A/N: I'm quite surprised I'm actually sticking with writing this story. I'm thrilled with it so far. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the things you recognize.

Chapter 3: The Hogwarts Express

The next couple weeks Hermione spent as much time as she could with her parents until she had to leave for the school year, and wouldn't be back until Christmas. The brunette always missed her parents when she went to school, but she was excited to get back and learn more about magic. Sometimes her first year felt like a dream when Hermione would wake up back at home that summer. A dream she never wanted to wake up from, but it wasn't a dream at all.

The day eventually came for her to go back and she was so excited to see her friends again. She ran all around her room packing all of her things she would need for the next school year. All of her books and supplies were stacked nicely on her bed along with her clothes that were neatly folded. She was so enthralled in what she was doing that she didn't even hear her dad knock on the door and make his way in.

"Hey, Kiddo, you got everything you need for tomorrow?" she jumped at the sound of his voice pulling her out of her thoughts. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I thought you heard me come in," he chuckled, and she watched as he sat down on the only available space on her bed. A few things knocked over onto the floor from the shift in weight. He picked up the necklace he had gotten her for her birthday last year. He sat there staring at it for a moment.

"Yeah, I'm just finishing now. I just have to figure out where I'm going to put it all."

"I'm sure we have some more bags downstairs if you can't fit it all in that one."

"Thanks, Dad, I'll be sure to grab one. I'm sure you didn't come all the way up here just to tell me that. What's on your mind?"

Mr. Granger looked up at his daughter that just seemed to keep growing up right before his eyes. "You know, you remind me of your mother. Always straight to the point, that one," he smiled to himself. "You're turning into quite the young woman. One that I am very proud of…I hope you know that."

"Of course, I do, Dad. Though, where is this coming from?"

"Last year while you were gone I missed you regularly," he put the necklace back down on the bed. "Having you so far away and I'm not right there able to protect you has been extremely hard for me," he stood up and walked over to Hermione. "You're the only child that I have, and I worry about you," Mr. Granger hugged her tightly. "I don't know what I would do without you. I love you so much, and nothing would ever change that," he pulled away enough to look at her. "Not even being a witch," he joked.

They both smiled as Hermione wiped a tear that had escaped down her face. "Thanks, Dad, I missed you a lot while I was gone last year, too. It was the first time that I had been away for an extended period of time. At times, I wondered if I had made the right decision by going there. It seemed like nobody liked me and I didn't have anyone to go to. At least, not until I became friends with Harry and Ron. They weren't the nicest at first, but they are great friends. They protect me while I'm there. No need to worry," she left out the part about what happened with Voldemort. He didn't need a reason to be more worried than he obviously already was.

"I'm glad you can count on them to look out for you. It eases my mind a bit to know you have people there who care about you. I want you to promise me that if anything ever happens that you let me know as soon as you can. I need to know that if anything were ever to happen that I would be able to help you in any way that I can."

"Of course, you and Mum will be the first ones to know."

Mr. Granger headed to the door hovering near the entrance. "Thank you. Oh, and one last thing, if any boys try any funny business with you I want to know about it."

"Dad! I can assure you no boys are going to be trying any 'funny business.'"

"Even so, I know how boys are. Please just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise."

Mr. Granger walked out leaving Hermione to finish packing. When she was satisfied that she hadn't left anything out, she allowed herself to relax on her bed. She was so tired that she ended up falling asleep in her regular clothes.

The next morning Hermione woke up extra early to make sure everything was ready. She took a shower and changed into new clothes. The sun was still making its way into the sky when she walked back into her room. The light that was streaming in through her room was blinding her. She grabbed all of her bags and brought them downstairs to set them by the door. Her dad was out getting the car ready for the trip to King's Cross. As Hermione walked back upstairs, she heard her Mum call out for breakfast. She grabbed her wand and a few other things before walking back down. The smell of blueberry pancakes and bacon made its way to her nose as the girl sat down for breakfast. They ate as fast as they could, and before she knew it, they were on their way. Once at the station, Hermione had to say her goodbyes before making her way onto the platform nine and three-quarters since muggles couldn't make it through the barrier. She hugged both of her parents one final time before she turned to cross the barrier.

"See ya, Kiddo. Remember, any funny business, any at all."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dad, I remember."

"We love you. Write to us as soon as you get to school, alright?" Mrs. Granger said.

"I will."

She crossed the barrier and made her way over to the train. There was no sign of the Weasley's yet, and there were only twenty minutes before they were supposed to board the train. She sat down on a nearby bench and watched the family's saying their goodbyes, already missing her parents.

Checking the clock for what felt like the hundredth time Hermione scanned the crowd of families for one redheaded bunch. There were only ten minutes before the train was supposed to leave. She couldn't believe that they were about to miss the train. She brought her bags onto the train and tried to find a compartment that didn't already have someone sitting in it. She didn't want to deal with people right that minute. She found one toward the back of the train and put her bags on the rack above the seats. She grabbed out a copy of Voyages with Vampires one of Lockhart's books and started reading. Just before the train started moving, she heard the compartment door open and looked up from her book. Thinking it was the boys she was ready to scold them until she saw Ginny looking shy as ever just standing in the doorway.

"Hello, Hermione. I don't know if you remember me, Ron's little sister," Ginny talked with her head down. "I was supposed to sit with Ron since I don't know anybody else, but I can't find him anywhere. Do you mind if I sit with you?"

"Not at all," Hermione said as she marked her spot in her book and set it down beside her. "Of course, I remember you. I couldn't find him either," Ginny visibly calmed and made her way to the other side of the compartment. "I thought maybe he and Harry would miss the train. They weren't with you?"

"Thank you!" Ginny set her bags on top and sat down across from her. "They were right behind us when we came through the barrier, but somehow we lost them after we crossed."

"Something tells me they're doing something they shouldn't be. I wouldn't be surprised if those two got in trouble the first day of being back," she shook her head like a disapproving parent. "Anyway, enough about them. How are you? Are you excited to start your first year at Hogwarts?"

"I am!" She said enthusiastically. "Ever since my oldest brother, Bill, got his letter I had been dreaming of the day I would get mine. Of course, since I'm the youngest I had to wait for everybody to get theirs first. Last year I was the only one still at home, and the house was eerily quiet."

"That must've been hard for you watching everyone leave while you still had to stay. How many brothers do you have?"

"Seven brothers - I'm the only girl. There's Bill, the one I was just telling you about. He works as a curse breaker for Gringotts. He made my parents proud by becoming a prefect and eventually Head Boy. Then there's Charlie. He was a prefect, too, and Quidditch Captain for the Gryffindor team. After Hogwarts, he moved to Romania to study dragons, so I don't get to see him very much, anymore. Next, there's Percy. He's the oldest one that still goes to Hogwarts. He's a prefect right now and never lets anyone forget it. He hopes to one day become the Minister for Magic. Suppose that's why he keeps himself locked in his room most of the time. Doesn't want anyone to disturb his studies. Anyway, after Percy comes Fred and George. I'm sure you already know who they are. Everybody knows who they are. Always causing some sort of trouble with their new tricks. They're also beaters on the Quidditch team. One day I hope to get on the Quidditch team. It looks like so much fun! Anyway, last but not least, Ron. I'm not sure what he wants to do yet. He's obsessed with the professional Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons. You should see his room. It looks like the team threw up in there. I've never seen so much orange in my life."

Hermione couldn't believe how much shy little Ginny was talking. Ron was right; when she's not around Harry, she can talk for hours. It's actually quite cute how much she likes Harry. "It's nice to know more about your family. Ron doesn't talk much about your older brothers."

"I suppose that's probably because he misses them too much. He doesn't like to admit his feelings very often. He'd rather pretend that the issues don't exist. I can tell how much he missed them when they do come home, though. Especially Charlie…Ron looks up to him. They used to be incredibly close."

"Poor Ron, I wish he'd be more open about things. Does Ron at least write to Charlie when he's not there?"

"He used to, but Charlie would get so wrapped up in his work that most of the time he wouldn't even respond until eventually Ron just gave up."

Hermione noticed the trolley with the sweets go by the compartment door. "Ginny, would you like anything from the trolley, my treat?"

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry right now," Ginny replied.

Hermione got up and bought some licorice wands and chocolate frogs for her and Ginny, anyway. She returned and gave Ginny some of the treats which Ginny quickly ate. Hermione laughed and bit into her licorice wand. "I thought you weren't hungry?"

"I wasn't really, at least not until I had food in front of me."

"Must be a Weasley thing," Hermione smiled at her.

They talked comfortably amongst each other like old friends for the next couple hours. The train came to a stop at Hogsmeade station a little while later. Hermione had to wake Ginny up who had fallen asleep on her shoulder not too long ago.

"Hey Ginny," she nudged the young girl. "Ginny wake up we've arrived at the station," Ginny grumbled but made no sign of moving. "Ginny I can't move until you wake up." She slowly sat up and looked around groggily. Her eyes got big once she realized she had fallen asleep on her new friend.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep on you like that," Her face turned a brilliant shade of scarlet.

"It's alright; I didn't mind. Gave me some time to read Gilderoy Lockhart's book," she held it up for Ginny to see. "Isn't he just wonderful?"

"You sound like my Mum," Ginny laughed. They grabbed their bags and walked off the train.

"Firs' years this way! O'er here firs' years!" Hagrid called.

"Ginny, you have to go with Hagrid now for the sorting ceremony. I hope you get sorted into Gryffindor! How great would it be if we were in the same house? Even if you're not, though, you'll still be my friend. Good luck, I'll see you later!" With that, Ginny walked off to stand with the rest of the first years.

Hermione looked around for any sign of Ron or Harry. When almost everybody had moved along, and she still didn't see them, she gave up and made her way up to Gryffindor tower and straight through to the girls' second-year dormitories. She unpacked all of her things and went back down to the common room to wait for Harry and Ron. The ceremony was supposed to start in fifteen minutes.

She waited for ten minutes before heading down to the Great Hall. Whatever they were up to she wanted no part of it. She sat down at the Gryffindor table just in time for Dumbledore to stand up ready to start his speech. The hall immediately quieted down anticipating the feast that was to take place after the ceremony.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For those who don't know me, I am Professor Dumbledore the Headmaster of this school. Shortly, we will begin our Sorting Ceremony for the first years followed by our beginning of the year feast. Before we begin, I would like to remind the students of the forbidden areas surrounding school grounds; this includes Hogsmeade. For anyone third year and above if you wish to attend Hogsmeade you must have gotten a form signed by a parent or guardian permitting you to leave school grounds for the scheduled weekends. Anyone who does not have a form signed will not be able to attend Hogsmeade weekends. For the rest of you, under no circumstances will you be able to leave the premises.

"Now let's begin the Sorting Ceremony – first years, if you would, make your way up to the front please." The first years who had been patiently waiting at the back of the Great Hall shuffled toward the front in a single file line. Hermione stopped paying attention when she noticed Harry and Ron still weren't there. She was starting to get worried that something had happened to them. There's no way they would miss the feast. Her brain was coming up with all sorts of crazy things that could've happened to them. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Ginny's name.

"Ginevra Weasley!" Ginny walked up to the seat and sat down. McGonagall placed the sorting hat on her head. Ginny looked so nervous sitting up there. Hermione knew every single one of her brothers had been sorted into Gryffindor. She figured Ginny would be worried about possibly not being sorted into the same house as the entire rest of her family. Hermione was chanting Gryffindor in her head, and it felt like forever until the hat made its decision.

"Better be…Gryffindor!"

Ginny looked so relieved Hermione was so happy for her. She made a mental note never to let Ron hear the end for missing his only sister's sorting ceremony. Ginny walked over and sat next to Hermione who immediately gave her a hug and a little 'Welcome to Gryffindor!' A little while later the ceremony was over, and the feast began.

"Have you seen Ron or Harry? I'm a little bummed he missed my sorting."

"No I haven't, but he better have a seriously good reason. I'm so disappointed in him."

After the feast was over, they walked to Gryffindor tower together. Hermione showed Ginny how to use the password to get into the common room and where her dormitory was.

"Congratulations again on making Gryffindor. Your family will be so proud. Sorry Ron couldn't make it. I promise you I will make him regret it. Get some sleep now it's been a long day." Hermione hugged Ginny and promised her she would let her know as soon as she found out why Ron and Harry hadn't been there.

Hermione couldn't express her worry about if anything had possibly happened to the boys. She had been through enough already. The brunette would make sure there was actually something to worry about before worrying the younger girl. She walked up the stairs to the second-year girls' dormitory, quickly changed into her pajamas, and got ready for bed. Once her teeth were brushed, and her face was washed she climbed into bed and tried to fall asleep. Instead, she laid there for hours worrying about Harry and Ron. Finally, she was able to fall asleep and had the worst night's sleep she had in a very long time.

A/N: Me again! If you like this story so far, please leave a review and favorite/follow. It would mean so much to me! Also, I wrote this at 3 am so if there are any mistakes I apologize, and please let me know. Thanks!