Disclaimer: All Harry Potter content belongs to JK Rowling, not me. If it did belong to me, well, a writer can dream.
Chapter 14
"Rise and shine, Harry Potter!"
"Blargh."
"You do know what today is, right?"
"Blargh."
"Get up. Now."
"Bla – ow!"
"We're leaving for King's Cross in an hour!"
Harry lifted his face from his pillow, gingerly rubbing the shoulder that Hermione had punched before marching out of his room. He blinked his eyes open and slowly slid out of bed, his feet hitting the carpeted floor. Suddenly, the realization that it was September 1st clicked with his brain, and the thought of returning to Hogwarts surged through him. He practically jumped for joy at the thought. He leapt off the bed and sprinted to the shower, his thoughts dominated by treacle tart and Exploding Snap in the Gryffindor common room.
By the time he made it downstairs he was grinning from ear to ear. He dragged his trunk to the foyer, leaning his broomstick against it gingerly and placing Hedwig's cage on top. He turned, pulling a black box out of his pocket and flipping it open. His quasi-Snitch zoomed upwards, and Harry deftly caught it and released it, repeating the process as he walked into the Grangers' kitchen.
"Good morning, Harry." Mr. Granger smiled, handing him a plate of toast and bacon. "Excited?"
"Can't wait!" Harry reciprocated his cheerfulness, eagerly taking his place at the table. Hermione was already sitting down, absent-mindedly chewing a piece of bacon as she pored over Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart. "Comparing track records?" Harry whispered so only his best friend would hear. She squeaked, and quickly slammed the book shut.
"Hush!" She hissed, unable to hide her blush nor her shy smile.
Mrs. Granger entered the kitchen, affectionately ruffling each of the kids' hair. She joined them at the table, followed by her husband. The four of them ate a chipper breakfast, going over travel plans one last time. Before Harry knew it, he was dropping his belongings in the trunk he'd removed them from two months prior. He recalled how he'd felt when he arrived at the Granger residence the first night – almost crippled by fear and anxiety.
Just over two months later, he didn't want to leave. Then again, he really wanted to go back to Hogwarts. He sighed as he closed the trunk and slowly ambled into the backseat. He almost longed for the ease of abandoning Privet Drive last summer, how easy it was to ditch the Dursleys in favor of the magical world. It was a hundred times harder to leave the Grangers. Maybe he could stay in Crawley, he thought to himself, and go camping on the weekends with Mr. Granger. He could spend more time cooking and walking around Sapphire Park.
Then Hermione slid in the seat next to him and leaned into his side, beaming with excitement. All thoughts of forgoing Hogwarts vanished from his mind, and he returned his best friend's smile. Hermione straightened as her parents climbed in, and soon enough Mr. Granger had them cruising down the motorway towards King's Cross.
"Now, you're certain you'll be meeting your Weasley friends at 10:30?" Hermione's father asked a few minutes into the drive.
"Yes, dad." Hermione sighed. It was the twentieth time he'd asked since Ron wrote to them, offering to escort them to their train in a much more wizardly manner: Side-Along Apparition. Ron explained that they'd be much less likely to be spotted by any prying Muggle eyes, and Harry assumed it'd be much less of a hassle to find a compartment together if they arrived simultaneously.
Soon enough, the car was parked, and Harry and Hermione were making a mad dash to the station. Harry checked his watch the moment that they arrived at the quiet stairwell off to the side that Ron had described in his letter: 10:26. The four of them looked around and noticed there was nobody around them, a far-cry from the crowds in the center of the train station. Harry wondered if the staircase was even in use.
"Well, we better get off before traffic gets too bad." Mrs. Granger managed awkwardly. The two students nodded, and they began to exchange goodbyes with Hermione's parents.
"It was a pleasure to have you, dear." Hermione's mother whispered as she pulled Harry into a tight hug. Harry managed a small thank you, trying to keep his emotions under control. Once she pulled away, Harry turned to Mr. Granger, who held out a hand.
"Take care of yourself." He said with a solemn expression. Harry nodded with an equally resolute expression and shook the dentist's hand. "And take care of her. I know you'll make us both very proud."
Harry suddenly felt as if his eyes were going to explode, and his heart felt like it would burst at any moment. Nonetheless, he managed a weak nod and Mr. Granger gave him one last proud smile and wink. He and his wife offered very heart-warming goodbyes with their daughter before walking hand-in-hand towards the exit. Harry watched them enter the throng of station-goers and inhaled sharply, as if willing his tears to not fall. It seemed to work, and he let out a shaky breath before turning to Hermione.
CRACK
"Harry! Hermione!"
The pair whipped their heads around towards the staircase they stood next to. Arthur Weasley had seemed to appear out of nowhere, materializing underneath the stairs with a grin stretched across his face. He was holding hands with the twins, who offered cheerful – albeit sarcastic – greetings. One of the twins had gripped Percy Weasley by the jumper, and he offered a meager hello.
CRACK
Mr. Weasley had vanished just as quickly as he has appeared, and Harry felt his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
CRACK
"Told you they'd be waiting. Hey, Harry! Hermione!" A familiar voice called out. Ron suddenly appeared as if he'd ripped off his own Invisibility Cloak, along with the rest of his family. Mr. Weasley was gripping him by the arm in one hand, and in his other he held his wife's, who clutched Ginny like she was going to fly away. Harry and Hermione exchanged hellos with the Weasley clan, and Harry began asking some of the million questions racing through his mind.
"So, are you just teleporting? How do you know where to go? How does it even work? What does it feel like? What does – "
"Bloody hell, Harry, I might have to start teasing you now instead of Hermione!" Ron snorted, but Harry sensed his comment was much more good-natured than any similar sentiment would have been last year. Hermione even cracked a smile at the remark.
'If one good thing came from Dobby cutting us off from the magical world for a month and a half, it's that Ron's certainly much less of an arse.' Harry thought amusedly. He turned his attention back to the real world to hear Ron's answers.
"Basically, if you have a clear image of where you want to go, you can Apparate there. It takes loads of practice, though. Most wizards learn in sixth year at the very earliest." Ron explained.
"So hopefully Percy will Apparate as far away from us as he can once he learns in a few months!" George Weasley whispered with a smirk.
"The pompous git says he's going for Head Boy next year. Our brother Bill was Head Boy a few years ago, you know. I don't think we could bear the shame if we had a second one in the family." Fred sighed. Percy was pretending not to hear his brothers as he irritably dusted himself off.
"So is this how you always get to the platform? You don't even bother with the brick wall?" Hermione asked. The twins shrugged.
"Last year we took the Muggle entrance. Dad was working and Mum isn't really as good at Apparating as she claims to be." Said Fred.
"She decided it would be good for us to venture into the Muggle world for a bit. This year, since Dad's got the day off, we're using Apparition." George added.
"Every year besides last year, Dad would pop back and forth between the platform and this spot here while Mum kept watch." Ron concluded, throwing air quotes around the last two words with a smirk. "The man loves Muggles, but even he understands it's better to do this. Less likely to be caught and all." He stopped and turned as his father approached the cluster of children.
"Harry, Hermione, listen," Mr. Weasley began, his face crinkled in an expression of sorrow, "I have to apologize for my actions in Diagon Alley. Lucius Malfoy and I are not exactly the best of mates, but lunging at him in Flourish and Blotts was inexcusable, especially in front of my children and their friends. I hope you two can forgive me."
Harry was surprised. After hearing how Mr. Malfoy spoke of Hermione, as if she didn't deserve top marks because of her parents, he wouldn't mind laying the man out himself. Nonetheless, he managed to nod his head in acknowledgement, and Hermione did the same.
"Splendid. Ready, kids?" The redhead asked, his face brightening instantly. Not waiting for a response, he grabbed the back of Harry and Hermione's jackets. "Grab all your stuff. Don't forget your owl, Harry." He grinned before turning on the spot. Harry suddenly felt as if he had been folded into a ball and then yanked out through his own stomach. Just as quickly as the feeling happened, it vanished, and Harry was standing on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, facing a familiar scarlet steam engine.
"That was…unpleasant." Hermione managed through shaky breaths. Harry groaned in agreement, absent-mindedly patting himself down to make sure he hadn't been turned inside-out during the process.
Another series of CRACKs rang out, and every time Mr. Weasley re-appeared, more redheads joined them on the platform. When all five Weasley children joined the pair, they bid their parents goodbye and boarded the train.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron ventured off into a familiar compartment to find the remaining five of their Gryffindor crew waiting for them. They were welcomed with open arms, quite literally, and within a few minutes the eight students were recounting their summers and playing Exploding Snap amongst themselves.
For a blissful few hours, Harry didn't think about Dobby, or Malfoy, or any horrors or dangers that faced him at Hogwarts. Once again, he was a normal twelve-year old, doing typical twelve-year old things like gorging himself on sweets and playing with fire with his friends.
The landscape that rushed past their window got darker and darker as the sun made its way towards the horizon and the train rushed along towards the magical world. Harry occasionally glanced at Hermione, who, unsurprisingly, had her eyes glued to a book – Wanderings with Werewolves. Anytime she wasn't conversing with one of their classmates, she was poring over the Lockhart work. Harry assumed she was re-reading for educational purposes, but when he glanced away from his game of Exploding Snap he saw her eyebrows suddenly together, her lips curled into a small frown.
"What's wrong?" He asked, and she lifted her reluctantly turned her attention away from the pages.
"Nothing, it's just, this sounds a lot like something I read in the library last year." Hermione answered.
"This might come as a bit of a shock to you, Hermione, but Lockhart's kind of a big deal. You probably read one of his old manuscripts or something – "
"It was in the Restricted Section, when we were looking for information about the Stone." She interjected. "It was a journal, Harry. By an Armenian Warlock, but I can't remember his name…" She sighed, closing her eyes and somehow scrunching her eyebrows even tighter together.
"Fancy checking that journal out when we get to Hogwarts? You know I'd love to stick it to that pretentious prat for plagiarizing." Harry smirked. Hermione didn't respond, her expression deadly serious. She turned back to the book, and Harry shrugged and resumed his game with his oblivious friends.
The Hogwarts Express reached its destination, and the student body quickly disembarked. The eight Gryffindors split to fit into the carriages that transported non-first years to the school, with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville climbing into one and the rest into another.
They were all eager to make their way to the castle, so when their carriage began rolling magically towards the school they cheered, quite vocally. They ambled along, eagerly discussing the coming year's classes and what they expected Lockhart to be like as a teacher, until the glorious structure that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry came into view. From then on, they sat in silent awe until they entered the Great Hall. Sitting under the enchanted ceiling, they dug in, excited to be amongst friends in the magical world once again.
Two Days Later
Harry and Hermione were strolling across the Hogwarts grounds towards the castle, away from the greenhouses. They had just finished up an agonizingly long double-period of Herbology, and were on their way to Transfiguration.
"I think you're going to be Gryffindor's hero again if you keep earning ten points every time you raise your hand." Harry grinned as he held a door open for his friend. Hermione directed her eyes to the floor, blushing furiously.
"I only answered some questions." She said in a small whisper as they made their way up one of the many moving staircases. "It's not like I defeated You-Know-Who." She added with a smile of her own.
"Touché." Harry sighed. "Still, I have no idea how you remembered all of that about Mandrakes. All I remember is that they yell…" He trailed off, distractedly rubbing his ears.
"Well, if you're willing to continue our tradition from last year of spending free-time in the library, I'm sure I could get you up to speed." Hermione was now beaming at him, and Harry saw a surprising look in her eye. It reminded him of the look she'd given him in the Forest of Dean when she'd caught him staring at her. It was a look he'd made a point of not thinking about for well over a month.
"Alright then. The library." Harry managed awkwardly, and the two shared smiles before walking into Transfiguration.
After a class in which Hermione earned even more points for Gryffindor for transfiguring a dozen beetles into coat buttons, they strolled down to the Great Hall for lunch.
"How many did you get?" She asked him, eagerly brandishing her handful of buttons. Harry held up a singular button rather dejectedly. Hermione stifled a giggle. "I guess we'll be in the library quite a bit, then."
"I guess…" Harry sighed despondently. He felt a gentle elbow nudge his arm and turned to see his best friend giving him a playful smile. He returned it, feeling his mood lift rather quickly, and the pair joined Ron for lunch in the Great Hall.
"Don't know how you two had any luck with that beetle business. I was ready to squash mine after the first ten minutes." The redhead sighed as they sat down at the Gryffindor table. "You guys know what we've got this afternoon?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts." Hermione stated matter-of-factly. Ron shrugged, then glanced at his bushy-haired friend's schedule. "What's that you've got written there? Next to Lockhart's name?" Harry turned his eyes to Hermione's schedule as well. "Ask about, does that say armpit?" Ron asked.
"It does not say 'ask about armpit', Ronald. I had a question about something in one of his books." Hermione glared, and she hurriedly snatched it off the table and thrust it into her bag. Ron threw his hands up in mock surrender.
"Sorry, sorry." He offered, grabbing a goblet of pumpkin juice.
Their lunch proceeded pleasantly after that, their conversation dominated by what Lockhart would be like as a teacher. Once they wrapped up, they opted to cut through one of the castle's many courtyards in order to get to their Defense class. Harry and his friends were halfway across the space when he felt like he was being watched. He stopped and turned around, locking eyes with a very small, mousy-haired boy he recognized from the Sorting ceremony, a Gryffindor. The first-year seemed very flustered at being seen by Harry, but proceeded to practically sprint over to him.
"Erm, hi, Harry Potter." He stammered out, eliciting a snicker from Ron. "I, uh, I'm Colin. Colin Creevey."
"Hi." His tone was devoid of all emotion, as if the word had been spoken by one of the cobblestones beneath his feet.
"I was wondering, if I could…well, if you wouldn't mind…" Colin trailed off nervously. Harry looked down and saw he was holding a muggle camera.
"You want a picture?" Harry sighed. The boy nodded eagerly. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, hoping they'd make an excuse for him. Ron held the same amused expression he sported whenever Harry encountered a fan, but Hermione was eyeing the camera with curiosity. Harry suddenly stiffened as he thought of an idea, and turned back to Colin. "How about this?" Colin perked up excitedly. "You and I take a photo together, then you take some pictures of me and my friends."
Colin looked like he was ready to cry the happiest tears of his life, and nodded eagerly. He gave Hermione the camera, and she snapped a photo of him and Harry. Harry did his best to smile, but from Ron's barely subdued smirk it was clear he appeared more uncomfortable than anything.
Mercifully, Hermione handed the camera back to Colin and he quickly began taking photos of the trio in various poses. Harry suddenly found it much easier to smile. He and Hermione particularly enjoyed teaching Ron what Charlie's Angels was and how to do the famous stance. A flurry of CLICKs echoed across the yard as the three of them laughed and posed to their heart's content.
"Colin, could we get some photos of us in pairs? Would you mind?" Hermione suddenly asked. The first-year nodded eagerly. Harry went to step to the side first, but he felt an arm slip around his waist and tug him back. He turned to Hermione with a surprised smile, and she beamed back before turning towards Colin. Harry looked to the lens.
CLICK
Harry's smile widened, and he moved to put his arm around Hermione's waist.
CLICK
Harry felt his friend's head rest on his shoulder.
CLICK
Harry heard Hermione giggle to herself, and he instantly fell victim to her contagious laughter.
CLICK
Harry was cackling harder than he could ever remember, and Hermione was practically roaring.
CLICK
Neither one of them could contain their laughter, and Hermione was now leaning on Harry for support to avoid rolling on the floor.
CLICK, CLICK, CLICK
"Harry, do you want some with Ron now? Or Hermione and Ron?" Colin asked, lowering his camera. Harry was about to respond through fits of laughter when the Hogwarts bell suddenly rang out across the castle.
"Alright, lunatics, we've got to go." Ron sighed, shaking his head at his friends. He was trying hard not to smile, but was failing quite spectacularly. "Colin, thank you for this majestic clusterf – "
"Anytime!" Colin shouted a bit too enthusiastically, and the trio winced at his sharp yelp. Harry and Hermione finally settled down.
"Here, Colin, take these. For developing the pictures." Harry managed to gasp out, handing Colin a few Sickles. The amateur photographer looked like he was on the verge of exploding from happiness. He took the coins and dashed off to his next class.
The trio turned and made their way towards Lockhart's classroom for their inaugural Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, with Harry and Hermione occasionally chuckling to themselves. Finally, they arrived to their lesson, and they quietly took their seats in the back row.
Harry hadn't noticed he'd been holding hands with Hermione until her fingers slipped out of his when she sat down His hand felt cold and empty as he picked up his quill, and he suddenly found it tremendously difficult to focus on what Lockhart was explaining. Something about lilac?
All Harry could think about was those photographs Colin would develop in a couple weeks' time. That, and his bushy-haired friend next to him, who was still smiling to herself.
A/N: I'm gonna be brutally honest with you all – I had this chapter written out. It was very different from this, and much shorter. And I hated it. I actually considered abandoning this fic altogether, I was so miserable. So, thankfully, I scrapped it, and wrote this version instead. And I felt such raw, genuine happiness that now I feel more motivated than ever. I'm actually smiling as I write this, and when I got up to get water a few minutes ago I fist-pumped like Flitwick after the Weasleys launched all those fireworks in OotP. This chapter truly made me happy, and I hope it does the same for all of you, because that's what I'm trying to do.
Anyway, do y'all really think that magical people like the Malfoys bother with the brick wall at King's Cross? Near all those Muggles? Give me a break. The Weasleys wise up, Apparate, and Harry and Ron don't have to fly to Hogwarts in a car like a bunch of lunatics. Boom.
Once again, I find myself at a loss for words when it comes to thanking those of you who have reviewed, followed, or favorited this story. You are all sublime individuals whom I love very much. If you're enjoying the story thus far, please do join the group of sublime individuals who have reviewed/followed/favorited Strangers On a Train, it means the world to me. Thank you all, and stay safe!