CHAPTER FOUR .
Rumble Station
The following day, Tom woke Harry up early in the morning with his usual toothless grin. It was still dark and silent outside. Harry dressed quickly and knocked on Ron and Hermione's doors to wake them up. He heard Ron muttering from inside, and pushed the door open gently. Ron was very slowly pulling on his socks with his eyes still closed. 'Do you have any idea what the time is Harry?' croaked Ron as he heard Harry come in. 'Early.why?' said Harry. 'It's late, more like! Half past two!' 'What?' asked Harry, puzzled 'Why do we have to be up so early?' 'Haven't I told you, Harry? The Hogwarts Express is leaving from different stations this year- they're trying to put each year on a different train, but keep families together - the one we're going to is hours away, so we have to get up earlier'. 'Why?' persisted Harry, still confused. Ron rolled his eyes. 'You Know Who - they're afraid he might be there. it's easier to protect smaller numbers...Dad told me' whispered Ron. 'But', argued Harry 'Voldemort can see through that kind of trickery'. 'That's what Dad says - we could have had a lie in!' agreed Ron, as he flopped back down onto his bed. Harry went back to his room feeling thoroughly awake, thinking. He was surprised that so little dark activity had been happening - everybody seemed so afraid, but Harry expected more action to be taking place. But at the back of his mind, Harry knew, and he felt that something was being carefully planned - something that would sudden and unexpected - something more terrible than ever before. An hour later they were bowling across the countryside on the fluorescent purple Knight Bus. Finally, at seven-o clock in the morning they arrived at an unfamiliar, muggle-looking street. The Knight Bus jerked to a halt. The journey had taken a surprisingly long time. This, according to Mr. Weasley, was another precaution against dark activity. However, Harry had no idea how this would help. He personally felt that it was a waste of time. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione heaved their luggage off the bus, and followed the conductor (who was unfamiliar to Harry) into a door along the street. After opening it with his key, Mr. Weasley thanked him, and he left. Mr. Weasley then turned to face everyone. 'Right' he said, 'Welcome to Rumble Station!' Harry followed Mr. Weasley through the door. He found himself in a dark station, with low ceilings and damp, peeling walls. There were no Hogwarts students in sight. 'What is this place?' Harry asked Mr. Weasley. 'A train station, abandoned by muggles, many years ago. Enchanted by wizards- the ministry thinks it's safe' he replied. Harry looked at Ron. It was obvious what he was thinking - 'as if!' The track was rusty and the walls were plastered in graffiti, but the Hogwarts Express was gleaming scarlet, shining through the gloomy darkness, ready for them to board. There was some recent graffiti on the walls, but this was not illegible - it read 'Platform 10 ¾' 'Right' said Mr. Weasley, looking disgusted, 'I suppose I'll be seeing you lot at Christmas. You'd better get on the train- I think we're just in time'. 'Bye Mr. and Mrs. Weasley' said Harry and Hermione, as Fred and George hoisted their trunks onto the train. Mrs. Weasley handed them a packet of Chocolate Frogs, and kissed all her sons, Harry and Hermione. Ron waved at his father, and he vanished from sight, onto the train. Harry and Hermione boarded the Hogwarts Express, and followed Ron into an empty compartment, which there were many of. 'Why is there hardly anybody here?' asked 'I expected it to be emptier than usual, with only our year, and a few families, but it seems like we're the only ones on the train!' Harry looked down the train. He could only see a couple of ravenclaw Fifth years who he didn't know, and a solitary sixth year sitting on the velvet seats. He supposed there were more people further up the train, but still, the Hogwarts Express was usually so full. 'Maybe your dad got the time wrong.' suggested Harry. But suddenly, the train jolted slightly, and began to move. Obviously, they weren't early - they were just in time. What was going on? 'Hermione!' said Ron, 'What's the matter? Why are you so quiet?' 'I'm just thinking', she said, dreamily. 'I'm wondering how the other people are getting to Hogwarts. I read in the Daily Prophet, that some people are not letting their children go to school at all!' 'What?' shouted Ron, 'will we be the only ones there, or something?' 'No, I don't think so' replied Hermione quickly, 'it was just a couple of parents who were worried - I'm sure many people are getting there some other way!' 'Not Malfoy though' groaned Ron, as Malfoy, accompanied by his cronies Crabbe and Goyle, leered at them as they sauntered past the empty compartments, towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. 'Come on' Ron muttered, pulling Harry and Hermione into the compartment, slamming the door. 'Well, that isn't very nice' sneered Malfoy, pushing open the compartment door, Crabbe and Goyle standing on either side of him like guard dogs. 'Scared we're the Dark Lord's messengers?' Ron made a violent move towards Malfoy, and Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly. 'I thought your father would know how dangerous it is, working at the ministry, for mudbloods to be taking a train to school? And, of course, the legendary Harry Potter.' Harry and Hermione couldn't hold Ron back any longer, and they watched in horror as he dived at Malfoy, hitting him on the jaw. Crabbe and Goyle leapt on Ron, knocking him to the ground. Harry sprung to Ron's defence, and Hermione automatically pulled out her wand. 'Stop it!' she shrieked, sending sparks at Crabbe and Goyle, struggling on the floor with Ron. Harry and Malfoy both pulled out their wands and were facing each other, each waiting for the other to make their move. Harry began to flick his wand to cast the Fungi Curse, but suddenly, the train jolted violently sending them all flying. Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy sat up, massaging their heads where they had hit the wall. At that moment, the door opened. They all stopped for a moment, and looked up. It was the lady with the trolley. She stood for a moment, shocked, staring at the bundle of bodies on the floor, and seeing as nobody went forward to buy anything, she went off to the next compartment in a hurry. It looked however, as though Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle did want some food - they soon left, apparently following it. 'They were just looking for an excuse to leave- the Cowards' said Ron angrily, as soon as they had left the room, 'they just couldn't stand up to us'. 'Calm down Ron' said Hermione, although she was evidently angry as well. They spent the rest of the journey playing exploding snap, and changing into their school robes. They tried to avoid talking about what had happened last year and the fear of Voldemort. Finally, the train slowed to a halt. It was still light outside, but dull and foggy. The mist was so thick when they got out; they could hardly see the person in front. Suddenly, Harry bumped right into a large figure. 'Hagrid!' exclaimed Harry loudly, over the roar of the engine. 'Harry, Ron, Hermione, how are yeh?' 'Ok, Hagrid' replied Hermione; 'do you know where everyone else is?' 'Oh, yeah! They'll be cumin' soon - there are load'sve trains coming from all over the country with other years, 'cos Dark activity is feared at all magical sites. Yeh dunno who to trust any more - yeh must be careful, Harry - yeh remember that. Yer to come straight up to the castle with me - Dumbledore will take yeh from there'. They walked up to the castle together, in silence. Hagrid led the way with a lantern, with Harry, Ron and Hermione trailing behind - too out of breath to speak. They turned a corner, only to find that the horse less carriages they'd been expecting were not there, as usual. 'Hagrid' Ron panted, clutching his side, 'how-'. He broke off as Hagrid turned abruptly onto the muddy footpath they had travelled along in their first year, towards the lake. Harry turned suddenly, as he heard voices muttering behind him. He had forgotten that he, Ron and Hermione had not been the only ones on the train, and that if there were no carriages, they would also need transport to the castle. The black water was still, and all that could be seen was an occasional splash of water as a grindylow or merman's tail flicked across the surface. There were less than ten boats tied up on the bank, and Harry, Ron and Hermione climbed into a particularly dilapidated one, with several holes patched up with miss-matching fragments of wood. The boats slid into action and the three sat silently, reflecting on the dark activity of the last couple of weeks. 'It's so quiet!' thought Harry to himself, looking at the mountains, bathed in the suns last ounce of sunlight, before it disappeared. He was so engrossed in his thoughts, that he didn't realise when the boats disappeared under the curtain of ivy and halted next to the shiny grey stone where they were required to get out. They traipsed up to the castle, and went through the entrance hall, which was looking as splendid as usual. 'The feast doesn't start ''til this evenin', yeh three' Hagrid called out to Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had started to move in the direction of the great hall. 'Dumbledore is waiting for yeh; he wants to talk to you in his office'. They all stared at Hagrid. 'Why?' they all asked in unison. Hagrid looked at them darkly. 'I'll take yeh there' he replied, and the three of them followed Hagrid down a corridor to the right. Harry had visited Dumbledore's office before, but he didn't know the way. When they got there, Hagrid knocked on the door three times quickly, then three times slowly. The latch on the door opened. Hagrid nodded, and left. Hermione pushed open the door.
Rumble Station
The following day, Tom woke Harry up early in the morning with his usual toothless grin. It was still dark and silent outside. Harry dressed quickly and knocked on Ron and Hermione's doors to wake them up. He heard Ron muttering from inside, and pushed the door open gently. Ron was very slowly pulling on his socks with his eyes still closed. 'Do you have any idea what the time is Harry?' croaked Ron as he heard Harry come in. 'Early.why?' said Harry. 'It's late, more like! Half past two!' 'What?' asked Harry, puzzled 'Why do we have to be up so early?' 'Haven't I told you, Harry? The Hogwarts Express is leaving from different stations this year- they're trying to put each year on a different train, but keep families together - the one we're going to is hours away, so we have to get up earlier'. 'Why?' persisted Harry, still confused. Ron rolled his eyes. 'You Know Who - they're afraid he might be there. it's easier to protect smaller numbers...Dad told me' whispered Ron. 'But', argued Harry 'Voldemort can see through that kind of trickery'. 'That's what Dad says - we could have had a lie in!' agreed Ron, as he flopped back down onto his bed. Harry went back to his room feeling thoroughly awake, thinking. He was surprised that so little dark activity had been happening - everybody seemed so afraid, but Harry expected more action to be taking place. But at the back of his mind, Harry knew, and he felt that something was being carefully planned - something that would sudden and unexpected - something more terrible than ever before. An hour later they were bowling across the countryside on the fluorescent purple Knight Bus. Finally, at seven-o clock in the morning they arrived at an unfamiliar, muggle-looking street. The Knight Bus jerked to a halt. The journey had taken a surprisingly long time. This, according to Mr. Weasley, was another precaution against dark activity. However, Harry had no idea how this would help. He personally felt that it was a waste of time. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione heaved their luggage off the bus, and followed the conductor (who was unfamiliar to Harry) into a door along the street. After opening it with his key, Mr. Weasley thanked him, and he left. Mr. Weasley then turned to face everyone. 'Right' he said, 'Welcome to Rumble Station!' Harry followed Mr. Weasley through the door. He found himself in a dark station, with low ceilings and damp, peeling walls. There were no Hogwarts students in sight. 'What is this place?' Harry asked Mr. Weasley. 'A train station, abandoned by muggles, many years ago. Enchanted by wizards- the ministry thinks it's safe' he replied. Harry looked at Ron. It was obvious what he was thinking - 'as if!' The track was rusty and the walls were plastered in graffiti, but the Hogwarts Express was gleaming scarlet, shining through the gloomy darkness, ready for them to board. There was some recent graffiti on the walls, but this was not illegible - it read 'Platform 10 ¾' 'Right' said Mr. Weasley, looking disgusted, 'I suppose I'll be seeing you lot at Christmas. You'd better get on the train- I think we're just in time'. 'Bye Mr. and Mrs. Weasley' said Harry and Hermione, as Fred and George hoisted their trunks onto the train. Mrs. Weasley handed them a packet of Chocolate Frogs, and kissed all her sons, Harry and Hermione. Ron waved at his father, and he vanished from sight, onto the train. Harry and Hermione boarded the Hogwarts Express, and followed Ron into an empty compartment, which there were many of. 'Why is there hardly anybody here?' asked 'I expected it to be emptier than usual, with only our year, and a few families, but it seems like we're the only ones on the train!' Harry looked down the train. He could only see a couple of ravenclaw Fifth years who he didn't know, and a solitary sixth year sitting on the velvet seats. He supposed there were more people further up the train, but still, the Hogwarts Express was usually so full. 'Maybe your dad got the time wrong.' suggested Harry. But suddenly, the train jolted slightly, and began to move. Obviously, they weren't early - they were just in time. What was going on? 'Hermione!' said Ron, 'What's the matter? Why are you so quiet?' 'I'm just thinking', she said, dreamily. 'I'm wondering how the other people are getting to Hogwarts. I read in the Daily Prophet, that some people are not letting their children go to school at all!' 'What?' shouted Ron, 'will we be the only ones there, or something?' 'No, I don't think so' replied Hermione quickly, 'it was just a couple of parents who were worried - I'm sure many people are getting there some other way!' 'Not Malfoy though' groaned Ron, as Malfoy, accompanied by his cronies Crabbe and Goyle, leered at them as they sauntered past the empty compartments, towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. 'Come on' Ron muttered, pulling Harry and Hermione into the compartment, slamming the door. 'Well, that isn't very nice' sneered Malfoy, pushing open the compartment door, Crabbe and Goyle standing on either side of him like guard dogs. 'Scared we're the Dark Lord's messengers?' Ron made a violent move towards Malfoy, and Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly. 'I thought your father would know how dangerous it is, working at the ministry, for mudbloods to be taking a train to school? And, of course, the legendary Harry Potter.' Harry and Hermione couldn't hold Ron back any longer, and they watched in horror as he dived at Malfoy, hitting him on the jaw. Crabbe and Goyle leapt on Ron, knocking him to the ground. Harry sprung to Ron's defence, and Hermione automatically pulled out her wand. 'Stop it!' she shrieked, sending sparks at Crabbe and Goyle, struggling on the floor with Ron. Harry and Malfoy both pulled out their wands and were facing each other, each waiting for the other to make their move. Harry began to flick his wand to cast the Fungi Curse, but suddenly, the train jolted violently sending them all flying. Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy sat up, massaging their heads where they had hit the wall. At that moment, the door opened. They all stopped for a moment, and looked up. It was the lady with the trolley. She stood for a moment, shocked, staring at the bundle of bodies on the floor, and seeing as nobody went forward to buy anything, she went off to the next compartment in a hurry. It looked however, as though Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle did want some food - they soon left, apparently following it. 'They were just looking for an excuse to leave- the Cowards' said Ron angrily, as soon as they had left the room, 'they just couldn't stand up to us'. 'Calm down Ron' said Hermione, although she was evidently angry as well. They spent the rest of the journey playing exploding snap, and changing into their school robes. They tried to avoid talking about what had happened last year and the fear of Voldemort. Finally, the train slowed to a halt. It was still light outside, but dull and foggy. The mist was so thick when they got out; they could hardly see the person in front. Suddenly, Harry bumped right into a large figure. 'Hagrid!' exclaimed Harry loudly, over the roar of the engine. 'Harry, Ron, Hermione, how are yeh?' 'Ok, Hagrid' replied Hermione; 'do you know where everyone else is?' 'Oh, yeah! They'll be cumin' soon - there are load'sve trains coming from all over the country with other years, 'cos Dark activity is feared at all magical sites. Yeh dunno who to trust any more - yeh must be careful, Harry - yeh remember that. Yer to come straight up to the castle with me - Dumbledore will take yeh from there'. They walked up to the castle together, in silence. Hagrid led the way with a lantern, with Harry, Ron and Hermione trailing behind - too out of breath to speak. They turned a corner, only to find that the horse less carriages they'd been expecting were not there, as usual. 'Hagrid' Ron panted, clutching his side, 'how-'. He broke off as Hagrid turned abruptly onto the muddy footpath they had travelled along in their first year, towards the lake. Harry turned suddenly, as he heard voices muttering behind him. He had forgotten that he, Ron and Hermione had not been the only ones on the train, and that if there were no carriages, they would also need transport to the castle. The black water was still, and all that could be seen was an occasional splash of water as a grindylow or merman's tail flicked across the surface. There were less than ten boats tied up on the bank, and Harry, Ron and Hermione climbed into a particularly dilapidated one, with several holes patched up with miss-matching fragments of wood. The boats slid into action and the three sat silently, reflecting on the dark activity of the last couple of weeks. 'It's so quiet!' thought Harry to himself, looking at the mountains, bathed in the suns last ounce of sunlight, before it disappeared. He was so engrossed in his thoughts, that he didn't realise when the boats disappeared under the curtain of ivy and halted next to the shiny grey stone where they were required to get out. They traipsed up to the castle, and went through the entrance hall, which was looking as splendid as usual. 'The feast doesn't start ''til this evenin', yeh three' Hagrid called out to Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had started to move in the direction of the great hall. 'Dumbledore is waiting for yeh; he wants to talk to you in his office'. They all stared at Hagrid. 'Why?' they all asked in unison. Hagrid looked at them darkly. 'I'll take yeh there' he replied, and the three of them followed Hagrid down a corridor to the right. Harry had visited Dumbledore's office before, but he didn't know the way. When they got there, Hagrid knocked on the door three times quickly, then three times slowly. The latch on the door opened. Hagrid nodded, and left. Hermione pushed open the door.