The term had finally ended. Hermione, Ron and Harry were
sitting in an empty compartment of the Hogwarts Express, bound for
King's Cross Station. Hermione had managed to pull off a 110% on
her Charms exam, while Neville, heard from the next compartment
sobbing, had managed an unsightly 35% on his Potions exam.
At the minute, all of them were engaging animatedly in a
discussion of the August plans. Ron very much wanted to see a
soccer game, particularly the West Ham team, and Hermione and
Harry had patiently explain the prices of tickets, that it would cost way
too much for the lot of them to go. Harry wanted to visit a specialty
restaurant, preferably Chinese or Italian, he was getting quite sick of
the Hogwarts entrees.
That could be arranged, of course, but Hermione had other
plans, particularly a theme park and maybe a drive-in movie. Ron put
up a big hissy fit about that one.
"But if I wanted to see a movie, I could just watch a picture!"
Ron was on the defensive about watching a muggle movie.
"Yeah, but pictures don't have plots, and story lines, and
characters, and emotions and besides, the food is good." Hermione
exasperatedly explained.
"Look, we could compromise, and maybe watch a movie on TV,
that way we can shut it off if you don't like it." Harry said. Hermione
nodded.
"Oooh I forgot, you're going to need muggle clothes!" Hermione
whispered. "Hmm we're going to have to take you shopping". Ron
looked horrified at the very thought. The Weasley family didn't have
enough money to buy robes to begin with, let alone buy muggle
clothes for Ron.
"You know what? Don't worry I think we'll be able to find
something" Harry said reassuringly "If worse comes to worse, we can
always chip in some money". He smiled at Ron, who frowned.
At that moment, the compartment door slid open, and in walked
none other but Malfoy. Harry and Ron jumped up, ready for a fight,
but Malfoy only offered them a smug smile and leaned down and
whispered something to Hermione. She looked rather shocked, and
eyed him suspiciously before standing up and following him out of the
compartment.
"I wonder what that was about?" Ron whispered to Harry,
making sure he was out of earshot of Malfoy.
"I dunno, but I hope she curses him" Harry said bitterly, sighed,
and pulled out a pack of Exploding Snap to play solitaire with.
Hermione returned about 10 minutes later, flushed and anxious.
Two pairs of expectant eyes peered up at her as she took her seat.
"Uh…well, um, he wanted to talk with me about this summer,
and I told him about me and Krum in July and you guys in August,
and…." Hermione trailed off.
"WHAT?! What did he want to know about your summer for?!"
Ron and Harry exclaimed. Ron looked horror-stricken and Harry
looked extremely curious about what she was about to say.
"Nothing that concerns you or Rita for that matter" she snapped
at them, and in her jar, Rita Skeeter buzzed impatiently against the
glass.
The Hogwarts Express was slowing down slightly, signaling to
the students that they were almost there. The trio began to gather
their belongings and pack them in their trunks. For a second, Ron
saw Malfoy's face appear in the door, and then he was gone. Ron
shook the image from his mind and stooped to collect Pig's cage from
the floor.
* * *

Out in the blinding sunlight stood Harry, Hermione and Ron in a
circle. Harry was shifting uneasily from foot to foot. He was never any
good at saying goodbye. And he was very much looking forward to
August. Hermione looked anxiously at the two.
"Hey, um, call me—or send owl post, Hermione said, glancing
at Ron. Before August, preferably."
With a quick smile, she turned and disappeared through the
barrier into the muggle world. Ron and Harry glanced at each other,
and entered into the muggle world where Mrs. Weasley and Uncle
Vernon would be waiting.