A/N: I had this uploaded on ao3 but forgot to post here but here it goes! This story is all fully outlined! Updates will be slightly frequent! Inspired by Misfits. Enjoy!

Hermione Granger found herself seated in Headmistress McGonagall's office, a storm of anger, guilt, and shame swirling within her. Only moments ago, in the Great Hall, she had unleashed her fury upon Lavender Brown, a spectacle witnessed by everyone. Lavender had cunningly spread malicious rumors about Hermione, asserting that she was not a true hero, and that it was Ron who deserved that title. Lavender believed a hero should be willing to die for their cause, but Hermione couldn't accept what Ron had sacrificed his life for. It wasn't worth it, and she blamed herself for his demise.

With clenched fists, Hermione struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to cascade down her face. Deep down, she knew Lavender had deliberately aimed to hurt her, to amplify the pain that already consumed her. But in that moment, Hermione's control snapped. She flung her plate at Lavender's face, then lunged forward, clawing, punching, and tugging at her hair. It took the combined efforts of three professors and two prefects to pull them apart, just as Hermione hastily flicked her wand, delivering a final blow to Lavender.

Hermione was well aware that she had overreacted. Violence was not the answer, and she had disappointed all those who expected better from her. However, she had reached her breaking point. The incessant whispers, the piercing stares, and the lingering sympathy were unbearable. Each day, Ron's absence served as a poignant reminder of how he had sacrificed himself to save her and Harry from Voldemort's snake. Hermione could no longer bear living without him.

Her gaze met McGonagall's, who sat behind her desk, exuding a stern yet sorrowful demeanor. Hermione knew that McGonagall cared for her deeply, considering her one of her favorite students. Nevertheless, she understood the Headmistress's obligation to be fair and impartial, to enforce the rules and maintain order, particularly when Hogwarts was still recovering from the aftermath of war.

"Hermione," McGonagall began in a soft tone, her disappointment palpable. "I am greatly disappointed in your behavior. You are well aware that resorting to such childish and violent acts is unacceptable. As a prefect, you are meant to set an example for the younger students."

"I know, Headmistress," Hermione responded meekly. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry, Hermione, is not sufficient," McGonagall asserted firmly. "You must face the consequences of your actions. Painful as it is for me, I have no choice but to place you in the new Hogwarts detention program."

Fear and dread surged through Hermione. She had heard murmurs about the detention program, but never had she fathomed being sentenced to it herself. Initiated by McGonagall after the war, the program aimed to rehabilitate students who had committed serious offenses or displayed troubling signs. Instead of traditional detentions or punitive measures, McGonagall assigned them community service around the school grounds or in Hogsmeade, allowing them to reintegrate into society while offering a chance at redemption.

The program sought to aid those who had been negatively impacted by the war. Some had lost loved ones, others had suffered torture or endured brainwashing at the hands of Death Eaters. A few had even fought on the wrong side or betrayed their classmates. Hermione knew the identities of these students all too well: Draco Malfoy, Theo Nott, Pansy Parkinson, and Blaise Zabini. They were Slytherins who had been granted a second chance by McGonagall, provided they participated in the detention program for a year and demonstrated genuine remorse and reformation.

Hermione loathed them all. She despised them for their affiliation with the Death Eaters, their support of Voldemort and his vile regime, their callousness towards innocent people and their mockery of their suffering. Among them, Malfoy bore the brunt of her animosity. He had been a coward and a bully, persistently taunting her with the derogatory term "Mudblood," nearly assassinating Dumbledore, and allowing Death Eaters to infiltrate Hogwarts.

The notion of spending time with them, serving the community side by side, seemed like an unbearable fate. Hermione struggled to envision anything worse.

"Headmistress," Hermione pleaded weakly, her voice betraying her desperation. "Please, spare me this punishment."

"I am sorry, Hermione," McGonagall responded gently. "But fairness and consistency are imperative when addressing students who break the rules. Starting tomorrow morning, you will be joining the detention program for a duration of three months."

"Three months?" Hermione gasped, her disbelief evident.

"Yes," McGonagall affirmed, her expression unyielding. "Furthermore, should you cause any further disturbances or fail to complete your assigned tasks satisfactorily, I will extend your sentence accordingly."

The weight of despair settled upon Hermione's shoulders. Three months of detention alongside those Slytherins? How would she endure it?

Attempting one last plea, Hermione beseeched, "Can't you strip me of my prefect badge or assign me additional homework? Anything but this."

McGonagall shook her head, a mixture of sadness and resolve etched upon her face.

"No, Hermione," she stated resolutely. "You are an exceptional student and a natural leader. You possess tremendous potential and have much to offer the world. I will not strip you of your badge or hinder your education due to one mistake."

"But Headmistress," Hermione persisted.

"No more 'buts,'" McGonagall interjected sternly. "This is my final decision, and you will accept it with grace."

Reluctantly, Hermione sighed and nodded. "Yes, Headmistress," she acquiesced obediently.

"Good," McGonagall acknowledged softly. "Now, return to your dormitory and get some rest."

Rising from her seat, Hermione made her way towards the door when an unexpected knock resounded.

"Come in," McGonagall called out.

The door swung open, revealing two more students—Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Neville appeared apprehensive and guilty, while Luna exuded her characteristic serenity and dreaminess. Both regarded Hermione with concern and sympathy, knowing all too well the pain of losing loved ones in the war.

Neville had lost his parents, while Luna had tragically lost her father. They understood Hermione's anguish and actively tried to assist her in coping with her grief.

"Hello," Luna chimed cheerfully. "We came to check on you. Are you alright?"

Hermione managed a weak smile, grateful for their presence. Neville and Luna were both her friends, companions who comprehended the depths of her suffering.

"Hi," Hermione responded softly. "I'm fine."

A lie.

She was far from fine.

In truth, she felt utterly miserable.

Yet, she didn't wish to burden them with additional worry. After all, they were already grappling with their own troubles.

Curiosity and sternness crossed McGonagall's gaze as she observed Neville and Luna. "What brings the two of you here?" she inquired.

Neville cleared his throat nervously, summoning his courage as he stepped forward. "Headmistress," he addressed earnestly, "I've come here to confess."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow, an expression of surprise and suspicion etching her features. "Confess to what?" she queried sharply.

With a gulp, Neville continued, resolute in his admission. "I mean, it's my fault that Hermione attacked Lavender," he hurriedly explained, his voice filled with remorse. "It wasn't her doing."

He paused, casting an apologetic glance at Hermione.

"I overheard the rumor Lavender was spreading," Neville admitted guiltily, his voice laden with regret. "Some Gryffindors in the common room were talking about how Lavender claimed Hermione wasn't a real hero, that Ron was the true hero. Lavender said that Ron died for nothing, that Hermione killed him, and that it should have been her."

He paused, his expression burdened with sorrow, before continuing. "The news infuriated me. I found it unjust and cruel. I wanted Hermione to know, to be comforted. I believed she had a right to be aware. I thought she would want to know."

He shook his head, regret seeping into his voice. "But I was wrong. I shouldn't have told her. I should have kept it to myself, ignored it. I worsened the situation. I caused her more pain. My actions propelled her into losing control."

Neville beseeched McGonagall, his gaze pleading for leniency. "Headmistress, please, don't punish Hermione for my mistake. It's not her fault. She was merely defending herself, reacting to Lavender's words. She didn't intend to harm anyone."

He turned towards Hermione, his eyes brimming with sincerity. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I apologize for everything."

Gratitude and admiration surged within Hermione. Neville displayed remarkable courage and loyalty, an exemplar of kindness and honesty. He willingly assumed the blame for her, shielding her from punishment. Neville embodied the true essence of a friend, a true Gryffindor.

With tears welling in her eyes, Hermione looked at Neville with appreciation. She turned to McGonagall and asserted firmly, "Headmistress, Neville is telling the truth. He did inform me about the rumor Lavender was spreading. However, he didn't force me to attack her. He didn't manipulate me into anything. I made that choice independently. I let my emotions override my judgment. I acted impulsively and recklessly. The blame rests with me, not him."

McGonagall regarded Hermione and Neville, a blend of admiration and sadness reflecting in her eyes.

Sighing, she spoke softly, "Hermione, Neville, your honesty and loyalty are deeply appreciated. Both of you have exhibited tremendous bravery and nobility. Your character and integrity shine brightly today." She paused before continuing gently, "However, your distress and instability are equally apparent. You both bear wounds deeper than you acknowledge. What you need is guidance and support, not isolation and animosity."

McGonagall fixed them with a serious gaze and declared resolutely, "That is why I have decided to include both of you in the detention program."

Hermione and Neville gasped in shock.

The weight of disbelief and horror hung heavily in the room.

They looked at McGonagall, their expressions a mirror of disbelief and protest.

"Headmistress," they both implored in unison. "No!"