"I still don't know why I had to come to this shithole. I mean, your twelve years old now for fucks sake. Back when I was your age, my old man was already sending me on solo jobs by myself. And that was in an environment that's far more dangerous than some trashy train station."

"Well maybe if you weren't such an idiot with our company's finances, you wouldn't have needed to force his parents to work on their day off. Probably the only reason why Harry and his mom haven't started using you for target practice is because you at least gave her the opportunity to cook a farewell breakfast."

"Which is probably the only reason why he's currently still able to walk considering what happened the last time Blitz tried to join in on our family 'get togethers'."

"Hey as your family's employer it's my job to ensure that you are still physically capable of dealing with our targets. And one of the best ways of doing that is to ensure that you have a balanced and nutritious breakfast. Even if Mills could stand to gain a little poundage in her che.."

"Finish that sentence and I'm throwing you on the train tracks."

While his threat caused Blitzo to pout in a manner that greatly reminded him of the less-than-lamented tub of lard that had been his cousin, Harry was nevertheless happy to see that that his employer was willing to listen to him.

At least when it came to lines that he wasn't willing to tolerate being crossed.

Sadly however, Blitzo quickly found another topic to complain about.

"Why the hell do these assholes have to take the train anyway? I mean, they have powers that mess with the fabric of the universe. And you're telling me that they can't invent a more efficient way to transport kids from point A to point B? Fucking idiots."

Knowing it would be a waste of time to point out that a significant amount of Hogwarts students had only been introduced to the existence of magic within the last decade, and that the leaders of Magical Britain weren't exactly keen to advance with the times, Harry decided to block out Blitzo's ramblings as they approached the pillar that separates Platforms 9 and 10.

He still found it idiotic that the magical government couldn't conceive of a less public gateway, but considering this was a society whose terrorist problem was saved by a baby, he shouldn't be too surprised by this lack of common sense.

Taking a brief look around to ensure that nobody was paying attention to him, which turned out to be a wasted effort since it was obvious that Loona's human disguise was once again drawing attention, Harry made a run for the slightly misnamed portal.

Only to find himself making a spectacle as his trolley, instead of effortlessly passing through the thing that divided 21st-century technology from the 19th, crashed into a wall that shouldn't be there.

He wasn't sure which was worse.

The fact that he was now the center of attention.

Or the fact that Blitzo was being his usual asshole self.

"HAHAHAHA! Oh man, that's the funniest thing I've seen since I walked in on Moxxie trying to buff up. Seriously kiddo, keep this up and you might just surpass your old man as my favorite target."

Resisting the urge to get back at his cackling employer, if only because it was neither the time nor place to indulge in the type of revenge he had in mind, Harry released a groan as he heard a voice that he really didn't want to deal with.

"Harry mate. You ok?"

…

While he knew his friend wasn't exactly the friendly type, especially when the likes of Malfoy or Granger were about to annoy him, Ron had never before been truly terrified of the black-haired Hufflepuff.

But the look he was receiving now was enough to make him experience, however briefly, the same fear he had felt when they had burst into the room with the giant three-headed dog.

Luckily however, his Mum was immune to the less-than-pleased expression that was currently being worn by his year mate.

"Are you alright Harry dear?"

Wincing a little as he heard Mum use THAT tone, Ron felt himself turning red as Harry's friend came to his defense.

"He ran headfirst into a brick wall that isn't supposed to be there. How the hell would he be all right from that?"

Normally whenever he encountered an angry woman, his first impulse was to hide or pretend to be elsewhere since in his experience, angry women like his mom, sister, or Merlin forbid his great aunt Muriel, were like a storm.

Scary, and potentially violent.

But when it came to the pony-tailed bombshell with the exposing clothes, he had the oddest thought that he wouldn't mind having her angry at him. If only because it meant that she acknowledged that he existed.

Which was something he was always more or less conscious about since his brothers and only sister tended to get more attention than he got.

Sadly however, his Mum reaction to the girl's sarcastic question was enough to make him wish that the earth would swallow him up.

"There's no need to use that sort of language young lady. And what on earth are you wearing? Last time we met I thought that your…choice of wardrobe was merely the result of some sort of passing Muggle trend. But this?! Have you no shame?!"

In his opinion, there was nothing wrong with the scowling girl's outfit.

Yes it showed more skin than he was used to. And by no means would he ever want Ginny to wear such a thing.

But apart from that, he honestly had no problem with it.

Though he had a massive problem with the clownish-looking guy.

"Oh please if anyone should feel shame here it's you. Your body shaming my beautiful and precious daughter, and your giving off some creepy parental vibes to a kid who isn't your own. I would have thought that after letting your body go after pushing out five kids you couldn't handle the stress of looking after another, especially with a moody little brat like the Kid. But I suppose I should be too surprised that you'd want another kid to look after since it means that you can beg for more welfare support."

Though he wasn't exactly sure what welfare was, he nevertheless understood that this guy was mocking his family for being both poor and numerous.

And it was only thanks to Harry's intervention that stopped him from cursing the bored-looking little toad.

"Blitz, shut up. Its bad enough that I can't get through the barrier. But if you keep antagonizing perhaps the only person who can deal with 'this' issue, at least legally, I'm gonna tell Stolas that you soiled his garden."

Enjoying the expression of horror that was currently being worn by the short man, even if he was somewhat confused by what Harry had been referring to when he meant 'legally', Ron let out a surprised, and sadly unmanly squawk, as the Twins proceeded to lift him into the air.

"Not that we don't believe you Harry mate."

"But you'll forgive us if we test this claim of yours."

"And if you say that the barrier to the platform is closed."

"What better way to test this than by using a living subject."

Unsure if 'Loony's' impression of him would be ruined if he struggled to escape his brother's grip or merely accepted his fate, Ron didn't have too long to ponder his predicament as he was thrown towards the pillar.

…..

Her Daddy was right.

Before the train had embarked on the journey that would take her to Hogwarts, she had already been confronted with perhaps the largest Wrackspurt infestation she had ever seen in her life.

In her search for a compartment, she had already come across several individuals who had sadly fallen under the influence of the personality-influencing creatures. Usually in people who wore snake or eagle badges on their robes.

And despite her best efforts to inform her new schoolmates of the presence of these hard-to-see creatures, she was either met with slammed doors, or at worst a barrage of insults that questioned her sanity.

Such words made her sad, but since her mom and daddy had always told her that people tended to lash out against things that scared them, she didn't let them get to her.

Even if their fears were making it rather difficult to find a compartment where she wasn't told to leave.

She had sadly been unable to sit with one of the few friends she had made before Hogwarts since the redhead had gotten rather irritable when she had tried to point out that she seemed to be being influenced by a creature that was like a Wrackspurt but wasn't.

And the last compartment had held a similar situation, although the feeling of the bushy-haired girl's Wrackspurt-like creature was more, for lack of a better term, nurturing than what she had sensed from Ginny's. But even then, the girl had made it plain that she didn't want to be bothered despite her slightly confused words of welcome.

Which meant that if this last compartment turned out to be a bust, she would be spending her first ride to Hogwarts wandering the train with her luggage like a swarm of Nargles without a branch of mistletoe to call home.

But while she could only hear two voices coming from the compartment, she nevertheless felt a pang of worry as she could tell that the conversation they were having was far from friendly.

"Honestly I don't see what the big deal is."

"Really? Your friend insults my Mum for being friendly, and THAT'S all you can say?!"

"Blitz insults people all the time. Hell before you and your clan showed up, he was already taking shots at my parents. And you don't see me still complaining about it. Besides, if anyone should be complaining about rude behavior it's me!"

"How the hell do you figure that?!"

"You weren't exactly subtle with your attempts to gain my other friend's attention."

"Do….do you think that she notic…"

"Noticed that you were acting like a scared little puppy? In all seriousness, I don't think so."

"Y…you mean I still might have a sh.."

Opening the door since it would be rude to make it appear that she had been listening in on a rather interesting conversation, the blond haired first year raised her hand to make her introductions.

Only to sadly lower it as one of the occupants proved to have prior knowledge of her.

"What do you want Loony?"

Opening her mouth to give what should have been an obvious answer, Luna felt her expression brighten as she heard the words of Ronald's companion.

"Clearly she's looking for a place to sit. Which means that you can go."

"Wha..but…why?!"

"Because if we are to remain….friends, which gives you perhaps one thing in common with the girl whose dad you were busy insulting…then the best thing to do is to use this time to clear our heads and come back when I don't feel the urge to push you off a moving train."

For a moment she thought that Ginny's youngest older brother would have gone off on another tangent. But surprisingly enough, he found some sort of inspiration to hold his tongue and leave the compartment.

And while she wasn't exactly a big fan of the youngest male Weasley, for he had the misfortune to be plagued with a special type of creature that made him envious of the accomplishments/potential of his siblings, she nevertheless still felt sorry for him.

Though that feeling was quickly replaced by one of curiosity as she took in the appearance of her compartment companion.

She already knew who this was of course, for before Ginny's Wrackspurt like infestation she had gotten a full description on what the Boy Who Lived looked like.

But it wasn't his admittingly good looks that caused her to stare.

And ask a question that neither her daddy or herself had ever thought to ask.

"Are you part Wrackspurt?"

….

Though the girl's question wasn't enough to make him regret kicking Weasley out of his compartment, it was enough to make him wonder if perhaps the Ginger had been right with his choice of labels.

Even if it was odd to hear that particular name being used on someone who wasn't the badass Hellhound he was proud to call his friend.

So, it was with a great amount of caution that he sought to understand the reasoning behind 'Loony's' question.

"Not….that I know of. I don't even know what a Wrackspurt is."

He wasn't sure if she should be happy or concerned by the girl's response.

For on one hand, she was willing to provide him an answer.

But on the other hand she reminded the second year Hufflepuff of a certain bushy-haired annoyance.

Even if the blond girl was far more mellow than Granger was.

"Well, a Wrackspurt is a creature that tend to influence a person's personality. Most people can't see them since their hides have special properties, and even if you manage to see one you'll never be able to tell them apart from appearances alone. But they all have similar effects on those they cling to. Moodiness, short tempers, sudden laughter, and sometimes they cause a person, usually boys, to be quite focused on how girls look when they wear tighter clothing."

Feeling his eyes widen as he realized that he had just encouraged the girl to have THAT type of conversation, Harry thankfully felt his panic morph into confusion as the blonde continued her explanation.

"Which is why I was confused since its only recently that I've come across people who have creatures that are like Wrackspurts, but not Wrackspurts, hanging around them. But you, its like you partially merged with one that wasn't fully developed. Which is weird cause I thought that Wrackspurts were born fully grown."

He didn't think it was possible.

But for the first time, he actually found himself missing the likes of Granger or Malfoy.

Because while they were both pains in his ass, Granger more than Malfoy due to the fact that it was easier to deal with a racist than a grade-grubbing teacher's pet, he could at least understand their thought process.

But this girl?

He had a feeling that there was no amount of liquor or recreational drugs, at least in the amounts he could easily get if he wanted, that would allow him to understand her thought process. At

However, since she was merely odd rather than annoying, plus the fact that he was predicting that her tenure at Hogwarts would include a fairly constant amount of bullying and isolation, Harry decided to do something he rarely did for those that weren't part of his 'inner circle'.

He said nothing, discreetly plugged in his earphones, and allowed the girl to talk herself into exhaustion as he listened to some heavy metal.

Yes it was rude.

But since the alternative was finding another compartment, or allowing other more irritating people to share his compartment if he kicked her out, he judged it to be a small sacrifice.

Cause after all, he didn't really care what his fellow students thought of him.

So long as they were smart enough to leave him alone.

….

Doing his best not to make a sound as he tended to his latest set of inflicted wounds, for his masters would undoubtedly add to his misery if they found him bandaging his hand from a wound that they hadn't ordered him to inflict, Dobby couldn't help but wonder as to why his efforts hadn't gone according to plan.

Perhaps there was some higher power that was punishing him for going against the wishes of his master. But considering that it had been a miracle that had resulted in the unexpected defeat of his master's master, the House Elf did not believe this to be the case.

Even if he was becoming slightly discouraged by his efforts to both worn and save Harry Potter from the danger that would be occurring at Hogwarts this year.

His attempts to intercept the mail of Boy Who Lived had been met with failure since the young Wizard never contacted those that the young master had identified as being his friends.

The sole exception being the daughter of his mistress's 'blood traitor' sister, but even then the communication between the two was brief. And more alarmingly carried out by an owl that looked like an owl, but possessed the type of intelligence one normally associated with Kneazles.

With that first failure, he had hoped to prevent Harry Potter's return to Hogwarts by sealing the barrier to the train that would take him to the castle.

For a brief moment, hope had surged through his breast as his magic had prevented the Boy Who Lived from passing through the platform.

But thanks to the arrival of the magical family that his master hated above all others, the barrier had been removed thanks to the efforts of the only member of the expanded group that could perform magic without running afoul of the human magical government.

Which meant that the vanquisher of the Dark Lord was now in danger of being harmed by his master's plan.

Something that hurt far worse than a burning hot stove.

He would try again of course.

But since his master's attention would soon be focused on the consequences of wielding the 'weapon' that had been entrusted to him by the Dark Lord, Dobby could only pray that the next time he had to save Harry Potter, it wouldn't be too late.

…..

ANNNNND gonna stop it here

Had intended for the chapter to be a bit longer, but I believe that the 2nd year sorting/1st day back deserves a chapter of its own.

Also, you'll be pleased to know that I HAVE started work on the next chapter of Vader Goblins Bane. It will take a bit…but hoping to have it released by, at the latest, early October.

Anyways, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Enjoyed writing the Luna bits and Dobbys pov. And also Ron's reaction to Loona, plus Blitzo's conversation with Mrs. Weasley.

As always please review. No flames

Til next time.