Time Spent In Eternal Endings

New Relationships and Old Rivalries

"Merlin, this is bloody ridiculous." Hermione retorted.

She just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that the school was hosting a ball after the war. Granted, it was to help fundraise for reparations after the war, but still. A ball? Out of all the things there were to choose from she thought to herself.

Pansy and Hermione were enjoying lunch at The Three Broomsticks discussing their upcoming eighth year at Hogwarts. Pansy sat across from her at the table in the back corner of the place.

They sat there most times whenever it wasn't already occupied by some couple intent on snogging each other, rather than getting a room instead of a corner in a restaurant.

It was nice to be able to get away from all of the elder people and their probing questions about the war. It was also nice to just be able to sit and relax without feeling all eyes on her.

After the war, students and teachers were given more time off than usual, as expected. Hermione found herself missing the normality of things though. She missed school and the beating of her heart when a question was thrown into the air that she always knew the answer to.

Although, life now was anything but normal. Petty rivalries were left in the past after realizing how unnecessary they were. Not to mention, people just didn't have the energy to keep up with them anymore after the war.

Hence, she and Pansy's new friendship. After the war, they found that they actually worked really well together and had a lot more in common than one might think.

They were both strong-headed, independent, and opinionated, and boy did they put up one hell of a fight together in the war.

Hermione was just as surprised as everyone else when Pansy joined their side during the war. Turns out she didn't want to be like her parents. Understandable, but questionable at first.

It wasn't just Pansy who joined their side during the war either. Theodore, Blaise, and even Draco fought with The Order. Though not many people were willing to believe them at first and wanted to kick them out on their arses, herself included, they proved themself true to their word when they provided vital information on Voldemort and his plans to defeat Harry.

╔══════ ≪❈≫ ══════╗

Pansy laughed into her butterbeer. "I mean yeah I guess so, but it makes sense at the same time. I mean after all this depressing shit, it feels refreshing to have something to look forward to you know?" Pansy shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"I guess, but it all just feels so unnatural. Like, hey guys! We just defeated the dark lord and had dozens of casualties. Let's throw a ball and not only will we throw a ball, but the students will help organize it! Yep, that's right, the students who fought in this war and are traumatized from watching their loved ones die right before them." Hermione mocked in an authoritative tone as she waved her hands around.

Pansy gave her a raised brow and a smirk from across the table.

"Sorry." Hermione said with a huff  "I think I'm just stressed out about the planning because they want the "Golden Girl" to help organize the event, which I'm more than happy to do. It's just a lot to get done."

She had always been called "the brightest witch of her age" throughout the years, but after the war, that title stuck to her like a foot in cement everywhere she went. It was tiring to have to put on a facade every day and act like she was okay when really all she wanted to do was be able to not be okay.