Chapter Thirty-Two - Back to Hogwarts

It was the first time Harry had ever experienced a reluctance of going back to Hogwarts. Summer was ending meaning that he had to leave Sirius and Remus behind.

"Luckily you don't have to leave behind all of us, Snape will be joining you on the train ey", Padfoot would joke at him every time Harry found himself in a slumber about leaving.

But here he was, a bonecrushing goodbye was given, and surprising to all, Remus was the first to drop a tear. Resulting in Sirius' waterfalls, and Harry ending up having to comfort the two 'adults' in the room.

Hermione and Ron still hadn't written all summer, and though it was explained to Harry and he understood, it still hurt. Still, if he had learnt anything over the summer it was that socially excluding himself was not helpful... not helpful at all. And so here he sat in their compartment, waiting till the train conducter would blow his wistle untill the Weasley's and Hermione would come stumbling into the train.

He was glad Remus had a sense of time planning.

He reminded himself to thank Remus once again for his sense of planning and preparations as he heard Ron shout somewhere in the corridors that he "Shite, I forgot my books!", while Hermione responded immediately what in Gods name he meant since he didn't read any books. It was then that Ron came in the picture in front of their compartment looking both affronted and flushed.

"My Chudley Chanons and signed magazine by Ryan Bremsley the goal keeper, OF COURSE"

Hermione could have crushed her brain by the intense eye roll that took place if not for her sight of Harry. Who was now trying to keep his laughter for the intensely mundane conversation of how predictable Ron and Hermione could be.

"Harry! We were wondering if we would see you on the train." Ron practically fell on the seat next to him, meanwhile the tenth bonecrushing hug was given by Hermione herself.

"Oh Harry, we have been so worried. We were so sorry we couldn't write, Dumbledore forbid us and well you know Dumbledore, he probably knows best you know."

Harry had to stop himself from scowling at Hermione. He had to keep reminding himself that following the rules was something admirable. How could he have expected his friends to go against the greatest wizard of the century just to write him some letters.

"It's okay guys, I know you were not allowed, Padfoot told me."

"PADFOOT, as in Sirius? Mate we thought you were still with the Dursleys. Mom tried so many times to convince Dumbledore to let you stay with us, but he wouldn't budge. When we heard from the dementors, I swear, Hermione and mum gave a real show in screaming at Dumbledore, you should have seen it mate, first time I saw Mione stand up to Dumbledore himself, legendary"

"Yeah yeah Ronald, as you keep reminding me on daily basis okay, I am not very proud of it so please stop the hero stories if you wouldn't mind. But Harry we weren't allowed to contact you. Dumbledore only told us he made sure you were safe after the dementors and he got rid of the expulsion case, which I would still like to research by the way, it was absolutely disgusting, the ministry is just useless. I am sorry to say guys. However, back to the point, Harry what has happened, you look better than I have seen in you in a long time, what have we been missing?"

It was nice to see his friends again, bickering and worrying. Some things never changed apparently. While the tiniest annoyance of his friends' lack of priorities still remained in the back of his mind. The compartment, the worrying glances from Hermione, the distracted wandering eyes from Ron, it felt safe and pleasant once again.

The rest of the train ride was spent with Harry filling in his two best friends (he still needed to decide on what to call Draco) about his summer. The dementors and the Dursleys were glanced over quickly, Potter manor was told in many details, and Draco's visit was definitely skipped. Hermione had nodded approvingly when his occlumency meditation lessons were mentioned as well as Remus's long talks on psychology. While Ron was just a perfect listener of grunts, oohs and laughs at the correct moments.

The train ride ended with Hermione in excruciating detail trying to explain to Harry about her new ideas on the S.P.E.W. As well as questioning him on Tilly's physical and mental state. Ron just kept laughing leaving a clueless Harry behind. Perhaps introducing Hermione to Draco wouldn't be just a bad idea, they could spar far better on changing the wizarding culture and leave him the hell out of it.

Yes, Harry finally felt ready to face his sixth year at Hogwarts.