Of Serpent Tongues and Lion Hearts

Of Serpent Tongues and Lion Hearts:

Chapter 1: Platform 5 2/3:

7^th year:

It was a beautiful English day. The sun was shining perfectly in the clear, blue sky. The birds were singing their usual songs. The weather was perfect, not too warm and not too cold, especially given the fact that it was September 1st.

As usual King's Cross station was packed with muggles and wizards alike. Once the Hogwarts students passed the barrier between Platforms nine and ten, they felt like themselves again. This year Platform 9 and 3/4 did not look any different from other years.

The Hogwarts Express patiently waited for the clock on the wall to announce the hour it would depart, at exactly 11 am.

Many signs decorated Platform 9 3/4. Some just indicated their destination, a few, the number of the Platform, and others clearly asked students to keep their owls in their cages at all times or that playing Quidditch or flying your broomstick was strictly prohibited. Of course, there was another sign that did not allow wizards and witches to enter the station mounted on dragons (this sign was placed recently after and incident involving Charlie Weasley, a Norwegian Ridgeback and a muggle child not older than six!).

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Goodbye dear, have a great year!"

"Keep in touch, honey. Don't forget to write," Hermione's parents advised.

"Yes mom, yes dad. Honestly! Like I would forget something like that."

"We know dear. Just making sure," said Hermione's mother who fretted over Hermione's collar.

"Honey, you be careful, all right," said her father in a serious tone.

"I will I promise," Hermione tried to reassure her parents.

"You've come such a long way Hermione. We are so very proud of you!"

"Not that you needed to be named Head girl this year to make us feel proud of you," said her father smiling down at her with pride

"Indeed. We are proud of you with or without the title," said Mrs. Granger trying not to cry...too hard.

"Thank you. I love the two of you. But now I really have to report to the Hogwarts Express. Head Girl duties," Hermione said winking and flashing a big, bright smile to both her parents.

After a few moments, Hermione was outside the Hogwarts Express helping the first year students board the train that would be delivering her to her 7^th, and final, year in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As she helped the student she felt two hands covering her eyes. She knew who it was almost instantly.

"Harry. Do you honestly think you can fool me?" Harry tried to suppress his laughter while still covering her eyes and Ron sniggered, but no sound came out of his mouth. "And Ron stop doing that, it makes you look like an idiot."

At this Harry let go of Hermione's eyes and Ron looked a bit shocked, but only for two seconds, because he quickly remembered, that after six years together facing adventures, almost expulsion, and even death, their bond was very tight. They had memorized each others expressions and likes and dislikes. They weren't only friends, they were family. But hey, no one said families didn't fight. And they still fought like crazy.

After hugging and laughing at the latest stupidity of Dudley ,which, to be honest, were too many, but had something to do with Dudley trying to join a punk rock band, they proceeded to enter the scarlet and black train. Ginny came out searching for the dynamic trio. As soon as she spotted them, she flashed them a beautiful smile which made Harry turn as red as Ginny's hair. He still melted every time she smiled, and every time she spoke to him, and every time she looked at him. Harry and Ginny had officially become a couple on February 14th during the St. Valentine's ball last year.

" Hermione," said Ginny while giving Hermione a big hug.

"Hey, Gin! What's up?"

"We have to catch up. Come on. I found us a good compartment."

They started to follow Ginny.

"Ummmm... guys," began Hermione tentatively. "I'm sorry, but I have to ride in the Head Boy and Head Girl compartment. It is strictly required for us to assume our positions immediately."

"Oh," said Ron a bit disappointed, but understanding.

However, Harry's face turned into an expression of realization and he was about to speak when Hermione interrupted him.

"Yes, Harry. That's exactly what it means," she said with a resigned expression.

"Oh Hermione! I'm sorry ... are you sure you must?"

"Yes, Professor McGonagall clearly instructed us so in the letter she sent over the summer."

Ginny and Ron seemed to be as lost as a muggle in Platform 9 3/4.

"Don't mind us! That's all right. Don't explain. We are not here at all," said Ron with a half exasperated, half annoyed tone.

Harry turned

"Ron. Honestly! Sometimes you are more dense than the barrier for Platform 5 2/3!"

"Oi Harry! I've never heard of that platform, where does it take you?"

Harry rolled his eyes, while Hermione and Ginny tried their best not to fall in the floor and roll laughing hysterically. So far they were only succeeding in the not- rolling- on- the- floor part.

"Ron," said Harry trying to stay calm and cool. "First, there is no Platform 5 2/3. Second, if Hermione is Head Girl and she has to ride in the Head Girl/Head Boy compartment, who do you think she has to ride with? Alone?"

Ron opened his eyes as wide as these let him as he finally understood.

"Oh Hermione... is there really no way around it?"

"Nope," she said with resignation.

"Well you've always been better at keeping a cool head than us so just... just be yourself and ignore him," said Harry with a resolution in his face.

"I will hex him into the middle of next week if he does anything to you Hermione," said Ron.

Ginny gave Hermione a sympathetic look and added a "good luck" that really meant "Oh, you just won the slime ball lottery!"

"If he gets too obnoxious during the ride just say that you'll go on a round to check everything is running smoothly and come and sit with us," added Harry.

"Yes, I'm sure McGonagall won't object to a visit. Especially if it is to keep your sanity," said Ginny.

"Thank, that was helpful," said Hermione with sarcasm coming out of even her pores.

They were now standing hallway of the train, when Hermione spoke again.

"I've worked before with him and he's not as bad as he used to be."

"When did you work with him," asked Ron confused

"Last year remember? We were both prefects with Francesca Damon from Ravenclaw and Ty Sullivan from Hufflepuff. We used to have meetings every week with the Head Boy and Head Girl and the Headmaster. He didn't insult me once... well not after the Holiday break anyway. But then again he didn't say much, period."

"There you go then," said Ginny with a more optimistic view of the situation. "He'll probably have the same attitude now too. He did look like he had changed last year. There's nothing to worry about then, Hermione."

Ron and Harry looked at each other trying as hard as they could to believe Ginny, but that proved harder than to believe Crabbe and Goyle had IQ's higher than those of a termite.

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know. There was never a problem with him, but come to think of it we were never alone and that's what really worries me," Hermione sighted. Harry, Ron and Ginny exchanged looks. "... to be alone with Malfoy," finished Hermione.

After a small pause filled with silence and wariness, Hermione shifted her view from the empty space to her friends and giving a smile that seemed to take her more effort than usual.

"Well I guess I'll see you later."

As they each turned their own way, Hermione quickly looked back at her friends.

"Oh, but don't worry about me. I will be just fine. As long as he is behaving half decently, he wont be the target of the hex I found this summer in 'Hexes for Every Occasion'. Useful, really," said Hermione as if the hex she found had nothign to do with growing horns, and painfully for that matter.

Harry, Ginny and Ron looked at her and laughed. Truly, no one was like Hermione.

And they each turned around and walked to their respective compartments with lighter shoulders, lighter moods and a sincere smile in their faces.