"Sweet Merlin in an underused kitchen, how long does it take for them to get ready?" Harry wondered out loud, waiting for the Weasley's to hurry up. So far, they were two for two in being late in leaving for the Hogwarts train, Harry couldn't help but wonder why they couldn't do this one thing on time, especially when the Weasley parents had made everyone pack and go sleep early the day before.
"It is getting a bit ridiculous," Hermione agreed whilst holding Crookshanks in her arms, keeping him away from Harry. She didn't really understand why Crookshanks, didn't like Harry, as far as she was aware Crookshanks had never acted so negatively towards anyone else, not even Ronald who hated him. "I do hope they speed up, we'll end up missing the train if they continue at this rate."
"We'll possibly miss the whole school year if they slow down, at least Hedwig should be there by the time we arrive."
"She doesn't like the train, does she?" Hermione asked.
"She's alright with it, I think it's more just being in a cage." Harry sighed, thinking back to his conversation yesterday with Mr Weasley. The man had taken him away from the rest of the Weasley family and had given him a soft warning about Sirius Black, though Harry couldn't help but notice that Mr Weasley had left out a lot of details like the fact that Sirius Black was a bastard who had betrayed Harry's parents and was after him.
'Did he not know or was that one of those 'keep it from him to protect him' deals?' Harry wondered.
'Most likely the second one,' Venom answered helpfully just as the Weasley's finally rushed down from upstairs.
"Right," Mr Weasley said upon spotting Harry and Hermione waiting for them. "you're both ready?" He asked.
"We were ready before most of you woke up," Harry answered honestly.
...
"Why are all the compartments full?" Ron complained as he, Harry and Hermione walked through the school train, searching for a place to sit.
"Well, Ronald, maybe if you had woken up and gotten ready when you were supposed to then maybe we would have been on time and could have found a great spot to sit in." Hermione gave Ron a light glare.
"It's not my fault!" Ron argued, his face turning slightly red. "Scabbers went missing, I was lucky to find him."
"Lucky?" Hermione scoffed, clearly of the belief that Scabbers would have been better left behind.
"Can you two not even wait until Hogwarts before you start fighting?" Harry asked in an exasperated tone, lately, Harry noticed that he got irritated a lot quicker, he couldn't help but wonder why. 'Venom, is that something to do with you?' Harry accused.
'I do feed on emotions, you know,' Venom replied while Hermione and Ron blushed slightly.
'No influencing my emotions.' Harry was well aware that in his mind he sounded like a parent telling their child that they couldn't have more sweets for the seventh time in a row.
'Spoilsport.'
"Let's just sit in here." Hermione opened a compartment door and stepped in with Harry and Ron following behind her.
"Who is he?" Ron wondered, staring at the man that was already occupying the compartment. He was sitting in the corner by the window, a blanket over his head as he leaned against the wall, clearly asleep.
"That is Professor Lupin," Hermione informed Ron as they put their stuff overhead.
"How do you know that?" Ron blinked.
"Honestly," Hermione sighed as they sat down. "it's on his suitcase, Ronald." She pointed to the suitcase placed above Professor Lupin's head.
"What do you think he teaches?" Ron asked, glancing at the man who honestly didn't look that impressive while sleeping in clothes that were clearly not new.
"Maybe defence against the dark arts," Hermione guessed. "we seem to get a new teacher for that subject every year."
"Maybe," Harry nodded. "hopefully he's a lot better than the last two."
"Yeah, though the bar isn't really all that high." Ron snorted. "Hopefully Hermione doesn't fancy this one as well."
"Shut up, Ron," Hermione gave him a mild glare. "I didn't fancy Professor Lockhart."
"Could have fooled me." Ron snorted once more and Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the look that Hermione was sending Ron. Just then the door opened to reveal Malfoy along with his two friends (bodyguards/henchmen) Crabbe and Goyle.
"Hello Potter," Malfoy drawled with an irritating smirk on his face. "I suppose that…"
'Nope!' Venom quickly blurted out before taking control of Harry's arm and using it to close the compartment door right in front of Malfoy. The symbiote was well aware of who Malfoy was thanks to Harry's memories and wanted nothing to do with him until Harry finally agreed to let him eat the boy. The bothersome blonde boy blinked in shock before his face turned red and he opened the door again.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Potter?!" He growled. "Did you really just…" Malfoy found himself cut off as Venom made Harry close the door again.
'Can you stop doing that?!' Harry mentally hissed as Draco opened the door again.
'Why?!' Venom made Harry close it before Draco could get out a single word.
'Because I want to do it, it looks fun.'
'Oh, fair enough.' Venom sounded apologetic, the door opened once more and this time Harry was fully in control of himself as he shut the door. Draco put his foot forwards in an attempt to stop the door, though that unfortunately just led to the door hitting him in the foot.
"Ow!" Draco hissed, pulling his foot back and pushing the door open. "What the hell is wrong with you, Potter? Are you thick?!"
'This guy is starting to piss me off.' Venom let Harry know.