The moment they stepped down from the train a thousand of memories rushed Harry's mind. Some happy and some not so. He was not aware that he had been holding his breath until he felt Ron's hand squeezing his shoulder.
"You alright there, mate?" Ron said.
By the look of his best friend's face he wasn't sure if Ron should have been the one asking the question. The red headed boy's face, Harry as guessing, looked as anxious as he is. On second thought, Harry thinks everyone looked a bit on the edge.
"Yeah, I think." Harry replied. "You?"
"I'm not sure."
"It's alright. Everything's fine," Luna said. Harry wasn't surprised to see she looked quite collected. "C'mon, let's get ourselves some carriages."
The group gradually moved to where the rides were. Luna even waved at the first years that were being assembled by Professor Grubbly-Plank. They learned from her that Hagrid was serving his brother and his giantess some food before heading to the feast.
"Imagine that Grawp having a love life!" Ron said while they were in the carriage.
"I wouldn't call it that. Giants aren't really particular with mates," Hermione pointed out quietly. "But yes, I hope he's happy with his match."
"Mhmm. I hope Hagrid won't expect us to teach him English or something this year though."
"Oh! I would want to work with giants. Maybe Professor Hagrid will introduce him in our class," Luna said excitedly.
"You're taking Care of Magical Creatures for N.E.W.T.'s?" Hermione asked in a tone of disbelief.
"Well, yes of course. I quite enjoy animals and nature really. Maybe one day I would even get to study dragons. Such fascinating creatures they are."
Harry reminisced the time he was being chased by a Hungarian Horntail. It wasn't pleasant. But picturing Luna examining a fire-breathing dragon was something altogether different. Maybe she should have been a Gryffindor.
The conversation about the dreaded schoolwork was what occupied the group in their short ride to Hogwarts. It was mostly Hermione speaking while everyone else nodded in agreement or murmured something in reply. When the carriages stopped, everyone braced the towering view of the castle. It didn't seem like it was ravaged by war at all, Harry thought. It looked exactly the same. It felt like seeing his good old home again.
They were at the steps outside the Great Hall. The magnificent wooden doors were open and there inside was the night sky and thousands upon thousands of floating candles illuminating the Great Hall. The four long tables were already occupied with some students who just came in. The Great Hall of Hogwarts was decorated with the Houses' colors. It looked breathtaking.
Harry felt warm soft fingers linking into his.
"Are you ready?" Ginny asked, her big brown eyes looking up to him.
He gently squeezed her hand in reply and they stepped in side by side. Harry noticed his two best friends in front of him were holding hands too and couldn't help but smile. With a wave to them Gryffindors, Luna skipped her way to the Ravenclaw table. They found their seats and nodded at Professor McGonagall whose eyes were at them since they came in. Harry thought that she looked right at home sitting at the center of the teachers' table, on the throne like wooden chair.
"She looks a bit edgy," Ron commented about the Headmistress.
"It is her first term being Headmistress after… everything," Hermione said.
"Hogwarts looks a bit packed with all the returning students," Ginny said.
"Speaking of returning students. I didn't think Malfoy would have the balls to show up this year," Ron said darkly, staring at the blond boy sitting across the room who was in deep conversation with Blaise Zabini.
"I don't think he'll bother anyone this year." Harry said. He told him briefly about his encounter with Malfoy in the train.
When everyone was settled the great wooden doors were closed and the Hall fell silent. In no time it opened again and came in the wide-eyed first years gawking at every corner of the room.
The Sorting took forever. Harry was surprised that Ron was polite enough not to complain about his rumbling stomach. Every now and then they'd clapped their hands for the new housemates. Harry remembered Fred and George cheering, "We got Potter!" when he made his way to the Gryffindor table, grateful and relieved that he wasn't sorted in Slytherin. He smiled at the thought. Finally Cornelia Zimmerman was sorted in Hufflepuff and Professor McGonagall stood up from her chair.
"To the new, welcome and to the old welcome back! Before anything else I would like us to welcome two new teachers that will be joining us this year. Professors' Cross and Gadrev."
From the farthest corner of the table sat two of the most beautiful women Harry had ever seen. He couldn't believe that he noticed them just now. But then again both women had the hood of their cloaks covering their heads until they pulled it down when they stood up to be recognized. They both had similar features that Harry was quite sure they were twins or if not, siblings. They both possessed long silky brown locks, high cheekbones, and tall slender build. One of them had a pair of sharp green eyes while the other had gray ones. They were simply gorgeous.
Aside from the applause the Hall was filled with some "Ohhs" and "Ahhs", gaping mouths, and some wolf whistling.
"They look like princesses!" Parvati exclaimed.
"Do you think they could be Veelas?" Ginny asked.
"They could but very little of it maybe," Hermione replied. She gave Ron a small pinch when he was practically out of his seat, clapping loudly.
"Ahem." Professor McGonagall started and the gawking noises receded. "Professor Cross will be handling my old post as the Transfiguration teacher – " the green eyed goddess nodded with a smile, showing perfect white teeth. " – while Professor Gadrev will teach you Defense Against the Dark Arts." Gray eyes sparkled back at them.
"Yes, we are all very blessed to have excellent people added to our staff. But in a more serious note, we are most fortunate to have Hogwarts back. The war has left many painful marks in both skin and memory but despite everything we have endured, we fought and claimed victory. It is a new era waged by the lives of hundreds of good people and that is something we must always be thankful for. The magical world has never been united since the defeat of evil and to constantly remind us that great things are achieved through unity a memorial is built at the east grounds of the castle. It was built to commemorate those who have fallen. But most importantly, it serves as a reminder that we are not only victors but also survivors and the best thing we can do is to create the life we have fought for. "
The Hall was filled with applause and cheering. Professor McGonagall smiled at the crowd and nodded towards Harry's direction. Harry nodded back.
"I think that's about it. It is time to quench our hunger. Let the feast commence!"
The feast was grand as usual. From across the table Hermione was trying her best not to comment on Ron's mountainous plate. People's conversations were about how they spent their summer vacation. It felt normal.
Harry was quite pleased that people were treating him normally too and not some celebrity. He was a bit worried that Professor McGonagall would bring up Voldemort's name or worse – his. But knowing her, she didn't.
As the courses of dishes were finished they were bid to bed.
"Don't wait up for us." Ron whispered to Harry.
"Surely rounds won't take that long?"
"Mate, don't be thick."
"Oh right. Er – just for future reference. I mean we've talked about this before. Spare me the details, okay? Hermione's like a sister to me. Drawing weird visuals in my head, you know."
"Yeah, yeah. We're on the same page. See you alright?"
"Okay."
"Ron, hurry! The other prefects left already." Hermione said impatiently. She was halfway outside the Hall when she realized Ron wasn't on her heels.
When they have both left Harry pulled Ginny to his side.
"Fancy a walk or a you too tired?" Harry asked.
"A walk would be great." Ginny smiled up at him.
They went to the east grounds of the castle to visit the memorial. Harry didn't know what to expect from a memorial. A huge white headstone came into his mind but when he and Ginny turned east what they saw was totally different.
It was a beautiful garden. It was an Eden with bountiful flora arranged perfectly. At the middle was an intricately carved white stone pillar almost as tall as Harry. It held what looked like a bowl made out of crystal. There was a magical flame dancing from the bowl as the fires changed in different colors once in a while. When they went nearer Harry noticed that there were colorful small petals slowly showering them like drizzle but as he looked at the grassy ground there seemed to be no evidence of bits of flowers.
"It's beautiful." Ginny said while giving a soft sigh looking up the velvety flames.
"Hey, look at the stone. I think those are names written all over it."
Harry and Ginny looked closely and sure enough the intricate looking vines that were carved around the column were names of the people who passed away in the war.
Ginny gave a sniff and Harry held her closer. They just stared at the flames and the beautiful names a while more longer before they headed back to the Gryffindor Tower.
Harry didn't take his Sleeping Draught and was regretting it. It was past midnight and after two hours of tossing and turning in his bed, jealous of his dorm mates' soft snores, he stood up to get some glass of water. After drinking he grabbed his bathrobe and headed downstairs to the common room.
The common room was deserted except for a bushy haired girl that seated in one of the comfy plump sofas in front of the fire. She was also dressed in her pajamas and matching fluffy slippers and robe.
"Hermione?"
Startled, in instinct Hermione pulled out her wand ready to fire a curse, her eyes flashing with alarm and panic. Harry raised his hands in front of him.
"Hey, calm down it's just me." Harry said softly.
"Just surprised, that's all," Hermione said looking embarrassed. "You can't sleep too, huh?"
"Apparently."
"Yeah. I thought I'd start with my reading. Might as well do something productive."
It was just so Hermione to pull something like this. She practically had her school bag brought down with her.
"What are those for? Those aren't notes are they?" Harry pointed at the parchment and quill on the table.
"No, just a letter for my parents. Waiting for Pigwidgeon to send them."
"May I borrow some? I think I'll write a note to Mrs. Tonks and Teddy."
"Sure. Help yourself."
As Harry was writing to Mrs. Tonks and Teddy, Hermione started recapping the things she read so far in their Transfiguration book. Harry welcomed it. This was Hermione at her habitat, a place that just oozes out of wittiness. Harry missed this side of Hermione. He was glad that this part of her was back.
"Anastasia Robbs told me that Professor Cross was a Ravenclaw when she was in Hogwarts so I'm quite confident that she'll deliver to the standards of Professor McGonagall. I just hope she doesn't play favorites too as we're having her class with the Ravenclaws. Don't you think so, Harry?"
"Yeah, sure. No one likes anyone who plays favorite unless they're the favorite."
"True. Oh, and we're tackling full transfiguration on humans this year! The theory's quite the same with the medium sized animals but slightly more complex, of course. I heard it takes quite a long time to master it and it's harder to practice unless you have a willing volunteer. It's quite nasty if it's done wrong."
"Really? Well, you can practice it on me anytime." Harry said lightly.
Hermione smiled back at him. "You're cheeky, you know. But I know what you're doing. It's alright to tell me to stop talking about future lessons you'd rather know when these future lessons happen." She looked at him with raised brows, a challenging look on her face.
"It's quite alright for me when you talk about future lessons I'd rather know when the future lessons happen," Harry matched her challenging look. "It's seeing the Hermione I first knew here in Hogwarts who's incredibly bright, bossy, sometimes overbearing, and an infamous know-it-all in class." Hermione punched him on the arm. The two both laughed casually.
"I think I'll go to bed now. The letter can wait. Don't stay up much longer, okay?" Hermione said standing up and gathering her things.
"Mhmm."
"And Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for listening."
Harry gave his friend a smile and waved at her as she made he way to the girls' dormitory. Honor was still out on her hunt. His letter can wait until morning too.
AN: Hey, guys! Sorry for the late post, got caught up with some projects at work. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this one. And here's to hoping you'll have a wonderful day :) Thanks! ~ E