Heartbeat

Chapter 12- Suspicious Departure

Hermione

"Hurry up, you guys!" I screech, glaring at Ron, Ginny, and Harry. 

"New year, same Hermione," Harry mutters, but he squeezes through King's Cross hurriedly . 

King's Cross is as crowded as ever, and the muggles gawk at us as we lug our trunks through the station. All around, I can hear people crying, laughing, and yelling farewell. I stop abrubtly in front of Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and Ron accidentally rams his cart into my back. 

"Ouch, Ron!" I yelp, but I shift a little to the left so that he can move his luggage to stand next to me.

"Sorry," he says sheepishly, hastening to my side and planting a kiss on my cheek. 

Despite my stinging back, I grin, and intertwine my fingers with his, ready for another kiss. 

"We don't have time for that," Ginny calls out loudly. "You can do all the snogging you want when we're in the compartment."

I blush, but don't let go of Ron's hand. I look at the brick wall, solid in front of us. With a nod to Ron, we both rush towards it, and despite doing this so many times, I brace for impact. It doesn't come though; we're now standing in front of the Hogwarts Express, Witches and Wizards surrounding us. 

Harry and Ginny appear behind us, a beautiful Barred Owl perched on Harry's shoulder. It had been a shock to me that he could think of replacing Hedwig, but I had been delighted all the same. Immediately, the entire station lapses into pin-drop silence. Harry clears his throat awkwardly. 

"It's the Golden Trio!"

Hushed whispers rush frantically through the station.

"I need an autograph. Go ask for one!"

"No, you go ask for one!"

A young group of teenagers approach, their eyes full of excitement. But when they come within a few feet of us, their anticipation is replaced with fear, and they dash away. 

"Are we really that intimidating?" Harry mutters. 

"No, but that hair of yours will ward off people, Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley has appeared right behind us, her usually kind eyes frowning at the spikes of hair on Harry's head. 

"Ah. So they were running from Mum," Ron whispers, a mischevious gleam in his eyes. "That makes much more sense."

"Oh, be quiet Ron," Mrs. Weasley snaps. "You're going to be late-"

"Mum, we're literally ten feet away from the train," Ginny says dryly. "I think we'll be fine."

"Yes, you should be," Mrs. Weasley says worriedly. "You have twenty more minutes, but I'm waiting for Arthur and George to come see you lot off."

As if her words had summoned them, Mr. Weasley and George appear through the brick wall, and once they spot where we are, they head straight for us. 

"Hello," Mr. Weasley greets, his voice strained. "I'll help you all get your luggage in the train."

"Everything alright, Mr. Weasley?" I ask.