The morning of the trip dawned bright and gray. Harry yawned and sat up, rubbed his eyes, and threw on some Muggle clothing. The events of the day before came rushing back at him in an overwhelming flood. Harry couldn't keep the wide grin off his face; he was going back to Hogwarts and wouldn't see the Dursleys for most of the summer.

Breakfast was short and rushed. Harry thought he would choke with excitement over his bacon. Dudley, having not woken up yet, snored so loudly it resonated throughout the second floor hallway, rattling the picture frames. Uncle Vernon was dressed for work in a suit and ugly green tie. Aunt Petunia washed dishes at the sink, while peering out the window to spy on the neighbors.

"Let's go, boy. Haven't got all day." Uncle Vernon finished the rest of his tea and stood up, glaring at Harry.

Harry swallowed his last bite and ran up the stairs for his things, trying not to make too much noise. He didn't want to wake up Dudley, because Dudley would just laugh some more and spoil his good mood.

Uncle Vernon didn't offer Harry any help with his trunk. Harry dragged it down the front walk to Uncle Vernon's car.

Getting into the car on the way to King's Cross, Uncle Vernon turned to Harry.

"Don't go messing up my car now, got that?"

"Yes."

"I don't know what kind of hokey pokey you did to make that car fly…"

"How d'you know about that?!"

"Never you mind, just close the door!" Uncle Vernon huffed, his mustache ruffling.

Hedwig flapped her wings against the bars of her cage when Harry jostled it accidentally.

"And keep that thing quiet when I'm driving!"

Harry closed the car door and looked out the window as the scenery changed from quiet residential streets to bustling wide roads. They pulled up outside King's Cross. There were people running in and out of the station, looking frazzled and late.

Uncle Vernon got out, unlocked the trunk, and said:

"Well, I guess it's goodbye. Hurry up, there's a line of cars waiting." He tapped his foot impatiently, looking nervously about as if hoping not to run into anyone he knew.

Harry nodded and found a trolley. Uncle Vernon heaved all of Harry's luggage onto the pavement and got back into the car. By the time Harry had loaded everything onto the trolley, Uncle Vernon was long gone.

The station was busy and loud, full of chatter and people trying to find other people. Different voices came over the speakers to announce arrival and departure times, while vendors shouted at passerby. Harry got more than a few strange looks at Hedwig in her cage. He did his best to ignore them and scanned the walls for Platform 9 and 10. He fought his way through the throngs of people to the platform.

When he was certain it was the right spot, Harry carefully pressed his shoulder against the wall. It gave way, and Harry quickly walked through the barrier to the other side.

There it was, Platform 9 ¾. He looked up and down the platform. The red and gleaming Hogwarts Express stood waiting. It was like a dream, Harry thought, his heart pounding with happiness. He was going back to his real home, his sanctuary where Quidditch and wizard chess were all perfectly normal. What would Hogwarts be like in the summer? Would they be able to swim in the lake with the giant squid?

But then Harry had to remind himself: He was here for Durmstrang, not Hogwarts. And a strange, nervous feeling in his stomach worsened. Harry looked around, and spotted a familiar trunk with the initials H.G.

"Hermione!" He yelled, sprinting across the platform to her, abandoning his trolley. She turned at his voice, and that's when Harry stopped in his tracks. Because his best friend wasn't alone. No, there were two hands (that weren't Hermione's) holding Crookshanks, and a person talking to Hermione…

"Neville?" Harry said in disbelief, staring at the rather plump young wizard stroking Crookshanks.

"Harry! I thought you'd be here!" Said Neville.

"Yes, but, er… Durmstrang too?"

"What? Oh, yes! Of course! Have you seen Trevor, by the way? I've lost him again."

"You were invited by Viktor Krum? You got the letter and all that?"

"Oh, stop interrogating him, Harry. We all were invited." Hermione stowed Crookshanks into a wicker basket and gave Harry a hug. "I'm so glad you're here! I've read all I could about Durmstrang, but they're so secretive, you know…"

"My gran was so happy when I got the letter, she cried! Trevor got sick, you see, and she even paid for his treatment at the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley!"

"We're going to have the best time at Durmstrang! It'll be so interesting to see their training! Oh, if only Ron was here-" Hermione fretted.

The next person that ran through the barrier was out of breath and unmistakably ginger-haired.

"RON!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs, running as fast as his legs could carry him.

"HARRY!" Ron bellowed back, hugging Harry fiercely. "HERMIONE! Neville?"

"RON'S HERE!" Neville yelled ecstatically. "Wow! We really are going to have the best time ever!"

"I didn't think you'd be here!" Harry said to Ron. "You know..."

"Yeah, I was surprised when it said Krum invited me. Last year, we didn't exactly hit off."

They all stood stupidly grinning at each other, until they realized what it meant.

"Wait, you're right, why would Krum choose-"

"Did Dumbledore-"

"I think something's not right." Harry said, cutting them both off. "There's no way (no offense, Ron) that Krum would've picked you. He hated you! And Neville, sorry to say this, but I don't think he knew you existed. Something's up."

Hermione nodded fervently.

"There's only one way to find out," said Ron, looking grim.

They all turned towards the Hogwarts Express, waiting and ready to take them on a journey.