Chapter 2

The hustle and bustle of Platform 9 ¾ was electric that September morning. Everybody was staring at the trio as they walked by.

Many of the little ones had already surrounded Harry asking for his autograph. Harry seemed a little shy and weary of still having to give out autographs, and smiling for the cameras.

All it seemed he wanted to do was shrink in the arms of Ginny (they had gotten back together almost as soon as the day after the battle)

Hermione smiled at Harry as if to say she understood what he was going through, she was also just getting her head around this new found fame of hers.

Ron on the other hand was absolutely delighted. For the first time in his life he held center stage amongst his family and he was actually known now by Ron Weasley and not just another red head Weasley or Harry Potter's sidekick. His efforts in the war made him popular with plenty of girls too. Hermione didn't know what to think of that, at one time she would have found her self in a shocking jealous rage if he so much as kissed another girl.

She could certainly remember how she felt when Ron had dated Lavender Brown. Though now she felt no other feelings for him than she did for Harry. She had come to realize that just a couple of days after the war. Funny thing that before the war she actually thought she loved him, and when he walked out on her during their search for horcruxs, she felt as though she had been torn in half having to choose between Harry and her so called love.

After the war though, they had both decided that their love for each other was nothing more then a loving friendly bond between the two, and agreed to never throw away the friendship that both of them cherished, over a relationship that neither felt right about.

"Harry. Come on mate," said Ron through the window of one of the compartments coming. "Can you believe it! we are actually going back to Hogwarts"

said Harry setting his new dogs kennel beside him as he sat down next to Ginny to face Ron and Hermione.

Harry had bought Noel; a beautiful white Bichon just a couple of weeks ago. It was quite unique to have a dog in the wizarding world many believed that they had healing powers, but it was still unheard of to own a dog.

It must have been his closest reminder to Sirius and Hedwig, his beloved owl that had died during a death eater attack.

"I know right I never thought after defeating Moldy we'd be going back to school" said Ron.

"Well I'm just glad that they allowed us to go back and let us finish our N.E.W.T's, imagine trying to apply for a job without one. Though I must say, I don't know if they would hire us knowing we had to repeat a year."

"Hermione, I seriously doubt anyone will care we had to finish our schooling a year after we were supposed to" commented Ron in a sarcastic tone "yeah, oh sorry vanquishing Lord Moldy, does not excuse you from completing your year with the rest of your class. You will not be getting the job of minister of magic"

"Oh ha ha very funny Harry" said Hermione dryly.

"Well I'm just glad that we can actually have classes together now" said Ginny

squeezing Harry's hand.

"Eww will you two stop with all the lovey dovey crap, I'm going to throw up here!" cried Ron with a squeamish look on his face

"Sorry Ronald, look out the window at the moving hills if you don't like it," said Ginny in a matter of fact tone still gazing into Harry's eyes. "Great" mumbled Ron and they all laughed.

There was a tap at the door as it slid open and Luna walked in with big brown earrings that looked a lot like a hornets nest. It must have been the look she was going for because she has on small clips on her hair of little moving hornets.

Shivering Hermione just hoped they weren't real (you never know in the wizarding world)

"Hi Luna!" cried Ginny as she finally tore herself away from Harry to give Luna a big hug.

"Hi guys! Have you all heard about the big news yet? "No" they replied collectively. Ron, with a look on his face that said, "Knowing loony, it was probably how a hippo in Africa was killed by an oncoming wrackspurt.

"Well here is a free copy of the Quibbler," said Luna as she passed them all a copy of her fathers' newspaper. "You can read all about it on the third page, it's a really big deal!

Even bigger then Harry defeating Voldy," she giggled to herself as though thinking about something only her loony self would think about.

"Uhh thanks Luna we'll definitely read it" smiled Hermione. "See you at dinner then" said Luna as she turned off to leave.

"Bonkers, completely bonkers" said Ron. "Minster of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt is actually a mermaid! What in the world?" "That's page 2 Harry." "Oh right" said Harry as he flicked over to the next page. "Voldemorts illegitimate muggle daughter found in London! The 3 year old daughter of previously killed evil mastermind Voldemort was found discovered in the outskirts of London after a prophecy was made by a Miss Trelawney. This muggle child of his will go on to marry Harry Potter and become the first female Minister of Magic, said Trelawney in a private interview to the quibbler." "WOW!." "Hahaha," guffawed Ron almost falling out of his seat "bihhhgger news then Moo-ll...-ddy. Hahaha"

"Wow Harry, you're going to be what… 50, when your future wife is 20?" said Ginny sarcastically.

"Don't worry Harry, they are only printing this stuff because Trelawney is marrying Xenophilius Lovegood" said Hermione to Harry whose ears had turned pink.

"Where in the world do they come up with these nutbag theories" said Ron finally calming down after taking a few deep breaths.

As they continued to talk about Luna and her crazy kin, Hermione drifted off to think about how the rest of the year would go by. Spending her classes with Ginny and her peers, not being able to see the friends she had shared her dormitory with.

Well this year might actually be fun; as she was now head girl, she thought proudly. Although apparently many people had come back to repeat this year; some of those that were to scared to go to school the previous year. Many muggle borns had been on the run from snatchers so they wouldn't be the only ones re-doing their last year.

She had yet to find out who was going to be the head boy. It was someone from their original year. That much she knew.

Well she was going to find out in a couple of minutes who she was going to be sharing a common room with for the next year.

"Alright guys I'm going to head off now."

"Oooo, Miss Head girl has to go to her headly duties does she?" said Ron

"Yes Ron and if you had paid better attention in class maybe you could have been head boy!" "Yeah right like being a prefect wasn't boring enough! Why would I want to overwork AND bore myself to death, gimme a break Hermione, this year it's all about relaxing and having a good time!"

"I suppose the N.E.W.T.S are going to take them selves are they?"

"Ahem well we'll let you worry about that later, I'm sure you already read through the N.E.W.T.S books about four times already."

"Actually only twice and I suggest you start doing the same! Bye see in the great hall" she said as she gathered her things and left to make her way down to the end of the train where she would meet her partner.