First Attempts
"Crnnn oo beee tsss rr sst err?" Ron inquired, finishing the last remains of his pumpkin pastry.
Harry turned away from the compartment window to stare at Ron, " What?"
Ron swallowed and asked again, "Can you believe this is our last year?"
Harry turned his gaze back to the window. The Forbidden Forest was coming into view. Trees flew by at a steady pace, Harry was sure that they should be arriving at Hogwarts soon. "No and yes. Sometimes, it seems like it was just yesterday when my letter arrived. Other times, it seems as though I've been at Hogwarts for a lifetime," Harry answered vaguely, never taking his eyes off the window. A loud whistle sounded confirming that they had arrive at Hogwarts. The sound of screeching metal entered their ears as the train came to a slow stop. Ron reached up to pull open the compartment door, when it was violently slammed open from the outside. Ron looked up to find a very angry Hermione staring back.
"Ronald!" Ron winced. She only called him Ronald when she was royally pissed off. Ron wondered how on earth he could have only seen her for a few moments and some how pissed her off enough for her to use his full name." Where have you been! You are Head Boy incase you have forgotten. An as Head Boy, you and I are supposed to be escorting the first years to Hagrid!" Ron's face began redden in aggravation. He open his mouth to retort when he saw Harry out of the corner of his eye. Harry shook his head slightly and gave him a half grin. Ron swallowed his angry words. Now was as good a time as any to try to show Hermione how he felt.
"I'm…I'm s sorry," Ron fumbled for words, unaccustomed to apologizing. " I… I completely forgot." He looked up at her. The angry in her eyes melted into confusion, curiosity, and was that love? Ron, gaining confidence, took advantage of her vulnerability went on." I promise it won't happen again, Hermione," he swore sincerely. Hermione swallowed slowly, her heart dropping to her stomach. "Come on, we'd better go. The firsties are probably scared to death," he said standing up. Hermione stared back at him in shock. Who are you and what have you done with my Ron? He's faking, he couldn't have possibly been that nice ever. But, he looked so sincere. Ron tried to edge past her, the contact jarred her out of her thoughts.
"Yeah, lets go," she nodded, turning and walking towards the front of the train. Ron followed, but not without turning to grin at Harry. Harry grinned back and gave him a thumbs up. Ginny grinned at him too, her hand on Harry's knee. Her hand on Harry's knee! He didn't like the idea of leaving his best friend with his little sister in that tiny compartment alone together. But he didn't have time or else Hermione would be yelling again. And he personally liked her best when she was not yelling. He turned away from Harry and Ginny and sprinted towards Hermione, ignoring the thoughts of them alone in the compartment that were passing through his mind. He caught up to Hermione and walked beside her and smiled at her. She smiled back. This was the way it's supposed to be, Ron thought to himself. They walked to the front of the train and down the stairs. Once on the ground, Ron looked around. Forty or fifty really short kids stared at him with wide eyes. He chuckled to himself.
"Hi everyone, I'm the Head Girl. My name is Hermione Granger. And this is the Head Boy, Ron Weasley," Hermione informed the first years. " As tradition the first years arrive alone at Hogwarts by boat. The gamekeeper Hagrid will help you across the lake. We will escort you to him now," she continued briskly. They walked the kids to the edge of the lake, where Hagrid stood waiting. He waved at them, but didn't have time for greetings.
"Runn'in lil bit er late, " he apologized and then turned to the first years. Ron and Hermione made their way back to the train.