The Hogwarts Express
The second Ron got onto the Hogwarts Express, he knew that he would try his damnedest to make this year different. He was DONE with the life-threatening adventures and just wanted a peaceful year with his friends and his partner. He was also hell-bent on getting all of his NEWTS. Everybody thought that he was the "dumb" one in the Golden Trio but contrary to popular belief, when he applied himself, he could actually do quite well in his tests.
Harry, Hermione and Ron found that almost all the compartments were completely full and while looking for one with at least some friendly faces, they bumped into one that for the longest time, they considered unfriendly.
"Malfoy."
"Weasley, Potter, Granger."
The ice between the four hadn't thawed completely by any means, but they were getting there. After the three of them had stood on trial in favor of Malfoy and his family getting a pardon, he had apologized for his misgivings and said that he was eager to make amends with the people he wronged. While surprised, the trio were willing to let bygones be bygones and accepted his apology. It wasn't all water under the bridge, but they were all very cordial.
Malfoy moved to let them pass just as Ginny waved at them to let them know that there was a compartment to sit in. As they entered the compartment, tired from lugging their trunks around for so long they were practically panting. They saw Ginny, Luna and Neville, already comfortably seated.
Greetings were exchanged, trunks were strategically placed, treats were bought, jokes were told, before Ron was given a very pleasant surprise.
"Hey, Ron!"
Someone around their age stepped into their compartment. They had beautiful eyes and perfect pale skin that suited their soft face structure wonderfully. But what was most attention grabbing was the blinding mop of purple hair. It reached till right above their shoulders and looked like the properties changed with the light. One second it was bright enough to be neon, the other it looked soft and fluffy.
"Alex! What're you doing here? You go to Ilvermorny." said Ron while hugging them.
(AN: In the fic, Ron is an Empath. Meaning, he can feel other people's emotions and even influence them. It took a long time for him to learn how to control it and use it for the right reasons but now, he's one of the world's most powerful Empaths. He's the reason Harry and Hermione could keep going during the war. This is also the reason that he could help Hermione with her nightmares in the first chapter. The professors at Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys and Alex know. I know it's random, but I feel like it will really make the story work a little better.)
All he felt when he saw them was pure love and fondness.
"Ilvermorny and Hogwarts have an exchange program. Six seventh year students from Ilvermorny go to Hogwarts for their last year. If it works out next year, Hogwarts students go to Ilvermorny." came the reply. They sat down and gave Ron a peck, to Neville and Luna's surprise.
"I suppose they want to promote school unity after the war." mused Hermione.
"Well, I suppose the cat's outta the bag. Guys this is Alex, they're my partner of the last 4-ish years." said Ron.
Neville, after a sharp breath yelled at Ron, "4 years!?! We've been dorm-mates for 6 years and you tell me now?!"
Alex didn't want their boyfriend to take the blame when it was completely their fault, so they tried to placate a person they had never met, "I wasn't very comfortable with people knowing about our relationship because I get enough backlash for identifying as non-binary. Ron has been extremely supportive." Thankfully, they were quite used to it.
"Wait. Alex, if six students are coming to Hogwarts, who're the other five?" Harry asked hopefully, hoping he would hear one name in particular.
"Well, Imogen Walters, Sebastian Finch, Alaric Malfoy, Annalise Claire, and-...." they looked at Hermione apologetically and said-"Alexander Darius."
"Wait, Malfoy?" Neville, Luna, Ginny and Ron said simultaneously.
Harry and Hermione were quiet, but for completely different reasons.
Harry was jumping with joy (on the inside) because his boyfriend, Sebastian was coming too!!
Hermione didn't know how to feel. She slumped in her seat, conflicted. Should she be happy, should she throw a fit, should she be upset? She was worried about how she was going to act around someone she had like so much. She had dated Alexander 3 years ago and they broke up because long-distance was too hard for them. Hermione wasn't completely over him. In fact, she thought that she was still in love.
(AN: In this fic, Hermione and Ron are both Pansexual, while Harry is gay. He only dated Cho because he was still figuring out his sexuality in his 4th and 5th years.)
Ron felt Hermione's conflicted emotions and grabbed her hand. He pushed through emotions that can only be known as warmth, calm and so deeply Ron. At least that's what Hermione describes it as whenever he does it. He'll help her deal with her feelings about Alexander later, but for now, he decides to keep the conversation moving.
He decides on, "Where are the rest of them now?"
Alex picks up on it immediately and says, "Oh, the Headmistress is giving each of us a briefing as to how the school works, what we should expect, what won't fly, basic stuff like that."
"Classic Minne."
That still didn't seem to take Hermione's mind off of Alexander, so he tried again. "You said something about a Malfoy?"
"Oh yeah. We weren't allowed to say anything about it because the family didn't want him to suffer hate. Apparently Alaric was supposed to go to Hogwarts but after hearing Draco's description, they didn't want the students to be biased about the younger brother too, so he was sent to Ilvermorny."
"That's kinda sad actually." said Neville.
"Yes, it is." said Hermione, her self-righteousness kicking in and finally bringing her into the conversation. "Make it a point to treat him as nicely as possible. All of them, not only Alaric. They're dealing with enough. The entire family's personal life is on the newspapers practically everyday, even though they've been given another chance."
Everyone in the carriage agreed, but they were worried about the rest of the school.
"Shouldn't we change into our robes?' said Luna, in her usual abrupt manner.
"We are getting quite close aren't we?" Ginny immediately replied. By the vibes Ron was getting from both of them, there was attraction between the two but they didn't know what to do about it. Well, they'd figure it out, and if they didn't Harry, the resident Cupid of Gryffindor would help them out.
They changed into their robes and saw the huge towers of Hogwarts come into view. For once, everyone's feelings were in unity. It felt like they were back home.