Darling, I'm just so nervous about letting you go back there."

Mum was helping me to pack the last of my things into my trunk. I stopped to give her a fierce hug.

"It'll be OK Mum, I promise. The war is over now."

After Draco had returned back to me after the war, the first thing we did was get my parents back home. We managed to find them in Australia and return their memories. They were obviously horrified when they had learnt about everything that had happened.

The truth was I was nervous about going back. So much had happened in the past two years since I'd been there, it seemed almost unnatural to step back into student mode. Yet I needed to complete my education if I wanted a decent career.

I was looking forward to seeing Draco again, though. After bringing my parents home, I moved back in with them. It was difficult not being with Draco but he insisted I spent the summer having quality time with my parents. Draco went to stay with his now ailing mother who had returned to Malfoy Manor after his father had handed himself in.

I missed him a lot but we kept in touch. Being away from him made me feel nervous after everything we had been through. But I knew, this time, that we would always come back to each other.

And now we were about to go back to Hogwarts.

***

As I stepped onto platform nine and three quarters, the first thing I saw was a family of red heads.

"Rosie!" Molly cried, pulling me into her fierce embrace. "It's so good to see you my dear."

My heart filled with warmth at the familiarity of her hug.

"I'm sorry, Molly. I should have visited more often over the summer," I said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Nonsense, my dear! It was important to spend time with your parents, you missed out on so much time together," she said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"Pah - pathetic excuse! You should have definitely visited more often!"

"Fred!" I said squealing with delight as I threw my arms around him.

"It's good to see you looking so happy, Rosie," he said, enveloping me in a bear hug.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the shop?"

"I thought I'd take the morning off to wave all you suckers goodbye," he said grinning. "I can't believe you're all actually going back there."

"It's going to be strange, but I need an education if I want to do anything with my life," I sighed. Once they had reopened school, McGonagall invited us all back to repeat the final year. Even those who had attended during Snape's reign.

As a result, Hogwarts was going to be very busy this year. That was apparent from the mad bustle on the platform. I couldn't help but glance around, trying to catch sight of white-blonde hair.

"It's going to be strange without Harry, though." Said Ron, who appeared behind Fred.

I wrinkled my nose. Harry was still a sore subject for me. I didn't think I could ever forgive him for what he did.

"Hey, Ron," I smiled. "Good summer? How's Hermione?"

"Ask her yourself," he said beaming, as she came running over to us, red faced and bushy haired.

"Ron!" She flung herself into his arms, planting a sloppy kiss on his lips.

"Ugh! Guys! I've not long had my breakfast!" Fred roared, pretending to gag.

"Come on," said Ginny, grabbing my arm. "Let's get on the train before it leaves without us."

Hugs and kisses went all around as Ginny, Ron, Hermione and I gathered our luggage and stepped on board the Hogwarts Express.

"Reckon we'll manage to find an empty compartment?" Wondered Ron. "It's going to be rammed this year."

He wasn't wrong. Each compartment we passed was full. Some even had students sat on the floor. Hogwarts was surely going to struggle with the vast capacity this year.

We eventually found a compartment which was only occupied by two others - Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.

"Alright, Seamus, Dean," Ron grinned. "Good to be back on the old girl, isn't it?"

I hurriedly stowed my trunk away in the overhead compartment and eyed the door. This did not go by unnoticed by Hermione.

"We won't be offended if you want to go and find him," she smiled slyly.

Grinning, I turned and headed out. I decided to head towards the Slytherin compartments, where he used to always sit.

It was a strange feeling. Draco and I had been through so much and yet, I was nervous. Perhaps it was being back on this train, making me feel as though the past couple of years had never happened.

I was just stepping onto the next carriage when hands grabbed my waist from behind, making me gasp.

"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Draco growled huskily in my ear.

I span round, smiling, as Draco snaked his arms around me, pulling me firmly up against his chest.

"God, I've missed you, Rosie," he murmured, catching my lips hungrily in his, making me tremble in longing and desire.

"You never fail to make me go weak at the knees, Draco Malfoy," I grinned, panting slightly in the wake of his kiss.

"I'll remind you of that when we're old and grey," his silver grey eyes twinkled.

He looked up over my shoulder, suddenly noticing where I was headed.

"Rosie Carter, don't tell me that you were actually heading to the Slytherin compartments?" He asked in mock shock.

"I was looking for you," I laughed. "Although, seeing as I am actually a Slytherin, why not? It's about time they accept me. If I'm good enough for the Slytherin Prince..."

Draco's eyes glittered and he planted a kiss on my forehead before taking my hand.

"Come on, I've saved us a carriage fit enough for the Slytherin Princess herself."

He had, in fact, managed to get us one of our own. He wrapped his arms around me as we sat with our feet up across one side of the compartment, my back leaning into his chest.

"How're you feeling about going back there?" He asked as we watched the fields flying past us out the window.

I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing how to put it into words.

He squeezed me tight to him, kissing the top of my head.

"You've got me, Rosie," he murmured. "We'll get through it together."

"It's just- it feels wrong, going back to the life we had before. It's as if nothing happened." My eyes automatically looked down at my stomach and a familiar pang went through my heart.

"Rosie," Draco said, his voice stern. "What we went through - what you went through, it will never be forgotten, never be shrugged off. It makes you who you are today. And you are beautiful, Rosie. Never forget that."

My heart warmed at his words, and I snuggled deeper into his body, drawing comfort from him.

"I love you, Draco." I whispered.

"And I love you too, Rosie."

***