(A/N: Reposting this under a different title after the first try had formatting issues)

Panic. That's was all he felt. Standing there, looking at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, wishing, willing, hoping that something magical would happen and platform 9 3/4 would appear.

"Well imagine that. The platform doesn't even exist. Oh well, freak," Vernon, Harry refused to call him uncle, spat. "The next ten months, you're not our responsibility. Enjoy the year, we will see you next June."

Vernon punctuated that sentence with a hefty shove, turned and walked back to the car whistling "The ride of the Valkyries"

'I could really use a Valkyrie right now,' Harry thought to himself.

10:30, the clock began to chime.

He collapsed into the nearest bench and for the first time in six years, Harry Potter cried.

"I really am a freak."

So much for hoping for a fresh start, for finding a place he belonged. He even read all his books, trying his best to fit in with his new classmates. Yet here he was: stuck. Nowhere to go. The white owl in her cage shifted on her perch, trying her best to soothe her familiar.

"Do you need help?" An angelic voice rang out.

Harry looked up from his hands to see a mass of curly hair and brilliant brown eyes. no, not simply brown. Amber is a more apt description he mused.

"I'm fine," he tried to cover. "Just waiting for my train to arrive."

That's it, don't show weakness. Don't give them anything to use against you.

She wasn't buying it. She leaned in, handkerchief in hand and whispered "Hogwarts, right?" pointing to his owl.

Harry looked at her with wide eyes. All he could do was mutely nod.

"Me too. It's my first year too. Come on, we'll board together," she insisted.

Not trusting his voice, Harry nodded again.

"Hermione!" He heard a voice cut through the station. "Come on, you're going to be late."

"That's my mom," the girl, Hermione, he figured, responded. "I've been oh-so excited for this. Let's go!"

Harry looked up and saw a couple standing in front of the pillar between platforms 9 and 10. The man was tall, well-built, with a kind smile while the woman looked had the same hair as her daughter and a no-nonsense demeanor.

"Hermione where'd you go?!" She demanded. "You were haranguing us all morning to get here!"

"Sorry mum," she chastened an apology. "I found another first-year. We're going to help him find the platform."

The look on the woman softened as she looked over her daughter's classmate. 'How are his clothes even staying on? They're three sizes too big. And his eyes. It's like he's looking for escape routes. What has happened to this boy?'

"I'm Helen, this is Richard. Don't worry, we're new to this as well."

"Harry," the boy introduced himself offering his hand. well at least he's polite, Helen thought.

"Nice to meet you! Oh look at the time we best be moving" Richard chorused jovially. "Here, Hermione take your mother and go through. You're wearing your bracelet, right Helen?"

Richard grinned mischievously at his wife's glare, knowing she had asked him that four times this morning, him being the absent-minded one of the family.

"Now watch them Harry. We'll be next."

Harry watched as mother and daughter sped toward the wall between 9 and 10. Harry tried to call out a warning but before the words left his mouth, they were gone.

"You ready, son?" Richard asked. Harry nodded.

Richard grabbed him lightly by the arm, not noticing Harry wince as he did so. Harry closed his eyes, ready for the crash. Suddenly, he felt like odd. Like walking through a thin plate of gelatin.

He opened his eyes and spotted a crimson engine with the words "Hogwarts express."

"All aboard the Hogwarts Express," a red robed conductor, hat and all, rang out.

"You made it!" Hermione squealed "Let's find a compartment!"

Before Harry could say anything, Hermione grabbed his hand to leading him onward, toward whatever adventures lay ahead.

For once, Harry was free. For once, he was looking forward to tomorrow.