Author's Note: This is my first Harry Potter fic. I think I know where I want to go with this story, but I'd really appreciate any input from readers. I know this story is quite inaccurate to what Book 7 will be like, but I tried to keep as many things the same as would still keep me satisfied. So please enjoy and don't forget to review!

As the Hogwarts Express sped along the green blur that was the English countryside, Hermione's eyes traced the violet outline of the grey clouds along the horizon. The orange sun was slowly making its way behind the trees in the distance, and the brilliant hues that had filled the sunset not five minutes ago were now fading. It must have been at least six hours since they departed from King's Cross Railway Station at platform 9 ¾, and Hermione was weary from a day of travel.

Her eyelids drooped. She was partly stretched out, with her body relaxed and her head placed against the side of the compartment. Her eyes wandered over to the two other bodies that also occupied the compartment. She smiled. For the first time in a long time, Harry looked as if he slept peacefully. His hair was ruffled so that only the bottom of his scar was exposed. His lips were, only just, curled into a soft smile. She wondered if he was dreaming about his parents. Her gaze roamed over to the sleeping form of Ronald. His messy head of hair was gradually sliding down the wall and she chuckled when she saw the drool that had formed at the corner of his mouth.

Finally, she looked back at the sky. As watched the last traces of violet fade, she resolved that she would have liked nothing better than to fall asleep right then and there. She closed her eyes, listening to the train barrel across the tracks and letting her body sway to the rhythm of its engine. In this picture of calmness was where she finally fell asleep.

"…nearly there. Should we wake her up?"

"Well, we're going to have to eventually."

Hermione was startled by the voices, and her eyes flickered open. She looked directly into the face of a wide-eyed Ron. He grinned at her.

" 'ello, Hermione. Sleep well?" he inquired, slightly amused.

She hurriedly sat up and fixed her sweater. "Yes, thank you, Ron," she responded, in a state of vague bewilderment. She looked toward the window. It was entirely dark.

"Did you say we were nearly there, Harry?" she asked Harry, glancing at him.

He nodded. "Yes, Ginny came a just a minute ago to let us know."

After a minute of silence, Harry and Ron could tell Hermione was annoyed.

"Well, then, you could have woken me up," Hermione said, with a hint of irritation in her voice. "Why didn't you?"

"That's why," Ron stated. "You were so peaceful."

Hermione let out an exasperated sigh, but relaxed. "After all these years," she said. "You still can't seem to figure me out."

Harry and Ron both laughed. "Okay, maybe," said Harry. "But, you still love us."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "As much as it possible to love you two," she laughed.

"Ha!" Ron hooted. "You admit it! Aw, we love you too, Hermione. Right Harry?"

Harry laughed. "Sure," he said.

Hermione paused. "Well, of course I love you guys," she said, smiling. "You've only been my best friends for almost seven years."

As soon as she said that, the reality of the present seemed to register in all of their minds.

Their seventh year. Their last year. Hermione could hardly believe it.

It had come as a shock when they had all received letters inviting them back for another school year. After the attack on the school and the murder of Dumbledore, Hermione was positive that they would not return to Hogwarts for their last year. Hermione and Ron were even more astonished that Harry had returned with them. He had said himself that he would take this year to continue his battle against Voldemort. But he decided to continue with school anyway; he told them that he would most likely have to leave at some point in the year when he finally learns the locations of the remaining horcruxes. Both Hermione and Ron insisted that they join him when sets out. Harry had assured them that he would keep them involved as much as he could, but if the situation became too dangerous, he would have to deal with it on his own.

Hermione realized that this train ride, a ride that could be their last on the Hogwarts Express, may have also been the last time that they had will have been all together, peaceful, and free from worry. It wasn't as if they didn't have any problems, but during that journey, their worries had seemed to fade away for a while.

A few minutes later, when they had finally changed into their robes, Hermione sat back, and began to think again. She glanced at Harry. When she had watched him sleep, his expression was calm and peaceful, but when she saw him now, his face was furrowed with worry. She caught his eye. She gave him a weak smile.

"It'll be okay, Harry," she said with understanding.

Ron gave a weak smile, too. "Yeah, Harry," he said. "You've got us, remember?"

Hermione did not recognize any of her classmates until she stepped off the train onto the dark platform of the Hogwarts Station. As she greeted them, some were a bit more enthusiastic about seeing her than she had expected. She was greeted with hugs, and exclamations, like "It's so great to see you," from other students. Soon, she understood the emotions that her classmates were feeling. They were scared. They were confused. They were worried. And some even were mournful. Clearly, Hermione, Harry, and Ron weren't the only one who had been bruised by the events of the previous year.

As students continued to welcome each other, the three friends made their way through the crowd. Absentmindedly, Hermione scanned the faces of the other students. She could certainly name every single student in her grade, and many outside of it. She smiled as she watched Hagrid lead the throng of first years over to the lake, which, as the tradition goes, they would cross to reach the castle.

As the trio continued to walk, Hermione heard a sharp intake of breath by Ron. She turned her head to look at him. She was about to ask him what ailed him when she set eyes on what he was glaring at. Hermione's eyes widened.

"Malfoy," she whispered.