Thanks to all who reviewed, it means a lot. I'm glad to hear you like this. here is the second chapter, please continue to review!




"Hermione!" a familiar voice called. Hermione looked straight ahead of her to see her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley grinning at her.

"Hello!" Hermione said cheerfully. She hadn't realized just how much she had missed her friends until this moment. She pulled each of them into a tight embrace.

"Harry and I went to Diagon Alley yesterday," said Ron. "Where were you?"

"I decided to purchase my things early this year," Hermione replied simply.

"We'd better find a place to sit, the train will be leaving in a minute," said Harry.

Though the train was very crowded, the three of them managed to locate an empty compartment.

"Harry," said Hermione sympathetically as she settled into the compartment, "How are you doing?"

"Alright, I suppose," Harry replied. After a brief pause, he added, "I miss Sirius."

"I know it's hard, mate," said Ron, patting his friend's shoulder. Hermione felt terrible. She wanted so badly to take Harry's pain from him. But she knew she couldn't. All she could offer were words of comfort.

"I know you miss him, Harry," she said soothingly. "He was a great person. Maybe you will never stop missing him, but the pain will go away, I promise you. It will heal over time. You will get through this, as you have gotten through everything else."

Harry smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, Hermione," he said.

"So, Hermione, how was your summer?" asked Ron after an awkward silence.

"It was enjoyable," said Hermione, grateful to Ron for changing the subject of conversation to something lighter. "I didn't do much of anything, I just-"

"Oh look! It's Potty and Weasel....with Granger!" To the very unpleasant surprise of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Draco Malfoy was standing before them, with his usual arrogant smirk upon his face.

'He is just relentless!' Hermione thought bitterly.

"Buzz off, Malfoy!" Ron snapped, rolling his eyes.

"Tell me, Weasley," said Draco, looking at Ron's old shoes, "How many generations have those shoes been handed down?" Ron winced. Harry and Hermione stood up and whipped out their wands.

"Malfoy, if you know what's good for you, you will leave right now," Harry warned. Draco laughed.

"Or you'll do what, Potter? Land my parents in Azkaban again?"

Hermione stepped in front of Draco and pointed her wand directly in between his eyes.

"I see your cronies Crabbe and Goyle aren't here with you," she said softly, "If I were you I'd leave, since there's no one here to laugh at your pathetic attempt at humor." They glared at each other for what seemed like forever. Yes, Hermione definitely did see something odd in Draco's eyes. Only, what, exactly, was it? And was it just her, or did his expression soften slightly?

"Fine," he finally said, "I'll go." And he left, but not before giving each of them a dirty look.

"Nice going, Hermione!" Harry exclaimed.

"Thanks," said Hermione, though still disturbed by what she thought she saw in Draco's eyes.


Hermione soon forgot about Draco when she began speaking with her two friends. They talked about the past summer and what the coming months might have in store for the wizarding world, until, finally, the train came to a halt. They had arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.




Yes, I know it was rather short and uneventful, but the following chapters will be more exciting, I promise. Please be patient with me, I am starting school tomorrow and I don't know how much spare time I will have. But I will try to update as soon as possible.