ENJOY

Stranger Things Have Happened

Hermione let out a soft sigh as she watched her class mates file one by one into their first Charms class of the year. She absentmindedly ran a hand through her now tame, long, chest nut waves that cascaded down her back. She adjusted her already perfect robes and subconsciously tugged her sleeve down to cover the faint, jagged scars which permanently outlined 'mudblood' on her petite forearm.

A lot had changed after the final battle. The past summer was a bittersweet mess of joy and sorrow. After grieving with the Weasley's and participating in many burials and ceremonies, Hermione left to restore her parents' memories. She shivered as she recalled her parents shock and anger. Although they were still speaking to their only daughter it was clear they distrusted her and maybe even feared her. There was a wall between them now. It pained her to even think about it. She sometimes could feel the walls closing in on her and in the solidarity of her own confines she almost cracks under the pressure of it all. But true to her character she would not let that happen because the people she loved needed her. They needed her to be strong and quick and reliable. So Hermione threw herself in the rebuilding of Hogwarts, she could have any position she wanted in the Wizarding community but she chose to come back and re take her 7th year which was offered to every student. She would not let the scars of the past define her. She worked hard to protect any magical person, pureblood or not, to have the right to attend Hogwarts and she wanted to follow through with her goal of getting top marks on her NEWTS exams.

Hermione wasn't the only one. She watched idly as her classroom filled with her peers, so many of them returned, a lot of them solely seeking normalcy and youth. She smiled as Harry and Ron sat themselves on either side of her, her best friends and protectors. She was hit with a wave of nostalgia and she wrapped her arms tightly around both of them, bringing them in from a quick hug. Ron's face reddened as he awkwardly returned the hug. They hadn't worked out as a couple over the summer and amicably decided they were better off as friends. Honestly, she hadn't minded when Ron awkwardly pulled her aside to confess his platonic feelings towards her. The press had made it difficult as they followed 'The Golden Trio's' every move over the summer while the community repaired itself. Rita published ridiculous stories of cheating scandals and heart break but Hermione new the truth. Deep down her and Ron had a special bond but it wasn't enough to be romantic.

Harry and Ginny on the other hand were nothing short of romantic. The press had a field day when their engagement was leaked. Harry had given Ginny his mother's old wedding ring and they couldn't seem to keep their eyes or hands off each other. She smiled and shook her head at the thought. All she ever wanted was for Harry to be happy and care free, after a life time of carrying the weight of their world on his shoulders he deserved it.

Hermione snapped out of her reverie as several sharp intakes of breath made her turn attention to the door. A tall, broad shouldered, blond haired Malfoy walked pointedly into the class room. She openly starred at him as he resolutely ignored all the gawks and walked to the back of the class to sit alone in the corner. He looked remarkably healthier since the final battle and understandably so. His hair was no longer slick back and instead fell lazily across his face. He still carried an air of pride and aristocracy to him but she wasn't fooled, she could sense the uneasiness and tension he must have been feeling. She wondered if he would return. After Harry helped his family escape Azkaban over the summer she got wind of the Malfoy's every move in the press. Draco and Narcissa had spent the summer rebuilding the ministry and volunteering while rumour had it Lucius Malfoy had become a recluse in the Malfoy Manor.

She looked away as Blaise, the neautral, italian slytherin whom took a seat beside his old friend and gingerly patted Malfoy on the back.

"Still can't stand the lot of them." Ron said as he too tore his eyes away from the Slytherin boys.

"We've all paid our dues, I for one am looking forward to a completely normal year for once!" Harry said happily. His optimism after everything was truly inspiring. Before Hermione could chime in Professor Flitwick walked in and she hastily got her new quill and parchment ready for her first class.

"Good morning class," Professor Flitwick chimed happily. "I am overcome with happiness to welcome you all back to Hogwarts. After everything we endured it is only fitting that I start our first lesson by focusing on communication charms. If recent horrific events have taught us anything we know how important communication is between all houses. We must learn to be sensitive to our differences and open to our similarities to repair years of damage and prejudice."

To Hermione's irritation Ron unceremoniously rolled his eyes and he wasn't alone in his sentiments. Several students started making sarcastic comments and began chattering amongst themselves. There was a lot of bad blood between the Gryffindor's and Slytherin's and Hermione had more than enough reasons to join in however she remained stony faced and stoic as she patiently waited for the professor to continue on.

"Today we will be discussing a highly intricate communication charm that allows the caster to connect with the appointed witch or wizard for a short period of time where they will be able to share the ability to hear each other's thoughts, feel each other's emotions and see each other's memories." Professor Flitwick paused for dramatic effect as murmurs of excitement erupted around the patched up classroom. "However I will be pairing you in twos, one Gryffindor and one Slytherin."

Immediately disapproval came from the mouth of every student including the usually composed Hermione as she found herself being forced to grab her bag and sit beside Malfoy isolated in the back of the room. Not only could she not look him in the eye without seeing the boy who bullied her and man who watched cowardly as his crazy aunt tortured her, she also had no desire to have him invade her thoughts and find out just how those memories affected her.

"Silence!" Professor Flitwick shouted trying to regain control of his students. "If you have learned anything from this war you will work together. People died in battle so you could be sitting here today." An eerie silence followed as he continued, "This charm is intricate and is to only be casted by one person in the pairing after several practise attempts." Flitwick demonstrated the delicate wrist movements performed in the charm as the class watched on. "Once you have mastered this movement to perfection you can then say Communicando Insync. I stress to you the movement must be down to a tee and the incantation must only be said by one person. Now start practising."

Hermione chanced a glance at Malfoy.

"Well are you going to just stare or are we going to start practising." Malfoy drawled out lazily.

Hermione barely swallowed her annoyance at the ferret's attitude. I guess some things never change. She turned her attention towards the front of the class and began practising the movement.

"Almost there Miss. Granger," Professor Flitwick said as he observed their progress, "Ah Mr. Malfoy you seem to have it down pact. Perhaps now practise it facing each other before deciding on who will say the incantation."

Hermione's turned to face Malfoy. As much as she did not want the ferret in her mind she would not let him have the satisfaction of besting her in Charms. She saw the smirk forming on her face and on impulse she decided she would catch the smug prick off guard and invade his memory without notice.

She raised her wand and before she could stop to register Malfoy had done the same, a loud bang was heard as they both shouted Communicando Insync. The last thing she saw were his normally guarded gray eyes widen in shock as blackness took over and she fainted to floor.