A Note From Kris: Ti, I tried uploading the chapter again. Hopefully this one works. I don't know why the messed up one won't delete...
Ok, author's note: Once again, Brooke is ten. I keep forgetting to change it.
Chapter Three: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and The Hogwarts Express
When Harry and the rest of his family returned home, it was already late into the evening. They had eaten so much junk at Diagon Alley that not one of them were hungry. Harry brought Hedwig and her cage into his room, setting it on his already messy desk. James followed Harry, bringing all of his other supplies for Hogwarts and setting them in the corner of his room. Lily stood in the doorway, a sleeping Brooke cradled like a baby in her arms. She silently mouthed to James something that Harry couldn't quite catch. She left the doorway as she went to put Brooke into her bed. James left, following Lily into Brooke's bedroom.
Harry lay on his bed in his darkened room, the only source of light was from his open doorway. His mind was in a buzz after the day's adventure. After a few minutes of silence, James and Lily came back into Harry's room, assuming Harry was asleep.
"I brought my trunk down from the attic that he can use," James whispered.
"Set it in the corner with all of his other stuff," Lily said. "It's a pity that he's such a slob, throwing his stuff all over his room." She kicked his cauldron out of the way. James turned away, trying to conceal his guilty look. "I just wish..." Harry didn't hear the rest. He began to drift into a dream about what Hogwarts would be like. Lily and James continued to talk.
"He'll be leaving in less than a month," James said, looking at the now- sleeping Harry.
"I know," Lily said, covering him up with a blanket. "He's growing up so fast." A singly tear formed in her eye. "It still haunts me to-remember that-dreadful night!"
James walked over and put a comforting arm around Lily. "I felt so helpless when I couldn't get him out of his chair. If I wouldn't have fainted, I would..." A sob escaped her. "I would have died to protect him."
James gently pushed Lily out of the room as he closed the door, leaving Harry alone.
One month later, Harry was dragging his trunk and Hedwig's cage into the car. "Come ooon, Harry!" Brooke said, antagonizing Harry. "You don't want to be late, do you?" she said, putting a long stress on 'late'. Harry shot her a glare and she stopped, but a smile was still plastered on her face. He slammed the trunk shut as he heaved Hedwig's cage into the backseat. The car rolled down the driveway. Harry was beginning his journey to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Just 30 minutes later, Harry was standing inside of The King's Crossing Station, pulling his trunk behind him. It was so overcrowded that no one seemed to notice how out-of-place his family looked. Harry eagerly followed his mother and father as they headed to Platform 9 & ?. Along the way, Harry could've sworn he heard someone say, "Every year, always packed with Muggles!"
Harry's family finally halted. "Here we are!" James exclaimed. Harry looked, puzzled. All he saw was a brick barrier between Platform's Nine and Ten. A large red-headed family stood around it, waiting. Finally, one at a time, they each ran straight to toward the barrier. Instead of crashing into it, they went straight through, disappearing into it.
"Come on, Harry!" Lily said. "You don't want to be late!" Pulling Harry and his cart, Lily walked them through the barrier. Everything went dark at once.
Then, suddenly, as if light had just been born, Harry could see once more. What he saw was a large, red, steam-engine. It was sitting on train tracks, waiting to escort the eager children to school. A large clock gong rang repeatedly, issuing a warning.
"Hurry along, Harry!" Lily said, smiling brightly. "I am sure that you don't want to miss the train to school!" Lily hugged Harry for a final time and wouldn't let go until James pried her away. He patted Harry on the back.
"Go and board the train," James said. "Before your mother tries to hug you again!" He added so only Harry could hear.
"Bye!" Brooke said.
"Bye," Harry replied. As he boarded the train, Lily cried, "Send us an owl when you get there!" He nodded so she knew he had heard her.
Harry dragged his belongings up the stairs and onto the train.
After many minutes of searching, Harry found an empty cabin, although it wasn't empty for very long.
"Do you mind? Everywhere else is full," a boy with flaming red hair asked Harry.
"Notatall," Harry replied, his words bunched together. He gestured to the empty seat across from him.
"Thanks!" The boy replied, eagerly taking the seat. He glanced at Harry, his blue eyes widening. "You're-You're Harry Potter!"
"Yes I am," Harry replied, dully. He was quite sick of hearing about his life story. He also hated to be gawked at by people he didn't know, it was rather disturbing to him.
"Oh, well, er," the boy said, noticing Harry's discomfort. "I'm Ron. Ron Weasley. Nice to meet you! And this is Scabbers," he gestured at the fat rat sitting on his lap. "He's rather pathetic."
"Nice to meet you, too, Ron," Harry replied looking at Scabbers. He was glad that this boy could at least put his act together when he was around Harry.
Suddenly, he heard a tapping at the door. Two twins, both with flaming red hair like Ron's, were standing outside their compartment, waving. One of the twins opened the door.
"Blimey, Ron," said the one on the left. "Whatcha doin' sitting with Harry Potter?" A smirk formed on the other twins' face.
"Sod off!" Ron said, his ears turning magenta.
"Ooooh, 'ickle Ronni-" said the twin on the right, but Ron interrupted him.
"Harry," Ron said loudly, "these are two of my brothers; Fred and George."
"Hullo," Harry said to them both.
"Why Harry, terrifically splendid to meet you!" said George.
"Exquisitely fantastic to know that you are going to be attending the equally splendid school that is Hogwarts!" Fred said.
"Alright, that's ENOUGH!" said another person from behind them. He also had flaming red hair, but he had a prefect badge on.
"What?" asked Fred, or George, innocently. "We weren't making fun of you, honest!"
"Well, don't do it again, or I'll give you a detention!"
"That's Percy," Ron muttered out of the side of his mouth.
Percy shoved his way in front of the twins and stood erect in front of Harry. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Potter," Percy said, trying to impress Harry.
"Hey, Perc!" Ron said, annoyed. "Don't you have prefect duties to do?" Fred and George were having a fit of silent laughter.
"Oh, Fine, Ronald," Percy said, easily annoyed with his younger brother. "I'll be on my way." He cast a glare at Fred and George who had stopped laughing, but they still had smirks on their faces. "Harry, I trust that you will behave yourself while you attend Hogwarts?"
"Sure," Harry said lazily.
"Good," Percy replied. "And Ronald, don't follow in the footsteps of these two here. Try to follow a better example." He paused. "Like me." He cast a glance at Ron who had turned red in the ears again. "Well, I best be off. I will be seeing you again."
"It's been splendid!" Fred said.
"Utterly delightful!" George called after Percy who had slammed the door. On a different note, George said, "What a git he is!"
"Well, nice seeing you," Ron said, getting up and pushing the twins out the door. "Blimey, those two. I can't stand having five brothers!"
"YOU'VE GOT FIVE BROTHERS?!" Harry said, almost yelling because he was so surprised.
"Yeah, and I'd rather not get into details now," Ron said. "But-" there was a tap at the door.
"Anything off the cart, dears?" asked a smiling, dimpled woman pushing the cart.
"No thanks, I'm all set," Ron said, holding up a dilapidated sandwich. Harry felt bad for Ron. So...
"We'll take the lot!" Harry said, holding out several galleons.
After stuffing themselves full, a girl with brown bushy hair entered.
"Have either of you seen a toad?" she asked. "A boy named Neville's lost his."
"No." Ron said, puzzled.
The girl look at Ron rather quizzically. She then turned to Harry. "You must be Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger," she said. Ron snorted. Hermione looked at him with a glare, and snidely asked, "And...you are?"
"Oh," Ron said, with a mouthful of chocolate frogs. "RomWasly."
"Well," Hermione said. "If you find Neville's toad, take it to the front of the train." She turned around to leave, but stopped and said, "And you might want to change, we're nearing Hogwarts." Hermione turned to leave again, but stopped and said, "You have a little something on your nose." She pointed at Ron, who wiped it away. This time, Hermione did leave and Ron slammed the door shut after her.
"Know-It-All," he said. Harry forced a smile, but he thought that Hermione was perfectly fine. Ron, on the other hand, despised her at the moment.
Casting aside the candy and the wrappers, Harry and Ron both changed into their robes as the train slowed down. They hurriedly packed up their things and began to pack up when Percy came and opened up their cart door. "Hurry up, come on! We haven't got all day!"
"Sod off, Perc!" Ron snarled at him.
"Watch it Ronald," Percy replied, "or I'll send an owl to Mother!" He took off down the train, yelling at each compartment to hurry up.
" 'Watch it Percy the Prefect'!" Ron muttered to Harry.
They decided to get off of the train before Percy could yell at them again. As they stepped off the train, they heard a booming voice.
"Firs' years thi' way!" A large man boomed.
"Hey Hagrid!" Harry said.
"Well 'ello there, 'Arry!" Hagrid replied.
"You know him?!" Ron asked, gawking at the large man.
" 'Course I do!" Harry replied. "He used to stop by my house when I was little to make sure my parents were doing fine. Didn't you Hagrid?"
"Sure I did!" Hagrid replied, still motioning first years to follow him. He began to walk. "I was jus' so worrie' tha' your paren's were goin' ter snap after wha' 'ad 'appened to yeh. I 'elped 'em out a lot ter th' time. I'm sure they 'ppreciated it all. FIRS' YEARS THI' WAY!"
Harry smiled. "They did appreciated it, Hagrid."
"Wonderfu' paren's yeh got there 'Arry. Never lose 'em," Hagrid said. They had reached the boats. "FOUR TER A BOAT!" Hagrid climbed into the first one as did Ron and Harry. There wasn't anymore room for anyone else.
"Blimey, 'Arry," Hagrid said, finally getting a good look at Harry. "Yeh've grown up so muc'h sin' th' las' time I saw yeh. Yew was proaly 'bout six or 'even. How'er yer paren's?"
"Oh, they're good. They're happy I got accepted to Hogwarts," Harry replied. "I wish you would've visited some more, Hagrid. I really miss your visits."
"Well, er," Hagrid felt honored. "Yeh shoud've sent me a' owl or somethin'. I woud've come ter visit yeh agai'." He paused, took a deep breath, then said, "OK, YE'LL BE SEEIN' YER FIRS' GLIMPSE OF 'OGWARTS JUS' AROUN' TH' BEND!"
A loud 'Oooooh' was emitted. Harry looked and gasped. The castle looked marvelous. It was perched atop a large hill, its yellow lights glistening. Many turrets and towers were connected to it.
They exited the boats and began to follow someone into the castle...
Wow, it didn't take me very long to update this time. Don't expect it to be like this for the next update, I've got several trips coming up in the next few weeks. If I don't update by this Monday, then I probably won't update until the end of June, so you'll just have to wait.
A million thanks to Kristal for fixing the problem. Thanks to all of you who didn't complain or anything while the chapter was down.
Ok, author's note: Once again, Brooke is ten. I keep forgetting to change it.
Chapter Three: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and The Hogwarts Express
When Harry and the rest of his family returned home, it was already late into the evening. They had eaten so much junk at Diagon Alley that not one of them were hungry. Harry brought Hedwig and her cage into his room, setting it on his already messy desk. James followed Harry, bringing all of his other supplies for Hogwarts and setting them in the corner of his room. Lily stood in the doorway, a sleeping Brooke cradled like a baby in her arms. She silently mouthed to James something that Harry couldn't quite catch. She left the doorway as she went to put Brooke into her bed. James left, following Lily into Brooke's bedroom.
Harry lay on his bed in his darkened room, the only source of light was from his open doorway. His mind was in a buzz after the day's adventure. After a few minutes of silence, James and Lily came back into Harry's room, assuming Harry was asleep.
"I brought my trunk down from the attic that he can use," James whispered.
"Set it in the corner with all of his other stuff," Lily said. "It's a pity that he's such a slob, throwing his stuff all over his room." She kicked his cauldron out of the way. James turned away, trying to conceal his guilty look. "I just wish..." Harry didn't hear the rest. He began to drift into a dream about what Hogwarts would be like. Lily and James continued to talk.
"He'll be leaving in less than a month," James said, looking at the now- sleeping Harry.
"I know," Lily said, covering him up with a blanket. "He's growing up so fast." A singly tear formed in her eye. "It still haunts me to-remember that-dreadful night!"
James walked over and put a comforting arm around Lily. "I felt so helpless when I couldn't get him out of his chair. If I wouldn't have fainted, I would..." A sob escaped her. "I would have died to protect him."
James gently pushed Lily out of the room as he closed the door, leaving Harry alone.
One month later, Harry was dragging his trunk and Hedwig's cage into the car. "Come ooon, Harry!" Brooke said, antagonizing Harry. "You don't want to be late, do you?" she said, putting a long stress on 'late'. Harry shot her a glare and she stopped, but a smile was still plastered on her face. He slammed the trunk shut as he heaved Hedwig's cage into the backseat. The car rolled down the driveway. Harry was beginning his journey to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Just 30 minutes later, Harry was standing inside of The King's Crossing Station, pulling his trunk behind him. It was so overcrowded that no one seemed to notice how out-of-place his family looked. Harry eagerly followed his mother and father as they headed to Platform 9 & ?. Along the way, Harry could've sworn he heard someone say, "Every year, always packed with Muggles!"
Harry's family finally halted. "Here we are!" James exclaimed. Harry looked, puzzled. All he saw was a brick barrier between Platform's Nine and Ten. A large red-headed family stood around it, waiting. Finally, one at a time, they each ran straight to toward the barrier. Instead of crashing into it, they went straight through, disappearing into it.
"Come on, Harry!" Lily said. "You don't want to be late!" Pulling Harry and his cart, Lily walked them through the barrier. Everything went dark at once.
Then, suddenly, as if light had just been born, Harry could see once more. What he saw was a large, red, steam-engine. It was sitting on train tracks, waiting to escort the eager children to school. A large clock gong rang repeatedly, issuing a warning.
"Hurry along, Harry!" Lily said, smiling brightly. "I am sure that you don't want to miss the train to school!" Lily hugged Harry for a final time and wouldn't let go until James pried her away. He patted Harry on the back.
"Go and board the train," James said. "Before your mother tries to hug you again!" He added so only Harry could hear.
"Bye!" Brooke said.
"Bye," Harry replied. As he boarded the train, Lily cried, "Send us an owl when you get there!" He nodded so she knew he had heard her.
Harry dragged his belongings up the stairs and onto the train.
After many minutes of searching, Harry found an empty cabin, although it wasn't empty for very long.
"Do you mind? Everywhere else is full," a boy with flaming red hair asked Harry.
"Notatall," Harry replied, his words bunched together. He gestured to the empty seat across from him.
"Thanks!" The boy replied, eagerly taking the seat. He glanced at Harry, his blue eyes widening. "You're-You're Harry Potter!"
"Yes I am," Harry replied, dully. He was quite sick of hearing about his life story. He also hated to be gawked at by people he didn't know, it was rather disturbing to him.
"Oh, well, er," the boy said, noticing Harry's discomfort. "I'm Ron. Ron Weasley. Nice to meet you! And this is Scabbers," he gestured at the fat rat sitting on his lap. "He's rather pathetic."
"Nice to meet you, too, Ron," Harry replied looking at Scabbers. He was glad that this boy could at least put his act together when he was around Harry.
Suddenly, he heard a tapping at the door. Two twins, both with flaming red hair like Ron's, were standing outside their compartment, waving. One of the twins opened the door.
"Blimey, Ron," said the one on the left. "Whatcha doin' sitting with Harry Potter?" A smirk formed on the other twins' face.
"Sod off!" Ron said, his ears turning magenta.
"Ooooh, 'ickle Ronni-" said the twin on the right, but Ron interrupted him.
"Harry," Ron said loudly, "these are two of my brothers; Fred and George."
"Hullo," Harry said to them both.
"Why Harry, terrifically splendid to meet you!" said George.
"Exquisitely fantastic to know that you are going to be attending the equally splendid school that is Hogwarts!" Fred said.
"Alright, that's ENOUGH!" said another person from behind them. He also had flaming red hair, but he had a prefect badge on.
"What?" asked Fred, or George, innocently. "We weren't making fun of you, honest!"
"Well, don't do it again, or I'll give you a detention!"
"That's Percy," Ron muttered out of the side of his mouth.
Percy shoved his way in front of the twins and stood erect in front of Harry. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Potter," Percy said, trying to impress Harry.
"Hey, Perc!" Ron said, annoyed. "Don't you have prefect duties to do?" Fred and George were having a fit of silent laughter.
"Oh, Fine, Ronald," Percy said, easily annoyed with his younger brother. "I'll be on my way." He cast a glare at Fred and George who had stopped laughing, but they still had smirks on their faces. "Harry, I trust that you will behave yourself while you attend Hogwarts?"
"Sure," Harry said lazily.
"Good," Percy replied. "And Ronald, don't follow in the footsteps of these two here. Try to follow a better example." He paused. "Like me." He cast a glance at Ron who had turned red in the ears again. "Well, I best be off. I will be seeing you again."
"It's been splendid!" Fred said.
"Utterly delightful!" George called after Percy who had slammed the door. On a different note, George said, "What a git he is!"
"Well, nice seeing you," Ron said, getting up and pushing the twins out the door. "Blimey, those two. I can't stand having five brothers!"
"YOU'VE GOT FIVE BROTHERS?!" Harry said, almost yelling because he was so surprised.
"Yeah, and I'd rather not get into details now," Ron said. "But-" there was a tap at the door.
"Anything off the cart, dears?" asked a smiling, dimpled woman pushing the cart.
"No thanks, I'm all set," Ron said, holding up a dilapidated sandwich. Harry felt bad for Ron. So...
"We'll take the lot!" Harry said, holding out several galleons.
After stuffing themselves full, a girl with brown bushy hair entered.
"Have either of you seen a toad?" she asked. "A boy named Neville's lost his."
"No." Ron said, puzzled.
The girl look at Ron rather quizzically. She then turned to Harry. "You must be Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger," she said. Ron snorted. Hermione looked at him with a glare, and snidely asked, "And...you are?"
"Oh," Ron said, with a mouthful of chocolate frogs. "RomWasly."
"Well," Hermione said. "If you find Neville's toad, take it to the front of the train." She turned around to leave, but stopped and said, "And you might want to change, we're nearing Hogwarts." Hermione turned to leave again, but stopped and said, "You have a little something on your nose." She pointed at Ron, who wiped it away. This time, Hermione did leave and Ron slammed the door shut after her.
"Know-It-All," he said. Harry forced a smile, but he thought that Hermione was perfectly fine. Ron, on the other hand, despised her at the moment.
Casting aside the candy and the wrappers, Harry and Ron both changed into their robes as the train slowed down. They hurriedly packed up their things and began to pack up when Percy came and opened up their cart door. "Hurry up, come on! We haven't got all day!"
"Sod off, Perc!" Ron snarled at him.
"Watch it Ronald," Percy replied, "or I'll send an owl to Mother!" He took off down the train, yelling at each compartment to hurry up.
" 'Watch it Percy the Prefect'!" Ron muttered to Harry.
They decided to get off of the train before Percy could yell at them again. As they stepped off the train, they heard a booming voice.
"Firs' years thi' way!" A large man boomed.
"Hey Hagrid!" Harry said.
"Well 'ello there, 'Arry!" Hagrid replied.
"You know him?!" Ron asked, gawking at the large man.
" 'Course I do!" Harry replied. "He used to stop by my house when I was little to make sure my parents were doing fine. Didn't you Hagrid?"
"Sure I did!" Hagrid replied, still motioning first years to follow him. He began to walk. "I was jus' so worrie' tha' your paren's were goin' ter snap after wha' 'ad 'appened to yeh. I 'elped 'em out a lot ter th' time. I'm sure they 'ppreciated it all. FIRS' YEARS THI' WAY!"
Harry smiled. "They did appreciated it, Hagrid."
"Wonderfu' paren's yeh got there 'Arry. Never lose 'em," Hagrid said. They had reached the boats. "FOUR TER A BOAT!" Hagrid climbed into the first one as did Ron and Harry. There wasn't anymore room for anyone else.
"Blimey, 'Arry," Hagrid said, finally getting a good look at Harry. "Yeh've grown up so muc'h sin' th' las' time I saw yeh. Yew was proaly 'bout six or 'even. How'er yer paren's?"
"Oh, they're good. They're happy I got accepted to Hogwarts," Harry replied. "I wish you would've visited some more, Hagrid. I really miss your visits."
"Well, er," Hagrid felt honored. "Yeh shoud've sent me a' owl or somethin'. I woud've come ter visit yeh agai'." He paused, took a deep breath, then said, "OK, YE'LL BE SEEIN' YER FIRS' GLIMPSE OF 'OGWARTS JUS' AROUN' TH' BEND!"
A loud 'Oooooh' was emitted. Harry looked and gasped. The castle looked marvelous. It was perched atop a large hill, its yellow lights glistening. Many turrets and towers were connected to it.
They exited the boats and began to follow someone into the castle...
Wow, it didn't take me very long to update this time. Don't expect it to be like this for the next update, I've got several trips coming up in the next few weeks. If I don't update by this Monday, then I probably won't update until the end of June, so you'll just have to wait.
A million thanks to Kristal for fixing the problem. Thanks to all of you who didn't complain or anything while the chapter was down.
