“Ron, close your mouth.” “You first, Hermione.” The girl coughed and looked away. “I-It wasn’t open in the first place!” “Yeah? Your eyes looked you saw a ghost!” “I have seen plenty of ghosts, Ron.” She crossed her arms and huffed. “It just caught me off guard, is all.” Harry looked at her, confused. “We’ve been like this since last year, I’ve told you two.” “Well, seeing it is different than being told!” Ron leaned back, scratching his cheek. “Well… he did plant a fat one on her right when Voldemort fell…” Draceana’s eyes popped open and she frowned. “I will not have our first kiss be described in such an uncouth way, and I’ll have you know it was a mutual action.” Harry tilted his hand back and forth. “In a ninety/ten sort of way.” She flushed. “N-no! Hush, Potter!” She looked between Ron and Hermione and smirked. “Besides, I think this compartment is in a dire lesson of showing affection, don’t you think, Granger?” She stuck her tongue out. Hermione looked aghast and grabbed Ron’s arm, yanking him to her side. “I think we do just fine with that!” Ron winced. “Bloody hell! A troll would have a harder time pulling my arm out of its socket…” Hermione glared daggers at him. “Are you sure that’s the comparison you want to use, sweetie?” She pinched his hand. “Ow! Ok ok, not a troll! A… er… a stunning dragon?” She continued to stare. Ron looked to Harry for help, but despaired when all he got was a shrug.. “My beautiful b-butterfly.” His face turned red and he couldn’t look Hermione in the eye. Draceana snickered and covered her mouth. “Truly, the Weasley’s are a cultured sort.” Hermione huffed again and leaned on Ron’s shoulder. “Well I love it.” Ron looked back at her. “You do?” A small blush traveled across her cheeks. “Yes… though maybe come up with something different.” “Dove? My precious little flower?” “…just think on it for a while.” Ron leaned against her. “Fine, fine.” He look over at Harry. “What about you, hero? Have you got a name for the snake coiled around your arm?” Draceana pressed her lips thin, but tightened her grip and nuzzled further into Harry shoulder. Harry chuckled. “I just have a simple one.” He leaned over to where his lips were right over her ears. “My love.” Draceana turned scarlet instantly. “P-Potter! That’s supposed to be in private!” He grinned. “At first, maybe, but I think we can keep this between friends for the time being.” The train started to lurch forward, and he looked outside the window. “Another year, eh?” Ron nodded. “Our final year… d’you think it’ll go smoothly?” “I don’t think giving a definitive answer is the smart move here. Fate has a way of meddling in some manner.” “Good point.” Harry leaned onto Draceana. “It does have a way of working out, however.” She blushed again, but kept leaning against him. Hermione smiled. “I guess it does.” Platform nine and three quarters disappeared into the horizon, replaced by rolling hills and blue skies. Light filtered into the compartment, and Harry felt warm under its rays. He looked at Ron, Hermione, and Draceana, who was now asleep against him, and that warmth grew within him as well. What lay ahead was uncertain, but it was bright. And that was all that mattered.