Ron sat next across from the dark haired boy getting comfortable. He looked back and smiled. The boy smiled back.

"I'm Ron. Ron Barton," Ron greeted.

"I'm Harry. Harry Potter," the boy echoed with his own twist.

"Nice to meet you."

"Same," Harry responded. There was an awkward silence between the two, neither knowing what to say to one another. Ron was no stranger to silence. Nor to the chaotic rancor of loud individuals. But he had entered his space... And he was staring at him in what seemed anticipation.

"So, you new to this?" Ron asked dumbly. He felt like an idiot for asking. Why else would he need help getting onto the platform?

"Yeah. My aunt and uncle are muggles."

"Aunt and uncle? They must've been surprised."

"Erm... I guess," Harry grew softer in tone. Ron recognized it from his few times being babysat by younger agents. Touchy subject. Ah well, it's not like they were best friends or anything so no need to really pry. But he didn't want to end a conversation on that note.

"My dad was surprised. He thought I was a mutant."

Harry looked a bit confused.

"A mutant?"

"Dad had no idea about magic. So when I popped into his room right in front of him he thought I was a mutant. Gave him a bit of a scare," Ron chuckled. Harry looked baffled.

"He was fine with you possibly being a mutant?"

"Sure. Dad knows a few and says they're cool. Why?"

"My aunt and uncle call them freaks."

"Ah," Ron responded dumbly. He had heard comments like that from some anti mutant supporter agents. Though the thought wasn't all that strange considering some of the mutants were super freaky. Kitty still kind of scared him from the day they met. She should not have put her hand through his chest to show her powers. It was just creepy. But they weren't freaks. They were just... Different. Like his Aunt Tasha was real different. Or his dad when he didn't have enough sleep.

"So you excited?" Ron changed the subject. It seemed to be the right thing as Harry began talking about how cool Diagon Alley was when he traveled with a large man named Hagrid. Seemed pretty cool to Ron. And Harry's excitement was infectious. As much as Ron loathed to be forced away from his dad and not be able to learn under Strange, there was something exciting to be able to interact with kids his own age learning magic just like him. There was laughter with small jokes and stories of magic being traded like cards leading to Ron telling more rediculous stories about his dad performing fears that made magic seem normal.

"I'm telling you, my dad tried a dog biscuit once, we had a can of soup and some stale dog treats. He gave me the soup and actually ate the dog treat," Ron laughed, "He kept eating them too. I think he said they were chicken flavored."

Harry grinned and let out a small chuckle.

"He didn't go to the store?" Harry asked.

"Nope. He was tired from work and it would've taken about fourty five minutes just to get there-"

Ron was interrupted by a rumbling from his stomach.

"Uh, sorry. Haven't exactly eaten anything recently," Ron admitted, rummaging through his pockets. He knew Molly had packed something for him. He found a wrapped package in his pocket and opened it. A well known scent assaulted his nose as Ron's face contorted into disgust.

"Oh yuck. Corned beef."

Ron slid his head back against the wall behind him as he wrapped the vile sandwich up. He'd eat it later if he had to. It wasn't like he was running around right now, so what harm could it really be?

"You're not going to eat?"

Ron froze. He really didn't want to have to go into the whole, didn't like corned beef thing when he hadn't really told Harry about his situation. So instead, he opted for another excuse. Good manners.

"Well, I don't care for corned beef. But there isn't enough to share either. My aunt's told me how rude it is to eat when someone else is with you and they can't."

"Oh."

"Anything off the trolley dears?" a new voice interrupted. Ron's head whipped around to see an older woman with a trolley filled to the brim with cavity creating sweets most likely popular with young witches and wizards. Truthfully they did look really good. And his dad did get him a few when they were exploring Diagon Alley. He did like those licorice wands. But he didn't have any money. So he was stuck with the ick factor on his sandwich.

"No thanks. I'm all set," he responded dejectedly. He couldn't help it. He was stuck with nasty corned beef throughout the entire train ride. He knew he should be thankful he had something. But why did it have to be this nasty excuse of meat?

"We'll take the lot," Harry excitedly called out after Ron. Ron gave him a look. There was no way he could pay for all of that. But the coins he fished out of his pocket said otherwise.

"Woah," he muttered. Damn, his aunt and uncle must've really cared for him if they gave him that much pocket change. He wasn't even supposed to carry more than ten dollars. Granted, there wasn't much he could do with the money on the Helicarrier... But it hadn't really changed after moving into Tony's tower.


"Come on Hermione. He's got to be here somewhere," Neville encouraged. Hermione sighed as she continued on. She wanted to find Ron too. But they would all be at Hogwarts that night. They could all meet up there. That paired with the fact of Ron's brothers being on board most likely meant he was with them in some sort of family time.

"Alright Neville. Careful!" she called out grabbing Neville's toad as it att peter to escape out his pocket once more. Neville gave a sheepish grin and took the toad back.

"Thanks. Trevor doesn't seem to like the train all that much."


Ron and Harry were admist dares for Bernie Botts every flavor beans. Apparently wizards were quite literal. Ron had already gotten spinach, pepper and the nastiest horror of all, corned beef. Though he had also gotten chocolate, strawberry, and lemonade so he guessed they weren't all bad. He'd have to get his dad to try some. The pranking possibilities afterward would be wonderful.

"Your turn Ron. I got marmalade."

Ron grabbed another at random and popped it back in his mouth. His nose scrunched as he recognized the flavor. Beets. Not a favorite. But not bad either.

"Beets," Ron muttered looking back at the other sweets, "Maybe we should try something else."

"Sure," Harry sighed in relief.

"Didn't care for them?"

"They are a bit of a shock," Harry admitted. Ron had to agree with Harry.

"Let's have some chocolate," Ron said picking up a chocolate frog. The container was a pentagon in shape. And had a small bit of chocolate shaped like a cute little frog. He popped open the container and reached for the chocolate. He jumped when the chocolate jumped on his arm. He stared, rather bewildered by the moving chocolate.

"Oh man it's alive," Ron freaked dropping the moving chocolate to the floor. Both boys watched as it innocently hopped under their door and out into the long hall of the train. Harry put his box down a little put off of the frogs. Ron looked back at the package and noticed something odd. He fussed with it until he held an odd card in his hand. It was shaped like the box and had an image on it of an old man with an amazingly long beard. He seemed familiar.

He flipped the card over.

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

CURRENTLY HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS

Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and ten-pin bowling.

"Bowling. Huh. Who would have thought," he commented slipping the card into his pocket. The thought of an old man Merlin lookalike going to a bowling alley was a funny image. Not as funny as when Tony tried to do... Well just about anything among "normal" people. He truly believed that Pepper would one day get a harness and leash for that man.

"Cauldron cake?" Harry offered, "Nothing magical about this one."

Ron snorted. Harry chuckled and soon were both laughing at the unintended joke. Nonmagical sweet in magical society. Right. Still he accepted one from Harry. The cake was sweet, and tasted wonderful. So soft and spongy...

It tasted better than the licorice wands!

"That's really good."

Harry hummed in agreement as they partook in enjoying all the different sugary treats.

Pit was during this that Percy's little gift to Ron made himself known. Ron jumped as his pocket seemed to wiggle and he pulled out the rat Scabbers. Lazy fat rat seemed to be somewhat awake. Ron forgot he was even in his pocket with how lethargic he had been. God he hoped the rat wasn't sick. He just got him.

"Is that-?"

"A rat? Yeah. Percy gave him to me."

"Who's Percy?"

Ah, a loaded question.

"Just somebody I met this summer," Ron commented, "He didn't want him anymore so I took him."

Well, that was sort of how it happened. The rat didn't seem to care about having a new owner. Heck, it just seemed hungry.

Ron didn't know a lot about rats, but knew they'd eat just about... Anything... Hm...

"I wonder if Scabbers would eat a chocolate frog," Ron pondered aloud. He looked to Harry asking a silent question. It was one thing to share your food with a stranger, it was another to share it with a rat.

"Well, he does seem hungry. One shouldn't hurt," Harry responded to Ron's silent question. Ron grinned and opened another chocolate frog, dumping the magical chocolate confection near Scabbers. Ron and Harry watched in disgust and sick fascination as the rat wasted no time in tackling the frog, ripping it apart with it's little teeth. The frog continued to move, but didn't look like it was in pain. In fact, the chocolate stilled more with each bite the rat took.

"That is crazy," Ron grinned now stroking his pets' back. The rat didn't seem to mind as it continued to partake in the candy. Harry was about to say something when the doors slid open. Both boys turned their head to see a pale faced boy with bleach blonde hair and cold blue eyes. His face thin and aristocratic in a way that seemed to scream that he was incredibly British. He was flanked on both sides by large dark haired boys with doughy like faces that gave way only simple emotions. Either they weren't all that bright, or they were too used to following the fair haired boy. Possibly both.

"Is it true?"

"Well, perhaps. But I have no idea what you're asking about so maybe not," Ron quipped. The boy scowled fiercely at Ron before his eyes went back on Harry.

"Is it true? They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

Ron gave Harry a look.

"Famous much?" Ron asked. How did this kid even know Harry? Unless Harry lied about not knowing about the platform and actually knew magical things. Nobody seemed to hear him as Harry answered yes. The pale skinned boy introduced his lackeys as Crabbe and Goyle, followed by the dramatic reveal of his own name. Draco Malfoy.

Ron couldn't help but snort as he held back a laugh. Oh man did his name sound so fake.

"You think my name's funny do you?" Draco hissed, "No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children they can afford."

Ron's face hardened with the boy's declaration. He straightened his back a little and stared directly into Draco's eyes.

"Well, you think you're so smart, but my name is Ron Barton. Raised over the Atlantic in the good old US of A with my dad."

"Oh I've heard about you," Draco spoke with a renewed clarity, "You were the Weasley who was kidnapped by a muggle. Just goes to show you that there are some Wizarding families that are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

He held his hand out to Harry. An offer of either an alliance or friendship. Time seemed to slow slightly as a possible friend may become an antagonist. Harry didn't move his hand toward Draco's offered limb.

"I think I can tell the wrong sort out for myself thanks."

Ron's jaw went slightly slack hearing what Harry said. An 'Oh snap' hung on the tip of his tongue for the effective reply as a faint bit of color bled onto Malfoy's cheeks in embarrassment. Or perhaps anger... Ron couldn't quite tell. He felt a sense of joy though as he was chosen as Harry's friend. Or maybe just ally. But was this blonde so bad or was he just like a little Tony?

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he remarked, pausing for what appeared to be dramatic flare, "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riff-raff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."

Ron and Harry stood, getting on even eye level with the viper tongued boy. Ron didn't know who this Hagrid person was, but he knew an insult and threat when he heard them. They were common place on the Helicarrier after all. Most were just a joke among partners and friends, clearly that was not the case here.

"Care to repeat that?" Ron dared. He had seen many female agents do this when someone said something they didn't agree with and even believed them stupid for saying something in the first place. This was his chance to take it back-

"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?"

Smug jerk.

"Unless you get out now," Harry responded. He seemed to be really brave. But Ron wasn't sure they could take these three. Two of them were bigger, they were in a small space, and he was sure none of them had any idea how to actually fight. Bad combination.

"But we don't feel like leaving, do we, boys? We've eaten all our food and you still seem to have some."

Goyle gave a gluttonous grin as he reached for their pile of chocolate frogs. Ron didn't quite know what to do. Neither were too crazy about moving frogs that may or may not have been alive at one point, but he didn't want to lie down and roll over to someone so rude and hateful to his situation.

He didn't need to make a choice as Goyle yelped in pain. It had seemed as though Scabbers really liked the chocolate and was defending the small horde, biting into Goyle's finger, digging in at the knuckle. The interaction was short lived as the boys fled with the Goyle flinging Scabbers back on the seat. Ron looked back at the rat. He picked him up gingerly and checked for any unusual bumps. The rat didn't mind as it seemed to have fallen asleep.

Ron looked back at Harry.

"Did Scabbers scare them?" Ron asked.

Harry opened his mouth to answer when two individuals entered their compartment. Ron's face split into a large grin.

"Mione! Neville!"

"Ron! We've been looking all over for you. Who's this?"

Ah, quick to the point. As it seemed common with Hermione.

"Hello Ron," Neville added being polite as always, "Hello-?"

"Oh Harry. Harry Potter."

Neville's eyes widened, a ok of epiphany appeared on his face. Hermione looked estate company as she began speaking quickly, mentioning Harry was named in a few of the books that she had purchased. Ron turned to face Harry as he listened to Hermione go on about a supposed feat and status he had.

"Just looks like another kid to me," Ron spoke without realizing the words slipped out until he noticed the silence from voices and the three staring at him. Ron flushed a light red as he sat among the sweets. Harry sat as well and extended an invitation for the two to join them. Neville and Hermione wasted no time to accept. It was Neville who spoke next.

"Sorry about barging in. I'm Neville Longbottom, and this is Hermione Granger," he introduced, "You know you look a lot like your dad."

"What?" Harry asked. The entire cart asked the same question. Neville didn't seem all that embarrassed.

"My mum, and your mum knew each other pretty well. So my mum also knew your dad. She showed me some pictures of my dad and your dad growing up."

"Your mum knew my parents?"

Neville nodded.

"If you want, I could ask my mum to send some pictures."

Harry gave a genuine smile, his eyes seemed slightly watery.

"I'd like that."

"Are they basic photographs? Or the Wizarding moving pictures?" Hermione asked. Her curiousity was brimming, and it seemed as though every picture, every image was brought to life.

"Moving."

"I've heard there's a potion that the image is soaked in to make it move..."

Small conversation and candy eating continued between the four changing subjects as fast as they could think of them. School, accidental magic, Neville trying to convince everyone to eat a chocolate frog, and recent events just to name a few.

Time flew by until their door was opened once more. Standing tall and proud was Percy Weasley, dressed in decent robes with a red and gold necktie Ron swore he had seen Tony wear once before. Percy looked over the room, hesitating only a little to let his eyes linger on Ron before addressing the compartment.

"We will be arriving soon. You'll want to get changed into your robes. You will be expected to wear them once the train stops."

The group gave an affirmative as Percy left, his eyes lingering the longest on Ron and Scabbers.

Each person faced a corner as the got in their robes. Though none of them were really inappropriate, they had all watched as Neville turned to a corner and proceeded to do the same.

Ron and Harry had been thankful for Neville and Hermione as they made a valiant attempt to look good in the robes. Hermione had taken to straightening and smoothing the fabric while Neville checked the buttons to make sure they were lined up afterwards while regaling them of the many times he had put a robe on with it ending up attached to his ear. The four gathered Harry's remaining sweets, few as they may be, and Ron's rat as well as Neville's escape artist toad. The train screeched to a halt as scuffling could be heard, people directing one another to where they needed to go. The group stepped outside where they saw a giant of a man. Harry ran up and greeted him with much enthusiasm. He heard a few words before realizing that this man was the Hagrid Malfoy had referred to. They talked for less than a minute before they were all called to a lake. Boats with lanterns floated in the water waiting for them.

"No more than four in a boat!" Ron, Harry, Hermione and Neville, quickly got into a boat, each wondering why the boats, and where were the other students? They didn't have time to ask as the boats filled quickly and they began to move. Everyone stared as Hagrid's boat led them under a large rock formation and revealed an enormous stone castle. It took many of the children's breath away.

"Head's down!" He called out. They all ducked as they were led under ivy to an entrance. Students climbed out as their boat waited by land, each group climbing up the stairs, leading to large oak doors. The enterance to what would be many more years to come.

Now I do not own the Avengers, Marvel, or Harry Potter. I am using quotes directly from the book though and don't own them either. As you may see, this is where things are going to be getting even crazier. Soon, Everyone will be sorted!

Anyone up for a game of guess the houses?

Just kidding.

On a more serious note, let me know what you are all thinking. Please review.