The last few weeks of summer were a little bit of a blur for Peter. Between reading his books. Finishing up Homework, helping Ron with HIS homework, and spending time with the Weasley's and Harry, Peter didn't really notice the passage of time. He had been right. Lockhart's books read more like novels than practical informative textbooks. Granted the names of every charm, potion, and beast he supposedly fought were there, but there was no information on how to cast any of the spells or brew the potions. And there was little more to the description of the beasts than what they looked like. And info about fighting them looped back around to the spells and potion that Lockhart never included any practical instruction for in his books. Peter found himself frequently frustrated with how often he had to look to other sources for information on something inside what was supposed to be a school textbook.

But between other books and resources he did manage to glean SOME useful information from these books. Like the Homorphus Charm, a complicated charm that can supposedly reverse the werewolf transformation. Not a cure, more a type of symptom management. There were very few mentions of the charm being used successfully except for in this book like Lockhart, which Peter already doubted was completely honest.

Soon, the last day of summer came and to Peter it ended all too quickly. The day was spent playing Quidditch with Harry and the other Weasley boys. Though Peter was no good at flying he was able to maneuver in the air with webbing well enough and hit hard enough to make a good bludger substitute. Then it was Degnoming in the Garden and more time spent with Mr. Weasley working in his shed.

Peter appreciated being able to work on machines and tech. The Wizarding world didn't have as many opportunities to work with his hands, apart from potions class. Unfortunately, as much as Peter liked the subject itself, Professor Snape, by far meanest teacher in the school, made it so that Peter couldn't really enjoy potions classes. Peter spent most of his time fixing engines and small bits of tech for Arthur, though he reminded Mr. Weasley that without electricity most of them wouldn't do him much good, even if they were in perfect working order.

When evening came Mrs. Weasley had prepared a veritable feast. All kinds of foods that Peter loved, and plenty he had never heard of stacked high on their table. Followed by a dessert of amazing bread pudding and treacle fudge. Fred and George rounded out the evening by setting off the last of their Filibuster's wet start no heat fireworks. Then they gathered around for one last mug of hot chocolate. He sat in between Harry and Ron as they all talked.

"So did you manage to learn anything practical from any of those Lockhart books?" Peter asked, looking at Harry.

Harry shook his head, "Not really, I only read a few of them, but there's nothing in there that really tells us how to do any of the stuff it says he did."

Ron set his mug down with a look of disgust. "I stopped thirteen pages into the first one, all he talks about in those books is stuff about himself."

"If confidence was skill Lockhart would have it in spades." Peter said with a small smirk.

"Oh you three, I'm sure that Gilderoy will teach you a lot when you start his classes." Mrs. Weasley said, her expression a little dreamy.

"We'll just have to wait and see when we actually start school." Peter replied, gulping down the rest of his hot chocolate.

"Thanks for the food Mrs. Weasley it was really good."

Peter went upstairs to his cot in Fred and George's room. He looked out the window and absent mindedly stroked Mary's feathers, the Eastern Screech Owl hooted contentedly as she ate some bugs out of his hand. Not long after Fred and George showed up.

There wasn't much talking between them as Fred and George got into their beds and went to sleep almost immediately. Peter slowly also drifted off to sleep. That Kravinoff guy kept showing up in his dreams and Peter couldn't help but wonder if they were going to meet again. The rest of his dreams were of Gwen.

The next morning everyone was up at the crack of dawn. But there seemed to be a lot to do. While Harry and Peter had packed the day before and were ready to get moving. Some of the Weasley's, particularly Ron and the Twins, were rushing to get everything they needed for the trip. Peter helped Fred pack up his exploding snap boxes, and Harry helped Ron find a Chudly Canon's magazine he wanted to bring. Then both Harry and Peter had to help Ron track down his pet rat Scabbers.

Mr. Weasley ended up finding Scabbers in the garden gorging himself on the vegetable patch. After a scolding from Mrs. Weasley about being more responsible with his pets, Ron helped Ginny pack up the last of her things. Once they were actually in the car, which easily fitted Peter and the others thanks to the enchantments Mr. Weasley had put on it, they hit the road. They barely made it to the main road before Ginny screamed she forgot her Diary.

They had to go all the way back and Peter had to help her find it. When he found it under her bed and picked it up his Spider-Sense went off. Confused, he looked around. "Danger? What danger?" He asked himself.

He looked under the bed half expecting the Weasley's ghoul to be there to jump out and scare him. But nothing. Peter eventually just shook his head,

'Weird. Spider-Sense on the fritz, whatever, probably just warning me not to read Ginny's private thoughts or something' He dismissed it inwardly.

The two of them returned to the car and got on the road. By the time they were driving properly they were running very late. Mr. Weasley looked at Mrs. Weasley nervously. "Molly, maybe we should-"

"No Arthur." She cut him off,

"No one would know. This button here is an invisibility booster you see, we could fly there and no one would-"

"I said no Arthur." Molly said, firmly.

Once they got to King Cross Station they practically had to sprint to the barrier. Peter being the quickest of them had been the first one too the barrier. When no one was looking he crossed through into Platform 9 . There waiting dutifully for the boarding students was the Hogwarts Express. A huge scarlet steam engine. Peter quickly put his stuff in the storage car and helped Ginny put her things away.

He looked around. "Where are Harry and Ron?" He asked, to which Ginny shook her head.

"I don't know, I haven't seen them." She said,

The engine hissed loudly and the whistle blew. The train was about to leave. Peter figured he must have missed Harry and Ron in the chaos. They were probably already on the train with Hermione waiting for him to show up. He got onto the train and searched the cars until he found Hermione sitting on her own looking concerned. He opened the door and walked in. "Hey Boss." He said.

Hermione looked at him and smiled slightly. "Hi Peter." She said,

Peter looked around the compartment. "Red and Glasses aren't here yet?" He asked, "Weird, I know they got to Kings Cross, I came with them." He sat down across from her.

"The train's about to go and I haven't heard anything from them." Hermione said, looking worried.

Peter looked out the window at the waving parents. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were focusing primarily on Ginny. Peter stood up. "Maybe if I'm fast I can find-"

There was a small lurch as the train began to move forward. Peter looked out the compartment into the hallway to see if Harry and Ron were on their way. Nothing.

"Weird. Maybe they're sitting with Fred and George." He said, closing the compartment door and sitting down across from Hermione.

"Oh I really hope so." Hermione said, biting her lip with worry, "If those two got into some sort of trouble I don't know what would happen to them."

"Those two? They'll probably be fine and have a fun new story to tell about how they fought a dragon on their way here or something." Peter quipped.

"It's not a joke Peter, you know how those two can be when its just the two of them." Hermione said, with a frown.

"Well you and I weren't much better." Peter pointed out, "Hagrid's dragon, setting Snape On Fire, the entire thing with the Sorcerer's Stone." He said,

"That was different Peter, those were things that I had to do." She said,

"For your friends. I know." Peter said, with a small smile. "I think they'll be alright though. Don't worry about it too much, so excited for another year of classes?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

It worked like a charm as Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of another year. "Oh yes." She said, enthusiastically.

"I can't wait to test out some of the more advanced spells in the new spell book we got for charms class. And I'm really excited to start up with transfiguration again, I just hope that I haven't forgotten too much over the summer." She said, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"You? Forget something you learned. Impossible. You take notes and then you take notes of your notes. Everything's somewhere in that noggin." Peter said, with a smile.

"What about you Peter, what classes are you most excited to go back to?" She asked.

Peter looked at the ceiling thoughtfully, "Same classes you are mainly. I'd also say potions because brewing is really cool but you know… Snape." The word "Snape" was said by both Peter and Hermione.

When it came to Snape Peter and Hermione were in total agreement. Of course, most students had the same opinion of Snape. The only students that did like him were Slytherins, as Snape was the head of their house and he was EXTREMELY lenient with them. They both laughed a little at their both saying the name. Then the elderly witch pushing the trolly full of sweets walked by.

"Anything from the Trolly dears?" She asked sweetly. Peter smiled and pulled out some coins.

"I'll take some chocolate frogs and a Bertie Botts. You want anything Boss?" He asked Hermione.

Hermione shook her head with a small smile. "No thank you Peter, I don't want to ruin my appetite for the feast." She said,

As the journey went on they were soon joined by others of their year. Neville Longbottom, and Gwen Stacy. Peter scooted over to make room for Gwen to sit next to him. "Thanks Peter." She said, with a smile.

"Sure thing? Bean?" He asked, holding out the box.

"Oh I don't know Pete, I always have such terrible luck with every flavor beans." Gwen said, though she still reached in and took one out.

It was a brown bean with flecks of white and a lighter brown. She popped the bean into her mouth and chewed for a bit. "Mmm chocolate moose." She said, happily

Peter took one, it was red with yellow specks. He put it in his mouth and spit it out, coughing. "God… I think that's a bloody nose." He said, as the others in the compartment laughed.

They had a good time eating sweets and laughing together. With Peter and Gwen, talking mostly to one another until the train stopped. Peter stood up stretching and left the train. Now that they were no longer first years, they would be getting to the school the same way the rest of the students did, with self driving carriges. Peter hopped into one and enjoyed the bumpy ride up to the school much more than Neville did, Neville spent the whole ride trying to find his pet toad Trevor who he had been holding when he sat down.

Soon they had made the trip to the great hall and sat down. Harry took the time to catch up with Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas both fellow Gryffindors and second years. Seamus was a pale Irish boy who had an, unfortunate, skill in Pyrotechnics, as he would cause small explosions, often without meaning too. Dean Thomas was the only other Muggle Born Gryffindor in their year, he was an avid soccer fan, and he had a good eye for drawing. As they talked and laughed the door to the great hall opened and Professor McGonagall led in the group of nervous looking first years.

Peter empathized with their nervous looks. He remembered the first time he stepped foot in Hogwarts, though his own sense of humor made it easy to mask the nervousness when he first came to Hogwarts. Peter looked over at the sorting hat which burst into song.

In ages past, at Hogwarts' start,

Four founders built a school apart.

With wisdom, courage, heart, and guile,

They taught young minds with style.

Gryffindor, the brave and bold,

For those with nerves of steel untold.

Their daring hearts, so strong and true,

Will lead them on in all they do.

Hufflepuff, the kind and fair,

With loyalty beyond compare.

They work with patience, never rest,

For they believe in doing best.

Ravenclaw, the sharp and bright,

Seek knowledge, learning day and night.

With minds so keen and full of grace,

They solve life's puzzles, win the race.

Slytherin, with cunning eyes,

See paths where others compromise.

Ambition drives them, goals in sight,

They strive to win with all their might.

So place me on your head, my friend,

And I will see where you will blend.

A house to suit your truest trait,

Where you will thrive and find your fate.

For I'm the Sorting Hat, you see,

With magic strong and ancient glee.

I'll find the place you ought to be,

At Hogwarts School, where you are free.

The great hall burst into thunderous applause when it finished its final verse. McGonagall began calling students up. Though there weren't many that caught Peter's attention there were two in specific.

"Luna Lovegood!" Professor McGonagall called.

A girl with a dreamy look in her eyes and striking blonde hair stepped up to the stool. The hat was on her head for only a few seconds before shouting. "RAVENCLAW!" There was a round of applause from the Ravenclaw table.

Then of course near the end, "Ginny Weasley!" The Transfiguration teacher called.

Ginny walked up nervously and sat on the stool. When placed on her head the hat laughed. "Ha! Another year! Another Weasley! Gryffindor!" It yelled,

A relieved Ginny ran to the applauding Gryffindors and sat next to Percy who had saved her a seat next to him. Peter was about to tell Ginny good job but finally noticed something a little strange.

"Hey boss," He tapped Hermione's shoulder, "Professor Big-Nose was definitely sitting down when we came in, right?" He asked, pointing at Snape's empty seat.

Hermione looked at Snape's empty seat. "Think so…" She said, uncertainly.

"You haven't heard yet?" A Gryffindor asked, loudly. "Potter and Weasley missed the train. Someone said they saw them in a flying car outside their window on the way to school."

Peter looked at Hermione, all the color had drained from her face. "Now Hermione just because someone says they saw it doesn't mean-"

"Those idiots!" Hermione hissed, cutting Peter off.

If she had something to say about it Peter didn't hear it because Percy, who had been listening into the conversation was practically aping with rage. "Those two what!? They took Mum and Dad's car!? Don't they know how much trouble that could cause for them!?" He asked, angrily.

Peter had a hard time enjoying the feast, as he had to sit between both Hermione and Percy's angry remarks about Harry and Ron's actions. Peter didn't even try to suggest that it wasn't true, because knowing them, it probably was, and it wasn't like saying it was going to make Hermione feel better about it.

So when the day was over and the students were sent to their dorms Peter and Hermione remained outside to let Harry and Ron into the common room. They both looked tired, shaken, and Ron looked absolutely miserable. Hermione opened her mouth to criticize them but Peter cut in,

"Leave it boss, I'm sure that they got an earful from Snape and McGonagall, why the long face Red?" He asked Ron.

Ron with a look of utter dismay pulled out his wand which was snapped almost clean in half, held together by a single splinter of wood and the unicorn hair core within. A flicker of sympathy crossed Hermione's face but she quickly masked it away. "The Password is Pighorn." She said, briskly.

The portrait swung open and Harry and Ron were met with cheering Gryffindor's. At this point everyone had heard the story of what happened and everyone was thoroughly impressed. Peter had to give his enhanced hearing a second to adjust the loud cheering. Harry and Ron were pulled in and everyone was trying to get close enough to pat them on the back. Everyone except for Peter, Hermione, and Percy. Peter looked at Hermione who was now glaring at them.

"I'm sure they're gonna pay for all this." He said, trying to soften the edge of Hermione's glare.

"They better." She said, with a pout before going to her room.

Peter went up to his own dorms. Surprisingly the first ones to show up in the dorm were Harry and Ron.

"Have fun you two?" He asked, sitting criss cross on his bed.

"Not you too. We already have Hermione mad at us." Ron groaned.

"Calm down, Red. I'm not mad, just curious why didn't you take the train?" He asked.

"We couldn't get in." Harry said, seriously.

"Couldn't get in? What do you mean?" Peter asked, arching his eyebrow.

"He means we couldn't get in. We ran at the barrier onto the Platform and we ran into a solid wall. It closed on us." Ron said, in a whisper.

"Closed on you? That's weird." Peter said, "And you guys didn't think to send an Owl? Or just wait for your parents?"

Harry and Ron averted their gazes. Apparently those thoughts hadn't crossed their minds, and Peter wasn't the first one to mention it.

"Still," Peter said, "It's weird, a house elf shows up in your bedroom telling you not to go to school, and the passageway to the train blocks you. Someone didn't want you coming this year Harry."

Harry looked glum, "Yeah… I know." He said,

"Well now you're here so hopefully you've seen the last of all this." He said, "Nighty night guys." He laid back his head hitting his pillow,

"Yeah night Pete." Ron said.