Disclaimer:

I don't own any intellectual or commercial rights to the Harry Potter franchise and its associate characters. They belong to J K Rowling and Warner Brother Inc.

(Also I have read quite a bit of fan fics, so some of the ideas below may belong to other authors.)

Chapter 1 Ron and Hermione

The child was standing on platform 9 3/4 alone. The gentle September wind made his unruly black hair even messier. He was well-dressed and stood straight beside a fair-sized trunk with an Egyptian cobra dozing near his feet. His green eyes glowed of a confidence that's typical of pure bloods, but also of a curiosity as if this was his first encounter with magic.

Off course, that would be ridiculous. Ever since the Dark Lord came to power seven years ago, there were no more Muggle borns, only Assimilated Wizards or Witches (or Assimilates).

The Assimilates include all wizards and witches born into non-magical families. These children were taking away from their parents at the age of four, raised either by a kind hearted pure blood family or in a state-run care faculty. Officially, they were given all the basic rights as pure bloods. Realistically, however, the Assimilates continue to face many prejudice. Especially if they want to obtain a respectable Ministry job or to, god forbid, marry a pure blood.

Anyways, back to the child. The green eye boy has already found an empty compartment on Hogwarts Express and was struggling to push his trunk onto the overhead shelf. But it was too heavy for his thin arms.

The trunk slid and fell. Right before the heavy box was going to hit his head, a voice rang out, "Wingardium Leviosa". The trunk levied gracefully, and then tucked itself back onto the shelf.

"Thanks," murmured the boy gratefully.

He turned to look at his savior, an older boy. The latter boy has red hair, tall, and wore a tattered, but clean, robe with a shiny Hogwarts pin that reads 'P'.

The older student puffed out his chest when he noticed the curiosity, "P for perfect. I am Percy by the way, Percy Weasley, the Gryffindor perfect. You ought to be more careful. A trunk that size could have knocked you unconscious."

"Thanks" the younger boy smiled sincerely, "I'm Harry Griphus Gaunt. Um… first year, to be sorted?"

"Nice to meet you." Percy surveyed Harry's expensive clothing. After which he must have decided that Harry passed his test, because he asked, "Do you mind if my little brother sit with you, all the other compartments are full."

After Harry agreed, Percy quickly summoned another red head boy. This boy was also tall, with long arms and a long nose. Harry noticed that he had a piece of dirty on his nose.

"Harry, this Ronald, he's also in first year. Ronald, Harry Gaunt. Now I have important duty to attend to. So boys, play nice." Percy walked away in strides.

"Thank Merlin he's gone!" Ronald exclaimed while sticking out his tongue. "If I had to listen to one more word about how many perfects go on to become Ministers, I will feed myself to a Chinese Fireball. Oh hello mate, just call me Ron."

"Alright, Ron."

"Percy said you're Harry, right? Umm, why haven't I seen you before?" asked Ron. "I know all the wizarding kids my age, since mom sent us to that temporary Hogwarts elementary. All the kids went there. Ever since the war, all adults were busy rebuilding and had no time to look after us. Although I think they closed the elementary last year. Pity, I actually learned something. How come you didn't go? How are you going to keep up? Oh, oh…Which house do you want to go to?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. Ron sure talked a lot. Harry was sure he had never met such an energetic child, although now he thought back, he actually has never met any children before.

"Well," Harry explained. "I was born in England and raised in France…"

Harry began to tell Ron the lie which was carefully orchestrated by his guardian. They picked an identity that's least likely to attract attention. He was to pose as an orphan of a British family who fled to France during the war. In order to come into his inheritance, he must attend Hogwarts. So he moved back to Britain and was currently living with his aunt.

The Hogwarts School Counsel was easy enough to fool. A few sacs of gold will do the talking for you. And Harry's guardian knew that no one will spare a second glance for one orphan amongst the thousands in Britain.

The Headmaster, on the other hand, is a cunning and dangerous man. Harry knew there will be many challenges ahead of him— deathly challenges. Yet he doesn't care, because he will finally get to see the one place he always dreamed of — Hogwarts.

But before Harry could wrap up his story, a voice shrieked from outside the compartment, "Ronald Weasley!! You, you've forgot about me again! "

Ron's face paled.

A bushy-hair girl busted into the room and went straight for Ron's neck. She was half way across the room when she accidentally stepped on the tail of Nephthys, Harry's pet cobra.

Nephthys was not happy to be woken up this way. She raised her head half a meter off the ground and hissed at the girl.

Girl and snake stared at each other. Suddenly, the brown-haired girl prominently fainted. Immediately, almost at the same time, Harry cried "Nephthys, No!" as Ron yelled "Hermione!" and dove to catch her body.

After Harry has finally coaxed Nephthys back to sleep (in her cage), Ron had managed to revive and calm Hermione.

"You know," he told her. "For a Slytherin, you sure are terrified of snakes."

"Shut up," she glared back at him. "You know very well that I, like you, want to go to Gryffindor. Although I can't imagine what father would say."

"Why don't you just tell him the truth: that you'll faint every time you enter the dormitory… Ouch, what's that for?!"

After Hermione managed a weak smile, Ron turned to Harry and said in his most bogusly serious voice, "Harry Gaunt, meet Hermione Granger Snape, my… um… betrothed."

While arranged marriages are common within the Wizarding world, Harry has never heard of a case this young. And this pair just seems…odd.

Harry looked inquiringly at Ron, who mouthed back 'tell you later'.

Hermione, oblivious, smiled shyly from behind Ron. "I am sorry, Harry. You must think I am weak. Who's afraid of sneaks now days?"

"No at all. In fact it's really neat how you tackled Ron. Can you teach me?"

"Hey!!" Ron protested before he too joined the laughter.

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The three of them were having a really good time. Harry learned that Hermione is an Assimilate and her adapted father used to teach Potion. He also learned that Ron has five siblings, all red heads. Throughout their conversation, Harry noticed Hermione is a very intelligent and independent girl (if not a little violent) and although Ron often acts childish and reckless, he can be quite considerate.

As the Hogwarts Express continued to speed through the hills of Scotland, the children munched happily on the sweets Ron bought. (Ron had almost bought half the trolley, until Hermione called him a pig and made him return about thirty packages of Chocolate Frogs and ten bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.)

"Well, what do we have here?" a drawling voice interrupted.

Harry, Ron and Hermione turned around and stared at a pale boy with white-blond hair. Harry could see that he was wearing black robes made of Runespoor leather (illegal Runespoor leather) with his family chest–a white peacock– prominently displayed on his chest. The boy was leaning against the doorway with two big lumps of what looked like students standing on either side of him.

Hermione's smile just became very forced.

"This is Draco Malfoy." She warily introduced the blond boy to them, "Draco, you have already meet Ron and this is Harry Gaunt."

"Charmed. I see you are as tasteful as ever, Snape."

Draco's eyes swept over Ron's freckled face and Harry's unruly hair. Then he wrinkled his nose as if they were emitting an unpleasant odor. "A blood traitor Weasley, really? As for the other one… Gaunt is not a name that I'm familiar with. And I've meet all that matter. Come with, Snape. Uncle Severus made me promise to look after you."

"Although at this point," he sneered, "I doubt that even I can get you in with the right sort."

Hermione turned red, "I think I can tell who the right sort are for myself, thanks." (1)

Draco did not blush but turned a light shade of pink.

"I would be careful if I were you, Granger. Or else you just might end up a Weasley." He whispered before disappearing out the door.

Ron was livid, while Harry looked amused.

Hermione was slightly worried, "If father said…then I better go with him. Sorry Draco is such a prat, but he can be really sweet. (Ron snorted) Ron, Harry, I'll see you at Hogwarts."

As soon as Hermione was out of earshot, Ron's expression turned solemn.

"A piece of advice, Harry. If you are sorted into Slytherin, steer clear of Draco Malfoy. He is a prince in our world— a spoiled, rotten one, yes — but very influential amongst the students. He is the son of Lucius Malfoy, the Dark Lord's right hand man and the current Minister of Magic. In Slytherin, money, power, and blood statues are the only things that matter."

"Thanks for the heads up."

Lucius Malfoy.

Now Harry has heard a lot about that man. About how the Malfoys' enormous vault acted as the engine behind some of Voldemort's most ludicrous conquest plans. (Ludicrous because they actually worked.) And evidently, Malfoy's faith has been very thoroughly rewarded.

Since Voldemort is busy leading the European Union of Magic (EUM), he has left the responsibility of individual governing to each country. Thus, Wizarding Europe developed and uses a pseudo-democratic politic system, one that, incongruously, mixes democracy and totalitarianism. In practice, this meant that although the governments continue to be elected, all officials candidates have to be approved by Voldemort.

This system is a direct product of the Twenty Wizarding Treaties, which Voldemort signed in 1984 in order to assure his subjects and settle inter-species disputes. The most prominent being the Magical Beasts Agreement and Charter of Wizarding Rights. The Charter specifically states that Voldemort can not interfere with the local culture, or alter the local economic, or decimate (completely) the local government. Since wizarding treaties are signed with magic and must be honored (loopholes not withstanding), Voldemort was able to gain the trust of many pure-blood families and ended the war quickly.

Also as an effect of the Charter, many countries— the exception being Britain— actually experienced little change under Voldemort's rule. The most radical change probably was the implementation of Wizarding Assimilation Act, which forced the removal of thousands of Muggle-borns from their families. With the exception of blood statues discriminatory laws (the discrimination exists long before the laws), the last ten years had been relatively peaceful.

1984 was a year of great political revolution. It was the year when Voldemort first realized the power of publicity. Within one year, Voldemort shifted his tactic from the extreme –"let's kill everyone"– to more reasonable–"if you admit Pure Bloods rule just because they are Pure Bloods, I will let you live and carry on your life as usual". This change completely turned the tides during the war. Because most wizards and witches are peaceful –or cowardice– by nature, although many of them still do not agree with him, they were willing to look the other way in exchange for peace.

In 1984, Voldemort became popular.

In 1984, the Order of the Phoenix became the Undesirables and was crashed.

In 1984, the Dark Lord conquered Britain and all of Europe.

Voldemort's propaganda machine has only improved since. This morning's Daily Prophet was sing praises for the EUM: 'the economy has recovered, resistances have ceased, international relationships have improved, and more magical children are being born… bla, bla, bla.'

Outwards, it seems that the Dark Lord had his dominion in an iron grip. But Harry knew for a fact that trouble is brewing underneath. After all, that is why he is here.

While Harry was secretly plotting ways to exploit the Malfoys, he asked Ron, "If you don't mind me asking, why did Malfoy call you a blood traitor?

"Oh, that's quite a story. I can't believe you've never heard of it," Ron looked scandalized but began to tell his story eagerly. "You see Harry. My family was with the wrong side during the war. My dad was close to," his voice dropped to a whisper, "Undesirable Number ONE. Fred said dad was actually Undesirable Number Fifteen, but he could just be pulling my legs."

Harry noticed Ron sounded proud, not fearful or dismissive, which were the common attitudes toward the Order of the Phoenix.

"Anyways. After the Dark Lord's victory, when I was four, Mom lost contact with dad. They say he escaped to America. Things were pretty bad for a while. Luckily, mom's cousin, Aunt Sharbell was promoted to Justice Minister and she was able to vouch for us. Aunt Sharbell doesn't have kids, so she want my little sister to inherit her state. We been living with her ever since at Wiltshire, just down the street from the Malfoys and guess what? Only next door to the keeper of the bloody CHUDLEY CANNONS…"

Harry took the moment to recover as Ron babbled on. Off course, he had read about Arthur Weasley in the history books, but to hear the story from his own son was different. Harry can't help but notice the lack of sadness in Ron's voice.

Perhaps Ron was too young, just like Harry, to remember or even miss his father. All they could remember were the luxuries and protections provided by their caregivers.

Sometimes Harry has strange dreams about a woman with red curls singing softly to him. But he can not fathom who she is. Nurse Gabrielle was blond; her predecessor was brunet and so was the woman before her.

Ron's cheerful voice pulled Harry back to reality. It seems Ron has somehow moved to the topic of Chocolate Frog cards. Ron is so naïve, lively, and… so child-like. He is very different from people Harry was used to.

As Harry laughed at Ron's pathetic attempt to recapture one Chocolate Frog, he felt a growing happiness in his chest. For the first time in Harry's life, he has friends.

(1) Direct/ Indirect quote from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling.

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