We step into the Great Hall, smiling. Suddenly, there is an enormous uproar from the other students. At first I can't tell what they are saying... and then it hits me. They are all clapping and cheering our names. 

"You saved us!" they said "You defeated You-Know-Who!". "Thank you!" 

Luna, Neville and Ginny started laughing and laughing, Ron stood there and embraced everything, Harry smiled broadly but I just stood there speechless. I remember the first time I came to Hogwarts, when no-one liked me. But now, now everything is different. Everything is perfect. 

We rushed to our seats and sat down silently, when Ron said "I could get used to this...". I rolled my eyes. After the commotion died down, Professor McGonagall lead the new first years into the hall for the sorting. They all looked terrified but I suppose that's how I felt. 

"Brookhelm, Clover" 

A dark skinned girl with long hair walked up to the stool. "Intelligent, very very intelligent" the sorting hat murmured. "RAVENCLAW!" 

Clover ran excitedly to the Ravenclaw table and sat next to Cho, who was beaming. 

"Abneene, Amanda"

This time a tall, skinny girl with blonde hair walked up confidently. "This one is easy... HUFFLEPUFF!" 

"Parry, Emily"

A shy looking girl ran up to the stool, tripping as she went. She is exactly like me. "Hmmm... difficult. Fairly smart, fairly kind, not very ambitious though, are you? I think you'll be in GRYFFINDOR!" 

Emily walked over to the Gryffindor table, shyly and sat down. Ginny spoke to her "Hey. I'm Ginny!" 

"I'm E-emily" 

"Nice to meet you Emily" she said with a smile 

"Taylor, Skye" 

Skye went bounding up to the stool. The sorting hat remained silent for a few moments before it shouted "SLYTHERIN!" A huge smile spread across Skye's face as she skipped over to the Slytherin table. I looked at Draco. He looked like he was on the verge of tears. I mentally punched myself. Why would I be feeling sorry for Malfoy? 

The sorting went on until the list had finished and McGonagall said "Let the feast begin!" Immediately, the empty platters filled with a variety of magnificent food. From corn on the cob, to chicken to bacon to lettuce. Ron went straight for the chicken nattering away. We were laughing and chatting. Soon, the goblets filled with pumpkin juice which gave of the most delicious smell. Ron reached over to get another chicken wing. As he did, he knocked my juice over and spilt it on my robes. 

"RON!" I shouted.

"Oops...er... sorry Hermione!"

I just rolled my eyes and looked away as Ginny tried to get the stain out with a tissue. Ron can be really stupid some times. Just as I had finished my plate, the dessert appeared. Over at the Ravenclaw table, Luna was getting stuck in with a custard tart. I tried to forget the stain and took some profiteroles. Mum used to make the best ones. She's got her memory back now and so has dad but it still feels like something is wrong.