Hemoine was gathering all of her notes and other things she would need for their first meeting. She wanted to hurry but not look like she was hurrying. Theo was moving so smoothly, why did it feel like she was on some sugar rush hands slightly shaking? Was it noticeable could he see it, she didn't want him to see it.

After she and Theo had set up their living space and she had unpacked her bedroom she had once again started reading over all the things that McGonagall had given her. they had only gone over the brode point of everything now she was going over the little stuff. So she could have as much of it memorized as possible before the school year started. One of these things was the names of all those who would be working under her like the Prefects and the new A.H. When she was first told about it she thought it would be a great help there never seemed to be enough help so adding another position, especially this year would be a lifesaver. She didn't quite feel that way when she saw that Draco Malfoy would be Slythrins A.H.

She had kept up with the papers and even heard from more reliable sources that he was likely to return this year. this was after she had already decided she wanted to return for her 8th year. when she had learned though she had decided that she would not let him keep her from what she wanted to do. So she stayed determined to return to Hogwarts, after a small panic attack.

Theo was in the kitchen cleaning their mugs from earlier. She threw her bag over her shoulder still trying to get herself mentally ready. She had to get to that meeting. This was her job her responsibility and she would profome it to the best of her ability. While walking around the living space her bag knocked over her potted Moly plant. A gift from Nevil.

"shit." She cursed under her breath setting her bag back down to clean the mess. She continued to curse as she carefully separated the glass from the plant.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Theo walked into the living room with a small smile.

" I'm sorry ill just be a minute, shit this just had to happen now." Hermione stayed focused on her task of cleaning. Theo waved his wand fixing the pot another wave cleaned the mess. Now Herminoe just held the unplanted plant looking like an idiot.

" did you forget you're a witch?" Hermione let out a frustrated sigh.

"Sorry, I'm being such a scatterbrain."

" mmmm is the brightes witch dimming a bit?" Theo teased. Hermione gave him a playful shove telling him to shut up.

" Hey, listen you should go and ask Professor Sprout to help replant that, I'll go and handle the meeting," Theo told her.

" what no I can't leave it all to you." Herminoe protested.

" please with all the notes you left, I'll be more than fine, beside if you really feel bad then you can help Hagrid gather the first years from the station. And I'll manage everything here with my new minions."

"That's hardly fair Theo and I'm pretty sure you can't call them Minions."

"well henchmen sounds a little evil, subboardnate is boring. I'll put it on the agenda today and we will let you know what we come up with." Theo took her bag pulling out her notes and folders.

" ok see you tonight don't get swarmed by all those Hero groupies." Hermione gave a laugh then stopped when she remembered that. That had been and could still be a problem especially now.

Professor Sprout had assisted with replanting the plant as well as scolding her about how such plants require a lot of care. Hermione told her that Nevil had left her a detailed letter with instructions on how to care for it and its many uses. Professor Sprout asked if shattering it on the floor was one of the things mentioned on the list.

she had looked down when she gave a reluctant no. After handling that and putting it back in her common room she sent a patronus to Hagrid telling him that she would be joining him to the station platform and that she would meet him at his home.

Outside she knocked on the door hearing Fang barking on the other side. The door swung open and she was swept up in a Hagrid hug. Were you get a little crushed and dirty but it's truly a feeling of warmth and love.

"There you are Herminoe ye been too busy to visit me?" He teased keeping her in the hug.

" I came for tea with Theo yesterday." Was her breathly response not to mention when Harry invited him over a few times over the summer for dinner or a drink. The first time he had brought Fang the big lug had crashed and broken almost everything in the kitchen. trying to get to the roast Harry had spent most of the day working on. Kricher nearly had a heart attack. Turns out he had stashed a few Black family heirlooms under the floor boards that were then covered in food.

Harry had given him a room. Well, kind of he wouldn't take it if it was an actual room so they had told him it was a room that he was solely responsible for one that would hold the most important of Black family possessions he would need to keep them safe and clean. he was also required to sleep there. It was supposed to be a win-win give him a safe space that he would feel safe and happy in and keep him from hiding heirlooms and arteffects around the house. Or so they thought, he would still hide things all over. He had made remolding hard. At least he didn't try and hide anything in her room. She technically lived with Harry at Grimmauld Place which was the place where she had all her things and where all her unimportant mail was sent. but she also spent a great amount of time at the Burrow. Though she might not be over there much anymore.

"ahy I know I'm just happy that at least one of yea came back." Hermione was pulled back to her conversation with Hagrid. She smiled at him and asked if they should be off. Hagrid looked at his clock and started brushing about rambling about how time slips away. They headed out and she got into the sidecar of his motorcycle, Hagrid didn't like apparate. They got to the station with a few minutes to spare. They heard the train whistle and within seconds the train came into view. She stood with Hagrid calling over all the first years. She saw the Auror walk off the train and start directing the older students to their carriages up to the castle. She saw a good handful of them try and come over and join the group of first years but were butted back and told to get going before they wrote them up.

" ay alright welcome all ye little rascals" Hagrid called to get their attention. " we have a little tradition of the first years taking the black lake across to get to the castle. Hermione here is here to help. There will also be two Aurors flying above so there is nothing to worry about." Hagrids loud and cherry voice had held their attention until he had said her name the moment he mentioned her they all looked over at her and didn't look away. The moment Hagrid stopped talking and asked if there were any questions they all shot nonstop questions non of them about the castle or the trip over.

"Are you really Hermione Granger?"

"Why did you come back?"

"how many Death Eaters did you kill?"

"are you going to marry Ron Weasly?"

" no you idiot they broke up she's dating Harry Potter now."

"what no Harry Potter is dating Ginny Weasley."

" is Harry Potter here too?"

"Did Victor Krum really get special visiting rights to see you?"

"did you and Harry Potter really recruit students last year to act as spies even Slythrins? is the group still active, what does one have to do to join?"

there was a sudden silence all the little heads looked around them their mouths moving but no sound came out. A handful of them looked like they were trying to shout cupping their hands and mutely yelling to those around them. Hermione couldn't help herself she might have used wandless magic to silence the children. they shot out questions faster than reporters. She held up her wand shining a light to get their attention. That was the plan but Hagrids laugh is what really got all their heads turning. She remembered hearing Hagrid's booming laugh for the first time. It was like jolly thunder. When all finally looked over and gave the two of them their attention she nudged Hagrid. To get him to stop he took a second to collect himself still smiling.

"Alright follow me, I'm sure the Headmistress is wondering what's taking so long don't worry about your voices they will be back shortly, right?" he looked over to Herminoe when she nodded he turned waving his arm for the children to follow.

" gota admit I'm happy to hear kids yelling excitedly again." He said quietly to her Herminoe smiled thinking about it then lifted the spell. Hearing instant chatter behind her. the rest of the trip to the castle went smoothly. Getting to watch their faces in awe was truly a treat of nostalgia remembering her own experiences. A good deal of them wanted to go through the Hall of Heroes. She told them they would be free to explore tomorrow after they had been put in their houses and settled into their dorms. As they got to the door of the great hall Flitwick was waiting for them to lead the children to the sorting hat. He looked almost the same as he had in the past but he had gotten a scar from the battle that went through the left side of his head leaving a gap in his hair. " hello Professor sorry to have kept you waiting".

"Hello Miss Granger, not to worry the sorting hat could use a few extra minutes to get collected before its big number."

" I can't wait to hear it, let head in Hagrid." Hermione stayed on the left side of Hagrid using him as a shield from the Slytherin table well from Malfoy. She knew she would need to face him at some point but not just yet. She found Ginny taking a seat across from her. Professor Flitwick opened the great hall doors the first years following behind him taking in everything around them. McGonagall stood everyone settling as she passed her gaze over the room. Hermione smiled as she listened to her last Hogwortst welcome-back speech.