BACK TO SCHOOL

The compartment door slide open, pulling her gaze away from the conversation currently going on to look over to whoever had intruded upon their solitude. Lavender arched an eyebrow at the figure… almost unrecognizable, someone not worth noticing, until the gleam of the Head Girl badge on the left shoulder brought her back to Hermione Granger's face. The woman that stood in the doorway, her face pale and her eyes haunted as she surveyed the occupants of the room, looked nothing like the proud, powerful friend that she had last seen.

"Sorry." A soft voice replied. "I was just making rounds."

Without any fanfare or personal contact, the room of girls watched the faint shadow of their former housemate and friend escape out the door, closing it firmly behind her. Every eye in the room looked in surprise at the others, no one quite sure what to say.

It was Lavender Brown that moved first. "See you guys later… save me a seat at the table." She quickly grabbed her robes from her trunk and then moved away from everyone else, slipping into the Hogwarts Express hallway, her eyes darting left and right, looking for her friend. She was no where to be seen.

Sighing, the blonde pushed her hair back over her shoulder and moved towards the front on the train, ignoring the slight queasiness that she felt from the rocking of the locomotive. Several students in the compartments she passed called out to her, brief hellos or offers to join them… one group of fifth year boys (Hufflepuffs, she thought) even dared to whistle at her, a gesture she promised to get them back for. Finally, she was at the front car, the Head Car, as it had been nicknamed. Not waiting, she pulled the door open and moved inside before the lone occupant inside could say protest.

Hermione looked horrible. Her hair was cut to shoulder length and laid strait, the trademark curls and twists gone. Her clothes seemed to hang on her, like she was either wearing someone else's hand-me-downs or she had lost so much weight that nothing fit her anymore. But it was her face… the skin was pale, no hint of color… and, for once, Lavender wasn't just talking about make-up. Her friend looked like she hadn't seen the sun for weeks.

The girl looked up from where she was curled up on the bench, her defeated and lusterless eyes meeting Lavender's. "Hey."

Lavender shut the door behind her as she moved into the room, intentionally making no sudden movements… Hermione looked ready to break. Sitting next to her dorm mate and friend, the blonde-haired girl set her robes across from her in the empty seat and waited.

Hermione grimaced under the scrutiny. "What?" Lavender arched an eyebrow, folding her arms under her breasts as she waited. The silence drew out, Hermione's dull drown eyes refusing to meet her blue ones, trying to find something within the confines of the small compartment that could save her. Lavender simply continued to wait.

"Fine." Hermione eventually broke. "What? What do you want to hear first? How I look, maybe? Like shit, I'm sure… ever since…" She sighed. "I just can't get myself to care right now…"

"Is this…?"

"Because I'm a slag? That Harry broke up with me? Yep… no real secret there. I think over half the female population of eligible females on this train knows that juisy bit and are plotting on how to land 'em."

"Hermione…"

"No." Hermione shook her head, wetness sparkling at the corners of her eyes, but they didn't fall. "I don't know what you've heard… Ron and Luna broke up, too…"

Lavender broke in while the girl next to her took a breath. "I know. I heard it from Luna."

Hermione's eyes went wide, her face having gone even paler, if such a thing were possible. "What did she say? What do you know?"

"Not much." Lavender tried to hide her shock at the worry in Hermione's questions. "That you and Ron had been caught together… doing what, I have no…" Her voice trailed off as she looked at Hermione's face, the guilt radiating like the heat from the sun. "You didn't!"

Silently, the tears now falling, Hermione nodded. Lavender brought her hands up over her mouth, the shock of what Hermione was admitting to just too hard to believe. She watched as the girl wiped her hand across her cheek, trying to hide her crying.

"Damn. You'd think I'd have cried enough by now."

Lavender sputtered. It was just too much to take in. "Why?"

She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the flush that came to her skin at having to tell the story again, the images of what she and Ron did that night burned into her brain… yet another way for it to torture her for all eternity. "A lust spell."

"What!" The blonde shrieked. "I don't understand…"

Hermione sighed as she pulled out her wand and threw up a privacy spell around the compartment and then threw a locking charm on the door. Once satisfied that it was just the two of them, she spent the better part of the remaining trip explaining what had occurred; the cookies, about Harry finding them the next morning, about Ginny's investigation… and even about the rumours of Harry and Tonks.

Once finished, Lavender moved over and hugged Hermione hard, refusing to let go until the other girl hugged her back. "This is worse than those soap operas you got me hooked on."

She didn't think it would be possible, but Hermione laughed… possibly her first real laugh since the middle of July. Unconsciously, her arms moved to encircle her friend's as she seemed to hold on for dear life.

"I had hoped to talk to Harry… maybe… he being Head Boy and all."

Lavender pulled back, though she kept her hands on Hermione. "Where is he? Did he decide to skip this year, after all?"

Shaking her head, Hermione pulled out a parchment from her pocket. "This was waiting for me when I got to the train this morning. The headmistress says that Harry would be unable to make the train and would be meeting everyone at Hogwarts."

She took the letter from Hermione's hand and scanned the contents. "Well… at least this confirms that he'll be there."

"What am I going to do, Lav?" She asked suddenly… finally, the question Lavender had been waiting for. "I feel like I'm going to die…"

"You're not going to die, love. Not today." Pulling Hermione's face up by her chin, Lavender smiled. "The first thing you've got to do is pull yourself together. Honestly, why no one thought to beat some sense into you is beyond me."

Hermione started to respond, but Lavender ignored her. "Harry fell in love with a smart, powerful, risk-taking witch that has the top marks in her class… not some weak-willed, cowardly crybaby."

"What!" She pushed Lavender away from her. "How dare you…"

At the look she was getting, anger… mo, life… finally bringing some light back into Hermione's eyes, Lavender nodded. "Good. You don't like that. At least you've still got some spirit."

"I don't…" She was back to being unsure of herself. Damn!

"Look." Lavender sighed. "Your world was made up of two boys and you. They were your support, your strength, your friendship and eventually, your true love." Hermione nodded. "And your world was perfect to you. But now, that world is gone. You're going to have to make some hard choices… some things that you're not going to like…"

"Like what?"

Pressing her lips together, Lavender leaned closer. "Like choosing between Harry and Ron."

"But it was the cookies. I don't want Ron like that!"

"No." She shook her head. "I mean that you're going to have to pick only one of them to be in your life… maybe only as a friend." At Hermione's confused appearance, Lavender continued. "Harry won't be able to stand seeing the two of you together… at all."

"But… b-but Ron's once of my best friends…"

Lavender shrugged. "Ron is going to have to make some of the same choices. It's probably why he isn't here with you now on the train…"

"I don't…"

"Think, Hermione. Ron's going to have to decide if Luna is worth giving you up for." At seeing that she was actually listening, Lavender decided to go ahead and hit her with the heavier blow. "And there's a chance that you will lose both of them."

Hermione's eyes widened. "But… why?"

"Well, what if you decide to give up Ron for Harry…" She paused when Hermione nodded. "And Harry doesn't want you back. Or if you choose Ron, but Ron gives you up for Luna. Or any other million possibilities."

"I'm never eating cookies again."

Lavender patted her hand, then stood and reached for her robe, taking a moment to pull the dark fabric over her regular clothes. "Whoever did this… they were brilliant. I'm sorry to admit. With one act, they've broken up so many relationships and set the world upside down."

"What am I going to do?" Hermione finally stood and pulled her robe out from her trunk. "I love Harry so much… and Ron's been such a good friend, my best friend. Is there no way to fix it?

Lavender looked over and started searching through Hermione's carry bag, her eyes lighting up when she pulled out a hairbrush. Running in through her hair, she frowned. "I honestly can say that I see no immediate fix to the problem… it's just too big. "

At Hermione's look, she smiled and handed the brush over to her once she was satisfied with her own hair. "But that's not to say that it can't be fixed. You just have to decide if he's worth all of the pain you're going to have to go through."

Hermione began running the brush through her own shortened hair. "He is, Lav. Harry's worth any pain."

Lavender regarded her silently, debating on whether to say it or not. Once the train had come to a stop, she reached out and caught Hermione's shoulder before she got caught up in helping the first years. At her questioning look, Lavender hugged her one last time and whispered in her ear.

"I hope so… because this year is going to hurt."

O X O X O X O X O X O

Pleasantly full, Hermione leaned away from the table as the food began to disappear… the work of Hogwarts house elves. Only a small bubble of anger arose from the idea of house elves doing the work without pay, the remnants of S.P.E.W. dancing through her head.

It had been a while since she'd eaten anything so substantial. Her parents would be thrilled… one of their constant worries had been her drastic loss of weight. They had even threatened to not allow her to go to Hogwarts this year if she didn't improve… the fact that Lavender and some of the others she knew had been so worried over her weight loss. What would they think if they knew that she'd actually gained weight over the past week to convince her parents that she was well enough to go back to school?

Harry was still no where to be seen. There had been the Sorting Ceremony… the Hat's song still passing out dire warnings of the future… and then the first years had come into the Great Hall. After they'd gone through, Headmistress McGonagall had deviated from any previous year and announced that several new students were attending Hogwarts… smaller schools choosing to move their children to the greater protections of the ancient castle.

Hermione had paid only slight attention. Two fifth years that were sorted into Slytherin and Ravenclaw. A sweet-looking girl that joined Gryffindor's third year. Several for Hufflepuff, the House to gain the most transfer students… and then there was the scary, new Ravenclaw.

She had felt her heart catch in her throat when the boy had looked around the room, his dark eyes seeming to linger on her for a moment before sitting on the stool, a calm look of uncaring settling across his features. The whole school seemed to hold its breath while the Sorting Hat took its time with him… Hermione had been left with the thought that the two were arguing up there, before the Hat had called out Ravenclaw.

Few had cheered, although the boy… Jay Flemming, she remembered his name… Jay had not cared. His eyes had swept to the headmistress, her mouth in a thin line as he'd bowed to her, a courtly gesture, before moving to join his House.

"Your attention, please." McGonagall's voice rang out over the students, both new and old, bringing silence to the room. "Thank you." Hermione watched as the woman took a breath and then placed her hands carefully on the sides of the podium before her.

"This year will be like none other in recent memory… the loss of Albus Dumbledore as a fixture of Hogwarts, whether as a student… a professor… or as our beloved headmaster, over one hundred years was the man we knew and cared for was a fixture of our life.

"I would like to announce that the Board of Governors has seen fit to name me as Headmistress of Hogwarts, the tradition and strength of the school will persevere. Professor Flitwick, of Ravenclaw, has been named Deputy Headmaster and will have all of the right and privileges associated with that position."

There was a pattering of applause at the announcements.

"Further, I would like to introduce two new teachers. I would like to welcome Professor Willem Ku'une who will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts." She gestured over to the far end of the table to the right, a heavyset man rising, his mustache falling nearly to his belt. "And, since I am taking over the role as headmistress, I am vacating my spot over Transfiguration. The new…"

The door behind and to the left of the professor's table suddenly opened, the door swinging hard and slamming into the wall, a crack like a muggle weapon echoing through the large chamber. Every head turned as a petite young woman entered, her pale features suddenly rosy pink at her less than graceful entrance.

The whole school watched as the woman pushed her sun blonde hair away from her face. "Sorry I'm late." The young woman giggled slightly as she made her way over to the table.

"As I was saying," McGonagall glared at the woman before looking back over the students. "I would like to introduce the new Transfiguration Professor, Nymphadora Tonks."

At hearing the name, Hermione knew what little colour had been restored to her cheeks was completely gone as she watched the woman wave brightly, her eyes sparkling as her blonde hair suddenly shortened and became a glaring shade of purple. The effect had its desired results, as many of the students (especially the males and the youngsters) all "oohed" and "ahhed."

"Oh. My. God." Lavender leaned over into Hermione's line of sight and mouthed the exclamation. Not knowing what else to do, she could only shrug as the headmistress continued on with her speech after a quick look was shared between Tonks and McGonagall.

"Mr. Filch has asked me to remind the students that there is to be no magic used in the hallways by students. There is also a list of restricted items that are not allowed on Hogwarts grounds… a full item list and description can be found on hallway outside of Mr. Filch's office.

"As has been repeated several times over the past years… the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students." Hermione raised her eyebrows as McGonagall seemed to linger for a moment on her, before settling on Ron.

"Quidditch tryouts will be announced by Madam Hooch. The respective captains of the House Teams will be responsible for all practices and announcements for their team.

Taking a deep breath, she watched the room. "The Head Girl for this year is Hermione Granger. Please stand, Miss Granger." At the instruction, she had no choice but to stand, the feeling of every eye in the Great Hall staring at her. For a moment, she considered looking up at Tonks… Professor Tonks, now… but chickened out.

"Head Boy is Harry Potter..." Several students broke out in excited conversation, Hermione sitting back down at the attention being diverted, although she saw that Flemming was still watching her. "Mister Potter, if you would step forward."

At the statement, Hermione felt her head swivel along with everyone else as she turned to look towards the far corner where McGonagall gestured. She felt her skin flush and her mouth drop open as Harry Potter stood out of the back shadows and waved… but it was definitely not the Harry that she remembered.

He looked good.

Wait… that wasn't fair, she mentally chided herself. He'd always looked good. Now, he looked unbelievably hot.

Harry wasn't in his robes, a no-no, but Hermione would have bet every knut and cent she owned that he wouldn't get more than a slight chastisement for it. No. Harry stood there in the palest paid of jeans she'd ever seen… almost white, that molded to him like a second skin. His shirt was mint green, soft and almost feminine, but Harry looked entirely male in it. A button up shirt, left undone near his neck… a hint of the locket's chain glittering where the collar of the shirt flared out.

His hair was longer… nothing drastic, but the change was remarkable. The hair was longer in the front and waved madly, giving almost a dangerous appearance… much like Sirius had looked after his escape from Azkaban.

Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to see Ginny Weasley looking like she needed assistance to remain standing. Looking around, everyone looked like that… all of the girls (and some of the boys… what closet now?) were staring at Harry like he was the last slice of chocolate cake… absolutely edible and delicious.

And, as was Harry's usual state, he looked absolutely oblivious to the effect he was having.

"Yes… well…" Hermione turned to look to find that even the headmistress was flustered. "I believe we will call it a night. Classes begin bright and early tomorrow morning. Dream well and wake happy." As many of the students began to stand, Hermione lost sight of Harry… that area of the room suddenly filling up rather quickly.

"Miss Granger?" She turned to find Professor Flitwick standing next to her.

"Yes, sir?"

"The headmistress would like to see both you and Mister Potter before you retire this evening." At her nod, the diminutive man smiled. "The password is matchstick."

"First years… this way…" Hermione looked over to find Harry calling out to many of the new students, his emerald eyes sparkling at the barrage of questions that were being thrown at him. "Questions later…" he called, his voice strong but kind. "Let's show you the way to where you'll be staying.

She felt all the air leave her as his eyes were suddenly on her, the sparkle in his eyes dimming on slightly. "Over there is Miss Granger… Hermione. She'll help you, as well."

At his direction, several of the first years that were crowding around him moved over to her and she laughed, the eagerness in their eyes enough for her to forget some of her own problems. "That's right. Come with me. Come with us. Let's get you all to your beds for the night…"

Hermione felt a real smile plaster across her face as Harry moved over beside her, his posture relaxed as he shared a brief smile with her and turned to lead them out the Great Hall's entrance, a pier and his mice. Walking next to him, she yearned to reach out and hold his hand… the memories of them together in these halls nearly overwhelming her.

"Did McGonagall want to see us?" Harry broke her out of her thoughts.

She glanced at him and nodded... Lavender's words running through her mind… a choice. "As soon as we get everyone situated."

"Okay." He nodded and started answering some of the questions being thrown at them from the children.

Hermione smiled and decided to do the same. I choose you, Harry. I will always choose you.