Bad Romance - Time

‘Are you sure you’re making the right decision, both of you?’ Hermione asked, her voice a little more sharp then she meant it to be.

Ron smiled and placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Listen ‘Mione,’ he said, his smile growing. ‘Education is your thing, not ours. Harry and I only ever did as well as we did because of you.’

Hermione looked up at Ron’s freckled face and then over at Harry’s. She already knew what he was saying was correct. She shook her head reluctantly. However much she wished it wasn’t so, things had changed - a lot of things.

The war was over. Finished. They had battled their way to victory. Harry had survived and defeated ‘he who must not be named’. Friends and loved ones were lost and secrets revealed.

Now the Autumn was here, a time to reflect and put things into prospective. The three of them had all been invited to redo their final year of school. Harry and Ron had declined in favour of joining the Auror office at the ministry.

Hermione, however, had not had to think twice. NEWT’s were important and she was not going to be without them. She had also been invited into the ministry but had turned the offer down so she could finish her studies. Hermione was one for doing things correctly, even if the last seven years of being part of the ‘golden trio’ had shown otherwise.

‘It’s going to be so strange - being at Hogwarts without either of you,’ she whispered and put her own arm around Harry so the three of them were all connected.

Which they were. They shared a bond far greater then blood. It was a friendship born out of necessity and need. Love - the most powerful magic there was.

‘You’ll have Ginny,’ Harry whispered into her wild brown curls, that had once again decided not to co-operate with her hair brush. ‘Take care of her for me, Hermione?’

Hermione eased back a little and smiled at Harry. His green eyes were wary and his face pale.

‘Of course,’ she told him. ‘Stop worrying, Harry, there isn’t any need now.’ Her heart ached for the pain she saw in his eyes. Although it was less then it was a month ago Hermione knew it would be years before it fully disappeared.

He smiled and then looked over her shoulder. A slight warmth of colour flooded his face and Hermione knew he had spotted Ginny before she turned and saw the pretty red head for herself.

Ginny bounded over to them and threw her arms around Harry’s neck. ‘Hogsmead - two weeks!’ she murmured against his lips.

Ron pulled Hermione to the side slightly. ‘It’s nearly eleven,’ he whispered.

Hermione nodded. ‘Take care, Ron.’

‘You too,’ he mumbled and his ears went red. ‘Listen, ‘Mione, I’m sorry-’

‘Shush, Ron. Please?’ Hermione begged. She didn’t want to go other things again with him. It was still tender. Things hadn’t worked out between them and she’d rather have his love through friendship then his hate through fighting over and over.

‘I’ll see you soon,’ he whispered, looking into her eyes.

Hermione had been dreading this. Having to leave them behind as she boarded the train for school. She had thought it would tear her to pieces, especially after spending the whole year with just them.

However as she said her final goodbyes and boarded the train with Ginny she found that she was able to place one foot in front off the other with ease. She was still able to take breaths and although she already missed them, excitement bubbled up inside her.

A new school year, this one with out the cloud of war hanging over it. Hermione Granger had the strange feeling that, although everything had already changed, this was just the beginning. This was going to be her year.

---

Hermione hid a yawn behind her hand as she walked off the train and followed the rest of the students towards the carriages. It was a bit of a shock to see the thestrals, but she took some comfort from the fact that she wasn’t the only one seeing them. Not now. Not after the war.

She walked with Ginny to a empty carriage and was pleased to see some familiar faces. Luna, Dean Thomas and a few Griffindor’s from Ginny’s year, her year now, she supposed.

As she climbed up into the carriage she wrapped her cloak around herself, to keep the chill away. If felt strange wearing her uniform again.

Ginny sat opposite her and as she sat down her new shiny head girl badge caught Hermione’s eye. Hermione bit her lip. She wasn’t jealous that Ginny was head girl. The red head deserved it more then anyone Hermione knew - including herself. Ginny had been the one to keep the students rallying during the last school year.

It just felt like Hermione was missing out, she’d get over it though, she told herself. Not being head girl meant that she had more time to study well for her NEWT’s.

The carriage pulled away and soon Hermione saw the vision that was Hogwarts. It brought a lump to her throat and memories to her mind.

Memories of happy times with Harry and Ron and then every memory she had of the final battle. Hermione sat and stared at the castle. She couldn’t tare her eyes away as she remembered.

‘’Mione?’ Ginny’s voice broke into Hermione’s reverie.

‘Sorry?’ Hermione said as she look at Ginny who was standing on the ground next to the carriage.

‘We’re here,’ she said.

Hermione gave her head a little shake to wake herself up. She jumped down and walked with Ginny into the grounds of the school.

In the main courtyard was a monument, completed and erected only the week before. It was a statue of Professor Dumbledore and around the base was the name of everyone who loss their life in the war.

Hermione shivered as she walked past it.

‘It gives me the shivers too,’ Ginny whispered. ‘When I think of all the names that could have been on there. It terrifies me.’

‘Me too,’ Hermione whispered back.

They made their way to the great hall, Hermione noticing all the repairs that had been made along the way. They were soon sat at the Gryffindor table and watching the first years being sorted. Hermione smiled at how little they all seemed. Hard to think that she had once been a shy, nervous first year herself. It seemed so long a go now. So much had happened.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward when every first year had been sorted. She wore the dark robes and hat that Hermione was use to seeing but she looked different. Older, if that was possible? She was pale and even though she had a bitter, sour look on her face, she also looked tired. Dumbledore’s death and the terrible final battle, here at the school, had hit her hard, Hermione knew.

‘Good Evening, everyone,’ McGonagall greeted, casting her eyes around the great hall. The teachers sitting behind her all stopped talking and gave her their full attention.

‘Welcome to Hogwarts. To those of you returning and those of you who join us for your first time.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to a new school year. I hope that everyone is ready to begin learning. I will remind everyone of the rules. There will be a list of all items that are banned up in your common rooms. The forbidden forest is called so for a reason and will not be entered unless supervised. The hallways and class rooms are out of bounds after hours and anyone caught wondering about will be punished.

Now news; the head boy and girl this year is William Folks of Ravenclaw and Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor. All prefects must report to them. Obviously as I am now Headmistress we now have a new Gryffindor head of house who is also our new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Ava Lynch. Please make her feel welcome.’

Hermione looked behind McGonagall to look at the new female teacher sitting on Hagrid’s right. She was pretty and rather young looking. Hermione wondered what she was like and hoped that she was a good teacher.

‘So lets have a excellent year and work hard to gain your houses house points. And on a final note, those students sitting their OWL’s and NEWT’s I just have one thing to say.’ Mcgonagall’s eyes narrowed and Hermione caught her breath as they landed on her and stared. ‘Do Dumbledore proud.’

The hall erupted in cheers and then the tables were laden with food. Hermione couldn’t tare her eyes from McGonagall’s. Eventually she gave a little nod and the headmistress returned to her seat.

---

Draco looked around the great hall and sighed in frustration. Damn Dumbledore, damn his father and damn McGonagall.

He shouldn’t be here!

Draco Malfoy had thought himself done with school. Apparently not though. To keep himself from following his father’s footsteps to Azkaban he had to attend school and sit his Newt’s. Apparently Dumbledore had left the suggestion with the ministry before his death.

Draco had been all set to move to the USA - to relatives he had there, when the letter had come. A invitation! Some invitation, he’d been left in no doubt that it was one he must not turn down.

At least Blaise was re-sitting the year too, at least he wasn’t doing it alone. Though that was how he felt. Alone.

Nearly everyone seemed to be avoiding him, including the Syltherins. He knew why, of course, and who could blame them. He had done some dreadful things. His only defense was that he had been doing what he thought right.

Draco knew that his life was wasted. A mess and buried deep in prejudice and regret. If he was going to change it he needed to start now. They had been the words he had heard off McGonagall.

But did he want to change it? What would be the point? Going to America had been his new start.

He looked up and he caught sight of a mass of dark curls. A scowl appeared on his pale face.

The Gryffindor Princess had also returned to school, minus her boy toys. They, Draco had heard, were making a name for themselves in the Auror department.

Draco wondered how Miss Bushy-head felt about being left to fend for herself this year.

As she got up from her seat Draco couldn’t help but follow her with his eyes. He’d not seen her properly since the final battle. She hadn’t looked her best then, but he’d noted her slim figure.

He noticed it now also. Her slim figure in her school blouse and skirt. He was sure it was shorter then the last one. He’d not seen her in a school uniform for so long he’d forgotten what a treat it was.

Damn! He cursed himself. He shouldn’t be thinking like that. She was a filthy m - No! He told himself. He wouldn’t use that word.

He was doomed, he thought. He just needed to get through this school year and then he’d be free!

Free to start a new life.

‘Hey, Draco!’ Draco looked up at the tall skinny boy who was stood behind him. He scowled at the boy who he recognised as being the year below him - not now though, now they were in the same year.

‘Cause you turned down Quidditch captain I’m it,’ the boy continued, indicating the shiny badge on his robes. ‘So I was wondering, are you going to try out? Cause you don’t need to, your place as seeker is waiting for you.’ The boy, who’s name Draco could not remember, grinned, obviously thinking that Draco would be pleased by this.

Draco let his scowl darken a bit and then he got up from his seat and left the hall, not giving the new Slytherin captain a reply.

---

As Hermione got ready for bed the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She turned around to find Lavender Brown staring daggers at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave a very feminine smirk. ‘You’re welcome to him,’ she said and watched Lavender’s blue eyes widen. ‘If you can get him.’

Hermione climbed into bed and shut the draps around her before the blond haired girl could say anything.

---

A/N; I hope you enjoyed this. Bad Romance is the (more) adult version of my story Time. Please let me know what you thought :) xx