This is my first fanfiction, it starts fifth year and follows some of the actual story line, but not much. I've had the idea for a long time and i'm just now starting to write it out. I hope you enjoy!

Name taken from last stanza of the Poem Ode to a Toad

Ode to a Toad

By Anne-Marie W.

I felt for the toad and his pitiful state,

But the day was now fading, and such was his fate.

In the grand scheme of things, now I confess,

What's one little froggie, more or less?

"For the last time Harry, we couldn't tell you, I'm sorry, that's just the way it is." I said, lowering my book to look at the sulking boy.

"You spent all summer with Sirius, sorry if I'm a tad put out, it's just, I was stuck with the Dursleys, again.

"At least you got to go outside, mate. It was bloody hell spending all day indoors. I thought I was going to go bonkers. I was actually looking forward to the start of term." Ron said, sinking his face into his hands. I laughed at him and then stood up. I had offered first round of patrol for our prefect's duties and I wanted to get started.

"I'll be back later, time for patrol. Try not to give Ronald a hard time Harry, we weren't allowed to say any, for everyone's safety." I stated, grabbing my robe from where I'd shucked it after the brief prefect meeting. I shouldered my way out of our compartment and took to walking the corridor, making sure no one was being stupid.

"Well, lookie here, if it isn't our resident Mudblood." I heard as I walked into another train car. Malfoy stood at the other end, grinning, his cronies to either side of him. I raised one eyebrow delicately at the word, it had gotten bit old, and continued onward. Malfoy looked quite put out that I hadn't responded and followed me out of the train car. "Come now Mudblood, too stunned to even answer?" he shot out and I chuckled quietly at him.

"Tell me Malfoy, do you only know the one insult, it's getting a bit well, boring." I said without turning and made my way through another car. Malfoy hissed something unintelligible and I outright laughed this time, turning my head to see his livid face. My laugh died off as I saw him whip out his wand.

"Don't think for one second I would allow some stupid, filthy, Mudblood to laugh at me." He threated and I just stared.

"What, will daddy hear about this?" I said, not even bothering to pull m wand out. Malfoys face turned an even darker shade of red and he took one step closer, towering over me.

"Oh, look a ferret!" a familiar voice called.

"Yes, not quite bouncy enough for me. What do you think Fred?"

"I think the ferret needs a little more bounce now that you mention George." Fred replied as both boys came to stand behind , towering even over Malfoy.

"Stop, just, let's go, he isn't worth it anymore." I said, turning to face the twins. Both wore small smiles on their faces, but behind their eyes was an evil little glint that made even Malfoy back down. I pushed the two onward until we reached the next train car and they both looked down at me.

"Where to my lady?" Fred said offering an arm.

"Yes, where shall we escort you to, on this fine train ride, oh beautiful one?" George offered up, his arm also held out. I laughed at the two, linking my arms with theirs.

"Forward!" I replied, trying to sound majestic and knightly, but my giggle ruined it. The two laughed with me and began to walk with me up the train.

"Prefect's duties already, Granger?" Fred began.

"Can't you wait until we've at least gotten to the castle?" George added, cutting his brother off.

"I mean, this is a little much, even for you" Fred continued.

"and that is saying something." George said, ending their rapid pace exchange with a smile.

"Professor McGonagall asked that we each take a turn through the train, considering everything that's been going on. I just offered to go first so I wouldn't have to be interrupted later." I said, reaching the first train car and turning around.

"Oo, what,"

"Pray tell,"

"Are you doing later granger?" George asked while Fred wiggle his eyebrows.

"I think a nap is in order. After this summer with that stupid painting yelling at me every chance, I'm tired, and I don't want to fall asleep during the feast." I said, removing my arm from a twin to rub my eyebrows a bit.

"Ah yes, the house really didn't scream welcome did it?" George said wistfully.

"No more like go die and get out." I said with a smile, causing the two to laugh. We continued on and I left them in their train car, Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, and Katie Bell all inside. I waved as I passed and they returned it, before going back to their earlier conversations. Fred sidled up to Angelina, snaking his arm around her waist and she smiled at him. George just rolled his eyes at the two couples inside, and whispered to me, "wish me luck," before he joined them. I laughed and went to Find Harry and Ron.

When I got there the compartment was full. Harry and Ron had been joined by Ginny, Lavender Brown, Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom. I sighed at the loud noise the six were making and grabbed my shrunken trunks from above the boys.

"Sorry, Hermione, they joined us and we didn't wanna say no." Harry said, smiling up at me.

"We can go if you want." Neville spoke up and I shook my head with a smile.

"It's fine Neville, really. It's much too loud in here for me anyway. I'll just catch up with you guys at the feast, yeah?" I said, waiting for the group to confirm.

"It's nice to see you Luna." I said, and the girl grinned at me, nodding her head.

"You too, you are looking very pretty today Hermione." She said, her normal smile in place as I left.

I trudged down the hall, looking to find someone to sit with, or at least a quiet compartment when I passed the twins again.

"Hermione? Weren't you going to go sit with our dimwit brother?" Fred piped up, and I stopped to look at him.

"Be nice," I admonished, before sighing and setting my shrunken trunk by my foot.

"Well, did the dunderhead do something?" Angelina asked from her spot next to Fred.

"No, the compartment filled up while I was gone, and they are being much too loud." I said and the group laughed.

"We have an extra seat," Lee said, "and while we are loud, I don't think we are that loud."

"Oh, but you are." Katie said with a chuckle and then focused on me, "I'm sure those three can keep the noise down a bit though, join us?" she said with a smile.

"Yes, Please. Save me!" George said and made the most comically tragic face he possessed.

"I don't know George, doesn't seem like there's much in it for me." I replied and his hand went to his heart.

"You don't have enough compassion to save the more attractive twin from this ill begotten fate?" He asked.

"Fred seems all right." I fired back and the group laughed.

"Did you hear that, I'm the more attractive twin." He crowed.

"You wound me Granger." George said hanging his head and I laughed, tossing my truck up top, and sitting next to him. Fred and Angelina sat next to each other, Katie on the far window side and Lee across from her. The two had some game between them. George offered me a smile and a huff as I knocked my shoulder into his.

"I'm just kidding, Percy is obviously the prettiest Weasley." I said and Fred whipped his head towards us.

"Take that back! If he's the prettiest the rest of us have no hope." He moaned and the compartment broke into another round of laughs.

After that it calmed down. Fred, George and Angelina talked about random things, such as the twins' pranks, and their upcoming year while Katie and Lee kept relatively quiet with their game. I snuggled down in my seat and closed my eyes, the trains rocking lulling me into sleep.

When I woke up my head was cushioned on George's shoulder and the train was slowly coming to a halt.

"Just in time, sleeping beauty!" Lee said, noticing me wake up. I grunted a bit in response and sat up completely, stretching my neck from my awkward sleeping position and then grabbing my trunk from the overhead.

Let's go. Angelina said, leading Fred out and we all joined the stream of students disembarking. I tried to catch a carriage with Harry and Ron, but theirs again was full and so I slipped into the next open one, surprised when the twins and Angelina climbed on.

"Where's Katie and Lee?" I asked, completely off guard that they had left their third to fend for himself.

"He already caught a carriage so we decided to join you." Fred said simply.

"Yeah, we saw your friends leave without you, the prats, and decided after the train ride, you were cool enough to join us." Angelina tacked on and I smiled at their easy acceptance. It's not that I didn't like the twins, I just never spent much time with them, and I was their little brother's friend, not really theirs.

"So are you ready for the feast? I'm starved." George said as we started rolling, launching into a list of what foods he really wanted. When we got inside the twins easily sat down on either side of me, glaring at Ron and Harry, who didn't save me a seat, and trying to get me to join in on their conversation. I sighed dejectedly and tried not to show it, instead grinning at the boys antics and laughing during Dumbledore's speech. When a little woman in pink interrupted them the twins almost lost it trying to keep quiet. By the end of her speech we were all a little shocked, a little pissed off, and a lot amused at the twins quiet comments.

Finally the feast began and we all tucked in. This year had started out alright. Now let's hope it stays that way.

Let me know what you think! Hopefully I will have more posted soon, as I am really inspired. I'm thinking a trilogy for this for the trios Fifth, six, and seventh year. Input and feed back are welcome!