Author's note: Thanks everyone who has reviewed my story. Your comments have been encouraging (I know some people are reading and ejoying) I thank everyone who reads my fiction and takes a little away from the experience. Thanks! Dani (AKA FireFaeriefly)
A sudden halt of the moving train brought Harry out of his sleep. He sat up and looked out the window. Hogwarts castle stood in the distance; he smiled. Seeing the building always brought happy thoughts to him mind and got those about Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon out. His happy thoughts broke every time he thought about living with them and how close he had been to leaving their horrible house. If only…he kept thinking; if only Sirius hadn't had died.
Ron nudged Harry, "Don't look so down Harry. Look there's Hagrid." He pointed to the tall bearded fellow calling out to the first years. Harry smiled again as he remembered his first year. They looked so small and scared; of course most of them were only eleven or twelve. Harry grabbed his bag and headed with Ron to get off the train. Harry felt a tug on his sleeve and he turned to see a bright red haired young woman standing behind him.
"Excuse me Harry but I must kill my brother." She scooted past him as she chased after Ron. Harry looked surprised; that was Ginny Weasly! He hadn't seen her all year and she sure had grown up. She was a year behind him and Ron but didn't like to be reminded of that. She caught Ron and demanded he give her back her wand. Ron was grinning from ear to ear as he handed the wand over.
"Was wondering when the scatter brain would find it missing." He laughed as she glared at him.
"That wasn't nice Ron." She then smacked him on the back of his head. She stormed off into a horseless carriage to take her to the castle. Harry watched as the first years filed into the boats to take them.
"Well come on then." Ron stopped a carriage and the two filed in. Ron was munching happily on a brown chew thing he had purchased on the train. The new Wizard's card that Harry didn't have in his collection was now winking merrily up at him.
"I can't believe we made it to our seventh year." Ron watched the scenery go by as they made their way up the road. Harry agreed; what with all that has happened. Harry was surprised he didn't die that first year.
"Well be grateful Ron." Harry looked over and Ron's prefect badge was winking at him. Harry always was a little jealous of Ron that he was a prefect and that Dumbledore hadn't chosen him. Of course Harry was made captain of the Quidditch team last year so in a way he was glad he didn't have so much responsibility. He wondered what would happen if the Headboy and Headgirl weren't at the castle.
The carriage stopped and they got out. Everyone was milling around waiting for the doors to be opened by the headmaster Dumbledore. The huge oak doors swung open and Harry expected to see the smiling face of Dumbledore to usher them in. He was shocked to see Professor Snape standing sneering down at them.
"Well don't just stand there" He scowled as they filed in to the castle.
