'Excuse me' Harry said hesitantly 'can you help me on the'

'The platform dear?' the woman asked kindly

Harry nodded in relief

'Not to worry it's Ginny's first year too' she gestured to the small little girl who ducked her head blushing

The woman eyed her oddly but then turned back to Harry and said 'All you have to do is walk straight through the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10' she gestured to the wall that Harry had seen one of the boys disappear into 'best to take it at a run if you're scared' the woman added

Harry eyed her for a minute sure that she was having him on. But when she kept her assuring smile he nodded curtly and then braced himself. He closed his eyes ready for the impact that never came. He opened his eyes and found himself facing the most magnificent red train he'd ever seen. He stayed staring at it until he was pushed to the ground hardly.

'Bloody hell' he heard a soft voice say

He turned around and found the little girl from before.

'Are you okay' he said guiltily

She rolled her eyes and nodded curtly

He hastily stood up and ignoring the screeching Hedwig offered her a hand. She eyed it warily but accepted it. He lifted her up used to the weight because of the work his uncle made him do. When she was standing rightly he found himself marveling at her beautiful eyes and her warm touch. She was staring at him too.

Hedwig's indignant screech broke their staring contest and they both ducked their heads blushing. After somewhat regaining his composure Harry asked

'Do you want to find some seats with me?' he wondered at the boldness he displayed

'What?' she asked looking up her cheeks a faint red

'Seats' he said gesturing at the train

'Is that a muggle thing?' she asked him

'Isn't that how trains work?' he asked nervously rubbing his neck

'No' she shook her head 'not the Hogwarts express they have compartments' she said matter of factly

'Really?' Harry asked

'Yes' she said nodding 'all of my brothers have told me so'

'Okay' Harry said 'then do you want to get a compartment with me?' he said

'Yes' she nodded

They dragged their trunks searching for an empty compartment. Finally they found one that was near the end of the train. Between the two of them they hoisted their trunks up and hung Hedwig's cage. They sat down on the opposite benches breathing a bit ragged at the hard labor but grinning at each other the bond of friendship already established. The train lurched forwards and slowly sped away.

'Oh bugger' Ginny said groaning

'What's wrong?' Harry asked

'My mum' Ginny moaned 'she's going to kill me. Or worse she'll send me a howler'

'What's a howler?' Harry asked

'Only the worse thing in the world' she grumbled

'Really?' he asked

'You don't know what a howler is do you?' she asked

Harry shook his head embarrassedly

'Well they are shouting letters' she said

Harry eyed her dubiously

'Essentially they are normal letters written in capitals but then you charm them and then when they are delivered to the person they're meant for they explode in the writers voice' she said

'Oh' Harry said brightening 'so it's like a telephone just one way'

'Is that that muggle thing that works in ekceltrikcity?' she asked curiously

'Electricity' he corrected her 'and yes it does run on electricity'

'How does it work without magic?' she asked genuinely curious

'Well' Harry said 'I'm not very sure but a piece in the telephone collect the sound vibrations from the air and it converts it into electrical energy I think and then the electrical energy travels to the other phone and then the energy is translated into a voice by the vibration it causes'

'What?' Ginny asked genuinely confused

'Like I said I'm not very sure because they don't exactly cover that in elementary school curriculum but it has something to do with how sound travels' Harry said shrugging 'how do howlers work?' he asked in attempt to change the subject

'Well a simple recording spell and the howler spell' she said simply

Harry opened his mouth to ask another question but was interrupted by the appearance of two identical redheads.

'Ah if it isn't ickle Ginnykins' one of them said

'Oh GinGin you poor poor gal' the other shook his head sorrowfully

'Earned the wrath of mum you did'

'And so soon what a shame'

'But you know what they say the good die young'

'Anyways mum's feelings aside we're here to tell you that we're soooo proud of you'

'Indeed we are earning a Molly Weasley howler and on your first day as well'

'They grow up so fast' he said wiping an imaginary tear from his eye

'A gal after our own heart I may say'

'Not much of a girl though'

'A midget is a better word'

Ginny turned red and patted her pockets

'Looking for this?' one of them asked pulling out what Harry assumed was Ginny's wand

'Give it back' she said standing up

The one holding the wand tutted and raised the wand way out of Ginny's reach. Harry thought about stepping in and finally made up his mind. He stood up and edged out of the compartment determined to stick up for his new friend. He stood behind the twins who were busy taunting the now clearly mad Ginny to notice him. He jumped and snatched the wand from the twin and then ducked behind them and into the compartment.

He handed Ginny her wand and fumbled for his own. Finally he pulled out his wand and attempted to mimic the hold Ginny had on hers. He held his wand with his fingertips ready to throw it if the need arise so he could at least throw a punch knowing he was useless with a wand. Ginny on the other hand was smirking at the very pale twins.

'Now Ginny don't be rash' One of them said raising his hands in surrender

'You wouldn't want to hex your favorite brothers now would you?' the other one said

When Ginny didn't budge

'I'm sure we can write mum and make her change her mind about that howler' one of them offered

Ginny lowered her wand slightly

'That's right' the other said relaxing slightly

'We'll write mum and change her mind about the howler and if she doesn't we'll intercept it before it does how does that sound?'

'Given that'll you promise not to hex us' The other interjected

Ginny thought about it for a moment but then nodded. The twins sagged in relief and hastily ran out.

'Thank you' Ginny said startling him

'Me?' Harry asked

'Yes, thank you for giving me my wand back' she said

'Oh' Harry said flustered 'You're welcome I guess' he said

They stood awkwardly for a minute until Harry asked

'So who were they?' he asked

'The twins?' Ginny asked

Harry nodded

'They're my brothers' she said

'Really?' Harry asked but now that he thought about it he though he saw some resemblances

'Yes' Ginny said 'couldn't you tell from the hair?'

'But your hair is not the same' Harry protested

'What?' she asked

'Mhmm' Harry nodded 'their hair is more orange while yours is more blood red'

'Oh' she said bewildered

Harry's neck flushed

They remained in awkward silence until

'You never told me your name?' Ginny said but it came off as a question

'My name is Harry' he said for some reason reluctant to tell her his full name

'Nice to meet you Harry' Ginny beamed

'Nice to meet you too Ginny' Harry said smiling shyly