The Aftermath

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IN THE AFTERMATH of War was destruction, chaos, pain, and hope.

War destroys communities and families. It often disrupts the development of nations - socially and economically. But it is believed that the aftermath was worse than war itself. The losses that occured during war, the grief and sorrow - it all becomes real.

For Hermione, the aftermath of war was being afraid to close her eyes; it was to jump and reach for her wand at every loud noise and flashes of light; it was to seeing things that just aren't there wherever she goes; it was to hear the screams of her friends dying, echoing over and over until all she could do was scream and cry to drown out their pleas of help; it was to no longer having the trust of her family.

Hermione absolutely hated it. She hated being just another product of war.

During the summer after the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione and Harry had moved out to a flat in London together. None of them wanted to stay in their respective homes, considering they had none. Sure, Harry had Grimmauld Place, but it didn't feel right staying there without Sirius Black or Remus Lupin.

While Hermione was an entirely different case because she couldn't stand the distrusting and hurt glances from her parents after obliviating them; they just couldn't understand why she had done it even after she explained it on multiple occasions. So, with their massive compensation and reward from the Ministry as well as the International Confederation of Wizards (that was enough to at least last them three lifetimes), they had bought a flat together.

When the letters from Hogwarts came to give them a chance at completing their seventh years, both Hermione and Harry were reluctant. While Hermione wasn't sure she wanted to come back because of the people that had died there, Harry wanted to join the Auror Internship Program that ran from the summer holidays up to mid-October.

After a much-needed conversation with Kingsley, the Minister, who had immediately offered all of them jobs in the Ministry as long as they come back to Hogwarts, Harry had struck a deal with the Headmistress, the Minister, and the Head Auror. He'll join the Auror Internship Program, which meant travelling all around Europe, and come back to Hogwarts once the internship program is done. And so, just like that, Harry had gone away with the promise of writing every week to Hermione.

In the absence of Harry's presence, came Ginny. The redhead had became her temporary flatmate. This was because of all the troubles and grievance that the Weasley's are enduring after the loss of Fred. Molly and Arthur aren't coping as well as everyone hoped, while George, Percy and Charlie had drown theirselves in work to coverup the sorrow. Bill had became Ginny's temporary guardian before Ginny decided to move in with Hermione. An ulterior motive of the redhead's was to slowly coax Hermione back into the land of the living and to Hogwarts, as well.

It worked. That's how a frowning Hermione had found herself seated on a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, across from a grinning Ginny.

"I still can't believe you managed to drag me here," Hermione huffed, glaring pointedly at the youngest Weasley with her arms crossed. Ginny rolled her eyes at her bestfriend's comment, but still grinning excitedly.

Ginny shook her head. "I can't just leave you in the apartment all alone, Mione," Ginny paused. "Plus, you love learning and magic and all things Hogwarts!" The redhead stared at her challengingly, as if daring the brunette to prove her wrong.

Okay, perhaps, 'slowly coax' hadn't been the right expression. It was more of a tricking situation that Ginny had planned with Harry, Neville and Luna's help.

"Also, aren't you curious of that new class McGonagall had mentioned in the letter?" Ginny asked with her bright blue eyes widening and a smirk playing at her lips.