Healing

Chapter 2

Hermione Granger sat in front of the mirror as she dolled her face up with natural makeup as she wandlessly tamed her lions mane, not as bushy when she was eleven, but still needed a little effort to make it presentable.

As she finished adding a shiny gloss to her lips, a tap at the window caught her attention, noticing a beautiful barn owl with a letter awaiting her retrieval. Opening the window she fed the owl some treats as she watched it fly away, the emblem of Hogwarts caught her eye and immediately she jumped on her bed and ripped the letter open.

Quickly scanning the letter, Hermione's excitement grew more and more.

I am pleased to inform you that you have been given the position as Head Girl.

Hermione let a squeal as she rushed down the stairs to face the abundance of dwellers, majority with matching red hair.

"'Mione what's wrong, we heard you scream?" Ron came running to her and grabbed her face, checking for injuries.

Hermione laughed as she swatted his hands away, "it's nothing, I'm fine."

She held up her letter, letting her boyfriend read the printed word.

"Oh my god! Head girl! 'Mione that's amazing!", a flurry of congratulations and hugs came her way as everyone was ecstatic that Hermione was able to achieve her long life goal.

After a feast was shared, Hermione learnt that Ginny will be the only one returning to Hogwarts with her, understanding the reason Harry and Ron took the Ministry's ticket to becoming Aurors, well Harry did, and Ron decided to travel. They wouldn't pass the N.E.W.T.S. But she also understood that the war had a big impact on them, as well as a lot of people in their year, so her mind curiously wandered about who will return. Who will be the Head boy?

"So Harry, if you're not returning, then who will be Head Boy?"

Harry just simply shrugged his shoulders.

A nudge caught Hermione's attention as she watched her best friend make a gesture signalling that she wanted to have a girl talk. The two excused themselves from the table and made their way to their shared bedroom.

"Ok so Head Boy, I may have received word that it's gonna be Draco Malfoy."

"What!"

"'Mione, keep your voice down."

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing right then. Malfoy? Head Boy? In what world would that ferret become Head Boy, especially after everything he has done? McGonagall must have gone loony. But more importantly.

"Where did you hear this from?"

"Luna. Who heard it from someone else."

"Who-"

"Dunno."

Hermione was now unsure if she wanted to return at all, immediately memories of that moment in the manor returned. How could she survive a year with someone who was a bystander to her torture, better yet, the one who caused torture to her school life, who called her the foul word etched into her skin.

Ginny caught wind of her friend's thoughts and knowing the truth of the boy's change, didn't want the past to ruin a chance of Hermione's future.

"I know he was completely horrid to you, but you shouldn't let someone like him ruin your final year. And, you know it wouldn't hurt to see if he's changed. War changes everyone."

Ginny was right, Hermione shouldn't let one single person ruin her time at Hogwarts. She just had to think, if she could get both of them to tolerate each other then she could pass her N.E.W.T.S, get a job at the ministry and eventually become the Minister for Magic.

"You're right. Ok, it's final. I'm going home."

The two shared a comforting hug until a sudden thought came to Hermione.

"Oh my, I forgot we were supposed to visit Andromeda and Teddy."

And right on time, the boy who lived came knocking at their door.

"Sorry to interrupt ladies, but it's time to say bye to Ron and head for Andromeda's."

The trio made their way downstairs where the Weasley family already completed their farewells to the youngest Weasley boy. The golden couple shared a smile as they embraced each other.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you too, 'Mione."

"Don't forget to write."

With one last reassurance that he wouldn't, Ron let her go as he grabbed his bag and stood at the fireplace, with one last farewell, he prepared to floo himself to Germany.

Hermione almost forgot, "Ron! I love you."

But oddly, Ron just gave a gentle smile and dropped the powder as green flames engulfed him. A sudden pang hit Hermione, Ron always said it back, so why was today any different? She shook the negative thoughts out of her head, thinking maybe simply he was tired.

Harry, Hermione and Ginny were to follow, saying some quick goodbyes, they one-by-one flooed themselves to Andromeda's cottage, where a blonde surprise was waiting for them.

Hermione was the first, when she arrived the unsuspecting image of an older Draco Malfoy carrying a young Teddy Lupin made her gasp, in her mind, she never thought she would see the Malfoy would be fathering a toddler, better yet, the child of Remus and Tonks.

"Potter, Weasley", her heart fluttered as grey eyes pierced her own.

"Granger."

"Malfoy", she gasped out.