Harry sat on the bench a long while after Draco and his family disappeared behind the barrier. Almost half an hour later other families started to arrive, one by one people discreetly disappeared through the barrier. He was getting ready to go through the barrier himself when he saw something quite strange. A whole family of boisterous redheads. Unlike the other families that wore muggle clothing and disappeared discreetly behind the barrier, this family were wearing robes, had a cage with an owl in it, and were even talking about muggles and magic openly. They were getting quite the odd looks from the other people at the station. Harry watched as the family drew nearer.
He stood up, gathered his things and approached the barrier himself. As he walked closer to the conspicuous family he opened his mouth to ask why they had an owl when who Harry assumed to be the mother of all the children cut him off...
"Hello dear, Hogwarts too? Don't worry, it's Ron's first time as well." The youngest boy standing next to the woman blushed as Harry nodded, not wanting to be rude. Harry opened his mouth again to ask why they had an owl when they could have just let it fly to Hogwarts -much less cruel- when he was interrupted once again.
"How do you get onto the platform? Not worry." she said in her own little world. "All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron."
"Err- okay" Harry said giving up. He pushed his trolley around and ran right through the barrier just as he had seen others do before. On the other side a scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express. Harry looked behind him and there was a wrought iron archway with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it. He had done it, he was back in the magical world. Harry stood there taking in everything around him, children running about, parents hugging their children goodbye, and house elves all wearing different uniforms lugging people trunks onto the train.
The first few compartments were already packed with students, some hanging out of windows to talk to families, some fighting over seats. Harry pressed through the crowd looking for Draco, he couldn't find him so Harry grabbed an empty compartment near the back of the train. Harry tucked his trunk into the corner of the compartment and sat down next to the window where, half hidden, he could watch the red headed family on the platform and hear what they were saying.
Their mother had just taken out a handkerchief, "Ron, you've got something on your nose." The youngest boy tried to get out of the way but she grabbed him and started rubbing at his nose. How embarrassing, Harry thought. "Shush, now Ronald listen up, that boy we just helped get through the barrier was Harry Potter. Be sure to get on his good side Ronald, imagine having such a powerful ally at our disposal."
Harry jerked his head back from the window, were people really willing to take advantage of him like that? He sat there thinking for several minutes while the train filled up more. When the train started to pull out Harry felt a great le of excitement. He didn't know where he was going but he knew it was better than what he was leaving behind.
Suddenly the compartment door slid open and the youngest red-headed boy came in. He sat down across from Harry and announced that everywhere else was full. They sat in silence until the by leaned forward and asked, "Are you really Harry Potter?" Harry nodded and wondered what this boy was playing at, he had just heard this boy talking with his mother about him. "And do you have the, uh, scar?" the boy continued.
"Yes, but I can't remember" Harry answered quickly hoping to ward off any more rude questions. Of course, it didn't work and the boy proceeded to comment on the impossibility that he didn't remember anything and that "Gasp!" he'd been raised by muggles as until now.
Harry was ready to make some excuse and go look for Draco he would much rather be spending this ride with him. Right as he was about to make his excuse and leave the compartment door opened again. Looked over to see Draco in doorway looking exhausted.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" Ron spat out before Draco could open his mouth.
"Well, I'm here to see Harry, we were going to sit together but I was otherwise occupied for a moment and…"
"Like Harry would interact with the likes of you, we all know what your father did during the war." Ron furiously interrupts.
Draco sighs before responding, his father did warn him about this. "Absolutely Weasley, but I am not my father and..." Nut Ron wasn't paying attention and instead he turned to Harry offering him his hand.
"You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others. You don't want to be associated with the wrong sort. Don't worry mate, I can help you there." Harry took a moment to respond all the while feeling Draco's eyes on him.
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks"