Hermione woke up early the next morning. She had retired as soon as she returned to her room the previous night. Despite her disbelief in everything the boys had told her, she still wasn't in the mood to play with the cat. She felt some guilt at this decision, but by the time she had awoken, she had forgotten about it. She had plenty to do that day. The rest of the student body was returning and as Head Girl she had a responsibility to meet them at the Hogsmeade train station.
After spending the morning and most of the afternoon in her room, reading up on the new syllabus for Arithmacy and History of Magic, she visited the kitchen for tea and to ensure that the preparations were going well. Midway through the afternoon she made her way to the Entrance Hall where a number of familiar faces greeted her. Most of the teachers had returned from their holidays the previous night and a couple were joining her and McGonagall to meet the train. She was thankful that the two of them weren't alone, worried the awkwardness would make the task at hand more difficult.
Four of them, Hermione, Minerva, Flitwick and Hagrid made their way to the waiting Thestral carriage which they squashed in together. For the entirety of the ride Flitwick chattered in his squeaky, excited voice to the headmistress while Hermione listened attentively to Hagrid. He regaled his story of mingling with the non-human community of centaurs, veela and giants in the Hoia-Baciu forest of Romania. The fact that there were independent communities of non-human magic folk fascinated her and she promised to visit him later to hear more. Despite her interest, her mind kept slipping away. Minerva was sitting beside her, legs bumping as the carriage jolted side to side. The older woman seemed not to notice, attention a hundred percent on her short companion. Only when Hermione had turned to look out the window would she glance over.
They arrived at the train station within twenty minutes and Hermione stretched her cramped muscles. Hagrid's size meant there had been very little room for the rest of them. She shuffled her feet and wandered down the platform while the teachers talked about the new semester. They didn't have to wait long and Hermione soon heard the train whistle in the distance long before she saw it. Rejoining the others, she watched as the looming black and red Hogwarts Express pulled up, steam billowing as it sighed. The doors opened and Minerva and Hagrid stepped forward to organize the hoard of students piling out, some in robes, others bundled up in jeans and hoodies. The mass of bodies was confused until they were separated into groups.
The Head Boy and Prefects who emerged from the front car saw her waiting patiently to the side and came her way, greeting her awkwardly. Hermione hadn't been very friendly towards them earlier in the year, her self-imposed isolation taking a toll on her responsibilities, but they seemed like good kids. Following Minerva's instruction, Hermione and the girl prefect for Hufflepuff (a chipper thing named Isobelle Wirst) took control of one portion of the student body and led them back to the Thestrals. Ahead of her in, the first group, Hermione could just make out the point of McGonagall's hat and a flame of red hair that must've been Ginny.
After a long, impatient wait for the Thestrals to return, their cluster of students clambered into the carriages, Hermione bringing up the rear. The hustle and bustle of the children combined with the stress of assuring the younger ones that yes your cat will be fine sapped Hermione's energy. At least when they made it back to the castle all she had to do was herd them into the great hall. Excitedly, the students took their places at the so-far empty tables and Hermione was ready to go back to her room, but in a cursory glance around the hall she made eye contact with Ginny who had been waving. She smiled. They hadn't been able to talk much the previous day given all that had happened and Ginny had returned with her family for one last night with Harry.
After a moment of debating whether she had the energy, Hermione took a seat beside her friend who immediately launched into a discussion about a Quidditch match Harry had taken her to see with Ron and someone else (who suspiciously wasn't named). Hermione had read about it in their letters, but she didn't mind hearing about it again. She was glad Ginny and Harry were happy, and the speckled grin was infectious. Feeling happier, they talked until the entire student body had found its way into the hall and the teachers had taken their seats.
Minerva gave a short speech encouraging a studious attitude and good behaviour, finishing by raising a goblet to absent friends (something she said often). She glanced Hermione's way and nodded slightly before putting the goblet to her lips. The younger witch blushed and turned back to the table which had become magically covered with all kinds of foods. If Ginny noticed, she didn't mention it, because Fred had appeared from nowhere and was enthusing with his sister. They filled their plates and even Hermione felt hungry enough to try a bit of everything.
The sky shown in the bewitched ceiling turned from stormy grey to black and Hermione felt her energy wane. Everyone was full and tired from travelling, so McGonagall bade them all good night. Hermione went to the head of the table and when her wards were ready, she led the back to the dormitory.
It had been the first time in a long while that Hermione had eaten dinner in the Great Hall and she was both relieved it was over and content with the way it had gone. She hadn't noticed Ginny's absence over the break, but now she was with her friend again she was realised she had missed her vigour. It was still early evening, so she decided to sit a while in the common room where several others took up seats to play chess or discuss their holidays.
The two girls sat together and talked, Ginny most interested in Hermione's time spent at McGonagall Manor (though the older girl was hesitant to give too much information) and what had happened the previous day. They talked about their upcoming exams, Fred and Harry, but avoided the topic of Ron. It was still a touchy subject and Hermione felt guarded. She didn't know if he had told anyone else about his accusation, but didn't want to bring it up to find out.
Finally exhausted from the events of the last few days, Hermione suggested they retire. They had one day left before classes officially began and she intended to see Luna and Hagrid as well as make the visit to Madame Pomphrey for something to quell her nightmares. Ginny understood, she wanted the quidditch team to start practicing immediately. They rose from the cushiony lounge and started to say goodnight. Hermione was about to leave through the passageway when Ginny called for her to wait. Turning, she saw the red head disappearing up the stairs into the girls' dormitory. She emerged again a minute later, waving piece of parchment.
"Harry said to give you this. He said you already knew what it was, so don't let the teachers get it." She gave a secretive wink while Hermione stared at it, hesitating as an overwhelming sense of doom engulfed her. Realising she hadn't moved, she cleared her throat and took it.
"Thanks, Ginny." Hermione murmured.
"I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast?"
She nodded mutely.
As she returned to her room, she clutched the Marauder's Map in front of her. She knew nothing good could come of this.
Notes:: I'm officially on holidays so no more 3000 word assignments and seeing as I don't have a social life you can bet your bottom galleon I'll be way more active. I'm also working on a few one-shots to balance out the amount of angst that's coming up in the next few chapters, so keep an eye out for that. Happy reading! (also I mega ultra suck at titles)
