Anyway...Im extremely sorry I haven't updated until now! I am really really sorry! But hear me out Ok, so 2 days ago I was going to update, but my computer kind of died. Then the next day,yesterday, my computer came back to life, but was having some technical promblems. So I wait, and wait, and wait. Then, just as the site starts to work, POP! my computer shuts off. The power went out. It was off for 10 1/2 hours, until 4:30 in the morning I had no power. So Im really really sorry.
The sky outside had grown darker, the air colder. It was quite late in the day, and raining characteristically. Harry looked up to Ron, who was staring out the window. They both knew they would have to wake Hermione soon, and ask her why she was hurt, though neither thought they wanted to know the answer.
Harry heard the new prefects walking about the train, alerting people that they were nearing Hogwarts. "About an hour, guys" a dark-haired prefect proclaimed as he poked his head into their compartment.
"Thanks, mate" Ron said robotically. He was staring at the scars and welts on Hermione's back. He looked like he was going to puke. Harry felt the same way.
Harry walked to where Hermione was sleeping. She looked so content where she lay; he thought it a sin to disturb her. He nudged her arm. " Hermione….wake up Hermione….." he whispered this, still not wanting to wake her. The train suddenly jolted, and Hermione rolled off the bench and fell to the floor. She was awake now. She let out a yelp of pain as she hit the floor, a noise that chilled Harry to the bones.
Ron walked to where Hermione lay on the floor; squirming in pain, still half asleep. He helped Harry pulled her back onto the bench, and into a sitting position. There were tears streaked down her face and still filling her eyes. Please don't cry thought Harry.
Hermione looked up at her two friends, confused it seemed.
"Hermione?" asked Harry…he wasn't sure Hermione knew who he was.
"I'm sorry…." she stared at the floor.
"For what?" asked Ron. Harry knew exactly what she was sorry about though.
"For not….telling you." Ron stared confused for a moment, but it seemed as if he finally got it because his look of confusion was replaced with one of sympathy.
Harry grabbed her hand. He couldn't believe he had done it. Hermione gave his hand a small squeeze, and she looked over at him. Before Harry knew what happened, she had thrust herself into his arms. Ron still looked uncomfortable, but instead of leaving, he came over and sat on Hermione's other side, rubbing her arm up and down, trying to comfort her.
They continued like this until all became silent. Hermione had calmed down and stopped crying. She was still in Harry's arms, practically sitting on his lap now.
Harry held her out at arms length. "Hermione, we're almost there, why don't we leave you here to change into your robes, ok?" asked Harry in a concerned voice. She nodded her head, yes.
It was a long and painful process, but Hermione managed to get her robes on, and a few minuets later, there was a knock on the compartment door and Hermione told Harry and Ron it was ok and they could come in.
As Harry and Ron entered the compartment, they were relieved to see Hermione was sitting up and looking much better.
"You ok now?" asked Ron.
"Yes, much better thanks." Said Hermione. She was back to her normal self. Harry was a little disappointed. He was really starting to like the new Hermione. The one who could show her emotions or wasn't afraid to cry. The one who could admit she had made a mistake for once.
A few minuets later, the train pulled up to the great, gleaming castle of Hogwarts.
The familiar sound of "Firs' years, firs' years over here!" yelled by Hagrid was heard. The three of them went to great him for a few minuets before he was to take the first years across the lake, to begin their first year with some excitement.
They all hopped into the last carriage, which also happened to be occupied by Malfoy. Oh PERFECT thought Harry.
"Shove over bouncy ferret butt" said Ron, climbing into the carriage.
"Get another one!" said Malfoy.
"It's the last one" said Hermione "It will only be for 5 minuets."
Malfoy sneered and then turned the opposite way.
They rode in silence, all awkwardly aware of their extra passenger. When they were finally let out at the castle, the sorting was almost over.
"Next time lets no get the last carriage" said Harry, jokingly.
They all sat down to await the feast. With one last bellow from the sorting hat ( Slytherin) , Dumbledore began his speech.
"Welcome, everyone to another year at Hogwarts! I'm happy to see many, many familiar faces, and a few new ones. As always, Professor Filch would like me to remind you that the forbidden forest is still off limits,"
Here, Dumbledore shot a smile towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. They remembered the times they've had to enter the forbidden forest, especially on their last adventure, which turned out to be a rather sad experience, and the downfall of a dear friend.
"Also, we are very sad to say that Professor Umbridge has left our staff, to spend some time regaining her mental capacity." there was some chuckling, and even a few cheers from the students.
"We would like to welcome back and old friend, as well as one of our favorite professors, Professor R.J. Lupin!" cheers burst left and right throughout the great hall and didn't stop for several minuets. He was probably the best professor any student at Hogwarts had ever had.
"I didn't know Lupin was coming back this year!" said Harry, still clapping wildly.
"Neither did we!" said Hermione. She smiled. The 3 of them were the last ones left clapping before Professor Lupin came up to give his speech.
"Thank you, thank you, it feels great to be back at Hogwarts. I have many happy memories at this school, and I hope a few of you have a couple of happy memories of me as well. This is definitely a year to band together. Not as houses, but as individuals. This is a year of great friendships, and bonds are meant to be made, not broken, because, united, we are stronger than anything that may come our way. Friendship is one of life's greatest gifts, and many of us take advantage of it. Please, be thankful of what you have."
Professor Lupin looked around at all the faces, smiling, happy to see him. He looked at a loss for words. He then backed up, and Dumbledore took the stage again.
"Thank you professor, we are most grateful to have you back. Now, with that out of the way, everyone, fill their plates, and tuck in!"
The tables were filled with food, and the sound of talking, laughter, and the clinking of silverware were heard throughout the whole castle.
" I spent the summer with Gran." Neville started talking about his summer. "We've started our own greenhouse. I spent most of my summer there."
Neville always had a thing for plants. Harry, finding Neville's story pretty boring, turned back to Hermione and Ron.
"Where's Ginny?" asked Hermione, to Ron. He gave this mischievous smirk.
"An all girls school." he smiled and raised his eyebrows. "After last year, mom thought it was best." They all cracked up laughing. It was so great to be back.
They all ate their fair share of food, and full-to-bursting, walked back to the familiar common room. After saying hello to the fat lady and giving her the password ( golden snitch) they all flopped down in the characteristically squishy gryffindor armchairs.
"I'm stuffed" said Ron. He looked a little uncomfortable. Harry and Hermione both nodded in agreement.
Harry knew he would have to bring up the issue of Hermione's family sometime, he figured now was a good time, when they were all full and comfortable, and alone. It was late and practically everyone was in bed.
"Hermione…how did….what…" he didn't know how to ask without being completely rude.
Hermione looked concerned and gave him a small, encouraging smile. He decided he was just going to ask.
"How did all that happen to you?" he waved a hand from Hermione's head, down to her feet to indicate he was talking about all her injuries. Hermione looked at the floor again. Harry prepared for another cry, but nothing of that sort happened. With one last deep breath, Hermione told.
"It was my foster dad" she said " Jerry." she said nothing else. Harry wondered what would happen if he asked.
"How…" he started.
"I went to see a movie, and I was 10 minuets past curfew. I told Jerry that if someone could have driven me, I would have been on time, but I walked. So Jerry….got angry." She looked on the verge of tears, but held them back.
"He threw me down the stairs, and I landed against the wall. Then he took off his belt and…and…." her voice shook. She didn't have to finish; they got the idea.
Ron was leaning so far over his chair that he was about to fall off practically, and Harry looked utterly shocked.
"T-they can't do that!" shouted Ron.
Hermione looked to him with sad eyes. " Yes they can, it was a 'disciplinary reprimand' because I was late. They count it as punishment. They can do that."
"What….evil people." he said. He was still pretty numb from her story. He didn't like living at the Dursley's, but they didn't beat him. Often.
"Wait a minuet! I've got an idea!" said Harry. He rushed up into his trunk and came down with his Wizard's First Aid Kit. He pulled out a jar for pain relief. He held it up to show Hermione, who smiled in return.
"Hold on" said Hermione, who rushed up the stairs of the girls' dormitory. Harry sat there in silence for a moment until he heard a large snore. Ron had fallen asleep. Harry chuckled to himself and woke Ron up.
"S-sorry." mumbled Ron, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He stood up and walked toward the boy's Dormitory. "Night mate" he mumbled again, and vanished up the stairs to go to bed.
Hermione came back down the stairs wearing a pair of pajama pants and the green top she was wearing on the train. She laid down on her stomach on the couch and undid the back of her shirt.
Harry took some of the pain relief lotion and rubbed it into his hands, and then gently rubbed it into Hermione's back, making sure to cover all her cuts and sore spots.
"Thanks, Harry." she smiled, after he had finished. "You're a lifesaver." she let out a sigh of relief.
When Harry finished, he tied the back of shirt and helped her to sit up. She moved around a bit to see if the lotion worked.
"I feel great!" said Hermione. She flashed Harry another award-winning smile. Harry could almost taste her gratitude.
"I'm just glad it worked" Harry said sheepishly.
"It's weird" Hermione started. Harry didn't quite understand what she meant. "After spending almost all summer with you, it's like you're….I don't know….like my soul mate or something."
"I know what you mean" said Harry.
"I don't think I'm going upstairs tonight. I don't want the girl to see my shoulders, and besides I'm blind in the dark. I'll wake them up if I try to walk around in the dark." Hermione snuggled into the couch.
"Ok then, well I'm-" Harry started. Hermione had cut him off, with a small innocent whisper of "Harry?"
He looked her in the eyes. She was scared.
"Don't leave." her eyes pled.
Hermione enlarged the couch as Harry produced 2 large pillows and a blanket. He and Hermione settled down for the night, together on the couch. Halfway through the night, just before Harry fell asleep, Hermione laid her head on his chest as he slung an arm around her. They stayed that way the whole night.
I hope you liked! If you want more, then review please! The review keeps the author writing!