Chapter 9. Challenges

            Sirius dropped Harry off at the station with a promise to be back soon. As Harry made his way to the platform, he noticed that the station was busier than usual. With everything that had been going on at school, Harry hadn't been keeping up with the Muggle news. He stopped at a newsstand and grabbed a copy of the London Times to read while waiting for the train.

            Nonchalantly walking toward the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10, he crossed onto Platform 9 ¾ without any difficulty. He chuckled, remembering that time in his second year when he and Ron couldn't get onto the platform because of Dobby.

            As he made his way to a bench to sit, he nodded to other people pleasantly. He was still having difficulty realizing he was an adult now, but was beginning to enjoy it. As he sat down and unfolded the paper, one of the headlines caught his eye. "Special exhibition matches at Wimbledon start tonight; Sold Out". Well, that explained all the activity. Must be some good players coming. Looking back down at the paper, he was suddenly on his feet. "Scotland Yard investigating strange deaths in Suffolk" was the headline. The article explained that policemen had come across the bodies of six people with no apparent signs of foul play. All the people were well known in Suffolk as troublemakers. A spokesman for Scotland Yard was quoted saying that the circumstances were very odd and he had only seen one case like it before, when he was Chief Constable of Great Hangleton. The case he remembered was never solved.

            Harry began scouring the paper for any more odd news. Other than the one story he found nothing. He bought a copy of The Daily Prophet from the station, but nothing more on the incident was reported. He saw articles on suspected Death Eaters whereabouts, minor robberies and the like, but nothing important. The lead story was about Hogwarts graduation and Harry himself. He hated those kinds of stories, but was sure Ginny would want a copy to keep.

            A whistle could be heard in the distance. Harry looked up from his paper and saw the train starting to pull into the station. He folded up the papers and tucked them under his arm. He saw other people coming to pick up family members. He waved to Luna's father who was standing off by himself. 'Strange man,' thought Harry, 'but he believed me when few others did.' He looked back to the train when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

            "Good afternoon, Mr. Potter," said an older woman dressed very conservatively.

            "Why, hello! How are you, Mrs. Longbottom?" asked Harry.

            "Quite well, Harry. Thank you for asking," replied Neville's grandmother. "Chose not to ride this time?"

            "Actually, I wanted to, but I had to take care of a few things."

            "I understand. Congratulations on your achievements. I am glad that Neville will have a good friend with him for his training. His father would be so proud." She said.

            "Any change in his parents condition?" asked Harry.

            "Actually, yes, I do have a bit of good news. Frank has started improving due to a new potion that has been discovered. He actually knew me yesterday. And Alice asked about Neville. That's why I am here. Neville will be so surprised!" she exclaimed.

            Harry smiled. "I am glad things are going well. Please let me know if I can help in any way."

            "Thank you. Ah, here comes Neville now," she added.

            Harry turned to see the students starting to get off of the train. Neville was talking to Dean and Seamus, who waved to Harry. Luna and Ginny were coming up behind them. Luna looked different, somehow. Harry noticed Luna look at Neville, and he knew. Luna fancied him. When Luna turned to hug Ginny, Harry watched as Neville looked at Luna. Laughing to himself, Harry knew it was a matter of time before Luna and Neville got together. Excusing himself from Mrs. Longbottom, Harry headed over to the girls.

            "Hey there, forget about me?" Harry said, jokingly.

            "And who are you?" asked Ginny with a twinkle in her eye.

            "Get a room, you two," said Neville, laughing as he walked up to Harry.

            "Neville!" said Ginny.

            "Aw, come on Ginny, I was just teasing!" said Neville. They all laughed.

            "Neville, why don't you come to the Burrow in a couple days? Mum has a new plant and she isn't sure if it's doing okay," added Ginny.

            "Sounds good. I better go, Gran looks impatient. Bye, Harry…Ginny. Bye, Luna"

            "Bye, Neville," Luna said quietly as Neville went over to his grandmother.

            "Um, Luna. Do you like Neville?" asked Harry.

            "Is it that obvious?" asked Luna.

            "Almost as obvious as the fact that he likes you," laughed Harry.

            Luna stared at him. "And how do you know that?"

            "Let's just say he isn't coming to the Burrow worrying about a plant."

***

            Sirius dropped Harry at the station and proceeded to Gringotts. When he went inside, he talked to the Head Goblin and handed him a letter. The goblin read the letter then gave it back to Sirius. After a brief discussion and a nod from the goblin, Sirius shook his hand and left Gringotts, smiling. Once he was outside he apparated.

***

"I thought Sirius was coming as well," said Ginny.

            "He said he had some errands to run and would be right back," replied Harry. "Let me get your trunk." Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at her trunk. "Reducto!" He then placed the very small trunk in his pocket and grabbed Ginny's hand as they headed back to the entrance of the station to find Sirius.

***

            "Molly, I don't know why those people were killed," said Mr. Weasley.

            "I know, Arthur. But we need to try to not show our worry during dinner tonight. We need to let the children relax. Soon enough they will be involved. Did you talk to Dumbledore?" she asked.

            "Yes, both he and Minerva will be here. Do you need help?"

            "Hermione and Ron are helping. You go relax, dear," she added, kissing him on the cheek as Ron and Hermione walked in.

            "Mum! Not in front of the children!" shouted Ron. They all laughed. Ron and Hermione set about helping prepare dinner while Arthur went out to sit on the swing.

***

            As they came outside, Ginny looked up and saw Sirius. He was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Slowly, they made their way toward him. He sat astride the motorcycle, which he had pulled between a red car and a lamp post.

            "Hey you two! I was beginning to give up on you," laughed Sirius.

            "Had to talk to a few people. Neville's Gran says his parents are doing much better, even starting to remember things," Harry added.

            "Great news! I remember them from the old days. Good people. Oh, careful Harry. Looks like you dropped something," Sirius said, pointing at the ground near Harry's feet.

            Harry looked down. Right next to his left shoe was a key ring with3 keys on it. He bent down and picked them up. "These aren't mine, Sirius. The one key looks like a Gringotts key and the others look like car keys. They say 'Ford' on them," he added.

            "They are yours, Harry," said Sirius. "They used to belong to your father."