waite waite 1 3 2003-05-09T22:02:00Z 2003-05-09T22:04:00Z 3 1427 8139 plymouth 67 19 9547 10.2625 Clean Clean MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Forgiven
Chapter 2.
The Hogwarts Express was steadily puffing out clouds of white smoke into the station, as Hermione stumbled onto Platform 9 ¾. Ron had sped off in pursuit of Lavender who had brushed past looking very tanned from a summer abroad, Hermione had been left alone with her trolley in front of the barrier, Harry shot her an apologetic look before sliding through with Cho. Great, Hermione thought, so this is what it's going to be like. She had been gearing herself up to push through alone when Bill Weasley had grabbed her arm and helped her with the multitude of heavy bags which she had balanced precariously on her trolley. He was now standing beside her grinning nostalgically at the huge red engine.
"Every year there is part of me that wishes I was going back." He said wistfully, "C'mon lets find the others and get your stuff on the train." Bill said with a grin, taking hold of the trolley and steering it onto the bustling platform. They had moved forward a few feet when someone shouted Hermione's name loudly followed by a wolf whistle, glancing to the side Hermione saw Gregory Flock, a seventh year Slytherin leering at her.
"Looking good Granger, you obviously had a good summer." He said greasily, his eyes raking her from head to toe. Hermione bristled and opened her mouth to retort when she felt Bill slide a hand around her waist, she looked up at him, in a flash he winked at her and turned threateningly to Gregory. Gregory's piggy eyes flitted to Bill's arm circling Hermione's waist and back to his challenging expression, he licked his lips nervously.
"Sorry, didn't realise you were spoken for." He mumbled slimily, Hermione shrugged with a grin twining her hand through Bill's for good measure.
"No problem. Bye." She said turning away smothering her laughter. Bill shot the Slytherin another thunderous glare and continued across the station.
"Cheers Bill." Hermione chuckled, when they had moved out of earshot. She stole a quick look over her shoulder,
"He's still looking!" She gasped, then she glanced down at herself, she was wearing some worn jeans, flip flops and a white polo shirt unbuttoned at the throat. "Does this look bad?" She asked, Bill shook his head,
"Nah of course not, he's just a snake." He said, keeping one hand around her, the other steering the trolley into the cluster of redheads.
"I was wondering where you two had got to!" Mrs Weasley said over Ginny's shoulder as she helped to charm Ginny's over packed suitcase closed. Bill started to explain about how a Muggle had asked him for directions in the station, Hermione's eyes wandered around the circle, Fred and George were deep in discussion with Charlie, Ron was a small distance away leaning on his suitcase chatting contently to Lavender, Cho was stood beside Harry talking quietly into what looked like a Muggle mobile phone. Hermione glanced at Harry; his eyes were fixed at her waist, an angry look plastered across his face. Hermione frowned and looked down, she gulped realising Bill's arm was still wound affectionately around her waist. She glanced back up and met Harry's eyes, the emerald pupils were blazing angrily. Not really knowing why Harry was looking so enraged but wanting to get rid of the furious look before Bill saw it Hermione wriggled a little so Bill's hand dropped away. Tearing her eyes away from Harry's now carefully blank face Hermione flashed Bill a grin.
"Thanks for back there Bill." She said gratefully. Bill waved his freed hand dismissively,
"No problem, you could have handled him easily, he's just a greasy little…." Bill trailed off under a warning tutt from his mother. He cleared his throat with a grin and continued, "Anyway… glad to be of assistance, feel free any time you need me to pretend to be your boyfriend." He finished with a laugh. Hermione nodded and risked another glance at Harry, he met her eyes briefly, they were neutral whether any feelings were simmering beneath the cool surface Hermione couldn't tell as his gaze quickly snapped away from her to focus on Cho as she ended her phone call. Cho shook her out her raven poker straight bob and grasped the handle of her bag.
"Shall we get on the train then?" She suggested, she grasped Mrs Weasley in an awkward one armed hug. "Thank you so much for having me the last week. It's been lovely." She said in a polite, non committal tone. Mrs Weasley smiled broadly,
"It was lovely to have you Cho, dear. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of ours." She said, Cho nodded and headed off towards one of the open doors of the train.
"Thank you for having me. All summer." Harry said to Mrs Weasley with an apologetic grin, Mrs Weasley enveloped him in a tight bear hug and kissed his forehead.
"Harry you know you belong. It's been a pleasure as usual. Have a lovely term dear." Harry blushed furiously as the woman continued to squeeze him. "Please say thanks to Mr Weasley for me." Harry wheezed when he thought his ribs could take no more, Mrs Weasley released him.
"I will dear." She assured him, Harry said goodbye to Charlie and then turned briskly to Bill.
"Bye." He said curtly, his gaze barely grazing Bill's face. Bill looked slightly startled by the icy departure and gave him a puzzled look accompanied by a quick wave. Harry grabbed Hedwig's cage and his bag and dragged them towards the train. Hermione frowned after him before turning to Mrs Weasley.
"Thank you for bringing me down to the station. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to The Burrow this summer." Hermione said, Mrs Weasley smiled at her warmly.
"I'm sorry too 'Mione. I've missed you." The plump woman glanced around her then leant in, "I mean, that Cho is a nice girl, but she's got nothing on you dear." She whispered with a grin. Hermione blushed, trying to disguise how pleased she was with Mrs Weasley's comment.
"Thank you. See you soon." She said, giving the woman another hug. Mrs Weasley nodded, dabbing lightly at her eyes with a tissue.
"Yes dear, send me an owl soon. Now I must get Ron before he misses the train!" She exclaimed bustling off towards Ron who was still conversing with Lavender. Hermione turned to Bill,
"See you, Bill. It was nice seeing you even if it was only for a day." She said with a grin, Bill smiled back broadly,
"It was great to see you too Hermione. Have a nice term." He said wrapping his arms round her and kissing her cheek lightly. Hermione pulled back with a grin, and turned to Charlie.
"Bye Charlie." She said, he gave her a hug and a kiss on the top of her head.
"Bye 'Mione, wish I'd seen more of you this summer." He said giving her a squeeze then helping her carry her bags to an open door. Hermione waved to Mrs Weasley and her two eldest sons and then turned and wandered into a carriage. Flopping down onto one of the seats Hermione motioned to Ron though the window and moments later he had collapsed down opposite her.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked. Ron shrugged,
"I dunno actually, that's weird." He said glancing around the empty carriage; Hermione opened her mouth to reply when a piercing whistle from the train signalled their departure. Ron and Hermione scrambled up to the windows and waved furiously at the trio of red heads on the fast disappearing platform. Ron fell back against the soft cushioned seat and dug around in his bag, pulling out a foiled wrapped pasty. He began munching on it, eyeing Hermione's agitated face.
"What's up?" He mumbled. Hermione shrugged.
"Nothing. It's just you, me and Harry always ride up to school together. Tradition, you know. I'm going to go and have a look for him, see if he's trying to find us." She decided, standing up. Ron nodded and continued eating. Hermione smoothed down her polo shirt and pulled back the compartment door. She strolled through the train glancing into various compartments, eventually she heard loud squeals accompanied by music from one of the compartments she was approaching. Pushing open the door she saw a crowded carriage. Occupied mostly by rowdy sixth and seventh year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.
"Hey Hermione!" Yelled Hannah Abbot, a Hufflepuff. "Have a nice summer?" Hermione smiled at her,
"Yeah, thanks. You?" She replied. Hannah nodded energetically, and Hermione grinned and waved at Justin and Ernie and some of her other school friends. Then she saw Harry. Cho was perched on his lap staring challengingly at her. Hermione swallowed.
"Uh, Harry?" She ventured, Harry looked up.
"Oh hey 'Mione." He said breezily, with a smile that didn't really meet his eyes. Hermione frowned slightly,
"Um… me and Ron were wondering if you were going to come sit with us." She said quietly. Cho sniggered, her hand flying to her mouth in a poor attempt to conceal it. Hermione gritted her teeth and stared at Harry who shifted slightly uncomfortably.
"Uh…" He faltered; Cho twisted around and whispered something into his ear. Harry cleared his throat and looked back at Hermione.
"Nah. I think I'll stay here." He said quietly. Hermione shrugged and turned to walk away when Justin Finch Fletchley called her name, she span round.
"You and Ron should come up here." He suggested with a friendly grin. Hermione smiled.
"Thanks, I'll go and see." She answered, exiting the carriage and pulling the door closed behind her. Hermione stormed along the train back to her compartment to find Ron had fallen asleep, covered in pasty crumbs. Sighing angrily Hermione sat back down and glared out of the window.