-1Disclaimer: All the Characters and places (except Charmed of course) come strictly from J.K.R.'s mind. If they were mine, I wouldn't be typing this on my computer at home. The plot strictly belongs to me, that's it.
Chapter 15:
I wonder if McGonagall sent the Lunch Trolley?
For the first hour, the compartment was filled with the sounds of memories from past trips on the Hogwarts Express. Soon, however, everyone was set in doing their own thing. Harry was looking through his chocolate frog card collection. Luna and Ginny were both reading copies of The Quibbler and Neville was writing an essay for work. Ron was staring out the window, deep in thought. Hermione pulled out her new book and began to read. She had barely gotten through the first chapter when Ron looked over at her and laughed.
"How many times have I seen that before?" he asked her playfully.
"Well, considering that we had seven years of Hogwarts and two rides per year, I'd say about fourteen times, plus or minus a few." Hermione responded quickly after doing the simple math in her head.
"Well of course you have to give me an exact answer. I wonder if McGonagall sent the Lunch Trolley? I'm starving!"
"Ronald Weasley, we haven't even been on this train for two hours and you're already asking for food."
"Well Hermione, I daresay that you'd better get used to my eating habits." Hermione grimaced in a joking sort of way and then set back to her book.
"Hey you two- people are requesting to be in the presence of their host and hostess. You'd better go and talk to your guests." Fred and George had walked into the compartment.
"Yeah, I suggest you go, because if Colin Creevy gets cheeky with me one more time-" Fred started but Hermione quickly cut him off.
"Oh how silly of us. Ron, we'd better get going. The rest of you-" Hermione looked around the compartment at her wedding party "If anyone wishes to see you, I'll send my patronus along. Just follow her and she'll lead you to where you need to be."
Hermione and Ron quickly set off down the train. They stopped at the first compartment with people.
"Ron, Hermione, how are you?" Remus Lupin rose out of his seat to shake Ron's hand.
"How are you Tonks?" Hermione asked turning to a very pregnant Mrs. Lupin.
"I'm alright. Wish these pups would get out of here though."
"Nymphadora, how many times must I tell you to stop calling our twins 'pups'?"
"And how many times must I tell you, Remus, not to call me 'Nymphadora'?"
"Shut up the both of yeh. Weasley, soon to be Weasley. Congrats." Mad-Eye Moody spoke from the seat by the compartment door. Hermione jumped when he spoke, as she had not seen him when she'd entered the compartment. "Oh, Hello Alastor. Listen. We really should be getting along, lots of other guests you see. Thank you for joining us today! Be sure to stop by our table tonight and during the reception tomorrow. Good-bye!"
Ron led Hermione into the next compartment which held the Weasleys and the Grangers.
"Mum, Dad, how do you like your first train ride to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked her parents.
"It's quite a lovely train" her mother answered, beaming at her only daughter.
"I haven't been on this train for years, yet I still get the thrill of approaching Hogwarts" Mr. Weasley said. In his lap was a copy of a muggle magazine. It had all sorts of electrical terms on the cover. Hermione smiled to herself.
"Ron, you sure are quiet today" Mr. Granger pointed out.
"Hermione, do you know where we are?" Ron asked her suddenly, completely avoiding Mr. Granger's statement.
"Um, Ron, we're on the Hogwarts Express. Are you feeling alright?"
"Hermione, I'm fine, look around, do you know what this is?"
"Um, well it a compartment of the school train."
"This isn't just any compartment! I do believe that this compartment is where I had dirt on my nose and Trevor the toad had recently made an escape for freedom."
"Ron, this is the compartment where we met?"
"I think so. I've replayed that memory over and over in my head, and I'd be willing to bet good money that this is the first place I ever laid my eyes on you."
"Oh how lovely!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"And you wanted to sit somewhere else!" Mrs. Granger glared at her husband.
"Ron, Hermione dear, don't let us keep your from the guests that don't get to see you on a regular basis. But before you leave, please send along my only daughter, and Harry as well. I'd like to see them before I have to focus all of my attention on the two of you." Mrs. Weasley requested.
"I'll send along for them." Hermione flicked her wand and a silvery otter set off down the corridor.
"We'll see you all later then" Hermione said as she and Ron left the compartment.
"Hermione wait before we go visit anyone else on this train, promise me that we get at least a little time to ourselves these next two days alright? This is our time. I don't want our two hundred guests to get in the way of that."
"Ron, I'm sure that we'll get plenty of time together."
She smiled at him and made to set off down the corridor but Ron pulled her back. He kissed her, long and hard. When they finally broke apart, Hermione looked up at him and smiled.
"What was that for?" she asked him.
"I was just doing what I should have done outside this compartment when we were eleven years old."