The Train
(Hermione's POV)
PRESENT
I taste the strong metallic of my blood, it was running down my nose to my busted lip. I wipe the dripping red from my face and race down the street, heading to the Weasley's shop. The streetlights are on but many seem to be out for whatever reason. The streets are completely deserted and pitch black. I'm all alone with the darkness consuming all light. What do I do? what do I do. I don't realize I'm talking to myself.
"He snapped my wand, he was going to kill me," I say, finally in acceptance. Repeating it over and over in my head like a broken record.
I find the next alley and run down it until my feet are throbbing, feeling like sharp needles are consuming my feet. I find a stairway and hide, sitting beneath it. I sigh to myself and let my heartbeat catch up to me. I look at my reflection from the shop across the street. My forehead is bleeding and my eye is starting to close in on itself. I go to touch my eye and wince. Then I heard a crash behind me, my heart drops.
*meow*
I sigh in relief, "Crookshanks you scared the days out of me," I grab my throat from the pain of talking and pick him up. I run my hand through his fur feeling my blood clumping in it.
"Crooks, I need you to find him," I finally let out a sob I've been holding in and let the tears soak up my jumper.
"Please, go find him."
FLASHBACK TO THE START OF THIRD YEAR AT HOGWARTS
I always loved the train ride to Hogwarts. The scenery was never a let down, beyond the definition of beautiful and I loved catching up with Harry and Ron. Spending time in France this past summer was great but, I really missed them. This train ride felt different though, something is off but I just can't place my wand on it.
Well, I'm glad you two had a brilliant summer, each one is getting more worse for me. Thank you for the broom kit though Hermione." Harry said thoughtfully. Patting my shoulder, snapping me out of my thought train.
"Anytime," I smile and then turn my head to Ron, stuffing his face with a chocolate cake. "How was Egypt then?" I asked while laughing.
"Brilliant, Bill took us to tombs all over and it was nice catching up. I'm thrilled dad won that Daily Prophet grand prize. I was able to get a new wand, he said, admiring his new wand. We know how having a broken one went last year, I still can't look at a slugs the same," he said with disgust, sticking out his tongue, placing the leftover cake on the seat next to him.
"Don't get chocolate on… Professor, R.J. Lupin," I said, reading the name tag on the suitcase.
"How do you know his name?" Ron asked, picking up the cake and stuffing the rest in his mouth.
I pointed at the suitcase and rolled my eyes at him, "New Dark Arts professor possibly."
"Harry I can' t believe you blew up your aunt!" Ron ignored me, laughing cake crumbs off his face.
"It was an accident Ron, and I didn't blow her up, just inflated… I could have got in serious trouble Ron! I got by easy on this one but something seems off, with Fudge, everything actually," Harry said curiously. "I saw a black shaggy creature before the Knight Bus picked me up. I felt uneasy, yet not as scared as I thought I be. Everything is just feeling extremely off, I don't know."
"A shaggy creature? Maybe it was just a dog harry, " I said insisting.
"Yeah, maybe but, when I looked into his eyes, I …" Harry started to say but got cut off by Draco Malfoy.
"Weasley, figured with your father winning that little prize you would at least buy you clothes without dirt embedded in them," he huffed…with Crabb and Goyle chuckling behind him.
"Cut it out Draco," I snapped, glaring at him. I look down at my lap because an orange fur ball jumped in it.
"Granger, looks like France did you some good, " he smiled before winking and then smirking at Ron. He left our cabby and kept walking in the hall.
"What in the bloody hell was that?" Ron exclaimed.
"What was what?" I ask, petting my new cat Crookshanks. Harry and Ron went with me to the Magical Menagerie and Crookshanks was drawn to me as I was to him. Funny how that just happens with animals sometimes.
"Hermione?" Ron yells, tapping on my forehead.
"What Ronald?" I exclaim, pushing his hand away.
"What just happened with that exchange with Malfoy?"he asked more persistent.
"I have no clue what you mean," I said seriously, I tend to tune him out.
"He bloody winked at you!" Ron yelled again.
"Keep it down would you? All the sugar is going to your head Weasley," I said sternly.
"He did wink and how did he know you went to France?" Harry questioned, looking down at his broom kit booklet.
"You two have lost it," I laugh again. "Draco Malfoy, one who calls me dirty blooded all school year, winked at me? You're both mad." I put crookshanks by Harry and walk to the hall. "Do you want anything Harry, from the trolley?
"What about me?" Ron questioned.
"I think you had enough," I smile. "Draco Malfoy?" I bust out in laughter.
"Actually maybe a blanket, it's a bit chilly," he said, still staring at his booklet.
I walk into the hall and walk pass cabbies until I reach the trolley. I look at the licorice wands and go to grab one.
"Three licorice whips for the lady," Fred smiled, handing over the coin.
"Oh Fred, you didn't have to," I smiled, taking the licorice and handing him one. We start walking together down the hall, "How's your train ride going?"
"You know, doing my best not to connect with people," he smiles.
"Everyone loves you, you know? You're a wildfire that can't be stopped," I laugh, taking a bite of the licorice.
"I've tamed my wild ways you know?" He smirked.
"Is that right?" I smile, looking up at him.
"I missed you Granger," he said seriously. It took me off guard.
"You what?" I laugh, throwing my leftover whip in the trash. Before he could answer, I see George send down some pixie sized contraption, towards my head. Fred grabs me quickly and puts me aside, catching the pixie in such a smooth motion.
"Nice reflexes brother, "George exclaimed, out of breath.
"You git, you almost hit Granger," Fred snapped.
"Sorry," George laughed, turning back and walking back to his cabby.
"Messing around with a new invention, thinking of calling them, Lockhart's Peskipiksi Pesternomi's." He laughs and puts the pixie in his pocket.
"Just keep them away from Neville," I smirk and he smirks back.
"So, Granger, I was wondering actually if you would like to meet up after the Great hall ceremony?"
"Sure," I say, stopping at my cabby.
"Aces, see you then," he smiled, tapping my shoulder, walking past me. I smile to myself at the stranger interaction. I walk into the cabby with Ron and Harry. The train suddenly stops and I fall to the seat.
"What was that?" I ask, feeling a chill run through my toes out through to my mouth, releasing a frosty breath.
"Dementors," Professor Lupin said unexpectedly, waving his blanket he had on him to the ground.
Dementors?
