Nothing In This World (BEING EDITED)

XXX.

Chapter XXX: Lovers On a Train
Warning: Strong language, mentions of past child abuse and sexual abuse, self-harm, underage kissing, and implied underage sex.

The following morning, Harry scrambled to get his belongings packed in his trunk; Hedwig was back in her cage on top of it. He, Seamus, and Hermione were waiting in the crowded entrance hall with the rest of his fourth year classmates for the carriages that would take them back to Hogsmeade station, even though he wasn't going back with them this year. It was another beautiful summer's day. He supposed that the Burrow would be hot and leafy, its flower beds a riot of color, when he arrived there later that summer. The thought of spending a whole summer at the Burrow instead of the Manor gave him no pleasure at all.

"So why did your dads say you'd spend the summer at the Burrow and not the Manor?" Asked Seamus.

Harry shrugged, "I don't know something along the lines of suffering builds character."

He looked around. Neville and Dean were hurrying up the stone steps into the castle. Beyond, far across the grounds, Harry could see Hagrid helping Madame Maxime to back two of the giant horses into their harness. The Beauxbatons carriage was about to take off. "I can't believe that your parents are allowing us to spend the last half of summer with you," Dean said happily when they came to a halt in front of Harry.

"Are you sure that they won't mind having a bunch of teenagers in their house?" Neville chimed in once he caught his breath.

Harry shakes his head, "I'm sure. they wouldn't have wasted their time asking your guardians if they had a problem with it. I think they did that because they're planning a party for my birthday, but they don't know that I know." Said Harry, "plus, if enough of us complain about the heat, we might get to go to the Manor."

"We should head to the train so we can try and get good seats," Said Seamus.

Hermione smiled, "Harry's not coming back to the Burrow with us, he's staying behind to be with Professor Snape." Said Ron in a strangled sort of voice. Fleur smiled at him; but he quickly turned away

Everyone but Hermione scowled. Harry's spirits couldn't help but lift slightly at the mention of Snape's name. He watched Fleur hurry back across the lawns to Madame Maxime, her silvery hair rippling in the sunlight.

"Wonder how the Durmstrang students are getting back," said Dean.

"Does it matter, Karkaroff is still a piece of shit?" Added Neville.

"Yeah, but isn't steering his ship sort of his job?" Dean asked as he shrugged.

Before any of them could respond, a gruff voice came from behind them. "Karkaroff did not steer," said Krum. "He stayed in his cabin and let us do the vork." They all knew that Krum had come to say goodbye to Hermione. "Could I have a vord?" he asked her.

"Oh . . . yes . . . all right," said Hermione, looking slightly flustered, and following Krum through the crowd and out of sight.

"You'd better hurry up!" Harry called loudly after her. He smiled when she flipped him her middle finger. "The carriages will be here in a minute!" He kept a watch for the carriages, however, and spent the next few minutes craning his neck over the crowd to try and see what Krum and Hermione might be up to. They returned moments later. Harry stared at Hermione, but her face was quite impassive.