Heartchains

Chapter 2

Hermione sighed heavily as the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. Both Harry and Ron had come back for an eighth year and the train ride up had been very tense. 

"I don't understand why you made me leave the compartment while you two changed." Hermione said as they grabbed their things. "It's not like we don't do this every year."

"It's different this year." Ron said hastily.

"How so?

"It just is." Ron replied hotly, turning from her.

Hermione looked at Harry who avoided her gaze.

'Not him too.' She thought. 'I can't have both of them mad at me.'

"Fine. If it's so different, I guess I'll be off. I can tell when I'm not wanted." She said, reaching for the compartment door.

"Hermione, wait." Harry said.

"Let her." Ron said softly. "We're here anyway."

Hermione huffed and slammed the door. 

She hurried out of the train and rushed into the mob of people surrounding it.

She ran through the crowd towards the thestral-drawn carriages. She bumped into a few people and she barely registered someone yelling something at her. She sat down in the nearest carriage and shut the door. Now just to wait. 

"You're very good company." Hermione heard. 

'Luna' She thought, recognizing the voice.

"We should probably get in a carraige before they're all full." Another voice said. 

'Malfoy? What's he doing with Luna? I never thought they'd be friends...maybe she sees things in him that others do not.' Hermione was still pondering this when the door to the carriage swung open.

The carriage shook as people entered and sat down. 

"Blaise, shut the fuck up. Potter would never go for someone like me. Not like I even want him to. I DON'T LIKE HIM SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!!!"

"Um, hi?" Hermione said awkwardly, she probably wasn't supposed to hear that.

"Hullo Hermione." Luna said, as if she knew the entire time that Hermione had been there.

The lights flickered on in the carriage, just in time to illuminate the bright red blush on Draco's face.

Hermione chuckled slightly., "Your secret's safe with me." 

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said but he was visibly relieved.

"Suuure." Pansy said dramatically. "Oh Pansy, did you see Potter during Potions? He fucked up so badly, I almost wanted to help him! Oh Pansy, did you see Potter? Potter? Potter? Did you see Potter?" She obviously would have continued if Draco hadn't had slapped her playfully. 

"Shuttap." He said, slumping into his chair.

"Oh sweetie, don't mope. You're making a bad impression on our guest." She motioned to Hermione.

Draco sat up as if he had just realized that Hermione was there. 

"Guest?" Hermione said. "Last I recalled, these carriages belonged to the school, not you." 

"That's where you're right, Granger." Pansy said oddly cheerfully. 

"Like always." Blaise adds in a loud undertone. 

Pansy flicked his shoulder. "Don't be rude."

"Like you should talk." He snapped, slumping back into his chair. 

Pansy snapped back into her spot. She shot Blaise a look of pure dislike.

No one talked the rest of the ride, save Luna who hummed a song no one could identify.