The Other Granger- COMPLETED

Chapter 35

Elaine's POV:

Living at home for a week before going back to Hogwarts was absolutely wonderful. I really got to bond with my parents and get to know them. And Jason didn't leave me side...he even tried to come to work with me at the joke shop.

When September 1st rolled around, Hermione and I were excited to get back to school and finish our year the right way. It was, after all, our last year before graduating and getting jobs. "Good luck with your classes! Write to us!" my mother said as they dropped us off at the train station. Hermione and I grabbed our trunks and found our way to Platform 9 and 3/4.

As soon as we both walked through the brick wall and onto the platform, people mobbed us. Parents, students, paparazzi and reporters all tried to get Hermione and I to speak to them. We quickly boarded the train and searched for Harry and Ron. "There they are!" Hermione said, pointing down the train's corridor. Ron's red hair could be seen from far away. "You two found an empty corridor?" I asked after hugging Harry and Ron 'hello'. "Yea right here," Ron said, taking Hermione and I's trunks and stowing them away. "Great to be back," Harry said sarcastically, having been completely trampled by people moments before we did. His shirt was all dirty from being pushed onto the ground by a giant flashing camera. "Hopefully this stops when we get to school," I said, truly praying it would.

The Hogwarts Express slowly pulled away from the station and it quickly gathered speed. I watched as we passed through the main town, then sped through farms and fields. "Ron, we've got to go," Hermione said, making Ron wake up from his nap. "Prefect duties," Hermione said before Harry could ask. "See you later," she said to us, leaving Harry and I alone.

"You're still doing Quidditch this year, right?" Harry asked me. I knew he'd been meaning to ask me about it...he's obsessed with winning the cup. "No...I don't think so," I said, afraid to see Harry's reaction. "Well why not?" Harry asked, sitting up in his seat. "Not really interested this year," I replied, knowing how different it would be not playing with Fred. "I think I'll give someone else my spot...be fun to watch the games," I added, hoping Harry wouldn't get too upset. "Yea...I suppose I can't argue with that...I wouldn't mind a nice quiet year," Harry replied looking out the window.

And so Harry and I continued our conversation about who would be a good replacement for our team. Harry, Ginny, and Ron would obviously remain, but who would replace the rest of us. Katie decided not to return to Hogwarts, George was already graduated, and, of course, Fred wasn't here.

As the train pulled into the station, I felt the familiar butterflies in my stomach...only, these butterflies were much less nervous than two years ago when it was my first time arriving at Hogwarts. These butterflies were much more excited.

When we finally were walking up the steps of the castle, my smile was so huge my cheeks started hurting. The Great Hall was as packed as ever. Teachers and students all had huge welcoming smiles on their faces as Hagrid brought the first year students to be sorted.

"That's the largest amount of first year students I've seen," Ron said, trying to count them all. "Well of course, parents feel Hogwarts is safe again now that Voldemort's gone," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone, making Ron roll his eyes.

Once the sorting of the new students was over, Professor McGonagall stood up to give her beginning-of-the-term speech. She introduced all the new staff members that would be teaching this year as well as warned the first year students of the Forbidden Forest. "And finally, I would like to welcome back our heroes of the war," she said, looking longest at Harry, Ron, Hermione and I. "I thank you greatly for your bravery and courage in helping defeat Voldemort...and if anyone needs anything...Hogwarts will always help those who ask for it," she finished, allowing the entire hall to clap and cheer.