It's Neville who asks the question, as they sit in the newly-built Gryffindor tower, joined by Luna and Ernie.
"What does home feel like, to you guys?"
Hermione looks up, brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Neville?" she asks, setting her book aside. He shifts, shrugging. "I mean, the Mind Healer I went to the other day- they said to describe what home feels like. I didn't get it at first, but I've thought about it some more and I've realized what my answer is," he took a deep breath, blushing slightly when he saw that everyone's eyes were on him. "Home feels like the Herbology greenhouses. Like the smell of dirt, and plants, and fertilizer. I spent a lot of time in the greenhouses," his blush deepened as silence fell over the room. It was broken by Ernie, who twirled his quill thoughtfully. "Home to me feels like the Hufflepuff dorms. Like a badger's den. Small and cozy, filled with Professor Sprout's plants and the smell of the Hot Chocolate she gave out during our OWL year," he put down the quill. "It feels like the moment you wake up, and all of your dormmates are still asleep, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of the clock ticking, and of course, yourself. What about you, Luna?" he looked at the dreamy Ravenclaw, who stared at the wall, seemingly not going to answer, until she did.
"Home feels like me and daddy's home. Ginny's been there, you remember how we used to lay on the stones by the river?" her gaze switched pointedly to the red headed girl in the corner, who nodded. "That's what it feels like. Sun on your skin, the sounds of the river and the Plimpies drifting by. The stones were nice and hard; it felt nice after sitting in my room for too long," she continued to look at Ginny. "What about you, Ginny? What does home feel like to you?"
"It feels like the woods we used to have outside the Burrow," her voice is nostalgic; the woods had burned down in the war. "It feels like all the times I used to go clomping around in there, when I used to go fetch firewood for the stove and mum would have a cow about it," she let a roguish grin appear on her face before it fell away. "I miss the woods. They were so wonderful. Me and the- and the twins used to go out there after dinner, and pick mushrooms,"
Another silence fell over the group.
"That's where you guys went?" Ron blurted out. Ginny nodded. "Oh,"
A pregnant pause.
"Home feels like the room I used to have back home," Dean broke the silence again. "I used to have an easel and a bunch of paper, my parents bought me, for art. I remember the smell. Oils and paints and papers and everything," he looked to his left. "What about you, Ron?"
Ron sat quietly, thinking for a minute. "Like the sound of mum's knitting," he starts. "Home feels like the sound of mum's knitting, if it makes any sense?" Ginny nodded. "I can see that. Harry?"
They all turned to look at the raven haired boy.
Harry shrugged. "I dunno. Like the Gryffindor tower I guess? Hermione?" he looked at his friend, desperate to get the attention off of him. Hermione picked up the cue and frowned. A minute passed before she answered. "Home feels like the library. Quiet, peaceful,"