Disclaimer: I own nothing (I know I know tis' a shame but what can I do?) Except the plot and any original characters you see.
A/N: So this was running through my mind a lot so it decided to get itself published. Anyways, Third year did happen only with three things: 1) Harry DID NOT face the boggart 2) Harry DOES know that Sirius is his godfather 3) NO-ONE ELSE knows about what happened except for Lupin, Snape, Dumbledore and Harry (Obviously Sirius). Anyways on with it and tell me what you think.
Chapter 1 – Stranger on a train.
Harry was good at hiding. It came naturally to him now. When he was younger he used to hide from him. Then he hid form the council, still does in fact. The point is hiding and sticking to the shadows is what he's good at. It's safer for everyone and himself. So that's why he sat alone on the Hogwarts express watching as people clamber inside with their friends. Must be nice He thought to be free, to never have to look over your shoulder forever. No-one understood what that was like. Well…almost no-one. There was one person who would understand it even if only partially. Neville Longbottom. The boy-who-lived. He was popular and with Hermione Granger by his side almost untouchable. Of course there was his ginger friend but as far as Harry could tell he wasn't much of a friend. He even turned his back on him during fourth year. But now it was fifth year and they were friends again. Fair weather though he may be. Still it must be wonderful to have friends and not be scared you might kill them accidentally.
A scent filled his nose. The golden Trio as they had been dubbed were stood outside. Normally he would be able to hear them but all carriages were warded so that the corridor and the compartments had separate noise levels. Then the door slid open and the three people stepped inside. Quickly he feigned sleep but kept a firm grip on his knife which was strapped on a holster on his wrist. They sat down one of them next to him. The silence was deafening.
Neville Longbottom looked on with a fond smile on his as his friends bickered once again over a seemingly stupid subject. They deposited their trunks and made their way down the corridor. Each compartment they passed was full and some even glared at him when he passed. It didn't bother him any more. They would soon regret it when they realised the truth. They stopped outside the last compartment where a boy was sat facing the window not moving through his breathing suggested he was asleep. He tried to place a name with the figure but drew a blank. Then again he could only see the back of him. "Come on everywhere else is full and besides he looks like he's asleep" Hermione suggested.
"Sure" Neville replied sliding the door open. Neville sat with Hermione opposite the boy but Ron sat next to him looking slightly uncomfortable. The silence was deafening. Until Ron broke it.
"So…Have you doe the Charms homework"
"WHAT! Honestly Ron you've had weeks to do it! Well don't expect me to do it for you this time" Hermione scolded. This brought on another bickering contest and Neville let out a breath as the regular noises filled the air. Then he took a closer look at the boy. He was pale, really pale with dark bags under his eyes standing stark against his skin. He had high cheek bones with thin pink lips. Still Neville could not place a name to his face. Gently he nudged Hermione who turned red faced and angry to him.
"Hermione do you know who that is" He whispered so he wouldn't hear. But Harry heard. He could practically hear the cogs turn in her head as she thought.
"No…That's really odd I thought we knew most people except for first years"
"Maybe he is a first year" Ron suggested as he shoveled a chocolate frog into his mouth.
"He's a little big don't you think" Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"So! Maybe he's tall for his age" Ron defended. Neville opened his mouth to quell another argument that he was sure was brewing between the explosive duo when a horribly familiar voice broke through.
"Well well well if it isn't the weasel, mud blood and the chosen twit" Draco drawled. Outraged Ron opened his mouth when a soft voice spoke firmly from behind them.
"You know if you're going to insult someone at least use something that even a two year old would think was dumb" The trio turned and saw the boy now awake. He had emerald eyes that had a few tiny spots of black running through them.
"And who the hell are you" Draco snapped a faint pink flush appearing on his cheeks.
"Does it matter? Now are you going to says something original or are you going to take what's left of your pride and walk away?" Harry asked.
Snarling Draco stalked away leaving the trio and Harry alone. Hoping to stop any conversation before it began he walked to the door and slid it open.
"Wait…Who are you? Why haven't we seen you before" Hermione asked.
"I'm easily forgettable" He answered before stepping out completely. He walked down the corridor. He couldn't afford to talk. Talking led to friends and friends led to danger and danger... Well danger was just plain dangerous.
"But why haven't we seen him before?" Neville asked as he snuck a sneaky glance at the boy perched at the end of the table.
"Well…Think about it. When have we ever had a normal year besides third year but even then we didn't what with Sirius Black out there. We haven't ever had time to really get to know other people"
"It's not an excuse though! And remember what he said I'm easily forgettable! We need to get to know him" Neville said.
"I know and…HONESTLY Ron it's called chewing try it some time!" Hermione snapped as Ron shoveled even more food into his mouth.
Neville was half listening to Ron babble on about the Chudley canons. They walked into their dorm rooms and for the first time he noticed a bed with the curtains drawn around it. The trunk at the foot of it read 'Harry Potter'. Shrugging he slipped beneath the cotton sheets and slipped into a deep sleep.