Ginny Weasly sighed, and slumped in her seat. For the first time in her life, she was going to be alone in Hogwarts. No brothers, no Harry, or Hermione. All by her lonesome. She couldn't decide if that was liberating, or terribly depressing. A croak, brought her out of her musings. A giant toad sat next to her, blinking up with orb like yellow eyes.

"Trevor," She said softly, looking around for Neville. No where to be seen.

"Some things never change," Ginny said with a smile. Gently she scooped up the toad. Through it's thin velvet skin she could feel the tiny ba boom, ba boom, ba boom, of it's heart.

"They don't do they? I know you're family is poor, but really a toad, instead of an owl. Blood traitors or no, I'd have though that had some more class," Malfoy said, from the doorway. Ginny didn't even give him the grace of looking up. She wondered when he'd snuck up, she hadn't even heard the door.

"I know Trevor. I don't know why he bothers. You'd think he'd have some mates of his own to talk to wouldn't you," she crooned to the toad, then finally looked up, voice hard, "because frankly, I don't give a damn what you think about me, so fuck off."

"Harsh words from a girl who's wearing third generation hand-me downs," Malfoy shot back, laughing as she glanced down at the fraying sleeves of her green sweater.

"If I was you, I would be careful about who I angered," He said, stepping closer with each word, "A new year has begun." Ginny studied him. His ever present smirk was gone, his face oddly clean, young without it. Void emotionless eyes, the color of half melted ice watched her reaction. She saw a glint of red, and realized with a jolt that it was her hair. Something occurred to her then, while she realized that she was the only red headed Weasly on this train.

"I always thought that you were an arse to me because of Ron, but now he doesn't even go to this school, so why are even talking to me?" Ginny asked, without malice. Malfoy lifted a brow.

"Since when do I need I reason?" he asked. Ginny glared at him.

"Ok. Fine," she shrugged. Then stood up, smoothed her skirt down her pale thighs, and placed Trevor back on the red vinyl seat. Slowly, hips swinging back and forth, she walked towards him, placing a delicate hand on the door.

"No truce," She said, then tore open the door, with a solid whoosh, and shoved Draco into the other compartment. With a slam, she shut the door, grinning at his shocked expression.

Neville paused, wondering why Draco was sitting on the floor, staring up at the window into the other compartment. He stayed where he was, afraid to make any sudden movements, so as to draw attention to himself. As he watched the slytherin boy slowly start to turn a dangerous scarlet, he caught a glimpse of Ginny on the other side. His fists curled, dull nails digging into his palms.

He'd spent the last year training in Dumbledore's army, getting ready to fight you-know-who, and the death eater's who'd destroyed his parents, but he couldn't stand up to Draco Malfoy. Gripping his wand, hexs dancing on his lips, he stepped over a shocked Malfoy, and into the other compartment. In a rush of brilliant locks, and purple robes, Ginny enveloped him in a hug.

"Neville," she cried, muffled into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist, settling his hands on her hips.

"I don't know how we're going to make it through the year. Hogwarts won't be the same without Dumbledore," She sighed, leaving the unsaid hanging in the air. Neville knew that she'd miss Harry a fair bit more than she'd miss Dumbledore. He let go of her reluctantly as she pulled away.

"So…Where are they," he asked, lowering his voice. Ginny's eyes widened, her scarlet brows rose.

"What do you mean," She asked innocently.

"Ginny, if they aren't here then the three of them are obviously off doing something important, I heard them talking last year. Am I right, are they doing a mission for Dumbledore?" he asked eagerly.

"You know I can't say anything," Ginny whispered, neglecting to mention that she didn't have a clue. The three of them had fallen silent every time she'd entered a room over the summer. It'd gotten so maddening that by august, she just ignored them, rather than be put out of the loop.

"Like you've got a damn idea," Malfoy interrupted. He'd entered the compartment unnoticed, and was now leaning against a wall, smug, self-satisfied smirk back too stay. Neville narrowed his eyes, and moved to step forward, and for the first time Ginny noticed how tall he'd grown, her head barely reached his shoulder.

"What did you mean that this is going to be a 'new year'? Specifically, not general, I'm-so-intimidating-so-I-must-make-ominous-statements information," She clarified.

"All I'm saying is that the time for Slytherins to take their rightful place as the betters of Hogwarts has come. If I was you little Weasel I'd be careful who I insulted," Malfoy said. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"You said that before. I mean, what exactly will be different? Or are you just all talk?" Ginny taunted

"You'll have to find out for yourself. I won't ruin the surprise," Malfoy replied, then walked away, slamming the door as he went.

"He's still full of bullshit," Ginny said sadly. Too bad, he's such a git. And the son of a death eater. He sure is fit, she thought.

The train jerked to a stop. Ginny smacked the door, her shoulder hitting solidly, a bruise for tomorrow. Neville flew forward, throwing his hands up just before they collided, so that he pined her to the door. Ginny sighed, inhaling, and wondering when Neville started wearing cologne. They stood like that for a few seconds, bodies hovering too close, before the bustle of students filing out shattered the silence.

"Sorry. I, uh, tripped, and what not," Neville mumbled, drawing away.

"It's okay," Ginny said firmly. She combed her fingers through her hair absently, and tried to take another deep breathe. Every thing will be okay. I'll be good, and keep my head down. And he-who-must-not-be-named will be defeated. And I'll stop ogling every available male in Hogwarts. I Will Get Through This Year.

"Now that's the spirit," Neville said. Ginny blushed, brilliant molted red spread from the apples of her cheeks to the tips of her ears. She hadn't realized she'd said the last part out loud.

"C'mon, we've got some Slytherins to defeat," he said, tugging her down the platform towards the school, not bothering to lower his voice. They pushed through the crowd, past cages of irritated owls, and scurrying bags, banners of school colors, overwhelmingly green and silver.

"I do suppose that Hogwarts is currently in the need of some Gryffindor bravery," Ginny sung merrily. Throwing her shoulders back, she stepped into the carriage, taking one last deep inhale.