September first was finally here. Arthur Weasley was excited, his youngest boy was starting his first year at Hogwarts! After the first five you would think he would be used to sending his kids off to school, but this year and next would likely be the hardest; his last boy and his only girl in the next two years. Arthur was currently sitting in his shed tinkering with his muggle artifacts, he couldn't explain why but he had always had this fascination with all things muggle. Molly called him from the house, he was expecting it was time to get everyone together to head to the train station, but as he stepped into the kitchen a ministry owl flew in through the open window. Retrieving the letter from the bird's leg and quickly opened it. Sighing he looked it over then up at Molly, "I am being called in on an emergency case. They say its urgent and can't wait" he shook his head and smiled apologetically to his wife.

"It's ok Dear, being one of only two people in your department I know you can't always be here." Molly reached over and gently squeezed Arthur's shoulder and smiled. Arthur Weasley was one of the only two people to work in the Office for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts at the Ministry of Magic, he took his job much more seriously than the other wizard named Perkins. Arthur smiled at his wife, happy that she understood he has a love of muggle things, but also that he took his job seriously. Taking one last sip of tea, he stood from his chair, kissed Molly goodbye and left for the office.

Molly sighed as she watched her husband leave. Today was going to be hectic trying to juggle sending four boys on the train and keeping track of her youngest. Brushing her hands on her apron she quickly set about making breakfast for everyone. Once that was done, she called up the stairs "everyone downstairs for breakfast before we leave for the station. I don't want to be late so get a move on, and don't make me come up these stairs!"

It was now half past ten, "boys, we have to go now, or you will miss the train" you could hear Molly's voice through the house without her having to yell. A stampede of footsteps and trunk thumps later they were downstairs. Molly checked over all five kids stopping at her youngest. "All right everyone put your things in the travel bag, we need to go the train will leave at exactly 11." Molly held the bag open for her four children to put in their school trunks and other supplies. After everything was inside, she handed the bag to the eldest present, "Percy dear, be sure to hold on to that tight". The Weasley family then made their way to the fireplace. They each grabbed a small amount of floo powder and got ready to step into the flame. "Alright no everyone be sure to speak clearly," she wrapped her arm a little tighter around little Ginny her youngest "you will go with me Ginny darling." With that the Weasley family one by one went into the fire dropped the powder and called out their location.

~~~~Earlier that Morning ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a month since Harry had received his letter and been shown how much had really been kept from him. He had a vault full of wizard money that his parents had left for him. He had received his wand and shopped for all his school supplies with Hagrid. It had been the best birthday Harry had ever had, and to top the day off Uncle Vernon had made him move into an actual bedroom rather than the cupboard under the stairs.

Today was September first, and Harry was so excited that he couldn't sleep. The sun was just barely coming up so it must be around five AM, but he tried to stay in bed as to not upset the Dursleys. Hedwig, his snow owl that was a gift from Hagrid, was fast asleep with her head tucked under her wing. Harry smiled lovingly at her as he remembered the joy of receiving his first real gift.

After an hour Harry knew he wouldn't be able to just sit there so he got out of bed and pulled on his jeans, he would change into his wizard clothes on the train. Harry then went over his Hogwarts letter once more to make sure he had everything and neatly packed it all away. He made sure Hedwig's cage was secure and ready for travel, and he began to pace the room waiting for them to wake up.

An hour passed before the Dursley's finally woke up. Harry normally would have had to make them breakfast but because of the reason for them going to into town, Harry was not to talk about the tail on his cousin. Harry had to carry his large, heavy trunk down the stairs, and it was loaded it in the car. Aunt Petunia sat up front, Uncle Vernon was driving, which meant that a very unhappy Dudley was forced to sit next to Harry. Finally, they were all loaded in the car and set off to King's Cross Station.

The arrived at the station at half past ten, Uncle Vernon stepped out and put Harry's trunk on a cart. He wheeled it inside and stopped in front of the pillars between platforms nine and ten. "See boy" Uncle Vernon sneered at Harry. "There you go, platform nine," he pointed at the large number nine to one side, "and platform ten. There is no platform nine and three-quarters!" Uncle Vernon chuckled to himself as he left Harry standing there with his cart alone. He threw a quick "have a nice term" over his shoulder as he left.

Harry was getting nervous now, he had asked the station guard where the platform was, or the train to Hogwarts, but the guard just treated him like he was stupid and walked away muttering about time wasters. He only had ten minutes left according to the large clock, and he had no idea how he was to get on the train. Hagrid must have forgotten to tell him how to do it. Harry was desperately looking around trying to find someone that could possibly help, he was about to give up when he heard it-

"Packed with muggles, of course," Harry swung around so quickly his neck popped, looking for who had said that. His eyes landed on a plump woman with red hair that was holding the hand of a young girl with four boys following behind, each with a cart like his. Harry quickly made his way over to them and followed behind them. "Now what was the platform number" she called out to her kids behind her.

The young girl piped up then "nine and three quarters mum." Harry had stopped behind them, just near enough to be able to hear what they were saying. "Mum can't I go too, I don't want to be alone."

"You aren't old enough yet, you only have one more year Ginny" The mother smiled at the younger girl. "All right now, Percy you first" the oldest one aimed his cart at the wall and started walking to it. Just when Harry thought he would crash into it he was gone. "Fred, you next" the mother said.

"I'm not Fred! I'm George, honestly you call yourself our mother," the boy huffed. "Can't you tell that I'm George?"

"Oh, I'm sorry George, dear."

"Only joking, I am Fred," the boy said as he made his way toward the pillar, his twin right behind him. Harry was watching hard so not to miss it but just as the boys reached the pillar a group of people walked in front of him.

With a great sigh, Harry knew he would have to ask. "Excuse me," Harry walked up to the plump woman, feeling a little nervous.

"Hell dear, first year at Hogwarts?" Harry nodded at the woman in response. "Ron here is new too," The plump woman gestured to her son. He was tall, thin, and lanky with red hair and every part of his skin that was showing was covered in freckles. He seemed friendly though, so Harry smiled at him.

"You see I don't, well I don't really know how to-" Harry was stumbling over his words now more nervous than ever.

The plump woman smiled kindly at Harry, "not sure how to get on the platform?" At Harry's nod the woman smiled brightly, "no worries, all you have to do is walk straight at the pillar between the platforms here." She pointed at the proper pillar for him. "Now the most important part, don't stop or slow down till you are all the way through. Best to do it at a bit of a run if you are scared. Go on now before Ron."

"Er, well ok," Harry was a bit scared at this point, but he had to do it time was almost up now. He lined his cart up and began slow but built up his speed. He really hoped this wasn't some trick because he wouldn't be able to stop in time now. He was running now and closed his eyes tight he didn't want to see himself crash into the wall.

The crash didn't come, Harry opened his eyes, and they went wide at the sight before him. There was a large scarlet train engine with Hogwarts Express on the side. As he looked behind him there was a large archway that read Platform Nine and Three-Quarters across it. Harry smiled, he did it!

The engine was pouring steam across the platform and over the heads of all the people there. Harry pushed his cart down the platform in search of an empty seat, the first few cars were full already. After a little way, near the end of the train Harry found an empty car. He put Hedwig in the car first and began the struggle of trying to get his trunk in the car as well. Harry was struggling, pushing, lifting, and even dropped it on his foot twice, which was incredibly painful.

"Need a hand with that?" It was one of the red headed twins he had followed through the barrier.

Panting, Harry answered "yes, please. I didn't realize how heavy this thing was."

"Hey George, c'mere and give us a hand, will ya."

The twins put the trunk away and were about to part ways when one of them asked "Hey, what's that" and pointed to Harry's forehead.

The other twin gasped, "Blimey, your-"

And at the same time both twins said "Harry Potter!"

"Oh him, I mean yea that would be me" Harry tried to laugh it off.

At that moment the plump woman was calling all her kids to say goodbye before the train departs in the next minute.

~~~~~~Across town~~~~~~

Arthur Weasley stepped out of the floo, stepping into the main hall of the Ministry of Magic. (MoM) Dusting soot from his robes he quickly made for the offices of misuse of muggle artifacts. He glanced at the clock and saw that it precisely 11 o'clock, smiling thinking of his youngest for boys all on their way to the greatest magical school. He stood still for a second remembering his time on the train. Shaking himself from the nostalgic memories he quickly continued on his way to his office. Moving swiftly, he dodged a few paper airplane messages that were flitting from one office to another.

Arthur stepped into his office and made his way to his desk setting down his briefcase and shrugging out of his over cloak. He looked around noticing for the first time that he was the only one in the office. Arthur made his way down the hall to the DMLE to find out just what this emergency case was that had him come in and miss his youngest boy leaving for school for the first time.

As he entered the offices, he noticed that no one seemed to be rushing around and things seemed relatively quiet for the time being. Arthur quickly made his way to Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour's office to find out exactly what was going on. He knocked on the ajar door while poking his head in.

"Arthur? What are you doing in? I thought you were seeing the young ones off on the train today." Scrimgeour had a very puzzled expression on his face while looking at the man before him.

"Ah, well you see I got this letter this morning just before we were to leave and it says that there was an urgent case that I had to come in for. I was very confused when I arrived and saw that there was nothing of the sort going on." Arthur sighed trying to wrap his mind around what had happened.

With a sigh Rufus looked up once more, "I am very sorry Arthur, there seems to have been some sort of mix up. There hasn't been an emergency or anything of the sort all morning."

Shaking his head Arthur turned to head back to his office, "well, have a good day Rufus. Since I am in earlier than anticipated I will get a head start on some work." With that he walked away still puzzled about why this happened, but that thought was also quickly forgotten as he lost himself in his work.