Life's Many Challenges

Chapter 2- Hogwarts Express

Harry stayed so close to Sirius it was if they were attatched at the hip. The train station was so congested that Harry could barely see where he was going or what was in front of him.

"Sirius, I can't see. Where are we going?"

"Platform nine-and-three-quarters. It's okay Harry, I won't let you get lost."

Harry wasn't so sure about the 'not getting lost' part but he followed Sirius past platforms 1-9. The pair stopped in the middle of nine and ten and Harry looked around for the platform that Sirius said would hold the Hogwarts Express.

"Umm Sirius I don't see the platform."

"Look over there." Sirius said nodded toward a brick collumn.

Harry looked up at his godfather like he was nuts but Sirius just smiled and told him to keep watching. Not long after Harry saw a group of people walk up the collumn and lean against it. They vanished.

"Wow." Harry said quietly.

"Yeah, now lets get you on the train." Sirius said and walked with Harry's trunk over to the column. "Coming?"

Harry nodded and stood next to his godfather. Sirius grabed his arm and practically had to pull Harry through.

The noise coming from the platform was tremendus. All different kinds of people were there and Harry tried to take it all in at one glance. The people, the owls flying freely overhead in the middle of day, the smells, the sounds of laughing childeren, and the sight of the big train that in the front said 'The Hogwarts Express".

"There you are Harry. Now, I want you to use your judgement. Don't go sitting with people who will get you into trouble. Remember what I said about houses too, I will still love you even if you are put into Slytherin. I just may not answer your letters right away because I will be at St. Mungo's with heart failure."

Harry laughed but the look on Sirius face made him stop.

"I want you to have fun and be happy. But I want you to be careful." Sirius said, trying to hold his composure as the train sounded. Harry looked around and saw parents, mothers and fathers, crying and he knew Sirius was trying his best not to. "I love you Harry."

"I know Sirius, I love you too. And don't worry so much about me, Albus will be there."

Sirius smiled at Harry and pushed him toward the train. "Don't forget to wright to me any time. Write Remus too, though you most likely won't get a responce."

"I know." Harry said and all but jumped into his godfathers arms. "Don't worry."

Sirius let go and looked his godson in the eyes. "I will."


Harry watched as the platform went out of sight. Sirius would probably stand there until the next day. His stomach did flip flops as he realized he was alone. Homesickness was overpowering him and he held his midsection, closing his eyes.

"Hi. Sorry to bother you but everywhere else is full."

Harry looked up at a tall boy with red hair and a smuge of dirt on his nose. "You can sit with me."

"Thanks." The tall boy said and Harry remembered what Sirius had told him about useing is good judgement. "My name is Ron Weasley."

"I'm Harry Potter."

"Are you really? I know loads about you. You live in the wizarding world now right? With your godfather?"

Harry nodded, he wasn't sure how the rest of his new classmates was going to react to him. Hopefully it would be short lived.

"And your scar, do you really have it?"

Harry smiled slightly in spite of himself and lifted his bangs.

"Wicked."

"Anything from the trolly dears?"

Ron shook his head and looked out the window but Harry dug around in his pockets and pulled out some spending money Sirius gave him.


"Chocolate frogs are my favorite." Harry confided to his new friend as the trip seemed to become endless. "One time Sirius swallowed one whole and it almost came jumping out of his mouth."

"Your godfather sounds like a lot of fun."

"He is."

Ron looked down at the last two remaining chocolate frogs and picked the one on the left.

"Hmm, Nicolas Flamel. It says he is the creator of the Sorcerers Stone. I wonder what that is?"

Harry shrugged and opened the last one. "Dumbledore. I have him already. I should give him my extras for his birthday, it's coming up in a few weeks you know."

Ron shrugged, "Have you met the headmaster before?"

"Yeah, loads of times. He's a great guy, though kind of strange. Did you know he likes acid pops?"

"He likes them, you mean, he eats them for fun."

Harry nodded and laughed at the pained look on Ron's face. Without knowing it Harry's worries had jumped out the window, along with his last chocolate frog.

TBC