Harry? Harry!
Harry started. What, Hermione? he asked. She had a peevish look on her face.
You weren't listening to me, were you? she asked, pretending to sound hurt.
Harry asked slyly. Hermione's eyes widened in mock anger, and Harry gave in and grinned. Okay, sorry, Herm. What is it?
I was asking if you think that the NEWTs will be hard.
Harry snorted. We don't have those until June!
That's what I've been trying to tell her, Ron grinned. She doesn't listen to me.
Of course I listen to you! Hermione looked shocked. When she saw that Ron was kidding, she whacked him on the shoulder. Did that hurt?
She smiled, and leaned in for a kiss. Harry looked out the window at the countryside flying by.
Anything off the cart, dears? The witch leaned her head into the door, smiling at them.
I'll take three Cauldron Cakes, Harry told her, and tipped 27 Knuts into her hand.
Three bottles of Pumpkin juice, please, Hermione asked, and handed over 27 Knuts.
Three boxes of Every Flavour Beans, Ron said. He dropped 27 Knuts into the witches hand, and as she moved on, they divided up the food between them. Glad this works out so evenly, Ron remarked, starting on his Cauldron Cake. Hermione nodded, her mouth full.
Er, have either of you seen this color before? Harry asked nervously, holding up a strangely colored Every Flavour Bean. They shook their heads, Ron twisting his mouth in disgust.
I wouldn't try it, was his opinion. Harry nibbled at it cautiously.
It's just treacle tart, he said, relieved. Ron popped a similar colored bean in his mouth, and gagged.
he choked, and grabbed for his pumpkin juice. Harry laughed.
Hey, Harry, Hermione said a few seconds later. Do you have your Exploding Snap cards with you? Harry nodded. Want to play? she continued.
Harry shrugged.
I've been playing with Ron, Hermione grinned as Harry opened his trunk. I've gotten really. . . She trailed off as the little package from Sirius fell out of Harry's trunk. Harry, is that what I think it is? Her mouth fell open in shock. Ron sniggered as Harry turned bright red, and stuffed it back in.
Uh. . . Harry said brilliantly.
Hermione had quite a funny look on her face. Are you actually planning to use those?
Harry blurted out. Sirius made me take them. I don't know why. He just threw them at me.
Sounds like Sirius, Ron laughed. He sobered as Hermione glared at him. Sorry, Mione.
Okay, Harry, she said slowly. I just. . .I didn't ever think that I'd see anything like that in your trunk.
Well, I don't want them there! Harry burst out. I'd get rid of them, but I'd be afraid that somebody would find them. He folded his arms over his chest and slumped in his seat.
Hermione said gently. I. . .I didn't mean to accuse you. I'm sorry. Harry nodded stiffly. I mean, she continued. I really am. I have a habit of doing things like that. An uncomfortable silence followed.
Ron said eventually. We're almost there. They pulled their robes on over their clothes, and waited for the train to screech to a halt. They got off, climbed into a horseless carriage, and started moving up to Hogwarts.
Harry smiled to see the familiar castle again, after so long. He walked to Great Hall with his two best friends, and sat down at the Gryffindor table. While waiting for the first years to be herded in, he began glancing around the Hall, looking for familiar faces. And then he saw her. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Yes, I am going to leave you hanging! Oh, I want to give people the website where I get all my technical information about things I've forgotten from the books: it's called Harry Potter lexicon. http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/master_index.html
