A/N: As I am going to be writing short chapters often right now, I'll just do that. I have a lot of plans for this fic so I really want to get it done and see what people think. Here goes y'all! And one more thing: If I have any British readers, could you please give me some British slang, because being American I don't really know how British teenagers would really talk and I want to make it as real as possible.

Ch. 5 On the Scarlet Train

As the sun rose, the light shone through Harry's eyelids. He squinted and turned his head to a snoring Ron. He sat up and realized that today would be the day that he would go back to Hogwarts. He threw a pillow at Ron and gathered all his things.

After the two had hastily packed everything, they ran down stairs to the kitchen. Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley were already down there. The twins stopped eating and one, Harry didn't know which, started to apologize.

"Its ok," Harry said, "I was the one who was out of line."

"Well, since that's settled-" The Weasley boys immediately scarfed down their breakfast.

"Pigs," Ginny said before stuffing her face as well.

Soon Mr. Weasley arrived and they were all loaded into a new car. It was insinuated that the ministry was sorry they never believed Mr. Weasley, so they gave him a car. It was miraculous that they all fit, but Harry thought that magic had something to do with it. And then they were on their way.

Once they reached the station they had ten minutes to spare. They hauled their things the the enchanted platform. With the help of Fred and George they put their luggage in an empty compartment. They returned outside to say good-bye. Suddenly Harry put a hand on one of the twin's arms, "I've only just realized," he said, "that you can't come with us."

"Yeah," he grinned. "Dumbledore gave us our diplomas after he became Headmaster again. My hero. He said that it was enough that we gave that blasted teacher trouble."

"Those were good times," The other chimed in.

They all said good-bye and the four students stepped onto the train. Ron and Hermione left to do Prefect duty, so Ginny and Harry sat in their compartment. They chatted a bit before the compartment door slid open.

"Hello, Harry. Hello, Ginny." Said Luna Lovegood.

"Oh, Hello Luna."

"Hi," Harry was not sure if he should be happy or annoyed to see her. But she didn't bother them. She sat down and opened the newest edition of the Quibbler. It was at that very moment that Neville entered. He too sat with them.

Ron and Hermione joined them later. They all sat together. Ron seemed to be trying to stay as far away from Luna as possible. She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes smiled shyly. Harry found this odd, but amusing. Hermione felt other wise.

"What is wrong with Luna?" Hermione asked when the girl left for a bathroom break. "And what are you doing Ron?"

"I'm not doing anything! She keeps looking at me."

Luna came back and still seemed smitten with Ron. But they all tried to ignore it and mostly enjoyed the ride to school.

The train slowed and they began to get out. When they stepped out onto the station platform, they saw a light in the distance. Harry at once thought it was Hagrid, but as the light came closer he saw that it was in fact Dumbledore. He smiled at them all. "First years! Please follow me. Come along!"

"Professor, where's Hagrid?" Hermione asked.

"I gave him the night off."

Harry knew this was not true. Or at least it wasn't completely true. Dumbledore wanted to protect the first years.

They rest of the student body went to board the seemingly horseless carriages. Harry, Neville, and Luna knew better. The thestrals snorted and huffed. The friends boarded a carriage and they traveled to the castle.

A/N: Ok, I'll try to get the next chapters next weekend. Please review! I really need the encouragement.