AN: Hey y'all back at it tonight! Definitely channeling my Halsey tonight, which I feel I should let you guys know that I am a Slytherin so if I make Gryffindork jokes it is just my level of petty 3. This chapter might hit a few people in their feels just a heads up...
I sadly still own no rights to Harry Potter and the characters belong to J.K Rowling. Halsey owns her song Haunting that inspired this chapter.
~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H
Haunting- Halsey
Hermione sighed as she shrugged into a cute crimson sweater dress and black leggings. Tonight was her final night before she and Luna headed back to Hogwarts. The would be a party that would just be the Weasley clan, Hermione, Harry, Luna and a few of the Order members. Granted that was about 30 people, but a small get together nonetheless. Hermione walked down stairs where Ron, Luna, and Harry where waiting to floo to the Burrow. Ron had told Molly about the split and while she was sad that they had broken up she knew that nothing would change. The day after Hermione arrived home Molly had come over and made sure the girl knew that Hermione would always be her daughter both cried and Ron and Harry avoided the sitting room while Luna mumbled something about how tears shed out of pure love killed evil thoughts.
The four quickly floo'd to the Burrow which upon arrival smelled like heaven which was all thanks to Molly's' cooking. Harry quickly set of in search of Andromeda and Teddy while Luna went outside to dance in the fading sun. Ron and Hermione shared a small smile before Hermione set off to the kitchen to see if she could help, when she passed the clock she touched it as she thought briefly of Fred. Hermione painted a smile back on her face.
"Molly, we are all here. Can I do anything to help?" Hermione inquired.
"No no dear, almost done. Arthur set up the picnic table outside and most everyone is out there." Molly walked towards Hermione a quick hug before continuing "So go outside and join them! This Party is for you!"
"Yes Molly" Hermione smiled and headed out the door. Almost as soon as she was out the door she was assaulted by a long curtain of red hair, which really wasn't shocking considering where she was, that was Ginny.
"It is so good to see you! It has been a month, and I desperately miss girl time!"
"Hahah well I am sorry some of us are world famous quidditch players and little old me had to visit her parents" Hermione joked to her long time girl friend.
"Well I almost flew to Flor- e Da when I heard my brother robbed me of having you as a legal sister, but I realized it was never meant to be. He wasn't the Weasley for you." Ginny finished with a knowing look in her eye.
With a sigh Hermione addressed her friend "They really need to teach basic Geography in schools. Anyways, while I would always enjoy a random visit, I would not enjoy being kidnapped to marry a man that I love the same way I love you!" Hermione smirked at her friend.
Luna and Harry were walking over to join them as they watched the plates float to the table where the others were starting to gather.
"So Hermione, I am so glad that you will be at Hogwarts with me, the griblysnuffs must have thought you were a good addition to make McGonagall seek you out! It will be nice to have someone to spend time with as well as I won't have Harry and his broomsti-" Whatever Luna was about to say was lost behind Harry's hand. A bright red blush spread across his cheeks and he was only saved when Molly called everyone to the table.
Dinner was a great affair as always and the food was perfect. The biggest shock came when Fleur announced that she was pregnant with her second child. After that the atmosphere only improved if that was possible. Hermione looked around and was just happy to be surrounded by those she loved. It was hard to imagine that three years ago around this time everyone was just getting over the war, and the wizarding world was slowly rebuilding. The night was coming to a close and the four floo'd back to their house. They all hugged each other before Luna very adamantly was dragging Harry to their room.
"Don't forget to cast sound-proofing" Ron yelled up to the two. Ron started walking up the stairs
"Hey Mione, make sure you have fun now that you will be on the other side of the desk. Oh... and tell Fred hi. I have heard from some customers that he makes Peeves look like an angel"
Hermione smiled up at him "Of course, and make sure you get out of that shop for something other than family dinner!" She heard Ron chuckle as he reached his room. Hermione went to the library one last time, she was already packed, and just enjoyed the quiet. She knew that starting in a week all the students would arrive and she probably wouldn't have this time to herself. After a few minutes she padded to her room and quickly fell asleep dreaming of the year to come.
The next day was busy as Luna and Hermione hurriedly got the rest of their things together and said their farewells before flooing directly to Minervas office.
Minerva was expecting the two, though she would never admit it, Hermione was her favorite and she was so excited to have her on staff and Luna was a gentle soul she would protect to her dying breath. The three of them exchanged hugs and Dumbledores portrait was excited to see them and inquired about their well-being, Snape on the other hand muttered something or another about bleeding hearts.
The two were escorted to their rooms by a well kept looking elf. After Hermione settled in she decided to head up to the Gryffindor(K) common room and see if Fred was about, she hoped she wouldn't have to brave the dungeons.
As she was making her way up she felt some sorrow as the last time she had been here had been shortly after the war when the school was still being rebuilt. Kingsley had forbidden any of the students who had fought in the war to be apart of the rebuild, but Hermione had needed to borrow a book and was given permission, which she used to slightly explore the school. Granted it had gone back to how it had looked and the walls didn't feel like they were dripping evil. The biggest addition was all the ghosts...
Hermione made her way into the room as the fat lady didn't require a password over summer. She was also in luck as she saw Fred and Peeves rigging some device to one of the lesser, but still used shelves in the commons. When Hermione cleared her throat Fred looked at her, and by the look on his face you would think HE was the one who saw a ghost.
"Thank you Peeves, I will come to you later to fix that issue we were discussing in the Slytherin restroom." Fred said in the way of a dismissal.
Hermione just rolled her eyes while Peeves floated off singing "K-i-s-s-i-n-g in a tree, to bad he's a ghost and they'll never be!" The cackle was the last thing the two heard before Fred turned his attention to Hermione.
"Well I don't wanna seem transparent but I would hug you if not for obvious reasons" he winked at her though she really didn't find that pun funny.
She went and sat on the couch where he joined her.
"You look good Mione, you have grown up to be such a beautiful young woman, not that you weren't always pretty. Just that the years have only increased that."
"It has only been three years Fred. You look like you haven't aged a day" he winked at her for that little joke.
"Well what can I say I will always be the best looking twin" a sadness crossed over his face but he carried on " How is my Ickle Ron treating you, do I need to have him pranked?"
Hermione laughed at this " No, he is doing really well, but we actually ended our relationship about a month ago. We just weren't meant to be a couple. I think the loss in the war and people just made us happen."
"Damn it all to hell!" Fred looked mad "You should have ended up with me. If I had made it, you would have been mine and I would have been yours"
Tears were forming in Hermione's eyes, she knew he was right. He had after all been her first kiss.
It had been the night that the trio went on the run. She was hiding in the Burrow before the reception when Fred had found her. By this time they had flirted many times but nothing ever came of it. Hermione thought it just his personality but she couldn't get the twin out of her mind. It had been the best kiss she had to date. Sadly it was short lived and a quick whispered promise that they would talk about it after the wedding was obviously postponed. The year had passed and it had felt like a distant dream. Then the Battle happened and the lackluster kiss with Ron brought her kiss with Fred to the forefront of her brain, but after that when they were mourning the dead Fred was among them. The rest is all she wrote. Sadly even though he had returned as a ghost there was no way the two would ever work.
"I'm sorry" she whispered as the tears spilled across her face.
Fred looked at her than "Mione, it isn't your fault. Death happens and now I get to play with Peeves and George even sneaks in sometimes to see me. Hermione was not shocked by this tidbit about George.
The two made eye contact and she felt his cool ethereal hand graze against her cheek and though it made her feel frozen to the core she couldn't bring herself to move. When his lips gently brushed hers she prayed for above all for his lips to become solid and warm, yet to her sorrow that would not be what fate had in store. After that they talked for a couple more hours enjoying their time when her stomach growled. Realizing it was time for lunch she parted ways with Fred and quickly headed back to her chambers to freshen up and make sure there were no tear stains left.
As she was walking out of her portrait hole she walked into a very firm and warm chest, before she fell back she felt calloused strong hands wrap around her to keep her from falling. Once she righted herself she looked up at her hero, with dark blonde hair and a cute smile she looked up at a very grown up Neville Longbottom.
"All good there Mione?" he chuckled.
"y-Yes thank you for catching me!"
"Well I figured I could escort you to lunch, I am so glad that you are going to be here and that we will get to catch up" Neville stated as he took in Hermiones appearance. She had grown up a lot and her short haircut really flattered her. She had curves in all the right places and looked like she was beating men off left and right, he had always had a thing for her back in school and he wouldn't be shocked if those feelings came back. It didn't help that when he ran into Luna the girl simply stated that Hermione was single and then skipped off.
"You are such a sweetheart Neville. I truly am looking forward to catching up."
The two walked to the great hall making small talk and when they arrived Hermione was shocked to see the head table was more like the student tables so the professors could talk to one another. Neville sat across from Hermione and Luna soon joined them. Before the food was served Draco Malfoy walked in, he made brief eye contact with Hermione before he nodded and went and sat down next to the transfiguration professor.
"Hermione!" A gruff voice called and Hermione easily got out of her seat and into the arms of her favorite half-giant.
"Hagrid it is so good to see you! Easter was just to long ago!" He joined the rest of the staff taking a place near Minerva and close enough to chat with Hermione. Lunch passed with a lot of small talk and Hermione was really looking forward to this upcoming year. As lunch came to an end Malfoy approached her "Granger, I would like to talk to you if you have a chance after lunch" his voice lacked any malice and Neville was just looking at her and nodding letting her know she would be safe.
"Of course Malfoy, let me just finish up and we can meet in my office if that is ok with you" he nodded his assent and walked off.
"Don't worry Malfoy has gotten a lot better he keeps to himself mostly but he isn't prejudiced anymore, still a git, but atleast he doesn't hate everyone."
Hermione looked at Neville " Well that is good to know, I am going to head to my office until dinner and start setting up. Maybe after dinner we could all go for a walk or to the room of requirement?"
"Oh that sounds lovely" Luna piped in. "Sure" and with that Hermione headed to her new office.
When she arrived she got straight to work while waiting for Malfoy. She was reading a book and pacing her office when she yet again walked in a firm chest and strong arms with calloused hands that gripped her, she really hoped this wasn't becoming her M.o. When she looked up she saw Malfoy who if she was being honest with herself expected to see a look of disgust on his face because she had touched him. Instead to her shock he had an amused smirk.
"While I must say you have grown up Granger, some of your traits have stayed the same." There was no hint of disdain in his voice and a hint of a smile playing at his lips so she giggled at his statement. A look passed over his face she couldn't decipher but it didn't seem to hold hatred so she let it pass.
"Well Malfoy I don't know if I can say the same about you, we are having a rather pleasant conversation!"
"I have grown Granger, I am not the foolish young man I was. I know that it has only been three years but even before the Battle I knew I was on the wrong side, and the only reason I had stayed was for my mother. I am asking your forgiveness, which I will admit I never do, but I don't want us to have any ill will toward one another and I hate how I treated you. You are one of the smartest and most talented witches I have ever met and I woudl like us to at the very least have an amicable professional relationship."
It didn't take Hermione long to make up her mind "Of course Malfoy. We all make mistakes and while some are bigger than others I don't think holding hate in my heart would benefit either of us. I make no promises that I will be inviting you for Sundays at the Burrow but I also won't judge you for the past. You have shown over the past three years that you have changed and you seem truly remorseful" While Hermione had not seen Malfoy since his trial, she knew that he was working hard to prove he was changed. She couldn't hate a man who was trying to do better.
"Thank you Granger, I do look forward to working with you." With that he left her to her thoughts.
Hermione was really going to enjoy working at Hogwarts.
~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H~~H
AN: Alright and that is the second chapter done! So now it is up to y'all to vote, who should Hermione end up with? You have met the contestants so cast your vote! I really wanna start building that relationship and getting to the juicy stuff so cast your votes quickly.
Thanks!~Rose