King of the Street
Ch. 7
A/N: OKAY, OKAY, OKAY. Her name is Daphne, not Daphnie. I hear you loud and clear. my mistake. also, to fix my breakdown of the money. One Galleon is Ten Sickles and One Sickle is Ten Knuts. Soooo what does that make One Galleon in Knuts? It makes one Galleon equal to 100 Knuts. Are we okay now. if there is anything you all think i need to change, please let me know, but be polite. I will be rude those rude to me. Now please enjoy this chapter. What house will Harry and his friends be sorted into. Find out now.
The car pulled up to King's Cross at half past twelve. Margret paid the driver as Harry pulled his things from the boot of the car. A muffled howl emanated from Harry's trunk. Anubis had a corner in the trunk so he could travel with Harry. Harry gave the trunk a light pat to let Anubis know he was there. Margret was waiting for him between 9 and 10.
"Ok Potter, let's see if you can figure out where 9 ¾ is."
"Easy, it's between 9 and 10 so there is probably some sort of portal, but where would one hide a magical portal to the magic world that would go unnoticed by the Muggles. It would probably be built into something that would go unnoticed, in this case, it wouldn't be a sign or a poster. It could be a door, but looking around there is nothing close enough that would make sense."
Harry began to walk around the pillar that stood between 9 and 10. Harry felt along the sides till his hand suddenly found no resistance.
"A-ha foun- "
Harry was yanked to the side as Margret pulled him away from the portal to a hidden corner nearby. Margret had also grabbed his trunk and kept a hand over Harry's mouth.
Harry gave her a quizzical look and she used her other hand to point to a group of people who just appeared. They were obviously a family judging from the matching red hair. There were three older boys, a younger boy and a small girl who clung to an older woman. Two of the boys looked identical to each other, obviously twins. They were laughing as the other older boy was scowling at them. The younger boy seemed to try to be a part of whatever joke that the twins were sharing with themselves. The girl clung to her mother has she barked orders at the twins.
Harry could hear the mother as she yelled at her boys.
"Stop joking around and let's get going to the train to Hogwarts is about to leave."
Harry frowned at this. She wasn't even trying to hide the fact that magic existed. She might've thought that no one would care enough to hear her, but all it took was one mistake to ruin everything. Harry knew this from experience. He looked to Marge who was also frowning at the family as they passed through the portal, not even checking to make sure no one would notice what they were doing. Harry looked at his new watch to see that they had about ten minutes before the train would leave without them. He lifted his hand and pointed to his watch and she nodded. Harry didn't really understand what Marge's issue was with the red-head family, but he knew the necessity of silence. They passed through the portal as a people passed on each side so if someone happened to be looking it would just seem that the pair disappeared into the crowd.
The first thing Harry saw was the red and black steam engine. Along the side it said The Hogwarts Express in gold lettering. His ears were flooded with noise, from all the parents and their children to the animals that were coming along. Harry was lead closer to the train by Marge. They reached an entrance and Harry was turned to face his companion.
"Okay Harry this is it. Are you ready?"
"Yes, thank you for everything."
"No problem, just send me a letter if you need anything."
"I will."
With that Marge pulled Harry into a tight hug. Harry squeezed back, usually Harry did his best to control his emotions, but tears still filled his eyes as he said goodbye to one of two people in his life that had always been there. Sure, he would see her again, but this will be the first time that they would be separated for such an extended amount of time. They pulled away and Harry saw that Marge was also breaking down. they both laughed at each other and detached completely. Harry carried his trunk on board and turned to wave goodbye to his friend, only to not see her. She had disappeared into the crowd.
Harry lifted his trunk and made his way down the train, looking for an open compartment. Each one seemed to be filled with new and returning students. Finally, Harry found an open compartment. He lifted his trunk to the cubbies above the seats and settled in. Harry looked out the window to see all the parents still waving goodbye to their children. Harry had come to terms with his parent's deaths long before he knew the truth of their demise, but seeing all the smiling, crying faces caused Harry to sadden just a little. In a better universe, Harry would've been dropped off by his mother and father, he hoped that they would have stayed until the train disappeared from view. Suddenly the door to Harry's compartment was opened by some boy.
"Sorry mate, I'm going to have to join you for this trip. I was late getting to the station. My name's… Harry?"
Harry looked at the boy for a moment, not understanding why his seemed to recognize the boy. Suddenly it clicked
"SEAMUS!"
Harry and Seamus charged into a hug, it was less a hug and more of a compassionate tackle. The boys held each other for what seemed like too short a time. They finally untangled and stood back up. They just stared at each other, taking in how different the other one looked. They sat down across each other, still with huge smiles on their face.
"So, what has the great Harry Potter been up to."
"Oh, you know, steal from the rich and keep for myself, also I'm apparently a wizard."
"Really, well it just so happens that I to discovered that I have this strange power as well."
"Well isn't that just the most peculiar thing."
The two boys started laughing again at the banter they both missed so much. After a few moments Harry stopped and his face changed from laughter to seriousness.
"What happened, why did you stop taking my calls?"
"Right, I'm sorry about that Harry. Only once we made it back to Scotland and my parent's house did I discover their lack of literally any muggle technology. I couldn't call you if I wanted to, and I did want to trust me. Then they showed me all this and I'll admit that I sort of put off getting in contact with you. I wasn't sure how I was going to explain all this to you. I know about not telling muggles, but I would've told you anyway. But from the looks of it, that was a problem I didn't need to worry about."
"Funny enough, the same thing happened to me. When I went Diagon Alley I thought of how I was going to tell you all about it."
"How did you get to Diagon Alley by yourself?"
"I wasn't by myself, Marge showed me."
"Marge? Sister Margret!"
"Yep, it turns out that the orphanage had a focus on magical children as well as muggle. Marge and the other sisters are all magical."
"Wow, I can definitely say I did not see that coming."
"How do you think I felt."
"True."
The boys fell into a comfortable silence, just enjoying being near each other again. The door once again opened and Harry wondered if manners disappeared when the parents did. Harry and Seamus looked to the door and saw three new people.
"There you are Harry, glad I found you."
"Ah, hello Draco how are things."
"Going well thank you, there was talk that you were on the bus and I just wanted to make sure you made it okay. Who is this?"
"This is my brother-in-arms Seamus Finnigan."
Seamus stood and extended a hand.
"Nice to meet you Draco…?"
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." Said Draco, clasping hands with Seamus.
"Wonderful, well any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine."
"Like wise, by the way the two blokes behind me are Crabbe and Goyle."
Harry and Seamus both nodded to the large boys. They were both quiet and seemed to some sort of security for Draco. Harry found this extremely funny as the thought of brute strength in a world were a man can lift a boulder with a flick of his wrist. Draco nodded to Harry and left with the two burly bodyguards. Harry closed the door and turned to Seamus with a grin on his face.
"I saw that you naughty boy."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Really, then let me show you another item form the Draco Malfoy collection."
Harry raised his sleeve to show the watch he stole off Draco back at Madam Malkin's. Seamus and Harry both stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. Once again, they calmed back into silence as Seamus was drifting off to sleep. Harry was staring out the window when a soft thud came from underneath his seat. Getting down on all fours Harry found a large toad. He carefully pulled the creature out from under the seat and sat it down on the seat next to his.
"And where did you come from?"
As if to answer the question, the door was once again opened, to Harrys dismay, revealing a round face boy and a bushy haired girl.
"Sorry for the intrusion, but have you seen a toad?" said the girl with a slightly bossy tone
"You mean this one." replied Harry.
"Oh, um, yes that's the one. right Neville?"
"Oh yes, that's Trevor!" said the round-faced boy.
"Well, here you go." Said Harry handing the toad to the boy.
"Thank you so much, my name is Neville Longbottom. I'm a first year."
"Nice to meet you Neville, I'm Harry Potter and I too will be a first year. Who might you be miss?"
"Hermione Granger, nice to meet you."
"Like wise and this sleepy head is Seamus Finnigan."
Seamus had woken at the disturbance and gave a sleepy smile to the two-new people.
"Well, I guess we'll see you at the sorting" Said Neville.
"Indeed, we will."
Neville and Hermione waved goodbye as Harry once again reclosed, and this time locked, the door.
"Hopefully we won't be bothered again till we reach the castle." Laughed Harry
"God, I hope not, I want to sleep."
"You do that, I'll wake you when we get close."
"Thanks."
Harry smiled at his friend as he fell back asleep. After about 30 minutes had passed, a light tapping on the door grabbed Harry's attention. It was a trolley of food and candy of all kinds being pushed by an elderly witch. Harry didn't recognize any of the brands so he bought a little of each. The smell must have broken through and Seamus woke again to help Harry sample all the new treats. They had fun daring each other with the Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans. They almost lost more than one of the Chocolate Frogs as they tried to escape. Soon a pile of the trading cards littered the floor, each one with some famous witch or wizard. Since Harry and Seamus didn't really recognize any of them, they cared little for the cards. Harry found that his favorite was the Pumpkin Pasties while Seamus inhaled the Licorice Wands.
Harry noticed some older students walk past their compartment in school robes so he and Seamus changed as well. They could hear murmuring through the walls, something about seeing something. They both looked out the train windows for their first look at Hogwarts. It wasn't to be, but they did see what everyone else was seeing. A large black beast was running along the train, keeping pace with Harry and Seamus's compartment windows. Harry smiled as he recognized his familiar.
"Seamus, let me introduce you to my new friend. Anubis the Grim."
"Grim?"
"Essentially, a wolf made of darkness and evil. But he is nice enough, a bit of a smartass, but nice."
"He is your friend?"
"Well, he is more of my familiar."
"How am I not surprised that you would only be in the magical world for a month and already have some creature doing your bidding."
"Hey, you were always the one who was able to talk us out of trouble."
"That's true but you have the charisma of a leader. I bet if you wanted, you could have this whole school under your thumb in a week."
"From the reaction I got in the alley, having followers will be the easiest thing I do here."
"That's right, I remember my parents talking about how you defeated some evil dude when you were a baby. I told them you wouldn't even remember all that."
"Thanks, I just wonder what will happen during the sorting. I'm sure that everyone will find out who I am then. They already know I'm here so I expect they will all be looking when we stop."
"Well, I guess just prepare for the worst."
"Yea."
Harry and Seamus fell back into silence. Their catching up conversation will have to happen once they were settled into school.
Soon enough the train stopped and everyone began to shuffle off. Harry and Seamus's compartment was, luckily, close. Once they could get off the train they heard a booming voice.
"FIR'S YEARS OVER HERE. FOLLOW ME"
The man was ginormous, at least 7 feet tall. His head was covered in hair and he was wearing a trench coat that could double as a tent for both Harry and Seamus to fit in. He was waving all the first years to him. when they approached, Harry noticed they were standing next to a dock with a fleet of small boats. Each one looked as it could fit four kids each.
"All righ' you lot, four of you to a boat. We're takin' the scenic route to the castle." Said the large man. "By th' way, my name's Hagrid. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper O' Keys and Head Groundskeeper of Hogwarts."
Everyone began to pile in. the boats seemed to be charmed so they didn't rock while the students got in and out. Harry and Seamus sat near the front boat and were joined by a tall, black boy and an even taller red head. Harry recognized him as the son of the loud-mouthed woman from King's Cross.
"Hello, my names Ron Weasley, what's yours?"
"Seamus Finnigan."
"Harry Potter."
The boy's eyes lit up at Harry's name.
"Wait, you're THE Harry Potter!?"
"Yep."
"So, does that mean you have it?"
"Have what?"
"The scar, from where you-know-who hit you."
"Oh, um, yea I do."
"Can I see it?"
Harry was quickly getting irritated and was contemplating giving the boy an underwater experience. Thankfully the other boy seemed to be able to see Harry getting irritated and stepped in.
"I'm Dean Thomas, nice to meet all of you."
"And you as well." Said a thankful Harry.
Soon sounds of awe could be heard so Harry and the other three boys looked and they too were in awe. Hogwarts was an ancient castle, it stood proud and tall over the lake. With the sun setting into the evening, the lights from the castle shone through th various windows. All in all it was an impressive sight. The first years went completely silent as they approached the castle. The boats lined up along the dock and allowed the students to exit. Hagrid led them up a set of stone steps to a large oaken door. Hagrid held the massive doors open as the students walked under his arms and into the entryway. As Harry passed, Hagrid caught sight of him and a look of confusion and recognition crossed his face. Harry quickly moved on, just in case Hagrid did recognize him. soon they were all pressed together in the entry hall and waited on baited breath for whatever happened next. There was one other set of doors and chatter could be heard from the other side. With all the student's nervous movement, Harry's feet were being abused by the girl in front of him. Tapping on the girl's shoulder, he motioned to his feet and she moved forward enough to not step on him. Harry was confused by her, when she looked at him she began to blush and seemed to only get more nervous. Then the second set of large doors opened and a severe looking woman walked in. She was wearing dark emerald robes and a matching pointed hat.
"All right, I'm sure you are all either nervous or excited. I am Minerva McGonagall, I teach Transfiguration and the head of house Gryffindor. You will all know me as Professor McGonagall. What is about to happen is the sorting. You will be placed into one of four houses, each one representing one of four traits that this school holds above all others. Now follow me."
The woman turned and exited the hall with the first years in tow. They walked through a hall that was filled with paintings. Each one with its inhabitants move. They stopped in front of two more wooden doors that were even bigger than the ones they entered through from the docks. Professor McGonagall pushed the doors open and lead the way for the first years. The rest of the student population was already sat and chatting away until the doors opened. Now all eyes were on the new students. Harry noticed that there were four main tables that stretched the length of the hall. Each one had a banner hanging over it to show which house it was. To the far left from the door the banner was green and silver with a silver snake as the symbol and the name underneath said Slytherin. The one next to it had a blue and bronze banner with a raven and the name under was Ravenclaw. The next was yellow and black with a badger and the name was Hufflepuff. Finally, the far right had a red and gold banner with a lion and the name was Gryffindor. McGonagall stopped the students just before the steps to the head table. In front of them was a stool and a worn hat resting on it.
"When I call your name, you will sit on the stool and place the hat upon your head." Said McGonagall."
"Abbot, Hannah."
A mousy girl walked up the steps and sat on the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on her head. Nothing happened, but then a voice rang out.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The hat had talked, and it had sorted the Abbot girl. The Hufflepuff table was cheering, until she sat down. So it went, each first year being called up and sorted. Soon a familiar name was called.
"Finnigan, Seamus."
Harry smiled and gave his friend a pat on the back, pushing toward the hat. Seamus sat down and McGonagall placed the hat on his head.
"Ah, what an interesting mind. You have explored the world and caused a bit of trouble. You and your friend Harry Potter. You are quick witted, but willing to do anything for you friends. You stand up to those who try to threaten or impose themselves to you. I know exactly where you will best be. The house for you is GRYFFINDOR!"
Seamus was a little shaken by the hats ability to invade his mind, but was glad to hear he was going into the same house as his mother.
Harry cheered for his friend as Seamus made his way to the Gryffindor table. He sat between the two red head twins from the train station. The next name was called.
"Granger, Hermione."
The small bushy haired girl climbed the steps to the hat and stool. Harry could feel the nervousness come off her in waves.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Harry clapped politely for the girl. His attention was quickly pulled back to the stool when the next name was called
"Greengrass, Daphne."
Harry stared at the blonde hair of the girl he met at the Leaky Cauldron. She was still pretty as ever and moved with poise and grace. McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Once again Harry clapped for the girl, who while not friends yet, he was now acquainted with. More names were called until another one Harry recognized came up.
"Longbottom, Neville."
The round-faced boy whose toad escaped into Harry and Seamus's train compartment walked to the stool. He was just as nervous, if not more, as Hermione was. Sitting down on the stool he prepared for the worst. The hat was barely on his head before it called out.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Everyone clapped for him, many of the older students and pure-bloods, recognizing his last name. then the next name was called.
"Malfoy, Draco."
Draco confidently strode to the stool and sat down. he looked across the other students like a rule would his subjects. He was chosen even faster than Neville was. The hat was still maybe two to three inches from his head when it called out.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Harry clapped for his other acquaintance as he walked to the Slytherin table with a smug smile on his face.
As more names were called Harry felt a pain in his forehead that was coming from his scar. He controlled himself t not show the pain, but began to sweep the room with his eyes to see if there was something wrong. He looked to the teachers sitting at the high table. He went across each one, and made eye contact with only one. he looked like bat with long, greasy hair and was staring right at Harry. He looked as if he recognized Harry and didn't like what he was seeing. Harry, not one to be intimidated, stared right back until the voice of McGonagall broke the staring contest.
"Potter, Harry."
The room went quiet, did she really say Harry Potter. Whispers began to thread their way through the crowd. Harry clenched his fist and made his way to the stool. The students in front of him parting away. He sat down and soon the view of wide eyes was blocked as the hat covered the upper half of his face.
"Well, well, well. The Boy Who Lived. I've been wait for this day you know. what kind of person could stop He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. What will your mind tell me? I saw a little of your adventures in your friend Seamus's head, but to see them all now. All that money you stole and all those people you helped with it. You still, of course, kept plenty for yourself. You are quite the puzzle. You would do anything for those closest to you, you are smart, coming up with heists almost in you sleep, you don't back down to those who challenge you, no matter if their bigger or stronger. Your also devious, being able to think without bias, to make decisions that affect more than just yourself. Difficult indeed, but I think I have come to a decision. Yes, the house you would fit in best is SLYTHERIN!"
There was no clapping, only confused silence. Soon, Daphne and Draco were clapping and soon the whole of Slytherin joined in. no one would've guess that the boy who defeated the Dark Lord would be sorted into his own house. Harry walked to the table and sat down next to Daphne, who happened to be across from Draco. The rest of the sorting went with Dean Thomas and Ron Weasley both going to Gryffindor. Everyone's attention was still on Harry.
McGonagall removed the Hat and the Stool from the center after it had sung a song about inter-house unity. A tall, elderly man walked to the pedestal that replaced the spot where the stool was. Everyone quieted and waited for him to speak.
"Hello everyone. To those returning, welcome back and for those just arriving, welcome. I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. You will all know me as Professor Dumbledore. I am the headmaster of Hogwarts. Now before we begin our excellent feast a few words. Dunlop, mimblewimble, prost and aloe. Now let's eat."
With a clap of his hands the empty platters filled with foods of all kinds. Harry grabbed a little of everything within reach and began eating. As he was digging in, a quite chuckle came from his right. Looking over he was face-to-face with Daphne. She had a small smile on her face.
"What's so funny?" Asked Harry.
"You, you eat like you've never eaten before."
"Well, in the orphanage I grew up in, decent food was a commodity so when we did have it, I learned quickly to enjoy it."
"Ah, I see. I apologize if I've offended you."
"Don't worry, it takes more than that to get under my skin."
"Really, I wonder how that came to be?"
"A story for another day and since we are in the same house, we'll have plenty of time to swap stories."
"Speaking of, did you know you would be placed here."
"From what he told me it was to let the chips fall as they will. Or something like that. Right Harry." Interjected Draco.
"That's right Draco, I didn't prefer one house over another. This is all till new to me so I thought it would be interesting to see where my path goes. Also, Draco here. I've begun to feel bad about it and if we are going to be housemates, I might as well start on the right foot."
Harry handed back the watch he stole from the boy back in Diagon Alley. Draco took the watch with surprise on his face.
"I thought I had lost this back in Diagon Alley. I had it up until I met… you."
Harry gave a sheepish smile and a shrug as Daphne covered her face to hide the smile that grew. She never really like the Malfoys all that much. The father Lucius was a stuck-up ponce and his wife Narcissa was detached from the world. Draco wasn't the best of people, but at least he still had a chance to not become like his father.
"You stole my watch, but how, it was on my wrist and I didn't even feel it."
"I have sticky fingers." Harry said with a mischievous smile
"You better watch those hands with Professor Snape watching." Said Daphne
"Snape?"
"Him" Daphne said, pointing to the Greasy haired man that Harry had a stare down with.
"Uh-oh, I don't think he likes me very much, but I can't tell why."
"I couldn't tell you."
Harry looked to Draco who simply shrugged and they all went back to their meals till the platters were clear and bellies were full. Dumbledore stood again and with a wave of his hand, all the scraps disappeared leaving the dishes clean and sparkling.
"Now that we are all full and content, a few items to cover before we make our way to bed. As all ways the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden, and any student caught there will be punished. Also, Mr. Filch our caretaker, as the updated list of banned items on is office door. Finally, this year the third floor is off limits. There are protections to help any new student avoid it, but do not try to enter. Not if you want to suffer a most horrible death."
"Did he just say horrible death!?" whispered Harry. He was met with looks of confusion, but no one answered him.
"Alright, with that unpleasantness out of the way let us sing the school song and head to bed."
Apparently, the tradition was to sing the song at whatever tempo and in any style, you wanted to. So, it wasn't till the Weasley twins finished with their funeral march, could everyone go to bed.
"Excellent, now first years will follow their house Prefects and good night."
Harry followed the older student, who said his name was Nathan Robertson, to the dungeons. They walked with the Hufflepuff's till a fork in the halls lead them apart. The sensation of going down continued till Harry began to wonder how far they were under the surface. They stopped in front of a stone door with no handle. Nathan turned to them.
"This will be your home for the remainder of you school career. You will learn to live with others, and learn to work with them. This means any issues are to be settled as civilly as possible, you may come to your Prefects for assistance with anything. Professor Snape is open to questions, but does not tolerate repeating of the same answer. He is the Potions Master so he will be busy with both internal and external concerns. There is a password for the door and it will change sporadically. Usually either me or my partner will change it, but Professor Snape will also change it from time to time. Slytherin is where those with asperations to success live. We may have the reputation for creating Dark Wizards, but don't let that deter you to reach your own goals and dreams. Now, the password for now is Aspire."
The stone door opened and allowed the first years in. The communal area was well furnished with chairs, tables, a large couch and a more than a few secluded corners for private conversations. Everything was a mix of green, silver and black. Harry thought it was a bit tacky, but remembering the Gryffindor house colors, Harry preferred the darker tones to the bright red and gold. Harry and Daphne found a pair of open arm chairs and sat down to talk a bit before bed.
"So, Harry."
"So, Daphne."
"What are your first observations since being here?"
"Well, I can feel the history of this place. The magic seems to live here. I'm honestly excited to learn here. Not something I've ever said before, I assure you. What about you?"
"I had an idea of what to expect from what my family told me. My father was in Slytherin, but my mother was in Hufflepuff. He gave me a few pointers to remember as I get more acquainted."
"Any you want to share."
"For one, the stairs to all the main floors move. There are no secrets from the head master as the paintings tell him all the goings on. Also, there is a heated rivalry between us and Gryffindor. Both with the house points and Quidditch."
"I'm sure we'll discover more as time passes. Now it is late and I'm tired. I will see you tomorrow."
"Indeed, you will. Goodnight Harry."
"Goodnight Daphne."
Harry entered the door labeled First Year and saw that the rest of his dorm mates where already there. Draco was laughing about something with Crabbe and Goyle. Blaise Zabini was reading a book and Theodore Nott was polishing his wand. Harry found his trunk at the base of the bed between Draco and Blaise. Blaise gave Harry a nod and returned to his book. Harry waved to Draco and closed the curtains to his four-poster bed. Harry changed to his pajamas and read through his book about the history of magic in Britain till he feel asleep.