Disclaimer: All characters are copyright to J.K. Rowling
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Hermione stood on platform 9 ¾ waiting for her two best friends to arrive. It would be nice to see them after two months. She wasn't too sure about seeing Ron though, he'd probably be fuming, but she figured she'd be safe until they got into a compartment on the train. She didn't think he'd start shouting when his family were standing right there.
She knew he probably thought she'd gone and stayed with Viktor, because when he'd invited her to come and stay at his house she'd told him she couldn't because she was going away. Hermione guessed he'd probably jumped to conclusions. The truth was she'd gone to France again with her parents, but Ron didn't know that and she was guessing he probably wouldn't bother to ask. She just hoped Harry arrived before him…
It seemed like luck was in her favour. She could see Harry arriving through the barrier. She was happy to see he hadn't changed much, except maybe he'd grown a little bit taller. His jet-black hair as usual was untidy, and he was still rather thin. However, he looked paler then usual and Hermione could see from here the dark bags under her eyes. He was pushing his trunk in front of him, Hedwig in her cage on the top.
"Harry! Over here." Hermione called to him.
Harry looked around and after finally spotting her and proceeded to make his way over. He gave Hermione a weak smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Hi Hermione." He said.
Hermione looked at her friend, feeling concerned. She regretted having bothered Harry with her stupid problem, which was so small compared to the problems he probably had. Without thinking she flung her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. Harry hugged her back awkwardly.
It just happened that at that moment Ron came through the barrier, followed by the rest of his family. The first thing he saw was Hermione hugging a figure with black hair, he knew it had to be Harry. He felt himself getting angry, and was quickly reminded of her and Krum. Hermione had spotted Ron over Harry's shoulder and pulled back seeing the angry expression on Ron's face. She indicated to Harry who turned and seeing Ron understood. However, he still remained quiet, lost in his own thoughts. Hermione was just about to ask Harry if he was ok, but was interrupted when the Weasley's came over.
"Hello Hermione." Mrs Weasley said. "Hello Harry, dear."
They both greeted Mrs. Weasley in turn and she smiled at them both.
"All right, Harry" Fred and George said together.
George nudged Ron in the shoulder, indicated Hermione and winked. Ron glared at them him, going red. Ginny gave her brothers a suspicious look.
"Mum, we're going to put our things on the train. We'll be back now." Fred told his mother as the twins joined their friend Lee Jordan.
Ginny greeted Hermione and then smiled shyly at Harry and muttered 'Hello'. He greeted her back, causing her to turn rather pink.
Ron, however, just hovered in the background. He nodded a greeting to Harry then glared at Hermione. Hermione gave him a smile, just to annoy him further. It had the effect she hoped.
"Ron's got all your books and things in his trunk ok, Harry?"
"Ok, Thanks Mrs. Weasley." Harry said smiling, but once again his green eyes didn't quite light up. Mrs. Weasley, however, failed to notice.
"It's no problem, dear. Just have a good year."
They said their goodbyes then she hugged them all in turn, and was then distracted by Fred and George who had come back over to say goodbye after putting their trunks on the train.
Harry, Hermione and Ron got on the train in a tense silence, dragging their trunks with them. They found an empty carriage and deposited their trunks in the corner before sitting down. It wasn't long before the train began to move, they all waved to Mrs. Weasley who was standing on the station, until she was out of sight, then they settled back down for the journey to Hogwarts. Harry was just waiting for the explosion to take place. He didn't have to wait long.
"So how was your holiday with Vicky?" Ron snarled.
"Who says I was on holiday with him? And stop calling him Vicky." Hermione shouted back at him.
"Oh, you haven't reached the endearment stage yet have you? That's a surprise, I figured you two were so wrapped up in each other…" Ron said, his face now the same colour as his hair.
"You are so immature Ron. What is your problem? I'm not allowed to go away with someone without your permission am I?"
Ron didn't seem to be able to say anything to that; he just glared at Hermione furiously.
"In fact, I was on holiday in France with my parents. If you'd bothered to ask rather than jumping to conclusions you would have known, wouldn't you?" Hermione continued her voice coming back to normal level.
Ron began muttering under his breath, feeling stupid. Hermione seemed to be satisfied with what she had said and settled back in her seat. She looked next to her and seen Harry, his eyelids drooping and his head resting against the window. She immediately felt guilty for neglecting him, being too caught up in the argument.
"Harry, Are you alright?" She asked her friend.
His eyes flickered open and he looked over at Hermione.
"Yeah. Just tired that's all." He replied.
She gave him a concerned look, but didn't press him further.
"The Dursley's been giving you a hard time then?" Ron asked, after noticing Harry properly for the first time and becoming equally concerned.
"Not really."
Harry's eyes began to close again but he fought to keep them open.
"Go to sleep Harry, you look like you need it." Hermione said.
"Thanks, 'Mione." He said drifting off again.
However, it wasn't long before he was disturbed by a loud shriek.
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A/N – For all those Draco fans the next chapter will be focusing on him again. And 'tiger_claws' I would appreciate your help I tried emailing you but it kept telling me it failed, but if your reading this maybe you could try and mail me. Thanks.
Once again thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far and my regular reviewer RedFeather.
