Hope - George Potter

9 - Hogwarts Express

Remus had asked Mrs Figg if he could borrow her car for the day, as it was a bit complicated to travel by floo with a trunk. He waited in front of Privet Drive number 4 at half past nine on George's first school day.

George said goodbye to his aunt, uncle and cousin without emotion and only Aunt Petunia said anything in return. Then he got out of the house, without looking back. He wouldn't have to see that house for at least three months.

He skipped over to the car, Harry walking next to him. He was so happy for George that he could leave the Dursleys but he would be left behind as well. He would have to go back to school tomorrow, without anyone to talk to. The only comfort would be his secret magic books, his broom, Fleamont and the occasional letter from George. But that was not enough. He wouldn't have a person to talk to. He would miss his brother as it often seemed like he was the only one who was on his side in this world.

George was extremely excited and nervous. What if it would end like it did at his old school? With him not having any friends, with the others laughing about him. They would probably only see him as the weird brother of the boy who lived. And he wouldn't even have Harry with him. Tonight he would sleep alone, without Harry next to him. How would he survive three months of not being able to talk to his brother?

When they were all seated, Remus started the engine and they drove off. He turned on the radio and they all sang to the songs together. Nobody knew the text and noone could really sing, but it was fun.

At half past ten they arrived at the station, so George still had half an hour before he had to leave. They parked and Remus carried the enormous trunk over to a trolley.

"What did you put in there, George? It weighs nearly as much as Mr Dursley," Remus said jokingly. The two boys giggled.

They made their way into the train station and walked over to platforms nine and ten.

"To get to platform 9 3/4 you have to run through the wall between platform nine and ten," Remus explained. The two boys looked at him incredulously.

"I'm not going to run against a wall," George stated, "You really should have thought of a more credible thing if you wanted to prank us."

"I'm serious. Look over there, that family will run through the wall in a few moments. Just watch and see," said Remus and pointed at a family of redheads that were standing in front of a wall. George recognized Mr Weasley, the man who had accidentally bumped into him in the floo. He really hadn't lied when he had told George that he had seven children. They were all here together.

And really, after a few moments, the first of them ran into the wall and suddenly he wasn't there anymore. He had just vanished.

"It actually works! Can we do it now?" George asked.

"Okay then," Remus said and they walked over to the Weasley family or rather the three that still had to go. It was the mother and two twin brothers. When they were gone,Remus said, "You first, George."

He ran in the direction of the wall and he was starting to wonder how much it would hurt when his body met the wall. He closed his eyes, ready for the impact, but it never came. When he opened them again, he saw a beautiful red old train and again this wash of colours that seemed to always be present in the wizarding world. It was very loud and crowded, owls hooting, pupils greeting their friends and parents saying goodbye to their children. Everyone either laughing or crying.

Suddenly he was thrown to the floor only to see that Harry had run into him.

"Oh sorry. I had my eyes closed," he said.

Remus came next and he laughed at Harry and George who were still lying on the floor. George stood up and dusted himself off before he gave Harry his hand to pull him up.