free hand to stop her.

"If there is anything I have learned over the last year, it is that life is ridiculously short." Andromeda drew in a breath, her voice hitching. She blinked, trying to keep the tears that had filled her eyes for the last few minutes from falling. "Forgiveness is not about who is deserving or not. Forgiveness has to be freely given or it does not really mean anything." Narcissa squeezed her hand harder and Andromeda knew it was only years of practice that kept her from breaking down as well.

"But you must know, Remus and Teddy are a part of my life, my entire life, really. I will not have them looked down upon for either their birth or something that is a part of them through no fault of their own. If you cannot abide by that, then we have nothing more to say to each other."

Narcissa swallowed and then drew in a breath, looking up to meet Andromeda's gaze.

"Your son-in-law is dangerous."

"He is," Andromeda agreed. "During the full moon, for which we take every precaution necessary. Otherwise, he is no more dangerous than you or I."

"I am not sure that is an endorsement," Narcissa said and Andromeda couldn't help the laugh that escaped.

"Perhaps not," she agreed in amusement. Narcissa turned serious once more.

"Fenrir Greyback was a major presence in my life for the last year. I have seen how dangerous werewolves can be even when it is not the full moon." Andromeda took a sip of tea to steady herself. She was aware that Greyback was the werewolf who had changed Remus and knew that he was particularly vicious on any day of the month.

"You have been exposed to the very worst of their kind," Andromeda finally said, flinching when she referred to Remus in that way. "I do not blame you for your concern. But as I said, I will not tolerate any maligning of my family. Both my son-in-law and my grandson are half-bloods, Remus' mother was a Muggle. They both carry a unique characteristic that makes many consider them half-breeds, a term I abhor. I know that you have been on the side of the war that would sooner kill them than not. I need to know if you still feel the same." Narcissa sat in silence for a moment.

"I will not deny that I shared the same beliefs as my husband for many years," she finally said. "That I thought your husband lesser because of who his parents were."

"Something changed your mind?" Andromeda asked when Narcissa did not continue.

"Are you aware that the Dark Lord was a half-blood?" Narcissa said conversationally. Andromeda was confused at the change in topic.

"Yes, I knew."

"I did not, until the second war," Narcissa continued. "I found it somewhat confusing that a man who had a Muggle for a father would push so hard for Pureblood supremacy."

"I find it even more confusing that his people would continue to follow him once they knew his heritage," Andromeda replied.

"Well, he was promising what they all wanted, so I think they tended to overlook his unfortunate birth."

"But you did not."

"I honestly did not care who his father was, simply the hypocrisy of his message," Narcissa said. "But by then, of course, Lucius could not get out and I was more concerned about protecting Draco than anything. Still, it made me wonder. The man was half Muggle and yet one of the most powerful wizards in all the world, most likely. And then, of course, there was Severus."

"Severus?" Andromeda questioned. "Severus Snape?"

"Yes," Narcissa replied. "Severus was a dear friend, in fact, he was named Draco's godfather."

"I was not aware of that," Andromeda said. "Wasn't Severus' father a Muggle?"

"Yes," Narcissa said, not expanding on the subject. She met Andromeda's eyes again. "You are aware that during the war, Harry Potter and his friends were captured and brought to my home." Andromeda was shocked into silence. She did know about the trio's capture, Remus had told her, but she couldn't believe that Narcissa had actually brought it up.

"Yes," Andromeda simply said.

"Bella was there, of course, she was always there those last few months. She discovered something in their possession that made her extremely nervous. She…questioned Miss Granger about where they had gotten it." Andromeda shuddered. She was well aware of Bellatrix's methods of 'questioning'.

"The girl was raised by Muggles and she managed to not only survive, when Bella turned her wand on her, but, as I have been told, suffered no long-term, ill-effects." Andromeda said nothing, simply stared at her sister. "I am sure that you know just how strong Bella's Cruciatus curse was." Andromeda nodded.

"I could not…reconcile what we had always been told about Muggles and Mudbl-," Andromeda's eyes narrowed as Narcissa stopped herself, "and Muggle-borns with what I saw that day at the Manor."

"You did not help her," Andromeda said. "Any of them."

"I would think you would know by now, sister, that I am a Slytherin. It was not in my best interest, nor Draco's, to help them. Besides, they escaped and lived to fight another day." Andromeda forced herself to breathe evenly and not lash out at her sister.

"Thankfully, for all of us," she said instead.

"Indeed," Narcissa agreed.

"So, all of this means, what, exactly?"

"That the circumstances of your son-in-law's birth are of no consequence to me," Narcissa said. "Nor is your grandson's."

"And the fact that Remus is a werewolf and fought for the Order?" Andromeda pressed. Narcissa forced a smile.

"I did not say I could change all in one day, Andi. But I will refrain from any insults to the…man."

"I suppose that is a start," Andromeda said.

19 September 1998

"Happy Birthday," Ginny said as Hermione came back into their room after her shower. It was a bit strange to be in a dorm room with Ginny, while the first years had taken over the room that had once been Hermione's. Better though, she supposed, as Hermione had nearly broken down when she'd seen Lavender's old bed. It was why Hermione usually visited with Claire and Annie in her own room or the Common Room, as they were nearly always with David as well.

All three had been sorted into Gryffindor, although Claire had to convince the Hat to put her there. Annie and David had already been sorted, both going quickly to Gryffindor. Destined initially for Hufflepuff, it wasn't until Claire had refused to leave the stool that the Hat had changed its mind. Hermione and Ginny had been quite amused at the look on the younger girl's face when she finally made it to the Gryffindor table. Triumphantly smug was putting it mildly.

Dean had indeed returned to take his seventh year, as had Justin Finch-Fletchly and most of the other Muggle-borns that had been in Hermione's year. While most everyone who had actually been at the school last year had elected to take their N.E.W.T.S. in either June or August, Anthony Goldstein and Lisa Turpin, as well as, surprisingly, Daphne Greengrass, had returned to Hogwarts. Draco had as well, of course.

"Thanks, Gin," Hermione said as Ginny gave her a gift. It was a small writing set with a very nice quill and a few different color inks. "This is lovely, thank you."

"I know how you like to color code," Ginny joked and Hermione laughed. When the two of them were dressed, then went down to the Common Room to find Annie, David and Claire waiting for them. Hermione smiled at them.

It had been a rough adjustment for all three of them, but for Claire especially. Hermione was glad the girl had pushed the Sorting Hat to place her in Gryffindor, as Hermione was able to keep a close eye on her. Hermione had enlisted Dean to do the same with David in the boys' dorms. While the first week had been rough with lots of tears and nightmares, they all seemed to be doing much better.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione!" all three of them chorused as one. Hermione grinned in response.

"Thank you."

"We got you something," Claire said, thrusting a box towards her. "Mum sent it for us."

"You didn't have to do that," Hermione said, but sat down and opened the gift. There was an assortment of very nice chocolates inside, as well as a leather-bound journal.

"This is so nice, thank you," Hermione said. Claire perched on the arm of Hermione's chair.

"Mum gave me and David one before we left for school," Claire explained. Her voice dropped to nearly a whisper, so that only Hermione could hear. "It helps when I write about my nightmares in it. Maybe you could too." Hermione looked at Claire in surprise. Claire just smiled and Hermione remembered the first week of school, when Claire had found her way into Hermione's room nearly every night. Hermione woke once with Claire snuggled up beside her and didn't even remember the younger girl coming into the room. She wondered if Claire had come in during one of Hermione's nightmares.

They had returned, full-force, on Hermione's return to Hogwarts. It wasn't surprising really, given everything that had happened there just a few short months ago. Despite Hermione's hope, seeing Draco in class on the first day seemed to indeed trigger her dreams about the Manor. He had featured predominantly in them the first few days, once even holding the wand that tortured her. Those had tapered off, thankfully. It was one thing to wake up terrified in the night and quite another to nearly have to leave the classroom upon seeing his face.

"I'll remember that," Hermione said and gave the girl a hug. "Now, though, I'm hungry. How about breakfast?"

A few minutes into breakfast, the owls began to arrive. Hermione had barely paid the Daily Prophet owl when three more landed in front of her, laden with packages from Molly and Arthur, Harry, and George. Hermione smiled as she removed the parcels, giving up all her bacon to the owls before they flew off. Predictably, Harry sent her a book, although it was one that she'd been wanting. Molly had knitted her a pair of new gloves and a scarf, as well as sent along a few sweets and snacks. George, also predictably, sent a variety of WWW merchandise.

"He sent you a daydream charm!" Ginny exclaimed, grabbing the box. "Last time I tried to buy one of these he wouldn't sell it to me, the prat."

"Actually, he sent me two," Hermione said with a laugh, picking up the other small box. Ginny looked incensed. "You can have one if you like. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with one daydream charm, let alone two." Ginny looked tempted, then shook her head.

"No, thanks," Ginny said. "I'd rather remember the real thing, if you know what I mean." She smirked at Hermione who rolled her eyes.

"Lovely, Gin."

"What?" Ginny replied with a shrug. "It's no different than when I had to watch you snog my brother. Speaking of, the git didn't even send you a card?"

"I didn't expect him to," Hermione said, although she had been a tiny bit hurt that Ron hadn't even acknowledged her birthday. She had thought that they were at least on the way to being friends again.

"What is that?" Annie asked, pointing towards the ceiling. Hermione and Ginny looked up and Ginny groaned as she recognized Pigwidgeon, fluttering around the ceiling, but making no move to get closer to the tables.

"That owl is a complete idiot," Ginny said.

"That's an owl?" David asked, a bit incredulous.

"Yes, a rather stupid one," Ginny replied.

"Pig isn't stupid, he's just excitable," Hermione defended.

"You'd think he would have outgrown it by now," Ginny said. The little owl seemed to have finally remembered where he was supposed to be going as he began to fly quickly towards Hermione. She actually put her hands up in front of her face when it became apparent that Pig was not going to slow down.

The owl landed with a splash, sloshing pumpkin juice out of the pitcher he had crashed into. Ginny grimaced and plucked Pig out of the pitcher, setting him in front of Hermione. Pig chittered happily and held out his leg, which held a small box, now rather soggy.

"He's so cute!" Claire exclaimed and Pig preened under the praise, hopping off towards Claire after Hermione had untied the package, leaving a trail of pumpkin juice behind him.

"Menace," Ginny muttered.

Hermione took off the bedraggled ribbon and the soggy paper, to reveal the box underneath. Thankfully, the box itself hadn't gotten all that wet and she opened it, then gasped.

"What is it?" Ginny asked. Hermione pulled a gold bracelet from the box. It had a small cat charm hanging from it. She opened the note from Ron and read it quickly, then stared at the bracelet again.

"That's so pretty," Claire said, before she turned back to Pig, trying to dry off his feathers.

"That's what Ron sent?" Ginny asked quietly and Hermione nodded, still shocked. Ginny looked from Hermione to the bracelet and back again. Hermione glanced at the three first years, but they were fully engrossed with the owl and were no longer paying attention to Hermione and Ginny.

"I, I don't know what to say," Hermione said.

"Are you going to wear it?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know if I should," Hermione said. It was an awfully expensive present to give a friend. Hermione thought back to Ron's behavior on the train platform. She wondered what he'd been about to say before the first years had interrupted him. "Gin, what should I do?"

"I'm not sure," Ginny said.

"Should I send it back?"

"No!" Ginny said. "No, don't do that. He won't understand and he'll just get upset."

"But, if I keep it, isn't that saying, well," Hermione trailed off and looked at her friend helplessly.

"I don't know, Hermione," Ginny said. "Maybe he didn't mean anything by it. Maybe he just saw it and thought of you. I mean you are still friends, right?"

"Harry's my friend too and he gave me a book," Hermione said. Ginny snorted.

"Well, no one ever said Harry was very creative when it came to gifts," Ginny laughed.

"If you were in my position and Harry gave you this, what would you think?" Hermione asked. Ginny stared at her for a minute and then sighed.

"Okay, I get it," she said. "So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Hermione said staring down at the bracelet in the box. Pig was hopping around the table now and Hermione sighed and handed him a bit of sausage. "You can go Pig; I'll write back later." Pig hooted, nipped Claire's finger affectionately and then took off towards the ceiling.

"Can I see?" Claire asked and Hermione passed the box to her. The girl smiled as she held up the bracelet. "Do you have a new boyfriend?"

"Erm, no, I don't," Hermione said. "A friend of mine sent me this."

"Oh," Claire said in confusion, then shrugged. "Maybe he wants to be your boyfriend, then. Or your girlfriend, you didn't say who it was from." She put the bracelet back in the box and passed it back to Hermione with a smile. Hermione swallowed thickly and looked at the bracelet again.

"Oh, look at that," Ginny said, glancing at her watch. "Almost time for Quidditch try-outs. You three wanted to watch, didn't you?"

"Right," David said, shoving the last of a scone in his mouth as he stood. "C'mon." The girls rolled their eyes and followed him, Claire giving him a disgusted look as he tried to swallow. Once they were out of ear shot, Ginny turned back to Hermione.

"I'm not telling you what to do," Ginny said. "But, think about this, Hermione. If this is some kind of, I don't know, gesture, really think about it before you decide." She squeezed Hermione's arm and got up from the table. "I'll see you outside?" Hermione nodded absent-mindedly as Ginny grabbed her broom and headed for the pitch. Hermione stared at the bracelet for another minute before she put the top on the box and then shoved it in her pocket. She grabbed her bag and followed Ginny to the pitch, having promised she would watch try-outs. She mulled over Ginny's words and Ron's behavior on the platform the entire way.