Chapter 1: Expectations

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~Hermione's POV~

We arrived at platform 9 3/4, ready to start our final year a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was a bittersweet experience going back. So many of us still damaged from the war, Hogwarts would never quite be what it used to be. We hugged the Weasley's goodbye, Harry and I, thanking them for letting us stay there through the summer. 

We gave each other a look, neither wanting to jinx it by saying it allowed, but secretly thinking the same thing. That we hoped this year would go smoothly and uneventfully. Of course, that's never how it happens. We boarded the train, taking up residence in our usual compartment. 

"So Hermione, I believe congratulations are in order?" Harry said looking at me, I gave him a questioning look before realizing my hair was now behind my shoulders, exposing the head girl badge pinned to my robes. 

"Oh Hermione, that's wonderful! I'm so proud of you!" Ginny said reaching across and pulling me into a hug. Over the summer, she had become, without a doubt, my best girlfriend. 

"I knew she could do it. My girl can do anything" Ron said, putting his arm around my shoulder and pulling me in to kiss my forehead. I blushed at the compliment and snuggled into his embrace. 

"I love you" He whispered quietly in my ear for only me to hear. I peeked up at him through my eyelashes.

"I love you, too," I told him before closing my eyes and settling in to sleep for the remainder of the ride. 

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When I woke up I yawned, stretched my neck, and looked around our compartment. Harry and Ginny had fallen asleep against one another and Ron had drifted off, resting his head against the back wall. I smiled at each of them, enjoying how at peace they all looked. It really had been a wonderful summer. Harry and Ginny had finally begun their relationship, which was now blossoming, and after our kiss in the Chamber of Secrets, Ron and I had decided to give it a go as well. It truly was a magical kiss, so magical in fact that all the kisses we shared after that, didn't quite live up to it. I love Ron, don't get me wrong, and I have every intention in the world to marry him one day, but like with every relationship, there is give and take 80/20. 

With ours, it seems, for me at least, that we have lost the physical spark. I had always assumed Ron would be exciting and adventurous in the bedroom, but as it turns out, he's slightly less than Vanilla. It seems that every time we actually have sex, he more than enjoys it, insisting there is no better sex out there than what we have, but I can't say I would agree. I give into it, hoping eventually that I will enjoy it.

I've really only got the knowledge of what I've read in books and seen in muggle cinema, but it's enough to know that there is a whole other world I'm missing out on. I try to push the thought out of my mind knowing it's not fair for me to say that. Ron is a wonderful boyfriend and as the saying goes, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Of course, I didn't exactly have anyone to talk to about it to compare.

We finally arrived at the school and I met with Hagrid to help usher the first years to the boats. "Well 'ello 'ermione!" He said as I walked up and gave him a hug. 

"Hello Hagrid, how was your summer?" I asked him as we waited for the head boy. 

"Busy, there was a horrible problem with gnomes on the quidditch pitch." He said shaking his head as he ushered the first years that were now emerging from the train. 

"All first-years head towards the docks, please" I yelled as I walked to the docks. I felt a presence beside me all of a sudden and looked up, surprised to see none other than Draco Malfoy. I immediately noticed the head boy badge pinned to his robes and rolled my eyes. "Malfoy. Surprised to see you back" I said, somewhat civil for the sake of the first years. 

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