Chapter 3: Hogwarts

Harry Potter was walking through the train station glancing at the passers-by. It was a chilly September 1st, around 10:51a.m. And if Harry didn't hurry, he would miss his train. He wasn't too eager to go back to Hogwarts though, after all, that meant he had to face his friends.

It hurt Harry to think of what happened at the Department of Mysteries. It hurt even more to think about what could have happened, to his friends… what did happen to Sirius. It was all his fault and he knew he would never truly forgive himself, but most of all, he would never forgive Dumbledore.

Unbeknownst to Harry, a small tear slid down his cheek. He didn't even realize his motion to swat it away as he stepped through the barrier that was hidden between platforms 9 and 10.

When Harry stepped onto platform 9 ¾, he noticed a change in the usual atmosphere of the station. Usually this place was filled with well-wishing fathers, sobbing mothers, the chatter of the student catching up with others to see what they missed over the summer and the excited cries of the first years, but this was different.

There seemed to be a sense of foreboding in the air. Harry new the reason for this drastic change in the attitude of the wizarding world, and his name was Voldemort.

Harry continued pushing his cart towards the train, despite the stares he could feel roaming up and down his body. He was used to all of this, the stares, the awkward silences, but this time it felt different. Because he knew this meant he would never be normal. He knew what every person was thinking; they were thinking he was doomed to a life of misery, and he knew they were right. Harry knew Voldemort would haunt him for the rest of his life, or at least until his death.

Lost in thought Harry didn't realize he was about to crash. There was a loud BOOM and a sudden jolt which most effectively knocked Harry out of his train of thought. He turned a bright shade of crimson from where he sat on the ground. He looked to see who he ran into and to apologize when a head of curly brown hair was nuzzled in the crevice of his neck. "Oh Harry, how are you!"

Harry knew by the choke hold who he was dealing with. He patted Hermione on the back awkwardly at first, but then decided the hell with it and gave her the great bear hug he knew she needed. He hadn't realized how much he missed Hermione over the summer holiday. "I'm good. How about you? Go on any of your lavish vacations as per usual?" Harry asked with a smile while getting to his feet and pulling Hermione up with him.

"Well, as a matter of fact I did. Oh do you remember how I was so jealous of Ronald because he got to got to go to Egypt?" Harry nodded. "Well mum and dad let me pick where we got to go this year. And I chose Egypt. It was fascinating," she squealed. Hermione went off in her usual ramble about how 'educational' it all was while they were picking up all of their belongings. Harry was happy to see that what happened before holiday didn't seem to have any effect on Hermione.

They had just about righted all of their belongings when a voice came from behind, "Oye, mate! You aren't letting her bore you to death with the educational mumbo jumbo she learned in Egypt, are you?" Harry turned to see his best friend and the person he most wanted to see. Sure there had been letters between the two over the summer, but it wasn't the same as just hanging out. "Ronald!" said Hermione, outraged. "Just because you don't care for the refined teachings of the ancient Egyptians, doesn't mean Harry won't enjoy it."

"Yes it does! Harry doesn't care about that nonsense you're spurting. I already told him all he needs to know about Egypt. That it's big, sand-filled, and full of traps!" Ron exclaimed. Laughing at the expression on Hermione made as she took an intake of breathe, no doubt to shout a come back at Ron, Harry decided to step between them. He placed an arm on each of their shoulders and started cracking up. "God… I've missed… you guys…" Harry said through his fits of laughter. At that Hermione and Ron joined in.

Their laughter seemed eerie to the onlookers who were scattered around the platform. Who could enjoy life at such a fearful moment? Didn't they know He Who Must Not Be Named has returned?

At seeing whom the joyful laughter was coming from, they relaxed. It was the boy who lived. How easily they forgot he would be there to save them, after all he had done it once, surely he would do it again. The sight of Harry laughing in the face of danger seemed to give a little bit of hope to all who saw.

After the Harry and his two companions made their way onto the train, Harry found an empty compartment in which he sat waiting for Ron and Hermione to be done with their Prefect meeting at the front of the train.

Harry sat there with his head against the window thinking how glad he was to be returning to Hogwarts.