Authors note: my intention is for my story to follow the general outline of the books with deviations as the adults intervene and Harry and Co learn to trust them and learn from them. I'm attempting to add in new scenes and potentially some side plots, let me know how successfully you think it's going.

Chapter 4: Platform 9 ¾

Summer at The Burrow flew by in a haze of sunshine, broomsticks and excellent cooking by Mrs Weasley. There were frequent visits from Amelia Bones, first confirming his official warning had been removed then with various updates and questions for the DMLE's investigation into the Dursley's. At Harry's request this was being kept extremely quiet with only two Aurors and Director Bones being involved. The Director had brought both of the Aurors with her at different times to introduce them hoping to help Harry feel more comfortable with the arrangement and help the Aurors get a feel for the situation.

Kingsley Shacklebolt was the first Auror Amelia introduced a few days after her initial visit, he had been tasked with logging physical evidence from the Dursleys' residence which resulted in Harry answering some very uncomfortable questions about the barred windows, multiple locks and the cat flap on his bedroom door, not to mention the cupboard under the stairs. Nymphadora Tonks was a trainee Auror whose job was to gather witness statements and first-hand accounts including Harry's. She was particularly suited to the task as she could change her appearance at will ensuring she would never be recognised. Amelia was confident they had a solid case against the Dursleys however after Harry mentioned his Hogwarts letter had been addressed to his cupboard and Professor Dumbledore had been unhelpful when Harry had asked to stay at Hogwarts for the summer they decided to use the school term time to investigate further and check whether there were other parties at fault.

The morning of their departure for the Hogwarts Express seemed to arrive all of a sudden. Harry was looking forward to returning to school despite the fun he'd had with the Weasleys. Even though everybody had packed the day before there was still a mad rush to get everything and everyone loaded into the car on time. Harry suspected it wouldn't have been quite so manic if Mrs Weasley hadn't insisted on them all having a full cooked breakfast to tide them over. Harry looked on doubtfully as Mr Weasley with the help of Fred and George began hefting school trunks into the back of the car. He was well acquainted with Arthur's Ford Anglia the twins and Ron having flown to his rescue in it so he knew there was a certain amount of magic involved much to Mrs Weasley's displeasure, but its ability to fly didn't explain how they thought they would fit 6 trunks and 8 people into it. Harry dragged his own trunk round to the boot to watch, and sure enough as if like magic the trunks all slid in with space to spare.

"It's bigger on the inside," Mr Weasley whispered to him proudly before sending a slightly fearful glance at his wife who fortunately wasn't paying them any attention.

Mrs Weasley was fluttering all over the place. "Percy have you got your new tie."

"GINNY! WHERE ARE YOU, IT'S TIME TO GO!"

"What on earth have you got on your jumper Ron, go and change it quick."

"Fred stop that!"

Fred popped his head out from behind the car at the reprimand, "stop what?" he asked in confusion but Mrs Weasley was already gone off on another mission.

At last all 6 trunks, 2 owls, 1 rat, 6 children and 2 adults were loaded into the little car and speeding towards Kingscross station. Mr Weasley glanced at his watch anxiously.

"We're going to be late Molly." He snuck a glance over at her.

"We'll be fine," came her firm reply.

"We could try –."

"No." Mrs Weasley cut him off sharply.

"It's perfectly safe, we could just –," he tried again indicating towards a blue button.

"Absolutely not."

Arthur started to speak again but was interrupted by an irate Mrs Weasley. "Do you want to get us all arrested."

"Technically we wouldn't -," Mr Weasley began but Mrs Weasley's glare told him that she had no interest in hearing about the loophole he'd written into the law and instead silence prevailed.

The drive continued in relative peace as Fred and George both went back to sleep and Percy was absorbed by his recently purchased book "Prefects Who Gained Power". Ginny as before was struck dumb by Harry's presence and studiously stared out the window for the whole 45 minutes it took to reach the station.

"Muggles really don't get enough credit," Mrs Weasley commented as they unloaded the car, "you really wouldn't know how spacious cars are inside to look at them." Mr Weasley's ears went pink as he focused intently on stacking the trunks onto trolleys.

Despite Mr Weasley's fears they arrived with just enough time to spare. The large group hurried through the station pushing their trolleys at a pace that caused the poor owls to rattle around inside their cages flapping their wings in an attempt to keep their balance. Percy rushed off ahead determined that as a prefect he would not be late. Fred and George also went off ahead so there wouldn't be a crowd of them passing through the barrier last minute and drawing attention. Harry could hear them crashing into each other and generally causing a ruckus long after he they were out of his sight. When they reached the platform divider between 9 and 10 Harry and Ron hung back a little while Mr and Mrs Weasley slid through the wall with their youngest child as subtly as they could.

Harry spent a moment ensuring Hedwig's cage was securely stacked on his trunk before he and Ron walked briskly at the barrier that was the entrance to the magical platform. Harry sped up a little feeling the familiar muggle raised instincts telling him was about to crash. He took a deep breath, broke into a run, closed his eyes then

CRASH!

Both boys flew over the handles of their trolleys as they skidded sideways deflected by the barrier. Hedwig was hurled unceremoniously through the air cage crashing noisily on the ground and everyone within a 50 meter radius turned to stare at the commotion.

"What in the world," a guard came storming over.

"Tripped," Harry just about managed to whisper as he tried to breathe, "Sorry." He bent over desperately trying to draw some air into his winded lungs. Ron, who'd fared a little better gathered the screeching Hedwig and righted the trolleys trying to avoid the guard's eye. The guard looked a little wary but moved off glancing back at them from time to time.

Harry and Ron both leant against the entrance to platform 9 ¾ discretely patting at it and trying to pass through to no avail. It was as solid as any other wall. Harry glanced at the clock, they had less than two minutes to get onboard. Ron started frantically barging at the wall with his shoulder until Harry noticed the guard looking their way again and told him to stop. Harry watched as the clock ticked over to 11:00 and finally accepted they had missed the train. Why hadn't the barrier let them through he wondered, and what on earth were they meant to do now?

Harry dragged his trolley to a nearby bench and sat down rubbing his bruised ribs.

"We've missed the train," said Ron stunned joining him on the bench. "What are we going to do?" he whined.

"We'll just wait for your parents," Harry suggested trying to stay calm. "They'll know what to do."

"Mum and Dad!" Ron suddenly remembered. "What if they can't get back through, what if they're stuck!" He rushed back to the barrier and started pushing at it again.

"There must be loads of parents on the platform, I'm sure they'll find a way out" Harry rationalised.

Ron paused thinking, "They could apparate out," he acknowledged. "But what if they don't realise we didn't get on the train, what if they apparate straight home!" Ron began panicking again.

"Won't they need to collect the car," Harry asked.

"The car!" Ron exclaimed, "If we're quick we can follow the train, I know how to fly it." His panic was quickly turning to excitement and he scrambled to get them heading towards the old Ford.

Harry stared at Ron as if he had grown a second head. "Are you mad!" he exclaimed shrugging off Ron's tugging grip.

"It's OK," Ron dismissed him, "there's an invisibility button so no-one will see us."

"Have you got any idea how much trouble we'd be in, and I don't just mean at school. I've only just gotten out of one underage magic charge. Not to mention the statute of secrecy if anyone did spot us. We'd be arrested! Your Dad, who has done nothing but help me, would lose his job and probably go to jail!" Harry was horrified at the idea.

Ron deflated as Harry made perfect sense. "So what are we going to do?" he groaned hopelessly, "Have you got any muggle money?"

Harry shook his head wishing he'd exchanged some when he was at Gringotts. "We should probably wait by the car though, your parents will be there at some point," Harry reasoned. They both trudged back to the Weasley's car and sat morosely on their trunks waiting. It turned out they didn't have to wait long as within 20 minutes Mr and Mrs Weasley quite suddenly appeared next to them clearly worried. Mrs Weasley fussed over them checking they were alright noticing Harry's ripped sleeve.

"We're fine Mrs Weasley," he tried to reassure her.

"We couldn't get through," Ron tried to explain through a bone crushing hug.

"I know dear, nobody could get back out from our side either" she told him smoothing down his hair in a reassuring manner. "The Greengrasses sent an urgent message to the ministry to lift the ant-apparation wards at the station so we could all get out and the Aurors could get in to investigate." Once Mrs Weasley was finally convinced they were both OK they all piled back into the car.

"So how are we going to get to school now," Harry finally asked when it seemed nobody was going to explain.

"The ministry are going to lift the Floo block in Hogsmeade early so you'll floo there in time to join the rest of the school at the carriages."

"If we can just floo there why do we spend hours on a train every year?" Ron asked indignant.

"Normally you can't, they shut down the floos for a few days around the start and end of the holidays, they wouldn't be able to cope with the influx otherwise," explained Mrs Weasley.

"Besides it wouldn't be fair on muggle households who aren't connected to the floo network," Mr Weasley added.

"It still sucks," grumbled Ron.

A few hours later they all stood in front of the Weasley's fire place. The train was due to arrive at Hogsmeade station soon and they needed to make sure they didn't miss the carriage ride to the school. Mrs Weasley bid them both a very warm goodbye offering to have Harry stay any time. Mr Weasley offered to lead the way and take Harry's trunk which Harry gladly agreed to. In a flash of floo powder he was gone followed swiftly by Ron who took his own trunk. With no other alternative Harry reluctantly tucked his glasses into his pocket, threw a pinch of powder into the fire and climbed in holding Hedwig's cage tightly to his chest.

"Hogsmeade" he stated gritting his teeth before closing his eyes as the floo vortex dragged him spinning through space. It took longer than the trip to Diagon Alley, several minutes at least, all the time the roaring green flames lapped at him while the whirling stream of magic made breathing nearly impossible. A sudden change in pressure was all the warning he had before he was abruptly dumped out of the fireplace. He was flung forwards launching Hedwig's cage as he attempted to catch his balance before being steadied by the waiting Mr Weasley. Harry looked up gratefully and saw a surprised Amelia Bones wrestling with Hedwig cage apparently having caught the owl after Harry had inadvertently sent her flying.

"Seriously mate, how do you make it look so hard," Ron guffawed unable to prevent his laughter at Harry's disastrous floo exit

Harry dusted himself down blushing furiously then without looking directly at Amelia retrieved a very irate Hedwig with an embarrassed "thanks."

"Alright Arthur, I'll take them from here."

Harry looked up then, curiousity overcoming his mortification. "You're going with us?" he asked in surprise.

"It's just a precaution," she reassured. "There was house elf magic involved with the barrier today, and with your earlier visit from Dobby I would feel better is someone accompanied you to Hogwarts. Besides I need a quick word with Albus, you have no idea how tricky he can be to get hold of." At Harry's suddenly anxious look she added, "It's nothing you need to worry about, just few matters related to the Wizengemot."

Harry nodded reassured understanding the Director was telling him it was nothing related to the Dursleys.

Mr Weasley, said his goodbyes, patted them both on the shoulder, reminded Ron to owl as soon as he got to school then with a burst of green flames he was gone.

"Shall we?" Amelia levitated both trunks then indicated towards the door. They walked through what appeared to be a pub or inn of some sort. In fact despite it being bright and airy it reminded Harry a lot of The Leaky Cauldron, something to do with the smell he decided, something spicy, almost cinnamony. They received a few curious looks from customers but it seemed to Harry that Amelia's presence ensured nobody felt the need to comment.

They followed their levitating trunks out of the inn and down a side alley as the Director queried them about what they had done when they couldn't get through to the station. Ron casually described how they'd pushed at the wall for a bit then went to wait by the car for his parents, though Harry did notice his ears go pink when the older witch complimented them on their calm and sensible actions.

"A lot of children would have panicked and who knows what sort of outlandish or dangerous solutions they'd have come up with," she told them.

Ron stammered to an awkward halt in his retelling as Harry coughed to cover up the bubble of laughter that had escaped. Whether or not Amelia suspected there was more to the story Harry didn't know, but she didn't push further.

They turned left down a lush country lane in the low evening sun and within a few minutes arrived at the village train station. The Hogwarts express arrived moments after they did and Harry and Ron with Amelia's permission merged in with the mass of students heading towards the horseless carriages that would take them to school. Harry saw Hagrid at the other end of the station herding the new first years towards the boats and finally caught sight of Hermione accompanied by Susan and Neville. With their friends in sight Harry and Ron navigated their way through the crowd and finally reached them in time to share a carriage and explain the whole bizarre day.

Hermione like Amelia was impressed with how well the boys had handled the situation though Harry had absolutely no qualms about telling her about Ron's ideas, laughing uncontrollably with Neville and Susan as Hermione lambasted him for his irresponsible and dangerous behaviour.

"You could have both been expelled!" she wailed.

This only made Harry laugh harder.