King's Cross
The platform at King’s Cross Station was bustling with the usual flurry of activity that accompanied the start of every new school year. The air was thick with excitement and goodbyes as students and their families crowded around the towering platform, making final preparations for the journey to Hogwarts. Hermione stood with her parents, her mother’s arm wrapped around her in a warm hug while her father tried to balance a stack of luggage.
Despite the jovial atmosphere, there was a heavy feeling in the pit of Hermione’s stomach. The summer had been full of laughter, adventures, and, of course, endless hours spent at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, but now the time had come to say goodbye once more. It wasn’t so much that she dreaded returning to Hogwarts—it was the thought of the distance between her and Fred and George that weighed on her. She could already feel the ache of missing them, even though they stood only a few feet away, laughing and teasing Ginny as she loaded her things onto the train.
"Don’t forget to write to us, Ginny!" Molly called out. "And keep an eye on Ron, alright? Make sure he remembers to eat something other than chocolate frogs."
Ginny rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was fond. "I’ll try, Mum, but no promises about Ron," she replied. Then, her gaze flicked to Fred and George, who were busy trying to sneak some of their latest products into Ron’s bag when Molly wasn’t looking.
Hermione glanced over at the twins, her heart giving a little lurch as she watched them effortlessly joke around with Ginny and Ron. It had been a magical summer, but as the train loomed closer to departure, she couldn’t help but feel the familiar ache that came with the thought of leaving them behind. The twins had been a constant in her life, and the idea of being away from them, even for just another year, felt strangely difficult.
"Everything alright, darling?" her mother asked, her voice bringing Hermione back to the present.
Hermione smiled faintly, her gaze still lingering on Fred and George. "Yeah, just… thinking," she replied, though the words felt empty. She didn’t want to admit how much she would miss them.
Her mother nodded knowingly, giving her a soft squeeze. "It’s hard, I know. But you’re going to have a great year at Hogwarts. And we’ll always be just a Floo call away."
"I know, Mum," Hermione said with a small nod, her throat tight.
The Weasleys were gathered together, their usual boisterous energy filling the air. Arthur and Molly stood near Ron and Ginny, giving their final words of advice, while Fred and George were leaning casually against a pillar, looking over at Hermione with knowing glances. Every now and then, one would wink at her, but neither made any move to come closer just yet. They were waiting for the right moment.
"Alright, Ron, don’t do anything stupid," Fred said loudly, clapping his younger brother on the back, but his eyes flicked to Hermione as he spoke, the hint of a grin tugging at his lips.
"Don’t let him off the hook too easily, Ginny. You know he’s hopeless without you," George chimed in, his voice teasing as he adjusted the strap of his bag.
Hermione watched the interaction, her heart feeling a little heavy. As Ron and Ginny moved toward the train, she lingered a moment longer, wishing she could bottle up this last moment with everyone, knowing it would be some time before they were all together again.
"Hey, Granger," Fred’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to find both him and George walking toward her, their mischievous smiles softened by something else—something more sincere. They stopped in front of her, and for a moment, the chatter of the station seemed to fade away.
"Don’t think we’re just going to let you get away without a proper goodbye, are you?" George said, his smile warm.
Fred’s eyes sparkled. "You’re stuck with us, Granger. Even if we’re not in the same school this year, we’ll find a way to make sure you know we’re thinking of you."
Hermione chuckled softly, though the flutter in her chest betrayed her calm demeanor. She didn’t trust herself to speak, so she simply nodded, her heart full of affection for the two of them.
Fred stepped forward first, placing a hand on her shoulder with a soft, teasing grin. "We’ll miss you, Granger," he said, his voice quieter than usual, but still carrying that mischievous edge.
Before she could reply, he leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against her cheek in a kiss that lingered for only a moment—just enough for her to feel the warmth of it against her skin. He pulled back, his smile broader now. "Don’t go getting too serious over there, alright? We’ll need you to keep your sense of humor intact."
George followed suit, though he didn’t waste any time. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close in an unexpectedly gentle gesture. "You better write us, Hermione," he said, his voice low and sincere. "We’re only a letter, a prank, or a sneaky delivery away."
Before she could respond, George’s lips brushed her cheek as well, leaving behind a soft, lingering warmth. When he pulled away, his eyes met hers with something more than mischief in them—something that made her breath catch in her throat.
"Take care of yourself, yeah?" George said quietly, his usual humor replaced by something a little more vulnerable.
Hermione blinked, her heart racing slightly as she looked between the two of them. They stood there, close but still giving her space, the weight of their gestures not lost on her.
"I—" she began, but her voice caught in her throat. There were no words for this moment, nothing she could say that would fully convey how much they meant to her, how much this summer had meant, how much she would miss them.
Fred, sensing her struggle, smiled that familiar, teasing smile of his, though it was tinged with something softer. "No need for all the mushy stuff, Granger. We know you’ll miss us. But don’t worry," he winked, "we’ll make sure you can’t get away from us that easily."
George nodded, his smirk returning, but there was something fond in his gaze. "Exactly. We’re not that easy to forget."
Hermione gave a soft laugh, wiping at her eyes before she could make it too obvious how close she was to tearing up. She wasn’t sure what it was about them—whether it was their humor or their genuine care, but the thought of leaving them behind made her feel like a piece of her was being pulled away.
"I’ll try not to," she said finally, her voice thick with emotion.
With a final shared glance, the twins stepped back, giving her a moment of space, though they both seemed reluctant to leave her side. Behind them, the train whistle blew, signaling that the departure was imminent.
"Go on," Fred said, nudging her toward the train with a mischievous wink. "Before the train leaves without you, Granger."
Hermione gave them one last smile, this one full of warmth and gratitude, before she turned and stepped onto the train, knowing this was not a goodbye forever—but it would still be a long while before they’d all be together again.
As the train pulled away, she stood by the window, her eyes lingering on Fred and George, their faces full of laughter and warmth. She knew, without a doubt, that no matter how far away they were, they’d always be there—waiting for her with their pranks, their support, and their love.