Chapter 2 - The Hogwarts Express
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Harry, Hermione, Ron and I said our good-byes to mum on Platform nine and three quarters, and then boarded the Hogwarts Express.
"I found an empty compartment!" Hermione called out, and we all followed her through the door.
I sat next to the window with Ron and Hermione facing me, and Harry sitting on my other side.
His arm brushed up against the bare skin on mine, and a cold shiver of excitement raced through my body.
Ron and Hermione started yabbering on about something or other, but I didn't care what. I was too distracted thinking about other things. However, whatever they were talking about turned into an argument neither Harry nor I wanted to be involved in, so I turned to Harry and started a friendly conversation.
"So, what classes are you choosing this year?" I asked.
"Well I was planning on taking Potions, because I want to be an auror, but to be accepted into Snape's class, you need an outstanding O.W.L. and I got Exceeds Expectations," Harry replied.
"Oh." I frowned.
"It doesn't bother me too much," Harry smiled. "At least I won't have to be in Snape's class again."
I giggled and Harry chuckled. As we laughed together, I thought of what it would be like dating him. How he would walk me to my classes, how he would find me in the corridors of the castle and steal a kiss before rushing off to next period. I thought about going to Hogsmeade together, and walking around holding hands...
Then reality struck me as Dean came in, smiling as he saw me.
"Hey Ginny, how are you?" he asked, and I noticed Harry frowned and looked down at his knees.
Is he jealous of Dean and I? No– He couldn't be.
"Ginny? Hello? Earth to Ginny?" Dean said, waving a hand in front of me. His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, bringing me back to the present.
"Huh? Oh. Yeah, I'm good. Just a little hungry, that's all," I answered.
Dean started to walk over to me and I knew he wanted to kiss me. I certainly did not want Harry to see, so I stood up.
"Dean, why don't we go outside?" I suggested.
He grinned and nodded as he backed out of the door.
"I'll be back," I said to Harry.
"Okay," he muttered, still staring down at his knees.
I walked out the door and down the aisle to where Dean was waiting. I stopped in front of him and he wrapped his arms around me and pecked my lips.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!" he whispered.
"You saw me in Diagon Alley two days ago," I laughed.
"That's two days too long!" he complained, jokingly.
I smiled. "Well I better go back now, otherwise Ron's going to go ballistic."
Dean frowned. "He's really not happy about us, is he? Ron was always friendly to me, but ever since we started dating, he barely even acknowledges me, and on the rare occasions that he does, he just glares at me and grunts."
"He's just being a protective brother. It'll just take him some time to get used to it," I reasoned.
Dean nodded and I turned away from him and headed back to the compartment.
I opened the door and stepped in, closing it behind me.
"Hey."
"Hi," Harry replied. "You said you were hungry?"
I nodded and sat down next to him.
"The trolley came past and I thought you might've missed it, so I got some extras," he said, holding out some chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties, a couple of sugar quills and a packet of Bertie Bott's every flavour beans.
"Thank you, Harry." I smiled.
"Not a problem. So how are things with you and Dean?" he asked, a slightly pained expression crossing his features.
Could he really be jealous? Why else would he ask about Dean and I?
"Oh," I said. "Alright I guess. I mean, all he really wants to do is kiss me and he never leaves me alone. It gets a bit annoying actually."
"Oh, well, I hope everything turns out well." he sighed.
He hopes everything will turn out well? That was not the reply I was looking for. Maybe I was wrong about him having feelings for me.
"So where are Ron and Hermione?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"They went to find out when the train will be arriving at the station." he answered.
Not ten seconds later, they came through the door and told us we were getting there in about five minutes.
Everyone changed into their robes and we arrived at Hogsmeade Station right on time.
I clambered off, along with the others and found a free carriage, motioning them to join me.
Once everyone was seated, the carriage took off into the dark, starry night, taking us to Hogwarts.