sekkoon

CHAPTER 8

Just a short week after Hermione had gained consciousness, they were going back to school again. The 1st September dawned and only Draco was not looking forward to going back.

“What if people know what happened?”

“Oh Draco! Stop being so pathetic!” Hermione had tried to keep her patience with him all morning, but now, even she had reached her peak, “No one is going to care what happened to the Weasley’s house and what you have to do with it. Oh, that sounded really awful. I’m so sorry, Mrs Weasley!” Mrs Weasley was sitting rather stiffly at the other end of the table, she neither looked sad nor happy, but Hermione could tell that something was troubling her. She was going to ask before they set off, but Mr Weasley pushed her into the car before Hermione got a chance to open her mouth. She sat back next to Draco, thinking of the new year ahead. She heard Harry telling Ron how pleased he was to be going back, and Ginny was in the front seat talking to her dad about “Muggle Studies” at school, which thrilled him. Draco sighed.

“Now what?!” she asked impatiently, rolling her eyes.

“Nothing.” Draco lied.

“Honestly!” Hermione’s voice was strong, “You can tell me.” Draco looked into her eyes, they seemed so gentle and forgiving, but could he even bear to tell her what he wanted to.

“It’s nothing.” He pulled away from her gaze. Hermione sighed. He was being so secretive these days; she couldn’t help but notice that. Soon, they arrived in London. The busy streets were crowded with Muggles. Mr Weasley lead them towards Kings Cross, and when they arrived there, they all disappeared one by one through the platform wall. They were almost late, and quickly pulled themselves onto the train and grabbed a compartment. It wasn’t long before Harry started the subject Teachers, and wondered where his parents had stayed over the summer. Draco sat opposite Hermione, staring at the floor.

He didn’t say anything, just sat and listened. Hermione needed to know what was wrong. If she knew what he was thinking….

“Draco, I…I need to talk to you…privately.” She closed her eyes, preying that he’d answer her correctly.

“Right.” He replied glumly, after a while. Hermione stood up and seized his hand, and disappeared out of the door to find another compartment.

“Where are they going, d’you think?” Ginny asked.

“Dunno.” Harry said slowly, “But…” he grinned at Ron, who made a gagging sound in his throat.

“Probably!” Ginny replied with a laugh.