It was so strange for Harry to not only be on time for the train, but to be early. Amelia had awoken both he and Susan in plenty of time to dress, eat, and gather their things in preparation for heading to King's Cross Station. Not only that, but she had checked to make sure they were packed and ready to go the night before.
Harry wondered if Ron had even started packing or if he would do it all in the morning as he usually did.
Amelia apparated them into London only a few blocks away from the train station, and led the teens to the station. When Harry passed through the barrier that hid Platform 9 and 3/4 he was shocked to see the platform relatively empty. But it wasn't long before it started to fill with returning students, and the awed first years.
Harry and Susan found a compartment and stowed their trunks, and returned to await some of their friends.
Hannah was the first to arrive, looking very excited for the start of term. She and Susan began talking as they scanned the growing crowd of faces for anymore of their friends. A few more of their Hufflepuff class mates showed up, some boarding the train, others stowing their luggage and returning to the platform to join Hannah and Susan. Harry was beginning to feel forgotten until Neville arrived.
After he greeted Hannah with a soft kiss, he clasped Harry's hand, and the two boys lugged Neville's trunk onto the train.
"I imagine that Hannah's going to want you to sit with us." Harry smirked as he guided Neville to the cabin he and Susan had taken, and helped get Neville's trunk onto the train.
"When she finishes with her Prefect meeting, yeah. I don't know why, but I keep having this feeling that this year's going to be really good." Neville smiled as they finished stowing the trunk.
"Could it be that you're starting the year dating a very attractive witch?" Harry smirked, and Neville shrugged, though he was grinning like a fool.
"Maybe. But I just feel like, I don't know. Like I'm going to do really well this year. I did a lot of advance reading over the last few weeks, and I feel like I understand it all a bit better than I normally do. Also, My Uncle Algie started teaching me Occlumency, and I think it's helped my memory. I don't forget stuff all the time."
"At least you didn't have Snape teaching you." Harry quipped.
"Oh gods, can you imagine. I think he'd just hammer my mind without telling me what I should be doing. Just torturing me for the fun of it." Neville shuddered. He didn't see Harry's lip curl with irritation.
"You want to go see if anyone else has made it yet?" Neville asked. Harry nodded and the two boys went back out on the platform, where the girls were standing.
"I've got to get going." Amelia said to Harry as he reemerged from the train. "I want you to study hard, but don't forget to make time for each other."
"I won't." Harry promised, thinking it was unlikely he'd forget to spend more time with Susan. After the previous day, he could barely think of anything else.
"I want to thank you Harry. Not just for what you did the night we were attacked, but for taking Susan and I in, and everything else. I know that this summer has been stressful to say the least, but you've kept your cool, and adjusted to it all."
"If I want to survive, and not going round the twist, I have to." Harry smirked.
"We all do." Amelia smiled. Then she surprised Harry and gave him a warm embrace. "I am glad it was you."
"Me too." Susan said, coming up beside the two of them, and hugging her Aunt goodbye. Harry heard Amelia whisper something to Susan, but couldn't make it out. The head of the Magical Law Enforcement gave her niece a final long squeeze and then said goodbye to the both of them. Susan then turned to Harry with a warm smile, and took his hand. "Shall we get on the train?"
"Have you seen Ron or Hermione?" He asked, looking around for any sign of his friends.
"No, but I know they'll be here. Besides, both of them are Prefects, so you won't even see them until after the Prefect meeting, right?" Susan asked. Harry nodded a bit sadly, and Susan kissed him softly, causing his frown to vanish.
"Come on, I'll keep you company until they show up." Susan smirked, and Harry nodded.
When the train began it's journey, it was only Harry, Susan, and Neville in the cabin, as Hannah had to attend the Prefect's meeting. Within minutes though, Wayne Hopkins, Sally Anne Perks, and Justin Finch-Fletchley stopped by their compartment. They kept up a steady stream of light conversation going for nearly an hour until Harry saw his best friends walking by the cabin.
Harry got to his feet to follow them, but Susan made him wait so she could join him. The couple caught up with Harry's friend in the next car, and the four went in search of another compartment that they could sit down together. They found one at the end of the train with only one occupant, whom they all knew.
"Hello everyone." Luna Lovegood smiled her sweetest dreamy smile, and they all said hello in return. Luna had the latest issue of the Quibbler in her hands. Her long dirty blond hair had been braid, and hung over her shoulder.
"Harry, you're never going to believe this. Malfoy resigned as Prefect. They gave it to Nott." Ron said excitedly.
'That's a bit odd, isn't it?" Susan asked. "He loves power, why would he give up being a prefect and being able to make the younger kids' lives hell?"
"It is odd." Harry nodded. "And I think it might have to do with his strange behavior at Madam Malkin's."
"What strange behavior?" Hermione asked, clearly puzzled.
Harry explained what had happened while they had gone to get new robes for school, and the way Draco had screamed at the proprietor when she had tried to adjust his left sleeve.
"That doesn't really mean anything." Hermione said skeptically.
"I know, but Ron and I also saw he and his mother heading into Knockturn alley that day." Harry added.
"I told you I see a lot of people going down there." Ron pointed out.
"Ok, listen. I know that you both think I'm being paranoid or whatever, but can you both just think for a second. How often have I been wrong when I felt like something bad was going on? And don't say the Ministry because that wasn't my feeling."
Hermione and Ron looked at each other for a moment before they spoke.
"Ok, even if we were to believe you on this, and I'm not saying we do or don't. Just what is it are we supposed to do about it?" Hermione said. "I mean, what do you think Draco could possibly do while we're at school? I mean other than throw insults."
"He could do a lot." Harry mumbled.
"It might be a good idea to be to keep an eye on him." Susan suggested. "Though I don't know how you might manage that. And not to defend him Harry, but this is all really flimsy at best. You'll need something a bit more in order to suspect him of anything."
"I know. Harry sighed. "I just can't get over this feeling that something's changed, and that I need to watch out for him more than usual this year."
"Perhaps he's pledged allegiance to You-Know-Who." Luna said, making them all turn to stare incredulously at the blonde who simply blinked lazily back at them.
"Why in the world would you even think that?" Hermione asked.
"It makes sense if you think about it logically." Luna said. "His father was a Death Eater, and Draco is very fond of his father. Also, he hates Harry and it wouldn't be that large a leap for Draco to believe that it was Harry who put his father in Azkaban. But even beside that, Draco would love nothing more than to hurt Harry in anyway he could simply because people like Harry."
"While that's true, why would You-Know-Who take Draco? He's not even out of school." Ron said looking at everyone in turn before looking to Luna, who had an answer ready.
"What better spy than a student who could give a full report on Harry's day to day routine, and a list of all the people Harry spends time with. If you know all that, it would be easy to kidnap Harry."
Silence fell over them as they took in what Luna had said. Meanwhile, Luna simply raised the Quibbler and began to read again.
"I never even thought of something like that." Hermione admitted.
"That's a really horrible scenario." Susan nodded.
"If that is his plan, then I think maybe I should get in the habit of not getting into any habits." Harry said.
"Maybe you should keep your invisibility cloak with you all the time." Hermione said. "Maybe even use it between classes so at least appear like you're not taking the same routes to classes and things like that."
'That'd definitely make it harder to kidnap you if they can't see you." Ron smirked.
"There you are." Zach said, interrupting their conversation.
"Hi Zach." Hermione said, getting to her feet and embracing her boyfriend.
"I thought you were going to come find me after your meeting. I saw Hannah and Ernie, so I knew the meeting was over."
"I was just getting ready to, but I was talking with my friends." Hermione said, and Zach nodded.
"S'alright. How are you all?" Zach asked.
Each of them returned his greeting, save for Luna who looked to be examining Zach closely. A silence fell on them all, and everyone got caught up in watching how Luna stared at Zach.
"Luna, are you alright?" Hermione finally asked. The petite blonde nodded slowly and then she took a deep breath.
"I was just noticing that Zach seems to stare at your chest when he thinks you're not looking. It's the first sign of a serious wrack spurt infestation. He may need to masturbate more."
There was a brief moment of shocked silence broken by both Harry and Ron who burst into laughter. Susan joined them, while Hermione tried very, very hard not to laugh, though she was losing the battle. Zach's face turned the exact shade as the train they were all presently riding. He gave Hermione a scathing look which was what made the dam burst, and she doubled over with hysterics.
"Well, I don't think this conversation is going to get any better than that, so I think I'll go find my girlfriend. I'll see you guys at the feast Harry." Ron smirked as he left.
"Why don't we give these two a bit of privacy." Susan chuckled into Harry's ear. Harry nodded his agreement and they rose together. "Luna, would you care to join us further up in the train?"
"No thank you. I expect Ginny will come to keep me company soon." Luna smiled serenely.
Susan and Harry said goodbye to Hermione and a still blushing Zach and began heading back towards their original cabin. They were nearly there when they were stopped by a girl with curly black hair
"Can you tell me where Harry Potter is?" She asked exhaustedly. Harry saw that she was in Ravenclaw, so he knew she was at least a second year.
"He's right here sweetie, why?" Susan asked.
"I was asked to give him this." The girl said, presenting Harry with a small envelope. The girl hurried off, looking relieved to have accomplished her task.
"What is it?" Susan asked, peering over his shoulder to see the letter.
"An invitation to lunch.. .with Horace Slughorn." Harry said sounding strangely puzzled.
"Well what are you waiting for?" Susan asked, looking pleased.
"I wanted to spend time with you." Harry said, but Susan shook here head. She stepped very close to him and tugged on the lapels of his jacket, pulling him a bit closer.
"Harry, you and I will be spending loads of time together, not just this year, but many years to come. Having a lunch with a professor who may be able to help you in the future wont make or break our relationship."
"So you know about Slughorn's reputation?" Harry asked curiously.
"Auntie told me a little about him. She had him when she was in school." Susan smiled. She gave him a soft peck on his lips and then turned him around and gave him a soft push towards the front of the train. She followed until she got to the cabin where they had started the trip together where Hannah and a few others were now talking boisterously.
"Where's Harry going?" Hannah asked as Susan look a seat next to her. "The new Professor wanted to see him. He got asked to lunch."
"No kidding. Neville got one too."
"Really?" Susan looked surprised. "Now I'm curious. Auntie told me that Slughorn usually had favorites, most of whom have gone on to great jobs, thanks to him. I understand why he might want to have Harry to lunch. But Neville?"
"Hey!" Hannah said crossly. "Don't underestimate my Neville. He'll surprise you."
"You're right, I'm sorry." Susan said quickly. "But even you have to admit, Neville's reputation isn't all that great. I'm not saying he's bad, but you have to agree his performance in classes has been up to this point…less than average."
"Ok." Hannah said, irritably. "Yes, Neville's work has been less than stellar. But, that does not necessarily mean he's abysmal."
"No." Susan agreed. "No it doesn't. but this new teacher hasn't met Neville, so how could he already have an interest in him?"
"Neville was mentioned in the paper after the Ministry. The new teacher could have read about him." Hannah smiled, thinking she had just won the disagreement.
Susan decided it wasn't worth arguing over. She changed the subject and Hannah began to tell her all about what had happened during the Prefect meeting. Susan's mind was quite preoccupied as to just what this new professor's interest in Harry and Neville was, and who else might be in the invitation only lunch.
Susan wondered just exactly when she started being so concerned with Harry's well being.
Harry found Professor Slughorn already holding court with a handful of students in one of the front cars. Slughorn stood and greeted him with a firm handshake, and offered Harry a seat next to him. Harry sat down, and found a plate with a small pheasant, and some warm roasted potatoes which smelled quite nice.
"I'm sure you know most of my other guests, Harry." Professor Slughorn smiled. "Neville Longbottom says he's in your house. That charming young lady next to him is Daphne Greengrass. Cormac McClaggen, Marcus Belby, Blaise Zabini, and Ginny Weasley.
Harry looked at Ginny who wouldn't meet his eyes. She looked embarrassed, and a bit sad. Harry knew there wasn't anything he could do fix things. Even if he wasn't with Susan, he didn't think he and Ginny would have been together. Still, he felt sorry for her.
Slughorn began telling little stories about important people he'd helped get their starts, and then he explained how he knew a few of the students around the table. Harry found it tedious and a bit like Slughorn was boasting, though in spite of it, he found the new Potions Professor to be charming and likeable.
"Well now Harry, The Chosen One there calling you. Very interesting and exciting stuff, I dare say."
"Not really, sir." Blaise interrupted. "Having spent the last five years in classes with Potter, I have yet to see anything to make anyone believe he's anything special."
"Really? Slughorn looked puzzled. Harry wondered if perhaps Slughorn had expected all those present to be in awe of one another's talent.
"You'll have to forgive Zabini." Daphne Greengrass said with barely a smirk. "When one has an ego as vast as his, no one will ever compare to his own reflection in the mirror."
"Ho, ho, ho." Slughorn laughed a great belly laugh, shaking his finger at Greengrass. "Very witty, my dear, very witty indeed. Just like your mother. You need to watch yourself, Blaise. Still, you can not deny the talent of Mister Potter. I doubt anyone at this table could have made it all the way through the Tri-Wizard Tournament half as well. No, don't even try to convince me."
"Sir, it wasn't really all that spectacular." Harry tried.
"And to take on a dozen Death Eaters in The Ministry last year, now that's nothing to sneeze at."
"I wasn't alone." Harry said a bit louder.
"Oh, I am perfectly aware of that. Both Miss Weasley and Mister Longbottom were with you as I recall. What a battle that must have been."
"I still sometimes have nightmares." Neville whispered, but Slughorn hadn't heard him. Harry saw that Daphne Greengrass had, as she looked up interestedly at Neville.
"I confess myself very curious how six underage wizards got from Hogwarts to the Ministry. I never read anything about it, and I believe you ail would have been to young to apparate, not to mention it's impossible from within Hogwarts."
"Thestrals." Ginny said, looking up for the first time during their meal. "We rode Thestrals."
"Thestrals you say?" Slughorn looked very intrigued now. "Why, however were you able to see them? Surely not all of you have witnessed someone die."
"Harry, Neville and Luna could see them. The rest of us just held on." Ginny explained. "It's intensely frightening to be flying in the air, and not being able to see what's carrying you. I nearly fainted a half a dozen times."
"I've wondered all summer why you even went to the Ministry in the first place. How did you even know there were Death Eaters there?" Cormac McClaggen asked.
"That is an interesting question." Slughorn said with a nod.
"It was only supposed to be me." Harry replied. "The others weren't supposed to be there. Suffice to say I had reliable information that turned out to be fabricated in order to lure me there."
"What kind of information?" Greengrass wondered.
"Why didn't you go to one of the teachers with this information?" McClaggen asked. "Why did you need to act on it? Do you have some sort of hero complex?"
"He was starved for attention again." Zabini smirked. "Harry Potter, always needs to be on the front page."
"Watch your mouth Zabini, or I'll close it permanently." Neville snapped, glaring hard at the dark skinned boy, who actually flinched. Harry notice Daphne Greengrass smile ever so softly at this. He wondered why Greengrass was enjoying this so much.
"Now, now." Slughorn said, trying to defuse the volatile situation. He glanced at his watch. "Well the journey has slipped away from us. We're nearly at Hogsmeade station. I think you should all return to your compartments and change into your robes. It wouldn't do to show up at the school still dressed as you are. Now off you go, and thank you for joining me for lunch and interesting conversation."
They each thanked Slughorn for the invitation and headed off.
As Harry was following Neville back to where Susan was waiting for him, Ginny grabbed his arm and held him back a moment.
"I wanted to apologize to you for what I did. I never meant to cause any trouble for you and Susan. I think she's very lucky to have you, and you her. I know it will likely take a lot of time, but I would like to be a friend to both of you, if you'd let me."
"I wish I had something to say to you that could make things better, but I don't. I've always been your friend, but I've never felt more than that for you. You're an amazing girl, and you've been wasting your time waiting for me to get a clue and become attracted to you. Maybe now you can get on living your life, and we can truly be the friends we maybe should have been all along."
"You sound like my mum." Ginny smirked. "But you're right. And I am trying to move on. I did a lot of thinking over the last month, and I think I would like to be a real friend to you. I just think I'm going to need time to discover who 1 really am. Thank you for understanding."
"Anytime." Harry smiled.
Ginny rushed passed him, and Harry began to search for Susan when he heard a familiar drawl coming from a nearby compartment.
"I told you already that I don't know exactly how I'm going to do it." Draco Malfoy said irritably.
"I still can't believe it. Out of everyone it's you." Pansy Parkinson simpered.
"Mother was impossible to live with, but when it's over, she'll apologize for the way she acted. And father... well." Draco drawled.
"He's going to be so proud of you." Pansy cooed.
Harry chanced a glance into the compartment, but could only see Crabbe and Goyle looking more than a little bored from his vantage point. Draco began talking about nothing more important than gold and Quidditch, so Harry decided to find Susan and his friends. He didn't see Draco sneering as he passed.
"Where have you been?" Susan asked when Harry turned up.
"I tried to listen in on Malfoy. I thought he might talk about why he was in Knockturn Alley during the summer. He said a few things that were interesting, but I don't know what he was referring to.
"You need to change. We're going to be at Hogsmeade soon." Susan said, handing him his robes. "And you need to forget about Malfoy. I told you, unless you can get something substantial out of him, you're wasting time."
Harry smiled, and took his school robes from his girlfriend. Harry knew that he should listened to Susan's advice, but he just couldn't shake the feeling that Draco Malfoy was going to be a problem. His behavior in Madam Malkin's, the way he and his mother were acting as they entered Knockturn Alley. His resigning his prefect position. And the way he spoke to his friends. They all added up to something, but Harry knew he didn't have enough to get a clear picture. Though, and Harry didn't like thinking this because it made him feel like some kind of ego maniac, but Luna's theory might have been the closest possibility. That made Harry was a bully, and little more than that, but now, he was a bully with a purpose, and Harry felt that made him someone to be concerned about.
Unfortunately, Harry had little choice but to wait it out, and see what turned up.