A/N: Hey guys, if you're reading this I've finally put my first ff on the net! I kinda know where I'm going with it, but I've pretty much written the first 8 chaps and have heaps of notes down…. So prod me if I'm not updating…. Or leave me a comment! 

Disclaimer: I clearly don't own JKR or Harry Potter… or I wouldn't be posting this here…. I'd be swimming in my extravagant pool…

Bittersweet Distraction Chapter 1

Hermione walked through the barrier between platforms nine and ten to find the usual squabble of Hogwarts students rushing to board the train. There were groups of first years and their parents scattered throughout the crowd – their mothers asking them if they had everything and ensuring them that they would make lots of friends. Looking around, she saw some familiar faces, and made her way to the nearest empty compartment to dump her things before they were all full.

Stepping back onto the platform, Hermione caught sight of a family, all with flaming red hair, falling over their bags and clearly becoming very frustrated. Hermione pushed her way through the crowd to help them, saying hello to Mr and Mrs Weasley and picking up a snowy owl rolling away in it's cage.

"Oh thanks Hermione" Muttered Harry Potter as Hermione picked up one of Ginny's bags and carried it and Hedwig to the empty compartment.

"Oh yeah, Thanks a lot Hermione", added Ron – getting lost under his bags.

"Ron, just leave some here – I can look after them until you get back, it won't hurt you to do two trips" explained Mrs Weasley.

"No need mum – I can just use magic now – I am of legal age." Ron put down his bags and swished his wand "Wingardium Leviosa", he chanted a little too loudly, hoping all the first years would be highly impressed with his undeniable skill.

Draco Malfoy walked past with a smirk on his face "Nice trick Weasel, can you pull a rabbit out of a hat yet?" Malfoy took the end of Ron's wand and turned it away – sending all the hovering suitcases tumbling down on a group of second years catching up on their holiday gossip.

"That's enough!" Cried Mrs Weasley "Ronald – just carry them won't you?"

"Mum! It was Malfoy – he… he…"

"You were the one showing off in the first place," added Ginny as she came back to pick up all her things that were strewn over the platform.

Ron picked up his own case and went off to the train in a huff.

"See you at Christmas Ronnikins" he heard his mother chant as he walked away. He looked over and saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle snickering at her remark – his ears went as red as his hair.

Hermione passed Ron as he got onto the train and went to say goodbye to the Weasley's. She hadn't seen them much over the summer. She had been fretting about her NEWTS and spent the majority of her holidays preparing. Ron and Harry had thought she was mad, but she wanted to make a good impression on her teachers – as she always did, and be ready in case something distracted her. On top of all that pressure, she had to decide what career she wanted, which exam marks she needed to pursue it, and had Head Girl duties to perform. Hermione felt this was all coming up too fast for her, but looking at Ron and Harry, who were still unable to follow the study timetables Hermione made up for them each year, she felt that maybe she was more than ready for the next chapter in her life.