Harry Potter: World at War

Chapter 13: The Hogwarts Express

Harry was packing the last of his books into Lily's trunk when a large black owl swooped through the open window, landed on Hedwig's perch, and proudly stuck out his leg.

Harry quickly untied the envelope, and offered the owl one of Hedwig's treats. Pansy's owl accepted it gratefully, and rather than soaring out the window like he normally did, remained seated on the perch.

The envelope was much smaller than the usual ones, and Harry carefully opened it. Hastily stuffed inside the envelope was a large scrap of parchment with hurried scribbles on it rather than Pansy's usual neat handwriting.

Dear Harrison,

Not to cut our usual formalities short, but I wanted to make sure that you got this. Father says the Board of Governors were worried about an attack on the Hogwarts Express, so the train is going to be leaving early. Dumbledore called a meeting with all of the wizarding parents of current Hogwarts students to inform them of the change. He also sent a post through Muggle mail to all of the Muggle-Borns, to lower the chance of interception by the Dark Lord. Since you are Muggle-raised, I wasn't sure if Dumbledore would remember to send a letter to your Aunt and Uncle as well. I just want to make sure that you make the train.

Pansy

P.S. Archeum will stay at your house until you send a confirmation reply. I didn't want you to have to go through the owl office with a letter like this. Archeum is far more secure than a standard mail owl. He is trained to destroy the letter if it seemed like it was going to be intercepted.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily Pansy had thought to take precautions when sending the letter. He couldn't imagine the carnage if Voldemort found out that the Express was leaving at a different time. It would be an irresistible target for the Dark Lord.

At the same time, he felt a strange flutter in his stomach. Pansy had been concerned that Harrison Evans wouldn't be at Hogwarts this year, and did everything she could to make sure that he was in the loop.

Harry quickly scribbled a reply that he had heard the news and would be at King's Cross at the scheduled time, before tying the note to Archeum.

Archeum stared at Harry for a moment before taking off and soaring out the window and into the night.

Harry glanced around the small room one more time. Everything was neatly packed into his bags and ready to go. "Kreacher!"

-POP-

"Cum-breath-Master called?" Kreacher snarled.

"Yes Kreacher," Harry confirmed. "I need you to go work in the Hogwarts Kitchens for the next few weeks. Once term starts, you will be allowed to go back to Grimmauld Place."

Kreacher glared at him and vanished with a snap of his fingers.

"Right," Harry muttered. "That's one thing taken care of then."

*****HP: WAW*****

When Harry walked into the kitchen the next morning, everyone else was already clustered around the small table.

"Morning Harry," Bill said with a toast of his tea mug. "You ready to head out?"

"I'm ready whenever the rest of you are old man." Harry teased.

Bill drained the rest of his tea and stood up. "Go get your Invisibility Cloak Harry. Mum and I are the only ones who can Apparate, so you and Ron will leave in the first wave with your things and hide out under the Cloak until Mum and I return with Ginny and Hermione. There shouldn't be anything to worry about, but we are just being cautious."

"Just let me grab some breakfast." Harry said. "I've already got my Cloak in my pocket, so we can go right afterwards."

"Good." Bill nodded. "That will save us some time. I'm going to Shrink everyone's trunks, I assume you can undo the spell once you get on the train?"

"Of course I can." Harry laughed. "You of all people should know that I do decent Charms work."

"I wouldn't say that," Bill grinned. "I seem to remember you accidentally casting a Heating charm instead of a Motion charm."

"One time!" Harry protested. "And that was at the beginning of the summer! It's not my fault you kept teaching me so many spells at one time; I was bound to make a mistake sooner or later!"

"Just try not to light my wand on fire next time," Bill said with a cheeky grin.

Molly handed Harry a plate towering with food. "Leave the boy alone Bill, he needs to eat before he gets on the train."

Harry smirked and chomped on a piece of toast. Bill playfully glared at before straightening up.

"You three bring your trunks down here," Bill said. "I'll Shrink them all down for you. Ron, can you grab Harry's two trunks from his room?"

Ron nodded his mouth still full. He swallowed before answering. "When did you get a second trunk Harry?"

"It was my Mum's." Harry said stiffly. "It's been buried up in my Aunt's attic since my grandparents died."

"Don't forget to put the cooler with their other things Bill." Molly said interrupting the awkward silence. "I've packed four egg salad sandwiches for you lot, a pitcher of pumpkin juice, and some fried chicken."

"I won't Mum." Bill assured her. "I remember how long that train ride is, I wouldn't want anybody to get on there without at least a snack. The train leaves at eleven, and the Opening Feast isn't until 6:30 at the earliest."

Molly swatted him on the shoulder. "Don't act like I ever put you on that train without lunch! I have always made sure that you had at least a sandwich or two."

Bill chuckled. "You know we're just teasing you Mum. You always gave us a home cooked meal to take on the train with us."

"And your food is always great!" Harry interjected. "Even better than the Hogwarts House Elves."

Molly smiled. "Well thank you Harry, but I'm quite certain that the elves are better cooks than I am."

"Don't bother trying to argue with her." Bill said, cutting off Harry's reply. "None of us have ever won an argument with her. It's easier to just smile and nod."

"Quit filling Harry's head with your nonsense Bill!" Molly said sharply, swatting Bill again. "Why don't you go upstairs and help the others with the trunks."

"No need." Ron grunted as he hefted the three trunks in front of him. "But next time, can we please cast a Featherlight on these things?"

"My bad," Harry laughed, pulling his wand from his pocket. "Reducio."

The three trunks shrank down to the size of a couple of matchboxes, and Ron nearly fell over from weight change.

"Thanks mate." Ron said, sticking his own trunk into his pocket. "Here, these two are yours."

"Thanks Ron," Harry said, pocketing the miniature trunks. "Are the girls still upstairs?"

"Yeah," Ron grinned. "Gin wanted Hermione's opinion on what to wear."

Ron glanced towards the stairs, before turning back to Harry and continuing in a hushed voice. "I think she's trying to impress someone on the train."

"Ronald Weasley!" Molly snapped. "Don't you dare tease that poor girl about her crush! You never liked it when Fred and George teased you about liking that Abbot girl in your first year did you?"

Ron blushed crimson. "Mum!" He protested.

"Well if you don't like it, you shouldn't tease your sister." Molly told him. "Clean off the table and then we can go."

Ron glared angrily at his mother but complied, quickly clearing off the table.

"Let's head out Harry." Bill said. "We're going to Apparate under the Cloak if we'll both fit. I'd rather that nobody realized that you've arrived until the train departs. I doubt that it would be an issue if anyone saw you, but I would rather wait until all four of you are together and can watch each other's backs."

"You're not quite as tall as Ron is, so we should both fit underneath fine." Harry said. "It can still fit all three of us if we stoop a little."

"Have you tried to Enlarge it Harry?" Bill asked.

"No," Harry admitted. "It is a good idea though."

Harry pulled the shimmering Cloak from his pocket, and spread it across the table.

"Engorgio." Harry said, tapping his wand against the folds of fabric. The Cloak shuddered under the force of Harry's spell, but didn't change size.

"Strange," Bill murmured, pulling his own wand from a belt holster. "Wingardium Leviosa."

The Cloak twitched, but didn't levitate.

"Accio Invisibility Cloak."

Nothing happened.

"Harry, do you trust me?" Bill asked.

"Of course I do." Harry said. "You've taught me so much over the last few months."

"Then please trust that I know what I'm doing and that I'm not actually going to destroy your father's heirloom." Bill told him.

"I trust you." Harry repeated with a confidence he didn't feel. "Go ahead."

Bill took a deep breath and waved his wand dramatically over the Cloak chanting in an unfamiliar language.

A jet of purple flame erupted from the table and engulfed Harry's Cloak.

Harry bit back a scream. Bill had warned him that it would look like he was destroying the Cloak.

As quickly as it had started, the flames vanished and the Cloak was still laying unharmed on the small kitchen table.

Bill sighed heavily and slipped his wand back into his holster before resting his hands on his knees.

"Well?" Harry prompted after a moment of silence. "What did you find out?"

Bill shook his head and held up a finger.

Harry waited impatiently for Bill to answer him.

After a second Bill straightened up and wiped his brow with the back of his hand. "Sorry, it's been awhile since I've had to use Curse-Breaker's Fire. It's used to detect and overpower curses that you don't know how to counter. But it takes a lot more energy than using the proper counter, so it's used very sparingly."

"So it doesn't have any curses on it then?" Harry asked.

"None," Bill confirmed. "It had some kind of Tracking charm, but the flames destroyed it. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to tell you who cast it."

Harry had a sinking suspicion that he knew who it was. "Was there anything else?"

"No other spells," Bill said. "But I can assure you that nobody will be able to curse this Cloak of yours. It's moderately resistant to magic, I doubt that it would block any unfriendly spells, but it shouldn't be harmed by anything less than Fiendfyre."

Bill scooped up the Cloak and handed it to Harry. "This Cloak is quite the treasure Harry. Keep it close to you whenever possible."

Just then, Ginny and Hermione stepped through the kitchen door. "You guys are still here?" Hermione asked, setting her trunk down in the kitchen. "It's already 9:45, we need to get going!"

"We wouldn't be the Weasleys if we made it to King's Cross on time." Bill laughed, finally looking recovered from his use of the Curse-Breaker's Fire. "But you're right Hermione, it's time for us to get going."

Harry stepped closer to Bill and swung the Cloak around the two of them. Bill put a hand on Harry's shoulder. Bill turned in place, and Harry closed his eyes once he felt the familiar pressure of Apparition.

*****HP: WAW*****

CRACK!

Bill returned, his hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Harry pulled his Cloak off, stuffing it into his pocket. "What took so long?" He teased Bill.

Bill laughed. "Blame Crookshanks, the damned cat jumped out of Hermione's arms right before I Apparated us. And Kneazles are immune to Summoning charms, so we had to chase the thing all around the Burrow."

"Don't blame Crooks!" Hermione said, stroking the Kneazle through his cage. "He was scared, it's not like he knew what was going to happen. How would you react if you'd been picked up and forced to Apparate?"

"We hadn't even Apparated yet!" Bill protested. "The little bastard had no idea that anything was going to happen. He just bolted because he wanted to make a pest of himself."

"He's a Kneazle," Hermione said knowledgeably. "They can sense these kind of things."

Harry cut off Bill's reply. "Don't bother trying to argue with her. We've been friends for almost six years, I don't think I've won one yet."

Hermione smiled broadly and patted Harry's shoulder. "And you never will."

Just then, Molly walked up with Ron and Ginny beside her. Harry thought he caught a glimpse of a dark scowl marring Ginny's face, but when he looked again, it was gone.

"I bumped into Neville a few minutes ago," Ron said. "He's going to save us all a compartment."

"Excellent," Harry said. "I'll probably sneak onto the Express under the Cloak. With all of this Chosen One bullshit I figure I'll be mobbed as soon as I'm away from you guys."

"That's a good idea." Hermione agreed. "Ron and I have to go up to the Prefects' Compartment to meet with the Head Boy and Head Girl."

"Damn." Ron swore. "I forgot about that. Do we really have to go?"

"Of course we do!" Hermione snapped. "It's our responsibility as Prefects to attend these functions to be better prepared to do our duties throughout the school year."

"A most excellent answer Ms. Granger." A calm voice said. "I believe that is worthy of five points for Gryffindor."

The group turned to face the voice. "Headmaster Dumbledore." Molly said with a broad smile. "Why are you here at King's Cross?"

Harry had to fight to keep himself from flinching. It was the first time that he had seen Dumbledore since his interview with the Daily Prophet. Something told him that the Headmaster was here to reprimand him for it.

"Good morning Molly." Dumbledore said easily, not even looking toward Harry. "I promised the Board that I would personally oversee the students as they board the Express. It was one of the many conditions we had to meet in order to keep the school open."

"I'm sure that your presence is heartwarming to the students and parents alike." Molly agreed. "It certainly is for me and my family."

"I do what I can." Dumbledore said modestly. "But can I speak with you in private for a moment Molly?"

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Dumbledore didn't seem to care that Harry had kept Fudge from getting impeached. He wanted to talk to Molly instead.

"Certainly Headmaster." Molly agreed.

She wrapped Ron up in a hug. "Behave at school Ron, remember to watch out for your sister."

"You know I will Mum." Ron said awkwardly.

Molly released Ron and embraced Ginny. "And you Ginny. Good luck on your O.W.L.s this year. Make sure to owl me if you're coming back for Christmas."

"I always do." Ginny smiled. "You're making a huge deal over nothing Mum."

"It's not nothing, this is a huge deal." Molly insisted. "In only a few months all of my kids will have taken their O.W.L.s! You are all becoming adults and there's nothing I can do to stop it."

She grabbed Harry and pulled him into a hug. "Good luck this year Harry! If you need anything don't hesitate to write me."

"Of course I will." Harry said awkwardly patting her on the back.

Molly hugged Hermione. "Keep an eye on my Ronniekins won't you? He can get himself into a lot of trouble."

"Don't I know it." Hermione smiled.

Just then the Hogwarts Express' whistle blared.

"You had better get going." Molly said. "The train is going to leave any minute now."

"Indeed it is." Dumbledore told them. "However, I do have a quick question for you Harry. When will you be able to accompany me to Grimmauld Place to renew the Fidelius charm?"

Harry brought up his Occlumency shields. "I'm sorry Headmaster, but I can't help you with that."

Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes met Harry's gaze. "Why ever not Harry?"

"I don't own Grimmauld Place." Harry lied. "It was one of the things that Sirius left for Narcissa and Bellatrix. I don't know all the details, but Kreacher was able to tell me that much."

"I hope that Sirius thought to arrange to have all of the Order's sensitive information removed." Dumbledore said. "It could prove dangerous in the wrong hands."

"I'll have to ask Sirius' portrait." Harry said. "It's in my trunk. I'll let you know what he says."

"I would appreciate that." Dumbledore said with a nod.

A second longer whistle echoed through the platform.

"The train will depart in sixty seconds." Dumbledore said. "I suggest that you four are on it. It would be rather difficult to explain to Professor McGonagall that two of her Prefects missed the train."

Hermione blushed. "Yes sir!"

*****HP: WAW*****

Harry poked his head into the small compartment. "Neville!" He said with some relief.

He stepped into the compartment and pulled his Cloak off. "You wouldn't believe how crazy it is out there."

"You're telling me," Neville laughed. "I've had dozens of people ask me about the Battle at the Ministry. All morning people have been walking in here and trying to chum up to me. Luckily Luna does a good job of scaring them away."

"It's not my fault that they don't know how to handle a pair of floating eyeballs." Luna said shimmering into view beside Neville.

"Floating eyeballs?" Harry asked.

Luna giggled. "I told my dad how useful the Disillusionment charm was during our duel against the Death Eaters, and he gave me this enchanted pinky ring." She waggled her fingers.

"It makes me invisible whenever I twist it upside down." Luna continued. "But I told him to make sure that my eyes are still visible."

"Why would you want your eyes visible?" Harry asked amused.

"Because the Slippery-Fanged Witsky drinks the fluid from our eyes and uses it to predict the future." Luna told him. "I wouldn't want to deprive them of their only food source. Besides, knowing the future is quite beneficial."

Harry suppressed a shudder. "Better you than me." He said.

"Don't worry Harry," Luna smiled. "I've already made sure to feed all of the ones in this compartment. They'll nap for the rest of the trip."

"So how your summer Neville?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject.

"It was great!" Neville said with a broad grin. "My Gran decided to personally tutor me over the summer. Since we couldn't use magic, she taught me a lot of Potions, and she even bought me a greenhouse!"

"I'm sure I don't have the same enthusiasm for Herbology that you do, but that's cool." Harry said with a grin.

"That's alright Harry," Neville laughed. "Not everyone likes the same subjects. You may not be much for Herbology, but you're practically Merlin reborn when it comes to Defense or Flying!"

"Flying is the easy part Nev" Harry teased. "You've just got to work on your landing!"

"You know, I think that was the last time I was on a broom." Neville mused. "Gran refused to let me buy one after she heard that I had broken my wrist."

"Anytime you want to, you can have a fly on mine." Harry offered. "I'll have to see if McGonagall can get it back for me though. Last time I saw it Umbitch was holding it under lock and key."

"If not my Gran would probably know someone who would be able to help." Neville said. "She had to hire a wizarding solicitor last summer. Apparently the Auror office didn't want to pay out the bounty on Carrow. Gran thinks that Scrimgeour was trying to slow everything down so he could try and get some political favors by making a show of fast-tracking it later."

"Probably." Harry agreed. "I'm sure you saw how he treated me a few months ago. The guy is nothing more than slime."

"He's more than slime, he's a vampire." Luna interjected. "The Quibbler tried to do an article on him a few months ago, but the Auror Office shut it down before we could publish."

"I'd have liked to see Scrimgeour's face when he found out about the article," Harry laughed. "He's a vampire and he didn't even know it."

"Oh he knows all right," Luna said. "My father was wearing his garlic clove deodorant as a precaution, and he told me that Scrimgeour recoiled as soon as he smelt it and stayed as far away from him as possible."

Harry doubted that the Head Auror was a Vampire, but he dropped the subject. "Are you still running every morning?" He asked Neville.

"Yeah I am!" The boy said with a broad smile. "Gran hired a half-blood fitness instructor to revamp one of our guest rooms into a workout center. The guy said that the room has enhanced gravy and it makes my workouts better for me. He also built a magical treadmill and a bench press."

"I think that's called enhanced gravity," Harry laughed. "I don't know exactly how it works, but I'm sure Hermione would be able to explain it to you."

"I don't care what it's called as long as it works." Neville said.

"Yes, it's working quite well Neville." Luna said in her dreamy voice. She reached over and lifted Neville's shirt, examining his bare stomach. "Yes, quite well." She repeated.

Harry laughed again at the awkward look on Neville's face. "Chin up Nev, she's just being Luna."

"Of course I'm being Luna," Luna said with a look of indignation. "It's not like I can be Hermione. My father took away all my Polyjuice potion after last time."

"Last time?" Harry asked, not sure that he wanted to hear the answer.

"I used my mother's old Time-Turner and some Polyjuice that I borrowed from Professor Snape to practice kissing boys when I was in my second year." Luna said dismissively. "After that, my father took my Polyjuice and my mother's Time-Turner and put it on top of the fridge."

Harry closed his eyes, he liked Luna, but the girl was an instant migraine. "Why the fridge?" He asked, his eyes still tightly closed.

"Because I can't reach up there silly!" Luna said, patting Harry on the leg.

"I think I'm going to go use the loo." Harry said, opening his eyes and standing up. "I'll be right back."

"So Neville," Luna said as Harry walked out into the hallway. "Did I ever tell you about the time that I accidentally made an Inferius out of my pet rabbit . . ."

Harry slowly walked down the lengthy corridor. He was amazed at many of the compartments were empty this year: clearly some parents had not felt comfortable sending their children away to what was sure to be a prime target in the war.

Secretly, Harry wondered how many of the missing children were the children of Death Eaters. Malfoy was certainly on the train, Pansy had mentioned that he had been given a special mission by Voldemort. But a large number of Slytherins had had parents that were killed during the battle in the Ministry, and Harry was sure that at least some of them would have been emancipated by their parents' wills.

Harry ducked into the small bathroom at the end of the carriage. After he had relieved himself, he washed his hands in the small stone sink, and stared at his reflection.

The bathrooms at the Burrow didn't have any mirrors, so this was the first time that Harry had had the chance to see himself since he had began his training in earnest. His face was sharper, more angled than before, the long hours of running and dueling with Bill had trimmed the little remaining fat he had had. His already shaggy hair was almost touching his shoulders, and the extra length had managed to tame it somewhat.

Harry drew his wand and conjured a hair tie. He gathered his hair up into a short ponytail at the base of his neck and tied it back. "That's better," He muttered. "It'll keep it out of my eyes."

Harry rubbed his fingers on a thin scar along his jaw; Bill had gotten a little carried away with a Slicing hex, and despite Molly's best efforts, it had scarred. Harry didn't mind the look, secretly he thought it made him look more rugged.

Satisfied, Harry finished washing his hands and pushed the bathroom door open.

"Hey!" An indignant voice shouted.

"Sorry!" Harry apologized, stepping out into the hallway. "There's no way to tell if someone is walking past from inside."

Harry closed the door. "Pansy?"

Pansy Parkinson pushed her dark hair out of the way. "No shit Potter. Who'd you think I was? Romilda Vane?"

"Who?" Harry said blankly.

Pansy shrugged. "I don't know much about her to be honest. She's a fourth year Gryffindor with a huge stick up her ass. She's walking around telling everybody who will listen that you two are destined to be together."

"Thanks for the warning," Harry said wryly. "I'll keep an eye out for her."

"Good idea Potter. Be sure to watch what you eat and drink too," Pansy said. "I wouldn't put it past some of these people to spike a drink with love potion."

"Thanks," Harry said again. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Don't mention it." Pansy said with a strange look on her face. "Are you still going to be running your Defense Club?"

"The DA? I'm not really sure." Harry admitted. "If I am, we will probably need to get official permission from Dumbledore and whoever the new Defense Professor is."

"Fair enough." Pansy said. "Would you be open to letting a Slytherin join?"

Harry had been expecting the question after her letter to Harrison Evans the day before, but he feigned surprise. "Would you want to join a bunch of Gryffindors?" He asked.

"Stuff it Potter." Pansy snapped. "I'm not Malfoy, so don't treat me like him."

Harry raised his hands defensively. "And I'm not Ron Weasley. He may be my friend, but I don't share his hatred of Slytherins. If you want to come, feel free."

"Thank you Potter," Pansy said in a much calmer voice.

"On one condition:" Harry interrupted with a cheeky grin. "You have to call me Harry."

Pansy scowled. "Fine."

Harry stared expectantly at her.

"Harry." The girl finally said. "Thank you."

"No problem Pansy," Harry said. "Even if the DA doesn't pan out, let me know and I'll still tutor you in Defense if you want."

Pansy smiled and walked back towards the front of the train where she and the other Slytherins usually sat. Partway down the hall she turned back towards Harry.

"Was there a fifth year named Harrison in the DA last year Harry?" Pansy asked.

Harry's pulse quickened, and his mouth was suddenly dry. "Yeah, he was a Ravenclaw I think." Harry said. "Why?"

"He's a friend of mine." Pansy said. "I was hoping to catch up to him on the train."

"I think I saw him earlier," Harry said. "If I see him again, I'll send him your way. Which compartment are you in?"

"Compartment C-17," Pansy said. "In the third carriage."

"I'll let him know if I see him," Harry said.

Pansy turned again and walked through the door to the other carriages.

*****HP: WAW*****

Harry ducked back into the compartment; to his surprise, Ron and Hermione were already back, and were chatting amicably with Neville. Luna was engrossed in her copy of the Quibbler, and seemed oblivious to the conversation around her.

"How was the Prefect's meeting?" Harry asked as he took the seat in between Neville and Luna.

"Boring as usual." Ron grunted. "But get this: Malfoy didn't even bother to show up!"

"Was he replaced?" Harry asked. "Was there another sixth year Slytherin at the meeting?"

Ron shook his head. "No, and what's weirder is that when 'Mione and I did our first round of patrols, we passed him in his compartment! He was hanging out with a bunch of the sixth and seventh year Slytherins."

"I've told you not to call me that!" Hermione said, lightly smacking the back of Ron's head.

Ron rubbed the back of his head but didn't respond.

"Anyway," Hermione continued turning back to Harry. "I spoke with my friend Daph—"

"You're friends with Daphne Greengrass?" Ron shouted, leaping to his feet. "But she's a Slytherin!"

"Sit down Ron!" Hermione said irritably. "Yes, I'm friends with Daphne Greengrass. They're both in my Arithmancy and Ancient Runes classes, and we've worked together on a few projects."

"But they're snakes!" Ron protested, sitting back down. "How do you know they aren't passing everything you tell them back to You-Know-Who?"

"Yes, I'm sure that Voldemort is interested in the theoretical effects of Runespoor venom rather than powdered Graphorn horn in powering a runic array." Hermione snapped. "Just because they were sorted into Slytherin when they were eleven years old does not mean that they are Death Eaters."

"Yes it doe—"

Ron's heated reply was cut off by Hermione's Silencing charm. "I'm not going to argue with you about my friends' loyalties right now Ron." Hermione said, sliding her wand back up her sleeve. "When you've calmed down we can discuss it rationally."

"As I was saying," Hermione continued. "I asked Daphne if she knew anything about what was going on. Apparently Malfoy and Parkinson had some kind of row and he's been depressed ever since. From what Daph told me, Malfoy was strutting around one of the Slytherin compartments like he owned the place, and Parkinson called him out on it rather cruelly."

"How so?" Harry asked, trying to hide his level of interest.

"Parkinson made fun of him for trying to flaunt his family name," Hermione said. "Parkinson told Malfoy now that his father is dead, he is less than nothing to the rest of the Slytherins."

Ron waved his hands around dramatically, pointing between Hermione and his own throat.

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully before drawing her wand back from her sleeve. "Finite."

"This might be the first time that I actually agree with Parkinson." Ron said as soon as he was able to speak. "According to Dad, Lucius Malfoy was the politician in the family. Now that he's gone, any political benefits from hanging out with Malfoy are basically non-existent. Malfoy just doesn't have the same pull that his dad did."

"Even when you consider that Malfoy lost all of his political power, it doesn't make sense for Parkinson to break up with him." Hermione said. "She's basically been his lapdog since we started school."

"Slytherins are all about ambition." Ron pointed out. "Parkinson just wants to sleep her way to the top, and going through Malfoy was the best way to do that."

Harry's breathing quickened as he fought to control his sudden rage. He didn't understand why he was so angry with Ron; a few months ago he would have been cracking jokes at Pansy's expense too, but now it was enough to make him want to strangle one of his best friends.

"That's not true." Neville interjected. "Pansy's not like that."

"Why are you defending Parkinson Neville?" Ron said hotly. "How many times has she picked on you? Or insulted your parents?"

"Several," Neville said cooly. "But that doesn't mean that her heart was in it. If you were paying attention you could see that. Pansy wanted to be accepted by the Slytherins, so she acted the same way that they did. And as we've gotten older, it became less about acceptance, and more about her trying to provide for her future. You know as well as I do how difficult it is to find a career in the Ministry without the proper connections."

"But she has connections." Hermione pointed out. "Her father is on the Hogwarts Board of Directors. He's one of the last remaining Barons in Britain for Merlin's sake!"

"Yes, but in the Ministry, the Parkinsons aren't that well accepted. Baron Parkinson burned a lot of bridges when he refused to side with the Dark families last time." Neville said. "If hanging out with Malfoy would get Pansy a better future, she would happily do it, even if she hated him as much as we all do."

"I think Nev is right." Harry said, speaking for the first time in a while. "Pansy is an only child, so it makes sense that she would stand to inherit her father's seats in the Wizengamot. If she wants to actually involve herself in wizarding politics, then she will need to spend the next several years forming connections. And no one is doubting that Lucius Malfoy was well connected."

"You've got a point. . ." Hermione said thoughtfully.

"I don't pretend to know what's going through her head." Harry said. "But I know what it's like to try and be someone you're not so that you can fit in. And I can understand latching on to the first person you meet when you get to a new place."

Like Harry had done with Ron. The thought had been haunting him all summer. Yes, Ron and Harry had made up after they thought they had destroyed their friendship beyond repair, but some things still seemed off. At times, both friends walked on eggshells around each other, afraid that one wrong move would be the end of over five years of friendship. And at other times, it seemed like things were back to the way they had been before the battle in the Ministry, and before Ron had turned his back on Harry.

"Anyway," Neville said, breaking the awkward silence. "I was meaning to ask you Harry. Is the D.A. going to continue this year?"

Harry laughed bitterly. "Hell if I know."

"We spent an hour and a half last night trying to figure out what we could do to keep the D.A. balanced." Hermione said. "Obviously we can't teach a first year a lethal curse, but we can't hold back the upper years just because some members of the group can't cut it."

"I liked the D.A." Luna said, joining the conversation. "It was almost like I had friends."

"You have friends Luna," Harry said, trying to stave off a second awkward silence. "I'm one of them."

"So am I." Neville said confidently. "You saved my life more than once during the battle at the Ministry. If that's not a friend, then I don't know what is."

"I think everyone in this compartment is your friend Luna." Hermione said with a smile.

Luna smiled brightly. "It so great to have friends!" She squealed, hugging herself. "I feel all warm and tingly."

Ron stood up suddenly. "I think we have patrol again now, Hermione. It's already third shift."

Hermione glanced down at her watch. "You're right! We need to get going! The Heads are going to be so disappointed in us!"

She pushed the door open and ran out into the hallway. After a few moments, Ron followed her adjusting his silver Prefects badge as he walked.

"So what are you thinking for the D.A. then?" Neville asked. "Nothing is set in stone of course, but what do you plan to tell everyone who asks?"

"It all depends on the Defense professor doesn't it?" Harry pointed out. "I learned an awful lot in the D.A, but I could have taught myself more if I was doing self-study. If we have a competent teacher this year, then we have no need for the D.A."

Neville's face fell. "I suppose you're right."

Harry laid a hand on his God-brother's arm. "Look, you're one of three people who came with me to the Department of Mysteries. Even if the D.A. doesn't pan out, I would want you to train with me. Because one way or another, I'm going to face Voldemort, and I don't think that you'll let me do it alone."

"You got that right!" Neville said perking up. "Even if I have to charge at You-Know-Who with a sword, I'll be there to help you!"

"Voldemort is being possessed by a Zimbabwean Horvix." Luna said dreamily. "And everyone knows that it's a terminal possession. The only way to free him is to destroy his body beyond repair."

"Thanks Luna," Harry said. "I'm glad to have you by my side."

"The train is slowing down." Neville pointed out. "We need to get changed into our robes Harry."

"Yeah, you're right." Harry agreed, standing up and pulling his shrunken trunk from his jeans pocket.

Harry flicked the miniature trunk open and pulled out his shrunken robes. With a sharp snap he closed the trunk and slipped it back into his pocket.

Neville pulled his trunk down from the racks and rummaged through it a bit before he pulled out his own robes.

"Engorgio." Harry said, tapping his robes with his wand. The fabric billowed under the magic and returned to its full size.

Neville pulled the door open as Harry gathered up his robes and walked out into the hallway. "I think there's an empty compartment up here a ways." Harry said gesturing.

"Sounds good," Neville said.

The duo walked in companionable for a few minutes before Neville spoke. "Why did you forgive Ron Harry?"

Harry stopped in the middle of the corridor. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb Harry," Neville said, his voice uncharacteristically harsh. "When I saw you last time, you were ready to forget that Ron and Ginny even existed. You despised their cowardice, but only a few weeks later you sent me a letter saying that you were living at the Burrow for the summer! What is going on?"

"It wasn't worth losing a friend over Neville. I'd already lost Sirius, Lupin, Mr. Weasley, Kingsley, Moody, and Tonks due to that damned vision." Harry said quietly. "I didn't want to lose anyone else. Even someone who might have deserved it."

"I wrote a few people over the summer," Neville said.

Harry looked at him quizzically, but Neville continued unhindered. "The majority of the D.A. would have happily followed you into the Ministry if you thought it was necessary. And they haven't been your friends for nearly as long as Ron and Ginny have."

"But Ron was right." Harry said dismally. "We should have stayed behind and nobody would have died."

"Goddamnit Harry!" Neville shouted, his face flushed. "Ron wasn't right. Anybody who calls you friend would have marched through the gates of hell for you. Ron is proud to be a Gryffindor, but when it came time for him to prove it, he turned tail and ran. Face it, Ron isn't a good friend for you."

"Ron may do things rashly," Harry snapped. "But that doesn't give you the right to call him a bad friend."

"I'm not trying to cause a fight," Neville said, clearly fighting to keep his voice calm. "But I don't understand why you would forgive Ron so easily. Don't you remember what he said?"

"Family or not, I won't be there Harry, I can't risk my life for Sirius, not when there's no chance he's alive." Harry quoted perfectly, his Occlumency pulling the memory to the front of his mind with ease.

"Ron put his life before Sirius'." Neville said. "That's not what family does. Family means putting someone else's happiness before your well-being. Family is Sirius eating rats to survive just so he could be that much closer to you during the Triwizard Tournament. Family is you going down into the Chamber of Secrets to save Ginny even though you barely knew her. All that mattered was that she was Ron's sister. Family is you trying to convince me and Hermione to stay behind so we didn't get hurt while you tried to rescue Sirius by yourself. Family is Hermione putting aside her morals and killing Death Eaters because she knew that if she didn't, some of them might kill one of us. That's family. What Ron did is nothing more than the actions of a cowardly friend. He's not your family."

Neville sighed and pushed his hair back. "Look Harry, there's an old saying my Gran used to tell me. 'Friends are the family that you chose.' I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life, but based off what you've told me, I know that you didn't have many friends when you were growing up. Like you said earlier about Pansy: it's natural to latch on to the first friend you make in a new place. Particularly when it was your first friend in your entire life."

"You're right." Harry admitted, feeling like he wanted to burst into tears. "But I'm giving Ron one more chance. He turned on me during the TriWizard and he turned on me by not coming to the Ministry. But I can't lose him yet. If he breaks my trust again, I know that I'll have to end our friendship. But I can't do that yet."

"You don't have to stop being his friend today Harry," Neville said, putting a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "Just think about how he has treated you. Do you really want to be friends with someone who will do that?"

Neville shook his head and sighed. "Look, I'm going to get changed and go back to the compartment with Luna. I'll understand if you don't want to talk to me right now. Just think about what I said. Please?"

"I think I'm gonna walk for a bit." Harry said quietly. "I'll be back before the train stops."

Neville stared at for a moment longer before ducking into the empty compartment.

*****HP: WAW*****

Harry hesitated, glancing through the small pane of glass. Neville and Luna were talking quietly, and Luna was waving her copy of the Quibbler around dramatically. Fortunately, there was no sign of Ron or Hermione.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure he was ready to face Ron again just yet. Neville had brought up some good points about the redhead's integrity, and Harry needed some alone time to contemplate them.

Slowly, Harry pushed the door open and stepped into the compartment.

"So then, I used the strange spell that my mum had taught me, and the burglar turned into a puddle of white goop." Luna said animatedly.

"White goop?" Harry asked. "Human to Inanimate Transfiguration is insanely difficult!"

"That's what I told my mum, but she explained that the goop was actually filled with little animals, so it wasn't nearly as difficult." Luna told him. "Of course, I was only nine, so mum was still surprised I could do it."

Harry had a sudden flash of realization. "Did she say what the white goop was called?" He asked apprehensively.

"Nope!" Luna said. "But I do remember that it had a very strange smell. Like nothing else I had ever smelled before."

Harry and Neville grimaced. "Let's just say that you probably don't want to know what it was." Neville said.

"And I'd really hope that you don't use that spell again." Harry added. "I think death would be more merciful than that particular spell of yours."

Neville shuddered. "I think you can say that again."

"Look!" Luna said eagerly. "There's Hogsmeade!"

"It won't be long now." Harry agreed. "Good thing too, I'm starving!"

"Sorry, the trolley came by while you were on your walk, but I wasn't sure that you wanted anything." Neville explained. "But the feast will be starting in an hour or so."

"Yeah, after all the Sorting Hat sings for an eternity and a million firsties get sorted." Harry grumbled.

"Come on Harry," Neville said. "The train has stopped. Let's go grab a carriage."

"Just let me put on my glamour charm." Harry agreed. "I don't feel like dealing with people."

Harry pressed the button on the side of the watch and felt the familiar glamour charm wash over him and alter his features.

Luna clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh goody! I love playing disguise!"

A/N:

Enjoy the chapter!

I've noticed an increase of people who are pushing for Bellatrix and Narcissa to enter the story. All I can say for now is to wait. Harry's time at Hogwarts will be focused on his relationship with Pansy. It's not until he leaves Hogwarts that he starts spending time with Bellatrix and Narcissa. Bellatrix gets seen again in chapter 23, and their relationship starts sometime around 27 or 28.

Until next time. . .

—BETA OUT!