The Perfect Opportunity.

Chapter 2: The return to Hogwarts

No POV

Ginny had just gotten over the initial dizziness of apparition when she was pounced upon by Hermione.

'Ginny! I have been waiting for ages. How long does it take you to eat and dress? Now we only have a few hours to get all of our supplies for the next year.'

'I'm sorry Mione, I really am. For some reason, I over slept. I came as quick as I can. Now, can we please just start by going to Flourish & Blotts?' Ginny apologised.

Over the next few hours, they somehow managed to find everything they needed, from Tiger fish quills and a new cauldron for Hermione to a new broom for Ginny. Content with their day's work, they decided to find the boys and to head back. Much to their dismay, they boys were nearly exactly where they left them, all those hours ago.

Harry turned around, and saw the angry girls. 'I'm sorry Hermione, please understand... Ron just won't move. He has been staring at the new Firebolt + for hours and he won't leave.' Harry pleaded.

'So he's been standing there for the past four hours? Doing absolutely nothing?' Hermione asked.

Harry nodded, cautiously.

'Well, that sounds about right then. Did you actually manage to buy any school supplies Harry?'

'Yes, after about an hour, I decided that it was alright to leave him, so I went and bought all of our school supplies. The only problem now is how to get him back to the Burrow. Do you have any ideas babe--- I mean Ginny?' Harry asked, bushing at his slip up.

'I don't know Harry, maybe we could try-' Ginny started..

"BABE? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BABE?' Ron roared, glaring at Harry.

'Oh, Ronald. So glad you could join us. Lets be going, shall we?' said Hermione. 'Oh, by the way, Ginny, I'm staying at yours until we go back to Hogwarts - it will be easier. My trunk is in your room.'

With that, Hermione placed her hand on Ginny's arm and apparated to the Burrow. Harry hastily followed, before Ron could question him further, leaving Ron fuming outside the quidditch shop.

The next day, the four young adults were rushing around like mad men (and women in Hermione and Ginny's cases). The boys had to pack all of their school robes, and supplies because, as usual, they hadn't packed a single thing in the week leading up to their return to Hogwarts, putting it off until they were reminded by either Hermione of Ginny that there were a matter of hours until they boarded the Hogwarts express and they hadn't packed a single thing. This sent them into panic mode, which entailed them rushing around, tripping over anything there is to be tripped over and, I general, making enormous fools of themselves.

The girls, on the other hand, being of the more organised gender (no offence meant to the organised boys out there) were less frantic, as they had done the majority of their packing the night before when they got back from Diagon Alley. Still, they had last minute washing, ironing and re-packing to do, not to mention that the boys would interrupt them every 15 minutes asking where something was, or if they could do a bit more washing.

By the end of the day, they were all exhausted, and in the girl's case, annoyed, and they all crashed into bed and fell asleep.

The morning of the 1st of September dawned and the grumbling teens breakfasted, showered and dressed before piling into the car to get to Kings Cross. They arrived on platform 9 and 3/4 with 15 minutes to spare, so they decided to board the train early and find good seats.

The minute thy found their own compartment and sat down, the boys few back to sleep, not really being the morning people. The girls didn't mind much though, because that meant they could have a good catch up, not having seen each other for two months.

The hours flew by, and they were nearing the end of their journey when Ginny caught a glimpse of something that puzzled her sitting in the next. 'It can't be?' she muttered.

'Can't be what?' Hermione asked.

"It can't be Draco Malfoy, sitting in the compartment sitting across from us. With Zabini and that cow Parkinson. Draco Malfoy. The Death Eater. After all that's happened. Returning to Hogwarts.' Ginny fumed.

' He has some nerve. Still, leave him alone. That ferret doesn't deserve your attention.' Hermione replied.

' You're right.' Ginny looked away.

20 minutes passed and they arrived at the castle. The jolting of the train coming to a stop woke Harry, who quickly realised that he was at Hogwarts. Ron, meanwhile, was being poked awake by a frustrated Hermione.

Eventually, they all left the train and got on a carriage with Luna. The carriage was about to set off when a flustered looking Malfoy hopped onto it. He exhaled in a mixture of relief and lack of fitness when he paused, and realised that he was on a carriage full of people whom he disliked and who disliked him equally as much. Well, Luna was maybe an exception.. he thought.

After a very tense and awkward ride, they finally arrived at their destination. The group immediately walking away from Draco, leaving him alone with Luna. 'Well, Luna. How have you been?' he asked out of politeness.

'It was good, thanks. Are you alright? I heard about what happened to your father.' Luna replied softly.

'We, my mum and I, we will be fine. We have adjusted to life without him, although his funeral was quite strange. Half of the people there didn't know whether to cry or cheer, myself included.'

'Well, if you need anyone to talk to, you know where to find me, if you want.' Luna said.

Draco was taken aback.'Thanks, Luna. I really appreciate that.'

' Oh look, we're at the castle. I'd better be going. Bye, Draco.' Luna said, and with that she drifted off.

In the Great Hall, the Gryffindors were just finishing dessert when Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium.

'Excuse me, can I have your attention please? Thank you. Will the all students but the seventh years please exit the hall. I have an announcement for them.' McGonagall addressed the students.

The seventh years started to whisper amongst themselves whilst they waited for the lower years to leave the hall. Once it was empty, the Professor spoke again: 'Now, I understand that you are aware of the new law. This is in-fact a marriage law.'