Harry nodded, knowing she could feel the movement even if she couldn't see it.
"Well, see? It's perfectly normal." Hermione squeezed his arm.
For a while, Harry soaked up her comforting empathy as outside of the train the platform started to fill with families dropping off students.
"How…" Harry said eventually, "how did you cope with it?"
"Honestly?" Hermione answered, "I didn't at first. I cried myself to sleep every night for the first couple of months composing the letter I was going to write to my parents begging them to let me come home."
Harry felt incredibly guilty. He'd had no idea she'd felt that way. "And after that?"
"I had you." Hermione said simply. "And Ron, of course. It made everything better."
Friends.
Of course. Harry smiled and slipped his hand into hers. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while before there was another knock on the door and Neville poked his head inside. He grinned at the sight of them and Harry blushed a little self-conscious that he had been caught holding Hermione's hand and cuddling with her. He got up to help Neville with his trunk as Neville confirmed they'd received a Dobby delivered missive from Sirius that morning too.
Neville took the seat Hermione had vacated and Harry slipped back into his own although there was an inch of distance between himself and Hermione that hadn't existed before Neville had entered.
"I have to admit," Neville said brightly, "I'm looking forward to going back this year."
"Yeah?" Harry smiled pleased for his friend.
Neville waved his new wand. "After all the tutoring and everything, I might even keep up in class."
"I'm sure you will, Neville." Harry assured him sincerely. Neville wasn't a bad spell caster; he just needed practice. "Maybe we can help each other outside of class? I can always do with help in Herbology."
"You're on!" Neville grinned.
"That's a wonderful idea!" Hermione said. "I have to admit I just don't have a talent for the practical side of Herbology."
"Hermione, you get straight Os so I think you might have some talent!" Harry said dryly.
Hermione blushed but laughed along with Neville and Harry.
"Where is Ron?" wondered Harry. He was sure if Sirius had sent Dobby to Hermione and Neville he'd have sent him to the Weasleys too.
"You know the Weasleys," Hermione said with a smile, "they'll probably arrive at the last minute."
Another gentle knock on the door had Neville motioning Harry back into his seat as he went to see who it was.
Harry's face lit up when he spotted the blonde girl in the doorway. "Luna! Come in!" he said, unaware Hermione was gaping in surprise.
"Hello, Harry! Did you know you have Eebeebees guarding your door?" Luna asked dreamily.
"Remus put up some charms." Harry explained as he got up and helped Neville with Luna's trunk. "Do you know Neville? And Hermione?"
"We've never been formally introduced." Luna said as she sat down next to Neville opposite Hermione. "I'm Luna Lovegood."
"Neville Longbottom." Neville smiled at her warmly.
"Hermione Granger." Hermione gave her a small wave. "I thought your Dad's article about Harry was the best of the three published."
Luna's delight shone from her face and happy smile. "Thank you. He'll be pleased to hear that."
"Did you get a note delivered by Dobby telling you Harry was on the train too?" Hermione asked, clearly wondering how Luna had found them.
"Oh no," Luna said shaking her head, wide-eyed, "I was just looking for somewhere to sit and I saw the Eebeebees and knew Harry must be inside."
Hermione frowned at her. "You mean you sensed the charms?"
"If we all looked at the world the same way it would be very boring, wouldn't it?" Luna replied, deepening Hermione's frown.
Harry smiled widely and decided he should change the subject before Hermione got wound up and started to question Luna's world view too much. "You really helped me the last time we talked."
"I got your 'thank you' note." Luna said suddenly a little shy. "It's the first letter I've ever received. It was almost like having a friend."
"More than almost I hope." Harry said impulsively. "I'd like to be your friend."
"I'd like that too." Luna said simply.
Hermione's expression had softened with sympathy as though she was finally remembering the conversation about Luna that they'd had with the others at Longbottom Manor during Simeon's introduction party. "Harry was my first real friend."
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