I've posted this on Wattpad ages ago, and I've recently started to rewrite it, so I've decided to post it on here as well. Please let me know if it's any good.
ANYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE FROM THE BOOKS BELONGS TO J. , ANYTHING YOU DON'T BELONG TO ME.
Prologue - Train Journeys and Lost Thoughts
Hermione's POV
I looked out the window of the moving train; judging by the area they were in, and the gradual decrease in the Hogwarts Express' velocity, we were about to arrive. This would be my seventh year at the magical castle that had now grown to be my home, although technically, by my age it was my eighth. The war had ended only months ago, but everyone was eager to move on, and the Castle had been fully repaired, therefore the gates were open to those that felt like they were ready to walk through them.
Everyone was still grieving their losses. George especially. Leaving The Burrow that morning was hard, we didn't want to leave him in his still fragile state. He'd lost more than a brother, he'd lost his other half, and looking at him now without a twin stuck to his hip was...it seemed wrong somehow, unnatural. Fred and George were a package deal.
Another Weasley we were worried about was Ron. He wasn't the same after the war. He seemed distant, detached. He and I were dating, although we felt more like strangers than we ever had. It seemed like our one advancement in our relationship had us taking a whole mile back. He was grieving, anyone could see that - but he was dealing with it even worse than George was. We were all worried for him. He wasn't healthy. He was paler, skinnier, and had dark bags under his red-rimmed eyes.
The train slowed to a halt and everyone stood up to grab their luggage, Ginny and Harry were laughing at an inside joke. I smiled at them, happy that they found solace in each other after the war - they were meant to be, it was obvious. I felt a twinge of sadness, though. I wished Ron and I were like that. I knew, though, that I had to give him time.
"Hey, Hermione! You coming?" I jumped and looked around. Harry was standing at the carriage's doorway. I hadn't noticed them leaving, too lost in my thoughts.
"Yes, sorry. I didn't notice you leave!" I smiled sheepishly and followed them off the train, out onto the carriages. I could see the Thestrals now - they were eerily beautiful, I had to say.
Sitting on the carriage next to a non-responsive Ron, I sighed. This year would be different. This year wouldn't involve Voldemort. This year would be peaceful...
Who was I kidding? When has there ever been a peaceful year at Hogwarts?