Here's a longer chapter than last time as I promised. Currently I'm also reading Chamber of Secrets to catch up on my details. I'll try to update soon but no promises are being made- my weeks are busy with school (unfortunately) and sports.

Disclaimer: I own...*drumroooooollllll* Nothing! Nada! Zilch! And Zero! Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling. Sigh. If only.

Onward, peasants!

*EDIT* Ahhhhh! I just realized a detail that could completely throw my plot off. So in Harry's second year, him and Ron fly to Hogwarts in the Ford. Well, scratch that. In this fic, Dobby decided to take a little day off from terrorizing Sir Harry Potter Sir, and DID NOT mess up the barrier to platform 9 3/4. Therefore, Harry and Ron decided to be nice little boys and not steal the flying car. Instead, they used the train. Sorry for the little mix up. Oops! Okay, now you can read the fic for real:

The Hogwarts Express rolled to a stop, letting out a final puff of steam and stopping its wheels. Harry came out of the loo from changing into his robes (and cautiously reapplying his Glamour- you could never be too careful), a smile wide across his face. "C'mon, let's go!" he said to his friends, eager to get back to the castle.

"Merlin, mate, you're turning into Hermione. Who would've thought; how can you insane people want to get back to school?" Ron said, shaking his head in mock disgust.

Harry punched him playfully in the shoulder, grinning, while Hermione snorted indignantly, "Seriously, you two, could you get any more immature?" she shook her head."Boys, I'll never understand them."

"Well, at least the confusion is mutual, 'Mione. I'd be seriously freaked out if you actually understood us," said Harry, fake shivering to Ron. "It'd be absolutely terrifying, wouldn't it, mate!" Harry and Ron quickly darted out of the train, before they could face Hermione's wrath, laughing like madmen; it was just so fun to grate on Hermione's nerves, they couldn't help it!

"There yer are! I'd been wonderin' when you lot'd show up!" Hagrid beamed down at the two boys, pulling them in gruffly for a hug. Harry winced and hissed into the giant's robes, his back was on fire.

After swallowing the lump in his throat,- that had really, really hurt Harry's abused back- Harry finally managed to say, "It's great to see you, too, Hagrid!" Ron nodded his consent, then they both jumped into a carriage. "Wow, what are these things, Hagrid?" Harry asked, referring to the thestrals manning the carriages.

"What's what?" Ron said, oblivious.

Hagrid gave Harry a sad look. "They're thestrals, Harry," he cleared his throat before continuing, in barely a whisper, "Only those who've witnessed a death'r able to see 'em."

Harry's spirits dampened slightly, but he was fully happy by the time they made it to the castle, just in time for the opening feast. Harry winced slightly as he sat down at his house table. Uncle Vernon had not been kind with his backside over the summer, and it still hurt Harry immensely to sit down. The man had given him a "goodbye present" before he left, which was the belt on Harry's poor, already raw bum and back. He mentally cursed both his uncle and Dobby. The blasted elf had made his relatives furious! It was not something Harry wanted to ever repeat. Despite the annoying house elf's warnings, Harry still went back to Hogwarts. Did Dobby really expect him to stay away? Hogwarts was his home, after all. Harry was jostled out of his (quite depressing) thoughts by the sorting's start. The Sorting Hat sang its song, and the nervous first years were called up, one by one, to sit on the stool and have their fate decided. Ron looked rather anxious as his sister, Ginny, was called up last to be sorted. "Gryffindor!" the Hat shouted, and the Gryffindor table exploded with applause and cheering. Ginny sat next to Ron, Harry, and Hermione, looking rather embarrassed but also pleased.

"Always knew you'd be a lion, Ginny! Good job, you've carried on the family legacy. Can you imagine, a Weasley in Slytherin?" Ron said, grinning at his sister.

"Y'know, Ginny, Ron here actually seemed a bit anxious for your sorting. Such a sweet big brother," Harry teased his mate, winking at Ginny.

"Oh, it doesn't surprise me, Harry. Ickle Ronniekins is always such a sweetheart. He's always concerned if I'm alright," Ginny fired back, grinning impishly at Harry.

"I've seen him all worried, too, about his little sister. He tries to hide it, but I suppose he can't help the brotherly love," Hermione added, while Harry and Ginny burst out laughing.

"Oi, shut up, you lot. I do nothing of the sort," Ron said, but his ears were bright red. Harry suddenly felt ravenous, and dug in to his plate full of food. He looked up, seeing his friends do the same. But soon enough, his food was gone and Harry felt like he had eaten a whole Hippogriff. He was actually quite proud of all that he ate. Usually back at Hogwarts, his stomach couldn't hold very much food at first; after getting half starved by his relatives, he had to build up his food capacity slowly. As the Gryffindors were herded to their tower, Harry smiled contentedly. He was finally home!

The very end of this chapter was bad, I know. How are you liking the Golden Trio so far? Next update might not be till a week or so, sorry. I'm going to be extremely busy this week!

Next up: Harry's night of sleep is anything but restful...