Here is the next chapter and before I leave there will be at least one more undate on this story. Hope you all like the story and thank you so much to all my reviewers! It makes me so happy to get them that I just want to go out and write more faster. I will continue to work on this story and in the meanwhile you all read this chapter and enjoy and make sure to give lots of reviews. Reviews help me work and encourage me to update faster. Thanks so much for all the reviews! Ace

pottyboutweasley: Thank you so much for the Bloody part. I smiled so wide when I read that. I use that word so much now thanks to Ron. I'm so thankful for all your reviews. It helps me know that I'm not writing for no reason. Thanks my friend for the complinments and hope you like this chapter.

Chapter 8: To Hogwarts we go.

"Wake up you lot, or you'll miss the train" And with this came a pounding on Ron's bedroom door.

Harry heard Mrs. Weasley's voice come in through the walls. He looked over at Ron and saw him turn over to face the wall, but not before throwing a pillow in the direction of the door.

Harry smiled to himself as he looked up at the ceiling. He was going back to Hogwarts and none to soon. He was getting tried of Mrs. Weasley's worrying and all the precautions. He loved Mrs. Weasley as if she was his mother but even real mothers can sometimes feel overprotective and suffocating. He just wanted it to be normal again. But he knew it wouldn't be. Not until He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was gone for good. And with that either he would have to fight and win or battle and be destroyed.

Quietly there was a familiar rapping at the door. Harry smiled. He knew it was Ginny. It was her knock. He threw off the covers and rushed over to the door. He opened it a crack, hoping not to disturb Ron.

"Morning," Ginny said as quietly as she had knocked. She knew full well that her brother would not wake up after the first call. It was a shock if he would get up after the second or third call. Usually it took four or five yells and a few pounds on the door. He had become a heavy sleeper over the years.

"Morning," Harry replied with a smile.

"Hurry up and get dressed. I'll wait for you." Ginny said noticing that Harry was still in his pajama bottoms. She blushed at his bare chest.

"I'll be right out." He said and disappeared into the room. He thrashed about surprisingly quiet grabbing a shirt and pulling it on then pants and jumping into them then diving into his shoes. He pocketed his wand and hastened to the door. He opened the wooden door and stepped out. Ginny smiled again. Harry slipped his hand into hers and they headed down the stairs together.

Fifteen minutes later, Mrs. Weasley pounded again on Ron's door. "Get up or you'll have to stay here with me and your father." She threatened. Ron shot straight up.

"I'm awake!" He shouted back. There was no way he was going to stay around home with his mom and dad. He was looking forward to getting back to school. Sharing a room with Harry, Seamus, Dean, and Neville, playing quidditch. "I'll get dressed and be right down." He could hear his mother's footsteps die away as she moved back downstairs.

Ron sat in bed for a moment then finally threw off the sheets and blankets. He ran his fingers through his hair as he stood up and searched the room for clean clothes. He found a navy shirt and a pair of worn jeans and pulled them on. He grabbed a pair of clean socks and shoved his feet into them. It took him a minute to find his shoes under the clutter that made up the floor of his room. Finally he found them as he threw a pair of jeans from the floor into his open trunk. He pulled them on and exited his room.

In the kitchen he found Harry and Ginny sitting at one end of the table deep in conversation about quidditch. Hermione sat at the opposite side, her nose deep in a book. He went to the cupboard, grabbed a bowl, cereal and a spoon from the silverware drawer. Then he sat down at the table near Hermione and poured himself a bowl of cereal adding the milk last.

After he had chewed his first bite, he spoke. "So you didn't feel like yelling at me this morning to get my lazy butt out of bed?" He asked taking another bite of cereal.

Hermione looked over her book. "Well I thought, seeing as it's the last day of the holidays, I would leave that pleasure for your mother." She said smiling. "By the way, your hair is sticking up."

Ron shrugged as he reached up with his left hand and ran his fingers through his hair again taking another bite of cereal as he did. "Well that was nice of you." He replied talking as he tried to chew.

"Don't talk with you're mouth full." Hermione said returning to her book.

Ron chuckled, a few flecks of food leaving his mouth. Hermione glared at him and he swallowed. "Sorry," he muttered somewhat blushing and she went back to her book. He chewed a few more mouthfuls and then spoke again. "You know you and my mum have a lot in common." He paused for a moment to see if he had her attention. "You both like to pound on my bedroom door, tell me my hair is unruly and always a mess, and you insist on correcting my manners." Hermione glared at him. "You'll make a good mum someday."

His last sentence shocked Hermione. She stared at him as he went back to eating his cereal. Why had he said that? What made him say that? What did he mean by it? She was about to ask when he stood up.

"Well better go pack the rest of my things. I still have most of it lying on the floor." Ron said putting his bowl in the sink. With that he left the room and headed back up to his room to finish packing.

Less then an hour later, everyone stood dressed in black robes in the front room including Lupin and Tonks, who were there to escort them to platform 9 3/4 safely. The four Hogwarts trunks full of clothes, parchment, quills, ink, and books stood together in a row. On top of Harry's Hedwig rested in her cage, on top of Ron's Pig flittered about nosily in his cage, and on top of Hermione's Crookshanks meowed loudly to be let out his traveling container.

"Well is everyone ready?" Tonks asked. Today she was disguised as a chubby middle aged women with brushy blonde hair. The four students and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"Alright then shall we be off?" Lupin asked with a smile as he led the way out of the Burrow door. Each student drug along their trunks behind them while the adults carried the animals. Once everyone was away from the house and outside of the charm limits, Lupin raised his wand and shot green sparks into the air.

Faster then you can say qudditch, a brightly colored purple triple decker bus appeared in front of them. Ron sighed. "I was hoping not to have to ride this thing again," he murmured as they stepped on to the Knight Bus.

"Alright, everyone find a seat," called Mrs. Weasley. Harry and Ginny rushed to the back of the first floor to two seats covered in a flowery material. Hermione took a seat near the front and Ron took the one next to her. Tonks sat on the other side of Hermione and Lupin, Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley found seats near the back, a few spots in front of Ginny and Harry. Suddenly, just as they had sat down, the bus lurched forward and they were off.

There were three stops made before they finally reached the King's Cross in London. Each time they had taken off and stopped Ron had been sure to grab the arms of his chair so he wouldn't fall out. A couple of times it had been close, but he managed to stay upright.

Finally after everyone had gotten off the bus and gathered in a group, they made their way to the wall between the Platforms 9 and 10.

"Okay Harry you come with me." Mr. Weasley said moving toward the wall. He and Harry rushed at the archway and soon disappeared.

"Ginny, dear, come with me." Mrs. Weasley said and they two rushed at the gateway and vanished. Next came Hermione and Tonks and finally Lupin and Ron.

Once everyone was through the barrier, they hurried to the scarlet red train that had Hogwarts Express printed in gold letters on the engine. They rushed aboard the train and heaved their trunks on to the luggage car. Before they had time to find an empty compartment, the train began to move. Quickly students dressed in black robes pushed toward the windows. Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione were separated by students eager to wave goodbye to their families.

Finally when the crowd began to proceed to the compartments, when the platform was no longer visible, Ron could see around him. He sighed as a group of small worried students walked past him.

"Wow this years first years are really small." Ron muttered under his breath. He smiled to himself as he remembered the first time he had ridden the Hogwarts Express. When he had first met Harry and first laid eyes on Hermione. He chuckled. Oh boy was she a pain back then. Hey she could still be a pain now but he stilled loved her. There was just something about her that had hooked him that first time he had laid eyes on her. At first he had resisted but soon he realized it was out of his control. Eros had hit him with one of his arrows and there was nothing he could do about it.

After the first years had made their way past, Ron moved out into the corridor. He looked around for Harry, Ginny and Hermione and found them nowhere. "Well I suppose if I head for the prefect compartment I'll find Hermione." He thought as he stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out his prefect badge. He rubbed it with the sleeve of his robes. He was really proud of it but never really showed it. One, he hadn't wanted to make Harry jealous. Ron was still amazed that he had got it and not Harry. Two, he didn't want to be teased by Fred and George. It was bad enough with the little things they had done, he didn't want to imagine what they would have done if he had been as proud and obnoxious as Percy had been. Third, it wasn't like him. It was more like Hermione. And she had done enough bragging and being proud for the both of them.

As he entered the prefect car, he came face to face with a pale, white blonde haired boy, just his age. "Well if it isn't Weasel King," came the drawling voice that belonged to none other than Draco Malfoy.

"Ah Malfoy," Ron said through gritted teeth. With the war going on, the rival spirits between Harry, Ron and the members of Dumbledore's Army and the known sons of Death Eaters was even more intense. It was lucky that Hermione came up to him at this time. That and they were in the presents of adult authority figures.

"I see you found me. I was wondering where you had gotten too." She said stepping in between Ron and Draco. Ron looked down at her. She was always looking out for him. She could sense when he was in a rage and put an end to it quickly. Many times he was grateful for it, and now was one of the those times, but some of the time he wished she would just let him have a go at Malfoy.

"Yeah I figured you'd be here. Getting the new passwords and rules." Ron said watching Draco over her shoulder smirking at Ron then turning away. "Did you see where Ginny and Harry went?"

Hermione smiled. He was always keeping an eye out for Harry, Ginny and herself. It was like he felt it his duty to make sure they were okay. "I saw Ginny go off toward the back of the train. I can only assume that her and Harry went to look for an empty compartment." Hermione explained as she took Ron by the arm and led him over to the seats she had claimed as theirs.

"So how long is this going to take?" Ron asked taking the seat next to her. She sighed. No doubt he was eager to get back to Harry so they could play chess or something. "Boys," she thought.

As she was about to reply, Professor McGonagall appeared. She smiled in her usual straight tone. "Welcome back prefects and new head boy and girl. Hopefully this year will be another great year at Hogwarts."

Ron and Hermione watched her as she fidgeted with the parchment in her hands that held the new passwords for the Houses. They both knew that she hoped that the war would not reach the boundaries of the school.

"Well I suppose I should begin with reviewing the rules. First, ..." and she dolled on.

For once Hermione did not pay attention to McGonagall. Instead she looked over at Ron. He was staring up at the ceiling, no doubt spacing out. "I wonder what he's thinking about?" she asked herself. His mind was a mystery to her. She very smart and could read most anything or anyone but Ron was a total enigma She had spent many a time trying to figure out what he was thinking or trying to say. She understood Harry. He wasn't hard. His big thing was he wanted to fit in somewhere. He wanted someone to connect with. She knew that's why he cared so much about Sirius. Lupin too. They were a connection to his mother and father. And Sirius, being his godfather, was the only family he considered he had had.

"What he really needs is someone to confide in. Someone who really cared about him and he could really care about her. A girlfriend." She thought. She knew it was stupid. Harry hadn't like anyone since Cho and that was over. "That's okay I never liked her anyway. But what about someone else?" She thought hard about the other girls at school. There was Parvati, but she was no good. They had gone to the Yule Ball together and she was still mad at him for not paying attention to her. Beside she was too much of a gossip. And then there her sister Padma, but she was in Ravenclaw and Harry really need someone close by. There was Lavender but she was kind of an airhead and Harry needed someone with brains. She ran through the list of girls and came up empty handed. Was there anyone that would compliment Harry well?

Suddenly McGonagall called her and Ron forward. Ron stood up and walked over to her. Hermione jumped up quickly and followed him.

"Here is the new password for Gryffindor." She said and handed them each a piece of parchment. Ron took it and looked at it. It read Wronski Feint. Ron grinned.

"Got it." he said pocketing the piece of parchment.

"Good. Then you two are dismissed until further notice." McGonagall said and called the next two prefects up. Ron and Hermione moved out of the way and exited the perfect compartment so they could find Harry and Ginny.

They traveled the length of the train and found Harry and Ginny in a compartment with Neville and Luna in the last car of the train.

"Glad that's done. Now time for some snacks." Ron said entering the car and grabbing a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and popped one into his mouth. Soon he began to wave his hand in front of his mouth.

Hermione laughed. "What flavor is it?" She asked grabbing two bottles of pumpkin juice. She handed one to Ron as she sat down next to him looking across at Harry, Ginny, and Luna for a moment then turning back to watch Ron gulp down his pumpkin juice.

"JalapeƱo." Ron replied sticking out his tongue in disgust. He gulped down another big swig of his drink.

"Sounds yummy." Harry said laughing. He was smiling and having a great time. It was great to be on his way back to Hogwarts. Everything seemed to be right with the world at the moment. No war, no Death Eaters, no Voldemort. All that mattered at the moment was Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, and pumpkin juice; Wizard's Chess and Exploding Snaps; and good friends. He had even managed to forget about Sirius for while.

"Well anyone up for a game of Exploding Snaps?" Ginny asked bringing the game out. Everyone nodded and volunteered with a yes.

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Many games later, Ginny and Harry decided to wander the train.

"We should go patrol the corridors Ron." Hermione said standing up. Ron looked at her with a sour face.

"I don't wanna," he complained. Hermione put her hands on her hips.

"You know it's part of our duty as perfects," she reminded him. He rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Yes mother," he said and headed for the hallway. Hermione stared at him as he walked past her. There he was again referring to her as mother like. Why did he do that?

"Well are you coming? Cuz if you're not, then I'm not." He asked looking at her. She shook her head and followed after him.

Ron and Hermione returned twenty-minutes later. They found Ginny and Harry playing a game of chess with Neville watching. Luna was reading the latest copy of the Quibbler.

"Well I think I'll take a nap. Wake me up when we get there." Ron said flopping down into his seat and closing his eyes. He stretch his long legs out in front of him and crossed his arms, getting comfortable. This time Hermione rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him.

While Ron slept, Hermione lost herself in thought. She was curious about why he had been telling her she was like his mother. She knew that he and Harry hated it when she would do mother like things like correcting manners and such. And she didn't mean to do it either. It was just who she was. But it still bothered her that he picked now to point out that she did it so often. "He's never done this before. What is going on with him?" She thought to herself. She could hear his light breath of sleep next to her. She smiled. He could sleep anywhere. She reached into her knapsack and pulled out a book. She began to read as the hills quickly past the windows.

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The beautiful castle loomed above them as they exited the Thersal pulled carriages. Each member of the trio had a smile upon their face. They had returned once again to the school that they had all grown to love. Each one was excited to be back. Hermione to learn, Ron for quidditch, and Harry for D.A. meetings and the chance to play quidditch again.

They entered the great hall together and made their way to the Gryffindor house table. Each of the house tables were filling up quickly.

"Hey Harry!" Dean shouted as he waved at them from his regular spot. Harry smiled and waved back. They took their seats and began to converse among one another about their holiday vacations.

The Great Hall was filled with noise. Students discussing their holidays and saying hi to friends they hadn't seen over the break. Most of the teachers sat at the staff table, talking amongst one another. Hagrid was talking with Professor Sprout, Snape drank from his goblet as he listened to Professor Sinstra, McGonagall was presumably in the room off the hall with the first years. Dumbledore sat in the middle of the table, like always, discussing who knows what with a young looking women, the new defense against the dark arts teacher.

Finally the hall quieted and McGonagall entered with the first years and the sorting began with Abbot, Cleve and ended with Zeckler, Andrea. It was over as fast as it had began and McGonagall removed the stool and hat from the hall. It was time for Dumbledore to speak.

"Welcome back students to another year at our beloved Hogwarts. I know that everyone must be hungry but if I may, I have a few words I would like to share with you." Dumbledore paused and cleared his throat. "We are all aware that we are in the middle of a war. Voldemort has returned and his group of Death Eaters are growing with each day. But you have nothing to worry about. You will be safe while you are at Hogwarts. More charms and spells have been added to the grounds for your protection. Because of this, Hogsmeade trips will be postponed until further notice.

"On a happier note, I am pleased to introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Nymphadora Tonks." He finished and the hall erupted into polite applause. Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny looked at each other and grinned each of them recognizing the young witch suddenly.

"How come she didn't tell us this morning?" Ginny asked while they applauded. Harry and Ron shrugged and then turned back to the head table. Tonks stood up and waved at the four house tables, a smile graced her young face.

"I believe that is all for now. Again, welcome back and here's to a another great year." Dumbledore finished and the student body clapped.

As he finished the plates, bowls, and pitchers filled with food and drink on the table. The students hungrily tucked in and the food began to disappear. When everyone had eaten their fill, the plates and table cleared and Dumbledore stood up again.

"Now that everyone has had there fill, I hope you will all return to your dormitories and have a good night's sleep. And please do not worry. You are completely safe. Precautions have been taken, you have my word that you are secure here." Dumbledore said with a smile, hoping to lighten the spirits of the students. Some seemed reassured, but others were not quite sure. Ron was not sure how he felt but he knew that Dumbledore would not out right lie. He was always truthful with them about the situation. Therefore he must be telling the truth about this.

With that the students began to exit the Great Hall and head for their respected dormitories.

Ron entered his dormitory, after climbing the staircase from the Gryffindor common room, and smiled. Neville was placing an unfamiliar plant on his night stand, Dean was putting up a his poster of the West Ham football team, and Seamus was searching his trunk for something. Harry was no where to be seen.

"Well I think I'm off to bed." Ron said throwing open his trunk. He bent over it and pushed aside his books to find his PJ bottoms.

"That sounds just like you Ron. Eat, sleep, eat, sleep. Do you do anything else?" Dean asked with a chuckle.

Ron stood up, holding his flannel pants in one hand. "You forgot quidditch." Ron said with a simple smile. He put down the pants on the edge of his bed and pulled off his robes, chucking them into his trunk. He removed his shirt, letting it drop on top of his robes.

"It's kinda nice to be back, isn't it?" Neville asked as Ron removed his jeans and threw them on top of his shirt.

"Yeah it is. But I think everyone's a little on the edge with the whole war thing." Ron said standing there in his dark colored boxers, looking at Neville as he replied. "I think Dumbledore scared a few of the first years though. Did anybody notice how small they are this year?"

"Yeah they really are pint sized, aren't they?" Seamus interjected taking a leaf out of Ron's tree and beginning to change into his pajamas. "Can't believe we were ever that small."

"Your kidding me mate. We were never that small." Ron retorted with a laugh as he pulled on his pants and moved toward the head of his bed. "Well I'm off to dream land. See you guys in the morning." With this, he hopped onto the bed and pulled the blankets up.

"Night." Dean said.

"Night, mate." Seamus copied.

"Goodnight Ron." Neville added.

"Sleep tight guys, and don't let the bed bugs bite." Ron expressed as he closed the curtains on his bed.

The other boys soon followed Ron's suggestion and headed for bed. After Dean, Seamus, and Neville were snoring like Ron, Harry tiptoed in. He changed out of his clothes and quietly made his way to his bed. He closed the curtains and feel asleep, thinking about the time he had just spent with Ginny.