Chapter 1 – Reunion on the Express

TOOT! TOOT! The train sounded the 15 minute warning as I stepped through the entrance to platform 9 ¾. Worried, I looked at my watch, 10:45 a.m. Phew! I thought I had missed the train. I pushed my trolley along looking for familiar faces.

"Hermione! Hermione over here!" I looked around until I saw who had shouted. Lavender Brown, and of course right next to her stood Parvati Patil. I headed over to them. "Wow Hermione, you look great!"

"Thank you," I said looking down at my new outfit. I had worn faded jeans, a crimson tank top with lace at the top, and this cute khaki jacket. I had left my hair down and worn a khaki-colored and deep red plaid hat that matched my outfit. "You both look amazing yourselves."

"Thanks," said Lavender, "well, best be going. We want to get good seats. See you!" They turned and left. I smiled and waved goodbye. Then turned to continue my quest to find my one true love. I'm not sure when or why I started to feel this way, but I do. You see, I love Ron dearly, but he is like the brother I never had to me. Whereas Harry…well Harry makes me feel…there are no words for it. I am in love with the Harry Potter. My Harry Potter.

"Oy! Hermione!" I jumped at the sound of my name. When I looked up I saw Seamus, Neville, and Dean coming my way.

"Oh hello. Hey Neville. Seamus. Dean. What've you guys been up to this summer?" I replied, slightly disappointed that Harry wasn't with them.

"Me and Gran toured France. It was very nice." Neville answered smiling.

"Oh, well me and Seamus went down to my cousin's cabin for a few weeks. Had a blast, didn't we Seamus?"

"Yeah! It was fantastic!" Dean replied enthusiastically.

"Wonderful! It sounds like you all had a great time." I said politely. I bit my bottom lip, while scanning the crowd for any sign of Harry. "Hey, have you guys seen Harry anywhere? Or Ron?" I added quickly hoping they didn't notice.

"Nope, sorry." Dean shook his head. My heart sank.

"Actually Hermione, I think I saw him over there not to long ago." I smiled.

"Thanks Neville! 'Bye you guys!" I turned and headed off towards where Neville had pointed. I spotted a head of flaming red hair and quickly made my way towards it. I mean, surely Harry would be with Ron, right? They're always together, they're practically brothers. I quickened my pace as I became more anxious. My smile fell as I saw it was Ginny and not Ron or Harry. But it reappeared just as fast as it had faded. "Ginny! Hey!" I said walking up to her. "How've you been? You look great!"

"Thanks Hermione, you look amazing, too!"

"Thank you." I said giving her a hug. She was my one and only girlfriend. I mean sure Lavender and Parvati are my friends, but Ginny is my best friend, that's a girl anyway. I share everything I can't share with Harry or Ron with her. We talk about silly girl things, crushes, make-up, fashion, all that good stuff. "Have you seen Harry – or Ron anywhere?" Damn it Hermione, you almost did it again! I thought as I pulled away from the hug. Ginny smiled and said, "Look behind you,"

Oh god, I thought as I straightened my shirt and felt my hair. Do I look okay? No, I bet you anything I have something in my tee- My thoughts were cut short as I turned and saw Harry. He hadn't seen me.

He had changed quite a bit. He was about 2 inches taller and he has toned up a bit, obviously from Quidditch training. But of course he still had the same messy, jet black hair and gorgeous emerald eyes. I saw he was still wearing his "skater" clothes as I called them. Ever since Sirius, well, died he's been into punk rock music and skateboarding. I guess its how he dealt with Sirius. He was wearing baggy jeans, showing his boxers, with a black t-shirt. He was also wearing a wristband/cuff-type thingy with a griffin on it. He no longer wore glasses, but had contacts instead. They made his eyes, if possible, even greener. And this "skater boy" just happens to – Ron. Ron! Ron, Ron, Ron. How could I've forgotten about Ron? Wow! I thought when I saw Ron. Harry is not the only one that has changed this year.

Yes my little Ronnikins has changed quite a bit. No longer was he lanky and scrawny. While still tall, a good head taller than Harry, he had filled out a bit. He was now muscular, not quite as much as Harry, but still muscular all the same. I guess they've been training together for quidditch. His hair, while still red, was somewhat darker and it was long, almost at his shoulders, but cut shorter around his face. Ron, too, was wearing baggy jeans and a t-shirt. His t-shirt was red with a gold lion on the front and it said Gryffindor underneath. He seemed to have grown up. Everyone for that matter seemed older. I smiled to myself and turned around as soon as I had seen Ron. "Ginny, do I look okay?"

"Since when do you care? But if it makes you feel better, you look great." She smiled, I smiled back.

"Thanks Gin, you the b – AHHHHH!" I guess Harry saw me and had come up behind me. He pulled me into a bear-hug-from-behind and picked me up and twirled me around. He set me down and turned me around to face him and pulled me into his embrace.

"Welcome home, Hermione," he whispered into my ear. It took all my strength to not faint right then and there. He pulled away and I smiled at him, he smiled back. Oh that smile would steal any girl's heart.

"Hey," Ron said. I turned and smiled at him.

"Hey yourself, "I pulled him into a hug. Once we pulled away I said, "I've missed you guys so much," TOOT! "Oh no, come on. We gotta get seats the train leaves in 5 minutes!"

They found an empty apartment and sat down. Soon Neville and Ginny came in, followed by Luna. Luna had changed somewhat also. Her long blonde hair was now at her shoulders, it had also been layered. She was now my height or just a bit shorter, she had long legs. She was dressed in a khaki skirt that came to about mid-thigh, a white cami and a light blue blouse.

"Hello Ronald. Harry. Neville. Hermione. Ginny." Luna said nodding as she said each of our names. While her voice was still somewhat dreamy, it had a definite tone to it, like she was more down-to-earth this year.

"Hi Luna. Here you can sit across from me." Ginny said pointing at the seat across from her. Ginny was sitting next to Neville, who was sitting by Harry. I was sitting next to Ron who was now giving me a help-me-this-girl-is-crazy look. I tried lightening the mood.

"So how was everyone's summer?" We all talked for a while. We joked around and laughed, it was a lot of fun. Ron, Harry, and Neville were now talking about Quidditch and Ginny and Luna were talking. I was "reading" while stealing secret glances at Harry. This continued for basically the entire way to Hogwarts. We changed into our robes a little while after the trolley came by. We were starting to get anxious. Finally we reached Hogsmead station. Me, Harry, and Ron shared a carriage that brought us up to the school.

We took our usual seats at Gryffindor table and waited for the first years to be sorted. But before we could eat, Dumbledore had some announcements.

"Welcome, welcome. Now, I have a few short announcements before we eat. First years, please note that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to any students. Next, I would like to welcome back our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Lupin." At that the entire hall erupted into applause, especially the Gryffindor table. Once the applause died down a bit, Dumbledore continued, "And lastly, I would like to announce the new Head Boy and Girl, Mr. Draco Malfoy from Slytherin and Miss Hermione Granger from Gryffindor. Now you may dig in," Everyone clapped politely before eating. Harry and Ron congratulated me before digging in themselves.

After the feast was over we headed up to the common room. I told Harry and Ron goodnight before heading up to my room. I have my own room now since I am Head Girl. Once I got to my room I laid on the bed thinking about Harry for a while before drifting off to sleep, ready to wake up for classes tomorrow.