Author's Note: Thank-you everyone for reviewing! I'm really sorry about the long wait, but the computer's been banned during the week now. My sister's fault. If you want to lay a complaint (please do), look up the pathetic story, 'The guy of my dreams' by jillybean, and put up a really bad review. But don't tell her I sent you! Thank-you!: I know there haven't been 25 reviews, but my hopes were too high, and I really wanted to post the next chapter. So I have. Anyway, here I go replying to your wonderful reviews:

Aldwyn, the Conjuror: Am I really demanding people to read it? I didn't mean to. It's just that feedback means a lot to me, that's all. Thanks, though.

Fran: Sorry for the wait! Glad you like it so far.

Janibo: You really love it? Yay! Yes, Harry will probably be a Prefect and Quidditch captain, but no-one is smarter than Hermione!

Nell: Yes, Harry certainly is clueless.

Harryhermione4ever: Thanks for your support. Good that you picked up on the joke, too. I like putting them in.

Saerry Snape: Thanks. I really was laughing when I wrote it. But I should thank my stinky sister. She gave me the idea!

Phoenix: I like being funny, so I'm glad people think I'm funny. Thanks.

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Ok, that's all. And can someone please tell me how to get bold and italic writing?!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but a few bits and pieces here and there. Like Jillian, and the new transport to Hogwarts. So read on, dear friend, and don't forget to review!

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1 Back to School in Pumpkins

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Harry leapt off the train with a broad smile on his face, closely followed by Ron, who was half-tripping on his hand-me-down robes, and Hermione, watching his funny antics with a disapproved look. As they stepped onto the platform, a soft buzz traveled through the passing crowd of students, concerning Harry's new look.

"Ah, smell that beautiful Hogwarty fresh air!" Harry exclaimed, lifting his nose. Ron looked slightly guilty at this, as if it was his fault that Harry was treasuring outside air. Can't imagine why….

"Yes, Harry, but we've all smelt this air before. And why do you…Oh look at that glorious sunset!" Hermione exclaimed, nudging Harry to look. "Doesn't it make Hogwarts look beautiful!"

Ron took a mere glance at the sunset and rolled his eyes. "Honestly, you'd think you two lived in the sewerage." He looked along the platform to see a large familiar figure standing against the wall, trying to light a glass lantern. "Hey, there's Hagrid!" Ron exclaimed.

The landscape admirers turned their heads to see their giant friend.

"Hagrid!" Hermione cried, as they made their way to him. Hagrid looked up and, seeing who it was, his worried face burst into a beaming smile.

"Hello there. How are you three?" he asked when they reached him. Hagrid glanced over them all; Hermione with her thick bushy hair and neat robes, Ron with his usual face of freckles, and Harry….

"Arry!" Hagrid exclaimed in surprise.

"What?!" Harry cried, instantly alert.

"You….you've GROWN!" he answered, looking the young and, might I add, very good-looking wizard up and down in amazement. "Last time I saw ye, ye was only this big." Hagrid held his large hand up to his waist.

Harry blushed a little, as Hagrid's voice could be heard all down the station.

"Well it's about time he grew, hey, Harry?" Ron grinned at his friend.

"I s'pose.." Harry shrugged, his alert green eyes darting around to see how many people could hear their conversation. He got quite a few wide- eyed eye contact with various people, all of which gasped when they saw him, something Harry was getting immensely sick of.

"Ruddy lamp," Hagrid was muttering to himself, fiddling with the wick in the lantern that refused to light. "I need to get this lit before the first-years get lost."

Harry extended an arm and said helpfully, "Here, let me try." Hagrid handed over the lantern and matches, and watched in awe as the wick burst into a small flame with one stroke of the match.

"Thanks, 'Arry." Hagrid said with a grateful smile.

"No problem. I have to do it all the time at the Dursleys'." He explained.

Hagrid nodded and said, "Well, ye'd best be getting' off to yer carriages, now."

"Carriages?" Hermione asked. "But we've just come off the train carriages."

"Oh, but these aren't train carriages. No, these'll take ye to Hogwarts' front door step. They're pumpkin carriages."

"Pumpkin carriages?!" the three exclaimed at once.

"Sure. Ruddy good idea of mine, if I do say so meself. I thought that since we'd had a nice little break from You-Know-Who last year that it'd be a lovely way to start the next year." Harry and Hermione glanced at eachother, exchanging meaningful looks. They knew where Hagrid's brilliant idea had stemmed. Ron just stood there listening to Hagrid, very interested in the pumpkin talk.

"Well, yeah, ye should go now, and have a good trip to Hogwarts in them. I have teh take care of these li'l first years." And with that, Hagrid held up his large arm, swinging his newly-lit lantern, and calling, "Firs' years over 'ere. Firs' years over 'ere."

The young children scattered around Hagrid, a few pointing out the famous Harry Potter.

"Yes, we should go." Harry agreed, mainly to escape the building attention. So they set off along the platform, following a few more of the stragglers. The loose line of students lead them to one side of the lake, where Hogwarts castle's east side overlooked. There, nestled beside the water, were a dozen overgrown orange pumpkins each about two metres tall. They had funny-looking lumps on each side, and complete with an entrance space and room for up to four people. As the young wizards and witch watched, four students entered the carriage, the pumpkin shook, sprouted long wings from the lumps, and took off into the sky. Harry, Hermione and Ron watched in amazement as the stout vegetable flew across the lake, with perfect grace. It disappeared into the evening sky just as another took off.

"Wow! I can't wait to ride these!" Ron said, as he made a run for the next one. He hopped into it, closely followed by Harry and Hermione.

Hermione slid onto the cushioned seat across from the boys. She looked around and remarked, "Well, it's not enclosed, for starters. That's good." And glanced at an irritated Ron.

"That's not fair, Hermione. Will you just stop it?" Ron replied.

Harry turned to face the glassless window, and stared out into the night as the others continued to bicker. A lovely cool breeze blew through the carriage and gently rustled his jet-black hair. He gazed at the beautiful Hogwarts, more his home than anywhere else could possibly be. It was aglow with pretty lights, holding a sense of mystery around the whole castle. Harry certainly was very glad to be back – back home.

With a sigh, Hermione gave in to her and Ron's pointless argument, and also settled back to enjoy the scenery. Well, she meant to enjoy the scenery, but actually found herself staring at Harry. Luckily Ron was occupied with his shoelaces he had to re-lace through the entire shoe. Hermione wished the moment could last much longer: her, Harry, and a pre-occupied Ron. She watched as the gentle breeze played with his hair, moved the creases in his robes. Gosh, he's beautiful, she thought.

Hermione's pleasant silence was interrupted when Ron said, "Hey, Herm. Could you give us a bit of light over here?" In the increasing darkness, Hermione could make out Ron trying to get the lace through the last hole. He wasn't having any luck.

With a sigh, she pulled out her trusty wand, stood up, and was just about to produce light from the end of it when the carriage shook violently. Hermione let out a cry, and her wand directed to the outside of the pumpkin, watched as a short beam of black light emerged from the wand, and contacted with the carriage wing, shattering its edgings. Immediately, the carriage started swaying, and Ron cried, "Good golly, Hermione, what on earth did you do?" One look out the window and he quickly realized. Harry was groping to the sides of the doorframe, looking quite sick. They all fell to the floor as the pumpkin carriage went plummeting through the sky, headed for the lake.

They were all clinging onto the seats for dear life when the pumpkin landed heavily on the water's surface. Everyone expected it to go right under, along with the inhabitants. Hermione glanced up to see the two boys staring at eachother with panic-stricken expressions.

"Let's get out of here." Hermione managed to whisper. She peered out of the window to see the dock only about five metres away. "We're going to have to use a bit of magic to get there." She murmured and once again, pulled out her wand.

But before she could get any further, Ron grabbed her wrist and said, "Don't you think we should let Harry do it?"

Hermione was slightly hurt by this remark, but nevertheless, instructed Harry to dip his wand into the lake via the doorframe, and say 'Retipius L'eau'. Harry did as he was told, and his wand began to act as a propeller. In no time, they had reached the dock, and scrambled out, slightly wet.

"Well, it's the thought that counts, I suppose." said Harry. "And it was a very sweet idea, Hagrid borrowing Madame Maxime's transport methods for us all."

"What? That's where he got the idea from?" Ron asked, brushing himself down.

"No, Ron. Hagrid loves the muggle fairy-tale 'Cinderella' so much, he decided to bring it to Hogwarts." Hermione remarked sarcastically.

"Well, don't go blamin' me for anything now, Hermione. We all know it was your fault." Ron stormed up the dock a few metres, then turned around impatiently, waiting for the others to follow.

Harry bent his head down to Hermione's ear, and whispered, "Don't worry about it, Herm. He'll get over it. It wasn't your fault. I reckon we had a dud carriage." He beckoned her to come along, and they all left the dock. And the half-winged pumpkin continued bobbing around on the surface, looking very forlorn indeed.

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As the three entered the hallway, the numerous pictures scattered on the walls turned and tut-tutted the latecomers. Harry, Ron and Hermione could already hear sounds of people eating and laughing, students talking, glasses chinking. The feast had already started.

"Oh well, there's nothing like a big entrance," Hermione mumbled to herself. They approached the enormous doors to the Great Hall, taking a moment to brush up before Harry knocked loudly. The great doors swung open to reveal a full house of students and teachers, all who looked up instantly. All who became instantly quiet. And all who let out surprised gasps when Harry entered, and as he noticed, even Cho.

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Author's Note: Another chapter finished, another one to review. I hope you liked it. Now, just to prove Aldwyn wrong, I'm not going to set a review standard this time. But I do encourage you to press that little blue button down there and type your thoughts. Please! The next chapter might take a while, so suggestions for it will have plenty of time. And I would also like to know what you think about me starting one of those character interview fics, where you can ask them anything you like. Should I? So, tell me what you think, and I'll be happy to hear it. Thanks everyone. I'm really happy now, because not only have I finished typing, I found out I've gotten a part in the school musical! Yay for me. Bye!