Ch. 17 - Murder on the Hogwarts Express-NOT!

The rest of June passed quickly with the group also visiting Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and more. July came along with a heat wave, but that didn't deter the group training. Unfortunately, Severus, Remus and Minerva decided the three needed to buckle down so they couldn't go talk to Raven Breeden and see if she truly had magic. Harry and Hermione hoped that they would see her on the train, for Draco's sake. The Grangers returned on Harry's surprise birthday party, which was a hit, bringing with them the present that Hermione asked them to get, a book on Wizarding customs. The group enjoyed some down time in the day then, but still trained for a set amount of hours. August came, thankfully bringing a cool reprieve to their relatively hot summer. A week before the start of term, the group headed to get their supplies at Diagon Alley.

"Come on, Hermione, I want to get you an early birthday present," Harry said, as they walked down the Alley getting supplies after visiting Gringotts.

"Harry, I don't need anything."

"Hermione, what if I got you a pet?" Harry pleaded.

"No, Mum and Dad gave me some additional money to do that. I'm not having it."

"Could you at least hint at something you might want?"

"Nope, sorry," she said as she stepped up to walk in time with Minerva and Narcissa.

Harry just grumbled and fell into step with Draco and Severus. Remus was back at Potter Manor getting ready for the full moon that night. Draco was attempting to stifle his laughing, while Severus merely smirked.

"Severus, what do you think I should do? I want to get Mione something, but she won't let me."

"Why not simply see what she has her eye on, but doesn't get, and then get that for her?"

"Brilliant, Severus."

The group arrived at their last stop, Flourish and Blotts, hoping to get the last of their shopping done so as to enjoy the last week of school. Outside of the door, they saw a sign that said Gilderoy Lockhart was doing a book signing.

"Huh, we'll actually get to meet the git who has written the whole booklist," Draco muttered.

"Yes, apparently so, son," Narcissa said.

They entered the crowded shop and got their books for their other classes, then they headed towards the back of the shop where Gilderoy Lockhart was having photos taken. Unfortunately, the Weasleys were there, and Ron bumped into Harry, causing Lockhart to catch sight of him.

"It can't be-Harry Potter?" Lockhart asked in amazement.

"No, it isn't," Harry replied back, "and you would do well to let go of me, before my guardian hexes you and proves your books wrong."

"I don't know what you are talking about, lad. However, this gives me the best opportunity to announce my news. Ladies and gentlemen, when young Harry entered this shop today, he expected to come away with my books. He will come away with those, signed and free of charge, but he will also come away with the real magical me. I am going to be the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts this year."

This announcement caused the whole female population of the shop-with the exception of Narcissa and Minerva-to cheer, even Hermione.

"Oh, it will be so exciting to have him as our teacher, won't it Harry?" Hermione asked, squealing.

"Yeah, sure," Harry said noncommittally.

"Don't worry, Harry, she'll soon get over it," Severus whispered.

"Over a crush that has done such amazing things, and is going to be our new DADA teacher? No, I don't think that this will dissipate any time soon."

"Soon she'll realize he is a fraud, and you won't have to worry about it. Until then, be patient."

"Easy for you to say."

Lockhart signed his complete works for Harry and then gave them to him. The sheer weight of the many books caused Harry to nearly topple, if it hadn't been for Severus catching him. Severus sent a glare Lockhart's way and that silenced the simpering idiot. Hermione and Draco also got their books and the group hightailed it out of the store.

The rest of the week passed slowly, and since Minerva and Severus never got any notification they weren't still teachers, they agreed that they would travel on the express with the kids.

Kings Cross Station was fairly busy at 9:00 in the morning, but the group was able to get to Platforms 9 and 10 with ease. It wasn't until Harry, who had tried to go through to the platform first, that they realized they might have some trouble. As he reached the barrier, it became solid, causing Harry to crash into it and Draco to crash into him.

Severus went up to the barrier and felt around, his hand just touched the brick going through nothing.

"Well, we might be in a bit of a spot," Hermione said.

"No, we'll just side-apparate to the other side with you all. Narcissa take Draco, Remus you have Hermione and Harry will come with me. Minerva, I'm presuming you can take care to get yourself across."

"You know, Severus, you're not too old to take over my knee."

"I quiver with fear."

The seven of them went to a quiet alcove and apparated. When they got onto Platform 9 ¾, they heard someone squeal Draco's name.

"Draco, what are you doing here? Do you go to Hogwarts too? Why didn't you tell me you were a wizard?" Raven Breeden squealed this all in one breath.

"Er-" Draco was too shocked to say anything.

"Am I really like that, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. But that's why I love you."

"Oh."

"Harry? Harry Potter? Oh, I don't know if you remember me, we used to go to the same school. You and Dudley were some of my best friends in school. I don't believe we've met, I'm Raven Breeden," she said as she addressed the others.

"I'm Hermione Granger, Harry's girlfriend," Hermione said.

"Severus Snape."

"Minerva McGonagall."

"Remus Lupin."

"And I'm Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother."

"Pleased to meet you all. Harry, why didn't you tell me you were going to Hogwarts?"

"Well, at the time, I didn't know that you were a witch. If I had known, well, I couldn't have told you for fear of the Statute of Secrecy."

"What's that?"

"A way to keep our world unknown from the muggles, Ms. Breeden," Minerva said.

"Oh."

"By the way, who came and told you that you were a witch?"

"Oh, a funny old man dressed in outlandish robes."

"Was his name Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"Yeah."

"Yeah, you might want to stay away from him. He's not exactly on our good side," Harry said.

"Why? He seemed perfectly nice to me."

"He's done things that well, have hurt me and mine."

"Okay. What house are you in Harry?"

"We're all in Gryffindor. Minerva and Remus were as well; however, Severus and Narcissa were in Slytherin."

"That's cool."

"Raven, do you know what house you want to be in?" Draco asked.

"Well, I'm hoping for Gryffindor, but Ravenclaw doesn't sound too bad. How do they sort you?"

"Ah, that's a surprise. If we told you, then we would ruin it."

"Okay, should we board now? It's getting on 9:45."

"We still have an hour and fifteen minutes. But you're right, we can go ahead and board and get some good seats."

Raven said goodbye to her parents and boarded the train with the others, after they said goodbye to Narcissa and Remus. They found a compartment midway along the train, one they hoped that they wouldn't be disturbed in. Ten minutes after the group entered the compartment, there was a knock on the door. Harry opened it to reveal Dean Thomas.

"Hello, Potter, I was wondering if we could talk."

"Whatever you say to me, you can say to them," Harry responded.

"Look, I'm sorry for how I acted. I didn't know what he was calling Hermione, and by extension, myself. I know better now, and I'm hoping that you won't hold it against me."

"Don't worry, Dean, we don't hold grudges. However, we will be keeping our eyes on you," Hermione answered.

"I expected that. Thank you, Hermione. And once again, I'm sorry," he said as he headed out of the compartment.

At 10:25, an owl came flying into the compartment bearing two letters. It dropped the letters in front of Severus and Minerva, and flew off again. Both Minerva and Severus read their letters, and immediately started gathering their things.

"What's happened?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore. He needs us at Hogwarts immediately. We still have our jobs," Severus said.

"Okay, but is this the best course of action? Going in there without a plan? How do you know that he isn't doing this just to try to get to us?"

"We don't. But if we don't go, then we might not have our jobs," Minerva stated.

"Still think about this. He may just try to use you two to get to me. Don't go," Harry pleaded.

"I'm sorry" could be heard from both of them as they apparated out of the compartment. Harry placed a locking charm on the door so as not to be disturbed.

"Well, what do we do now?" Raven asked.

"We could teach you how to play Exploding Snap," Draco replied.

"Okay, that sounds like fun."

They spent until the train left teaching her the dynamics of the game, then they played for the first hour of the trip, with Raven winning two games. Two hours later, the food trolley came by and Harry bought some of everything for Raven to try. They enjoyed the food, especially the Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. All four kids took a nap until they were about an hour from the castle, then they started changing into robes, the girls and then boys.

Arriving at Hogsmeade station, Harry, Hermione and Draco said goodbye to Raven and got into a carriage, while Raven went on to the boats. The trio had a quick journey to the school and when they arrived in the Great Hall, they chose seats that would give them a good view of the sorting. They could see that Minerva and Severus were all right, at least outwardly. They would check up on them later. The first years arrived thirty minutes after they sat down and the sorting got under way. The only name the trio cared to hear was…

"Breeden, Raven," McGonagall shouted.

"Hmm…difficult, very enigmatic. There's knowledge and cunning, but loyalty and courage too. Now, where to put you? Ah, so you know the one who creates mischief, do you? Yes, I can see that would be a good fit. Okay, GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat exclaimed.

Raven took off the Hat and came and joined her friends. The Golden Trio clapped the loudest they could for her. However, despite all the merriment, Harry couldn't help but feel a storm was brewing.

(A/N Okay, yes, I know it is a wee bit late, but unfortunately, I had class and two essays to write. Near the end of the week my friend will have a new chapter posted of her story. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed; they are a great source of ideas. Please continue to read and review. Hope you enjoyed this installment).

Riddle Potter 23