The Marriage Law

Feast

"What's going on here? "

Hermione interrupted the escalating argument after stepping around the gathered students and reaching the middle. A group of Slytherins and Hufflepuffs were engaged in an argument and for the first time in all these years, she knew it wasn't started by Malfoy and his cronies. Nasty words were being spat around which stopped as she made her appearance known.

" Justin? Earnie?"

She raised an eye brow towards the leading group of Hufflepuffs.
As she was about to look towards someone else, Justin spoke up.

" Malfoy pushed Hannah, we were just defending her-"

" I already apologized. It was a mistake!"

She was taken aback both by the declaration and the intensity of hidden anger behind the voice. A part of her wanted to make him apologize again just to torment him further but a rational part of her warned her it wouldn't do any good. She turned towards the Hufflepuff girl expectantly.

When the blonde girl nodded, she sighed. It would be a difficult year with the returning Slytherins.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Parkinson, Goyle, Zabini and Nott standing besides Malfoy. Zabini was a neutral and she knew Nott wasn't at hogwarts during the war. While Goyle looked miserable as she expected after the loss of Crabbe, she was surprised someone hasn't hexed Pansy after what she did last year. She sure would have made her pay for it if she'd so much as laid her eyes on Harry during the battle.

" I think it's enough."

Fixing her stare towards the Hufflepuffs, she looked on as people began to scatter. When only Earnie, Justin and Hannah were left, she turned her eyes softly and nodded to the trio.

" It's ok guys. We're approaching soon. Go get changed. See you at Hogwarts. "

Taking her final words, they left as well. She turned to resume her way but was met with the group of Slytherins.

" Granger. "

" Malfoy. "

Huh. She didn't expect anything to come off the conversation as they gave way for her to continue ahead.

She wordlessly passed the group, but she swore she saw Parkinson nudge Malfoy as he shook his head and they continued their opposite ways.

...

After a carriage ride with her friends, she took her usual seat at the Griffindor table. The sorting ceremony took less time than any of the others she witnessed in last seven years. There were many students who still hadn't returned and many who could not. She looked at the head table and was not surprised by McGonagall sitting on headmaster's place. Oh. She was the new headmistress, so of course. Professor Flitwick and Hagrid were sitting on one corner, engaged in their goblets. She was a bit surprised to see Bill and Fleur sitting there with professor Sinistra and professor sprout. Trelawney was still sitting in her usual place but she felt bile rise to her throat at professor Burbage's empty seat. And there was slughorn? at one side-

She was cut off from her musings when McGonagall took the podium.

" To all the new students, welcome to Hogwarts and to the returning ones, welcome back. There are a few announcements before you all can start dinner.
First, I would like to introduce your new defense against the dark arts teacher, professor Bill Weasley. "

The announcement was followed by polite claps as Bill stood up and nodded in greeting.

Hermione looked towards Ron, as did many others for something.