Disclaimer:

I'm just a visitor to the world of Harry Potter. JK Rowling was its inventor. I promise to return the world as unscathed as possible.

Chapter 9: Attack on the Express

Downstairs was a cacophony of sound. It seemed as though Ron had tried to pack too much in his trunk, and it had burst open. Meanwhile Hermione was running around crying that she must have forgotten something very important, but she didn't know what, and Ginny was inexplicably hopping on one leg, muttering swears under breath.

'Er- Good morning,' Harry said to no one in particular.

'Oh, good morning, Harry, dear,' Mrs Weasley said while she was trying to repack Ron's trunk. 'Really, Ron, if you have trouble packing just call me and I'll help you out.'

Ron scowled. 'I'm 16, I don't need my mother to help me pack!'

'Well, I would have to disagree, dear. Until you stop packing in a way that causes a full trunk to land on your sister's foot, I will just have to do it for you.'

Ginny threw Ron a mean smile while she continued swearing.

'Ginny, whipe that smile of your face right now,' said Mrs Weasley. 'You know I've got eyes in my back, don't you?'

Freezing in the middle of a hop and a swear, Ginny's smile disappeared like snow in the sun. 'I've never figured out how she does that?' she whispered to Harry.

Harry couldn't understand either. Mrs Weasley had had her back turned to Ginny as she had laughed at Ron.

Mrs Weasley finished repacking the trunk and looked up. 'Hermione, love, please! If you forgot anything we will send it to you, and you will have it first thing tomorrow morning. And Harry, dear, I hope you're all packed, because the cars will be here any minute now.'

They all made their way through the hallway and put their trunks outside. Harry looked back through the hallway before he shut the door behind him. For a short moment he saw Sirius when they had said their goodbyes after Christmas last year. It was such a short while ago, but no matter what kind of time would pass, Sirius would never again be there to pull him in an awkward hug. He wondered if it would ever get any easier.

The others didn't seem to have noticed Harry's musings, as they were busy packing their things in the Ministry cars that had just arrived. He was glad to feel the wind on his face again. He hadn't been outside for a month, and the fresh air did feel good.

'Mrs Weasley,' he said. 'Why is there no guard here? I mean, not that I want one, but I haven't been outside since the end of term without at least several Order members standing watch.'

'Oh, but there is, dear. Look, there is Tonks.' she pointed at a high blonde woman in an extremely short skirt and fishnet stockings. Tonks waved, but Harry couldn't help feeling embarrassed. He'd seen Tonks in all kinds of outfits, including some with a bit less material to them, during his training sessions with her. But this was just… Wrong was a word that came to mind. Hot was a word a little voice whispered in the back of his head.

Harry closed his eyes, trying to focus on something else.

Mrs Weasley hadn't noticed a thing, and had continued to point out all the Order members that were on watch. 'And in that car are Moody and Kingsley,' she concluded.

'Right. Er- well. I'll get in then, shall I?' Harry muttered, and he jumped into the nearest car, where he found Ginny looking at him very amused.

'What's the matter, Harry? Never seen a girl in a short skirt before?' She grinned.

Harry felt like his head would explode, and he couldn't utter a single syllable.

'Oh, I'm sorry.' Ginny giggled. 'I'm so used at teasing all my OTHER brothers with this stuff I forget you're not used to it.'

Even through his complete embarrassment he heard the extreme emphasis she placed on the brother-part again. And again, it stung him. He didn't have time to consider it, as Moody had started talking to him. He did however notice that Ginny stared at him very intently, almost like she was trying to see how he reacted.

'Well, Harry, Ginny,' Moody started, 'you know we are expecting an attack on Platform 9 ¾. There will be extra Muggle police present at the station, and 6 Aurors on the platform, but we need you to be vigilant as well. You are to stay well inside the train, and keep out of sight. Keep your wand at hand at all times, in case you are attacked face to face.'

Harry nodded, knowing full well he would not be hiding inside the train. If there would be an attack, he would help out, no matter what he may or may not have promised the Order. Ginny seemed to be feeling the same way, as she was silent as well.

They arrived at King's Cross at 11:30, and made their way quickly through the magical barrier and onto the platform. Charlie and Bill, who had been riding in the other car with Mrs Weasley, Ron and Hermione, seemed to have given the latter two the same instructions as Harry and Ginny had received. One look on both of them, however, told Harry that none of them would be cowering on a bench in case of an attack.

They put their luggage on the train, before saying their goodbyes to their escorts. 'Bye now. Be good,' Mrs Weasley sniffed, as she tried to envelop all four of them in one big hug, while trying to keep an eye on all the other children on the platform as well. 'Oooh, this plan better work,' she whispered.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny boarded the train, but didn't bother to look for a compartment yet. They were soon joined by Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Seamus Finnigan and Katie Bell. Harry glanced nervously at his pocket watch. It was almost 11:45, and all students thankfully seemed to have boarded the train.

'Why are we all standing here?' Luna sounded slightly surprised, as though she'd just noticed she was on a train, looking out over a platform.

'No reason,' Harry tried to say in a dismissive manner. 'Just want to wave at some people. Why don't you go find a compartment, we'll follow later.'

'No way, Harry,' Neville whispered, although Harry couldn't understand why, 'if the four of you were any more high strung, you'd snap. And you have your wands out as well. Something is about to happen, isn't it? I knew it! It's been too quiet.'

'No, Neville, nothing will happen. Listen, the train is ready to depart.' But as soon as these words had come out of Ron's mouth they heard a major explosion, and something Harry recognised straight away as Muggle gunfire.

'Duck!' he yelled, and all 8 of them crouched down.

It soon became obvious something had blasted away the magical barrier, as they could see the other platforms through a big hole in the wall, as well as some shapes that looked very much like bodies. The train had started to move, but it had yet to pick up any speed, and Death Eaters, robed and masked, were pouring though the hole in the barrier. Harry could swear he could see their amazed expressions at the early departure of the train even through their masks. Red jets of light seemed to be coming out of nowhere, and Harry figured there must be Aurors or Order members in Invisibility Cloaks on the platform. They seemed to be outnumbered, however, as Death Eaters kept pouring in, and the invisible protectors were not multiplying. It wasn't until he saw a jet of green light streaking towards the train that Harry yelled 'stupefy!', pointing his wand at the Death Eater who had uttered the lethal curse.

As his Stunner made its way through the air however, he saw it was travelling with 7 others. He looked around him, and was glad to see that everyone had had the same idea. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Katie, Seamus, Neville and Luna had all fired Stunners that were now hitting several Death Eaters. They sighed a collective sigh of relief as the green jet of light ricocheted off the steel of the train, and landed harmlessly on the platform.

Then the platform swerved out of sight as the train rounded a corner.

They all looked up at loud mutterings coming from their left. Heads were poking out of the compartments everywhere, looking at the eight who had fired Stunners in amazement.

Hermione was the first to gain control of herself. She got up and started ushering the other students back in their compartments, ensuring them that everyone on the train was safe, and that they would probably get an explanation at the feast tonight.

Some smaller children, all first years, were crying openly, and Ginny, Katie and Luna rushed over to comfort them.

Seamus and Neville looked at Harry and Ron with wonder.

'How did you know?' Seamus said. 'You were waiting for something to happen, like Neville said, weren't you? And how come the train left early?'

Harry and Ron shook their heads. 'I can't really say,' said Harry, avoiding Neville's eye. He felt ashamed that he couldn't say anything, because Neville had fought side by side with him in the Department of Mysteries. But he didn't know what Dumbledore would tell the other students, and there were too many inquisitive stares on the train.

'Were those bodies, outside on the Muggle side?' Neville whispered, though Harry still didn't know why.

'Yeah. Yeah, I think so,' Harry said. 'I don't know if they were Death Eaters or Muggles, though. Those loud bangs we heard, those are like Muggle Killing Curses. They might have fired them at the Death Eaters. I don't expect we will find anything out until the feast tonight. Let's go and find a compartment.'

It seemed that the girls had managed to get all the other students back into their compartments, though sobs could still be heard though the doors.

'Thank you for taking your duty as a prefect so seriously and helping out, Ron,' Hermione said scathingly.

'I – I – I'm sorry,' Ron muttered, 'it looked as though you guys had everything under control. He looked very shaken, maybe even more so than the others.

'Oh, never mind,' Hermione said. She was looking at Ron with mild concern. 'Let's find a compartment, shall we?'

But as Harry got up, he fell to the floor again immediately, a terrible pain searing through his scar and a high pitch scream resonating in his ears.

He felt someone shaking him.

'Harry! Harry, tell us! What is it?' Ginny looked at him, fear in her eyes.

'Oh, it's nothing,' he managed to say. 'I guess Voldemort has found out his attack wasn't as successful as he had expected. Quite some Death Eaters were stunned, partly because of all of you,' he looked around at his friends with pride, 'and they probably have been taking in by the Aurors. It must be a bad blow to Voldemorts rank of supporters.'

Hermione looked annoyed at the flinches and squeals by Katie, Neville and Seamus that occurred when Harry had said Voldemort's name.

'D'you reckon they got the Lestranges,' Neville said hopefully.

Harry didn't want to hurt Neville, but he didn't want him to have too much hope either. 'Somehow I don't think so, Neville. Bellatrix might be insane, she's also very lucky. She already escaped from a very sticky spot in the Department of Mysteries once, remember.'

Neville nodded sadly, but Katie and Seamus looked at Harry with unabashed curiosity. They hadn't been present that fateful night, and anything they might have heard about it would have been rumours.

'Come on,' Harry said, deciding to ignore them, 'let's find a compartment.'

Katie, Luna and Seamus found places to sit with some of their other friends, but Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny still were lucky enough to find an empty compartment. Plenty of them actually. It looked as though the other students felt safer sitting with as many people as possible.

When they sat down, Harry looked out the window to a most surprising sight. An owl was trying to keep up with the speed of the train, while pecking at the window. Harry opened it up and grabbed the owl. It was carrying a letter addressed to him, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

'Read it out loud,' Hermione said as Harry broke the seal.

Harry glanced at Neville, who was looking very much as though he would pick a fight with Harry if he didn't do it. Harry decided it couldn't hurt.

It was only a short message.

Death toll: 3 Muggles, 1 Death Eater.

Arrests: 13 Death Eaters.

Wounded: 43 Muggles, 12 parents, 2 Members (Molly is fine), 1 Auror.

Students to be transported by Portkey: 18, including Mr. Malfoy, Mr Crabbe, Miss Crabbe and Mr Goyle.

We will talk about those Stunners later.

Professor Dumbledore

Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione let out a breath none of them knew they had been holding. Mrs Weasley had left the platform only shortly before the attack began, and they were all relieved she was alright. They did wonder how badly the other Order members and parents had been hurt, however. Harry hoped it would all turn out less bad than it seemed, although nothing could be good with so many injured, and 3 Muggles dead.

He couldn't help wondering how bad things would have been if they hadn't know about the attack, and smiled gratefully at Hermione.

Neville was just looking extremely pensive. 'Members? What's he talking about, Harry?'

'I'm really sorry, Neville, but I can't say.' He continued quickly at Neville's glare. 'I know how bad it feels to not know something everyone else seems to know. However, we'll have to wait to see what Dumbledore tells everyone. Then I will ask him if we can give you some more information.'

'We?' Neville looked extremely put out. 'So you all knew about this beforehand? And you all know what is meant with these "members". Even Ginny! That's not fair, she's younger!'

'Age has nothing to do with this, Neville,' Ginny said soothingly. 'We've all been in the same place over the summer, and so we all know the same things. Don't be too upset with us? Please?' She gave him a smile that would melt an icicle, and Neville conceded.

'Did anyone else notice the 'Miss Crabbe' in the note. I can't believe there's a female version of that oaf out there somewhere!' Ron said.

'Yeah… I wonder where she'll be sorted,' Hermione said.

'What do you mean with that?' Ron snorted. 'She'll be sorted in Slytherin like her brother.'

'Not necessarily, Ron. Just because all of you were sorted in the same house doesn't mean all siblings do. Just remember Parvati and Padma Patil.'

'Right.' Ron looked as though he wouldn't believe anyone with a Slytherin as a sibling would be sorted in any other house, but didn't feel like arguing.

'Well, look on the bright side,' Ginny chimed in. 'At least we'll have a Malfoy-free trip this time.'

Harry smiled at the thought.

The rest of the journey was uneventful. They filled themselves up on Chocolate Frogs and Pumpkin Pasties, and played some Exploding Snap.

Neville had tried to ask Harry how he was doing, but Harry hadn't really felt like talking. Neville seemed to already have lost some of the confidence Harry had noticed in him as he had boarded the train. He was slouching, like he tried to shrink into the bench.

'I'm sorry, Neville,' Harry said finally. 'I know it must feel bad that we were together for most of the summer, and that we weren't able to talk much after the events and the Ministry of Magic. I promise we will, just not now, okay?'

Neville did seem to inflate a bit again after that.

As it got darker they changed into their robes, and waited for their arrival at Hogsmeade Station.

It was completely dark when they arrived, but the station was lit with lanterns. As Harry got of the train he was glad to hear the familiar 'Firs' years over 'ere' again. He sure had missed that last year.

He felt oddly touched when he saw Ginny lift a still trembling first year girl into her arms, and carry her over to Hagrid. The trembling didn't seem to get any better on the sight of the huge man with the very tangled beard, however.

'It's alright,' Harry whispered. 'He's big, but he's really just a big old puppy dog. Aren't you, Hagrid?'

Harry grinned at the big man.

'Watch who yeh're callin' a puppy dog, 'Arry! Or did ye forget about Fluffy?'

Harry didn't get to reply to that however, as the girl squealed 'You're The-Boy-Who-Lived!' and jumped from Ginny's arms into his. 'My mum says you're the bravest boy ever and when I grow up I am going to marry you!' The girl seemed quite unabashed, and Harry grinned at Ginny, remembering her being quite as excited on seeing him as this little girl.

Ginny threw him a little mock scowl, and turned her attention to the little girl again. 'And who is your mum, if I may ask?' she said.

'Well, Janice Jordan, of course,' throwing Ginny a look that didn't leave any guessing about what she thought about people who didn't know her mum.

'Janice Jordan…' Harry muttered. 'You wouldn't happen to be related to Lee Jordan, would you?'

The girl nodded furtively. 'Uhuh! He's my big brother. He left school just last year. I'm happy he's gone, because he always teases me when he is home!'

Harry got the distinct impression she would have gone on for much longer about her brother's teasing, but it was almost time for the first years to be rowed across the lake to the castle, and Hagrid lifted her in the boat.

When Harry and Ginny turned their attention to the waiting row of carriages, they discovered that there was only one left. Hermione, Neville and Ron were standing by it, and Ron seemed to be patting the Thestral that would pull the carriage.

'Harry,' Ron said. 'Harry, I see them too now. I don't know why though, I haven't seen anyone die. Hermione reckons it might have something to do with the memories. There are plenty of people dying in those.'

Hermione started pushing Ron towards steps of the carriage. 'Well, maybe we can ask Professor Dumbledore later, but we really have to leave now. You boys don't want to miss the Sorting Hat's song again, do you?'

Author's Note:

Well, ain't that a treat again. Then I'm not there for a year, and just as easy you get 2 new chapters! Granted, this isn't the longest one, but still. Again, I hope you liked it. My first battle scene, I'm very nervous about how it reads to others. Any constructive criticism is welcome, so please feel free to review. I'll still to reply to a signed review with an email, though it might not be instantly.

And you're right, I'm not backing out of writing a Sorting Hat song, though I am dreading it. It's important to the plot though. Spooooooky!

It might be a few weeks before a new chapter goes up, because I have an academic deadline.

Next Chapter: The Sorting Hat's Curse.