Cho and Hermione sat along the far wall of the Great Hall. She hadn't seen Ron or Ginny or Harry yet, but she and Cho had arrived early to try and beat the morning rush. They sat at the very edge of the table hoping to be less noticeable. Sadly, that plan hadn't worked and students had been filing by all morning to tell her how wonderful it was to have her back. She doubted they were serious. They most likely thought they'd get a glance of her baby, she assumed. Most people who said hello ran off whispering amongst themselves. She knew they were talking and laughing about her. It felt horrible.

Hermione had realized when she went to get dressed in the morning, her old uniform no longer fit due to the extra weight from her pregnancy. Luckily, in addition to her old clothes and uniforms, several new sizes had been hanging in her closet and she was able to make due. While she was sure she would lose the extra weight eventually, for now she was fuller in the breasts and hips and it showed. She felt like she looked more womanly. It was a little disconcerting since she had always been so slight. When she caught sight of herself in a mirror, she felt like she was in someone else's body.

"Granger's looking right fit if you ask me," Crabbe mused to Goyle as Draco Malfoy turned to look at her.

"The things I'd like to do to those tits," Goyle said back, lewdly eyeing Hermione.

"Granger's back?," Draco asked, incredulous, his eyes finally settling on Granger talking to a fourth year.

"I heard she came back late last night," Goyle offered.

"Really?," Draco looked over at her again, eyeing her up and down. "Well, well, Granger. My, how things have changed."

She certainly had filled out, her uniform now fit tightly across her chest and she looked positively naughty in her uniform skirt and knee socks.

Draco noticed Harry and Ginny approaching Granger, Weaselby hanging behind.

He turned back to Crabbe and Goyle. "Let's have a little fun, eh?"

He ignored the protestations and "don't do it mate"s he heard from his friends, sauntering over to where Cho and Granger sat.

Cho Chang watched him approaching and her eyes grew wide as she elbowed Hermione. Hermione looked up and saw Draco striding purposefully towards her. He was slightly taller. And his shoulders were wider? Was that possible? She hadn't been gone that long. His white blond hair hung messily over his eyes. Hermione stood, her wand at her side, Cho following.

"Ah Granger. Here again I see? Skulking back to school to spread your legs for more Death Eaters? And returning with your filthy little mudblood pup-"

Crack!

Hermione looked up as Ron's fist connected with Malfoy's jaw. It had been so fast she almost didn't see it. Ron was here!

Ron had hit him so hard she literally heard the bones crack and saw him fall to the ground. Cho pulled her into an inadvertent hug; backing her away from the incident. Malfoy howled in pain as Ron shook his hand out, obviously in a lot of discomfort. Lavender Brown was beside him in an instant, kissing across his knuckles in dramatic fashion, staring daggers at Hermione.

Oh. So Ron and Lavender are together again.

Oh. Okay.

Lavender turned Ron and pulled him away, speaking to him. "Won Won! I'm here! I'll help you!"

Hermione glanced at Ron as he was being led away and mouthed a 'thank you.' He nodded back at her as Lavender whisked him away.

Malfoy stood, dusted himself off and adjusted his jaw. He took a step in to Hermione, which made the half the table that sat near her gasp. She moved to step forward to defend herself and Cho, but was pushed back as Harry, seemingly out of nowhere, stepped in between them. A hush fell over the Hall.

"Is there a problem, Malfoy?," he asked, shielding Hermione. Malfoy took a step in as murmurs from the crowd began anew, and readied himself to speak when he was interrupted by a low, clipped voice.

"Weasley. Malfoy."

It wasn't a question, it was more of a statement. And the entire room quieted as the precise baritone of Professor Snape became audible.

"I'm quite sure whatever incident has just occurred will not occur again; as sure as I am that you both shall meet me for Detention this afternoon."

Malfoy opened his mouth to speak.

"And twenty points from each house. For conduct unbecoming of Hogwarts wizards."

He turned on his heel, his cloak billowing behind him.

Malfoy, standing directly in front of Harry, spoke menacingly. "This isn't over." He glanced at Hermione, his eyes roaming over her face briefly before he, too, turned on his heel, following Ron out of the Hall, seething all the while.

Hermione let out an indrawn breath as Harry turned to her. "Thanks Harry," she beamed at him. "I can't believe he said that. To hate me is one thing, but Rose-"

"The war is over, and he's going to be the last to come round," Harry stated.

"He's an insufferable prat, and he belongs in Azkaban along with his horrible father!"

Hermione turned as she heard the voice she had been longing to hear. Ginny stepped out from the crowd that had gathered around Harry. She came to stand next to him as he wrapped his arm around her. Harry spoke, then. "We're glad you're back, Hermione."

Ginny added. "We are, really. All of us. You and baby Rose."

Hermione felt tears at the corners of her eyes. Ginny stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug as she felt the tears begin to fall. She clutched Ginny tighter. She never wanted to let go.

Her friends were still her friends. After everything; after all that had happened…it was going to be ok….wasn't it?