Harry ran through the barrier leading to platform 9 3/4 's, this time as a 5th year. The sight of the Scarlet steam rising in the air from the train to Hogwart's was a familiar and welcome sign. After a summer at the Dursley's house Harry would have welcomed Neville's toad or Ron's old defective wand!
He looked around for his two best friends, Ron and Hermione. He had been able to garner some contact with them through ought the summer holiday's, but this time he'd be able to talk to them and not have to face Uncle Vernon's purple face as his Owl, Hedwig, left the house.
"Harry!" Shouted a familiar, now lower, voice. Harry saw Ron and Hermione weaving their way through throngs of parents and children. He didn't really notice when they reached him because he was thrown back to his first look at the Hogwarts express. He remembered being completely awe struck at all the families performing simple tricks to awe their first year kids to give them a taste of magic and lighten up their nervousness. He remembered meeting Ron for the first time, both of them just 11. Without his family, Harry would have missed the train on his very first day.
"Ron! Hermione!" Harry called back, snapping out of his memories just in time to hear Mrs. Weasley ushering them onto the train. Harry gave Mrs. Weasley a hug while she pressed a bag full of Cakes, Sandwiches, Chocolate and a sealed goblet of Pumpkin Juice.
"Deary, you really are too thin! How they treat you back at that house of yours is absolutely horrid. Well, off you go!" She half mumbled and half shouted. Harry nodded and said thank you to Mrs. Weasley before boarding the train.
"Hermione, Ron! We need to find a compartment, otherwise all the places will be taken."
"Sorry mate, we can't sit with you. We need to do prefect stuff, like make sure all the Slytherin's don't push the first year's out of the window or anything."
"Alright then. See you when we get there then." Harry replied back, disappointed now that he had no idea where to sit. Ginny, Neville, Luna, Dean and Seamus were already in packed compartments. He passed compartment after compartment, when he finally found one. It was partly occupied, but by Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy. What other choice did he have? Reluctantly he opened the compartment door and slid inside the compartment, hoping the three hadn't notice him, and wouldn't for the rest of the journey.
"Look, it's Potter! What are you doing here?" Malfoy said, the usual sneer in his voice.
"No where else to sit. You think I want to sit here?" Harry snapped, a similar sneer in his voice due to his intense dislike of Malfoy.
"Well we don't want you here. Just shut up, and we might not have a problem." Malfoy replied back while Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles in an attempt to be threatening. Harry leaned back and stared at the sealing, not daring to fall asleep or close his eyes because of his 3 compartment mates.
