Neville's P.O.V.
"Mom?" I called down the stairs.

"What is it Neville?" She asked.

"Can you come help me check to see if I have everything?" I asked nervously. It was going to be my first year at Hogwarts and I wanted to make sure everything would go perfectly. Mom walked up the stairs and came into my room happily.

"You're going to have so much fun!" She smiled and kissed the top of my head.

"You're sure Voldemort can't get me there?"

"Of course not. Dumbledore's there and he can protect you." Mom said while checking the contents of my trunk and examining the list too.

"What about his daughter?" I asked fearfully. There had been rumors that he had a child soon after he attempted to kill me.

"All just rumors dear. Now it looks like you have everything. We can go now if you like. The train leaves in 15 minutes but there's no harm in going earlier."

"Yay! Thanks Mom!" I hugged her and quickly closed my trunk while she grabbed my owls cage.

"Let's go." She took my hand and apparated to the station. We appeared just outside the train station and put the trunk and cage in a cart.

"There!" I said excitedly pointing to the barrier that secretly hid the Hogwarts Express at platform nine and three quarters.

"Don't point Neville." Mom said gently moving my hand down.

"Sorry." I said sheepishly. She took my hand and we pushed the cart together right through the barrier. "Whoah." My eyes widened as I took in the astonishing sight before me. Many witches and wizards were moving about with their children trying to get their luggage sorted out and on the train.

"Alice!" Uncle James said happily.

"Harry!" I grinned. Harry ran over to meet me and had a big smile plastered on his face.

"Let's escape." Harry murmured under his breath as people were coming over to admire my Mom. Tales of her bravery and helping us escape from Voldemort was widespread along with my fathers sacrifice. Uncle James was also popular as he was head auror but not that many people knew him except for in the ministry. Aunt Lily was trailing behind lost in her own memories of the platform.

"Bye Neville." Mom embraced me and I reddened slightly embarrassed.

"Bye Mom." I said before making my leave.

"You forgot your trunk." She called after me and I internally smacked myself. I was never good at remembering these things. Mom handed it to me and turned to greet the people crowding her. She was always good at that stuff.

"We'll find a compartment together." Harry said and confidently led the way on the train. People turned to stare at me as I passed and whispered to their friends. After what seemed like a million years we arrived at an empty compartment and put our trunks up before sitting down

"I really hope I get into Gryffindor. Don't you?" I asked. "Harry?" My raven haired friend was staring out of the window and I followed his gaze to who I realized was Ginny Weasley. "No way." I laughed.

"What?" Harry asked defensively.

"You don't have a chance. She's way out of your league." I snorted.

"I know. Just...she's so perfect."

"Wow mate. You have it bad."

"Shut up." Harry said quickly as Fred and George passed our compartment. All of our parents were really close as they were all in the Order of the Phoenix.

"Hey Neville. Hey Harry." Fred grinned coming in with George right behind him.

"Hi guys." Harry greeted.

"Think Ron was looking for a compartment back there. He might ask to join yours." George informed as the train started to move. We waved out of our windows to our parents and Mom tried to wave a small hand over the people crowding her.

"That's fine." I shrugged.

"Well anyways I think Lee Jordan was looking for us. We'll see you at the castle." Fred said before leaving.

"Bye." I called after their retreating backs. Ron appeared outside of the compartment and a look of relief washed over his face.

"Couldn't find you guys. Thought you took off in a flying car or something without me." Ron laughed.

"Honestly Ron who would make a car fly?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"You never know. My Dad's really interested in muggle stuff and I have no idea what he does in his shed out back." Ron shrugged. I reached up for my trunk to take out a game but it ended up falling and hitting my head with a thunk.

"Ow." I complained rubbing the sore spot.

"Couldn't even manage five minutes without injuring yourself." Harry teased.

"Oh shut it." I rolled my eyes and got out exploding snap.

"Let's play." Ron said eagerly and shoved his trunk to the side of the compartment. Just before we could start a girl with bushy brown hair poked her head in.

"Has anyone seen my book?" she asked.

"Why would we have seen your book?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Are you playing exploding snap? Can I play?" She asked eagerly.

"Uh. Sure." Ron said.

"Thanks! I'm Hermione Granger by the way. Half blood." Hermione introduced and sat down.

"Harry Potter."

"Ron Weasley."

"Neville Longbottom." I smiled.

"Wait Neville Longbottom? As in your parents are Frank and Alice Longbottom?" Hermione gasped.

"Yeah." I nodded waiting for her to ask for my mothers autograph. Many people had the indecency to use me so they could meet my mother.

"Cool." She said simply. Harry's eyebrow raised in surprise.

"Are we going to play?" Hermione asked somewhat impatiently and broke the silence.

"Sure." Ron nodded. He unwrapped my new pack of cards and dealt them out. We all drew our wands ready and started.

After quite a few games I was impressed. The Hermione girl was doing very well and was currently tied with Harry for first. Ron and I weren't trailing too far behind in points. The gap could easily be closed in one round. That was the trouble with this game. It wasn't over until it was over. I adjusted myself to a more comfortable position and settled in for what was going to be a very long but fun ride to the castle.