Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter...but I wish I did...

CH 1- A New Start

I closed my eyes as we drove, in a small, black Ministry rented car, to Kings Cross. I was squished in between Ginny and Ron, who was the only one of the Weasleys, excluding Ginny and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, brave enough to see me off. They were all still in mourning…over Fred's passing on. Harry was away on an assignment, something he could not help, but I knew if he had a choice he would prefer not to come. I was going back to Hogwarts, one of my most favorite places, my home for seven years, but I wasn't looking forward to it.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Ginny asked tentatively. I opened my eyes and lifted my head to look at her, and she quickly looked away once she saw my expression. Mrs. Weasley glanced back at me but didn't say anything, instead exchanging a look with her husband. They knew I wasn't alright; I had been dreading this day all summer.

One of the main problems was that Harry and Ron wouldn't be going back with me. They just had to accept the auror positions at the ministry, and I suppose I really couldn't blame them…I mean, why go back to school, when you had a job all ready for you, without any extra schooling or anything? I just couldn't accept the position once offered-I wouldn't feel right taking it knowing I skipped all the courses required, when it takes so many years for aurors to get where they are. I really couldn't blame Harry for not coming back-Hogwarts was too painful for him to even look at right now, but Ron? Well, I guess I couldn't expect him to want to go back to school… but Hogwarts wouldn't be the same to me.

"Mione, I am sorry…really!" Ron sighed when he didn't see me respond. I couldn't speak to Ron, not out of anger or spite, but because if I talked to him, I would break down. Ron had been changed by the war and the many losses. Now, when he speaks, I can hear it in his voice, the anger of loosing Fred, the misery of witnessing death, I can just sense the changes. And I didn't quite know how I felt about that. But right now Ron thought I was mad at him.

The five of us continued in silence all the way to Kings Cross, and through the barrier to Platform 9 and ¾. The platform was full of a mixture of people, though not as many as in previous years, all of them saying goodbye to their families, and I saw the familiar red and black Hogwarts Express ready to go, which was a welcome sight for the most part. Ron stayed by my side the whole time, his face screwed up in concentration. I think he was trying to figure out how ease the friction between us.

"Er…Arthur…why don't we help Ginny with her luggage?" I could tell that Mrs. Weasely was trying to subtly give Ron and me some privacy.

Mr. Weasley blinked twice, "But…" at that moment Mrs. Weasley grabbed his arm and dragged him down the platform, pushing her daughter's luggage cart. Ginny gave us an inspecting look, mumbled something about seeing me later, and took off after them.

Once Ron saw them disappear into the crowd, he took my hand and pulled me a little bit away from the noise, "Hermione," he said softly when I wouldn't look at him, "don't be sad." I started. "I know Hogwarts will be different, but this is for your own good." He gave me a lopsided smile that I noticed didn't reach his eyes. "I know you, Hermione. Once classes start, you'll be busier than ever, and you won't even notice that…" he trailed off.

I gave him a bitter laugh. "What won't I notice Ron? I won't notice how different Hogwarts is now that it is stained with so many deaths? I won't notice how the corridors scream with pain every time I pass them by? My two best friends won't be with me, how is that supposed to make me feel any better? It's my decision, Ron, don't try to make me feel any better about it!" He looked away and I instantly felt guilty. In a gentler tone I added, "Look Ron, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get mad at you…I suppose I am really mad at myself and the fact that everything is so different."

"And I suppose I haven't really helped with my being so…distant." He frowned when I nodded. "I guess when I left you and Harry last December...well, I guess I did a lot of growing up. But, bloody hell, I'm still me Hermione!" He looked as sad as I felt, and I hated contributing to that sadness by being the way I was.

"Ron I-" but at that moment the train's whistle went off loudly, so I gave him a huge hug, trying to communicate how sorry I was. And maybe he understood, because he patted my back saying, "Now you'd better get going, or I'll be stuck with you all year!" giving me the trademark lopsided smile I loved so much and kissing my cheek before gently pushing me in the direction of the train.

~3 hours later~

I stared out of the window at the blurred landscape. I was currently in a compartment with Ginny, Luna, and Dean Thomas; right now Luna was babbling on to Dean about the crumple-horned snorkack, pushing a copy of the Quibbler into his hands, and I could see Ginny out of the corner of my eye, contemplating how to approach me and make me feel better. I wanted to avoid that. I didn't want any false reassurances about how they were all there for me, how they understood how I felt. Though the latter may be true, they all currently had friends with them. I lost my two best friends, the people I had gone through everything with, and regardless of how short a time it was, it still cut deeply inside of me.

As soon as Ginny opened her mouth, I quickly stood up saying, "You know…it is quite stuffy in here, I think I need to step out into the hall for a bit of air."

Ginny glared at me, "Hermione, I know what you are doing and-"

I quickly cut her off, "Now, I'll only be gone for a few minutes or so." She stood up to come with me. "No…please Ginny, I need a moment to myself." She made a face and sat down as I slipped out the door.

The corridor was not deserted; in fact, it was full of people moving toward the direction of the trolley. I had to get out of here, it was becoming much too hot. I turned left, away from the direction of the students, and hurried my way down the hall, peeking in the window of every compartment, looking for an empty one. It was still much too crowded...there were too many people! Why weren't people in their damn compartments anyway? I frantically searched until I was running down the aisle.

Finally, at the end of the train, I found an empty compartment… but it was locked!!! Who locks an empty compartment? At that point I was much to exasperated to care, so I took out my wand, mumbled, "Alohamora," and stepped inside, closing my eyes and sighing in relief.

But when I opened my eyes, I grimaced. On the seat next to the window, smirking his highly unpleasant smirk, was the one and only…

"Granger," He sneered at me, "So did Potter and the Weasel completely abandon you this year?" Well…there was Draco Malfoy for you.

A/N:I know this chapter is very "blah" but bear with me because we have to start somewhere! It'll get better...we finally have Malfoy in the picture, and that's good...isn't it?

Notice how I just had to add Ron's trademark "Bloody hell!" If Ron is only in a few of the chapters, then he should be allowed to say it!

Please tell me what you think! R&R!!!!