Heroes of Hogwarts: Being Brave is Believing in Yourself

Chapter 1

In the Hogwarts Express:
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville all stared up at the shiny and new Hogwarts Express train. They were all thinking different things.

Harry was wondering about why he had to return for his last year at Hogwarts. It would seem so different now that the war was over.

Ron was simply thinking about how hungry he was, and if they changed the snacks on the train.

Hermione was pondering if she made the right decision by deciding to go back to Hogwarts, and bringing everyone back with her.

Ginny kept on switching between thinking about Harry and their relationship, and how he was feeling.

Luna, of course, was just staring at the train's colors, and she wondered what new House she would be in, for McGonagall had decided to sort all new and returning students.

Neville was just noticing how few students there were this year. Literally NO first years. All the students had been there last year. Wizard parents had been hesitant to send their children to Hogwarts. despite Voldemort being dead.

"Well," Hermione said, "No use just standing here. We might as well go on the train."

Ron squeezed her hand. "Are you sure we should really return? Nobody else is. Just the four of us that were supposed to be seventh years last year."

Ginny gasped. "Well, not just you four anymore. Guess who joined the party." She glared at a certain someone with blonde hair, pale skin and silver eyes who was going on the train.

Hermione clenched her fists.

Harry winced. "Malfoy."

Luna shrugged. "I can tell he's here not to be a bother. It'll be okay." Neville smiled at her. He was so happy lately, being with her. He understood her, whereas most people just misunderstood her weirdness.

Harry started getting on the train with Ginny, and everyone followed.

After Ron found an empty compartment and everyone squeezed in, a dark figure passed the door.

Harry jumped up. "Erm.....I think I need to go to the bathroom..." He said it like a question. Ginny furrowed her eyebrows in concern, but she let him head to the door.

"Mate?" Ron leaned over and put a hand on Harry's arm. "The war was hard, and it's even harder going back. All for different reasons. Just......tell us if there's anything we can do. We're all here for each other."

Harry hesitated, and looked into everyone's faces. Ron and Ginny looked concerned, and Hermione looked about ready to cast some spell to relive Harry's worries. Neville and Luna were just smiling at him and nodding.

"Um....okay. I will take advantage of that." Harry left the room and went down the hall, following the unfamiliar black figure.

It looked like a male, and it eventually went into the men's bathroom. Harry didn't know why he was following the figure. All he knew was that he felt compelled to do so.

Harry slipped in the doorway, and grabbed the male's arm.

"Dude, what the Hades?" An American youth faced Harry. He looked a bit younger than Harry, but was taller and had dark hair. He had sea green eyes, and an orange shirt on with the letter "H." The rest was hidden by the navy blue hoody he wore.

"Hades?" Harry inquired.

"Um....I meant heck. But, seriously, who are you?" The boy sized Harry up.