A Permanent Thin Line

Not my characters there all Ms.Rowlings but I do love playing puppets. Loving my beta ailishmckechnie for the hard work shes doing. I sure hope you enjoy this chapter
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When the train finally reach Hogwarts Hermione was already back to her duties but as far from Draco as she possibly could make it. Gathering and counting all the first years as they stepped off the train, Ginny, Ron and Harry stood by waiting for her. After McGonagall came to collect the first years they all walked up to one of the last available carriages.

After the door closed and the invisible creature began moving Harry spoke to Hermione as she stared out the window “What’s wrong Mione you look like some one has stepped on your tail?” he question.

She turned her head slowly and then with a shaking voice she spoke “He was there that night.”

A long silence fell among them all until Ron broke it “I never thought he attended those types of gatherings. Doesn’t that mean he’s taken the mark then?” Ron swallowed hard at the end of his sentence.

Everyone looked at one another and traveled the rest of their trip in silence.

When arriving at the school students went everywhere looking for old classmates to catch up or heading to the great hall.

Saying many “hellos and “how was your summers’” the group slowly made there way to the great feast.

Sitting in their regular spot the Hall began to fill with students. The second years where the loudest of the bunch in excitement as this was their first year watching the sorting. Teachers started arriving also filling the Head table.

Hermione recognized the staff as they filed in and even the new well rather old DADA teacher. Lupin was back after many letters from parents demanding him back sent to the Ministry. Hermione still remembers the smile Lupin was unable to wipe off his face for a whole week after Dumbledore told him the good news.

Some people believe the Headmaster had something to do with it and really, they were right to a point, but whenever one of the order members asked him he simply said “You wouldn’t believe what a simple letter can do.” His blue eyes twinkling and then pop a lemon drop in his mouth. The only one who seemed to get it was Harry and by the time Harry stopped laughing people forgot what they asked him.

Staring up at the Headmaster now he rose from his seat. “Let the Sorting Begin” he said as the tables begin clapping and whooping as one in an uproar the great hall doors opened as the first years followed in.

The sorting began in the regular way but half way through Hermione realized there were very few students sorted into Gryffindor and Slytherin. Hermione looked up at the head table apparently she wasn’t the only one who noticed. All the house heads along with the headmasters face were scrunched up in confusion.

After the sorting came to an end, another round of applause took place. Dumbledore rose to his feet and all went silent. He first spoke of the regular school rules and introduced all the teachers.

Then he began on his announcements, “First I would like to congratulate our new Head Boy and Girl if they would please stand Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy” The two stood as a collective gasp was easily heard through out the great halls. “Thank you guys, you may now be seated.” They both glared at one another and sat back down.

“Secondly I am afraid to inform you of some terribly sad news.” he spoke clearly but you could see his blue eyes darken and his face fall “I’m terribly sad to announce the death of Neville Longbottom.”

Everyone at the Gryffindor table started either to cry and drop their heads in sadness for words could speak nothing and the response was followed along at other tables. When it came to the Slytherin table no one said a word. The only four unsurprised by this news was Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron, who still dropped their heads in sadness.

Neville died two weeks ago but it was kept very quiet only to those who had to know knew. Neville’s Grandmother gave the head master permission to tell the student on the first day back and no sooner. She wished for time to grieve in peace. They also had to make up a story to what happened to him rather than the truth.

Snape ended up being the one to come up with the story really quite believable: a potions accident. Studying hard over the holidays to bring up his grades, and that’s exactly what Dumbledore told the students.

Hermione started to shake dramatically, both Harry and Ron grabbed one of her hands under the table to try and soothe her. “It’s not your fault Mione” Harry breathed so only she could her. Tears started sliding down her checks. “Take a deep breath” Ron whispered in her ear and then started to rub her back.

Hermione wanted nothing more then to scream at them for trying to calm her it was her fault Neville was dead, but she knew she couldn’t, she’d blow everything. Taking a deep breath she started to calm down listening in on the rest of the announcements but really only catching the end as her name was spoken. “Miss. Granger and Mr. Malfoy I wish to see you two after the dinner in my office, please?” Both nodded and Head Master finished off his speech with a “Let the Fest Begin!”

Nobody at the Gryffindor table ate much of anything that night and when the feast finally came to the end every one just dragged themselves up to their rooms. Only Harry, Ron and Hermione remained at the table.

“Hermione you can’t blame yourself for what happened. Neville went in there to save you like all the rest of us did he was just too angry to save him self.” Harry said sadly.

“He wouldn’t have been there if I wasn’t stupid and got myself caught.” she cried

“Hermione stop it wasn’t your fault. He refused to leave once we had you. He was just too angry at what they did to his parents. Going back and finishing them like that was just too much for him, he wasn’t that strong” Ron finished.

“Why did he have to do it though, why?” Hermione sobbed quietly in her hands.

She went quiet then remembering back to how she begged Neville to leave with them before more death eaters came to fight, but he just stared at her and shook his head. He put his hand on the knob that opened the door back to the room they just escaped from looking back once more smiling his famous smile and then walked threw the door it was the last anyone saw of him alive.

The three of them sat there hugging her in a tight embrace until she calmed right down.
Taking a deep breath she looked at both of her friends and spoke “I’ll be alright guys I need to get going I’m already late.”

They let her go and walked her to the statues that lead to the Headmasters office.

“We’ll see you soon” Harry whispered and hugged her tight once more for good measure.

Giving the password she headed up to Dumbledore.