A/N: Man, I hope you guys like this, it is a rewrite of my last one. As always R&R!
Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the school returned to their respective dorms after the funeral of the headmaster. A somber mood lay over the students and staff like a blanket. No one spoke, no acknowledgments were made, not even a comforting motion was gestured. It was about mid-afternoon, and the train would depart right after dinner. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Gryffindors all traipsed up to the Gryffindor tower. A few students settled silently down in the common room, but most went up to their respective dormitories. Harry just fell onto his bed. He felt so many emotions; he was exhausted from attempting to comprehend them all. Silence still reigned over the school; even the birds in the Forbidden Forest were quiet. Harry shut his eyes despite then tears that were flowing freely from them. In mere moments, he fell asleep on the crimson and gold quilt.
Hours later that felt like seconds to Harry, a gentle shake awakened him. He groggily rubbed his eyes and adjusted his glasses. He rolled over onto his back and saw the person who had woken him sitting on his bed. Hermione was looking back at him anxiously. "Harry, you slept through dinner and the train is leaving in," she checked her wristwatch, "four minutes." Harry sat bolt upright so quickly he hit his head against Hermione.
"Owww! Sorry 'Mione. Are you ok?"
"Yes Harry," she replied smiling, rubbing her forehead. "We better get moving," she said with a new sense of urgency. Harry groped for his wand, but by the time he had it, Hermione had flicked her wand. Seconds later, all of Harry's possessions were flying into his trunk. "Locomotor trunk!" The trunk lifted half an inch of the ground and Hermione pointed her wand so that it flew down the stairs and into the common room.
Harry glanced at his watch. They had three minutes left. "Come on, Hermione," he snatched up her hand and rushed down the stairs. The common room was empty and the grate was empty. Outside, he could see the last of the students heading towards the train. Hermione regained control of her and Harry's trunk, but with Harry pulling her along, they banged against the walls, making a horrible din.
The sun was setting and a brilliant pink and golden tint lit the grounds as the two bounded through the doors leading outside. Harry and Hermione skittered into Hogsmeade station as the train's whistle blew shrilly. As soon as the two were aboard, Hermione doubled over for lack of air. Harry's breaths were quick and shallow. Harry realized he was still holding Hermione's hand and quickly let go. Hermione seemed to notice because she looked up and said, "I guess we better find a compartment." They trudged down the length of the entire train until the found a compartment at the back of the train. Ron and Luna were talking animatedly and Neville and Ginny were leaning together discussing something in Neville's Herbology book.
As the two friends entered, Ron looked up and laughed, "What took you so long?"
"Oh, well we got distracted," replied Harry. Ginny and Neville had not even looked up when Harry and Hermione had entered and were still leaning very close. Ron was eyeing the two dangerously. Harry as also looking at Ginny savagely, How does someone move on that fast? he thought. Harry placed his trunk on the rack and was about to sit down, but saw Hermione was struggling so he sped to her aide.
"Thanks Harry."
"Sure." She sat next to Luna and he sat next to Neville. Conversation quickly shifted to the topic of next year. The group of six discussed who the new headmaster might be, who would teach what, and if the school would even be open. Harry remained quiet during these talks because he did not know if he would return. With Dumbledore gone, who would find the last four Horcruxes? He simply stared out the window contemplating the many paths his life might take after today. To Harry, it seemed as if time was in fast-forward. The train began to slow and the boys left so that the girls could change while Harry, Ron, and Neville changed outside. The group reconvened and sat in silence.
The somber mood that had lain over the school after the funeral of their beloved headmaster has disappeared. Students were talking jovially, smiling, and laughing. The pupils went through the barrier, leaving more than they knew. Families, especially those that were more than half wizard were hugging and kissing their children. Mrs. Weasley was crying with joy and pulling her two youngest children into rib-cracking hugs. Harry walked over to his favorite family and pulled Harry and Hermione into one spine-splitting embrace. "Oh, Harry, Hermione!"
Someone Harry could not see tapped on Mrs. Weasley's shoulder, "Molly, I-we need to speak to Harry." Mrs. Weasley let go of the two and Harry turned around to see the kind, but very weathered of face Remus Lupin. He pulled Harry away and Hermione made to follow him, but Lupin gave her a look that made her turn around. Harry was led into a group of the Order of the Phoenix consisting of Tonks, Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody, Shacklebolt, Mundungus (again looking very lumpy), Hagrid and Professor McGonagall. "Harry, we're going to be your Advance Guard, we'll be riding the Knight Bus." Shacklebolt grabbed Harry's trunk. "We'll have to have a bit of a walk, so as to not attract attention."
"Ok, can I say good bye?"
"Yes," he smiled. Harry walked over to the Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley pulled him into another bone-crunching bear hug. Mr. Weasley and the twins shook his hand. Ron did too. Ginny gave Harry an awkward hug. Neville shook his hand; Luna gave him a friendly, platonic embrace.
Hermione pulled him into a tight clasp. "I'll see you as soon as I can Harry." Then she secretly kissed his cheek.
Before Harry let go he said, "I'll write you every day, 'Mione. Bye."
Hermione let go and replied, "Bye Harry." Harry walked back to the Advance Guard with a smile glued to his face.
"I suppose we should go Harry," said Tonks. She and the rest of the guard walked outside. The group walked briskly about a quarter-of-a-mile up the street to a rundown neighborhood. Tonks stuck out her wand and a bright purple bus appeared from nowhere. The bright lights illuminated the now darkened sky. Tonks, Lupin, and Hagrid boarded the bud first, followed by Harry, then McGonagall, Mundungus, Mad-Eye, and Shacklebolt with Harry's trunk.
"Where to?" asked Stan Shunpike.
"Number 4 Privet Drive," piped up Professor McGonagall.
A/N: Wow! I think this first chapter is a lot better than the first one in my old story. PLEASE R&R! I respect all reviews even negative ones.