-1Disclaimer: All the Characters and places (except Charmed of course) come strictly from J.K.R.'s mind. If they were mine, I wouldn't be typing this on my computer at home. The plot strictly belongs to me, that's it.
Chapter 16:
Home, Sweet Home
"Wonder what McGonagall sent down to get us" Ron said. They had just arrived in Hogsmeade Station and had barely grabbed the luggage from the racks above their heads.
"It's weird not putting any robes on to go up to Hogwarts" Hermione said as she helped Ginny get her luggage down. They made their way onto the platform. Soon, everyone was off the train, eagerly waiting for instructions.
"Er, what do we tell them to do?" Ron said under his breath so that only Hermione could hear him. Before Hermione could answer, however, a familiar voice called out over head.
"Hermione, Ron! How yeh bin?"
"Hagrid!" Hermione squealed with delight as she spotted her biggest friend.
"Got o' bit o' a treat fer yeh." Hagrid said when she and Ron had made their way towards him. "Er, righ' then. Attention! O'er here! Well, righ' then Welcome ter Hogwarts! Got a bit o' a treat fer all o' ya. If yeh'll please follow me, we'll make our way ter the boats."
"Boats?" Hermione asked.
Hagrid did not answer her but headed down a hill, all of the guests hurrying along behind him. Hermione reluctantly followed him. She hadn't been down this road since she was eleven years old. At the end of the small path, about fifty boats were waiting for them.
"Four ter a boat!" Hagrid yelled over the throng of people moving forward to get a good seat. Hermione got into a boat with Ron, Luna, and Neville. The boats started to glide forward on the vast, glassy lake. Hogwarts suddenly appeared. Its many turrets and towers were etched against the fading night sky. Hermione had almost forgotten what it was like to stare up at the castle, feeling so immensely small in the wizarding world. The ride came to an end and Ron helped her out of the boat. They started forward, following Hagrid as he stumbled up the vast hill towards the glittering castle. Soon, they had reached the oak front doors. Ron went inside and Hermione followed him. Hogwarts looked the same as it did the day she left. The marble grand staircase still gleamed in the candle light. All of the portraits stared at the entrants as they goggled at the marvel that was Hogwarts Castle.
"Welcome!" McGonagall had appeared at the top of the Grand Staircase. Behind her were all the professors that Ron and Hermione had invited to the wedding.
"I'm so glad to see that you all made it here quite dry! Ron, Hermione, if you could please join me-" McGonagall requested. They climbed the stairs and stood on either side of the witch. "Excellent, now all of your luggage has been sent to the rooms that you will be staying in. We've used all of the dormitory rooms as sleeping quarters. Professor Flitwick has the list describing where you shall stay, as well as the current password. If you need directions, one of the professors will be down here to help you. Now, everyone off to change! Dinner will take place in the Great Hall in about an hour."
Ron and Hermione set over to Professor Flitwick who greeted them with a warm smile.
"Yes, yes you two are back in Gryffindor Tower, same dormitories. You'll find your names on the doors. Password is 'Love Birds'. We thought that it was only fitting."
Ron and Hermione set off towards Gryffindor Tower. They passed many old classrooms and even spotted Nearly-Headless Nick floating through one of the walls in the second floor corridor. Finally, they reached Gryffindor Tower and the portrait of the Fat Lady. She swung open after receiving the password and they stepped into the Common Room. The room hadn't changed one bit. All of the arm chairs were positioned exactly as if they had left yesterday. A fire was crackling merrily in the fire. Hermione set off to go up the staircase towards her old dormitory. Apparently, Ron had intended to follow her, for a second later, the stairs turned into an enormous stone slide and Hermione fell down it backwards and most ungracefully.
"Bloody staircase is a menace, still won't let me up."
Hermione giggled as she got her bearings. "I think Professor Flitwick meant that I was in my old dormitory and that you were in yours Ron." Without waiting for a reply, Hermione started up the newly reformed staircase. She followed it to the top where she reached her old room. Now, it had a sign on the door stating:
Hermione Granger-Bride
Ginny Weasley- Maid of Honor
Luna Lovegood- Bridesmaid
Mrs. Molly Weasley- Mother of the Groom
Mrs. Jane Granger- Mother of the Bride
Hermione opened the door and stepped inside. All the four-poster beds were made and looked extremely comfortable. Hermione looked over and saw that her suitcase was settled at the foot of her bed. Her wedding dress was hanging in the center of the room in anticipation of the coming day. Feeling quite ecstatic, Hermione ran over to her window and looked over the grounds as though she were seventeen again. Completely losing her head, Hermione jumped into her bed and sighed. This was where she had fallen in love, this castle held her story. Closing her eyes briefly for a moment's rest before the others came, Hermione smiled slightly to herself. She was home.