Lessons

Harry, Ron and Pansy apparated from the edge of Hogwarts' grounds to King's Cross Station. Pansy had learned how to do it from a seventh year Slytherin who made fake licences-for a small fee. Harry and Ron were impressed, but didn't show it.

They found themselves looking directly up at the train.

"Hey, we didn't even have to go through that bloody wall," Ron pointed out. Pansy glared him into silence.

"So, how do we get on there?" she asked.

"The trolley lady," replied Harry.

"What?" Pansy stopped glaring at Ron and turned her attention to Harry.

"I'm a good customer. She will let us on." Harry knocked on one of the carriage doors, but there was no answer.

"Any other bright ideas, Potter?" snapped Pansy.

Ron walked up to a carriage door and turned the handle. The door opened effortlessly. "Well, would you look at that," smiled Ron. Pansy pushed past him and went aboard. Harry and Ron followed her.

"OK, let's start searching the train," Pansy instructed. "Look out for anything strange."

"Um, guys," said Ron, who was looking out of one of the windows, "the station's moving."

Pansy followed his gaze. "No, that would be us." All three of them looked out of the window. Pansy moved away and called out, "Hey, trolley lady!" There was no answer. "There's nobody else here," she said exasperated. "Why did I let you talk me into this?"

"You wanted to help," answered Harry. "It was your bright idea to come here." Ron went off in the opposite direction leaving Pansy glaring at Harry. He returned moments later, looking excited.

"Did you find something?" asked Harry, hopefully.

"Yeah. Even if the trolley lady isn't here the trolley is and it's full of food!"

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Can't you think of anything other than your stomach at a time like this?" she sneered.

"Hey, it's better than nothing. If we're going to be stuck in here, destination unknown, we may as well enjoy the ride," Ron protested. They ate in silence with the occasional tut coming from Pansy's direction. Eventually the train began to slow. Then the lights went out.

"I can't see anything," said Ron.

"That's kind of why lights are important," replied Pansy, sarcastically.

"Have we stopped moving?" asked Harry, just before the train came to an abrupt halt.

"We have now," said Pansy. The lights went on again, but to a much dimmer shade than before. It was almost a ghostly glow.

"So is anyone going to have a look outside?" Ron whispered. Pansy got up and headed towards one of the doors. "Maybe she won't come back?" he wondered aloud. "It would be awful if some hideous monster captured her and we never saw her again."

"I think the monster would run for its life," Harry smiled and got to his feet. "Come on," he said, "we'd better go with her." They followed Pansy to the door, where she was standing, looking at it.

"Hurry up then," said Ron, "what are you waiting for?" The door opened before Pansy had a chance to do anything.

"Ah, Parkinson. I knew you had it in you." Pansy stepped down off the train.

"Can I stay for a bit," she asked, "I'm not in a rush to go back to Hogbores."

Lucius Malfoy stared at Harry and Ron. "The more the merrier," he smiled.