The excited students climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express.
Four of the students found an almost empty compartment. It only had one other occupant. A man sat stretched out with his legs out and a broad brimmed hat upon his face. The students heard the snores loud and clear coming from the hat. The man was asleep.
"He's not supposed to be here! This train is suppose to be only for students." One of the boys said loudly.
"Maybe he's a new teacher. They sometimes take the train." Another replied.
"He doesn't look like a teacher to me. And anyway they won't be any new teachers, not with what is happening." The first boy replied as he slumped into the seat.
"What's happening?" one of the girls asked.
"Muggle born" the first boy sneered, "magic is getting weaker, that's what is happening."
"What do you mean weaker?" the girl asked puzzled.
"Not as strong stupid. No one noticed at first but over the last few years magic has been getting weaker. We can't do lots of things they could do years ago." The boy lectured as if talking to a child.
What the children had failed to notice was the snoring had stopped some time ago although the man hadn't moved. Nev sat there listening.
"Why is magic getting weaker?" The girl asked.
"That is the sixty four million dollar question. There's a big conference at Hogwarts right now trying to figure it out." the boy said.
"My dad says it's the work of You-Know-Who." The other boy said in hushed tones.
"Who's You-Know-Who?" the girl asked.
"Don't you know nothing." The boy sneered, "He's a wizard who went bad years ago and killed a whole lot of people. They say he's still around, plotting his revenge."
"Why do you call him You-Know-Who?" the girl asked.
"Because his name isn't to be spoken. It might summon him and believe me you wouldn't want that." The boy replied.
"You're just too scared to say it." Another boy teased.
"I am not!" The first boy objected.
"I dare you then, go on tell her." was the reply
"Alright, You-Know-Who's name is" the first boy said nervously "Harry Potter."