BITTERSWEET
Disclaimer: I own nothing, just the plot.
Chapter 1: Return to Hogwarts
September 1997
Two tall, muscular teenage boys walked towards the barrier at platform 9 3/4 together, each pulling a trunk behind him. At first glance, they seemed like your average teenagers, however different they looked from each other. One was a lanky red-head with freckles spattered across his nose and the other had piercing emerald eyes and jet-black hair that stuck up no matter how hard he tried to smooth it down. If you took a second look at them, however, they seemed to be a bit abnormal, and not just because one of the boys had a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
It might have had something to do with the fact that they were carrying an owl with them, or that they just seemed to have an abnormal air about them. But no one paid much attention, as they were all too busy with their own affairs. Because of this, the two boys were able to walk through a seemingly solid brick wall without anyone else noticing. Of course, that might also have been because of they way the muggles' eyes slid past the barrier without really noticing it.
The two seventeen-year-olds had no sooner disappeared from public view King's Cross Station and appeared on the other side of the barrier than a petite brunette doing her best to wrap both in a hug at the same time bombarded them.
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "I missed you so much!"
"It's good to see you too, Hermione," Harry laughed, hugging her back.
"How have you been? I haven't heard from you in almost two weeks! I was beginning to get worried… you know how it is these days." Hermione said.
Harry and Ron shared a darkly significant look, then immediately changed the topic onto lighter subjects so as not to draw too much attention to themselves until they were back within the safety of Hogwarts and their own common room.
"Well, we've been playing Quidditch—" Ron started.
"And hanging out at Diagon Alley—" Harry interrupted.
"And helping Fred and George with their joke shop!" they both finished in one breath.
Hermione smiled at their familiar antics that she had missed for the past three months. "My parents and I went to Egypt this summer. It's really quite fascinating, you know, what with all of the pyramids and ancient magic there. I was able to add 17 inches of parchment over the requirement to my History of Magic essay. I do hope it's not too long, but have you read about all of the ancient legislation passed by the ancient wizards that used to live there? I was able to see some incredible artifacts used by the first—" she began earnestly.
Harry and Ron exchange an amused glance about how much she was still the Hermione they knew and loved, then reached an unspoken agreement. The two of the reached out simultaneously and began tickling Hermione mercilessly until she squealed at them to stop.
"You know, as seventh years we're supposed to be setting good examples to all of the lower levels," she admonished them. "Especially with the added responsibility we have this year! I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't have selected me to be Head Girl, and Harry to be Head Boy, if he'd known how we were going to behave with this authority."
Ron rolled his eyes at Harry, then picked up the still-lecturing Hermione and slung her over his shoulders, stopping her mid-sentence before she could get too into what she was telling them.
"Ron!" she shrieked, causing a number of their classmates to turn around and see what the Golden Trio was up to. He laughed, then set her down.
She took a step back to look at them, and to see how much they had changed during their summer together at the Weasleys'. They had both grown taller than her, maturing into their more grown-up heights that towered almost a head over her. In addition, the two of them weren't quite as skinny as in previous years: they had filled out their muscles after a summer of almost nothing but Quidditch practice. While they were both playful and happy on the outside, however, Hermione noticed a flicker of sadness deep within Harry's eyes. She realized that the summer hadn't been enough to heal the events of the past year, and that she and Ron would need to do their best to keep Harry distracted, and studying for the duration this upcoming school year.
"You know, you guys look pretty good. You might actually have a chance with the female population of Hogwarts this year..." she began with a sly grin.
A faint blush tinged both Ron and Harry's cheeks, but they quickly recovered and threatened to start tickling her again. She immediately backed off, knowing that was one fight she couldn't hope to win.
"I'll get you for that," Harry playfully growled at her.
"You wish," she said, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Do you know how horrible it was to be stuck this summer without you two? It was miserable being away from the wizarding world for so long. I love my family dearly, but it was so hard to pretend everything was alright when I was terrified that Voldemort would attack any day. I'm so glad to be here with you again."
The three talked for a minute or two. While they were talking, Hermione looked around at their surroundings. "Wow, it's good to be here again. This feels like home. What with the threat of Voldemort and everything else, it's nice that some things never change. Oh, it looks like Parvati got her hair done. It's really cute, don't you think?" she asked, turning towards the boys.
Ron was about to reply, but just then the Hogwarts Express emitted a shrill whistle, signifying that it was about to leave.
"Guess we should get on the train," Harry said. "Here, let us get that for you Hermione." He and Ron lifted her heavy trunk into the luggage compartment while she watched them gratefully. He and Ron put their trunks in also, then the trio linked arms and walked onto the train together.
