DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything HP related. The only thing I claim is the plot, with the exception of what has been revealed by JKR, and a few characters, such as Julian McClaggan, Z, Parker Mehl, and the other characters not mentioned in the book.
Chapter Five: Trouble on the Train
Harry woke up early on September 1st. He had packed his trunk the night before, and after changing out of his sleep clothes, he was ready to go. He woke Ron up, who mentioned groggily that he didn't want to go. Harry hit him with a pillow, and walked downstairs to the smell of an excellent breakfast.
After Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had eaten breakfast and gotten their trunks downstairs, they were ready to go. Once again, Mundungus had procured a car, but this time, he was followed by another car, this one driven by a woman Harry didn't recognize.
Mundungus jumped out of the car. "Harry, allow me to introduce you to Ms. Adrian Stout. Let's just say that she's in the same sort of business as I am, although her business is far more lucrative." Ms. Stout was around her upper twenties to lower thirties, with long blond hair and sparkling brown eyes.
"Hello Harry. Dung's told me quite a bit about you." Harry smiled, and the group separated. Harry and Ron got into Dung's car, along with Remus and Moody, while the girls piled into Adrian's car, with Tonks riding shotgun and Mrs. Weasley in the back.
The ride to the train station was uneventful. Upon arrival, Tonks transformed herself into a teenager, who could easily pass for a seventh year. Moody disappeared, and soon came back, once again in his guise as a porter. Lupin walked in as his normal self, since he was supposed to go see Dumbledore about something anyway.
The four students made their way towards the front of the train, stopping to talk to the members of the DA that they spotted. Harry settled himself into a compartment, while Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all went forward to the very first compartment for the Prefects' meeting.
After the meeting, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Colin Creevy, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbot, Terry Boot, and Luna all came into Harry's compartment. Soon, the rest of the DA joined them, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe conspicuously absent. Harry couldn't help but notice the resentful glare that Ginny was shooting Dean, who had walked in with Parvati Patil. Harry would have to quell that problem soon. He couldn't have people fighting within the DA.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Harry was surprised to see Remus walk into the compartment, followed closely by Moody.
"Hello, students. I hope everyone had a good summer?" Remus asked politely.
"Enough with the small talk. Let's get down to business. You DA members are gathered here because Dumbledore is worried about danger on the train. While Lupin and I are here, and of course, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, there's a possibility that we won't be enough to stop any trouble that might occur. That's where you come in. Normally, the prefects and Head Boy and Girl would patrol the train, watching for any trouble, fighting, and all that. This year, you all are going to be doing it instead. Break up into squads of four, and patrol. If there are problems, I want you younger students, and those of you less experienced, to guard the youngsters, especially the first years. Harry, I want you to go through and decide which ones will go with you to fight against the attack."
Harry immediately had Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna join his group. He had to pick another five students. Eventually, he picked Seamus, Terry, Padma, Lavender, and Anthony. The other five were all people Harry trusted, and was sure wouldn't freeze up in a fight.
He left Katie, Dean, and Ernie in charge of the second group. Katie was Head Girl, and had automatic authority. Dean and Ernie were both skilled enough to keep the younger students safe, and Ernie had prefect power. The plan was to move the students as far from the attack as possible, and fortify their position there.
Harry quickly divided up the squads. He had five groups, plus a pair that he needed to put together. Harry appointed Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna as heads of each squad. There was some protest from Zacharias Smith, but Harry pointed out each of the students had fought at the Department of Mysteries. Ron took Zacharias, Susan, and Justin. Hermione's group had Ernie, Hannah, and Michael. Ginny had paired up with Katie, Anthony, and Terry. Neville took Dean, Parvati, and Padma, while Luna had Lavender, Seamus, and Colin. Harry took Dennis, as he was still only a third year, and didn't have as much capability as the others.
The groups had patrolled periodically throughout the trip, and it looked like everything was going to be perfectly fine. Harry had just returned to the compartment with Dennis, and was about to dispatch Ron's team when he felt a hard braking of the train. Harry immediately drew his wand from his pocket.
"Katie, Dean, Ernie, get your people, and start rounding up the students. Ron, you and I are going to go down to the end of the train, and make sure it isn't there. We'll just use the DA coin if there's trouble. If not, be ready for a fight, and we'll get back here as soon as possible."
Harry and Ron took off at a dead sprint down the train. They arrived breathlessly there to find Moody and Lupin standing there with grim faces. "It isn't here boys. We need to check the front of the train." The younger wizards started running again, while the two Order members Apparated away.
Harry and Ron had their wands out and ready as they bust to the front of the train. The DA members were no where in sight. They jumped off the train to find Hermione valiantly fighting off a dementor with her otter Patronus. Harry quickly muttered the spell, and Prongs sprang from his wand. Ron also said the charm, and a cannonball came rocketing from his wand, bowling over two dementors. Leaving his friends to face the dementors, Harry jumped back on the train, and ran out the other side, where Ginny was leading the rest of them in a fight against trolls, ogres, and hags. The DA was winning the battle, but just barely.
Harry started throwing spells left and right, making short work of many of the dark creatures. Harry told the others to get on the train, as only one hag was left. He quickly through the Bludgeoning curse at it, throwing it a fair distance, enough for the train to leave safely.
Jumping back across the distance, Harry watched as the combined effort of the otter and the cannonball Patroni attacked the final dementor, sending it running. They quickly jumped onto the train. The driver of the train threw it into gear, and immediately they were off again, rushing away from the battle.
Harry looked at the DA members who had been in the battle. Hermione and Ron both looked exhausted. The trolley witch had stopped by earlier, and the two were now eating a large amount of chocolate. Ginny, Luna, and Neville all looked fine, as did Lavender and Anthony. Padma walked with a limp, after hitting her hip jumping off the train. Terry had a cut over one eye, and his lip was split, the result of a club from one of the trolls. Seamus cradled his broken arm, his whimper barely audible. Harry set the hurt down to relax, and went to find the other half.
They had all been unhurt, though some of the younger students they had protected had been scared. Harry figured that everyone would be fine, and let the DA finish the trip with their other friends.
The Hogwarts Express arrived at the school with no problems, and the first years were taken to the boats by Hagrid. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny crowded into a carriage with Neville and Luna, and they headed up to the school.
Upon arrival, Harry was taken aside by Professor McGonagall. "A word with you, Potter?" The two walked out of earshot of the group, who was headed into the Great Hall.
"First of all, Remus and Alastor tell me that your DA managed to thwart the attack on the train. Very well done indeed. Twenty points will go to each DA member once term starts.
"Also, I just wanted you to know that I've talked to Professor Snape, and while he's not happy about it, he has allowed you to join his N.E.W.T. level Potions class. Please do well, or else I will look like a fool.
"I'm sure you are ready to go eat, and watch the Sorting and such. Once again, congratulations on your victory on the train. I can't believe such a thing could happen, but at least no one was badly injured. I assure you, Mr. Finnagin is perfectly fine. Now, go and enjoy the feast."
A/N: Another chapter finished. This is pretty tame right now, but don't worry, I'll start building up into stronger chapters and things. For now, please review.
