As they arrived at King's Cross Station, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Luna made their way through the bustling crowd, dodging travelers and their luggage. The anticipation in the air was palpable as they navigated toward Platform 9¾.
"Let's find an empty compartment!" Ginny suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I want to be able to talk without the whole train overhearing us."
"Good idea," Hermione replied, her mind momentarily distracted from the weight of the upcoming year. "We can settle in and enjoy these snacks I brought."
The group moved quickly, pushing through the throngs of people until they spotted a nearly empty compartment near the end of the train. The sliding door opened with a soft whoosh, and they piled in, grateful for the privacy it provided.
"Perfect!" Luna exclaimed, settling herself against the window. "Now we can see all the landscapes zooming by."
Hermione unpacked her snacks-an assortment of pastries, biscuits, and a few chocolate frogs. "I hope you all are hungry!" she announced, handing out treats as they settled into their seats.
"Absolutely!" Harry said, grabbing a chocolate frog and tearing into it. "What do you have, Hermione?"
"Just some homemade biscuits and pastries from my mum," she said, passing a plate around. "I thought they'd make the journey more enjoyable."
"Oh, these are amazing!" Ginny said, taking a bite of a flaky pastry. "Your mum's cooking is the best!"
"Thanks! I told her we'd need fuel for our adventures this year," Hermione replied with a grin. "Especially with everything going on."
As they munched on their snacks, their conversations flowed easily. They talked about their summer adventures, catching up on each other's lives since they had last seen one another. Hermione shared her experiences in Australia, recounting her favorite moments and the breathtaking landscapes she had seen.
"Did you see any kangaroos?" Luna asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Of course! They were everywhere! I even learned how to feed one," Hermione replied, her voice filled with excitement. "And I've got some great stories about the coastal hikes."
"Sounds incredible! I wish I could've joined you," Ginny said, leaning in. "I just spent the summer helping out at home and practicing Quidditch. I can't believe we're going back to Hogwarts now."
"Me too," Harry added, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It feels like we were just here for our last year."
"But now we get to go back and finish what we started," Hermione said, a determined edge to her tone. "We'll make it through this year, I promise."
Their laughter and chatter filled the compartment as they made plans for the upcoming school year, discussing their class schedules and what they hoped to accomplish.
However, amidst the excitement, the new marriage law loomed in the back of Hermione's mind, a constant reminder of the changes they would have to navigate together. She looked around at her friends, feeling grateful for their support and camaraderie. With them by her side, she felt a renewed sense of determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the Hogwarts Express chugged along the tracks, the scenery outside shifted from the bustling cityscape of London to the idyllic countryside, a picturesque reminder of their magical world. With each passing moment, they drew closer to their beloved school, a place filled with memories, friendships, and adventures yet to unfold.
As the Hogwarts Express continued to glide through the countryside, Hermione felt a familiar discomfort nagging at her. The thought of needing to use the train's cramped restroom made her cringe, but she knew she couldn't put it off forever. With a resigned sigh, she stood up.
"I'll be right back," she said to her friends, who were still chatting animatedly about their plans for the year. As she made her way down the aisle, dodging a couple of students with luggage, she caught a glimpse of Draco Malfoy sitting in a nearby compartment, looking somewhat aloof, yet deep in thought.
Feeling a strange mix of curiosity and hesitation, Hermione paused outside his compartment. Despite their complicated history, she felt compelled to ask him a question that had been on her mind. "Malfoy," she called, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
He looked up, surprise flashing across his features. "Granger," he replied coolly, leaning back in his seat. "What do you want?"
"Can I ask you something?" she said, crossing her arms defensively, half-expecting him to brush her off.
"Make it quick," he replied, though his tone was less dismissive than before.
"What do you think about the new marriage law?" she asked, studying his expression for any signs of his true feelings.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by her directness. "What do I think? It's ridiculous," he replied after a moment of contemplation. "Who in their right mind would want to force people into marriage? It's barbaric."
Hermione felt a flicker of surprise at his response. "You really think so?"
"Of course," he continued, leaning forward, his voice dropping slightly as if he didn't want anyone else to overhear. "It's not just about the law itself; it's about control. They're treating people like livestock. We should be able to make our own choices."
"I agree," she said, feeling a sense of camaraderie as she realized they shared a common concern. "I don't think anyone should be forced into a relationship, let alone a marriage."
"Especially when most of us don't even have a say in it," he added, a hint of bitterness creeping into his tone. "What's next? Are they going to dictate who we can be friends with?"
A moment of silence hung between them, and Hermione felt an unexpected wave of understanding wash over her. "It feels like we're taking a step backward," she said softly. "We fought so hard for our freedoms, and now it seems like they're being stripped away."
Malfoy nodded, his expression serious. "The Ministry is acting like it knows what's best for us, but it's not like they've ever really cared about our well-being. It's always been about power."
Just then, the train hit a bump, and Hermione had to brace herself against the wall to steady herself. "I should-" she started, but he held up a hand.
"Go ahead, Granger. I get it. The toilet on this train is a nightmare," he said, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Thanks," she replied, a small smile escaping despite herself. "I'll be quick."
As she made her way to the restroom, Hermione felt a strange sense of satisfaction. It was surprising to have such an open conversation with Draco Malfoy, and even more surprising to find they had common ground. Maybe, she thought as she washed her hands, this year could bring unexpected alliances and insights.
When she returned to her compartment, her friends were still deep in conversation, and Hermione felt renewed resolve. They had to find a way to fight back against the law, together, no matter how daunting the task seemed.
As the Hogwarts Express began to slow, signaling their imminent arrival at the castle, Hermione and her friends started to change into their school robes. The familiar weight of the robes felt both comforting and daunting as they prepared for another year at Hogwarts. The compartment buzzed with nervous energy, and Hermione could feel the excitement in the air.
Suddenly, the door slid open, and Draco Malfoy stepped in, looking a bit unsure of himself. Hermione exchanged a glance with her friends, each of them wearing a mix of surprise and skepticism.
"Granger," he said, nodding at her, before shifting his gaze to the rest of the group. "I-uh, I wanted to say something."
"Not interested," Ron snapped, crossing his arms and leaning back against the window, his face set in a scowl.
"Just hear me out," Malfoy pressed, looking around at the others. "I came to apologize... for how I've acted in the past."
"Is this some kind of joke?" Ron asked, his voice rising incredulously. "You think just because you decide to say sorry, everything's forgotten? You've bullied us for years, Malfoy!"
Neville shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure of how to respond. "I mean... he could be sincere, right?" he said hesitantly, glancing at Hermione and Luna for support.
"Yeah, maybe," Luna said, her voice dreamy as always. "People can change, you know. Just like the phases of the moon."
Malfoy nodded, his expression earnest. "I know I've called you names, Luna-Loony, or whatever. And I'm sorry for that. I was just a kid trying to impress my friends. But I realize now that it was wrong. I shouldn't have treated anyone like that."
Ron scoffed, shaking his head. "Impress your friends? That's your excuse? You're just sorry because it's convenient now, Malfoy."
Hermione felt a mix of sympathy and skepticism for Malfoy. "Ron, maybe he's trying to move on," she said, hoping to defuse the tension. "It takes courage to admit when you're wrong."
Malfoy's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Thanks, Hermione. I'm not expecting anyone to forgive me right away. I just wanted to put it out there. I know it might take a long time for you all to trust me again, and I get that. But I hope... I hope we can at least try to start fresh."
"Fresh?" Ron repeated, incredulous. "You think that's going to happen? You don't get to just waltz in here and act like you're one of us."
"Ron, just listen," Hermione said firmly. "We all have our pasts, including you. You've made mistakes too. Everyone deserves a chance to change, even if it's hard for us to see it."
"Right, so you want to give him a pass?" Ron replied, frustration bubbling in his voice. "You'd just trust him because he says he's sorry?"
"It's not just about trust," Hermione said, her voice steady. "It's about recognizing that people can grow. Draco might be different now."
"Different?" Ron shot back. "He's been nothing but a spoiled brat for years. How do you know he's not just playing us?"
Malfoy crossed his arms, his expression hardening slightly. "I get it, Weasley. You're protective of your friends. But I'm not asking for instant trust; I'm just asking for a chance to prove I'm not the same person I used to be."
Neville spoke up, his voice timid but firm. "I think it's worth considering. If he's genuinely trying to change, we should at least give him the opportunity."
"Not from me," Ron said stubbornly. "I don't care how he feels. I won't forget what he's done."
With the air thick with tension, Malfoy seemed to understand that he wouldn't win everyone over immediately. He turned to Hermione one last time, his expression softening. "Thanks for trying, Granger. I'll leave you all to get ready."
As he stepped back out of the compartment, the door swung shut behind him. Ron huffed, crossing his arms tighter. "I still don't trust him."
Hermione sighed, feeling the weight of their conversation. "Neither do I, Ron. But maybe, just maybe, he deserves a chance to show us he's changed."
The compartment was quiet for a moment as they all processed what had just happened. With the castle approaching fast, they knew that the year ahead would hold challenges-both old and new.