My Heart Remembers Differently

Somethings Remain the Same

For two more days I lay in the dorm room resting and trying to remember.  My body was healing, and the dark bruises I had when I woke up now were a sickly yellow and green.  I slept a lot.  Whether it was due to the continual healing of my body or the depression I am beginning to feel.  I woke up the morning after Ron had left and realized that I was alone in the world.  Completely alone.  I no longer had a home, I had no prospects of a place to live other than Hogwarts and I really miss my Mum and Dad.  Maybe I should revisit the idea of finding them.  Maybe I could figure out how to un-Obliviate them. 

The thought of trying to figure out how to undo a curse gave me a reason to get up, bathe and dress in something other than night clothes the third morning I was out of the hospital.  I ate the porridge and drank the pumpkin juice that one of the house elves left by my bedside while I was bathing.  I feel restless and I am a little desperate to get out of the bedchamber. 

Over the past two days, often loud bangs that sounded like large stones were being stacked one on top of the other had jarred me out of my slumber or disturbed my reading.  I wanted to see the castle again.  I wanted it to be full of young witches and wizards.  I wanted the familiar faces that I had grown use to over the past seven years to pass me in the hall or sit across the Great Hall during breakfast. 

I found I had grown stronger.  My legs no longer trembled when I walked.  I was shocked when I stood in the newly repaired common room.  The tables where I had spent so many hours studying and writing parchments for class looked the same except newer and without the normal scratches.  The couches and chairs were no longer charred remains, but new and beckoned me to sit in front of the fire with a book.  I promised myself that I would read curled up on the couch tonight instead of in my room.  The Gryffindor banners once again hung whole and fresh against the stone walls.  The door had been replaced and I felt a surge of joy when I saw the Fat Lady in her frame when I swung open the door.

"What is the password, Lady?"  I asked.  She looked down her wide nose at me and blinked slowly as if waking from a long nap.  I could relate.

"Flutterflip"  She said in her booming voice.  I repeated the password to myself silently until it was in my mind.

"Thank you."  I said as I closed the door behind me and made my way down to the Great Hall. 

The stairwells were stationary for a change and I was able to make it to the Great Hall in time to see the professors still gathered for a late brunch.  Professor McGonagall noticed me as soon as I poked my head into the room.  She stood and beckoned me to the table she was sharing with Professor Sprout and Flintwick.  I was grateful that she had not kicked me out of the Hall.  I was also grateful the Great hall did not look like it had been a part of the horrendous battle that Ron would not talk to me about.  In every instance that I had asked him about what happened in the battle, his eyes would fill with sadness and I could not press him for answers.

"Ms. Granger, it is good to see you up and about."  Professor McGonagall said with a kind smile.  I admit I am a little shocked at how much she seems to have aged since the last time I saw her. 

"Thank you, Professor.  I do feel much better."  I said and accepted a cup of Pumpkin Juice that Professor Sprout offers me.  "Do you think Hogwarts will be ready for a new school year soon?"  I ask looking around at the Great Hall that looks the same as before, except cleaner.  The ceiling is not enchanted for once and I realize that I don't remember it ever not being so.  Seeing the stone ceiling and the plain, hanging chandeliers is strange to me. 

"Oh, yes.  Every House Dorm is now repaired.  The classrooms are almost completely finished.  Hagrid assures me the bridge and the outbuildings are coming along."  Professor McGonagall said with a nod of approval. 

"Hagrid?  Where is he?"  I asked looking around at the small gathering of professors who are talking among themselves. 

"I gave him leave to rebuild his hut.  He has agreed to remain here at Hogwarts as the games keeper and continue teaching Care of Magical Creatures with supervision of Professor Grubbly-Plank who has asked to return to Hogwarts to live."  Professor McGonagall said with another decisive nod as if she approved of this idea.  The year I had to endure Hagrid's class has been nightmarish for me.  I learned nothing except I had no desire to care for magical creatures, especially the dangerous ones Hagrid loved so much. 

"I want to thank you for your invitation to recuperate here at Hogwarts."  I tell her.  Professor McGonagall peered over her bifocals at me with haunted eyes.  "I have given it much thought and I would like to return next year to complete my seventh year, if I allowed?"  I did not know how afraid I am of her saying no.  I know that Ron had mentioned the possibility, but I did not know if the invitation was extended to me.

"I had no doubt you would want to finish your education, Ms. Granger."  The professor said with a rare smile.  "I look forward to having you as a student, again.  Perhaps you can help me persuade Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter to return, too?"  She asked me. 

"I will try."  I promised. 

"I have had an owl from Minister Shacklebolt and we can expect he and Harry Potter this evening for dinner."  She said with a sniff.  I am surprised at the breathlessness I feel.  I frown and lay a hand on my chest.  Professor McGonagall frowns at me.  "Perhaps it is too soon for you to be roaming around the castle, Hermione."  She says with a concerned look.

"Oh, I am feeling much stronger, Professor.  I was actually wondering if the Library has been completed, yet?  I have almost committed my old school books to memory over the past couple of days."  I admit.  Professor McGonagall sighed. 

"Thank you for not changing completely, Hermione.  After this past year, I was sure everything and everyone would be different.  I know better than to hope for things to simply go back the way they were, but it is nice at least one thing remains the same.  Yes, please go browse through the library, but do not overdo it."  She warned me.  I thank her and bid her and the other professors a good day before heading to my very own sanctuary within the Hogwarts castle.