Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are all property of J. K. Rowling.
A/N: This is another long chapter. I wanted to post two chapters today to make up for my lack of posting the past few days! Thanks for reading! J
Chapter Six
An Unexpected Stop
The Next morning started early. Mrs. Weasley came into the room and woke Harry and Ron. They changed and made their way down stairs. Everyone ate breakfast in silence because they were not completely awake. After breakfast Harry and Ron went back upstairs to collect the remainder of their things. Harry carried Hedwig's cage and his firebolt downstairs followed by Ron who carried Pigwidgion's cage and his firebolt. Everyone gathered in the sitting room. The Twins came down red-eyed carrying their brooms.
Mr. Weasley took the day off so he could drive up to Kings Cross Station to see the kids off to school.
"Ron, take care of Harry, Ginny and Hermione." Charlie instructed nudging Ron in the rib at the mention of Hermione. "And Harry you watch out for Ron, we know what kind of trouble the Weasleys like to cause."
"Oi! Charlie you are thinking of us, not little Ronny-pooh!" Fred called from the car.
"Good Bye 'arry! We need 'oo keep in touch!" Fleur said kissing Harry on both cheeks. "I zink we will be seeing each ozer sooner zan you zink." Bill pulled Fleur in and kissed her gently on the head.
"Take Care Harry." Bill said placing his free hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Have a good year." Charlie added looking over Bills shoulder at Harry. Harry moved to the car looking around. Everyone was moving to the car and he secretly wanted to sit by Ginny.
This did not happen. Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione sat in the front with Mr. Weasley, while the twins, Harry and Ron sat in the back. Harry really enjoyed the modifications that Mr. Weasley had made to the car. It wasn't cramped at all.
"No, Arthur we don't need to use the invisibility shield because we aren't going to fly there. We are leaving in plenty of time." Mrs. Weasley was saying to her husband.
"But Molly, if we use it we could get there SO much faster, the Ministry told me it was okay if we did."
"No. We would be getting there at 10:00 if we do and we don't need to be there that early."
They continued to "discuss" the issue as Mr. Weasley drove through the village.
"Mum! I forgot my hat!" Ginny squealed. The car turned around and went back through the village to the Burrow. Ginny ran inside and grabbed her hat. She returned to the car in five minutes.
"Oi, Mum we forgot out newest invention." George said moving out of the car. By the time he returned, with a small bag, the group was running late.
"Hurry Arthur, we are running late" Mrs. Weasley ordered.
"We will make it there with time to spare if we fly." Mr. Weasley explained with a grin.
"Okay, fine, just get us there on time."
With a flick of his wand everything was invisible. The journey to Kings Cross Station was enjoyable. Everyone talked about the coming term. When the subject of the formal dances came up Ginny and Hermione began to giggle. Harry was glad no one could see him because he could tell he was dark red, and judging by how quiet Ron had become he was the same color. Fred quickly changed the subject.
It seemed like they had just left the Burrow when they were landing outside Kings Cross. Mr. Weasley flicked his wand again and the car reappeared. Mrs. Weasley got out of the car and found trolleys for the group. Mr. Weasley, Fred and George unloaded the trunks.
"It's okay Hedwig." Harry said trying to calm down his owl. She was clearly upset. As the group made there way into the station and to the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 people starred at the presence of two owls and a large group with red hair. Harry didn't care; they were just muggles.
"Okay we have such a large group, why don't we go in pairs?" Mr. Weasley proposed.
"Sure, we'll go first." Fred said with a smile. The two walked towards the barrier and the blink of an eye they were gone.
"Harry, you and Ron go next." Mrs Weasley said.
"Let's take it at a run." Ron suggested. With a grin they started to run towards the barrier. Harry closed his eyes right before he made contact with the Barrier. Harry opened his eyes he was face to face with a familiar person, Cho Chang. "I'm sorry." Harry muttered trying to stay calm. He had never been this close to Cho. She was stunning. Harry couldn't help but stair at her.
"Harry! I'm so glad to see you! How are you? How was your summer?" Cho said with a smile, leaning in to give him a hug.
"I'm good. My summer went well, I spent the last month with Ron and the rest of the Weasleys. How was yours?"
"Mine was good, once the shock from loosing Cedric wore off. His family had me over to their house for two weeks. It gave me some closure. They insist that I move on and continue to live, that's what he would want me to do. But on a happier note, I'm Ravenclaw's Quiditch captain! I'll see you later." Before Harry could say anything she had moved down the platform talking with a group of Ravenclaw seventh years. She didn't seem the same. In years past she had glowed when she spoke and when she smiled her eyes twinkled. Today when she smiled they looked blank, like they were still in pain. Harry turned to Ron who was grinning.
"Come on, let's get our stuff loaded onto the train." Ron said leading the way to the train. Harry had to smile to see the bright red steam engine.
Harry and Ron loaded their things onto the train as Hermione and Ginny came through the barrier. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley followed them. After loading their trunks Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Fred and George went back to the platform to say good bye. Mrs. Weasley couldn't stop herself from crying as she gave everyone hugs and kisses.
"Now, I want you four to stay out of trouble." Mrs. Wesaley instructed Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny.
"Molly, the twins are the ones to worry about! Take care." Mr. Weasley said giving everyone a hug. The group turned and got back onto the train. They found an empty compartment towards the end of the train. After they sat down the train began to move.
"I'm glad to be going back." Hermione was saying. "There are so many things we are going to be learning this year." Only Hermione would be looking forward to learning. Harry was just glad to be going back. He knew that nothing would hurt him as long as Dumbledore was there. This thought comforted him.
"Is school work all you think about?" Ron asked exasperated.
"No but your fifth year is really important. I enjoy learning, is there anything wrong with that?" Hermione sounded hurt.
This argument was interrupted when the door slid open.
"Oh, if it isn't Potter and Weazy." Said a familiar drawl. "And look they are with there little girlfriends. How cute. Weazy, your sister is smart getting close to Potter hoping for some of his money, or at least his fame, but I don't know what you are doing with a Mudblood. Must be like your Dad, want to be a Muggle so much that you should all just break your wands and go live with them."
"Oh, shut up Draco. Why don't you go think up some original material and come back when you have it written down." Ginny snapped. Without batting an eye Hermione swished her wand causing the door to close in Malfoy's face. Everyone laughed so hard they were all red when the door opened again. This time it was Fred and George.
"What's so funny?" Fred questioned.
"Oh, nothing we just slammed the door in Malfoy's face. He deserved it."
"We don't doubt that. Harry, he is Slitherin's captain!" George exclaimed clearly upset.
"What? How did he manage that?"
"We don't know, He was bragging to Angelina about being made captain. She asked some of the other players and they didn't get anything new, so we know he didn't buy his way to captain, but most of their team is second year's so he is one of the oldest team members."
"Did Angelina become the captain?"
"Yeah she did, and she wants to see what kind of a keeper you are." George responded pointing to Ron.
"You told her about me?!?!" Ron stammered clearly surprised.
"Yeah haven't you been listening to us. She wants to see what you can do. We are starting practice three nights a weeks starting the second week of school. She wants test you and some others, if you pass the test you have the position."
"Wow, I don't know what to say."
"You can start with thank you."
"Thank you."
"How about, Fred, George you are the best brothers in the world and I owe you my life."
"Um, no. You are two of the best brothers in the world but I don't owe you my life."
Everyone laughed.
"By the way, what is your latest invention?" Ginny inquired.
"We haven't really named it yet, we were thinking the Harry Potter because it reminds us of your scar, buy you can try one if you want." George explained winking at Harry. He handed Ginny a gooey candy in the shape of a lightning bolt. She looked at it hesitantly but then popped it into her mouth and ate it. Everyone watched her expecting something to happen.
"Wow, that tasted good. But nothing happened." Ginny said. As she spoke white sparks flew out of her mouth. "This is great!!!" The sparks changed color from white to blue. George handed everyone a piece of candy. They all ate it and in seconds the cabin was filled with multicolored sparks.
"Okay now that you know all of our news we are going to find some one else to try it, hopefully get some more money." Fred said as the twins exited the cabin. Before the door closed Harry saw her again. Cho and her friends were in the cabin across the aisle. Harry felt himself turning pink as the door closed. Harry turned to Ron who had an all-knowing look on his face. Hermione was giving Harry a disgusted look and Ginny just looked at Harry. There was a small twist in Harry's stomach when he looked into Ginny's eyes. Ginny and Cho were so different. He had feelings for both of them but he didn't understand them. He was trying to figure out his feelings, while starring out the window at the black sky, when the plump little witch with the cart came by.
"Would you like anything from the cart?"
"Yes, 20 cauldron cakes, 12 chocolate frogs and 4 boxes of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans." Harry said retrieving the money from his pouch.
"That will be one Gallion and three Sickles."
Harry handed her the money and took the food.
"Would anyone else like anything?" Everyone shook their heads starring at the stack of food Harry had just bought.
"You seem hungry." Hermione observed.
Harry laughed, "This isn't just for me. It's for all of us to share." Everyone helped themselves to some of the food that Harry had just bought. They enjoyed the food while they laughed and talked. Harry's mind kept wondering back to Cho.
Harry began to eat when a large something, perhaps a rock, hit the window. Everyone in the cabin jumped and tried to figure out what was going on. Then it happened again.
"What the Hell?" Ron asked astonished.
"I think it's hail," Hermione answered not hiding her confusion. Soon the group couldn't hear each other over the noise of the falling ice. The door slid open and Alicia Snippet, one of Gryffindor's chasers stood on the threshold.
"Hermione, I need you in the Head Girl/ Head Boy's cabin for a minute. I need to speak to all of the Prefects." Hermione imediately rose from her seat and left the cabin.
"I wonder what's going on?" Ron demanded more than asked.
"Does that mean Alicia is Head Girl?" Harry asked.
"I think she is, and I don't know what's going on." Ginny answered them. "I'm sure she will be back soon."
True to Ginny's words Hermione soon reappeared in the doorway. "The train has to make an emergency stop. It is damaged and if we continue we could become stranded." She explained with a rush.
"I didn't think the train could become damaged."
"Ron, when are you ever going to read Hogwarts A History? The train can become damaged just like everything else. We are stopping in a town called Godric's Hollow."
Ginny gasped at this news and everyone in the cabin turned and starred at Harry.
"What?!?!" Harry asked knowing it was another wizarding fact that he did not know.
"It's just that, well…" Ginny began and paused looking deeply into his eyes, "Well… this is where you were born… and this is where you-know-who came and found you and your parents."
"What?!?!" Harry stammered. Great another thing I didn't already know about myself Harry thought.
Harry starred from face to face, he was in shock, and he would be going to the place where his parents had died. I want to go see where our house was Harry decided, but I don't want everyone else to come with me. Soon the train was slowing down and they could hear doors opening up and down the corridor.
"What's going on?" Nevil Longbottom asked sticking his head into the cabin.
"We have to make an emergency stop. The train is damaged." At the end of this statement the train had completely stopped. "I have to help keep everyone together, so I better go meet up with Alicia. I'll see you when we get off."
Harry could hear Hermione's voice floating over the heads of everyone in the corridor, "Stay calm, we have made an emergency stop. Everything will be okay we are going to be spending the night here, in Godric's HollowPig and Hedwig were hooting curiously. "Well, let's join the crowd." Ginny suggested reluctantly. Luckily the group had a compartment towards the end of the train so they could get off without having to be in the middle of the mob that was their classmates. After pushing and shoving for several minutes Harry emerged outside. It was daytime, but the only reason anyone knew was because Harry checked his new watch that he had bought while in Diagon Alley. The group hurried over to shelter from the falling hail.
"Sonourus! Okay everyone please calm down. We are going to stay here for the night. There are several wizarding family's who live here who are going to be taking us in. We are going to fill the houses beginning with the youngest. First years please gather farthest to my right and seventh years please gather farthest to my left. Everyone in the grades in between please gather into classes so I will be able to see how many of each year we have." Alicia instructed. Harry had to admit she was good in a panic. Everyone did as they were told and quietly moved into groups according to class. Second years and above grouped also according to house.
"Okay, I need half of the first years to go with Mrs. Moris here. She will show you where you are sleeping. Katie, why don't you go with them to help them." Alicia motioned to an elderly witch standing to her left. The elderly witch lead twenty scared first years to her house followed closely by Katie Bell.
"The rest of the first years, please follow Mr. Smith here," Alicia motioned to an elderly man who had taken the place formerly filled by Mrs. Moriss. "William, please go with them." Alicia indicated a tall seventh year hufflepuff whom Harry did not know.
"Now to the second years. You are all separated into houses so Hufflepuf and Slytherin students follow Mr. Jones, he will show you where to stay, Alison, go with them since you are a Hufflepuf prefect." Harry watched as Alicia slowly dispersed the students to local wizard's houses. Third Year Ravenclaw's and Gryffindor's went with Mrs. Higgins, Cho was sent with them. Harry watched longingly as Cho followed the group up the road.
"We have one more house so, Hufflepuff and Slytherin fourth years follow Mrs. Sintler, Robert go with them. Everyone else will be staying either here or at the local park. We will have to get up really early to prevent being seen. Why don't we separate according to houses? Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw follow me while Hufflepuf and Slytherin students stay here with Marshal, your Head Boy." Harry looked around and noticed a quiet Hufflepuf standing on Alicia's right hand side, pinned on his shirt was a Head Boy badge. Harry was reminded of when Percy Weasley received his badge. Laughing Harry grabbed his trunk and began dragging it towards Alicia.
"Oh, yeah, Professor McGonnagall gave us permission to use magic to move our trunks so we don't attract attention." She then muttered something and her voice returned to normal.
The sky had stopped dropping large ice blocks but it was darker than ever as they made their way up the road.
"Why don't we get an empty spot over there." Hermione suggested pointing to an area near the woods. The group silently agreed and moved to the area. Alicia flicked her wand and the ground was covered with sleeping bags. Harry grabbed one and moved it towards the clearing.
"Do you want to play a game of exploding snaps?" Ginny offered.
"Sure." Harry said wanting to do something. The weather seemed to be effecting everyone's moods, as most people were visibly upset.
"Wow, Ginny, I can actually see why Dad is so facinated with Muggles. They really are amazing! Look at this thing."
"Ron, that's a street light." Hermione explained trying not to laugh out loud.
"Yeah, but to think they do all of this without magic." Ron said awestricken. "What's it called again ickeltricity?" Hermione couldn't stop herself from laughing out loud at Rons misspronunciation.
"Electricity!" Hermione said. Soon they began playing a game of chess. The four played games the rest of the afternoon, talking as they went.
"Should I write to Snuffles?" Harry asked wanting to do something productive.
"What, do you think this was caused by dark magic?" Hermione asked in a whisper. "The conductor said it was because of the hail."
"Yeah, your probably right."
"Here dears," Harry and Ron jumped at the sound of this unfamiliar voice. It was the witch who normally pushed the lunch cart. She had brought everyone sandwiches for dinner.
"Thank you." Everyone murmured taking the sandwiches she handed them. Around 10 o'clock Alicia returned from checking on all of the houses.
"Hermione, you guys need to get to sleep, we have an early morning tomorrow and I'm going to need your help."
After Alicia retraced her steps to where she would be sleeping by the twins and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team Hermione spoke up, "Harry, I don't want you wandering off in the middle of the night while the rest of us are sleeping." It was like she could read his mind. How did she know he wanted to find where his parents had died, where they had lived for a year in happiness. How could Hermione expect Harry not to go and find it? He just nodded.
"Harry, I'm serious. I'm sure you want to go see it but it's not safe to go wandering off, alone. At least let us go with you."
"No, it's okay." Harry insisted he didn't want his friends to be there. This was something he would have to do by himself. Soon the group had fallen asleep, well everyone except Harry. Harry had been laying still for what felt like forever. When he was sure everyone else was asleep he quietly got up and made his way to the main street.
When he got there he realized that he didn't know where to go. Should I go to the left or the right Harry pondered. Almost imediately after asking himself this question he heard a familiar song. It was leading him to the right, away from the heart of town. Where have I heard this before? Harry asked himself as he followed it for several blocks. After he reached the top of a hill he could see the answer. It was a phoenix. Fawks, Harry wandered as he walked to it. It was resting on a sign of some sort, which was in the middle of a large field. As Harry walked closer to it the phoenix flew over to him and rested on his shoulder. It was Fawks; he could recognize the bird anywhere. On his leg, Harry found a letter.
Dear Harry,
I knew you would find this place. It is where your house stood fifteen years ago. I hope that Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley accompany you but I doubt you would let them come with you to such a personal place. I understand. Please be careful. A certain shaggy dog friend of ours wanted very much to be with you when you first viewed this location but he is unavailable right now. Take your time here and be sure to read the plaque. Fudge had it made and placed on the land, days after your parent's death.
Harry, don't dwell on the past and what might have been and forget to live. "I know your parents would have wanted you to be happy, to continue to live. Fawks will stay with you until you return to your campsite. I trust it won't be too late.
Your friend,
Dumbledore
After folding for the letter and placing it into his pocket safely Harry turned to read the plaque. "I don't think I've read anything so void of emotion." Harry thought after reading the plaque.
This plaque is here to commemorate the location of the Potters house. As you know this is where You-Know-Who was defeated by young Harry Potter after his parent's had been killed.
The familiar stinging of tears threatened to leave his eyes as he read the plaque again. How could it be so bland? How could the ministry not believe that Voldemort was back? All of the memories of last June came rushing back to Harry. Flooding his memory with pain and suffering. The blank-look behind Cedric's eyes as he lay lifeless on the ground. His ears rang with the sounds of his mother pleading to save his life. Why did I have to survive without them? Harry wondered. It's not fair. It had all been Harry's fault. I don't want to hurt any of my friends. Their lives are already in danger just with Voldemort being back, not to mention the fact that they were his close friends. Harry quickly lost the battle with the tears that had been threatening to come out as he sank to a sitting position on the ground by the plaque. He couldn't stop it and even more importantly he didn't want to stop it.
Harry sobbed quietly as he sat petting Fawks occasionally. He didn't even hear anyone approach from behind him until they spoke while putting their hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, I'm here for you." A familiar voice said soothingly. He jumped at hearing the voice and quickly looked at the owner of it, it was Ginny. She was sitting next to him trying to comfort him. He always knew they were connected some how but he never knew how. This summer it appeared that she had finally gotten over her crush on him and was able to speak to him without turning red and sticking her elbow in any butter. Fawks flew off Harry's shoulder and landed on the top of the plaque.
"Why did you come here?" Harry asked as he tried to stop sobbing.
"Shhhh… it's okay, no one knows where we are. I saw you leave and figured out where you were going." She reached over and embraced Harry in a loving way. Obviously imitating what her mother did when she was upset. This some how reassured Harry as he began to sob again. Ginny began to rock Harry back and forth gently as she hummed a song to him. Harry stopped crying long enough to look at her.
"What song is that?"
"I don't know, it's one my Mum always humms to me when I'm upset. I don't even know if it is a real song. Do you want me to stop?"
"No, it just… it just sound familiar, that's all." Harry's tears began to dry up and he was able to stop sobbing as he enjoyed being comforted by his friend. What was that song? I've heard it before Harry realized. My mother hummed it to me to put me to sleep as a child, wait; no she sang it to me. These thoughts came as Harry finally stopped crying.
"Ginny, can you find out the name of that song for me."
"Sure, why?"
"I think my Mum used to sing it to me when I was a baby."
"Oh, sure, I'll owl mum when I get to school." They sat quietly for a long time just enjoying being there. Wen Harry finally gained composer he sat up and looked at Ginny.
"Thank you Ginny, that helped a lot."
"It's only a friend thing, I'm sure you would try to help me if I was upset, actually I know you would. You saved my life once before, with the whole Diary fiasco in my first year. I owe you so much."
"Ginny, no you don't. It was only right."
"Who's bird is that anyway?" Ginny asked resting her head on Harry's shoulder.
He gently placed his arm around her as he answered, "Oh, that's Fawks, he belongs to Dumbledore."
"Wow Harry, what's he doing here?"
"Well, he brought me a letter from Dumbledore, he expected me to come here." Harry reached inside his pocket and retrieved the letter with his free hand giving it to Ginny to read.
"I know why everyone always said he was a genius, a little crazy, but isn't everyone." Harry had to smile thinking of the way so many people spoke of Dumbledore. Ginny quickly read the short letter and handed it back to Harry. They sat for a long while is silence starring at the sky, which was as black as it had been when they arrived.
"I think we need to get back to the camp, it's really late." Harry finally said realizing what Ron might do if he found the two of them out of their sleeping bags in the middle of the night. Ginny nodded in agreement obviously having had the same revelation. She took Harry's hand as they slowly walked back to the campsite.
"Goodnight." Harry said leaning over and giving Ginny one last hug.
"Goodnight." She whispered back into his ear before breaking away from the hug. She was definitely over him; some how Harry was disappointed. He pushed aside this feeling and layed down ready to go to sleep. But sleep didn't come.
Harry spent a long time falling asleep and when he did it was haunted by the voce of Voldemort and by his parents. He heard the screams of his mother as Voldemort tried to kill him.
"NO Mum, don't die! Step aside! Listen to him! He won't kill you, save yourself!" As the familiar bright green light flashed in front of his eyes Harry woke up in a cold sweet.
"Shhhh… it's okay Harry, it's only a dream. Every thing is okay." Ginny said resting her hand on his to try to comfort him. Harry couldn't explain it but this action did calm him.
"But she's gone, it's not okay. She could have lived but she chose to die. Everything is my fault."
"No it's not Harry, do you really think Voldemort would stop killing people if you were dead? NO he would keep on killing until everyone was gone, a follower of his, or he was stopped. Your mother did what was natural; to protect her child at all costs. Now shhhh… go back to sleep. I'm here, I won't move until you are back to sleep." With that Ginny moved her sleeping bag next to his and layed down still holding his hand comfortingly.
Harry finally fell asleep again. Laying next to Ginny he had to grin at the comfort that came with being next to her. This was the best sleep he had had in a long time. It was still plagued with dreams of Cedric and his parents but knowing that some one who cares for him was next to him prepared to comfort him at a moments notice. Not long after he had fallen back asleep Harry woke up with a jump.
It wasn't one of his own dreams that was waking him up. It was Ginny, she had begun to shake and was muttering in her sleep. "No!! … Don't hurt Harry!! … TOM, You're horrible! … Leave me and Harry alone!" What should I do? Harry asked himself looking at a shaking Ginny.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! … STOP THAT!!!!!!!!!! … Why are you trying to kill Harry! … It will never work!" Ginny continued to talk as she began to toss and turn in her sleep growing louder with each statement. Instinctively Harry grabbed her hand.
"Shhhh… Ginny, it's okay. It's just a dream. You're fine. Tom's never coming back. It's okay." Harry comforted her.
Ginny woke up and turned her eyes to Harry. "It's okay, you were just having a nightmare. Your fine."
"Yeah, I'm fine because you saved my life." Ginny said with a slight smile. It was obviously painful to remember the events of her first year at Hogwarts.
"Do you have those dreams often?"
"Yeah, I have them at least once a night. They have gotten worse over the summer. Since You-Know-Who came back. Oh Harry…" She began, reaching up and hugging him tightly. Harry didn't know what to do so he just let her embrace him knowing it would give her some sort of comfort. "I'm sorry for waking you up. Please don't tell Ron, or any people in my family. They don't know that the dreams have come back so strong."
"Sure, I understand, as long as you don't tell them about my dreams."
"We need to get back to sleep."
"Yeah, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The two layed down and fell asleep. Harry was able to tolerate the rest of the dreams that came. It wasn't long before he was woken gently by Ginny.
"What?" Harry asked not seeing clearly. He felt around for his glasses.
"We have to get back to the station because we don't want to draw attention. Hermione asked me to wake you and Ron."
"I didn't mean to be short, I was just in a deep sleep." Harry lied.
"Okay, help me wake him would you? He's practically dead when he sleeps."
"Sure" Harry got out of his sleeping bag and moved to shake Ron awake.
"Bloody hell, what time is it?"
"Seven"
"Let me go back to sleep, We're not leaving until 9 right."
"Actually WE are leaving now. We don't want to attract attention from the local mugles. Come ON … Get Up!" Ginny pulled at her brother's arm trying to get him off the ground.
"Where's Hermione?"
"She had to go help round up everyone."
"What about breakfast?" Harry asked noticing his stomach was growling.
"We'll have it on the train. Alicia said we will be leaving earlier to get to Hogwarts safely."
"What do you mean SAFELY?!?!?!" Ron asked grumpily. Harry had to laugh at his friend who was clearly not a morning person.
"Hermione and I'll fill you in when we get on the train."
"How do you know?"
"Well, I was up when Alicia woke Hermione, I happened to over hear her telling Hermione and then Hermione asked me to get you up."
"What, are you two best friends now?"
Ginny blushed at her brother's observation. "I don't know, she and I are good friends, especially now that you have let me into your group. We are both worried about Harry."
Harry blushed at the mention of his name. He knew they were worried about him but he sometimes wished they wouldn't worry so much. With a flick of his wand the sleeping bag was rolled up and in the stack with the others. Ron's was quick to follow. Shortly after they had stood up and stretched Alicia had swished her wand and the sleeping bags disappeared.
The three made their way up the street eager to find Hermione and learn what was going on. They walked in silence until Hermione ran up to them.
"There you are!! I've been looking for you. I'm surprised you are so far ahead of the rest of our year! You actually got moving quickly."
"Yeah, what's this about Safety?" Ron asked still rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
"Well, Early this morning, around 6, Alicia received an owl from Dumbledore, he said that we should get on the train as early as possible, for safety reasons. That's all it said. She then woke the Prefects and had us notify the conductor. Some of the other prefects went to each house rousing the rest of the students. We are all planing to leave as soon as possible."
"So, we don't know why we need to leave other than for 'safety reasons'?" Ron asked.
"No" Hermione answered clearly upset with the lack of news. Just then an owl flew by and landed on Harry's sholder.
"OW. Who is sending me an owl? Why now?" Harry asked taking the letter tied to its leg. The owl, seeing there was no food, quickly flew off.
Harry opened the letter it read:
Dear Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny,
I'm sure by now you are aware that something is going on. I wrote to Alicia first thing this morning to get everyone back safely. Deatheater's are aware of the train problems. They don't know where you stopped but they are trying to find you. It is imperative for you four to get on the train as soon as you reach the station. Alicia does not know why everyone is leaving earlier, I trust you will not retell this information to anyone. Please seat yourselves in the middle of the train in the most crowded area. You can have the cabin to yourself but it is safer with more people around.
Your friend,
Dumbledore
Harry's hands shook slightly as he read the letter for the third time. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny had read the letter over his shoulder's, they too were shaken.
"Come on, let's hurry." Hermione said almost in a whisper.
They quickened their pace as they walked the last block to the station. They were not the first people to get onto the train but they found an empty compartment in the middle like Dumbledore instructed. They loaded their trunks into the compartment before they sat in silence. It wasn't long before the train was loaded and on the way to Hogwarts. Harry felt better knowing that they were on their way back to Hogwarts, to be with Dumbledore. No one broke the silence until the witch with the cart came around.
"Good morning dear! Oh my, you look like none of you got a wink of sleep last night. Not to worry, we will be back at school soon where all of you will be able to sleep in your beds again. Here is breakfast." She passed out bowls of porridge to everyone.
"Thanks" they muttered. Harry didn't have much of an appetite. He looked out the window at the passing trees. It was dark again today, luckily nothing was falling from the sky but it was still dark.
"Harry you really need to eat. We'll be fine." Hermione assured everyone. "We are following Dumbledore's instructions. We'll be fine." She repeated herself sounding less sure with each word out of her mouth.
After everyone had eaten Ron challenged Hermione to a game of exploding snaps. They quickly forgot the trouble brewing elsewhere in the world. Harry sat watching them wishing he could forget everything that quickly. Ginny caught Harry's eyes with a concerned look, which he returned.
Ginny now spoke. "Why don't we play a game of chess, you know to pass the time."
"Sure," Harry was glad to have something to keep his mind busy, Hermione was right they were moving, on their way back to Dumbledore. They would be fine at Hogwarts, but Harry couldn't shake the nagging thought that kept saying "That's what you said last year and look what happened!" He ignored it to the best of his ability while he and Ginny played chess. Ron then took Ginny's place and before they realized it, it was time to change clothes.
They moved to the changing compartments and soon Harry emerged wearing his all black robes.
"Hi Harry! Did you grow over the summer?" Parvati Patil said grinning as she ran into Harry.
"Er … Hi Parvati. Er… yeah I think."
"You remember my sister Padma, right."
"Yeah, Hi." Harry said uneasily. He was glad to see Ron emerge from the compartment next to his.
"Oh, Hello Ron. You look really handsome today." Padma said giving Ron a hug. Hermione emerged in time to see Padma and Ron pulling away from the hug.
"I'll be in the compartment when you two decide to join me." Hermione said shortly, ignoring the Patil's completely.
"What's with her?" Parvati asked when Hermione was out of earshot.
"I don't know." Harry said wishing he were back in their compartment.
"Come on you two, we have our game of chess to finish" Ginny said after she saw the situation. Harry could have kissed her right then. He was so glad to be out of the tension in the corridor. He moved as quickly as he could to get away from Parvati.
"We'll see you at school." Harry said over his shoulder to the twins as he reentered the compartment.
"I'm glad to see you two back to your senesces." Hermione scolded as Ron closed the door behind him.
"What are you talking about us back to our senesces? They were the ones acting weird." Ron replied.
"They fancy you!" Ginny giggled.
"What?!?!" Harry and Ron yelled at the same time.
"Yeah, what, you two didn't know?!?!" Ginny and Hermione looked at each other. Ginny was overcome by uncontrollable giggles.
"They like us?" Harry asked trying not to look at Ginny.
"They have liked you since the second task. There are some advantages to being roommates with Lavender and Parvati. Padma was 'so worried about Ron during the task'!" Hermione answered striking a melodramatic pose. Ginny who had just recovered from her fit of giggles couldn't stop them from coming again. Ron looked at Harry with a face of discussed.
The rest of the trip passed quickly. The group spent it laughing and playing games. It was so dark outside that if Harry didn't know differently, he would have thought it was night. He was glad that nothing was falling down out of the sky today, it made the trip less tense. As they approached the station at Hogsmead the sky was lightening as the clouds broke up.
Soon the train was pulling into the Hogsmead station. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron climbed off the train onto the platform. Harry looked over and saw a familiar figure standing at the end of the platform.
"Hiya Harry. Got sum great news for yeh. Tell yeh in class." Hagrid said smiling.
"Okay Hagrid." Harry said grinning back into the familiar beetle black eyes. He turned and made his way to the line of horseless carriages waiting to take the students up to the school. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione got one all to themselves.
"Can you believe this weather? It went from being pitch black a few hours ago to being almost sunny." Hermione asked.
"Yeah, this is strange!" Ginny agreed.
"Maybe we can get out to the quidditch pitch and practice this afternoon." Ron suggested, clearly excited about the coming season and the concept of being the new keeper. "You know, it would be good for me to practice."
"You will need to talk to Angelina about that."
"Oh, yeah."
They all couldn't help but smile. Harry felt safer now that he was back at Hogwarts. The carriage soon dropped them off on the front steps of the castle. It was beautiful, Harry thought looking up at school. As they made their way into the building Hermione left them, going to her prefect's meeting.
