Another Harry Potter fanfic (out of the 100 billion of them that there are amiright? @.@)... Written by ME! (aka ayu) Let’s see how this goes hehe! Feel free to leave any comments!
Chapter 1 [Prologue of Some Sorts] :
Darkness loomed over the castle of Hogwarts. An ominous silence lingered in the air; the atmosphere as desolate as the souls of the inhabitants. The forest seemed unusually still, and no birds sang their heavenly songs. Inside the castle, there was no sign of destruction, nothing to show for what had just happened such a short time earlier. The Great Hall was intact and looking peaceful. The halls were silent, and the dripping water made eerie sounds. The portraits that were usually inhabited by people were empty, as if they had just vanished.
The common rooms were uncomfortably silent, fires crackling happily. The windows were drawn, not letting the dim sunlight in. vibe remnants of mourning in the Great Hall lingered around. There had been a feast with no hunger; a final day that had no laughter.
Almost at it's destination; The Hogwarts Express chugged along, not happily as it usually did, but somewhat persistent. The train was not empty by far, but there was fear and apprehension as the students spoke in low voices. In one almost full compartment, Harry Potter sat with the Weasleys. The twins (who were older than Harry), were Fred and George, and the younger, (who was Harry's own age) was Ron. Instead of cockily playing with a snitch or ruffling his hair, Harry sat quietly, hands folded in his lap. Â The twins were fidgeting with their hands, staring out at the window. Ron had fallen asleep, a sweet crammed tightly in his hand.
The train was even closer to Platform 9 3/4 now, chugging along, even more persistent. The landscape passed by in a blur; rivers, valleys and mountains waving peacefully at them. The train jolted slightly as it hit something on the tracks, and Ron opened his eyes, surprised.
"W-wha?" He asked groggily, rubbing his eyes. Harry and the twins looked at him indifferently.
"The train hit something, mate" Harry said, slightly smiling at Ron's bemused face. Ron sighed and stretched. Then he looked around, and a sort of realization dawned over him.
"Blimey... It really did happen..." Ron said softly, yawning.
"Yeah. It did." Harry replied, examining a chocolate frog card that was littered on the seat.
"Wonder what'll happen now." said Fred, trying to sound nonchalant, but sounding unusually worried "Especially now that You Know Who's back...And...Neville's dead..."
George looked at his twin, Ron and Harry in turn "Hogwarts'll still be open, as long as Dumbledore's around. He's the only one You Know Who fears."
"Yeah." Harry agreed "But with the 'chosen one' dead and all most parents will want their children home."
"But it'll be safer at Hogwarts." Ron said, matter-of fact "Parents know that. Well - there's no way Mum and Dad will make me stay home."
"They might." Fred said gloomily.
"Nah, they won't." George said, with a half-smile that seemed almost fake. "There'll probably be a lot more security too."
They all fell silent and watched the scenery passing them by. Even the twins were desolate. Suddenly the train started to slow, and eventually came to a stop. Quietly the four got out of their compartment and off of the train.
Platform 9¾ held anxious families including the Weasleys and the Potters. There was a sort of relief in the air, as well somewhat forced smiles in every corner. Everyone was aware of what had happened, yet they tried avoided it, as if it hadn't. The Chosen One, The Boy Who Lived, couldn't be dead now. And yet, it was true; Neville Longbottom had been killed while trying to protect the Philosopher's Stone on his own. Killed by Voldemort himself. In every parents' mind there was a machine whirring that kept saying It didn't happen, it didn't happen.
On one side of the platform, Percy, the eldest Weasley child still attending school, had already gotten off the train and was patiently greeting the rest of his family. As soon as Mrs. Weasley saw Ron and the twins, she ran over to them, looking frantic.
"Thank God you're all safe!" she said, squeezing Ron tightly after she had hugged the twins, and then turned to look at Harry "You too, Harry dear."
On the other side of the platform stood the Potters, waiting expectantly. Spotting her older brother, Luana Potter, ran up to Harry, Ginny Weasley following closely behind her. Harry and GIRL NAME's parents, Lily and James, jogged  to the awaiting mass of people. Seeing Harry, James grinned.
"You alright?" he asked, ruffling Harry's hair, then he looked playfully stern at Luana "Don't run off like that."
Harry nodded, now grinning as well, and Luana looked at her father reproachfully.
"I told you where I was going! Right Gin?"
James laughed, and put his arm around Lily, who was shaking her head, yet smiling. Now finished coddling her sons, Mrs. Weasley spotted the Potters.
"Oh, Lily, James! Hello!"
Lily smiled, and went off to talk to Mrs. Weasley. The twins suddenly popped up at Harry's side, Ron right behind them.
"Where're Padfoot and Moony?" Fred asked enthusiastically.
"Dunno, actually." James replied. "They wanted to come but said they had something to do. Come then, you lot. We should get going."
"Aw, come on, Dad!" Harry protested. James looked unusually disappointed at his son.
"You really don't think You-Know Who is going to come here and start jinxing people!"
"Yes, that's exactly what I think. Now get your sister and your mother and let's go."
"You sound like Mum..." Harry muttered under his breath, but understanding the severeness of the situation, he complied.
"Mum, Lu, let's go." Harry called to them with no enthusiasm. Turning to Harry, Lily quickly spoke to Mrs. Weasley, waved and walked over to Harry.
"Lulu, let's go!" Lily called out to Luana. Harry heard his sister protesting.
Muttering, Luana waved to Ginny and walked over to her mother. With her two children behind her, Lily walked over to James who was now talking to Mr. Weasley.
"Ah, Lily!" Mr. Weasley greeted her. "And, Harry, how are you? Luana, you too!"
Luana smiled blushingly. The twins jogged to their father from a stern looking Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum says we're going now." George said.
"Yeah, she's in a right state." Fred said gravely.
"I'll be right there Molly!" Mr. Weasley yelled over to her. He then turned to Lily and James, quickly speak in a low voice.
Coming from around Harry, Fred and George came up behind Luana. She yelped, and then turning, giggled.
"You're coming to Hogwarts next year." Fred told her severely.
"So you'd better be in Gryffindor!" George said in a sing song voice.
"Yeah, if you don't, you'll be disowned." Harry said gravely, joining in.
Giggling, she flipped her long hair over her shoulder.
The three boys laughed happily, Harry ruffling his sister's hair. Luana smiled grudgingly, rolling her eyes all the same.
"Harry, Lulu; let's go now." said Lily, hurriedly trying to rush her children out. Coming from behind Lily, James firmly held onto her shoulders and steered her out of the platform.
The Potters walked out of the station looking like every other family on the platform; Luana was skipping ahead of the others, then Harry followed pushing his trolley and pretending not to care as mountains of people greeted him. Lily and James were right behind Harry, looking uncharacteristically nervous, yet holding themselves up firmly.
Although the clouds were covering the sky in gray patches, the sun was still shining dimly from behind; a new world was unraveling. Whether it would be a world of happiness, or a world of destruction, no one would know until the time arrived.
Thanks for reading! Watch out for chapter 2 in the next week or so! - ayu
