Not too long after, September first arrived. The Ministry cars glided up to the front of the Burrow, awaiting us to take us to King's Cross station.

The previous night, Crookshanks had finally showed up out of nowhere, looking fluffier and more playful that ever before as Hermione placed her in the traveling basket.

"Au revoir, 'Arry," said Fleur, kissing Harry good-bye.

Ron hurried forward hopefully, but Ginny stuck out her foot and Ron fell, sprawling in the dust at Fleur's feet.

"Nice one," I chuckled, fist-bumping Ginny as Ron hurried into the car without saying goodbye, red-faced and dirt-spattered.

Fred had decided to come with us as well, leaving the shop in George's hands to come see us off.

Aurors in dark Muggle suits moved forward and towards us the moment the cars stopped, escorting us through the station.

"Quick, quick, through the barrier," said Mrs. Weasley. "Harry had better go first, with —"

She looked at one of the Aurors, who nodded briefly and tried to seize Harry's upper arm.

"I can walk, thanks," said Harry irritably, jerking his arm out of the Auror's grip and quickly pushed his trolley directly at the solid barrier.

The rest of us followed him through as well, finding ourselves moments later in platform 9 3/4.

"You'd better get straight on the train, all of you, you've only got a few minutes to go," said Mrs. Weasley, consulting her watch. "Well, have a lovely term."

"Mr. Weasley, can I have a quick word?" said Harry, causing everyone to look at him curiously.

"Of course," said Mr. Weasley, who looked slightly surprised, but followed Harry out of earshot of the others nevertheless.

My heart sank slightly at that, knowing that Harry wanted to talk to him about the possibility of Draco Malfoy being a Death Eater.

A part of me had learned to despise Malfoy for all he had done in the last two years; first he had insulted Sirius, then gave me a bloody nose, and last year was on Umbridge's side.

But another part of me pitied him. Right now, I knew he thought he was doing a noble thing for Voldemort. But I knew he was going to fear him soon. I knew he was going to suffer.

That part of me knew he wasn't born like this, and just raised into a family of Death Eaters.

That made me want to help him somehow. But I knew that Snape had to be the one to kill Dumbledore, and in order for that to happen, Draco had to mend the Vanishing Cabinet.

       But perhaps, I thought, that maybe he could be spared of unnecessary suffering.

He could be saved... but how?

As Harry and Mr. Weasley were done talking, he came upon us to say goodbye along with Mrs. Weasley.

       "Now, Miss Hooper," Fred started with a grin, turning to face me. "I want you to behave this year."

       "What are you? My mum?" I laughed, shaking my head at him.

       "No, but I'm your boyfriend," he said in a mock-stern tone, "and as your boyfriend, I want you to punch any guy that nears you on my behalf."

      "Woah, where has this violent side of you come from, Cheesy Weasley?"

      "From very secret dark parts within me," he said dramatically. "But seriously, punch them."

       I laughed again, brining him into a long hug. "I'll miss you."

      "I'll miss too, Snappy."

      "Ugh, again with the nickname..." I pulled away, shaking my head at him. But then I sighed and shrugged. "But at least it's better Pooper Hooper, I guess..."

       He laughed and soon it turned into a warm smile. "See you at Christmas," said Fred, leaning down and pecking me sweetly on the lips.

"Hang on," we pulled apart as Mr. Weasley said behind us. "You two are — are you two together?"

"Oh, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley shook her head in disappointment with a sigh.

"But — for how long?"

"A year," Fred shrugged, grinning proudly as he put his hands in his coat's pockets.

"That long? How come I didn't notice?" Mr. Weasley raised a brow. "Oh, never mind." He smiled. "It kind of makes sense... I mean... you are both — er — what's the word?"

"Idiots," Fred and I said at the same time, chuckling.

But the sound of our laughter faded out as the train's whistle went off behind us and we quickly got on it, waving at the three Weasleys as the train took off speed and eventually left the station.

Ron and Hermione left us to go to the Prefect's compartment and so Harry and I walked through the train's corridor.

"Fancy trying to find a compartment?" Harry asked Ginny.

"I can't, Harry, I said I'd meet Dean," said Ginny brightly. "See you later."

"Right," said Harry awkwardly, watching her leave.

I giggled at the expression on his face, knowing about his feelings all too well. "C'mon." I said, holding onto Harry's sleeve and dragging him along.

I looked sideways inside the compartments to find an empty one, that my eyes caught sight of the sixth year Slytherins inside one.

Blaze Zabini, Crabb, and Goyle were sitting on one side and before them Pansy Parkinson was sitting, with Draco laying down and his head on her lap as she played with his blond hair.

I rolled my eyes, walking along until a familiar voice said behind us, "Hey, Harry!"

"Neville!" said Harry as we turned around, seeing Neville and Lune approaching us.

"Hello, Harry," said Luna in her dreamy voice, before turning to face me. "Hi, Lexi."

But I was too focused on Neville to answer, knowing that he was supposed to be at the Ministry, but he didn't show up. I knew Dumbledore had told me that this was fixable, but I couldn't think of anything that could make things go back to normal.

      What did Dumbledore want me to do? Buy him a new wand? Yes, that had to happen at some point, but it surely couldn't have been as simple as that. Something had to trigger his emotions.

"Let's find seats, shall we?" said Harry, snapping me back to reality as he walked on, leading the way. I sighed to myself, following them away to find a compartment.

     This was going to be an eventful year. I just knew it.