Hermione Granger: A Way With Words

"Hermione!" She was shaken awake from her nightmare. She looked up into the worried face of Ron, her best friend.

Unable to control herself, Hermione sat up and clutched on to Ron around his waist. "Oh, Ron!" She cried into his shoulder.

Ron patted the back of her head, letting her tears fall. "You're fine, Hermione," he tried to comfort her. "It was just a dream."

She dried her eyes, letting go of him. Nodding, Hermione said, "Thanks, Ron. What time is it?"

"Almost eleven," he replied. "The Ministry car will be here soon, so you'd better get ready." Ron stood up, and crossed the room to the door. Before leaving he asked, "are you okay?"
Hermione said, "yes, thank you," and gave her friend a watery smile. After he left, she got up quickly, not wanting to think about her nightmare. She just needed a hot shower, and maybe some tea, to feel better.

After getting a warm, refreshing shower, Hermione went downstairs to join the others. Mr. Weasley was standing in front of the back door, trying to hurry the others. Today, Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Ron would be getting Harry at Number Four Privet Drive. As Mr. Weasley held the door open, the three bustled outside to the Ministry car waiting for them. Mrs. Weasley was giving Ron last-minute orders.

"Now, Ron," she was saying. "Remember to be polite to the Muggles Harry lives with. And don't do anything to Harry's poor cousin!"

Ron snorted. "Fat chance," he replied. "And anyways, Mum, Harry's cousin is not some poor little tyke. From what I remember, he's as fat as a wild boar!"

"Okay, that's enough," Mr. Weasley said. "You heard your mother, Ron. Be nice to the Muggles. Now get into the car."

The car ride to Harry's home wasn't a long one. The Ministry car could fit into places even a bicycle couldn't. Watching the world fly by quickly was making Hermione dizzy, so she talked to Ron about the upcoming school year.

"I don't know why you're still taking Divination!" Hermione said. "Trelawney's a fraud, everyone knows it."

Ron laughed. "Everyone knows it, except Lavender and Parvati. And the class is easy; you just make dreary and dreadful predictions and Trelawney's happy."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, both fifth year Gryffindors, loved Divination. Professor Trelawney had predicted Harry's death at least twice every year since their third. Harry must have had more lives than a cat for all the way Trelawney Saw Harry meeting his end.

"O.W.Ls are this year," Hermione said. Ron waved his hand as if to dismiss this fact, but she continued. "Now Ron, you know these are important! We're going to have to study extra earlier for this!"

Shaking his head, Ron said, "No thanks, Hermione. I'll leave the worrying up to you. Anyway, more important things are happening in the wizarding world than O.W.Ls."

This reminder quieted everyone in the car. There had been no Death Eater attacks so far this summer, but that didn't mean they weren't bound to happen. Most of the Ministry was still refusing to accept the fact that Voldemort had returned. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was even denying it.

The car pulled to a stop. Mr. Weasley broke the uneasy silence. "We're here," he said, glancing out the window before opening the door. Hermione followed the three Weasleys to the front door of number 4 Privet Drive.

For the first time, Hermione took notice of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's tattered wizarding robes. Knowing of the Dursleys' take on those who are below them, she said uncertainly, "Mrs. Weasley, why don't Ron and I just get Harry, and if Mr. Dursley has any questions, he could come in there. We wouldn't take up much of their time that way."

Mrs. Weasley's smile faltered for a moment, but she noticed her husband's growing fascination in the doorbell and said, "Certainly dear!"

Hermione nodded and she and Ron stepped up to the door. Still fascinated, Mr. Weasley pressed the doorbell twice. Mrs. Weasley pulled him away before he could cause any more annoyance to those inside.

Scuffles could be heard, coming from inside the house. Two beady eyes peeked out at the four through the round window near the top of the door.

"Ver-ver-Vernon!" Someone stuttered. Hermione guessed it was Petunia, Harry's aunt.

Ron was about to knock, but a very large man with no neck and a red face abruptly swung the door open.

"Ah, Mr. Dursley," Ron smiled and put out his hand. Vernon Dursley looked at it as though there were mosquitoes swarming on Ron's hand, and didn't shake it. Ron casually dropped his hand and continued, "Is Harry ready? We've got lots of things to do today. Mum needs to go to the apothecary to get some dragon's blood and eye of newt."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but Mr. Dursley had obviously not sensed Ron's sarcasm, because his face was close to becoming purple. He walked into his sitting room, leaving the door open. Ron laughed quietly and followed Mr. Dursley, with Hermione behind him, shaking her head.

The three Dursleys were sitting close together on the couch. Dudley Dursley, Harry's oversized cousin, was seated between his parents, looking like he was going to burst into tears at any moment. Petunia Dursley, looking almost as terrified as her son, did her best to comfort him, but her arms could barely reach around his fat stomach. Vernon Dursley was definitely purple-faced now.

Hermione and Ron remained standing in front of them. Hermione didn't think it wise to say anything.

Ron did, however, and he asked Dudley, "Harry tells me you're on a diet. How's that going?"

Dudley whimpered and Petunia tried again to comfort him, but Ron took notice. If he did, he kept a very straight face.

To everyone's luck, Harry came bounding down the stairs, with perfect timing.

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione said, forgetting about the Dursleys and rushing to hug her best friend.

"Hello, Hermione," Harry replied, hugging her for a moment. He said to Ron, "Hey there, Ron. I'm going to need your help with my things."

Ron nodded, and he and Hermione followed Harry up to his room. She took this time away from the Dursleys to scold Ron.

"How could you do that, Ron? You know they're terrified of wizards!" She exclaimed.

Ron laughed, and to answer Harry's questioning look, he said, "All I did was mention an eye of newt and ask your fat-arse cousin about his diet."

Harry joined in with Ron's laughter, leading his two friends to his Hogwarts things. "Aunt Petunia has no idea Uncle Vernon has been bringing home sweets for Dudley. He's gained more weight than lost it, and its driving Aunt Petunia mad."

Ron and Harry picked up Harry's trunk and Hermione grabbed Hedwig, Harry's snowy owl, in her cage. The three friends made their way down to the sitting room where the Dursleys still sat, and they weren't alone. Arthur Weasley was talking to Mr. Dursley, or at least trying to, about plugs.

"They're truly amazing," he was saying. "Of course, there's no use for eckeltricity in the wizarding world. Magic is quite a handy thing."

Mr. Dursley was turning purple again.

"I think its time to go, Mr. Weasley," Hermione broke in kindly. "Mrs. Weasley's probably waiting in the car."

"Oh, right!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed. "Have a nice day," he said to the Dursleys. Turning to Ron and Harry, he said, "Boys, put that in the trunk of the car. Hermione, Hedwig will go in the back with you three."

The Ministry car had three rows of seats. The driver sat in the front, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat in the middle, leaving the three friends, along with Hedwig, to talk on their own in the back seat.

"Have you heard from Snuffles lately?" Ron asked quietly.

Snuffles was their codename for Sirius Black, Harry's convict godfather. Sirius escaped from Azkaban, the wizarding prison, in their third year, and Harry learned the truth about his parents' death.

James Potter, Harry's father, was a best friend with Sirius, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew all through their days at Hogwarts. They had done everything together, including becoming Animagi to help Lupin, a werewolf. Before James and Lily's deaths, Peter, nicknamed Wormtail (he had become a rat Animagus), joined Voldemort and told the Dark Lord the Potters' location. After Sirius learned of his best friends' deaths, he went in search of Wormtail. Wormtail disappeared, also killing twelve Muggles, and Sirius was charge with their murders and sentenced to life in Azkaban. He escaped from the prison to find Wormtail, who was living in rat form at Hogwarts-Ron's pet rat, Scabbers. Wormtail got away again, and Sirius almost received the Dementor's Kiss, but Harry and Hermione had helped him escape with a hippogriff named Buckbeak. Now Sirius was living as a convict-in human and dog form.

"I got his latest owl yesterday;" Harry paused to make sure no one else could hear them. "He said he's going up to Hogwarts on September first to make sure that I'm all right."

"Isn't that a bit dangerous, though? He could be seen!" Ron said.

"He's going to be staying in that same cave we met him at last year..." he stopped. By the look on his face, Hermione could tell that last year's events had come rushing back to him. For the first time that day, she looked at her friend closely. Harry's skin was pale and he had dark circles under his eyes.

"Harry," Hermione spoke quietly. "Have you been doing okay?"

He met her eyes and tried to smile. "Of course I'm doing okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

Hermione was about to answer him when Ron put his hand on hers to stop her. "Hermione, if Harry isn't okay, he'd tell us in a second," he said, but Hermione could've sworn that was directed more towards Harry rather than herself. Changing the subject, he happily said, "I can't wait until Quidditch tryouts."

Hermione laughed. "School hasn't even started yet! You're more excited than I am!"

Ron shook his head. "Just about Quidditch. I could do without classes." He paused, making a face. "I could especially do without Snape and Potions!"
"I'm sure Snape feels the same way about you, Ron," Harry joked. "But I am excited about this year's Quidditch season. Are you trying for Keeper?"

Nodding, Ron said, "Absolutely! Oh, and just wait until you see Ginny! She's one hell of a Chaser. She'd give Angelina Johnson a run for her money!"

"Well, I think Angelina's going to be the captain of the team this year, so hopefully Ginny won't good enough that she kicks off the captain." Harry laughed. "And I didn't know Ginny was that interested in Quidditch. How long has she been flying?"

"Ever since she could walk!" Ron snorted. "You have no idea how interested she is in Quidditch. Why, you're the only other thing she's - Oof!"

"Woops! I'm dreadfully sorry about that, Ron!" Hermione said innocently after elbowing him hard in the stomach. Really, Harry didn't need any more information about Ginny's huge crush on him. "And I think we're almost at the Burrow, now!"

Scowling, Ron said, "Yeah, well, after you get unpacked we can play some Quidditch, Harry."

"That sounds good," Harry replied, stifling a yawn. "Oh, I forgot to tell you! Oliver Wood owled me last week and told me that if I wanted Quidditch tickets to a Puddlemere United match, he'd send as many as I want, anytime."

Eyes lighting up, Ron exclaimed, "That's great!" And so the two boys were off talking about Quidditch, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts and Hedwig.

*****

Much later that night, Hermione and Ginny could be found talking on Hermione's bed while everyone else was asleep.

Before her fourth year, Hermione had never thought of Ginny as a good friend. Occasionally they would talk about things like school, but that was usually only when she desperately needed to talk to a girl, instead of Ron and Harry. For some reason, Ginny and Hermione became closer in Hermione's fourth year, Ginny's third. Ginny had matured, Hermione thought, and it was nice to have someone to gripe about boys with. Hermione spent most of her time with her best friends, both boys, and Ginny could relate to that, with being the only girl in a family full of sons. So late that night, they were in their cotton pajamas with hot cocoa, talking about anything and everything.

"I'm really worried about Harry." Hermione confessed. "Last year's events have taken a heavy toll on him."

"Well," Ginny said, pausing to take a sip of her hot cocoa. "Its not like you can blame him. He's been through a lot, and I think he feels guilty of course its going to take a heavy toll on him."

Hermione solemnly nodded. "I know that," she replied quietly. "But I wish he would talk to us about it. What happened to Cedric affected everyone. He didn't know it would happen, and he couldn't have prevented it. He seems so different now."

"Yeah, I think everyone at dinner tonight noticed. I know it's hard to get a word in with Dad talking so much, but he was quieter than normal. Harry just has to deal with this his own way, I guess. He know we'll be there for him anytime he needs us. We all love him; we all need him," Ginny said.

"We all see how Harry's changed. Oh Ginny, I know this isn't any easier for you, either. It must hurt a million times more for you," Hermione said softly, putting a hand on Ginny's shoulder to comfort her. "You've liked him for a long time; it must hurt. It's hard on all of us."

Ginny looked up from her half-empty mug to Hermione. With tear-filled eyes, she tried to smile and said, "I wish I could help him, Hermione. I want to save him like he saved me when I was eleven. I wish we could all save him. Why must the Boy-Who-Lived always be the hero?" She paused, giving a watery smile. "Why can't Harry ever be the damsel-in-distress?"

Hermione let out a soft giggle. She hugged her good friend. "I guess that's the way it works, Gin, the hero doesn't get saved. The hero saves the day, no matter how much he's hurt in the end."

*****

"Girls!" Mrs. Weasley could be heard yelling from downstairs in the kitchen. "Come on, lets get up! We're going to Diagon Alley today!"

Ginny sat up from under her covers, groaning. "Ooh, Mum," she said, stretching out her arms, still tired. "Can't we sleep?"

Hermione was still snuggled under her covers in her own bed, so Ginny went swiftly over to her bed, and pulled her blankets off of her. Still sleeping, Hermione rolled about on her bed and said groggily, "No, Mommy, why can't I sleep a little longer?"

Laughing, Ginny shook her friend awake. "C'mon, Hermione! You have to get up! We're going to Diagon Alley."

At that, Hermione sat right up, suddenly excited. With Ginny standing there, watching her, amazed, Hermione began bustling around the room, getting changed. Hermione was mumbling to herself, "Oh, I've got to get some new robes. I need to get my books. New quills, too! I definitely need new quills and new ink. And I think we're having another ball this year, too! Oh, I definitely need new dress robes!"

"HERMIONE! Come down off of your super speed for a minute!" Ginny shouted, causing Hermione to stop in the middle of the room, some clothes in a big heap in her arms. Ginny continued, more quietly, "Alright, that's good. Now, what were you saying about another Yule Ball?"

Hermione's eyes lit up. "Oh, last year I heard Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall talking about it." She paused, sitting down on the bed. "Since last years Yule Ball went so well, they might plan another one. They most likely already have it planned."

Ginny nodded. "Interesting. Have you got any dates in mind yet? Or shall I ask if any dates have you in mind, yet."

"Oh, Ginny, that was only Viktor last year. And he wasn't a very fun date, mind you. Sure, it was flattering, but I could barely understand him," she laughed a little. "Besides, you had plenty of offers last year!!"

Her friend gave a hollow laugh. "Neville. Neville asked me to last year's ball, after he asked you. And Harry asked me, too," she paused. "No. Ron asked me for Harry, when they couldn't get dates. Harry was spluttering and objecting."

"Aw, Gin, I'm sorry," Hermione looked at the clock on the wall. "Oh! I guess we better get ready!" And with that Hermione, and reluctantly Ginny, also, began getting dressed to go shopping.

Minutes later, Ginny and Hermione came rushing down the stairs.

"Well its about bloody time," Ron scowled.

Laughing, Hermione walked up to Ron, pinched his cheek and said, "Good morning to you, too, my ickle Ronnie!"

This caused Ron to scowl even more, and Harry looked confused. Ginny asked Ron, "Did you not tell Harry about your pink bunny rabbits?"

Ron's cheeks turned a flaming red, and Hermione, Ginny, and Fred & George, who had just come in the room, all burst out laughing.

"Harry doesn't need to know anything," Ron said stubbornly, walking out the door into the garden.

In between laughs, Fred exclaimed, "Ronald, where are you going? We're using Floo!"

This must have embarrassed Ron even more, because he came back into the house with a bigger scowl and a redder face.

"Alright, alright," Mrs. Weasley said, bustling in the room. She grabbed the Floo powder pot. The five laughing teens quieted. "Who wants to go first?"

"I will," Ron said quietly, the red on his face get lighter. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder, stepped into the dirty, brick fireplace and said clearly, "Diagon Alley!" A green flame flew up around him, and in a moment, he was gone.

Hermione stepped up to follow Ron. Taking some Floo powder from a smiling Mrs. Weasley, she stepped into the fireplace, still warm from the fire that was blazing early this morning. She paused for a moment, threw the powder in the ashes and spoke clearly, "Diagon Alley!" Hermione had always hated traveling by Floo. She didn't like the uncontrollable feeling that everything was flying past her. She could feel herself spinning faster and faster, but in a moment she was stopped, as she landed on her bottom on the cold stone floor of the Leaky Cauldron.

"Hurry up, then," Ron said, reaching out a hand to help Hermione stand. "You don't want to be kicked in the head by Ginny or Fred."

Hermione took his hand, and Ron helped her to her feet. Sure enough, Ginny came out of the fireplace next, landing neatly on her feet. Hermione looked down at her own robes and saw that they were filthy with ashes. Taking her wand from her pocket, she muttered a quick cleaning spell, and her robes were like new. Standing between Ginny and Ron, she waited for Harry and the other Weasleys to arrive in the pub by Floo.

Soon, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Harry were making their way through Diagon Alley. They had already been to Gringott's, the wizarding bank, and Fred and George had gone off on their own. Mrs. Weasley was left on her own, going through the apothecary.

"Ginny," Harry said, oblivious to Ginny's soft blush on the apples of her cheeks. "Tell me more about these pink bunny rabbits."

Ron groaned. "No, don't! You don't need to know Harry," but he was ignored as Ginny started with her story.

"Well, Hermione, Mum, Fred, George, and I were all celebrating the fact that Hermione had made Prefect..." she began, and she and Harry were off in their own little world of Ron's cute little pink bunnies, leaving Ron and Hermione behind.

"Great, this is just great," Ron groaned, as Hermione led him down the street.

Ginny had obviously finished her story, because she and Harry were now laughing loudly. She turned back to Hermione, cheeks lightly flushed, and said, "Where are we going first?"

Thinking for a moment, Hermione said, "How about Madam Malkin's for some robes?"

So the four went off to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, which was located next to Flourish and Blott's bookstore. In the front window there was a display of the latest styles of Quidditch robes and Hogwarts robes. Inside, your eyes were greeted with robes of different size and shape in every color imaginable. A squat, smiling witch came to the door to meet them, and asked, "Hogwarts robes for the four of you?"

Before anyone else could answer, Hermione said, "No, not yet. We're looking around for dress robes, and then we'll be getting school robes."

Hermione and Ginny led the two grumbling boys around the shop, looking at wildly distasteful robes in the most horrid colors you could imagine. Once, Hermione showed Ron bright pink dress robes for him, and he grumbled, "Do I look like Lockhart to you?"

"Oh, Hermione! Look at this!" Ginny squealed from one corner of the shop. Hermione, Ron, and Harry rushed over to her, where she was holding up dark green dress robes.

"You have to try those on, Ginny! That would look perfect on you!" Hermione squealed, and she grabbed Ginny, along with the dress robes, and led her to the dressing rooms.

In a few minutes, Ginny was out on a platform, looking at herself in the body-length mirror, which commented, "Fabulous, dearie," in a thick French accent. The dress itself was a dark green with thin spaghetti straps. The bodice dipped from the straps in the front, and it tied twice on the back. The dress had an all-over iridescent sheen to it that made it look as though it had fairy dust sprinkled on it. The robes fastened over her chest with a buckle the form of a star. She looked absolutely beautiful, Hermione thought.

"Well, what do we have here?" a cold, drawling voice called from behind Hermione. Harry, Hermione, and Ron turned to face the voice. Draco Malfoy.

They had been enemies with Malfoy since their very first train ride to Hogwarts. He was a sneering, cold, malicious boy who had no problems with belittling or insulting his peers, with white blond hair, a pointy face, and a permanent sneer. His favorite victims were the Weasleys and anyone who was associated with Muggles. He easily called Hermione a mudblood, a term that was meant for a witch or wizard with Muggle parents, and it made her blood boil.

"Why its Mudblood, Weasel, and Orphan Boy," he paused, looking around. He obviously had noticed Ginny standing on the platform, because he said, "Oh, the littlest Weasel is tagging along, too. How cute."

Rolling his eyes, "What do you want, Malfoy?"

Smirking, Malfoy said, "I'm in here getting some new robes. Were you too stupid to realize that this is shop, where you actually spend money, Weasley?"

For once, Ron's ears didn't turn red from embarrassment. Due to the good fortunes that Fred and George got from their joke shop, Ron and Ginny had some extra money to spend. That didn't keep Ron from getting mad, though.

Before Ron could attack, Harry calmly said, "That's what we're doing here, isn't it?"

"What? Are you and the Mudblood earning some bonus points by giving out charity to the Weasleys, Potter?" Malfoy asked. He paused, taking his time to slowly look Ginny up and down. Ginny's cheeks turned a deep crimson. "Well, I should say its helping the little Weasel, here. What has your mother been feeding her, Weasley, she's sure grown up!"

"Why you!" Ron launched himself at Malfoy, managing to get his hands around the other boy's throat.

"Ron!" Hermione screeched. Trying, but failing, to grab Ron.

"You'll pay for that, you bloody bastard!" Ron could be heard saying to Malfoy in between punches. Ron and Malfoy were down on the ground, both managing to get a few good punches at each other.

"Ronald Weasley! You stop that now!" Ginny scolded, but to no avail.

"What is going on here?" Madam Malkin bustled in, her face red with rage. She tried pulling the two boys apart, but a hand, whose it was, no one knew, flew up and hit her square on the nose.

"RONALD BEATRICE WEASLEY!" a shrill voice boomed through the shop. The two boys broke apart. Ron broke loose from embarrassment, but the moment he was free, Malfoy burst into laughter. He had a cut lip and his right eye was slowly turning black and blue. Ron's nose was bleeding and cuts on his lips.

"Beatrice?!" Malfoy snickered.

"You two boys stand up now!" Mrs. Weasley commanded. Ron stood up hurriedly. Malfoy remained on the floor, still laughing from the new information he'd just received. "And you, Mr. Malfoy! Believe me, I know your middle name!"

He looked skeptical. Mrs. Weasley kneeled down for a moment, whispered something in his ear, and stood back up, smiling.

Malfoy froze. After a moment, he stood right up, eyeing Mrs. Weasley carefully. "How do you know my middle name?"

Ginny, who had taken the time while the two boys were fighting to get changed, came from the dressing rooms and calmly said, "Mum was a midwife for awhile before Ron was born. You know, the Weasels always need a few extra Galleons." Ginny smirked at Malfoy, who looked curious at her tone. She turned to Mrs. Weasley and smiled sweetly, "Sorry about Ron and Mal-I mean, Draco, here, Mum. We've only just begun shopping. Can we meet you at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor in two hours?"

Mrs. Weasley hesitated for a moment, but she gave in. "Oh, alright dear. Just be careful." Turning to Malfoy, she said, "I should think your parents are somewhere in Diagon Alley, Mr. Malfoy. I suggest you find them." When she left the shop, they were free again for a few hours.

Scowling, Ron said, "What are you still doing here, Malfoy?"

"Didn't you hear Mrs. Weasley? She said go find your parents." Harry scowled.

"Come on boys, lets get back to shopping. I have to find you both some dress robes for the Yule Ball this year!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly, rushing Ron and Harry off to another section of the shop. Looking at some robes, Hermione turned to Ginny and said, "Come on, Ginny!"

Smirking at Malfoy, Ginny said, "See you later, Ferret Boy."

Malfoy scowled and replied, "Much later, Weasel," and left the shop in a hurry.

Two hours later, the four friends were making their way with their many bags from the Apothecary to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor to meet Mrs. Weasley.

"Hermione! Hey, Hermione! Ron! Harry!" someone was calling them from Quality Quidditch Supplies. It was Seamus Finnegan, a sandy-haired Gryffindor in Hermione's year from Ireland. They went to talk to him.

"Hello, Seamus!" she said happily.

"Hi Hermione. Harry, Ron. Hello, Ginny," he greeted them kindly. "Buying school supplies today?"

"Yup," Ron replied. "How about you?"

"Yeah, but my mom's got my supplies with her over at the ice cream parlor. I'm meeting her in a few minutes," Seamus said.

"We're heading there now, why don't you join us?" Hermione suggested.

Seamus agreed, and he walked along beside Hermione.

"Have you found out who the new prefects are yet?" he asked.

"Our Hermione's one for Gryffindor!" Harry laughed proudly.

"Really?" Seamus smiled.

Nodding, Hermione replied, "Yes. I don't know who the other prefects are, though. I would like to know before September first."

"Well, I, uh, made prefect," Seamus said, shyly.

"That's great, Seamus!" Ginny exclaimed. "Do you know of any other new Prefects?"

He paused, trying to remember. "I think that git Malfoy's one. No doubt he was favored by Professor Snape, the greasy bat. Padma Patil is a Prefect for Ravenclaw. I've no clue about the others."

"Well, that's not too bad," Hermione said.

Ron guffawed. "Not too bad? Hermione, you'll have to work with Malfoy!"

"I'm sure he'll be fine, Ron," Harry reasoned. "He wants to keep his Prefect's badge, so he won't be a problem."

"If you say so," Ron mumbled.

They had reached Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor by this time, and Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Finnegan were chatting at a table outside, eating sundaes.

"Ready to go, you four?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Yes, Mum. Wait until you see my new robes!" Ginny exclaimed excitedly.

"Alright Seamus, your dad is waiting in the Leaky Cauldron," Mrs. Finnegan said, her voice thick with an Irish accent.

"Well, I'll see you all aboard the Hogwarts Express!" Seamus said, following his mother down the street.

Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Harry waved good bye before following Mrs. Weasley in to the ice cream parlor.

"Do you want some treats?" Mrs. Weasley asked kindly.

For another hour, the five ate ice cream and talked excitedly about the upcoming school year and all it would bring.

They had no idea just what would happen.