Unique (Hermione x M! OC)

40. Heading Home

On the train, we all sit together. Crookshanks and Shakespeare cycle between me, Hermione and Harry as we give them attention. Owlbert perches proudly on the table. Something has changed between us, like the blanket of ignorance and wonderment has been lifted and we're all in the cold world of Wizardry. I have a source of warmth in mine at least. We sit in silence, assessing our situation until Ron finally speaks up, "So Fred and George are broke."

"What?!" Hermione questions, harshly.

"They spent all their money gambling on the Quidditch Cup."

"But they won?" I question.

"Yeah, but the guy ran off with their money. Gave them leprechaun gold."

"That sucks." Harry mutters. He holds his prize in a sack bewitched like my bookbag. "What were they trying to afford?"

"They want to make a joke shop on Diagon Alley. Dad told them not to gamble, they're too stubborn for their own good."

"That sucks, I didn't even know." Hermione says.

"They're good at hiding when things get them down."

"Didn't they bet on all the challenges?" I question.

"They only made enough back from that for product." Ron explains.

"I could give them my bag." I decide, "Didn't need to use much this year; it's about half full. A hundred fifty galleons?"

"Add it to mine." Harry says, "They can have all of it."

"Are you mad?" Ron asks.

"Well we're the highest grossing writers in the wizarding world, Harry's Harry fuckin' Potter and Dad is one of the richest men on the planet. I think we have enough surplus between us to make up for it. Right Glasses?"

"Right."

"If you insist." Ron shrugs, "I still think you're bloody crazy."

"Maybe I am." I shrug, "But no matter how crazy I am, I'm right."

I pull Hermione into me and she nestles comfortably into my shoulder. There's a knock at the door and it opens to reveal Ava Hornette. "Hey, the other booths are full, mind if I sit in here?"

"Not at all." Harry says quickly, "Just sit next to Ron." She does and a blush takes over Ron's face. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Oh, I usually sit with Neville, but he's gotten pretty popular since Sammy taught him how to dance. You guys don't mind, right?"

"No! You're perfectly welcome here!" Ron exclaims before blushing a bit, "I mean... uh... you can stay if you want."

She smiles a bit, "Thank you." She looks at me and Hermione, "May I just say that you two blew me away with your dance at the Yule Ball. It was beautiful."

"It wasn't that impressive." I shrug.

"For a wizard and a witch? That was beyond impressive. Most people just sort of slow dance, but you two went all out." Then she turns to Harry, "And you! Congratulations on winning -- or tying."

"Thank you." Harry nods.

The rest of the train ride was pretty slow with scattered conversation and long periods of cuddling between me and Hermione. But now the train ride's over. We get our carts and meet Dad and Mr. Weasley who are waiting by the driver. Ava and Ron shared a quick goodbye just seconds before.

"Hey, kids." Dad says, "Was I a good teacher?"

"Great." I say.

"Yeah, certainly better than Moody." Hermione agrees.