Chapter 10: Carriage Rides
The train rumbled and steamed to a stop, and after McGonnagol and Snape checked outside to make sure that everything was safe, the doors were opened and students began piling out.
Hogsmeade station was just as Harry remembered it, though with far less people milling about. Here too, as it had been in Diagon Alley, there seemed to be a feeling of apprehension and general unease. Still, Harry, Hermione and Ron picked out Hagrid's rugged form as he towered above all others, and began to gather the first years to himself. It was nice to know that some things never changed.
"Firs' years o'er here wi' me!" bellowed the half-giant over the noisy crowd, "C'mon now, line up so's I can see you!"
Harry, Hermione and Ron made their ways over to him.
"Hagrid!" Harry called out, smiling fondly at his friend.
The burly man turned to see who called him and his eyes immediately lit up.
"Well 'Arry!" he beamed, "There you are! Certainly have grown tall an' strappin' haven' yeh? Ron you too! I swear if'n yeh grow any taller they'll need ta raise th' roof at 'Ogwarts there!"
Ron blushed to the roots of his red hair and grinned, shuffling his feet a bit. Harry gave him an odd look and punched the air, mouthing "Aw shucks". Ron immediately scowled.
Hermione pushed past them and walked up to Hagrid, giving him a grin and a warm hug. It wasn't easy, considering she couldn't really do anything more than plant her arms spread-eagle along his waist as neither arm could successfully encircle him.
Hagrid wore a smile that could melt winter. He had always held a soft spot for Hermione.
"Well 'allo 'Ermione. Yer as pretty as always, ya are."
Hermione let go and beamed up at him.
"All of yeh, growin' up so fast," Hagrid sniffled a bit, "Can' believe it's yer las' year…It seems only yesterday yeh three were nothin' but little sprogs dancin' aroun' in fron' of me, scared as they come."
"A lot like these, aye?" said Harry, smiling and gesturing to the handful of children either staring open-mouthed up at Hagrid, or glancing nervously about.
"Yeah, yeh were," said Hagrid fondly.
McGonnagol and Snape, who were busy hastening the rest of the students toward carriages, passed them by quickly.
"You lot better get to a carriage," said McGonnagol, "Can't be much visiting around here this year. Save it for school. Hello Hagrid."
Hagrid smiled sadly. " 'Lo Minerva." He turned towards the three with a decidedly less lighthearted expression. "Times do change, don' they?"
Harry glanced about him to the quickly emptying station and the nervous, troubled faces and nodded grimly. "Yeah, they do."
Hermione smiled a little at Hagrid and squeezed his large hand quickly. "I guess we'd better get to a carriage then Hagrid. We'll see you at school."
Hagrid nodded and waved goodbye to them, then proceeding to lead the small group of first years out of the station towards the large dock at the lake where rowboats awaited them.
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The carriages were plentiful and roomy considering the fewer number of students, and since there was so many of them, the students were able to choose with whom they would ride.
Ginny caught Draco's eye as if by accident, and then turned calmly away to seek out a carriage that as of yet had no passengers.
She climbed in and sat down, a small, devious smile playing on her lips. So far she had played her cards right and had dealt them with a sly, steady hand. But on the train, she remembered with a sudden scowl, Draco had flustered her. Damn him…
(Memory)
Crabbe and Goyle, as ever, surrounded Draco on both sides, along with the ever-present entourage of girls that followed him around like pathetic groupies.
Ginny rolled her eyes as she began to walk past them. Some things never changed…
As she began to pass, Goyle planted an arm in front of her. She simply raised an eyebrow and looked up at the oaf with indifference.
"Headed somewhere Gryffindork?" growled Goyle dumbly.
Crabbe snickered and Draco turned around quickly, leaving the swarm of girls all trying to find different ways to flirt and touch him sending simultaneous scowls in Ginny's direction.
When his eyes fell on Ginny, a look crossed Malfoy's face that was hard to decipher, but was just as quickly replaced with the familiar haughtiness; never one to be caught off-guard. He lifted his chin in the form of a greeting.
"Ginny."
She turned her eyes to him as if she hadn't noticed his presence until just then and gave him a nonchalant reply. "Oh, hello Draco."
Malfoy noticed. He smiled acerbically at her and gave her a look that was easy to define. One point to you…
She returned the glance. So he'd begun to suspect her game. Oh well, she thought, the only way to win was to keep playing…
Goyle loomed over her and sneered. "I thought I asked you a question."
"You thought?" answered Ginny lazily, "How amazing…I guess there's a first time for everything."
Goyle puzzled over this for a moment, but Crabbe, being only a little quicker, caught the full meaning, and with a harsh scowl balled up a fist and rared it back.
Ginny opened her mouth in shock for a moment, but the blow never connected. Draco caught the fist mid-punch, and now forced it back down to Crabbe's side with a stony look on his face.
"We don't hit girls Crabbe. For god's sake…"
"You heard her!" growled out Crabbe, "Besides, she's a Gryffindor, and a Weasley."
"She's a girl," said Malfoy through gritted teeth. The threatening look he sent them made them both blink and fall back a step. He might not be quite as large as they were, but he damn well could fight when he wanted to, and they knew it.
He turned back to Ginny, and the expression was aloof again.
"What'd you want Weasley…Lost your way? Or maybe you've forgotten that this is the Slytherin part of the train."
"My memory's fine," countered Ginny, taking a step past him.
Draco caught her arm. "Can't stay away from me then?" He put on his best seductive smirk and leaned against the wall, eyeing her with a gaze that clearly meant to challenge.
"Don't flatter yourself," said Ginny, retrieving her arm, "And unless you have a 'ladies' sign hanging about your neck, I'm not here for you. Or maybe you've forgotten that the nearest bathroom is on your end of the train."
If Malfoy had been less restrained, he would've blushed to the roots of his platinum hair. Fortunately for him, he wasn't.
"Nice excuse…good one. I don't buy it though."
She stepped up to him and leaned right into his face with a sarcastic look. "That's a shame. I was trying so hard…"
He wasn't faltering this time, and leaned even closer to her until his breath mingled with her own. "Try harder."
His large gray eyes, cold as ice chips, yet somehow seductive at the same time stared unflinchingly into hers, and it was Ginny's turn to feel unnerved. He'd gotten to her…Damn.
She stumbled back a little. "S…so full of yourself…damn Slytherin…" She whirled back around and made her way quickly down the corridors toward the bathrooms.
Draco folded his arms and lowered his chin, watching her leave with a cool half-smile on his face. He'd won that round…and he knew it.
(End Memory)
Ginny thinned her lips and shook her head darkly to rid herself of the images. Damn Malfoy…but she was definitely going to be the "chasee" and not the "chaser".
She sat back comfortably and crossed legs and arms for the ride to Hogwarts. Well, here she was in this empty carriage. She was giving him the opportunity; now to see if he considered her a motive…
Amid the faint background noises of the neighing, restless horses and the sounds of talking and laughing students, Ginny heard footsteps approaching her carriage. Long easy strides, a confident arrogant march…She smiled. Bait and hook…
"Oy Draco!" called out a deep voice, "Why aren't you riding with us!?"
She heard his robes rustle a little in the breeze as he turned. "You're too crowded Goyle; I need space. What…do you need me to hold your hand too?" he finished scornfully. There was no reply.
The carriage creaked a little as his weight rested on the first step and then he was inside, giving her a prickly look that dared her to say a word.
Ginny favored him with a dispassionate glance. "Well…this is a first."
"Don't flatter yourself, Red. The other carriages are full."
Ginny smiled inwardly. She had seen, just as well as he had that there were less students this year, and what with the hundreds of carriages Hogwarts usually borrowed from Hogsmeade, she knew that there was probably ample space still available. She raised an eyebrow at him and smiled, turning to gaze out of the small window.
He scowled at her and crossed his arms, speaking sharply. "Something on your mind…"
"Why'd you ask?" she said quietly, scanning the green fields on the outskirts of Hogsmeade Station.
"You look like the cat that just ate the sodding canary…" he replied snidely.
She turned back to him and quirked an eyebrow. "You are paying close attention, aren't you?"
"How can I not?" He scoffed. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees and gave her a challenging half-sneer.
Ginny leaned forward as well and met his gaze steadily. "Are you saying you find me interesting?"
"I'm saying I'd rather not find you, but since you ask…I find you friggin' strange. Annoying, really…"
She tilted her head, a sarcastic smirk on her face and drew closer. "So I'm a mystery…"
He leaned a little closer, a false disdain sneering on his lips. "Some might call it that."
They were mere inches from each other now, and Ginny dealt the winning retort. "Wouldn't you just like to solve me…"
Malfoy narrowed his eyes, prepared to deliver a cool reply, but at that moment another fiery redheaded person trotted up the steps and stuck his head through the door of the carriage.
"Ginny, you're welcome to ride with…us…" he trailed off sharply as he saw the other passenger.
Ginny tensed as Malfoy leaned back from her to eye Ron with a harsh sneer. "Weasel…"
Ron instantly looked disgusted and furious at the same time. His eyes flashed dangerously as he stepped into the carriage and whipped out his wand.
"What the bloody hell are you doing in here!?"
Ginny stood and put a hand on her brother's arm. "Ron…"
"I can ride wherever and with whomever I damn well please Weasel," scowled Malfoy, whipping out his wand.
"Draco please!" said Ginny, holding out a hand to him.
"Bloody ferret…" snarled Ron moving forward.
Ginny moved in-between them and was immediately sandwiched.
"Ginny move!"
"Get out of the way, Red…"
"That's enough!" she snapped angrily, shoving both boys away from her.
Malfoy continued to scowl with narrowed eyes at Ron, whose attention was back on his sister.
"Ginny, what the…What's wrong with you; are you daft!? Taking up for Malfoy…and riding with him no less…"
Ginny's eyes flashed angrily and she stood to her full height, coming about to Ron's shoulders. "I'm not taking up for anyone and I'm not a child anymore, Ron! I can decide for myself what I do and who I do it with, and I don't need you to defend me! I can take care of myself!"
Draco blinked in surprise at her tone and eyed her with a tinge of respect.
Ron glanced at him and clenched his teeth so hard that the ends of his jaw stood out like walnuts. He'd seen the look.
"I'm riding with you."
"What!?" said Ginny angrily, glaring at him.
Ron didn't reply, but merely plopped down on Ginny's side of the carriage and kept his vicious glare on Malfoy.
Draco, not one to be forced by anyone, sat down opposite them and put away his wand, drolly gazing at Ron with a raised eyebrow.
"Have it your way, Weasel," he shrugged, crossing arms and legs and settling back nonchalantly. "I don't give a damn what you do."
Ron 'humphed' angrily, and Ginny scowled, crossing her arms and gazing out of the window. This wasn't exactly what she had planned…
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Harry and Hermione stood outside of their carriage, Hermione tapping an impatient foot on the ground.
"What's taking him so long? We're about to leave!"
"I don't know," said Harry, squinting towards Ginny's carriage and shading his eyes, "He was supposed to be right back with Ginny. Maybe he decided to ride with her."
"Everyone on the carriages!" shouted McGonnagol as she prepared to board one herself, "We're leaving!"
Hermione sighed in annoyance. "We'd better find out or he'll be left behind…"
She began to stalk towards Ginny's carriage but Harry's hand on her arm stopped her. "No time for that. Look, the driver's got the reins. He probably is riding with her…"
Hermione frowned and turned back to Harry. "But what if he's out talking or snogging Lavender or something? If we leave without him he'll be in a load of trouble!"
Harry put his arm about her waist and pulled her close to him, staring into her eyes mischievously. " 'Mione…an hour long carriage ride…just you and I…alone."
Hermione's mouth dropped open and she began to smile as she caught Harry's meaning. Harry winked at her, and she squeezed him and smiled seductively.
"He's a big lad…he can take care of himself."
"That's right," Harry nodded, taking Hermione's hand and pulling her into the carriage.
When she was inside, she whirled around and shut the door, quickly locking it. Harry reached behind him and pulled the shade of the window down without looking at it.
Hermione grinned and laughed a little as Harry took her hand and yanked her to him. He lowered his head to kiss her, and then swept her hair aside to trail kisses along her jaw and down her neck.
She closed her eyes and shivered, tipping her head up towards the ceiling and let one hand tangle in his hair while the other slid down his back. Heaven…
"What'll we do for a whole hour?" she quipped softly.
Harry mumbled against her neck. "I don't know…We'll think of something…"
Hermione took off his glasses and tossed them onto the seat, and not for the first time marveled at the startling pool of green that was his eyes. So clear and so guileless; they were like windows to his soul; a radiant thing too. She turned his face back to hers and pulled him into a heated kiss, her hands once again tangling in his unruly ebony hair. Harry returned it just as passionately.
He dropped to his knees on the floor, taking Hermione with him, not willing even for a second to interrupt the kiss. He marveled at how each time he shared a kiss with her, the excitement never seemed to diminish. He wanted not only to touch her lips; to feel her soft skin, but also to know her, to devour her soul and make her part of him. She was the best part of being; the one person in his whole life who had taught him that living could be beautiful after all. How could he ever let that go?
The carriages began to move, but neither could bring themselves to care. Being with each other was intoxicating, and left no room for thought about outside things. Harry lowered her to the floor of the carriage and took just a moment to stare into her large brown eyes. Did she really reserve that look of passion just for him?
He smiled at her and leaned down to speak softly into her ear. "What did I do to deserve you?"
Hermione, marveling at how the simple feel of his breath whispered against her ear made her stomach knot with excitement, simply smiled back at him and gave him the only words that were adequate. "I love you. That's enough."
Harry, lying half on top of her, stroked her hair, trailing fingers slowly down her face. His expression though filled with tenderness, slowly turned to one of thoughtful sadness. "I don't know what I'd do without you…You're everything to me; do you know that? At times…at times you've been the only thing that's kept me going. I don't think I'd know how to live if anything ever happened to you…"
Hermione raised a hand to his face and stroked it, noting with a little bit of alarm how he seemed to melt into the touch as if afraid he might lose it. "Harry…what's is it?"
Harry, a look of desperation suddenly on his face, hugged her to him then, his arms tightening around her in an all-consuming embrace; as if he were trying to crush her to him to ward against ever being separated. It seemed to him that if he could just press her close enough, he could somehow become more than he was; stronger somehow; powerful enough to keep her safe from everything.
Hermione pulled back from him, gazing at him in apprehension. Harry wasn't usually one to announce his fears. He seemed somehow to be trying to ward against some awful happening he had divined.
"Harry, tell me…what's wrong?"
Harry swallowed hard and continued touching her face, not sure how to put what he felt into words. He was the one that loved her, and also the one that put her in the most danger. Just by being with her, he provided another target for Voldemort to use against him. He'd already tried it once, just last year, and now that the dark lord knew how much Hermione meant to him, Harry was certain he wouldn't rest until he'd somehow taken her from him, and he'd had enough taken from him to last two lifetimes. Harry swallowed down the bitter anger that settled like a cold lump in his stomach. He couldn't and wouldn't allow that to happen…even if it meant his own life. She was too precious.
"Harry…you're scaring me…"
Instantly, Harry tuned back in to her, placing a hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you…I just…I...When everything else is dark…you…you're my light 'Mione. I don't want anything to happen to you because of me…because of who I am."
Hermione regarded him tenderly, and placed her hands on either side of his face, gazing into clear eyes that seemed deeper than the sea at that moment. "Harry…"
She breathed his name, and like a sudden calm, things were better, peaceful; more lovely. He marveled at how she could lighten him with the simple sound of her voice.
"There are no guarantees in life, " she continued softly, "except one. No matter who you are to the rest of the world, you're Harry to me. My Harry…and I'm with you because I love you."
Harry smiled at her and bent to kiss her again, but she grabbed a fistful of his shirt.
"Mione? Wha…"
"And if you ever think of trying to push me away from you to protect me…I'll hex you to within an inch of your life."
Harry regarded her thoughtfully for a moment with the slightest tinge of sadness, and decided not to answer that. He couldn't promise her anything of the sort.
"You know I bloody love it when you get all fierce with me…" He gave her a cute lopsided smirk that served to mollify her a bit, but she wasn't fooled. She knew a change of subject when it was handed to her…however adorable the package.
"Harry, I mean it…"
He shook his head, put a finger to her lips, and then favored her with the most achingly tender kiss she had ever received. After some time, he bent low to her ear and whispered softly.
"I love you Hermione."
That was it. As she looked up into his brilliant green eyes and saw them go dark with desire, Hermione realized that no more words were going to be exchanged on this particular trip.
Harry shook his head slightly as he gazed down on her beneath him; her long wavy hair fanned around her, her soft brown eyes flecked with gold, invitingly full lips…Desire slammed into him with the force of a wrecking ball.
He leaned down and wrapped his arms about her, kissing her with such a fiery intensity; so thoroughly and completely that it left her faint. Great Merlin Harry…
Hermione's breath hitched over and over as they moved over each other, exploring...touching…craving the other's kiss. What was this feeling…almost like spontaneous combustion? It was too dizzying to think; for both of them. It was almost desperate…extreme…intoxicating…startling in its intensity…
Temporary insanity, thought Harry as an electric shock moved up his spine from Hermione's touch, but sod it all if they wouldn't surrender to it…
The carriage kept moving, and they kept being oblivious to its jostling. The trip to Hogwarts was short enough; why not linger in a stolen moment?