The trip to Hogwarts was extraordinarily...
Odd.
It is not entirely possible to describe the feeling of returning to a place where for some time you thought that it would all be over.
The ride had never been so long. Hermione had read all of her first semester books twice, her willingness to prepare ahead of time making her eyes feel uncomfortably dry.
The know-it-all.
Professor Snape's words in her third year stuck in her head like a splinter. Only this one stuck in the skin for a probable eternity. Maybe even further.
As always, the train was filled with students' talk and laughter, the silence today made her feel a chill run down her spine.
Grave silence.
Hermione tried not to think about the war. However, it is not that what happened disappears from our mind even though we assure everyone that it does not hurt. When we say that the wounds have healed, they are actually covered with thick pus. Infection.
Pain.
Losing her friends hurt her. The loss of her parents hurt her. It hurt her that Harry and Ron hadn't decided to return to Hogwarts.
Harry and Ginny focused on their relationship, not procrastinating after all that happened when Ginny almost lost her love from a young age. They sent each other letters every other day. Hermione curses the day her owl gets too old for long flights. Harry writes less. The boy who survived, whether he graduated or not, got a job at the Ministry.
Department of International Wizarding Cooperation.
Hermione was overjoyed at Harry's achievement. She knew she would achieve a lot.
It is not that she was not offered this. Yes, she received many letters from the Ministry, but her urge to finish her studies prevailed. Her dream was to work in the Magical Creatures Control Department. This surprised no one.
Ron.
She was... in touch with Ron. That was all she could say about it.
Everyone thought it was going to be forever. She and he. The wise one and the one not entirely.
Even Rita Skeeter couldn't stop showering Hermione with letters about the Daily Prophet interview.
"YOUNG LOVE DIES AFTER THE WAR"
Hermione didn't read any further. The newspaper turned to dust in a second.
This woman was getting on her nerves.
~ * ~
The meal in the Great Hall to start the year will never be the same again.
Minerva McGonagall, the Headmistress of Hogwarts today, did not quite follow Dumbledore's traditions. There was no greeting before the feast. There were no announcements. No warnings.
There were... a handful of students.
Looking at how once the students barely fit at the tables, today there was too much of this space. It was almost empty. Cold.
The school did not admit new students this year. McGonagall decided that despite the worst behind us, we still couldn't be sure. Hermione looked around for familiar faces. At the Gryffindor table, her closest ones - Seamus, Neville, Dean, Parvati. Right in front of them is Ravenclaw - Cho and Luna. Huffle-
The sound of the enormous door to the hall opened, and a face familiar to the whole world of magic looked straight ahead with pale eyes.
Fatigue.
YOU ARE READING
All That Lasts Forever
Fanfiction"Because you'll never be a burden to me, never. And if it all lasts forever, it doesn't bother me. Because I'll also be here forever." ⚠️TRIGGER WARNING⚠️ The story touches upon topics of mental disorders that may be unpleasant for some readers.
