'Excuse me' Harry said hesitantly 'can you help me on the'

'The platform dear?' the woman asked kindly

Harry nodded in relief

'Not to worry it's Ginny's first year too' she gestured to the small little girl who ducked her head blushing

The woman eyed her oddly but then turned back to Harry and said 'All you have to do is walk straight through the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10' she gestured to the wall that Harry had seen one of the boys disappear into 'best to take it at a run if you're scared' the woman added

Harry eyed her for a minute sure that she was having him on. But when she kept her assuring smile he nodded curtly and then braced himself. He closed his eyes ready for the impact that never came. He opened his eyes and found himself facing the most magnificent red train he'd ever seen. He stayed staring at it until he was pushed to the ground hardly.

'Bloody hell' he heard a soft voice say

He turned around and found the little girl from before.

'Are you okay' he said guiltily

She rolled her eyes and nodded curtly

He hastily stood up and ignoring the screeching Hedwig offered her a hand. She eyed it warily but accepted it. He lifted her up used to the weight because of the work his uncle made him do. When she was standing rightly he found himself marveling at her beautiful eyes and her warm touch. She was staring at him too.

Hedwig's indignant screech broke their staring contest and they both ducked their heads blushing. After somewhat regaining his composure Harry asked

'Do you want to find some seats with me?' he wondered at the boldness he displayed

'What?' she asked looking up her cheeks a faint red

'Seats' he said gesturing at the train

'Is that a muggle thing?' she asked him

'Isn't that how trains work?' he asked nervously rubbing his neck

'No' she shook her head 'not the Hogwarts express they have compartments' she said matter of factly

'Really?' Harry asked

'Yes' she said nodding 'all of my brothers have told me so'

'Okay' Harry said 'then do you want to get a compartment with me?' he said

'Yes' she nodded

They dragged their trunks searching for an empty compartment. Finally they found one that was near the end of the train. Between the two of them they hoisted their trunks up and hung Hedwig's cage. They sat down on the opposite benches breathing a bit ragged at the hard labor but grinning at each other the bond of friendship already established. The train lurched forwards and slowly sped away.

Harry sat awkwardly as he tried to think of something to say, he cursed the Dursleys as they had made his life miserable and left him no hope of knowing how to interact with people his age. He was therefore very grateful when Ginny started talking. Within a few minutes Harry had relaxed and he had just started to tell her a story when the compartment door opened. There stood two identical redheads whose grins reminded Harry of the cat that got the cream.

'Ickle Ginnikins' one of them said

'What's this have you found a boyfriend?' the other asked

'And on your first ride no less'

'I mean it hasn't been twenty minutes since the train started moving'

'And it's not like you have my dashing looks'

'Or my spiffy personality'

'And speaking off how dare you Ginevra Molly Weasley go off without permission'

'Mum was downright going to have a heart attack'

At this Ginny rolled her eyes

'Did you see what she did George?' one of them asked

'She went like this' the other exaggeratingly rolled his eyes

'Why the disrespect'

'The complete lack of'

'regard'

'yes regard, thank you my devilishly handsome twin'

'No trouble my less awesome counterpart'

Harry could truly make no head or tail of the conversation. He watched as Ginny was slowly turning red. The twins burst out laughing

'A gal after our own heart I may say'

'Not much of a girl though'

'A midget is a better word'

Ginny started patted her pockets

'Looking for this?' one of them asked pulling out what Harry assumed was Ginny's wand

'Give it back' she said standing up

The one holding the wand tutted and raised the wand way out of Ginny's reach. Harry thought about stepping in and finally made up his mind. He stood up and edged out of the compartment determined to stick up for his new friend. He stood behind the twins who were busy taunting the now clearly mad Ginny to notice him. He jumped and snatched the wand from the twin and then ducked behind them and into the compartment.

He handed Ginny her wand and fumbled for his own. Finally he pulled out his wand and stood next to Ginny, in truth he was almost in front of her, ready to cover her completely if things turned bad. It also gave him an opportunity to try some of the curses he'd read so much about. Ginny on the other hand was smirking at the very pale twins.

'Now Ginny don't be rash' One of them said raising his hands in surrender

'You wouldn't want to hex your favorite brothers now would you?' the other one said

'Leave!' Ginny said coldly

The twins quickly ran out.

'Thank you' Ginny said startling him

'Me?' Harry asked

'Yes, thank you for giving me my wand back' she said

'Oh' Harry said flustered 'You're welcome I guess' he said

They stood awkwardly for a minute until Harry asked

'So who were they?' he asked

'The twins?' Ginny asked

Harry nodded

'They're my brothers' she said

'Really?' Harry asked but now that he thought about it he though he saw some resemblances

'Yes' Ginny said 'couldn't you tell from the hair?'

'But your hair is not the same' Harry protested

'What?' she asked

'Mhmm' Harry nodded 'their hair is more orange while yours is more blood red'

'Oh' she said bewildered

Harry's neck flushed

They remained in awkward silence until

'You never told me your name?' Ginny said but it came off as a question

'My name is Harry' he said for some reason reluctant to tell her his full name

'Nice to meet you Harry' Ginny beamed

'Nice to meet you too Ginny' Harry said smiling shyly