A girl with crossed-arms and an emotionless look made her way into an empty compartment on The Hogwarts Express. Her brown hair was pulled back into an extremely messy bun, a long three-sizes too big sweat shirt covered her top, and black fabric pants hung lazily onto her waist. Her figure was that of a woman now, when years before she had been just a girl. A silly idiotic girl.
Though she wasn't use to having this new "figure" that is not why she was hiding her body under oversized clothing. In fact, the clothing as of last year hadn't been oversized at all, but now, her body was nothing but a thinning wonder. It seemed every week she'd lose more, and it was getting to the point she couldn't lose much more.
The girl sunk into a seat as a ginger cat came running up, taking it's place beside her. The girl ran her skinny fingers through the cat's hair. As she did so, her sleeves pulled up to reveal stains of dirt, blood, and bruises, as she looked down at her own arm, tears welled up in her brown eyes. She had only days to prepare for the trip and stay at Hogwarts School, only having been found a week ago, she was lucky she was even released from the hospital in such a short amount of time. She then pulled her arm back and stared blankly out the window. The day was a dark gray, dark forming clouds to be seen for miles.
She smiled as the train started to move, no one had yet shown up asking to sit with her. It was the best, she didn't want to see her friends. She didn't want to see or have to talk to anyone. She just wanted to be alone, but sadly, her want could not be filled as a second later a loud knock came from behind the door, and without even asking, several people filed in. She recognized all of them, One was a slightly plump, though less plump and taller then the year before, Neville Longbottom. The girl who followed him had obviously mature just as well as she had over the summer, Ginny Weasley. Then two males came in laughing about something, one was tall with raven-hair and green eyes, the other taller with bright red hair. Which would be Harry Potter and Ginny's brother Ron.
'Why them? Of all people?' She thought sinking, if possible, lower in her seat.
Did they even know she had been found? Did they care? Had they even missed her? All these questions would be answered in due time, but for now, none even seemed to notice she was there. Smiling, she settled stroking her cat and starring out the window only catching mid-parts of what they were saying to one another until they started talking about her...
"You all know Hermione was released from that muggle hospital so she could come back, correct?" Said Ginny, smiling widely.
"Yeah, Mum said she would most likely be ridding on the train, but I didn't see her in any of the other compartments.."
"She's probably in Heads, you know, she obviously got Head Girl. I couldn't imagine Parkinson getting it compared to Hermione."
"Your probably right, I bet we'll see her at the feast. I mean, Heads don't have to sit at a certain table, do they?" She heard Ron say, sounding very worried. This caused her smile to brighten, making her want to hug all of them, but she was sitting right beside Ginny..could they not see her?
"Excuse me.." Hermione said finally piping up. "She did get Head Girl, and I'm sure the Head Boy has already handled the prefects, so, there's no need for her to be in Heads Compartment."
All four persons turned to look at her, only then did it dawn on Neville who she was.
"Hermione? You look.." He gulped and looked at Ron and Harry for help. Hermione gazed at them with a confused look on her face. She watched as Ron's eyes widened and he forced himself not to look horrified at Harry, but Harry on the other hand, who always had problems controlling himself spoke.
"You're..awfully..different." He said gently, gaping at her. Looking at herself Hermione nodded and leaned back in her seat. "I mean, you look great Hermione!" Harry said over-excitedly and in a high pitched voice.
Now Hermione really did feel like crying. They had no idea what she'd been through. They had no idea what those horrible wizards did to her and the others, and for now, she hated Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville! How dare they even say something so horrid!
"I didn't mean anything bad by it Hermione, only that you've grown in certain areas." Harry said weakly, in a tone which reminded Hermione of someone pleading for forgiveness. "What-" Hermione looked down at herself again. Of course! They couldn't see how thin she was, but her newly formed breast were even apparent in her sweat shirt. A smile reformed on Hermione's mouth as she leapt up and pulled Harry into a hug.
Harry smiled, pleased she wasn't jumping up to swing at him, but as he wrapped his arms around her upper back to return the friendly hug, he then noticed how thin she was. He refused to say anything but had a grim look on his face as he let go. Apparently no one else noticed how thin she was, because they all went back to talking amongst one another, but as he looked at Hermione, and studied her, it was too clear now.
She was tortured...