Harry, after dropping Hermione at her residence, returned back to the Potter Manor. This was going to be his last meeting with Hermione before Hogwarts reopened.
She was going on a small tour with her parents to Eastern Europe. For Hermione, seeing and visiting new places where she could ask countless questions and gather knowledge was pure bliss. She was going to have a blissful few days with her parents. And she was going to be happy about those days.
On the other hand, about Barty Jr., Harry was certain that Barty Jr. would be on his way towards Albania, where his fateful meeting with Peter would take place. And thereafter Harry's orchestrated plan would proceed. He did not need to do any more manoeuvring. Voldemort's plan was going to carry his own plan forward. Hopefully.
"Dobby," Harry called as soon as he took his seat in the hall of Potter Manor.
The house elf popped in and greeted, "Lord Potter."
It had been only a few days since Harry had promised for Dobby to become house elf of house Potter and in these few days, Dobby had improved a lot in his behaviour. He had gotten control over his over enthusiastic self.
"How is she doing?" Harry questioned.
"Winky is not good," said Dobby with a sad expression. "Winky is crying and beating herself. Winky blames herself for not listening to her master's words. Winky is also not eating any food."
Harry nodded. He had been expecting this. "Okay."
"Take care of her, and make sure she eats enough and does not harm herself," said Harry. "Make sure she does not beat herself to death."
Dobby nodded in acknowledgement.
"I will meet her at a later date," Harry added further.
Dobby nodded again and popped away from the hall.
.
.
.
The remaining two weeks before Hogwarts reopened for the new session passed in a blink. Harry had nothing much to do during these two weeks. So, he used this time to sleep and remain idle in the Potter Manor. After returning from the future, he had shed all his insecurities and was enjoying a life in which he had no anxiety or fear over the slightest of things. He had also spent a lot of his time gazing into the water stream next to Potter Manor or simply lying on the soft green grass surrounding it.
And finally, it was the day for him to return back to Hogwarts. Harry apparated and appeared into an isolated street behind King's Cross Station, after which he arrived toward platforms 9 and 10.
A brown haired girl was already waiting for him at the station.
"Harry!" Hermione bounced with joy upon seeing him after a gap of two weeks.
She quickly took hold of his hands, and only the presence of other pedestrians kept her from throwing herself into Harry's arms.
"Hermione," said Harry, as he slowly caressed her face.
She flushed red and muttered meekly, "Harry!"
Harry shook his head in amusement at the shy behaviour from Hermione. To think that a bold and brash girl like her could act so shy.
"Let us go," he said as he walked toward platform 9¾, the pillar between platform 9 and 10. Hermione followed behind, pushing her cart.
The other side of the platform was mostly empty. The duo had arrived early, and very few students were there yet, certainly not the Weasleys. The Hogwarts Express was already stationed at the platform, and a few students had taken their seats.
After Hermione walked in, Harry waved his fingers and just like when they had been leaving Hogwarts after their third year the large trunk in Hermione's cart shrank in size to a miniature version.
Hermione's face lit up at the sight. She picked up the trunk in visible awe and placed it in her robes.
"Harry," she said, "this time, during the train ride itself, you have to teach me this. Now I can use magic."
"Fine," Harry agreed.
A grin spread on her face, her happiness quite palpable.
"Let us take our seats," Harry said, and the duo boarded the Hogwarts Express.
They had walked some distance down the corridor of the train when the door of a compartment opened with a bang.
Four students emerged from the compartment, laughter echoing among them. Their faces were marred with wide grins as if they had accomplished something. An unusual smirk and the arrogance was palpable on their faces.
They stiffened slightly upon suddenly seeing Harry standing so close. Their laughter died instantly and silence returned back to the corridor.
Harry did not move, and despite their desire to force him aside, a creeping fear spread through them. Though he looked as ordinary as ever, his presence was suppressing them. And his reputation as the Boy who lived was certainly adding to this. They squeezed past him without another word.
Harry moved toward the compartment, but Hermione, still not understanding his behaviour, spoke softly, "Harry… the compartment seems occupied…"
"Let us take a look first," said Harry as he pushed the door open and entered. Hermione followed.
Inside the compartment, on one of the berths, a girl was sitting with her head resting against the glass pane of the window. Her blonde hair was in disarray. Her face was expressionless, and even Harry and Hermione's entry drew no reaction from her.
On the opposite seat, a metallic trunk was lying open. Its contents, the books, clothes, and parchments were sprawled across the compartment. The books were torn and damp with water, the clothes were trampled with muddy shoe prints clearly visible on them.
The girl's own clothes were in dishevelled condition. The robe she was wearing had been pulled and was torn in three places. She was wearing no shoes. They were missing. She was barefoot.
"Harry…" Hermione muttered slowly, her voice anxious. It did not take a genius to see the girl had been bullied.
Harry did not answer. The air in the compartment turned heavy and still.
"It seems," the girl's expressionless voice, her eyes still fixed outside the window pane, broke the silence, "that they had nothing left to do for you, Harry Potter. They already had their fun."
Harry narrowed his eyes but did not respond immediately.
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