A/N: Hey all, I know it's been a while, but hopefully I'll be a little bit more faithful with writing my stories, I'm going to try anyway. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, worked hard on it, thank you.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, never have, never will.
The ride was smooth, though long, as Lily and James lived at Potter Manor, a secluded location far from many 'wizardly' places. Aaron sighed in the back seat, his desire had been to use the floo, or apparate, or even use a portkey, but his parents wanted them to experience the drive on their first trip to Hogwarts.
"Why, again, do we have to take the car?" Aaron whined, his legs cramping from disuse.
"Hogwarts is important, so the whole trip must be an experience," James replied, "also, your mum and I don't want you and your sister too dependent on wizarding technology."
Harriet nodded, while Aaron just scowled out the window, the scenery flying by as the car sped through the streets.
"What if we play a game while we wait to get there?" Lily spoke up.
"Yes, please!" Harriet agreed, nudging her brother.
"Fine."
"I'll start, I'm going off to Hogwarts and I'm taking with me, one Antsy Antelope," Lily giggled.
James spoke up, "I'm going off to Hogwarts and I'm taking with me, two Bashful Banshees and one Antsy Antelope."
Aaron sighed, "I'm going off to Hogwarts and I'm taking with me, three Careful Critters, two Bashful Banshees, and one Antsy Antelope."
"I'm going of to Hogwarts and I'm taking with me, four Dastardly Dinosaurs, three Careful Critters, two Bashful Banshees, and one Antsy Antelope," Harriet chortled.
The game continued, through nine Itchy Iguanas and eighteen Quarreling Quail, until finally, they reached twenty-six Zaftig Zebu, and were pulling into the parking lot of King's Cross.
Aaron jumped from the car, stretched his legs, and flung open the trunk, Harriet following closely behind. Lily and James chuckled at the excitement of their children, reminding them of their own excitement about Hogwarts.
"Alright, children," Lily spoke, "hurry up, now, I'd like to make sure we get you a decent spot on the train."
They lugged the baggage into the station, and placed it precariously on the trolley, cautiously making their way through the bustling crowds.
"Do you think we're early enough," Lily glanced at her husband desperately, "I so miss her."
"Absolutely, there's no way we could've missed her," James answered, "even without seven children, Molly is always late."
Lily rolled her eyes, but giggled at her husband.
As they approached the barrier to platform 9 and 3/4, Harriet slowed, her eyes glued to another child's owl. "Aaron, that almost looks like Hedwig!" She pointed at the large white owl.
"It does indeed," Aaron answered, "but Hedwig should already be at the castle, remember?"
"Yes, I was only saying," Harriet smiled.
They passed through the barrier quickly, their luggage no hindrance once the entered the magical platform.
"Quickly now," James called, his excitement rising as he ran towards the beautiful train.
"Oh, James," Lily giggled. She took the trolley from her children, and shooed them forward after her husband, the excitement on their faces equal to her husband's.
Soon it was time to depart, Harriet and Aaron settled in their car, and waited for the possible others who would join them.
Sure enough, a tall, gangly redhead soon joined them, his pet rat snuggled tightly in his pocket.
"Hello, Ronald," Harriet greeted, while Aaron just jumped up and slapped him on the back.
"Hullo guys, mind if I join you?" Ron asked, as he sat down.
"Not at all, mate!" Aaron answered quickly, his green eyes sparkling with excitement.
Harriet shrugged, as long as Aaron was here, Ron would never pick on her. She stared down at her beautiful dress, the butterflies offering no comfort. Any time Ronald. Weasley would come over to their Manor, he would either outright ignore Harriet, if Aaron was in the room, or say snide comments if he wasn't.
Twenty minutes passed, the train ride under way, and the door was flung open by a very bushy haired girl.
"Hello there, have any of you seen a frog?" She said, "Neville's lost one."
Ron and Aaron shook their heads, and the girl turned her frightening gaze on Harriet. "Have you?"
"No." Harriet answered quietly, her shyness taking over.
"Why don't you go help her look?' Ron asked, eager to goof off with Aaron without Harriet getting in the way.
"That would be excellent, thank you!" The girl exclaimed, rapidly grabbing Harriet's hand and dragging her out of there.
Aaron watched as his sister left, his sincere hope that maybe this time, Harriet would make a friend.