Hello everyone and welcome to 'The Unlikely Confidant'. I hope you enjoy this story and as always review to let me know if you are enjoying it, frustrated with something etc. This is my first story so helpful tips would be great if you find something is an issue and needs attention.

Im writing this story as a means of therapy and simply for my enjoyment. I was not originally planning to publish this story but I realised that some of you might find this entertaining, so i've decided to let you all read. I may not be the best writer here, or even close to it, but I still thought someone might like it :)

*Disclaimer*

I do not own Harry Potter, if i did Severus Snape would not be dead.

Later on this story deals with sexual assault and self harm etc. I will mark the areas where this occurs. Please use discretion and not read these parts if you find yourself feeling uncomfortable with stories that mention these. I want all of you to feel safe and comfortable.

Hope you enjoy!

She threw her arms around Harry. Her face lit with excitement. She was back - she was going home. "Oh, Harry I'm so glad you decided to come back after all. After all, education is most important" She shot Harry a knowing look and he responded with a chuckle.

"you'd hex me into next week if I didn't come back, besides I only came for a certain red-haired witch" he gave a wink and Hermione slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"Speaking of Ginny, I've just spotted her, ill meet you on the train, Hermione!".

Anyone would think they hadn't seen each other all summer she thought amusedly, nevertheless arrived together to the station together. Yet they were infatuated with one another, he needed the company after all that happened. She couldn't help think that perhaps they all did.

She grinned down at the shiny Head Girl badge that was secured on her robe; it glistened in the sun. The pin adorned all of the houses, a sign of unity that the headmistress had stated she wanted for the school and for the heads to encourage and uphold. It was a change from the single coloured pins handed out in previous years, but she appreciated the change. Catching her by surprise, Ron had sneaked his arm around Hermione's waist. She jolted at the touch, he was well aware she didn't like surprises and to be frank she just didn't find the public affection welcoming.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she smiled up at the boy. He had decided to come back as well. She suspected he was not ready to enter the world without the support of his friends being by his side and had decided that another year at Hogwarts couldn't hurt. As well as the threatening words by Mrs Weasley that he should finish his education.

"Mione it's going to be a great year don't' ya think, we should get a compartment near the back?"she frowned.

"Ron I told you that the heads were to watch the train and had a compartment of their own". He dropped his smile and sighed "Well at least spare some time for us out of your busy schedule" He bent down in an attempt to give her a kiss but she had spun around knowingly and walked away, exclaiming that she would try.

The summer between the two was tense, the kiss between them was impulsive and Ron had now believed something was between them, and perhaps there was but not to the extent he thought there was. His touching left her uncomfortable and she wasn't totally sure about him calling her his girlfriend, but she went along with it. Perhaps she needed someone as an outlet, the war had messed around with her more than she cared to admit to anyone and even herself. She was willing to give it a go, regardless of how she truly felt. She did know that she was supposed to love him, and so she had convinced herself that she was.

She hurried down the corridor of the train, she couldn't bear to be late. Headmistress McGonagall had bestowed Hermione with what she always had believed would be her greatest achievement; well at least it had been when she was 12, and she did not want to give her any reason to doubt her decision to make her head girl.

She stepped into the carriage with five minutes before the stated meeting time and settled herself in. Shortly she found herself surrounded by three other students, she looked around in confusion and noticed their faces were etched with an expression alike her own. But before she could do anything, Minerva McGonagall swept elegantly into the compartment.

"Yes this year will be different, you may be wondering why you are accompanying three other students in the carriage. This year will be different from those previous and house unity is of utmost importance this year, each of you represent a house so Miss Granger from Gryffindor, Miss Lovegood from Ravenclaw, Mr Malfoy from Slytherin and Mr Polsky from Hufflepuff. Throughout the year you will be organising inter-house activities. But without further a do you should begin to monitor the carriages". They all left the compartment swiftly.

She pondered what the headmistress had said and the people she would be working with this year. She was quite excited to be able to work with Luna as she considered her a dear friend, and no doubt was Luna one of the most open-minded and non-judgemental person she had met. Malfoy would be interesting, he hadn't given her any snarky comments or glares while they had been in the carriage, she was content with the new year and was open to trying to be civil, after all, there was no reason for him to continue being such a git like in the past, but only time would tell. And Polsky, she didn't remember seeing him around the school or hearing about him at all really, he was quiet however and seemed nice enough.

She got off the train, hoping for a good year, despite all the pain and suffering associated with the war and went over to escort the first years towards Hagrid.

Everyone began to file into the great hall. Hermione walked with the rest of the heads and they each took a seat at their respective tables. She glanced towards the teachers' table, it stayed the same as it had with familiar faces. Hagrid teaching Care of Magical Creatures, Mrs Pomfrey as the school nurse, Mrs Sprout as the Herbology teacher and so on.

However, there was an empty seat on the far left of the table. The seat in which Professor Severus Snape had sat for the last 20 years. This knowledge, however, was not privy to her. 'perhaps the potions replacement is late' she thought to herself. She found it to be a shame that his life had ended the way it had. Harry had told her all about the memories left and how he had a new found respect for the man who had sacrificed himself to a cause that could no longer benefit him. And in turn, Hermione believed him and had found herself silently wishing that a different circumstance could have happened for the man.

Minerva rose up and walked towards the podium, eyes wide and a large smile on her face. "Welcome first years!". Hermione turned towards the doors that had swung loudly open and could see the first years looking around in awe of what they were immersed in. She had remembered her own entrance into the great hall for the very first time and was rocked with nostalgia, it truly was remarkable.

However, there was someone else behind the first years, directing them to where the sorting ceremony would take place. Whispers began and eyes darted between the man and back towards their friends. All of the students were trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Severus Snape was right there in the flesh, and seemingly alive and perfectly normal, except for a limp as Hermione noticed.

"Is he a ghost!" claimed one of the third years too loudly for his own good. "No, ghosts are white and transparent" piped a fifth year.

"I can assure you I'm very much alive, and if you don't want to lose 30 points each, then keep your mouths shut and your opinions out of places in which they do not belong" Snape retorted at the students. The hall was silenced.

"Ah yes, as everyone can see, Professor Snape's wellbeing has been kept privy since after the war in order for his rehabilitation. He will be returning to his position as the Potions master, please do ensure he is welcome" McGonagall announced to the student body.

Hermione glanced up at the man and saw he was wearing a scowl. Her eye had caught his and she looked away suddenly. Ron nudged her "Bloody hell, I don't have a good feeling about this year if that git's back". Hermione stared back incredulously at the boy "Show some respect, we would probably be under Voldemort's control and Harry would be dead without him doing everything he did for the Order. I don't particularly like him either or his snarky attitude but that's no reason to insult someone who virtually saved your life"

The sorting ceremony begun and 8 students were sorted into Hufflepuff, 9 into Ravenclaw, 9 into Slytherin 11 into Gryffindor

McGonagall began to speak again as the ceremony ended and the first years sat with their new houses. "Everyone get yourself settled in, this year will be very different and I expect all of you to be listening" she shot a look at Ron as she spoke this who had been messing around with his tie, he had looked up sheepishly after Hermione had nudged him. Continuing on "Now, this year will focus heavily on inter-house relationships, I will not tolerate a repeat of previous years. In order to do this, we have two Head Girls, and two Head Boys and each is from a house. Everyone welcome Mrs Granger, Mrs Lovegood, Mr Malfoy and Mr Polsky."

Everyone cheered, well perhaps the Slytherin table was less quiet than the others. It seemed like the Slytherins were unsure of what to make of Draco Malfoy, and with many of the older Slytherins not returning this year, he seemed very much alone. 'serves him right" she decided.

"In addition to this, to further encourage inter-house unity, the previous heads of houses will be changed. Professor Sprout will be head of Ravenclaw, Professor Snape as head of Gryffindor, Professor Flitwick as head of Slytherin and Professor Sarainly as head of Hufflepuff and will also be this year's new Defence of the Dark Arts teacher" Everyone in the room had their mouths wide open.

Quick chatter began and grew to full fledge heated discussions. Even the teachers were peering around at each other, obviously not being made aware of this decision. "Blimey, McGonagall has really gone bat shit crazy, we will be eaten alive by Snape" Ron said disapprovingly. And for once, Hermione agreed.

xx

Another year. Another year full of dunderheads and insufferable children, and of course it'd be made worse by the fact he had practically just risen from the dead in their minds. He peered to look at those who sat before him. Children's naivety and ignorance severely annoyed him, and these students didn't prove to be anything but that.

He'd only being paying loose attention to what Minerva had been saying but something had suddenly quipped his attention "...Professor Snape as head of Gryffindor". He felt his face blanch. 'What was the stupid bint saying?' he had thought of Minerva as an acquaintance but was starting to seriously question that. He inwardly groaned at what he would be forced to do.

'Perhaps they shouldn't have revived me' he thought.

Of course, he hadn't had any real choice in the matter. Poppy and Minerva had made it their duty to ensure he stayed alive and could regain everything he had lost from the coma. And because of this, he couldn't say no when Minerva had confronted him about coming back to Hogwarts for the upcoming year, and besides, he didn't have anywhere else he could go and had very little money otherwise. No one particularly would want to be around the man who had killed Dumbledore, and of course, no one could understand the vital role he had played in the war with the order. As infuriating as it was, he had little choice but to stay being a teacher, something he had not enjoyed for a very long time, if ever.

xx

"Activities will be held throughout the year as well to allow for the mingling of houses but more information will come about this in due time. But without further ado, enjoy the first feast of the year!" McGonagall had announced once again.

Hermione watched as the food rose onto the tables. It looked as magical and delicious as always but for once it seemed no one was very interested perhaps the first years, after all, they didn't know any better and reached excitedly for a bit of everything. It seemed as everyone just sat there dumbfounded by what they had heard. 'This year is going to be crazy' she thought. The hall stayed quiet for some time, while everyone pondered all that had just happened.

It wasn't until Harry started laughing and saying "Considering we just defeated Voldemort, you'd think she just give us a bit of a break", that the table and had loosened up and begun chattering amongst themselves. The rest of the houses followed suit. Hermione felt good to be back with her friends, no threat looming over her head and just to discuss things they rarely were able to in the previous years, even if that said thing happened to be Quidditch.

As dinner ended, Hermione began to round up the first years with the intention of escorting them towards Gryffindor tower, but Professor Snape had stepped in front of her "Miss Granger, the headmistress wants me to inform you that the heads private wing is not ready yet and you will need to sleep with the rest of the seventh year females for the remainder of the week" he said with a drawl that contained a hint of spite. "Yes sir" she replied meekly. He turned swiftly and she left with the 11 first years by her side.

I will be updating every Thursday (I live in Australia).

Thank you so much for reading!