Everything felt surreal. It felt like forever since he had come to the castle. Forever since he had seen his dad.

Now, he couldn't stop his heart from pounding as he began to board the Hogwarts express with his best friends. He was thrilled.

"What a year," Neville sighed as he slumped into the car's seat they had chosen.

"You said it," Ron agreed.

"I still can't believe we won the cup," Hermione smiled brightly plopping next to Neville. Harry followed with a melancholic smile on his face as he took a window seat.

"It was rather nice."

"Rather nice? Did you see how everyone freaked out?" Ron laughed as he sat down, pulling Scabbers out of his pocket to sit on the seat between himself and Harry, "I don't think I've seen anything so wild."

"Not even with your dad?" Neville asked. Ron shook his head.

"Dad tries to keep work life out of home life. Not really effective at it but I more hear about things then see them."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. Daily, at worst, I'd see him sparring with my Aunt Tasha getting some mild bodily harm."

"How can you say that with a straight face?" Harry asked.

Ron and Hermione looked at one another.

"You'd just have to meet her Harry."

"Sounds odd," Neville admitted.

"You just haven't met her Nev."

"Who hasn't met who?"

"Does Ronnie have a girlfriend?" Two devilish red heads asked as they seemed to appear at their compartment.

"Certianly sounds like it," Geroge cheekily tagged on as he slid next to Ron. Ron rolled his eyes as Fred sat down next to Hermione.

"Yes, because I have a crush on my Russian aunt," Ron sarcastically stated.

"Wha-"

"Ew. Ronnie," Fred whined, "That's gross."

"It's your idea."

"Not anymore. So little firsties, anyway, what are all your plans this summer?"

"Um, we just passed our first year."

"With no exams," Hermione grumbled. Ron held back a laugh. Boy had it been a shock to everyone that they got a by. He was sure Hermione was going to scream.

"Right... So we're not first years anymore."

"Ah ah ah! Not quite."

"Not until they send out next year's letters. Then you'll be a second year."

"Til then, you still are little firsties."

"What? No!"

"Sorry you little ones. You must suffer!"

The twins cackling was equal parts hilarious and creepy.

Neville and Rin looked at one another, then Harry and Hermione. A silent idea passed along the younger students. Thankfully there were only two twins, and four smaller students were more than enough to tackle the twins in a mock fight. The six were wrestling playfully as the train began to move. They all groaned as they bumped the seats with their heads and limbs. With common sense, they all got back into their seats, Ron picking up Scabbers so he wouldn't accidentally be sat on, and made rather casual small talk as well as exchange addresses with everyone and receive Harry's home phone number despite his seeming reluctance.

Overseas charge maybe? Didn't his dad say something about that once? Or was it his Auntuncle FitzSimmons?

It didn't take long for the trolley to come and Harry to by a cart ton of sweets getting the twins to practically bow at Harry's feet. They exaggeratedly threw their arms over his shoulders and offered their expert joking service anytime he needed them. Ron snorted as he let Scabbers indulge in a few Bertie Botts Every flavor beans.

They were all enjoying the train ride when there was a knock on their door.

"Who is it?" George sang in a falsetto.

"Percy, Georgina."

George choked on his spit Fred began to laugh hysterically. Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron all looked surprised at the reaction as well as the identity of the mysterious knocker. The door opened revealing a slightly bemused Percy with his shiny prefect badge polished and pinned to his chest.

His eyes landed on the candy sterwn about the pit cabin. Hermione flushed and moved to clean up the wrappers when Percy snatched a licorice wand from Fred.

"Oi!"

"It's just a wand. I'm sure you can spare one," he said as he gestured to the candy still left.

None of the younger students knew what to make of Percy's current attitude, never having seen him so relaxed. Granted, he was still rather stiff, but taking candy? Unheard of. Fred and George on the other hand grumbled.

"Really Perce? Really?"

He gave a small smirk before returning to a more professional appearance.

"We will be arriving shortly. Everyone be ready to get off, and stick together until you find who you need to meet up with alright?"

"Sir yes sir!" Fred saluted Percy and hooked arms with Hermione while George looped with Ron. Ron took the que and linked arms with Harry as well. Hermione was nudged slightly before she followed up with Neville.

"Hilarious. See you in a few minutes." And with that, Percy continued onward, leaving the six to clean up and gather their things. Ron immediately slipped Scabbers into his pocket.

In no time, they finally reached the Platform 9 3/4. The platform was packed with eager adults and some small children. Neville was lucky and quickly spotted his mother who he waved eagerly to. A bit further away, Ron could make out Molly and Arthur Wealsey with Ginny Weasley bouncing from one foot to another. There seemed to be a few smartly dressed individuals near them for some reason. Beyond them though, Ron's eyes saw a slightly dirty, thin, yet muscular man in need of a shave standing next to a meek and slightly nervous purple shirt wearing man.

As soon as the train came to a halt, Ron bolted out of the train cabin, and out of the train car ignoring the call behind him as he left his things behind. He was one of the first off the train and wasted no time bolting into the crowd. Without hesitation, he leaped into rapidly opening arms to be strongly embraced by a man who could really use a shower.

"I missed you," Ron said trying to blink back his tears of joy.

"I missed you too Ron."

Yes. This is the end. But there is more. Should you decide to take a little trip with me onward? If not, I'll call the Knight Bus to take you wherever you may wish to go.

But if you decide you want to continue onward... Step off the train, to the platform and into a magically enhanced Ford Anglia... to Son of the Archer and the year of egos.

Now, Mysticarts knows a few things I had planned but had decided to scrap with this story as I was writing it. I do not regret the decisions I do not use. The big non regret I chose to share with you, was that I had thought about pairing Phil Coulson with Alice Longbottom. This idea was quickly scrapped obviously and I have had no regrets over this fact.

And for the poll, 15% for the hatred of Molly Weasley, 12% liked just a few of the Weasleys, 9% just liked the twins, 8% undecided, 7% liked them, 7% hated just a few of them, 5% liked Percy, 5% liked Bill, 4% liked Charlie, 4% hated Ginnie, 3% hated Percy, 3% loved the Weasleys, 3% hated the Weasleys, 3% hated the twins, 2% liked Arthur, 1% liked Ginnie, 1% hated Bill, 1% hated Charlie and 0% liked Molly Weasley.