Time flew by, as it always did when Harry was at the Burrow, and before he knew it, Harry had all his new stuff for his sixth year, and he was headed for Platform 9 ¾ .

Once they arrived, Harry took a moment, staring around at the platform, and the familiar feeling came to him - he was going home. By some miracle, the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione had all arrive in good time, and Mrs. Weasley marvelled at this.

"It's so nice not to have to rush, isn't it Arthur?"

"It is, Molly dear."

Eleven o'clock drew nearer and soon enough goodbyes were being exchanged.

"Do take care, Harry dear." Mrs Weasley smiled brightly at him, yet her eyes couldn't hide the concern that belied her steady voice.

"I'll try, Mrs. Weasley. And thanks – for everything."

She beamed at him.

A short while later, the trunks were loaded onto the train, and Harry, Ron and Hermione could be found in an empty compartment, awkward glances being exchanged.

"Harry, 'Mione and I have to go and take care of those little first year gits… Prefect duties…"Ron sighed.

"Ron!"

Harry watched as they turned and headed down the train corridor, both bickering, and gesturing emphatically. It was his first real chance to think about anything since arriving at the Burrow, and he took the opportunity. Opening his trunk, he grabbed his Invisibility cloak, draped it over him, and leant his head against the window, feeling the cool chill spread across the side of his face through the whispery fabric of the Invisibility cloak. He figured this way no-one could interrupt him, unless they sat on him, but he would see them first. So, Hermione and Ron… he knew he should be happy for them, and yet, a small part of him was growling in disapproval. It was natural to be jealous of your best friends getting together, right? He had been through so much with them, and the three of them were bound to get very close. Ron and Hermione had just taken that a little further… Inwardly growling at the thought, Harry shifted his position so that his back was now leaning against the cool window. As he shifted he noted the familiar change of scenery, how it grew wilder and darker. He now sat facing the doors into his compartment, arms resting loosely on his knees. His thoughts drifted to Sirius… No, that was painful. Instead he forced himself to think about the article he had read at Number Four. Mysterious disappearances it had read… Voldemort was stealing muggles… but why?

Suddenly the door to the compartment was slid roughly open, and an angry Hermione shuffled stiffly through the doors, followed by a sullen Ron. Harry remained silent, debating whether or not to reveal himself, it seemed a bad time, they were clearly about to have a fallout.

They were sitting next to each other on the seat on the opposite side of the compartment to Harry. Hermione turned to Ron.

"Ron, if you don't take your Prefect responsibilities seriously, then why bother being a prefect?"

"'Mione, I do take them seriously. I just hate watching out for those little brats…" he said jokingly. Hermione obviously didn't get the joke, for she shot back at him:

"Ron! As incomprehensible as this may seem, you were once one of those 'little brats'…"

Ron suddenly stood up, glaring at Hermione.

"I know you didn't think I deserved this! You thought Harry should have been a Prefect instead of me!"

Hermione also stood up now, and though she was a head shorter than Ron, Harry was reminded eerily of Mrs. Weasley. She lost her menacing demeanour, however, when she began to mumble, clearly unsure as to what to say in her defence.

"I-Ron, I knew you would get it. You-you deserved it." She herself didn't look convinced.

"DON'T LIE!" Ron was seething now, his hands balling into fists by his sides.

Hermione reached out to touch Ron, but he avoided her hands.

"Ron, just -"

"Just what, Hermione? Just don't bother, right?"

"No, I meant -"

"Just shut up, Hermione."

This made everything so much worse.

"You want the truth Ron? I did think Harry deserved it! I was sure he would get it!"

Ron looked abashed, but then shot back at her:

"Well he didn't, did he?"

"That's because Dumbledore didn't want to burden him! He knew Harry would have made a great prefect."

Ron didn't have anything to say to this. He was breathing heavily, and he was shaking with anger. Surprising Harry and Hermione, Ron simply looked Hermione square in the eyes, and then walked silently out of the compartment.

Hermione was still seething, but as soon as Ron had left, she sank into the seat once again, and began to cry.

Harry didn't know what to say. He didn't think he should have heard that. He watched Hermione, and saw pearly tears slip down her cheeks into her lap. He had to do it.

With her head bent low, she didn't see Harry shed his cloak, but Hermione knew his presence immediately as he pulled her up into a hug.

She didn't say anything, but comprehension dawned on her, and she realised Harry had heard everything. She cried into his shoulder, while Harry held her. He was just a bit shorter than Ron, but tall enough that she could fit her head under his chin. After a while, Harry gently let her go, guiding her to a seat.

"You want to talk about it?" he stated simply.

Still sniffling, Hermione wiped her eyes, and looked at Harry.

"I think you heard pretty much how I feel."

"I-I'm sorry Hermione. I just wanted some time to think, I didn't mean anything like this to happen."

"I understand." She looked down. Harry tried to catch her eyes, but instead, reached out, and took her hand.

"Do you want me to go? Do you need some time alone?"

Hermione reacted immediately.

"No, can you… can you…" she trailed off.

"Can I…" Harry repeated as he watched her, concern etched on his face.

"W-Will you… hold me?"

Harry knew Hermione to be very secretive at times, and that she usually dealt with problems by herself, thus he was stunned to hear her plea for comfort. Stunned, but willing.

"I – maybe Ron should -"

Hermione was silent, she knew he was right, but it didn't change the fact that she then wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to a hug.

Harry returned it, grateful to be some comfort to her.

"You guys are going to be fine." Harry stated, even though in his heart he hoped for the opposite. He continued, however, masking his real thoughts.

"You have little tiffs like this all the time; it's really the epitome of a love/hate relationship."

Hermione began to laugh softly at this, and Harry took this opportunity to wipe her tears away. They sat in silence for a while, which neither Harry nor Hermione really objected to, it was nice to just… be. They were suddenly interrupted and drawn from their own respective thoughts when the compartment door was opened softly. Ron stood in the door way, head bent low, he hadn't looked at them yet, and when he did, it really wasn't how he had expected to find Hermione. It was obvious that he had come to apologize, but his demeanour changed in seconds, from apologetic and sullen to angry and confused.

Harry and Hermione rapidly separated, both standing up, and Hermione moved towards Ron, but before she could speak, Ron had stopped her.

"Don't Hermione."

Hermione noted that he didn't use their nickname.

"I-I'm sorry Ron, Harry was just, he heard, and I was upset and…"

"Nothing happened, I promise, Ron." Harry added.

Ron merely looked at Harry, scepticism tainting his features. He then turned to Hermione.

"If you think he's so much better than me then why don't you-"

"Ron, don't be like this!"

Harry again felt out of place, except this time he was visible, they knew he was here.

Suddenly, Rons attitude changed.

"I-Hermione, I'm just really – I get really jealous…" he trailed off, turning red.

"That's an understatement." Hermione retorted.

"Please 'Mione, I need you…"

This softened Hermione, she moved over to him, and embraced him.

"Same here. C'mon, walk with me."

By now, Harry felt really out of place, so he made an on-the-spot decision.

"No, you guys have a lot of stuff to…er… work out. I'll go change, we're nearly there. I'll see you when we get there."

With that he left Ron and Hermione in the compartment to make up, as he knew they would.

Finding another empty compartment, Harry changed into his uniform and his robes. Just as he was slipping his robes over his shoulders, he realised he hadn't put on his tie. Sighing, he filtered through the contents of his trunk until he found his tie, neatly ironed (by Mrs. Weasley, no doubt). Shutting the lid of his trunk, he lifted up his collar and swung the tie around his neck, adjusting the lengths of the tie on his chest, and as he did so, he heard someone come in. Without turning, he continued to tie his tie.

He felt someone slip their arms around his waist, and he turned his head slightly, and inhaled sharply as he felt his cheek touch warm, soft skin. He found himself looking into Hermione's eyes. He stopped tying his tie, letting his hands drop to his sides.

"Hermione, I don't think you should -"

"Shh."

Hermione let go, and turned Harry around to face her.

"I'm really sorry about before, but you were great, I really needed that."

"Uh – sure. So, are you and Ron…"

"We're fine; you know what he's like, always jealous…"

Harry couldn't hide his disappointment, so instead he began to tie his tie again, but was doing an appalling job.

Hermione noticed this.

"Here, let me."

Hermione, with surprising skill, began to do up Harry's tie. Harry meanwhile, was trying not to look like he was enjoying this too much.

She was so close, he could see the few tiny freckles that were scattered over her cheeks and neck. He could smell her…

"There." She said suddenly, drawing Harry out of his reverie.

"Uh – thanks, Hermione. I'm – I'm going to go speak with the driver, see how much longer…"

Hermione looked suddenly sad, but hid it in seconds, smiling at Harry.

"OK, we'll save you a seat in the carriages up to school."

"Thanks."

Harry moved out of the compartment, walked down the corridor and stopped when he found the bathroom. He stepped inside, shut the door, and put the lid of the toilet down. He sat with his head in his hands, thinking about what just happened. He had to get out of there, it had been almost unbearable, she was close enough tosmell! Was this how it was going to be this year? Would he be the buffer in between them? Would he be able to control himself around Hermione? He had to. He made up his mind. No touching, it would be easier. With his new resolve in mind, Harry thought about the coming year. Ron and Hermione aside, what else was in store for him?

The Hogwarts Express came to a stop, and Harry stood up.

"Here I go…" Harry said softly to himself, suddenly regretting making a resolve he was sure to break…