Chapter eight: Hogwarts express
Blaise Zabini resisted the urge or snap at his best friend to be quiet as he watched out of the compartment window for Raven to show up, after these years they had become rather close through the letters and correspondences, even going as far as to meet when Raven was in Italy, the last note that he had got had promised that he would know who exactly Raven Valdesi was.
Apologising in advance and thanking the Zabini heir for the help over the years.
Who was he? Blaise really couldn't figure it out, the boy was a pureblood – that much he already knew – but had been raised by muggles…so it was probably one of the lines that had been killed off in the last war, leaving only one or two members behind and none to take in the magical child.
"…se! ZABINI!"
"What?!" he demanded turning back to Daphne Greengrass who looked less than impressed at being ignored by him, he didn't really care though because she had only been speaking about, shudder, fashion. "Sorry Daphne, I told you about Raven right? He's coming to Hogwarts this year and he's telling me who he really is…"
"Why don't we go and walk around and see?" Daphne suggested as the train pulled out from the station, Blaise considered it for a second before nodding – the two slipped from the compartment unnoticed by Draco Malfoy and his two 'guards' Crabbe and Goyle since they were plotting,
Passing most of the compartments Blaise didn't see anyone that closely resembled Raven at all, it had been almost a year since they had seen each other though – finally they reached the last few compartments one of which was open with a bushy-haired girl stood with her hands on hips.
"Marcus I can't believe you would take side with this menace!" the girl was whisper/shouting at another boy who was stood by the door, he had the same salt'n'peper coloured hair and a more masculine version version of facial features but that was where the similarities ended.
What caught Blaise's (and Daphne's) attention was the second boy inside of the compartment, he was sat by the window looking amused and innocent stroking a small black kitten with a white patch over the eye – the boy looked younger than the rest of them, though more mature at the same time…was that even possible?! Semi-sort midnight black hair, emerald green eyes, soft yet aristocratic features along with a strong-but-lean and tones body that showed through the tightly-fitting short sleeved shirt he was wearing.
Bingo!
"Excuse me miss," Blaise said in a smooth cultured Italian accent, the girl squeaked and spun around in shock – the first boy looked mildly amused but the other was looking down, sad. "Raven? I've been looking all over the train for you, though you'd missed it at first!...hey what's wrong?"
"You'll hate me."
"Never!" Blaise exclaimed protectively, he turned to glare at the girl who was glaring right back at him – and the boy who had moved out of the way though not able to leave the compartment. "You girl go bug someone else, Mr…"
"Granger, Marcus Granger."
"Mr Granger, do you mind stepping out while I speak with Raven?" Blaise asked formally, Marcus nodded and stepped out grabbing his…sister? Cousin? And dragging her down the small corridor. "Daphne, I'll meet you back at the compartment soon – oh before you leave, Raven this is Daphne Greengrass – Daphne this is Raven Valdesi."
Once Daphne had left Blaise stepped into the small compartment and shut the door behind him and activated the built-in silencing and privacy charms that had been there for years. He watched his friend carefully wondering just what had him so upset and distressed.
"Blaise…I am so sorry…"
"Hush, what are you talking about?" Blaise asked sitting down next to the small martial artist allowing the kitten to hop into his own lap and stoking it. He could see Raven as a kitten if he was an Animagus. "Come on, I'll find out soon enough anyway. I'd rather hear it from you first."
"I – Blaise, my real name is Harry…Harry Potter."
He didn't react for a few seconds but when Raven tried to get up and walk out of the room he pulled him back down, replacing the kitten with Raven…Harry…and wrapping his arms around him protectively.
"So? Harry Potter or Raven Valdesi; you are still the same person." Blaise assured knowing that was what his friend needed to hear, he'd been told of the boy's relatives and the neglect. He wanted to do something and would the moment that he got the first chance. "Ok, I'll admit if I had met you in the airport and you told me you were Harry Potter – I probably wouldn't have spoken to you. Zabini and Potter did have connections but never that strong."
"Thanks…are we still friends?"
"Yes we are still friends." Blaise whispered, then frowned down at his watch realising that he'd been gone for half-an-hour already and he didn't want Malfoy coming here looking. "Raven…Harry…I need to go, I'll see you in school ok? No matter what house you are in we'll still be friends – even if we can't be in public."
"You should stay away from him."
Harry looked up to see a red head boy that he'd noticed on the platform sneering at him in the doorway, great – first Hermione (he couldn't call her Granger since Marcus was there too) and now another prat.
Where had Marcus vanished to anyway?
"It is none of your business, beside – isn't it a bit rude to tell someone you don't know who to be friends with and such?" Harry shot back at him, wiping his face where the tears had already dried. The red head had the cheek to come into the compartment, shoved Jomie (his kitten) onto the floor and then sat down opposite Harry. Raven glared and picked up his whimpering kitten.
"I am Ron Weasley, Harry Potter's best friend." The red hair proclaimed then looked over Harry with a cold sneer in place…grrr this guy didn't to go now before he got hurt! "You'll probably by in Hufflepuff, poor delicate weak thing like you…it's up to Gryffindor's like to tell you that Zabini is dangerous."
"Oh? How so?" Harry asked mockily, apparently the boy didn't pick up on that fact since he continued to go on and on…according to him the Zabini family was dark and evil the Italian family were in deep with death eaters.
Harry was furious.
"…and they…"
"SILENCE!" Harry ordered jumping to his feet; Marcus just entered the compartment and looked startled by the shouting. "Weasley I suggest you leave before I make you. Do not dare come in here and tell me that I'm your so-called best friend or how my real friends are evil. I am Harry potter; maybe you should get your facts straight? Now LEAVE!"
The red head scarpered and Marcus slammed the door after him, looking back warily at his mentor who had sat back down – well circled up in the corner cooing over his kitten who was still whimpering.
"You ok?"
"Yea, just that prat calling Blaise evil." Harry explained rubbing the back of his neck tiredly, wondering just how much damage that argument was going to cost during the time he was at the school. He didn't know it now but that argument would change everything that his knowledge and training hadn't already.
Thank you everyone for the reviews and support with this story - it is the first one that i have bothered to publish since i usually keep it with friends and such.
i will take ideas and comments into account during the story and their will be sequals because this will only cover first year...though i want to ask now for the future if i should do slash? if so who should Harry/Raven be with? if not a slash i dont think i'll bother with the romance part of things - let me know!
1) Marcus Granger (oc)
2) Blaise Zabini
3) Jay (OC from staring chapters)
4) other? if any more suggestions please tell me!
Thanks again everyone!
Noon-Stories-Limited xxx
