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Chapter 14

The following morning Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were led by Tonks, Lupin, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley out the door of number 12 and onto Grimmauld Place. A muggle taxi pulled up to the spot where the house stood only seconds before. As Harry helped Lupin shove the four trunks into the back of the cab, which seemed to fit them easily considering their size, he wondered how eight of them were expected to squeeze into the car. He was amazed to find that he was able to comfortable sit in the back even with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Tonks already there. As he looked at the back of the cabbies head a gruff voice came from him.

"Alright there, Potter?" he asked without turning around.

"I, Moody?" Harry asked, "why are you driving a muggle cab?"

"We want to draw as little attention as possible," said Moody, who was still focused on the road, although Harry expected that his magical eye was turned to look at Harry.

King's Cross Station was as crowded and noisy as ever. Harry looked around at all the people rushing to their platforms talking happily. None of them knew that anything was wrong with the world. None of them knew who Voldemort was, or what it meant that he was back. They would be able to go about their lives, never having anything to fear.

As Harry stepped through the barrier to Platform nine and three-quarters, he met an astonishingly different sight. Students were being hugged by their parents and seen onto the train; most of the parents were crying. Harry knew that many of them feared it would be the last time they saw their family.

"Be careful," one witch said to a small boy who was looking terrified, "Stay in your common room between classes and don't leave the castle."

"I will mum," he said, slowly climbing onto the train.

Harry expected Mrs. Weasley to start hugging and kissing them, as she did every year, but she seemed more reserved a merely wished them all a good term.

"Right," said Moody, focusing on them with his normal eye, "you lot better get on."

Harry got on the train and headed down the corridor, but Hermione had started in the other direction, "Ron and I have got to go to the front to talk to the prefects."

"Oh, ok," said Harry, looking nervously at Ginny as they walked down the corridor together.

After passing a few full compartments, a round faced boy stuck his head out the door of one of the compartments, "Harry! This ones free," said Neville Longbottom.

"Hello Neville," said Harry, who had appreciated Neville's friendship more and more over the past few years. He and Luna had been the only ones from the D.A. who had offered their help when they needed it.

"How was your summer, Neville?" asked Ginny, taking a seat next to Harry.

"Not so good," said Neville, "My gran didn't want me coming back."

"Why?" asked Harry, although Harry could guess the reason.

"She reckons its not safe after, well after-"

"So how did you convince her to let you go?" interrupted Harry.

"Well," said Neville hesitantly; then putting on a stronger face he said, "Well, she didn't actually let me go."

"What do you mean?" asked Ginny.

"Well I just, just came anyway," he said, looking as though he was horrified at what he had done.

"Wow," said Harry, who could not believe Neville would do something so, unlike himself, "won't your grandmother come to the school looking for you?"

"I hope not," said Neville; looking out the window, as if he expected her to be following the train on foot.

"I wonder if a lot of parents will have kept their kids at home," said Ginny.

When the train arrived at Hogwarts and the students began filing out, Harry noticed that the usual sea of black seemed very small indeed. They were able to spot Ron and Hermione easily and headed toward them.

"Have you noticed how few people have come this year?" asked Hermione, looking around.

"I reckon that's why I've been made Head Boy," said Ron, "there wasn't anyone else."

"It was because you were the best person for it, Ron," said Hermione, although she didn't sound convinced herself.

Harry went to the front of their carriage to pet the black horse-like creature that pulled them, before getting in. He, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville all shared a carriage as they slowly headed towards the school. They were led through the entrance and into the great hall, where the four long house tables sat. Once everyone had taken their seats, Harry was able to see how many people were missing this year.

"Dean, where's Seamus?" asked Harry.

"I don't think he's coming," said Dean, looking worried, "his mother wouldn't let him go."

It seemed that almost half of Gryffindor had stayed home. Harry could understand that some people would feel less safe at Hogwarts without Dumbledore, but it was surely still safer than their homes. Harry scanned the teachers table to see the new appointments. He noticed Dedalus Diggle, talking to Professor McGonagall. Next to Professor sprout sat a small witch with bright red hair.

"Ron," exclaimed Harry, "Its your mum!"