Dramione; Eighth Year; Pureblood!Hermione; Scarshipping; Ginny/Blaise; Neville/Pansy; Harry/NOT Ron; EWE; Ignores Cursed Child. Lastly; we're going to assume that our beloved mother hen is no murderer and Bellatrix LeStrange nee Black is still around for plot purposes.

Major Changes;

I claim no ownership of Harry Potter or any affiliated characters. I just like playing with them.

CHAPTER ONE - HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER

Australia. Hermione had found her parents exactly where she left them. She had gotten an internship at the dental clinic they worked at, even though they had no memories of her. She just wanted to be near them, even if it was only for the summer. She had hoped to find a way to reverse her own spell, but alas, she hadn't quite figured it out.

"Hermione, can you help me move these boxes out of the storage closet? We were thinking about expanding the x-ray room." Her mother called out to her from an old cupboard.

"On my way Monica."

Monica and Wendell Wilkins; that's who they thought they were. It pained Hermione to call her mother by a name she'd never known her by. It took her almost a week to not trip up and almost call her mom.

The boxes were heavy. Hermione recognized some of the old pictures, yet each seemed to be missing something major—a daughter. "Hermione, I'll go prepare us some tea, and we can start sorting through all this. I'll be right back!" Mrs. Wilkins bustled away, and Hermione began reminiscing through the pages; empty baby albums that were once full, family photos, and a small box with a word scribbled across the top. Hermione's eyes glided past the box but she had to do a double take.

NOTT

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed together. Nott wasn't a very common name, and she was pretty sure it was a name she knew wasn't in her family line. "Mom—Monica? Do you know someone named Nott?" Maybe a patient's belongings got mixed up.

Monica poked her head around the corner of the coffee bar, with a puzzled look on her face. "Why, yes actually. Matilda was a friend of mine when we were children, though her parents weren't very fond of me. I don't remember why… She married into the Nott name and asked me to watch over something… my it was so long ago, what was it?" She seemed to zone out in thought, and only came around when the tea started whistling. Quickly, Hermione pulled the box into her bag with the expandable charm, feeling slightly guilty about stealing. However, she was curious, and if her hunches were right—and they almost always were—her parents need not worry about any other witches or wizards quite yet.

The box was all but forgotten after that night. It wasn't important really, she just figured her mother was friends with a child witch, and that's why Matilda's parents didn't like Monica. She was a muggle. However, she was curious as to what a witch could hide that was safer in the hands of a muggle. Spending the last week with her parents before she returned to school, however, seemed much more pleasing than worrying about some old dusty box that probably had nothing in it.

The train whistle blared through the platform. Hermione's luggage was already loaded, and she stood at the door, leaning out. Ronald and Harry smiled up at her from the platform—well, Harry did, Ron just sort of pouted.

"You didn't get to stay for more than a day, and you're already leaving." He was obviously put out. "You don't even need to go back to school. Kingsley offered you a job at the ministry."

"I don't want to work for the Ministry, Ronald, I want to be a professor. And that requires NEWTs." She explained, it seemed she had been repeating herself quite often.

"It's no shock that you're going back to school in order to go back to school." Harry laughed. "I'm more shocked that you didn't make head girl."

As if summoned, the new head girl poked her head out from around Hermione, and stared her boyfriend down. "Eighth year students can't make Head Boy or Head Girl." Ginny pouted. Ginny not only made Head Girl, but she was also Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Ron would have been jealous if not for his role in the 'Golden Trio'.

"Send owls, okay?" Hermione reminded as the bell tolled at eleven and the train lurched.

"You know I won't!" Ron laughed, although Hermione expected he would.

"Every week." Harry called as the Hermione and Ginny pulled the door closed.

"It's going to be odd, isn't it? Not having those two around I mean." Ginny asked as they walked through the train to the compartment where Luna and Neville were waiting.

"I think it's going to be odd not having a dark force trying to attack us for once." Hermione laughed as she sat next to Neville, who looked ghastly.

"Don't jinx us! The term hasn't even started. Death Eaters could come, or worse! Umbridge could suddenly turn into the next Dark Lord!" He said, seemingly panicked.

Luna peered over her Quibbler that was, as usual, upside down in her hands. "Oh, I don't think that's possible Neville. She's be more of a Pink Lord." Hermione and Ginny snickered and a smile cracked across Neville's face. Luna glanced out the window with an absent expression. "I do hope our Head Girl remembers her duties at the front of the train. It'd be a shame to have to replace her so soon."

Ginny's face went white, and she scurried out the compartment without a goodbye, though a quick 'Thanks Luna' could be heard fading down the train. Hermione rolled her eyes and reached into her bag with the undetectable expansion charm, grabbing out one of her old but favorite textbooks; Hogwarts, A History by Bathilda Bagshot. It quite embarrassed her when she flipped open to the first page in weeks, seeing the now revised table of contents. The first time Hermione had read the table of contents that summer she immediately slammed it shut and put it in the freezer (an old trick about concerning books her mother did for some reason). There at the bottom of the page was the newest chapter that had magically appeared; The Golden Trio and The Second Wizarding War. Hermione huffed, and chose a different chapter, preferring to read about the various house ghosts instead until it was time to change into their nostalgic school robes and disembark for the now not-so-horseless carriages.

"First years follow me!" A familiar booming voice echoed above the students' heads. "Well, hullo Hermione, Neville, Luna."

"Hagrid!" Hermione cried out. She quickly found herself engulfed I a very familiar wild musk and lots of fur as she practically body slammed into him.

"We'll talk later. First years! This way!" He said to her before resuming his job, but not before a firm grip on her shoulder. She immediately knew a cup of tea at Hagrid's was something was couldn't wait for.

Twenty minutes later, Hermione found herself situated happily at the Gryffindor table, peering down the aisle as a funny looking old hat atop a stool, first years seemingly cowering in front of it. A rip split open at its seam and suddenly the had burst into song.

"Atop this stool shall you sit

To find the house where you'll fit.

Is it knowledge that you seek

Into books do you peek?

Maybe courage you will find

Deep inside your brave mind?

Maybe loyal is your soul

More hard working than a troll?

Maybe cunning is you tongue

Sly, but never to be undone?

Ravenclaw

Hufflepuff

Gryffindor

Slytherin

But what's this I see?

A new house of harmony?

It was war we lived through

Trust each other you must do.

For enemies of yesterday

Can be noble allies today.

"Trust in each other we must do? Enemies of yesterday can be allies today? I'm pretty sure that hat's lost a few to many stitches." Ginny grunted.

"Did you not pay attention? There's a new house." Hermione reiterated in shock. She wasn't the only one who noticed what the hat had said, a lot of voices were discussing it.

Minerva McGonagall tapped loudly on the stand in front of her, and the conversations quickly ceased. "First years, you will step up to the stool, where I will place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted. When I call your name please."

Hermione waited patiently as she strained to hear where each student was sorted. She stood and applauded for the six new Gryffindors, and even clapped eagerly for the eight Hufflepuffs and eight Ravenclaws. She wasn't nearly as enthusiastic for the five Slytherins.

McGonagall took her place at the stand once more. "A few notices before our start of year feast. As you know, last year was an abomination of teaching. Therefore; some familiar faces have returned, but to keep tradition Eighth years will not be rooming with their house mates." Hermione visibly paled at the thought of having to return to her dorm room, when three of the five girls weren't returning—either because of their parents or in Lavender's case, a werewolf bite. She wasn't particularly close with Parvarti anyhow. "Instead, these students will make up the new, United House. Eighth years, see me after dinner for more information. Also, our caretaker Mr. Filch wishes to so gracefully remind you, that Weasley's Wizards Wheezes are forbidden, and use of them to get out of class will result in immediate detention. Also; as many of you are well aware, the Forbidden Forest is dangerous, so do not go wondering! Lastly, I would like to welcome a few new members of our staff. Mr. William Weasley, a curse breaker for Gringott's will be taking role of Defense against the Dark Arts professor this year…"

"I didn't know your brother was teaching!" Hermione told Ginny, finally noticing the red head on the end of the table.

"Yeah, he's super excited for it."

"Mr. Weasley will also be the head of house for Gryffindor. Secondly, for Transfiguration, Madame Sieme."

"Madame Sieme? She's super famous. She used to be a top notch duelist." Neville said, his face draped in awe. Hermione followed his gaze to the teacher's table. Sitting next to Bill was a petite witch, who looked more the size of Professor Flitwick, next to Hagrid. Her hair was shaved off on the sides but the top was sticking up in all sorts of weird angles. With her many piercings in her ears, and tattoos that poked out of her robes on her wrists and neck, she looked more like a punk star than a professor.

"Kinda young, isn't she?" Ginny asked. Hermione shrugged.

"Just a few, final words. Last year we lost many students of all ages to either the war, or concerning parents. I implore you, these next few terms are crucial to the revival of Hogwarts. Inter-house co-operation and unity is up most important, therefore, starting tomorrow morning, we encourage you to sit wherever you see fit, whether it be your own house, or another. Without further ado, bon appetite!"

"Y' kno' 't makes sense 'at 'e's 'aking a 'ew 'ouse."

"Ginevra Weasley, I expect this behavior from Ronald, but seriously? Chew then talk." Hermione scuffed.

Ginny swallowed, rolling her eyes as she did. "It makes sense that they're making a new house." She repeated. "There won't be enough room in the house dorms with eight years' worth of students." She explained. "Also limits the bullying. Can you imagine Zabini and a first year student in the same common room?" She snorted.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Zabini came back? I didn't think he would."

"A lot of Slytherins came back. Even Malfoy's back, probably required by the Ministry for his probation." Neville said sheepishly.

"Oh Neville, you took on Voldemort and a giant snake with a sword. I'd think you could handle yourself against a lil' ferret." Hermione cooed. Neville seemed to shrink even more.

"Yeah, give me a sword, I'm good. Wand work? I'm still rubbish."

"Ya don't want ta be Accio-ing any swords, mate. Imagine one whizzing at you! Can you even repel an Accio?" Seamus asked in his thick accent.

"Of course you—you know; I actually don't know." Hermione's face contorted. She wasn't quite used to the fact that she may in fact not know something.

"Watch, she'll know by tomorrow. To the library!" Dean laughed, everyone joined in.

Immediately after the feast everyone had cleared out except for the eighth year students. Hermione stood shifting her wait from foot to foot in anticipation. She glanced around. She was shocked at how many came back.

Of the Gryffindors it was Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvarti Patil, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and (to Hermione's revulsion) Cormac McLaggen. Ravenclaw was lacking with only Padma Patil and Michael Corner. Hufflepuff wasn't much better with Justin Finch-Fletchley and Hannah Abbott. Slytherin however, was going strong with Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, and (to Hermione's displeasure) Draco Malfoy. Of the forty-odd some students in her year, only twenty remained.

"As you know," McGonagall started, "Last year was most unpleasant, for all of us. However, I would like to convince your year in particular to set aside your differences. No matter the reason for whatever side of the war you were on—" Her eyes seemed to fall on a certain blond who was refusing to make eye contact. "Things have changed. Therefore, you will be in your own house dormitories. That said, each and every one of you are of age, so you have some special rules. No fornicating with students fifth year or below. No hexing, jinxing, cursing or otherwise dominating students fifth year or below—"

"So we can hex each other?" Blaise Zabini asked, a little more cheerful than he should have been.

"Zabini I hope there is no need for you to be hexing your fellow students, but if you want to give Mr. Malfoy a bat-boogey hex, I will turn a blind eye." Malfoy finally looked up with a look of absolute appall.

"Better leave that one to Ginny." Dean snorted.

"Anyway, I will not impose a curfew nor will I deny a good drink, however, you must be responsible young adults. Am I clear?"

Hermione's face contorted, and Theo Nott seemed to speak what she was thinking. "So basically, as long as we're role models to the younger students, we have no rules?"

"Yes, Mr. Nott. As long as you are responsible with these privileges… you have no rules."

"Professor, if I may, are you sure it's okay to let some of these people this much freedom?" Hermione asked, her eyes falling on the group of Slytherins seeming to scheme a drinking party.

McGonagall huffed. "Ms. Granger, I assure you, I'm perfectly fine with this if they behave."

"Oh don't worry Professor, we'll behave." Blaise snickered.

"Off with you. The common room is on the third floor corridor on the right hand side. The password is Albus. I'm sure you can find your way from there." She turned to leave.

"Professor, isn't that the corridor that was out of bounds? The corridor with Fluffy?" Hermione asked in confusion. Several eyes fell on her.

"What's a Fluffy?" Padma asked under her breath to her sister, who shrugged in response.

"Why yes, it is Ms. Granger. You'll find it's been properly renovated since the departure of Fluffy and the stone. No devil's snare or giant chess boards either." The professor gave her students a sarcastic grin. "No off with you! Your class schedules will be owled in the morning. Your belongings are already there."

"We'll follow you, Granger, since you already seem to know where we're going." Pansy sneered. Hermione rolled her eyes, as stomped out of the great hall, the falling of a hoard behind her.

"Does anyone know what painting it's behind?" Seamus asked as the group of students were scattered through the hall randomly yelling Albus to the paintings, each either scuffing at them, or flat out ignoring them. Poor Hannah had gotten herself drawn in by a blabby old man lecturing her on manners.

"Just walk away, it's not like he can follow you." Tracey ushered her away, the old hoot still yelling down the hall at them.

"Found it. I think." Hermione looked up to see Malfoy at the very end of the hall, looking sullenly at a painting.

"How can you be so sure—oh no this is it." Blaise said, approaching the painting. At his awe, the others quickly joined them.

"Good evening!" A rather healthy looking Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore smiled down at them from the center of a fairly large painting that included a lot of familiar faces.

"It's the students! Oh lucky ones, wish I could have gone back one more year!" Tonk's hair seemed to change to a deep green in jealousy.

"One more year? We're stuck here for a life time!" Sirius black laughed at her from across the painting. Tonks pouted at him.

There they stood, the entire Order of the Phoenix; Lupin, Black, Tonks, Moody, Snape, Dumbledore, Shacklebolt, an entire slew of Weasleys and surprisingly enough, several faces Hermione both recognized but didn't know. It was every member from both the original and second Order.

"Mum. Dad." Neville said in shock from the back of the group. His parents waved at him from the portrait.

"Well this is quite odd, I'm looking at myself, looking at myself, while in a portrait." Hermione said turning to Harry, who laughed with her. The actual Hermione stared in both confusion and shock.

"Looking good Granger." McLaggen joked.

"Get out of here, git." The portrait Ron spat.

"Civility Ronald. I do believe they are looking for their new dorm, which I'm afraid to say, is down the hall on the left behind the portrait of Severus Snape if I do remember correctly. Now chop chop, I'm sure we will all see plenty of each other later." Dumbledore said, waving his hand in the direction they were intended to go.

"Who were all those people?" Tracey asked as they followed the passage down.

"The Order of the Phoenix. They fought against you-know-who in the first and second war." Hermione explained.

"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite students." Snape drawled as they approached. "Password?"

"Albus." One of the Patil twins called out. Snape gave his fake little smirk, and he stepped out of the way. Everyone just stood and stared.

"Walk through you fools. It's a barrier to make sure any students not permitted don't join in on your tomfoolery."

"I never thought I'd here Snape say tomfoolery. He's still bloody terrifying." Neville whispered as the Slytherins led the way, single file. The portrait Snape seemed to have a sense of humor because he jumped into the frame growling at Neville who jumped back in panic before rushing through. Finally, it was Hermione's turn to step through, but she wasn't alone. Malfoy was still standing there, staring down the hall. She ignored him as stepped through, but as she stood in the passage way she could barely make out a few words.

"—rry."

"Nothing to—you did fine."

Hermione brushed it off, and stepped into the common room.

It was bigger than the Gryffindor common room. The glass wall overlooked the Quidditch field, a view Ron and Harry would have been so envious of. There was a large fireplace, a small dinette kitchen, and a slew of squishy furniture. In the corner was a wall of books and a large table for studying.

"I thought she said there was no giant chess board in here." Justin said, pointing at several life sized chess pieces that decorated the room.

"She said no chess board, not chess pieces." Hermione pointed out. "I think those are the same ones from first year too." She frowned. It felt like a lifetime ago she was battling three headed dogs, giant chess boards and devil's snare.

"Great, so Friday night; Firewhiskey, Dragon Barrel Brandy, Knotgrass Mead and Single Malt Whiskey. I say we start our first United House weekend with a little party. Just us." Pansy said with an obnoxious grin.

"I don't drink." Hannah explained.

"This weekend you do." Pansy retorted.

"But what about homework. We have NEWTs to study—"

"Granger. Stop being such a Princess. Unite with us. Get to know each other. Then, if you need help with NEWTs… what am I kidding, you won't need help, but I'll fetch you your books and materials for a day, eh?" Theo bargained.

"So if I join, you'll be my errand boy for a day?" Hermione checked.

"You have your pick of the snakes!" Blaise said, holding his hands out in offering.

"Don't trust 'em. They 'on't do it." Seamus snapped.

"We'll make an oath." Theo offered, holding out his wand. "If we don't hold up, choose your hex."

Hermione grinned. "Fine, if you don't hold up your end of the deal when I ask for it, each one of you gets a rat's tail for a week."

Theo seemed to falter but held out his wand all the same. "My condition then, you must participate in whatever drinking game Pansy's bound to come up with."

It was Hermione's turn to falter.

"Oh, don't be a prude Granger. Party with the snakes. Where's that Gryffindor bravery." Hermione set a scowl on her face at Pansy's taunt, and accepted the wand oath, touching her wand to Theo's. No one seemed to notice that the sole objector to this whole thing had already disappeared to his dorm, missing out.

"Well, I'm going to bed. See you in the morning." Hermione huffed, stomping her way up the only set of stairs. She walked down the long hall, passing almost every room until her eyes fell on the sign that had her name written in golden lettering with the Gryffindor crest right below it. She swept her way into her room, happy to find everything neatly placed.

The nightmares hadn't gotten any better since the war. Hermione had thought—and hoped—that they would subside with the death of both Voldemort and the capture and incarceration of Bellatrix LeStrange would have subdued her nightmares. However, they still rampaged in her mind. Therefore, most nights she sat up, reading instead.

Hermione put her hand in her bag, but instead of the photo album she had intended on grabbing her mind wandered to the box from her mother's things. The bag seemed to ignore her initial thoughts, and the box appeared in her hand instead of the book she originally intended for. She stared for a long moment at the box, and sighed. She went to open the box, but found it didn't budge. She pursed her lips, and reached for her wand. Alohamora didn't work. She tried every lock opening spell and counter spell she knew. She even tried open sesame for good measure. The lid didn't budge.

It was nearly midnight and she was having a staring contest with the box, and was sorely losing. It wasn't very big, only about as big as a small shoe box. It was made out of some thick, dark wood with golden lettering. Underneath the word Nott was a sigil no bigger than a galleon. She sighed, and put it on her night stand. Later, she decided, she would ask Nott about it. But for now, she found refuge in a dreamless sleep draught.