Disclaimer: I own nada, 'cept maybe the plot of course.... Yes the plot...So all -except the plot- is owned by the brilliant J.K. Rowling.

"Ron? Ron? RON!"

Ronald Weasley jerked awake with a start, "What d'you want?" he mumbled, irritated from being disturbed from his sleep. Hermoine Granger sighed with impatience; "I asked you if you wanted anything off the trolley.

Ron managed to shake his head and gave his friend a piercing glare. "Couldn't you've woken me up in a gentler way? Like bashing me on the head with a hammer?"

"I was tempted to do so, believe me." she answered coolly.

Ron gave her another glare as the trolley-witch continued to the next train compartment.

"In a charming mood I see Hermoine. Oy, and where did Harry go? I'd like to have a witness in case I'm murdered by an annoying smarty-pants." he retorted.

"Oh aren't we mature?" she taunted in a patronizing voice. "He left about an hour ago to converse with your brothers. Can't you remember that?"

"Terribly sorry." he replied sarcastically, "I must have forgotten about that during your ever-so-fascinating lecture of the world's history of Aurors."

Hermoine pretended to not hear Ron and let the quip slide. It was pointless arguing with him anyway, she concluded, he always had something to whine about.

Over the summer, between the fear of rumors about the rising Lord Voldemort and the stubborn Ministry of Magic denying such claims, the trio rarely spent a minute separated. It was as if any one of them would die the next minute. Ron and Hermoine, of course, were becoming very protective of Harry, especially after his last encounter with Voldemort. They never spoke of it to him, but a feeling hung around Harry. An aura of fear, hate, and sorrow. Sometimes he acted as if he didn't care what was going on. It was greatly disturbing to both of Ron and Hermoine.

In the mix of spending so much time together, Hermoine discovered a new passion: the career as an Auror. She had become completely infatuated with what she was going to do after Hogwarts. Ron secretly thought that Hermoine was just trying to push a positive reaction over Harry, trying to give him hope. She kept talking about the future, after graduation, after the next decade. Ron himself haven't really given much thought to what he wanted for future years and frankly didn't care as long as he had some money, but kept up the happy charade for Harry's sake.

Ron continued to ponder about such things until someone smacking the back of his head rudely interrupted him. "OW, what the-" he turned around to face Draco Malfoy.

"Well, well. It's the poor moron in maroon and his faithful Mudblood." he drawled with a demonic smile. Two idiotic grunts of laughter snorted behind Malfoy. They could belong to none other than Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron stood up sharply, bumping his head on the ceiling as a consequence. "Why don't you go shove it, you damn ferret!"

Malfoy snarled at Ron, "The buffoon learnt a new phrase! Well done." his pale eyes lingered to Hermoine. "Has your lover Krum paid you well?"

"And just what do you mean by that?" Hermoine fumed.

"You know." he sniggered. "Oh you know."

"You filth!" shouted Ron, understanding what Malfoy's jib. Forgetting his wand, Ron lunged at Draco and knocked him to the ground. But Crabbe and Goyle leapt into action, punching and kicking Ron until he had to recoil. Right at that time Harry walked back in. With one look he quickly assumed what had happened and he fumbled for his wand. But Hermoine was quicker.

Hermoine flipped her wand out instantaneously and aimed at Malfoy. "Vocaltanious!" she exclaimed, and Draco was stripped of his ability to use his voice. "About time you shut up. Serpanger!" the talented witch proclaimed and Crabbe and Goyle found that their fingers had temporarily transformed into mini snakes and, in hysterics, they abandoned attacking Ron. "Now run before I accidently curse you." Hermoine threatened.

They didn't need to be told twice. The Slytherins made way for retreat. A look of pure hatred was expressed on Malfoy's face as he reluctantly exited the compartment, with Crabbe and Goyle closely at his heels.

"Practicing for your new career?" Harry asked with a rare smile.

"No, I was trying to stop Ron from doing something more stupid than usual." said Hermoine as she tucked away her wand.

"I never knew you cared." a sarcastic Ron muttered. He was now in a rather pissed mood. "So Harry, what were you talking about with Fred and George?"

Harry shook his head, still smiling. "I'm not authorized to tell. Sorry."

Ron continued to be persistent, for it took his mind off the humiliation Malfoy conducted on him but Harry stood strong and refused. Eventually, Ron lost interest and brought up the subject of changing to school robes, for they were nearly at Hogwarts.

"I really hate him. I really hate Malfoy." Hermoine spoke suddenly, trying to hide her flushed face.

"Everyone hates Malfoy." concluded Harry. "It's like exceeding long commercials. Everyone hates them."

Ron was about to ask what commercials were but Harry cut him off. "It's a Muggle thing."

Hermoine wasn't satisfied. "No, it just...oh, I don't know! Never mind, we better get going anyway."

And so they followed the flood of students out of the train and on to the platform.