Secrets- A Severus Snape Story

Chapter 2- Hogwarts

The summer holidays had finally come to an end and after being driven by official Ministry of Magic cars to Kings Cross station. The Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were all getting ready to board the Hogwarts Express once again. 

"Harry," said Mr Weasley quietly. "Come over here a moment."

He jerked his head towards a pillar, and Harry followed him behind it, leaving the others crowded around Mrs Weasley. 

"There's something I've got to tell you before you leave -" said Mr Weasley in a tense voice.

"It's all right, Mr Weasley," said Harry, "I already know."

"You know? How could you know?"

"I - er - heard you and Mrs Weasley talking last night. I couldn't help hearing." Harry added quickly. "Sorry-"

"That's not the way I'd have chosen for you to find out," said Mr Weasley, looking anxious.

"No - honestly, it's OK. This way you haven't broken your word to Fudge and I know what's going on."

"Harry, you must be very scared - "

"I'm not," said Harry sincerely. "Really," he added, because Mr Weasley was looking disbelieving. "I'm not trying to be a hero, but seriously, Sirius Black can't be worse than Voldemort, can't he?"

Mr Weasley flinched at the sound of the name, but overlooked it. 

"Harry, I knew you were, well,  made of stronger stuff than Fudge seems to think, and I'm obviously pleased that you're not scared, but -"

"Arthur!" called Mrs Weasley, who was shepherding the rest onto the train. "Arthur, what are you doing? It's about to go!"

"He's coming, Molly!" said Mr Weasley, but he turned back to Harry and kept talking in a lower and more hurried voice. "Listen, I want you to give me your word - "

"- that I'll be a good boy and stay in the castle?" said Harry gloomily. 

"Not entirely,' said Mr Weasley, who looked more serious than Harry had ever seen him. "Harry, swear to me you won't go looking for Black." 

Harry stared. "What?"

There was a loud whistle. Guards were walking along the train, slamming all the doors shut.

"Promise me, Harry," said Mr Weasley, talking more quietly still, "that whatever happens - "

"Why would I go looking for someone I know wants to kill me?" said Harry blankly. 

"Swear to me, that whatever you might hear -"

"Arthur, quickly!" cried Mrs Weasley. 

Steam was billowing from the train; it had started to move. Harry ran to the compartment door and Ron threw it open and stood back to let him on. They leant out of the window and waved at Mr and Mrs Weasley until the train turned a corner and blocked then out of view.

"I need to talk to you in private," Harry muttered to Ron and Hermione as the train picked up speed. His mind still plagued with Sirius Black. 

"Go away, Ginny," said Ron. 

"Oh, that's nice," said Ginny huffily as she stalked off.

Harry, Ron and Hermione set off down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment, but all were full except for the last one at the very end of the train. 

This only had one occupant, a man sitting fast asleep next to the window. Harry Ron and Hermione checked on the threshold. The Hogwarts Express was usually reserved for students and they had never seen an adult there before, except for the witch who pushed the food trolley.