The train ride had been an unnaturally quiet one, as could easily be assumed. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna had all shared a single compartment, and there was a silent understood agreement between them- This would probably be their last trip together.

Well, in truth, this was only known to Harry, Ron and Hermione. How would the others react when they found out that they would not be retuning to Hogwarts? How would Ginny react?

When there weren't awkward moments of silence, the group would reminisce on the past years together, most of which involved the DA or quidditch matches. Harry praised Neville on what an amazement he had proved with his unexpected DADA skills, and they laughed half-heartingly at the time Dobby came rushing in, forewarning them of Umbridge. Harry had filled them in on how he had been caught by Malfoy; at the time it was horrific, but now he could share with them how humorous it must have looked, him running at full speed only to be sent flying a good three yards as he tripped. This, of course, led to a bashing session of Umbridge, and to the memorable escape of Fred and George, which led to Quidditch. They explained the last game for Harry, something that hadn't yet properly been done.

"… And if you thought I was good at the LAST match, you should have seen me then…. Sure, a few goals got in, but I made up for it…." Ron trailed off, not wanting to tell his own tale of amazement for fear he might look too full of himself.

"Yes, he was amazing." Hermione picked up for him, smirking. "There was this one save where he actually blocked it with his head… no damage done of course…"

"Ha, you're hilarious." Ron said sarcastically. "You couldn't have told them about the one where I fell from my broom, and just barely hung on, and kicked the quaffle to Katie… just like that one at practice, Harry! Except I didn't do it on accident…" Most of them laughed, except Luna and Neville, who of course had no idea of what happened at practice.

"And you should have SEEN the look on Cho's face when I caught the snitch." Ginny chimed in. "She must have felt really dumb, she was giving one of her teammates advice on a barrel roll or something when I saw it, I was miles ahead of her when she noticed."

"Yeah," Ron laughed, "when she got to the ground, she threw another one of her little fits, it couldn't have been more obvious that she really wanted to win… with you gone, they thought they had it in the bag."

"And to top it all off," Neville added, with an admirable look at Luna, "Luna commented the whole thing…. 'And look', he reenacted, 'Cho Chang seems to be doing a Hicknuffle mating dance now that she's landed on the ground… someone should stop her, hicknuffles tend to cause deafness to those nearby… and which case, we wouldn't be able to hear the lovely cheers from the Gryffindor stands.', It only made her angrier."

They all laughed again, Harry looked at Luna in disbelief. "You really should commentate next year, Luna…. You know, if…."

And this caused another uncomfortable pause.

The trolley came and went, none of them bought anything. Appetites seemed to be running low lately.

After about an hour filled with some more forced conversation, the train pulled into Kings' Cross station. Harry vaguely thought to himself that this had been the only trip from Hogwarts where Malfoy had not come to interrogate him… well, obviously, but it was a change all the same….

As they carried their luggage out of the trains, they noticed that other pupils on the train seemed to almost part as the passed. Romilda Vane spotted them, and gave Ginny a contemptuous glare, and quickly gave Harry what she must have thought was a flirty smile. He ignored her. Crabbe and Goyle also spotted them, giving Harry glares nearly as loathsome as Romilda's, and Cho was still determidly not catching Harry's eye. Besides these few exceptions, however, there was an air of reverence as they passed.

After passing through the barriers, Harry was somehow surprised to see his Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin waiting for him. He had almost completely forgotten about them, seeing as he had been looking forward to never seeing them again. Yet here they were, waiting as always, looking both angry and terrified. And yet, they had no idea what had happened only days ago, nor would they care….the familiar hate rose inside him, but he would choose to ignore it… for now…

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were, somehow, waiting for them when they arrived, though Harry couldn't understand why, hadn't they been with their son moments ago? And paying their last respects, just as they had?

As if to answer his confused look when they approached, Mr. Weasley said, "Just apparated a few minutes ago, we figured you'd be here soon."

They all nodded, and said their goodbyes to Neville and Luna, who went to join their families. "Keep in touch, Harry, you know I'll do anything to help." Neville added quickly so that only Harry could hear, as he shook his hand. Harry swelled with admiration when Neville said this.

"Of course." Said Harry, his voice rather dry. "And I'm only an owl away, too."

Neville smiled. "Have a good holiday… and see you next term!" he added hopefully, loud enough for them all to hear, and they all answered politely. It really tore at Harry's heart, seeing Neville leave with the false idea that he would see Harry at school next term. If the school was even open, anyways, he reminded himself. But he had always had a certain respect for Neville… he deserved pity so much more than he did, and his fate could just as easily have been his…

These thoughts were quickly rushed out of his mind, however, when he saw that Mr. Weasley was in a conversation with his Uncle, who could not have made it plainer that he would rather be hammering a drill into his own head. He must have been explaining how Harry would only be staying for a short while.

Harry desperately wanted to have a last few words with just Hermione and Ron, but Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were right there, he therefore seized his opportunity when Mrs. Weasley started to fix Ginny's hair and mutter something inaudible to her.

"Hermione, Ron…." Harry muttered quickly, as they took several steps away from them, I'll send you an owl in a few days, and then we'll decide things… Actually, I bet I could use the phone now…" Harry thought suddenly as the idea struck him. "Here, Hermione, this is my number, and we have three way calling…here, Ron…" he hastily pulled out a small piece of parchment and tore it in half, writing numbers on each of them. "Don't lose that."

"But… I thought we were going with you…" Ron said as he pocketed the parchment.

"Well, obviously you should have some time to your families!" Harry said as if it were the most obvious thing ever.

Ron looked slightly taken aback. "Well…I agree… I'd like to spend a few days with my parents…" Hermione said tentatively. "But then… then we'll leave." She finished, her voice was shaky yet confident.

"…alright." Ron agreed. He looked from Harry to Hermione. "It's just odd that… that this is the last time we may be here, at Kings' Cross…."

At this, Hermione sniffed, and brushed the hair out of her face. 'Of c-course it won't be! We'll be back… I know we will…oh…" And she threw herself around the pair of them, fresh tears streaming. Ron and Harry returned the hug awkwardly, the three of then had never had a group hug before.

We'll then... I'll…. I'll talk to you both in three days then." She said, wiping away tears. And then she departed, after wishing them a happy holiday and giving Ron a quick kiss, causing him to go slightly red.

"She's an odd one, that girl…" Ron said, putting his hand to his check where she had kissed him, yet he was beaming.

But Mrs. Weasley, unfortunately, had seen the whole thing.

"Ronald-why- what was that?" She said, her attitude about the situation unknown.

"N-nothing, mum." he said. Harry bit back a laugh.

"But I just saw- you and Hermione- oh, Ronald!" She cried, her face breaking into a smile, as she trapped him in a rib-cracking hug. "I always thought- but this is wonderful news- we simply MUST celebrate when she visits-"

"Whoa, whoa, mum, you're making a big deal out of this… we're not even officially, well, you're making a huge deal of nothing, really…" His ears were now as read as his hair.

"They're not the only new couple, you know." Ginny said casually, joining in the conversation. Harry choked.

"Wh-? What do you mean, Ginny?" She looked very expectant.

"Nothing," Harry answered before she could speak. "No other couples." He could feel Ginny's cold eyes on him, and guilt plagued his stomach, but was rescued from awkward questions when Mr. Weasley came over.

"Well, Harry, I've told them how we've invited you to our house after your birthday, for the wedding and such. And that, sadly, you will come of age, and may not need to return, though you may visit."

Harry laughed stiffly. "Yeah, after this I'll be about as welcome in their house as Kreacher." He said, before turning and waving one last time and thanking Mr. Weasley. He gave Ginny one last meaningful look, hoping that she wouldn't say anything in his absence. Yet seeing the look of frustration in her eyes, he felt guiltier than ever.

He grudgingly got into the car with his so called family, departing with what could possibly be his last time from King's Cross Station.

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Okay, I know that chap sucked, but ive got to get over the boring stuff first.. and there will be lots more Draco, obviously. r/r! (isn't it ironic how I got 14 hits but 1 review? Le sigh) later