A.N. This story is wrapping up fast. Let me know what you think.

Rose climbed through the portrait hole slowly entering the Gryffindor common room hoping she wouldn't run into any of her cousins. She knew Roxie would have told everyone else what she had called Hermione and Rose really didn't want to deal with their reactions. Of course her wishes weren't granted because she immediately saw Roxie, James and Fred all huddled in a corner whispering furiously to each other. She couldn't see the look on James' face due to his back facing her, but she could just glimpse Roxie and Fred's faces and her heart sank at their expressions. Rose glanced down at the floor, breathing hard as her heart pounded furiously. She looked back up at her cousins. Roxie looked past James' shoulder and caught Rose's eye. She elbowed Fred and James and they both turned and looked at her. She winced at the expressions on their faces that were directed at her, offering a weak smile at them in return. James frowned at her when she made her way over to the group of cousins.

"Hey," she said weakly. James looked at Roxie before looking back at their cousin. He eyed Rose up and down then walked away, followed by Fred the coldness emanating from them.

Rose looked back at Roxie, the witness to her meltdown earlier. She could feel her ears turning red at the expression Roxie was shooting her way.

"Where's, um, wheres my… Hermione," Rose asked Roxie, her shoulders tensing.

"Not here," Roxie said stiffly, eyeing Rose.

"Roxie please," Rose begged her. She knew she would never gain her cousins forgiveness if she didn't talk to her mother first. If she could set things right with Hermione, her cousins would relax around her and move on with their lives.

Hermione closed another book adding it to the pile that lay on the wooden table to her right. She looked around at the shelves surrounding her taking in the silence of the room. She looked back down at the table laden with books, pulling another one toward her. A sudden sound made her look up and gasp when she saw the figure in front of her. She had thought she was alone.

"You are predictable," Rose informed her removing the books from the seat next to Hermione before sitting in it. Hermione was quiet, sitting and watching Rose waiting to see what the girl had to say.

"I am sorry," Rose said looking straight into Hermione's brown eyes, "I was upset and what I said, it just came out of my mouth. There is no excuse for it and I am sorry," Rose's voice wavered at the end of her sentence. She held her breath, waiting to see if Hermione would accept her apology.

Hermione looked at the young girl. She could hear the sincerity in Rose's voice.

"Thank you Rose," Hermione said before turning back to her book. Silence fell.

"What are you reading?" Rose asked. Hermione looked up at the redhead and launched into a description of the book she was reading.

Harry sat inside Malfoy's carriage as it approached Hogwarts, staring out the window. The gates onto the grounds opened to admit them. Slowly the carriage came to a stop and Harry climbed out. He stood still for a moment looking at his first real home.

"Are you coming Potter?"

Harry sighed and turned to look at the blond man with a comment on the tip of his tongue. At the last minute he decided against it and just sighed before starting to walk towards the castle, Malfoy falling in step with him. The two men were silent as they made their way into the school.

"Hey Neville," Harry said warmly greeting his childhood friend who was waiting for them in the Entrance Hall.

"Hello Harry," Neville said back. He turned and saw Malfoy standing slightly behind Harry.

"Malfoy," Neville greeted civilly.

"Longbottom," Malfoy said back.

The three men fell silent.

Rose was laughing hard. She finally calmed down and looked at Hermione who was still giggling. The two young women looked at each other.

Hermione cleared her throat, "So I'm not trying to put my nose into your business, but from what you were saying before, um, well when you were talking to Roxie it sounded like you're having some issues with your mum," Hermione turned slightly pink. She had no idea what had come over her, but she felt compelled to say something to Rose.

Rose was quiet for a moment, "Yea I guess." The girl traced her finger over one of the books' cover.

"You don't have to tell me the details, but maybe, I mean, have you tried talking to your mum about how you're feeling? I mean, I'm sure she cares about you and would want to know how you're feeling," Hermione didn't know how she knew what she was saying was true, but she did. She knew Rose's mum cared about her and would want to know how she was feeling.

Rose looked at Hermione before replying, "I guess I could try," she said softly. Hermione smiled encouragingly at her.

"I know it'll help," she said.

"Hermione."

Hermione looked up, "Harry," she said in surprise and then saw the person standing behind him, "Malfoy," she said eyes widening. Harry turned and glanced at Malfoy.

"Believe it or not, he's here to help," Harry said grinning at Hermione.

"Help with what?" Hermione said blankly, bemused.

"To send you back, Granger," Malfoy said smirking at the girl. Hermione looked at Harry in alarm. Harry grinned and shrugged.

Hermione stood in the potions room watching Harry and Malfoy talking softly to each other. It was weird. The Weasley children were standing nearby watching Hermione.

She turned to look at them, "I'll miss you," she told them. Roxie and Lily smiled at Hermione before giving her hugs.

"What are you talking about? We'll see you for Christmas," James blurted out. They turned and looked at him. "Well you know grownup you," he said shrugging. His cousins and siblings groaned.

Hermione stared at them, "oh, okay," she said bewildered. They were silent for a moment.

"You ready Hermione," Harry came over with Malfoy slightly behind him.

"I guess," Hermione looked at Harry and stood up straight.

"Okay," Harry raised his wand.

Hermione felt a pull and once again blurry colors and shapes began rushing past her.

Finally everything came to a stop. Hermione caught herself on the edge of a desk blinking hard. It finally registered that there were voices around her.

"Hermione," the girl felt arms enveloping her. She looked up to see both Ron and Harry hugging her.

"Hey," Hermione raised her eyes to see the small crowd around her.

"Um hello?" Hermione flushed cold at the familiar voice. She turned to see the young redhead behind her.

"Rose?" Hermione's eyes widened.