Chapter nine – Back to School

The next morning Hermione was up before the sun. She wanted to take a stroll around her neighbourhood before leaving for King's Cross. She always did that. It made her feel relaxed somehow. She loved magic, she truly did, but those strolls brought her back to her childhood when she didn't know about her true identity. Things were far less complicated back then, but Hermione could not imagine going to a Muggle school and living among Muggles. She was a witch, and that was what she wanted to be.

When Hermione got back from her walk, she went upstairs to get her suitcase and Crookshanks. It meant a great deal to be able to bring her cat with her – then she was never really on her own.

"Mum! Dad!" she yelled when she got into the living room. She had packed herself into her winter coat and mittens her grandmother had knitted. She rarely saw her grandparents, only once a year - in the summer break to be more specific. Hermione and her parents travelled to her grandparents' house in Wicklow, Ireland. Hermione loved Ireland. She thought of it as a very cosy and welcoming country. Sometimes it was even better than England. Everybody was so busy in England, always in a hurry. In Ireland people took a breath and enjoyed the surrounding nature. She wanted to go there again soon and stay for a while, experience the country on her own. One of her biggest dreams, the one she had never shared with anyone, was to experience the entire world all by herself. Just leave England one day and not look back. But firstly she needed to finish her education at Hogwarts.

"Yes, darling?" her mother replied. She was dressed in her finest clothes. She always was when they were going to King's Cross-, and she looked even finer among the magic world's parents in their trying-to-be-Muggles outfits. Hermione had giggled the first time she had gone to the station, but by now she had gotten used to it and actually found it quite amusing.

"It's time to leave," she said in a bright and excited tone. She was looking forward to seeing Ron and Harry again, as friends. There were so many things she wanted to talk to them about, but had not gotten the chance to.

"Have a safe trip, okay? And don't forget to write us!" Hermione's mother said and planted a soft goodbye kiss on Hermione's forehead. Hermione could feel herself blush a bit.

"Don't forget to have fun, too," her father added and hugged her from the side. Hermione wondered if her father imagined his daughter to be one of those girls running around with the blokes and drinking fire-whiskey. No, she was not like that - not like Pansy or Millicent. She valued her education and true friendships – not based on who had smuggled alcohol into the school.

"I will, dad, I promise," Hermione chuckled.

"Now run off and find your friends!" Her parents waved. Hermione chuckled even more. They wouldn't be hard to find; Ron was in the middle of a big group of redheads and Harry was always next to him. Hermione reminded herself to ask Harry how things were working out between him and Ginny. She knew that Harry fancied her, but he didn't want to admit it. She could just imagine how Harry had felt during Christmas with Ginny constantly around.

Hermione found her way to the Weaslys – they were all there, the kids and parents.

"Hi, boys, hi, Ginny!" Hermione said in a high pitch and smiled, happy to see them. They greeted each other with hugs as if they hadn't just been together yesterday.

Harry and Ginny were discussing some homework that Harry apparently had been helping Ginny with during the holidays. Hermione eavesdropped their conversation, but she didn't listen – it was like her brain wasn't catching a single word they were saying. She quickly spotted a blonde bloke a bit away, boarding the train. Draco. He was wearing his usual grey suit and was carrying along a brown leather briefcase. He looked stressed, maybe even depressed. As if he had aged ten years in just a few weeks.

Draco noticed Hermione as well, and they caught each other's eyes. Draco formed a smile on his lips, which she returned. It felt strange that they were smiling at each other in secret. It seemed rather odd. Draco took a glimpse around and noticed Ron and Harry. Hermione saw how his smile instantly faded, as if seeing Hermione with the two boys was disappointing. Draco rushed onto the train among the crowd of students eager to get on the Hogwarts Express.

"Oi, what are you looking at?" Ron asked, interrupting Hermione's train of thoughts.

"N-nothing. Just nothing." Ron looked at her, as was she mental. Maybe she was, she thought. She could've sworn she had felt something in her stomach when she saw Draco. But it could not be... It was probably just the excitement of a boy actually smiling at her.

"Let's board if we want seats together," said Harry, and they all waved their final goodbyes to Molly and Arthur.

Halfway through the long train-ride, Harry started a conversation with Ron about Lavender. It was easy to hear that Ron was getting tired of her always hanging around, and he nearly feared seeing her again. Hermione chuckled when she heard of the necklace Lavender had given Ron for Christmas. It spelled out "My Sweetheart".

"Well, you have to wear it, Ronald. Show the love for your girl," Hermione encouraged him in a sarcastic tone.

"Yeh that would make her happy, Ron. Who knows, maybe she will even start to be attached to you."

"Blimey, and I call you friends," said Ron, but it drowned in Harry and Hermione's laughter.

"Oh, Harry, I have forgotten to ask you, how are things with Ginny?" asked Hermione when Ron had fallen asleep, a trace of chocolate still on his cheek from snacking. The train-ride was nearly at its end, and if she squeezed her eyes enough Hermione could see Hogwarts in the horizon.

"Wh-what?" Harry replied with laughter in his voice, trying to cover up his true feelings. They were nearly whispering to not wake up Ron. Hermione knew that one of the reasons Harry hadn't "gone for it" with Ginny yet, was Ron. He was very protective of Ginny, at least when it came to boys. They had had a row earlier in the school year about Ginny's public snogging with her boyfriend Dean, and Ron's lack of it. That was probably why he was all-over Lavender; to prove his sister wrong.

"You know what I mean." Hermione cuddled herself up under Harry's arm. She was very comfortable that way. Anyone who happened to walk by would easily misunderstand their position. But both Hermione and Harry knew that what was between them was purely friendly - it had never been or would ever be anything more.

"Well, we talk, yeah we do. But Ron... and Dean. It's all just a bit too complicated for us. I guess we are not meant to be together."

"If two people are meant to be together, they will eventually," Hermione said, trying to cheer him up. Harry smiled at the tiny hope she was giving him.

"I suppose you're right. It just seems like a thing that could eventually happen far out in the future, but who knows.. Maybe she will end up marrying Dean."

"Dean? No... Not if I have a say. Haven't you seen how much they fight? It's not healthy for her to be in a relationship like that, I have told her. She refuses to listen, though. Says everything is all right," Hermione disclosed. Harry moaned slightly.

"I have come up with a new strategy about Malfoy…" Hermione felt her heart skip an extra beat at the mention of Draco's name. She hid her blushing face and instead asked what his theory was. "I suspect Malfoy for being… one of his." Firstly Hermione's eyes widened, then she sighed.

"Harry… You honestly believe Draco is a Death Eater?" The last two words woke up Ron, even though Hermione had uttered them quietly.

"Are they after us?" Ron yelled, as was he waking up from a bad dream.

"Who, who are after us, Ronald?"

Ron shook his head, entering reality.

"The Death Eaters. Are they after us?" Hermione realised that Ron's question was legit.

"I hate to break it to you, but yes, Ronald they are after Harry, and you happen to be his best mate!" Ron looked rather shocked by the honesty of Hermione's answer. He had expected kindness and maybe a hug, but he was once reminded that he was not at home with his protective mum any longer.