Chapter 21: Problems on the Train

With Ginny completing her Occlumency training, her and Harry had more time to just relax and spend time with each other properly for the rest of the summer. Thanks to everything that had happened over the course of the summer, the two friends had grown closer than ever before, exchanging stories about their childhood and comforting each other over the bad memories.

Sabrina had watched the two intently over the summer, what with being on Harry's person all of the time, and realised that the two had similar childhoods. Both had received abuse from family members who were supposed to love them. They both received physical, verbal and psychological abuse, yes, but the ratios were different. While Harry received more physical abuse, Ginny received more psychological abuse. Sabrina determined this as Harry never believed anything that the Dursleys said, nor did any of their words sink into him. Ginny, on the other hand, did believe the things said to her as the words came from her brother and her own mother whom she had respected. Harry never respected the Dursleys and hated them with a passion, but Ginny still loved her brother and mother back then and even now to a certain extent.

Sabrina only had to look into Ginny's eyes long enough to see the pain, torment and insecurities that lay beneath the surface. She was glad that Harry picked up on the poor girl's pain as he had helped her to begin overcoming those memories and helped to disprove many of her brother's and mother's statements about her. She could only hope that Harry would realise just how important this girl was and would never let her go. Ginny was good for him as she kept him grounded.

Sabrina was then brought out of her thoughts as Harry got out of Mr Weasley's Ford Anglia with Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys. It was time to head back to Hogwarts at last. Everyone headed into King's Cross Station and they found the wall between Platforms 9 and 10 without a problem. Mr and Mrs Weasley went through with Ginny first to get her sorted, then Fred, George and Percy followed after them. It was only Harry and Ron left, but there was a problem. They couldn't get through. The barrier was closed for them.

"Why's the barrier closed?!" Ron exclaimed.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it's been closed by that elf who doesn't want me to go to Hogwarts this year. Elf magic seems to work differently to ours, so I wouldn't be surprised if he could manipulate the barrier somewhat to not allow us through," Harry theorised.

"Harry...if we can't get through, then maybe Mum and Dad can't get back," Ron suggested worriedly.

"Hopefully, they'll have realised and are getting someone to get the block removed," Harry said, trying to reassure Ron.

"It's 11 o'clock! The train is supposed to leave now! We've missed it!" Ron exclaimed.

"I highly doubt that they would just let it go without us, Ron. What, do you think they would just leave and drive the car home without trying to find you?" Harry asked.

"The car? That's it! We can drive the car to Hogwarts!" Ron exclaimed in happiness at what he thought was a great idea.

"And possibly get caught by countless muggles and risk being expelled? I don't think so. Let's just wait for your parents to get through. If the train has gone, then surely we can go back to the Burrow and get to Hogwarts via the Floo network safely," Harry responded.

"If you want to wait out here for however long, go ahead, but I'm going to make sure that I get to Hogwarts, Harry. See you at school, hopefully," Ron said before he ran back to the car.

Harry would've stopped Ron, if he actually cared about what might happen to him. Besides, if Ron got expelled or at least some detentions, then Harry would see less of that redhead and be able to spend more time with the redhead that mattered. It turned out that Harry was right to wait as Ginny and her parents appeared shortly after Ron left.

"Harry! Thank Merlin you're alright! We were worried sick!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed in fake happiness as she hugged Harry a little too tightly.

"I'm alright, Mrs Weasley. Though Ron might not be," Harry said, feeling nearly sick at the fake behaviour and crushing hug.

"Where is Ron, by the way?" Mr Weasley asked.

"He's taken the car to Hogwarts," Harry answered, putting on a hesitant tone.

"He's what?!" Mrs Weasley bellowed.

As Mrs Weasley began to rant, Mr Weasley gestured for Harry and Ginny to go through the wall. The duo did just that and Harry saw that the train was still there.

"Ron really should listen to me more. Your parents came as I said that they would and the train is still here. Though, I'm not complaining if his punishment involves seeing the idiot less," Harry told Ginny.

"Neither would I as it means that he won't try to interrupt us like he has been over the summer. At least the train ride won't be so bad now since he won't be on," Ginny said.

The duo got on the train and found Hermione in a compartment with Neville and a blonde girl that Harry had never seen before.

"Harry, this is Luna Lovegood. She's an old friend of mine from when we were younger," Ginny said.

"Hello, Harry Potter," Luna said wistfully as she held out a hand to Harry.

"Hello, Luna. It's a pleasure to meet you," Harry said, shaking Luna's hand.

The train ride went smoothly for a while, with the group just talking about their summers and plans for the year. However, the happy atmosphere was ruined when the compartment door was opened and Draco Malfoy was on the other side of the door frame with his goons.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here? Potty, Weaslette, Longbottom, the bookworm and Loony. Fancy having all of the worst people in the school in one compartment. The only way that it could be worse would be for Weasel to be in here. Where is he, by the way?" Malfoy sneered.

"No idea. Hopefully not in too much trouble, though," Harry replied, not rising to Malfoy's insults.

Malfoy wasn't too happy that Harry didn't bite, so he decided upon a different tactic. He would soon regret what he was able to say.

"Then again, you've not got him around to interrupt your time with your girlfriend now, do you Potter? She's not half bad, really. If she's sorted into the right house, I'm sure that we can persuade her to see the error of her ways. She is a pureblood, after all. No-one would object to helping her should she accept our offers," Malfoy said, licking his lips at the thought of corrupting and stealing Potter's girl.

"I wouldn't accept anything from you, even if my life depended on it," Ginny said, disgusted at Malfoy's insinuation.

"You'll find that we can be very persuasive, Weaslette," Malfoy sneered.

At this, Harry stood up and walked towards Malfoy. He said nothing, just walked forward. Malfoy was first smiling as he waited for Harry to blow up, but it didn't happen. The smile faded as Harry continued to walk towards him, forcing him to back up to the opposite wall. Harry merely stared into Malfoy's eyes, his eyes piercing into Malfoy's soul.

Eventually, Malfoy couldn't keep eye contact with Harry and looked away. He then began to walk away, with his goons following closely behind him. Harry merely smiled. The fear that he instilled in Malfoy did more than words ever would. Bullies only understood the language of fear, and Malfoy was no exception.

Harry turned around, closed the door and sat back down next to Ginny, who put a hand on his to calm him. The rest of them were in shock at how Harry silenced Malfoy so easily.

"You didn't even say anything to him and he went away...How did you do that?" Neville asked.

"Malfoy is a bully and those of his kind only understand one thing; fear. Malfoy has definitely made people afraid of him, but he forgot one fine detail; I'm not one of those people. I don't fear a pompous prat like him, nor will I ever. On the other hand, he fears me, but he isn't too bright either. If he was, he would stop trying to get a rise out of me by picking on Ginny," Harry explained coldly.

"You would've thought that your threat in Flourish and Blotts would've made him think before he talks," Ginny commented.

"What threat?" Neville asked.

"He insinuated that Ginny would get hurt. I debunked that. Hopefully, he realises that it's him who will get hurt," Harry explained.

Everyone got a distinct feeling from Harry. Don't mess with Ginny and you'll be alright. Knowing the truth about Ron, Mrs Weasley and Dumbledore, Hermione had a bad feeling about this year in regards to people meddling. The rest of the train ride was uneventful and everyone was finally able to relax. Ginny eventually fell asleep while resting on Harry's shoulder, something that Hermione immediately picked up on.

"I see that you two have gotten closer over the summer," Hermione teased.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked in confusion.

"You really don't get it, do you?" Hermione enquired out of curiosity.

"Get what?!" Harry exclaimed, getting irritable from Hermione's questioning.

"Never mind," Hermione sighed.

Thankfully, Harry merely raised an eyebrow before looking out of the window. Hermione, however, was still looking at the pair. She was no fool. She could see the look in Ginny's eyes when she looked at Harry. Unfortunately, it seemed as though he was oblivious to this look. He had likely seen it that much that he just passed over it now and chalked it up to friendly fondness. There was definitely something...different about the pair. Hermione could only wonder how long it would take for Harry to wise up to it.