Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express in hopes of one amazing and relaxing year of school. It was one last time to be young before he was thrust into the real world, the world where he was expected to become head auror and marry Ginny. Both of those offers had already been made. Days after Harry had defeated Voldemort he had been offered the prize position of Head Auror. It seemed a little too brash when it was offered to him. Sure he had saved the wizarding world, but that still didn't change the fact that he was only seventeen at the time. Harry had refused and after many months the ministry had backed down. Harry was relieved although Ron told him he was crazy to turn down such an offer. Harry didn't care though. He wanted to go back to Hogwarts. Ron finally broke down and agreed to join him.
A lot of people were going back to finish their seventh year. Although it was unclear where all the new eighth years would go they would not be going back to the traditional dorms. When Harry found this out he almost jumped for joy. Another post war thing that had been bothering him was the fact that Ginny seemed to assume that they would be getting back together. As much as Harry loved the safety she provided him he couldn't be with her. She was more of a sister to him than anything. Ginny had an opposite idea and she tried everything she knew how to try and pull him in again. They only made Harry run, Ron gag, and Hermione roll her eyes.
This year would be different though. Harry had made amends with Ginny before his birthday. She wasn't trying to seduce him anymore, but she still was convinced they were meant to be. Harry had given up on bursting her bubble. He didn't have to worry about Ginny anymore. The only thing Harry was worrying about was getting good grades. He still wanted to be an Auror, but this time with the pre-requisites. Ron wanted the same thing and Hermione wanted to help build S.P.E.W. up again. He was glad for Hermione though. She was the only one who really wanted to go back to Hogwarts. She wasn't one to leave her education undone. He smiled at the memory of her begging a very stubborn Ron to come with them.
"This looks like the only empty compartment." Harry's mind cleared and he followed his friends. Harry sat across from Hermione and Ron who were already snuggling next to each other. Harry looked away, both to be polite and because it made him a little sad. He was happy for them both, but he couldn't help feel like a third wheel. When he was with Ginny it was always the four of them, but now that they were broken up she was back with Dean Thomas. This only left Harry alone. Harry gave a small sigh and he moved so his legs were across the seat and his head rested against the cool window. They all settled into a pattern of semi comfortable silence. Harry began to fall asleep when he heard the door open.
"Can I sit here?" Harry opened his eyes to a girl standing in the doorway. She looked about his age. She has dark wavy hair and tan skin. She was beautiful. Her eyes which seemed to be move around and searching all their faces for an answer were a light shade of lavender. That's not what caught Harry's attention most though. It was her accent. She was clearly American.
"Of Course," Hermione said and she took a seat right by Harry. She gave him a shy smile and Harry blushed a little. Harry saw her cheeks were a little pink as well and she looked away. He hastily moved his tangled hair to cover his scar. He wanted to avoid another person only seeing him as Harry Potter. Harry wasn't exactly sure what went on in the states during the war, but he knew that they still were up to date on what was going on. He wondered if she would recognize him right away. "I'm Hermione by the way."
"I know who you all are," The girl said and Harry rolled his eyes. He wished someone wouldn't know who he was. "My name is Devlin Mellark. You can just call me Devin."
Hermione gasped at this. Both Ron and Harry sent her odd looks. Devin just blushed more and sank a littler in her seat. "I can't believe I'm meeting you!"
"Well it's an honor to meet the saviors." Devin said. Ron sat a little straighter. Harry rolled his eyes and Hermione seemed unfazed.
"Never mind us! You are one of the brightest witches of our generation!" Hermione gushed and Devin gave a little laugh.
"Second best actually, I think if I remember correctly that you came before me in Witch Weekly's greatest witches under twenty." Devlin said.
"Well you deserved first!" Hermione insisted. Ron gave Harry a bewildered look. Never in their life had they heard Hermione insist that someone was better than her. They had heard her begrudgingly accept it, but never had she been so determined to make sure someone was better than her. Yet here she was insisting that this American girl was better than her. That was saying a lot since Hermione was someone who had done amazing things in the war. She did help save the wizarding world after all.
"Thanks very kind of you, but I must disagree. You're Hermione Granger. All I've done is come up with a few silly incantations." Devin said with a slight blush.
"Like what?" Ron asked. Hermione had since moved out of his arm, much to Harry's amusement.
"Oh um…" Devin looked embarrassed. Harry looked at her curiously.
"Devlin created a spell that translates different languages!" Hermione helped. Both boys stared at her in wonder.
"It's not that big of a deal. I only created it because I couldn't understand the foreign exchange student we got last year." Devin said with a laugh. Harry smiled at her and Ron laughed as well.
"You've invented more though!"
"Yes I have. They are silly though. They perfect hair or move water. They are nothing like what I'm working on now." Devin said with a sly smile and Harry could tell she was warming up to them.
"What are you working on?" Harry asked, pleased when she moved her body towards him.
"It's kind of a mind reading spell," She said.
"A WHAT?" Ron asked. Hermione seemed to glow with excitement. Harry stared at her in wonder.
"Well it allows you to see people's memories' and thoughts, but-," Devin started, but was interrupted by the door opening. Everyone looked to see Draco Malfoy standing in front of them. His white blonde hair hung naturally around his forehead and he stood proudly. Devlin's face went cold when she saw him. Hermione and Ron glared at him.
"Leave you git!" Ron snarled.
"Relax weasel I'm just here to collect my girlfriend," Draco said and coolly and moved his eyes down to Devlin. Harry felt the girl go tense beside him. Devlin got up anyway and grabbed her bag. She sent a cold glare to Draco before turning back to the stunned golden trio.
"Sorry I have to leave, but I'll see you all later," She said before sneering at Draco. "As for you, I'm not your girlfriend." She pushed past Draco and headed down the train corridor, Draco downcast his eyes before following her. Ron snickered and Hermione looked stunned. They didn't say anything though. Harry moved back to his previous position. He wondered what was going on with Malfoy and Devlin. He had called her his girlfriend, yet she point blank told his otherwise. He wondered if maybe he still had hope with her. He would just have to wait and hope.