Chapter 3: On the Hogwarts Express

A/N: Ok, so I got an email asking something that I think I'll explain here. It asked who Mandy was. Mandy is a shortened form of Amanda, according to a friend named Amanda… Also, Dora is short for Nymphadora. Kind of like Ron-Ronald, Ginny-Ginevra, Hermy-Hermione…

A/N 2: Peeves has a song… I didn't want to put it in here, but I was blackmailed. The song isn't mine. My friend sang it one night when we were hanging out. I just changed the tune and added the first 2 lines.

Ron Weasley woke early, an action not common for him, and wandered into the kitchen for breakfast. Normally, Hermione and his mother would be chatting about something or other, occasionally glancing at Ron while doing so. The first day of September, however, was completely different.

Ron heard Hermione mumbling in her sleep on the way down the stairs, so he wouldn't be facing any giggling stares for once. His mother was doing something that made lots of metallic banging noises, most likely cooking like a muggle to take her mind off of everything.

Announcing his presence with a yawn, Ron sat at the table and slumped in his seat. His mother looked at him and offered a weak smile that told him that she had been thinking about Ginny. Attempting to comfort her wouldn't make her feel any better, as he had learned early on in the summer, so he settled for a simple "Mum?" and awaited her reply.

Molly bustled around, knowing she would have to say something sooner or later, even if she didn't want to. "I-I'm fine, dear. Don't worry about me." She replied in a very Harry-like way. Ron noticed this.

"Unless Harry has suddenly become my mother, you're going to have to do better than that. 'I'm Fine' doesn't work for him, and it won't work for you." He said, feeling odd to be talking to his mother like that.

Molly sighed, taking a seat across from her sixth child. From the reduced distance, Ron could see that she had been crying. Voldemort had nearly destroyed the Weasley family when their youngest had been taken so forcibly from them. Ron might not have been the best person to talk to in a situation such as this, but the girl who had been his best friend, his inseparable companion before Hogwarts, his baby sister, had been taken from him too. Molly knew she wasn't the only one in pain, everyone felt the loss. Her "eighth child" couldn't bear to bring himself to the Burrow because he felt guilt for reasons known only to himself.

Sighing again, she placed her hands on the table. "Why do death eaters see the need in taking everything from me?" she asked, thinking aloud.

Ron, startled by the sudden comment attempted to think of an answer, but his mother continued. "I just hope that wherever they are, Gideon and Fabian are watching her."

"Gideon and Fabian?" Ron, unable to help himself, asked.

"Your uncles. They were killed in the last war on a mission from the Order. I don't even remember if you were born. Back then everything ran together. Arthur had to charm the house so that I wouldn't leave to find their murderers." Molly's voice became hollow. "Never anger a pregnant witch, Ron. Your father learned that on the day I found out what happened."

Ron snorted, he knew just how insane a woman could be, pregnant or not. "Ron? Why does Harry blame himself?"

It was Ron's turn to sigh. He had tried to figure this one out on numerous occasions that summer when his best friend had been off with Amanda White instead of at the Burrow. Ron was grateful for the opportunity to be alone with his girlfriend, but he hadn't gone two months without seeing his best friend since they were eleven years old and it felt strange.

"I don't know, mum. That's just Harry. You know he and Ginny were out together in Hogsmeade when…" his mother nodded. "Maybe that's it."

"But Tonks told us he was knocked out from something hitting him, or when he hit the wall. He couldn't have prevented anything." Molly protested.

"I know, but you know Harry. He doesn't take credit for anything and feels guilty for everything." Ron replied, "Maybe he thinks Ginny was taken because she was with him. It was Valentine's Day, after all. Maybe he thinks the Death Eaters thought they were together."

"Oh, how I only wished that they would end up together. I honestly thought of them as a younger version of James and Lily. But now…" Fresh tears leaked from Molly's eyes.

Ron almost said something he had started to suspect from reading the letters Harry had sent, but thought better of it.

"Ron, ask him. Ask him why he does this to himself. Ask him why, when he has lost so much, he has to blame himself for everything." Molly said, rising and moving back to check on the cooking food. Ron said nothing, but nodded, suddenly realizing why his mother was so protective over her brood. She had lost family once and now it was happening again.

The morning of September first was hectic at Tonks's seaside home. Everyone had woken late, and had only two hours to shower, eat, Floo to the Leaky Cauldron, and make it to King's Cross.

Amanda ran from the kitchen to her bedroom with a piece of toast clamped between her teeth, trying to pull her socks on along the way. She would have broken her neck if Harry hadn't been running behind her, seeking out his own bedroom. Harry had been at the bottom of the stairs when she had fallen due to her sock situation. Harry hadn't meant to catch her, but as she fell he instinctively held out his arms.

"My hero…" she teased, blushing either at the awkward place his hand had landed when he caught her, or by the comment she had made Harry couldn't tell. She freed herself from his arms and resumed her quest to ready herself for her new school.

Somehow, Harry had lost three pairs of pants, six pairs of socks, two pairs of boxers, two shirts, and his new set of dress robes, which would be needed for some reason during the school year. After spending way too much time searching, he finally found everything with the exception of one of his shirts.

Amanda had been scrambling about looking for parchment, quills, ink, books and the like. She could hear Harry grumbling from across the hall, searching for clothing. Her room was shockingly clean compared to Harry's, so it wasn't as difficult to locate her things.

Reaching under her bed, she pulled something out that confused her. Sticking her head out the door, she shouted at Harry, tossed his shirt to him, and asked why his clothing was in her room. She immediately regretted it, however, for if Tonks had heard her, she would never be able to live it down. As luck would have it, no teasing comments came from the floor below.

To say that King's Cross was overcrowded was an understatement. Students and parents were joined by Aurors, the MLES, and even a few people from the Department of Magical Transportation filled platform nine and three-quarters. Apparently something was expected to happen.

Remus, Tonks, and the guards that came with them, and who had been stationed at Tonks's home all summer, ushered their charges onto the train. Harry led the way to a compartment with no one inside. Ron and Hermione would be in the Prefect's carriage, as Hermione and whoever the Head Boy was would be giving out assignments to the Prefects. Harry actually hoped that his friends would take a while to find him, though he couldn't explain why. He had certainly grown close to Amanda during their month together, and even more so in the last half of that month when they were, for the most part, alone. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to being alone with her and wasn't keen on changing it. He knew that once they arrived at Hogwarts they wouldn't get a moment's peace, especially in N.E.W.T. year. He had passed Neville and Luna, who were sharing a compartment with Harry's dorm mate Dean Thomas and his girlfriend Parvati Patil, so he knew it would be a while before they sought him out. The prospect for a solitary train ride for them looked bright.

They had been talking about Quidditch, Hogwarts, and everything else that came to mind for nearly two hours when the compartment door opened, signaling the unwanted arrival of Draco Malfoy and his troll-like cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. The arrogant Death Eater in training stepped in, seeming not to realize that he wasn't wanted.

"My, aren't we cozy? And I half expected to find the mudblood and the weasel shagging." The Slytherin said, taking a seat. "Still hanging around with Potter?" he asked, facing Amanda. "Why not come with me, I can show you a much better time than scarhead can."

Amanda looked as if he had just asked her to lie on the ground while dozens of Blast-Ended Skrewts swarmed over her. "I'm quite comfortable where I am." She replied with a disgusted tone, sliding closer to Harry and pulling his arm around her shoulders. "Now get lost."

"And if I don't? What would you do? What could you do?" Malfoy challenged, his bodyguards laughing stupidly.

"You'll find your friends and yourself searching the countryside looking for parts of your body so you can try to reproduce." Her icy tone and murderous glare had taken its toll on the three Slytherins. Harry couldn't help laughing.

"Laugh while you can, Potter. Your little girlfriend will regret her words." Malfoy stood to leave, finding Harry's hand on his shoulder. "Unhand me you filthy half-blood!" Malfoy spat. Harry paid no attention.

"Come near my friends and you'll regret staying at Hogwarts." Harry said icily. Malfoy shook himself away from Harry and stalked away.

"Thanks Harry." Amanda said from beside him when he returned to his seat.

"Uh… for what?"

"For not pulling away when that creep was in here and I snuggled up to you." She blushed. Harry smiled, making her blush deepen.

"Honestly, I didn't mind. I kind of liked it, actually. It gave me something besides Malfoy to focus on." Harry paled at the words. Where did THAT come from? Amanda stared, not sure of what to say. They were spared further awkwardness when Ron entered the compartment alone.

"No Hermione?" Amanda asked, her voice sounded somewhat different.

"She's supposed to patrol the whole time, in case a prefect needs her or something. Terry Boot too. You know, I would have thought you would be Head Boy, Harry." Harry shrugged.

"I'm a troublemaker." He said, then contorted his face, "Potter has been crossing lines since he arrived here." He imitated Snape almost perfectly. Ron collapsed in a fit of laughter. Amanda looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

"I saw that you had our usual visit from Malfoy already. Did… did he say anything about…" Ron's voice caught in his throat. Harry knew exactly what he meant.

"No, just the usual taunts and insults." He said, looking down. "He knows better. I may not share the Weasley blood, but I do consider you guys my brothers, and Ginny was my sister. Malfoy was lucky he didn't find himself cursed before he left. If he had mentioned Ginny, he would have been, and I would have left him for you to find."

Ron was struck speechless, gaping at Harry. Amanda looked her raven-haired companion over appraisingly and smiled. The boy is driving me mad! He doesn't care about himself, but he would go to the ends of the earth for strangers, and beyond for his friends. Ron finally gained control of his emotions and embraced Harry in a brotherly hug. The only other time they had done this was at Ginny's funeral.

Night fell as Hogwarts Castle appeared in the distance. Harry longed to be back in Gryffindor tower, sitting in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace with his friends. Ron would be off doing his prefect duties, and Hermione would be doing Head Girl things, so it would just be Harry and Amanda tonight. Why do I keep finding myself thinking about Amanda? She's certainly beautiful… charming… and her shyness is cute…

Harry looked down; Amanda had fallen asleep beside him, her head drooping onto his shoulder shortly after sleep claimed her. She looked so peaceful when she was sleeping, and Harry regretted having to wake her as they pulled into Hogsmeade station. Ron noticed Harry staring at the blonde as she used him for a pillow and smirked, daring Harry to deny something was going on between them. Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes as Ron left to help the other prefects.

Harry gently shook Amanda, causing her to burrow her head deeper into him. Harry laughed and shook her again.

"Not now Tonks…" she mumbled, turning slightly so that her head slid down Harry's arm and chest and into his lap. Harry shook her again. "Toooooonks… don't come in here yet." Harry raised his eyebrow and poked her in the ribs. "Tonks… we didn't do anything…" Harry was really getting curious, he poked her again, slightly harder than the last time. Her eyes snapped open to stare at Harry's knees.

"Harry! What's going on?" She asked, bolting upright and blushing furiously.

"We're almost there. Have a nice nap?" She nodded. "Any interesting dreams?" he continued.

Oh God… what did I say? Amanda's face turned bright red. "Yes, actually, but don't expect to hear about it, Mr. Potter."

"Oh? And exactly who were you not doing anything with? You seemed to be trying to convince Tonks you were innocent about something." Amanda blushed more deeply, burying her face in her hands.

The two of them left the compartment and made their way to the carriages that would carry them to the school. Harry shuddered at seeing the Thestrals and what they represent as he climbed into a carriage with Neville and Luna.

Harry, Amanda, Neville and Luna entered the entrance hall of the castle only to be pelted by water balloons. Peeves the poltergeist was floating upside down and bouncing another balloon in his hand.

"Oh! Potty wee Potter is back! How fun!" He cackled and threw the balloon at Harry, who put his arms up and ended up accidentally soaking himself and Amanda. "Now he's all wet!" Bobbing up and down in the air, the irksome poltergeist burst into song.

"Oh Potter, you rotter

Look what you've done!

Your girl's all wet,

And now you can bet

You're going to have lots of fun!"

Harry and Amanda blushed furiously as the older students laughed at the song. Peeves zoomed off, blowing raspberries at some second years he encountered on the way. Harry and Amanda quickened their pace and trying not to be seen.

"Great way to start the year." Harry mumbled as they sat at the Gryffindor table. Ron had placed himself across from them and snorted at the comment, earning himself a glare from Amanda and a slap on the back of the head from Hermione.

The Gryffindor common room emptied rather quickly after the students returned. The feast had made many of them sleepy and others simply missed their beds. A select few, mostly fifth years, were still bustling about. The fifth years were trying to find any of the items at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes that weren't on the banned items list. A few third years were busy looking at a map of Hogsmeade, deciding where to go first on their first visit. Harry, Ron, Amanda, and Hermione were sitting by the fire reminiscing. Amanda told stories from her old school while the other three told her of their adventures. All four discussed Dumbledore's announcement that their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher hadn't arrived yet.

It was after two in the morning when Hermione shrieked, sent the younger students off to bed, and told her three friends that they should get in bed. Ron chased after her, running up the stairs to the girls' dorms, triggering the trap that turned them into a slide. Hermione glared at him before he planted a kiss on her lips.

Harry and Amanda stared with amused expressions. "Get a room!" Harry shouted at his best friends, laughing.

Ron broke from his girlfriend for a moment. "Don't watch. There are four people in here, look beside you, Potter…" Harry turned to see Amanda's mouth drop. She wasn't used to that sort of comment and blushed.

"You know you blush a lot, right?" Harry laughed as she playfully punched him in the shoulder. "Kind of cute, honestly." He added, mentally slapping himself afterward. Amanda cocked her head to the side and stared as if she were trying to read his mind.

"Come on, Amanda, I'll show you the dorm." Hermione said, breaking the awkward silence. The two girls made their way to their room, leaving the boys alone.