Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter One: The Return

The war was over. The Dark Lord has finally fallen for good at the hands of Harry Potter; or you could say Voldemort died due to his own ignorance. The point is that 7 years of mysteries, adventures, danger, (and worst of all) millions of hours in the library were finally over. Although it had seemed exciting at the time over the past year they had come face to face with the truth that they really were facing pure evil. It had been vanquished for good this time though, Ron thought to himself.

He gloomily looked around his room to make sure all his belongings, which were few, were packed in his trunk. Since the last year at Hogwarts was wasted by being run by death eaters the students would resume their school where they had left off the previous year.

The students that were still alive that is, Ron thought bitterly. He sighed heavily and treaded downstairs to get some lunch…

In another part of the burrow…

Harry was half way through packing his trunk. Ginny kept popping in to see if he was finished yet, but his heart was just not in it. He knew Hogwarts would never be the same without Dumbledore. He would miss him…and even Snape's sneering face and greasy hair, he thought with a bit of shock.

"Harry? Harry aren't you done yet?" whined Ginny for the fourth time in the last hour.

"Oh, sorry Gin. I…I can't stop thinking about how odd it will be to go back."

"I know Harry that there will be a lot of people we once knew who won't be there, but we have to get past this someday. Remember, we still have each other," she said smiling adoringly at him.

He was so cute when he was stressed she thought to herself. At that she organized the clothes, books and other various items he had recklessly thrown into his trunk while he collected the remainder of the items scattered about the room.

After that was done they both walked down to the kitchen to join Ron…

Meanwhile…

After the memorial for all of those who fell at the final battle, Hermione gratefully returned to her parents where they spent the rest of the summer on a much needed vacation in Peru. Hermione's father had always wanted to visit Machu Picchu. Hermione was also excited because as she had learned in Ancient Runes, this was one of the places in the world that is said to hold ancient magic in its stones.

Once Hermione finished packing her trunk and eating dinner she kissed her mother and father goodnight and went to bed early.

Although it would be sad to not see all of the people who died Hermione couldn't help but be excited to return to Hogwarts and its abundant library. She just hoped it would still feel like home…

************

They arrived at Kings Cross Station at 9:52 the following morning with Mrs. Weasley rushing them and scolding Ron claiming it was his fault they were late because she had to tell him to get up 6 times.

Finally she rushed to the garden, grabbed a gnome and set the little beast loose in Ron's bedroom. She then proceeded to wait by the door, but she didn't have to wait long.

Exactly 11 seconds later Ron came flying out of the room, nearly knocking his mother over, who simply glared at him then resumed her satisfied expression.

I'll have to make a mental note to have Arthur get rid of that thing later, she thought.

Once they reached the platform Harry, Ron and Ginny waved goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and jumped on the train with one minute to spare.

"See? I told you she always rushes me for nothing. We weren't even late."

"Yeah, thanks to that gnome," Harry replied as a smiling Hermione entered the compartment.

"What's this about a Gnome then?" she said looking at her three friends. They all exchanged glances then Harry and Ginny burst out laughing while Ron sulked and began recounting the tale and proceeded to pull of his shoe and show Hermione his foot.

She noted the small chunk of his big toe that was apparently missing and even Ron had to laugh at the disgusted look on Hermione's face.

It was after all nice to be back to a somewhat normal life she thought.

(A/N) Please review. Since this is my first story I'd greatly appreciate your opinion :)