The Hogwarts Express.

Harry and Ginny appeared with a slight pop onto platform nine and three quarters. They were both early. In fact they were nearly forty minutes early. Their intention had been to arrive before anybody else, and jump on board the Express. That way they would be able to avoid the crowds, and all the unwanted attention that would come with it. Unfortunately for both of them the Hogwarts Express hadn't pulled in yet, so they were left standing on an empty platform, apart from one other solitary figure. Harry's heart sank when he recognised who it was.

"Hello Harry, Ginny," the figure said in a nervous voice, and Harry felt Ginny stiffen beside him. He found her hand, and gave it an encouraging squeeze, and she noticeably relaxed.

"What brings you here?" Harry asked.

"Well… you two to be honest. I've just started working for the Daily Prophet. I've spent the last year doing a journalist course. In which I came top of the year, and they hired me right out of school." It was Harry's turn to be given an encouraging squeeze.

"So you're looking for an interview then?" Ginny stated coldly.

"Well if you don't mind."

"How did you know we were going to be here?" Harry asked. They hadn't told anybody that they were going to be here so early, not even Ron or Hermione.

"I ran into Neville Longbottom a few days ago, and he mentioned that you were going back to Hogwarts, and that you'd been made Head Boy. That meant you had to take the train."

"But how did you know we were going to come early?" Harry persisted.

"I guessed you'd want to avoid the crowds, and I was right, wasn't I," she said smiling at her own cleverness.

"Yea I suppose you are. Smart as well as pretty. That's a dangerous combination," Harry said, trying not to show any pain from the crushed fingers Ginny had just given him.

"So can I ask you both a few questions? It would really help impress my boss." Harry really wanted to say no, but the pleading face in front of him was hard to turn down.

"Oh alright ask your questions," he sighed, "but I make no promises that you'll get an answer."

"Oh great, thanks Harry."

"Don't thank me yet. I haven't answered anything."

"Right the first question is, are you both happy?" Harry raised his eyebrows, as first questions go that wasn't exactly what he had been expecting.

"Yes very happy. In fact I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am right now." Saying the words out loud brought home to him just how happy he really was, and he glanced at Ginny the source of nearly all of his happiness.

"And does that go for you to Ginny?" Harry and Ginny had locked eyes.

"Yes… yes it does."

"That's good, oh, and my congratulations to you both."

"Err… right thanks," Harry muttered not really knowing what the correct reply was to that.

"Now what do you consider you greatest achievement, your Quidditch success at the World cup or the defeat of Tom Riddle."

"Well you're a Seeker Cho, what do you think?"

"You're serious!"

"Yes."

"Well that's a surprise I'm glad to see you've still got your priorities right Harry. Oliver Wood would be very proud. I interviewed him the other day, you know. He told me that he wants you to come and play with his team professionally. He's just been made Captain of Puddlemere, so watch out."

"Well he can dream, but I have other plans for this year."

"What like a nice quiet year at Hogwarts?"

"If I'm lucky," Harry answered.

"Well you've thrown me there a bit Harry. I was expecting you to say that the defeat of Riddle was your greatest achievement. Then I was going to do a whole lot of follow up questions, but you saw through my trap." Harry was taken aback at this he hadn't seen any trap. He really did think beating Krum at Quidditch was his greatest achievement. He'd done that on his own without help.

"I haven't anything else to add about Riddle. The man wasted the life he was given, and the World is a better place without him. It's time the Wizarding world moved onward, and upwards."

"So you disagree with Minister of Magic candidate Quinton Wriggleswort then."

"Do I?"

"Well yes. He's running on a platform of going back to basics, and traditional Wizarding standards. He wants the Wizarding world to be run by those who are fully committed to it." In other words Harry thought, not for those who had muggle connections. "At least that's what we think he's running on. He can be a bit vague at times. So you won't be giving him your support?"

"I don't see why my opinion counts. It's not like I get a say in who the next Minister is going to be. That'll be decided behind closed doors, and probably by the person with the most galleons to give away." As soon as he said the last part he realised that he had put his foot in it.

"You don't like the way the Wizengamot works then?" Cho asked, her quick quote quill now moving at high speed.

"No, it's run as an exclusive club."

"How would you change things?"

"I've no idea, but the magical community should have more say in who runs things. There are plenty of laws that I disagree with, but I have no way to change things."

"Won't that just make it a popularity contest?"

"It might, but so what, just as long as we don't get a Ministry that sits on its complacent backside, while bad Wizards get away with murder, and corrupt ones buy themselves special favours." Further conversation then became impossible, as the Hogwarts Express backed onto the platform, in a cloud of smoke and steam.

"Harry don't say any more you'll only get yourself into trouble," Ginny said into his ear, as the trains brakes screeched bring it to a halt. He nodded back realising that he was digging a hole for himself. The train came to a complete stop, four of the doors were flung open and a dozen Aurors in full dress uniform stepped out. It was quite an impressive sight Harry thought as he immediately recognised the bubblegum pink hair of Tonks, and her trade mark trip, which rather detracted from the grand display they all made. How she kept her job with a hairstyle like that, and her appalling sense of balance he couldn't imagine. Right behind her with a helping hand was Shacklebolt whose imposing presence seemed to fill the platform on its own.

All twelve Aurors walked over to them, and Harry noticed Cho Chang become visible more nervous. He supposed that was to be expected, it wasn't every day that a group of Aurors bored down on you. Harry though knew many of them by name, and recognised most of the others.

"Mr Shacklebolt it's good to see you again," Harry said his arm out stretched. "Wotcher Tonks." Shacklebolt shook his hand warmly, while Tonks gave him a mock left handed salute forcing Ginny to try and suppress a giggle. She failed miserably. Both of them spent the next few minutes shaking the hands of all the other Aurors, before they moved off to position themselves all around the platform.

"Is this reporter bothering you Mr Potter?" Shacklebolt asked as he eyed Cho Chang with distaste.

"What, oh no Cho's no bother we went to school together. Has there been some kind of threat?" Harry asked.

"There's no threat. Mr Scrimgeour thought there might be some crowd control problems when you arrived. However it looks as though you're ahead of us. I suggest you get on board before anybody else turns up. We've checked the train, it's clear."

"We intend to, and thanks."

"Tonks, it'll be best if you went with them," Shacklebolt added.

"Right you are then boss," she answered.

"And I suggest it's time you left Miss," Shacklebolt said to Cho Chang, who seemed to visibly melt under his gaze.

"Cho!" Harry said as she began to turn away...

"Yes Harry."

"Be careful, ok. Your boss is a nasty piece of work. He employed Umbridge after all, so watch your back."

"Ok, and thanks Harry you've really helped me. This is just what I need."

"One more thing, if Rita Skeeter gives you any trouble, just say that you'll have to have a word with Hermione Granger. That'll stop her bugging you." Cho looked startled at this, but managed a confused smile before being escorted off by Shacklebolt.

"Hey, hey what's all this then the great and noble Harry Potter has some dirt, on the greatest dirt digger of them all," Tonks said grinning from ear to ear.

"Don't ask me what it is. It's Hermione's secret to tell, not mine."

"Oh I don't need to know the secret. I already know what to threaten her with. Should the need ever arise of course. Now then where are your trunks?" she asked looking around as though expecting them to magically appear.

"We've already sent them on Tonks," Ginny said. "How's Remus doing?"

"Oh he's as well as can be expected this soon after a full moon, but never mind him Ginny tell me all about Harry. I've heard a rumour that he has a tattoo on his chest of a Hungarian Horntail." A rumour, Harry thought, that Ginny had started.

"Now Tonks a lady never tells," Harry said.

"Good thing I'm not a lady then," Ginny said with a wicked grin. "It's true he does have a tattoo of a Hungarian Horntail. It breathes real fire, and roars when you tickle it under the chin."

"Ooh can I have a go," Tonks said.

"No I'm sorry it's far too dangerous," Ginny said managing to keep a straight face. "I'm the only one who can control it. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Ah please, I'm an experienced Auror, and I'm dating a Werewolf. I can handle it," Tonks said as she made a terrible attempt at pouting. By now they had reached the Prefects compartment, which consisted of five ordinary compartments knocked together, with scattered seating spread haphazardly throughout.

"Tonks act your age," Harry said laughing, but with his arms firmly crossed against his chest. He sat on a sofa in the far corner, and lowered the nearest blind to stop anybody from looking in.

"Where's the fun in that," Tonks said lowering the rest of the blinds, and lighting the lamps so they could see. Harry's last clear glimpse of the platform let him see the first people arriving on it.

"I can't believe you've never been fired."

"Oh I get warnings all the time, but I'm special you see, and they need my unique abilities, so I get away with just about anything. That said I know when to be professional. Which unfortunately is right now. You two lovebirds stay here, and get comfy, while I stop anybody who has no business being here from entering." Tonks then slide open the door, gave them a wink, and left.

"She's barking mad," Harry said as Ginny snuggled in closer.

"Well she was right about one thing, she is unique," Ginny said.

"And so are you."

"But it seems I'm not smart, and pretty though."

"When did I say that?"

"You haven't, but you've never called me that, unlike Cho."

"Oh I see! Of course you're smart. In fact you're way smarter than me."

"But I'm not pretty?"

"No… no I don't think that does you justice," Harry paused.

"Don't stop there Mr Potter, unless you enjoy pain." Harry smiled back at her, ignoring the attempt at a death glare.

"You're beautiful, and you will always be beautiful, even when you're old, wrinkle and grey. A person who is pretty can only be pretty for a short while."

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Of course I do, and I will always think that." Ginny gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"That was a nice thing you did."

"What?"

"Giving Cho an interview."

"Well she's had a rough few years, it may help her, and it doesn't cost me anything."

"You're a kind soul Harry."

"She may not be so happy once they rearrange her story to suit whatever the current angle is." The sliding door of the compartment opened and Shacklebolt entered.

"Mr Shacklebolt is there a problem?" Harry asked reaching for his wand without thinking about it.

"No problem Mr Potter, and please I think we've known each other long enough now. Call me Kingsley."

"Only if you call me Harry."
"And I'm Ginny."

"I'd be honoured to. The reason I've come back is to say something that needs to be said." Shacklebolt hesitated and drew breath. "What I'm about to say comes not only from me, but just about every other Auror in the Division. Should you ever need help, let us know, and we'll be there to back you up. Whatever the circumstances may be." Harry was dumbstruck.

"Wow, that's quite a statement," Ginny said. "Are you sure about such an open ended offer."

"I'm quite sure. Before you two finished off Voldemort we were losing. We knew that, most if not all of us, were going to die one way or other. Thanks to you two most of us survived. We all owe you a debt that will be difficult to repay."

"I appreciate the offer Kingsley, but won't it depend on whose going to head your department after the election of the new Minister," Harry said.

"It won't matter Harry. This is a Wizard debt of honour, and as such comes before any other." Harry didn't really know what to say.

"Kingsley on behalf of both of us, I accept your debt, and I hope we never have to call on it." Harry looked at Ginny in surprise, was this something else that he didn't understand because he was brought up with muggles.

"Thank you Ginny. Thank you Harry. I'll inform the rest of the Division that you've taken up the offer of our debt. I hope you have a great final year at Hogwarts. I know I did." Shacklebolt said with a smile and then gave a slow bow turned around, and without a backwards glance left.

"Blimey that was unexpected," Harry eventually said.

"Yea it was," Ginny replied. "Still I can't see a downside to having a debt like that owed to us."

"I suppose not," Harry said still in shock at the whole episode. "Mind you there must be an opportunity in this debt thing to play a prank on old Tonks. I could get her to clean my room or something."

"You'll do no such thing Harry," Ginny said with venom. "This is a serious matter, not even Fred or George would treat this lightly."

"Ok, ok I wasn't being serious."

"Good, I suggest we just forget about it for now," Ginny said as the compartment door opened again.

"What are you forgetting?" Ron said.

"It's none of your business Ron," Hermione said pushing Ron in. "Hi Ginny, Harry I see you made it in plenty of time."

"We were so early the train wasn't here," Ginny said.

"We thought we'd beat the crowds this year," Harry added.

"That's good, now Harry you've just got enough time to go over the prefect rosters, before the others turn up," Hermione then dug deep into the overflowing bag she had carried in, missing the looks the other three gave each other.

"Hermione you wrote the rosters didn't you?" Harry asked.

"You know I did."

"And no doubt you checked them yourself."

"Well of course."

"Hermione when have you ever asked me, or Ron for that matter to check your homework in the six years we've been going to school together."

"Well I think I might have asked a couple of times about defence against the dark arts."

"No you haven't. I would have remembered, in fact it would be etched into my brain. My point is that I don't have to check them, you don't make mistakes. At least any mistakes that I might notice."

"You're Head Boy Harry you need to know!"

"Hermione you don't understand the power of your reputation. If a query comes up people are going to come to you, not me. When Professor McGonagall needs any information, she'll turn to you, not me."

"So explain to me what you're going to do as Head Boy," Hermione was working up a head of steam, and Harry was secretly pleased to see the old Hermione returning in full flood.

"Whatever you tell me to do. I never wanted the job. I only took it for the private room that comes with it." Harry shivered as Ginny ran her hand up and down the back of his neck.

"You're going to be as much use as Ron, aren't you?"

"Hey!" Ron said.

"I promise I'll do my share, but please don't ask me to be keen," Harry said trying not to be distracted by Ginny's wandering hand.

"So it's true then," a voice said from the corridor.

"What's true" Ron said, "and who are you?"

"Ron don't be rude," Hermione said.

"Hi Palladino," Ginny said. "Come on in, we won't bite." The Slytherin prefect eyed them all suspiciously, before entering the compartment, followed by a number of others.

"It's true that you're coming back to Hogwarts."

"Yep," Ginny said. Sean Palladino was still not looking happy as he found a seat as far away as he could, and sat down. He was joined by five of his house mates. Harry looked over, and was saddened by their self imposed isolation, but didn't make any comment. It was too much to hope that attitudes would have changed so soon.

His thoughts were interrupted, as a horde of other prefects piled into the compartment laughing and joking. The time until the train left the station, was taken up with introductions and offers of congratulations. It was only bearable because Ginny was beside him, giving him physical as well as moral support.

Harry found people's reactions to him odd, as they ranged from the tongue tied, to the over enthusiastic, Harry was grateful that the Creevy brothers weren't prefects. He fervently hoped that things would improve, because he was sure he'd be unable to handle this for a whole year.

"Relax Harry it won't be like this for ever," Ginny whispered in his ear knowing what he had been thinking.

"Look much as I'm sure you're all enjoying this love fest, could we please get on with the meeting. I don't want to be stuck in here with you lot any longer than I have to," Sean Palladino said. A silence spread across the compartment, and many faces turned and glared at him.

"Well I'm not sure I agree with the sentiment," Harry said breaking the silence, "but I agree we'd better get on with the meeting. First off I'd like to apologise to whoever was going to be Head Boy if I'd hadn't returned this year. Don't ask me who it was going to be Professor McGonagall hadn't made up her mind when she offered it to me." Harry would have continued but was interrupted by Palladino.

"What is she doing her?"

"I'm sorry," Harry said.

"I said what is she doing her? She's not a prefect" This time he pointed at Ginny.

"She as you put it is here because I want her here to be, and I'd appreciate a more respectable attitude in future," Harry said his temper just below the surface.

"Or what, you'll kill me."

"Manners cost you nothing Palladino, but I will not tolerate your rudeness to Ginny, or any of my friends. Do I make myself clear? Ginny stays as long as she wants to, and any threats or actions will be taken very personally by me." Harry was puzzled by the boy's reaction, as far as he could remember they had never even spoken to each other at Hogwarts, never mind crossed swords. Maybe he was just trying to take over Malfoy's position as chief git.

Palladino glared at him, but said nothing more. The other Slytherin prefects looked on anxiously at the silent confrontation, and only when a female Slytherin prefect touched Palladino's arm did he break eye contact with Harry. Harry looked around the compartment and found that nobody else would meet his eye. Were they now all so scared of him that they couldn't look at him, had he become so separated from the rest of the population? The thought depressed him more than he cared for.

"Right," Hermione said breaking the tension, "I've got a copy of the Prefects Roster which runs up to the end of term. The good news is that we have more prefects than normal so there will be fewer duties for everybody, giving everybody more time for their studies." Then with a large wad of parchment in her hand she walked around the compartment handing out a copy to everybody. When Harry received his he was only half surprised to find his name at the top written in Hermione's neat handwriting. Hermione must have personalised each copy, why he couldn't imagine, but it was so like her he had to suppress a snort.

"Harry."

"Yes Gin,"

"Do you mind if I go and find Luna. This looks like it's going to be really boring." Harry could see why she thought this, because Hermione was conjuring an easel, and placing a larger copy of the roster he had been given, on it. He had a sudden urge to leave as well, but knew he couldn't.

"A part of me wants you to stay and endure the lecture with me, but I'm not that cruel. Besides I'd like to know how Auntie Luna is doing, bring her back once the meetings finished would you."

"Of course, I'll see you in a bit."

"You owe me." Ginny then stood up, and slipped out unnoticed. Harry tried, he really tried, but he couldn't concentrate on what Hermione was saying. Ron was looking zoned out, no wonder he had never mentioned what went on at these meetings he didn't stay awake long enough to find out.

Instead he found himself thinking of what Hogwarts would be like without Dumbledore's presence as he watched the scenery flash past outside drawing them ever closer to the Castle. Could it ever be the same as he remembered it? More frightening than that though, was he the same person he had been before Dumbledore's death? Just how much had he changed, and would he be able to relate to anyone outside his close circle of friends.

Harry sensed someone looking at him so he turned away from the scenery and saw Palladino staring at him. Harry felt he had become a better judge of what people were feeling over the last year. He suspected that had come from his Legilimency skills. Palladino was close to boiling over in rage. His first thought that he was trying some Slytherin power game was wrong. There was far too much hate under the surface for that. He was tempted to enter Palladino's mind for just a brief moment, but decided not to. It was an act of last resort.

"Ok everybody I think that covers everything, unless there are any questions," Hermione said waking Harry up from his thoughts. There was a universal shaking of heads. "Harry anything you wanted to add?"

"Not really, except someone once said that your school days are meant to be the best days of your life. I'm not sure I can agree with that considering what's happened over the last few years, but I think that this year we should strive to make it an unforgettable experience."

"That's it, is it!" Palladino shouted. "You can just shrug off all the people you've killed with a few platitudes."

"I'm sorry Palladino have I wronged you in some way, because up to a few minutes ago I only really knew you by sight." A strange calm had come over Harry, despite the anger being vented his way.

"What you've killed so many that you don't know who you've murdered."

"Yes I admit I've killed people, and yes I admit I had no idea who most of them were. I never had the privilege of being introduced to them. One person in a Death Eater mask looks much the same as another."

"So you admit you killed my father then." Harry sighed internally, Palladino's anger had a reason, and nothing he was going to say or do would ever change that.

"I won't lie to you, I might have done, but there's no way of knowing." Harry was still looking at Palladino, but out of the corner of his eye he saw the pained expression on Hermione's face, and knew what she was thinking. Ron he could see was trying to decide between comforting her, and pounding Palladino into dust.

"Yea right like you're going to tell me the truth," Palladino snapped and stormed out of the compartment, followed by the other Slytherins.

"The bastard," Ron said his face bright red with anger. "How dare he accuse you of murder. His bloody father was a Death Eater. He was trying to kill us, and the pillock thinks we're in the wrong."

"Ron he's lost his father," Harry said.

"So what, lots of people have lost fathers. We visited an orphanage full of children who had lost both parents, probably thanks to that git's father."

"Ron remember how you felt when your dad was hurt."

"Of course I bloody do."

"He's feeling that and much worse, don't expect him to be rational about it."

"I don't see how you can be so calm about it," Ron persisted.

"He needs somebody to blame for his pain, and Harry is somebody he can lash out at," Hermione said having regained some of her composure.

"Well watch your back when he's around. I don't trust him."

"And neither do I Ron, neither do I," Harry said. "Now I'm hungry does anybody know where the food trolley is."

"Don't worry dear husband of mine. I think I have covered all your culinary desires," Ginny said entering with Luna loaded with packages. The compartment had almost emptied, leaving the five of them plus two Hufflepuff prefects who seem far more interested in each others lips than anything else.

"Thanks Gin," Harry said grapping a pumpkin pasty off the pile off she was carrying. "And how is Auntie Luna?"

"I'm very well thank you Harry. I don't need to ask how you are. I've never seen you so full of the Pikwees." Luna was still wearing her butterbeer necklace, but he saw that she had added her order of Merlin third class to it, without the gaudy ribbon.

"I'm full of Pikwees that's nice," Harry said with a straight face. "Tell me Luna do you know what Neville is up to."

"I don't know Harry, he's been very secretive. I think he's been infested with Spiret mites."

"You might be right Luna, Still I expect we'll find out one day." Conversations with Luna never got any easier, but Harry had learned to go along with them, rather than fight them. He could hear Hermione muttering under her breath behind him.

"There's an article in the Quibbler about them, do you want to look at it?"

"I'd love to," Luna beamed at him, and handed her copy over to him. Harry smiled at her, and as he turned round he gave Hermione a quick wink when he saw her shaking her head in disbelief. When he sat back down on the sofa Ginny joined him, and they passed the hours reading, eating and talking.

"Harry I think we're about half an hour out from Hogwarts," Hermione said. "I'm going to go down the train making sure everybody has changed into school robes."

"Sit down Hermione, I'll do it," Harry said. "I could do with stretching my legs anyway. Do you want to come with me Ginny?" Ginny had her nose deep in the Quibbler.

"I want to finish this puzzle, it shouldn't take long, can you wait a moment?" Harry didn't both answering, Ginny's eyes hadn't even left the page. Ron was playing Luna at chess, and having a hard time at it. It seemed her illogical moves had, as always, some sort of strange weird logic behind them. Hermione was leaning back reading a book entitled, 'Transfiguration beyond NEWT Level'.

Even though he had volunteered himself standing by the door he felt nervous, and he couldn't pin down the reason for it. He was being irrational. Everybody on this train was going to be at school with him for the next year, if he couldn't face them now, and deal with their reactions to him, he might as well give up, hide at home and never leave again. Gritting his teeth he set off without looking back, so he never saw the smile of relief Ginny gave to his retreating back.

In the end Harry had very little to do, most students had already changed, so he passed by without comment. The reactions though were wide ranging. He saw fear in the odd face, his argument with Palladino had spread. There was what he hoped was respect, but mostly it was surprise and to his discomfort something that looked like awe. When he had to speak the student usually jumped up and started to unpack his robes. It was in the last but one carriage that Harry heard shouting, and the sounds of spells being cast. Without thinking he drew his wand and burst into the compartment.

"Drop your wands, NOW," he bellowed. He heard two little squeaks, and the sound of wands hitting the floor. His heart pumping he looked around at the scene in front of him, and was unable to stop laughing.

Two first years had managed to hex each other. One was covered head to toe in a pattern of brown and white fur some of it up to two foot long. There was so much fur that Harry wasn't sure if there was a boy or a girl under it. The face was completely covered.

The other one was not much better off, a girl, if the long curly blonde hair was any indication. The face was covered in what looked like bright red dragon scales, and by her fidgety movements the scales must have covered most her body, even covering her eyes.

"Right what's been going on?" Harry said to the girl.

"She started it."

"I did not," a voice said from under all the fur.

"Yes you did you called me a Hippogriff's butt."

"Yea well you called me a…"

"Enough," Harry said not wanting to listen to the argument that had lead to this in the first place. "Right lets start with your names first."

"Hilary Widdick," said the fury girl.

"Irene Widdick," the other one said.

"Twins then."

"Yes," they both said together.

"And are you normally identical?" Harry asked trying not to laugh. Both of them nodded. "Can either of you see at all?"

"No," they chorused

"Can this be reversed?" Irene asked.

"I expect so. Tell me what spells you used first though."

"I don't know, I just kept pointing my wand at her," she wailed.

"I don't know either," Hilary added, "Oh mums going to kill us. We only got our wands today. She said we couldn't be trusted."

"Wise woman your mother. Well I don't think I'd better try reversing your spells, but I do know somebody who's more than competent."

"Can we see them now," Irene said. "I don't want to be expelled before we even get to Hogwarts."

"No I'm afraid not. Madame Pomfrey is the school nurse. She has plenty of experience in this sort of thing. Deals with it all the time"

"How much trouble are we in," Hilary mumbled from under all the fur.

"Well that depends on the Head Girl. I hear she's very, very strict and hates this sort of wild behaviour."

"Do you know her at all, could you speak to her for us." Harry was wondering how long he could keep on teasing them.

"What about the Head Boy can he help?"

"I'll have a word and see what I can do. Now you two stay here."

"I can't see, how can I go anywhere," Irene said.

"I can't either. You're not very bright are you?" Hilary added.

"Well I have been accused of that in the past. Now like I said, both of you stay here. That way you won't cause any more damage, and I'll let the Head Boy and Girl know what's going on. Then I'll come back and take you both to the Hospital Wing. We'll be arriving soon."

"You won't forget about us will you?" Hilary asked.

"Well I'm not very bright, but I'm not likely to forget about you two. By the way I've taken your wands, ok," Harry said.

"Ok, I'm sorry I suggested you weren't very bright," Hilary said.

"Apology accepted."

"Sorry but what's your name," Irene asked as Harry reached the door.

"Harry, my name's Harry."

"Thank you Harry," they both said together. He was chuckling to himself all the way back to the Prefects compartment, earning himself some strange looks.

"I was about to send out a search party," Ginny greeted him when he returned.

"I ran into a right pair of trouble makers. I'm going to have to take them to see Pomfrey when we arrive. Did you finish your puzzle?"

"What?" Ginny said. "Oh right, I wasn't doing a puzzle. I just thought you should go without me to holding your hand. You seem to be getting a little phobic about meeting anybody new these days."

"You really think that?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't and you know it's true." She was right of course but he didn't think he had been so obvious.

"You're scary sometimes," Harry said gazing into her eyes. "You see right through me don't you?"

"Oh you surprise me on occasion. Sometimes it's frightening, sky diving honestly, other times you make my toes curl," Ginny flushed, and so did Harry.

"I enjoy making your toes curl. Look when we arrive could you let Hagrid know that he's going to be two first years short. I'll see you at the feast."

"Sure, I'll save you a seat." Ginny said as the train began to slow down.