Hermione
She did not get to relax however, she didnt get to do anything because on August 1, not one but four owls with one letter each came flying into the Burrow and landed respectevly in front of Hermione, Ginny, Harry and Ron. That wasnt the only worrying thing though, the letters had the Hogwarts seal on them. It was an eerie quiet around the table that didnt usually occur in the weasley house if it wasnt about Fred. Hermione met Harrys green, worried eyes over the breakfast table and tilted her head slightly as if to ask, "Well who should go first?".
-"I'll go first", Harry said softly and it was comforting even though she heard the stressed edge to his voice. Hermione didnt answer just looked him in the eye and nodded. Beside her Ginny sat nervously fidgeting with the letter and at the other end of the table sat Ron with Percy. Having already opened the letter he looked pale as a ghost. It wasnt the letters exactly that were concerning, it was that everyone had plans and if something happened now so that those would be destroyed they didnt know what to hope for. So rather than a fear of something it was a fear of the unknown, a fear of once again being controlled. Maybe it was an invitation to a ball or maybe Minerva wanted them to tell the kids at hogwarts about their experience at war, or...
She didnt come any longer in her speculations because once again the silence was broken by Harry ripping open the seal and breathing in a sharp breath as he read the contents of the letter. As Harrys hand started shaking Ron, whom she hadnt realized had left his seat at the other end of the table, flung himself down on a chair next to Harry and simply said "Well shite".
-"What?" she demanded as she tried to control her breathing. "What is happening? Is it ... Death eaters.. or " Ginny put a hand on her bouncing leg and simply said "Read the letter Mione" while handing her opened letter off to Molly who let out a relieved breath she must have been holding.
Shaking her head Hermione continued looking down at the letter in her hands and going through all the terrible things it could possibly contain in her head. Why would they be getting letters from Hogwarts? She wanted to know, but, no. She couldnt. Holding back the panic attack with the sheer force of will she willed herself to look up at her best friend in the whole world, the boy whom had been by her side since the troll in first year, the boy who helped her through her now constant nightmares and panic attacks. Hermione knew whe could trust him with her life, in fact she had, on multiple occasions. And that was the only reason that she obliged when he almost whispered "It's not that bad Hermione, you trust me right? So just listen to me this once and open your letter."
He said it so softly that she wasnt sure if she would have been able to refuse even if he wasnt like a brother to her. Slowly and with extremly careful movements she ripped open the seal and unfolded the letter.
Dear Miss Hermione Jean Granger
The staff of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizarding is pleased to be welcoming you and your peers back to Hogwarts for a redo of your missed seventh year. We understand that this place may hold less than pleasant memories for you or that you have already made plans but it is of great importance that every student return for their final year based off news that we are not able to disclose as of yet. You will be recieving all information need after the feast and if you did not get the hinted message this year is obligated for all returning seventh- and eighth years. We expect you at September 1 for the sorting feast.
Best regards
Minerva Mcgonagall
In the letter was also the list of books and material needed for upcoming schoolyear and another piece of expensive looking parchment. As she regarded the list she saw that the list already was changed to the classes of her preference- every single one exept for divination. Quietly she picked up the other piece of parchment which earned her curious looks from everyone around the table- All the weasleys, Penelope Clearwater, Fleur, Harry and Charlies romanian wife. When she started reading the contents of the letter she almost dropped it out of shock.
Hermione
I am extremely sorry for once again taking away your choices and having you come back to one of the places you 2 years ago would have called home but now is a place of horrible memories and trauma. Still I hope that you are sensible enough to make the most of this year even though it was not exactly a choice. I am extremely proud to have been your teacher and mentor all your years at Hogwarts as you are a brilliant young woman and an amazing leader. For those reasons I want to give you the title of Head Girl. The Head Girl and Boy is not going to have the same roles as previous years as we have all been tainted by war in different ways but you as heads will help your classmates and younger students to the best of your abilities, you will be living with the other eighth- and seven years and will not have to organise the balls. You will have to be a model student and promote house unity though. You will not have to coordinate the prefects, that is to be done by the seventh-year prefects. Any other information you will recieve after the feast along with everyone else and the Head Boy you should meet at the train. Please do be civil.
But Hermione please tell me if something troubles you or the other students as I will always be available.
Yours
Minerva
When she was done reading she silently passed the letter to Ginny, who passed it forward until everyone had read it.
-"Hogwarts" Harry breathed out.
-"No auror training for us then" Ron said, trying to joke.
-"Well it could have been worse, at least we get to meet everyone and finish our education" Ginny chimed in and Ron muttered grumpily "Sounds like something Mione would say"
Hermione who had been processing everything just muttered "Education is incredibly important and if this wasnt forced it would have been a great opportunity" She hesitated. "At least we will hopefully get a normal year for once. Well a normal year plus nightmares, panic attacks, anxiety and other fun things" Hermione said bitterly.