I remember each time I entered Platform 9&3/4 at King's Cross every year. They had always been happy memories, walking through the enchanted wall and into the crowd of magical folk, trying to spot my friends in them, and, finally, getting onto the Hogwarts Express. At least, the first six times they had been happy memories. That all changed when I did it the seventh time.
Gran walked next to me, her wand clutched in her hand, her eyes swiveling around in their sockets, making sure that they would spy any danger in the platform. It hadn't been hard to figure out that You-Know-Who had taken over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, especially when Snape had been named Headmaster. When we entered the platform itself, the air was not charged with excitement, as it usually was. It was heavy with dread and sadness, clinging to everyone it touched. It was like there were dementors hidden somewhere in the terminal. Now that I think about it, there probably were. The crowd was also much smaller this year. I noticed that many of them missing were Muggle-borns.
Before I got on the train, Gran grabbed me and turned me toward her. "Now Neville," she said, her voice wavering as she tried to hide her concern, "I want you to be very careful at Hogwarts. It's not the same anymore. With Snape and the Carrows running the show, the punishments will not be limited to detentions. Don't do anything stupid to get yourself in trouble." This was the first time she'd shown real concern for me, after the time when I'd spilled cider on her brand new white dress five times within an hour, and the concern then was directed toward my mental status. "Promise you'll be careful!"
"I promise," I replied.
"Well, of you go then!" I jumped onto the train, just seconds before the whistle blew and the train started on its path to Hogwarts. I looked out the window and saw Gran, and I noticed that her eyes were clouded with fear.
Fifteen minutes later I was working my way forward in the train, trying to find Ginny and Luna. A few minutes later, I found Ginny and Luna alone in a compartment. I noticed from the outside that they seemed to be talking in normal tones, yet I couldn't hear them. They must have done mufliato, which meant that they were talking about something important, and possible You-Know-Who related. I opened the door and they were suddenly silent, until they realized that I wasn't a Death Eater who was about to kill them.
"Hi Neville," said Luna in her usual dreamy voice.
"Yeah, hi," said Ginny, sounding depressed, and looking slightly paler than usual. I figured that I shouldn't ask why.
I slid the door closed, sat down, and asked, "So, is it true?"
"Yes," Luna and Ginny replied at the same time, both knowing what I was talking about.
"Kingsly told us at my brother's wedding, right before Death Eaters started apparating in," Ginny continued, "My family is now being followed by those blasted Death Eaters!"
I lowered my voice, even though the mufliato charm was still working, "Do you know if Harry, Ron, and Hermione are safe?" Ginny paled even more, so much that had she not been moving, I might've thought she was dead.
"They disappeared right after the Death Eaters escaped, "Ginny said, her voice cracking so much that I could barely understand what she was saying. Suddenly I remembered seeing her and Harry kissing in the Gryffindor common room the term before, and, feeling sorry for her, quickly changed the subject.
"So, do you think we should bring back the DA?" I asked.
A silence went unbroken for a full minute, at least, before Luna said, "Yes," sounding as if she was agreeing to go to a tea party. We both focused on our attention on Ginny, who was trying to pull herself back into reality.
She finally said, "For Harry!"