The Trip To Hogwarts

By the time they got to the Burrow it was very late. The Weasleys offered him a late night dinner, but Harry refused. He went straight up to the bed Ron had prepared him in his room. Ron stayed downstairs for a while before coming in. Harry pretended to be asleep, but he didn't have to pretend long as he did happen to fall asleep.

The next morning he awoke refreshed. He dressed and went to the dining table where Ron, Ginny, and another person were waiting for breakfast. "Hermione!" Harry said.

"Hello Harry," she replied calmly.

"When did you get here?" he asked.

"Well, if you hadn't run off upstairs last night perhaps you would have seen me."

"I'm sorry; I was just really tired; it was a long trip."

"Either that or you were thinking about that girl," intruded Ron. Harry looked over at him and then to Hermione. Ron was trying to hide a smile, and Hermione was acting a little huffy. Seeing Harry was uncomfortable with the subject Hermione asked, "Where's your mother this morning, Ron?"

"Oh, she's out buying our new stuff at Diagon Alley. Your list was sent here, Harry," Ron answered. Harry nodded.

"We'll be off in two days time. I wonder who will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year?" Ron pondered.

"Well, I hear he's a very educated man hired by Dumbledore, so he should be better than last year's teacher," Hermione answered.

"I don't know where you hear all this stuff but... " Ron shrugged.

"I read the Daily Prophet," she replied stiffly.

"Well, Harry how about you and me do a little Quidditch practice later?" suggested Ron.

"Sure, why not," said Harry with a smile. "Um, Ron, what happened to Percy?"

Ron looked at Harry then said, "Well, after the incident of last year, he came home and apologized very sincerely. I don't think he wanted to admit he had been wrong and that he had disowned his own family, but Mum forgave Percy at the very sight of him home. But he still spends most of his time at the Ministry."

"But this time he's on our side," added Hermione. But Harry felt, guiltily, that Percy was on whichever side was more popular, and right now it was the side that accepted Voldemort's return. They sat there in silence. Finally Ginny came in with a pot of soup.

"Soup? For breakfast?" inquired Ron.

"It was the only thing I could cook in that kitchen," she replied a little offended. But they ate it anyway, and Harry had to admit it was pretty good. After they licked their bowls clean, they all headed outside with their brooms. And they played and experimented with new moves until five that evening when Mrs. Weasleys arrived home. She was carrying several bags with slogans from all the different wizarding shops in Diagon Alley. They all rushed to help her carry them inside.

"Here's yours, Ginny... and Hermione. This one's for you Ron, and here you go Harry, dear," she said handing out their bags to them. Harry and Ron took theirs up to Ron's room. They came downstairs to find Mrs. Weasley already cooking supper. "Well, how was your day, Harry? I didn't see you much yesterday," Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Oh, it's been fine," he replied truthfully.

"I hope those relatives of yours are treating you all right," she continued.

"Well, they must be; he's getting all the girls," said Ron, laughing under his breath.

"Ron, don't embarrass Harry," she scolded. Ron was still snorting trying to hold back his laughter. Harry shot him a glance of "that's enough."

The next morning, they all prepared for the trip tomorrow. Harry made sure his bags were well packed and that he had everything.

"Hey, Harry, I forgot to ask. Did you receive your grades on the O.W.L.'s?" Ron wondered. Harry had completely forgotten about them; he didn't realize how he could possibly have forgotten about them.

"No, I didn't," he replied.

"Neither did Hermione and I," they had questioning looks on their faces.

"Maybe they're late?" suggested Harry.

"Not likely, or if they are there has to be a very important reason for it." Harry nodded. They dropped the subject and headed downstairs. To their surprise Percy was in the kitchen talking to Mr. Weasley. Harry was thankful that they weren't arguing. Percy turned to look at Harry as he came in.

"Hello there, Harry," Percy greeted him.

"Hello," said Harry. He saw Percy seemed a little disorganized and uncomfortable. Perhaps that was because last year Percy had told Ron that Harry was crazy and shouldn't be trusted. Harry still hadn't quite forgiven Percy for that.

"Well, I must be on my way, Father," he put a hat that he had been holding on his head. He walked over and gave his mother a hug. "Good bye," he said, and out he went.

"He's acting kind of weird," Harry whispered to Ron.

"Probably because of you," Ron said matter-of-factly. Ron picked up an apple off the counter, and they went to sit outside.

"So what about Fred and George?" Harry inquired. Ron's expression brightened.

"Oh, they're real successful. They've already made tons of money. Mum isn't so mad at them anymore. They're running their joke shop right now. I mean it is summer, and that's their busiest time of year, but they come home occasionally. Every time they do, they tell me to give you a million thanks." Harry gave a little laugh.

They got up early the next morning and loaded the rented car with their trunks, all four of them. Mr. Weasley wanted to leave in plenty of time, so an hour later they were all stuffed in the car and heading towards King's Cross Station. The station was as busy as usual. They all got through the barrier and onto the train with twenty minutes to spare. They got good seats and talked with the other students now boarding. With ten minutes to go, Harry was sitting in his compartment alone when Cho came in and sat opposite him. He did not look at her; he didn't want to.

"I know last year didn't go so well, but I'm willing to try again... " she began.

"Try what again?" Harry said severely.

"Our relationship."

"What relationship?" he said disgustedly. Her eyes were watering.

"I just thought..."

"You thought wrong. I've already got somebody else, anyway," he retorted. He stood up and walked into another compartment where Neville Longbottom was residing. They exchanged hellos. Luna Lovegood walked in dazedly a few minutes later.

"May I join you?" she said airily. Harry nodded. She sat by Neville. Ron soon followed, but Hermione had decided to spend the ride with Ginny in another compartment.

"How was your summer, Luna?" asked Neville.

"Quite peachy, really," she replied. She looked up at the ceiling and said nothing more.

"What about you, Harry?" Neville asked next.

"All right. Much better than last time, anyway," he said. Ron sniffed again.

"Well, my summer wasn't very good," said Neville. He opened his mouth to continue but shut it when nothing came out. Harry had a feeling that all the stuff about Voldemort was reminding him of his parents. Ron leaned back and dozed. Eventually Luna left, hardly noticed since she moved like air. When Harry thought even he might start to fall asleep, a horrid figure appeared outside their compartment. It was Malfoy. Harry turned hoping he wouldn't be spotted. But sure enough, Malfoy opened the compartment door and addressed him. "Hello, Potter. Anything fun to do in here?" he said with a laugh.

"Nothing you'd be interested in," Harry said trying to keep the situation under control. But as Ron had just woken up, that was very unlikely.

"Hello, weasel," Malfoy said slowly so it would soak in. Ron glared at him.

"Why don't you get out," Ron said forcefully.

"And if I don't? I'm a prefect; you can't make me," he sneered.

"Wanna see me try?" retaliated Ron. Malfoy narrowed his eyes daringly.

"You wouldn't," he said fairly confidently. Ron suddenly raised his wand and cried, "Flipendo!" Malfoy was knocked back a couple of feet. He looked up smiling maliciously at Ron; he got to his feet, and before Harry could react, cast, "Immobulus!" Ron froze where he was standing. Malfoy laughed and walked off.

"I'll get Hermione," said Harry to Neville who was also standing, wand at the ready. "You watch Ron." And Harry worked his way down the train until he came to where Hermione, Ginny, and a few other girls were. When Harry came in, they all looked at him; he looked at Hermione.

"We've got a problem," he said. She followed him back to his compartment accompanied by Ginny. When she saw Ron, she gave a hopeless sigh.

"Malfoy?" she asked.

"Well, you don't think he did this to himself?" retorted Harry. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Well, there's nothing I can do for him," she said simply.

"What? Of course you can..." Harry yelled disbelievingly.

"No I can't. It's an advanced spell that can only be fixed with medicine," she retorted plainly. Harry stared at her with an open mouth.

"So what do we do?" he asked.

"You'll have to take him to the infirmary when we get to Hogwarts," she said turning her back on them. Ginny was staring wide-eyed at her brother but followed Hermione back to their compartment. Harry looked to Neville. They shrugged their shoulders and sat back down making sure the vibrations of the train didn't knock Ron over. Harry had never remembered the trip to Hogwarts being so short, but in no time they came into view of the magnificent castle. As the train slowed, Harry and Neville worked out a way to carry Ron to the carriages. He was very heavy. Harry could still see the thestrals, and they always sent chills up his spine even though he rode one last year. They heaved Ron into the carriage, which was very hard because Ron couldn't bend into a sitting position; so he ended up with his head sticking out of the window a little. Harry could hear Hagrid's familiar voice in the distance urging all the first years into the boats. He wondered what Hagrid's summer had been like. The carriages started moving, and again time passed quickly. The next thing they knew, they were pulling Ron out of the carriage door trying not to bang him up too much. Gravity was definitely working that day. The walk up to the castle seemed so long, and Ron seemed to weigh a couple of tons even with Neville's help. Upon entering the castle, Madam Pomfrey happened to be by the door. Harry was thankful for this fortunate timing. Madam Pomfrey immediately bustled over, and, shaking her head hopelessly, insisted that she take Ron up to the infirmary. She cast her spell, and he started floating in midair along the corridors until he was out of sight. Harry, suddenly exhausted, continued his way to the Great Hall.