Disclaimer: Grunt. Point finger. Sneer. Raise Club Menacingly. Grunt. Grunt. Narrow Eyes. Sneer. Point. Stomp Foot. Drool. I'm pretty sure that's Troll for "I own absolutely nothing of Harry Potter." But my Troll translator informed me that if you read it wrong it says "I painted the boil on my arse pink yesterday." Personally, I don't see how you could possibly mix those two phrases up, but he assures me it is possible. So please, read it correctly. I don't want to have any of you thinking me odd. That just wouldn't do.

A/N: LOL. Okay, you have to admit that the disclaimer is rather funny. (I can still see myself standing there with my shoulders hunched, dragging a club behind me, looking vacant and stupid, and drooling). giggles Alright, I've gathered my self back together. Now, on with the story.

P.S. Yes, we like Ron in this one…for now.

Chapter 12: Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts

When it was time for Harry and Hermione to buy their school stuff, everyone went with them. The Grangers looked about in awe, Elena spent half the day chasing Evan around, Sirius and Remus chatted about old times, and Harry and Hermione raced all over trying to get everything they needed within ten minutes flat. All in all, they were having a great time exploring Diagon Alley.

Sirius had disguised Harry so that he wouldn't have to deal with people's pointing and staring. So far, it was working. No one was paying any particular attention to a boy with sandy blond hair and bright blue eyes.

They got their books, robes, potion supplies, parchment, ink, quills, and their wands. The two children even got pets. Harry, immediately upon entering Eyelops, looked around for Hedwig. Much to his surprise, she was there, hidden away in the back.

"Hello girl," he said, gently stroking her feathers. "Would you like to come home with me?"

The snowy owl hooted affirmatively.

"Sirius, I'd like to get this one if that's okay?"

"Of course Harry, think of it as a belated birthday present," Sirius said trying to keep hold of a squirming Evan.

"Mum, Dad, can I get this one?" Hermione asked her parents pointing to a beautiful gray kitten with black lines all over. He was perhaps four weeks old and utterly adorable. His tiny lids opened to reveal frosty blue eyes.

"Sure honey," Mrs. Granger said.

"Think of it as an early birthday present," Mr. Granger said winking at Sirius and Harry.

Harry collected his owl, Hermione her kitten, and the two of them made their way to the counter. Fifteen minutes later, they all exited the store looking very happy.

"All right," Remus said clapping his hands and rubbing them together. "Who wants ice cream?"

"Me!" Harry.

"Oh, me!" Hermione.

"Me too!." Elena.

"Whoopee, ice cream!" That was Sirius.

"Please!" Mrs. Granger.

"Ice cream!" Mr. Granger.

Needless to say, everyone was very keen on the idea of ice cream. Even Evan chimed in with "I keeme, I keeme. Me want I keeme." Hermione found this so adorable that she burst into giggles.

When Remus had them all seated with their ice creams in front of them, he turned to Harry and Hermione.

"So you two, what are you going to name your animals?"

Harry pretended to think about it for a moment. Remus and Sirius knew what was going on, but no one else did. Harry still hadn't told anyone else about his previous life.

"I think," Hermione said pensively, "That I'm going to name him Rowan. What do you think?"

"I think it's a great name for a cat Hermione," Elena said catching Evan by the seat of his pants as he tried to run off.

"How about you Harry? What are you going to name that beautiful owl?" Mr. Granger asked, glancing at the snowy bird in admiration.

"Hedwig," Harry said, nodding as if he'd just decided. "I'm going to name her Hedwig."

"That's a pretty name. Very unusual, but pretty" Mrs. Ganger said, thinking it over.

The group spent the rest of the day browsing the shops in Diagon Alley. Surprisingly enough, Hermione didn't mind spending time in Quality Quidditch Supplies. But then again, Harry reasoned, she'd spent the better part of the last six years flying through the air at gymnastics—without a broom.

Of course, they spent ages in Flourish and Blotts with Hermione scanning every single available shelf for books that she might be interested in reading. Not surprisingly, she wanted to read them all. Her parents compromised. She could buy five books (not including the ones necessary for classes).

Before they knew it, August was nearly over and everyone was frantic trying to get them ready for school. The last day of August, Harry found himself checking his trunk over and over again until he finally got fed up with himself and went for a run. He was completely stunned to see Hermione out running as well.

"Hermione! What are you doing out here?"

"Harry? What's it look like I'm doing?"

"Well, running," he said honestly.

"Exactly."

"But I thought you would be packing and checking, and checking and packing?"

"Haha, very funny. Actually, I was until I got so frustrated I just had to get out of the house. The running is your fault."

"My fault?"

"Yes your fault."

"How is it my fault?"

"Ever since that run before the first day of kindergarten. Do you remember it? We were both up early, wide awake, and you had the brilliant idea to go for a run."

"Yeah, and?"

"Since then, whenever I'm frustrated or just too energized, I go for a run. I'm guessing you're out for the same reason?"

"Yeah."

"Good, we can run together. Two laps around the park?" which meant they would be either dead or dying by the time they returned.

"Sure."

"Alright, let's go."

They returned an hour later, exhausted, dripping sweat, and completely relaxed. They watched from the side of the street as Elena opened the screen door.

"Harry, dinner time!"

"Okay, be right in," he called back. "You should get on home. This is the last dinner you'll be spending with your parents until Christmas."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow Harry."

"See you then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she called, waving back over her shoulder.

The next morning was complete and utter chaos. Sirius was racing around trying to make sure he had all of Harry's stuff and keep from tripping over Evan at the same time. The third time Sirius fell down the stairs he'd had it.

"HARRY!"

"Yes Sirius?" Harry asked, trying to keep the laughter out of his voice.

"Can you PLEASE keep Evan out of the way?"

"Sure thing Padfoot."

"Thank you."

Harry picked up the two year old (who was nearly three) and went outside with him. He kept him occupied with a ball until it was time to leave for the station. Elena, who had taken the day off work to see her godson off, came out and collected her son.

After that, they all piled into the car, Remus included. He had come over to help gather everything together, or so he said. Harry thought he just wanted to go with the family, and he didn't have a single problem with that.

Harry looked out the back window and saw the Grangers pulling out behind them. He turned back around and smiled to himself. This was going to be an interesting year.

They reached the platform at 10:30, half an hour before the train was due to leave. Harry and Hermione gathered their trollies together and said goodbye to those who would not be passing through the barrier.

Remus went through first with Hermione. Harry and Sirius followed closely behind. Padfoot waited on the platform while Remus helped the children to load their trunks.

"Alright now kiddos, I've got to head up to the teacher's compartment. You two behave. We should arrive at about six thirty, so be ready and grab something off the trolley for lunch okay?"

"Okay Uncle Remus," they responded in unison. Remus winced.

"Another thing, while we're in school you can't call me 'Uncle Remus'. I'm Professor Lupin, okay?"

"Oh, right. Sorry," Harry said.

"We forgot," Hermione said with a sheepish grin.

"That's okay kids. Now, I have to go. Have fun."

"We will," they said as he left.

Harry and Hermione quickly located a compartment at the back of the train and stowed Hedwig and Rowan. They decided it would be best to change into their robes now, so they took turns using the compartment.

They were just settling back in when the compartment door opened. A tall gangly redhead was standing in the doorway.

"Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full."

Harry looked up at Ron and smiled. "No, we don't mind at all," Harry said. Hermione moved over to sit next to Harry.

"Please, do sit down," she said, waving at the seat across from them. Such a perfect little lady, Harry thought, raising one eyebrow.

"Thanks," the boy said and quickly stowed his trunk away.

"I'm Ron by the way. Ron Weasley," he said.

"I'm Hermione Granger. I'm his best friend," she added, jerking a thumb at Harry and rolling her eyes. So much for the perfect little lady, he thought grinning.

"Hey Hermione, that hurts," Harry said, clutching his heart. Hermione giggled.

Harry smiled and held a hand out for Ron to shake. "I'm Harry Potter and don't you pay any attention to a word she says," he said, throwing Hermione a wink.

"Merlin's beard! Are you really?" Ron asked with wide eyes.

"Really what?" Harry asked, totally lost.

"Harry Potter."

"I just said I was."

"Do you have the—you know—the scar?"

Harry pushed back his bangs with a sigh to reveal the lightning shaped scar on his forehead.

"Wicked!" Ron said as Hermione rolled her eyes again.

"So Ron," Hermione began. "Have you read any of your course material yet?"

Ron suddenly looked panicked and Harry laughed.

"N—no, should I have?"

"Of course," Hermione said looking scandalized.

"Ron, I told you not to pay any attention to what she says. Now, what house would you like to be sorted into?"

"Oh, that's easy. My whole family's been in Gryffindor."

"Do you have a big family?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. Five older brothers and a younger sister. Ginny will be coming next year, but Fred, George, and Percy go there now. Bill and Charlie have already graduated."

"Wow, that is a big family," Harry said, whistling appreciatively.

Ron nodded. "What about you guys? Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"I don't," Harry said, suddenly realizing this was a very bad direction to take the conversation in.

"Well of course you don't," Ron said. "Everyone knows about you."

"I don't either," Hermione said very softly. Harry looked and saw that her face was pale. He grasped her cold hand and warmed it between his.

"Hermione, you don't have to—"

"Yes, I do Harry. It's way past time and Erik would be furious with me for refusing to let go."

Harry only nodded and Hermione turned back to Ron who was looking puzzled.

"I used to have a brother. His name was Erik and he was three years older than me."

"Used to?"

"When I was four, he was hit by a drunk driver and died instantly."

Harry ran his fingers through her hair when she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Ron said. "I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"It's okay Ron. It was a long time ago."

The red head nodded slowly and let it go, despite the fact that he had no idea what a drunk driver was. "So," he said finally, after a long pause. "Which houses do you want to be in?"

Hermione answered first as usual. "I think I'm better suited for Ravenclaw, but Gryffindor doesn't seem like such a bad choice either."

Ron nodded, saying nothing.

"As for me," Harry said. "I really want to be in Gryffindor. Both my parents, my godfather, and my uncle were in that house."

Ron grinned. "Now all we have to do is get through the sorting."

"What's so bad about that?" Hermione asked.

"My brothers, Fred and George, told me that we have to wrestle a troll!"

Harry burst out laughing at the look of horror on Ron's face, while Hermione merely said, "Bosh!"

"We don't have to wrestle a troll Ron. Be reasonable," she said severely.

"No, I heard we have to pluck a hippogriff," Harry said. Hermione glared at him now, and Ron's face went even paler if possible.

"Verlasseb Sie ihn allein Harry. Sie haben ihn erschrocken. (Leave him alone Harry! You've terrified him.)" Hermione was clearly irritated with him.

"Pas presque autant que ses fréres ont! (Not nearly as much as his brothers have!)"

"Qué sus hermanos hacen es ninguno de nuestro concierne. (What his brothers do is none of our concern.)"

"Bene, lasceró il lui solo. Felice? (Fine, I'll leave him alone. Happy?)"

"Yes," Hermione said, satisfied.

"What on Earth was that?" Ron asked.

"What was what?" Harry asked.

"The language you were speaking."

"Languages," Hermione corrected automatically.

"Yeah, whatever," Ron said.

"Well, in order they were German, French, Spanish, and Italian," Harry rattled off on his fingers.

"You two speak all those languages?"

"Of course we do," Hermione answered.

Ron looked completely overwhelmed. Harry watched as he looked from Hermione to himself and back again.

"Don't worry about it," said Harry, slapping Ron lightly on the back.

"You two are bloody mental," was the redhead's only comment.

Hermione giggled and Harry broke out a deck of cards.

"So, who wants to play exploding snap?"

Ron grinned and Harry began to deal the cards.

A/N: I want you guys to be aware that this chapter is a full two pages longer than normal. Yay me! And isn't that just great for you guys too? Remember, lots and lots of reviews. You guys have no idea how much fun I have reading what you have to say. People say the darndest (and funniest) things. Thanks a lot you guys and I hope you enjoyed it!