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I don't know how the Weasley's manage to be late every single time. At some point they would come up with an efficient packing system, but no, mad scramble every time. Well the twins and Ron scrambled. Ginny was already packed since she dragged Hermione into helping her go through her cloths to find out what to wear the night before. Ginny was of the opinion that just because she grew up with basically no feminine influences didn't mean she had to look like a boy the rest of her life. She was proud to be a girl and liked to show it off. I had run away the second Ginny mentioned clothes to Hermione because I'm hopeless with fashion. I grew up in a cupboard with Dudley's cast offs. My only knowledge of clothing is does it need to be tied to stay on or will it sit well enough on me to do without knots.

I was mostly packed with only a few knick-knacks and keepsakes left around my bed at Grimmauld Manor. Hedwig absolutely refused to sit in a cage that was tossed about while I rushed to get my things together. The moment I entered the room she was on me insisting I pack. Ruddy owl nearly took my ear off.

Clack!

Hedwig is now glaring holes into me from her cage. Sometimes having a logic defying owl just wasn't worth it. I slip her some owl treats to avoid her fury murmuring "if you don't like what you see then don't read my mind."

Sirius must have heard because he begins "polite" chuckle-coughing while Remus studies me, questioning my sanity. It's not my fault Hedwig is a goddess among avians. She apparently approves of that sentiment as she starts trilling smugly.

"Harry, mate! Help! I can't find my Canons' socks!" Ron pleaded as his footsteps rush around upstairs. I sigh and trudge upstairs. The room Ron and I shared was in shambles. There was stuff everywhere. I just stand there gaping in awed horror at the destruction of hurricane Ron. Ron turns to me, eyes wide in crazed panic.

"What are you just standing there for! Help me! Hermione's going to be insufferable if we miss the train because I didn't pack!" He quickly flings himself at me clutching the front of my shirt. He stares up at me and whimpers "heelpp meeeee…" I shove him off and survey the room. The OCD the Dursleys beat into me is giving me a heart-attack at the mess, but all those chores were useful for something. Within five minutes I've taken charge and we attack the mess, somehow managing to pack Ron's trunk.

I pick up one end as we make our way downstairs, Ron relieved while I'm traumatized. So much stuff. Shudder. Standing there are fifteen disgruntled order members, four teenagers, and a dog. Finally dropping Ron's trunk I make my way over to Padfoot. I scratch his head, listening to the lecture about safety, nearly vibrating with excitement. We're finally going to Hogwarts! I've been yearning to go home since the trial. I study my friends.

Hermione is listening intently, but she's clearly just as excited as me. I could see the look in her eyes, the same one that probably gave Madam Pince nightmares. There was a fire behind her chocolate orbs. An unquenchable hunger for knowledge. Usually that look indicated a visit to the library where she devoured texts like it was going out of style. Even the most studious of Ravenclaws bowed before Hermione's warpath. Hermione is bloody scary.

Ron was sort of paying attention, but I know the look on his face. He's thinking about the feast. Now, despite what most people think, Ron actually does have a personality outside of food, quidditch, and chess. Those three things were just such a prominent part of him that the rest is buried. His table manner had come a long way from first year. Thank Salazar's left foot for small mercies. He still wouldn't be winning any awards but at least you could look at him without being mildly sick. Despite this I knew the moment things got serious he would snap into focus, studying the danger with calculating eyes.

Ginny looked like a queen about to conquer, arms crossed, chin raised, and confident fire in her whiskey eyes. Ginny had changed the most this year. She now reminded me a bit of Hedwig, self-assured and happy to show you who's boss. She had an air about her of someone who didn't care what you thought, she was going to do her own thing and Morgana help you if you protest. The part of me still down in that chamber standing over her cold body was ecstatic and swelling with pride. This wasn't the silly little girl who fell for Riddle's charms. This was a confident young women who would be standing right next to me stabbing snakes and plunging basilisk fangs into diary's (probably after kicking the dark dork in the nards.) Looking at her made me feel a bit fuzzy inside.

The twins look like they always do. Fred was front and center with his devil-may-care attitude. He would do whatever he wanted, damn the consequences. George was a little more subdued, but still ready to cause mischief. He scanned the room almost searching for unhappiness to destroy. This is how I tell the twins apart, Fred pulls jokes because he likes having one over on someone, George does it to make people laugh. They were quite formidable when combined.

At this point the lecture was over, not that I heard any of it. We made our way to Kings Cross. The trip is nothing to talk about. When we finally got to the station Sirius nipped my sleeve and lead me into an empty terminal. He transformed back and is now standing before me.

"Are you mad, someone could see you!" I whispered angrily. Sirius's eyes sparkled with amusement as he drew me into a hug. I went limp in the embrace while he muttered "don't worry, I'll miss you too Harry." I clutched him a little tighter. If there is one thing that makes me hate the Dursleys is that even after two years I still couldn't tell Sirius I cared about him. Everytime I try Uncle Vernon's voice whispers in the back of my mind that no one could ever love a freak like me. I'm afraid if I say something it'll make our relationship more official, and it'll hurt even more when he sees how horrible I am. Logically, I knew it wasn't true, but years of hatred don't just leave because you think really hard.

Sirius then let go and pulls a package out of his pocket. He explains "I debated giving this too you but decided it was worth the risk. This is something your father and I invented to talk to each other during detention if we were separated. If you ever need me, just say my name and I'll be there for you."

I look up at Sirius with wide eyes. Nodding, I reverently put the package in my pocket. We stare at each other for a moment, I'm not the only one of us who's emotionally damaged. It's enough though, what we can't say but need the other to know is conveyed in the look. Then Sirius becomes Padfoot once more and we slip out to join the group. Ron and hermione look at me questioningly, but I shake my head then jerk it up towards 9 ¾ . They understand, we'll talk on the train. Ginny smiles at me, picking up on my brighter mood. We casually make our way to the barrier and go through as inconspicuously as possible.

On the other side is the gleaming scarlet engine itself, the Hogwarts Express. Us teenagers split up and board the train. The twins go off to find their friend Lee Jordan while Ron and Hermione make there way to the Prefects carriage.

That had been a point of tension among us. At least, that's what everyone thought. When our letters arrived even I had expected there to be an extra weight in mine. The relief I felt when there wasn't one is indescribable. I had been sure Professor Dumbledore would override Professor Mcgonagall about this. After determining I wasn't Prefect I turned to Ron, who hadn't opened his letter yet, and congratulated him on the position. Ron and I were the only true contenders, Seamus isn't interested in positions of authority, Dean is too focused on his art, and Neville just doesn't have the confidence. I thought it was obvious Ron would get it, as I had told Professor Mcgonagall at the end of last year. She already suspected I would hate the responsibility and authority of being Prefect, but she wanted to be sure. Everyone else was convinced I was the only option.

Ron had ripped his letter open to check and the whispering began. Ron could only stutter "I guess I'm a Prefect." I didn't understand why Hermione was looking at me with trepidation or why everyone was so shocked when I heard Kingsley mutter to Remus about how I should have been one. For an auror, Kingsley isn't the most subtle person and Ron heard as well. He had turned to me, also confused, but a tiny bit mad and jealous thinking I would agree. They would probably never forget my reaction.

"Are you serious!-"

"Yes"

"Shut up Sirius! You lot have got to be kidding me. I would think that after four years you would know me as well as Mcgonagall-"

"Professor Mcgonagall!"

"Not helping Hermione! But really, after four bloody years what on earth makes you think I would want any position of authority? I hate having a responsibility to others! It makes me panic! I lived in a freaking cupboard for all ten of my formative years! I hate attention and making important decisions about others gives me hives! Ron, on the other hand, loves opportunities to prove himself. He can be very responsible and mature when the situation calls for it, but he still has a sense of humor. Not only is he great Prefect material, but he's a perfect counterbalance to Hermione. He can keep her religious devotion to the rules in check while also being capable of compromise. Ron makes perfect sense and the rest of you can shut up!"

I was panting by the end. Ron has been a great friend to me over the years, baring on rocky patch, and I know him. I'm also his friend and anyone who wants to insult him can find out just what that basilisk felt when I stabbed it. Ron was blushing like mad but grinning at me in appreciation. I could tell Ron felt better about the whole thing. Good. He would feel like he deserved the position if I had to beat it into his head. Hermione was also beaming at me. After fourth year she loved it when Ron and I showed our close friendship. She also liked it when Ron showed confidence in himself. Subtle Hermione. After that no one questioned Ron's position. Or at least they didn't do it where I would hear them.

Ginny and I waved them off as we also made our way into the train. While searching for a compartment for all of us we ran into Neville. He was a bit surprised when asked him to join us. After all his stuttering and blushing Ginny and I looked at each other. We would definitely have to do something about his confidence. After searching a bit more we found a compartment with only one person. As compartments comfortably sat six students, we asked the girl inside if we could join her. Well, Ginny asked. Sort off. She burst through the door exclaiming "Luna! Great to see you! We're going to join you, okay? Okay, great! Scoot over, I want to sit across from Neville."

Ginny sat across from Neville and immediately launched into conversation. I sat down across from the new girl. Luna, apparently, was a small girl with long dirty blond hair. She also had wide blueish-grey eyes that were in a permanent state of shock. Her wide eyes rose from her magazine and bore into my own. I smiled at her. Any friend of Ginny's is a friend of mine. She smiled softly and said " your Harry Potter."

"I know, and your Luna" I replied amused.

"Oh, I know that too." She said wisely. She tilts her head, still staring. We sat like that for a few more minutes before my mouth decided to say something.

"What do you see?" I blushed as she furrowed her brow. She pouted her lips a bit in concentration.

"What do you mean, Harry Potter?" She inquired, less dazed than before. I blinked and thought a bit.

"What do you see that makes you so surprised?" I finally articulated my curiosity. Luna's stare increased in intensity. She seemed to be examining my very soul, judging my sincerity.

"Why I guess I see the same thing you do Harry Potter. I just see it differently. Does that make you uncomfortable?" She finally stated. I stare back at her.

"No, it doesn't. It'd probably be really boring if we saw things the same way." I told her honestly. "And it's Harry by the way. My friends just call me Harry."

For some reason that made Luna smile. It was a brilliant smile that lit up the carriage. She has a nice smile. "I'm glad to be your friend Harry." She replied musically. She then went back to reading as Ginny tried to get my attention.

"Harry! Hey, you paying attention? I was just telling Neville here that we're preparing in every way possible for You-Know-Who. Neville believes he's back!" Ginny is sitting up, quite excited by the news. Neville is sitting a little hunched over, but shyly smiling at me. Luna, never looking away from her magazine trills "I believe you too Harry." I smile at them (not that Luna can see it) and cheerily agree "that's great guys, we need all the help we can get!"

I then join Ginny and Neville's conversation, leaving Luna to her reading. Neville is telling us about all the uses plants can have in a fight, especially magical ones. Ginny and I listen intently, making note to discuss this more later. Neville has some really fantastic ideas and we could use all the ideas we can get.

Around this point Hermione and Ron showed up. They were still making their rounds so the could only talk for about fifteen minutes. Mostly the two of them complaining that Malfoy had been made Prefect of Slytherin. They all expressed their sympathies, except Luna, she said in a matter of fact way that Malfoy had too many nargles to be healthy. She also begged us to not get her started on his wrackspurt infestation. Luna kept lamenting how bad she felt for Malfoy but only Ginny and I seemed to catch on to the joke. We were in tears we were laughing so hard. Ginny got it because she had known Luna for so long and I was taking her comment of seeing things differently very seriously. I can only guess but I but I think 'nargles' and 'wrackspurts' were metaphors for bad characteristics.

When Hermione and Ron had to move on we kept talking, this time including Luna. What she had to say, while it sometimes made no sense, was brilliant, insightful, and very very funny. Luna's sharp as a tack and she knows it. Her dry commentary on the ineptitude of the ministry had all of howling and rolling on the floor. Luna was somehow even better at sarcasm than Ginny, and Ginny's the only person I know other than me who appreciates the art of dry wit. Sure, Hermione can deadpan as well as anyone else but she considers veiled insults beneath her. If she thinks you're being stupid she'll flat out. Ginny and I made some headway corrupting her during our research sessions, but she still thought intelligence was better spent on other things.

Hermione and Ron showed up again an hour later and stayed this time. We all began talking and the moment I was waiting for finally began. Hermione is sitting, scowling down at the Quibbler (Luna had told us about her father's magazine when they were gone) and starting to bristle. She whips her head up to Luna and exclaims;

"This is all rubbish! Where are you facts! There are absolutely no references or sources. This is all nonsensical speculation! All the hypotheses stated are preposterous and baseless. Your lack of evidence is an unsightly blight on the scientific medium!"

Oh no, I miscalculated. This was a four syllable rant. Ron's eyes had long since glazed over and Luna actually looked a bit bothered. I didn't expect Hermione to take it so seriously. While Hermione was taking a deep breath, ramping up for more panicking I begin searching for help. I meet Ginny's eyes and find my center. Silently telling Ginny follow my lead I begin.

"You'll have to forgive Hermione Luna, the encyclopedia gods get irritated if she strays into something as blasphemous as fiction. As persuasive as the Quibbler is the lack of so called proof makes her poor devote heartbreak." I stayed completely serious the whole time. Ginny picks it up and continues

"Yes, it's quite tragic, but the librarians had already sunk their teeth into her before we could warn her. Losing another friend to their cult was hard, almost harder than losing Percy. It's too late though, she's been converted." Ginny managed to look more and more heartbroken as she went on. By now everyone is laughing. Hermione huffs but the curl of her lips and happy flush betray her. Luna perks up and laughs as well. We had about another hour of peace. Hermione had caught on and learned not to take what Luna says absolutely seriously. Just as I'm getting comfortable the door to the compartment slides open. I look up to see my favorite bouncing ferret, Draco Malfoy.

Ron begins to scowl while Hermione frowns. Neville shrinks in on himself and Ginny raises a brow in defiance. Luna turns back to her magazine, her superior mind above such mortal foolishness. I, however, have an awful idea. An awful, terrible, wonderful idea. Letting my success at the ministry spur me on I stand up and hug the git.

Pin-dropping silence follows this but I ignore it and babble "Draco, old buddy, old pal! Where have you been. I've been waiting for your visit! It's the highlight of my trip you know!" I keep squeezing him and begin patting his head. Everyone except Luna is frozen in shock. Malfoy recovers first. He begins shrieking and shoving me off rant about how his father would be hearing about this. Not one to let an opportunity pass I latch on to the comment.

"Yes, how is dear Lucius? Does he enjoy kissing the robes of a crazy, half-blooded bastard?" Draco sputter for a minute, still floundering around from escaping my hug and demands "who the hell are you talking about Potter?" I tilt my head to the side.

"Didn't you know? Voldemort's (flinch) real name is Tom Riddle (sorry Ginny) and he's the bastard son of a squib and a muggle." I continue to stare at him while he shouts denials. He and his cronies finally flee our compartment. I lean into the the corridor and shout "Draco! Wait! I didn't hug you goodbye!" I enjoy the ferret's finale shriek, then I close the door and turn around. Hermione, Ron, and Neville are gaping at me in shock, and in Ron's case a little horror. Luna just smiles at me approvingly. Ginny is doubled over in silent laughter. She straightens up to gasp a bit and wheezes "did you see the look on his face? Priceless!" Then she's laughing again. Slowly the rest start to laugh as well, until we're all limp in laughter making random comments about the scene.

We enjoy the rest of the trip chatting and planning. While we do discuss some heavy topics we never go so far a joke can't bring us back. The ride only has one more interruption in the form of Cho Change. While I used to have a crush on her I couldn't even contemplate one now. Cedric was my friend, and the two of them had really liked each other. I would even go as far as saying they loved each other.

Cho's eyes are ringed red from crying but there is steel on them when she opens the door. She stands tall and rasps out "Harry Potter, I am only going to ask this once. So you better be honest. Did You-kn… Did V-Vol.. Did Vo-oldem...m...mort. Did he kill Cedric?" She stared at me defiantly. I was shocked she was actually able to finish the name but I stayed dead serious when I replied "yes, he did." The steel in her eyes becomes molten in rage. She nods once then joins her friends in the corridor.

Silence follows her departure. We all sit in serious contemplation. Ginny nods to herself before looking me in the eye. "You beat him once Harry, when I was there. You beat him three other times and this time you won't be distracted saving anyone. Next time we'll be fighting right beside you." I smile at her and reply "poor bastard doesn't even know what's coming for him." An air of confidence and determination fill the compartment as we come to an agreement. Looking at my friends a fierce, vicious protection roared to life inside me. Voldemort better watch his back.

(In an undisclosed location a pair of red eyes narrow as the mind behind them feels a strange defiance in a forgotten corner of fear. This mind was not so easily scared but even it felt trepidation at the burning fires of love and protection radiated from its arch nemesis. It had sensed this level of love before, from the red-headed mudblood bitch. It would have to tread carefully through the connection in the future.)

(Unknown to me the same protection my mother had for me was spreading out to wrap around the people I loved. Old magics, forgotten in time to all but on family, spread through my veins. Anyone trying to kill those I cared about would find themselves in a very unfortunate position.)

The rest of the train ride was considerably lighter in nature. We were happy and laughing when we got to Hogsmeade. I watched fondly as Hagrid led the first years to the boats. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Neville and I made our way to the carriages. I stopped short when I caught sight of them. Leading the carriages were skeletal black horses with wings. As we made our way to our chosen carriage I could only stare. When we got close enough that I could see their milky white eyes, I broke out of my stupor.

"Hermione, what's pulling the carriages?" I gasped out.

"Nothing is pulling the carriages Harry. There pulling themselves like always."Hermione slowly replied.

"It's okay Harry, I see them too." Luna wispily chimed in. "They're called thestrals, and only those who've seen death can see them."

I turn to Luna, a little shaken by this. So is everyone else, as we're all completely silent as we get in the carriages. We stay quiet the whole way up to the castle, but our spirits return when we finally see it in all its majesty. We're at Hogwarts.

We're home.

Thank you for reading! I didn't expect this story to do so well! It's only my first story after all. Some of you even left reviews! This was my first unfinished chapter so I want to put my responses:

VoT- Fair point, and you're definitely right. I secluded Harry's opinions to the magical world because that's where he's been the last four years. If he had been in the muggle world he would definitely agree with you.

(:sneaky sneaky) Guest- I should hope so!

anotherboarduser- While I would love to make Harry a little more vindictive towards the wizarding government they aren't his main focus. He is solely focused on Voldemort, but that doesn't mean he won't get back at those who get in his way. As for Ron, this is in my own little universe, where I have a story in mind about Harry and Ron talking about Ron's betrayal. In regular canon my Harry would be much more cold towards Ron.

ObsesseWithHPFanFic- Thank you! I aim to please!

ObsesseWithHPFanFic(2)- I wanted to emphasize Harry's friends contribution. Glad it came through.

To those of you who didn't review, but favorited and followed: I love you guys! I can't give you a personal message but please know I feel really grateful for your support.