Good to be Back. Open.

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Harry was so glad to be in the great hall when it was fully repaired. There was no evidence in the ceiling that it had been blown away, no blood on the walls, and the floor was not covered in the dead. 
He didn't really think much about coming back, they let him - Hermione wanted to finish her education. He could have done anything he wanted and they'd let him. He guessed he'd come back for her sake. Or just for closure. Here he was and his home was no longer torn apart by that final battle. 

At the same time his efforts and time were wasted here. He had death eaters to round up, even though McGonagall would let him leave if he asked. There were still some of the nasty ones out there. 

There was so much weighing on his mind now, Remus and Tonks, Teddy, Fred, Snape, Colin, the Order, he had died in that forest. The simple list had a million unsaid words behind each item. A million implications and problems and it was all to much for one mind to handle. So he was at school instead. 

It was the same but different here too. He was treated differently. More so than just being the chosen one. It was like all his silly nicknames were verified. The Chosen One who was Chosen Right. And he'd killed a man. Granted it was mostly Voldemort's fault and it was Voldemort but still. It was all weight on his shoulders. 

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Hermione felt weird being back in the school after everything that had happened. She had so many hard memories that it made her uncomfortable to walk the halls. She missed the presence of their previous Headmaster. His death had taken a toll on so many. McGonagall was a good replacement, however. She held the authority with honor and was someone Hermione had always respected.

She wandered into the Great Hall, her bag slung over her shoulder and saw Harry seated at their table. He was a friendly face, a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. He always picked up her spirits. He'd survived so much and dealt with more death than she could imagine. But he kept on going, determined to do his duty as an Order Member. She had to all but drag him back to school for his seventh year, stubborn as he was. Ron as well, although she didn't see him around.

She walked over and took the seat opposite from her oldest friend. He'd never be anything more than that in her eyes, although many had thought he was. Rumors spread especially fast during their fourth year thanks to Rita Skeeter. But she didn't let rumors bother her so much. She smiled at Harry, noticed he was deep in thought. "It's strange being here, isn't it?" She asked, looking at the glass windows that had been destroyed in the past. It had been a dreadful site. It made her shiver as she remembered the crazed lunatic that caused the mess.

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"Yeah," Harry said with a nod. "Bad memories?" he asked her. He knew it was all he'd have to say. He and Hermoine understood each other so much better after the camping trip. He looked around briefly, Ron wasn't with her, Harry hadn't expected him. He was still dealing with Fred.
Not that Harry was okay with the older boys death. He was just used to this mourning period after a death. Still he had his moments.