Chapter Summary: Well if you've made it this far, congratulations. This is the last chapter. Hermione still must face the prospect of never returning to Hogwarts and seeing her friends again. What will convince her parents to let her stay?
--- Begin Fic Here ---
Hermione knew she needed to tell Harry about the possibility of her not coming back to Hogwarts. She felt she owed him at least that. After the end of year feast seemed like the best time. Madam Pomfrey still hadn't released Harry from the hospital wing but McGonagall had said that Harry would be going and he seemed well enough to attend.
That evening in the great hall, Ron and Hermione saved a seat between them for Harry and waited for him to arrive. After a while it seemed that the whole school was there but still no Harry.
"Do you think he…" Ron started but just as he did, Harry appeared at the threshold. Everyone in the room fell silent and all eyes were on him. It was the kind of entrance you only saw on muggle television dramas. Before long the usual noise returned to the great hall.
Harry slipped quietly between them and after a while, Dumbledore stood to address the entire school. He was going to award the house cup to Slytherin. Hermione risked a glance over at the Slytherin table and she could see Pansy and Malfoy, both looking particularly pleased about the whole thing.
"It's not fair," Hermione thought as Dumbledore began to announce the total points for each house. Gryffindor was in forth place, 160 points behind the Slytherins, and they could have easily been first if it hadn't been for the 150 points that they lost earlier that year. "We save the world from the return of Voldemort; can't we get a few points for that." If anything she wanted to win the cup just to shut Pansy up.
"Well done Slytherin," Dumbledore was saying now. "However recent events must be taken into account."
Hermione looked up, genuinely interested now. Was Dumbledore about to do what she thought he was about to do? If so, this end of year feast would turn out to be the greatest upset in seven years.
"I have a few last minute points to dish out," Dumbledore said and although he had a serious expression on his face, Hermione could tell he was quite enjoying the intense silence. Everyone knew what he was going to do, but no one knew how he was going to do it.
"First to Mr. Ronald Weasley for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Everyone at the table started cheering. Hermione smiled. This was going to be very interesting.
As silence fell, Dumbledore continued. "Second to Ms. Hermione Granger for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Hermione was so incredibly happy that words failed her. She just buried her head in her arms and tried to keep from crying as she remembered that this may be the last happy moment she had at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore continued and there could be no doubt what he would do next. "Third, to Mr. Harry Potter for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."
"We're tied with Slytherin," Hermione shouted as everyone at the table burst into cheers again. "Are both houses going to win the cup?"
But to everyone's surprise, Dumbledore wasn't through. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville…"
Hermione couldn't even hear the last of Dumbledore's sentence, so loud were the cheers. You would have thought there was an explosion in the great hall for almost everyone, minus the Slytherins, was shouting. Hermione had to jump out of the way as Gryffindors rushed to hug Neville. She smiled. If anyone deserved to have his moment in the spotlight, it was Neville. She hoped that Gryffindor house wouldn't soon forget the final ten points that put them over the top. She knew Dumbledore had done this on purpose, and she was glad for it.
-----
Hermione didn't tell Harry about her parents that night. Everyone in Gryffindor was celebrating in the common room long after the end of year feast. The Weasley twins in their usual clandestine fashion managed to sneak a ton of sweets from the kitchens and the party went on well into the night. Hermione joined in the celebration, forgetting her worries for a while, just glad to be with her two best friends for a little while longer.
"I'm never going to forget this night," Harry told her as they found an un-crowded corner of the common room to sit down.
"Me either," Hermione agreed. "I wish it would never end."
"Well, there's always next year," Harry grinned. "Although I hope it's not nearly as intense as this year has been."
"Yeah, next year…" Hermione took a long gulp of tea to avoid talking or looking at Harry, but it was too late, he'd caught it.
"Something wrong?" Harry asked her.
Hermione put on a huge grin. "Not a thing! I was just thinking, how are we going to top this next year?"
"Hmm, I think we'll have to stop Voldemort for good next year." Harry said flippantly.
"Harry…" Hermione started in a chastising voice, but then she grinned too. "Then again, I bet you could."
"Are you kidding," Harry laughed. "What with the cleverest witch in Hogwarts on my side." Ron came up to join them at that moment, "And the bravest, most daring, Weasley to back me up, I can do anything."
Ron held up his glass, "I'll drink to that."
Harry and Hermione did the same. "Cheers."
-----
The afterglow of the end of year feast lasted for several days. It ended abruptly however when the exam results came out. Everyone flitted nervously to their head of house's offices to find out how they faired.
Hermione was in no particular rush, not because she feared her exam results but rather because she basically knew them already, and they gave her no comfort. But the morning that they were posted, Harry and Ron dragged her down with them to McGonagall's office to get "the verdict" as they put it.
"Top marks, I should have known," Ron scoffed as he looked at Hermione's scores. "You're top of the whole class. How do you do it?"
"Uh, studying Ron," Hermione said testily. "Perhaps if you tried it some time you'd do as well."
"You've got good marks too Ron, don't complain," Harry said trying to stop a potential argument.
"Yeah you're right. Hey Neville," Ron called, "Way to go in Herbology."
"Yeah if it weren't for that, my marks in potions would have killed me," Neville said with a slight grin.
"Don't let Snape get you down, he's just mad because it was your points that beat his house," Harry reminded him and Neville beamed.
Hermione pulled her sheet off the wall and put it in her pocket. "Um, I'll be back in a bit; just have to run a quick errand," she muttered softly.
"Wait a minute," Harry stopped her. "Where are you off to?"
"Owlery," Hermione answered vaguely.
"Well we'll come up with you; right Ron?"
But Ron was still talking with Neville. "Huh? But I promised Neville here I'd teach him some chess strategy."
"Oh never mind," Hermione waved them off, "I'll be back." and she started down the hall.
A few seconds later Harry had caught up with her. "I don't want to see another chessboard for a long time."
"Are you following me," Hermione teased.
"Yes, until you tell me what's up with you?"
"What makes you think anything's up with me?"
"Potter intuition," Harry said with a grin.
"Very funny."
"So what's up?" Harry pressed.
"Nothing,"
"You're not a good liar."
"And you're a nosey git!" Hermione said light-heartedly still trying to convince him that there was nothing wrong. She didn't want to tell him; not now. It just wasn't the right time. But then again, what better opportunity would she have. Ron was off playing chess and they were alone headed up to the owlery with no one to interrupt them.
"Harry…"
"Yup,"
She took a deep breath and just let it all come out. "I don't think I'm going to be back at Hogwarts next year. When my parents got the letter from McGonagall they went ballistic. My mum wrote me and basically said that she'd never been more disappointed in me. Well you know I wrote her back, of course. I tried to explain to them that it wasn't like what McGonagall had told them, but it still doesn't change the fact that I snuck out that night and they were still really upset about how much trouble I got into, no matter what the reason. I just don't know what to do, Harry. I mean, I've run out of ideas, which is why I'm headed up to the owlery to send my folks my marks, you know. I mean they can't think I'm doing but so bad if I'm top of my class. Still I don't think it'll be enough. I mean you've never met my father. He can be awfully strict at times. Not that he doesn't love me, of course but he just wants the best for me academically and sometimes that doesn't fall in line with what I actually want and I really want to stay here. I've never been so happy in my whole life and the thought of not coming back is driving me out of my mind."
Harry nodded as they entered the owlery. "I see."
Hermione stared at him in awe. "Harry did you understand anything that I just told you?"
"More or less," Harry said, sitting down on a nearby crate. "Your parents are upset about what happened when we snuck Norbert out and they've threatened to pull you out of Hogwarts."
Hermione nodded, still amazed about how calm he was about it. "Maybe he doesn't care whether or not I come back."
But Harry just smiled. "You'll be alright Hermione. I know you. You won't let your parents pull you out of Hogwarts. It's not like you to just give up on anything. You're too stubborn."
Hermione was writing a note to her parents on a spare bit of parchment. Then she stuffed the note along with her marks into an envelope and looked for an owl that was awake. "How come you have more faith in me than I do most times?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's the same way you have faith in me all the time even though I don't understand why."
Hermione nodded again. "I guess." She tried to hide her face because she knew she was starting to tear up.
Harry came up and patted her gingerly on the back. "Don't worry Hermione. You're going to be okay. You'll sort this out."
"Thanks," she said wiping her eyes. She busied herself with tying her letter to a nearby owl. "I'm sorry I'm so emotional all the time."
"It's okay. I'm kind of use to it by now."
"I know, I'm such a girl."
"You are?" Harry asked in mock-shock.
Hermione rolled her eyes with a grin. "I don't know why I bother with you."
-----
Hermione definitely felt better after she talked with Harry. She spent the last few days at Hogwarts worry free, a decidedly nice change. She, Harry, and Ron spent their time either up in the common room, outside playing games with their classmates, or in Hagrid's Hut trying to convince him that importing rare and potentially dangerous magical creatures over the summer wasn't a wise idea.
The night before the train would take them back to Kings Cross Station, Hermione packed her trunk. She seemed to have more things going back then she remembered bringing and had to do some creative organizing to fit it all into her trunk. Of course her plight wasn't nearly as bad as Parvati who had brought up a ton of extra clothes after the Christmas holidays and hadn't taken into account the fact that she had to bring it all back home. Hermione obliged her roommate by doing a compression charm which helped Parvati fit all her clothes into her single trunk.
"I'm just glad we don't have to carry these things down to the entrance hall," Lavender said as she slammed her trunk shut.
"How do they get our trunks onto the train anyway?" Parvati asked and both girls turned to Hermione. They were used to her always having the answers.
"I really don't know," Hermione answered honestly, though she'd debated making something up just for the fun of it. "I suppose it's some sort of spell."
"I swear it's like they have some team of butlers running around the castle that we don't know about," Parvati said bouncing on her bed. "I'm going to miss it here, but I'm glad for the summer break."
"Me too, I miss my friends from home," Lavender added. "What about you Hermione?"
"Uh…" she thought for a moment. "Well you know me; I'm too into school to care about the holidays so I'll just be glad to get back."
"Oh Hermione, you need to get out more," Parvati laughed.
-----
"Hermione Granger, muggle born, and greatest witch of her year at Hogwarts Academy," Ron said as they rode back to London on the Hogwarts Express. "I don't know what we're going to do with you next year. We'll need a whole extra room just for your ego."
"You're the only one making a big deal about it, Ron." Hermione said from behind a book.
"She's got a point," Harry agreed.
"You two. You like ganging up on me don't you," Ron said in disdain.
"You make it so easy," Hermione said turning a page.
"She's got a point," Harry agreed.
Ron huffed.
"We're nearing London," Harry observed. "Back to the muggle world."
"Goodie," Hermione said not bothering to look up from her book. "I just hope I can get my parents to take me to Diagon Alley early this summer. I want to get some of my books early for next term so I can start studying."
Harry smiled at her and she knew it was because she was already acting positive about the possibility of coming back next year.
"Hermione!" Ron said in shock. "The break hasn't even started and you're already thinking about next term?"
"And you wonder why's she's top of our class?" Harry laughed.
"You act like this doesn't bother you," Ron said.
"It doesn't," Harry agreed. "I've learned to let Hermione be herself."
"That's right because he knows that if he doesn't, I'll turn him into a toad," Hermione added dryly, fingering her wand.
"Very funny," Ron said with a forced laugh.
"Who says I was joking?" Hermione said with the same flat tone.
"Oh no… you're not tricking me this time," Ron folded his arms determinedly.
"What are you talking about," Harry gave him a quizzical look. "She's serious. She almost got caught by McGonagall when she transfigured Pansy."
"What?" Ron looked back and forth from Hermione, who was suddenly looking very dangerous with her wand, to Harry who had a very serious expression on his face. "Okay, you know what. I don't think you've got all your marbles, either of you. I'm going to go see what Fred and George are up to. I'll be back when she's calmed down a bit." He stumbled backwards out of the compartment.
"Do you think he'll ever learn?" Harry said with a grin.
"Nope," Hermione said returning to her book and they both started laughing. After a bit, she put the book back down. "Harry, did you know that I came to visit you when you were in the hospital wing unconscious?"
"You did?"
"Yes, I used your invisibility cloak to sneak down to the hospital wing since I had it with me before you woke up," Hermione admitted. "I sat with you for two nights, just waiting to see if you would cone 'round."
"I don't understand," Harry said.
"I just was worried about you, that's all," Hermione put the book back up to hide her blushing face.
"Well thanks. It's nice to know I had you looking out for me," Harry mused. "I've never had any real good friends like you and Ron before."
"Me either," Hermione said quickly. "You two really changed my life."
"Yes I'd say you've loosened up a bit," Harry chuckled.
"That's not what I meant," Hermione said with mock-sternness. "But yes, I've loosened up too, I guess. I've become Hermione the rebel."
"I wouldn't go that far," Harry said.
"You just wait 'til next year," Hermione said with a brief grin, but then she frowned. "That's if I'm here of course."
"You will be," Harry assured her.
-----
"It's not funny!" Ron huffed. "I can't believe you two. You can't joke about things like that."
Hermione and Harry only laughed.
The queue to get from Platform 9 ¾ to the muggle station was far longer than it was during the Christmas holidays. Because of this it looked like it would take a good fifteen minutes before the guard would let Hermione, Harry, and Ron through. Many people walked by wishing Harry well and Hermione still marveled at how fickle people could be. If he hadn't almost gotten himself killed and won Gryffindor the house cup in the process would they be as friendly? She decided not to worry about it though. Ron was right, it didn't matter how fickle everyone else was at least Harry knew who his friends were.
As they waited, they made tentative plans to meet at Ron's during the summer. Hermione was glad for this because she knew she'd need a reason to get out of the house for a while over break especially if she planned on having heated debates with her parents about whether or not she could return to Hogwarts.
"This is taking forever," Ron moaned.
"I know," Hermione's shifted anxiously. "Hold my space, will you? I'm going to go get something real quick," and she ducked out of the line.
Hermione walked back up the platform and found what she was looking for. A vendor was selling copies of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper. She only had a few sickles left but it was more than enough to get a copy of the paper, which was only five kunts. As she turned to head back to the queue, Hermione noticed another man with several owls. She realized very quickly that he was running a small owl post office. This made Hermione think of something.
"Excuse me, sir," she said coming up to him. "I don't have an owl and I'm going to be isolated from the wizarding world all break. How do I send post?"
"Well that's not a problem little witch. Lot's of wizards and witches don't have owls of their own. All you need are some stamps and you'll be able to send post."
"Stamps?" Hermione repeated knowing that there had to be more to this then what she was thinking.
"Yes, wizard's stamps. Just place one on any envelope and a post owl will come within 24 hours to collect your letter, guaranteed."
"Really?" Hermione said in awe. "That's amazing. Where can I get some stamps and how much do they cost?"
"I can sell you some right now," he said reaching into his stand and pulling out a small book. "Ten stamps, only three sickles."
Hermione dug into her pockets. She only had three sickles and a few knuts left but she felt that stamps would be worth the last little bit of her money if it meant she'd be able to write to her friends over the summer, so she bought them.
"Good you're back," Ron said when she returned. "We're almost at the barrier."
A few minutes later they stepped onto the muggle platform. Hermione didn't see her parents anywhere so she waited with Harry and Ron. She watched in amusement as a girl started pointing at Harry. She had flaming red hair and looked vaguely familiar. The young girl and her mother pushed their way forward and Hermione finally realized this must be Ron's mother and younger sister. It was obvious the younger one had a slight crush on Harry.
"He's just got all the girls eating out of his hands," Hermione thought with a grin.
"Busy year?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she greeted them and Hermione had the distinct feeling that she must have found out about what happened at Hogwarts despite the fact that Dumbledore was keeping the story under wraps and away from the general wizarding populous.
As they stood with the Weasley family, another man stepped up to them. Hermione looked him over. He was tall, bulky, with a mustache and an intense almost angry look on his face.
"Ready, are you?" he said shortly to Harry. This must have been Harry's uncle.
Mrs. Weasley tried to make conversation with him, but he just blew her off and started away telling Harry to hurry up.
Harry winced a bit but still hung back for a moment. "See you over the summer then," he said in a hopeful voice.
Hermione was still overcome with shock at the way Harry's uncle had acted. "Hope you have… uh… a good holiday."
Harry gave her one of his famous half grins. "Oh, I will," he assured them.
Hermione wondered how he could be smiling at a time like this but she soon found out the reason.
"They don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home. I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer."
Hermione giggled. "Sound's like a plan."
Ron couldn't help but laugh as well. "You're getting as bad as Hermione."
"Come on boy!" Harry's uncle shouted from his car and it made Harry jump a bit.
"Well I better get going," he said, grabbing his trunk. The Weasleys were also gathering their ranks to leave. "Write me and let me know what happens with your folks, alright?" he said quickly to Hermione.
She gave Harry a hug and nodded. "I will, don't worry."
Just as Harry left, Hermione heard someone calling her name. She spun on her heels and found her father and mother standing a ways away. Her mom was smiling; her father had a sober look on his face.
She walked up to them timidly. "Uh hi mum, dad. Did you get my owl?"
"Yes we did," Her father started in a curt voice. "But don't think for a moment that overshadows the last letter we received from your school." He produced a piece of parchment from his pocket and Hermione could see the Hogwarts crest on it. "Allow me to read you some of the more memorable parts." He cleared his throat. "'It is rare that a Hogwarts student shows such courage, skill, and intellect in the face of overwhelming odds.'"
Hermione looked shocked. What was he reading?
Mr. Granger continued. "'Your daughter has shown that she is a truly gifted witch in many ways this year and we look forward to having her back at Hogwarts next year. Yours Sincerely, Professor Albus Dumbledore; Headmaster: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.'"
"Professor Dumbledore wrote you?" Hermione asked flabbergasted.
Mrs. Granger knelt down to look her daughter in the eyes. "He not only wrote us but he told us everything about how you and your friends passed through all of those obstacles in an effort to protect your school. He said that he knew that if any students in the school had the potential it was you three, which is why he wasn't surprised when you succeeded."
"Hermione, I'm very proud of you," her father was saying now. "This letter from your headmaster has nothing but praise for you. He said you showed real logic and cunning, the kind of traits I brought you up to have."
"So you're not still mad at me about what happened earlier this year?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"You're not completely out of the woods on that, little missy, dragon or no dragon." her mother said seriously, even though she was smiling.
"But," her father added quickly. "I'm sure you'll be able to make up for your little transgression long before it's time to go back to Hogwarts next term."
"I can go back?" Hermione almost jumped for joy.
"Of course; I wouldn't want to disappoint your headmaster now would I? He might turn me into a frog or whatnot."
Hermione laughed as she hugged her father and mother. Suddenly there was a loud yelp nearby. Hermione peered over her mother's shoulder and saw that Harry was still in the station. His uncle was trying without success to load the heavy trunk into the car and he had dropped it on his foot.
Hermione caught Harry's eyes as she continued to hug her mom. She gave him the thumbs up and mouthed the words "I'm coming back." Harry grinned and gave her a knowing wink as he slid into the backseat of his aunt and uncle's car.
"So Hermione," her mother said as the three of them started for the station exit. "Do you feel more like a real witch now that you're past your first year at school?"
"I think I've finally realized that I was never any less of a witch than any of the other students at my school," Hermione answered thoughtfully. "It was all in my head. I can do anything that the others can do even though I'm muggle-born and I've proven that."
"Of course, Hermione," Mr. Granger said proudly. "I've always told you, you can do whatever you put your mind to."
"That's because I'm a Granger." Hermione beamed. "And Grangers can do anything."