Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything in it. I really don't. I might think that I do everynow and then because of my boyfriend....but well that's another story. ^^ Harry Potter belongs to Ms. Rowlings.

Autors Note: Due to the coming out of the fifth book I will attempt to keep certain things in line, but I came up with this story line before the fifth book so things will still be radically different. I'm sorry that the two will undoubtedly clash.

Chapter 7

Coming Home

When Harry awoke the next morning, he realized with a start that today was the day that he went home. Today he would get on the Hogwarts Express and be on his way back to the wonderful castle he called home. He had missed it very much over the summer, and was near to bursting with excitement. This year would be great he thought. He had Ginny, he would be Quidditch captain, and he'd get to be with both of his friends all the time again.

Ron woke up not too long after Harry, and Harry knew the exact moment Ron remember what today was. Ron's eyes lit up and his lips curved up into a huge smile, "Harry do you what today is?! Today we go back to Hogwarts! Oh I can't wait! I'll get to see Hermione and maybe, just maybe I'll get to play Quidditch with you!"

Harry smiled at his friend brightly, "I'm sure you will Ron. You're an excellent rider, and I don't think there's a single soul that doesn't know that you eat, drink, and breathe Quidditch," said Harry as he slowly rose from the bed. "I can't wait to get there. I've missed everything so much."

"I don't blame you at all for that Harry. Not with what you have to go home to every summer," said Ron. He jumped out of bed suddenly then, looking very excited. "Hey! But with Sirius getting his charges dropped and all, maybe you'll be able to go home with him! Wouldn't that be great? Then you wouldn't have to go spend your summer with those horrible Muggles."

"That would be great Ron. Sirius said that he'd mail me if things changed, so I'll be sure to know if that option becomes available," said Harry.

He left Ron, who was mumbling something about school supplies and Malfoy, to go and take a nice shower. After all, he couldn't go back home all dirty and smelly from being in Diagon Alley all day yesterday now could he?

After he was clean and dry, he dressed in a nice black shirt and pants and came back out to start packing his trunk.

Ron still couldn't believe the change in Harry's looks. It was simply unbelievable how much he had changed. He shrugged though and began to pack his own trunk, and soon they were both ready to go.

The two boys lugged their trunks downstairs and met with the other Weasley children who would still be in attendance at Hogwarts this year, and they all made their way to the fireplace. Each grabbed a bit of floo and soon, they were all standing next to platform 9¾. Each Weasley child gave their mother and father a quick hug and kiss, and the two grown up Weasleys gave Harry a hug and a kiss.

After that, they were all racing through the wall to other side. Their trunks were taken from them, and they went to go and find seats on the train.

Harry and Ron immediately made their way to their usual compartment in the back, smiling all the way there in anticipation of seeing their friend Hermione. When they reached the seats Hermione looked up from her book and smiled brightly at her two best friends. "It's about time you two got here. I was beginning to think something had happened to you," she said teasingly.

"Well we've got a whole houseful of people to get ready to get here Hermione. That takes a bit you know," said Ron plopping down next to her.

Harry nodded as he sat down, but looked at the door to the compartment wondering how Ginny was doing with her friends and how he would see her once they got to school. What would he do? Tell the whole school that Ginny was his girlfriend? Did he really want to have to be hounded by news reporters like Rita Skeeter over his love life? On the other hand it would be hard keeping it a secret. He wanted to be able to be with Ginny whenever he liked, not just when no one was looking. Harry sighed deeply.

"What's wrong Harry?" asked Hermione, her voice filled with concern.

"It's nothing really. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea I'm sure Hermione. Don't worry. I can take care of it," replied Harry aggrivatedly. Did she really think that he couldn't manage his own problems? Look at what he'd already been through and triumphed over. He should be the one worrying over them, not them worrying over him. Harry could take care of himself.

The rest of the train ride passed pleasantly enough. The three of them exchanged stories about the summer. Harry was surprised at the disapproval Hermione showed when he retold his story of his victory over the Dursleys, and when the train finally stopped, Harry was still just a bit annoyed over that.

They all got off of the train and got into the horseless carriages, although Harry could have sworn that when he glanced around before closing the door he saw winged horses in front of them all. He shrugged though and passed it off as his just being tired.

After arriving at the castle they all made their way to the great hall to wait for the sorting of the new students to begin and of course, to listen to the sorting hat's new rhyme.

Once placed on the chair the sorting hat began it's song:

I am the magical sorting hat and I've made this brand new song.

But if you think this will be a joyous tune then brace yourself for being wrong.

This year I've no rhymes about bravery, cunning, wisdom, or determination. No not this time.

This year I'm afraid, you'll be listening to a dire warning of mine.

The Old World is rising, the darkness comes.

But in seeing all the things I've seen, I wonder if evil has already one.

This year there will be change, this year there will be a surprise.

I can only hope that I am wrong and we don't all meet our demise.

But come now and be sorted, but be careful careful please.

All you houses must band together in this time of great need.

I pray my warning you heed.

Harry gaped at the hat in shock. It was the second time that an Old World had been mentioned. What did it mean? The darkness comes? Did the hat know something about Voldemort that no one else did? What in the hell was going on?!

Note: Eh....sorry it's always taking me so long to update this story. I keep telling you all that I'll start getting chapters out sooner and then I don't do anything with it. All I can say is that I do try, it's just I'll get writers block sometimes. I'm sorry. I will try harder.