Ron and Hermione leave for the prefects' carriage

PAGES: 183-184

Once aboard the Hogwarts Express, Ron and Hermione reveal to Harry that they must leave to join the other prefects. Harry, now feeling slightly abandoned, is left with Ginny as they search for an empty compartment. Harry reflects on the strangeness of traveling without his two best friends and the attention he receives from the other students due to the stories in the Daily Prophet.