Hey everyone. Sorry for all of the delays. I finally have an apartment though, so everything should be alright now. As I mentioned last chapter, this was supposed to be part of it, but I was going crazy with stress, so it never got written up. This chapter is Harry and friends on the Hogwarts Express. So enjoy!

Disclaimer: Look up the previous chapters. I'm too lazy to say it again.

[xXx]

Harry Potter and the Shaman

Chapter 6

[xXx]

Hogwarts Express, Scotland Bound, 9/1/1991, 11:01 AM

"What was that about just now, Harry?"

Susan, Harry and Hannah were in a compartment aboard the train. Susan and Hannah looked at Harry confused, as he knocked the back of his head against the wall behind him. He had been at it ever since they left the station just a minute ago. Harry finally stopped and held his face in his hands.

"See you in a few hours," he muttered. Susan raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Harry looked at her defeat and frustration painted on his face. "Ray's up to something. He said 'see you in a few hours'." Susan said "ah ha" in understanding.

"Well that explains a lot," she replied, looking thoughtful. "Whatever he's planning can't be that bad, though. If anything, it should be exciting!" Harry thought it over, and then shrugged; accepting Susan's explanation. Hannah decided it was time to intervene.

"I'm sorry, but would you share with the rest of the class," she asked at a loss? "It's pretty annoying not knowing what's going on (A/N 1)." Harry and Susan looked at her apologetically.

"Ray got a letter from Hogwarts the same day as me," Harry explained. "He read it and suddenly started laughing. He gave it to Sparrow, his girlfriend, and then she began laughing with him. They wouldn't tell me what the letter was about except it was a surprise. And now that Ray said 'see you in a few hours'; I'm a bit anxious thinking about what he's up to."

"Well, maybe Susan's right," Hannah suggested. "From what she tells me in letters, Ray's a cool guy and whatever he's up to at school might be a whole lot of fun." Susan agreed with her friend's logic and Harry eventually relented.

There was a knock on the door, Susan opened it and in came a blonde-haired boy with a round face.

"Hi Neville, how are you," she greeted the newcomer kindly. The boy, named Neville, smiled shyly.

"Hi, Susan I'm doing pretty well thanks. Hi, Hannah," Neville replied and greeted the other girl. Hannah returned the greeting. "Do you guys mind if I sit here?"

"Sure! You can take a seat next to Harry." Neville nodded and stored away his trunk. He then looked at Harry and offered his hand to shake. "Hi there, I'm Neville Longbottom." Harry grinned and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Harry Potter," Harry replied. Neville was surprised.

"Wow," he exclaimed as he sat down next to Harry. "It's nice to finally meet you. Our parents were friends, you know."

"I thought your last name sounded familiar. Ray has an album of my mum and dad growing up. Your parent's names are Alice and Frank, right?"

"That's right," Neville answered quickly, with a sad look in his eye. Harry believed that it would be a good idea to change the subject.

[xXx]

Harry told Susan and his new friends of his and Ray's run-in with the Weasleys and meeting Daphne, Blaise and their siblings.

"Zabini and Greengrass are alright," Susan commented. "They're neutral families, neither serving the light or the dark, along with the Davis'. Ray introduced you to them?"

Harry was about to reply, when one of the Weasleys barged in; Ron, Harry recalled his name. He was very rude. Ron gave Susan, Hannah and Neville hostile glares before focusing on Harry, giving him an insincere smile.

"Hi! I'm Ron Weasley! We met at the gateway." The redhead introduced himself, offering a handshake. Harry felt the need to raise his guard.

"Um… Harry Potter. Nice to meet you." Harry was apprehensive of this Ron character. It reminded him of the journalists back when Ray had his first case in D.C.

"We should get out of here." Ron declared. "I bet I can be loads more fun than these losers." Harry scowled.

"I'm sorry, but who are you to judge?" Harry asked with an edge in his voice. "Susan is one of my oldest friends, my best friend. Hannah and Neville have been great company. You just barged in here, gave my friends the stink eye and claimed yourself to be a better friend." Ron became flustered.

"I am!" He claimed. "Why would you hang out with these nobodies when you can have fun with something as cool as me?"

"Because you're arrogant, rude and inconsiderate to other's feelings. If you were the better friend, you'd be more accepting of others." As Ron was about to make a comeback, the door opened, revealing his twin older brothers; Fred and George, Harry recalled.

"Ah, ickle Ronniekins!" One twin said. Ron blush spread down his neck and reached the same shade as his hair.

"We've been looking for you, haven't we, Gred?" The other brother continued and asked his twin.

"That we have, Forge, my dashing compadre!"

"Our most loving mother—"

"Has asked us—"

"To invite you—"

"To lunch!" Both brothers finished together with dazzling smiles. Ron was not happy with the introduction.

"But I don't want to," Ron cried! "I'm going to stay here with my new best friend, Harry Potter!" Harry looked at Ron with disbelief. 'Did he listen to anything I just said!' Harry shouted inwardly.

"He's not interested, Ronald," The eldest Weasley in Hogwarts, Percy, entered the compartment behind the twins. "I heard everything, as well. Don't try to deny it." Ron was without an excuse. Finally, he stomped out of the compartment, glaring at Harry. Percy sighed.

"Forgive our brother, Mr. Potter." He apologized to Harry. "If he gives you any problems at school, please let me know. As a prefect, it's my duty." Harry thanked him and Percy exited.

"Yes, yes. Many apologies for our ickle brother, Potter and friends!" Said one of the twins.

"If Ronniekins causes trouble and perfect prefect Percy is unavailable, don't be afraid to let us know." The other continued.

"Messers Fred and George are at your service!" The twins introduced themselves with a bow and flourish. Harry and his friends were amused.

"Nice to meet you and thank you for the help," Harry and the twins shook hands.

"Now, I'm afraid we must depart," Gred said opening the door.

"Our friend Lee got himself a tarantula over the summer and we just have to take a peek," Forge explained as he and his brother exited the compartment. "Later!"

"That was enlightening," Hannah commented. The others agreed.

[xXx]

Sometime later, the foursome began lunch. Harry and Susan were telling stories about Ray and his adventures when another knock sounded on the door to the compartment. Neville answered it and welcomed in a girl their age with bushy brown hair holding a toad.

"Hello, Neville," the girl greeted. "I found your toad. He somehow slipped his way into my bookbag."

"Trevor," Neville shouted, taking the proffered pet from the girl's hands. "I can't believe I forgot about you!" He looked at the rest of the compartment and blushed in embarrassment.

"Sorry," he apologized then presented the girl. "This is Hermione Granger. We met at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley. And this is my pet toad, Trevor. I'm beginning to believe he's a ninja toad (A/N 2) or something." Harry raised an eyebrow at Neville while Susan and Hannah smiled at Hermione.

"Hello Hermione," Susan greeted. "I'm Susan Bones. This is Hannah Abbot and Harry Potter." Hermione's eyes widened at Harry's name and turned all attention towards him.

"The Harry Potter," she asked in awe. "I've read all about you—I got a few extra books, background reading, you know, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century." Harry raised an eyebrow, his face grew bewildered.

"Wow," he said after a beat. "I… didn't realize I was so… popular." Hermione nodded quickly, oblivious to Harry's unease. Thankfully, Susan decided to come to his rescue.

"Hermione," she began, "you do know that much of the books about Harry are unauthorized, right?" Hermione grew confused.

"How do you mean," she asked.

"I mean to say the writers never asked for Harry's permission and most of the information written is made-up." Shock morphed the bushy haired girl's face.

"B-but there is so much!" Hermione exclaimed in disbelief. Susan sighed.

"You can't believe everything you read," the redhead returned. Hermione turned around and left, muttering about rereading. Just then, a familiar blond headed boy barged in with two gorilla-like minions.

"I heard that Harry Potter was in this compartment," Malfoy stated. Harry frowned and began to open his mouth to say something.

"Sorry," Susan interrupted. "He's not here. We have been getting people left and right asking the same thing."

Malfoy sneered at her and the other occupants.

"Fine," he drawled and turned to leave. "Why would he consort with such trash anyway?" With that parting shot, Malfoy and his cronies were gone. Harry and the gang let out a breath of relief.

"Thanks, Susan," Harry told his friend. "I don't believe I could take another visitor, especially someone like him."

"No problem," she replied with a smile. "What are friends for, if not to keep unwanted guests away?" At that, the four of them laughed.

"I think we're getting close to the school," Hannah commented. "We should change into our robes." Harry, Susan and Neville agreed and went into their trunks.

[xXx]

The Three Broomsticks, Hogsmeade, 9/1/1991, 5:45 PM

Ray was nursing a butter beer at the bar, checking the time on his pocket watch. He grinned.

'Here you come, Harry,' Ray thought. 'What adventures will we have this year, I wonder?' With that, he finished his butter beer, paid his tab, and left through the front door and into Warsaw, Poland. He'll be back in time for dinner, he was sure.

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…FIVE MONTHS! I'VE BEEN GONE FOR FIVE MONTHS? Wow, sorry everyone! I owe you all an explanation, don't I? College got in the way, all I can say. Sorry, all. But look you just read a new chapter… a short new chapter… I owe you a longer one next time. Crap, I feel guilty. (*sigh*) Well, please review and maybe, I don't know suggest where the hell I should go next. It's been a while since I read the books and all.

I'm out

Carnacki23