In Between Two Worlds (HP/PJO Crossover)

Chapter 81: Dementors.

I had just ran downstairs with my trunk floating behind me when I heard Mr Weasley say.

"They're here! Karlee, Harry, come on. "

Mr. Weasley marched us across the short stretch of pavement toward the first of two old-fashioned dark green cars, each of which was driven by a furtive-looking wizard wearing a suit of emerald velvet.

"In you get," said Mr. Weasley, glancing up and down the crowded street.

Harry and I got into the back of the car and were joined by Hermione, Ron, and, to Ron's disgust, Percy.

The journey to King's Cross was very uneventful. The Ministry of Magic cars seemed almost ordinary. Though I noticed that they could slide through gaps that other car certainly couldn't have managed. We reached King's Cross with twenty minutes to spare; the Ministry drivers found us all trolleys, unloaded our trunks, touched their hats in salute to Mr. Weasley, and drove away, somehow managing to jump to the head of an unmoving line at the traffic lights.

Mr. Weasley kept close to Harry and me all the way into the station.

"Right then," he said, glancing around. "Let's do this in pairs, as there are so many of us. I'll go through first with Harry. Then Fred and George, Percy and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, and Molly with Karlee.

We all followed his instructions and ran through the barrier. We were finally back on platform nine and three-quarters. I looked up to see the Hogwarts Express, puffing smoke over a platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train.

"Ah, there's Penelope!" said Percy, smoothing his hair and going pink again. Ginny caught my eye, and we both turned away to hide our laughter as Percy strode over to a girl with long, curly hair, walking with his chest thrown out so that she couldn't miss his shiny badge.

Once the remaining Weasleys and Hermione had joined us, Harry and Mr. Weasley led the way to the end of the train, past packed compartments, to a carriage that looked quite empty. We loaded the trunks onto it, stowed Hedwig, Forest and Crookshanks in the luggage rack. We found Bailey and then went back outside to say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley kissed all her children, then Hermione, Bailey, Harry and finally me.

"Do take care, won't you?" she said as she straightened up, her eyes oddly bright. Then she opened her enormous handbag and said, "I've made you all sandwiches. Here you are, Ron. . . no, they're not corned beef. . . Fred? Where's Fred? Here you are dear. . ."

"Harry, Karlee," said Mr. Weasley quietly, "come over here for a moment. "

He jerked his head towards a pillar, and we 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, "We already know."

"You know? How could you know?"

"We -- er -- We heard you and Mrs. Wesley talking last night. We couldn't help hearing," I 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 we know what's going on. "

"Harry, Karlee, you must be scared -- "

"We're not," said Harry sincerely. "Really," he added, because Mr. Weasley was looking disbelieving. "We're not trying to be a heroes, but seriously, Sirius Black can't be worse than Lord Voldemort, can he? Or all of the Monsters that Karlee has faced."