AN: What is this? I'm actually updating? Rejoice readers. I'm back!

Harry Potter and the Snake's Veil

Chapter 01 The Unexpected Ticket

Harry sat up in his bed in a fright. He grabbed his glasses off the bedside table and glanced at his clock. 4:48.

Taking a deep breath, Harry fought to untangle himself from his sheets. They were wrapped around his legs like chains in a prison. This was his prison. He tried to push back his dream, forcing himself to think of the present.

A fluttering veil. Whispers. The prophecy. Sirius falling.

'No!' he thought to himself. Tears came to his emerald eyes. It was long before the tears cascaded down his cheeks. He remembered his inspiration for his first real Patronus, "Sirius is innocent. I'm going to go live with him. He's innocent." Now, he'd never be able to live with his godfather.

Shuffling down the hall, paused Harry's sobs. Click, click. The two locks on his door opened and Uncle Vernon stood in the doorway. "Be ready by six. You're riding the train today. I've had enough of driving you around. Bloody petrol prices are rising. Six, you hear boy or you're walking!" The door shut.

Harry wiped his eyes and turned to the clock. 4:59.

Harry got up and went over to where his school trunk was. Neat stacks of brown papers items were all ready inside. Harry narrowed his eyes at them. The Order thought it was too dangerous for Harry to attend Diagon Alley to pick up his items so they decided to send it all to him by owl. Harry was lucky if he got any news from any of the members. Remus had been good to talk to about Sirius but Dumbledore had sent him away on a secret mission and so Harry couldn't send him any owls. Not even Ron and Hermione sent a lot of post. They were once again spending their summer at Grimmauld Place, together. Not like Harry would go there anyway. Too many memories.

Harry grabbed the stack of folded robes and stuffed them in his trunk. He turned to Hedwig, who was still sleeping. "Hey girl," Hedwig opened one amber eye, "do you think you could just meet me at Hogwarts? I'm taking the Muggle train to King's Cross."

Hedwig hooted a response and stretched out his wings. She hopped onto the window sill and flew off.

"Thanks Hedwig," Harry called out.

Harry finished stuffing the few letters Remus and Ron and Hermione had written him into his trunk before clasping it shut.

5:24. Harry pulled himself off floor, stuffed his wand in his back pocket, and headed downstairs in hope for a small breakfast.

"Bout time, boy. Cook some breakfast for us. And don't burn the toast," Uncle Vernon grunted.

"Yes Uncle."

Fifteen minutes later, Harry served his relatives eggs and sausage. He scoped himself a small serving with a side of burnt toast with marmalade.

"Here's your ticket," Aunt Petunia said passing Harry a small red and white ticket. "You're to take the train from Hampton Court to London Victoria. From there, take the Underground to King's Cross and your freakish court."

Harry looked at the ticket in shock. The Dursleys never bought Harry anything like this. 'But then again, they all were threatened by Moody last term.'

"Come on boy. Let's go. Sooner we leave, the sooner we can forget about you," Uncle Vernon growled.

Harry dragged his trunk down the stairs and followed his uncle out the door. He looked up and down the road anxiously. Harry knew that some where an Order member lurked. Harry had his wand up his sleeve.

Harry got in the new model car after he put his trunk in the boot. As his Uncle started off, Harry's wand slipped to the floor. Quickly, Harry dashed down to get it and after it rolled back, Harry grabbed it and stuffed it in his pocket.

Fifteen minutes and a silent ride later, they had arrived at Hampton Court Station. Vernon quickly opened the boot while Harry heaved his heavy trunk out.

"Now, Hampton Court to London Victoria, then the Underground to King's Cross," Vernon said tersely. "Don't get lost." Then he zoomed off in the car leaving Harry at the platform.

Dragging his trunk to a bench, Harry sat and waited for the next train.

It was a cold dreary day. Not at all like the summer last year.

Harry looked out in the distance at the Thames River and Hampton Court. A station cat walked around the waiting passengers, looking for scraps of food. A small cart sold coffee and tea.

Finally, an animatronics voice came on, "Next train, 6:32 to London Victoria on Platform 4. Mind the gap please."

Harry quickly got along with many business workers and crowded on the train. Finding a seat by the window, Harry gazed out the graffiti filled sill, hungrily soaking up the sights of England he'd never seen. The skyline was dotted with buildings of similar shapes all built of brick. Patches of green indicated parks or football pitches.

Thirty minutes later, Harry was pulling his trunk off the crowded train at London Victoria. He followed the crowd up the escalators and into the huge lobby area. Harry glanced at all the food stalls, wishing he had Muggle money. It was almost a small sized mall inside the station.

Seeing the sign for the Underground, Harry pulled his trunk after him, weaving in and out of the large mass of Muggles. Once down the stairs, Harry located the platform to King's Cross.

Harry stared at the many posters lining the wall for upcoming movies, music, and plays. After a few minutes, the intercom came on, "Platform 2, 7:21 to King's Cross now approaching the station."

Harry luckily found a seat near the door and shoved his trunk above him on the rack.

Sitting down, Harry realized he'd probably pull into King's Cross at eight, leaving him three hours to kill.

Little did he know, he'd never make it to the station.

Typed Up 2005

Anaticulapraecantrix