Returning to Hogwarts

The goodbyes were difficult. Ron and Harry escorted Hermione to the 934 platform. Merlin they would miss her. They promised to write daily and to come visit as often as they could when they'll have Hogsmeade weekends. Hermione hugged her friends, made them swear to be careful, and then entered the practically departing train.

She was going to be very lonely this year. Sure, she had a lot of friends, but they weren't Harry and Ron. She entered the Heads compartment and put her uniform. Five minutes later, Blaise Zabini entered the compartment.

- This is for the heads Zabini, said a cross arms Hermione with an air of defiance in her voice.

- Guess what Granger?

- Are you going to tell me that You're the Head boy! Hermione looked defeated.

- Right you are…well I'm not surprised to see you got the job…

- What do you mean? Asked the girl eying him carefully.

- Well, for start, brightest witch since probably Dumbledore, teacher's pet and best friend of the boy-who-lived. Not a very difficult choice now isn't?

- Hermione said nothing more, her eyes were flashing dangerously. Only a Slytherin could turn a compliment into an insult.

- Well Zabini, since you seemed to know a lot about the situation, you should know that we're supposed to be controlling the train right now? insinuated Hermione in a bitchy tone.

- Granger, before this situation got out of hand and we say something that may be, he paused and looked at her with his very black and perceptive eye, exceed our thought…I just wanted to propose you a truce, he said presenting his hand, still looking into her eyes.

- A truce? Asked a very sceptical Hermione.

- No name calling, civil conversations, we are not 12 years old anymore don't you think?

- Truce, she said taking his hand and looking him in the eyes to test his seriousness.

- Truce, and then he added, well now that it is said and done, I'll patrolled the first compartments and you the last.

- Perfect with me, agreed Hermione.

With that said, they each excited the Head compartment. Hermione still couldn't believe what happened. She'll give a chance all right, for the sake of the school unity if nothing else. She didn't trusted him yet, probably never would. How in Merlin's name had he become Head Boy? Surely Justin Finch-Fletchey or even Ernie Macmillan would have been a better choice. 'It must have been Slughorn; he must have intervened in the process since Zabini was a protégé of his!'

As the handsome boy got out his compartment, he was assaulted by a very good looking girl. Pansy Parkinson was waiting for her boyfriend to join her. As she saw him, she jumped at him and gave him a very passionate kiss. He kissed her and after that, released her, still having the girl in his arms.

- Did it work? Asked Pansy.

- Of course it did, have you doubt me?

- Of course not honey…

- The first step of the plan has been accomplished, give me a month or two and we'll be up for the second part of the plan…

- I love you Blaise, murmur the girl in a husky tone.

- Love you too princess.

Blaise kissed his girlfriend lightly on the lips. Like a gentleman, he took her by the arms and escorted her to her cabin.

- I'll be seeing you later Pansy, I have to patrol the train.

- Duty calls hey? Jest his girlfriend.

- Yeah, well, see you.

Hermione couldn't help but to notice that the train was almost empty. She wondered how many students would be returning to Hogwarts. With that on the mind, she came across Lavender Brown. Last year that girl almost cost her friendship between herself and Ron. Seeing her there, alone, made Hermione pitied her. When Lavender saw Hermione, her eye got full of water.

- Hermione! Exclaimed the brown hair girl, still unsure of what Hermione would do.

Hermione said nothing but understanding the emotions Lavender was going by, just hugged her.

- Hermione, I missed you so much! I'm so sorry about last year, could you ever forgive me?

- It's already forgotten Lav, said a teary eye Hermione.

- I knew you…

- Let's not talk about it, leave the past to the past.

Lavender was crying and sniffling like there was no tomorrow. Hermione was making a big effort no to fall in tears, patting her friend on the back. She knew something else was the matter, Lavender wasn't the sort of person to break down like this, because it wasn't just happy tears, it was a desperation call.

- What's the matter Lavender? Sweetly asked Hermione.

- I…I don't know where to begin… Was finally able to say the crying girl.

- The beginning is always a good point to start, joked Hermione trying poorly to cheer the girl up.

- When there isn't a real beginning to pinpoint?

Hermione added nothing. The girl wanted to be listened to, not argued with, it took Hermione a great deal of energy not talking back an express her view on that subject.

- I…I'm still in love with Ron you know?

- You still love him? Repeated Hermione stunned.

- Yes, you probably thought I was with him because he was Harry's friend or something like this hey?

- No, never, lie the chestnut hair girl.

- Anyhow, I wrote to him five times this summer and he didn't reply once! I loved him so much, so much, I even gave him my virginity and he won't reply a single time!

- Maybe your letters didn't reach him? Tried to explain Hermione, not wanting to give so much information about their whereabouts.

- Maybe…but then, HE could have tried to give me some news! I was going nuts all summer long, no news, nothing, I didn't even knew if he was still alive with all of what is going on…

- Hum…

- And to sum it up, Pavarti won't be coming back this year!

As the girl started to cry again, Hermione didn't know what to do, her best friends were boys, so they didn't express that much. She wished Ginny was here right now, she was good with girl stuff.

- I could try to talk to Ron if you'd like?Said Hermione trying to comfortthe very emotive girl.

- You would?

- Yes, what are friends for?

- You're the best Hermione, and Lavender was now smiling.

Hermione excused herself and told her she had to continue her rounds in the train, but truth was that she only wanted to get awayand think about this situation. She knew Ron, and it wouldn't surprise her if he'd received the owls but ignored them because he didn't know what to say. She would write to him as soon as they arrive Hogwarts. She made her way to the compartment where they used to sit, Ron, Harry and her. Neville, Luna, Ginny and Dean were sitting in it now. It gave Hermione a funny feeling, nostalgia.

She chatted with her schoolmates about nothing and everything, listening to the story of their summer. During their stay in Harry's house, they hadn't had a lot of free time to chat. It was a good stress reliever, thought Hermione, 'Just having to listen, not to think about anything at all…'

A couple of hours later, they were finally at school, ready to star a new year. Hagrid was waiting for the first years at the train station, it was a tradition Hermione hoped would be carried on, and felt relieved to see the familiar face of Hagrid.