Hermione Granger was not a sentimental woman, and yet she missed them. 

She missed everyone. Emma, Zoe, Harry and of course, Ron. 

The Gryffindor common room seemed to have a new found chill on unfamiliarity that she had experienced on her very first day. Friendless and alone, she had wandered into the dormitory with a brave face despite her insides turning to jelly. And there, sitting on the bed reading was Emma. She had raised her head with a sigh and begun saying, "no, Lavender I don't think my--"

Then she had noticed who it was and she sighed in relief. "Oh thank God it's you. If I heard one more question about how I survived I was going to tear my ears off."

She remembered feeling nervous, because contrary to her brother, Emma Potter had a very sharp tongue. "If you want me to go--"

"I don't and it shouldn't matter," she had looked at her straight in the eye, "this is your dormitory too."

That was the first time she had been treated as an equal by a peer. Emma had then unwrapped a Mars bar she had snuck from her aunt and uncle split it in half and offered her one of them. 

"Comfort food," she had smiled. And Hermione felt the warmth of friendship. 

Now the dormitory was warm, but not as warm as when she knew Zoe and Emma were the dormitories below and Ron and Harry in the dormitory beside. But there was a comfort, nonetheless, to have Ginny there. Fiery, hopelessly in love, Ginny. The urge to write to Emma to tell Harry to write to Ginny and just confess was too great. But she had somehow resisted. 

Days at Hogwarts passed by slower than previous years. Maybe it was because there were no adventures and such. It was just a normal school year, with classes and exams and friendship and romance. 

Or lack thereof. 

Until now that is. 

"It's late," mumbled Tallow, "it's late. It feels late. Is it late?"

"We're pretty early," said Hermione checking her watch. Her relationship with Tallow was better than her relationship with Malfoy. But it was getting there. "Relax, I'm sure they are ok."

"Right," scoffed Ginny. "Because when have things ever gone wrong in the Hogwarts express when the Potter twins share a compartment?"

Which was a good point. 

It was just after before the Christmas break. As a surprise, Professor McGonagall had invited the would be 8th years to talk to the younger students and catch up with the older ones. She had allowed the 8th years to go meet them at the station at Hogsmead at 6:00 in the evening

Hermione checked her watch, 5:45. 

"They're ok," she said calmly, trying to reassure herself. "Let's get our mind off it. Ginny-- tell me you're going to talk to Harry."

"Of course, I'm going to talk to him," said Ginny rolling her eyes, "he's my friend."

"Friend my arse," laughed Tallow, "tell me Weasly, what would you call a friend who you have snogged in witness to multiple people?"

Ginny glared at him, "bit rich coming from you, Tallow. I'm sure you're eager to meet your "friend" Anderson."

Tallow blushed red, and was further embarrassed by his cousin. 

"Yeah, how did it feel, Nick?" grinned Malfoy. "Since you've been pining for her since 6th year?"

"Oh please," smirked Tallow.  "You think it was any better for me to see you making puppy eyes at Emma since fourth year?"

"You think that was bad," giggled Ginny, "try living with it. Ron was so jealous because of Victor Krum,  and was all 'oh, I was so much better than him,' 'I could have punched him.' All because of Ms Granger here."

Hermione blushed, stuffed her hand in her coat pockets, and rolled her eyes. "Yes, well, try hearing--" she adopted a tone that their friend group called 'flustered Emma', it was when Emma's voice got high and squeaky. "--'Draco? No, we--we were just friends Hermione. I mean, we are friends. Look, we just kissed one time. It's ok. I'm probably just a friend to him.' " 

Tallow and Malfoy chuckled, and Ginny said, "you've been practicing the 'flustered Emma', well done."

Hermione smiled, and then felt something wet on her shoulder. She looked up. 

"It's snowing," she whispered. 

Little feathers of snow were trickling from the heavens, covering the tracks and grounds with a furry white blanket. A wind blew, the air grew colder.  This time tomorrow, Hogsmead would look magical.

More 8th years and started to come onto the platform, and the tellatale whistle of the Hogwarts express had heads turning. Ginny craned her neck to see into the windows, trying to spot someone. When the train finally halted to stop, there was silence on the station. 

Until the doors opened. 

Friends came toppling out, reaching out to siblings, friends or their dates. Hugging, Kissing and Some tears were present as well. But they were not there. Or they were lost. 

Hermione craned her neck just in time to see silver hair racing towards her, before Zoe threw herself into her arms. Hermione laughed and hugged her back, her hug providing more warmth than the furry sweater she had adorned. Breaking free she offered a one armed hug to Ginny, and long hug to Malfoy before turning to smile at Nicholas awkwardly. 

Hermione smiled wisely and turned away, but unfortunately she wasn't the only one present. 

"Where's everyone else," asked Ginny. 

Tallow glared at her, but Zoe smiled and said, "look behind you."

Hermione turned. 

They were there. 

Harry, Ron and Emma were helping get eachother's trunks down. Ron's mouth moved, and their laughter floated up to reach their ears. They were dressed warmly with their respective Weasly sweaters. 

 She then felt Malfoy rushing past her, Just as Emma turned to look for them.  The look on her face when she caught sight of him, made a small smirk grow on Hermione's face. Could she be more obvious?

And then, as if an award winning director was behind the scenes, Emma ran closer to him too. And then they stood a few meters away from eachother, just looking at each other and breathing heavily. Their breath clouding the air. Then Malfoy opened his arms, and Emma jumped into them, clinging onto him for dear life. 

Harry rushed past it, scowling at the idea of his sister and a boyfriend, but he smiled when reached Hermione, bending to envelope her in a tight hug. 

"Missed you Hermione," he smiled, "you really are the only who can control that mess of a carrot."

She laughed, "I missed you too Harry." 

"Thought you were going to talk me up to Ginny."

"I did."

"Then why is she ignoring me?"

"She flustered," said Hermione pulling away, " go talk to her."

And so he did, and then a more toasty pair of warm arms drew her in. Despite it being winter, Ron still smelt of autumn-- cinammon and pumpkin pie."

"Missed you, Mione," he mumbled into her hair, kissing her neck gently. 

She inhaled deeply. 

They were back.