Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. Only to J K Rowling. I am merely borrowing
Hermione wakes early on September first. She runs into the living room and goes through her trunk one last time, checking if she's packed everything. She's excited to meet Ron and Harry again- she still sometimes can't believe she has two friends.
She bites her lip, because Harry hadn't answered her letters but had seemed no different. She'd written to Ron too and they'd both been fine to her at Diagon Alley. The morning flies past.
"Hermione? Time to go dear..." her mother calls from the front door and she hurriedly pulls on a cardigan, picks up a spare quill and gives her room a sweeping look to check if she's left something.
The ride to the station goes by quickly and then she's through the barrier and the Hogwarts Express stands there, gleaming and red. She feels her face break into a smile at the sight of it. Her parents pull her into a hug, both looking misty-eyed. She hugs them back tight.
She's already felt the tiny divide between them. She has a feeling it's something that's only going to widen.
They stand on the platform for five minutes, and she peers around looking for Harry or Ron amidst the chaos, but spots neither of them. She presses her lips together guessing that they're probably late or, more logically, it's just impossible to spot someone you know on this terribly crowded platform.
Her dad ruffles her hair and she gives him a small smile. "I should probably get on the train, Dad"
Her parents nod and wish her good luck and warn her not to eat too many sweets. She assures them she won't, fondly, and waves goodbye.
She bags a compartment near the end, and opens up 'Wandering with Werewolves' by Gilderoy Lockhart. It has been exciting so far, she's in awe of the man and can't wait to see him in class.
The train slowly begins moving and she panics for a moment because Ron and Harry aren't here yet and then feels foolish. They're probably searching for her- maybe they'll be here soon. She waits, continuing to read and as the landscape changes, she estimates that it's been around half hour. Maybe she should go look for them?
It is then another though intervenes - of course Ron and Harry would get another compartment. Why will they want to sit with her? Bookish, bossy and buck-teethed. They probably only had been friends because she'd lied for them about the troll and they could copy her homework.
She'd thought the adventure they'd shared with Quirrell had meant something.
She'd hoped… but nothing has ever changed before. Why would she miraculously find friends now?
She sniffles and bites her lip as she feels tears prick the corners of her eyes. She's used to it. It's okay. She can deal with it.
She will not cry.
Hermione does the best thing she knows; she immerses herself in her book.
After an hour of unsuccessful reading and too many tears, she clings to the logic that they wouldn't have been as happy to see her in Diagon Alley if they hadn't wanted to be her friend even now.
But why haven't they come looking? Or at least passed by this compartment in search of her?
Maybe they feel she should go looking. She huffs, when another thought intervenes and a tendril of fear strikes her. What if they're in danger?
Oh. She has to go see. She hurriedly puts on her robes, shuts her compartment door and sets off down the train.
She peers through empty compartments, listens carefully through the doors of those where the people inside are speaking in hushed voices. She manages to avoid the upper years and backs away from one when she hears Draco Malfoy's sneering voice.
She's so busy looking that she nearly bumps into the teacher patrolling- only narrowly escaping their reach. She'd know that swirl of black robes anywhere – having set fire to them last year. She runs back into her compartment breathless before Professor Snape can catch her.
She groans, even as fear makes her heart thud faster. Harry and Ron aren't on the train. There's no way she's asking Professor Snape for help.
What if You-know-Who's spirit has somehow come back and that is why they're late?
She timidly makes her way upto the driver.
"What's the matter miss-?" he asks gruffly, drops of sweat sliding down his face.
"Two students are missing." she pants.
He frowns, "You should tell the teacher. Professor Snape innit?"
"I can't…oh, he's not very fond of- of -Gryffindors."
"Ah?" he gives a look at the Gryffindor emblem on her uniform and nods wisely. "Who's missing?"
"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley"
"Potter, eh?" there's a mischievous glint in his eyes, "You wouldn't wan' to tell Professor Snape- No, I don' think so. I could send word to the castle…Blimey! -" he suddenly exclaims, "I could've sworn that was a flying car."
"Er yes, thank you sir" she says, wondering if he's quite alright.
She walks back and sags down in her compartment, shutting the door. Harry and Ron are missing. It sinks in and panic overwhelms her and she focuses on her breathing like she's been told and before she knows it, she's asleep.
Hagrid's voice calling for the first years wakes her up with a start and she hurriedly exits the almost- empty train.
She wonders if she should tell Hagrid and decides against it. He probably knows, considering that the engine- driver had said that he'd send word.
Instead, she talks with Susan Bones about how great Gilderoy Lockhart seems to be and what he'll teach them- worry buzzing constantly at the edges of her mind.
They aren't at the feast. Ginny – Ron' sister who looks very peaky compared to Diagon Alley is sorted into Gryffindor. She cheers louder to make up for the lack of Ron.
His brothers look around now. Worry seeping into their expressions and concern into their voices.
"They weren't on the train" she tells one of the twins quietly. And watches their gazes sharpen as they begin whispering about possible locations and situations.
She looks up at the teachers table, Professor Dumbledore's eyes are scouring the Great Hall and Professor Mcgonagall has her most disapproving frown in place. And Professor Snape is nowhere to be seen.
Dinner goes on. More sombre than last year with whispers traversing the hall.
They're heading back to the common room and that's when she hears the rumours- that they've been expelled; they came to Hogwarts in a flying car and they crashed it, that's why they're expelled; they were being chased by dragons and so they crashed the car; another says that they were flying on the dragon.
Hermione scoffs, dragons?!- a flying car? – but that's what the engine driver had said too…oh no…
She trembles in both fear and anger. How could they not have thought of sending Hedwig? What if they have been expelled?
She wonders where they'd have got a flying car and puts it out of her mind immediately, that doesn't matter right now- they're alright and she really hopes that they're not expelled.
And when she sees them standing in front of the Fat Lady looking exhausted and a bit lost, she runs- worry transforming into anger, even as warmth blooms in her chest at the sight of her two friends.
Thanks for reading! Reviews are much appreciated.