Chapter 7: A Whole New World

A lot had changed in the House of Number 4 Privet Drive over the last month before Hogwarts officially started. Harry and Dudley both could be seen pouring over their school books in an attempt to learn all they could about the magical world and it's concepts. They had even brought out some Mundane fiction to compare and contrast. Well Harry had anyway, Dudley was more interested in the magic of explosions and showy magick than actually studying theory. Although he did throw in a few ideas here and there.

Vernon and Petunia had just as quickly gone to studying the boys textbooks on wizarding culture to try and get a handle on things themselves. Just as quickly they had become quite disillusioned about the world their children where about to enter. Mundane parents had very little in the way of rights for their kids and, once the child had turned fifteen and passed their OWLS would have essentially no rights unless they assigned a Magical Guardian to the child.

Vernon had almost lost it again when reading that. Ranting for an hour about how backwards and disjointed the wizarding world was. Harry had come into the room after his uncle had calmed down and reminded him that, come the end of September he would be entitled as Lord Potter, this would Emancipate him and allow him to appoint a proxy to the seat of House Potter, who would also act as his Magical Guardian. He was planning on asking Agusta Longbottom to be that Proxy as part of her duties as ally to House Potter. She would then also be Magical Guardian to Dudley since he was a Protectorate of House Potter.

Vernon had calmed down a little after that. There had also been the brief secondary trip to the Bank were they had set up the Trust account for House Dursley that would become the Family account once Dudley became of age and Head of house. Harry went with the typical rates, the vault would be given 1,000G every year, deposited on Dudley's birthday. Vernon and Petunia had been about to protest such an amount when Harry told them if they tried to negotiate lower he would simply come back and make it higher.

Axegrind always liked working for the Potter Family. They where ruthless both in business and in their generosity. It was why they had went from simple clay artisans to the best family of human ward masters in the magical world. Many of the techniques they developed where still taught to the humans who went through the goblin curse breaker course after Hogwarts today. For a royalty fee of course. Which netted the Potter family nearly 10,000G a year since the techniques where taught around the world.

"Mr. Dursley," Axegrind interjected into the staring match Harry and Vernon had gotten into. "If I may, Lord Potter here will be facilitating Dudley's education for the next seven years, plus what ever Masteries in the Magical and Non-magical world Dudley wishes to pursue."

Vernon grumped a bit but nodded none the less, "Yes that is what we agreed to, but we are Harry's guardians it seems, wrong for him be giving Dudley so much money. I don't want to be seen as taking advantage of my rich Nephew."

Axegrind nodded appreciating that in a goblin sense. not working for the money would be wrong to any moral thinking creature. "How about this then. Griphook tells me you manage a company of drill artificers in the muggle world."

Vernon nodded a bit more at that getting into business mode, "That is quite correct sir, I manage sales accounts for our manufacturing department we work with companies in industrial settings all the way down to dentistry tools."

Axegrind nodded making a note on a few pages. "If I can put you in contact with a few of our mining overseers, we are quite aware that the mundane world produces better steel than the Magical world for some uses, such as drilling and have been looking for a supplier. We will credit House Dursley with the services and the 1,000G yearly will be part of any further negotiations on top of what ever we end up paying Grunnings as a whole."

Vernon thought for a moment. From what he had seen the Goblin nation was an entirely subterranean culture and also had dealings in exactation far beyond just building and expanding underground bank vaults. Netting an account of this size had the potential to see him promoted. "Yes we can work something out I'm sure." Vernon said with a sharp smile.

Axegrind smiled as well, "I shall set up a meeting with Ragnok at Barclays London. if you need to bring partners, he shall be introduced under the name Reginald and this will be a class 7 contract by necessity. we will send details via secure messenger owl within the week."

Vernon almost shat his pants in glee, a class 7 could see him bag partner within the year if it all went through.

Vernon nodded "that sounds like a fine idea. if you can put together a preliminary inquiry and offer I'll bring it to Mr. Grunning as soon as possible."

After that life at Privet Drive had been even more bearable. The family as a whole seemed to be coming together more than ever.

Another odd but pleasant development had been that Dudley had started to rapidly convert fat into muscle. The Dursley's and Harry had both been a bit worried at that but Professor Cohen had assured them that Magic had enhanced Dudley's metabolism so that it used every bit of nutrition out of what he ate. It was the same for any magical being of any stretch. any excess went into powering their magic. Obesity was nearly unheard of in the magical world and only in the very old or very weak magically who didn't use their magic that often or had lessened in power. They had also been ensured that Madam Pomfrey, the school medi-witch would conduct full physicals on any first generation magical coming into the school to ensure their health was looked after.

As a result by September First when the family of four exited the family car into the parking lot of Kings Cross Station it wasn't a twig and a baby whale that held school trolleys but two young men of nearly equal stature standing proud next to each other and very excited to be starting school together. Vernon, inspired by his new position and his son's new physique had even started slimming down. while not at the level of the boys he was starting to thin around the face and expected to be back to his college weight by the time they came home for Christmas.

"Well boys are you ready" Petunia asked adjusting their nondescript ties one last time. Their bearing and demeanor so different from even a month ago she was scarce to believe it.

Dudley looked just as regal and lordly as his cousin, though broader of stature, where Harry looked lean and cat like Dudley looked strong and stalwart, that they stood with the comfortability of brothers was a balm to her soul.

"Ready Auntie." Harry said with a smile.

"Ready mom, come on Harry lets see if we can find Neville!" Dudley said trying to run off.

Vernon snagged his son's collar to stop him running off. "Whoa there son, come on lets keep it at a proper pace. Remember you don't want to draw too much attention on where we are headed."

Dudley looked down. "Right, sorry dad."

"Now you don't have to write every day, but once a week would be nice," Petunia said as they started making their way to platform nine and ten. "and a letter tomorrow to know that you have gotten there safe and what houses you ended up in."

Harry nodded, "I'm sure Hedwig would be glad to carry the letters. You still have the bag of treats for her for when she delivers yes?"

Vernon nodded, "in the cupboard where we keep all the snacks yes. Now how do we get on to the bloody magic side again." he grumbled looking around.

"Come on Weasley Family we got here early for a reason no dawdling!" they heard over the din of the crowd and a gaggle of red heads came barreling up behind them.

Harry turned and noticed the Hogwarts crest on most of their trunks. "Excuse me?" Harry said politely to the matronly woman herding the five kids.

She smiled over at him and it became all the brighter when she saw the Hogwarts turns, "First years as well? Brothers?" She asked to them, more directing it to Vernon and Petunia.

"Cousins but they grew up together," Petunia said with a smile to the other woman, "Petunia Dursley, My Husband Vernon Dursley, and our Son Dudley and his Cousin Lord Apparent Harold James Potter."

Distracted as she was with all the kids she barely registered the names and simply introduced herself, "Molly Weasley and my sons well some of them any way, Percy, Fred and George, and Ron, he'll be in first year along with your boys, and this is Ginny, she starts next year."

she shook Petunia's hand, "Percy since you are a Prefect go a head and show these two boys how its done will you?" She called to her eldest son.

Percy nodded and sped off toward the column between nine and ten and vanished before their eyes.

"Magic portal to a hidden platform," Molly said seeing the Dursley's shocked faces.

"Wicked" Harry and Dudley said together.

While Molly may have missed the names of the boys the twins certainly hadn't and neither had Ron or Ginny. Harry noticed them all give him a once over with a significant look towards his scar. It made him slightly uncomfortable especially with the way the youngest boy looked so greedily and the girl with a blush on her face. He waived awkwardly.

"Alright Fred you next." Molly called out.

One of the twins stepped forward, "I'm George!"

"Honestly, and you call yourself our mother!" The other said with a smile and a wink at Harry and Dudley.

"Sorry, George dear, go on." Mrs. Weasley said with a blush.

"I'm only joking!" he said charging the column.

"He is Fred!" The other said right behind his twin.

Molly shook her head in exasperation, "I swear it's always something with those two. Alright Dursley Family you've seen it done enough do you feel comfortable going through?"

Petunia and Vernon looked at each other and nodded, "I'll go first then the boys." Vernon said before walking forward. Petunia gave a little gasp as he disappeared but still ushered Harry and Dudley forward who went next.

As the wall melted away like water before them as they stepped through Harry and Dudley gave a great gasp seeing the giant scarlet steam engine that said HOGWARTS EXPRESS in big gold lettering across the front. the noise came to them like the rushing of sound when emerging from under water at the pool. Loud and all at once.

Wizards and witches of all sizes and races milled around with loud children and owls, cats and all the like. Vernon stood off to the side, seeming just as amazed as the children but quickly called them over to him.

"Alright boys, now be safe and stay out of trouble." Vernon said giving Dudley a hug and Harry a slightly awkward handshake.

"Or at least don't go looking for it." Petunia said coming up behind them and giving both boys a hug. "I love you both, now go on get on the train." Petunia said pointing to the car where Agusta was standing just outside of handing a toad to Neville through a window. "isn't that the Longbottoms?"

Harry nodded and dragged Dudley and their trunks over to them. "Merry Met Lady Agusta!" Harry called out excitedly.

Agusta turned about with a stern look on her face, "A Young Lord does not shout across train stations Lord Potter!" she admonished, though the sting was taken out of it by the smile that flew across her face.

Harry slowed to a stop and bowed his head slightly. "Sorry Lady Agusta." he said but was immediately smiling at the older woman again, "ah! where are my manners, May I introduce my Uncle and Aunt Vernon and Petunia Dursley, of the House of Dursley, and their son and Heir, Cousin Dudley Dursley First Generation Magical of the House of Dursley."

Agusta nodded her head, "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, pleased to meet you." She said with a smile, "you have done a wonderful job raising young Harold here, and i'm sure Dudley will be a fine wizard."

Petunia blushed and stuttered out a thank you.

"Best get on boys. the train will leave soon, Neville is in the compartment here." she said indicating the middle one on the train. and indeed you could see him through the window talking to someone on the other side of it.

Harry and Dudley clamored on, with Vernon hoisting up their trunks and Hedwigs cage as they did so.

"They are so excited to rush off and grow up." Petunia said with a sad smile on her face.

"They will cherish this time with you, and I dare say with Albus' more aggressive polices of late regarding education about the mundane world there has been less and less total abandonment of their mundane families by first gen witches and wizards, unlike in your sisters time." Agusta said patting Petunia on the shoulder.

She gave the elder woman a watery smile, "One can only hope." Petunia said as she and Vernon turned and headed back out towards the Mundane side of the station as the train pulled away with a loud whistle.

Dudley and Harry both raced into the compartment, knocking at the same time. They where slightly stunned to see a young witch answer the door. She had curly hair that settled around her like a halo and golden brown eyes and a beautiful smile. well harry thought it was anyway.

He blushed a little and stuttered out, "Oh, sorry we where looking for a boy, Neville?" Harry said completely forgetting his manners.

Dudley, who knew how much Harry prided himself on being a proper gentlemen, especially around magical folk, looked at his cousin slightly boggled and elbowed his cousin in the ribs to try and kick start his brain.

The girl for her part blushed and said, "Oh erm yes, Neville is here. Hello, my name is Hermione Granger," She stumbled over her words a moment in thought, "First generation witch."

Harry shook his head clear of the sudden cobwebs and smiled giving a slight bow as he brushed the top of her knuckles with his lips, "Lord Apparent Harold Potter, and my cousin Dudley Dursley, First Generation wizard of House Dursley."

Dudley seemed to sigh in relief at his cousin returning to normal. "Nice to meet you."

"Harry glad you made it! Merry Met mr. Dursley." Neville said from behind Hermione.

The girl seemed to be bursting with questions but was almost visibly restraining herself. "Please come in." she said stepping aside to let the boys enter. They all heard the whistle go off not a few seconds after they set their trunks in the over head compartments and leaned out the window to waive good bye to their respective families.

"So you never mentioned your cousin had magick." Neville began with a smile.

Harry smiled back but it was Dudley who answered. "New development, It has something to do with what Aunt Lily did when she died protecting Harry, and again when mom got all protective of him when your uncle came to pick him up for that birthday party."

Hermione didn't seem to be able to hold it back after that revelation and it was like the flood gates broke open, "Are you really THE Harry Potter from the books? I've never met someone from books before! What does that mean new development? Can people just spontaneously gain magic? That seems rather odd. I thought magick was an energy force. You either have it or you don't. I haven't read anything in the theory about that kind of thing. Is there a way to estimate how much Magic someone has?"

Here she finally took a breath and the stunned boys where almost too slow to react before Harry stepped up and placed a hand up for her to stop her tirade. "Whoa there Hermione breath!"

Hermione blushed, "Sorry that was terribly rude of me."

Harry smiled kindly at the girl, "It's alright, and for the record I am the Harry Potter mentioned in the books but I've read most of them and nearly all of them are a load of tosh. They credit my innate magick as being the reason I survived when there is a mountain of evidence that the killing curse doesn't operate based on the opponents magick. It was more likely some ritual my Mother or Father did."

Dudley nodded, "Miss Tebbit said the magick that protects our house in Surrey is based on blood, it got stronger recently and that is what awoke whatever magick was inside me." Dudley said excitedly, "Magick wants me to protect my little cousin, like I should have been all along and now I'm gunna."

Hermione nodded with a curious look on her face. "That is a rather interesting theory."

Harry nodded, "Have you gotten to the portion about Family Magick in Professor Tebbit's Book yet?'

Hermione shook her head yes.

"Well most of this deals with the innate family magick of the Potter Family and as Dudley is my cousin through my mother, who was herself the Daughter of what we suspect to be a squib line, though we have yet to confirm this, whatever magick protection her sacrifice granted me, pushed Dudley's innate magick into the level of being able to cast Active magick." Harry said.

Hermione seemed satisfied with that answer for now as it gave her a lot to think over. "This is all so interesting and exciting!" She exclaimed.

The carriage fell silent for a little while after that, Harry reading, Hermione lost in thought and Neville and Dudley talking quietly as to not disturb the two about the differences in magical and non magical society.

Neville, having been raised by his, while not prejudiced per se, but still old and traditionalist grandmother had lived a rather sheltered life. Harry for all the independence he had gained while at the Dursley's after school had started and people started asking question; Had still been a bit more of a book worm and slightly anti social so was a bit sheltered himself so didn't have the same perspective as his cousin. Neville and Dudley seemed to be hitting it off great, and so Harry didn't feel guilty absorbing himself in the newest novel by Morgan Llywelyn about the tale of how the Ghauls had come to Ireland. Harry couldn't help but wonder what of the magick in the book was real now.

Amidst these musings and conversations came a knock at the door.

Harry poked his head up, but Dudley answered, a thin reed of a blonde boy stood at the door, two hulking boys that looked about on par with Dudley's size before his magick had become active and slimmed him down a bit stood on either side of him.

The boy seeing someone he didn't recognize open the door seemed to be trying to stifle a sneer, a feat that didn't seem to be working as he said, "Hello," The unspoken peasant was plain to Harry's ears and he began to glare, "I am looking for-" He cut off as he noticed Neville next to Dudley, "Ah, Heir Longbottom you would probably know better than this Mu-" he seemed to cough "Mundane born, Have you seen Heir Potter around.

Neville glared at the blonde ponce, having met him at a few of his Gran's functions in the last year. "Heir Malfoy, of the Magical House of Malfoy." Neville said, blatantly reminding the boy of his station, Malfoy senior may have been able to escape the clutches of Azkaban, but even with marrying one of the Black Sisters and all his cunning and wealth, the Wizengamot had removed House Malfoy from the list of those who would soon be elevated to an Ancient House for his participation, willing or not, in the Last Blood War. "I have seen Lord Apparent Potter. But please let me introduce you to my companions, who you seem to have so rudely dismissed."

Malfoy bristled at this power play, Harry noted as he set down his book and briefly touched Hermione's shoulder to stop her from speaking up. Malfoy couldn't counter it as he was the one caught on the back foot here by his own actions. Quite funny to watch.

"This is Dudley Dursley, Heir to the Magical House of Dursley." Neville said, having been informed that magic had gifted Dudley with burgeoning Family Magic, "Hermione Granger, First Generation Magical," Hermione nodded her head, but a Malfoy did not hold out his hand neither did she offer it.

"And finally" Neville said with a slightly uncharacteristic smirk drawing attention to Harry, "Lord Apparent Harry Potter, of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. Cousin to Heir Dursley."

Harry stood, standing in his most proper posture he could manage at the ripe old age of 11, "Heir Malfoy." Harry said holding out his hand.

"Lord Potter," Malfoy said curtly. He had mis stepped here. And badly. His father had wanted him to make inroads with potter and the first thing he had unwittingly done was to insult his cousin. "We are cousin's through my Mother and and your Father," a stretch he knew, the pure bloods where so intermarried you couldn't throw a feather without hitting some kind of relation. "I simply wished to introduce myself." There simple and open ended.

Harry smiled genially, though it was a bit forced, "Well, good to meet another cousin. The comportment as is, is a bit on the full side but maybe we can catch up some time this week."

Draco nodded, "That could be pleasant." Malfoy silently cursed his luck. Oh well, Potter was but one avenue and he had learned at the feet of his mother, his father was brash though he liked to play the snake he was a blunt tool. His Mother had always been the brains of their marriage. Wait and see would be his method now. Without more to say he gave a tight nod to the rest fo the compartment and left quickly. the stench of mud blood so close. He nearly shuddered.

Harry closed he compartment door after them and sat down heavily, "I had hoped Professor Tebbit and Professor Cohen's classes had brought some enlightenment to this place since mom's time in school. who was he really anyway?" He groaned.

Neville shrugged "His father was a Death Eater in the Blood War, escaped prison by claiming imperious and then fear for his families life. It seems the racism is hereditary." Neville chuckled at his little joke.

Hermione grimaced at the bad pun, "He didn't seem so bad, if a little stuck up. I heard Mundane History and culture is now required for purebloods like Magical history and culture is required for First-Gens. Maybe with some proper perspective he can get better."

"One can only hope," Dudley said feeling rather put out for having been dismissed like that "else I'll have to deck him one."

"If he insults you like that again cousin or no, House Malfoy will be Dealing with House Potter." Harry said with a rather harsh glare towards the door.

"And House Longbottom." Neville said slapping Dudley on the shoulder.

The rest of the train ride went without incident and soon they where all heading up to the castle on boats across a shimmering lake. Harry could feel the magick of the grounds they where on. Hogwarts had to be on top of a magical nexus to be this vibrant. it was like the buzzing of a thousand bees across his skin as he sailed across the water with Dudley, Neville and Hermione.

The castle itself was like something out of a faery tale All glittering windows and tall spires with one central one over the main hall.

"It's Beautiful." Hermione whispered.

Harry could only nod in answer.

Hagrid, a giant bear of a man with beetle black eyes and a bushy head of hair that you couldn't tell where hair needed and beard began bellowed out "Watch Y'r 'eads" as they passed under an out growth of vine and came to dock the boats in a large natural cavern with steps leading up to two oaken doors engraved with the Hogwarts crest.

Everyone disembarked from their boats onto the stone cavern and followed Hagrid up the steps. their tiny feet and hushed voices echoed in the cave.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Hagrid knocked on the oaken doors, The crest glowed a warm welcoming gold before swinging open revealing a tall, severe faced elder witch in tasteful tartan robes and a pointed hat.

"The First years Professor." Hagrid declared in his jovial voice.

"Thank you Mr. Hagrid" The woman said with a kind smile to the man.

She turned and looked at her new charges with a slightly softer but still severe look in her eye, "Good evening children, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. (1)The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." She said after giving the group a once over before turning and leading the group into the main hall of the school.

There was a sudden shriek from the back of the group and the front half turned to see pale blue floating people coming through the halls towards them. Discussing someone named Peeves.

"…Forgiveness is a Virtue my friend" a portly man in an old monks habit commented.

"That it may be," Replied a rakish looking fellow with silver blood patterns over his heart, "But Peeves has been given plenty of chances already."

"Oh my, look the first years, Hello there!" said the monk with a jovial wave

"Ghosts!" Cried out Hermione

"Who ya gona call!" came the rejoinder of a short Irish boy next to Harry's other side. The mundane borns all laughed while the pureblood looked confused.

ignoring the odd exchange the friar continued on, "Welcome to Hogwarts children, we are all of us benign spirits here to guide the youth of tomorrow, well except maybe Peeves but he's harmless really."

the ghost next to him snorted, and Harry had to wonder how that was possible given lack of the proper air flow to do so, not to mention the speaking, "Hardly he is a menace that I can barely control."

"Really now Baron.." The friar said as the procession of Ghosts continued into the great hall.

McGonagall chose that moment to come back out and beckon them all in. Four tables laden with bronze dishes and cutlery filled the main hall, full already of the older students. At the front a long table, reminiscent of old Norse and Celtic tradition was full of the staff, in front of which was a podium designed like an eagle with the lectern being the outstretched wings. There was also a stool on which sat an old tattered hat.

But most catching to the students as they entered the Hall was the ceiling of all things. Floating above the students like some invisible chandler was a hundred thousand candles all lit. Above that was not a roof as one would expect, but the night sky, the stars all shining brightly, and if you looked close enough you could see the lines connecting the constellations. it was beautiful and awe inspiring.

"It's not really the outside," Whispered Hermione, "its enchanted to look like it."

Harry nodded, "I read in Hogwarts: A History," He replied.

"When will we get to do that!" Dudley exclaimed in excitement.

"It was a masterwork Dud, it took years of runes and charms work I'm sure." Harry said in a whisper as they all lined up in front of the head table.

Dudley nodded, nerves now catching him up as they all quieted down and stood in front of the stool with the tattered old wizards hat. At the head table the only show of emotion other than genial kindness on the headmasters face was a quick flash of surprise at seeing the Dursley boy there, though it quickly grew into a broad smile.

Suddenly a tear seamed to open in the front of the hat and winkles in a faximily of eyes blinked as if waking up. Then to the gasps of the first years it began to sing, terribly out of tune and in a raspy voice denoting age, a song of its creation and purpose to sort the students into the four houses of Hogwarts, extolling and expounding on the virtues of each as it went.

McGonagall stood next to the stool with a parchment roll in hand and began to call out names Abbot, Hannah went to Hufflepuff, Boot, Terry, to Ravenclaw and so on until…

"Dursley, Dudley!" the elder witch called out.

Dudley shuffled up to the front then remembered himself and stood a bit taller.