Disclaimer: All the characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: I have 50 reviews! That's so awesome! I'd like to give a big thank-you to everyone that has reviewed my story. Keep it up! You're all wonderful! I came back earlier than planned from my trip and I figured I'd post another chapter. Here's the next chapter.

Aboard the Express

"Hermione. Hermione! Wake up! You're just having a nightmare!" At this my eyes flew open and I rocketed into a sitting position. Ginny was standing next my bed with a worried expression dulling her usually bright demeanor.

"You're all right Hermione. What were you dreaming? You kept screaming that someone was trying to kill Harry and Ron. You scared me," said Ginny with a quiver in her voice that proved she had really been scared. My brow wrinkling, I recalled rather quickly the subject of my nightmare. In my dream Harry and Ron were shoved up against a house with several hooded figures holding them in place. Draco Malfoy was standing before them with his wand aimed menacingly at the pair. Then all I would see was a swirling blackness specked with small points of white light before a foggy image settled into my dream clouded mind. Two figures swathed in tattered robes were standing looking down at a body that lay crumpled on the ground in a pool of blood. I had been having this nightmare for the past couple weeks and every time it was the same thing. I always woke screaming before I could discover the identity of the two cloaked individuals or the man I assumed lay dead on the blood soaked ground.

In a shaky voice I said, "I'm fine Ginny. I'm sorry for scaring you. I was having "the dream" again. It was the one I told you about. I don't know why I keep experiencing the same nightmare but it's starting to scare me. What if it represents something that could happen in the future?"

Ginny frowned and said in a voice laced with apprehension, "I hope you're wrong Hermione. I don't want anything to happen to Harry or Ron. Maybe you should mention it to your parents or mine. They might be able to help you figure out what it means. Did you find out who the people were this time?"

Shaking my head dejectedly I said, "No, I didn't see their faces this time. I can't tell anyone about this or they might think I was insane. Harry's the one who gets all the strange dreams. I'm just the nerdy sidekick who's always there with my "handy dandy" textbook. Everyone would laugh at me."

Snorting lightly, Ginny's face turned from worried to incredulous. "I can't believe you said that Hermione. You know no one thinks of you as the "sidekick". Everyone loves you dearly. I don't know why I suggested it because I know you're too stubborn to take my advice. You need to get up now anyway. We go to Hogwarts today!" An excited smile split her face and I grinned in spite of myself. Her job done, Ginny scurried out of our bedroom at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters and I wriggled out of my cocoon of bedcovers. Walking out into the hallway, I headed for the unoccupied bathroom and brushed my teeth. After taking an uneventful dip in the bathtub, I slipped on a delicate white sundress strewn with butterflies and brushed my hair until it fell over my shoulders in mahogany waves. I applied a light coat of mascara, slicked on a clear lip-gloss, and dabbed a citrus scented perfume on my wrists. With that accomplished I exited the bathroom and floated down the stairs for a quick bite to eat. A scene of utter turmoil met my gaze as I stepped off the staircase and slipped into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was arguing with Ron over how many pieces of toast was acceptable for breakfast, Mr. Weasley was patting his shirt pocket in a confused way asking "Anyone seen my wand?", and Harry was busy trying to get Ginny to kiss him in exchange for her make-up compact. As I grabbed a slightly blackened piece of toast from a dwindling pile, I glanced over at Mrs. Weasley who had talked Ron out of an eleventh piece of toast.

Mrs. Weasley glanced up at me and said, "Oh Hermione don't you look lovely this morning! She's so beautiful isn't she Ron?" Ron looked at me as if he had been shot between the eyes and made a sad gurgling noise. Continuing on with renewed vigor Mrs. Weasley said, "You packed last night didn't you dear? Yes that's right. I remember Ginny saying that you had. It's already 10 o'clock so we'll be leaving in about a half-hour. Arthur's set up a port key for all of us so we won't have to walk to the station. You had better go say good-bye to your parents." With that said she bustled off leaving Ron standing before me with a dumb look on his face. He hadn't spoken with me much since the night we had spied on the Order but I had caught him staring at me quite often.

I started to leave when Ron gasped, "You...look...really nice Hermione." My stomach fluttered at his compliment and I cursed myself for still having feelings for him. Smiling insincerely at him, I turned and marched huffily to my parent's room. No way was I going to be cheery to Ron. You can't ignore someone for a couple weeks and then all of a sudden expect him or her to lap up your compliments. As I neared the wooden door that lead to my parents room, I admitted that the main reason why I was mad at Ron was that I wanted to get over him but my heart didn't seem to want to cooperate. It seemed to have plans of it's own. I knocked on the dingy wooden door and stepped in as my mother's beaming face appeared.

Half an hour later I stood bunched up against Ron in the kitchen of number 12 Grimmauld Place as we prepared to go to King's Cross Station via portkey. During a trip to Diagon Alley I had bought new clothes and other supplies to replace my old ones. Now all of my new belongings were stuffed into a trunk that I had on a cart next to me. Harry, Ginny, Ron, Mrs. Weasley, and I touched the old milk carton in unison as Mr. Weasley gave the signal. The familiar tugging sensation that went along with portkey travel came over me but it was only momentary. I landed flat on my back in a dark alleyway and as my head cleared I glanced around me. Ron, who was brushing dirt off his pants, looked into my searching gaze, halted his brushing, and offered me a hand at getting up off the ground. Whispering an "I can do it myself", I pushed myself up off the trash littered floor, made sure my dress was straight, and carted my luggage over to where the rest of our group was huddled. Mrs. Weasley lead us out of the alley and I followed behind. My trunk which was being especially disagreeable forced me to go slower than usual.

Ron must have noticed this because in a hopeful tone he asked, "Hermione can I help you with that?"

Glancing wildly over at him I said in a rage filled voice, "No, Ronald! I don't need your pity!" My face burning red from exertion, I flounced off with my cart swerving along behind me. What nerve! Asking to help me up off the ground and trying to carry my bags! I might still be in love with him but I wasn't blinded by it. He was just trying to make up for not talking to me! If he thought that all he had to do was kiss a little butt and he'd be back in the door then he underestimated me. It would take a lot more than that to get Miss Hermione Granger's forgiveness.

I ran at the barrier in front of me and just as I was about to hit it I appeared on Platform 9 3/4. Looking around, I saw Ginny's bright red hair, Harry's tousled black head, and I heard Mrs. Weasley's laughter some distance in front of me. Just as I was about to start making my way through the throngs of people I felt a hand on my arm. A tingle went up the limb and I looked up into the piercing blue eyes of Ron. They lacked their usual boyish twinkle but I told myself that it wasn't due to my previous snub.

Quirking an eyebrow Ron said, "Will you hang on Hermione? We've still got twenty minutes before the train leaves. I wanted to talk to you before you had to head off to the Head Girl and Head Boy compartment. Please?" Before I could melt into a puddle of goo in front of him, I looked away and tried to think up any excuse for getting away from him. His smell was too intoxicating and I feared for my sanity if I spent another moment in his company.

In a slightly trembling voice I said, "Err...Ron. I don't think I...have time. I really should go see about my duties as you said. Very important...that I see to that." My stomach lurched as I saw his face drop and my heart wrenched as he gave a dejected nod. Wheeling my trunk up to the front of the train, I stepped aboard and slid open the door of the compartment marked Head Girl and Head Boy. No one else was there but an envelope was sitting on one of the plump seat cushions. Pulling it off the door, I slid out the thick parchment and read:

Dear Miss Granger,

You have been chosen for the elite and honorable position of Hogwart's Head Girl. This position is steeped in history and the Hogwart's staff requires that you carry yourself in a distinguished manner. Your duties do not officially start until the first day of classes but we do ask that you give the Prefects their assignment. They are to patrol the corridors from time to time making sure that no one gets out of hand. Your duties will increase significantly once classes begin so you may have this time to relax. We ask that you leave your luggage in this carriage but you are welcome to spend the rest of your trip amongst your fellow students. You will see me in the Transfiguration classroom after the Welcoming Feast this evening for your assignments.

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Placing the letter in my pocket, I put up my luggage and sat down for a moment. It was going to be a beyond difficult year what with being Head Girl, having Voldemort after me, and crushing on my best friend but it was worth it. Just the thought of being Head Girl was worth all the trouble I had gone through. Smoothing my skirt as I stood, I slid open the door and stepped out into the student filled corridor. I walked with my head held high as I made my way to the Prefect's compartment. As I walked I heard the last call for the train and rain started to sprinkle against the windows I was passing.

After giving the Prefects their directions, I headed out into the corridor and went in search of the compartment my friends were in. The train had been under way for some time and I wondered why the Head Boy hadn't been there to help me with instructions. It wasn't a good sign if he was already showing up late for meetings and trying to get out of work. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't see the blond boy dart out of his compartment until too late. I collided with him at full speed and the two of us went toppling to the ground. The hard floor jarred my back as I made impact with it and the boy took my breath as he fell on top of me. I suddenly felt air rush back into my lungs as the boy clambered off of me and brushed off his clothes.

A familiar voice said, "Sorry...wasn't watching where I was going." The boy glanced down at me as he said this and I found myself looking into the startled silver eyes of Draco Malfoy. Before I could reply I heard the door behind me slide open and I heard someone let out a loud bellow. Two feet appeared next to my head and a pair of arms picked me up off the floor. To my surprise Ron was the one holding me and he looked to be quite upset about something.

Before I could ask what was the matter, Ron said in a voice seething with rage, "Keep your filthy hands off of her Malfoy! Hermione's mine! So help me god if you ever touch her again I'll rip your bloody hands off! Dumbledore might trust you but I won't ever trust you! As if it wasn't bad enough that you were a Malfoy now you're a traitor to your own side!" Ron's arms seemed to tremble with fury and I thought Draco's eyes were going to pop out of his head from surprise at the last part of Ron's speech.

Wrenching myself from Ron's arms, I wagged my finger in his face and in a harsh whisper said, "Ronald Weasley! Keep your voice down! No one can know about Draco's...situation."

Ron looked taken aback at my statement but before he could say a word Draco asked, "What are you talking about Weasel? What do you mean I'm a traitor to my own side?" Grabbing the two of them, I pushed them into the empty compartment that Ron had come from and closed the door. Giving Ron a quailing glare, I told Draco that we knew about his being involved with the Order.

Looking taken aback he said, "You...you...can't say anything to anyone. If my father were to find out...I would be dead for sure. No one can know. I...I have to go. I was heading somewhere before we bumped into each other." With that he rushed out the door, sliding it shut behind him. I sat still for a moment thinking about what had just happened. Draco had almost been...nice to me. If that was possible. He had seemed almost human and it was actually a nice change. Then I thought about what Ron had said and how close he had come to letting Draco's secret out. It was absolutely infuriating to hear him saying I was "his" when all he cared to do was totally ignore me. As I was thinking this, I heard Ron start to apologize to me and I couldn't take it anymore.

I interrupted him and said, "I don't want to hear it Ron! You almost got Malfoy into a lot of trouble because of your pigheadedness. We accidentally ran into each other. I wish you wouldn't get angry so fast all of the time. One of these days your temper is going to get you into trouble."

A look of anger spread across his face and he said, "Hermione! I don't know why you're sticking up for Malfoy all of a sudden. You know how cruel he's been to us in the past. How could I not think that he was trying to hurt you? I was just trying to protect you! Now that I think of it you've been moody all morning! What's your problem?"

My nostrils flared with barely suppressed rage and I practically screamed, "Don't you dare ask me what my problem is! You're the one who's been ignoring me for the past couple weeks! Then all of a sudden you start with the "Can I help you with that?" Now you tell Malfoy that I'm yours! I'm not a possession Ronald! What could possibly be running through your stupid head that would make you think I would even want to be yours?"

Ron blushed at this but he hollered back, "Me ignoring you? You're the one ignoring me! You've been acting stuffy ever since I saw you in the bathroom. It's not my fault that you deliberately left the door unlocked so I would walk in on you! You're just a tease!"

Gasping at his outrageous accusation, I poked my finger into his chest and said, "Oh now I'm a tease am I? You're such an idiot Ron! I would never want you to see me naked! You're disgusting! I...I hate you!"

Without waiting for his reply, I whirled on the spot and jerked the sliding door open. As I slammed the door shut behind me the earlier sprinkle of rain turned into a torrential downpour. The din of millions of raindrops banging of the train's roof reached my ears as I went in search of Harry and Ginny.

Once the train reached its destination I stayed behind to make sure that the Prefects directed the students to carriages. I was the last to get off the train but Harry, Ginny, and Ron waited for me. They were already soaked to the bone and as we waited in the mud for an empty carriage to show up the rain pelted at the robes I had put on before arriving. Ron kept to himself while we stood there and I stood as far away from him as possible. I had told Harry and Ginny about our argument so they just kept their mouths shut. I was still fighting mad from my argument with Ron and I kept getting the urge to punch him.

A carriage finally became available so Harry helped Ginny up into the horseless buggy. Displaying his magnificent lack of chivalry Ron got in before me without offering me any assistance. As I shut the door, a low rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. A bolt of lightning illuminated Ron's features and I noted that he looked slightly downcast. He deserved to be upset! He had deserved every mean thing I had screamed at him. I was convinced now, more than ever, that Ron had never liked me and that he was too barbaric to really have feelings for anyone. He had just been flirting with me for the heck of it back in Diagon Alley and I was embarrassed to say that I had taken him seriously. His ignoring me had been a way of trying to tell me that he wasn't interested and now he was trying to salvage what was left of our friendship. As another round of lightning shot through the night sky, I admitted to myself that even after our heated argument I still had feelings for Ron but I knew that he would never reciprocate those feelings.

A/N: I know it's annoying but this is how it has to be. Ron is going to act like an idiot and Hermione is going to act like an idiot. They both take things the wrong way and think the other one doesn't like them. I tried to make Ron be sweet in this chapter since they're not supposed to admit their feelings until the end. They should make up soon and go back to being friends. Madame Incendio does have a really awesome Hr/R story that I recommend for you all to read. Please keep up the reviews! I love them!

Lots of Love - Miss Dissendium

P.S. I get my driver's license on the 22nd of this month and I'm going to get my car today. (My parents are getting it as a birthday present) That means I have to get a job soon and I start back to school on the 2nd of August. I like to do well in school but by no means do I like school! I'm not excited about seeing some of the people! (They're annoying) That means my writing time will be cut short but I want to be done with this story before school starts.