Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Harry Potter or any of the other characters. JK does. This is just for fun, k?
"Harry! Harry, dear, over here!" called out a familiar voice.
Harry Potter turned and saw a red-haired woman moving in closer to him. "Hi, Mrs. Weasley," he greeted happily. He remembered why he thought of her as one of his favourite people as she wrapped him in a huge hug, kissed his cheek and smiled as though he was one of her own.
"Hello, Ginny," he said to the pretty girl, also a red head, standing behind her mother.
"Hi, Harry." She blushed furiously at the sight of him.
Now seventeen, Harry had finally grown a few inches. His jet-black hair was as unruly as ever and his bottle green eyes looked even brighter behind his glasses. With broad shoulders and strong arms from Quidditch training, Harry was pleased with his appearance.
"Where's Ron? And Mr. Weasley?" Harry asked. Ron was one of his best friends in the whole world, but his terrible relatives with whom he lived forbade Harry to visit his friends over the summer holidays.
"They'll be along in a minute," Mrs. Weasley replied. "Arthur let Ron drive to the train station."
Harry felt his eyes widen. "How was it?"
"Well, we're here, and that's all that counts," she answered briskly.
Ginny giggled furiously before switching topics. "Have you seen Hermione yet?"
Hermione Granger was Harry's other best friend. She was very pretty, with brown hair, darker, warm brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She was also incredibly intelligent, recently making Head Girl at their school of witch craft and wizardry, Hogwarts.
Harry had never told anyone, but he had a crush on her. He wasn't sure when it had started; all he knew was that it existed. Some time during the previous year, he'd fallen for her.
"I reckon she's on Platform 9¾," Harry said. "The Head Girl and Boy usually help the first years get onto the train."
"Ron! Arthur! Over here!" Mrs. Weasley cried out suddenly, standing on her tiptoes and waving frantically.
Through the crowd parted two people, both with flaming red hair to match Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Ron was taller than his father, though not by much. He was pushing a trolley similar to Harry's.
"Hi, Harry," he said, a grin spreading on his face. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Those ruddy Muggle relatives of yours," Mr. Weasley muttered. "Ron told us all about them. Tough break, spending all summer with them."
Harry nodded. "I did manage to get a job. I went to Gringott's yesterday and exchanged my money." He turned to grin at Ron. "Can't wait until Hogsmeade," he said in a lowered voice.
"Oh, my! It's almost eleven. Hurry, get on the train," Mrs. Weasley said. Without warning she started to cry. "My little Ronniekins! His last year at Hogwarts!" she wailed, hugging her son fiercely.
Ron's faced suddenly matched the colour of his hair. "Mum!"
Ginny giggled and went to hug her father. "Bye, Daddy," she said.
Ron had evidently freed himself from his mother's grasp, because Mrs. Weasley was hugging Harry.
"Take care, dear. Have a wonderful last year. Be careful, and watch out for Ron, will you?"
"Will do," Harry promised, trying not to laugh as he hear Ron protesting, "Mum!"
A few minutes later, the good-byes had been said, the trio disappeared into the barrier and got on the Hogwarts Express.
*
Hermione ran quickly through compartment after compartment, looking for friends. As she slid into the very last one, a smile lit up her face.
Should've guessed, she thought. "Ron!" she exclaimed. "Harry! I'm so happy to see you!"
"Hermione!" they chorused. All three laughed as she leaned in to hug Ron, then Harry.
Her heart fluttered excitedly as she held onto Harry. She could feel her pulse quickening and prayed her face wasn't turning red.
"You guys look so…so different!" she said, taking a step backwards. Indeed, Harry looked different. Ron looked the same, only older. But as for Harry…
He looked even more handsome than she remembered. His dark hair fell into his eyes slightly, and it was hard to tell which made the other feature gleam. He was taller than she and his shoulders were very broad.
The three friends sat down. Harry looked out the window and said glumly, "Our last ride to Hogwarts."
Ron looked at him in horror. "Are you telling me you actually want to stay in school for longer than you have to?"
"It's my home, Ron," Harry answered, still watching the scenery roll by.
"Yeah, and it's Snape's home too!" Ron pointed out. "Look on the bright side. Even if we are leaving Hogwarts in June, for good, we'll be leaving Snape behind. And Malfoy."
Harry smiled vacantly. "Yeah, I guess."
"Cheer up, Harry," Hermione said. "It's only September!"
Harry finally tore his gaze from the window and met her eyes. A genuine smiled lit his face, sending a jolt straight to her heart. "You're right."
She blushed furiously. Aware she was flaming red, she jumped up from her seat. "I've got to go do something…Head Girl duties, you know." Miraculously, neither stopped her from rushing to the luggage department of the train.
Hermione took a few long, deep breaths to calm herself down. Just friends, she thought with each intake. Just friends, just friends, just friends…
Ok, this is the first chapter! Hope you all like it. The next one will be longer, hopefully. Please R/R! Thanks!!!