Disclaimer: Don't own anything. It all belongs to JK Rowling.

Hermione hummed absently a little as she rested her head against the window of the train. She stared out at the passing countryside, feeling a little glum. This was the last time she would be going back to Hogwarts as a student. It was raining, too – even the weather was agreeing with her mood. It wasn't a misting rain or the heavy stuff that came with thunderstorms – this was a dripping, grey and damp sort of day that hung around for a while.

She started a little when Ron slipped his hand into hers. Glancing over, she saw that he was still absorbed in his chess game with Harry, but he seemed to sense her looking at him and glanced at her to give her a small smile. She gave an equally small smile back, and he squeezed her hand a little. The warmth felt nice, and she turned back to the window as he turned back to his game.

Twenty minutes later, they were done, as Ron moved his knight for the final time and leant back with a sigh of satisfaction. Harry frowned and chewed his lip before good-naturedly tipping his king over.

"Got me again," he chuckled. Ron let off a little smirk.

"Don't worry mate. You're getting better."

"Hmm, don't know about that." Harry nodded towards Hermione. "You all right over there, 'Mione?"

"What? Oh, yes, fine, Harry." She turned away from the window to face them. "It's just weird, you know, that this is the last time we'll be going back." Ron nodded, and stroked her palm with his thumb reassuringly.

"Yeah…" Harry stared out the window. "There's not that much time left… Kinda scary." Ron reached across the car and patted Harry on the knee. He was getting quite good at this whole comforting thing. "What are you guys, I don't know, thinking of doing? When we're done, I mean."

"Auror'd be cool," Ron replied thoughtfully. "Quidditch would've been cool too, but I dunno how many positions are opening up and stuff."

"Yeah, Auror would be cool." Harry's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled at Hermione. "What about you?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe teaching, maybe something more with S.P.E.W?" She shrugged. "I have been interested in working with the Ministry, either with S.P.E.W. or just the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. That could be exciting."

"Yeah," Ron agreed, weakly. "That would be… exciting."

"Ronald!" Hermione cried, slapping him on the shoulder. "Who knows, maybe you'll end up working with me one day." She and Harry smirked at Ron as he turned slightly green.

"What? That would be awful! I mean, it would be nice to work with you, 'Mione, but I don't know if it's really my thing. Do I have a thing? If I did, I'm not sure pencil pushing - I mean, doing important Ministry business – would really be it but I could try, you know, if I were working with you… Have I mentioned how much you mean to me?" Hermione finally took pity on him.

"I was just kidding, Ron," she laughed. "Now, how about you and I give this chess-thing a whiz. George taught me a trick or two over Christmas." The rest of the trip passed uneventfully, and soon they arrived at Hogwarts. The thestral-drawn carriages were waiting for them, and Hermione gave a small shiver when she remembered she could see the thestrals. It was unnerving and sad, to say the least.

They still had some time before dinner, so the three of them made their way to the common room. They met up and walked with some of the other eighth-years, who chatted about their own Christmas holidays. Hermione found herself walking alongside Blaise, having been separated in the shuffle from Harry and Ron.

"You look tan," stated Blaise as they started up one of the staircases. "Go anywhere?"

"Yes, actually. My parents and I went to Italy." He grinned down at her.

"You don't say? My mum's family is from Italy. Well, actually," he corrected, "her father's side of the family. Grandmother's family is Greek."

"Where's your dad from?" His grin faltered a bit but came back strong, so quickly Hermione wasn't sure she had seen it slip.

"My grandpére is from France, and his mother's from Egypt." He grinned even more broadly at her startled expression. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just… Wow, that's a lot of places."

"Yeah. Makes for some interesting family reunions," he deadpanned, and Hermione could not for the life of her tell if he was serious or not. She didn't have much time to think about it before their conversation was interrupted by Pansy.

"Blaise, please tell me you got the note," she said, grabbing Blaise's arm. "Oh, hello, Hermione. Sorry to interrupt. Don't mind us." She turned back to Blaise. "Well?"

"Oh, I got it," he replied grimly. "Did you get his note?"

"Yes," Pansy replied, just as grimly. "In his best, most formal copperplate." Hermione was very confused, but she kept quiet. She had learned that some things were forthcoming if you knew how to wait. "You don't suppose he's gone all… lordly, do you?"

"No." Blaise shook his head. "If he wanted to do that, he would have signed it with the whole shebang. No," he repeated, sighing. "This is like the last time he wrote to us like that."

"Oh…" Pansy said, subdued. "Well, Merlin's mother's favorite pair of mangoes!" she suddenly erupted. "Do you realize that this is going to be November all over again?"

"Yeah, well… We all know Lucius never had the best timing. For anything." What were they talking about? Something to do with Malfoy, certainly, which only piqued her interest. Hermione still kept her head down and walked quietly alongside the two Slytherins. They were close to the portrait of the Founders, and Hermione hoped her curiosity would be assuaged by the time they arrived.

"Thank Merlin Peony's so much older than me… At least Mum got her prepared to take over should anything happen. I am perfectly content to make my own way and not have to deal with any of the mess of running the family. Ugh…" Pansy shuddered.

"The bane of only children. Or eldest children, I should say," Blaise added thoughtfully. "Ah." They had arrived at the portrait leading to the common room, and it opened up to accept them. "Hermione, I apologize that our conversation got cut off. We'll have to talk later about your trip." Pansy was tapping her foot impatiently. "I'll see you later then."

"Yeah… Bye, Blaise!" she called as he and Pansy hurried deeper into the common room. She stared after him, slightly disappointed. Hermione wasn't really into gossip – she never contributed anything to the rumor mill between Parvarti and Lavender, though she did sometimes listen in – she felt it wasn't fair to have such a mystery given to her before she found out what was going on.

She liked answers, though, and was not a fan of not being able to find them. Then again, whatever it was, it was Malfoy's business, and it was best not to interfere. Remembering the look on his face when she had gone through his papers was more than enough to dissuade her from running after Blaise and finding out what was going on.

-O-O-O-O-

Dinner that night was a very small affair. Hermione was still slightly jetlagged from her trip to Italy, and the long day of traveling was getting to her. She really wanted to lie down and go to sleep, so she asked Ron if he would come down to dinner early with her. He agreed, and almost tripped getting up from his chair, long limbs tangling with themselves. They strolled through the halls together, smirking when they saw some of the younger students engaging in their own bumbling displays of attraction.

"Did you see that little squirt over there?" Ron sniggered, jerking his head towards a particularly small Ravenclaw trying to engage a much taller Hufflepuff girl in conversation. "I don't think I was ever that small. D'you suppose she likes him?" His question was answered for him when the Hufflepuff turned around and began to talk to on of her friends who was standing with her with a look of faint annoyance on her face.

"Oh, poor boy," Hermione smiled. "I hope, for his sake, he hits his growth spurt soon." The boy in question had slunk off to rejoin some of his own friends, who were giving him commiserating pats on the back.

Dinner was, indeed, a quiet affair. There were barely any people in the Great Hall, and the two of them ate quickly. When the majority of the student body began to trickle in, Hermione gave Ron a thoughtful look.

"Ron, if you want to stay and sit with Harry or something, I can go up on my own. I'm afraid I won't be much company – I was planning on just heading to bed."

"Are you sure, 'Mione?"

"Of course, Ron." She grinned at him. "Good night." He leaned over the table and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Night, Hermione." She got up, and he waved Neville over to take her seat. She nodded to him, and he grinned cheerily at her before turning to face Ron. Apparently they had some sort of chess thing going on. Neville wasn't very good at all, but he still insisted that Ron teach him. Hermione didn't understand it, but she was sure he had some Neville-y reason for doing so.

The hallways were silent as she made her way back to the common room. A few minutes later, she was sliding in between her sheets with a sigh of bliss as she felt herself sinking into slumber.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed! The ending is a little awkward – I feel like I never know how to finish these things! Also, I have given up on Wednesdays. Sorry for those who were looking forward to a schedule… Still trying to go for once a week, but we'll see. Thanks to everyone who reviewed – it really means a lot to me!

- GusGus