Chapter Two: Hogwarts Express

Leaving the Dursleys was always a pleasant feeling.

Getting out of that house, getting to go across London. Small things, really, but so very important. Small glimpses of paradise after so long in darkness. It didn't matter he had to sit in a car with his esteemed family, shoulder throbbing in pain. It didn't matter if he was the one who had to keep to his cousin's side, stiff and pressed against the door.

No, what mattered was the train station, the wall with '9' and '10' on either side of it, and the feel of magic washing over him as he passed between them at 9 ¾ with a wide, ear-splitting grin. That rolling feel of magic, it was a pleasure to behold, but not the one which drew him upright with a wide sense of being right.

The true pleasures were his friends waiting for him, Hermione being the first to envelope him in a hug. Ron, wide grin in place as his lanky form towered over others in their own year. The near-savage grin on Ginny's face, always a terror to behold. The dreamy distance Luna held, a hint she knew something but wasn't about to share. And then there was Neville's gentle blush, a plant tucked between quivering hands.

These were his moments, his happiness, and, as they entered the train, the times of his utmost horror. They always had questions. Unending, relentless, 'I don't care if you're not comfortable' questions. So Harry was stuck, once more, in a place and time where he could only ride out the events, smiling at his friends' antics.

"Yeah, mum was pissed." Ron was saying, and Harry felt a grin building. The redhead was smiling, all teeth, and even Ginny was suppressing a wide, hard grin. She wasn't sitting still, either. Hair pulled up, she looked ready to fly. Ron leaned in, silent for a moment, before saying, "Then, before anyone knew what was happening, the table started to shake. Boom-Boom-Boom! Percy looked ready to start screaming."

Hermione had set her book aside, a disapproving look marring her brow. Neville looked as pale as the past-Percy Ron was describing. Luna was, well, being Luna. She was reading a book upside down, but by the occasional, airy giggle she gave told Harry she was paying attention to the story their redheaded friend was telling.

Harry turned his gaze back on Ron as the ginger jumped up. "Then, whoosh! The table went flying, right out the window. A gap in the wall! Shattered plates and mush-for-food!"

"Mum was furious!" Ginny put her own two-cents in. She rose to her feet, and Ron dunked to sit on the chair as Neville tossed a Chocolate Frog into his mouth. The youngest Weasley looked over the small gathering. "It was obvious. Our home has had no ghosts since the parting of our great-grandfather, when Charlie was a baby. She turned, her gaze falling on the only two who could have conjured up something of this magnitude..."

"And it was Fred!" Ron exclaimed, butting in. Ginny leveled an even glower at her brother as he rose, arms wide stretched. Harry chuckled. Leave it to Ron to take the spotlight. It was one of the few things he was good at. Tell tall tales. The redhead kept going, eyes alight with happiness. "He was making a run for the door, but mum was faster. She whipped out her wand, roared with rage, and then our brother was on the ground, unmoving!"

"I thought mum killed him, so into her anger!" It was neither of the youngest who spoke, but from the doorway leading into the rest of the train. Harry turned, catching sight of the grinning twins, one of two a tad paler than normal.

Harry bit back a snort of amusement. George leant against the wall, smiling as he continuing, "It was an impressive show of nonverbal magic, on mum's part. Hit the wrong target, though. One of them, as it turns out to be! One twin is as guilty as the other."

They all laughed, easily envisioning the tale that unfolded. Harry couldn't help the grin spreading across his face. The twins. Another set of his makeshift family. It wasn't long before the girls were leaving, going to their own compartment to change. Harry already wore his robes. They were nicer than the clothing the Dursleys had for him.

That, and he didn't want to change in front of the others.

So he turned his head away, content to watch as the small village outside Hogwarts slowly creep closer. They pulled into the train station. Unloading was an easy process. They didn't have to gather their belongings; house elves did that for them, knowing where each suitcase went even if only a name was listed.

Sometimes the things they knew was scary. Harry followed the rest of his group across the white, snowy ground. Groups of students milled about, waiting for friends to come together. It was easy to spot certain groups, like Malfoy and his friends. A few ravenclaws waved as Harry passed, and he offered them a sharp grin.

Hufflepuffs kept their heads down. Harry watched a few of them, curious. Not much was known about those students. The other houses rarely even bothered to care. Cedric came to mind, then. Tanned and smiling, always eager to help and repaying school loyalty with school loyalty even if it meant cheating.

Harry's gaze shifted to the carriages bound to take them to the school, and the beasts who drew them forward. Horses of Death. Death's Horses. Luna was eyeing them too. They had already spoken about how she could see them. It was a brief encounter, almost easy to forget. Second year; she had gotten lost, and he had stumbled into her in the hallway after curfew had passed.

She had been a tiny first year, like he himself. They were the same height, regardless of the difference in age. Not knowing why, Harry had sat in an empty classroom with her, both of them tucked under his Cloak, and had fallen asleep. She had woken him an hour before he usually got up, and he was able to get into Gryffindor Commons before his friends were even up.

It was a miracle, really.

So, as they made their way into the building, Harry quietly excused himself from the group. He wasn't hungry. When Hermione leveled a stern look on him, Harry tucked his head next to hers, voice light as he said, "No worries, Herms. Just fill me in on anything important. I think even the smell of food will make me sick, at the moment."

She looked him over, and, after a moment, sighed. "We'll see you after the feast. I'll bring up some broth and juice, too, just in case your appetite comes back."

They split ways easily, and he vanished soundlessly. He'd rather have a few hours to himself in his home, before the halls were filled with sound and riots and laughter. So he set off, feet carrying him silently through the building. He was finally back, after several months of torture. Another year. Another murder attempt in the making

For now, though, he would enjoy himself while he had time.

Author's Note

Okay, first off, it might be a good idea to know this part will always be down here. Just incase I have anything to say. As you have read, I did make a few changes. Such as meeting Luna Lovegood in his second year instead of his, what, fifth? It's not all that easy to remember, given it was so long ago that I read the books. I'm working on buying them all. Lovely series, and one that I can never hope to stand on even-ground with.

The third update should be done sometime soon. I have the next two days off, and I'm also working on an original short-story on FictionPress. Horror-based and also a fantasy. Anyway, this chapter is done and over with, so onto the next!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I do hope to see a review or two.