Be Silently Drawn || Remus Lupin & Hermione Granger

Chapter 19

Platform nine and three-quarters was packed with people. The hoots of disgruntled owls and cats' meows could be heard sporadically over the excited chatter of reunited friends, the admonishments of parents to their misbehaving children, and the tearful goodbyes between families separating for the upcoming school year. As usual, the scene was noisy and chaotic.

But when Harry Potter appeared on the platform, a reverent hush fell over the busy crowd. Everybody went still, staring at the young man who had brought about the downfall of the most dangerous wizard of all time, as he walked by with the Grangers and Weasleys.

"I should have worn the Invisibility Cloak," Harry muttered to Hermione.

"You can't hide under there for the rest of your life," she replied, though she understood the appeal in situations such as these. "Just don't mind them."

Easier said than done. Hermione didn't like all the attention she was receiving either. She and Ron had also gained some fame, being Harry's best friends and part of the "Golden Trio" that had taken down Voldemort. The Daily Prophet had depicted her as a heroine, describing her as the "clever and compassionate Muggle-born girl, whose quick-witted courage proved invaluable to Harry Potter in his journey, full of trials and tribulations, to defeat Lord Voldemort."

Fortunately, those on the platform at least pretended to go about their business and not watch Harry and the others say their goodbyes beside the Hogwarts Express.

"This year is going to be so strange without you two," Hermione told Harry and Ron as she gave them each an extra-long hug. "I'm going to miss you guys so much."

"Don't get all sappy on us, Hermione," Ron said, patting her awkwardly on the back. "We'll see you soon."

"Not until Christmas, and that's nearly four months away."

"We'll visit before then," Harry promised. "Even if we have to sneak our way into the castle to see you. Speaking of sneaking," he added in a lower voice so that her parents wouldn't overhear, "I think you should have this."

He pulled the Marauder's Map out of his pocket.

"Oh, Harry, I don't intend on doing any sneaking around. And you shouldn't either, by the way."

"Please, Hermione," he said, holding the map out to her. "Just in case you might need it."

"Fine," she acquiesced, taking the map after a slight hesitation. "Just in case."

Harry smiled. Hermione, however, was doing her best not to get tearful as she took a good long look at her two best friends, her brothers.

"Good luck with Auror training," she told them, "and take care of yourselves, all right?"

"Back at you."

"See you soon, then?"

"We'll miss you too, Hermione," Ron replied.

She gave them each another hug before turning to her parents.

"Is he here?" Mrs. Granger asked her, glancing around the platform. "I'd like to meet him."

"Is who here?" Mr. Granger wanted to know.

"Just a friend of Hermione's, dear."

"No, Mum, he's not here."

Her mother gave her a sympathetic look.

"Perhaps he's already on the train?" she suggested.

"Perhaps," Hermione said, though she knew he wouldn't be. She would only find out if he was returning to teach this year once she got to Hogwarts.