The Secret Magic Of Potions And Daggers

Standing before the boys was not the girl they new as their best friend but a developing woman. Her bushy brown hair a bit more tame and she was now a few inches taller than either of the boys.

"Hi Harry, Hello Ron, how were your summers?" Scarcely a reply could fall from their lips as they gaped open mouthed at their friend. In fact, it wasn't until another figure from their past approached them from behind that either of the stunned boys moved at all.

"Ah, Harry and your friend Ron. Hermione, you should have told me they'd be here. We could have waited lunch and eaten together," said Viktor Krum while messing up Harry's mop of uncontrollable dark hair. Harry noticed his English skills had vastly improved. He was even taller than he had been last year when Harry had competed against him, and won, at the Tri-Wizard tournament. "How have you been this summer, Harry?"

"Fine Krum, and you?"

"Oh, please call me Viktor, and our summer was splendid. Wasn't it Hermione? We saw so many things in my country even I had never seen before. And now Hermione is showing me your beautiful country-side."

Ron shot an incredulous look at Hermione, who didn't bat an eye before adding, "My parents and I found the trip very educational and exciting. Maybe next year we can all go back."

"Harry, Ron, there you are" Mrs. Weasley called out, "now if you have got everything you need we'd best be getting home, there's dinner to get on the table and tomorrow we need to leave early to catch the train."

"Mom, why can't we just stay at the Leaky Cauldron and leave from here in the morning," asked Ginny with pleading eyes. "It would be ever so much less hassle."

"Yeah Mom," chorused the twins, who'd already met up with their friend Lee Jordan who was planning on doing the same.

"My parents and I are staying at a hotel in Muggle London, so we would be close by," added Hermione.

"What do you think Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley asked her husband.

"Sounds good to me, but we won't have Ministry cars this year so we'll have to take the Muggle underground. I'll need a solemn promise from each of you to behave and stick together while we're doing so, understood." He inspected the faces of each hopeful child until he received a unanimous promise to be good. "All right then Fred, George, go ask old Tom if he has some spare rooms for the night." With a collective hurrah from all the Weasley clan the twins ran off to find Tom, the keeper of the Leaky Cauldron.

Time restraints now relieved, Harry could turn his conversation to more pressing matters. "So, Viktor, when are you going back to Bulgaria?"

"Go back? I'm not going back yet. I just graduated from Durmstrang and have got a job with the Quidditch supply store in Hogsmeade, mostly giving flying lessons. I decided to take a year rest before I rejoin the National Bulgarian Quidditch Team."

"He'll be right by the castle isn't that wonderful," Hermione chimed in, "We can visit him on Hogsmeade weekends and he has been asked to help out at the school once and a while"

"Oh" was all Ron could grunt out. As much as all the Weasley boys idolized Viktor Krum for his amazing talents on the Quidditch field, Ron had a hard time putting their past differences behind him. It had been less than a year ago that Viktor Krum was competing against Harry and Hogwarts in the Tri-Wizard tournament and that type of energy was hard to let go.

"I will be riding the train with you all tomorrow, but my ticket says Platform 9 ¾ and no one has told me what Muggle protections there could be at a train station. How peculiar you British wizards are," continued Krum.

"Don't worry about it, Viktor. We can all show you tomorrow, it is really easy," Harry tried to say casually. He was glad to know something Krum didn't. Just then the twins returned.

"Dad, Tom has only got three rooms so it will be tight but he said he had some cots and such," George informed his father.

"I have a room to myself," interjected Krum, "perhaps one of you can stay with me, make it a little less crowded."

"Wow, Viktor that is down right gentlemanly of you," said the twins each of them putting an arm around his neck and leading him toward Florean Fortesques Ice Cream Parlor. "Let me buy you a soda" continued Fred, "did we ever tell you we knew you'd catch the snitch during the World Cup...." Harry could hear their voices trail off in the distance.

As it turned out Harry and not the twins shared a room with Krum that night. It was at the insistence of Mr. Weasley who seemed to think it rude to let loose such great fans on a man who obviously needed a good night sleep. Harry tried to get ready for bed quickly but was not quite done when Krum came in.

"So, you drew the short straw, huh Harry," Krum tried to joke.

"Something like that. Are you all packed for tomorrow? Where's your trunk?"

"I already have a flat in Hogsmeade, so I'm all set," Harry was a bit jealous because he wished he could be on his own. As it was he faced returning to Privet Drive at the end of the school year. "Are you ready, Harry?"

"Just about." All Harry had left to pack was the photo book of his parents which he liked to look at before going to bed. He held it in his hand but felt somehow embarrassed to be looking at pictures of his parents in front of Krum.

"What's that you got there," inquired Krum, pointing to the leather bound book.

"Just images of a life I'll never know," he replied though the words surprised him.

"Let's have a look then." Krum's large hands took the book from Harry and they both crossed the room to the bed. Krum turned the pages very slowly. Smiling, waving photographs, one right after another, greeted them both.

"Who are they," Krum began to ask, but then answered his own question, "These are your parents aren't they Harry. I heard you looked like your dad, but wow, the resemblance is uncanny."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Harry was squirming a little, yet again embarrassed by the attention his name and past frequently brought him.

"Do you want to see my parents?"

"Sure," Harry was curious to see what the parents of the famous Seeker, Viktor Krum looked like. Viktor reached into his back pocket and pulled out a very shabby leather billfold, which struck Harry as odd because all wizard currency was in the form of coins and therefore the wallet of most wizards took the shape of leather pouches or belt boxes. When Krum unfolded the billfold it became apparent that it was Muggle made, with plastic inserts and stationary pictures.

"That's my mother, and there's my father," he said with pride. Harry was a little surprised to see how beautiful his mother was. She was gracious woman with long dark hair. Her nose was petite and her eyes, piercing. It was obvious Krum had inherited his protruding nose from his father. "The pictures don't move because their both Muggles," Krum answered before Harry had a chance to ask. "They had a lot of family on both sides who were wizards and when they died my Uncle raised me as his own, so most people don't know I'm Muggle born."

"I never would have guessed it," Harry agreed, "not with the way you fly."

"Yeah, well now we both know a bit more about each other." Krum was now the one shifting uncomfortably. "We had better get to bed, is it a long trip to Hogwarts?"

"It takes most of the day to get there by train. Good night." Harry rose from Krum's bed and slipped into the cot after placing the pictures of his parents back into his trunk. *****

Knock, knock, knock. "Are you awake in there?" Mrs. Weasley called into Krum's room. "Boys, it is time to wake up. We have quite the journey ahead of us today. Make some noise to let me know you hear me."

"We are up, ma'am. No need to worry about us," Krum responded. Harry was a little shocked when he creaked open one eye to see a nearly dressed Krum, while he was still in bed. "Do you want me to carry your trunk down Harry?"

"No, I can manage thanks"

"If you're sure then...I'll see you downstairs for breakfast."

Harry hurried to get dressed in his most Muggle clothes. He knew they would be taking the underground and with all those people and trunks he wanted to attract as little attention as possible. All his planning would be for naught. As he dragged his trunk through the hallway he saw Mr. Weasley attired in green jeans about two sizes too small and a floral Hawaiian shirt half tucked in. In the bustle of the day he forgot to comb his hair which now made it quite wild in the back. While this was considerably better than his wardrobe choices for the World Cup it was still apt to attract attention.

"Good morning Harry. Breakfast is ready and hot I hear. Will you join us for some waffles."

"That sounds lovely. I'll be along as soon as I've put my trunk with the others." Harry rather enjoyed the special breakfast Tom whipped up for his guests this morning. At least seven other families had the same idea to stay the night at the inn so the bar resembled the train station with its chaotic noise levels, people running about and pets flying or scampering over and under foot. While at breakfast when he saw Ron, Harry remembered he still hadn't told him about his meeting with Genevieve the day before. Although it was again pushed aside in his mind as Hermione and the Graingers entered the Leaky Cauldron. Mr. and Mrs. Grainger were taken aback by the frenzied pace and only relaxed when they came up to the Weasleys. "Are you ready to go," Hermione asked the troupe.

"Give us ten minutes to finish breakfast and we will be," Mr. Weasley answered with a mouth full of syrup laden waffle. "Please join us?"

"No thanks," Mrs. Grainger said quickly, "we ate at our hotel."

"Suit yourself."

It wasn't until nearly half an hour later everyone had finally gathered all their belongings and pets and had begun the journey into Muggle London. "Alright gang, it is only one block north to the underground that will take us straight to King's Cross Station. Stick together, walk quickly, and try not to bring too much attention to us." Mr. Weasley tried to council his family, but he seemed more excited than anyone for the trek through London. As they walked up the street Mr. Weasley could not help but stare in awe of the many electrical and mechanical devices. "So that's how those light signals work. When the light is red they stop?" He confirmed with Harry. "Fascinating."

Worst of all was after they had finally gotten on the underground. "Look Molly, more wizards," he exclaimed as he saw a group of teenager dressed all in black. Harry and the Graingers tried to stop him but it was too late. "Are you off to Hogwarts as well? You know your clothes are too much of a giveaway." He told the teens. He turned to one with orange spiked hair and while pointing to his head offered, "Molly has got a potion that will clear that right up." The group, who at first had ignored him, was now getting quite agitated.

"I am so sorry gentlemen. Pardon him, he thought you were someone we know." Harry had stepped in and was now pulling Mr. Weasley away. "Mr. Weasley, those are not wizards, they are Muggles."

"Are you quite sure?"

"Yes, and they do not tolerate people telling them how to dress or style their hair"

"You mean he did that to his hair on purpose," Mr. Weasley said a little louder than Harry would have liked, especially when he saw the gang approach. It was their leader who spoke first.

"You don't like the way my friend here does his hair. And how would you prefer we dress, like tourists as you do? Where do you think you are the tropics?" At this his followers all laughed, while the Weasleys and Graingers grew increasingly nervous.

Just then Krum stepped forward and address the gang, "Is there a problem here."

"None at all," the leader back off as Krum was nearly six inches taller than he. "We were just exchanging fashion tips." Then he motioned to his cohorts to follow him off at the next stop.

"Here we are, Kings Cross. Everyone grab a trolley and let's go," Mrs. Weasley instructed. As everyone had done this before, except Krum, he was the only one who looked slightly nervous.

"There is no real trick to it. I mean no spells to perform or anything," Harry overheard Hermione explain to Krum. "Just walk, or run toward the wall and it will let you through."

"But what about Muggles, won't they see. And what happens if a Muggle leaned against it or something, would they get through?"

"No. The Muggles do not see it because their minds can't see properly. And it only lets wizards through." Hermione answered.

"Alright boys," Mrs. Weasley pointed to her twins, "You first, then Ron and Harry. Hurry up now." Fred and George disappeared into the barrier as Harry and Ron pushed their carts into position.

"Let's just walk it this time Harry."

"Alright, Ron, real casual now." They approached the wall and as they leaned into it found themselves on the other side. The scarlet steam engine stood before them with the iron sign reading Platform 9 ¾. Harry was so glad to see it again. They moved forward just in time as Hermione and Viktor came running through the wall, followed by a panting Ginny and her Father. They did not see Mrs. Weasley come in as they were staring at the train and the massive crowd around it but they heard her voice as she passed out sandwiches to all her children.

"Now boys, please try to stay out of trouble this year. These are dangerous times and you could get yourselves in more trouble than you bargained for if you try to pull any stunts." She spoke directly to the twins but loud enough for all her clan to hear.

"Dad, the train," Ginny exclaimed, "It's nearly twice as long as last year. Are there that many more students starting?"

"No dear," her father answered. "This year the train ride will be a bit different. A few parents have been asked to accompany you on this journey, just to make sure."

"Of what dad?" Fred asked. But Mr. Weasley changed the subject, "You'd better get your trunks loaded. Viktor, would you help Ginny with hers?"

"Of course, Mr. Weasley."

Harry stared in amazement at the train that so faithfully took him away from the Muggle world. It's scarlet engine and cars glistened in the sun, lighting them like rubies. It did seem a bit longer, and shortly Harry saw just how many adults were to be traveling with them.

"Hi Neville," Harry called, but no answer came from his forgetful friend. Neville was too busy searching for his ticket until his Grandmother, who'd raised him, showed the conductor two tickets, one ticket for Neville and one for herself. "Mr. Moody?" Harry stared in awe at the man whose body had been savagely disfigured during his lifelong fight against evil.

"Hello Mr. Potter," Mad Eye Moody returned in salute, his magical eye wildly scanning passersby. "Fine day we're having here wouldn't you agree. You had better take your seat before someone else does." Harry was jostled about by the tumultuous crowd and only managed to reunite with Hermione and Ron at the back of the train just before the train started.

As he went to sit by Hermione she stopped him abruptly, "You can't sit there. That's Viktor's seat." Ron glared at her but Harry just shook his head as Krum came in followed by the twins.

"Hello boys, is there room in here for me," Mr. Weasley asked. "Oh, six already. Guess not. No mind I'll sit with the adults up front."

"Dad, what are you doing here," Ron asked.

"Seeing as how half my family is on this train, I thought it only fair to volunteer to protect it."

"Dad, what is going on? You can tell us," Fred implored. Perhaps it was the pleading in all their faces, or because his tender girl wasn't there, that persuaded Mr. Weasley to explain.

"I assume, since you were there, that you know what happened at the end of last year," Krum screwed up is face in intense concentration.

"You mean with He Who Must Not Be Named" he finally recalled.

"Yes," Mr. Weasley hurried on. "You-Know-Who has been gaining force this summer and wants to take Hogwarts." Gasps filled the small compartment.

"But I thought he was too afraid of Dumbledore to try anything like that," Hermione rationalized.

"It seems he thinks that was a mistake, and to prove his power he is aiming for that first, rather than last," said Mr. Weasley. "Fortunately for us, the Ministry office of Defense created plans for protecting Hogwarts from intruders ever since the Sirius Black incident two years ago. They have come up with a way to prevent entry of non-flight creatures by any way other than this train. Your owls will still get to us and ours to you, but unless someone is on this train they cannot get to or leave Hogwarts. There are small skirmishes taking place all around the barrier. Someone is trying to find a way through it, and all those who believe in what happened at the end of last year know who's behind it."

The silence in the cabin was deafening. Voldemort was trying to take Hogwarts first, as his great announcement of arrival. And as Mr. Weasley pointed out, only those who believed knew what was happening. Harry remembered only too well Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, in complete denial of the whole affair and subsequent refusal to take action. "Well, now that you are all informed, please don't tell Ginny. I'm afraid it would be too upsetting for her." With nods of promise from each of the cabin's occupants Mr. Weasley left to find a place to sit with the other adults. *****

The train rattled on though the cabin remained in relative silence, until Harry noticed something was missing. "Hermione, where is Crookshanks?" Her cat, Crookshanks, she had gotten in their third year of school had been very helpful to these friends in distinguishing those who could be trusted from those who were not what they seemed.

Hermione's face fell and a quiet, sad voice answered, "She ran away while we were in Bulgaria. A Muggle friend of mine was house sitting for us and one day Crookshanks was just gone."

"I am so sorry Hermione," Ron consoled, despite the differences he had with the cat.

"Yeah, I'm sorry too," Harry added.

"I have almost gotten over it," Hermione tried to put on a brave face.

After a few more minutes of awkward silence, the twins stood up. Fred asked, "Let's go find Lee. Viktor, do you want to come? I'm sure there are lots of Hogwarts students who will want to talk to you now that you are not competing against us." Fred and George rarely failed to be the purveyors of mischief or to be in the center of attention. It was obvious they were going to play their friendship with Krum to the max.

"Alright, maybe I can set up a few appointments for flying lessons. It would be good for business. Do you want to come, Hermione?"

"Hermione," Harry said quickly, "Stay here for a minute. I want to chat for a bit."

"I'll catch up with you later Viktor," Hermione called to Krum. "What is it Harry?"

Harry had been considering whether or not to tell his friends about his encounter with Genevieve in Diagon Alley but if anyone would know why that salesman went ballistic about the Travelers Watch it would be Hermione. As he related the story, from when he first met Genevieve at the Dursleys for Hermione's benefit, her eyes widened and she began rummaging through her bag for a book. Though she did wait until Harry finished before asking, "So you say she tried to kill you to save her son but couldn't because of a promise she made to your parents?"

"Yes, but it was really strange. I never felt in any real danger, and when she said she would look out for me instead I believed her."

Ron just sat there, apparently thinking. "Why would she take you from the Dursleys to save you from You Know Who, only to try and kill you later?"

Then he almost shouted with alarm, "And what about that chest she gave my parents, is it dangerous?"

"I doubt it," Hermione said as she thumbed through the pages, "Did the chest look like this?" She turned the book around so the boys could see it. There is was, exactly the same down to the last ruby.

"Yes, but what is it," Ron asked.

"This isn't very specific because it's not a real chest......at least it shouldn't be."

"What do you mean, not real? I saw it; it's sitting in my dad's vault in Gringotts and there is a picture of it in your book."

"This is a book of folklore, not a reference book."

"Wizards have fairy tales?" Harry was blown away and leaned back in his chair as he shook his head. "To Muggles we are fairy tales."

"Sure we have folklore," Ron was glad to be well versed in something Hermione had only read about in books. "My parents used to tell me all sorts of stories when I was little. Some of it was about Muggles and others about creatures that don't exist or at least not anymore."

"Like what," Harry asked. He often felt left out, not having the benefit of a wizard's childhood.

"Let's see, there was this one about two nosy little Muggle kids who went around eating all this witches sweets that she had made for her sisters wedding. She had turned her house into gingerbread for the occasion and they came in and spoiled it."

Harry could not help but laugh. "Muggles call that Hansel and Gretel except it the other way around."

"What, the witch eats the kid's house?"

"No, the witch catches the kids and then fattens up Hansel so she can eat him by making Gretel cook, but the kids get away and bake the witch instead."

"That is horrible. The poor old witch was just trying to prepare for her sisters wedding and those two brats bake her! I don't think I like Muggle fairy tales."

"It is a bit different than you think but that is beside the point," Harry tried to defuse Ron's resentment. "What does it say in that book about the chest, Hermione?"

"It says that it is the bottomless chest. That the person who knows how to work it can choose what it will contain and then it will never run out of that. So you say the box Genevieve gave the Weasleys had galleons in it. According to this you could take galleons out of it forever and it would keep refilling itself every full moon. Oh, it says here that if the chest is ever completely emptied the spell will be broken and the chest will just be a normal box. You had better warn your parents Ron."

"No need, Genevieve already did." The three of them were stunned. Ron was the most blown away. "How can this be happening. These are just legends?" Harry and then Hermione began to laugh.

"Now you know how we felt coming from Muggle homes into the wizard world." At that the three of them laughed some more.

"Well, if it is true," Ron expressed in amusement, "Then my parents are rich."

"Did I hear you correctly Weasel," said an all too familiar drawl, "Your parents came into some money did they?" Draco Malfoy, now a bit taller though still not as large as the goons who flanked him slid open the compartment door. "Crabbe and Goyle here seem to think you said your parents were rich Weasel. Did he finally give up that Muggle Protection job at the ministry to do something with real Wizard Pride or did he simply find a few galleons. I guess to you that would seem like a fortune." Crabbe and Goyle laughed but Harry just looked past them into the hall, with a smirk of his own.

"You had better watch what you say Malfoy, you never know who is listening."

Draco followed Harry's gaze and saw Mr. Weasley accompanied by a very large black shaggy dog. Draco and his cronies broke through them, leaving in contempt.