There Are Some Things Books Can't Do

Author's Note: Hello all! I've had a cold the past few days, but even with Nyquil, I can't sleep so here is an extra special chapter for you all. Hope you had a nice holiday!

Annecia89: I was sooooo close to having her have revenge sex right then and there.....but let's face it, Hermione is a better person than that, Annnnnnnd a quick screw on a train isn't her style. If it's going to be revenge, its going to be extra painful and extra pleasurable. for her anyways lol. 

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Hermione sat in the Great Hall, surveying the new changes, while keeping an eye out for her best friends, who she would have to admit she was avoiding, for at least a little longer.

   The raised platform with the professors’ table remained the same, as did the enchanted ceiling, showing a cloudless starry night above the student’s heads, but instead of four long tables, one for each house, small circular tables of varying sizes, ranging from two people to fifteen dotted the hall.

    The returning students had filed in like normal, only to be told to stand in their houses towards the back of the room by Headmistress McGonagall, while Professor Sprout led in the first years. Once the newest batch of witches and wizards had been sorted, the Headmistress had made an announcement.

  “As much as your houses will be like your families while you are here, we all must remember that your House, and the deeds of your House from before you were here, do not define you. There is more to each of us, than our House. The bravest are also ambitious, the cunning are loyal, the hardworking are witty, and the cleverest are also chivalrous. Each of you has more to you than just your House. So, as we rebuild the castle, and our ideals, we rebuild our sense of community. Starting here at Hogwarts.” Minerva McGonagall ended her speech with a brisk flick of her wand the tables appeared.

   “Please, be seated.”

    Hermione glanced around her table as food appeared. Her dinner companions were not her usual, and today she was thankful, but they were a rather unusual bunch. Hannah Abbott was next to her, silently ladling soup into her bowl, Draco Malfoy was on her other side, his face slightly pinched and pained looking, Dean and Seamus were next to Hannah, and on the other side of Draco sat a first year Ravenclaw, whose name Hermione hadn’t caught, who looked absolutely terrified to be surrounded by older students.

  Hermione spotted Ginny, Harry and Ron before whipping back around in her seat and pulling her hair into a tight bun, hoping that it would help her blend in enough that none of her friends would come over during dinner. She just wasn’t ready to face everything yet. Draco caught her eye as she put small servings of meat and vegetables on her plate. She silently offered him the bowl of potatoes, which he took, his face relaxing into a wry smile. She smiled back and began to eat.

   She noticed that besides quiet whispers and murmurings between Dean and Seamus, the rest of her group was silent. There were many tables that were boisterous, but many, like hers, that simply wanted peace. It would take time for everyone to adjust, that was for sure.

 The first year’s hand was shaking as she tried to get herself some soup. Hermione started to get up, to help, but Draco steadied the young girl’s hand, and simply served her himself. Hermione watched as he attended to the frightened girl, even coaxing a smile out of her and her mind wandered, back to the moment everything had changed between her and Draco.

She had only been a few days in Australia when she received an owl from Harry. He had used a post office owl to send her two letters. The first was from him, asking how the search was going, offering to come help, etc etc, Harry being the noble hero. It was the second letter that was most intriguing. Hermione reread the postscript on Harry’s letter, not sure if she was actually reading it correctly.

P.S. Mione, this letter came for you within minutes after you left for Australia. I wasn’t sure if I should send it, but I had Kingsley make sure it was safe, and I hope you don’t mind, but I read it. I think it’s important you see this. All my love, Harry.

Curiosity piqued, Hermione had opened the letter to find heartfelt apology from non other than Draco Malfoy. He was apologizing for what happened to her in his home, but also for every way he had wronged her. He understood if she couldn’t forgive him, but he had to try to make his amends, so he could move on with his life, try to be the man HE wanted to be, not the man his father was, or the man that everyone else thought he was.

More than a little intrigued, Hermione had written back. And then he wrote back. And again. And again, until their correspondence was as frequent as hers with Harry/Ginny. He made an even better correspondence than Ron!

The next thing she knew, he was calling her his greatest confidant in his letters, and she was telling her parents stories about Draco, bully turned friend. She was actually eager to see him in person again at school, eager to see if their friendship would hold up in person. But first, she wanted to see Ron and tell him face to face how much she loved him…

 “Uh…Hermione?” Draco’s voice cut through her daydream. “You okay?”

“What?...Oh, yes. Sorry. My mind is somewhere else.” Hermione took a deep breath as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She would not cry. Not here. She hadn’t cried on the train, she had done her duty instead, made her rounds, talked to first years, and greeted old acquaintances. Soon she would be able to process what she saw on the train, THEN she would be able to face her friends.

  She forced a smile, and continued eating, until she noticed Draco scrutinizing her. “Something’s wrong isn’t it.” Draco stated, no uncertainty in his voice. Hermione noticed that he kept his voice low though, so no one else could hear. “Something is bothering you.”

  She sighed, cursing her damn body language. She would have to work on that. “Yes.”

 “Want to get out of here?” his question stunned her, but only for a moment.

 “Yes.”