Hermione sighed as a car sped past her, splashing a bit of water onto her jumper. She was on her way to King's Cross station, to board the train for another year at Hogwarts. Harry said he'd meet her there, and Ron, fortunately, was not joining them.
After their kiss during the battle, she and Ron had given the relationship a go. Sadly Ron lacked almost everything Hermione was looking for in a partner, the most evident missing quality being loyalty. She'd caught him in bed with not one, but two other women. He had tried his excuses; "Hermione, they slipped me a love potion I swear!" or, "I was Imperiused Mione, you've got to believe me!."
Honestly she'd been tempted to forgive and forget, after all it was only one slip up, and everyone was always saying that she and Ron were meant to be. But after a while, even if she never caught him cheating again, she realized that she couldn't trust him anymore. She broke up with him the next day. Evidently with Ron's inability to keep his emotions in check, there were a few harsh words exchanged. (She'd called him an "idiotic tosser with a prick smaller than my pinky finger", and he'd called her a "soulless, frigid bitch" and told her that she'd end up regretting her decision.
He'd then gone around, sleeping with every female who was willing to put out. Hermione was, of course, absolutely disgusted. She'd picked up the Daily Prophet one day, and Ron was on the front page, getting a blow from some faceless girl (the prophet had blurred her face and his bits). Hermione had nearly vomited right there and then.
So yes, she was extremely relieved to hear that she wouldn't have to deal with him at Hogwarts. This year, all she planned to do was study, read, and maybe go down to Hogsmeade with Harry and Ginny for a couple butterbears.
Hermione was staring at the ground, to lost in thought to realize where she was going, when someone grabbed her just in time to stop her from running into a wall.
"Sorry Granger, but I do believe platform 9 3/4 is the next one over." said someone with a laugh.
Hermione turned around to put a face to the voice, only to almost fall over his cart, which he ad left directly behind her, in his haste to keep her from running into the wall. He steadied her once again, and she finally got a look at her saviour's face. He was a slytherin, she knew. One of Draco's cronies maybe? She'd seen him around with Draco, but not enough to make him part of Draco's "inner circle".
He stuck out his hand "I don't think we've ever been introduced," he said with a smile "I'm Theodore Nott."
Hermione smiled and took his hand. "It's very nice to meet you Theodore. I suppose I should thank you for saving me."
"Well, just think of it as me paying you back for freeing me from Voldemort last year." He responded, eyes twinkling with laughter.
She let out a small laugh, before grabbing her trunk and gesturing towards the platform.
"Shall we?"