Updated AN at the bottom.
Joining the Tribe
"Harry... I have enjoyed spending time with you; I know that you will do well in this new place. Despite all that has happened and everything you went through you persevered and pushed through to the end. I could not be prouder of you." Mick smiled as Harry walked through the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 "I may not be able to say it, but you have become the son I could never have."
Harry emerged from the barrier onto a rustic platform the wind catching the corner of his black robes "Come on Viribus, don't give me any of that attitude now You'll be out of the cage once I get on the train."
"Potter, I would like to introduce you to my father." Harry swiveled to face the speaker recognizing him as the blonde boy from Madame Malkins.
"Ah yes, Draco was it." Harry extended his hand in greeting "I believe we met at Madame Malkins yes?" Harry turned away from Draco for a short moment "Viribus calm down; I must deeply apologize Mr. Malfoy, Draco, my owl has been pestering me since I put him in the cage. I truly hope to meet with you more extensively at a later time, but I must go let him out inside a cabin, He's very free-spirited."
"Quite... understandable... Mr. Potter, perhaps we can become more acquainted over winter break, as I am sure Draco has told you there are certain aspects of our culture many Muggles have forgotten." Mr. Malfoy turned to Draco, and they made their way over to a different part of the bustling red brick platform.
Harry checked his watch for the umpteenth time as he loaded his Dragonhide and Oak trunk onto the train while grabbing Viribus' cage and hauling it up with him. Soon after boarding the majestic locomotive Harry turned his attention to finding a cabin as he was in quite a rush top begin reading the book about the runic applications within magic commonly referred to as Ancient Runes. After about fifteen minutes of searching, Harry found a quiet cabin where a small bushy haired girl sat absorbed into one of the heftier tomes Harry had seen in his life. "Excuse me, madame, would you care if I joined you? I have been itching to dive into one of my books as well, and this is the first quiet cabin I have come across since I boarded.
The girl jumped at the sound of Harry's voice "Sorry, what was that you said? My name is Hermione Granger."
"Harry, Harry Potter. I was asking if you would mind me joining you as I rather enjoy books myself." Harry smiled politely as he rested his trunk up against the door, "I've also grown rather tired of carrying this trunk around the train."
"I wouldn't mind at all, you know it's rather refreshing to meet someone else with a love for books. I've already finished this year's textbooks, have you started reading the reading yet?" Harry smiled at her question as he stowed away his trunk and let Viribus out of the cage.
"Thank you, and yes although I have not finished them yet; because I am rather absorbed by a couple books about topics we won't be learning till our third year." Harry handed her his introductory book on runic applications "this one here discusses the applications of older alphabets in magic and how their effects vary from those of traditional spells. What book were you reading before I came in?"
"I can understand your fascination with this book it really is intriguing…. I was reading Hogwarts a history it is an exhaustive recording of the school's history. I find it to be rather curious as there are things that just simply do not make sense." Hermione returned the rune book to Harry "I must say you have a beautiful owl Harry. What did you name it?"
Harry smirked as he ran his fingers down Virbus' smokey-purple feathers. "His name is Virbus, which is Latin for strength. My mentor purchased him for me when we went to get my school supplies at Diagon Alley."
"I absolutely adore the color of his feathers the tuft of black on his chest makes him very dashing." Hermione smiled at Harry and his owl.
"Oi, Dean, Seamus, It's the bloody boy who lived…" a rather obtuse ginger shouted as he slammed open the door staring at Harry's scar. "It's really you… Mum said you'd be on the train this year, but Merlin's beard it's you. You're the Savior of the Wizarding world… I only thought I saw the scar, but It's right there."
"And who might you be to ignore all senses of civility to come barging in here like some inebriated toddler?" Harry remarked as he stood slowly to address the fool.
"Name's Ron Weasley, I was wondering if you wanted to come and join me and the mates down in our cabin." The boy ran his hand through his greasy red hair and stuck it out to shake Harry's.
"I'd rather sit here with Miss. Granger and continue our lovely conversation about the uses of runes in magic as well as the history of our illustrious school, If you understood half of what I just said you are more than welcome to stay and join us if not I suggest you return to that cesspit of barbarity I passed along earlier…." BANG! With that, Harry slammed the door shut and began to read from his book with a not to subtle smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Harry c'mon mate don't be like that, leave that bookworm to her library and come with us. Bloody hell mate, keep this up, and your parents will be turning in their grave." Ron shouted through the door
"In case you hadn't noticed Weasley, I rather enjoy books as well and brought quite an extensive library with me just like Miss. Granger. So I would choose your next words very carefully, or you may just rid us of your pestilent presence and leave as I asked you to when I shut the door." Harry paused to collect his breath and calm his heart, "Should you bother me again I will have to report you to the proper authority figures. Wouldn't your Mum be proud if you got in trouble before school had even begun?"
"Harry, stop it," Hermione whispered exasperatedly, "He's not worth the effort."
"Fine, I'll stop." Harry griped as he returned to his seat ignoring the flaming face of one Ron Weasley just outside the door. "Why don't we talk about the four houses as I am sure Hogwarts a History had information Professor Vector did not impart when she helped with my Diagon Alley trip."
"As you probably know there are four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, Each house is representative of one of the four founding father's of the school. Each house has certain qualities that they hold as values. For Gryffindor, it is courage, for Hufflepuff, it is loyalty, for Ravenclaw, it is knowledge, and for Slytherin, it is ambition." Hermione smiled as she prattled on about each of the houses and giving descriptions of significant people from each house throughout history.
"Hermione, calm down a second. Which house would you like to be in?" Harry interrupted softly just before she started in on Merlin and the age of great magic. "Knowing all this information is good but how do you want to apply it? We are going to be here seven years… Where do you want to spend them?"
"I don't know I haven't thought about it too much. I've just been so absorbed in all of the new information that I kind of forgot about that part of it. I mean Gryffindor sounds all majestic and brave, but maybe Ravenclaw is where I belong. Amongst other people like you and me, people who like books…." Hermione's smile drooped a bit as she pondered her words, "What about you Harry? Where do you want to be?"
"I have been spending the last month trying to figure that out, and I think Ravenclaw is the best choice for me I care too much about analyzing information to really fit in everywhere else and from what I've heard Slytherin and Gryffindor don't get along… I'd rather avoid all that drama." Harry looked out of the window as he spoke, his mind traveling back to the academy and the first friend he'd ever met.
AN: Voting is still open for Harry to be with either Hermione, Luna, or Cho. The poll is leading with Luna 1 to 0 to 0. Anyone interested in tossing out an idea for the story please shoot a review. Any interesting spell ideas please let me know. Also please send reviews with ideas for battle spells I want you guys' help with creating Harry's spell arsenal for later on. I won't tell you what its for just know that its combat related.
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