Chapter Text
HERMIONE
Hermione took a deep breath as she entered the Great Hall. Being back at Hogwarts was supposed to feel surreal and scary. Returning to the sight of the battle should have been a nightmare but it somehow held the same excited buzz as each September before. Coming to Hogwarts would forever feel like coming home. But this year was different. Harry and Ron weren't here. They had entered the Auror training program and were probably getting whipped into shape by Chief Auror Robards at this very moment.
The banner hanging in the Great Hall read 'Welcome eighth-years’ which reminded Hermione of the other big difference this year. She and the others who had chosen to return had been deemed eighth-years. They were here a few days early for 8th year orientation. What exactly orientation entailed was still a mystery to Hermione, even though she'd owled twice asking for an agenda. Since they were such a small group, Headmistress McGonagall had allowed them all to travel via portkey; coming back as an adult had its advantages apparently. However, new security protocols now forbade portkeys on the actual ground of Hogwarts, so she’d arrived just outside the gate. The walk across the grounds held many memories both good and bad. Hermione hoped this year, for once, could be simple and academically focused.
As she entered the castle proper, Hermione waved to the familiar faces, glad to see that Luna and Neville had both chosen to return. She was surprised to see Seamus, Dean and Ernie all walking towards her to say hello as well. But before she could say anything to them, the Headmistress walked onto the dais; a hush fell over the room and everyone took seats at their respective tables.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts" McGonagall began. "I know many of you are eager to jump into your final courses and acquire your NEWTs. We are happy to have you back for your various academic pursuits. As students of Hogwarts there are certain rules and expectations you must follow, but as adults there are certain rights to which you are entitled. During your orientation today and tomorrow these rights and expectations will be enumerated for you. First and foremost will be respect and kindness towards all fellow students.” Several glares and sneers were directed towards the Slytherin table.
"We are not insensitive to the truly traumatic experiences many of you have had in the last year. But we expect all eighth-years to be beacons of progress and forgiveness and demonstrate these ideals for your younger peers. As such, you will all have the same schedules, with the exception, of course, of any NEWT level classes you are opting not to take. You will eat your meals at the same table and participate in 8th year unity activities."
At the mention of the difficult past few years Hermione found herself fiddling with the heart charm bracelet around her wrist. It was a present from her parents after she'd restored their memories. They had been less angry about Hermione's actions and more sad their daughter had to face so much hardship without them. The bracelet was meant to symbolize that her parents were always with her. She was lucky her parents were so kind and understanding. She knew not everyone was so lucky. The groaning and complaints of the other students about the unity initiative roused Hermione from her musings. It looked for a moment that the headmistress would lose command of the room but then she silenced the complaints with a raise of her hand.
"Finally," she continued, "as you are all adults you will be allowed certain privileges this year. Curfew will be extended to midnight, you may visit Hogsmeade on any weekend or evening you wish as long as you still obey the curfew and you are permitted to wear your own clothes rather than the school uniform. Now please make your way to the 8th year table for your welcome lunch."
The benches at the four traditional house tables vanished, leaving several students sprawled out on the floor, as food appeared on the newly added fifth table. Hermione began walking to the table when she spotted Neville. She hugged him in greeting; noting how dashing he looked this year. He'd always been rather tall but his wide defined shoulders and the rugged beard were new.
"Feels weird to be here with so few of us," he commented. "But at least we can go get a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks whenever we like."
Hermione laughed, appreciating his good attitude. "Yeah the perks are nice. I do wonder how much of my study time will be interrupted by the unity activities though."
"I have no doubt you will create a perfect study schedule." He reassured her, as they walked to the table. Neville always had been one of the few Gryffindors who took studying as seriously as she did. As they went to sit down Anthony Goldstein made his way over.
"Hello Hermione, Neville" He said with an affable smile. His golden blond hair was neatly parted and his bulky form filled her field of vision. He turned to face her as he spoke.
"I couldn't help but hear you talking about studying and I was wondering if you'd be interested in coordinating a study group for our NEWTs with me. To… help everyone and err… increase house unity like the Headmistress said."
"That's a fantastic idea Anthony! Once we have a better idea of what our days will look like, we can pick a day and time. I'll owl you"
"Sounds good. I'm looking forward to it."
"Me too!" She said beaming.
As he walked off, Hermione turned to Neville. "I'm so glad it's not just the two of us taking our studies seriously this year!"
Neville just grinned at her like she was missing something obvious.
Despite McGonagall's speech on unity the students clearly arranged themselves around the table by house with Slytherins at the end closest to the entrance, followed by the Hufflelpuffs, then the Ravenclaws and finally the Gryffindors closest to the dais. Unity among the houses would take more than some simple rearranging.
As she inspected the table, Hermione noticed that even among his Slytherin housemates Malfoy, easily spotted with his striking shock of white blond hair, was set apart from the rest of the group. Seeing him shouldn't have been a surprise. He'd always been rather academically minded and ever ambitious but being marked as he was she'd assumed he'd not want to face this place again. Like Neville, Malfoy had grown quite a bit since she'd last seen him. His arms looked strong and his once gaunt face had filled in giving him a rather handsome profile.
He must have felt her eyes on him. He glanced up and their eyes met. He quirked an eyebrow at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to do… something. Hermione looked away quickly, which was surely exactly what he'd wanted. He couldn't possibly have known what she was thinking, could he?
The last thing I should be thinking about is men and least of all that man, Hermione chastised herself. No, she was quite off men at the moment. After her romantic years-in-making kiss with Ron during the battle, they'd quickly begun dating. Hermione had felt like it was fate for them to be together. They burned fast and hot and lost their virginity to each other one summer evening. Hermione knew this was it for her. She'd found her person. But when she'd decided to go back to school and Ron hadn't, he'd unceremoniously ended things, saying long distance was hard and he knew neither of them would want to be locked down. Apparently it had NOT been an epic fated romance in Ron's eyes. Just a schoolhood crush that had run its course. Hermione blushed. She knew she wasn't the most socially adept but it was mortifying to have read that situation so wrong.Yes she was certainly off men.
After lunch the students were free to unpack and settle into their dormitories which, thankfully, were still divided by houses as usual. Hermione was thrilled to see she'd be rooming with Ginny, and less thrilled about Parvati. Ginny wouldn't arrive for another two days with the rest of the students, so it was just her and Parvati for now. Despite living together for so many years previously, Hermione had never really clicked with her. She felt awkward being alone with her now. Parvati seemed to feel perfectly at ease with her however.
"I'm only back for History of Magic and Divination," she explained, although Hermione hadn't asked. "I'm going into journalism and both knowing the past and seeing the future are huge assets. I'm not taking any other courses though. Two NEWTs levels are plenty enough work as it is. I assume you are taking all 8, correct? Or did you choose to have no Elective NEWT? I can't imagine you'd want to give up Arithmancy."
Parvati took a breath giving Hermione her first opening to respond.
"Yes, I'm taking 8, like Dumbledore."
"I can't believe you're back without your shadows!" Parvati enthused, ignoring Hermione's response entirely as she laid out some knick knacks on her desk. "How will you survive without Harry and Ron?"
"I wasn't with them that much was I?"
"Oh you absolutely were! I'm sure they'll both basically live here anyway between you and Ginny both being back."
"Well I don't think you'll have to worry about seeing much of Ron around." Oh no oh no oh no did I really just let slip a huge piece of gossip to the school gossip queen!?!?!
"Oh really," Parvati responded, dragging out the eeeeee sound for far too long. "Things over between you two?"
"er… yeah… it was never all that serious anyway, I guess."
"Well good. You can do better."
Hermione had not expected that. Was that a compliment?
"Oh please, don't look so surprised. I'm nice, I say nice things sometimes."
Hermione couldn't help but giggle. Maybe coming back to Hogwarts was exactly what she needed.