FINALLY!

I finally get to do the Hogwarts Express again!I don't count thbis as Hogwarts, because while they are on the HOGWARTS Express, they are not actually in school. Now, it's time to get everyone back together and ready to learn.

SO LET'S DO IT!

—0—

He was back again, back in his room. He didn't know how. One moment, he had been running away from Charles, and now he was here.

How had he gotten here again?

A knock came from the door.

"Tom? Are you in there?"

He gulped down his fear at the womans voice. She was going to be angry with him. He was sure.

"I'm not feeling well ma'am."

The knocking stopped and the woman let herself in, worry written on her face. "Oh Tom. I'm sorry. Do you need to see a doctor?"

"No ma'am… I think I just need to lay down."

The concern on her face lessened, and she nodded. "Let me help you in then, and I'll fetch you some water, okay?"

Tom nodded, already moving towards his bed. The woman gave a gentle smile as she drew the covers over him, before she stopped.

"Where did you get that bruise, Tom?"

He winced as she prodded at his arm. "I-it was Charles. He was hitting me and so-"

"So you aren't sick then?" The woman raised an eyebrow. "Tom, you shouldn't tell lies."

Tom gulped. "I-I didn't. And the last time he hurt me, I got in trouble for him falling, and so now I'm just trying to stay away from him."

She nodded, standing up and walking to the door. "Still, you should have told me the truth, Tom. Lying is a sin. Even small lies."

Tom gulped. "I-I know but-"

"Come on now. You will garden as your punishment. I will spea to Charles."

Tom nodded and slid out of his bed. He was led to the front of the orphanage and put to work, weeding the flower beds beside the sign. The woman turned and walked back in, no doubt heading to Charles.

"What an interessssting thing… to punishhhhh a child for being hurt…"

Tom looked up to find a black garden snake, staring at the door of the orphanage. As it's tongue flicked out, he heard its voice yet again.

"Essspecially when the boy hasssss power… Even I can ssssssmell it."

"Excuse me, what do you mean by power?"

The snakes head turned to look up at him. It's tiny forked tongue slipped out again before it slithered towards hands.

"One who ssssspeaks in our tongue… yessssss you are powerful indeed."

"You can hear me?"

"And you can hear me." The snake hissed happily. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Tom frowned. "Just another thing for the others to pick on me about."

"Why do you let them tread upon you ssssso?" The snake hissed, winding its way up Toms arm. Strangely, he didn't mind the feeling.

"They are bigger than I am. They are stronger."

"Bigger, yessss. Ssssstronger? Not at all. You, young ssssnakeling, are more than they can imagine."

Tom blinked as the snake came to rest on his shoulder, draped around the back of his neck. "What do you mean?"

"You have it. Power. You have ssssseen how it flowsssss about you. The wind movesssss with your anger. The world shhhhhiftssss for your fear."

"Odd things do happen around me." Tom mumbled, nodding his head. "Like talking to snakes. What is your name?"

"I am Ssssssybil. Now, I musssst hide. The big one approaches."

Tom watched the snake leave, before tugging more weeds from the dirt as the wman returned.

"Good. You're still working." She nodded. "Charles has been sent to bed with no supper. Once you have finished weeding, you are free to join us for the meal."

Tom nodded and continued his work. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Sybil in a hole in the wall.

"Yes ma'am. I will be done soon."

Merlot breathed out as her eyes fluttered open. Memories were difficult, especially those belonging to the horcrux.

Reliving them was not a fun experience, though it was necessary for her to recover. Since living through the Horcrux's pains, she had begun to have less and less nightmares.

Delimancy was a hard subject, she had found. Her books had told her that no one was born with a mastery of their mind. Some might be better than others, but nobody could do it instantly.

It was a process. Reliving each memory through to the end, and sorting it all into different groups. Some were better, some were the worst.

Merlot hadn't reached out to her memories of the facility, nor had she reached out to her memories of the Dursleys. She knew those would come eventually, but she wanted to view the memories of the Horcrux. She had hoped she would understand it better.

She didn't think she'd understand it as well as she did.

The Horcrux was broken for a reason. It actually seemed as though it always had been. The soul was filled with memories of abandonment and punishments from a young age.

Did Voldemort ever experience a true childhood?

It hurt her to think about it. She had been pulled from her hell, but had Tom ever made it out? If he did, then did he grow to hate muggles because of how he was treated?

Would she have been the same, if not for his soul fragment?

The whistle of the hogwarts express snapped her from her thoughts. The train station was already behind her.

She had forgotten to wave to Scortwit.

Charlie had come and gone as quick as he could, eager to avoid his mother. And Merlot had seen no sign of Ron…

Hopefully he was okay.

A tiny squeak alerted Merlot to the fact that her rat was stuck in her carry on. With a light chuckle, she stood up and undid the clasp on the briefcase, letting little Despereaux wriggle free.

He had lost quite a bit of weight, but would most likely gain it back. They would be in the castle after all, and the other students would spoil him with treats.

Still, for now he was okay. And he still fit into his cap and pirate robe for the quidditch team, which she had managed to keep in tip top shape despite it's easily loseable size.

"Now mister, you'd better behave yourself this year."

"Queen! Queen!"

"Yeah yeah, Queen. Come on. Keep in line and I'll make sure that you won't have to deal with the twins again."

The rat shivered, before nodding. "Despiroo listen!"

"Good. Now, sit down. Help me look through this book." Merlot held onto the rat while fishing out her new charms manual. "Maybe I'll even get you a licorice wand."

The rat scmpered up onto Merlots shoulder and sat properly, waiting patiently as the little witch closed her carry on and cracked open her book.

"Now let's see. How about the duplication charm?"

—0—

Hermione panted within her room aboard the train. Tears stained her face as she tried to pry the silver tiara from her head.

She had felt like she had fallen into a vivid sleep that night. But then she had woken up almost two months later, and she remembered everything.

"Why… you attacked my parents. You hurt that man and his son!"

'To make you better my dear. You wanted to be better, didn't you?'

"Not like this. Not like this." Hermione wept, tugging at the metal circlet. "Get off of me!"

'Now now… we can't have you getting resistant. That wouldn't comply with the plan.'

Hermione sobbed as her hands moved against her will. "Mummy… I want my mum! Where is my mum?"

'Gone, as is your father. They will not remember you, my dear. Or have you forgotten as well?'

Hermione wailed, seizing control of her body once more and wrenching at the crown. It gave a little, with a wet sort of sucking noise, before it sprang back into place, as if fixed there by millions of rubber bands.

'Now now. It seems that more dire measures are required. Worry not, they will come when we reach the school. For now…' Hermione's head jerked back, slamming into the wall of the room and knocking her out cold. 'Sleep well, my wonderful host.'

—0—

Neville closed his eyes as the train left the station. Summer had been enlightening, yet as boring as his toad.

That wasn't to say that Trevor was boring. The fellow had been Neville's only company for several years. An apology from his uncle for dropping him out of a window.

Trevor was a good Toad. Neville had learned of the animals magical ability to apparate when he was seven, and from then on, had used the toads abilities to distract his grandmother, to steal books from the family library, and to make people believe he just wasn't a powerful wizard.

With a single finger, Neville stroked Trevors back, smirking as the toad let out a soft croak. Yes, Trevor was the perfect companion. Small, squat, unassuming. Yet he was deadly to those beneath him.

Flies…

Neville smiled as a buzzing insect that had been flitting about the room was struck from the air, disappearing into his frogs mouth with nothing but a soft crunch.

"Good Trevor. Now… how about we check on our latest experiment, hm?"

The frog croaked, hopping into its masters hand.

"Yes, I do mean Draco. I don't know how you felt about it, but Granger became rather rude after finding Ravenclaws Diadem, didn't she?"

—0—

Ron felt the tension melt out of his body as the train began to move. He had made it. He was safe. He was free.

Sure, he had almost no money. And sure, he had no robes that really fit him. But he was alive, and that was what mattered.

"I am tired, whisperer."

Ron smiled at his companion, stroking her abdomen with a single finger. "You should rest, Nib."

The spider crawled up to his collar and webbed herself into a spot that wouldn't be spotted easily. It would feel gross if someone touched it, but nobody would be sticking their hand by Rons neck, especially under his collar.

As Nib went dormant, the door to Rons room opened, revealing Draco, looking well groomed and yet… his face was quite pallid, far beyond the norm.

"Are you okay?"

The young slytherin slid the door shut and applied a locking charm, before sitting down and running a hand through his hair. "I had a dream last night…"

Ron raised an eyebrow. "A dream doesn't normally make someone this… freaked out."

Draco shook his head. "I've been having them all summer. Actually, before then. Since last year at school, in the forbidden forest."

"You see him?" Ron leaned forward. "He who must not be named?"

"Sometimes." Draco winced, recalling a vision in which he had received the mark. "But… these dreams. They're too real. And some of them…"

Ron leaned forward. "You mean, you're having visions?"

Draco licked his lips and nodded, before running a hand through his hair. "I-I had written to you about them, but my letter was returned. My owl couldn't find you."

Ron bit the side of his cheek and nodded. "Probably because of what happened at home…"

"You were cast from the Weasley family." Draco nodded. "Owls are good, but there are too many 'Ronalds' to track down without a last name."

Ron nodded. "Yeah… wait. Did you have a vision about me?"

Draco scratched his neck. "Well… you see. I've actually had several."

"Is that why your one letter said to 'watch out for muggle farmers'?" The black haired boy asked.

"Well… I had a vision about one shooting you, so I figured-"

Ron nodded, cutting his friend off. "Well… you probably saved my life with that warning. I avoided muggle farms quite bit, unless they were abandoned. One night I thought about staying near one, but thought better of it and slept in some woods. I walked passed a few people the next day, overheard them talking about how the neighborhood farmers had killed a few deer that had snuck into his barn."

Draco nodded. "Well then… that's a relief. No knowing what he would've done to you."

"Probably would've followed your vision. He sounded like a pretty nasty bloke." Ron nodded. "But hey, I made it here. I'm safe now."

"Until the end of the schoolyear." Drco shrugged. "What then?"

Ron nodded. "I hope to talk to my older brother. He takes care of Scortwit. Maybe he has room for me too."

Draco sighed. "Well… it isn't completelyfoolproof, but it's still a good idea."

Ron nodded. "Well… other than the visions, how was your summer?"

"Well, I didn't do a lot other than worry. I did bond with my house elf. Dobby!"

A pop sound through the room as the house elf appeared, dressed in a clean green cloth toga that had been crafted from the cloth of pillowcase. His batty ears and bulbous eyes were a bit off putting, but he was still the healthiest eld that Ron had ever seen! Besides the Hogwarts elves of course…

"What can Dobby do for Master Draco?" The elf squeaked.

"Dobby, this is my friend Ronald. He is very special and one of my only true friends. I need you to keep that a secret though, okay?"

The house elf nodded. "Dobby is pleased to meet mister Ronald sir. Dobby will makes sure that he is not told to your father or others at all sir."

Draco smiled. "Good, I'm glad to hear it. Now, Ron. Is there anything that Dobby can fetch for you?"

Ron shrugged. "Well… erm. I kindof need a book on spiders. My magic is still relatively unpracticed in that regard."

Dobby shuddered, but nodded nevertheless. "Dobby will fetch mister Ronald information on all sorts of spiders."

Draco smiled. "Feel free to take from the family library, Dobby. If anyone else asks, just say that I forgot it."

Dobby bowed and popped away.

"An odd kindof thing isn't he?" Ron's brow furrowed.

"He has been through quite a bit. Taking care of him has… helped me."

Ron shrugged. "Well, whatever helps. If he helped you get through living with your father, then he's good enough to be a friend to me."

"Friends? With a house elf?" Draco chuckled. "Your inner Weasley is shining through."

"I like to think of it as my inner gryffindor. Noble and brave and all that." Ron waved his hand. "Y'think there's a problem with being his friend?"

"Not at all. I'd actually encourage it." Draco smiled.

At that moment, Dobby reappeared, holding a black and silver book and trembling slightly.

"Dobby! Why are you shivering?" Draco's eyes narrowed. "What did-"

"Masters visions be coming true." The elf whispered. "Dobby overheard masters father speaking to one of the other elves, punishing them sir."

Draco's eyes narrowed, before going wide as the elf whispered the last part.

"It be about the plot… sir."

Ron raised an eyebrow and was about to ask, but was cut off by Draco.

"We'll talk about this later. Dobby, if you could go to my room at the manor and remain there until called. Worry not, I will make sure to call you for dinner. Just tidy up the room, and if asked at all, tell them that I ordered it."

Dobby bowed and popped away, leaving Draco and Ron with the book on spiders that he had retrieved. Draco sighed and ran a hand over his head, before picking up the book and flipping a few pages.

"This is pretty good. Not many magic spiders in here, but it'll still be helpful."

Ron nodded and took the book. "Guess it can't hurt to read a bit on the way. Do you mind if-"

"Go ahead." Draco nodded. "I've got my own stuff to look over."

Ron observed the cover of the book that his friend took out from his bag. "Thaumaturgy?"

"A very obscure branch of magic, but quite interesting. You would probably like it." Draco nodded, cracking the book open to his latest page. "But for now, you have your own material to learn."

"Maybe I'll look into it later this year." Ron shrugged, before he too began to read.

They were soon completely focused on their books, and didn't notice the boy at their door, who tried to open it several times, before attempting to unlock the door with magic, and then storming away unsuccessfully.

"Did you hear something?"

"No, you?"

"Must've just been the train whistle…" Draco shrugged.

Thus, the rest of the train ride passed in rapt silence.

—0—

Hogwarts Express

Hogwarts Express

So, funny story. For the last few months, I have been unable to read comments on ffn. I didn't get email notifications. I couldn't see reviews or even open PM's.

That has been fixed! I can finally see the few reviews that are on Venom, and the new reviews on The One Who Is Two.

Thank you all for being a part of this story and enjoying it. I'm happy to finally see your feedback!

Keep leaving those reviews, and until next time,

Adios.