A/N Thanks so much everyone who's reading and following the story! I really do appreciate it! :)
The end of the summer was fast approaching, and Hazel found herself with mixed feelings.
On the one hand, the time she had spent at the Burrow had been the best of her life by a long, long way. Every day had been spent exploring the countryside around Ottery St. Catchpole with Harry and the Weasleys. Every evening ended around the Weasley's fire, playing wizard's chess, or exploding snap or even just reading. Ginny was so, so lucky to have this to come home to next summer. All she and Harry had to look forward to was a two month stay at Privet Drive with a hole for a window.
On the other hand, she was going to Hogwarts! The more the others talked about it, the more excited she got. She had wanted nothing more for a whole year and now it was so close she could almost touch it. Only a little fear stuck in her head; because how could Hogwarts ever be as amazing as it was in her dreams?
On the final evening of the holidays, Mrs Weasley cooked the most sumptuous dinner yet, steak and roast potatoes with a thick, rich gravy and a dessert of sticky treacle tart. Hazel ate and ate until it felt like she was about to burst. Even then she snacked on the crackers brought out to the table with the tea. Fred and George set off their Filibuster No Flame Wet Start Fireworks in the kitchen and everyone ducked and laughed as they bounced off every surface. There was time then for one last cup of hot chocolate, easily the best drink in the whole world, before everyone went to bed.
There was no chance of sleeping such was her excitement. She tried for a little while, gave up immediately and went back to reading Break with a Banshee. She'd not been able to put it down since Diagon Alley. Lockhart was so talented on top of being so handsome. She giggled at the thought of looking into those brilliant eyes, that brilliant smile.
"It's that good?" Ginny was sitting on her bed, writing in a black book propped against her knees.
"It's amazing," Hazel sighed and hugged her book, "He's amazing."
Ginny laughed, "Does someone have a crush?"
"No!," Hazel blushed, "I'm just very impressed with his skills"
"Of course you are," Ginny laughed, "I still can't believe it's finally here. I've been counting down to this day ever since Percy went. It's going to be brilliant."
Ginny finally turned the light out but there was no sleep. Not a hope, not with her nerves and excitement bouncing around her head like the twin's fireworks.
She must have drifted off at some point, because when she opened her eyes, it was to another fine Burrow morning with the sun just peeking over the horizon. It certainly wasn't quiet, not with the hens going mental outside. Hazel checked Ginny was still asleep and crept over to the window. Mr Weasley was in the yard throwing out birdseed for them.
There wasn't a hope of her going back to sleep and she might wake Ginny with her excited fidgeting, so Hazel got up, put on her dressing gown (one of Ginny's old ones) and went downstairs. Not even Mrs Weasley was up yet so the kitchen felt very empty even though the pots were still busy scrubbing themselves in the sink.
There was a fine mist in the courtyard and Hazel shivered despite the dressing gown. Mr Weasley was whistling to himself as he scattered the feed amongst the crowding, pushing chickens.
He looked up suddenly and Hazel froze. She flinched as she waited for him to shout at her for disturbing him, for scaring the chickens, for being a bother.
Mr Weasley, however, did none of those things. He did look rather guilty though.
"Good morning, Hazel," He said with a large smile, "Can't sleep?"
"No, Mr Weasley."
"Well, Molly will be up shortly. I just came out to…feed the chickens," He paused and glanced towards the house, "Would you like to finish? I'll go and check on…something in the garage."
"Okay," Hazel took the bucket. The hens abandoned Mr Weasley as soon as they saw their food change hands and bunched in around her slippers. They were very loud, constantly clucking and flapping their wings as they fought with one another and pushed to get at her hand. Ginny complained about feeding the hens, but they were quite funny. They had better manners than Dudley anyway. At least none of the chickens were going to flip a table in a tantrum over a burnt sausage.
By the time the bucket was empty, and the chickens had waddled off, Mrs Weasley was in the kitchen and music was drifting through the open windows. Mr Weasley still hadn't come back from the garage and, thinking that was the most likely place for a bucket to live, Hazel walked over to the open door.
It was very cluttered inside. Every shelf and spare space was littered with random muggle objects, an old telephone, a torch, a hairdryer, a yoyo and a burnt toaster amongst many others. The car was squeezed into the middle with just enough space to open the doors. Mr Weasley had the bonnet open and was leaning in, checking something. He was probably just making sure everything was working for the big journey today.
She placed the bucket on a shelf and knocked a cola can. Mr Weasley jumped at the noise and banged his head. He straightened up and rubbed furiously at his bald patch, face reddening.
"I'm sorry, Mr Weasley," she said as her insides churned fearfully. Why hadn't she just left the bucket in the yard? She had really annoyed him. Whenever Uncle Vernon went that colour, she'd be lucky to eat again that day, "I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Not at all," Mr Weasley said. He was looking through the garage window at the Burrow with even more guilty expression than in the yard, "I thought you were…well, nevermind. Wouldn't want Molly to think…anyway…are you done with the chickens?"
"Yes, I was just returning this," she held up the bucket, "But I'll go and leave you alone."
"No, no," he beckoned her over eagerly, "Come and see! You might be able to help me, in fact! Do you know what this does?"
He pointed at something in the engine.
"Sorry, Mr Weasley. I've never looked at cars very much."
"Not to worry," Mr Weasley chuckled, "I'll find out what it does eventually. I've been trying to make the car work under water, but it keeps interfering with the invisibility booster I fitted. I'll get it working eventually."
He patted the car affectionately, "It's such an elegant machine, such a clever way of getting around without magic. Did your uncle ever show you his car? Does it look like this one?"
Uncle Vernon, show her his car? He barely let her open the door, let alone poke about in the engine.
She shook her head.
"Ah well," Mr Weasley shut the bonnet, "Come on then, Molly will be wondering where we are. Oh, and I would appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Molly. Just wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea, you know."
She nodded in understanding. His secret was safe with her.
Not that there was any chance to spill anything that morning. The house was in total chaos as soon everyone else woke up, several hours too early in the twins' case. Potters and Weasleys rushed in and out of the kitchen to grab toast or tea while looking for socks or parchment or quills. People kept bumping into one another on the stairs while Mrs Weasley went from room to room like a bad-tempered tiger.
How Hazel's things had ended up scattered across the house, she had no idea. It must have been the ghoul, because she didn't remember leaving her school shoes on top of the kitchen cabinet. At least most of her stuff was together now. Ginny was way behind and getting worried.
"Have you seen my winter cloak?" She asked.
"I have it here," Hazel had found it in the kitchen with her own and brought it up.
"Thanks. Where are my quills?"
Hazel searched through Ginny's desk, "How are you so far behind?"
"I was writing in my diary, and I lost track of time."
"I didn't even know you had a diary. Here!" Hazel threw a handful of quills into Ginny's trunk.
"I just need my hat now. I think I left it in Ron's room."
"Okay," Hazel went back to finishing up her own trunk but looked up after a couple of seconds to see Ginny hadn't moved, "What's wrong?"
"Harry's in Ron's room."
"So?"
"Will you go get it for me?"
"Seriously?"
"I know I'm going to do something stupid! I nearly dropped the teapot on his foot this morning."
"Harry wouldn't care."
"Please? I'll do your potion ingredients for you?"
"Alright," Hazel sighed.
"Thanks!"
Everyone was eventually ready, with Ginny's Hogwarts Express ticket the last thing that needed found. Hazel found it in Fred and George's room where they'd drawn unflattering picture of their sister on the back. It kept moving and picking its nose. Ginny scowled as Hazel handed it over.
They all fitted into the old blue car surprisingly comfortably, given there were nine of them with seven trunks and three owls. Uncle Vernon's car definitely wasn't this roomy. There were buses that weren't this roomy. Hazel caught Mr Weasley's eye and smiled.
As they pulled out of the yard, Hazel turned to get one last look at the Burrow. She'd only stayed a few weeks, but it felt more like home than Privet Drive ever had. When would she see it again? Would she ever see it again, if she had to face Uncle Vernon next summer?
The answer turned out to be in about ten minutes. The car stopped in the courtyard so George could run in to get his box of fireworks. They reached the end of the lane this second time when they turned around again, as Fred had forgotten his broomstick. The third time they got as far as the motorway before Ginny realised her diary was missing and they had to go back.
By the time she got back into the car, black diary in hand, they were very, very late and Mrs Weasley's temper was starting to fray. They pulled out of the yard a lot less carefully this time and fourth time was the charm. No one else had forgotten anything or, if they had, they were happy to leave it in the Burrow rather than risk Mrs Weasley's rage. If Hazel had left an arm behind, she still wouldn't have dared ask the car to be turned around.
The traffic in London started to slow and a knot grew in Hazel's stomach. What if they missed the train? How were they going to get to school? Surely, she wasn't going to be late for her first day? Judging by Ginny's strained face, she was thinking the same thing.
They finally arrived at Kings Cross and Mr Weasley parked up haphazardly then ran across the street with Percy and the twins to get trolleys. This was her first time in Kings Cross, but such was their rush that it passed by like a blur.
"Come on, come on!" Mrs Weasley kept checking the large hanging clock in the station. It was five to eleven, "Only the platform now, hurry!"
Mr Weasley and Ginny didn't even slow down. They ran at the wall between platforms 9 and 10 and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Percy and Mrs Weasley went next.
Harry had told her about this part, but now she was here it seemed a very stupid thing to do. Both platforms were packed with muggles, how did no one see them disappearing? The owls were already getting plenty of attention.
"Come on," George stood grinning to one side and Fred the other, "We'll do it together. That way it's your fault if we mess up."
Hazel took a deep breath. It was an easy choice; stand here staring like an idiot or miss the train to Hogwarts. They ran at the wall with trolleys rattling furiously. Just before the wall she closed her eyes and waited for a crash that never came. When she opened them, there was a scarlet train shrouded in steam. Each carriage was packed with excited children hanging out the windows and doors, snatching last minute hugs and kisses or taking last minute items on board.
Mr Weasley waited for them just inside the barrier, "Go on, you three! Your mother is at the sixth carriage down!"
It was quite difficult to run with the trolleys and not hit anyone but they found Mrs Weasley by the open carriage door with Ginny poking her head out.
"Hurry up!" Mrs Weasley said as she watched the clock. Two minutes to eleven.
They heaved the trunks aboard then jumped in themselves. Where was Harry? There were so many people milling about the platform, but she knew she'd spot him. Surely the train would wait?
One minute to go. What was taking him so long?
The carriage doors were being closed. The train whistled shrilly.
"Mum!" Ginny called through the door.
"Don't worry about them, we'll get them to Hogwarts," Mrs Weasley said as their door was closed, "Have a good term!"
There was a jolt as the train set off with a hiss.
She couldn't believe it. Harry had missed the train. He had only been on the other side of the barrier. Was he okay?"
"What happened?" Ginny asked.
"Dunno," George said, "Maybe they got distracted before they could get through the barrier."
"Maybe someone distracted them," Fred gave his brother a dark look.
Hazel's stomach clenched horribly.
"Who?" asked Ginny. The twins looked at one another, "You don't mean Draco Malfoy?"
"Well," said Fred, "First he sends his house elf to try and stop you two going back to Hogwarts. Then Harry sees his dad trying to sell dodgy gear in Knockturn Alley. If Malfoy found out Harry knew what he was up to…"
Hazel's stomach spasmed again. Her mouth had gone very dry.
"Come on," George said, "Let's go find Malfoy."
They moved along the train, checking every compartment in each carriage. Each was full of happy, chatting students but there was no sign of Malfoy. They found Hermione in the third carriage, sitting in an empty compartment and looking moodily out the window. She looked around eagerly as the door slid open.
"Oh," she sighed in disappointment, "Hi everyone. Are Harry and Ron with you?"
They sat down and the twins explained what had happened.
"They missed the train?" Hermione put her hand over her mouth.
"We think someone stopped them on purpose," Fred muttered.
"Malfoy," said George.
"Malfoy?" Hermione said incredulously, "Why?"
"He must have found out that Harry saw his dad selling dark artefacts in Knockturn Alley," said Ginny.
"How?" Hermione scoffed, "It's not like they're sending each other owls every day."
"Dobby," said Hazel. She was trying very hard not to panic.
"Have you seen a house elf around the Burrow?" Hermione asked. How could she be so relaxed?
"Well, no," said George.
"So how could he find out? It's not like Harry was singing about it while brushing his teeth."
"No," Fred said.
"And I saw Malfoy earlier. He didn't look half as cheerful as he would if he knew something had happened to Harry."
"Okay," Fred put up his hands, "Okay, we get it. It wasn't Malfoy."
"What do you think happened then, Miss Mystère?" asked George.
"Miss who?" said Hermione.
"She's a private detective," said Fred, "Goes around solving magical mysteries."
Hermione looked offended, "Maybe they just missed the train?"
Fred clapped his hand to his head, "Of course! They missed the train! Why didn't we think of that?"
"No doubt about it," George said as the twins stood up, "The girl's a genius. We'll be with Lee if you make any other breakthroughs."
"Oh ha, ha," Hermione said as they closed the door, "I was starting to wonder though. I couldn't find them anywhere on the train."
"We were late," Hazel said. The panic was gone but her stomach was still twisting in knots. Maybe nothing bad had happened to Harry but he had still missed Hogwarts Express. And he had loved it so much last year. There were so many things he'd wanted to show her, "You definitely think they're okay?"
"Definitely," Hermione smiled, "Mr and Mrs Weasley will probably get them to Hogwarts before us anyway."
The Hogwarts Express quickly left London behind and they were soon chuffing through green fields and past massive, dark forests. It was amazing watching it all go by. There was nothing like this around Privet Drive, that was for sure.
After a few hours, an elderly lady came around with a snack trolley. Ginny had corned beef sandwiches for the journey but Hermione and Hazel clubbed together to buy a little of everything. It all tasted so good, though the chocolate frogs were weird. It was odd eating something that was trying to escape then hopped about in your stomach for a while.
"I can't wait for Defence against the Dark Arts this year," Hermione said as she ate a pumpkin pasty, "It was our most disappointing class, to be perfectly honest. We know why, of course."
A chill went down Hazel's spine. It was nothing to how she'd felt at the end of last year, when Harry had told her about his encounter with Lord Voldemort. He had come face-to-face with the most feared dark wizard to have ever lived, the man who had killed their parents.
And he had beaten him.
"This year will make up for it," Hermione said a little more brightly, "I really don't know how Dumbledore convinced Gilderoy Lockhart to teach at Hogwarts. He's one of the most skilled wizards in the world!"
Ginny had been checking out her chocolate frog card of Persephone and rolled her eyes.
"I didn't think much of him."
Hazel sighed. This was what she'd been putting up with since their trip to Diagon Alley.
"Have you read his books?" Hermione asked in astonishment.
"I glanced at them. They're alright."
"They're not alright, they're amazing!"
"He's fought everything," Hazel said eagerly, "Banshees, giants, golems, zombies, ghouls…"
"And it's not just his wand skills; it's his ingenuity, his courage, his humility…"
"His strong chin," Ginny smirked, "His perfect curls, his winning smile."
Hazel and Hermione looked at one another.
"Well," Hazel said without being entirely sure where to go. Her cheeks were getting a little warm.
"Yes," Hermione was going a little pink, "That's not the point at all…"
"Of course it's not," Ginny nodded seriously.
The door to the compartment slid open. Hazel thought it might have been the twins or Percy but no. It was Draco Malfoy, flanked by two boys who looked like they could be teachers rather than students, as wide as they were tall. Along with them was the blonde girl from Knockturn Alley. Hazel would have recognised that sneer anywhere because it matched Malfoy's perfectly.
"Ah, Granger," Draco said in a drawling voice, "I wondered what that smell was."
The two boys, who she assumed were Crabbe and Goyle, guffawed stupidly. The girl sneered even more unpleasantly. She would have looked quite nice if not for that horrible smile.
"Go away, Malfoy," Hermione snapped.
"This is where you don't want to end up," Malfoy said to his sister, for who else could she be? "You can always tell a Weasley because they dress like house elves."
Crabbe and Goyle snorted again. Ginny went pink and looked away.
"I've met this one before," said his sister in the same drawling voice as Malfoy and nodding at Hazel, "We saw her outside the Black Penny, lying in the mud."
"You mean she didn't start there?" Malfoy laughed cruelly, "I wouldn't care too much about her. No one else does."
Hazel's stomach clenched with shame. She felt as tall as a gnome. Her mind was a jumble as she tried to find something to say. Everything sounded so stupid in her mind. The Malfoys were so confident, they'd just laugh at her anyway.
"I said, go away," Hermione stood up.
"Is it true Potter and Weasley missed the train?" Malfoy said, "I can see why Weasley would want to stay away in those rags of his, but I thought Potter would want to show off his big head on the front of the Daily Prophet."
Hermione pulled out her wand.
"Keep your hair on, Granger. Though, seeing as it's you, perhaps not." Malfoy sneered, "Let's go find Longbottom. He's always a good laugh."
Hermione slammed the compartment door and scowled, "As if one Malfoy in the school wasn't bad enough."
Hazel and Ginny sat quietly. Was Ginny feeling the same as her? That excitement had dimmed a little bit.
No one else cares…
"Don't let Malfoy annoy you," Hermione said kindly as she sat back down.
Easier said than done.
The sun was just dipping below the horizon when the door opened again. It was a pale and round-faced boy holding a toad and looking worried.
"Hello Neville," said Hermione, "Malfoy's not here, don't worry."
"Thank goodness. I've been hiding in the toilet until they went past. A fifth year nearly jinxed me for using it so long," Neville closed the door at sat down. His toad was doing it's upmost to escape his grip, "Hi, you must be Ron's sister and you must be Harry's? I'm Neville Longbottom, I'm in their year."
"Nice to meet you," said Ginny.
"Same," said Hazel.
"How was your summer?" Hermione asked.
"It was okay. I dropped my wand down a drainage pipe. Gran made me dig it out," Neville sighed, "Did you get all your homework done?"
"Of course."
Neville and Hermione chatted about schoolwork and all the while his toad was squirming its way out of his grip.
"Neville-" Hazel tried to say.
Too late.
"Trevor!" The toad leapt from his grip with a triumphant croak and slipped under the door. Neville disappeared in the corridor after it.
Hermione got up with a sigh but stopped abruptly at the door.
Another girl was leaning into the open compartment. Was it Malfoy's sister back for more? No, this girl was pale and blonde too, but it wasn't her. Partly because she had a kind face but mostly because there was no world in which Hazel could picture Malfoy's sister wearing massive purple glasses with spinning lenses.
"Hello?" Hermione said, startled.
"Hi," said the girl dreamily.
"Can we help you?"
"No, but I can help you," She pointed at Hazel who gulped, "Did you know your hair is infested with moggies?"
"Moggies?" Hermione said, "You mean cats?"
"Moggies aren't cats," said the girl, "They live in your hair and suck your thoughts out through your ears. They can be very nasty. A wash in unicorn milk will get rid of them for you. Bye now."
She drifted off down the corridor.
Hazel swiped furiously at her auburn hair. How could she have moggies? She'd only washed her hair last night!
Ginny burst out laughing, "Moggies! You should see your face!"
"Are they dangerous?" What was worse, having an empty head for her classes or losing all her hair on her first day in a new school?
"They don't exist!" Ginny giggled, "They're from children's books."
"Well I don't know!" Hazel wasn't worried anymore, but she did feel a bit stupid, "They aren't in muggle children's books!"
The train gave a slight lurch. Hermione suddenly looked very excited.
"We're here."