A/N : Hello again! Here's the next update :) The twins finally make it onto the Hogwarts Express. Just to be clear, all twin speak is italicized and all parseltongue is in bold. Please review and I hope you enjoy :)

Ps: I'll try to get these updates up in a less sporadic manner from now on, so I'm setting a date by which the next one will be up- expect it on 10/06/2019. (Hopefully ;) )

Chapter 7 - September 1st, 1991 - Hogwarts Ahoy!

On the morning of September 1st, the twins were excited to the point of bursting. They had already been packed for weeks, having been so enthusiastic at the mere idea of life away from the Dursleys.

Catching a ride with the Dursleys had been the hard part. Lucky for them, the train for Dudley's school, Smeltings, also left from Kings Cross Station on September 1st, only, it was scheduled to leave at 10am instead of 11. However, the twins didn't mind leaving early. In their opinion, the more time spent away from Surrey, the better.

"Freaks! Don't you DARE be seen near us when we get to the station! I won't have my precious Diddykins' day ruined by you pathetic lowlifes.", Aunt Petunia said angrily as they drove to Kings Cross.

"Of course not Ma'am", Mira said with faked politeness. "We wouldn't want to disgrace your esteemed reputation."

"Now youuuuu", Uncle Vernon roared, turning a rather unbecoming shade of purple.

"What is it Sir?", asked Harry. "We think you have a fine reputation, even if you don't think so yourself."

"MUUUUMMMMMM!"

"What is it popkins?"

"Harry is sitting too close to me!"

"Boy! Move over! Or I'll shove you into the trunk.", Vernon commanded.

"But Uncle Vernon…"

"NOW!"

"But we are already-"

"BOY DO YOU WANT THE BELT?"

Harry rolled his eyes and moved even closer to Mira, who tried to move closer to the window. Together they were taking up half the space meant for one person. Dudley, however, filled up the rest of the space without any issue, and relaxed, lounging lazily in the increased amount of space, and soon fell asleep, having stayed up until 3 in the morning to beat level 1 of his new video game(which the twins had beat in one try over at the Granger's), and was drooling all over a very disgusted Harry's shoulder. Mira sent a picture of what they looked like to Harry through their 'twin connection', and Harry had glared daggers at her, which only increased the volume of her snickering, stopping only after a very irate Aunt Petunia smacked them both on their heads.

The rest of the car trip passed in considerable silence, with the occasional hiss from Kaa, who was severely bored and really wanted someone to bite. She even hissed her longing to taste a certain fat boy, and though the prospect was tempting, the twins were scared that the Dursleys would force them to get rid of the snake that they both called a companion, and discreetly promised her some free time to roam and catch mice once they got to the station.

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After getting to the station, the Dursleys had actually helped the twins get their luggage out of the trunk, only to leave them stranded in front of the barrier separating platforms 9 and 10, and running (more like waddling, or in the case of Aunt Petunia, trotting) off to platform 16 to see their precious pig off.

Having shown their ticket to a very confused passing guard, after asking for platform 9 ¾ (and receiving no result), the twins were officially stranded and had no idea what to do. They determined the best course of action to be to sit near the barrier between 9 and 10, and wait for anyone who looked remotely wizardish. The clock seemed to tick slowly- 9:45….. 9:51… 9:58….. 10:00…..10:07, and finally at 10:11, a wizarding family approached, looking terribly out of place in a muggle area, wearing robes and carrying owls on their trunks. Watching carefully, the twins observed as they ran straight into the barrier between the two platforms, appearing to disappear into thin air. The surrounding muggles didn't even notice, and the twins deduced that there must be some sort of charm on the barrier, to prevent muggles from accidentally wandering onto it.

"Well Mira, do you think you can do it?"

"What, run into a wall? Don't be silly. Of course I can, not that I have done that before. You on the other hand have plenty of experience", she said smirking. "Care to enlighten me?"

"You infuriate me dear sister. Of course I shall share my expertise with you, being the older, wiser twin."

"Harry James Potter, you don't know that you're the older twin. For all we know, it's me."

"No way. I'm definitely the older twin. Seeing that I'm wiser and taller than you."

"That has absolutely nothing to do with it and you know that, and for the record, I think I am wiser."

"I don't think so. And seeing that I'm wiser", he said wiggling his eyebrows, "Let's remember the reason we are in a train station in the first place...to get on a train. So let's go. And as for my expertise, just close your eyes and run into it."

"Ugh. I don't suppose you will demonstrate?"

"Nope. I have to be here for my little sister incase she gets hurt, if you know what I mean."

"What little sister? I don't see one, but I do see my infuriating little brother whom I have to protect at all costs. We decide by coin toss. It's only fair."

"The only coins we have are wizards coins, and they have the same print on both sides. How 'bout we go together?"

"Done!"

So together they ran, pushing their trolleys, straight into the brick barrier, waiting for the collision that never came.

Opening their eyes, they were met with a bright cacophony of eye candy. The Hogwarts Express stood steaming on the tracks, and there were many families, owls and children running here and there, all waiting for the imminent departure of the express. In the corner, there was a large fireplace which kept glowing green and spewing out sooty wizards and witches. The twins deduced that it was some type of wizarding transportation.

Not wanting to miss the train because of daydreaming, the twins quickly boarded and placed their luggage in an empty train compartment, and sat down, claiming it for themselves.

Soon enough, the horn was blown twice, and the train started to move, exactly at 11:00, nonetheless.

About 10 minutes into the journey, a redhead with freckles and bright blue eyes poked his head into their compartment.

"Can I join you? Everywhere else is full…"

"Of course", said Harry. "What's your name?"

"I'm Ronald Weasley, but you can call me Ron. Everyone does.", the boy said, having sat down. "What about you guys?"

"I'm Harry Potter and this is my sister Mirabella.", said Harry

"Wait. You're the twins-who-lived?", Ron asked incredulously.

"Yes, I guess you could say that.", Mirabella said reluctantly. Neither of them liked their so-called fame (they knew of what supposedly happened from the books in Flourish and Blotts).

"Bloody hell!", Ron exclaimed. "Do you still have the...the"

"The what?", they both asked at the same time.

Ron lowered his head and looked around as if someone might jump at him at any point of time.

"The scar", he whispered.

"Yes", they said uncomfortably.

"Wicked!", he declared.

"Not really", said Mira.

"Imagine everyone around you, strangers even, gawking at you, pointing at you and asking if you're Ron Weasley and they praise you for the sole trivial reason that you have a disfigured forehead.", Harry explained. "Its hogwash. People idolise us for something we apparently did when we were babies. We don't even remember, and it was probably our parents or a protection spell gone wrong anyway. Nobody truly knows what happened that night, people only speculate. And also, twins-who-lived with parents-who-didn't."

"I guess", Ron said reluctantly. "But I still think it's pretty cool though, not the parents dying part, but the fame. I have 5 older brothers to live upto, and even if I do just as well, it won't matter, cause it's already been done. And it's kind of hard to grow out of the idol worship you were taught when you were a child. Your story was my bedtime story when I was 3. But if it makes you feel better, I'll make my judgements after I get to know you both, rather than from the stories I've heard."

"That's real decent of you mate.", Harry said grinning. "Why don't we break the ice. Tell me about yourself, and then I'll reciprocate."

"Deal", Ron said and began talking of his crazy family and their antics.

Mira saw that she was going to be left out of the conversation, and spoke up.

"I'm going to go tour the train for a bit. Maybe make friends with some other first years and such. I'll drop in later."

"Bye Mira!", Harry said. "Don't get lost."

Mira rolled her eyes. "As if"

She had barely left the compartment when she heard something both flattering and disgusting at the same time.

"Mate, your sister is really pretty."

Ugh! Now she would have to deal with a crush? Not happening. Better put a stop to it immediately.

"Harry I heard that! Please tell him I'm off limits until at least 4th year! I find it absolutely revolting."

"Alright. You know, I would have done that anyway, seeing that I'm your protective older brother. But he keeps talking about it… I've already told him"

Mental eye roll. "I'm positively sure that I'm older than you. I'm far more smart and mature. As for the how, just introduce him to Kaa. Change the subject."

"Good idea! Now go! Make some friends!"

"Of course little brother. Byee!"

"Hey!"

Mira smirked. Harry was so easy to rile up. Still smiling, she made her way down the aisle of the train. It was interesting that the aisle way was covered in red carpet, but had no stains, which made her idly wonder if it was a magical self-cleaning carpet, or ridiculously clean shoes...on everyone's part. It wasn't necessarily entertaining roaming around like a loner, especially when multiple people gave her weird stares, only to double take and stare at her in wonder. Honestly! She wanted to tell them to take a picture, cause it would last longer. Stupid supposed fame.

Tired of the unwanted attention, she started to wander back to Harry and Ronald, and was about halfway there when she heard a very familiar voice.

"Neville is it? Have you known about magic all your life? That must be so cool! I only found out over the summer. The potions teacher from school came and informed my family and I. He seemed a little surly, but I think he's good at potions, as he forced me to buy the best potions ingredients in the apothecary, even though the fresh ones were more expensive. I plan to do my best of course, and get the best scores in all the classes, I've memorised all the course books and some more. I do hope it'll be enough. I ultimately hope to do really well and graduate head girl and valedictorian. Has a great ring to it doesn't it?"

Mira had to laugh. Typical.

"Hermione! What a surprise! I didn't know you were a witch!", she said, bursting into the cabin, whilst simultaneously catching an escaping toad.

Hermione whipped her bushy brown hair around to showcase her beaming face.

"Hello Mirabella! I thought you and Harry were the twins-who-lived, but I had no proof so I didn't say anything. I don't want to break the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy you know. It was officially established in 1692, and repercussions for breaking that law include a ticket to Azkaban, which is the wizarding prison.", she said in one breath.

Mira laughed. "Thorough as always I see. I'm impressed." she turned to the boy. " I'm Mirabella Potter. Who might you be?"

"N-Neville Longbottom. Why are you holding Trevor? My G-Gran would murder me if I lost him", he stuttered.

"You would have if not for me Nev. He was trying to escape"

"Thanks. He's always doing that."

"No problem", she said smiling.

"So", Hermione said "Which houses do you guys want to be in? I want Gryffindor. Albus Dumbledore was in Gryffindor, and he's the greatest wizard alive! He duelled Gellert Grindelwald in 1945 and won, ending world war 2, and discovered the 12 uses for dragon blood, which is very important for potions and such. He's also the Chief Warlock for the Wizengamot, which is the wizarding parliament. He's just saved so many lives, especially in the wizarding war against you-know-who. Though I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be so bad."

"Woah Mione! How?! You swallowed the entirety of Flourish and Blotts.", Mira admired. "I don't really have a house preference. All of them sound good, and I don't really care where I sleep. The classes are what's important. Though I think Ravenclaw or Slytherin sound cool."

Neville yelped.

"What?!"

Neville gulped. "Slytherin's a dark house. There wasn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin."

Hermione frowned. "Well that's a common misconception. There were people from other houses joining the dark side from what I read, but most of them were Slytherin, and I don't think it's the best house."

"What's so bad about being resourceful and ambitious? Those are good qualities."

"There's nothing bad.", said a new voice. "That's where I hope to go. My entire family has been in Slytherin"

They all turned to see a pale boy with white blonde hair and silvery grey eyes.

"Who are you?", asked Mira.

"I'm Malfoy.", he said smugly. "Draco Malfoy. Who are you?"

"My name is Mirabella Potter", she said. "Are you a first year too"

"Yes. Potter, is it? Where's your...other half?, he demanded.

"On the train.", she replied coolly. "So you've come to gawk at me and my brother. I suggest you take a picture. It will last longer."

"No one speaks to me like that!", he said, his ears taking a reddish tinge.

"Well I just did.", she said bluntly. "I realised your idiotic intentions the moment you walked through the cabin door and didn't even take notice of my other two friends. Slytherin huh? You are neither cunning, nor sly. Maybe Slytherin isn't the place for you. In fact, you are brave enough to be...reckless and tactless. So I think Gryffindor. What about you?"

Malfoy was now fully red. "How dare you insult me, you filthy half-blood! Do you know who I am?"

Mira clucked her tongue. "Did you hear that guys? Poor bloke doesn't even know who he is. My sympathies. Sweetheart, your name is D-R-A-C-O M-A-L-F-O-Y.", she said enunciating every syllable. " And I was merely insinuating that you would be a Gryffindor. No need to get so worked up."

"You insult a pureblood scion of the Ancient and Most Noble Malfoy family!"

"Ok", she said.

"Filthy Half-blood! You could have redeemed your status because of your name, but you choose to hang out with Mudblood Scum and Blood traitors! Your Mudblood mother is the cause of you speaking to me like this! You are tainted by her dirty blood. You could have had the friendship of an Ancient and Most Noble House, and yet you insult", he screamed.

Neville started to lunge at him, but Hermione stopped him. They were both glaring at him murderously.

"At least I insulted you in an indirect and cunning manner. You spew out what, names? And then you go with the classic your-mom insults. Really?", Mira scoffed and turned to her now, slowly grinning friends, as they realised what she was doing. "At least he had the brain cells to recognise my insult, but poor bloke doesn't have enough of them to insult me better than calling me a what, half blood. I am a half blood. So what? I know that already. And besides, all blood bleeds red, so it doesn't matter anyway. And then, having run out of 'clever insults', he resorts to calling himself a pureblood scion, and state his family history." she yawned, and turned to Draco again, who was staring at her, with a very purple complexion and agape mouth.

"Draco, Sweetie, for your information, name-calling is a horrible way to insult someone. Its unimaginative and is head on, which is against Slytherin values, which would matter to you, because you want to be one. You see, you have to really dig deep, and analyse the person in question, and use that information to insult someone, instead of the shallow surface stuff. For example, the fact that you mentioned blood status tells me that it is a point of weakness for you which I can potentially exploit. The fact that you are red and purple all over tells me that you are extremely irritated with the fact that I am calm and enjoying this right now. And your claims of your family tell me that they will be disappointed with you if you don't make Slytherin. Am I correct?" she smirked as he closed and opened his his mouth, and fisted his hands, only to unclench them again. He looked like a very confused fish-baboon hybrid.

"Anything from the trolley dears", asked the trolley witch who had seemingly materialised from thin air.

"Yes please.", said Neville nonchalantly. "Could I have some chocolate frogs and licorice wands?"

"Pumpkin juice for me", said Hermione after studying the menu, a slight smile on her face.

"Neville could you suggest something for me? I don't have much experience with wizarding candy", Mira asked casually.

She loved how they were all ignoring Malfoy, who after a couple moments, 'discreetly' slunk out of the cabin.

They all sat down again, and laughed at Malfoy's plight. All three of them knew that it wouldn't be forgotten for a long while yet. But there was one thing...

"Guys I have just one question, what is a half blood?", Mira asked.

The giggles were immediate.

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"Hey Ron, do you want to see something cool?", asked Harry, after Mira left.

"Ya sure", replied Ron.

Harry stuck his arm out and pulled his sleeve back to reveal a slumbering Kaa.

Ron yelped. "Merlin's bollocks! It's a bloody snake!"

Unfortunately for him, Kaa woke up at this, and hissed in indignation.

"What is the meaning of this?", she asked

"Well, I was kind of hoping you would meet my new friend, Ron."

"I do not like this hatchling. He screams too loud. It hurts my ears."

Harry looked at his young snake with amusement. "You don't even have ears."

"Do too!", cried the snake, sticking her tongue out.

Ron found his voice. "You can speak parseltongue?"

"Um, what's that? I'm not bilingual so…"

"No mate, the ability to speak to snakes is called parseltongue, and a person who has the ability is called a parselmouth.", he said, pale, and somewhat greenish.

"Oh yes. So can Mira actually. We had loads of fun setting a Boa Constrictor from the zoo on our cousin Dudley once.", said Harry without looking up from Kaa, who was busy telling him some sort of story about a bear and a grasshopper.

"So", said Ron, "What is she saying?"

"Oh, er, a long rendition of some sort of tale about a bear who was named by his godmother who was a grasshopper.", said Harry absentmindedly, looking up, only to see Ron hurl.

He jumped up, mostly to avoid it, but also to help his friend. Pulling out his wand, he tried one of the spells he read about, and admittedly the one that Snape had used on his robes after Harry… got sick.

"Scourgify", he said clearly, imagining the puke vanishing. It worked, only to have Ron stare at him in an expression akin to awe and fear.

"My mother said that she learnt that spell only in her fourth year."

"Oh, er… I only tried it because I read about it in one of the books in Flourish and Blotts. Some housekeeping book by a bloke called Lockworm. Or was it Lockharm", he mused aloud.

"You mean Gilderoy Lockhart?.", asked Ron incredulously.

"Yea him. Ugly bloke don't you think?" Harry asked jovially. "You alright mate? You look a tad green."

"He's scared Kiwi."

"Don't call me that Squiggle"

"I suggest we call a truce. Squiggle. Ugh. Truly horrible."

Harry smirked at his cringing snake, and looked up at his green friend.

"What's wrong mate", he asked, wondering if Dudley had been right about him being a freak all along.

"It's just that… you can talk to snakes!"

"Yes", said Harry. "So? I bet loads of people can do it."

"No Harry. It's really rare. Like, there are better odds in beating me in a chess match, and I assure you", he continued, slightly raising his voice, when Harry laughed and opened his mouth to speak. "That I haven't lost a single match since I was 4."

Harry blinked. "That's amazing."

Ron blushed. "It is true though. But I'm sure that I'll find someone at Hogwarts to beat me."

"Nonsense! If you haven't lost since you were 4, and you have 5 older brothers all smart and having special skills like dragon taming, 2 very smart parents, a clever and assertive, younger sister who always gets her way, and a crazy great-aunt who is also a good chess player, then you must be really good.", Harry exclaimed. "I can't wait for you to teach me!"

"You can't play chess?", Ron asked unbelievingly.

"Nope. I grew up with my relatives who hated me and my sister's guts. Therefore, I never got around to learning things like chess.", Harry said simply. "Though I can whip up a mean lasagna and lemon meringue pie if need be", he added on afterthought.

Ron grinned. "That suits me just fine! Though I may be good at chess, my main passion is eating. I'll teach you chess, and you make me pie. Deal?"

"Deal", said Harry laughing.

"Oh, but there is one thing", Ron added.

"Yes?"

"Well, Parseltongue is thought to be a sort of...dark ability, and that's why I was so pale earlier. I don't think you're dark", he added quickly, seeing the look on Harry's face. "No one with the ability to cook pie could possibly be dark, but, there is a very large possibility that everyone else will, so you should probably not publicise the fact that you're a Parselmouth."

"Thanks mate, I appreciate it", Harry said genuinely.

Ron only smiled and asked, "So, do you play Quidditch?"

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Soon the train ride ended, and many jovial students, all clad in the black school uniform robes spilled out of the train onto the Hogsmeade platform. As usual, the first years were called to cross the lake with a large, ruddy man called Hagrid on the boats. Harry, Mirabella, Ron, Hermione and Neville ended up sharing one, on the pretense that both Harry and Mira were underweight and technically accounted only for one person. Hagrid solemnly allowed it (against the four to a boat rule), and the twins later swore that they saw Hagrid chuckle and furiously wipe a tear from his eye.

It was majestic. No other words would describe the sudden sight of Hogwarts looming over the lake, it's lights sparkling against the water, and ivy creepers draped artistically here and there. It was a sight that neither twin, nor the rest of the first years for that matter, would ever forget. Even Draco Malfoy had shut up for once.

As soon as they were across the lake, a stern looking women in emerald green robes came to greet them at one of Hogwarts' many entrances.

"Thank you Hagrid", she said in a no nonsense voice. "I will take them from here."

Wordlessly, they all followed the strict looking teacher up a looming staircase into what seemed like an entrance way to a large hall. Perhaps the cafeteria, mused Harry. She stopped in front of the great doors, and turned around, leaving them at their devices to pool around her to hear what she had to say.

"Good evening students, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, and I will be teaching you Transfiguration during your time at Hogwarts. Now, the start of the term banquet will begin shortly, but before you eat...and I suspect that while some of you are very eager to eat", she said, throwing a pointed look at Ron Weasley and his ever-growling stomach, "You will be sorted into your houses. There are four houses in Hogwarts, and they are Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. All the houses have their own merits, and jibes insulting one another's house during your stay will not be tolerated. While you are at Hogwarts, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points, while your rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, there will be a house cup awarded to the house with the most points. I hope you will all defend your future houses with honor. The sorting ceremony will take place shortly, I suggest you all smarten yourselves up a bit, as it will take place in front of the entire school."

With that, she walked into the hall. The twins got the impression that she was not a teacher to be trifled with, but at the same time, would listen to their concerns if need be.

The first years immediately broke into pandemonium, some moaning about their hair, or untidy ties, while others were lamenting over the fact that they might not get into their dream house, making them sound more like couples on real estate shows on the telly then first year students. Ron was turning green, and commenting something about his brother Fred telling him that they would have to fight a troll. Harry was suddenly worried. He may have done some magic on the train, but he was sure that it was nothing compared to what was needed to fight a damn troll. And with Hermione's scattered mumblings of how much she had memorised from their textbooks (all of it 3 times over), Harry started to get quite worried. He didn't have any of the qualities of any of the houses! What if it was all just a mistake, and they sent him and Mira-

"Stop worrying little brother, we will live", she said with a slight smirk, but placing her hand comfortingly on her brother's shoulder.

"I'm older! But what if they send us back?", he asked, his voice slightly quivering and suddenly feeling vulnerable. It was only his sister, his twin whom he would be this open with.

"Don't think like that Harry! Nothing would happen. And even if we do get sent back, though we won't, we would be going to a different school than ickle Diddykins, so our lives won't be completely shit.", she said calmly, though internally freaking out.

"Thanks", said Harry, narrowing his lime green eyes. "Though you would do well to remember your own words. I can always tell what you're feeling baby sister"

"God Harry", she said smiling. "If I am younger, though I'm very sure I am not, then you will not use the word baby."

Harry smirked. "I will too!"

"Actually you won't, because we are twins, and if you call me a baby, you are implying that you are also a baby."

"When will I ever win an argument against you?", he asked groaning.

"Never", she said smirking.

The doors opened, and they walked down the Great Hall, hand in hand. They would embrace whatever destiny was thrown upon them. Anything at Hogwarts (or anything else for that matter) would be a hundred times better than the Dursleys, and they were thankful for the lives that they were privileged enough to be able to lead from this point onwards.