Chapter 1
Train Ride Back to Hogworts
Harry and Ron sat in one of the last compartments waiting for their friend, Hermione to join them. They had decided to arrive early to make sure that they got one for themselves. Their fifth year they had to group up with the strangest girl, and since then they've gone out of their way to make sure it didn't happen again.
Outside the window, that they were empty-mindedly starring out, were kids of all ages saying good-bye to their family. Harry was able to spot Ginny saying farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley; who were also Ron's parents. The Weasley's were a wonderful family, and he often considered them more of his family than his aunt and uncle…whom he lived with.
Through the crowed Harry spotted a young girl, most likely his and Ron's age. She had brown hair and amazing brown eyes…which stood out from where he was sitting at least 15 feet away. After a while he lost her in the crowed as it continued to grow. It was getting closer to 11:00, and he was excited to start his 7th and final year of Hogworts!
Harry and his two best friends had been through A LOT in their past 6 years of going to Hogworts. He knew that he was no sooner going to forget any of it…even the bad times.
As he was thinking about this, the compartment door slowly slid open and head slipped through. It was the girl that Harry had noticed earlier in the crowd. Now that she was closer, he realized that it was Hermione. He silently cursed himself for not noticing sooner…but he could understand why he hadn't. Over the summer Hermione had changed so much. She had finally gotten taller, and her hair…looked…well like hair but much more manageable than it had ever been. For some reason, it seemed to fit personality better: smart, thoughtful, quiet and careful…oh…and did he mention smart?
Hermione opened the door the rest of the way and stepped in. She carefully closed the door, turned around and smiled at her two best friends. Harry smiled back at her and glanced at Ron. To his surprise, he wasn't smiling at Hermione…but gapping at her opened mouthed. Harry couldn't help but laugh silently.
"It's nice to see you too Ron," Hermione said half laughing.
Ron quickly closed his mouth and tried his best to find something else in the empty compartment to look at. "Sorry, it's just that I didn't recognize you, that's all."
She sat down on the same bench as Harry, propping her feet up on the bench that Ron was sitting on. "So how was your summer you two? I hope they were both well."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Uneventful…at least until I was able to escape to Ron's house at the end of the summer."
"Likewise," Ron added. "The house is kind of empty what with Bill, Charlie and Percy all moved out and the long hours father is usually working. Ginny pretty much just stays in her room doing I'm not sure what. It was too bad that you weren't able to come down when Harry came down at the end of the summer. We would have had a blast!"
"I agree, but I just couldn't. I was visiting family that I haven't seen in years…" Hermione apologized.
At that time, the clock struck 11:00 and the train was on its way it Hogworts!
All through the long journey, the three talked about their summer, past years at Hogworts, and how they were sad that this would be their last. They were going to really missing seeing so much of each other once this year was over…but they decided not to think about that now. Why dwell on something now, and not enjoy the time that you have left together?
********
Finally, the train arrived at the station, and all the students quickly got off, excited to start a new year. Harry, Ron and Hermione grabbed their things and walked off with the rest of the students, making their way towards the carriages. All three were able to get a carriage to themselves and enjoyed the ride in the cool night air up to the castle.
The closer that they got, the faster Harry's heart started to beat. He was so glad to be back. Hogworts was so comfortable for him. There was no other place he would rather be, other than perhaps the Weasley's house. Here, he always knew that he was safe because Dumbledore was the school headmaster.
The carriage stopped, and they made their way through the huge doors into the Great Hall and took their seats at the Griffindor table. Everyone in the Great Hall talked quietly, while they waited for the Sorting Ceremony to start.
********
Once the Ceremony was finished, the students headed towards their dormitories.
For some reason this year, the first meal (which Harry has always found himself looking forward to) seemed kind of different. Part of it could have been because all though it, he had something on his mind. He wasn't for sure what it was…but it was definitely nagging at him.
The three friends headed out of the Great Hall, not talking much since they were tired from their long journey, not to mention full from dinner. As usual, Harry was in the middle with Ron to his left and Hermione to his right. Quite out of the blue, Harry spotted the one person that could really ruin is night.
"Malfoy…what do you want?" Harry couldn't help but let escape in a disgusted tone of voice.
"Potter…" Malfoy said mocking Harry with his usual smirk on his face. "I just had to make sure if that was Miss Granger here. At first I didn't think it could possibly be her, but then I thought…who else would be with you two?."
Hermione stiffened at his odd words, and was now standing next to Harry with her arms crossed, glaring at Malfoy.
"Why would you care if it was me or not, Malfoy?" She said quietly but with an edge to her voice.
"Oh…well…I guess because I had hoped that we could finally work out our differences…what with this being our last year at Hogworts and all," Malfoy said with a shy look on his face.
"Key word…hope," Harry said not being able to help himself.
"Excuse me, Potter?"
"Not only are you a pure blood, but are you deaf too? Or does selective hearing just run in that horrible family or yours? Don't tell me that you actually didn't hear me." Harry said now taking a step forward.
Malfoy's eyes grew wide, looking from Harry, to Ron, to Hermione, then back to Harry again. He was trying his best to think of something to say back to them, but wasn't having much luck.
"Maybe it would be best if you continued off to your dorm," Harry said, half-laughing. "It's past your bedtime … and this is obviously effecting your ability to think."
Malfoy put on his best glare then turned on his heal and stomped off in the direction of the Slytherin Dormitories.
********
Shit! Malfoy thought. I hadn't planned to totally embarrass myself in front of those three. Maybe starting off slightly rude… isn't the way to show them that I've changed. He slapped himself on the forehead. Hermione had looked great. Her hair…wow, and those brown eyes. She looked amazing. He shook his head to help clear this thoughts. Why have I changed? I used to get sick at the thought of her because she's a mudblood. Oh…if my father only knew what I thought of Hermione Granger…a mudblood…now.
********
Malfoy couldn't exactly explain why, but his opinion of Hermione, and all mudbloods for that matter, had changed. It started at the beginning of the summer. Several nights a week he would wake up from a strange dream involving Hermione. From there it progressed… Finally, by the end of the summer, Malfoy would occasionally catch himself thinking how nice it would be to be with Hermione. She really isn't a bad person at all. That is when he decided…hell…why not see what happens? And while I'm at it, I can prove to that Potter that not everything is under his control.
********
"Well wasn't that weird?" Ron said as he and the other two made their way to their dorm yet again.
"Yeah, especially when he was rambling on about Hermione like that. You don't suppose he was serious when he said he wanted to work the differences between us?" questioned Harry.
Ron sighed, "Who knows…"
Hermione didn't say a thing as the boys continued to talk. She was deep in thought about what happened down in the Great Hall. Should I feel weird about the fact that Malfoy wanted to know if it was me? Usually he could care less if I was alive? Why the sudden change? Maybe he really was tired from the train ride here. If he was serious about the whole differences thing…then it sure would be nice. At least then he wouldn't be breaking out in fistfights with Harry or Ron anymore…
************************************************************************
Just to let everyone know…this is my first…if you couldn't tell otherwise! *eek* I know…I know…I suck…LOL. But help me out! Tell me what you think of my first chapter by reviewing. I would LOVE to hear your ideas and comments!
Katarina
