Chapter One: Back to Hogwarts Again

The Hogwarts Express was almost halfway through the fields. Hermione and Ginny shared a compartment together. There was a knock on the door and Hermione opened it. "Luna!" and she greeted her old friend with a hug. Ginny did the same and asked, "How was your summer?" "Same as always," Luna answered, "although my dad is still a little overwhelmed about our house being destroyed." Hermione was a bit taken aback. "Oh. Uh, did you ever get around to fixing it?"

"Yes, but as far as summers go, this one was really fun."

Ginny brought up the new staff and students attending currently. "So, what do you think this year is going to be like?" Hermione replied, "Probably no different. But then again, McGonagall's going to be headmistress, so there's that." Luna said, "Well, now that Voldemort has been vanquished, we can all look forward to some peace." "If only," Ginny blurted out. Hermione had to agree with them, but still wanted to make the most of it.

Luna asked, "What have you been up to over the summer holidays, Hermione?" and she smiled. "What haven't I been up to?" Ginny asked, "Did you ever find your parents?" Hermione responded, "Yes, I did, actually. Uh, I found them in Australia, they went to live there after I erased their memories. After I found them, I put them back." "That's amazing!" Ginny remarked. "So what's it like in Australia this time of year?" Hermione chuckled, "Please, Ginny, it's already tomorrow there." Luna asked, "Well, what about you, Ginny? How were your holidays? I mean, apart from..." "Yeah." After losing Fred, all of the Weasleys, including Bill and Fleur, spent most of their summer in mourning. Fred was every bit as brave as Remus Lupin, Tonks, and everyone else in the final battle. Most wounds like that never heal. Luna apologized, "I realize that wasn't the best..." "No," Ginny said, "I understand, Luna, and I appreciate that. It hasn't been easy for any of us."

After the trolley witch came by, Ginny opened a Chocolate Frog and looked inside. "Oh, my God. Hermione, you have to look at this." Hermione took the card, and to her surprise, her photo was on the card. "I have my own card?" Ginny suggested that she should have the card. Hermione was stunned.

It took a while until a couple of miles and then the train started to slow down and finally stop. The girls started heading to the carriages. Outside of the train, Ginny and Luna were greeted by a familiar bearded face with a giant lantern in his hand. "Well, Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood." "Hi, Hagrid," Ginny smiled. When Hermione walked outside, Hagrid beamed. "Oh, my goodness. Hermione?" "Hagrid!" She ran to hug him and he chuckled. "I hope the holidays weren't too much fer yeh. Ah, how are Harry an' Ron doin'?" Hermione answered, "Despite everything that's happened, I'd say they're doing well enough. What about you?" "Fang's still recovering from the fight. It'd probably take him at least a month or two before he regains himself." He started to call out, "All right! First years, this way! First years follow me to the boats!" Hermione, Ginny and Luna made their way to the carriages and the Thestrals started walking all the way to Hogsmeade and into the castle grounds. Once inside, Hermione and Ginny sat with the other Gryffindors while Luna walked to sit with the Ravenclaws.

The Sorting Hat started singing its annual song and later sorted the new first years into their houses. One by one, the hat shouted and with every house call, thunderous applause. "Ravenclaw! Slytherin! Hufflepuff! Gryffindor!" After the final first years were sorted, Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium. "Welcome one and all to a brand new year at Hogwarts. Now, I know most of you know what happened last year, and for those of you who lost someone, you have our condolences. We lost students, staff members and many individuals alike." Professor Minerva McGonagall was once deputy headmistress to Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape and had now been finally promoted to full-on headmistress. She continued on, "We must hold onto hope, even though the Battle of Hogwarts is over. Our staff and I have been working feverishly to put the castle back together, with only a few minor adjustments." After the Battle of Hogwarts was over, the castle was very badly damaged. It was under some very serious repairs over the summer. Thankfully they managed to put everything back in its place again. Most of the first-years had no idea what McGonagall was talking about, but everyone else applauded with joy.

During the feast, the ghosts were flying around, doing their usual rounds. Peeves the poltergeist was up to his usual mischief, but he didn't dare go near the Bloody Baron. The Fat Friar was smiling like usual. Helena Ravenclaw, the Grey Lady and Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, was solemnly floating in peace. Nearly Headless Nick was delighted to see Hermione and Ginny again. "Well," he shouted, "Miss Granger. And Miss Weasley. How are you two ladies this fine evening?" "Fine, Sir Nicholas. Thanks." Hermione replied. "Harry and Ron aren't coming back." Ginny said. "Hm, yes, I thought as much," Nick was saying. "Well, seeing as how you two are still here, I suppose that's good enough. Shame Masters Potter and Weasley couldn't return to finish their education. Well, good night." "Bye, Nick." "Good night," Ginny said.

It was depressing to think that even though all the staff members returned to resume their teaching positions, the Defense Against the Dark Arts post had yet to be filled. For the past seven years, there was always one professor after another. Snape finally managed to assume the post in the sixth year, but after Dumbledore died, he became the new headmaster. Now there was going to be another new person teaching the subject. It was unknown to anyone if that professor was going to remain there after one year, but nonetheless...

Everyone finished their dinner and they all went up to their house common rooms. Hermione and Ginny entered the Gryffindor common room and once inside, it was almost midnight. The girls were about to get ready for bed when suddenly Crookshanks jumped out and hugged Hermione in a surprise attack. Ginny was shocked. "Crookshanks? I haven't seen you much in a while." Hermione was getting him off her and then said, "Come on, boy, off." Crookshanks meowed and ran. Ginny was beside herself. "I'm amazed. I haven't seen that cat in months." Hermione said, "Well, he always was a little feisty, but now it seems he won't change." "Fun," Ginny said, "well, it's good, because now Arnold will keep him company while we're in class." The girls got into bed and then looked at the night sky outside. Hermione was thinking. She was so excited to be back at Hogwarts again, but at the same time, she had mixed emotions about the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. That was one of the classes she was going to have to take for her N.E.W.T. tests. She concluded that she didn't want to worry about that now and decided to go to sleep. "Good night, Ginny." "Good night, Hermione."