Harry and Ron were silent for the start of the train trip. Neither could believe that the brightest witch in Hogwarts history wasn't going to be attending her 6th term of school. The cart witch came by, offering snacks and drinks, both boys declined. Harry stared out at the passing trees, he couldn't pin point exactly why he questioned Hermione in his head. Something about the way she acted was wrong to him, he couldn't shake of the feeling he had been lied to. Ron was picking at a loose thread from his robes; his tiny owl Pig was perched on his head, sleeping.
"What could be such a problem her parents have to keep her from school?" Ron finally broke the unsettling silence.
"I dunno Ron." Harry replied, once again shoving his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
"It still is…I mean, she isn't coming Harry. She isn't going to be in our classes this year…she…" Ron sighed. Harry nodded; he understood what Ron was getting at. He rested his forehead on the cool glass of the window, his thoughts kept spinning around in his head.
The doors to the car opened suddenly as a man pointed to the seats across from them, "Those taken?"
"No sir." Ron answered.
"Good then. Alright you two, sit down and no trouble, you hear?"
Harry sighed as he watched two people he really didn't want to deal with at the moment sit down in the empty seats; it was Crabbe and Goyle. They were Malfoy's lackeys, bullies that had picked on Harry ever since first year. Crabbe closed the door; an uncomfortable silence filled the car. Harry frowned, where was Draco?
"Hey…where's your leash holder?" Ron glanced over at the two, "Draco finally get sick of the smell of you two?"
Goyle turned beet red and looked as if he was ready to hit Ron, "Shut up Weasel."
"We don't have leashes…" Crabbe cracked his knuckles and glared at Ron, "and Draco isn't coming this term. His father had estate business to take care of and Draco stayed back."
Ron grinned, "Draco isn't coming this term?" He looked to Harry for a high five but found his friend frowning, "What's the matter Harry?"
"Well…Hermione isn't coming and neither is Draco…" Harry continued to frown, both the head boy and head girl were missing from the school.
"Coincidence Harry…nothing more." Ron clapped Harry on the back, "Stop thinking and start celebrating…we won't have to deal with Draco and his sneering all year!"
Harry shook off the unnerved feeling he was having as Ron's excitement of not being tormented all year was rubbing off on him. The two thugs who sat across from them ignored them for the rest of the journey; they were too busy stuffing themselves with pies and cakes they had bought from the cart witch.