Chapter Three: The Hogwarts Express

September the First came a lot quicker then expected. Although Frankie wasn't sure if her best friend was back at number four yet, because not a a single eye or hair of Harry Potter could be seen. But, disappointment did nothing to dim Frankie's energetic spirit.

That morning, Frankie woke up to her face being licked by her dog's rubbery tongue. She yawned and streched to greet the pup. He had been a gift to her that Viktor crafted himself. The dog had different shades of brown patches all over his body and his eyes matched Frankie's precisely. And like her, Wazit was one of a kind.

Frankie got dressed herself and opened up her trunk. Everything seemed to be there-her robes were folded neatly on top of her spellbooks and other supplies and her wand sat on top of them all. She would get to touch all of these things today and tomorrow. And it wasn't that far away.

After eating a quick breakfast, her parents loaded the car with their daughter's trunk and set off to King's Cross Station. The small family had arrived at half past ten, thirty minutes before the train left. Frankie and Viktor loaded up the trolley and Frankie pushed it to Platforms Nine and Ten, her dog circling her heels. But, when they arrived, Platform 9 3/4 was nowhere to be seen.

Frankie stopped. "Erm..." she said, "Where's the platform? " Viveka pointed one of her slender fingers at the wall sseparating platforms nine and ten.

"Right through there, sweetheart." She said. "Watch your father." She motioned for Viktor to go towards the wall. Viktor walked over to the wall. When no one was looking, Viktor leaned against it and then right through the wall. Frankie's jaw dropped, then shut itself into a smile. Magic was the best thing to happen to her family since the Steins had discovered how to create life using Muggle science.

Frankie and Viveka walked towards the barrier. This was it. This wall seperated Frankie from the next seven years of her life.

"Ready? " her mother asked. Frankie nodded and Viveka placed her hands on top of her daughter's. The pair broke into a run, and Frankie shut her eyes, in fear of colliding with the wall. But the crash never came. Frankie opened her eyes. In front of her was a large, scarlet train. Behind her was a large plastic sign that read: PLATFORM 9 walked over to them.

"Viv, I need to talk to Frankie about you-know-what." Viktor ssaid to his wife. Viveka nodded and went to load her daughter's belongings onto the train. Viktor took Frankie off to a vacant area.

"Is there something wrong, Daddy?" Frankie asked her father. She was confused. Why had she been pulled off to the side so suddenly?

"Nothing is wrong, sweetheart." Viktor said calmly. "I have something very VERY important to tell you before you leave for Hogwarts." Viktor then took his daughter's hands. "I want you to promise me something."

"Alright..." Frankie said, still a little confused. Warmth began to flow from her hands and a pale glow was cast over them.

"I want you to promise-no, swear- to me that no matter what the circumstances, I want you to stick by your friend Harry Potter not matter what. Swear to me that you will guard him from danger, no matter to cost." Frankie's hands grew warmer and slightly brighter.

"Daddy what's-"

"Do you promise?" Frankie nodded and said "Y-yes." Her hands glowed very bright and became burning hot. Then suddenly it stopped. Frankie's hands weren't glowing anymore and had returned to their normal temperature.

"What just happened? " Frankie asked her father. Viktor opened his mouth to speak, but was interuppted when his wife cam rushing over.

"Viktor!" Viveka said, "The train leaves in two minutes. Is she ready?" Viktor nodded. Viveka sighed and the pair walked their very confused daughter to the train.

"We love you darling." Viveka said, hugging and kissing her daughter.

"But what about-" Frankie tried to say.

"We'll explain everything when we can. Alright?" Viktor said. Frankie nodded. Viktor kissed his child and Frankie waved goodbye before hopping aboard the train.

There was only one empty compartment on the train left. Frankie took a seat as her dog hopped up next to her. But the young monster was confused about what had happened on the platform. She stared out at the countryside that was now rolling past.

Frankie heard the sound of the compartment door opening, but didn't turn around.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" said a voice. Frankie shook her head. She didn't mind at all. The compartment door shut and the person sat down. "If you don't mind me asking, but, do I know you? You look familiar."

For the first time, Frankie turnes away from the window to answer and a smile grew wide and bright across her face. "Harry!"

The young witch tthrew her arms around him. "I've missed you!"

"I missed you too." Harry said as Frankie pulled away. "I suppose you want to know what had happened, right?" Frankie nodded and Harry told her of the events that had led up to today: The letters from no one, the island on the rocks, the keeper of the keys and the story of how he had defeated He-who-shall-not-be-named. Frankie had stopped him there.

"You're famous?!" She said in awe. Harry nodded.

"How come you never told me about it?" Harry asked. Frankie shrugged.

"I knew you were a wizard." Frankie said, "Because my parents are magical and use magic at home. But I had no idea about you being the one who had defeated You-know-who. I don't know why my mom or dad never told me that baby was you."

"I-I understand."

The pair remained silent until the door slid open again. It was a tall boy with firey red hair and freckles.

"Do you mind?" He asked. "Everywhere else is full."

"Not at all." Harry replied. The boy sat down next to Frankie.

"I'm Ron by the way," the boy said, "Ron Weasley."

"My name is Frankie Stein." Frankie said.

"And I'm Harry. Harry Potter." Ron's jaw dropped.

"So-so it's true then." Ron stuttered. Do you really have the..."

"The what?" Frankie asked.

"The scar." Ron whispered. Harry nodded and lifted up his hair to reveal his lightning scar. "Wicked."

Just then, a cart full of sweets came by.

"Anything off the trolley dears?" said the witch who was behind it. Frankie shook her head and Ron pulled a bag of flattened sandwiches from his pocket.

"No thanks, " he said. "I'm set." Just then, Harry pulled a handful of coins from his pocket.

"We'll take the lot!" Harry said.

"Whoa."

Harry, Frankie and Ron sat in their compartment surrounded by sweets. A rat, mostly likely Ron's, had his head in a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Harry picked up another box of beans.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans?" He said curiously.

"They mean every flavor." Ron said. "There's chocolate and peppermint, but there's also spinach and tripe."

"My dad swore he got a bogey flavored one once!" Frankie added. Harry spat the bean he was eating out. He picked up another package as Wazit happliy ate the bean.

"Chocolate frogs?" He asked. "They aren't real frogs are they?" Frankie shook her head.

"Don't worry, it's just a spell." She answered.

"And besides, it's the cards you want." Ron said. "Each pack has a famous witch of wizard. I have five hundred myself." Harry opened the package. The fr

og made a noise then leaped onto the window. It made another jump and flew outside the window.

"That's rotten luck mate." Frankie acknowledged. "They only have one or two goods jumps in them." Harry shrugged and pulled the card out as Frankie shut the window.

"Hey, I got Dumbledore!" Harry exclaimed happily.

"I have about twelve of him." Ron said. Harry looked back down at his card.

"Hey, he's gone!"

"You can't expect him to stay on that card all day, can you?" Frankie told him. Suddenly a squeak came from the box next to Ron.

"This is Scabbers, by the way." Ron said, pulling the rat out of the box. "Pitiful isn't he?"

"Just a bit." Frankie answered.

"My brother Fred gave me a spell that'll turn him yellow, want to see?" Harry nodded. Ron pulled out a battered old wand from his pocket. "Sun-"

Ron's spellcasting was inturpped by a girl who entered the compartment. She had bushy brown hair and slightly large teeth.

"Can we help you?" asked Frankie. The girl nodded.

"Have either of you see a toad?" She said. "A boy named Neville lost one."-the trio shook their heads as the girl's eyes came onto Ron's wand. "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then." Ron cleared his throat.

"Sunshine, dasies butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!" Ron recited. A spark shot out of his wand, but Scabbers remained gray.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" The girl asked. Ron nodded. "Well, it's not a very good one is it? Of course, I've tried a few myself and they all worked for me."- she sat down across from Harry- "For example, Oculus Reparo!" Harry's taped up glasses mended themselves instantly. "That's better, isn't it?" The girl gasped. "Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter! I'm Hermione Granger. And, you two are?"

"My name is Frankie Stein." Frankie said cheerfully and extended her hand. Hermione shook it.

"I'm Ron Weasley." Ron said with his mouth full.

"Pleasure." Hermione said. She stood up and walked to the door. "You better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon." Hermione turned to leave, but stopped and turned back to Ron.

"You've got a bit of dirt on your nose, you know. Just there." And with that, Hermione left as Ron rubbed the spot of dirt Hermione had gestured to.

SHORT AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you to those who have followed and favorited the story so far, which I guess we've actually gotten into now. I have one question I need to ask of you before I finish up. What house do you want to see Miss Frankie Stein In? I'm stuck here and her sorting is in the next chapter. So, please, don't be afraid to reveiw!

Thank you once again, Blackkitten13

P.S.: NEXT CHAPTER: FRANKIE'S SORTING