Express Away

Harry woke up the next day, feeling great. He was finally off to Hogwarts, not that he will learn anything there but still it would be a great place. He could meet his friends(of course the ones who will be friends), could study the ancients magic that guarded the castle, play quidditch, check out the forbidden forest(definitely doing that) etc. Harry did have an inkling on what magic guarded the castle but nonetheless he wanted to see for himself. Harry's mind wandered off to a certain red head, namely Ginny Weasley. His future wife, well he would have to wait another year to actually study with her. Hmmm....certainly something could be arranged during the holidays to get closer to her.

He looked at the time, it was 7 am. Four more hours, three and a half actually since he also needed to make it to the station. Well what could go wrong? Even if it did Harry will be able to handle it. With that, Harry got out of bed and went downstairs. Petunia was already there sitting on the table sipping her tea. Vernon seemed to be still asleep.

"Morning mum"

"Morning Harry! Excited about Hogwarts I see."

"Hehe--I can't wait to get there. Although I can just apparate to Hogsmeade and go to Hogwarts from there. It would take out the fun of the train ride"

Petunia nodded as she was reminded of the conversation with Sirius the night before. Harry was not a normal child(well he is the-boy-who-lived but he is also someone who is more powerful than Dumbledore. And that was something serious). She just hopes he doesn't harm someone on a mere whim. 

"Well Harry, what would you like for your breakfast?" 

"How about...." 

Harry couldn't think of anything. 

"You just surprise me mum. But I would like one of your treacle tarts"

"Sure Harry", Petunia smiled and kissed him. 

After a hearty breakfast, which was joined by Sirius too as he would be dropping off Harry. They set of to Kings Cross station with Harry's luggage and Hedwig. Sirius by his side constantly telling him about Hogwarts. They went by car to the station and were going to the platform, when Harry out of his eye corner saw a plump redhead woman, rushing towards the platform 9, followed by 5 other redheads. 

"--packed with Muggles, of course--"

Harry distinctly caught Mrs. Weasley saying as she hurried towards the platform. Ginny was walking with her, holding her hand. Following them was Percy, Fred and George, and Ron. Each of them carrying their trolley. Harry smiled and pointed to Sirius, who nodded. They made their way towards the Weasleys. 

"Mrs. Weasley"

"Harry! I thought you would already be on the train by now"

"Harry!", Ginny squealed and ran to Harry and grabbed his hand. Cute.

"Hey Harry", Ron smiled. 

"Ron"

"George come here... look who it is.. Porry Hatter"

"Yes Fred...But I think he is called Parry Hotter"

"Hello Harry, My name is Forge and this is my brother Gred, we are pleased to meet you"

The twins were up to their usual antics. They still shook Harry's hand. Percy greeted Harry politely. Harry felt bad that he had caused Percy his pet. Well, he could always gift him one for Christmas. Mentally noting that Harry made it to Platform 9 3/4 along with the Weasleys. After the final goodbyes all of them got onto the train. Harry and Ron had gotten a single compartment, Fred and George were sitting with their friends and Percy was sitting in the Prefects compartment. As the train began to move, Harry saw Sirius, Mrs. Weasley, Petunia and Vernon waving. Ginny along with Abigail, half laughing, half crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed, then both of them fell back and waved. 

Harry smiled. Just one more year and you are mine Miss Ginny, he thought. He waved them goodbye with promises to write to them. Harry watched them disappear as the train rounded the corner. Houses flashed past the window. Harry felt a great leap of excitement. Finally he was off to Hogwarts. And if he knew it, in about an hour and a half, the trolley lady will come by and just after 10 minutes of that, he will meet Hermione for the first time. 

Ron and Harry chatted for a while and then Ron pulled out his wizard chess set and challenged Harry. Even when Harry is so gifted with magic, he couldn't for the love of his life figure out chess. He has always been bad at it. Safe to say that Ron wiped the floor with him on every game.

Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"

There she was. Harry immediately got to his feet to buy some cauldron cakes, but Ron's ears went pink again and he muttered that he'd brought sandwiches. Harry bought Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands and some Bubble brew. He gave the lady a galleon and 11 sickles. He proceeds to dump them on his seat. Ron looks at him, "hungry are you?"

"Not really, but just wanted to stock up for Hogwarts", Harry smirked. Ron nodded and bought out his lumpy package that contained sandwiches. Harry gawked at him, "What are you doing?"

"Huh? I said I bought sandwiches so I am taking them out to eat", Ron looked at Harry as if he was mad. Harry blinked, he knew Ron was dumb, but damn he was dumb. 

"Well what do you think I bought all this for?", pointing to his stash on the seat. 

"You said you were stocking up for Hogwarts"

"Well not all of them, Ron. Now help me finish the some of these. Also since you already bought out the sandwiches, I want two of them"

Ron looked at Harry in disbelief. He wanted to refuse, as he thought it as charity. "Well Ron, I didn't think you didn't consider me a friend", Harry said with hurt expression on his face when Ron tried to refuse. 

Ron doubled back, trying to convince Harry that he was one of his best friends but he didn't want to waste Harry's money and all. Harry just shoved a cauldron cake in his mouth and grabbed two of his sandwiches. As much as Harry loved Petunia's cooking, Mrs. Weasleys food was next level. 

Ron munched on the cauldron cakes, laying his sandwiches down which sneaked into Harry's hand later. Harry happily helped himself to the sandwiches and cauldron cakes. He then threw a chocolate frog towards Ron, "Here catch!" as he took one for himself. Harry had gotten Albus Dumbledore's card in his chocolate frog, which read: 

 ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

 currently headmaster of Hogwarts

Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling. 

This was the first time Harry had gotten Dumbledore's card. He kept it aside as he opened up a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. He took one, it turned out to be baked beans. He offered one to Ron and his turned out to be curry. They were happily munching on the sweets and talking about Quidditch. Internally, Harry was like , anytime now. As if on cue, Hermione walked in with Neville. Neville looked tearful and Hermione, well she didn't look like anything, just her normal face. 

"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?" 

Both Harry and Ron shook their heads. Neville wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!". 

"He'll turn up", said Ron. 

"want me to help you?", Harry asked. 

"No it's ok. I have already got Hermione helping me look for it"

"Oh trust me it's faster if I do it"

"Excuse me? Are you implying I'm incapable of finding a toad?", Hermione flared up. Harry chuckled, "I am not implying that at all. I'm just trying to help, Miss...."

"Hermione. Hermione Granger. And you are?"

"Harry. Harry Potter. And this here is Ronald Weasley, but call him Ron"

Both Neville and Hermione's eyes went big at Harry's name. They had not expected to meet much less talk to the-boy-that-lived. Harry chuckled, "Hey I'm still just normal guy. Nothing like those books describe me"

"Like hell you are...", Ron scoffed with a smirk. This caught both Neville and Hermione's attention. 

"So you want me to help or not?", asked Harry.