2(i)

            'Well, this is it for us. The last time we'll ever board this Train. I'm going to miss it…' Hermione started to become emotional.

            'Oh, really, Hermione. It's just a Train.' said Ron and Harry simultaneously. They grinned and hi-fived each other.

            'But it's the last time we'll ever board this train!' wailed Hermione. ' Don't you even feel any attatchment to the train that's taken you to and fro from Hogwarts for seven years?'

            'Speaking of that, Hermione, we'll be taking the train back at the end of the year, so you can bid it farewell then.  You're getting a bit ahead of yourself now.'

            'Well, it's not my last, time, so don't spoil it for me.' Said Ginny

Hermione just looked at the three of them and burst into tears.

            'It wouldn't be that time of the month again, would it, Ginny?' Harry whispered to Ginny.

            'Well, I wouldn't know, but there's really no other explanation, is there?' Ginny whispered back.

            'Well, we can't do anything about the way she is, I guess.'

            'Anyway, Ron, I haven't seen you at all throughout the holidays. How've you and Harry been? Bet you had lots of fun together!'

            Harry could see what was coming and groaned inwardly.

            'Harry and me? Together? You must be joking! The only times I see him are at the dining table and in bed!

            'Then how about the other times?' Hermione asked, looking puzzled on purpose.

            'Well, I wonder too.  I believe Ginny can tell us, can't she?'

            'Yes, Ginny, why don't you tell us?'

            Ginny and Harry had fallen silent during this exchange, and had turned steadily redder as it progressed. By now, the two of them were as red as the setting sun. Hermione and Ron took one look at Ginny clutching Harry's arm and grinned.

            'Don't they look great together?'

            'Yeah, Ginny's just the right height for Harry!'

            'Hmmm, I've never noticed how red hair goes with brown!'

            Seeing Harry and Ginny's faces, Ron and Hermione smiled and decided that they had had enough for one day.

            'Ah, let's give them a break.'

            'Yeah, we'll let you off this time, but just you wait!' said Ron mischievously. Harry punched his friend on the arm playfully.

            'Well, I guess you all have to go! Bye! Take care of yourselves over there!' Mrs Weasley bade them a final farewell before they boarded the Hogwarts Express.

            'We'll send owls, mum! Don't worry!' They boarded the Train. As they made their way to their compartment, Harry turned round to see where George had got to. He then remembered that Fred and George would be joining them no longer.

            'What is it? Harry?'

            'Nah, it's nothing.'

            They proceeded to an empty compartment. Neville entered as they were sitting down and asked if he could join them.

            'Oh, sure no problem.'

            'Yeah, perfectly alright.' Said Ginny.

            Neville came in and sat down, a smile on his face.

            'You know, I've been living with my Gran all this time, right? Well, we're going to live with my parents now.' Neville said happily.

            Harry, Ron and Hermione, of course, knew what had happened from the previous year, but Ginny did not.

            'Oh, Neville, that's wonderful!'  All of them expressed their happiness for Neville.

            'Yeah, its really great!'

            Where've your parents been all this time Neville?' asked Ginny.

            'Oh… They've been sick.' Neville said.

            They sat in the carriage. When the short witch who sold snacks came, they ordered a few packets of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour beans, as well as a few chocolate frogs and a few cauldron cakes.

            'Well, this will be our last year here.' said Hermione, looking like she was going to start again.

            'Yes, but don't forget, there's a whole year more ahead!' said Ron, hastily trying to avert a crisis.

            Harry caught on and continued in the same vein. 'Yeah, just imagine, a whole year more!'

            'But it's the LAST year!'

            'But…but…' Harry tried to think of something to say. 'It's the last time we'll see Snape!'

            'It's also the last time we'll see Dumbledore!' Hermione said.

            'AND its also the last time we'll see Malfoy! Ron retorted.

Harry and Ron gave up trying. Hermione looked like she was going to start crying again, so Ron got out his exploding snap cards, and they played until they reached the school.

'Arright, Harry? See you at the feast!' came Hagrid's voice from beside the lake.

'Wanna stay and watch the first-years cross the lake?' Ron said.

'Nah, it's so cold, let's go inside and warm up.' Ginny said.

Harry put his arm around Ginny, who was shivering slightly, and they proceeded into the hall.