Before the Beginning

"Fred, you're next."

"I'm not Fred, I'm George. Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?"

"Sorry, George, dear."

"Only joking, I am Fred."

Molly shook her head and watched them go through the barrier to the Hogwarts Express. Percy quickly followed.

"Excuse me."

Molly turned to see a small boy with messy black hair and rounded glasses. His clothes looked much too big for him and he seemed hopelessly lost.

"Hello, dear," she said. "First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new too." She pointed to the youngest of her sons who was no longer the small baby she often thought of him as.

"Yes," the boy said. "The thing is... the thing is, I don't know how to..."

"How to get on the platform?" she said kindly and he nodded. He was so polite. She wondered where his parents were.

"Not to worry," she said. "All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best to do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron."

She watched him go and when he disappeared out of sight she beckoned to Ron to do the same and then followed with Ginny.

After getting their things on the train, her children all returned to her side to say goodbye. She only wished Arthur could have been there to see them off as well, but he had to work.

The twins both began talking excitedly at once. She often cursed how much they looked alike, because now that they had been out of her sight she was having trouble telling them apart again.

"Hey, Mum, guess what? Guess who we just met on the train?"

"You know that black-haired boy that was near us in the station? Know who he is?"

"Who?" she asked wondering how in the world they already learned something about the poor boy.

"Harry Potter!"

Molly remembered how she had felt when she first learned of the little boy's fate and role in the destruction of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She then understood why he had been alone in the station and her heart went out to him. She forbade any of her children to ask him about his traumatizing experience and quickly kissed them all goodbye as they clamored onto the train.

As she watched the train leave, she wondered if Ron would make friends with Harry Potter and hoped the year would go by quickly so she could have her children back at her side. Only one more to go and then all her children would be gone...

That night after putting Ginny to bed, Molly found Arthur already getting into his pajamas. She settled down next to him in their bed and let out a sigh of contentment when he put his arms around her and held her close.

"How was it?"

"Our boys are all gone, Arthur," she said quietly. "It was hard. But then I met the boy who lived and realized at least they have someone to write home to. He doesn't have anyone." She snuggled closer to her husband. "And I'll always have you."

"You met Harry Potter?"

She nodded. "The poor thing was all alone and had no idea how to get on the platform."

"Well, it will prove to be an interesting year if any of the boys befriend him."

A few weeks later Arthur and Molly received letters from the boys. Percy's was all about his perfect duties while Fred and George kept their promise to send home a toilet seat. Ginny howled with laughter, and Molly got up to send them a howler. Arthur, however, stopped her.

Ron's letter was all about his new friends and what a wonderful time he was having at Hogwarts.

Dear Mum, Dad and Ginny,

So far school has been great. The only class that seems like it will be really hard is potions, and that's because the professor doesn't really like Gryffindors. Oh yeah, did I mention I got in Gryffindor?! I made two new friends. One is Hermione Granger who is kind of a know it all, but she grows on you. The other is none other than Harry Potter! This year will prove to be an adventurous one with him nearby. Hope to make you proud!

Ron

Molly and Arthur smiled at their son's innocence that came forth in the letter and were glad he had made friends. Unfortunately, they had no idea just how adventurous of a year it was going to be and it would begin a chain of events that would change their lives forever.