Chapter 10
Train of Thought

Author's Note: Okay then, this begins the Book 7 part of my story, which means that most of it will be completely my idea. So, it is going to take some thought, meaning my chapters won't be up as a fast as they usually are. Before now, I was able to go by the book when it came to Half-Blood Prince, and I had an idea where my story was going. Now this is all from my head. Anyway, hope you like it...


The Hogwarts Express left Hogsmeade station an hour later, and Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny were sitting together in one of the compartments. Ron noticed that Ginny wasn't talking much, but guessed that she was still thinking about Dumbledore's funeral. She wasn't even looking at Harry. It was almost as if she was trying to avoid him. He was also surprised to see that Harry was not looking at Ginny. He was staring out the window, watching Hogwarts as it disappeared behind the hills. Ron looked at Hermione who was looking at Harry. He knew she was wanting to ask Harry questions, but he also knew she was waiting for the right time. But as these thoughts came across Ron's mind, he began to think that maybe there wasn't a right time. They had just come from Professor Dumbledore's funeral, and this could be the last time they would ever be on the Hogwarts Express. It was a lot to think about.

"I will be back," Harry said at once, standing up, "I need to think about stuff. See you in a little while."

Ron was going to talk, but Harry had walked out of the compartment and shut the door.

"Wonder what's on his mind?" Ron asked Hermione and Ginny.

"It's quite plain to see what's on his mind, Ron," Hermione said, "Hogwarts was like a home to him and we may never be going back."

"There may still be a chance, Hermione," Ginny said, "Professor McGonagall said she would be going to London to talk with the Wizengamot."

"Yeah," said Ron, "But even if Hogwarts does open, what is the chance of Harry going back?"

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, "He's not going to go back?"

"Not likely," Hermione said, "What? He didn't tell you?"

"We haven't talked much since the funeral ended," said Ginny, a frown spreading across her face. Suddenly, she broke into tears.

"Ginny?" Hermione said, "What's wrong?"

"Harry broke up with me," Ginny said.

"What?" Ron asked.

"When did this happen?" Hermione said.

"During the funeral," said Ginny, "H-Harry said that he was afraid I was going to get hurt. Or get killed. Just like Sirius and his parents. And... and Dumbledore."

"What did you tell him?" asked Hermione.

"I told him I didn't care about that," said Ginny, "And he goes and says he did care. If he cares so much about me, why did he break up with me? Bloody noble of him."

"He's afraid Voldemort would find out about you and him being together," said Hermione, "I bet that is what he is thinking."

Ginny nodded.

"He's going to find out anyway," Ron said, "Snape and Malfoy know you two were together."

"Do you want me to talk to him?" Hermione asked, "Maybe... maybe he will change his mind."

"It's his choice, Hermione," Ginny said, scoffed. "Besides, I am not sure I would want to take him back."

"That's not true and you know it, Ginny," said Ron, "I may not have agreed with everything you did with him, but it isn't hard to see that you love him. And I am sure he loves you too."

"He's not acting like it," Ginny said.

"He still cares for you though," said Hermione, "What he told you proves it. He doesn't want you to get hurt. He's had too many people in his life get hurt."

"I need to talk to him," Ginny said, "I will be back."

"Bring back Harry if you can," Ron said.

"I'll try," Ginny said, opening the compartment door, walking out and closing it.

"I can't believe Harry would do something like that," Ron said, "I agree with Ginny there."

"Yeah," said Hermione, "You tell your Mum about your plans to go over to Harry's relatives?"

"No, not yet," said Ron, "I am afraid of what she is going to say. You know how she gets. She is afraid something will happen to us."

"She just has to see that you are of age now," said Hermione.

"Yeah," said Ron, "So, you going to tell your parents about going to the Dursleys?"

"I guess I will have to," said Hermione, "I mean... I suppose I could stay over there for a week or so. I don't spend much time at the house anymore. All of this stuff that has been going on..."

"A week?" Ron asked, "But I will miss you too much."

"Then maybe I won't stay a week," Hermione said, smiling, "Besides, we don't know how long Harry wants to stay at his relatives. He said that he doesn't want to spend very long. And we are less then a month away from Bill and Fleur's wedding, right?"

"Yeah," said Ron, "July fifteenth."

"Well, then," said Hermione, "I don't know whether or not Harry will want to go to Godric's Hollow before or after the wedding. It is his choice."

"I don't even know where Godric's Hollow is," Ron said, "Do you?"

"No," said Hermione, "I've heard about it. I've heard that Godric's Hollow is a suburb of one of the smaller towns. It's a small neighborhood hidden from the Muggle world."

"So it's a wizarding community?" asked Ron.

"I wouldn't call it a community," said Hermione, "From what I have read, it is just a couple of streets. And there has to be a graveyard around there. That would be where Harry's parents are buried."

"So you have no idea where this place is?" Ron asked.

"No," said Hermione, "I think it is unplottable. Remus may know where it is."

Ron was about to reply, but Harry had opened the compartment door and walked in.

"Where's Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Huh? Oh, she went to talk to Neville and Luna," said Harry, sitting back down.

"She told us that you broke up with her," Hermione said.

"She did, did she?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," said Ron, "You know you probably broke her heart."

"Well, that wasn't my intention, Ron!" said Harry, "I wasn't what I wanted to do, you know. But a lot has been going through my mind, and well... put it this way. People I have loved are dying all around me. First my parents, then Sirius, and now Dumbledore. Who is going to be next, Ron? Huh? You almost died because of that poison. I was lucky to have found that bezoar. Do you want it to be Ginny who dies next?"

"No, of course not!" Ron said, "But that wasn't a good reason for you to break up with her. What is it? Are you afraid of You-Know-Who finding out about it?"

"I... well... yes, I am, Ron," said Harry.

"He probably knows about you and Ginny already," Ron said.

"How, Ron?" Harry asked, "I would have known if he was looking into my mind."

"Haven't you forgot who is probably talking to him right now?" Ron asked, "Malfoy and Snape... I am sure they noticed that you and Ginny were going out."

A sudden understanding swept over Harry's face.

"I... just realized that," he said.

"It wasn't hard to figure out," Ron said.

Harry sighed and stared out the window. Silence filled the compartment for a minute. Hermione then broke the silence.

"I was curious, Harry," Hermione said, "Do you have any idea where Godric's Hollow is?"

"Er... no," Harry said, looking out the window, "I have no idea. I was thinking about that, actually. I do want to go before we go to the Burrow. But I can't figure out anyway how. Ron and I don't have our apparating licenses, and we don't know where the place is."

"Well, then we could go after the wedding," Hermione said.

"Yeah, I suppose," Harry said.

"How long are you intending to stay at the Dursleys," Hermione asked, "It's just... I don't know how long this charm will need to take place for it's final stages. And... I was hoping to go back to my parents' house for a couple of days. I don't know when I will be able to see them again if we do what we are planning to do."

"I don't exactly know how long I have to stay there," Harry said.

"Then we can stay until we wear out our welcome," said Ron.

"Which could be a really short period of time," Harry said, "Let me remind you... they do not know you are coming. It's going to be interesting to see what will happen. Especially since the last time you came to the house, Ron, you made a mess of the living room."

"That was an accident," said Ron, "And you know it."

"The Dursleys didn't really care," Harry said.

"And I don't really care what they think," Ron said, "We are going to be there for you, not for them."

"You don't need to come if you don't want to," Harry said.

"No, we are going," Ron said, "End of discussion. We will not let you stay there alone again. What are best mates for?"

"Okay then," said Harry.

Ron, Hermione and Harry continued to talk through their train trip. It was nearly nightfall when they had arrived at London.

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Yes, I know that chapter was a little short, but it was filler. I didn't really know what I was going to put in it. I have ideas for the other chapters. Hope you liked it anyway...

Feedback is always welcome.