Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all associated characters do not belong to me but J.K. Rowling. Pride and Prejudice content and characters belong to Jane Austen!


Hermione was looking forward to her seventh and last year at Hogwarts. Ever since Voldemort had been killed last summer Harry, and Ron, she had been able to relax and have fun. She had even loosened up on her normal summer studying schedule, a first. And at Hogwarts, Hermione could only see good times with Harry and Ron with no more evil murderous Lord creeping about.

The train ride was normal except for a few stares from people looking into their compartment. Nothing less than expected from the three who killed the Dark Lord, though. The ride up to the school had Hermione a little sad, however.

"Guys, do you realize this is the last time we'll ever do some of this stuff? Like the fact that this is the last ride up to the school after the train?" she asked the two boys.

"Yeah, I know. But I'm just excited to see what else there is to the magical word beyond this. I can't wait for school to be over," Harry said.

Ron just shrugged and said, "Hadn't really thought about it."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron, completely unsurprised by his answer. She, on the other hand, had been thinking about this for quite awhile. It did concern the rest of her life, after all. What was she going to do after Hogwarts?

It was a subject her parents could offer very little advice in, and one which she couldn't exactly study. There was no clear plan for her, and it made her slightly anxious. The only way for her to deal with it was just to try and not think about it too much. Otherwise, her brain might explode.

Realizing that this was her last first night at Hogwarts made her take in Hogwarts all over again, just like her very first night seven years ago. The incoming first years had no idea how fast these years at Hogwarts will fly by until they themselves are the ones faced with everything they know and love . . .

The feast was more delicious than Hermione could remember and soon she was stuffed (despite a little help from Ron making her sick as she watched him eat). Dumbledore then stood up for the last speech he would ever give at the first night feast for Hermione's school years.

If she kept thinking any more on all these 'lasts' she was going to cry.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, old and new! With Voldemort gone I believe and hope this year will be the merriest for you yet. Despite all this merriment, however, the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden, Mr. Filch has a nice list of suspended items in his office which will include recent additions from the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes so I've been informed, and of course Hogsmeade is onlyfor third years and above!" Dumbledore spoke. "Now, it has also come to my attention from certain authorities that Hogwarts has been, shall we say, lacking in certain opportunities for its students, at least in our Fine Arts section."

"What is he talking about, Hermione? We don't have a Fine Arts section!" Ron whispered to her.

Despite this very rude interruption of Dumbledore's last first night speech she was attempting to memorize, she decided to enlighten her friend.

"Exactly, Ron! Dumbledore thinks we need one!" she told him, rolling her eyes to convey her feelings.

"Do you think he's going to start a band?" Harry asked in amusement, causing both Hermione and Ron to snicker at the idea of a Hogwarts band.

"Oh I hope so!" Neville said as he broke in on their conversation. "Grand made me take up the clarinet a few summers ago to give me something to do rather than talk to my plants. I've actually grown quite fond of playing it."

"Good for you, Neville," Hermione said politely as she, Harry, and Ron tried desperately to keep their faces straight. It was much easier when Dumbledore continued talking and they could block Neville's comment out of their brains.

"Now, my idea to correct this flaw is to find the stars in all of you! I invite you to come to the stage as Hogwarts puts on its very first theatrical production!"

Dumbledore paused here for the expected round of applause, but it took several seconds for his words to sink in and the hands to than clap for them. Even quicker though, was for that applause to die causing him to continue on as it seemed very few students understood what he was talking about.

"Yes Hogwarts will put on a dramatic play to showcase to the public and especially your parents! Your talents will be needed in all aspects so don't be shy. Lights, set design, costumes, assistant directors, and of course a few actors will all be needed so there's plenty of room for everyone!" His beaming smile filled the Great Hall, and Harry began suspiciously wondering what bad things would happen to him if he decided not to participate . . .

"Now, I know you're all tired, so I won't bombard you with any more information tonight! Your Heads of Houses know all about the details as well, so don't be afraid to ask them. More information will also be posted in the Common Rooms so be aware. Goodnights to all! I expect everyone to be well rested for classes tomorrow morning!"

All the students than left the Great Hall and made toward their own Common Rooms. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were just a few of the many students talking about Dumbledore's announcement as they walked.

"So, hang on. What now?" Ron asked. Still, confused.

"Hogwarts is going to put on a play, Ron. You know, theater stuff," Hermione explained.

"I wonder what play they're going to do," Harry commented. "Probably Romeo and Juliet."

"Oh I hope not," said Hermione, surprisingly. "Can you imagine us dramatically reciting Shakespeare in front of an audience of ordinary wizards? I'm sure I can't."

Harry laughed. "Very true. But you know, if it's up to Dumbledore, we'll do some scandalously modern production like Rent or something."

Hermione joined in on the laughter, thinking how hilarious that would be. Ron however remained confused.

"What's Rent?" he asked.

"A play, but it's...oh, how would you describe it, Harry? ...I don't know, Ron it's...it's hard to explain," Hermione stumbled. "Don't get me wrong, it's great, but it's just-"

"It's not Hogwarts appropriate," Harry supplied. "It has gays, AIDS, and strippers."

"Whoa. Yeah, I can't see Mum watching that without a heart attack," Ron said.

"Yeah. It'd be really funny though," Hermione said. "I could totally see Dumbledore trying to pull something like that off."

"Who is directing this thing anyway?" Harry asked.

"Scrumpernickle," said Hermione.

"Who the heck is that?!" Ron asked.

"That's the password, Ron," Hermione explained as she once again rolled her eyes at him. Just to further explain, she motioned toward the now open portrait leading into the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Right, I knew that," Ron tried to recover, going just a little red with embarrassment. Harry gave him a small smile, but they both knew that inside Harry was laughing at him too.

"Oh shut up," Ron muttered to Harry as they followed Hermione into the Common Room.

"Well goodnight boys. Don't be late for breakfast tomorrow. We get our class schedules!" Hermione excitedly informed them as she headed up the girl's staircase.

"Yeah, class tomorrow, great! Definitely don't want to be late to that," Ron remarked sarcastically to Harry.

Harry on the other hand just laughed. "Come on, Ron. Let's go catch up with Dean and Seamus. Maybe we can get Neville to play a song for you on his clarinet!"

"Lovely," Ron muttered at Harry's joke as they both climbed the stairs to their dormitory, knowing that sleep was going to be a long time coming with the group of seventeen-year-old boys.