AN: This is a harry potter fanfic, everything belongs to J.. Enjoy.

Chapter 1: Back to Hogwarts

Hermione slipped easily through the barrier to platform 9 and ¾, pushing her trolley in front of her. She scanned the platform and quickly spotted a cluster of red hair. She let out the breath she hadn't even known she was holding and an unconscious smile stole across her lips. Smiling more broadly she made her way towards her adoptive family. She pushed through a crowd of people, muttering apologise and trying not to cringe. She hated crowds. Ever since the war she had been tense and jumpy. Constantly alert she watched everyone around her, searching for any sign of threat. Sometimes there was a treat, but that was very rare. There were deatheaters still loose, but they were on the run with the ministry hot on their tails.

Hermione smiled when she saw Harry already standing with the Weasley's, one arm around Ginny as he laughed at the twins. She hurried forward, eager to join them again. To her left came movement, she saw it just out of the corner of her eye. She spun, drawing her wand reflexively. When she halted its tip pointed at the chest of a handsome and familiar Slytherin. Blaise Zabini held up his hands, one perfect eyebrow arched as he eyed her wand.

"Granger" He looked down at her, face impassive.

"Zabini" She studied him and slowly lowered her wand. After all he posed no threat, yet.

"You're a bit jumpy, Granger" He observed, his cool voice pronounced the words flawlessly, yet the hint of an accent danced around their edges.

"War does that to people" Hermione answered dryly.

"Indeed" He murmured. his eyes skittered over her face and down, observing, calculating.

She shifted, uncomfortable under his gaze and she had to stomp on the erg to flatten her hair and straighten her clothes.

"Can I help you, Zabini? Or did you just come to stare?"

His eyes snapped back to her face, "I just thought I would come and congratulate you on getting head girl." His emerald eyes slipped down to her badge. "A perfect choice by Mac Gonagal, I think."

"Thank you" Hermione eyed him suspiciously. "But why so friendly? You may have fought for our side in the war, but excuse me if I think that's not enough to suddenly make us friends." She caught his eyes and held them. "After all I'm still a Gryffindor and a Mud-Blood."

If Blaise saw the challenge in her gaze he ignored it, instead he smiled slightly, making his angular features less haughty.

"Blood never meant anything to me, Granger, and after the war others will be starting to get the same idea. In the end we all bleed red." His silky voice sent shivers down her spine on his last words and his eyes darkened making her wonder what had just gone through his mind.

Then he blinked breaking the spell. "As for the part about you being a Gryffindor...." Blaise paused and then smirked in true Slytherin style. "....Well, I will get over it. After all we will be seeing a lot more of each other from now on"

He bowed to her mockingly and walked away, still smirking.

Hermione watched him disappear into the crowed with narrowed eyes. "We will be seeing a lot more of each other from now on." What on earth had he meant by that? She tried to analyse what he had said and drew a blank. It couldn't of been a threat could it? After all we will be on Hogwarts grounds, he wouldn't try anything. She frowned and decided to keep a close watch on the quiet Slytherin. But for now she had other things to concentrate on and right now that was her friends.

Hermione turned and realised that the Weasley family had moved closer, still looking casual but with wands drawn. She smiled, it was nice to know people had her back. Hermione pushed her trolley forward to finally join them.

"Hermione, dear." Mrs Weasley pulled her into a tight hug. "How are you? Oh, you're so thin. We were worried when we couldn't find you. I was about to send the boys to go look for you. I hope you didn't have any trouble getting here."

"Let her breath, Mum." Ron chuckled and hugged Hermione once his mother had let her go.

Hermione returned his hug and moved on to Harry and Ginny smiling back at Mrs Weasley and answering her last question. "No trouble at all Mrs Weasley. Kingsley just asked me to stop by before I came here. Sorry for being late."

"Oh that's fine dear. Kingsley is not someone you can ignore, is he."

"Indeed not." Hermione laughed.

She waved a greeting to Mr Weasley, Bill and Flur then turned to finally meat the eyes of the last three Weasley brothers. Charlie stood with Fred and George on either side. The war had changed everyone but the changes seemed most prominent in these three. The death of Percy had been a herd blow to the happy-go-lucky twins, especially Fred. Fred blamed himself for his death, Percy had, after all, died saving him. For a while the twins had been a morbid pear, then Charlie had pulled them out of their depression, with some help from Hermione. But even so all three brothers now had a more serious take on life.

Hermione smiled softly at the three. They all grinned back and jumped forward to envelope her in a hug. She giggled as she was squished between them.

"Is that Zabini guy gonna give you trouble?" Charlie growled softly in her ear.

"No, he's fine" Hermione assured them. "He was being nice."

Fred snorted, "Just means you gotta watch him."

"I'll be fine guys, don't worry"

She stepped out of the hug but stayed standing by them, leaning on Fred's shoulder.

"Well" Mrs Weasley surveyed the group. "I guess it's time for you all to get on the train. We wouldn't want you to be late."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny exchanged glances then moved forward to start loading their stuff. None of them really wanted to leave the group and they all dragged their feet.

A quick glance around showed Hermione similar scenes. Parents and children moved slower than usual. Hugs and kisses lasted longer. There were fewer smiles. More frowns. Many worried or cautious glances around the station. The war was over but it would be a long time before people would relax. Too many people were grieving, to many had suffered.

Hermione sighed and pulled herself out of her thoughts, turning to face the Weasley family again. Mrs Weasley was hugging Ron, talking a mile a minute with tears in her eyes. Harry seemed to be in a serious discussion with Mr Weasley and Bill and Flur were fussing over Ginny. So Hermione turned again to Charlie and the twins.

"Time to say good bye?" Charlie questioned softly.

"Of course. We can't stay here forever." Hermione smiled sadly. "And your dragons must miss you."

"Actually...." Charlie's eyes skittered away from hers. "They might have to pine for me a while longer."

Hermione glanced at the twins, but they looked just as confused as she felt. "You're not going back to Romania?"

"I will go back." He assured. "Just not for another year or two." His gaze slid to the ground.

"What are you going to do then?" Fred questioned. "Get a job around here?"

Yea I guess that would be the first step. I was going to..." He blushed a deep scarlet and cleared his throat. "I was actually thinking of writing a book or two."

A stunned silence met his words and he shifted from foot to foot.

"That's a brilliant idea!" exclaimed Hermione.

Charlie's head jerked up and his eyes jumped from Hermione's excited face to the twins identical grins.

"You think so?"

"Of course" Hermione cried. "You know so much about dragons. I'm assuming that's what you're going to write about?"

He nodded.

"Oh, it will be wonderful. I can't wait to read them. There must be so much I don't know. So much everyone doesn't know. When are you going to start? Did you have a plan or have you only just thought of it? I could help if you want, not that I know much about dragons but I know a lot about books."

At that all three Weasley men started laughing. Hermione closed her mouth and blushed.

"Sorry" she mumbled. "I just thought it was a good idea."

"Thanks Hermione" Charlie clapped her on the shoulder still chuckling. "I'd be very grateful for your help, I promise I'll owl you when things get started. But my first order of business will be getting a job."

"Why don't you come work for us" George offered.

"Good idea" Fred nodded. "We need another worker, we were just going to start advertising now that Hermione and Ginny are going back to school. They were handling most of the important side of things, like the dealings with the ministry."

"Are you sure?" Charlie questioned.

"Of course" George waved it off.

"It's much easier this way" Assured Fred.

"Keeps it in the family"

"Means you can start right away."

"Don't have to worry about accidently pranking you either."

"It'll be great" the twins decided in unison.

Hermione laughed. "Looks like your all sorted. Make sure you write to me, I want to know how things work out"

"Don't worry 'Mione." Fred pulled her into a tight. "We'll keep you in the loop."

"We'll still ask you for your opinion on our new ideas." added George, hugging her after Fred.

"And you can be sure we'll need your advice" finished Charlie with the last hug.

Hermione smiled up at them, "Bye guys. I'll miss you."

"How could you not?" all three laughed in unison.

Hermione laughed too, shaking her head at them. She left them and went to say goodbye to Bill and Flur. She moved on to a tearful goodbye to Mr and Mrs Weasley. Before finally boarding the train with Harry, Ron and Ginny. Hermione waved with the others until the train rounded the corner and she caught her last glimpse of her new family. She turned, took a deep breath and moved deeper into the train. A new year had begun. But what new adventures could possibly lie in wait?

AN: Ok so thats the first chapter of my new story. Dont worry things will pick up in the next one.

Over and out

Jade Wildcat.