Estranged • Harry Potter {2}

12

"He didn't!" Hermione exclaimed, grabbing her carryon for the train.

"Shhh!" We were in the mix of students heading for the train and I tried to tell Hermione everything in a crowd so she wouldn't freak.

Mission not accomplished.

"Took you long enough." Hermione rolled her eyes.

I punched her a little too hard. "Shut up."

I glanced back and saw Harry right away. He smiled and next to him Ron gave a little nudge to his friend. He knew now too. I turned back and let Hermione guide me onto the train.

She picked a good compartment and we settled in quickly. In a few minutes the boys showed up and our talking stopped.

"Hermione you have to learn to be around him." I said quickly.

"Cora, no."

"Yes!" I motioned for them to come in and Harry was the first to do so.

He sat next to me and I ignored all of Hermione's glares as her knuckles began turning white.

"Excited for Christmas?" I asked the boys.

"Yeah." Ron smiled a little. "Mum makes the best dinner."

I nodded. "Sounds amazing."

The train pulled out of the station and we all continued to talk without Hermione's input. She would say something every now and again but mostly to me. Not even to Harry.

"Lavender says she knows what she's getting this year." Ron said.

Crap.

"Excuse me." Hermione got up and left before any of us could stop her.

"Why does she hate her so much?" Ron frowned.

"She's not exactly warm and cuddly with anyone but you and her own friends, Ron." I told him.

"Right..." He turned away and slumped in his seat.

"I should go check on her." I sighed and gave Harry a small smile before following Hermione.

Luckily she didn't make it too far and she was sitting with Ginny and some of her own friends.

I joined them, happily being welcomed and Hermione didn't mention Ron at all. In fact she seemed lighter than air with these girls. I decided not to bring it up and to instead enjoy the train ride.

Before long, I had to use the bathroom so I excused myself and went. On the way back, I found Hermione leaning against the window outside Ginny's compartment.

"We should go back." She told me softly.

"If you want to." I shrugged.

"I should be a better friend." Hermione said.

"Probably. However, Lavender is the worst human on earth for you right now so I get it." I replied.

"And for you."

"No way." I shook my head. "I'll just stick it to her again. This time maybe third times the charm."

Hermione laughed and started walking back towards Harry and Ron. We said hi to anyone we passed and we arrived a little sooner than I thought we would. Only right there on the window was a heart drawn in fog. L+R. Hermione took one look at it and kept moving.

Harry groaned slightly and I gave him a disappointing look before following quickly. She made it all the way to the other side of the train before stopping and lucky for us, Luna was sitting by herself.