A Rebel With A Tainted Heart

But Mama I'm in love with a criminal

And this type of love isn't rational, it's physical

Mama, please don't cry I will be alright

All reason aside, I just can't deny, I love the guy

-Criminal, Britney Spears

A Rebel With A Tainted Heart

Hermione Granger sat in one of the various compartments of the Hogwarts Express with her two best friends: Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, and one complete arse: Ronald Weasley. After a traumatic previous year of them in and out of school, the Wizarding War that took place and Voldemort's defeat, they finally got a lucky break which enabled them to return for their last year at Hogwarts. As Hermione, Ron and Harry had to repeat the year, this meant that they were in the same year as Ginny which cheered them all up.

It was a well-known fact that Hogwarts would be quiet this year. After the war, many families packed up their belongings, took their kids and left. They moved away to mourn but also out of fear. Voldemort was gone but many didn't want to risk their safety. After the destruction of Hogwarts during the battle, it was one of the last places parents wanted to send their children, no matter how many times they were assured it was for the greater good.

Before her return to school, Hermione had managed to track down her obliviated parents and helped them regain their memories. They were no longer a childless couple and Hermione was greatly relieved that they recognised her and forgave her. She was lucky that her parents were so understanding and that they had realised she had acted purely with their safety in mind. To say they were proud of their little girl was an understatement.

Although she had missed her parents’ presence, Hermione felt it best to give them space over the summer as they readjusted to the lives they previously led and had newly rediscovered. Her best friend Ginny Weasley had invited her to stay at The Burrow with the rest of the Weasley's as it was basically a second home to Hermione and Harry.

The battle of the Wizarding World had changed many things including the people involved in it, which soon became apparent during the course of the summer. Hermione and Ron, after kissing during the war, tried to build a relationship but both realised it was better if they remained best friends after Ron cheated with the airhead that was Lavender Brown more than three times. Their love for each other was more brother and sister than anything else and Ron felt that their relationship was just awkward which Hermione agreed.

Beside Hermione, also mulling over things was Harry. He was remembering the events of the summer and the end of Ron and Hermione's relationship which he was relieved about. He hated when they were together as he was always caught in the middle of their arguments and constantly got accused of picking sides.

Harry wasn't interested in them or anyone else as much as he had been. He was simply glad to finally be rid of Voldemort who had caused nothing but trouble throughout his life. Often he was found, usually by Ginny, lost in deep thought which he never shared with anyone. Secretly Harry was always looking at others and wondering, what if it hadn't been him? What if he had been a normal-ish child? His parents would quite possibly still be alive and he wouldn't have faced such hardships. But, like the selfless person he was, Harry was glad he was “The Chosen One." It meant that no one else would ever have to go through what he had. After experiencing it first hand, he could never wish that on anyone, not even people he hated.

It saddened him that even after death, Voldemort was still torturing him. The people he knew and loved had changed and like him, fought every night with horrible, realistic nightmares of the past events. To top it all off, he realised that he and Ginny were drifting apart and Harry worried they were becoming like Ron and Hermione. He still loved Ginny of course, but he felt it maybe in a more of a brotherish way, which confused him. Him and Ginny never spent time alone, or went out together or did anything like they had before the war. Sure their lives weren't perfect then, but they managed. This time, however, they weren't managing and Harry knew it. Why couldn't his life ever be simple?