"You'll be the death of me."

2 (Ferret on the Train) - edited

A/N If anyone has ideas or thoughts about this story i would love if you msgd me, i will welcome all critisms wether good or bad if they will help me improve my writing<3

Hermione's POV:

Harry is obviously very anxious for the return to Hogwarts and he has been since the day we received the letter offering us this choice. I've seen Harry worried on many occasions but something about the way he's showing it is different this time. Obviously this isn't a life threatening basilisk or Voldemort but he seems so out of it, as though he's trapped in thought. It's like he's trying to be more closed off in hopes that it'll stop him from entering another year of heroism, like if he isn't so brave then he can't be dragged into solving another mystery. I feel bad for him, seeing him like this is hard for me not to try and comfort him. But I think he'd appreciate some time to himself at the moment so I've been waiting until he comes to me to talk about it. I know he's grieving still and rightfully so but I wish he would stop letting all the guilt weigh down on himself and cut himself some slack, it hurts to see him in such a state of mind and know that trying to barge in to help him would just push him away further. Harry's head is resting against the window and now that his face is relaxed and no longer tensed in worry he looks alot younger and a lot more fragile than he did before.

After almost an hour I nudge Rons dead weight off my shoulder so his head slumps directly backwards into the seat and loud snores are emitted loudly into the compartment. I slowly open the sliding door and head down the aisle to the bathroom, the latch is switched to vacant so I stand and wait in the corridor opposite it. I hear the latch unclick after a few moments and an incredibly tall man walks out his skin is fair and his structure is overly composed adorning a black suit contrasting the pale of his face and sharp narrow dress shoes. I immediately step back surprised that such a tall figure has emerged from the tiny cubicle and stepping past into the cubicle I realize who that figure belongs to, his hair the sickening bright white that represented his family name. Malfoy.

Re-emerging from the stall after having relieved my bladder I wandered back to my compartment where the two sleeping boys awaited me. Glancing into the passing cabins I see very few faces I recognised, only those of the eager junior years and the slightly worn out faces of the returning senior years. Passing a particular cabin though, I notice Ginny sitting comfortably and laughing. Taking in the group I spot Neville and Luna and Dean and Seamus all sitting around the compartment chatting. Despite this I continue on towards my compartment considering taking Harry and Ron to say hi to the group once they've woken up. I slide the door to my compartment open and sit down into my previous seat letting the door close on its own and fall into deep thought. Although my surroundings of peace and quiet are broken minutes later by Ron snoring loudly before what sounded like choking on his own saliva and startling himself awake. I turned to watch him as he had snapped me out of my thoughtful state, watching him roll out his neck and shoulders from the uncomfortable sleeping position. Harry shot up in his seat soon after looking awfully frightened and stunned at whatever had woken him. The tension in the room was growing slightly too thick so I quickly suggest we go see the others. "I saw Neville, Dean and Seamus hanging out with Ginny in a compartment towards the front end of the train. Do you want to go see them?" Harry seemed to perk up slightly at this statement "Yea sure, haven't seen them in a while, it'll be good to catch up." He smiled at the end looking at me then flicking his eyes to Ron who was slumped barely showing interest in what I had said. As soon as Ron realized we were both waiting on his answer he sat up straighter and slapped his hands to his thighs using it to push himself to stand up, "I guess it would be nice to see them after all this time." He walked from the room waiting in the corridor for me to lead the way Harry in tow. I walked my way up the aisle and peered into compartments trying to find the one I was looking for, Ispot the one that contained some of the other 8th years and Ginny sliding the door open and allowing myself and Harry and Ron into the doorway. "Hi Hermione," Ginny said, being the first to notice my presence in the room. "Hello Ginny." I replied, taking the seat next to her and smiling to all the familiar faces. Harry and Ron followed in suit sitting down across from me next to Neville and Seamus. "Hi guys," Ron greeted as he took his seat and Harry nodded in turn. "What do you all think it's going to be like when we get there?" I ask, trying to start up a conversation instead of the awkward silence that had started to settle into the compartment. "I was told that the 8th years got their own common room and a later curfew." Neville started, "My nan received some information about it. But I'm pretty sure she forced Mcgonagall to tell her because no one else seemed to know yet." "I bet we could have some pretty banging parties if we set up silencing charms, I'm sure Mcgonagall would allow it." Dean chimed in and soon a conversation had ignited about the year to come filling every bit of silence that had once lingered in the compartment. Even Harry raised his head to pitch in which brightened my mood knowing he was enjoying himself.