Chapter 7

J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter

The month of August in the Dursley household was very quiet, and subdued. The sudden arrival of a group of "his kind" had caused a change in the general behavior of the Dursley's. No longer was Harry burdened with endless chores, and Dudley's taunting. In fact the Dursley's, most of the time left Harry alone. Which was similar to their behavior in the last time line. One thing that was different from last time was the Dursley's refusal to take Harry to King's Cross Station.

"All those people could come here for your birthday, they can come pick you up as well." Uncle Vernon told Harry. So Harry had written a note and sent it to the Weasley's with Hedwig. He was currently in his room packing his trunk. It was late afternoon the day before they were scheduled to take the Hogwarts Express. Hedwig had not returned with the Weasley's reply, but Harry was not too concerned, he had learned that with the Weasley's things often got done at the last minute.

He was just packing his newly purchased quills and ink when Hedwig flew through the window.

"Ah, there you are." Harry said.

Hedwig hooted and held her leg up so he could take off the note attached. After he retrieved the note he gave her some owl treats, and sat down to read the Weasley's reply. The note was in Ron's writing.

Harry,

After getting your letter I talked to mom and dad they both agreed we should come get you. They're both put out over your Aunt and Uncle, but I think this way will be much better. By the way we're picking you up in the Ford Anglia, and yes it's the same one. That's going to be weird. Anyway the plan is to be at your house around ten so be ready.

Ron.

Harry finished reading the note, and looked up at Hedwig, who was now perched on top of her cage.

"Well girl every thing seems to be set." he told her. She hooted in reply.

It was now close to dinner time so Harry rose to go down to the kitchen. Another change was that the Dursley's were now feeding him more, as if not doing so would have dire consequences.

"So are they coming to get you?" Uncle Vernon asked Harry.

"Yes, they'll be here at ten tomorrow." Harry said.

"How are they coming?" his Uncle asked as if wizards did not have any means of travel.

"They have a car." Harry said.

"They know how to drive?" Uncle Vernon said sounding very skeptic.

"This car they do." Harry replied.

Uncle Vernon started to say something else then thought better of it. Harry thought that Uncle Vernon realized he didn't want to know what he was going to ask.


The next morning Harry woke early, he lay in bed with what seemed like hundreds of thoughts swirling through his head. Now would be a good time to have Dumbledore's pensieve. That was one thing Harry had not given any thought to, the pensieve could be useful if they could find a way to gain access to it. In fact there could be a number of things they could use to their benefit. They would have more knowledge which would give them a head start, but there also seemed to be things that were different, they wouldn't know anything about them.

He got out of bed and went to his trunk to double check it. Hedwig was asleep in her cage so he tried to be as quiet as possible. After making sure every thing was there he got dressed and went down to the kitchen. He made himself some toast and marmalade, he was never very hungry in the mornings and he knew there would be a large feast later that evening.

Harry returned to his room, he still had some time to kill before the Weasley's picked him up. Hedwig had woke up and was now sitting on top of her cage. When she saw Harry she hooted once and took flight out of the open window. Harry thought she had made sure he was returning before going off to hunt. He could hear the Dursley's moving around, getting ready for the day. He got out Hogwarts a History, and started skimming through it. There was really no reason to open any of his text books. A lot of the stuff he already knew from Hermione, but he did find some things. There had been a rumor of a romantic interlude between Salazar Slytherin and Rowana Ravenclaw. Hermione had never mentioned that, though it did not appear to be of any importance. It was now getting close to time for the Weasley's to arrive. He put the book away, and grabbed his trunk to take it down stairs, he would come back for Hedwigs cage.

A few minutes after ten Harry heard a car pull in the drive, and looked out the window to see the Ford Anglia. He went to tell Aunt Petunia that his ride was here, Uncle Vernon had already left for work. A minute later there was a knock on the door. Harry opened it to find Ron and Mr. Weasley standing on the front steps.

"Alright Harry." said Mr. Weasley. He spotted the trunk and the cage. "We'll help carry your things."

"Where's Hedwig?" Ron asked.

"Off hunting I suppose," Harry said.

"She'll either find us on the train or go straight to Hogwarts." Ron said. He almost added remember Pig, but caught himself, that could lead to some awkward questions.

They got in the car, the twins and Percy were there, Harry suspected it had been magically expanded.

"Mom and Ginny are at the shop," Ron said answering Harry's unasked question.

"Everyone in?" asked. "Alright here we go." He pushed a button on the dash, the car disappeared, then he messed around with more controls, grabbed the wheel,and the car rose in the air.


They touched down in an empty part of the lot at King's Cross station, looked around to see if anyone was looking, and the car reappeared. He drove it closer to the entrance, and parked.

"I wonder if Hermione's here yet." Ron said to Harry.

"Well we can't stand here, and wait. What if she's already on the platform?"

"Yeah, your right."

They came to the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

"Alright Percy, show Ron and Harry what to do," said.

Percy nodded grabbed his trolly, and started towards the barrier, he of course went right through it. Harry and Ron tried to look impressed.

"Pretty cool huh?" said smiling. "You two go next." he added to Harry and Ron.

They grabbed their trolleys, pointed them towards the barrier, glanced around then started forward. They went through without any problems, as always there were groups of students milling around, and talking to their families. The scarlet steam engine stood waiting, it should have been the first time he saw it, but Harry felt he was meeting an old friend. The twins and came through and joined them. Percy had come over as well and addressed the group.

"Everyone have a good time if you need anything just write." He turned to Ron and Harry. "Now don't worry about the sorting, you'll end up in the house you belong in."

Harry and Ron glanced at one another, then Harry looked up and saw Hermione walking towards the train with her parents. He nudged Ron and pointed. Ron turned to look, and they both shouted "Hermione!" Hermione looked over, smiled, and changed directions towards them. Her parents followed her over.

"See, I told you they were already here." Mrs Granger said.

"Nice to see you again." said, shaking hands with each of them.

The train whistle blew, and it was time to board Hermione hugged he parents "I'll write when I can." she told them.

The three of them broke off and started for the train. Suddenly Harry heard beside them "Neville you have fun, but behave, your father and I do not want to receive news about any wrong doing."

The three of them looked around to see Neville Longbottom standing there with his mother.