Chapter 2: Waiting on a Train

Harry fell into step behind Hermione as they scanned the train for empty compartments. It was chaos; a cacophony of owls hooting and screeching, cats meowing and toads croaking. Children of all ages were conversing about everything they did during the summer.

"Finally! An empty one," Hermione said almost to the end of the train. She brought her mahogany trunk to the doorway and tried, in vain, to lift it into the carriage. With extraordinary effort, she lifted it and was about to set it inside when.

"Wait!" Harry called out, scooping up a toad before the trunk squished it. The toad didn't even move. Were it not twitching in his hand, Harry would have assumed it dead.

"Good catch, Harry," Hermione said.

"Didn't want that pretty trunk to get a paint job," He replied. "Let me give you a hand."

Together, they hefted the trunk into the rack above the seats.

"Now I know why your dad is so strong," Harry remarked. "What do you have in here, a buckle store?"

"I, uh, like to read," Hermione said, casting her eyes downward and started wringing her hands. "A lot. And my dad was in the Army. According to him, you don't leave the life. He's a dentist now, so is mum. Though she does oral surgery, we just say dentist. It's easier that way. Though, actually…"

"Hermione," Harry stopped her train of thought. He knew enough about deflection tactics to see them. "It's okay. I like to read too." When I'm able to, he finished, inwardly.

Hermione snapped her eyes up. Fear, turned to worry then excitement before settling on elation.

"Oh no, Helen," A jovial voice came from behind. "He's shouldn't have said that. He'll never get a free moment outside of the library now."

Hermione glared at her father.

"What's with the toad?" Richard said, focusing on Harry. "Not going to kiss it, hoping for a prince, are you?"

"That's a frog, daddy," an exasperated Hermione replied. Unbelievable, I might have made a friend and he's embarrassing me!

"Besides, he's toad-ally someone's pet," Harry smirked.

"I like him!" Richard gleefully said to his wife. "He's toad-ally awesome. You found yourself a keeper, princess."

Helen face-palmed while Hermione groaned. Harry and Richard were too busy chuckling at their puns to pay any mind as an army of redheads passed behind them.

"Just what we needed, another pun-person," Helen said "Sure I can't send him with you?"

"I'm not sure any of us would survive the trip." Hermione.

"Speaking of, it's almost time." Helen said checking the clock to see it five till eleven. She kneeled to look her daughter in the eye, drinking in every square centimeter of her. "I'm going to miss you so much. Be good, stay safe and learn LOTS of magic. We'll see you at Christmas. Oh I'm so excited for what you'll do, my little Winter."

Hermione threw her arms around her mother and held tight, tears sparkling in her amber eyes.

Richard looked at Harry who gazed at the mother and daughter saying their goodbyes.

"This is the first time our princess will be away from us. It's scary, seeing her go but even more frightening would be her staying," he said, almost to himself. He locked eyes with Harry, noticing for the first time just how green they were.

"She's had a rough life, Hermione. Always had a tough time making friends but yet she never stopped trying. Be good to her; don't let the other kids bully her. Helen and I always helped her deal with the bullies at primary and now… now we won't be able to do anything," His voice broke on the last sentence.

"I know what it's like to be bullied. Don't much care for them myself." Harry responded and Richard could swear his eyes turned a shade brighter. "I'll watch over her. She's my first friend. Friends take care of one another."

"Take care of her Mr. Potter." Richard said with finality.

Harry startled at his surname.

"Yes, I recognized you," Richard said. "When Hermione got her letter, I read up on the history of the Magical World, specifically recent history. Your scar is quite famous, as are you."

Harry shook Richard's hand and nodded, an instant, unspoken understanding between them.

Richard turned and hugged her baby girl, "We'll see you at Christmas."

Hermione, trying to keep the tears at bay, just leaned her head into him.

"I love you, daddy,"

"I love you, princess."

Richard stood up just as the train whistle rang throughout the platform.

"Alright, on you get! Be safe, both of you. I'm sure you can't wait to start TRAINing in magic," the smile back in full force on his face.

"Yes, sir. It's full STEAM ahead," Harry returned.

"Seriously, can't you take him with you?" Helen moaned with exasperation. All four laughed as the train began to move.

Harry and Hermione watched as her parents grew smaller and smaller as the train pulled away. Both sat down on opposite benches, smiling as their new adventure awaited.

Next chapter: The Train Ride

A/N: I intended for this chapter to cover the station and the train ride but the conversation between the parents and the kids took on a life of its own. I know it's a little odd, Richard trusting Harry with his only daughter and all-but demanding he become her friend but he's good at reading people. It wasn't hard to see the loneliness of Harry considering he's probably seen the look on his daughter more than a few times.

Every chapter is going to be a song title, not confined to one genre as you can see this one came from Inception. Feel free to add suggestions for track titles to include. Thank you for reading and, as always, I own nothing of Harry Potter.