I am amazed I was able to finish another chapter. It's a miracle, really. And one that is so massive too. We're getting to the meat of the story, so the chapters will probably continue to be this big, if not a little smaller, depending on what all I want to fit in each one. I won't be able to write anymore today, so enjoy!
The train platform was bursting with families. Avery was so used to the isolated cottage she grew up in, the press of people felt overwhelming. At Diagon Alley, she had been so focused on her best friends and the excitement of shopping she hadn't had time for the amount of people milling about. But now, while she was still excited, it had dulled enough for her to feel her surroundings. It was just too much. She pressed closer to her father's side, ignoring the whining of her baby sister on his other side. Paige could be a delight when she wanted, but she seemed more upset than usual lately. Avery didn't worry about it though. She had much more to focus on.
A light tug on one of the locks of hair that had fallen out of her bun brought her attention back to her family. "You've got your wand?" Joy asked.
She nodded and patted her bun where her wand was holding her hair up.
Joy sighed, "I know you're not used to using a wand to do magic but please try not to break it."
Avery wrinkled her nose. Wands weren't commonly used in America. At least, not where she was from. There were some parts that still followed the traditions of England, but those were usually wealthy families who immigrated after the Witch Trials. It was during that time that witches and wizards learned how to blend in better, and that meant letting go of wands. The Pearces had been one of the first families to convert and assist others who had difficulties. Nowadays most didn't even bother getting a wand unless they were planning on attending a more traditional school like Ilvermorny.
A vision flashed in front of her, drawing her to the entrance the muggleborns used in time to see Harry stepping through. With a grin, she darted away from her family to his side.
"Harry!" she called quietly, not wanting to draw attention.
He smiled back shyly, "Hi Avery."
"I was wondering," she began slowly, "Would you want to sit together on the train? It's just that, I don't really know anyone else besides Draco. I saw you and I thought it would be nice to not have to sit alone or with strangers."
Harry's smile widen at her babbling, "I'd like that. I don't know anyone else either."
"Okay! I just have to say goodbye to my parents, and then we can go sit."
He nodded and followed her slowly to where her dad was waiting. Joy was a little ways away trying to calm Paige who looked to be in the middle of a tantrum. Wyatt was distracted by all the animals students were carrying to the train.
"Daddy, Harry and I are going to board now."
Russel knelt down to be eye level with his daughter, giving a teary eyed smile, "Alright, sweetheart. You have a good year alright? Write to me as often as you can."
"Yes, Daddy." She gave him a tight hug and ruffled her brother's slicked back hair. Giving one last wave to Joy, she took up the end of her trunk and moved with Harry towards the train. They didn't talk as they climbed the stairs. Other students rushed around them, shuffling them around as they pushed down the corridor until they found an empty compartment.
They collapsed onto opposite seats after stowing their luggage away and Harry set his owl cage down.
"Oh! She's so pretty! What's her name?"
Harry smiled, "Hedwig. I just got her for my birthday."
"I wish I could bring my familiar, but he's not on the list of approved animals so Mama didn't think it would be a good idea. His name's Knightley. He's an Amarok. It's kind of like a really large, magical wolf from Greenland. He's very loyal."
"You're family seems really nice. But…"
She tilted her head as he trailed off, "But?"
His cheeks pinked, "Er…Well, you're mom…"
She smiled, "That was my step mom. Joy. I know I don't look like her. She takes after her Japanese family."
"Sorry."
"I'm not offended. I'd probably be confused too, if I were you."
The conversation was interrupted by the door opening. Draco stepped through with a sigh, closing the door behind him, "There you two are. I just got away."
"Away from what?" Harry asked.
Draco rolled his eyes and sat down by the other boy, "Crabbe and Goyle. Our fathers are friends so I'm forced to spend time with them. Idiots."
"Well now you have us," Avery said with a grin.
Draco grinned back and nodded as the train began to pull away from the station. They turned to look at the station turn to houses flying past the window.
"So Harry," Avery broke the silence. "You grew up in the muggle world right? I saw you come through the muggle barrier."
Draco looked startled. He, like most of wizarding England, had been told Harry Potter had grown up like a prince hidden away with a group of wizards who were to train him in how to be a great Auror one day. Personally, Avery wanted to know how they got that idea into their heads. It clearly wasn't true and the sooner Draco realized that, the sooner they could fix it.
"Yeah," Harry answered. "With my Aunt."
"Well, I may have grown up with witches, but I still feel so lost. I only visit England occasionally to see my dad and America treats magic so differently. It's like a whole different world."
"Oh?" Draco asked curiously. "How so?"
"We don't use wands, for starters. I'm nervous about that. I'm so used to using my hands. What if I can't use a wand and they kick me out?"
"They won't. My father said the School Board was extremely impressed by your entrance exam results. They'll do just about everything to make sure you stay."
"Entrance exam?" Harry looked worried.
"If a foreign student wants to attend Hogwarts, they have to finish exams to see if they qualify. Some can even skip grades if they score high enough." Draco turned from Harry to Avery, "I'm sure the only reason you have to start as a first year is because of your lack of practice with a wand."
"I wanted to start as a first year anyway," Avery shrugged. "I don't want to draw more attention than I already will."
"I don't really like the attention either," Harry said.
Draco scoffed, "Well if you two don't want it, I'll be happy to take all of the attention for myself."
Avery giggled at the pompous tone, "Please do."
Harry grinned and nodded.
During their conversation, the train had made it through London and into fields full of cows and sheep. Avery stared out the window as Draco began talking about Quidditch, explaining the rules to a captivated Harry. The scenery was much more interesting in her opinion.
Around noon the door slid open and an elderly woman poked her head in with a smile, "Anything from the trolley dears?"
Avery shook her head but climbed up onto her seat so she could reach her trunk. After a little digging she was able to locate the Tupperware of treats Gran had sent for the ride. It had a preservation charm on it, so when she cracked it open, steam leaked out, carrying the scent of freshly baked cookies. Draco and Harry had moved so the seat between them had a small mound of candy that Draco was patiently explaining to Harry. After a short debate, Avery traded a couple cookies for a Firecracker Chocolate Bar. The tingling pops always felt oddly satisfying in her mouth. Then they had a game of trying different Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and trying not to make faces at the bad ones.
Avery was clutching her sides from laughter as Harry tried to pull out his tongue after eating one that tasted like earwax when the door slid open again. She wiped the tears from her eyes to see a round-faced boy shuffle in. He looked miserable.
"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?"
When they shook their heads, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"
Both boys looked startled, but Avery jumped up immediately. She had Seen this, but had forgotten it in the fun of making friends.
"How about I help you find him? We can ask a Prefect. I'm sure they'll know what to do."
The boy sniffled, "Really?"
She nodded decisively, "C'mon. I'll be back, okay?" She didn't wait for the boys' answers as she closed the door behind her and ushered the other boy along. He clung to her sleeve like a little kid. It reminded her of when her brother and she would wonder too far from their parents.
It only took a moment to come across a Prefect. Percy Weasley was talking to a couple students from his year, already in uniform.
She reached up to polite tap his shoulder, "Excuse me. We've lost a toad. Can you help us?"
Percy's chest puffed up proudly, "Yes, of course." He pulled his wand from his pocket and performed a summoning charm. The plump toad zoomed into his palm from down the corridor, startling several students on the way. He carefully handed it over to a beaming Neville. Avery thanked Percy who nodded imperiously and told them to change when they got back to their compartments.
"Where are you sitting?" Avery asked her year mate as they slowly went back the way they came.
"A couple older Hufflepuffs let me sit with them."
"Well how about we get your things and you can sit with us instead."
"Are…are you sure? Won't your friends be mad?"
"Nah. It'll be fine. We're all new. We should get as many friends as we can. I'm Avery Church, by the way."
He beamed at her calling him a friend and introduced himself. The Hufflepuffs in his old compartment were happy he had found someone his own age to sit with. They helped them with Neville's trunk and they were soon back to Avery's compartment. Draco and Harry stood to help them store the new luggage and introduce themselves. Neville was nice enough not to make a big deal over Harry. He was a bit shy, but seemed to mesh well in their group. His timidity made Draco take down his pride a few notches. After all, Neville was another Pureblood Heir. Manners dictated that he treat Neville as an equal, even if he didn't want to.
Avery was just gathering her uniform so she could change in the restrooms while the others changed in the compartment when the door banged open again. This time a lanky redheaded boy with a dark smudge on his nose flung himself in.
"Is it true?" Ron Weasley demanded. "Harry Potter is in the compartment?"
The world faded to background noise as a vision forced her attention. The world required balance. Always. Draco was no longer Harry's rival, the future had changed. To compensate, Fate had chosen someone new to be his rival. As Draco went from rival to friend, it only made sense to make a friend into a rival.
She blinked back to reality just in time to see Draco nearly getting attacked. Harry and Neville shoved the red head away before he could throw a punch.
"Stay away from my friends," Harry said firmly. "I don't know who you are, but I think you should leave."
"You're a traitor!" Ron yelled. "Being friends with Death Eaters! YOU'RE RUINING EVERYTHING!"
"My family is Light," Neville said.
"And I'm American," Avery joined in. "With no idea what is going on."
Draco snorted.
"Ronald!" A firm voice had them turning to the door, only then realizing it had been open for the entire encounter. Percy stood tall, glaring down at his brother, "How dare you say such things! Five points from whatever House you go into. I'll have to write mother about this, and I'm sure your future Head of House will have a few words as well. Now come along. You'll sit with me the rest of the trip."
Once the two Weasleys had left, Avery looked around at her boys. They were all a bit flushed from the almost fight, anger lighting up their eyes.
"Well that was exciting. If you don't mind, I'm gonna go change before someone else comes in to yell at us."
"You said you didn't know what was going on," Draco said before she could leave but she waved him off.
"Tell me later. It's getting dark so I think we'll be there soon."
She slipped out before anyone could say anything more and quickly made her way to the restrooms. After swapping out her clothes, she took a moment to just breathe. It always threw off her equilibrium when strong visions took over without her control. It happened less and less as Gran taught her about meditation but when the timelines shift so significantly, it sucked her in and didn't let her go until she understood the change she had made.
She felt bad for Ron. He wasn't a bad person, just a little prejudiced. It came with being raised in a post-war world. All of the students were somewhat prejudiced. But Draco was the perfect example of how that could change. People can look past what they were taught in order to see what was right. Having Ron as a rival was hard. Having Draco as a rival led to pain and heartbreak during the war. She was picking the lesser of two evils.
With one last deep breath, she went back to her compartment, knocking three times to let them now she was there. A moment later Neville unlocked the door for her and they spent their last few moments putting away their things into their trunks.
A voice echoed through the train just as they were settling back down, "We will be reaching Hogsmeade Station in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train. It will be taken to the school separately."
Avery pressed her face to the window to try and see a glimpse of the castle through the dark. The train slowed to a stop and her boys tugged her away so they could follow the others off the train. They huddled together for warmth on the tiny, dark platform, unsure where to go. A light caught her eyes over the heads of students as it bobbed closer.
"First years! First years over here!"
"C'mon," Harry tugged on her arm as he led the way to what Avery assumed was a giant. He towered over everyone, though the beaming smile on his hairy face cut down his intimidation. Hagrid, her memories supplied.
"C'mon, follow me – anymore first years? Mind your step, now! First years follow me!"
Hagrid led them down a dark and narrow path, forcing them to form a loose line. Avery held on to Draco's cloak in front of her while she stared hard at her feet, trying desperately not to slip in the mud. Neville sounded like he was having just as much trouble behind her. Harry had to steady him a few times before he took down the whole line like dominoes.
"You'll get your first sight of Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "Just round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
Avery waited until they had stopped moving forward before lifting her head. The path had ended onto a great black lake that reflected the sky above. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. She smiled at the sight she had seen a million times in her head, but not once in real life. It was just as breathtaking as she thought it would be.
"No more than four to a boat," Hagrid's voice pulled everyone's eyes to the line of rickety wooden boats waiting for them. Avery felt the blood leave her face as her fingers tightened on Draco's cloak. How had she not Seen this?
"Avery?" Neville asked when she refused to budge, holding Draco hostage in the process. "Are you okay?"
"No," was her strangled reply.
His brow furrowed in concern. He glanced at the boats and back to her, "It's okay. We won't let you fall in."
She laughed weakly. Of course sweet Neville would see what she was afraid of. "I can't swim. I…I hate large bodies of water. I don't think I can do this."
"Yes you can," he assured. "You can sit right by me. And Draco and Harry will sit behind us to keep an eye on you."
She glanced over at the other two who were hovering close by, waiting for them to move ahead. She gulped. If they didn't move soon, people would start noticing. It took every ounce of her will power, but she managed to take a step forward. Her boys urged her on until the stood by their own boat. Harry climbed in first and Draco held the boat steady while the others helped her in. Once she was seated, Harry sat behind her, hands on her shoulders to keep her in place. Her knuckles were turning white with how tightly she held onto the seat below her. Neville clambered in and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her further from the edge. Draco followed quickly and they waited silently for the few stragglers to get in.
"Everyone in?" Hagrid called. "Right then. FORWARD!"
Avery kept her eyes on the castle as the boats glided forward. If she didn't look at the water she could pretend it wasn't there. The boat was steady enough to not give off the vibe of sailing. Still, she leaned heavily on Neville as they approached the cliff under the castle.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as they reached the cliff. They bent their heads and the boats carried them through the curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to take them right under the castle, until they reached an underground harbor. Neville took the time to help her out onto dry land slowly. She huffed out a breath of relief as they waited for the others. Before they followed the group, Avery wrapped her arms around Neville.
"Thank you. I'm so glad you're my friend."
