The ride to the Kings Cross was uneventful, Hermione and her new friends had a compartment to themselves and she did not see Ron or Harry. Daphne was trying to keep Hermione's mind off her problems with Harry and Ron, so she was telling her about all the things they could do over the holiday.
"I was thinking that we could go into muggle London to get our dress for the holiday party my parents are throwing this year. I don't have many excuses to go to muggle London and it will be nice to go there. I bet you know all the best places to shop." Daphne continued her speak about all the places they could go in muggle London and what they could see. She was getting more excited as she talked. Hermione just sat there and listened with half an ear.
"Daph, that is great, but will you excuse for a minute?" Hermione left the compartment and headed to find an empty one, but she could not find one that was unoccupied. She kept looking and what she found was a little better.
"Hey, Professor, you mind if I join you in your compartment?" Hermione asked the occupant of the compartment.
"Of course. I would love to share the compartment with my favorite student, soon to be ex-student." Professor Flint said to her.
"Thanks, I just need some quiet for a bit. Hope you don't mind. It's been a hard couple of months and I would love to have a clear head for the holidays." Hermione explained to Flint, even though she did not have to, he had seen all the things going on with her.
"No need to explain, I understand. I have something's to think about myself, that is why I am sitting alone. You know about the letter I received to join Puddlemere, but I still do not know what I want to do." Flint need to talk to someone about this and Hermione was always great at listening. "I love being a professor, but Quidditch is my life. If I leave Hogwarts now and it falls through with Puddlemere what will I do then and if I stay at Hogwarts will I have regrets about not playing for Puddlemere. See I am so confused."
"Well, have you talked with McGonagall about this, I am pretty sure that she would let you take off to pursue your Quidditch career and let you come back to teach if it fell through." Hermione explained to him. "Please talk with McGonagall about this before you decide. When you get home write her a letter and ask. For me please!"
"Yes, 'Mione, for you I will write to McGonagall and see if she will let me come back if Quidditch does not work out." Flint told her.
"Good! Now I want tickets to most of your matches. Promise you will get me in to see your matches or at least a practice or two!" Hermione pleaded with him and batted her eye lashes at him in a flirty way. She figured since he no longer was her Professor, she could flirt just a little with him.
"I promise, 'Mione, I will get you in to see a match or practice."
"Good, now I am kinda tired, I'm going to take a nap." And with that she curled up on her seat, used her robe as a pillow and fell asleep.
Flint watched her for a bit, thinking how things could be different now that he was no longer going to be a teacher. You see he had liked Hermione for a while, but because he was a Professor he could not let his feelings for her show. But over the holiday he was going to try and see if she felt the same way about him. He noticed Hermione shiver and took his robe and put it over her so she would be warm and as he went to sit back down, Draco walked into the compartment.
"Hey, have you seen…" Draco trailed off as he noticed Hermione sleeping on the bench in the compartment. "Never mind I found her. How long has she been asleep, Daphne was hoping to talk to her some more about what to expect over the holiday at a 'Pureblood's House', but I guess that will have to wait."
"Hey, mate; just thought I would let you know, I will not be returning after the holiday. I got accepted to play for Puddlemere and I am going to take the position. I am writing to McGonagall to let her know. Also, I am going to try to convince Hermione to date me. What do you think?" Flint kind of rambled it, but he knew that he would not have been able to say it otherwise.
"I think that is great, I expect tickets to all the matches though. Also, when there is a victory party you will get me out of school to go to it!" Draco promptly informed him. "Also, you hurt her and I will come after you!" With that he turned and left the compartment to go find Daphne to tell her the news.
A/N: I would love reviews!