Saving Snape

4. Harry Freaking Potter

Over the next month, I do chores around the burrow for Mrs Weasley. It's the least I can do for her. She took Hazel and I in when we had no other option.

Yes, no other option.

The Leaky Cauldron would have been the perfect place but Dumbles heard somewhere that Lucius Malfoy is staying there with his son. Meeting them there would have been disastrous. Since nobody else is as loving as Mrs Weasley, we didn't have any other place to go. She didn't need to be asked twice. She opened her arms to us even though she has so many other kids to take care of.

I actually think it's a privilege. De-gnoming the burrow! I've always wanted to do that.

On September the first, I stare anxiously into the mirror. What if things don't go as planned? What if Harry just wants to be alone? I shake myself mentally. He doesn't want to be alone, the poor boy is scared nobody will like him.

Mrs Weasley calls us down and I grab my trunk, still trying to remain calm. I mean, if I don't get into Slytherin then Snape will have a harder time trusting me. If I am in Slytherin, Snape might trust me more but Harry won't. He despises all Slytherins.

I race Hazel down the stairs and behind her goofy grin, I can see she's nervous too. I give her an encouraging smile and beat her to the kitchen.

"So how are we getting there?" I ask Mrs Weasley.

"Well, I don't know if you know about this but-"

"-Are we going in the car?!" I squeal. "That car is so important next-" I stop because Ron is staring at me, along with the rest of the male Weasleys. Ginny has sort of zoned out. "I mean... Um... Never mind let's go!"

Hazel beats me to the car and we hop in, taking in every detail. Everybody else sits down with us and we drive there the muggle way. No flying. We'd probably be in the daily prophet if we got seen by muggles though. We get there and hop out, looking around for Harry. No such luck, though.

"So where did you say he was?" Mrs Weasley whispers to Hazel.

"He'll be outside the platform, not sure how to get in. Just say something about muggles and he'll follow you and ask for help."

As we march towards the platform I see him. I nudge Hazel and squeal in excitement. I give a thumbs up to Mrs Weasley and she thinks for a moment before speaking loudly.

"This place is packed with muggles! Just like every year, I suppose."

I'm not sure if those were her actual words in the books but it doesn't matter. We have Harry's attention.

"Did it work?" She asks and I nod. Harry starts following us and I become very starstruck all of a sudden. It's Harry Freaking Potter following us to Platform 9 3/4 and soon I will meet him and introduce him to Ron. I am going to be responsible for their friendship. Wow. So will Hazel, of course.

Hazel and I go first and I am scared. What if we can't get through? We're muggles for crying out loud. I'll end up with a flat nose like Voldy!

Mrs Weasley smiles at me. "You'll be fine. The barrier will let you through. Just run."

I nod and charge at the wall with Hazel. Before I can stop, I get a tickling sensation and I open my eyes. I didn't even know I closed them. The Hogwarts Express is sitting right in front of me. I gasp in awe. I will be riding this beautiful thing in less than ten minutes.

Holy. Moly.

Percy sweeps past us and we follow him wordlessly. "Have you heard Harry Potter's coming to Hogwarts this year?" He tells us. "I hope to meet him. I bet he's going to be the head boy when he's older."