Chapter Nine: All Aboard the Hogwarts Express
Both Harry and Ron were up at the break of dawn, their excitement at returning to Hogwarts was welling over and both had trouble sleeping. As much as they liked the holidays, they still loved to be at Hogwarts it was a second home for Ron and for Harry well it felt like his home. He'd never felt at home anywhere but at Hogwarts, it was a shame that this was his penultimate year there; it seemed to go by so fast.
Harry sat-up in his bed and wiped the gunk out of his eyes before turning towards Ron, "not long now," he said with a smile.
"Yeah, I can't wait," replied Ron, sitting at the side of his bed, his feet being lowered into a pair of scuffed slippers.
"Who do you reckon will be the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher?" asked Harry.
"Well as long as it's not snivelling Snape," retorted Ron with a wry grin.
Harry laughed in response and got out of his bed and put on his black dressing gown, "Ron, do you think Professor Dumbledore will hire another Auror? With the war and all."
"I don't know," replied Ron, thinking about it, "He probably would, but after what happened to Moody, I'm sure he'll be keeping constant vigilance."
"Ron, that was very ironic," said Harry.
Ron stared at him for a brief second, "What was ironic?"
"Never mind," replied Harry smiling, his glasses slipping down his nose.
"Let's go get some breakfast," said Ron as he too put on his dressing gown, though instead of being black it was a faded grey and had several holes.
"Will your mum be up at this time?" questioned Harry.
"Oh yeah, she's always up early when we catch the Hogwarts Express, she thinks if she's up any later we'll all miss the train," replied Ron.
When Harry and Ron entered the kitchen it was already filled with people, all bustling about, eating, talking, and being jovial. Hermione and Ginny were sat opposite Kingsley and Tonks who were all eating a large traditional fried breakfast. Harry sat next to Kingsley and picked up a plate from the centre of the table and waited for Mrs Weasley to serve him a lush breakfast. Ron sat next to his sister and also took a plate from the centre of the table.
"Morning boys," said Mrs Weasley as she turned from the stove with a frying pan in hand, "Are you hungry?"
"Oh yes," said both boys in unison.
Mrs Weasley smiled and served them their fried breakfast, the bacon, beans, sausage and toast all set nicely onto the plates. Harry waited for a moment before tucking in, his taste buds salivating at the prospect of another gorgeous meal.
"So Harry, looking forward to school?" said Kingsley.
"Yes, I can't wait," replied Harry eyeing a large piece of bacon.
"Neimber caun I," said Ron his mouth packed full of beans and sausage.
"Ronald Weasley, do not speak with your mouth full," said Mrs Weasley bitingly.
Ron looked down at his plate, his face red with embarrassment, as the chuckles from everyone around the table died down. He grudgingly stuck his form into a piece of bacon and chewed on it as he tried to keep a low profile until everyone had forgotten about his 'talking whilst eating' incident which had happened 15 seconds ago.
"So Hermione, are there any special boys in your life?" asked a very curious Tonks who was smiling at Hermione.
"Err, no, of course not, why would there be?" said Hermione defensively.
"No reason," smiled Tonks, she clearly got exactly what she expected from Hermione with that answer.
"Well if there was one, you'd tell me, would you Hermione?" said Ron, managing to speak without his mouth being full.
"You're not jealous are you Ron?" said Ginny looking up from her breakfast.
"No," uttered Ron.
"Did you all pack you things?" asked Mrs Weasley.
"Yes Mum," said Ginny as the other three just nodded and continued eating.
"That's good, we'll be leaving immediately after breakfast," said Mrs Weasley as she looked down at the small silver watch around her wrist.
It didn't take long for everyone to finish off their food and begin dressing for the trip to King's Cross and for the children the lengthy journey on the Hogwarts Express. The trip to King's Cross itself was uneventful, Tonks and Kingsley acted as escorts and having caught a taxi from the Burrow it was an hour or so until they finally reached King's Cross and the never-ending flow of people that came with it being one of London's biggest stations.
It took the group about five minutes to navigate the crowds and finally reach platforms 9 and 10, the columns separating both them acting as the magical entrance to platform 9 ¾. Kingsley and Tonks stayed on the muggle platforms to make sure no-one followed through or attacked from behind. It didn't take long for Mrs Weasley and the 4 children to go through the entrance and appear on Platform 9 ¾.
"Right, well don't take long now, the train will be leaving very soon," said Mrs Weasley to the 4 children.
"Yes mum," said Ron seemingly annoyed as he'd done this 4 times before which would've been 5 if it wasn't for Dobby the House Elf.
"Come here, let me see you all before you leave," said Mrs Weasley feeling slightly overwhelmed by seeing 4 children she loved immensely leaving for another year at school. The 4 children all walked up to Mrs Weasley, both Ginny and Hermione took the kiss and cuddle amicably whilst Harry and Ron tried to shy away from it but were unable to stop Mrs Weasley planting a kiss and dragging them in for a cuddle that seemed more like a bear hug than anything else.
"Don't forget to write, and take care, don't get into any trouble," said Mrs Weasley quickly as all four of the children climbed onto the train and waved goodbye to Mrs Weasley.
On the train Ginny ran off to the compartment which was housing Dean Thomas and a couple of 5th year Gryffindor's, she had said goodbye to the trio remaining and then quickly made her way out of sight. Harry stood in the corridor of the train and knew exactly what was coming.
"Well Harry, we have to go and do our Prefect stuff," said Ron unenthusiastically.
"We're really sorry Harry, but we'll come sit with you when it's all done with," said Hermione dragging Ron down the train as Harry watched on and just shrugged.
"See you in a bit then," said Harry as both Ron and Hermione made their way up to the front of the train.
Harry walked a few metres down the train and looked through the small window on the door to each compartment until he came across a compartment which seemed to have only one person inside. He opened the sliding door to see a rugged looking wizard sat before him, the Wizard had short dark hair with tinges of grey, his face was covered in grey stubble and his strong eyebrows overlooked a long scar that snaked its way from his left eye to his mouth. His piercing green eyes turned to look at Harry, his typical Adult attire, shifted with the body as the adult Wizard turned towards Harry.
"Ummm, do you mind if I sit in this compartment?" asked Harry with a slight ounce of unease in his voice.
"By all means please do," replied the wizard gruffly with a deep and overpowering tone of voice.
Harry sat himself down slowly and looked at the adult wizard for a moment, "So are you a new Professor at Hogwarts?"
"Ahhh very perceptive, I am Xavier Tobias the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher," said Xavier with a slight smile as he looked at over at Harry.
"Pleased to meet you Professor Tobias, I'm..."
"Harry Potter," said Professor Tobias before Harry could finish his sentence, "I'm well aware of your history Mr Potter, it is extremely well documented."
Harry looked away slighted embarrassed, he should've realised that unless you'd lived under a rock for the last 16 years then you would've known full well who 'Harry Potter' is and what he'd done. It was impossible to hide from, he even had his own Chocolate Frog Trading Card, such was his fame.
"But do not be alarmed, I am not one of the Ministry minions who believe that you're a fake," said Professor Tobias assuredly.
"Oh, so did you work with the Ministry before you became the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher?" questioned Harry, his interest in Professor Tobias' history shining through.
"In a manner of speaking I was loosely affiliated with the Ministry but I never had the pleasure of working within the confines of the Ministry," said Professor Tobias a twinkle appearing in his green eyes.
"Oh, so what was your job?" said Harry.
"Well I'll not lie to you Mr Potter, I was an Auror," replied Professor Tobias, "However, I'll leave it at that I'm not obliged to tell you anymore."
Harry knew why Professor Tobias could not tell him anymore, as it was obvious he had been hired by Professor Dumbledore because he was an Auror and if he was to indulge further information it could jeopardise the year ahead. Though, what Harry couldn't figure out was why if Professor Tobias is an Auror, why he was so detached from the Ministry; surely all Aurors are hired and employed by the Ministry.
"So, Mr Potter, I've been wondering which House were you sorted into?" asked Professor Tobias curiously.
"Which house?" said Harry confused at why a Professor would ask such a question.
"Of course, I too was a Hogwarts student and have been curious about which House you were sorted into," said Professor Tobias, "Its also a good line of conversation."
"Oh right, well I'm a Gryffindor," said Harry.
"Ahh, of course," said Professor Tobias.
"Professor,"
"Yes, Mr Potter,"
"Which House were you sorted into," asked Harry.
"Well, I was sorted as a Slytherin," replied Professor Tobias, his eyes watching Harry to see what his reaction is.
"A Slytherin, but you don't look much like a Slytherin," retorted Harry without thinking.
"Mr Potter, you're not very smart now are you," replied Professor Tobias with a wry grin, "not all Slytherin students had pasty white complexions, and as much as you may think that we're all 'evil' and conniving, it is not the case."
"Oh, but wouldn't you be sat with your Slytherin counterparts," asked Harry again without thinking.
"Well no, I was a Slytherin yes, but only because I had a want to always be successful, I did not share their feelings about muggle-born wizards, I'm am merely a Wizard who does not judge people by their bloodlines," said Professor Tobias indignantly, "Mr Potter, if I was to be sorted today, no doubt I wouldn't be chosen as a Slytherin but unfortunately as you may be aware I am the exception and not the rule."
Harry nodded, "Professor Tobias, did you know Professor Snape?" he asked, clearly wanting to know whether he would be able to have an influence on Snape.
"I can't say that I did, though I am several years older than Severus Snape," replied Professor Tobias his mind deep in thought as he mulled over the thoughts of Professor Snape and whatever link if any their may be between them, "having said that, he may indeed be familiar with me, my cousin wasn't exactly on best terms with him."
Immediately the image of Sirius Black came to Harry's mind, it was quite astonishing to find that Professor Tobias was indeed related to Sirius Black. It was probably why he'd been employed, as an Auror and relation to Sirius; he was probably a secret Order member of which Professor Dumbledore never mentioned as he may be spying for them.
Suddenly Harry's thoughts were squashed by the sound of Ron echoing through his head, "there you are Harry," said Ron from the doorway, his eyes scanning Ron and then glancing over to Professor Tobias who seemed to ignore both of them.
"Good day Mr Potter, I have to see some of the other Professors," said Professor Tobias as he got from his seat, picked up a long black leather coat and put it on, he lowered his head in acknowledgement of both Ron and Hermione and was gone.
"So who was that Harry?" asked Hermione in her usual inquisical way.
Harry waited for both Hermione and Ron to seat themselves, before telling them about Professor Tobias. It didn't take long for Harry to tell them everything he knew, because as far as it went he didn't know much. Ron was naturally wary of anything involving the use of Professor Tobias being a Slytherin and Hermione had begun to deliberate over Professor Tobias being the older cousin of Sirius Black or whoever it is considering Harry had made the assumption it was Sirius.
"But how do we know it is Sirius Black?" said Hermione almost rhetorically.
"But it has to be, it doesn't make sense any other way," replied Harry.
"Yeah, but he was a Slytherin and the rest of Sirius' family were Slytherin's, it has to be Sirius," said Ron feeling all smart.
"But, we don't know that for sure," said Hermione, "it could be anyone from Snape's year, he wasn't exactly Mr Popular."
"Well, for now I think it's Sirius and until told otherwise it'll stay that way," said Harry trying so hard to remove Sirius' death from his mind but this like everything else kept it right there at the front of his mind. However, he didn't feel so bad knowing that there was another member of Sirius' family that wasn't a Deatheater and seemed trustworthy. Although with Professor Tobias being a Slytherin he wasn't exactly thinking of him as completely trustworthy, he didn't like to admit it, but Harry was never certain of a Slytherin's motivations.
"Anyway Harry, you'll never guess what we saw?" said Ron grinning.
"Oh Ron, he doesn't need to know?" interjected Hermione.
"Know what?" said Harry, obviously wanting to know now that Hermione said that he doesn't.
"Pansy Parkinson was bossing Draco Malfoy about like he was her House-Elf," said Ron now bursting into laughter.
"What are you laughing at Weasley?" sneered Draco, his eyes peering at the trio.
"Oh fob off Malfoy," replied Ron venomously.
"What's the matter Weasley, tired of living like a peasant," retorted Draco with a grin.
Ron immediately grasped his wand but Hermione looked at him firmly, "Put it away Ron, he's not worth it."
"Oh yes, do listen to the Mudblood, you wouldn't want to be hexed into next week, now would you?" said Draco smiling at Hermione as if he was untouchable.
"Just try it Draco, you wouldn't stand a chance against the three of us," said Harry who was concealing his wand.
"Potter! How dare you speak to me like that," snarled Draco angrily, "my Father is in Azkaban thanks to you, I'm going to get you back!"
"Oh bugger off Malfoy, you don't want to end up with your Dad now do you?" said Ron with an added confidence.
Draco didn't respond instead he leaned forwards towards Harry and dragged his thumb across his neck in the universal sign for 'I'm going to get you' and stormed off laughing.
"Why does he feel the need to barge in on us?" asked Ron rhetorically.
"Probably because..."
"Oh Hermione, I don't want a lecture on why Malfoy is an idiot," said Ron interrupting Hermione who was about to begin a lengthy dissection of Draco's motivation to constantly put the three of them down.
The door to the compartment was opened again, this time instead of the bleach blonde Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegod and Neville Longbottom were stood in the doorway smiling and just generally looking amicable.
"Room for two more," joked Neville looking at the space left over with their only being 3 people in the compartment.
"Hey you two," said Harry smiling.
Both Luna and Neville sat down and everyone began to utter tales of their past summer and what shenanigans they'd all got up to.
"I got a new wand," said Neville exuberantly, "I got it as soon as i got home, i can't wait to use It."
"So will you finally be able to do some spells properly?" asked Ron with a huge grin.
Hermione punched Ron on the arm as Neville just laughed and gave a big thumbs up to Ron, "well Herbology doesn't need a wand, so i should be fine."
It was true that Herbology doesn't need a wand and Neville strongest class was by far Herbology, so fortunately if his wand didn't help then he'd be no worse off than the years before.
"I spent the summer with my Dad," said Luna leaping into the conversation, "I helped investigate the story that a group of Lactosectan's have been drowning mice."
"Lactosectans!?" uttered Hermione sharply.
"Oh yes, they're a rare breed of Magical cows from the Orkney Islands, Dad says they might've been bred from Cows and Armadillos," replied Luna glowing with her strange knowledge of all things utterly ridiculous.
"I'm sure they are," said Hermione sarcastically.
Luna ignored Hermione's sarcastic rant and pulled out an edition of the Quibbler which had a sketch of a large Cow-like creature with one single rippled horn, and claws instead of hoofs plastered on the front cover, "That's a Lactosectan; Dad says it's very dangerous, the artist almost got killed trying to sketch it."
Hermione crossed her arms and stared out the window as the three boys chuckled and looked at the picture enthusiastically.
"It doesn't look very mean," said Neville looking at the picture, "it's smiling."
"Yeah, dangerous creatures don't smile, they growl and snarl," said Harry.
"It's not smiling, that's how a Lactosectan looks," replied Luna.
"Oh," said Neville before turning his gaze towards the window. It was drizzling outside; the windows peppered with tiny raindrops and the sky a light grey colour. Hermione hadn't turned away from the window since her sarcastic comment and everyone had wisely left her to it.
It didn't take long for the group to find themselves under a deluge of sweets and chocolates, as the Refreshments trolley had arrived not long after the mention of the Lactosectan. Naturally with Harry in a good mood he treated everyone and bought out the trolley, which was a lot of sweets and chocolate, obviously the lady who served them knew he'd probably buy her out and so brought extra.
Ron went straight for the Chocolate Frogs, Harry stuck with some plain old fudge, Neville went for some of 'Mrs Delectable's Delicious Drops of Honey' a Honey based sucking sweet. Luna had some biscuits and every flavour beans and Hermione well she grudgingly accepted some plain chocolate from Harry and continued watching the outside world as she scoffed it down.
It didn't take long for everyone to completely eat everything that Harry had purchased; Ron of course managed to get himself a nice large pile of new cards, though he had most of them. He tried trading them off to Neville, but Neville made the excuse that he didn't collect the cards; Ron was disappointed but figured he had the whole of Hogwarts to trade his new found selection.
Hermione however wasn't watching through the window in anger or disgust but with a strange intriguing gaze at the world passing by. "We're not taking the normal route to Hogwarts," said Hermione still staring out the window.
"Excuse me?" said Harry turning to look out the window also.
"We've taken a different route," said Hermione her finger now pressed against the window, "you see that town over there?"
"Yea, what about it?" said Ron also intrigued and looking out the window.
"Well, we have never passed it before," she said her eyes unrelenting in their analytical gaze of the landscape.
"But Hermione there is only one route to Hogsmeade station," said Luna quite surprisingly, she was the last person anyone expected to dispute the strange change in route.
"Well, it is possible that the route could be changed if Professor Dumbledore wanted to ummm… keep everyone safe," said Neville sat looking at the compartment wall than out of the now crowded window.
"But we're prefects, we would've been told if they'd changed the route," piped in Ron whose face was pressed up against the glass of the window.
"Not necessarily Ron, if Dumbledore wanted to keep it secret, he wouldn't tell anyone but the Driver," responded Hermione now turning away from the window and sitting back down.
"Or maybe the Driver doesn't even know," said Harry also seating himself again, "Professor Dumbledore can make stranger things happen."
"Well, whatever the reason, we're not going to find out here, now are we?" said Luna acting very serious.
"Lighten up Luna," said Ron with a chuckle, "you look if someone has just told you the earth is triangular."
Everyone in the compartment but Luna laughed heartily at Ron's joke. Eventually Luna managed to lighten up again and was talking in detail about the Quibbler and the many items of interest from its most recent issues. These stories of interest managed to keep everyone amused until in the middle of the dreary evening the Hogwarts Express finally stopped in Hogsmeade Station.
Harry leapt off the train and immediately he could see the large lumbering frame of Hagrid directing the new 1st years into a large group from which he'd take them to the boats and then across the lake. Harry quickly dragged his trunk and Hedwig in her cage over to Hagrid.
"Hello Hagrid," he said enthusiastically.
"Oh Hullo there Harry," replied Hagrid in his gruff voice, "Did yeh have a good summer then?"
"It was great," exclaimed Harry with a big grin, "I had a blast."
"Tha's good ter hear," replied Hagrid leaning down towards the considerably smaller Harry, "those Dursleys didn't treat yeh bad, now did they?"
"Oh no, I spent the summer with the Weasleys in the Burrow," replied Harry still grinning from ear to ear.
"Of course, I knew tha'," said Hagrid, his face red with embarrassment.
"So did you have a good summer?" asked Harry genuinely interested in what Hagrid did in the summer.
"Oh, well I can't tell yeh right now," replied Hagrid looking at the 1st years, all stood around and looking a bit shell-shocked, "I hav' ter get these lot off to Hogwarts."
"Ok, I'll see you later Hagrid," said Harry as Hagrid motioned the 1st years to the end of the station with his arms.
"Take care Harry," said Hagrid quickly before escorting the 1st years out of view.
"Just missed him," exclaimed Ron from behind Harry, his face covered in sweat and his trunk slung by his feet, "so how is Hagrid Harry?"
Harry turned towards Ron, "Well he's good a lot better than last year," he said with a smile.
"Well he should," interjected Hermione, "he would've still been in the Mountains if this was last year."
"You really know how to bring the mood down, don't you Hermione," said Ron with a frown.
"Oh Ron, I was only being honest," she said with the smallest of smiles, "anyway we best get to the Thestral-drawn carriages; we don't want to be late now do we?"
The three of them quickly took theirs things and made their way to the large collection of Carriages. Most of the Carriages were already full and a selection of students that started jumping in to the last few completely empty ones.
"Quick, let's get the empty carriage over there," said Hermione quickly.
The three of them were just quick enough to get the last completely empty carriage. They loaded their trunks and cages and whatever else they'd brought along and got in. It wasn't long until the carriages started making their way up the long grassy knoll towards the castle… towards Hogwarts for their 6th year.
***
I hope everyone likes this chapter; I enjoyed writing it as I always liked the Hogwarts Express chapters when JK wrote them. Anyway I hope it's enjoyable as whilst I'm strict on myself, I still do enjoy my own work. Anyway things should start to pick-up again soon, with the lessons starting and a lot more else, there'll be plenty of actions, incidents and strange occurrences.