Disclaimer All publicly recognizable characters, setting, and etc. of the Harry Potter Series belong to the creator J.K. Rowling, the publisher Bloomsbury Publishing and the US equivalent Scholastic. No copyright infringement intended.
3'rd-POV
Three moths since visiting Diagon Alley and Harry and Algol were more then ready to go to Hogwarts. Both had read most if not the entirety of the textbooks they needed to learn from. Algol and Harry were hard working individuals who knew from the beginning that education was the only key to freedom. Throughout the summer Algol and Harry would occasionally trade notes and bits of information they had read about ensuring they did not look like fools while they entered the Wizarding world.
Harry's-POV
So its 8am on September 1st 1991 and I am alone at Kings Cross looking for platform 9 and ¾. My uncle Vernon dropped me off on his way to work. I found platform 9 and I also found platform 10 and since I cannot find platform 9 and ¾ I believe that maybe Hagrid tricked me. I am uncertain because I saw Algol at the wand shop so I guess I will just have to wait and see if he knows the way.
8:15am and I hear footsteps coming my way. I look up to see Algol. I smile at him and he informs me that all I have to do is walk through the wall between platform 9 and 10. I tell him he is nuts, and that I am not going to make myself look a fool by walking into a wall. His response is along the lines of if you trust me you will be fine, and have ever led you astray? I give him a questioning glance remembering the time where we let all the snakes free from the zoo. He says never mind that and grabs my hand.
Sure enough Algol was right the sign behind us says platform 9 and ¾ and there is a big red express train in front of us. Since we are early we decide to find a cart close to the front of the train so we can get off easy without a large crowd. As we settle down into our cart we both take out our own books.
I don't mind large crowds, but I know Algol gets skittish around loud noises and big crowds. I remember there was a whole summer I couldn't see him. His guardians are worst then mine in that when I asked for Algol they told me to get off their property and the Algol was working. I asked him about it, but he brushes it off and says not to worry about it. I am worried that those people did something to him, he has been a bit more distant then usual, but he wont tells me what. I remember one time he came over and stood up against my cousin and uncle. My life was a lot rougher before I met Algol I can safety say that Algol is my best friend and I would do practically anything for him.
Harry's-POV
Some time has passed and there is a knock on our cart door I say enter. A boy about our age, with ginger red hair asks if he can sit with us. His excuse is that all the other compartments are full. I doubt that all the compartments are full and by the looks of it Algol doesn't quite believe the ginger either. I look at Algol and he shrugs and continues to read. I tell the ginger that he is welcome to join us, he says his name is "Ronald Billius Weasley better known as Ron." He also introduces his familiar rat Scabbers. He asks if it is alright he bring out Scabbers citing that women don't know how to get down and dirty. I find that remark insulting, and it looks like Algol also finds it insulting. Both Algol and I don't tell Ron anything about his comment though. I tell Ron "As long as Scabbers doesn't go near Hedwig my owl things should be fine."
I am about to go back to reading when Ron says "Oh yeah what's your name you never said." I tell him "I am Harry James Potter better known as Harry." I am about to introduce Algol when Ron yelps excitedly. Ron says "Really your Harry Potter the boy who defeated you-know-who?" I nod and I say "I don't remember it being a baby and all." Ron motions to his own forehead and I catch that he wants to see the scar. I move my hair out of the way and show it. Ron says "Cool." Algol interjects saying "The past is in the past and should stay there." Ron say "Okay first I was not talking to you bookworm and second mind your own business." Ron continues to say "Harry you want to move to another compartment without a party pooper." I am about to tell Ron off when the sweets trolley comes by and asks if any of us would like candy.
I am about to say no to the kind old trolley sweets lady when I notice Ron looking longingly at the cart. I say to the lady I will pay for this compartment. Ron says "Really thanks Harry you're a real pal." Algol says to me "You do not have to but I do appreciate the offer." I get Hedwig a few biscuits and I get myself 3 chocolate frogs and one box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Ron eagerly gets two boxes of the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, 4 Cauldron Cakes, and 5 Chocolate Frogs. I pay the trolley lady the amount due and I give Hedwig one of the biscuts.
I offer one of the chocolate frogs to Algol, and he politely declines. Ron is happy munching on his sweets while Scabbers his rat starts eating into one of the Bartie Bott's Every Flavor Beans box. After a time Ron asks what house I think I will be in. I tell him that I am not sure they all seem pretty good. Algol nods in agreement with me. Ron then proclaims that he will probably be in Gryffindor his older brothers are in Gryffindor. Ron then states to Algol and I more specifically to me that we should be able to stay friends as long as I am not sorted into Sytherin. I ask what's wrong with Sytherin. Ron promptly tells us that Sytherin is were all the bad witches and wizards go. Algol quickly points out the Merlin himself was a Sytherin and he was not all that bad. Algol also states that the House system does not define what a person is or becomes.
I agree with Algol on his statement about the house system and people as individuals. See the thing with Algol is that he tries the best he can to give both sides to every story without bias. Algol has always giving me a choice and has rarely argued against me, when he does argue he has facts to back up is statements this is what I like about Algol, he is a loyal, accepting friend.
Harry's-POV
Before anymore can be said there is a knock on the door Algol says "Enter" and a boy with curly brown hair comes in. He introduces himself as Neville Longbottom he says he is looking for his familiar toad named Trevor. Algol tells Neville we have not seen his toad, but that he would help Neville find his missing pet if he needed a hand looking for it. Neville says, "Thanks and I would appreciate the help." Soon it's just Ron and I in the compartment.
The door slides open and three boys step in the leader of the group calls himself Draco Malfoy the boy to his right Vincent Crabbe and the boy on his left Gregory Goyle. Draco says "Potter I would recommend that you be wise in who you keep as company. If you need any help in finding the right sort I will be around. Until then good luck with the sorting." Draco then walks out with his lackeys following him. Ron says, "Malfoy is a right prick I tell you. Getting off on telling others he is better then them". I think that Malfoy might be onto something, but I don't tell Ron this. Instead I tell Ron "I would rather hang out with you over Draco any day."
The little interacted I have with Ron the more I want to not be near him. He judges way to quickly in my option and his table manners are awful, talking with your mouth full is not a great way to represent one's self. Although I don't care for Malfoy's blatant disapproval of Ron just based off looks and name either. I am not sure who I am starting to dislike more Draco or Ron, both rub me the wrong way, but then again maybe I should be patient and consult with Algol, he always knows just what to say, or lack of saying when I am in a tough situation.
Soon the train comes to a stop and the speakers say to leave your belongings in the compartment and your stuff will be transported to Hogwarts later. Listening to the speakers I get off the train and make a beeline to the center of the forming crowd of students. I need a moment of silence to think and Ron did not allow me much peace of mind. Ron seems like a nice guy, but he is so chatty especially once Algol left with Neville. First he rants to me about how Algol is a stick in the mud when he did not even ask for his name or get to know him. After that he talks about his family and now I feel I practically know his whole family linage. I did not even ask him to tell me about his family in the first place. I know more about his family then Algol's and I have been friends with Algol longer. All I can hope for is that Ron either calms a bit after the sorting or that we are sorted into different houses.
Next Chapter: The Sorting
