Malfoy was looking beneath his feet. He was still searching for Harry's compartment when he saw a blinding light behind him. His head whipped around.
"Potter!"
He was in panic. The unconscious, bleeding Hermionie still hung in his arms. His head was spinning. He then felt like he was about to faint but he stayed standing. The drizzle had by then turned into a steady rain and the train's roof was quite slick now. He saw that Harry had his wand at the ready. Malfoy was in a bad position to be challenged at this moment. But he knew why.
"Please Potter. Think of your girlfriend. You wouldn't want her to slip out of my safe arms down there!"
Malfoy nodded his head to the steep descending cliff beneath the train. He knew that he would NEVER drop her but just to get Potter to lower his wand he had to do something drastic!
"Now Malfoy don't do something you might regret!" Give Her to me and I will call this off! I just want her back safe."
That's all Malfoy really wanted too but if the whole school found out that he backed down from a duel with Potter! It was clearly unthinkable! Now Malfoy was really in a twist! He placed Hermionie down and place an immobilization spell on her so she would not move or slide off the train down the treacherous cliff. Then he pulled out his new wand and placed it at the ready.
"She's safe now Potter now let's finish this once and for all!"
Harry stepped forward to meet Malfoy. They turned their backs to each other and they each took 10 paces away from each other. Then the two swirled around and cast a spell.
"MALOENOUS!"
"PERDONIFY!"
Bolts of light were flying all around the train, lighting up the country side. Finally one hit Harry. It sent him flying backwards and he slid almost to the end of the second to last car! The rain was no longer steady. It was pounding the top of the train making it sound like a stampede. Lightning lit the sky as an evil smile spread across Malfoy's face. He turned around to relieve Hermionie of the spell. He muttered the words and she was set free. But just at that moment, another voice could be heard among the rain.
"MUDDLE OPERUM!"
It was Ron! He had hit Malfoy right square in the back and knocked him unconscious. but now Hermionie was free from her binding spell. She was starting to slide off the train! Ron quickly cast a spell but the bolt of light just missed her. She was gone. Ron fell to his knees. He hid his face in his hands. He started to sob. His whole body shook.
"WHY?"
He was beside himself. He thought about jumping off the train himself. But then he remembered. He looked back to where Harry should have been but he was gone too! The only person other than himself on top of the train was the unconscious Malfoy. But just then he heard a swish behind his head. He turned back around to see Harry riding his broom with no other than Hermionie in his arms. Ron was so surprised! He immediately got to his feet and gave a little jump in the air.
"You go Harry Potter!"
Harry Landed in front of Ron. The rain now was a drizzle again but the train top was still slick. He dismounted his broom and placed Hermionie on the train.
"She's hurt really badly! She needs help as soon as possible!"
Harry leaned forward to see if she was still breathing. Then he gave her a little peck on the lips.
Ron offered to help get Hermionie into the train but Harry refused his offer.
"I'll get her in. You just worry about yourself. Now hurry into the train and get your robes on. Hogwarts is in eyeshot! Although, if you can manage, get Malfoy in the train!"
With that last word, Harry took Hermionie in his arms once again and leapt on to the broom. Her was off and flying in the direction of Hogwarts! Ron was so confused but he eventually returned to the train with Malfoy.
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The train arrived at Hogwarts and Ron got off the train. It was Very Dark outside but it was not raining anymore. Ron took his belongings Off the train and he rode the carriages to the front doors of Hogwarts. From there, he went to take his spot in the dining hall. As he entered the Great Hall, he spotted Harry and Hermionie cuddling on one of the dining benches. He rushed over to greet them. They exchanged hugs and took their places once again.
"Bloody hell! Where did you two fly off to?"
The two told their story. Harry started.
"As soon as Malfoy caught me off guard and zapped my back to the end of the train, I remembered that our window had been left open and it was right beneath where I had landed. So I hopped up and ducked under inside the train. Then I grabbed my broom and zipped out to try to get another shot at Malfoy. Just as I had exited the train on my boom I saw you take a shot at malfoy for me! I was very pleased. Just then, I saw Hermionie take a plunge off the train. Luckily it was a long fall and I just had enough time to grab her."
By this time, a crowd had gathered around Harry out of curiosity to find out the story.
"After I rescued Mione, I saw you up there on the train. You looked like you were about to jump!"
Ron started to blush and tried to hid his head from the rest of the crowd.
"But when I circled around, you look so relieved. After I told you to take Malfoy down into the train, I took Mione off to the castle early. I wanted to see if I could get her immediate help in the hospital wing. While she was being treated, I went to inform Dumbledore on the events that occurred on the train roof. He said he would try to do something about it but he was very busy at the moment..."
Harry's voice got very low and raspy (like a whisper).
"He is very busy because he told me that Vol..."
He heard gasps behind him.
"Sorry. I mean You-Know-Who has almost come to full power again."
There were whispers among the students standing around them. Stories about the past were told and people slowly started to meander else where.
"Then I checked on Mione. The nurse told me that it was ok for her to come down and grace us with her presence as long as she didn't partake in any more roughhousing."
Now Hermionie blushed.
"I am so embarrassed. I never want to see that scum bad Malfoy again!"
Her voice slowly rose to a medium roar. Some of the people close by heard her but no one at the Slytherin table heard a soul. They were to busy listening to Malfoy's story. He was also taken to the emergency room but his injuries were much less sever then Hermionies. The three friends dropped silent and they could hear Malfoy's voice above the rest.
"... And then I was attacked! all three of them at once! I was out numbered. I was already down but no! they wanted to finish me off!..."
Hermionie rolled her eyes. Oh please. He was HITTING ON ME! Ron and Harry both spat out their pumpkin juice and the whole Great Hall got silent. Malfoy's deep, evil green eyes met her blue pools of rage as Dumbledore called everyone to order. He started in his usual raspy old voice.
"It has come to my attention that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is almost back to full power. The Ministry of Magic is doing everything in it's power to try and stop this occurrence but it seems that we are dealing with more power then we ever though possible!"
There was a dull whisper among the students that gradually grew before it was silenced once again by Dumbledore.
"If any events should occur and You-Know-Who should ever come within 25 Miles of the school, we shall evacuate and go to a resettlement facility. That is all. Now let us begin with the sorting. This year we will have a new tradition. Will the head boy and girl please come up to the front of the Great Hall?"
Harry and Hermionie both rose to their feet and walked to the front of the Great Hall. They both looked at each other and their eyes seemed to ask what the hell? Dumbledore put a hand or each of their shoulders. Then he started to speak.
"The head boy and head girl first will select a representative from each of the houses. Then they will read the first years names and as soon as they are sorted, they will each meet with their representative and be seated. Now lets start the sorting!"