Hermione POV
I never truly realized how rude muggles could be. After a rather unfriendly encounter over a trolley with a burly old women and her sausage of a dog, I continue my way through Kings Cross focusing on reaching platforms nine and three-quarters before ten o'clock. Even though I know it is only nine thirty, I still can't help but feel like I'm going to be late. Approaching the platform, all the memories from years before flicker across my eyes and I end up eleven years old again, gazing upon the ordinary looking pillar of stone, but now, I know it is anything but ordinary. Even now, all the feelings I ever felt then, are still present.
"Ow!" I cry out, as I suddenly appear to be on the ground in front of the platform, thanks to some idiot running into me from behind.
"Oh, sorry. Damn muggles, never watching where there going. Here let me help you." The masculine voice of said idiot say to me.
I raise my arm not even bothering to look up, I'm more focused self assessing myself for injuries, but the sudden feeling of soft warm hands around my arm and hand distracts me from my assessment and soon I'm staring into molten pools of silver.
"Sorry about that Granger. Although you really shouldn't be standing around in the middle of a crowded station" he says, but my eyes can't seem to break away from his own silver irises.
"Uh…thank you…Malfoy" I stuttered out. Why am I stuttering? I never stutter. But the real question is why is he helping me? Why is he even talking to me? Willingly? He even apologized for knocking me over and helped me up!
"Draco, whose your friend?" a soft voice says to the left of me. As I manage to tear my eyes away from his, I'm greeted by piercing blue eyes. Mrs. Malfoy looked just as regal as she did the last time I had sen her back at Malfoy Manor. Only this time she too looked younger and less stressed. Her face had a few more age lines, but her eyes still could pierce you with one look, though she seemed happier. More light hearted than the cruel woman I remember from all those months ago.
"Ah, yes… mother, you remember Hermione Granger, she was at…"
I honestly couldn't blame him for not wanting to bring up me being tortured in his home with all of them watching and doing nothing. Mrs. Malfoy being the ever proper pureblood lady that she was did not show her emotions on her face, but her eyes gave away what she was feeling.
"Yes, I remember Miss. Granger quite perfectly." Mrs. Malfoy said with a small sad smile.
Gathering up all my courage, I gave her a small smile in return and readjusted all of my things. Picking up Crookshanks's carrier strap I faced the Malfoy's, and turned to look at Draco.
"Well thank you again for helping me, but i'm afraid I really must be heading to the platform now. Can't be late you know being Head Girl and all. Goodbye Mrs. Malfoy…umm, i'll see you around, Draco." I didn't wait for their replies, I turned around as fast as I could without falling over and hurried on my way towards the platform. All I heard as I walked away Draco mumbling something that I couldn't quite hear. Ah well it was probably nothing.
Even after six years, platform 9 3/4's still looked the way it did the first time I saw it. Still bustling with children trying to get free of their mothers firm grasps, and mother clinging to their children saying tearful goodbyes. The atmosphere of the place never ceased to change where as the whole wizarding world has never been the same. I wish everything in the wizarding world was this way. So untouched and unscarred by the war.
"Hermione! Hey, Hermione!" I hear from the crowds of people. All of the sudden I'm tackled by a mop of black hair and then red. I don't even have to guess who my assailants are because I already know. How can I not when you've been in each others lives for nearly ten years.
"I can't believe you guys are here, I thought the auror department would have you guys doing some incredibly dangerous stuff that I don't even want to hear about!"
"Well its not like we could send off our best friend without a proper goodbye." said Harry while giving me his best goofy smile.
"Yea Herms, how could you even think such a thing?" Ron said quite awkwardly, but still trying to be his normal self.
Ron and I were still in a awkward stage of our separation. Its not like we're not friends. We tried to do the whole relationship thing after the final battle, but we both realized being best friends was the only extent of our relationship that we could meet. But things could still get weird sometimes.
"Oh Ron, Harry, you boys are the best friends a girl could have. I'm really going to miss you guy's this year." I told them, while only letting a few tears slip down my face.
"We're going to miss you too Hermione." said Harry as he pulled be in for one of his what I like to call "big brother hugs". "Now hurry up and get on the train before it leaves you behind!" He said releasing me.
"Yeah, Ginny is already on the train, and Hermione try not to have an crazy year without us okay?" Ron said as I gave him a hug.
"Trust me boys, all I want is a boring year. You can have the crazy, I'll take the normal. Goodbye, I love you both!" I said as I waved at them from the train just as it was starting to move.
"Bye Hermione!" They said in unison, waving their hands at me like the other parents on the platform. I couldn't help but smile as I made my way further into the train looking for a empty car. As i made my way down the hall, I couldn't help but think that I was going to eat my words because when have I ever had a normal year at Hogwarts? but who knows, Harry and Ron won't be with me so there might be a chance. Though my conscience was saying Who are you kidding?