-1--------------------
Chapter Two
--------------------
Ron's POV
Ugh, Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. I knew something was going on but you'd think she would have better taste. I mean, she's not bad looking - but him? Don't let me get started. He's caused us enough grief other the last years and I don't need him pissing around with some girl who's lost her brains.
Hermione has closed her eyes from the life-sucking going on before us. Draco looks some kind of Dementor and Pansy's definitely doing CPR. Ew. I'd go and find Harry, but this year rules have been tightened and we're not allowed out of the Prefect's carriages. I'm not even sure if Harry's here this year, poor guy. He was cool enough at Fleur and Bill's wedding but I guess he's gone out and about now to 'do what has to be done' and go kill Voldemort by chopping him up into tiny little pieces. At least, that's the picture I got when he told us about Horcruxes last year. Maybe I'm just crazy.
Finally, we get the warning that the train is about to stop and I pull on my robes over my T-shirt and jeans. Hermione's being unusually quiet - I reckon she's gone into mind-acceleration mode again. She was amazing just a minute ago, telling Malfoy off like that.
"Hey - Hermione."
"Wha-?" She wakes up from her stupor. "Oh. We have to get changed already? Oh gracious, I better get ready."
I glare over at Pansy and Draco, who are still conducting The Dementor's Kiss upon one another. There's no way I'm telling them. It's funny, because I don't think Draco is enjoying this much. He seemed a bit distracted. I mean, Voldemort might be telling him to go out and do strange stuff, but he seemed really relaxed until Hermione came in.
Oh my god.
I hope she hasn't been round trying to advertise S.P.E.W to the Slytherins. Merlin's Beard! What if Malfoy's joined?
"What the hell was wrong with you just then?" I question suspiciously, staring at her through scrunched up eyes.
"Um, I was thinking, actually."
I jump. "God. It wouldn't be anything to do with house elves, would it?"
Hermione looks at me questioningly. "No, why? Are you finally thinking of participating in my group, then?"
"I'm in it already!" I moaned. What more did she want?
She raises her eyebrows just as the train judders to a halt. "Come on, let's get off the train." She grimaces as she walks up to Malfoy and taps him on the shoulder. "Oy - sink plunger, time to get off."
Malfoy, who would normally roll around on the floor moaning that he needed a wash after her touching him, looks confused for a moment and then pushes Pansy away. It's amazing how he can stay on the same seat as the girl for around two hours and just sit there playing tongue tennis. Okay, so me and Lavender were a bit like that - but I wasn't a repulsive git.
"Uh, okay," he says.
God, what the hell is wrong with him today?"
Note from author: To find out where Harry is and see where the plot thickens, read on till at least CHAPTER 4. That's when the plot deepens.