Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, don't own Harry Potter, his friends, enemies and locations mentioned in the chapter below. They belong to the one and only J.K. Rowling. I own only the made up characters and some random ideas, and they, unfortunately (again) aren't making me money either… go figure!!!

Uploaded: Thursday, January 13 , 2005

Chapter 3: Back Home Again

Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny pushed their trolleys along Platform 9 ¾, looking for and empty car in the sleek Hogwarts Express. Upon finding one, they said their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and pulled their trunks aboard.

"Uh, we're lucky to find an empty car. It seems Hogwarts gets more people every year!" exclaimed Ginny. Just as everyone sat down, the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station, gaining speed as it went.

"Ginny, come sit with us, we have an empty car and Dean Thomas is hanging out with us," said a brunette as she stopped while passing by the car. Ginny looked to her brother and friends for agreement.

"Go ahead Ginny, we'll see you later," Hermione said. Ginny smiled and grabbed her trunk and followed the girl to the other car.

"Why would Ginny care if Dean is with them?" Ron asked, obviously confused.

"Right, Ron. I wonder? Maybe it's because she likes him?" Hermione stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. In fact, it was.

"WHAT?!? Likes him? She's too young to date!" Ron argued.

"Well, Ron she is sixteen, you know," Harry put in. Ron opened his mouth as if to say something, then thought better of it and closed it. He sighed and pouted.

"Ron, you're acting like her father. You have to let go. She's not your baby sister anymore," Hermione said soothingly.

"So-er- what about all that Voldemort news you guys had to tell me?" Harry asked, glad for something to change the subject with. For the first time, he noticed, Ron and Hermione didn't flinch at the sound of Voldemort's name.

"Well, he has been making it known that he's back, as we already told you before," said Ron.

"Yeah, and a couple of muggles and some wizards, mostly death eaters who 'denied' him, were tortured and killed," put in Hermione.

"You- er- Voldemort is, um, rumored to be planning something. We don't know what. But then again, he's always planning something, isn't he?" Ron said, somewhat strained.

"Uh, can we talk about something else, please?" Hermione asked, quietly. She looked as if she was about to cry.

"Alright. But first tell us what's with you. You seem kind of sad," Harry said gently, looking intently into her dark brown eyes.

"It's just that, I am really very worried about Mum and Dad. I mean, Voldemort kills muggles for fun, right? I don't want them getting hurt," Hermione whispered, tears streaming down her face. Harry and Ron both moved toward her and enwrapped her in their arms.

"Shh, 'Moine, don't cry. Voldemort isn't going to hurt your Mum and Dad, we'll make sure of that," Ron said, soothingly. He looked at Harry over Hermione's shoulder and mouthed,

"What are we going to do?"

Harry shrugged and racked his brain for something that could help.

"I know, why don't we go see Dumbledore when we get to school? Maybe he could do something. Something like a charm," Harry said. Hermione looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled.

"That's a good idea!" she looked at her watch. "Right, well, I expect we'll be there soon, so I'm going to go change into my robes," Hermione said briskly.

After she left, Ron looked over at Harry and rolled his eyes.

"Mental, that one is. I'm telling you. One minute she's crying her eyes out, and the next minute, she's talking about changing for school!" Harry laughed and rummaged through his backpack, looking for his robes. By the time Hermione came back, looking refreshed and newly made-up, Harry and Ron had finished changing.

"Guys, thanks for, you know, making me feel better. I really needed that," Hermione said, looking uncomfortable.

"Nothing said, 'Moine. That's what friends are for," Ron blushed. Hermione smiled and threw her arms around them.

"Well, I'm off to find Ginny. She left her handbag here," Hermione waved good-bye as she left.

Harry and Ron settled back and played a few games of Exploding Snap. Soon, the train started to slow and Hermione came back into the car, looking quite embarrassed.

"Hermione, what's going on? You look like you just walked in on something you didn't want to see," said Ron accusingly.

"Uh-well-you see. Umm. Well, it's like this. Getting a bit warm in here, isn't it?" Hermione said, fanning herself with her hand.

"Hermione, what are you on about?"

"Uh-well. I went to find Ginny and one of her friends said that she was in car number 5. So I went there and… I walked in on her and Dean… snogging," Hermione winced as she said the word, knowing what Ron's reaction would be.

"WHAT? SHE WAS DOING WHAT?"

"Ron calm down," Harry pleaded, afraid the whole train would hear Ginny's news.

"When I get my hands on her, she won't have lips to be kissing anyone with," Ron hissed, more to himself than Harry and Hermione. Just then, the train came to a complete stop. Harry and Hermione grabbed their trunks and lugged them out onto the platform, while Ron followed, grumbling.

"Ron, we told you before. She's not a child anymore. Just because you have never had a girlfriend doesn't mean Ginny can't have a boyfriend," Hermione said. Ron opened his mouth, and then closed it again, looking like a very confused goldfish.

"I suppose you're right," Ron admitted. "But I still don't like the idea of her dating an older guy."

The trio walked to the "horseless" carriages and climbed in an empty one.

"But, Dean better watch out." Ron mumbled. "Going out with my little sister. If he hurts her, he will be very sorry."

(A/N: Well hope you guys like my chapter. I'm not sure if this is as good as the others. Danielle and Natasha… I love your stories!!! Keep updating. To my readers… READ AND REVIEW!!!! THANKS!!!!)