Hermione was nursing a cup of tea and attempting to eat her breakfast when the owl showed up. She knew that eating was important. And she wasn't about to let anyone nag her for it. And there might be a lot of teasing from the boys if they knew she had skipped breakfast.
"Looks like the results from your exams are here," Mrs. Granger said.
"I'm not sure I want to know," Hermione muttered into her tea. She had slept fabulously the night before. That didn't mean that she was fully awake.
"Want me to look?" her mother asked.
Hermione just nodded, not looking up from her plate.
Mrs. Granger hummed over the results. "I think you'll be pleased with these." She handed the letter over to Hermione.
Hermione scanned over the list. She had gotten outstanding marks on everything save defense against the dark arts. It was the one subject that she was sure Harry had done outstanding on. But she hadn't done horrible. She had still managed exceeds expectations.
"Oh no," Ron said. "Results are here."
"Come on," Harry urged. "Let's just get this over with."
They each took their letter and opened it. Ron got seven O.W.L.s. Harry had done reasonably well, but had only managed an exceeds expectations on his potions exam. And that had been the one he wanted to get an outstanding on.
"Oh Harry. You do still have options," Hermione said. "I still think that you'd make a fantastic teacher. And you don't have to take potions for that."
"I know. I just, had this idea and I don't know how to handle it being taken away from me."
"Everyone has that happen to them," Mrs. Granger said. "It's just part of life."
"Everyone but Hermione," Ron said.
"Even I have some troubles," Hermione said. "I only got an E in defense."
"Yeah," Ron said. "But that's required. You aren't going to get kicked out of class for that."
"I do think I have a solution for that," Hermione said. "Since I'm pretty sure you didn't get an O either."
Ron frowned. He hadn't said his grades, just passed his list to his mother who cooed over him getting more O.W.L.s than both Fred and George combined.
"And what exactly do you have in mind?" Harry asked.
Hermione wasn't quite willing to tell him that she thought that Slughorn would be teaching potions. And that he was going to be far more lenient than Snape ever had been. But she didn't want him to be unprepared should that be the case.
"Well, how about we get you the potions stuff. That way I can help you practice when I have a moment. You don't have to take the class to take the N.E.W.T. for that subject."
"Alright," Ron said, "but you'd better not give us homework."
"As if you'd do it anyway," Hermione muttered under her breath.
She was hoping that Slughorn would teach potions in that moment. If he didn't she would be stuck doing extra work. Maybe she could ask McGonagall for the time turner back. She would need it if she had to teach Harry and Ron and do her own homework.
She finished her breakfast, and then grabbed her robe. She shoved it on over her shorts and t-shirt. It was easier than trying to dress herself in proper wizarding attire, and wasn't totally unreasonable. She knew Harry wore trousers under his robes when he was flying.
Viktor did as well. She wasn't sure if it was a seeker thing or if it was the fact that both of them had a tendency to pull ridiculous stunts while on a broomstick. It was enough to give anyone a heart attack.
They flooed to the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione was quite content just to get school things, though she paused in the bookshop for more than a moment before picking up several extra books. She couldn't ever go through a bookstore without buying at least one book.
She was about ready to go back "home" when the boys caught up to her. They were slightly winded, as if they had just run from the quidditch shop. And thinking about it, they probably had.
"What have you two been up to?" she asked.
"'Mione, are we supposed to get potions supplies, or just the book?" Ron asked.
"We already bought the textbook," Harry said. "We were just unsure of potions supplies."
"If we need to, we can order those through the post," Hermione said. "The book should be fine for now."
"I never thought of that," Ron said.
Hermione hid a smile as she listened to the two boys discuss the benefits of mail order ingredients. Hermione was sure Ron wouldn't like paying for them. Maybe she could get McGonagall to help her with that. If Slughorn was actually going to teach defense against the dark arts.
She still thought Slughorn was going to teach potions. But she didn't have any proof for that, and didn't want to get anyone's hopes up. Then there was the little Snape matter. Had he gotten the position he had desperately wanted from the beginning?
Hermione shook her head. She didn't need to think about that for a few more days. Once school started, she would worry. Until then, it was her mission to keep her head clear.
The train ride was relatively quiet. Hermione read for the first half, listening absentmindedly to Ron and Harry talk about quidditch. Harry had been named quidditch captain, and was looking forward to the season.
Halfway through the ride, Neville and Padma found them. They sat and talked with Hermione until Padma noticed a sparkle on her hand.
"Is this what I think it is?" she asked.
Hermione nodded. She was unsure of how everyone was going to react. Her parents were still a little hesitant about her engagement, but they had handled it well. She guessed that the Christmas holiday had convinced them he was serious about her.
Padma squealed. "What's the plan? Have you thought about your dress? When did he ask you?"
"After N.E.W.T.s. No. And the day Umbridge gave us all detention."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked.
Hermione blushed. "This isn't exactly the way I wanted to tell everyone. Especially after you got the news that Bill and Fleur were engaged. But..." she trailed off, unsure of how to proceed.
"Hermione's getting married," Padma finished for her.
Hermione shot her a look. While she might not have wanted to admit it right then, she still felt it would be best coming from her.
"Not till after N.E.W.T.s?" Harry asked.
"School's important to me," Hermione shrugged. "I plan on spending the rest of my life with him. He can wait a couple of years."
"Good choice," Neville said.
"Wait, he asked you when we were serving detention with Umbridge?" Ron said. "That long ago?"
Hermione nodded. "With everything going on, I didn't really think that much of it till we got to Bulgaria and there was a ring. I guess I had assumed it would happen sooner or later. And it just happened sooner."
"Alright," Ron shrugged.
Bill and Fleur were planning a wedding for the next summer. As long as Ron didn't have to go to two weddings in the same year, he was fine. The food was usually good, but not enough to motivate him to dress up if he didn't have to.
They all settled into comfortable conversation, until the train arrived at the station. They met Luna and Ginny, and all rode up to the castle together. Luna added some very interesting comments to the conversation.
When they got there, the professors were checking everyone. Hermione was a little frustrated, but figured that frustration was a great deal better than compromised security. She was a little curious about Malfoy's complaining.
He was acting like a three-year-old. She wasn't impressed with him. He should know better. After all, purebloods prided themselves on knowing all manner of etiquette and decorum. He should not be close to having a temper tantrum.
"I think Malfoy's up to something," Harry whispered to her.
"Harry, Malfoy's an entitled, spoilt, teenager. He also has to deal with the fact that his father's in Askaban. I don't think he's up to that much," Hermione hissed back.
"You didn't see him when we were in Diagon Alley," Harry said. "He went to Knocturn Alley and was looking at something Borgin and Burke's. It looked suspicious."
"Harry's right," Ron whispered. "He was looking at some gnarly hand, and wanted to know about the cabinet. I don't know what's going on, but he's up to something."
"Malfoy's always up to something," Neville added. "We'll keep an eye out for him, but let's not obsess over him."
"Alright," Harry conceded.
They walked into the castle, each feeling more and more at home. It was strange how much the place had shaped them. Or not. They had spent the better part of five years in the castle.
"It's good to be back," Ron said.
"I couldn't agree more," Harry added.
They made their way to the great hall. Padma and Luna left to go sit at the Ravenclaw table. It was customary to sit with your house for the opening and closing feasts of the year. Even if your best friend was in another house.
All went well until it was announced that Slughorn would be teaching potions and Snape would be in charge of defense against the dark arts. Harry seemed to fume.
"Harry, calm down," Hermione said. "Maybe Slughorn will let you take potions."
"You think?" he asked.
"I don't know. Might be worth a shot."
"And here I was thinking I would never have to deal with Snape again," Neville groaned.
"It will be fine," Hermione assured everyone. "We've made it this far. We can handle this."
"I hope you're right," Ron said.
"It's Hermione," Harry piped up. "She's always right."
A/N: Ahhh. Glad this chapter's done. I'm alternating between this story and the other one. (Accidental Betrothal.) Hopefully that will force me to finish this sooner rather than later.