Again, I apologize if there are any grammar/spelling mistakes. English is
not my first language... Please R&R!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. J.K. owns it all. She has everything. Absolutely everything. *sigh*
____________________________________
Chapter 2 - Going Back
"RON! GINNY! HARRY!! WILL YOU COME DOWN ALREADY?!" Mrs. Weasly's sharp tones reached all the way up to Ron's bedroom, where he and Harry were dressing up at top speed.
"C'mon mate, let's hurry. We really don't want to make her angrier - you know how dangerous that can be." Said Ron, waving his wand hastily at his pajamas, which was thrown on his bed. It moved a bit but stayed where it was. Ron glared at it and waved his wand again, furiously. The pajamas flew straight into his open trunk like a missile, almost knocking it down. Satisfied, Ron smiled and locked the trunk with another wave of his wand.
"C'mon Ron!!" Harry said nervously, as he heard Mrs. Weasly shout again. "We're going to be late for the train!" he was holding Hedwig's cage in one hand and his trunk in the other. Hedwig was sitting at his shoulder, trying to look as dignified as possible, hooting quietly and looking as disgusted as an owl can look, watching Pigwidgeon - Ron's hysteric owl - fluttering around excitedly in his cage.
"Oh shut up, Pig!" said Ron irritably. He pointed his wand at his trunk. "Locomotor Trunk!" he said loudly, and the trunk rose a few inches of the ground. "You know, that's just brilliant being able to do magic outside of Hogwarts!" he smiled broadly at Harry, then shuddered as a loud cry penetrated their ears and made the walls shake.
"WILL YOU COME DOWN ALREADY, BOYS?!?!"
"Bloody hell!" said Ron. "She'd completely lost her marbles! Shouting like that so early in the morning. c'mon Harry, lets go."
Harry nodded, and they both hurried down the stairs to the kitchen.
"FINALLY!" Roared Mrs. Weasly. Then she noticed Ron's flying trunk. Her face reddened - always a dangerous sign in the Weasly family. "RONALD WEASLY!!" She bellowed, and Ron (who was trying to stuff Pig with owl- treats so it would finally shut up) jumped. "PUT THIS TRUNK DOWN IMMEDIATELY!!! OH, I JUST DON'T GET IT WITH YOU BOYS!! FIRST FRED AND GEAORGE, CHARMING EVERYTHING THAT MOVED AROUND THEM WHEN THEY HAD BECOME OF AGE, NOW YOU?! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, CHARMING YOUR TRUNK IN THAT NARROW STAIRCASE?!"
Ron stared at her. "Er."
Harry looked the other way quickly, to stop himself from laughing at Ron's terrified expression.
"Oh, just forget it!" said Mrs. Weasly angrily. "At least YOU aren't Apparating everywhere." She turned to Ginny. "Where's Bill?"
"I think he went to get the car." Said Ginny quickly.
"What's Bill doing here mum?" Asked Ron, taking a toast from the pile that lay on the table. "It's cold" He pointed out. "But really good though!" he added quickly, noticing Mrs. Weasly's dangerous glare. "Want some, Harry?"
Harry took a toast and gave it a bite, smiling at Mrs. Weasly, who smiled back. "Eat up dear. Anyway, Bill's here because someone has to take you lot to King's Cross, since your father and I have some work to do for the Order. Your father's went to London already, he wishes you all a great term."
"The Order?" asked Ron blankly. "But I thought You-Know-Who's gone!"
"Of course he's gone!" Said Mrs. Weasly impatiently. "But there are still al those Death-Eaters of his who are not in Azkaban, aren't there? All of those cowards who went into hiding or pretended to have acted not by their free will.." there was loathing in her voice. "And where IS that boy?!"
"If you're talking about me mom, I'm here." A voice behind them spoke, and they all turned around to see Bill, entering the kitchen, smiling. "Hey there, Harry."
Harry smiled back.
"WHERE have you been?!"
Bill held his hands in front of him in defense. "Mom, relax! It took a while to get the car all the way from the ministry!"
"Oh, alright then. If you'll hurry, you'll be just in time not to miss the train. Off you go!" she said sharply, but then reached for Ginny and hugged her tightly.
After each one of them (including Harry) got a hug and a warm kiss on the cheek, ("Oh and don't forget to give Hermione a hug and a kiss from me!") they went outside and got into the magically expanded ministry car.
"Goodbye! Have a good term! Owl me when you get there!" called Mrs. Weasly after the car, and then turned and entered the house, which looked emptier than ever.
~~~~~
"Well, here we are!" Said Hermione. She turned to face her parents. Her mother hugged her. "Oh Hermione, are you sure we can't walk you to the train?"
"I'm sure mom. Muggles can't go into platform nine and three quarters." Said Hermione. She hugged her mother warmly. Her father stroked her long hair. "Don't forget to write, Hermione." He said in a fatherly tone.
"Of course, don't worry." Hermione smiled and hugged him. She kissed them both and then turned to face the barrier separating platform nine and ten. She glanced around, checking if no Muggle was watching her, waved to her parents for the last time and with a determined glare at the barrier, ran at it with her trunk in one hand and Crookshanks' basket in the other - and stopped when she saw in front of her the gleaming-red Hogwarts-Train, bathing in autumn sunlight. The platform was packed with students and their parents, and Hermione struggled her way toward the train when she heard a voice calling her name.
"Hermione!! HERMIONE!"
Hermione turned around and smiled as she saw Ginny making her way among the people and trunks. Then she saw Harry and the top of another red head right behind him, and she had to fight the urge to run away and hide.
You will have to face them eventually, so you might as well just do it now, Hermione. She told herself. She forced a smile and watched as the three of them came towards her.
She glanced at Harry, but then she was able to see Ron better, and she was quite sure her heart skipped a beat.
He was taller than Harry, she could see it now. He looked at least 190 cm, with broad shoulders and quite muscular arms. His hair was as red as ever, and was very much untidy, since he ran his fingers through it almost every second, trying to get it away from his eyes - His ocean-blue eyes, she pointed out to herself, and immediately frowned. She mustn't think such things about Ron!! But. Well, his eyes WERE ocean-blue, she had to admit it. Moreover, they seemed even bluer as he raised his eyes from his trunk and looked straight at her, smiling slightly. Her heart skipped a beat again.
"Ginny, Hi!!" she said loudly - a bit too loudly - when Ginny reached her.
"Hey Hermione" Ginny smiled and hugged her. "Oh, that hug's from my mum too, she made me swear I'll hug you for her."
Hermione laughed, and then turned to face, for the first time after two months apart, Harry and Ron.
They were both staring at her, apparently sharing the same thoughts.
Wow! Ron's mind was racing. Hermione look AMAZING! Even better than last year! He measured her with his look, cannot help himself but pausing for a brief second at her chest. That is a really tight blouse, he thought, and felt guilty at once. He looked into her brown eyes - a look that made her flush a bit - and smiled softly.
"Well, if you could just stop gaping at Hermione for a second, we might be able to find an empty compartment!" Said Ginny loudly.
Harry glared at her, flushing. "What are you talking about.." murmured Ron, his ears reddening. He smiled at Hermione again. "Good to see you, 'Mione." He said, and swept her into a hug.
Hermione felt his arms tighten around her waist, and a warm feeling spread in her. She hugged him back, hardly reaching his shoulders. Then she noticed Harry's expression and alarm bells rang in her head wildly. She let go of Ron at once, and turned to hug Harry, who smiled and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "That's from Mrs. Weasly as well. And from me too" he whispered in her ear softly.
The alarm bells rang wildly yet again, and she broke apart from Harry, reaching for her trunk and Crookshank's basket. "Come on, let's go!" And she walked away, chattering cheerfully with Ginny.
Harry and Ron's looks met for a brief second, but they immediately looked away from each other, and started walking towards the train.
They found Hermione and Ginny talking in low tones in a compartment at the end of the train. When they entered, they ceased talking at once.
"We can walk out if you want, so you'll be able to keep on talking about us." Said Harry sarcastically. Hermione laughed nervously and Ginny stuck her tongue out at him. "Shut up!" she said, eyes twinkling.
"But you WERE talking about us, don't deny it" said Ron, putting down his trunk and Pig's cage.
"And what if we were?" teased Ginny.
"Well, in that case it would be only fair of you to tell us what you've been saying."
Said Harry with an innocent expression on his face.
Ginny laughed. "In your dreams! Well, I'm off, there're a few people I can't wait to see. I'll see y'all later." And she went looking for her friends.
An awkward silence fell. Hermione was suddenly very busy stroking Crookshanks, and both Ron and Harry noticed she was carefully avoiding their eyes.
Ron coughed. "So, Hermione! What did you do all summer?"
"Oh, right! I've been meaning to ask you 'Mione! Why didn't you come to the Burrow this year??" Asked Harry. Ron's stomach gave a leap, and he regretted ever asking that question. What did you do all summer. he thought angrily. Honestly!!
"Oh, umm.." Hermione's face turned tomato-red. She glanced at Ron, and her fingers touched her lips gently. "Just. didn't have the time, I guess. spent a little time with my family."
"Oh." Said Harry. "Right."
The silence fell again.
Suddenly the compartment's door opened.
"Hullo." Said a dreamy voice.
They all turned to look, as Luna Lovegood Glided into the compartment, Her non-blinking eyes fixed on Ron. "Hello, Ronald." She said in her misty voice.
Ron stared at her. "Umm, hi Luna. Had a good summer?" he flushed, as her large bright-blue eyes looked at him in a piercing gaze.
"Hello, Luna." Said Hermione kindly, as if talking to someone mental.
Luna's eyes shifted to Hermione, and she looked surprised, as if she just noticed Hermione was present in the compartment. "Hermione Granger. Hello."
Harry snorted quietly. Luna's eyes shifted to look at him. He blushed.
"Harry Potter.." she said slowly. "The wizard who destroyed He-Who-Must- Not-Be-Named again. I heard all about your heroic deeds during the summer, Harry Potter."
"I'm not a hero, Luna." Harry said coldly.
Luna acted as if she had not heard a word. "Yes. Heroic deeds. have a good day, Harry potter. And you to, Hermione Granger." She paused and stared at Ron. "Ronald.. you too." And she floated out of the compartment.
Ron stared at her as she left. "That girl gives me the creeps."
Harry nodded. "Mental."
"Oh, she's not mental!" said Hermione. "She's just.."
"Extremely weird?!" suggested Harry.
Ron laughed.
"Oh shut up you two," smiled Hermione. "She's not weird either. She's. special."
"Yeah," Snorted Ron. "Right. Hey Harry, care for a bit of chess?"
They spent the next half an hour playing wizards chess, while Hermione read 'Hogwarts: A History'. ("Oh come ON Hermione! You know this book by heart!"; "Shut it, Ron.")
Then, after half-an-hour of peace and quiet - "Well well well. The most famous Trio in Hogwarts STILL hadn't broken apart. How lovely." they heard a drawling voice near the compartment's door.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Get out Malfoy. Now."
"Do I HAVE to?" He faked a sad face. "It's so nice in here! Oh, tell me the secret, Granger! How is it that a Mudblood like yourself made those two fall for you?! I mean, pathetic as they are, I never believed they could sink that low. falling in love with YOU?" he chuckled softly.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly.
Ron thought that - as usual - only he and Harry stood up and took out their wands, but then he saw that Hermione was right next to him, clutching her wand so tightly her knuckles were white.
"Malfoy, out. NOW!!" her tones were dangerous. Her eyes burned with hate and anger, her cheeks flushed, and a small curl fell on her forehead. Ron stared at her in wonder. He never noticed how pretty she was when she was angry.
Malfoy sniggered. "Give me one reason why to."
"Oh, I don't know." said Hermione thoughtfully. "Maybe you will be happy to know I talked to Moody - the real one, mind you - and he taught me just how to manage that charm turning people into ferrets. So, care for another round, ferret-boy?"
Harry watched, satisfied, how malfoy's face grew even paler than it was.
"You're lying." He blurted.
"Try me!" said Hermione coldly.
Malfoy glared furiously at her.
"I'm counting to three!" Hermione raised her free hand, the other one still clutching her wand. "One. Two."
"C'mon." muttered Malfoy to Crabbe and Goyle, and they walked out of the compartment.
Hermione slammed the door shut with an expression of pure loathing on her face. "I hate him!" she murmured.
Ron glared at the now-closed compartments door. "Falling for Hermione." He said in disbelief. "Th-Thats ridiculous! You're. You're our friend!" He glanced at her and then at Harry.
"Exactly!!" said Harry, nodding. "As if THAT can happen... Huh!"
Hermione raised her eyebrows, stopping herself from laughing bitterly. This is just stupid, she thought, and patted Crookshanks' head. "What?!" she asked when she saw Ron staring at her.
"You haven't really talked to Mad-Eye, have you?"
Harry snorted. "What do you think?!"
"Of course not." She snapped. "Don't be thick Ron."
And they spent the rest of the journey in almost a complete silence.
____________________________________
Author's Note: Well! That was a bit longer than the previous chapter :] I really hope I don't suck at it.. Please R&R!! I need to know what you think. And if you see some crude mistakes - grammar, spelling or misused phrases - please tell me, so I won't do it again. Thanks xxxxxxxxx Alice
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. J.K. owns it all. She has everything. Absolutely everything. *sigh*
____________________________________
Chapter 2 - Going Back
"RON! GINNY! HARRY!! WILL YOU COME DOWN ALREADY?!" Mrs. Weasly's sharp tones reached all the way up to Ron's bedroom, where he and Harry were dressing up at top speed.
"C'mon mate, let's hurry. We really don't want to make her angrier - you know how dangerous that can be." Said Ron, waving his wand hastily at his pajamas, which was thrown on his bed. It moved a bit but stayed where it was. Ron glared at it and waved his wand again, furiously. The pajamas flew straight into his open trunk like a missile, almost knocking it down. Satisfied, Ron smiled and locked the trunk with another wave of his wand.
"C'mon Ron!!" Harry said nervously, as he heard Mrs. Weasly shout again. "We're going to be late for the train!" he was holding Hedwig's cage in one hand and his trunk in the other. Hedwig was sitting at his shoulder, trying to look as dignified as possible, hooting quietly and looking as disgusted as an owl can look, watching Pigwidgeon - Ron's hysteric owl - fluttering around excitedly in his cage.
"Oh shut up, Pig!" said Ron irritably. He pointed his wand at his trunk. "Locomotor Trunk!" he said loudly, and the trunk rose a few inches of the ground. "You know, that's just brilliant being able to do magic outside of Hogwarts!" he smiled broadly at Harry, then shuddered as a loud cry penetrated their ears and made the walls shake.
"WILL YOU COME DOWN ALREADY, BOYS?!?!"
"Bloody hell!" said Ron. "She'd completely lost her marbles! Shouting like that so early in the morning. c'mon Harry, lets go."
Harry nodded, and they both hurried down the stairs to the kitchen.
"FINALLY!" Roared Mrs. Weasly. Then she noticed Ron's flying trunk. Her face reddened - always a dangerous sign in the Weasly family. "RONALD WEASLY!!" She bellowed, and Ron (who was trying to stuff Pig with owl- treats so it would finally shut up) jumped. "PUT THIS TRUNK DOWN IMMEDIATELY!!! OH, I JUST DON'T GET IT WITH YOU BOYS!! FIRST FRED AND GEAORGE, CHARMING EVERYTHING THAT MOVED AROUND THEM WHEN THEY HAD BECOME OF AGE, NOW YOU?! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, CHARMING YOUR TRUNK IN THAT NARROW STAIRCASE?!"
Ron stared at her. "Er."
Harry looked the other way quickly, to stop himself from laughing at Ron's terrified expression.
"Oh, just forget it!" said Mrs. Weasly angrily. "At least YOU aren't Apparating everywhere." She turned to Ginny. "Where's Bill?"
"I think he went to get the car." Said Ginny quickly.
"What's Bill doing here mum?" Asked Ron, taking a toast from the pile that lay on the table. "It's cold" He pointed out. "But really good though!" he added quickly, noticing Mrs. Weasly's dangerous glare. "Want some, Harry?"
Harry took a toast and gave it a bite, smiling at Mrs. Weasly, who smiled back. "Eat up dear. Anyway, Bill's here because someone has to take you lot to King's Cross, since your father and I have some work to do for the Order. Your father's went to London already, he wishes you all a great term."
"The Order?" asked Ron blankly. "But I thought You-Know-Who's gone!"
"Of course he's gone!" Said Mrs. Weasly impatiently. "But there are still al those Death-Eaters of his who are not in Azkaban, aren't there? All of those cowards who went into hiding or pretended to have acted not by their free will.." there was loathing in her voice. "And where IS that boy?!"
"If you're talking about me mom, I'm here." A voice behind them spoke, and they all turned around to see Bill, entering the kitchen, smiling. "Hey there, Harry."
Harry smiled back.
"WHERE have you been?!"
Bill held his hands in front of him in defense. "Mom, relax! It took a while to get the car all the way from the ministry!"
"Oh, alright then. If you'll hurry, you'll be just in time not to miss the train. Off you go!" she said sharply, but then reached for Ginny and hugged her tightly.
After each one of them (including Harry) got a hug and a warm kiss on the cheek, ("Oh and don't forget to give Hermione a hug and a kiss from me!") they went outside and got into the magically expanded ministry car.
"Goodbye! Have a good term! Owl me when you get there!" called Mrs. Weasly after the car, and then turned and entered the house, which looked emptier than ever.
~~~~~
"Well, here we are!" Said Hermione. She turned to face her parents. Her mother hugged her. "Oh Hermione, are you sure we can't walk you to the train?"
"I'm sure mom. Muggles can't go into platform nine and three quarters." Said Hermione. She hugged her mother warmly. Her father stroked her long hair. "Don't forget to write, Hermione." He said in a fatherly tone.
"Of course, don't worry." Hermione smiled and hugged him. She kissed them both and then turned to face the barrier separating platform nine and ten. She glanced around, checking if no Muggle was watching her, waved to her parents for the last time and with a determined glare at the barrier, ran at it with her trunk in one hand and Crookshanks' basket in the other - and stopped when she saw in front of her the gleaming-red Hogwarts-Train, bathing in autumn sunlight. The platform was packed with students and their parents, and Hermione struggled her way toward the train when she heard a voice calling her name.
"Hermione!! HERMIONE!"
Hermione turned around and smiled as she saw Ginny making her way among the people and trunks. Then she saw Harry and the top of another red head right behind him, and she had to fight the urge to run away and hide.
You will have to face them eventually, so you might as well just do it now, Hermione. She told herself. She forced a smile and watched as the three of them came towards her.
She glanced at Harry, but then she was able to see Ron better, and she was quite sure her heart skipped a beat.
He was taller than Harry, she could see it now. He looked at least 190 cm, with broad shoulders and quite muscular arms. His hair was as red as ever, and was very much untidy, since he ran his fingers through it almost every second, trying to get it away from his eyes - His ocean-blue eyes, she pointed out to herself, and immediately frowned. She mustn't think such things about Ron!! But. Well, his eyes WERE ocean-blue, she had to admit it. Moreover, they seemed even bluer as he raised his eyes from his trunk and looked straight at her, smiling slightly. Her heart skipped a beat again.
"Ginny, Hi!!" she said loudly - a bit too loudly - when Ginny reached her.
"Hey Hermione" Ginny smiled and hugged her. "Oh, that hug's from my mum too, she made me swear I'll hug you for her."
Hermione laughed, and then turned to face, for the first time after two months apart, Harry and Ron.
They were both staring at her, apparently sharing the same thoughts.
Wow! Ron's mind was racing. Hermione look AMAZING! Even better than last year! He measured her with his look, cannot help himself but pausing for a brief second at her chest. That is a really tight blouse, he thought, and felt guilty at once. He looked into her brown eyes - a look that made her flush a bit - and smiled softly.
"Well, if you could just stop gaping at Hermione for a second, we might be able to find an empty compartment!" Said Ginny loudly.
Harry glared at her, flushing. "What are you talking about.." murmured Ron, his ears reddening. He smiled at Hermione again. "Good to see you, 'Mione." He said, and swept her into a hug.
Hermione felt his arms tighten around her waist, and a warm feeling spread in her. She hugged him back, hardly reaching his shoulders. Then she noticed Harry's expression and alarm bells rang in her head wildly. She let go of Ron at once, and turned to hug Harry, who smiled and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "That's from Mrs. Weasly as well. And from me too" he whispered in her ear softly.
The alarm bells rang wildly yet again, and she broke apart from Harry, reaching for her trunk and Crookshank's basket. "Come on, let's go!" And she walked away, chattering cheerfully with Ginny.
Harry and Ron's looks met for a brief second, but they immediately looked away from each other, and started walking towards the train.
They found Hermione and Ginny talking in low tones in a compartment at the end of the train. When they entered, they ceased talking at once.
"We can walk out if you want, so you'll be able to keep on talking about us." Said Harry sarcastically. Hermione laughed nervously and Ginny stuck her tongue out at him. "Shut up!" she said, eyes twinkling.
"But you WERE talking about us, don't deny it" said Ron, putting down his trunk and Pig's cage.
"And what if we were?" teased Ginny.
"Well, in that case it would be only fair of you to tell us what you've been saying."
Said Harry with an innocent expression on his face.
Ginny laughed. "In your dreams! Well, I'm off, there're a few people I can't wait to see. I'll see y'all later." And she went looking for her friends.
An awkward silence fell. Hermione was suddenly very busy stroking Crookshanks, and both Ron and Harry noticed she was carefully avoiding their eyes.
Ron coughed. "So, Hermione! What did you do all summer?"
"Oh, right! I've been meaning to ask you 'Mione! Why didn't you come to the Burrow this year??" Asked Harry. Ron's stomach gave a leap, and he regretted ever asking that question. What did you do all summer. he thought angrily. Honestly!!
"Oh, umm.." Hermione's face turned tomato-red. She glanced at Ron, and her fingers touched her lips gently. "Just. didn't have the time, I guess. spent a little time with my family."
"Oh." Said Harry. "Right."
The silence fell again.
Suddenly the compartment's door opened.
"Hullo." Said a dreamy voice.
They all turned to look, as Luna Lovegood Glided into the compartment, Her non-blinking eyes fixed on Ron. "Hello, Ronald." She said in her misty voice.
Ron stared at her. "Umm, hi Luna. Had a good summer?" he flushed, as her large bright-blue eyes looked at him in a piercing gaze.
"Hello, Luna." Said Hermione kindly, as if talking to someone mental.
Luna's eyes shifted to Hermione, and she looked surprised, as if she just noticed Hermione was present in the compartment. "Hermione Granger. Hello."
Harry snorted quietly. Luna's eyes shifted to look at him. He blushed.
"Harry Potter.." she said slowly. "The wizard who destroyed He-Who-Must- Not-Be-Named again. I heard all about your heroic deeds during the summer, Harry Potter."
"I'm not a hero, Luna." Harry said coldly.
Luna acted as if she had not heard a word. "Yes. Heroic deeds. have a good day, Harry potter. And you to, Hermione Granger." She paused and stared at Ron. "Ronald.. you too." And she floated out of the compartment.
Ron stared at her as she left. "That girl gives me the creeps."
Harry nodded. "Mental."
"Oh, she's not mental!" said Hermione. "She's just.."
"Extremely weird?!" suggested Harry.
Ron laughed.
"Oh shut up you two," smiled Hermione. "She's not weird either. She's. special."
"Yeah," Snorted Ron. "Right. Hey Harry, care for a bit of chess?"
They spent the next half an hour playing wizards chess, while Hermione read 'Hogwarts: A History'. ("Oh come ON Hermione! You know this book by heart!"; "Shut it, Ron.")
Then, after half-an-hour of peace and quiet - "Well well well. The most famous Trio in Hogwarts STILL hadn't broken apart. How lovely." they heard a drawling voice near the compartment's door.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Get out Malfoy. Now."
"Do I HAVE to?" He faked a sad face. "It's so nice in here! Oh, tell me the secret, Granger! How is it that a Mudblood like yourself made those two fall for you?! I mean, pathetic as they are, I never believed they could sink that low. falling in love with YOU?" he chuckled softly.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly.
Ron thought that - as usual - only he and Harry stood up and took out their wands, but then he saw that Hermione was right next to him, clutching her wand so tightly her knuckles were white.
"Malfoy, out. NOW!!" her tones were dangerous. Her eyes burned with hate and anger, her cheeks flushed, and a small curl fell on her forehead. Ron stared at her in wonder. He never noticed how pretty she was when she was angry.
Malfoy sniggered. "Give me one reason why to."
"Oh, I don't know." said Hermione thoughtfully. "Maybe you will be happy to know I talked to Moody - the real one, mind you - and he taught me just how to manage that charm turning people into ferrets. So, care for another round, ferret-boy?"
Harry watched, satisfied, how malfoy's face grew even paler than it was.
"You're lying." He blurted.
"Try me!" said Hermione coldly.
Malfoy glared furiously at her.
"I'm counting to three!" Hermione raised her free hand, the other one still clutching her wand. "One. Two."
"C'mon." muttered Malfoy to Crabbe and Goyle, and they walked out of the compartment.
Hermione slammed the door shut with an expression of pure loathing on her face. "I hate him!" she murmured.
Ron glared at the now-closed compartments door. "Falling for Hermione." He said in disbelief. "Th-Thats ridiculous! You're. You're our friend!" He glanced at her and then at Harry.
"Exactly!!" said Harry, nodding. "As if THAT can happen... Huh!"
Hermione raised her eyebrows, stopping herself from laughing bitterly. This is just stupid, she thought, and patted Crookshanks' head. "What?!" she asked when she saw Ron staring at her.
"You haven't really talked to Mad-Eye, have you?"
Harry snorted. "What do you think?!"
"Of course not." She snapped. "Don't be thick Ron."
And they spent the rest of the journey in almost a complete silence.
____________________________________
Author's Note: Well! That was a bit longer than the previous chapter :] I really hope I don't suck at it.. Please R&R!! I need to know what you think. And if you see some crude mistakes - grammar, spelling or misused phrases - please tell me, so I won't do it again. Thanks xxxxxxxxx Alice