Snakes and Ravens

Chapter 3-Boarding the Train

Penelope POV

Leading her anxious brother through a bustling Kings Cross station (both children keeping their heads down to distract attention, as Penny hadn't had chance to add a glamour charm to either of them yet.) they found their way to the pilar like wall between platforms 9 and 10.

"Do you remember what I told you, Harry?" Penny queried, giving the boy a questioning glance.

"Just to close my eyes and run straight ahead, right?"

"Right. I'm just behind you so stay put once you get there."

Gladys gave his small, bony hand a comforting squeeze and gestured to the wall. She let a small smile grace her features as Harry sailed through the wall with ease, she followed suit, anxious to not leave Harry alone. Never again. Once she was on the platform she squeezed his left shoulder- she knew it not to be bruised and didn't want to startle him. "Let's get on the train Harry." She smiled at him gently, her voice contrasting with a firm eagerness to cast the glamour charm on the both of the pair.

As she guided him; weaving through the crowd, her should aim the train - she could see the familiar faces of: The Weasley twins talking to Lily Johnson and later on Stephanie Piper and Kendra Flack from the corner of her eye. She beamed inwardly, she had missed them all dreadfully this year. She shook the thought from her mind. There would be time for that later. Ushering Harry into an empty compartment she cast a quick silencing charm and then turned to him, sinking to her knees so she would be at his level.

Looking deep into his Emerald eyes she said.

"From now one, the Dursleys don't exist, okay?" firmness racked through her and her gaze was stiff. She hated doing this to Harry but he had to know she was serious. Nobody could ever know.

"No Uncle Vernon. No Aunt Petunia. No Dudley. Do you understand Harry?"

He nodded.

"Good" She hugged him tightly, neither of them caring about the bruises that peppered their weak bodies. "Promise me Harry."

"I promise" He said quietly.

Penelope seemed happy with his word. She trusted him implicitly, in the way only family ever could. She cast the miracle of a glamour charm over Harry and then herself. She grinned at him as he looked at his body in awe - she knew he could still feel them, but he looked normal.

All Harry wanted was to be normal.

Taking his hand she took of the silencing charm and took him back off the train to rejoin the crowds meeting and waiting to be aloud to board when she heard the familiar voice of Lily Johnson, a fifth year Hufflepuff who had been friends with Penny since their first year. Seeing a fury of blonde hair run over to her, Penny groaned as she was launched into a hug.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL SUMMER"

Penny Groaned at the sudden burst of contact, she had tried to train herself not to flinch but had had always found it difficult at the start of each term after being in her Privet Drive Prison.

"On holiday! I couldn't write, I don't have an owl remember!"

"oh shush! I missed you!" Lily grinned at Penny, and then at Harry who had taken to hiding behind his sister.

"So this is Harry?" she beamed at him "Hey 'lil dude!"

"hi..." he said meekly

Penny scanned round the platform, she was desperate for Harry to make friends. She then remembered that The Malfoy's youngest son, Draco was going to be a first year this year. Seeing him stood in the corner being fussed by Narcissa. She had a plan.