A/N – I have officially started my own little Kerrymdb Potter Universe. I
have a few stories up, and there will probably be references from other
stories all intertwined. So yes, EricaDawn, that was Tonks that Neville
saw in Diagon Alley. Good catch! That was the same day that Tonks took
Harry there in The Forgiveness Within.
Chapter Three – The Hogwarts Express
The sixty-three hours went faster then Neville could imagine. First he had to pack his trunk, which was always an ordeal. He would think he was finished, and then realize that he had forgotten something. He must have had to pack and repack ten times.
More important than packing was finishing his homework. Neville spent the night before he left for school hunched over at his desk. His hand hurt, after so much writing, but he kept on going. After a few hours, his grandmother provided a welcome distraction.
"Neville! The owls are here to pick up your plant!" his grandmother yelled from downstairs. Neville stood up eagerly. His favorite plant, his Mimbulus mimletonia was up in a corner of his bedroom. It had grown too large for Neville to take with him on the Hogwarts Express. His grandmother hired a delivery service that would take the plant to Hogwarts.
"Send them up, Gran!" Neville called downstairs. A moment later, four large owls came flying into Neville's room.
"Here it is," Neville said, walking over to the plant. It was making soft noises.
"Just one minute," Neville told the owls, "I have to put a cover on it." The owls hooted and went to sit on the open windowsill.
Neville stroked one of the leaves gently. "It's a long journey to Hogwarts, but you'll be fine," Neville told his plant. Neville firmly believed in the school of thought that you should talk to your plants. He quickly put the cover he had made for the plant.
"Here you go!" The owls flew to the plant, each picking up a handle of the cover. They flew very slowly out of the bedroom, downstairs. Neville ran to the window. A moment later, he watched the owls fly out of the house and into the night. His eyes didn't leave the plant until it was no more than a speck in the sky.
-------------------------
"Neville. Up!" his grandmother called the next morning. Neville opened his eyes groggily. He hadn't had his normal nightmare last night. He closed his eyes again, trying to remember the dream he did have. It had involved his parents. During a time when his parents were young and strong. Pushing the covers off of him, Neville stood up. The dream was gone.
Quickly, Neville put on his school uniform. Well, most of his uniform. He left his tie off. He hated to admit it, but Neville was sixteen years old and still could not tie a proper Windsor knot. During the school year, he always used magic. And he wasn't able to use magic again until he was on the Hogwarts Express. So the tie would have to wait.
He took one last quick look around the room. He knew he had forgotten something. He just wasn't sure what. Luckily, he was used to that feeling. "Neville!" his grandmother yelled from downstairs.
"I'm coming, Gran!" Neville cried. He decided he was ready as he ever could be.
His grandmother was standing by the fireplace, holding the bowl of floo powder. "Hurry up, boy," his grandmother said. "Do you have everything?" she asked.
"I hope so," he grinned, taking a handful of powder. A minute later, he was at the King's Cross Station.
His grandmother apparated in front of him a moment later.
"Trevor!" Neville shouted. "I forgot Trevor!"
His grandmother sighed, as she handed him another handful of floo powder.
-------------------------
After putting his trunks with the rest of the luggage, he walked onto the Hogwarts Express. A quick glance at his watch told him that the train would be leaving in only three minutes. He walked down the corridor, looking for someplace to sit.
Hermione and Ron gave him a quick wave from the Prefect's compartment. Neville walked all the way towards the end. Most of the compartments were full already. He opened the door to the very last one. Harry and Ginny were talking enthusiastically, and Luna was there too. She wasn't joining in the conversation, but staring out the window.
She had her wand behind her ear and was wearing a bracelet on each wrist that looked like they were made out of feathers. She nodded at Neville when entered, and went right back to looking out the window.
"Hey, Neville," Harry and Ginny said at the same time.
Neville smiled, glad to be back with his friends.
"Have a good summer?" Ginny asked, as the train lurched forward.
"Quiet, you know," Neville answered, "I didn't do much. I was almost ready to go back to school."
Harry grinned, "I know that feeling. I couldn't wait to leave my house."
"I can't believe they didn't let you come over to the Burrow, even for a few days," Ginny added.
Harry and Ginny started talking about past Burrow incidences. Which left Neville free to talk to Luna. He was about to turn to say something to her when she turned and stared at all for them.
"You weren't chosen to be a prefect, Ginny," she said matter of factly.
Ginny giggled, "No, I wasn't, thank goodness. I prefer to keep the respect of Fred and George. Can you even imagine me a prefect?"
Harry laughed and punched her on the arm. "You can be as bad as those two."
Ginny blushed, "Why thank you! I think Mum was disappointed when I wasn't chosen. I am the last Weasley to enter Hogwarts, after all."
A moment later Ginny said, "You weren't chosen to be a prefect either, Luna."
Luna nodded. "I wouldn't make a very good prefect," she said, changing her focus, so that she was looking out the window again.
"Did you want to be a prefect?" Neville asked.
"No. I want to keep my sanity," she said.
"Err...let's play a game of exploding snaps, shall we?" Harry asked, getting out the cards. "Luna? Would you like to play?"
"No thank you. I don't want to lose my concentration," she said serenely.
After minutes of playing, in which Neville was losing by quite a lot, they group noticed that Luna had gotten to her knees on the seat. Her face was pressed right up to the glass.
"What are you doing, Luna?" Ginny asked.
"I'm looking for Kifern Faeries," she said, placing her hands on the glass as well.
"Kifern Faeries?" Harry asked, dumbstruck.
"I told Dad I would do some research for him. They can only be seen at high speeds. There's going to be an article next month," she said.
"I've never heard of Kifern Faeries," Neville said.
"They're going extinct. There are only a few hundred left in all of Britain," she paused. "We're about to go over water. They won't be out here," she said sadly.
That moment, Trevor chose to croak loudly.
"May I see your toad?" Luna asked.
Neville reached into his robes, grabbed Trevor and handed him to her. She looked at him inquisitively. As she studied him, Ron and Hermione entered the compartment.
"Hey, mate," Ron started, but then noticed that all eyes were on Luna and Trevor.
After two minutes of silence, Luna amazed them all by kissing Trevor on the top of his head. He croaked loudly as she handed him back to Neville. She then went and stared out of the window again.
"What was that?" Ron asked.
"Ron!" hissed Hermione.
"Cornelius Fudge got his job by banishing the former Minister of Magic's soul into a frog. If the right frog is kissed, his soul will rejoin his body," she said dreamily, still staring out of the window.
Ron pointed at his head and made a circular motion, as if to say, "Cukoo."
"I did see that, Ronald Weasley, in the reflection on the glass," Luna said, "That wasn't very nice."
Ron blushed furiously. It was one thing to say something behind her back, completely different to have her see him tease her.
"Sorry," he muttered, looking ashamed.
"That's allright. You're not the first to find me a little odd," she said.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Luckily, just at that time, the lady with the cart passed by. "Like anything from the trolley?" she asked the group.
Harry bought sweets eagerly. Neville bought himself a chocolate frog. Harry started to dole out the candy. "Would you like some candy, Luna?" he asked.
Luna shifted her weight, and faced the group. "No, thank you, Harry," she said calmly, "I've given up sugar."
Ron stared at her in horror. "You've given up sweets? Are you mad?" he asked.
She nodded, and brought out a large carrot from her handbag.
"You're not trying to lose weight, are you?" Hermione asked, concerned, "You're already very thin, Luna.
Luna shook her head. "I'm just trying to be healthy," she said, taking a large bite from her carrot.
Ron looked from the pile of candy to Luna's carrot and just shook his head.
-------------------------
The rest of the journey passed pleasantly. The group played more games of exploding snaps. Luna kept to herself, but once in a while interject with a comment. Before they knew it, they had reached Hogwarts.
"Come on, Ron, we need to supervise," Hermione scolded.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. See you at the feast, Harry!" Ron said, leaving the compartment quickly.
Ginny and Harry ran out after them, leaving only Neville and Luna. Luna stood up slowly and turned to look at Neville. "You don't have your tie on, Neville," she said.
Neville looked down. Indeed, he hadn't put his tie on yet. He fished his tie out of the pocket of his robes and swung it around his neck. Then grabbed his wand.
"Here. I'll do it," Luna said, taking the tie. Gently she wrapped the tie around him. Neville could see her tongue sticking out slightly between her lips. He gulped as she tied a perfect knot for him.
"Thanks," he said softly.
She smiled and left the compartment, leaving Neville alone with Trevor.
-------------------------
He didn't see her again until the feast. And then it was only across the tables. Neville sat down with his fellow 6th year Gryffindors, waiting for the feast to begin. He glanced across to the Ravenclaw table. There Luna was, staring at the ceiling. He noticed that there was no one across from her. Even the people that sat on either side of her left some space.
The first years marched into the Great Hall, blocking his view of Luna. Neville noticed that the number of first years looked smaller this year, or maybe he was just imagining it.
Luna left his mind when Professor Dumbledore started his speech. "Another year is beginning. Though this year, as you all are aware, is different than any before. This year we are at war with Lord Voldemort and his followers." A collected gasp came out from the students at the sound of you-know-who's name. "We need our courage. And that includes the courage to call the threat by his name. Extra wards have been placed on the castle. As I have assured many parents, Hogwarts is safe."
Dumbledore then started speaking about the typical rules, the Forbidden Forest and what not. Neville, along with almost every other student, was waiting for Dumbledore to say the wonderful words that would start the feast. Finally, he said them. "Nit! Bonk! Feat!"
Neville sighed as the table filled with food. The candy on the train simply didn't fill him up. He ate eagerly. Glancing over at Luna, he noticed that she was only picking at her food, not really eating at all.
-------------------------
A/N – Hey all! I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for other fanfiction sites. I've heard people mention some, but I can't find them in a search. Does anyone have other sites they like to go to? I'd like to post my stories on other sites, as well as fanfiction.net. If you know of any, feel free to drop me an e-mail, or a review. Thanks!
Chapter Three – The Hogwarts Express
The sixty-three hours went faster then Neville could imagine. First he had to pack his trunk, which was always an ordeal. He would think he was finished, and then realize that he had forgotten something. He must have had to pack and repack ten times.
More important than packing was finishing his homework. Neville spent the night before he left for school hunched over at his desk. His hand hurt, after so much writing, but he kept on going. After a few hours, his grandmother provided a welcome distraction.
"Neville! The owls are here to pick up your plant!" his grandmother yelled from downstairs. Neville stood up eagerly. His favorite plant, his Mimbulus mimletonia was up in a corner of his bedroom. It had grown too large for Neville to take with him on the Hogwarts Express. His grandmother hired a delivery service that would take the plant to Hogwarts.
"Send them up, Gran!" Neville called downstairs. A moment later, four large owls came flying into Neville's room.
"Here it is," Neville said, walking over to the plant. It was making soft noises.
"Just one minute," Neville told the owls, "I have to put a cover on it." The owls hooted and went to sit on the open windowsill.
Neville stroked one of the leaves gently. "It's a long journey to Hogwarts, but you'll be fine," Neville told his plant. Neville firmly believed in the school of thought that you should talk to your plants. He quickly put the cover he had made for the plant.
"Here you go!" The owls flew to the plant, each picking up a handle of the cover. They flew very slowly out of the bedroom, downstairs. Neville ran to the window. A moment later, he watched the owls fly out of the house and into the night. His eyes didn't leave the plant until it was no more than a speck in the sky.
-------------------------
"Neville. Up!" his grandmother called the next morning. Neville opened his eyes groggily. He hadn't had his normal nightmare last night. He closed his eyes again, trying to remember the dream he did have. It had involved his parents. During a time when his parents were young and strong. Pushing the covers off of him, Neville stood up. The dream was gone.
Quickly, Neville put on his school uniform. Well, most of his uniform. He left his tie off. He hated to admit it, but Neville was sixteen years old and still could not tie a proper Windsor knot. During the school year, he always used magic. And he wasn't able to use magic again until he was on the Hogwarts Express. So the tie would have to wait.
He took one last quick look around the room. He knew he had forgotten something. He just wasn't sure what. Luckily, he was used to that feeling. "Neville!" his grandmother yelled from downstairs.
"I'm coming, Gran!" Neville cried. He decided he was ready as he ever could be.
His grandmother was standing by the fireplace, holding the bowl of floo powder. "Hurry up, boy," his grandmother said. "Do you have everything?" she asked.
"I hope so," he grinned, taking a handful of powder. A minute later, he was at the King's Cross Station.
His grandmother apparated in front of him a moment later.
"Trevor!" Neville shouted. "I forgot Trevor!"
His grandmother sighed, as she handed him another handful of floo powder.
-------------------------
After putting his trunks with the rest of the luggage, he walked onto the Hogwarts Express. A quick glance at his watch told him that the train would be leaving in only three minutes. He walked down the corridor, looking for someplace to sit.
Hermione and Ron gave him a quick wave from the Prefect's compartment. Neville walked all the way towards the end. Most of the compartments were full already. He opened the door to the very last one. Harry and Ginny were talking enthusiastically, and Luna was there too. She wasn't joining in the conversation, but staring out the window.
She had her wand behind her ear and was wearing a bracelet on each wrist that looked like they were made out of feathers. She nodded at Neville when entered, and went right back to looking out the window.
"Hey, Neville," Harry and Ginny said at the same time.
Neville smiled, glad to be back with his friends.
"Have a good summer?" Ginny asked, as the train lurched forward.
"Quiet, you know," Neville answered, "I didn't do much. I was almost ready to go back to school."
Harry grinned, "I know that feeling. I couldn't wait to leave my house."
"I can't believe they didn't let you come over to the Burrow, even for a few days," Ginny added.
Harry and Ginny started talking about past Burrow incidences. Which left Neville free to talk to Luna. He was about to turn to say something to her when she turned and stared at all for them.
"You weren't chosen to be a prefect, Ginny," she said matter of factly.
Ginny giggled, "No, I wasn't, thank goodness. I prefer to keep the respect of Fred and George. Can you even imagine me a prefect?"
Harry laughed and punched her on the arm. "You can be as bad as those two."
Ginny blushed, "Why thank you! I think Mum was disappointed when I wasn't chosen. I am the last Weasley to enter Hogwarts, after all."
A moment later Ginny said, "You weren't chosen to be a prefect either, Luna."
Luna nodded. "I wouldn't make a very good prefect," she said, changing her focus, so that she was looking out the window again.
"Did you want to be a prefect?" Neville asked.
"No. I want to keep my sanity," she said.
"Err...let's play a game of exploding snaps, shall we?" Harry asked, getting out the cards. "Luna? Would you like to play?"
"No thank you. I don't want to lose my concentration," she said serenely.
After minutes of playing, in which Neville was losing by quite a lot, they group noticed that Luna had gotten to her knees on the seat. Her face was pressed right up to the glass.
"What are you doing, Luna?" Ginny asked.
"I'm looking for Kifern Faeries," she said, placing her hands on the glass as well.
"Kifern Faeries?" Harry asked, dumbstruck.
"I told Dad I would do some research for him. They can only be seen at high speeds. There's going to be an article next month," she said.
"I've never heard of Kifern Faeries," Neville said.
"They're going extinct. There are only a few hundred left in all of Britain," she paused. "We're about to go over water. They won't be out here," she said sadly.
That moment, Trevor chose to croak loudly.
"May I see your toad?" Luna asked.
Neville reached into his robes, grabbed Trevor and handed him to her. She looked at him inquisitively. As she studied him, Ron and Hermione entered the compartment.
"Hey, mate," Ron started, but then noticed that all eyes were on Luna and Trevor.
After two minutes of silence, Luna amazed them all by kissing Trevor on the top of his head. He croaked loudly as she handed him back to Neville. She then went and stared out of the window again.
"What was that?" Ron asked.
"Ron!" hissed Hermione.
"Cornelius Fudge got his job by banishing the former Minister of Magic's soul into a frog. If the right frog is kissed, his soul will rejoin his body," she said dreamily, still staring out of the window.
Ron pointed at his head and made a circular motion, as if to say, "Cukoo."
"I did see that, Ronald Weasley, in the reflection on the glass," Luna said, "That wasn't very nice."
Ron blushed furiously. It was one thing to say something behind her back, completely different to have her see him tease her.
"Sorry," he muttered, looking ashamed.
"That's allright. You're not the first to find me a little odd," she said.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Luckily, just at that time, the lady with the cart passed by. "Like anything from the trolley?" she asked the group.
Harry bought sweets eagerly. Neville bought himself a chocolate frog. Harry started to dole out the candy. "Would you like some candy, Luna?" he asked.
Luna shifted her weight, and faced the group. "No, thank you, Harry," she said calmly, "I've given up sugar."
Ron stared at her in horror. "You've given up sweets? Are you mad?" he asked.
She nodded, and brought out a large carrot from her handbag.
"You're not trying to lose weight, are you?" Hermione asked, concerned, "You're already very thin, Luna.
Luna shook her head. "I'm just trying to be healthy," she said, taking a large bite from her carrot.
Ron looked from the pile of candy to Luna's carrot and just shook his head.
-------------------------
The rest of the journey passed pleasantly. The group played more games of exploding snaps. Luna kept to herself, but once in a while interject with a comment. Before they knew it, they had reached Hogwarts.
"Come on, Ron, we need to supervise," Hermione scolded.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. See you at the feast, Harry!" Ron said, leaving the compartment quickly.
Ginny and Harry ran out after them, leaving only Neville and Luna. Luna stood up slowly and turned to look at Neville. "You don't have your tie on, Neville," she said.
Neville looked down. Indeed, he hadn't put his tie on yet. He fished his tie out of the pocket of his robes and swung it around his neck. Then grabbed his wand.
"Here. I'll do it," Luna said, taking the tie. Gently she wrapped the tie around him. Neville could see her tongue sticking out slightly between her lips. He gulped as she tied a perfect knot for him.
"Thanks," he said softly.
She smiled and left the compartment, leaving Neville alone with Trevor.
-------------------------
He didn't see her again until the feast. And then it was only across the tables. Neville sat down with his fellow 6th year Gryffindors, waiting for the feast to begin. He glanced across to the Ravenclaw table. There Luna was, staring at the ceiling. He noticed that there was no one across from her. Even the people that sat on either side of her left some space.
The first years marched into the Great Hall, blocking his view of Luna. Neville noticed that the number of first years looked smaller this year, or maybe he was just imagining it.
Luna left his mind when Professor Dumbledore started his speech. "Another year is beginning. Though this year, as you all are aware, is different than any before. This year we are at war with Lord Voldemort and his followers." A collected gasp came out from the students at the sound of you-know-who's name. "We need our courage. And that includes the courage to call the threat by his name. Extra wards have been placed on the castle. As I have assured many parents, Hogwarts is safe."
Dumbledore then started speaking about the typical rules, the Forbidden Forest and what not. Neville, along with almost every other student, was waiting for Dumbledore to say the wonderful words that would start the feast. Finally, he said them. "Nit! Bonk! Feat!"
Neville sighed as the table filled with food. The candy on the train simply didn't fill him up. He ate eagerly. Glancing over at Luna, he noticed that she was only picking at her food, not really eating at all.
-------------------------
A/N – Hey all! I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for other fanfiction sites. I've heard people mention some, but I can't find them in a search. Does anyone have other sites they like to go to? I'd like to post my stories on other sites, as well as fanfiction.net. If you know of any, feel free to drop me an e-mail, or a review. Thanks!
