Chapter 1
Fog quickly obscured the sun as kids and parents said their good byes and hugged. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasly, accompanied by Ron's sister Ginny, boarded the train and found a compartment all to themselves.
"God, I can't believe its our 7th year!" said Hermione, with a disbelieving look on her face. She was an average to tall girl, with recently tamed curly hair and blue- hazel eyes. She was covered in books and holding a large ginger cat, named Crookshanks.
"Think of the workload," said Ron with a groan. He was a tall, red haired boy with freckles all over his face. He had recently grown into his body, and had received some sidelong glances at the platform.
"I just can't wait to start Quidditch!" said Harry enthusiastically. He was a tall youth (although not as tall as Ron) with messy black hair and shockingly green eyes. He was also muscular from never ending exercise and Quidditch practice. Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry never thought about anything else. Looking up, she saw Ron's sister, Ginny do the same thing. Ginny was a short red headed girl who has blue green eyes and was really pretty. 'We all grew up well', thought Hermione with a grin. Forcing herself back to the present, she noticed Ron was watching her with a slightly idiotic expression.
"What?" Hermione threw at him, and his ears immediately turned red.
"Nothing…." He muttered and changed the subject quickly. "So, who do you reckon is gonna be our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? An axe murderer? A banshee?" he caught Harry glancing at him, and correctly read the look as 'what was that all about?' he glared in Harry's direction and tuned in to hear Ginny's reply.
"Probably. I wonder what Professor Trelawny is up to. Isn't Firenze still teaching divination? Ooh, Firenze is so handsome, don't you think, and…" But Ron had stopped listening. He was again staring at Hermione, who looked so different, more mature. Her hair now fell in soft curls, instead of the old frizz it used to be. Her eyes where clear, sharp, intelligent. They made him think of the mountain scenery, of the forests, and lakes and mountains surrounding Hogwarts. Those eyes where… staring at him.
"Can I help you? Hermione asked, glaring at Ron. He looked to Harry and Ginny for help, but they where laughing too hard. He felt his ears go red again.
"Sorry, I'm tired. Been spacing out all morning." He said, somewhat lamely. He was saved by a knock on the door, signaling the arrival of the food trolley. The subject was lost amid the mess of chocolate frog cards and cauldron cakes, but Hermione dwelled on it. What had she seen in Ron's eyes?