Chapter Three – Rubeus Weasley Express

A puff of smoke and the slow starting chug-chug-chug made Harry smile as he leaned back comfortably in his seat on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione and Draco chatted quietly about how their summer had gone. Draco claimed it had never been better, considering he was not constantly in Voldemort's lair. He spoke about how brightly his mother was smiling, and that she was actually dating again, now that she was released from Lucius' binds.

Hermione talked about her visits to Ron, which happened every two weeks. She said he really was getting better. Her last visit, which had just been two days earlier, proved that he was ready for more visitors: he had been talking. After both Draco and Harry expressed their happiness, Hermione continued to tell them about her visiting Viktor in Bulgaria, though she insisted they were just friends.

And Harry talked about all the situations Sirius and Remus seemed to be getting him into. Of course Draco knew that Sirius was innocent, because he had to work with Peter Pettigrew while he was a Death Eater.

"Speaking of Death Eaters," Harry said suddenly, interrupting Draco and Hermione's discussion of the World Cup, "do you think Neville will be attending school this year?"

Draco shook his head. "I highly doubt it, Harry. Dumbledore is not an idiot."

Nodding, Harry looked out the window. "Yes...I guess you're right." He smiled as he noticed a bird in the air: though his eyesight was not yet perfection, he would only probably need a stronger prescription for his glasses before he was seeing flawlessly.

^*^*^

Everyone emptied off the train, and the bags were slowly unloaded. The crescent mood was bright, topping the trees with a white glow. Fireflies danced around the students, who were decked in their Hogwarts uniforms. Harry, Draco, Hermione, and Ginny Weasley headed for a carriage they were planning to share together, when someone put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Been waitin' for yer."

Harry could have still been blind and known who was behind him. Without a second thought, he buried his head in the giant's chest, not even looking at who was hugging him back. Then a thought struck him.

"But you're dead!"

Hagrid smiled down at Harry. For the first time Harry actually looked at Hagrid. He was almost solid: Harry could just slightly see Dean, who was looking at them oddly, through Hagrid's body. Harry frowned at the thought of Hagrid being dead, as he had done all summer, but then grinned knowing that Hagrid was with him as a ghost.

"You'll be with us?" Hermione asked happily, walking over to join Harry in hugging the spirit.

"Well..." Hagrid shrugged. "Sometimes. I'll also be off doin' some fings for Dumbledore." His mouth broke into a smile, and he again hugged Harry tight. "Was worrin' 'bout you. Someone said you was blinded, and I said, 'No, 'Arry couldn't be!' but they jus' insisted...but look 'atcha!"

"I was blind, Hagrid," Harry smiled. "But I'm getting better. Don't you worry about me. I'm just fine!"

Hagrid looked at him sadly. "I can't be helpin' but worry."

Draco walked over with Ginny. "Have you seen Ron at all?"

Eyeing Draco suspiciously, Hagrid said, "Nope. 'Umbledore says that he be doin' better, though." He smiled at Harry. "I think you'd be allowed ter see 'im before the banquet..."

"I hope so," Harry sighed. "I'm anxious to see him."

Again Hagrid smiled. "I mus' be gettin' the fis't years to the school. I'll see ya'll in a bit." Hagrid then hugged Hermione, and winked at Harry before heading off to collect the first years.

^*^*^

"Ron!"

Harry burst into the infirmary and almost knocked Ron off the bed as he wrapped his arms around the red-head's fragile body. He pulled back and looked at his friend whose face held a mix of surprise and happiness.

"I thought you were blind? Or was Hermione just lying to me?"

Smiling, Harry sat in the seat which was next to Ron's bed. "No, I was blind. Luckily, it wasn't permanent. But I'm not here to talk about that: how are you?"

Ron shrugged. "Okay, I guess. I've been feeling a lot better since Hermione's last visit...she brought me some Honeyduke's chocolate," he winked. "I must be honest, her visits have been rather nice. I've gotten quite bored listening to Madam Pomfry go on and on about how irresponsible I am..." he laughed. "Imagine that! Saving my best friend from the clutches of the Dark Lord was irresponsible..."

Harry shook his head sadly. "I never thanked you."

Ron cocked his head. "Why? There's no need."

^*^*^

"All those many years ago,

They put their heads together,

And decided children who are magic,

Shall receive a letter.

The letter would be from their school,

Hogwarts it was named,

And they shall learn about all magic,

How it is not a game.

"Sir Gryffindor said bravery,

was the best quality of all,

Whilst Hufflepuff said no,

Loyalty topped them all.

Slytherin said cunning,

Was a man's delight,

And Ravenclaw decided,

It was best to be bright.

"They put their heads together,

All those many years ago,

And still their beliefs carry on,

To the Hogwarts we now know.

And I shall decide what you believe,

What best suits your style,

I know best, I'm the Thinking Cap!

And I've been here a while."

The students roared and cheered, while the first years students just looked confused. From Appella, Christopher! to Zooloo, Derek!, the returning students waited patiently for the feast to begin. They all warmly welcomed the new arrivals to their house, until finally, it was over.

"I only have a few words," Albus Dumbledore said, staring down at all the smiling faces of the returning and new students. "Squidbit! Quang! Foo! Hippypig! Thank you!"

Harry and Hermione laughed and cried, "Here, here!" happily before drinking down their drinks. They then happily introduced the House-elf made food to their mouths and blissfully talked late into the night.

^*^*^

The smoldering heat filled the liar, but the man was cooled from the temperature of his heart. His burning red eyes seeming to char the boy of whom he was staring, but the boy kept is poise and chin elevated. Not quite sure what he was supposed to say to Voldemort, Neville decided to just cough uncomfortably as so many other Death Eaters had done before.

Cough.

"I'm trying to decide whether or not you deserve a little reward, Longbottom," Voldemort answered, rubbing his chin in doubt. "You have not handed Potter to me on a silver platter as you have promised."

Neville nodded. "True sir…but…but the Levys you shall no longer worry about. And as for the Deboises…."

Voldemort shook his head hastily. "But they aren't Potter, are they?"

"Sir," Neville pleaded, dropping to his knees, "you promised me. And you never go back on your word…"

Sighing, Voldemort stood from his chair and nodded. "It is true. I have never poisoned a promise." He paced around Neville for a few moments, inspecting the bowing boy. Make him happy, Voldemort contemplated, or miserable? The choice was difficult. "Alright, Longbottom. Bring them to me."

Glistening hazel eyes met deep red ones, and Neville happily stood and ran out of sight. Voldemort shook his head sadly, and asked himself exactly when he had turned "soft-hearted". He then smiled to himself though, enjoying the tingling feeling that fluttered inside of his stomach. Could it possibly have been happiness? Probably not.

Not a half-hour later, Neville returned with a few Death Eaters, who were escorting two sorry looking people into the lair. One was a woman, her graying hair waving in front of her ice-blue eyes. She was seated in a wheel-chair, and her soft-skinned chin was matted in old saliva. An occasional mutter of nonsense was quiet, but noticeable. The man next to her was also going gray, along with a balding point at the top of his head. Thin-rimmed glasses covered his piercing golden eyes, which resembled an eagle's. His head fell to the side, and his mouth, unlike the woman's, was closed. He did not say anything. He just stared at the ground beneath him.

"Your parents?" Voldemort asked to Neville, who looked at the couple with some sort of pride and embarrassment at the same time. Neville nodded slightly, but then faced Voldemort.

"You're going to help them. You promised!"

Voldemort nodded. "I did, and I will." He slowly walked over, causing Neville to itch with anticipation. The idea of having normal, sane parents caused his heart to skip a beat. He watched as Voldemort inspected the two adults, both who made no response to his presence—a first for Voldemort to witness. "There is definite hope," Voldemort said.

"Hope?" Neville jumped, slightly angry. "You told me you could defiantly do this!"

Voldemort grinned coldly. "Everyone can make mistakes. But I don't think this will be a problem. You'll have your parents back soon, don't you worry." He turned to the Death Eaters who had assisted Neville in wheeling the parents over. "Nott, Goyle, bring them to one of the dungeons. I'll take care of them later."

"Later?!" Neville cried. "But you said—"

"Later!" Voldemort shouted, causing Neville to pale slightly. "I have a previous engagement with a family of three to attend to first. Wormtail! Where did you say the Messiers were living?"

Peter Pettigrew, a chubby Death Eater who had been Voldemort's main man for years, answered, "J-Just inside Su-Surrey, sir!" he squeaked.

"Surrey?" Voldemort questioned, his eyebrows furrowing. "Where have I heard that before…ah, never mind. Get me a cloak and tell Nagini she shall have a feast of three when I get back!"

"Y-Yes sir!" Wormtail stuttered, hustling away.

Voldemort turned back to the anxious looking Neville. "Don't worry. Let me take care of the Messiers, and then I promise…you will have your parents back."

------Author's Note------

The Sorting Hat's song is original, and MAY NOT BE STOLEN! I will give it out for people to use if they give me credit and ASK! I worked hard on that! (Actually, it just sort of flowed out, but still!) If I do find that it was taken without permission, I will take action! No joke. Thanks!!!! REVIEW!