Without you. (Dramione.)

Chapter 2.

As the train came to a halt, the passengers began to disembark one by one. Once they stepped out, they formed orderly lines in front of their respective houses. The people sorted themselves according to their age, with the eldest at the front and the youngest at the back. Hermione stood between Seamus and Ron, lost in thought.

"You alright 'Mione?" Seamus asked, a little concerned.

"Oh, yeah I'm  fine, don't worry." she smiled, "Feels weird to be back."

"Tell me about it..." Ron muttered under his breath.

They entered the school. As soon as you step into the gorgeous building named Hogwarts, the grandeur of the Great Hall immediately takes your breath away. The high ceiling adorned with floating candles creates an enchanting atmosphere that is unlike anything you've ever seen. The staircase leading to the different levels of the castle seems to have a life of its own, as it shifts and moves in different directions. The portraits on the walls are not just paintings, but they are alive and well, often engaging in conversations with each other and with passing students. Each of the common rooms in Hogwarts is unique and has a distinct personality. The Gryffindor common room is warm and welcoming, with plush sofas and armchairs that you can sink into. The Ravenclaw common room is airy and bright, with bookcases lining the walls and comfortable chairs for reading. The Hufflepuff common room is cosy and inviting, with soft lighting and warm blankets to snuggle up with. And the Slytherin common room has an air of mystery about it, with its dim lighting and plush furnishings, perfect for plotting and scheming. The classrooms in Hogwarts are filled with magical artefacts and creatures that bring the lessons to life. From the bubbling cauldrons in the Potions classroom to the flying keys in the Charms classroom, every lesson is a magical experience. The corridors of Hogwarts are full of secrets and surprises, with hidden passageways and moving staircases that keep the students on their toes. Of course, they already knew this all but, it felt different going back now. It felt different knowing that there would be no morning announcements from Dumbledore. It felt different knowing that on these very school grounds, they had witnessed one of the greatest tragedies the wizarding world had ever seen. 

Hermione sighed but Harry squeezed her hand in reassurement and whispered, "We've done it before, we can do it again. I promise." She smiled, putting on a confident face despite her nervous thoughts. They all sat down at their house-assigned tables. Hermione sat opposite Ginny, who was sat next to Harry. Ron then joined Hermione as they all looked to the front of the hall at Mcgonagall, who was preparing her speech. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table, where she met eyes with the miserable Malfoy. She quickly looked away as he smirked.

"What are you blushing at?" she teased.

"Nothinggggg!" Hermione smiled.

"Hmmm, sureeeee." Ginny teased further.

They turned back to the front as McGonagall began talking.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to another year at this esteemed institution of learning. As always, we are thrilled to welcome our returning students and equally excited to greet our new arrivals. The coming year promises to be filled with challenges and adventures, and I am confident that each and every one of you will rise to meet them. As you embark on this new academic year, I encourage you to embrace the opportunities for growth and discovery that await you. Be curious, be bold, and always be willing to learn from your mistakes. Remember that Hogwarts is not just a school, but a community, and it is up to each of us to do our part to make it a welcoming and inclusive place for all. So once again, welcome to Hogwarts. May your time here be filled with magic and wonder, and may you leave with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world. The rules of Hogwarts are a set of guidelines that all students are expected to follow during their time at the school. Some of the most important rules include respecting the authority of the teachers and staff, attending all classes and completing all assignments, and treating fellow students with kindness and respect. Additionally, students are expected to refrain from using dark magic, harming other students or animals, or engaging in any other activities that could put themselves or others in danger. These rules help to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students at Hogwarts. Now, before I finish talking, I would like to announce the head boy and girl!"

Hermione's heart dropped as she realised she was going to have to stand up in front of all of these people, and to make it worse, she'd be standing with Malfoy.

"Our Head Boy and Girl are Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger!" Mcgonagall said with joy. Hermione and Darco stood up as everyone clapped, (only for Hermione however). They quickly sat down as Hagrid bought the new 1st-years in. The young children looked around in wonder and amazement as they walked to the front to be sorted. After around an hour, all the children had been sorted and everyone began eating. Unexpectedly, Hermione and Draco each get a piece of paper chucked at their head in letter form.

"What does it say?" Ginny asked with curiosity.

"Something about me and Malfoy doing rounds together tonight and organising the first years."

"Unlucky." Harry chuckled before Ginny nudged him in the ribs. "Ouch..."

Hermione sighed and looked over at Draco, who was already looking at her. "Pray for me guys."

"We've been doing that since the train ride." Ron smiles.

Changing the subject, Neville began to speak. "It feels different here, or is that just me?"

"Not just you, don't worry." Ginny said.

"It's weirder this time." Ron replied.

"Almost, Nostalgic?" Hermione said with a sigh.

Author : Hey guys, girls and everyone in between! I hope you've been enjoying the story! Thank you for the love! Love you all, stay happy!