Chapter Text
Hermione could hardly believe it as she walked through the familiar corridors. The war had been over for a few months, and Hogwarts had literally rebuilt itself, much to the dismay of even the professors: they thought they knew the building. But then again, if "stairs like change" and the Room of Requirement can grasp the desires of those who conjure it, what's so strange about a school that wants to do its job and be ready to welcome students again? And so there she was, within the intact walls of Hogwarts, perhaps with a few nicks here and there, a student again for what was officially her seventh year.
Yes, she was a war heroine, and yes, technically she, Harry, and Ron had passed with flying colors precisely for that reason. But.
She wanted a normal year of school; she'd never had one, and she longed for it. Well, there were other reasons, but she didn't want to face them yet. So she said goodbye to Harry and Ron and began her seventh year alongside Ginny and Luna.
She just wanted a normal year, Hermione told herself, and she could hardly believe what she saw when a platinum blonde mane stopped in front of her at the entrance to the Great Hall. And he spoke.
