At long, long last, on with the story!
A Remarkable Number of References to Eyes"Ginny, if you and Hermione don't get down here in the next three minutes—"
"We're hurrying, we're hurrying!" Ginny called down to her mother as she raced back up the stairs.
"Mum, have you seen my cloak?" Ron yelled from a few banisters up.
"No, I have not! What on earth would it be doing outside of your closet this time of year anyway?!"
"I dunno, but I can't find it!"
"Molly, we're leaving in 15 minutes." Said Mr. Weasley, who had just walked in upon the chaos.
"Okay, I—"
"Mum!" Ron called.
"Hold on!" She yelled. "Arthur," She said, turning back to her husband, "We—"
"Mum, I still can't find it!"
Mrs. Weasley put her hand to her forehead and cried, "I'm coming, I'm coming! But Ronald Bilius Weasley, you had better hope that it's not it in your closet…" And she stomped up the stairs after her youngest son.
Harry watched the rather amusing scene from his vantage point in the furthest corner of the room, well out of everyone's way.
Mr. Weasley looked for a moment as if he was going to go upstairs and help pack, but a yell and a flying shoe seemed to aid in his decision against it. He stood there idly for a few moments, then turned around and was startled to see Harry sitting on his trunk in the corner.
"Oh, Harry! I didn't see you there."
That was kind of the point…
"Well…" He said as he sat down on the trunk with Harry. "At least you're packed."
"Uh-huh…." He said. There was a pause.
"Listen, Harry," Mr. Weasley began. "I know we didn't get to talk very much this summer, but I want you to know that Molly and I think of you as a," He seemed to pause to count for a moment before continuing. "seventh son."
Harry nodded. He really did appreciate the Weasleys' hospitality, but he had heard all of this before.
"So, you know, if you need anything, or just want to talk even, don't hesitate to send an owl."
"Okay…" He said without really moving his mouth.
"I know that we can never replace your parents or Sirius," He said the last word a little softer than the others, hoping not to upset the boy. "But just know that we're here for you, okay?"
"Okay." Harry said, not knowing exactly how to respond. The two of them sat there in silence for a moment, each staring to the ground, before the rest of the family (and Hermione) announced that they were ready, dragging the trunks down the stairs noisily.
Mr. Weasley shrank the trunks to fit in their owners' hands, and Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks (disguised as an old woman whom Harry thought resembled Aunt Marge a great deal), Mad-Eye, and Lupin set out for the Leakey Cauldron by foot, where they Flooed to Platform 9 3/4.
The foursome put their trunks on the luggage racks, where Mr. Weasley resized them. Mrs. Weasley hugged them each in turn twice, and Harry received much the same lecture from she and Lupin as he had from Mr. Weasley earlier. Finally, after waving goodbye to Tonks and Mad-Eye, Harry breathed a sigh of relief as the train left the station, and they were on their way to Hogwarts. He was on his way home…
Hermione and Ron left the compartment to attend the prefect meeting at the front of the train, and Neville and Luna joined Harry and Ginny.
"Hey Harry, look at this." Neville said as he slid something out of his pocket. It was a new wand. "8 ½ inches, maple with unicorn hair. As it turns out, my grandmum was actually very pleased with my taking on Death Eaters at the end of last term. She said I might not be so unlike my dad after all…" He said—almost smugly—then proceeded to spend the next few minutes changing his toad, Trevor, different colors; something he was never able to do with his old wand.
Ginny soon left the compartment to find Dean Thomas and Harry considered striking up a conversation with Luna, but he was saved the trouble when she took out The Quibbler. Consequently, he spent the next hour alternating between watching the scenery and stopping Neville from accidentally cursing Trevor.
A little while later Hermione, Ron, and, much to their surprise (and obvious displeasure), Ernie MacMillan, entered the compartment. Neville immediately opened up his herbology book, Luna buried her nose so deep into The Quibbler that it was doubtful that she could see in such a position, and Ron challenged Harry to a game of chess. Only Hermione seemed to enjoy Ernie's presence in the compartment, and the two immediately struck up a conversation about his father and the upcoming election.
Aside from Ron's occasional glares at Ernie, the train ride went rather peacefully. In fact, Harry noticed as the train was slowing, for the first time ever, their trip to school did not include a visit from Malfoy.
"I guess his dad being in prison deflated his ego a bit over the summer. He didn't look quite so priggish at the prefect's meeting." Ron said when Harry mentioned this observation to him as they were changing into their school robes. Harry snorted in reply.
"I never thought I would hear of such a thing; Malfoy's ego, deflated."
"You know, between that, no O.W.L.s, and no Snape, this year might turn out to be half-way decent."
"Yeah, for you anyway. I've got N.E.W.T. potions this year."
"Oh, right mate, sorry."
Hogwarts. Oh, Good God, at long last, he was home. After a summer of ceaseless dwelling, it was good to be back somewhere where there was something to look forward to (namely, Quidditch).
He could see the little lights twinkling in the distances through the windows, and it sparked something inside of him; happiness? He hadn't felt happy for a lifetime, it seemed.
"Firs' years! Firs' years this way!" Cried Hagrid familiarly over the crowd. The boats crossing the lake, the carriages, the thestrals—well, maybe there were still unhappy memories at Hogwarts. But, thank God, it appeared that some things did stay the same.
Some things; Harry noticed that now there were dozens of wizards dressed in dark blue robes with three red stars positioned throughout the crowd, conducting students to the carriages, and searching the baggage on the train.
"What's this all about?" Harry asked Hermione.
"They're officers from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." She stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, dad said that he heard something about 'increased security at Hogwarts' this year." Ron commented.
"Well, it seems as if they've kept their word."
"Last names beginning with the letters 'A' through 'E', line up here, please! Last names 'A' through 'E'!" Called a feminine voice over the crowd. The trio exchanged puzzled looks.
"'F' through 'J', this way! 'F' through 'J'!" Said another voice near the first.
"I'll see you at the feast then, I guess." Said Hermione, and then began making her way to the line.
Next, 'K' through 'O', and then, "'P' through 'T', over here! 'P' through 'T'!"
"See you later." Harry said to Ron then walked over to his line.
He could feel the eyes of all the 'P's through 'T's on him and hear their whispers as the line slowly inched forward. It was overbearing. At one point he stared one of the second years back in the eyes, and he nearly screeched with terror before facing the front again.
Do they always have to do this? He thought to himself. That's the one thing I hate about Hogwarts, all the eyes—well, that and Snape. He chuckled slightly at the last thought, which happened to occur just as a Hufflepuff met him in the eyes, and this time, she really did scream.
"Potter, Harry." He said as he reached the front of the line.
"Ah, yes." Said the wizard as he lifted his eyes from the check-off list. "I know who you are. Well, there we go," he said as he made a mark next to Harry's name. "Go stand by Grambling over there. He's the one with the glasses; he'll show you where to go. But I must say, it was a pleasure to finally see you in person." He said in a voice that made it clear that he could hardly contain his excitement. Harry managed a nod then walked over to his group.
Grambling showed Harry, the Patil twins, and a few fourth year Ravenclaws over to a carriage. "Just have to make sure you all get to school safely." He said to Harry as he helped Padma onto the carriage and shut the door.
"What, do they think we're not capable of walking to the carriages?" Asked a redheaded Ravenclaw exasperatedly.
Harry put his forehead against the window. It's for your own safety, idiot.
"Yeah, really, I mean it's not as if he would come here." Said Parvati.
That omniscient 'he' again…
"I mean, as long as Dumbledore is here, he wouldn't dare."
"Oh, come off it." Harry said, face still turned away from the other passengers. All the pairs of eyes that had been so carefully avoiding him since they boarded the carriage suddenly turned to him, waiting for further explanation. "Just say it already." They continued to stare at him incredulously. "It's really not that hard. Vol-de-mort." Harry exaggerated.
Either the carriage jolted or all six of the other passengers jumped off their seats at once. Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, bugger, why even bother…"
A/N: I really am sorry about how short this extremely overdue chapter is. No excuses, no excuses…
Also, I noticed as I read through some of the previous chapters how alienated and…mean I've made Harry. I have plans to amend that though. And if all else fails, I could always just re-edit and re-post all the chapters again. lol
Oh, and Happy Turkey Day to all you Americans!