Yay, the newest chappie is out. I am so thankful to all you lovely people who followed and favourited my story. I am so happy :) Please enjoy this one.
Harry felt absolutely and irrevocably awful! The young Dragonslayer was clenched up into a ball, clutching his stomach on the vibrating seat within the Hogwarts express.
Harry could not marvel at the magnificence of the scarlet steam train as it waited on the tracks, billowing white smoke. She was whirring to go with its cargo of excited student.
Even though Sirius bid him a fond farewell with a big hug and bag of awesome looking sweets; Harry felt too apprehensive about the journey.
When they went through a wall to get to a make-believe platform called Platform 9 ¾; which Harry found really funny and interesting, he came upon the steam train. His face was already going green at the prospect of the journey.
Even Evie, who knew all too well about his plight, could do nothing to comfort the unfortunate child.
So now, here he was feeling sick to the stomach and unable to look out of the window at the foreign landscape as it sped by.
"I think I should have flown there." Harry groaned out, sounding as if he was in the greatest pain of his life.
"You wouldn't know where to go!" Evie deadpanned back. She was stood on the seat, her cream paws up against the window and staring out at the beautiful green landscape of Britain. She loved all the views of fields and woodland with its lush summer colours. Even the little towns that went by looked quaint and friendly.
"Whoa, look at those creatures." She shouted, pointing to a horse. She hadn't seen many of this worlds animals and it fascinated her. Fiore didn't have horses of that colour or stature. Really, they were not horses at all.
"I can't…really look…" The boy grumbled before gagging slightly. He felt like he was going to be sick any minute.
Evie turned to look at her friend, shaking her head at the pitiful sight. "Typical you, making a fuss out of something like this." The cat walked over the seat to pick up her little knapsack. She rooted around inside for a moment before she gave a triumphant 'aha' as she withdrew a bottle of water.
"Drink this Ghost." She had to wait a moment for an emerald eye to open and acknowledge the presence of the water before he actually grabbed it. "It will help your mushy belly."
The boy slowly sat up straight, and once he did he unscrewed the cap and brought it daintily to his lips. He took tentative sips in order to help quell his throbbing stomach.
Evie watched for any signs of life. The boy looked a little more pale than normal. Usually he had naturally white skin, but with a tint of pink adorning his cheeks which signified his health. Usually it was good, except for when he was travelling. The pink was gone completely.
Before the boy was able to hand the water back the compartment door slid open, revealing a boy the same age as Harry, although slightly taller with a lanky body and flaming red hair. He had on a tentative expression, as if he was not purposely invading their space.
"Excuse me," he started, sounding apologetic. "You don't mind if I sit here. There isn't any room anywhere else."
Harry, forgetting his sickness for the moment, practically jumped at the prospect of making a new friend, smiled at the new face.
"Of course, please come in."
"Thanks."
The boy stepped in and regarded both seats. Ultimately he chose to sit next to Harry, feeling a little apprehensive about sharing the seat next to Evie, not knowing what she was. She didn't seem to mind.
"I'm Ron, Ron Weasley!" The boy sounded a little more confident now that he was accepted into the compartment.
"My name is Harry Potter!" Harry said, feeling the sickness coming back slowly. He remembered that he was holding the bottle so he took more sips from it. He felt a little better with the clean liquid in his stomach.
Harry saw recognition flicker within the boy's eyes. It was followed up by a shocked expression as if the red head saw a tiger in the isle.
"Whoa, no way! So the Prophet was speaking the truth about you returning?"
Harry inwardly flinched, remembering the fiasco within the ministry. It took him and Sirius about an hour to get away from the crowds. He couldn't escape all the questions and flashes of those strange devices; Cameras, Sirius called them.
"I…guess?" He responded without really knowing why he was so famous. He couldn't have really defeated a dark wizard at one, could he?
"Where you been all this time? Why did you go?" The boy started to fire off questions like those stubborn reporters. Harry smirked, finding the sight of this curious boy rather amusing.
"I never left on purpose. All I remember is green then white light. After that I was raised by my mother in a different realm."
"Wicked! But," Ron looked confused, "I thought your mum died that night on Halloween."
"Oh, I suppose you would be confused. I'm talking about my adoptive mother. She was a Dragon. The Spirit Dragon!"
Harry said it in a voice as if he was relaying the weather to his new friend, not realising that the statement was rather unbelievable. However it looked as if Ron did believe it. His mouth was open and his blue eyes were wide.
"That's wicked!" he breathed. "You were raised by a real dragon? How is that possible?"
"She was very smart. She taught me language, reading and writing, culture and magic. She taught me how to use Dragonslayer magic. I'm a Spirit Dragonslayer!"
Ron looked like he was about to have a fit.
"IU think you overdid it a little Ghost!" Evie chuckled.
Ron's head turned to the cat, realising that she was still there. "What are you?" He asked without helping it.
"How rude," the cat said, not really feeling angry but pretending to be. "Shouldn't you ask for my name before you ask what I am?
Ron resembled a fish out of water. His mouth kept opening and closing as he tried to voice himself.
"Relax, I'm just joking," Evie chuckled. "My name is Evie and I am an Exceed!"
For much of the journey Ron didn't ask many more questions; only why Harry was dressed so strangely. Instead he got to know the strange two in that compartment near the back of the train.
The scenery gradually changed the further north they travelled. Green pastures slowly transcended into gloomy looking Mooreland and rugged grey mountains. The mountains were mysterious and were topped with misty clouds that obscured those hidden peaks.
They were passing a dark looking loch; with Harry clutching his nauseous belly, Evie staring out the window and Ron talking animatedly when the compartment door slid open to reveal a bushy, brown haired girl with a serious look on her round face. Brown eyes peered at the three within the small room almost condescendingly before she spoke.
"Have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one. "
Ron didn't look too pleased to see her. It was as if the girl impeded on his most important moment, although Ron was only talking about chocolate frog cards. "No!" Was his plain answer.
The girl simply looked at the trio before she seemed to notice something.
"What is wrong with your friend?" She came in further and actually sat in front of Harry.
"Feeling a bit sick. I will be fine once we have stopped." Was Harry curt answer. His eyes clenched when a stronger vibration wracked the train. Harry had to fight to swallow the bile down his throat.
"I may be able to help here." The girl suddenly dived into her school robes; which she changed into a while ago, and withdrew a long, light brown wand. She pointed it right at Harry.
Harry watched with a wide look adorning his eyes. Was she really going to cast a spell on him? Ron was about to intervene before the girl uttered something unintelligible and then Harry felt that the sickness had gone.
"I have been learning a few simple spells. I will have to make do with what I learn in the books until we reach Hogwarts." She said haughtily with her nose in the air. "Although, I find they work well enough."
Harry could only nod, feeling immensely relieved to be feeing normal. He felt refreshed, and his appetite was coming back. He had missed lunch after all.
"Thanks…umm…"
"Hermione Granger," the girl thrust her hand out. Harry was a little confused about this, but then he remembered seeing a couple of aged wizards shaking hands when they met in the Leaky Cauldron. He gingerly grasped the girls hand and then shook.
"Nice to meet you. I am Harry Potter!" Harry knew this was going to be a day for many introductions. He still had the school to contend with.
"Holy cricket!" Hermione shrieked excitedly. She started to shake Harrys hand with even more vigour. "I heard you disappeared after that night, and that you have returned so that you could study at Hogwarts."
"That's…right…" Harry stated sheepishly. His arm was beginning to hurt.
"And who is this?" Hermione asked, her eyes resting on Evie, whose brows were raised.
"This is Evie, an Exceed!"
"Wow! I have never heard of an Exceed. They aren't in any of the books I have read so far. Is she a rare kind of creature? The magical world is full of rare and fascinating creatures!"
"Whoa, settle down, too many questions." Ron finally managed to get a word in, the outburst stopping the flow of words from the bushy haired girl's mouth. "Can't you see he doesn't want to explain anymore?"
Hermione blanched, seeing everyone properly for the first time. Now it was her turn to look a little sheepish.
"Ron, really it's okay." Harry said kindly, seeing that Hermione looked a little upset by the red heads words.
"No, he is right. I let my mouth run away with me." With that she stood up with a swish of frizzy hair and black robes. She paused at the doorframe and spoke once more. "I expect we will arrive soon. You may want to change into your school robes." And with that she was gone.
The trio looked at each other, amazed at the girl's tenacity and bossiness, although nobody spoke about her afterwards. They simply began to change when they saw the first glint of orange lit windows belonging to a great castle in the distance.
The group of first years were waiting nervously within a fire lit corridor, waiting to enter a hall for some kind of test. Ron had told him that his two brothers, Fred and George, had told Ron that they had to perform some kind of test so that they could study there. Ron didn't believe them but Harry was feeling slightly excited, if not a little nervous.
If they had to perform some kind of magic before they entered, Harry was already well versed in Dragonslayer magic. He presumed this test was their first step to becoming a wizard in this world.
Upon entering the castle Harry could feel the aura of magic surrounding the place. It was like a potent musk which made him wrinkle his nose as they came upon the castle from the lake. That deep dark lake felt like a cold, harsh kind of magic that flowed despite the still water. Gradually as they neared the castle harry could feel the signatures of thousands of magical auras.
They all had their own unique mark that caused Harrys own core to hum. Harry knew he could feed well in this place.
The mutterings and worries of the first year group gradually died down when a stoic looking woman wearing a tall green hat and green robes stood before them. She cast a stern eye over nervous faces; like a cat she seemed to analyse from a higher plain.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" She spoke with a confident, no nonsense air. "In a few moments you shall join the other students within their houses. There are four such houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I am Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor."
Once she had finished talking the doors behind her swung open silently on their own. Harry could see four rows of students seated on long tables that spanned the length of the hall. They were chatting animatedly, catching up with old friends and making new.
"Follow me please." McGonagall stated.
As they walked Evie had to try and ignore the points and curious stares that were constantly thrown her way. Harry could tell she was feeling a little nervous so he took her paw in his own hand to offer his comfort. She looked at Harry and gave him a grateful smile.
The witch led them right to the top end of the hall underneath what must have been the teachers table. Before the teachers table was a three legged stool with a tatty old had perched on top. This made Harry curious.
"Now, when I call your names you will come sit on this stool and I shall place the sorting hat onto your head, so that you may be sorted into your houses." McGonagall opened a scroll and cast her eye over it.
Harry could see that Ron was moving around on the balls of his feet, as if anxious to be at down. Harry could see Hermione off to the side, talking quietly to a small black haired girl who gave her an annoyed eye roll. Hermione didn't notice.
The hat then began to actually sing. It sung about the four houses and their founders. It sung about the different attributes shown by each house before it ceased its song, allowing the sorting to begin.
It went like this: A student was called up, they had to sit on the stool with a dirty looking cap adorning their head. Every new year jumped when the hat spoke out, stating he was a thinking cap and that he would delve deep into your mind to find out the place they deserved to be.
Many students were run through when the name called out was:
"Weasley, Ronald."
Ron's baby blue eyes went impossibly wide, his mouth hung open for a moment before he stepped out shakily. He looked back to Harry, who nodded his head, urging him on.
Once the hat touched his head Ron squeaked when the hat shouted, "Hah, another Weasley! I know just what to do with you." The hat sounded gruff with a choked kind of voice, as if he had been existing for far too long. "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry could see that Ron looked immensely relieved when all eyes were no longer on him. He hastily joined his classmates on the Gryffindor table.
Evie giggled when she saw Ron's face. She had to hide her smirk behind her paw before she drew attention to themselves.
Hermione was next, and she was also placed into Gryffindor, much to Ron's disgust. He looked particularly disgruntled when she sat opposite him at the lions table.
"Potter, Harry."
There was an astonished silence. It felt like a deafening crescendo when Harry had to step out and leave Evie; who didn't need to be sorted herself.
Now he felt even more nervous. He walked up the few steps towards the step before he looked back, seeing a sea of eyes and faces, all looking at him. The whispers then started. They were like the calls of angry spiritual emotions. They were the spirits that tasted metallic, unappetising.
Harry turned back to see Hagrid give him a friendly little wave. Harry could also see Dumbledore and his twinkling eyes. Harry felt like he was scrutinising the boy with his x ray vision. Harry also noticed a man with greasy black hair, watching him with a neutral expression. He was watching the boy intensely and it unnerved Harry slightly. Who was that guy?
Harry averted his gaze and very slowly seated himself on the rickety old stool. It wobbled as he rearranged himself on it so that he could sit somewhat more comfily. He was so short that his feet didn't touch the ground.
His vision was somewhat obscured when he felt the hat settle on top of his head. He immediately heard the hat whisper. The words it spoke out to the hall where different to the words he heard in his ears.
'Hmm, this is a tricky one! There is a mixture of talents both of this world and the other. They are tumultuous, powerful and aiming to outdo the other. However they both have similarities. Your core contains two halves. Sun and moon, Yin and Yang, Day and Night.' The hat spoke directly into his mind.
However the hat also spoke to the whole hall. Harry turned his head in order to try and glimpse past the hats rim. It didn't work. "There is talent, and a thirst to prove yourself."
'They are the balance that must be. Right now you are out of balance. It's tricky, where do you go? Which house suits you best?'
"You possess the loyalty of a Hufflepuff, the cleverness of a Ravenclaw," the hat spoke, "the determination of a Slytherin, and the courage of a Gryffindor."
Harry swallowed. Where did he want to go? He remembered something Ron told him. Slytherins turned out the darkest wizards. He didn't like that little fact. He knew the malevolence of the dark guilds back home; of how wizards did bad deeds in order to get what they wanted. They were selfish and only cared for themselves.
"Is it possible for me to not go into Slytherin?" Harry muttered so that only the hat could hear.
"What's this?" The hat sounded incredulous. "You wish to choose? You are very bold for such a young wizard, how can you know which is the best house for you. You could be great in Slytherin; it will help you on the way to greatness. You could become and S-class wizard, young Dragonslayer."
Harry ignored the mutterings from the students at that snippet of information. "How do you know I won't become S-class in Gryffindor?" The raven sounded exceedingly innocent.
'Your determination is admirable!"
The hat seemed to grumble for a moment. Harry waited with bated breath before it finally shouted.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Cheers from the Gryffindor table erupted like an explosion of noise. Harry noticed that he had dredged up the loudest cheer.
He walked down the few steps on wobbly legs that felt like jelly. Even though his words sounded confident his heart was thumping like a frightened rabbits.
He quickly collected Evie and went to join Ron at the lions table, feeling immensely happy. This was his first step to becoming a great wizard.