AN: Hello my friends and welcome to the latest instalment of this little story. I would like to start by thanking those of you who read, and especially those who reviewed the last chapter.

Agent-M – nope, it's not just you… there's a certain vibe that the Weasley women don't like.

Rbl108 – I hope you like how it does go.

PsychoNinjaWolf – that much hadn't really occurred to me; it was more a case of, despite her blood-status, Hermione has earned his respect so he refers to her in that way (rather than any insinuation of her and Harry being a couple – at this point anyway, who knows what the future may bring?)

The summer moved swiftly inside Number twelve, Grimmauld Place. Harry would have loved to have enjoyed more of the long, hot days but that proved impossible given the still-daunting task of getting the house into a truly liveable condition. By the end of August, however, Harry felt he had succeeded, thanks in no small part to Hermione, who had been a frequent visitor to his home up until the last fortnight, unlike the Weasleys, none of whom had visited. He has been to the Burrow on a couple of occasions for Sunday lunch, and they had been pleased to see him, but none of them had come to see him, a point not lost on the black-haired teenager. Apart from the occasions that he had visited the Weasleys, Hermione had not seen them either; privately Ron, Ginny and Molly were all wondering about the significance of that fact.

Harry awoke with the sun streaming through his window on the morning of September 1st; Kreacher fixed his breakfast as he arrived in the house's kitchen before the elf apparated to Hogwarts to begin his work in the kitchens. As he finished his breakfast he was surprised to see a car pull up outside the house (normally muggle cars would miss out his home completely, moving from the neighbours on one side to the other). He pulled the curtains to one side and peered suspiciously at the vehicle before smiling as Hermione emerged from it. He chuckled to himself as he noted that she was already dressed in her Hogwarts robes. He released the curtain and got to the front door just as the girl knocked.

"Are you ready?" she asked him.

"Yes, just about," he answered.

"You mean you still need to pack?" she shot slyly.

"No," he insisted, "everything is just about ready. I'll just bring it down. There's tea in the kitchen if you want some, I'll be five minutes."

True to his word, the boy was loading his trunk and belongings into the boot of Hermione's car five minutes later. They listened to the radio as she navigated her way across London and parked close to King's Cross Station. At that point a flaw in the plan occurred to Harry.

"Hermione, what's happening to the car now?"

"My parents came back a couple of weeks ago," she explained, "which is why I haven't been over as much, I wanted to spend time with them while I could." She was beginning to choke up slightly as she spoke. "They're finalising all their affairs here, they've agreed a price to sell the house and in a couple of days they go back to Australia for good. Mum will get the tube here; she'll meet us just before eleven, then she'll drive back home," she finished weakly, there was obvious sadness in her eyes as she realised this would be the last time she could call it "home". The tears started to flow as the bushy-haired girl lost control; Harry pulled her into a consoling, comforting hug.

"Don't cry, Hermione," he whispered. "It's not like you have to fly over there to see them. You can be there in seconds."

She laughed weakly. "I know, but that house is the only home I've ever had – apart from Hogwarts. It's hard to think I'll never call it home again."

Harry looked at the clock and noted the time.

"Ten forty-five," he said, "We need to find your mum."

"Oh there she is," Hermione waved at the lady approaching the pair. The Granger mother and daughter shared a few quick words as Harry stood awkwardly to one side. Mrs Granger pulled Hermione into a hug and kissed her, she then surprised Harry by pulling him into a hug and whispering "take care of my daughter" to him. She took the car keys from Hermione and they parted company.

The teenagers headed briskly for Platform 9 ¾; on arrival they saw that the Weasleys were already there and Ron and Ginny had already boarded the train.

Harry shared a few quick words with Molly and Arthur (George and Percy were busy at work) before he and Hermione, who had a very brief and terse greeting with Molly, joined the other students on the train. They made their way down until they found the Weasley siblings sat alone in a compartment; Ron waved them in and they sat down, Harry next to Ginny and Hermione next to Ron.

"I can't believe we're going back," Ron began. "Apart from… y'know, that night, we haven't been there in a long time."

"Yes, it's going to be strange, especially being the oldest ones in the class," he smiled at Ginny as he said this; the youngest Weasley felt a little uncomfortable at the thought that, for the next few hours at least, she and not they was the odd one out.

On the dot of eleven o'clock the train pulled out of the station to begin its long journey north to Hogsmeade Station.

"I hope this is quieter trip than we've been used to," Harry began as London disappeared to be replaced by miles of countryside, "at least Malfoy and the others have all gone so there'll be fewer people trying to cause trouble for us."

"Very true," Hermione agreed before poking into her beaded bag and summoning a book.

"Same old Hermione," joked Ron, who was rewarded with a scowl from the girl.

"We missed you over the summer Harry," Ginny spoke up, "We didn't see as much of you as I thought we would". "And hoped," she mouthed to herself.

"The floo network runs both ways," he commented, "You were welcome to visit me at any time and help me sort the house out."

With no answer to that, Ginny followed Hermione's lead and buried her nose in The Quibbler. Her action earned Harry an annoyed look from Ron, one that he ignored pointedly.

Harry was to get his wish; the journey to Hogsmeade passed without incident. The witch with the snack trolley came round; Harry provided treats for his friends and himself, having first tucked into the excellent lunch Kreacher had packed for him to take. Hermione and Ron, as prefects, had to patrol the train at certain points throughout the journey; Ron disliked this as it meant changing into his robes earlier than intended. Harry and Ginny traded their muggle clothing for their robes as the skies darkened outside, the flame-haired girl dashed to the toilets to do so and, as the train ground to a halt, the quartet unloaded their luggage and made their way to the doors. Hermione and Ron joined their fellow prefects in manning the doors and allowing the other children off the train. Harry greeted Hagrid with a wave and a smile; the half-giant returned it but had no time to talk as he had to guide the first-years to the boats for their journey. Harry and Ginny followed the crowds to the coached; the untidy-haired boy grimly pondered just how many of his peers could now see the Thestrals towing them after the events of last Spring.

The former couple shared a carriage and soon arrived at the school gates and disembarked; Harry was thankful for the trip's brevity as an uncomfortable silence, and a hint of frostiness on Ginny's part, had existed between them. The boy knew that they would need to talk sooner or later; what they were going to say to one another was something he had yet to figure out.

AN: So the gang are back at school and Harry is anticipating a showdown with his ex-; if you like what you've read so far (or really, really hate it – or just somewhere in between) please fill in the little box underneath here and let me know.

I hope to see you all again next week. PD