Summary: Slightly AU after book six. Takes place right after funeral. Harry has not broken up with Ginny. Ron and Hermione are cautiously feeling though their relationship. Harry seeks answers. Will he ask for help?

This Chapter: Students do not remember the leaving feast. Train ride into London. Harry and Ginny argue.

The Train Ride

Harry woke to the sound of the train. As he sat up in his bed, he noticed that he was no longer in a four-poster bed in the sixth year Gryffindor dormitory, but in a dual bunk bed. He could hear Ron's snores coming from above.

The compartment was decorated in Gryffindor colors, mostly red. The curtains on the windows were fluttering, trying not to let the morning sunshine in. Harry noticed that the wall at the foot of the bed had four windows and the wall at the head of the bunk beds had three windows and a door. Harry also noticed a flashing light; he reached over to the nightstand next to his bed, for his glasses. He put his glasses on and looked at the flashing light. It looked like a neon sign, but there were no pipes. It kept flashing, If you want breakfast, please come to the meal caboose. Breakfast will stop being served at 8 am.

Harry looked to the clock on the wall next to the sign. Realized it was already 6:50 am, and needed to get a move on it, especially if he needed to wake Ron.

Harry got out of the bunk bed and noticed that a change of clothing was lying at the end of his bed. Before changing into his cloths, Harry reached up to the top bunk bed, and shook Ron, trying to wake him.

Ron mumbled, "Leave alone," and rolled over to face the other side of the bunk, surprising Harry that he didn't roll over the side and fall to the floor.

Harry had to use his bunk bed as a ladder, and stand on it to reach Ron. Harry tried to whisper, "If you want any breakfast, you have to get up now!"

"What do you mean, Harry?"

"Oh. Morning Neville. Didn't mean to wake you guys. But you know how Ron is if he doesn't get any breakfast?"

"Oh ya," Seamus replied.

"Right, come on Ron, we only have several minutes before they stop serving breakfast," Dean said.

"What! What did you say?" Ron answered, still semi-asleep. As he rolled over, half sat and pushed himself out of bed. Ron almost sank to the floor; not expecting the floor to be farther than what it had been the night floor.

Ron caught himself before sinking to the floor; the shock completely woke him. "Bloody hell!" he said.

As the group of boys laughed at Ron, they woke the seventh year boys and fifth year boys. Both group of boys, ten in all had blood shot eyes from lack of sleep. N.E.W.T.S. and O.W.L.S. were to be postponed and administered in about three weeks time. Giving the fifth and seventh years an extra two weeks to study. One of the boys threw a pillow at the group of sixth years, to shut them up. Dean caught the pillow and threw it back. "Oh, they don't want any breakfast," Seamus said. Harry and Neville were dressed and waiting for the rest of the group. Seamus's comment caught the fifth and seventh year's attention. "What do you mean?" could be heard from several, while grunts were heard from others. Ron replied, "They're only offering breakfast until eight o'clock, then . . ." Ron paused while thinking then shrugged his shoulders.

The boys that saw Ron shrug his shoulders started getting up out of the bunk beds; the others opened their eyes and watched their dorm mates. "Well hope you guys make it before they close the kitchen." Ron said as he hurried out the door. Harry, who was standing on the other side of the door with Neville and Seamus, started laughing at the expressions that some of the others had upon realizing what Ron meant.

As the boys walked away, Harry noticed that the corridor had six windows that looked out at the scenery on one side and plain walls that were a grayish-blue. As the group made their way down the train to the kitchen caboose, they noticed that they weren't the only one's arriving almost late for breakfast.

As the group entered the kitchen caboose, Harry noticed lines going down the center of the caboose. Ron lead the way in line, as Harry and the group of Gryffindors knew that he was a growing boy.

Ron, Harry could see was in awe. The food that was being displayed seemed an enormous assortment. It varied from French toast, pancakes, waffles, eggs, from scrambled, poached to over-easy, hash browns, steak to biscuits and gravy. Then there was a special line for those that wanted something special like omelets. The boys hurried to fill their plates; Ron especially filled two plates before following Harry to the dinning area of the caboose. Harry noticed two arms waving in the air; Ginny and Hermione were waiting for the boys. Harry and Ron headed toward where the girls, who were sitting on opposite sides of each other. Ron sat between Ginny and Hermione, to Hermione's right side, his left. While Harry sat across from him, to Ginny's right side and Hermione's left. Both girls appeared to have finished breakfast already and were sitting somewhat relaxed.

Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione on the cheek. "Ronald!" Hermione said, "behave yourself."

"Yes, Mione." Ron answered before turning to his food, and helping himself to a large spoonful of eggs with toast. Harry had barely seen the scene with Ron and Hermione turning to Ginny and giving her a quick kiss on the mouth. "We need to talk."

"Ya, I thought you'd say something. After breakfast Harry. Now eat!"

Ginny smirked at Harry's determined expression. Harry gave up on guessing what Ginny was up to and contemplated what he had on his plate.

He hadn't really paid attention on what he thrown on his plate, so he wasn't surprised when there were things on his plate that he hadn't tried before.

Breakfast was over before Harry realized it. Ron and Hermione started when all prefects were called for a Prefects meeting, in the Head Boy and Head Girl compartment.

Harry followed Ginny to the Head Boy and Head Girl compartment. Hermione lead the way, followed by Ron, Ginny, and then Harry. As the group walked through the train, Harry noticed shadows being cast on the ground from atop the train. Harry stopped, "Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry."

Harry pointed out the window at the shadow. "Does that remind you of anything?"

Hermione paused, "It's fuzzy Harry. Like I have it within reach, but I can't clasp it. Why?"

"Nothing I guess. I just don't remember it being there before."

"It probably wasn't," Ron answered.

"Huh."

"We're at war, remember. Both the castle and the train have certain defenses that only come out during war time." Ginny said.

"Oh, right."

"Are you done giving a history lesson, Weasley?"

"Shove off, Nott!" Ron exclaimed.

"Ronald!" Hermione cried.

"I know you guys don't like me on principle, because I'm Slytherin. But I'm not perfect and neither are you." Nott made to walk past the group, but before Nott took more than a couple of steps, Harry called him back.

"What?" Nott asked with a tired sigh, as he turned and faced the group.

"Watch your back, Nott. Whatever happens this summer remember that you and your sister and brother should come first, not your parents. Besides you've been hiding behind Draco and his goons' for the past six years, I'd really like to get to know you next year." Harry said.

"Huh," Nott said with an expression of shock.

"Don't be a martyr, I really think with Draco gone we might get some school unity going." Harry continued.

"Are you quite finished Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked.

"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Mr. Nott, I hope you take to heart what Mr. Potter is offering." McGonagall continued as if there had been no interruption.

"Now," McGonagall straightened, "would all prefects continue to the compartment, so we can get on with the meeting."

McGonagall moved aside to let the prefects through. "Potter?" McGonagall asked as Harry had turned to look for a compartment that was empty.

Harry turned back to look at McGonagall, "Yes Professor?"

"That was a very nice gesture that you did. Keep in mind that the sins of the father or mother are not the sins of the child," McGonagall said.

Harry paused before responding, "Is that why Dumbledore was so patient with Malfoy? . . . Draco I mean."

"Yes Harry that's it exactly. Now I must continue, go on with you."

"Yes, of course Professor."

Harry turned and walked down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment.

It seemed that Harry had walked the length of the train before finding a compartment. Luckily for Harry, both Neville and Luna were already there. As Harry pushed open the compartment door, Luna who had been playing with Neville's hair, in a casual manner while studying for her O.W.L.S., looked up. Neville also looked up from his Herbology text and gave Harry a heartfelt smile.

"What's up Harry?"

"Nothing much. Neville, Luna."

"Sorry Harry, I have to study, you know it was nice that they pushed back the exams, but I wish we can get them over and done with," Luna said as she turned back to studying.

"Alright." Harry said as he turned and looked outside the window. As he watched the scenery pass outside, Harry contemplated what he was going to say to Ginny.

"There you are!" cried Ginny, as she lead the way into the compartment. Hermione and Ron quickly followed her in.

Ginny sat next to Harry, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Harry was stunned. Harry always reminded himself, that he, himself did not come from an emotional or demonstrative family, so when Ginny was affectionate or demonstrated her love in front of others, he was always stunned.

"So how was the meeting?" Neville asked.

Hermione just shook her head. "It was boring stuff," Ron answered. "Really Ron," exclaimed Hermione.

Harry watched the interaction between Ron and Hermione, it seemed, as the bantering would continue for a while.

"Guys," Harry said.

"Guys!" Harry yelled. Everyone stopped and looked at Harry, even Luna looked up from her studying notes.

"Um. Sorry. Look I'm going to put a privacy charm up around Ginny and I." Harry turned to Ginny, with a pleading look in his eyes. "We need to talk and I just want her undivided attention, for the moment."

"Harry?" Luna asked.

Harry turned to Luna, "Yes?"

"Could you put the Privacy charm on just me? I really need to study."

"Oh. I guess I can." Harry answered. Harry raised his wand from his lap, and made a slight flick with his wrist.

"All right Luna try to speak," Harry directed.

Harry could see Luna moving her lips, but no sound could be heard from her. Harry turned to Neville, "Don't answer the following question." Harry looked back to Luna, "so Luna I heard you and Neville have gone on more dates than Neville has lead us to believe. Finite Incantatem." as Harry pointed his wand at Luna.

"So?"

"That was good Harry. I couldn't hear anything from you guys, and I was talking out loud with no problem."

"So did you hear the question I asked you?"

"No. What question was that?" Luna replied.

"So it worked then?" Harry asked her again.

"Very well."

"Harry what incantation did you use?" Hermione asked.

"Obvallare Surdus," Harry said with a flick of his wrist, pointing his wand at Luna again.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. "Ginny and I need to talk, but we won't be able to hear anything. You'll have to be our eyes and ears until we're done."

"I hear you mate," Ron answered, while Hermione nodded her head in agreement "just remember what I told you yesterday."

Harry nodded but had a determined look on his face.

Harry pointed his wand to an area in the middle, between Ginny and himself. With a flick of wand the sudden silence reassured Harry that he had performed the incantation correctly.

Harry turned to Ginny; she had a look in her eyes. It was a look that Harry had grown accustomed to; it was love shining in her eyes.

Harry sighed; he really did not want to change that look or feelings from Ginny.

"Ginny" Harry said, almost under his breath, as he closed his eyes, he didn't want to see the look go out of Ginevra's eyes.

Harry sensed Ginny sitting up straight; he opened his eyes and could see her above his glasses.

Harry moved his body; he leaned against the corner, between the wall and the seat cushion, as Ginny watched him.

"I don't know where to begin."

"So start at the beginning," she answered.

"I love you. You do know that, don't you?" he asked as he lifted his hand to brush her cheek.

Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and brought it down to hold in her lap. "Yes Harry. I know you love me, probably as much as I love you."

"I'm scared Ginny."

"Of what?"

"Of something happening to you. I think my greatest fear would be if something happened to you. If Voldemort got his hands on you . . . or Merlin forbid, you were killed."

"Oh Harry that won't happen."

"Ginny there are no guarantee's in life. Look it's killing me inside but I don't see how we can stay together without you being a bigger target."

"Harry," Ginny said as she looked down at their joined hands. She moved her head from side to side, "you can't get rid of me that easily."

"But Ginny . . ."

"No Harry," she said as she placed a finger on top of his mouth. "I'm going to be a target regardless of whether I'm your girlfriend. I'm a Weasley Harry, they hate me for my red hair, and . . . oh what is that Muggle expression that Hermione told me about . . ." Ginny scowled as she thought about it. "Oh, yes," she said as she snapped her fingers, "we breed like rabbits."

"But Ginny, I make you a bigger target. You don't understand what I'm going through."

"Harry, don't you ever underestimate the pain or fear I go through," Ginny hissed with a furious expression.

At that moment Harry realized that she really was Molly Weasley's daughter. Ginevra was absolutely furious with Harry. It looked like she was ready to let loose with not just a few hexes and curses, but also a few punches.

"Look, I'm sorry but if anything happened to you, anything at all, I don't know if I could survive the blow. I'd die Ginny, my spirit would be crushed."

"How do you think I would feel Harry?"

"All right Ginny. I give, this time. But only because, I can't push you away," he said as he leaned forward, touching foreheads, "I think we'll be having a lot of disagreements, if we ever get married."

"Married?"

"I'm trying to think of a bright future without Voldemort . . . . . and Death eaters."

"No Ginevra, we're still to young. Not that I wouldn't want to, today, tomorrow, or even next week, but you are still fifteen, and I want to be around, for you, when we have kid, if we have kids. I want the whole package my love, the house, the career, and you, with whatever Merlin grants us." Harry stated with such authority that Ginny had to swallow the lump in her throat.

"Just be careful. Come back to me, Harry. Just come back to me." Ginny answered as she gave Harry a hug, in typical Weasley fashion, bone crushing.

Harry nodded as best he could under the circumstances.

"Before I take down the Privacy charm, Ginny you have to promise to be careful. I'm serious; it's not a laughing matter."

Ginny continued smiling, "I know Harry, and I do promise to be careful. I want to make that bright future a reality," she stated. "Now that I have you I don't want to lose you either."

Ginny leaned forward and kissed Harry, forgetting that there were others in the train compartment with them.

All of a sudden, both Harry and Ginny, felt a shove. They stopped kissing and turned towards Ron and Hermione.

Harry could see that Ron was talking and pointing towards the compartment door. Standing in the door way was McGonagall with various items in her hands, and a stern expression on her face.

Harry took his wand from his lap and pointed at the space between himself and Ginny. The sound came rushing back. "Sorry Professor, we needed some privacy," Harry said.

"Can I assume you've finished your discussion? And have made up?" McGonagall asked.

"Yes Professor," Ginny replied as she straightened and turned to face McGonagall, while Harry seemed to have gone bright red at being caught by a Professor.

McGonagall turned and pointedly looked at Luna, as if expecting Luna to finally look up from her studies.

"Oh, sorry Professor." Harry said, as he flicked his wand.

"as cries can be fatal to adults. Oh." Luna said as she realized that sound had come rushing back, and she looked up shaking her head back and forth between Harry and McGonagall trying to understand what the interruption was about.

"Now that I have everyone's attention." McGonagall brought her hand forward; in her hand she had miniature frames with photographs. "These are the photographs that you had Mr. Creevey take two days ago. Each of you must choose one." McGonagall gave no option but to follow her edict.

"Professor?" Harry asked.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

"I'm afraid that Ron, Hermione and I only need one, ma'am."

"And why is that?" McGonagall asked while she raising an eyebrow.

"Because they are staying with me, at my uncle's house."

"Very well."

"Um, Professor?"

"Yes Ms. Granger?"

"I believe I do need one. Don't I?" Hermione asked with some tribulation.

McGonagall smiled for the first time. "Yes Ms. Granger you do."

Hermione sighed, immediately Harry could see her relax entirely, as if a weight was being removed from her shoulders.

"Ginny, I think you should take one," Harry motioned towards McGonagall.

"Just pick one, we have more available if you happen to like the same style," McGonagall said.

Neville leaned forward to study the different photographs, pointing to the photograph that showed the castle and the Whomping willow. Luna pointed out the photograph that showed the castle and the lake. Ginny pointed to the same one as Luna. While Hermione debated between photographs: the one of the castle and the lake and the one with the castle and forbidden forest, finally deciding on the with the lake.

"Very well, Engandari." McGonagall said as she pointed her wand at several frames. "Remember that teams of witches or wizards will be coming to your homes to set wards. The password for Gryffindor is Wolfsbane, and for Ravenclaw is raspberry tart." As McGonagall finished turned and was reaching for the compartment door.

"Professor, why so many passwords?"

"That Miss Granger does not concern you, or the rest of you. I say I'll probably see you at OPH before long anyways."

Before Hermione, or for that matter anyone else could find a suitable reply, McGonagall opened the compartment door, and left the compartment, leaving in her wake the switching sound of the door closing.

Harry sat back against the seat cushion and wall; he noticed that Ron leaned towards Hermione.

"Come on Hermione, why'd you need a Portkey if you're staying with us?" Ron asked.

Hermione turned and gave Ron a pleading look, mixed with determination. "Ron it's not my secret to tell. I promised that I would not say anything and I haven't. Please Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna, I just can't!"

"Hermione. It's all right," Ginny said as she reached over Ron to clasp her hand; Ginny squeezed Hermione's hand, comforting her. "When you're ready, or when you can, you'll tell us, right?"

"Of course."

"Then don't worry about it. We're just your friends, not the inquisition," Ginny said giving Ron a meaning full stare.

"What did I do? I was just asking."

"Dunderhead," Ginny said under her breath as she gave Hermione space, turned back to Harry and placed her head on his chest.

Ron pulled on Hermione's hand to get her attention, "I didn't mean to question you. I was just curious. I'm sorry if I took it farther than I should have."

Hermione leaned forward and gave Ron a kiss on his check. With her eyes still closed she placed her head on his shoulder and sighed, relaxing from the pressure Ron's question had placed on her.

Harry turned from watching the interaction between Ron and Hermione, to look out the window, the scenery had changed, from rolling hills and valleys, to farm land and livestock, it seemed that the train had almost reached its destination.

As the train arrived at King's Cross station in London, Harry wondered what precautions the Ministry of Magic had in place. He was pretty positive that there were Aurors under invisibility cloaks watching the entrance/exit on both Muggle and wizard sides, others possibly on brooms watching over the train depot.

As Harry, along with the students of Hogwarts disembarked from the train, noticed that parents, wizards and witches had their wands out, some adults had cautious expressions on their faces. The parents were obviously fearful of such a large gathering of wizards and witches.

As students discovered parents, there was less comradely between friends introducing friends to parents. The anxiety between witches and wizards had been transmitted to the students.

Soon the guard of Platform Nine and Three Quarters was directing witches, wizards and students thru to the Muggle side of the barrier. As more students found parents and family, the tension from wizarding families startled Muggle families. Wizarding families hurried away from the platform entrance, to a Ministry approved apparition point on the other side of King's Cross station. Some Muggle families were making their way to the parking lot, where their family car was parked.

Before long it appeared that the Weasley's, the Coachman's, Hermione, Susan, Luna, Neville, and Harry were to be the last one's to leave. It seemed the Dursleys had forgotten to pick Harry up from the train station.

Mr. Lovegood seemed to appear dazed, finally arrived for Luna. They made their way across the train station to the apparition point, leaving Neville by himself. Neville walked over to stand with Ron, Alastair and Harry. Ron was assuring Alastair that it was all right for him and Andrew to use his room and cautioning him about the twins' room, while Ginny was comforting Andrea and Adara that they could bunk with her.

Harry motioned to Neville, when Neville reached him he asked "What are your plans this summer?"

Neville got a surprised expression on his face. "Um. Not much . . . Why?"

"Well, if you're not doing anything major. Would you consider joining us for an intense study session."

"Really?"

"Yes Neville, really."

"I'd have to check with Gran, but I don't see why not."

"Hey, how about coming over to my uncle's house, there'll be plenty of room."

"Ya, when?"

"I'll owl you with details."

Harry paused as he thought about details. "Neville don't be surprised if a new owl arrives."

"Um. All right."

Suddenly the sky was filled with bright red fireworks; seconds later explosions could be heard, coming in the direction of the parking lot.

New Characters:

None

Spells:

Finite Incantatem Stops currently operating spell effects. (Not mine, JKR's)

Obvallare Surdus to surround with wall, unwilling to hear sound

Engandari enlarge