Hermione Granger and the Two Lovers

Chapter Three

She walked through the darkness and onto the old rickety boards on the platform and looked up to the bright warm sun. Hermione turned around and saw Ron run through the barrier, followed by Harry and Ginny. They pushed through the noisy crowd, onto the train and found an empty compartment.

Hermione felt a little uneasy sitting next to Harry, dreading the fact that he might bring up their breakup. Hermione sat quietly looking out the window at the boarding students. Luckily, Ron started the conversation.

"Fred and George's joke shop is a success. Mom still isn't too thrilled about it. Dad acts like he hates the idea, but he still goes there, telling Mom he's making sure they aren't breaking any laws. But the other day I found some Puking Pastilles in his sock drawer. I reckon he's saving them for a day when he doesn't want to go to work," Ron commented. They all immediately cracked up laughing.

As their laughter died down, the train started to move and Neville walked in. Neville sat down next to Ginny and asked about her summer. It was obvious to Hermione that Neville had a crush on Ginny, but she didn't want to mention it, incase Ginny didn't like him back.

Just after that Luna stepped in and sat on the other side of Harry and asked about his summer. Harry didn't have much to stay, after spending his summer at his aunt and uncle's house until Mrs. Weasley had rescued him. Hermione knew only too well that Harry hated summer break and never brought it up.

Harry told Luna how he had spent most of his days at Mrs. Figg's house, the squib that lived next door to him, with her cats, some of which were actually witches and wizards, in their Animagus forms.

Ron mentioned that when his letters from Hogwarts had been delivered to him, he had also received a Head Boy badge and when he told Fred and George, they asked if it had been a mistake.

"Ron, that's great! I'm Head Girl!" Hermione cried. She couldn't believe that one of her best friends was the Head Boy, and she was Head girl!

While Hermione had been thinking, Luna had started saying something, gesturing to Harry and Hermione. "I remember when you two were dating and I was ga-ga over you, Harry."

Hermione felt the tears she had felt at the station start to return.

"Are you still ga-ga? Because Cho and I broke up last-" Hermione couldn't take anymore. The tears in her eyes overflowed and she leapt from her seat and raced out the compartment door, into the quiet hallway. Hermione ran down the hall until she was as far away from the compartment as she could get.

Hermione leaned herself against the wall and slid herself down to the floor, as tears streamed down her face.

How could he go out with Cho, right after he broke up with me? Why did he get back together with her after she had dumped him 3 years ago?

Hermione heard footsteps and a familiar voice calling her name from down the hall.

"Leave me alone, Ron," Hermione mumbled through the tears. Hermione lifted her head and saw Ron's face peering down at her.

"Hermione, she didn't mean to..." Ron trailed off with the last few words.

"I don't care if she meant to or not! The fact is she did and I just can't deal with anything involving Harry right now!" Hermione wailed at him.

Ron sat down next to her and gently slid his arm around her shoulder. Hermione turned toward him and cried on his shoulder as she had done around Christmas time last year.

About an hour later, after Ron and Hermione had spent time talking about Hermione's feelings and emotions, Ron whispered, "Hermione, I think we need to get out of the hall, people are going to be getting out to change into robes." Hermione gave a slight nod and Ron offered her a hand after he stood up. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled herself to her feet.

When they reached the door of the compartment Hermione's hand shook as she slid open the compartment door.

Everyone looked up at Hermione as she entered the compartment. Hermione took the open seat next to Ginny that had belonged to Ron. Ron took the hint and took a seat next to Harry.

Ginny gave Hermione a worried look, as if to ask, 'Are you okay?' Hermione gave Ginny a small nod and forced a smile onto her face.

Hermione looked over at Ron who was smiling and telling Harry about the Chudley Cannons standings this year.

Hermione and Ginny discussed their summers and how excited they were about going back to Hogwarts. Somehow, Hermione's mind kept flying back to the night Harry dumped her and had to shake her head to get the thought out of her mind.

Luckily, the train came to a stop at the Hogsmeade station and they all grabbed their carry-on bags and purses, and got out. They were finally at Hogwarts.