Chapter 3- Off to Hogwarts
Harry followed Ron. When he got inside he saw Ginny and Hermione hugging and laughing. He was happy that Hermione was there, it felt like 'the old days', it felt the way it was supposed to. 'Hi Hermione,' he said with a smile.
'Harry! It's so good to see you,' she said, giving him a big hug. Then she turned to Ron. 'And Ron.' she said also giving him a hug.
Ron held Hermione, he could have stood like that for hours with her in his arms. 'Ah.Ron? You can. ah, let go of me,' Hermione said, blushing slightly.
'Oh right, sorry,' Ron said, turning bright red.
Ginny shot Harry one of those 'you know what's going on don't you' looks. Harry winked and she smiled back.
Not long afterwards, the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione all sat down to eat dinner. It was a very noisy meal with so many people, but Harry couldn't have been happier. When it was time for dessert, Fred and George handed out square-shaped sweets.
'Don't worry,' Fred said.
'They're toffees, we promise,' George added. Harry eyed his toffee suspiciously. Then watched as Bill took a bite and chewed. All of a sudden, there was a poof of smoke and there was Bill, a hopping toad. Ron, Fred and George doubled up with laughter. Harry watched Hermione and Ginny try to hide their smiles. Mrs Weasley, however, was muttering something under her breath and seemed to be concentrating rather hard on her plate.
'Sorry Bill,' Fred said, 'Why didn't you tell him that they were our toad toffees George?'
'So sorry, must have slipped my mind,' replied George.
Later that night, Harry left Ron (after being defeated in the seventh chess match) and went to have a shower.
Ron stayed in his room; lying on his bed and staring out the window. He wasn't really looking out of it, he was (you guessed it) thinking about Hermione.
'She's so pretty and I'm well.' Ron thought. 'What am I gonna do?' Hermione hadn't got much taller than she was in 6th year, but Ron didn't mind. He liked her the way she was- long, wavy brown hair with a gorgeous smile and everything. His chest was filled with butterflies just at the thought of her.
Harry came back, quickly got dressed and went downstairs. Now it was Ron's turn. He started to undress. He had just taken his shirt off when he heard the door open.
'Oh,' Hermione said, her eyes wide, her cheeks red. 'I'm so sorry Ron!' she looked it too. She quickly closed the door. Ron was frozen, he couldn't move a muscle, and all he could do was stare at the place where Hermione's face had been. Finally, he took his pants off and walked to the bathroom wearing his underpants and a towel.
He let the hot water run through his hair and down his body as he mulled over his thoughts. 'What if she didn't like what she saw? What if she really does like me? No, that's impossible. God I wish she did.' When he had finished, he hopped out of the shower and dried himself, rubbing his hair until it was merely damp. He was about to leave the bathroom but he turned back around and looked at his reflection. He looked at his face. It's true that his eyes had become a more deep blue colour. His red hair had also somewhat darkened. He looked down at his stomach. He hadn't told anyone but he had been secretly using an old muggle 'weight-lifting' set in his dad's garage and he had now developed a six-pack (after much hard work). After examining himself and asking himself over and over if Hermione would have liked what she had seen, he left the bathroom; towel around his waist.
After getting dressed, he rushed downstairs to find Ginny and Hermione talking. Hermione blushed at the sight of him, but Ginny didn't say a word.
'Where's Harry?' Ron asked, avoiding Hermione's eyes.
'I think he went outside with Fred and George. They wanted to learn how to play some muggle sport called cricket.I think that's what it was called anyhow.'
'Thanks,' Ron said, striding towards the door. He could hear Harry yelling out directions to Fred and George.
'No.you put the bat near the ground when you hit it.you have to throw the ball to him George.. catch it Charlie! Keep running George.'
Ron walked out and saw George running back and forth between two of his mothers good pillows. He folded his arms and watched, trying to keep from bursting out laughing at the ridiculous sight in front of him.
'Wanna play?' asked Harry.
'Nah, it's ok,' Ron said. 'I think I'll pass.'
The next day, all the Hogwarts letters arrived at the Burrow.
'Greetings Mr Harry Potter, I hope that you enjoyed your holidays and are now prepared for you last year at Hogwarts. All the best for this year and the future. Below is you list of items needed for this year..
As you have chosen your electives Mr Potter, you will need to be equipped with
One medium sized 5 pewter cauldron 'Magical Herbs' by Miranda Richardson 'Perfect Potions' by Kennith Bright 'Charms; Advanced' by Andrew King 'Transfiguaration Level 3' Claire Smife 'The Art of an Animagus' Claire Smife 'Dark Arts' Sythe Findell
(etc, etc)
Harry sighed looking at his list. He knew Snape was a 'good guy' but
Harry still couldn't stand him.
'You know, if I didn't want to become an Auror, I would have gladly
chosen any other subject besides potions,' Harry declared in some
disgust.
'Well, at least we have it together. You should thank me for not choosing
Divination...the things I do for you,' Ron said, shaking his head
theatrically.
'Oh c'mon Ron, you can't tell me that you would have been able to endure
the old bat without me.'
'No, I don't suppose I can, can I?' Ron said with a grin.
Mrs Weasley came bustling down the stairs. 'Boys, you'll have to pack
your trunks, don't forget anything. We'll be leaving for Diagon Alley any
minute.'
Harry and Ron rushed upstairs to get the trunks. They were about to pass
Ginny's room when Hermione and Ginny walked out, struggling to carry
their trunks.
'Here, let me help you with that,' Harry and Ron said in unison. Ron took
Hermione's and Harry took Ginny's. As they turned their backs to walk
down the stairs, they didn't see Hermione and Ginny smile and wink at
each other.
After dropping the trunks on the floor in the kitchen, the Harry and Ron
raced back upstairs to pack their own trunks. Every five minutes, Mrs
Weasley would yell out for them to 'get a move on!' and 'hurry-up boys'.
When all the packing was done, Harry and Ron walked down stairs to find
Mrs Weasley with a look of absolute joy on her face. She was holding a
letter in her hand and she just stared at Ron.
'Mum, is something wrong?' Ron asked 'Do I have something on my face
mum?'
'My little Ron.HEAD-BOY RON!!! You're HEAD-BOY!!!' Before Ron could do
anything to defend himself, Mrs Weasley was upon him and was giving him
the biggest squeeze he had ever felt in his entire life.
'Help,' he gasped breathlessly to Harry.
'Oh, sorry dear,' Mrs Weasley said. 'Oh, I'm so proud of you.'
'Where has everyone gone Mrs Weasley?' Harry said with a grin on his
face. He expected Ron would get Head-boy ever since that chat he had with
Dumbledore in fifth grade.
'Well, Fred and George have gone back to they're ridiculous joke shop,'
Mrs Weasley said with a frown (ever though Harry suspected that she was
proud of Fred and George for becoming wealthy business man in such a
short time), 'and Bill and Charlie have had to go back to work.'
'Do you know who got Head girl mum?' Ron asked eagerly.
'Oh yes, Hermione did. You two should go out and congratulate her. Didn't
you hear all the commotion before you came downstairs?'
Harry looked at Ron. He thought Ron's face would split because he was
smiling so much.
As soon as Mrs Weasley had finished giving Ron a few more hugs and
smothering him with kisses, Ron and Harry finally escaped outside while
she grabbed a few last minute things for herself.
'So, head girl hey?' Ron asked Hermione.
'And head boy,' Hermione said, turning pink. 'I don't know how long it's
been since they had a head boy and a head girl in the same house.
Professor McGonagal will be happy.'
When Mrs Weasley came back outside, she bustled everyone back into the
house and then it was off to Diagon Alley. Mr Weasley had borrowed one of
the Ministry's cars and loaded all the trunks into the boot of the car
(with a little help from his wand of course). He was going to drive into
town with the trunks whilst everyone travelled by floo powder.
Harry emerged from an old fireplace in Diagon Alley and began to brush
himself off. He wiped his glasses off and then replaced them; sitting on
his nose. Ron fell from the fireplace soon after Harry, and they waited
for the rest of the family (and Hermione) before going to get their
school supplies.
Harry had always liked Diagon Alley. No matter how many times he went
there, he could never get sick of it. First stop was Gringotts. As usual,
the dark, clammy caves made Harry feel a little nervous. When he opened
his vault, he noticed that he still had lots of Galleons in there,
despite all his years at Hogwarts and all his needs. He took what he
thought he would need and got back into the travelling cart.
Harry couldn't help feeling bad when they arrived at the Weasley's vault.
There was an extremely small pile of Galleons in the corner and a small
sized pile of Sickles in the centre. Ron grabbed three handfuls of
Sickles and put them in a little pouch. Then he grabbed a small handful
of Galleons.
'That should be enough for Ginny and I,' he said, turning bright red.
Outside Gringotts, they met up with Hermione, Ginny and Mrs Weasley. Ron gave his mother what he had gathered from the vault. She quickly slipped some in her pocket and then gave Ron and Ginny a fair share. 'You wonder around for a little while. I'll meet you back here at 7:30.' Mrs Weasley walked off leaving the four alone.
'Well, I s'pose we should go to Flourish and Blotts,' Hermione said.
After Flourish and Blotts, they went to buy Harry and Ron's cauldron and everything else on their lists. They had a look in the joke shop to fill in the last five minutes. They four met Mrs Wealsey back outside Gringotts. Ron froze when he saw what she was holding. A cage with a beautiful brown owl; white feathers around her face and black lining the tips of its feathers.
'Wow, she's beautiful mum. Thank you,' Ron said in awe.
'That's quite alright dear; you deserve something for getting Head Boy. Now, take the cage and we best be off. We don't want to miss the train.' They walked through the archway leading to The Leaky Cauldron and out into the muggle world once more. Mr Weasley was waiting for them in the car, reading The Daily Prophet.
'Ah, there you are. Congratulations Ron,' Mr Weasley said with a large grin on his face. 'Another head boy in the family, your mother and I couldn't be prouder. And congratulations to you too Hermione.' Harry knew that Mr Wealsey was trying to say something to him too. 'And Harry.'
'I knew Ron would get head boy. I'm glad he did, I don't think I could handle the responsibility.' Mr Weasley looked relieved once Harry had said that.
Ron shot Harry a look that said 'and you think that I can handle the responsibility?'
Soon, the Weasleys Harry and Hermione arrived at the station. They got some trolleys for their trunks and other belongings and walked up the ramp to platform 9. People were staring at them as usual (then again, who wouldn't- two owls in cages). They ran through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ and found the Hogwarts Express steaming merrily in front of them.
'Quickly boys, Ginny, Hermione. Go load you trunks and find an empty carriage.' Mrs Weasley said. She kissed Ron and Ginny and then Hermione and even Harry. 'Have a good year dears,' she said. Mr Weasley gave everyone a bear hug and then the four walked further up the train to load their belongings. They soon found an empty carriage and finally relaxed, ready for the trip to Hogwarts.
'You know, I'm actually quite sad to think that this is our last year at Hogwarts. I'll be sad to leave it.' Hermione said.
'Malfoy should be along soon,' Harry said.
'Why do you say that,' Ginny asked.
'Because he and his two big, ugly giants always pay us a visit. I think they do it to try and intimidate us, honestly, they're so thick.' Harry replied.
Harry's prediction was correct, the train hadn't been moving for more than five minutes before Malfoy slid open the door to their carriage.
'Well, well, well. If it ain't Potty and the Weasel,' Malfoy sneered and Crabbe and Goyle guffawed at his joke.
'Oh there you are Malfoy, we were wondering when you'd stop by to pay us a visit. How many carriages did you have to check before you found ours?' Harry said calmly.
'And the little red tomato and mudblood,' Malfoy went on, ignoring Harry.
'Say that again,' Ron said through clenched teeth.
'Mu-d Bloo-d,' Malfoy said, putting emphasis on his 'Ds'. Ron stood up, fists clenched. Hermione held him back.
'Don't let him bother you Ron, it's what he wants. He's not worth it,' Hermione said in a soothing way.
'Oh, so you're his girlfriend this year are you Granger?' Malfoy smirked. Hermione blushed.
'Just get out of here Malfoy, nobody likes a bad smell lingering around,' Ginny said, gazing out the window.
''Least I don't smell as bad as you, little red tomato. I see your family still can't buy you so much as a new school uniform.' And before Ginny could retaliate, Malfoy slammed the door shut, laughing so that they could all hear him.
'Oh, he makes me so mad. If I wasn't on my way to school, I'd slap him!' Ginny said, crossing her arms in frustration.
'You should ask Hermione about it some time. She's slapped him before,' Ron said with a smile.
'I don't regret it either,' Hermione said with a frown.
Ten minutes later, an announcement sounded through the train's speakers. 'Would Miss Granger and Mr Weasley please come to the Head carriage immediately, that's Miss Granger and Mr Weasley thank you.'
Ron looked at Harry wide-eyed.
'Well, c'mon Ron,' Hermione said calmly. Ron gulped loudly.
'Yeah, ok I'm coming.' Harry gave Ron a thumbs-up sign and Ron returned it with a 'cut the neck' sign.
Spending the rest of the journey with the one girl he happened to have feelings for. 'How am I going to do this,' Ron thought. ' What if I can't help but kiss her and she slaps me and never talks to me again?' Ron thought, horrified. 'No, I'd rather die than lose so much as our friendship. I'll just have to sit and talk to her, we're friends anyway, we've done that tonnes of times before, why should it be any different now? Oh help!' Ron thought.
--------------Thank you for your reviews. I hope you're enjoying the story so far. I'd love to hear more comments. Sorry this took so long, I haven't had much time on my hands. I'll write the next chapter as soon as I can. Cheers : ) ------------------
Harry followed Ron. When he got inside he saw Ginny and Hermione hugging and laughing. He was happy that Hermione was there, it felt like 'the old days', it felt the way it was supposed to. 'Hi Hermione,' he said with a smile.
'Harry! It's so good to see you,' she said, giving him a big hug. Then she turned to Ron. 'And Ron.' she said also giving him a hug.
Ron held Hermione, he could have stood like that for hours with her in his arms. 'Ah.Ron? You can. ah, let go of me,' Hermione said, blushing slightly.
'Oh right, sorry,' Ron said, turning bright red.
Ginny shot Harry one of those 'you know what's going on don't you' looks. Harry winked and she smiled back.
Not long afterwards, the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione all sat down to eat dinner. It was a very noisy meal with so many people, but Harry couldn't have been happier. When it was time for dessert, Fred and George handed out square-shaped sweets.
'Don't worry,' Fred said.
'They're toffees, we promise,' George added. Harry eyed his toffee suspiciously. Then watched as Bill took a bite and chewed. All of a sudden, there was a poof of smoke and there was Bill, a hopping toad. Ron, Fred and George doubled up with laughter. Harry watched Hermione and Ginny try to hide their smiles. Mrs Weasley, however, was muttering something under her breath and seemed to be concentrating rather hard on her plate.
'Sorry Bill,' Fred said, 'Why didn't you tell him that they were our toad toffees George?'
'So sorry, must have slipped my mind,' replied George.
Later that night, Harry left Ron (after being defeated in the seventh chess match) and went to have a shower.
Ron stayed in his room; lying on his bed and staring out the window. He wasn't really looking out of it, he was (you guessed it) thinking about Hermione.
'She's so pretty and I'm well.' Ron thought. 'What am I gonna do?' Hermione hadn't got much taller than she was in 6th year, but Ron didn't mind. He liked her the way she was- long, wavy brown hair with a gorgeous smile and everything. His chest was filled with butterflies just at the thought of her.
Harry came back, quickly got dressed and went downstairs. Now it was Ron's turn. He started to undress. He had just taken his shirt off when he heard the door open.
'Oh,' Hermione said, her eyes wide, her cheeks red. 'I'm so sorry Ron!' she looked it too. She quickly closed the door. Ron was frozen, he couldn't move a muscle, and all he could do was stare at the place where Hermione's face had been. Finally, he took his pants off and walked to the bathroom wearing his underpants and a towel.
He let the hot water run through his hair and down his body as he mulled over his thoughts. 'What if she didn't like what she saw? What if she really does like me? No, that's impossible. God I wish she did.' When he had finished, he hopped out of the shower and dried himself, rubbing his hair until it was merely damp. He was about to leave the bathroom but he turned back around and looked at his reflection. He looked at his face. It's true that his eyes had become a more deep blue colour. His red hair had also somewhat darkened. He looked down at his stomach. He hadn't told anyone but he had been secretly using an old muggle 'weight-lifting' set in his dad's garage and he had now developed a six-pack (after much hard work). After examining himself and asking himself over and over if Hermione would have liked what she had seen, he left the bathroom; towel around his waist.
After getting dressed, he rushed downstairs to find Ginny and Hermione talking. Hermione blushed at the sight of him, but Ginny didn't say a word.
'Where's Harry?' Ron asked, avoiding Hermione's eyes.
'I think he went outside with Fred and George. They wanted to learn how to play some muggle sport called cricket.I think that's what it was called anyhow.'
'Thanks,' Ron said, striding towards the door. He could hear Harry yelling out directions to Fred and George.
'No.you put the bat near the ground when you hit it.you have to throw the ball to him George.. catch it Charlie! Keep running George.'
Ron walked out and saw George running back and forth between two of his mothers good pillows. He folded his arms and watched, trying to keep from bursting out laughing at the ridiculous sight in front of him.
'Wanna play?' asked Harry.
'Nah, it's ok,' Ron said. 'I think I'll pass.'
The next day, all the Hogwarts letters arrived at the Burrow.
'Greetings Mr Harry Potter, I hope that you enjoyed your holidays and are now prepared for you last year at Hogwarts. All the best for this year and the future. Below is you list of items needed for this year..
As you have chosen your electives Mr Potter, you will need to be equipped with
One medium sized 5 pewter cauldron 'Magical Herbs' by Miranda Richardson 'Perfect Potions' by Kennith Bright 'Charms; Advanced' by Andrew King 'Transfiguaration Level 3' Claire Smife 'The Art of an Animagus' Claire Smife 'Dark Arts' Sythe Findell
(etc, etc)
Harry sighed looking at his list. He knew Snape was a 'good guy' but
Harry still couldn't stand him.
'You know, if I didn't want to become an Auror, I would have gladly
chosen any other subject besides potions,' Harry declared in some
disgust.
'Well, at least we have it together. You should thank me for not choosing
Divination...the things I do for you,' Ron said, shaking his head
theatrically.
'Oh c'mon Ron, you can't tell me that you would have been able to endure
the old bat without me.'
'No, I don't suppose I can, can I?' Ron said with a grin.
Mrs Weasley came bustling down the stairs. 'Boys, you'll have to pack
your trunks, don't forget anything. We'll be leaving for Diagon Alley any
minute.'
Harry and Ron rushed upstairs to get the trunks. They were about to pass
Ginny's room when Hermione and Ginny walked out, struggling to carry
their trunks.
'Here, let me help you with that,' Harry and Ron said in unison. Ron took
Hermione's and Harry took Ginny's. As they turned their backs to walk
down the stairs, they didn't see Hermione and Ginny smile and wink at
each other.
After dropping the trunks on the floor in the kitchen, the Harry and Ron
raced back upstairs to pack their own trunks. Every five minutes, Mrs
Weasley would yell out for them to 'get a move on!' and 'hurry-up boys'.
When all the packing was done, Harry and Ron walked down stairs to find
Mrs Weasley with a look of absolute joy on her face. She was holding a
letter in her hand and she just stared at Ron.
'Mum, is something wrong?' Ron asked 'Do I have something on my face
mum?'
'My little Ron.HEAD-BOY RON!!! You're HEAD-BOY!!!' Before Ron could do
anything to defend himself, Mrs Weasley was upon him and was giving him
the biggest squeeze he had ever felt in his entire life.
'Help,' he gasped breathlessly to Harry.
'Oh, sorry dear,' Mrs Weasley said. 'Oh, I'm so proud of you.'
'Where has everyone gone Mrs Weasley?' Harry said with a grin on his
face. He expected Ron would get Head-boy ever since that chat he had with
Dumbledore in fifth grade.
'Well, Fred and George have gone back to they're ridiculous joke shop,'
Mrs Weasley said with a frown (ever though Harry suspected that she was
proud of Fred and George for becoming wealthy business man in such a
short time), 'and Bill and Charlie have had to go back to work.'
'Do you know who got Head girl mum?' Ron asked eagerly.
'Oh yes, Hermione did. You two should go out and congratulate her. Didn't
you hear all the commotion before you came downstairs?'
Harry looked at Ron. He thought Ron's face would split because he was
smiling so much.
As soon as Mrs Weasley had finished giving Ron a few more hugs and
smothering him with kisses, Ron and Harry finally escaped outside while
she grabbed a few last minute things for herself.
'So, head girl hey?' Ron asked Hermione.
'And head boy,' Hermione said, turning pink. 'I don't know how long it's
been since they had a head boy and a head girl in the same house.
Professor McGonagal will be happy.'
When Mrs Weasley came back outside, she bustled everyone back into the
house and then it was off to Diagon Alley. Mr Weasley had borrowed one of
the Ministry's cars and loaded all the trunks into the boot of the car
(with a little help from his wand of course). He was going to drive into
town with the trunks whilst everyone travelled by floo powder.
Harry emerged from an old fireplace in Diagon Alley and began to brush
himself off. He wiped his glasses off and then replaced them; sitting on
his nose. Ron fell from the fireplace soon after Harry, and they waited
for the rest of the family (and Hermione) before going to get their
school supplies.
Harry had always liked Diagon Alley. No matter how many times he went
there, he could never get sick of it. First stop was Gringotts. As usual,
the dark, clammy caves made Harry feel a little nervous. When he opened
his vault, he noticed that he still had lots of Galleons in there,
despite all his years at Hogwarts and all his needs. He took what he
thought he would need and got back into the travelling cart.
Harry couldn't help feeling bad when they arrived at the Weasley's vault.
There was an extremely small pile of Galleons in the corner and a small
sized pile of Sickles in the centre. Ron grabbed three handfuls of
Sickles and put them in a little pouch. Then he grabbed a small handful
of Galleons.
'That should be enough for Ginny and I,' he said, turning bright red.
Outside Gringotts, they met up with Hermione, Ginny and Mrs Weasley. Ron gave his mother what he had gathered from the vault. She quickly slipped some in her pocket and then gave Ron and Ginny a fair share. 'You wonder around for a little while. I'll meet you back here at 7:30.' Mrs Weasley walked off leaving the four alone.
'Well, I s'pose we should go to Flourish and Blotts,' Hermione said.
After Flourish and Blotts, they went to buy Harry and Ron's cauldron and everything else on their lists. They had a look in the joke shop to fill in the last five minutes. They four met Mrs Wealsey back outside Gringotts. Ron froze when he saw what she was holding. A cage with a beautiful brown owl; white feathers around her face and black lining the tips of its feathers.
'Wow, she's beautiful mum. Thank you,' Ron said in awe.
'That's quite alright dear; you deserve something for getting Head Boy. Now, take the cage and we best be off. We don't want to miss the train.' They walked through the archway leading to The Leaky Cauldron and out into the muggle world once more. Mr Weasley was waiting for them in the car, reading The Daily Prophet.
'Ah, there you are. Congratulations Ron,' Mr Weasley said with a large grin on his face. 'Another head boy in the family, your mother and I couldn't be prouder. And congratulations to you too Hermione.' Harry knew that Mr Wealsey was trying to say something to him too. 'And Harry.'
'I knew Ron would get head boy. I'm glad he did, I don't think I could handle the responsibility.' Mr Weasley looked relieved once Harry had said that.
Ron shot Harry a look that said 'and you think that I can handle the responsibility?'
Soon, the Weasleys Harry and Hermione arrived at the station. They got some trolleys for their trunks and other belongings and walked up the ramp to platform 9. People were staring at them as usual (then again, who wouldn't- two owls in cages). They ran through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ and found the Hogwarts Express steaming merrily in front of them.
'Quickly boys, Ginny, Hermione. Go load you trunks and find an empty carriage.' Mrs Weasley said. She kissed Ron and Ginny and then Hermione and even Harry. 'Have a good year dears,' she said. Mr Weasley gave everyone a bear hug and then the four walked further up the train to load their belongings. They soon found an empty carriage and finally relaxed, ready for the trip to Hogwarts.
'You know, I'm actually quite sad to think that this is our last year at Hogwarts. I'll be sad to leave it.' Hermione said.
'Malfoy should be along soon,' Harry said.
'Why do you say that,' Ginny asked.
'Because he and his two big, ugly giants always pay us a visit. I think they do it to try and intimidate us, honestly, they're so thick.' Harry replied.
Harry's prediction was correct, the train hadn't been moving for more than five minutes before Malfoy slid open the door to their carriage.
'Well, well, well. If it ain't Potty and the Weasel,' Malfoy sneered and Crabbe and Goyle guffawed at his joke.
'Oh there you are Malfoy, we were wondering when you'd stop by to pay us a visit. How many carriages did you have to check before you found ours?' Harry said calmly.
'And the little red tomato and mudblood,' Malfoy went on, ignoring Harry.
'Say that again,' Ron said through clenched teeth.
'Mu-d Bloo-d,' Malfoy said, putting emphasis on his 'Ds'. Ron stood up, fists clenched. Hermione held him back.
'Don't let him bother you Ron, it's what he wants. He's not worth it,' Hermione said in a soothing way.
'Oh, so you're his girlfriend this year are you Granger?' Malfoy smirked. Hermione blushed.
'Just get out of here Malfoy, nobody likes a bad smell lingering around,' Ginny said, gazing out the window.
''Least I don't smell as bad as you, little red tomato. I see your family still can't buy you so much as a new school uniform.' And before Ginny could retaliate, Malfoy slammed the door shut, laughing so that they could all hear him.
'Oh, he makes me so mad. If I wasn't on my way to school, I'd slap him!' Ginny said, crossing her arms in frustration.
'You should ask Hermione about it some time. She's slapped him before,' Ron said with a smile.
'I don't regret it either,' Hermione said with a frown.
Ten minutes later, an announcement sounded through the train's speakers. 'Would Miss Granger and Mr Weasley please come to the Head carriage immediately, that's Miss Granger and Mr Weasley thank you.'
Ron looked at Harry wide-eyed.
'Well, c'mon Ron,' Hermione said calmly. Ron gulped loudly.
'Yeah, ok I'm coming.' Harry gave Ron a thumbs-up sign and Ron returned it with a 'cut the neck' sign.
Spending the rest of the journey with the one girl he happened to have feelings for. 'How am I going to do this,' Ron thought. ' What if I can't help but kiss her and she slaps me and never talks to me again?' Ron thought, horrified. 'No, I'd rather die than lose so much as our friendship. I'll just have to sit and talk to her, we're friends anyway, we've done that tonnes of times before, why should it be any different now? Oh help!' Ron thought.
--------------Thank you for your reviews. I hope you're enjoying the story so far. I'd love to hear more comments. Sorry this took so long, I haven't had much time on my hands. I'll write the next chapter as soon as I can. Cheers : ) ------------------