Heartbeat

Chapter 10- A Second Chance

Hermione

"Hermione dear, you've got quite a lot of mail! There's a couple owls sitting on our window still waiting!"

"Coming Mum!" I call back, hastily tying my hair up into a messy ponytail. 

I bound down the stairs, and find a magnificent barn owl, glaring reproachfully at Pigwidgeon, who is twittering madly. I untie the letters from both owls, and watch them both fly off into the distance before looking back down at the mail. 

"More mail, dear?" Dad asks, peering down at the letters. "I'm off to the office, there's a little boy who's teeth aren't quite right-"

"Don't forget your lunch!" Mum reminds him. 

I shake my head, marveling at how much as changed. Just a few months ago, I was camping in the middle of nowhere helping Harry try and destroy Voldemort. Now, I'm living a danger-free life with my parents, who, miraculously, now remember me. 

"What are those letters?" Mum asks curiously, coming to stand next to my by the window. 

I shrug, and take the top one, carefully ripping it open. My heart leaps at the familiar emblem and handwriting inside. 

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To: Miss Hermione Granger
       Hampstead Garden
       Heathgate, London

Dear Miss Granger, 
         We are pleased to inform you that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is offering all our Seventh Year students a chance to re-do their last year of schooling.

Although this offer is optional, I urge all of you to take this chance, and expand your knowledge in all subjects offered. N.E.W.T.S will also be available, and those who don't wish to re-do their full school year may go straight to the exams if they wish.

As usual, term begins on 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July. 

Minerva McGonagall
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress

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My eyes water in joy, and I let out a noisy sniffle. The truth was that I had regretted missing my final year, and now, I have a chance to make that right. 

"Hermione dear, what's wrong?" Mum asks, concerned. 

"I can go back to Hogwarts!" I squeal. "Oh, this is wonderful!"

"But, I thought that you were looking forward to spending more time with your father and I, after, you know . . ."

"Oh, Mum, I do, I really do. But I also need to go back to Hogwarts to finish my schooling. I promise I'll come back and visit for Christmas and Easter holidays."

"Of course," Mum says, her eyes softening. 

A noisy clang makes us both start. 

"What is that?" Mum asks curiously as I gasp at the glinting badge on the kitchen floor. 

"I've been made Head Girl!" I yell, shocked. "This is turning out to be the best day ever!"

Mum chuckles as I pick up the badge with a sort of awed reverence. 

"If you're Head Girl, then who's Head Boy?" Mum asks. 

"I won't know until school starts."

Humming quietly to myself, I pick up the other envelope laying on the table. My grin widens at the familiar, messy handwriting on the top. This one is from Ron and Harry.

Harry had been living with Ron's family in the Burrow for the summer. He chose to ignore my advice about the Weasley family needing some space for themselves after Fred's death. I rip open the envelope, excited at what they would have to tell me. Three individual slips of parchment fall out, and I pick up the one closest to me first. 

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Hermione, I really do hope you'll come over to the Burrow soon. While I'm thrilled that you're spending time with your parents, I need a girlfriend, because I think I'm going crazy in this house.
Bill and Fleur have their own place, but they both come over on a daily basis (oh Bill, how loud zat Teddy boy is!) and they drive me crazy. Teddy is the only one keeping me sane. I heard about the seventh year's option to re-do their schooling; I can't wait to go back with you! Harry and I are doing very well together, but Percy seems to interrupt every moment we have alone (what about you and Ron?)
~Ginny

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I laugh at her letter, my cheeks flushing at her not so subtle hint about Ron and I. I shuffle through the other pieces of parchment, looking for Ron's messy scribble, and pick it up. 

................................................................................................................................................................

Miany,
I know it's been a while since I wrote, but Mum has kept us all super busy. Teddy is a bit crazy, but we love him. I'm so happy that you're spending time with your patrents, but you need to come to the Burrow. It's been months since I saw you (If I could kiss you through this piece of peachment, I would). 
~Your favorite person in the entire world,
Roonil Wazlib
...............................................................................................................................................................
I grin at Ron's terrible spelling, guessing that he may have been using those spell-check quills again. Through this short letter, my heart aches, because I miss Ron so bad it hurts. Shaking my head, I pick up the last paper, no doubt from Harry.
 .............................................................................................................................................................
Hermione, I guess you'll be thrilled that they're opening the school up for us again. Me and Ron would rather not go back, but we know you'll drag us anyways, so what's the point of arguing? I bet you'll have gotten the Headgirl badge. I got Headboy.
But you know how I feel about responsibility; McGonagall has got to be crazy, putting me in as Headboy. That's why I wrote back to her and asked if Neville could have the badge instead, and she said yes. I hope you are doing very well with your parents, but when are you coming to the Burrow? There's space; you can bunk with Ginny. 

~The Boy Who Is Terribly Bored, 
Harry Potter
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I smile, and throw away the pieces of parchment from Harry and Ginny, but carefully tuck the one from Ron back inside the envelope. 

"Those were your friends, weren't they?" Mum asks knowingly. "Harry and Ron."

"Yes," I tell her. "Mum, do you think I could go and stay at the Burrow for the rest of the summer? It's nearly August, there's only a month left anyways."

Her eyes fall, but her voice is bright as she says, "Of course. You can leave on Sunday. You better get packing!"

I dash up the stairs, and into my room folding my favorite robes, and putting them into my trunk. A small spark of hope flits inside me at the prospect this school year will bring. Maybe this year there won't be any trouble. 

I'm going back to Hogwarts!