In The Sunny Garden

Children

Hey little train, we are all jumping on
The train that goes to the Kingdom
-Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

September 1st, 1991,
King's Cross station, London

"This looks even nicer than the last time!" Hermione beamed at her brother, who smirked at her little sister's excitement. She had been at King's Cross many times to pick up Marcus, but this would be the first time, she actually get to ride the train herself.

Hermione rolled her eyes at his brother's face, before turning around to her mother. "We better find Draco and Narcissa or the Greengrass's! I wanna sit with them on the train."

Her mother smiled and bent down to gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Sure, Darling. I did like to talk to Narcissa about the coming charity gala for St. Mungo's. Marcus you don't have to join, if you have friends to meet," her mother said knowingly. For the past summer, Marcus had one thing to talk about, rather than quidditch: Gemma Farley, his betrothed. Hermione was pretty sure, that's where he would run off to, as soon as possible.

"Thanks mum, see you at Christmas," Marcus answered, giving his mother a quick hug, before wandering off with his luggage on hand.

Her mother smiled at Hermione. "He's quite smitten, you're brother. Now, come along."

Together they walked through the full platform, until Hermione spotted two blonde heads from the crowd.

"Hi, Hermione," Draco smiled, hugging her tightly.

Draco Malfoy was the biggest huger, she's ever met. Well, at least with her.

"Good morning, Dray, are you excited?" she asked.

"Yes, very! Have you ever met Theodore Nott, by the way? He's almost as big of a swot as you, Mia. I can introduce you on a train, since I think we should sit together," he informed, and Hermione catched herself grinning.

"Oh yeah? Why is that, Draco?"

Red appeared on the blonde boy's cheeks, before Hermione laughed. "I'm just playing with you, Dray. But you two have to make room for Daphne, because I am not sitting alone with two boys for hours, thank you very much."

"Deal."

Together they shook hands and turned back to their mother's, who were in a deep conversation about flower arrangements.

"Mum, me and Draco should get going, before the train leaves without us," said Hermione. She had dreamed about what would happen if she overslept and missed the train. She wouldn't like to test that theory today.

"Oh, of course sweethearts," Narcissa answered. "Now, Draco, I want you to write for me every week. I'll be sending sweets for both of you, if me or your mother, Hermione, doesn't have to open any Howler's from the headmaster."

"Alright, Mother," Draco said, giving her a quick hug and doing the same with Hermione's mother. Hermione, too, hugged both women, before Draco grabbed his hand, pulling her away.

Their families had grown quite close, after the summer years ago, when Hermione first met Draco at the pond. He had been right, Narcissa had loved her bouquet and ever since then, the Malfoy's had been like a second family to her.

"Can you imagine, a whole year without parents watching our every move! This year will be so fun!" Draco beamed.

"Well for you, at least. I still have a brother, who apparently has eyes on his back. He'll see everything I do, especially since I'm going to be in Slytherin too," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You only have to catch him once snogging his new girlfriend and you have a blackmail material for the rest of his Hogwarts years!" The blonde said, as they found an empty compartment and settled in. Draco pulled their matching green trunks on top of the luggage rack. They had picked a lot of matching school supplies, since they went together to Diagon Alley, few weeks back.

Hermione took a seat right by the door and looked around. The train itself was quite old looking, with worn out paint and few broken compartment doors. Father had told her, that he had ride the same train, when he was young. Hermione doubted it had been renovated since. But overall, it was still somewhat homey.

Hermione faked a gag. "Ew, no thank you. I have absolutely no desire to see my brother's tongue on some girl's throat!"

Draco laughed and Hermione smacked his shoulder playfully.

Just then, the door of the compartment opened, revealing a boy, little shorter and lankier than Draco, with brown curls and eyes.

"Theo! Come, sit," he offered and the boy- Theo- took a seat next to Draco. "Have you met Hermione yet? She's my best friend and also my future-"

Hermione kicked Draco's foot and he winced in pain. She didn't like when he introduced her as his future wife. She much preferred the title 'prettiest, funniest and kindest girl in the world', but for some reason, the git never used it.

"Hey, Theodore, or would you prefer Theo?" she asked.

"Theo's fine, Theodore reminds me of my father," the boy said, letting out an awkward chuckle.

"Theo it is," she answered. "So, Draco said you like to read too? Do you have a favorite book?"

Draco rolled his eyes, but smiled anyhow. Leave it to Hermione, to talk about books right after introduction.

"Well, I like 'fantastic beast and where to find them', since I've always liked creatures, but I do read quite bit about healing magic, too."

Soon enough, all three fell into a deep conversation about different books, quidditch, Hogwarts and anything else that came to mind.

Only about half an hour later, Daphne step inside, letting out a loud sigh. "Oh, thank Merlin I found you, Hermione. I've been searching half the train already!" she said and took a seat next to her, before finally turning her attention to the boys. When he caught Theo's eyes- who started at her, sitting opposite of the girl- she blushed furiously. "Hi, Teddy. Didn't see you there. Draco," she bowed her head, politely.

"Teddy?" Hermione asked, curiously observing the pair.

"A stupid nickname," Theo mumbled, trying to sound annoyed, but his lip was tilted upwards, betraying him. "How are you, Daph?"

Daph?

"Oh, just lovely. Astoria was a bit sad, she couldn't come to Hogwarts with us, sends her love to you, Hermione, by the way."

"Well, that's nice to hear. Was Italy any fun?" Theo asked, while Hermione turned her head to look at equally confused Draco. These two clearly knew each other.

"It's always the same, but nice enough, I guess. How about you?"

They continued to talk, not seeming to remember the pair right next to them. Hermione put up a mental note, to ask her what exactly was going on between the two, right after the Sorting Ceremony.