Chapter 2

The change was visible. The last time I was here before my sixth year half the shops were closed, people would walk in clusters and hardly wait on the sidewalks, apparating away as soon as their shopping was complete. Now the Alley was bustling with life again. First years, seeming all excited about their new possessions, the other students buying things from their list for the new term. I had to meet with a lot of staring and pointing out. I definitely understood how Harry felt all these years. A lot of them would come up and shake my hand and talk.

After about twenty minutes of hellos and 'how are you' and what not, I finally entered Gringotts and made my way towards my vault. A few of us had been paid by the ministry for our contribution towards the war and then rebuilding our society. I was not exactly in favor of being paid but at least this meant that now I didn't have to be dependent on my parents for my things in this world.

Exiting Gringotts, I made my way to Flourish and Blotts and found Ginny and Harry bickering over something.

"Hey guys", I said approaching them. Ginny immediately pulled me into a hug. It was only when she let go that Harry could come and hug me swiftly. "What's going on?" I asked them, handing over my list to a shop attendant who seemed only too happy to help us.

'Harry wants to pay for my books", Ginny replied even before Harry had the chance to open his mouth. "We can afford now, you know? Things are not as bad as before." she said looking at me.

"We are getting married in a month Ginny. And I can take your responsibility."

"So you informed the Ministry?" I asked, all of us walking towards the counter to pay for our books.

"Yes. Harry owled yesterday. He also informed them of our date. We are planning on the 19th, since it's a Saturday, we'll get a day off after that, and I will also have to return for the classes after that."

"Where are you doing it?" I asked, paying for the books.

"Harry wants it within the school grounds. He says that he feels at home there. Also, so that I won't have to leave school during the term." Harry meanwhile had paid for the books and smiled at me. Ginny had not noticed that.

"So, what are you doing?" Harry asked.

I knew what he was talking about. Ron was sure to tell him, and if he knew, Ginny would too.

"I am meeting Ron today for lunch, though I don't think it's going to change anything."

"What if it doesn't work?" I looked up at Harry. I know he was worried about me, but sometimes you can't fight everything.

I looked into his eyes and tried to smile as I said "Then I'll have to wait and see which brainless git I'll have to spend my life with." Although I did manage to smile a little, yet that definitely did hurt and shot up the panic a few notches higher.

We walked along Diagon alley buying other requirements from the list and catching up. Finally after getting everything required I looked at my watch. Realizing that it was almost time to meet Ron, I said my goodbyes and walked towards The Leaky Cauldron. Tom, realizing it was me, went ecstatic and led to one of the secluded booths. After about five minutes Ron walked in. I could not resist the smile that spread across my face. I got up and gave him a hug. "Hey."

"Hey. How are your parents?" he asked taking the seat opposite to mine.

"Yeah, they are good. How is George?"

"He's trying. Keeps himself at the edge all day. But I'm not sure about the nights. I know the void is too big to fill. But I'm hoping that Angelina will be able to help him a bit."

"So he's marrying Angelina?" I asked staring at the plate of pot pie which Tom had placed on our table.

"Yeah, he asked her after receiving the letter and she accepted." Ron too was fiddling with his food. "What are you doing?" he asked, finally looking up at me.

"I don't know. I …" I really didn't know how to finish the sentence.

"I know. I have been thinking of the same thing. I know it's really awkward with what happened, but do you think…?"

He didn't really need to finish the sentence. "No." I replied, exasperated. Seeing Ron sitting in front of me just confirmed my fears. We were not ready to be together. "Do you have anybody in mind?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer, probably because I was desperately hoping not to hear Lavender's name. I know it was a baseless thought but I couldn't let go of the feelings I had back in our sixth year. "No." he was smiling for some reason and staring at me.

"What?"

"You were thinking of Lavender." He replied, trying not to laugh too hard.

"No I wasn't!" I couldn't have been that obvious and since when did Ron learn to read my expressions.

"Don't lie Hermione. It was written all over your face." He was giggling now and I couldn't help but smile. "Shut up Ronald."

We ate in silence for sometime after that. It was only when the deserts arrived that Ron spoke again.

"Hermione, I know we have been together for a long time. I also know we realized where we stand but I care about you. I always have. Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"You were my safe haven, Ron. You still are. But after the war I realized I need to live on the edge. That is who I am. People would think I should have some stability after all this, but the monotony of life is not for me. I need to be constantly challenged and by letting it go for this matter in a way I am accepting a challenge. I don't know who I am going to be paired up with, but that is what will keep me trying, always."

He reached up and squeezed my hand. "I know. I just don't want you hurt in any way."

We talked about random things after that. And after a while I returned home and he went to help George with the shop.

On 1st of September I arrived at platform 93/4 to find the Weasleys and Harry already there. On seeing me, Ron came up and offered to help me with my trunk. After it was pulled up by Harry and Ron, I made my way to talk to Mrs. Weasley. She immediately pulled me into one of her traditional hugs.

"Oh, Hermione! I was so hoping to see you as a part of our family one day but-"

"Mom, we already discussed this." Ron had walked up to us.

"I am so sorry dear," she said looking at me, "I know I shouldn't talk about it. But please know that you are as much my child as Harry or Ron."

"It's okay Mrs. Weasley. You mean a lot to me too. You helped me when my parents weren't here and nothing in this world will change that." I assured her. It was true. Maybe now I wouldn't lawfully be a part of this family, but it still meant to me as much.

The whistle blowed and we boarded the train. I looked at Ron and Harry. "I'll miss you guys." I had never travelled to Hogwarts without them. It was a strange feeling.

"We'll miss you too. But don't worry; we are going to meet soon."Ron replies and winked. Of course Harry and Ginny's wedding. I smiled and waved at them as long as I could see them. It felt childish but I couldn't help it. After the train left the platform, me and Ginny went and found a compartment along with Luna. She still had the dreamy look in her eyes. She looked up at us and smiled, "Hello." She said in her usual dreamy voice. Ginny and I sat at the opposite seat and murmured our responses.

"How is your father?" I asked. Her father and her house were after all attacked thanks to us, although we should thank him for telling us about the hallows. At least one of their beliefs turned out to be true, although I wouldn't say that completely. It had some logic which they refused to see.

"He's good. He has completed renovating our home. We are hoping the wackspurts return to our garden now."

The rest of the ride was usual if we could call the heightened curiosity of the first years, the fact that everyone was returning after the war and decided to catch up, as usual. I was unfortunately a major attraction. I was starting to realize that with Harry and Ron's absence I was probably about to take his place this year.

Ginny and I talked about her plans for her wedding, which Harry had insisted on making as simple as possible. The last year had definitely humbled him. He did not want any unnecessary and unwanted attention because he knew his marriage was going to be major news. Different variations of the story had already appeared on the Daily Prophet. Ginny said that one of the other reasons for Harry choosing Hogwarts as the venue was that reporters could not swarm the grounds.

"Did you think anything about your wedding?"

"No." I replied. It was true. I was more concerned about the faceless blob that I had seen two nights ago in my dream. One needed to know the person to think about a wedding, and right now I was too worried about whom that would be.

"I know it's no use thinking about it unless you know your pair. But I really wonder why you didn't take the decision yourself? You could ask anybody and they would gladly say yes."

"That is exactly the reason, Ginny. I did not want people to say yes because it was me, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's friend, the girl who helped to bring Voldemort down. I want someone who would accept me just for me. And this way at least whoever I am paired with, will be that to some extent. He will have to take me not because I am famous now but because we will be meant to be together."

Hogsmead station was exactly how we remembered from our first year. But what was more pleasing was watching Hagrid call out to all the first years for their traditional arrival via the lake. Me Ginny, Luna and Susan Bones found a carriage and boarded it. The fact that many of us could see the thestrals was a constant reminder of all the lives that were lost in front of our very eyes. But as the castle loomed into view, all other thoughts were forgotten for a moment, because it looked absolutely untouched. It was the same as ever. No one would believe a few months ago this was the centre of the waging war.

The Great Hall looked wonderful. Luna drifted off towards Ravenclaw and me and Ginny found us seats at our table. I looked around the happy smiling faces and thought how this place looked that day, with Harry and Voldemort encircling each other.

The sorting started and the excited looking first years were slowly sorted into the four houses. After the completion of the sorting, the feast started. The house elves had surely outdone themselves this time. The food had never tasted so good or maybe I had missed it too much over the last year.

After the last of the desserts were cleaned, Professor McGonagall stood up for her speech.

"Welcome our first years, and welcome back to the rest of you. We cannot express in words how glad we are to see you sitting here today. The last year has been hard on all of us, but together we can help and heal. I hope the recent events will lead to a renewed unity among the houses. Now for the regular announcements, the Forbidden Forest still remains out of bounds for all students. Mr. Filch would again like to remind that magic is prohibited in between classes and in corridors. He has also requested me to remind you that any product of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes is not allowed inside the castle." On this there was definitely a hint of smile on her face.

"I would also like to introduce our new defense against the dark arts teacher, Mr. Weatherby." The students gave him a round of applause, an old balding wizard in deep royal blue robes.

"Harry told me he retired from the Auror office a few days back." Ginny informed me.

"It has been a long journey, so I would request the house teachers to lead their students to their common rooms. As for the sixth and the seventh year students, you will stay back for other announcements."

The rest of the students started getting up and following their heads to the common rooms. I noticed Professor Sinatra leading the Gryffindor. It was a little strange as I had never imagined anyone else apart from Professor McGonagall in that place, just like it was strange to not see Dumbledore at the head of the teachers table.

After about five minutes, the professor asked us to gather closer.

"Those of you who are of age probably realize what it is about. Those of you in sixth year need to be aware of the same as it will affect you all in a year or so. As you are aware, the Marriage law has been put into effect. We can assume this law will be applicable to all those who are of age for the next two to three years. If the population does not reach a specified mark, it may be extended for a few more years. But coming back to more important matters, many of you, specially the seventh year, will be married in a months' time. As per the Ministry law, you will be expected to live with your spouses for obvious reasons. Keeping that in mind, a special wing has been created near the lake. That particular area will be prohibited to younger students to provide you all with the required privacy. The keys to your respective flats will be provided once you are married. For those, whose spouses have already passed out, you will be allowed to leave the premises for the weekends and must return on Monday morning for your classes. All those whose pairs are to be selected by the Ministry will receive their letter within the next five days. All the teachers realize the consequences of the situation and are here to help you. Please feel free to ask and clarify your doubts with us. We realize the kind of situation you all are being pushed into. Had it been in my hands, I would never allow the students attending school to face such a situation. But times such as these call for such measures. Any questions?"

After making sure that the students did not have any doubts, we returned to our dormitories.

"Half a month, and then Harry and I will be together." Ginny said while on our way to the common room.

She deserved this. She had waited for really a long time. Last year she didn't even know when Harry would return or if return at all. They were meant to be together. She complimented him perfectly in every way.