Chapter 2
The Great Hall looks the same way it always looks on the first day of school - great. She walks in chatting absent-mindedly with Harry about her classes for the term in an attempt to distract herself from the memories of the last time she was in this room.
Not that it works. The Great Hall grows quiet as everyone turns to look at Harry, so much for a normal start to the school year. And Harry, bless him, gives an awkward little wave to the Hall that forces a mix between a laugh and a snort out of her. Only her best friend would defeat the darkest wizard of the age and still be so bloody awkward.
Ron makes a beeline for the table, even if the food hasn’t appeared yet. She links her arm through Harry’s and drags him towards Gryffindor’s table then plops down next to Ron, grateful for the movement to help her ignore the stares.
Neville is already there chatting with Seamus about their summers, they really bonded over blowing stuff up after the battle. Neville’s herbology skills combined with Seamus’s proclivity for pyrotechnics creates a deadly combination. Maybe this year Neville will branch out into some mischief. She shares a secret smile with herself at the thought.
She begins to take inventory of the rest of the Hall. McGonagall hadn’t told her who the Head Boy was and she is dying to find out. Her eyes flick over the Ravenclaw table, no badges. Hufflepuff, no badges. That must mean… and right as it occurs to her the Head Boy must be a Slytherin, Professor Flitwick brings in the first years.
“Aww look at how little they are,” Ginny squeals.
“There’s just so few of them this year,” Hermione replies. A lot of parents were worried about sending their kids to Hogwarts this year. The incoming First Year class is one of the smallest ever.
Ginny, always seeing the bright side, bumps her shoulder, “Yeah, but look how excited they are to be here!”. And they are. The sorting ceremony is always magical and not something she could ever get sick of. She still remembers the way it felt the first time the Sorting Hat was put on her head. It was terrifying to have someone else inside her head like that, and at the same time such a relief to have someone else interpret her thoughts for her. Everyday she is glad the hat believed she was more than just brainy and put her in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw.
“I heard we have a new Defense teacher,” Neville shares between bites. “Supposed to be a witch that Professor Trelawney recommended”.
Hermione can barely hold back a groan, there goes any shot of her learning anything in D.A.D.A. this year. Padma however, squeals. “Oh! Maybe we will finally have a teacher who knows more beyond dark curses.”
She can’t help but roll her eyes at this. “Honestly Padma, how else can you defend yourself from a curse other than with a counterspell. The entire purpose of the class is to learn about curses, counterspells, and dark magic.”
“I dunno Hermione. Harry did defeat ‘Him’ with love and Expelliarmus.” Ron counters. Curse Ron for bringing up a single extraordinary circumstance to discredit her point. Of course he never has any facts to supply when her argument is in need of support.
Harry is blushing. All summer everyone has picked on him for refusing to give up Expelliarmus. “Hey, if it is good enough to defeat Voldemort, it’s good enough for me,” he defends. She would give him hell for it but these days she’s just happy he’s alive.
McGonagall heads to the podium and begins her first speech as Headmistress. It has all of the hallmarks of Dumbledore’s old speeches: excitement for the new year, help provided for the students and a general calming wisdom. However, the new Headmistress has made a couple notable changes.
“This year, students will be encouraged to mix beyond their houses. Within classrooms, students will be expected to work amicable with students of other houses. Additionally, should students be interested in forming inter-house organizations to pursue common interests, they will be encouraged to do so. All inter-house organizational proposals must be submitted to at least one head of house for approval. Finally, there will be a Halloween Ball, in similar fashion to the Yule Ball that some students may have experienced four years ago. While students are not required to attend with a member of another house than their own, it is encouraged.” She finishes with hopes for the upcoming year and then lets the students return to their meals.
She has to sit and digest McGonagall’s words. Inter-house organizations! This is the exact sort of support that would have given SPEW the momentum it needed. None of her classmates would join now though, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other interests she would want to discuss. Imagine, a whole club dedicated to discussing Ancient Runes. That would be a dream. Immediately she begins daydreaming about her proposal and considering who may be interested in joining.
Before long, dinner is over and she notices everyone starting to leave the Great Hall. Ron’s hand bumps hers, “Ready Mione?” he questions.
She shoots him a small smile and nods, feeling excited for the potential of the school year. With Ron, Head Girl and new clubs this is going to be the best year yet.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gryffindor Tower feels like home. The lush carpets, warm fireplace and deep reds have always put her right at ease. She runs her fingers over the back of her favorite chair and feels like she is finally home.
With all of the younger students being sent to bed, the Seventh and Eighth Years decide to have a little get together in the common room. It’s hard not to get a bit melancholic when she notices Lavender missing or thinks about what this room had looked like only a few short months ago. It is always hard not to think of all they have lost or all she had to sacrifice but, looking at Harry, alive, will always be worth it.
Dean, Seamus, and Neville have become our leaders of mischief for the night and snuck in butterbeer and firewhiskey. Yum.
Ginny saunters up to her with a shot glass for each of them in one hand and a full bottle of firewhiskey in the other. She puts one shot in her hand, yells “Cheers bitch!”, they clink glasses and down the first shot goes.
Hermione lets out a laugh and throws an arm around Ginny. “Have I told you lately how glad I am that you’re here, Gin?” She wonders out loud.
“Yes, but I am always open to hearing how wonderful I am to be around”. They share a smile and Ginny pours them both another shot. Might as well take it.
Hermione eventually leaves Ginny to go find a butterbeer to sip on. Being hungover on the first day of school is now how she wants to start. On the way she bumps into Ron, who is clearly already a little drunk.
“Hi Mione,”. Ron gets inches away from her face and stares at her expectantly. She’s lost, is he trying to kiss her and has no depth perception or is he panting in her face on purpose? Either way, she would like Ron finally attempting to move out of the limbo they’ve been stuck in all summer when she is sure he would remember it. If Ron decided to kiss her and forgot, she doesn’t know how she would handle that.
Attempting to diffuse the situation and not put either of them in a position they may regret, she replies “Hello Ron, I was just making my way over to see Dean about a butterbeer”. She slips past Ron to snag a drink from Dean and sees Ron standing right where she left him looking red in the face. Maybe the alcohol is making him red.
Sinking into her favorite chair by the fireplace she sees Ginny curled into Harry’s side and both of them whispering to one another. The fire leaves her feeling warm, almost as if she had someone to curl around her too - maybe one day. Slow sips on her drink, the steady heat of the fire and the light chatter of her friends in the background lull her into a peaceful and dreamless sleep.