Chapter 2: A Train and Hat

Gohan starred at the train before him. The platform was packed with people. As Gohan looked on he noticed for the first time the people he fell upon. There were nine of them and at least seven had ginger hair. They had just picked themselves up and were dusting off some dirt. Gohan saw that seven of them looked like students each with their own trolley in front of them.

"I'm so sorry" Gohan said again bowing his head low.

"Oh that is OK dear" said the woman of the group. She had ginger hair and Gohan guessed she was mother to all the ginger haired students in front of him. Before she could say anything else she was interrupted by another figure falling through the barrier. Piccolo picked himself up looking far from amused.

"That mother of yours needs to learn to control herself" he grumbled to Gohan. As he said this Chi Chi came through the barrier frying pan in hand. Before she could swing it at Piccolo Goku grabbed it off her.

"Now now Chi Chi there is no need to go overboard" Goku said nervously.

"He threw our son at a wall!" Chi Chi shouted.

Gohan looked embarrassed as his parents argued. The people that he had bumped into thankfully saw it best to slowly back away and get themselves sorted for the departing train.

"Come on Gohan" whispered Piccolo dragging him way from the scene with his stuff. They found Gohan an empty carriage. Making sure Gohan was comfortable enough Piccolo departed the train. Gohan pulled down the window to talk to his mentor.

"Thanks Mister Piccolo" Gohan said sincerely.

"No problem kid" Piccolo replied unable to keep a little bit of pride out of his voice.

"Gohan" his mother called to him showing up beside Piccolo. "I want you to be on your best behaviour! If I hear one word of trouble from that school I'm taking you straight home" she threatened.

"Ok mum" Gohan said quietly. He made a mental note to be extra careful when at school. This was his one chance to meet other people his own age and he didn't want to blow it.

"Gohan here take this" Goku said handing him a parcel the size of a small box.

"What is it?" asked Gohan.

"You'll see when you get to school" smiled Goku.

A whistle went off and the train started to move. As it picked up speed Gohan saw all the other parents' wave to their kids. Chi Chi and Goku walked beside the train Goku having an easier time staying up with it compared to Chi Chi.

"Gohan remember clean underwear everyday and don't eat anything you aren't sure about" his mother told him.

"OK mum" Gohan replied feeling awkward with what his mother was saying in front of the other parents.

"Gohan train hard while you are at school, learn some of that cool magic and remember no matter what happens there you are a Son and I will always be proud of you" his father told him.

"Thanks dad!" Gohan told his father, starting to feel himself perk up. As the train moved out of the station his parents waved off from the platform. Gohan waved back too until the train turned a corner and they were completely lost from view.

'Gohan' Gohan heard his mentors voice in his head 'if you need any help don't hesitate to contact me, I didn't bother making this mental connection with you for you not to use it'.

'OK mister Piccolo' Gohan told him.

'Knock them dead' was Piccolo's last words to him until he broke of the connection.

Gohan turned to sit down and was about to open the parcel his father gave him until the door of the compartment opened. Gohan looked up and saw three red heads looking in. Gohan recognised them from the group that he bumped into. A girl and two boys that going from how close they resembled each other he guessed were twins starred back at him.

"Is it OK if we sit in here" the girl said indicating to the empty sits.

"Oh sure" smiled Gohan. Pulling himself up so as to make more space.

"Thanks" all three said as they put their luggage away and took seats around him. The girl sat straight across from him while one of the twins took the empty seat beside him and the other sitting beside the girl.

"I'm Ginny Weasley" the girl introduced herself as.

"I'm George Weasley" the twin beside him said.

"No you're not George Fred! I am" his twin said.

"No you forgot I'm George! Don't tell me even you get us mixed up!" his twin said back.

"Can you two knock that out" frowned Ginny.

Gohan burst out laughing at the twin's antics. He never saw anything like it before. The twins smiled at him and Ginny shock her head smiling at the boy. After Gohan was finished it was his turn to speak.

"So let me guess your George and your Fred" he said pointing to the respective owner of each name.

"Bingo the boy is a bright one" laughed George.

"Honestly you two are going to get in some real trouble someday" Ginny said. "Well that is us introduced what is your name?"

Oh I'm Gohan Son" Gohan answered.

"Son? That doesn't sound like a name from around here are you from a different country?" asked Fred.

"Yeah I come from Japan" smiled Gohan.

"Japan? Then why go to Britain for schooling? Don't they have schools in Japan?"

"Yeah they do thing is though my family moved over here recently and they thought it best that since we are going to stay here a while that I should learn more about the British magical community and what better place to learn that but Hogwarts" Gohan lied remembering the fake story Dumbledore had given him.

"Makes sense" snorted Fred "So what your parents do?"

"Oh my mum is a witch; she is a top notch journalist. The paper she works for decided to expand out more and cover more of the world. So because of that she got transferred over to Britain to cover the European coverage. My dad is a muggle and he is a mix material artist trainer"

"That explains the clothes" Ginny said pointing out the clothes that he got as a gift from piccolo and often wore. Currently he wasn't wearing the cape but he had on exactly all the other clothes of his mentor uniform.

"Yeah I guess it does" laughed Gohan scratching his head awkwardly and accidently showing them his arm muscle.

"Damn boy! You can near kill someone with them" Fred snickered.

"Oh? Oh these, yeah my dad makes me train with him" Gohan answered.

"It shows" nodded George. "So Gohan what year you in?"

"Oh I'm second year though I don't know what house I'm in"

"WHAT!" all three ginger headed kids said at once.

"Well OK it makes sense that since you are new to Hogwarts you wouldn't have a house but when you got transferred over wouldn't they of sorted you into a house similar to the one you were in at your old school" asked Ginny.

"Well you see... my old school didn't have a housing system like Hogwarts does. It had a more region feel to it and people from the same region where put into the same house." Gohan answered honestly remembering what Baba had told him about Japanese Wizarding schools. "When I asked Dumbledore about it he said it wouldn't be that much of a problem and they'll sort me in with the first years".

"That sounds like Dumbledore" George said nodding his head wisely. "Man has a sharp mind, though he might be losing it. Anyway Fred do you wanna go find where Lee is? We got some business to talk to him about".

"Sure thing" his twin answered with an evil smile.

As both got up Ginny spoke up, concern in her voice. "You lot aren't going to do anything illegal now are you? Mum says one more letter home from Hogwarts about you two misbehaving she'll take you straight home".

"Don't worry my little sister Ginny, me and Fred here are much sharper than the boys that we used to be. This year we become men and as men we will not get caught out so easily by 'the man' and prove for once and all to be the ultimate jokers that Hogwarts needs but can't handle" and before Ginny could say another thing they were out the door and away of to cause mischief.

"Those two I swear" Ginny frowned.

"Those two must be fun" laughed Gohan.

"Oh a barrel of laughs" Ginny said sarcastically.

"So can you tell me more about Hogwarts? I learnt some stuff about the place but I think it would be best hearing the details from someone who goes there".

"Oh sure thing, first you need to know is that there are four houses..." Ginny told Gohan as much as he could about each of the houses. She explained the characteristics that each house wanted though when she got to giving names of famous witches and wizards each house produced she hesitated at Slytherin. After a lengthy pause she told Gohan that Voldemort was a Slytherin. She had a deep look of hurt in her eyes as she mentioned him still calling him "you know who" though she almost called him a completely different name. Gohan felt that she had a deeper experience with him than other wizards or witches had though Gohan wasn't going to push the subject.

After a while Gohan brought out a game that Baba got him called exploding snap. Ginny taught him the rules and soon both past the time playing it.

At around lunch time a woman with a trolley came by asking if they liked anything off it. Ginny looked away embarrassed and said no, Gohan on the other hand wasn't one to miss an opportunity for food and nearly shocked the poor woman to death by almost buying her out. The woman went of whispering under her breath that not one signal student ever managed to make her run out of supplies before. Gohan turned around and dropped all that he bought in Fred's empty sit. He turned to Ginny and told here "You can help yourself if you want."

Ginny looked rather embarrassed but took him up on his offer. She got want she wanted but as she sat down she saw Gohan stuff his face with 10 different kinds of sweets. The young boy would literally rip open six packets of different sweets and stuff them in his face. He did these five times in a row before he noticed Ginny looking at him.

"What?" he asked confused before handing a chocolate frog "want one?"

"No thanks Ginny" smiled. 'The boy sure is weird but cute. Just as cute as Harry' she thought.

Not long after there was a knock on their door. Opening it Gohan was met with the sight of a blond haired girl. She looked absentminded at Gohan and looked over his shoulder to see Ginny. She waved at Ginny who waved back. The girl then looked at Gohan.

"You happen not to see my school robes have you? They have gone missing" she asked him.

"Uh no I haven't seen any school robes, have you Ginny?" Gohan shock her head to indicate that she haven't either.

"Oh that is too bad. I I went to go to the toilet and when I got back my truck was open and my robes where missing. I'm sure some of the students stole them but I also haven't ruled out lepercans doing it either. They get angry this time of year when their feathers malt".

"Leprechauns have feathers?" asked a very confused Gohan.

"Oh yes, on the back of their necks. Much people don't know about it though but my dad did an article about it for The Quibbler. Was very controversial so it was lots of angry letters but lots of good one too saying it was time for the truth to be revealed".

"Ok well I'm sure there are no leprechauns on the train so some of the students must off done it, want me to help you look for them?"

"No that is OK they usually turn up when I need them anyway. It s just I would rather not have this happen before I get to Hogwarts"

"Well I insist if people are being mean to you we got to put a stop to it. Ginny can you stay here until I get back" he told Ginny. "Can you take me to your compartment?"

Luna took Gohan to where she was staying for the train ride. It was at this time that Gohan realised that he didn't know this girl and introduced himself to her. She told him her name was Luna Lovegood though students had given her other nicknames. When they got there they found at least three boys and two girl's init chatting wildly to one another. As Luna entered they stopped for a brief second before they snickered to one another.

"Alright Loony Lovegood, how goes the robe hunt?" one of the boys said to Luna in a mocking tone.

"It would go much better if you just tell her where her robes are" Gohan said behind Luna.

The boy who mocked Luna starred at Gohan sizing him up. "And who are you" he asked unable to keep the nastiness out of his voice.

"I'm Gohan, and I would very much like it f you give Luna back her stuff" Gohan said stepping into the compartment and right up to the boy. The boy stood up and looked down at Gohan. He had a good one foot height advantage but compared to the strength Gohan possessed he was imitating as a dead fish was to a lion.

"And what if I said I won't tell you then what" he questioned puffing out his chest.

"Then this" Gohan grabbed the boy and with one arm lifted him over his head. The boy gasped in surprise and cried in shock as he looked down squirming desperately to get out of Gohan's grasp.

"OK OK! I'll tell you Draco Malfoy and his goons took them!"

"Thank you" Gohan said politely putting the boy back on the ground. Gohan turned and left the compartment leaving the older boy very shaken.

"Do you know where this Malfoy is" asked Gohan to Luna.

"Yes he is just right across from us" she said pointing at the compartment across the hall. Gohan opened the door and was greeted by the sight of three boys and a girl all talking away to each other. They stopped and starred at Gohan until a blond haired boy questioned him.

"What do you want?" he asked in a not so nicely fashion.

"Are you Malfoy?"

"I am and what do you want?"

"Give back Luna's robs"

"Or what?" he threatened as the other two boys who were much bigger than Gohan stood up and squared up to him.

"This" Gohan replied and punched both in the stomach. He hit them with enough force to wind them both and they each fell to their knees grabbing their stomachs in pain. He stepped over their bodies and walked towards Malfoy. "So are you going to give me those robes now?"

Malfoy jumped as if he got an electric shook and threw some robes at Gohan that he was sitting on. "Thanks" Gohan said before also punching Malfoy in the stomach. Gohan turned and left leaving three very sore people in his wake.

"Here you go" Gohan smiled at Luna handing her robes.

"You didn't have to do that" Luna said.

"Your right I didn't but I think it was best that I did. Those kinds of people will just continue to hurt other people if they think they can get away with it" Gohan replied remembering, Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta and Frieza.

"Well if you think it was for the best then I won't question it" Luna turned and re-entered her compartment. Gohan smiled to himself as she left. She seemed like a nice enough girl but strange he admitted.

Gohan returned to Ginny and told her what happened. She was shocked at what Gohan did but agreed that he needed to do it. As the train continued on its journey the day grew darker and both decided to change into their school robes. Gohan was thankful to learn that each compartment had a curtain to separate boys and girls if need be.

As the day turned to night the train came to a sudden halt."Hmm that is strange we shouldn't be there yet. Hang on I'll be right back" Ginny said leaving Gohan by himself. Ginny was barely gone for a minute until the lights of the train went out. Gohan heard sounds of the other students scared of what was happening. Gohan used his ki sensing ability and a chill grew down his spin. All around the train there was spots were all ki disappeared. It felt like a black hole that sucked all life into it and each of these spots were moving and to his horror they were entering the train. Gohan felt these spots move along the train until one stopped outside his door. The door flung open and Gohan looked up to a horrible sight. A tall hooded figure looked down at him rasping for breath as if hoping to suck in all the air. The figure looked at Gohan (or at least he thought it did he was unsure if it had eyes) before moving towards him.

"No you don't" he shouted and threw a ki blast at him. The ki hit the creature and threw it back out of the compartment. The creature got up and floated towards Gohan until a bright light outside in the hall chased it away. Gohan starred as the bright light went by and he sensed all the creatures leaving the train running from the light. A man who look rather tired and wearing a shabby set of wizard clothes ran past the door following the light his hand outstretched with his wand in it.

Gohan sat back down sweat running down his forehead. When that creature took a breath Gohan felt all happiness drain from him. He took deep breaths until he had fully recovered. It didn't take long for him to regain his calm presence that he usually had. Gohan saw the man pass by again. He seemed more relax now that the creatures were gone but he had a spring in his step and Gohan felt he was the type to hold his own in a fight.

After a while Ginny returned. "Gohan are you all right those Dementors didn't do anything did they?" she asked nervously.

"Dementors is that their name? No they didn't come in here at all" Gohan lied. "What about you did they come near your?"

"Yeah they entered the compartment I was in though thankfully a Professor was there and chased them off."

The train continued on its journey until it reached Hogsmeade. As the train slowed down a message went out telling the students to leave their luggage on the train. As Gohan departed the train Ginny said her goodbyes to him.

"I hope to see you in Gryffindor" was here last words to him until she was lost in a sea of students.

Gohan tried to make sense of his surroundings but there were too many people to do so. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see a bearded face look down upon him.

"Ar ya Goh'n" the Giant of a man asked.

"Yeah" was the only thing Gohan could say.

"Th'n com wih me" the man said nodding in the direction he wanted to go in. Gohan followed the man who kept shouting" firs yers this way". As Gohan followed the man they came to a lake which had rowing boats at the side. The man roared orders for what the students were meant to do. He nodded to Gohan to share a boat with him and when he was sure all the students were in a boat he pointed with an umbrella and the boats moved forwards.

"So yor Goh'n Dumbledore has talked alo abot ya, I'm Hagrid" the man said introducing himself.

"Hello Hagrid" Gohan said warmly back.

"So is it true that ya were left to deal ith T rex's and lions when ya where younger?" Hagrid asked eagerly.

"Yup, mister Piccolo left me in the wild as a kid and I had to look after myself. Those animals may seem scary but they are really nice". Gohan would go on to tell Hagrid about his adventures as a child with said beasts and Hagrid listened to his story with great interest. He would occasionally stop and ask questions mostly about how big they were, what they eat and how sharp were their teeth. In no time at all the boats had entered under a cliff face and Hagrid directed them to a side room in the castle. Gohan could sense that they weren't far from the rest of the students and figured they would soon be joining them.

An elderly and small wizard came into the room and warned the new comers about the rules of Hogwarts. He introduced himself as Professor Flitwick and explained that normally Professor McGonagall usually helped with the sorting but that tonight she was preoccupied with something else. When he was finished he took them into the Great Hall. The first years walked between two tables and Gohan could feel all eyes on the room on the first years. The nerves of some of the first years were obvious by how they trembled. Gohan was willing to comfort them but didn't get a chance to speak when he found himself standing at the front of the great hall with the first years looking at an old hat sitting on a stool.

The hat spoke and gave a rhythm before finishing and getting a round of applause from the rest of the students. It was then that Professor Flitwick started calling out names and students got sorted into their houses. It wasn't long until it was just Gohan left standing by himself. Professor Fliwick rolled up the list and stood at the side. Whispers started among the tables as many students wondered why this boy was left out. At this time too an old witch along with two students entered the hall and took their seats at the Gryffindor table while the witch took a seat at the staff table.

"Isn't he the guy who bumped into us" asked Ron to his sister.

"Yes he is he is named Gohan Son and he is a transfer student from Japan. He is going into second year" Ginny answered.

"Wait what? That has never happened before. No student in all of Hogwarts history has ever been transferred into a year. Any new student no matter how old they are all have to start in first year. No exceptions" finished Hermione who had just joined the table with Harry.

"How you know" asked Harry.

"It was in Hogwarts A history. Honestly does anyone even read that book?"

As the talk continued Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands for silence which he got at once. "You can see we have one more remaining student to be sorted. He is a transfer student from Japan who will be going into second year. He needs to be sorted and I'm glad to introduce you all to Gohan Son the first ever student to ever take the hat to be sorted to a year above first". Dumbledore nodded and Gohan walked forward.

As he put on the hat he saw a lot of curious faces until the hat blocked his view. Gohan heard a whisper in his ear. 'Well this is new' the voice said 'I have sorted many students but none like this before. Not going to first year eh boy. My, my how the old ways have changed. What house can use your talent is the question and going from the knowledge in your head you could do well in all four.'

'You have the cunning of a Slytherin no doubt about it. Being cunning is what you need to survive in the world you live in. You have it in great fold and in Slytherin it will grow and be award. You have the intelligence of a Ravenclaw no question to that. Your mother will be proud of all the hard work you have done. How would things have been if you were smarter in battle? How can we help build on a strong foundation you have? I'm sure Ravenclaw has the answers'.

"Then there is that hard work and determination that you have. Boy you learnt the hard way that no things in life were easy. The skills you learned and how to survive only come through hard work. Indeed at Hufflepuff you would fit right in. You could go far maybe even become a Head boy before even Seventh year! There is no doubt in my mind'.

'But you are also brave even though you at times you didn't show it. Going to a new world and starring evil in the face that is bravely that many will never face. My, Gryffindor was made for you! You could become a new face in the history of all those who stayed brave'.

'Yes you have all the skills for every house in bucketfuls. Never has a student come to Hogwarts like you before. You are a challenge and I am glad for that. It gets quite boring being a sorting hat'. The hat finished talking and started to concentrate. Time slowly moved on and Gohan soon realised than it was nearly 20 minutes since the hat fell silent and the other students noticed this as well. Many turned to their friends and the whispers started up.

Gohan was starting to wonder if that the hat had fallen asleep and was about to question it when it suddenly spoke out loud.

"I have decided!" the hat shouted and the hall went silent.