"So, you've both decided, then?" Hermione asked warily. "You two are quite, quite sure you want to go back?"

"Look on the bright side, Hermione," Ron said. "We'll actually have a normal, carefree year at Hogwarts, and for us, that's saying something. Won't it be nice to feel like regular students attending classes for once? Do you really want to miss this?"

Hermione had been trying for the past quarter of an hour to explain to Harry and Ron why returning wasn't a brilliant idea, but though they agreed with her, they wanted to go back very much.

She opened her mouth to retaliate, but Harry cut her off, "Hermione, how can you, you of all people, forget that we take NEWTs this year? We've got to get our NEWTs for becoming Aurors, and we all know that's the only career you fancy. Think about it, will you be okay sacrificing your career, and practically your entire life, for the arguments you gave?"

Hermione became quiet at this; she had completely forgotten about NEWTs. Well, she truly wanted to become an Auror. Seemed like she had some rethinking to do...

Harry gave Ron the thumbs-up and Ron grinned in return; both of them knew that Harry had hit right this time.

"Okay," Hermione mumbled after some hard thinking. "I'll come with you."

Harry and Ron got up and high-fived, then turned to Hermione. Ron asked, "You've got your mind made up, then?"

"Yes," replied Hermione, a bit more firmly this time. "Yes, I've decided."

"What are we waiting for, then?" Ron said happily. "Diagon Alley tomorrow!"

"And now that we're going, I can break this to you," Harry announced. "I'm Quidditch Captain!"

"Wow!" Ron and Hermione both exclaimed. "That's great!"

"And I can tell you too," Hermione said. "I can't believe it, guys, I'm Head Girl!"

"Is that a surprise, Harry?" Ron asked, grinning widely. "No - really, congratulations, both of you! We're going to celebrate on the Hogwarts Express. So, let's get packing!"

"Wait, no one else knows anything yet," Harry said. "We need to tell Mrs. Weasley first."

"Oh - yes," Ron said distractedly. "Well, you go first, Harry, break it to her, and then I'll join you. If I go first I'll have a whole lecture to attend."

Harry glared at Ron, then left. 

Hermione kept sitting, wringing her hands. She wasn't at all sure if this was the right decision, and her mind was full of doubts and uncertainties. She was torn between Hogwarts and the Burrow, and she couldn't decide which, even though she had declared her decision to the others. She'd never felt so much against Hogwarts until now. It had been her home. But now - it just seemed like a museum of nightmares she never wanted to have again.

"You look worried," Ron observed.

"Oh, well spotted," Hermione snapped.

"Oi, calm down," Ron said, standing her up. He wrapped his arms around her protectively, and this immediately made Hermione feel less angry and frustrated. Ron sure knew how to make her feel better.

"I know what you're worried about," Ron said softly. "We're all going to be haunted by those memories, 'Mione. But believe me, we're going to be fine. See if we don't."

He closed his eyes and reached for her. Hermione closed her eyes too, and an instant later their lips met. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, feeling the tenderness of his touch and melting into it. The passionate kiss slowly dissolved away her worries. At that moment, Hermione finally felt at peace. At peace with the world and with herself.

"Ron!" Harry suddenly yelled from downstairs. "Come down now!"

Hermione and Ron broke away abruptly, jumping about a mile from each other. Ron muttered, "I'm going to kill this guy," and stormed down. 

Hermione chuckled to herself. Her mad, mad friends. Maybe she could have a good time at Hogwarts after all.

***

Draco stepped out of the Apparition wards of Malfoy Manor and Apparated to the first place he could think of: the Leaky Cauldron. 

He went inside the dingy and not-so-well-lit bar and instantly recoiled at the strong smell of some sort of drink that the barman was conjuring up. He'd always maintained that this place was not meant for people like him who could easily afford food and drink heaps better than the rubbish that was available here. Oh, well, never mind. At least he could get a place to stay here for the few days before Hogwarts.

He walked up to the counter where the barman was now chatting animatedly with two people who were chugging the pungent-smelling liquid. Standing as far away from everyone else, Draco spoke in a low voice, "A private room, and the cleanest you have." He took out of his pocket a handful of Galleons and placed them on the counter.

The barman's eyes widened at the amount of money he was being offered, then hastened to speak, "Of course, sir, but - but you are paying more than - "

"Keep the change, I don't care," Draco muttered. "I only need my room now. And no one can enter without my permission."

"Of course sir," the barman said again, then fumbled for something on the shelves. He drew out a small golden key. He gestured for Draco to follow him, led him upstairs to the first floor, and inserted the key into a door on the right, swinging it open. He bowed Draco in, then left.

Draco locked the door, then flopped down on the bed, resting his head in his hands frustratedly. His anger had not yet ebbed away. Why did everything happen to him? It was he who had been branded with the Dark Mark, he who was forced to try to kill Dumbledore, he who had to fight against Hogwarts, he who had known no personal life, no happy moments with his family, and now, he who had to leave his home and stay in a stinking excuse for a room.

And all because of his father.

He got up, let out an angry yell, and punched the wall with his fists. It seemed like his father was the main source of trouble in his messed-up life.

And when something repeatedly creates problems for you, you simply eliminate that 'something' from your life, right?

An idea struck Draco.

He picked up a piece of parchment and a quill kept on the bedside table and quickly began to write a letter. A letter that would seek his revenge for him. He knew it was a brutal step he was taking and might do more bad than good, but he completed the letter before he could change his mind. Then he hurriedly went outside his room and downstairs to the bar again to ask for an owl, and on receiving one, retreated to his room again. Rolling up the letter and tying it securely to the owl's leg, he whispered the address to it. The owl hooted, then jumped out of the window, spreading its wings.

Draco felt a maniacal sense of satisfaction and an unsettling calm in his mind. He watched the owl soaring high into the air, an evil smirk on his face.

***

A/N: It was rather a short chapter, I know. But that's because this was a kind-of filler chapter on Hermione's part; I needed to show how the Golden Trio decided to go back to Hogwarts. Also, I needed a bit of Romione here. Yes guys, this is going to be a slow burn so the book will begin with Romione. To all the Dramione fans, better days will be here soon!

Also, any guesses who Draco sent that letter to, and what he wrote inside it?