Chapter One

Hermione, Harry and Ron were sitting in the Great Hall, waiting for the finishing of the Sorting Ceremony. There were only a small number of first years this year, only 21. The trio cheered when a child was sorted into Gryffindor, Ron complaining about having to wait for his food and Harry nodding, agreeing with Ron for once.

When the last student ('Westhall, Alison') was sorted into her house (Hufflepuff) and the sorting hat moved away by Professor Flitwick, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up to face the hungry students.

'Welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There are a few start of term notices that I wish to address before we start our lovely feast. First Years please note that the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden, unless you wish to suffer a most painful death. There are a few new items, including products from Weasley Wizarding Wheezing's on Caretaker Filch's list of banned objects, for full details please see his office. I would also like to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Nymphadora Tonks.' Dumbledore paused for a second as the clapping that occurred (mainly form the Gryffindor table) from the appointment of Tonks calmed down. His eyes tinkling slightly as he prepared to give his last announcement before dinner.

'Yes, yes, congratulations Professor Tonks. There is one last announcement that I wish to make before we can all eat. Seventh year students, I would like to announce that within the coming weeks there will be a newly instated practical component to the study of History of Magic.' A flurry of whispering started before Dumbledore could finish his announcement. 'I would like all seventh year students to stay after breakfast tomorrow morning to receive details on this practical component as it will count to 25 per cent of your final grade. And now, let the feast begin!' and with a clap of his hands the food appeared before the hungry students. The level of sound increased tenfold as cutlery hit plates and conversation about the practical for the seventh students and retelling of summer holidays began.

Hermione was eating quietly, half listening to Ron and Harry talk about the new project. Her 'Head Girl' badge glinting slightly in the candlelight. She knew about the project, it had been her idea, after all, but she wasn't going to tell Harry or Ron that. Let them think that Dumbledore thought of it.

'What do you think about it Herms?' asked Ron with a mouthful of food. Hermione sighed.

'Firstly, don't talk with your mouth full, as it is quite rude.' Ron quickly swallowed his food, before shovelling more into his mouth. 'And secondly, I think that it is a good idea. Not many people are interested in History of Magic and what better way to learn about history then to experience it yourself. Although I am worried about someone disrupting the timeline, but I think that if we go back far enough then it shouldn't have too much problems. I've done some research and found a potion that can be used to send people back into their most recent past lives. I think that maybe the potion that Professor Dumbledore will use.' Hermione cringed suddenly, she let it slip what the project was.

Ron's mouth was agape, with bits of food falling out and Harry was wearing a similar expression – without the food falling. Ron then spoke up, after swallowing his food.

'You knew? You knew about the project and you didn't tell us?' he wasn't angry, just shocked; then again Hermione was a 'walking textbook' according to Ron.

'Of course I knew Ronald. I am Head Girl. Dumbledore told me about the project so I could make plans ahead for the Prefects rosters.' Okay so that wasn't the whole truth, but it almost satisfied Ron, almost.

'But Herms…' he started, but Hermione cut in.

'Ronald, you'll find out tomorrow about all the details. I don't know everything about the assignment and as I said we will find everything out tomorrow.' And with that she turned back to her food and ignored the boys as their conversation drifted towards Quidditch.

Hermione sighed. Over the summer, she and the boys started to drift apart. She had received the occasional letter from the boys. However, the boys were mostly interested in getting answers for their summer homework and telling her what they were doing. Harry had stayed at the Burrow ever since he turned 17 in July. The boys mostly played Quidditch and other wizarding games as well as degnoming the garden.

Hermione, on the other hand, had a horrible summer but she wouldn't let the boys know that. Her parents had separated just after New Years and it was the first time that she had visited home since the Christmas holidays. For her, it was strange not to have her father at the breakfast table with his morning cup of tea. Then, a few days after arriving home, one of her pre-Hogwarts school friends was killed in a car accident when a drunk driver slammed into their car just outside of their home. Aside from those two major hardships - which hit Hermione quite hard - her summer was normal, filled with lots of reading in the park, having her relatives visit and working part-time at a small and quiet café.

She sighed. She missed her boys but looking at them now, she knew that they truly didn't miss her. Hermione decided that she had had enough to eat and started pushing it around her plate, occasionally placing the fork to her lips to give the impression that she was eating. After a short time the headmaster stood up again and told everyone to go to their dormitories for a good nights sleep as classes were to start the next morning. He also reminded the seventh years that they were to stay behind after breakfast for their meeting.

Hermione stood, being Head Girl, starting to shepherd the Gryffindor first years towards the dormitories even though it was technically the Prefects job. Harry and Ron followed behind the first years speculating about the project with Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom, their fellow seventh year Gryffindors. Hermione rolled her eyes, she had basically told them what it was about at dinner when she accidently let it slip but apparently her boys had forgotten.

Once inside the common room she showed the first years to their rooms before heading to her room. Pavarti Patil and Lavender Brown were sitting on their beds gossiping as per usual. Once they saw that Hermione had entered they stopped talking about who broke up with who and who was with who during the holidays and started to question Hermione about her holiday.

'So Herms, how was you summer? I know that it would have been hard, especially with your parents separated.' Asked Lavender, in a not so sympathetic voice. Hermione gave a frustrated sigh and rubbed her temples as she sat down on her bed.

'Lavender. Firstly, it is none of your business as to how my holiday went, unless I wish to divulge that information. Secondly, again it is none of your business as to what family issues I have. And thirdly Ron Weasley should not have told you anything to do with my personal and private life, as it is just that personal and private. His girlfriend doesn't need to know, even if she is my "roommate" so to speak.' Hermione scrambled across her bed till she reached the end, grabbed out her night clothes and snapped the trunk closed before continuing.

'Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to bed and do not wished to be disturbed by your incessant chattering all night.' And with that she closed the curtains around her bed and changed. She was still able to hear what the two girls were saying and they were talking about her. She decided that she would go to the headmaster tomorrow and see if she could get her own room, however a remote chance that she could get one. As she was about to fall into a deep slumber she heard one of the girl say 'She just needs to get the wand out of her arse and ... ' Hermione groaned, picked up her wand, cast a silencing charm on the curtains and then went to sleep.