Chapter 10

January, 1987.

It was snowing.

Clumps of white fell from the sky in lazy breaths, covering the ground quickly and sticking. The snow fell heavily, coming out more as a thick white fog than anything. He could barely see the tree in the background from the sitting room window.

Harry turned away from the glass and hesitated. Taking a glance at his barely covered feet. Clad only in large blue socks that had a hole in them on the left one, Harry shrugged and opened the front door, standing on the stephold.

He stood there, body mostly still inside but his face cooling rapidly with the winter chill and forceful wind, and watched openly as it snowed. There was no rush, not here, not now. The Dursley's would be back soon and he knew that when they did he'd be sent to the cupboard. His chores weren't even finished and he knew he should be doing the dishes right now but for one second, one dangerous, carefully guarded, second, he wanted to watch it snow.

And so he did.

The days at the Burrow blended together quickly and before he knew it, it was time to board the train again. He would miss his time getting to freely experiment with the twins and bicker with Ron over inconsequential things. Louis had helped the twins with a lot of the potions they planned to make batches of jokes with as well as the algorithms and spellwork for certain charmed objects. He enjoyed the spell chains he had to weave for them and was quite pleased that, with the knowledge and little practice he had of arithmancy and runes, that he could do so with a little help from George. As for Ron, the boy was easy to talk to. Ron was friendly and had many things to talk about and, surprisingly, at least to Louis, knew quite a bit about strategy, which resulted in many chess games and discussions on Quidditch. Louis figured the boy would make a very good Captain, or even Coach one day if given the chance. Ron was also funny, in a way that was uniquely his own. He didn't use pranks like the twins or sarcasm like Ginny but just simply had a lot of jokes and stories to tell that he weaved together in ways that kept Louis entertained. The boy could also be a writer, if Louis thought about it. Perhaps he should mention that to the boy, as he noticed Ron didn't think he had many talents at all. He was a lot like Percy in that regard, though Louis was sure if he ever made the comparison to either of the boy's they would scowl heavily.

Louis would also miss the lightness between him and Percy. After his talk with the teen, Percy would seek him out more and while they usually just sat in silence, reading or just staring into space, he knew it helped Percy in some way. He figured it was the company, the ache of loneliness being fed. Louis would also encourage Percy's ideas whenever the boy spoke up, often over talking someone else so that the boy felt comfortable continuing. With questions timed correctly, Louis could often steer Percy into a direction that drew the others in, much to Percy's happiness. Returning to Hogwarts though meant that Percy returned to his books and friends. While this year probably wouldn't be as stressful as the one before, he still imagined that the boy would take on the weight of things more than he needed to and if Louis could, he would try to get the boy out a bit more. Have some fun maybe. He needed a distraction. He didn't think Percy would be too amenable though, since being at the Burrow was one thing but school was another.

He would miss Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as well. Mr. Weasley with his endless support and stories as well as puns. The man had terrible puns. Mr. Weasley who let him tinker in his shed with him, beating away at things with hammers and sliding bolts tight and turning screws with the screwdriver he grinned at when presenting it to him. All the while a muggle radio played in the background, a man's rich voice breaking through the old speakers quietly and yet loudly in the silence. Then there was Mrs. Weasley, who gave him a small bundle of cookies for the train and had folded his laundry into neat squares. Mrs. Weasley who made pancakes more after discovering how much he enjoyed them and didn't even hesitate to make hot chocolate for him in the mornings at breakfast after an off hand comment to Ron. Mrs. Weasley who didn't ask his about his nightmares and who gave him a stern look to remember to keep eating and listen to Madam Pomfrey and her rules. Mr and Mrs. Weasley who both insisted that he write to them. Thinking of Hedwig, he had happily agreed.

He would miss the ease he had with Ginny the most though. Surprisingly, the two of them had gotten along so easily together, both relishing in the friendship that the other offered them. He wasn't sure if Ginny would want to still be his friend after the summer though for they were now going to Hogwarts, Hogwarts where she could be sorted anywhere and would probably make friends of her own, children her own age or girls similar to her. She wouldn't need his companionship anymore. He wouldn't hold it against her. He knew he was a bit awkward. Brushing off the thought, he shrugged. Whatever happened he would deal with it,

A knock on Ron's bedroom door brought him out of his thoughts and Louis looked up to see the very person he was just thinking of standing in the open doorway,

"Gin. Hey. Done packing?"
Ginny rolled her eyes and stepped in, plopping herself down next to his trunk on the bed. He folded another shirt and threw it on top.

"I finished everything up before breakfast. I'm pretty sure only Ron waited until the very last minute to pack everything." Indeed for Ron was currently running all over the house, panicking as he threw things into his bags. Fred and George and Louis were packing away their final things from last night and this morning and Percy had finished up right after breakfast. Seeing as they were all about to leave, Louis understood Ron's panic.

"So what brings you in here? Come to annoy me, I see." He winked at her, causing her to both blush and snort. He felt a grin work it's way on his face.

"I come baring gifts actually." She admitted sheepishly and only then did he notice the wrapped object in her hands.

Latching his trunk close, he arched a brow. "Oh?"
Ginny nodded. "You never told me when your birthday was and I figured, well, can't forget my friend's birthday now can I?" She teased as she handed the thing over.

Looking down, he quietly told her that his birthday was December 31. "You didn't need to get me anything. Really."
"Fred and George said they hadn't gotten you anything for it either when I asked them about it, as they too didn't know when it was, so shut it and take your gift, Thompson." She mock scowled at him.

Chuckling lightly, he agreed and unopened the gift, staring down at the dark journal in his hands.

"I found it with my things from Diagon Alley." Ginny said. "Dad must have accidentally bought it or something. I figured you could write magical theories in it. Make sure to credit my kindness when you win an award." She grinned.

Laughing, Louis thanked her and balled up the rest of the wrapping.

Soon after, Ginny dismissed herself, taking the wrapping with her to throw away, as she was going to go put her trunk in the car her father had rented for the day.

Opening up his trunk to place the diary in, he frowned as he looked at the book.

The name Tom Marvolo Riddle was written in neat, gold letter on it.

Frowning, he tossed it in and latched it closed. He too then left to put it in the car and help the twins with theirs.

"You guys want to get a compartment together?" Louis asked the twins as they navigated the train together, Ron and Ginny behind them as they had all just bid goodbye to the Weasley parents. Percy had already vanished to the prefects compartments.

"We need to find Lee actually," confessed Fred.

"He's been in Australia." George informed him.

Louis nodded. "Okay. Ron? Gin?"
Ron shrugged. "I'm gonna find Dean and Seamus."
Apparently, Ron saw them over Fred's shoulder for he pushed through them all and waved, yelling Dean's name as he did so. Rubbing his shoulder, Louis turned to Ginny, who nodded.

"I want to find Luna first though."
"That's fine." He smiled at her. He was looking forward to meeting the girl.

Soon, the twins split off, having had spotted Lee in a compartment already. Taking Ginny's bag, he left the girl to her looking and slid into a compartment. Letting Natasha hop onto the seats, he scratched behind her ear and watched as Sanguini slid down his sleeve and curled up in her fur, no doubt loving the body heat the massive cat gave off. He had slipped her scarf off, not seeing the need once they were on the train. Sitting down and placing Ginny's bag on the rack above his head, he took his seat and slipped his dad's sketch book out of his own bag as well as a transfiguration theory book Percy had loaned him. He wanted to compare notes.

For the next hour, long after the train had started forward and the noise outside had calmed down a little, one could find Louis in that position, flipping through his dad's notes and drawings and looking back at the text before him. James Potter had been onto something and surprisingly, had been looking into the connection in transfiguration and metamorphagy. He had wondered if there was a genetic leading in transfiguration and if an overload of this resulted in children who had the ability. There was already some science behind the belief that individuals particularly gifted in subjects had it partially due to a biological leading. There wasn't enough research in this to make the kinds of connections James had been though. Clearly, his dad hadn't been satisfied with it as the notes suggested there was experiments and research done in this direction by the man and an unnamed partner. Louis wondered if there was a lab book for this somewhere and if the name of this partner could be found too.

The sound of the compartment door being slid open drew Louis's attention and he looked up to see Ginny slipping in with a girl that had a pale face and dirty blonde hair following behind her.

"Hey, Louis." She greeted him, taking the seat next to Natasha, immediately snuggling up next to the very pleased cat. Luna sat closely next to her, the three barely all fitting on one bench. "Louis, this is Luna. Luna, Louis."
Luna waved sluggishly at him, a smile ghosting her face. He smiled brightly at her in greeting.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna."

"You have a wrackspurt, did you know?" She told him as a hello.

Tilting his head curiously he smiled at her. "What's a wrackspurt?"
"A winged creature." She leaned forward. "They hide in people's ears." She told him this as if sharing a secret. Her moon eyes peered widely into his own. "They make one quite fuzzy."
"Should I be worried?" He asked her. "I don't think I've ever heard of them before."
Luna nodded as if this made much sense to her. :They're very rare. And wrackspurts are okay to have as long as it's not an infestation."
"You said I only had one, yes? I think I'll let it stay then."
Luna grinned happily at him. Beside her, he saw Ginny with a matching expression.

"I like you." Luna declared.

"That's good because I like you too." He told her.

Louis returned to his book after that for a little bit while Ginny and Luna gave Natasha their attention. Natasha preened and purred loudly with their ministrations and coos.

"How was your summer Luna?" Ginny asked the girl. Louis tuned in to listen a little, eyes still on his book, attention split.

"Good. Daddy and I went traveling again."
"Yeah? Where did you go?"
"South America." Luna informed her, humming a little. "I brought back some shells. I'll give them to you later."
"Thanks Luna." Ginny smiled. "Did you find any creatures?"
The other girl shook her head negatively. "No. But we did meet a man that lived in a hut and played a guitar. He owned no pants."
Ginny giggled. "At all?"
Luna nodded seriously. "Oh yes. He found them confining."
Louis piped up here. "I can't help but agree. I think the same thing about shoes." He scowled distastefully at the shoes he had kicked off not long after starting his books.

Ginny smirked. "Is that why you seemed to keep "losing" them?"
He nodded, face stern. "They're annoying, Ginny. I would rather feel things, like the grass and water."
Luna nodded at this. "I agree. Shoes are quite foolish. Babies aren't born with them after all. We're meant to use our feet. Not hide them."
Ginny snorted. "Alright. Fair enough."
While Luna and Louis chatted over their shared distaste of shoes, Ginny continued to snuggle with Natasha. She didn't seem to mind Sanguini, who eventually wrapped himself around her wrist. She didn't even blink.

A knock drew their attention and they looked over. Much to Louis's happiness, Neville popped his head in.

"Nev! Hey." He grinned.

Neville waved at him cheerfully. "Hi buddy. Saw you in when I was walking by. Figured I'd say hello before we got to the castle."
"Come in, sit down. How have you been?"
Beville came in and took the seat by Louis, telling him he couldn't stay very long as Hannah and Susan were waiting for him in their own compartment with Hermione.

"Good."
"How was the trip to America? Learn anything at the herbology camp?" He vaguely remembered Neville talking about the trip last June.

Neville nodded excitedly. "Oh it was amazing, Louis. I learned a lot. Took lots of pictures. Even Gran was impressed. She even bought me a new plant! I brought home some seeds for the greenhouse at the Manor. I brought some things to show you guys later." Neville gushed, promising him. The pair chatted for a few minutes before Neville had to leave. Louis left a minute after him, excusing himself to go to the restroom.

After doing his business, he washed his hands and headed on out. On his way back though, he bumped into Draco, who was clearly heading to the restroom himself.

"Draco!" He gasped, sort of surprised to see the boy. He was thrown a little, remembering the trip to Knockturn Alley he and the twins had snuck on.

Draco looked up at him, eyes darting in panic a little before cooling his face into a neutral expression.

"Louis."
"How are you?" He asked the boy gently, concerned for his friend. "I know you spent the summer with your parents."
Looking briefly at his feet, Draco shrugged elegantly. "It was alright. Not as bad as I feared."
"Really?" He asked, very surprised. "They didn't . . . ?" He trailed off, not quite knowing what to ask or say.

Draco looked up sharply. "Didn't what? They're my parents, Louis. They love me."
He backed up, holding up his hands. "I didn't mean anything by it, Dray. I just know they weren't exactly supportive of you last year. At all."

Draco visibly deflated at that and while he didn't brush off what Louis said, he didn't acknowledge it either. "Yeah well. Whatever."
A little unsure, Louis placed a hand on the Malfoy heir's shoulder. "Say, why don't you come into my compartment for a bit? I miss you. We could catch up. Talk a little. I met some new people I think you'll like. They're very nice."
Draco seemed to sink in on himself and something came over him as he looked away from Louis entirely, a strange expression on his face that Louis couldn't identify, much to his confusion and annoyance. "I really shouldn't. I need to be getting back to my friends."
"Oh." he said. "Oh. Yeah. Alright. Who are you sitting with? Did you find Neville and Hermione already then? The twins and Lee?"
Draco shook his head and wouldn't meet Louis's' eyes as he replied. "No, um, I'm sitting with Crabbe and Flint and Higgs. Pucey too. You know, Slytherin's."
Louis's back straightened. "Not just Slytherin's, Draco." He said flatly, struggling to keep his voice even and calm. "Death Eater's children."
"Their father's were never convicted, Louis. You know that. Besides, they're my friends." defended Draco.
"Since when?" He spat. He didn't like this. Not at all.

"Since before I even met you so back off." Draco snapped, taking a step forward into Louis's space. "You don't know them, Louis. I like them."
"You like them or your dad does?" He growled, crowding Draco back. "What makes you think they care about you, Dray? That you can trust them? Where were they when you were sorted into Gryffindor last year? Oh that's right. Sending curses and calling you names. You shouldn't be with them, Draco. They're not your real friends and this isn't you. What are you doing?"
"What I have to!" Draco nearly yelled, shocking him a bit. They both seemed to calm down a bit at that, Draco breathing heavily. "You don't know what it's like, Louis. What my father's like. I just . . . I just want him to be proud."
"So what? You're pretending? Or is this who you really are?" Louis frowned at his friend. "What's so Gryffindor about being something you're not or, even worse, being just like those boys? Like Flint and his friends? Is that who you want to be, Dray?"
"It's who my father expects me to be, Louis. I don't expect you to understand." Draco replied, sounding very tired all of a sudden.

"Why's that?" Louis said, a bit hurt. "Because I don't have anyone to disappoint, is that it? Yeah I have it so easy, Draco."

Draco didn't respond to that though, just shook his head and turned around, walking the way he came, restroom forgotten now.

The boy stopped to say one more thing though. "And Louis? I never wanted to be a Gryffindor so I don't care if this isn't very brave. I wasn't ever meant to be to begin with."
"The Hat put you there for a reason, Dray. Maybe it's because being brave is exactly what you need to be." He practically whispered back, knowing the other heard him anyway. Draco walked off without a word. Downtrodden, Louis turned around and went back to the restroom. He wanted to be alone right now and his compartment wouldn't offer that.

A/N: There's a wrap for ten and we are finally on our way back to Hogwarts.

So far we've got Weasley bonding. Love for Ginny and Luna. Cagey Draco. Shaky Percy. And the introduction of the diary. Wonder where this all leads? Hmm. . . . Tell me what you guys think so far and any hopes for the upcoming chapters! Love to hear from you guys. It keeps me going and lately I need some of that.

Please review :)