Voices filled the platform as nineteen-year-old Harry Potter, accompanied by his friend Ron Weasley, came through the magical barrier. A few of Harry’s old friends shook his hand as they went passed. Harry and Ron were at the station to greet a certain someone off the train.
“The Hogwarts Express will be arriving shortly. Please stay back from the edge of the platform,” said the magically amplified voice of the platform officer.
“About time too,” said Harry, craning his neck to see if he could see the train coming.
“A bit keen, aren’t you?” said Ron. “After all, it’s only Ginny that we’re waiting for.”
“Only Ginny? ONLY GINNY,” Harry cried incredulously. “She’s my girlfriend, and I haven’t seen her for a month.”
“Big deal, she’s my sister and I haven’t seen her since Easter. You write, don’t you?” said Ron
“Of course I do, just…you don’t realise how bad it is to be away from your girlfriend…just because you live with Hermione now….” Harry replied.
“You don’t know what it’s like to have Mum constantly badgering you about wedding dates and grandchildren,” said Ron.
“Fine, point taken, but at least you see Hermione everyday.”
“Suppose…hey look!” said Ron, looking over Harry’s shoulder.
Harry looked around, and with a hiss of steam and a blast from its whistle, the Hogwarts Express began slowing with a screech of brakes to an eventual stop at platform nine and three quarters. Doors began to open, and students ran to their waiting families, talking excitedly and introducing friends. A group of wizards dressed in light blue robes were magically moving trunks off the train and onto the owners waiting trolleys.
Harry was now desperately searching for his girlfriend in the crowd. He hadn’t noticed her get off the train. He was about to perform a summoning spell when he felt a tap on his shoulder, and heard a familiar voice say:
“Nice hair. I see you borrowed one of my hair ties.”
“Ginny!!” Harry said, whirling round. He was looking into the smiling face of Ginny Weasley. He wrapped his arms around her, then kissed her lips.
“Err, mate?” said Ron after a few minutes.
“Sorry,” said a flushed but happy Harry, who picked up Ginny’s trunk in one hand, took Ginny’s hand in the other, then let Ron lead them to his newly acquired car.