DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

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Chapter 9: Hogwarts Express

"The Slytherin table was completely deserted, but a number of older Ravenclaws remained seated while their fellows filed out: even more Hufflepuffs stayed behind, and half of Gryffindor remained in their seats, necessitating Professor McGonagall's descent from the teachers' platform to chivvy the under-age on their way." -J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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1991

(Hermione and Cedric's past)

"Hermione sweetie, are you sure that this is the right platform? Nine and three-quarters?" her mother asked again.

"Yes, Mum," Hermione replied with assurance. "It's what Professor Sprout and Cedric said."

It was September the first, the day she would be going to Hogwarts. She was excited but at the same time, nervous. Sure, she already had a friend, Cedric, but they weren't in the same year, and there was no assurance they would be in the same house.

Earlier this morning, Hermione's parents brought her to her favourite restaurant just near King's Cross Station to spend more quality time with each other. She wouldn't be home until the Christmas break. Her mother was rather emotional and cried, admitting she will miss her terribly. Her father was glad that she has Cedric for a friend. At least, they know someone already from Hermione's new school; the magical school.

"Where are the Diggorys?" her father asked.

Hermione looked around, and familiar figures came out of the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten: Cedric and his mother, who was very beautiful in Hermione's eyes. Mrs. Diggory had soft brown hair that was shoulder-length and there was never a strand out of place. She was also wearing a beige turban that matched her top and pencil skirt. Her bright green eyes were always full of kindness. She was a tall woman, almost as tall as Hermione's father.

Beside Mrs. Diggory was a taller man who could only be Cedric's father because of the strong resemblance - grey eyes, Patrician nose, same jaw shape, but this man had dirty blonde hair.

"Hermione!" greeted Cedric who was wearing a casual yellow and black jumper and corduroy trousers. His father was also dressed like a Muggle.

"Hi, Ced," she greeted back, noting that Ced's eyes smiled as well upon seeing her. He took her hand to squeeze it and introduced his father to them: Amos Diggory.

Mr. Diggory greeted all of them kindly and since her parents could not go through the barrier, he assured them that they will help Hermione. He also carried her trunk.

"Thank you for doing this to our Hermione," said Hermione's mother to the Diggorys.

"Oh Jean, don't mention it. We're happy to help," assured Mrs. Diggory. "Ced will look after her in school. Hermione, dear, say goodbye to your parents. The train will be leaving soon. We'll still look for a compartment for you two."

Hermione bid her parents goodbye. Cedric also politely said goodbye to Hermione's parents with a promise that he will watch out for her.

Cedric and Mr. Diggory went to the barrier together, carrying Hermione's trunk. Mrs. Diggory took her hand and they walked together.

Hermione gasped when she saw the other side of the barrier and the scarlet engine with the name 'Hogwarts Express'. The station was packed with people- students, parents, family members. Owls hooted everywhere, frogs making noise and cats mewling.

Cedric was suddenly holding his trunk and caged owl, Harley. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory helped them find an empty compartment. When they settled inside, they said their goodbyes to Cedric's parents and sat side by side. At exactly eleven o'clock, the train started to move. Cedric and Hermione waved to Mr. and Mrs. Diggory by the window until they were out of sight.

Hermione, with the help of Cedric, reached for some books in her trunk. "I forgot to return your books," she told him.

"No, keep them," he replied with a smile.

Her mouth fell half-open. "Really?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Thanks. Then keep my books, too," she said happily.

Hermione returned the books in her trunk, except for Hogwarts: A History. Cedric also retrieved a book from his trunk. It was called Quidditch Through the Ages. She made a mental note to ask him about Quidditch later when they were finished.

Half an hour later, the compartment door swung open, and a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes poked his head inside. "Ced, mate?"

"Hey, Terrence!" greeted Ced jovially. He extended his hand and the other boy, Terrence, shook it. "How are you doing?"

Terrence stepped back to look outside. "Oi, Ian, Ced's here!" Then, he turned to Ced again and spotted her. "Mind if we join you?" He was asking her.

Hermione smiled and shook her head. "Come on in," she invited.

Terrence went inside, dragging his trunk and Ced quickly got up to help him. "I was wondering where you are. Didn't see you on the platform."

"Helping a firstie find his lost toad," Terrence sounded tired. "No one from other houses would help him. Drat. Sometimes I feel like a Hufflepuff always must help others when no one else wants to."

Cedric laughed at that. Another boy entered the compartment: a gangly boy, as tall as Ced, already wearing his Hufflepuff robe.

"Hullo," the newcomer greeted her.

"This is my new friend, Hermione Granger, an incoming first-year," Ced told his friends once they were all settled on their seats. The two boys sat across from her and Ced. Hermione pushed herself closer to the window subconsciously. "Hermione, these are my best mates, Ian Fawley and Terrence O'Brien."

The two boys offered to shake her hand to which Hermione took kindly.

"You two neighbors? I thought The Weasleys and the Lovegoods are the only ones living near you?" asked Terrence.

"Hermione lives in London. She's a Muggle-born. I met her when Professor Sprout took me with her to deliver her Hogwarts acceptance letter," Ced explained.

"Whoa! You've been to a Muggle house at last!" teased Terrence.

"Prat," Ced chuckled.

"Oi, your little cousin's at the other car up the front, looking for you, by the way."

Ced was instantly on his feet. "Oh, yeah! I totally forgot about Sue!" He turned to her. "Hermione, I'll just go and see her."

"Yeah, go ahead," she encouraged.

"So, Hermione Granger, what house do you think you'd be in?" asked Ian when Ced left, leaning forward a bit to show he was interested to know her.

"I don't know," she replied casually. She wasn't ready to share her sentiments about Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw houses.

"Either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw," Terrence told her. He was sitting in a relaxed manner, arms behind his head.

"What's wrong with Gryffindor?" she asked curiously. She wanted to know their opinion.

Terrence snorted. "Too much bravery."

"I heard that Potter and Weasley were already arguing with Malfoy," said Ian with a hint of disapproval in his tone. "Well, that Malfoy kid looks like trouble, but still..."

"Potter? Like Harry Potter?" she asked.

"Yeah. The Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived," replied Ian. "His action earlier clearly shows he'll be in Gryffindor, and the newest Weasley would be, no doubt, a lion as well just like the rest of his brothers."

"Charlie Weasley's the coolest among them, so far. He was the best Seeker!" Terrence looked so impressed.

"Yeah. The Weasley twins are cool, too. I think they are brilliant just like their older brothers, but spend too much time pulling pranks than studying. Did you remember what Percy Weasley said? The twins turned their youngest brother's stuffed toy into a spider even before they went to Hogwarts! That's an impressive Transfiguration! But now they just-" he trailed off and sneered.

"Pull pranks on younger students and their older brother, instead of studying," grinned Terrence.

The door swung open again and Cedric was back with a little girl with blonde hair in a long plait, wearing a black cloak over a floral dress. She wasn't lean like Hermione. She was stocky, had a round face, and deep-set grey eyes like Cedric's.

"Hey, Hermione, this is my little cousin, Susan Bones," he smiled at her.

Susan Bones waved a hand to her and smiled. "Hello, Hermione Granger." She sat beside Terrence and Ced was back to her side.

"Hello," she replied timidly. She couldn't believe that she was in a compartment with four other people, and they were nice; people who didn't tease her for her messy hair (it was in a loose ponytail) and large front teeth.

"Sue's mum was my dad's sister."

She frowned slightly.

"My parents were killed by Death Eaters during the First Wizarding War. They were Aurors," explained Susan kindly.

"I'm sorry for your loss," she replied sincerely.

"It's all right, Hermione," she replied kindly.

"Sue lives with her Aunt Amelia, her father's sister," Cedric added. "She'll be a Hufflepuff, right Sue?"

Hermione smiled at the way Cedric would talk to Susan. He even yanked his cousin from her seat and made her sit on his other side, placing an arm around Susan's shoulders.

"I don't want to be a Hufflepuff because of you! You tease me a lot!" complained Susan.

"Oh, but I'm your favourite cousin."

Susan rolled her eyes. "You're my only cousin. And I'm not your favourite."

"You are my favourite 'cause you'll be in Hufflepuff. Don't mind Miss Ravenclaw Penelope. She's as annoying as Percy Weasley. I honestly think she spends too much time with him," Cedric chuckled and the two other Hufflepuff boys laughed as well.

"Oh, but Penny and Percy are Prefects!" laughed Ian.

"I bet Percy Weasley is going to be the Head Boy two years from now," Cedric commented. But there was no malice nor sarcasm in his tone.

Throughout the commute to Hogwarts, the three wizards played a card game called Exploding Snap. She and Susan exchanged in a conversation - she told her about her life with Aunt Amelia and her guardian's work as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. In return, Hermione told Susan about her dentist parents. A while later, the boys got bored of playing and a woman with a trolley of sweets came by. Cedric, Ian, and Terrence brought sweets. Probably knowing that her parents were strict, Ced bought her a Pumpkin Pasty and pumpkin juice.

"Buy me Sugar Quills, Ced," Susan asked her cousin with a hopeful look.

Ced sighed heavily and faked an unhappy look. "Why don't you get yourself a boyfriend so that you won't ask me to buy things for you?" he frowned.

Hermione giggled and Susan slapped her cousin playfully. "Prat! I'll write to Uncle Amos about how you're treating me."

The boys and Hermione laughed. She felt a different kind of happiness in her heart - something really foreign, considering she was surrounded by people she just met. She had never felt this kind of thing before, except with her parents... and Cedric.

As she took a bite of her Pumpkin Pasty, she looked outside the window with a smile.

I think I'll be happier in Hufflepuff."