Back on the train gang.
Harry tossed and turned in his sleep. His mind wandering from place to place unable to shake the feeling of dread.
"How did a child defeat three of my Death Eaters?" a cold voice asked.
"I do not know Master. Berezney was a proven veteran and the other two were able wizards. Perhaps there is something special about the boy."
"Of course there is something special about him Bellatrix. Are you that stupid? You should know by now power calls to power. Think for a moment, Potter is the child of the prophecy. The witch is the brightest of her age and if not for Potters unique birthright she would be the most powerful as well. So now Potter provides the power. The witch provides the intelligence and knowledge. What could the other boy provide Bellatrix?"
Bellatrix smiled "The will Master. He provides the will to use it. Those fools would call it courage."
"Very good Bellatrix I do not despair of you yet. So now you see how ill it befalls us to have let him escape. Even more he has defeated one of us. Because of your and your subordinates incompetence the wizarding world has another hero to take his place besides Potter."
"We can kill their hero's easily my Master."
"Fool! Do you know nothing of the foe? Once you have given them a hero they will fight us even in death. When you give them a hero a dozen more rally to their cause. When you kill their hero a hundred more flock to their banner."
"What shall we do then Master?" fear evident in her voice.
"He has slain one of mine and for that I will break him. When he is broken and near to death I will return him so they may see the price of my wrath. I will take their hero and return to them a empty husk. I shall make what you did to the Longbottoms seem like an act of mercy."
At that Bellatrix laughed insanely.
"I am glad that you are pleased Bellatrix. Now I believe I have not rewarded you for your failure."
"Crucio" the cold voice whispered and Bellatrix's scream seemed to pierce his very soul.
"Harry wake up" Ginny said softly shaking him.
"Harry" she said a little louder.
Harry sat up with a shudder "Oh no not again."
"What is it Harry?" asked Hermione.
Harry looked around and saw that the covers on Ron's bed and been tossed around.
"What are you two doing in here?"
"Well Hermione wanted to sleep in here one last time since we are leaving tomorrow for Hogwarts. Now why were you screaming? Did you have another nightmare?"
Harry nodded his head. "Voldemort is angry about Ron defeating his Death Eaters. He's going to come after Ron to break him."
Ginny turned white as a ghost.
"I think he may find that harder than he thinks." Hermione said quietly.
Molly Weasley open the door to Harry's room to find Ginny and Hermione holding Harry between them asleep on his bed.
These poor kids have already seen so much. I guess holding them to normal standards just doesn't apply.
"Ok everybody up we have to get dressed and eat in a jiffy. Your father got cars from the Ministry but we can't take all day about it."
Harry sat up rubbing his eyes "Mrs. Weasley I ...." He stammered looking at Ginny and Hermione.
"It's ok Harry I know you are all good kids."
"Mrs. Weasley walked out of the room and headed down to the kitchen.
"So Harry, are you a good kid?" Ginny said with a slight smile.
"That depends on what you think I'm good at." he laughed.
"Well then why don't you show me what you are good at."
"One day, Ginny, one day."
Hermione looked at both of them "Is there something the two of you want to tell me?"
"Hermione I was just teasing him." laughed Ginny.
"Tease being the operative word." smirked Harry who then ran for the bathroom.
"Harry you prat" Ginny howled throwing a pillow at his back.
The three of them wolfed their breakfast down and loaded up the Ministry cars.
"You know this goes a lot faster without Ron taking so long" Ginny noted.
"Ginny that wasn't very nice." Hermione hissed.
"You are really starting to miss him aren't you?" asked Ginny
"Yeah I really am but how did you know?"
"Well you talk in your sleep. I would tell you what you said but I was brought up to act like a lady." Ginny said laughing before she even finished saying it.
Harry almost choked to death on his gum.
"Ginny" Hermione squealed.
The ride to the station was mostly uneventful with the exception of Mr. Weasley accidentally turned the windshield wiper spray on.
Even without Ron they arrived with only about fifteen minutes to board the train.
"Now children remember to be good. Hermione will you take Ron's Prefect badge and hold it until he arrives?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley, I would be glad to help in any way."
Behind her Ginny made a gagging motion and Harry laughed.
Mrs. Weasley hugged all of them and when she got to Harry she leaned over and whispered "Take care Harry and be careful. It's nice having a family member with dark hair."
Harry felt tears spring to his eyes "Thanks for everything you've done Mrs. Weasley."
"Well now you kids better get going."
Hermione, Harry and Ginny got their luggage loaded and boarded the train.
"I have to go to the Prefects compartment for a moment. Why don't you too find us a compartment and I'll join you in a bit."
"Ok Hermione we can do that." Harry replied.
Harry and Ginny found an empty compartment towards the end of the train.
"So Ginny are you looking forward to your O.W.L.S.?" Harry asked without the trace of a smile.
"As much as you are looking forward to a kiss from Malfoy." she shot right back.
"Did you know your cute when you are angry?"
"Harry Potter if your teasing me again I'll put a hex on your Dumbledore won't be able to get rid of."
"Of course I'm not teasing. You are very cute especially when you are angry."
"In fact Ginny over the past few days I've only been able to get any sleep when you have been near by."
It took Hermione the better part of an hour to get all the Prefect work finished.
You know I always thought Ron didn't do much Prefect work but not having him here was a lot harder."
Hermione found Neville and Luna in the compartment with Harry and Ginny.
Neville put a finger to his lips and pointed over to where both Harry and Ginny were asleep. Her head resting on his chest, his arm holding her close.
Hermione smiled and nodded to both of them. Then she reached down and fished out her book and settled down to read for the rest of the trip.