11. Chapter 8: Harry goes to Hogwarts
Chapter Warnings: None.
Chapter Summary: Harry catches the Hogwarts Express.
Authors note: Anything that seems to come directly from the book does. It's not much, just a short description and some dialogue. However, most of the dialogue in the chapter is either edited to fit two Potters, or made up. It has some important points in it, but this chapter feels the most like a filler chapter that I've written. On the other hand, the next chapter will, if I write it correctly, simply be a series of letters until Halloween. Also, as IReadNoNonsense has cheated outrageously in writing From one to the other (also formerly Reincarnation), and jumped to year two in her latest chapter. Sadly, I still have a number of chapters to write to the end of first year. Also, I am sorry I was not able to upload on Wednesday again. Anyone else have trouble with login?
As September the first neared, Harry got more and more excited, and more nervous. While he trusted Leon, Harry was not nearly as blasé about their ability to deceive both their relatives and the wizarding world for one day, let alone the next seven years! He worried about holding a clone all day. He worried about the clone popping in the middle of a class. Leon would be punished, and he'd be far away and unable to do anything! Leon didn't seem at all worried about any of the long list of problems that could occur with this plan. Harry knew Leon was highly intelligent, and frankly, a bit arrogant. Leon thought he knew everything, even when it was obvious he couldn't, and he tended to act as if his plans were infallible. Harry still remembered when Leon was eight and tried some chemical mix to make the outdoor white paint glossier and quicker drying. The inside of the garden shed was covered in a mess that they'd had to repaint when the concoction exploded. They were lucky Leon was cautious enough to wait until their relatives were out for the day. It had been a disaster. And it was not the only time Harry could recall something going wrong. Still, it seemed very important to Leon that Harry continue to go to muggle school, even if he didn't want to, and what was important to Leon was important to Harry. Sort of.
It had been hard work cramming for two completely different schools over the summer holiday. The only reason he'd been able to do as much as he had was Leon and his ghastly schedules. Harry hated them with a passion, but even he had to admit they were affective. Leon had made him promise to send a copy of his magic lessons timetable and any other things he might sign up for or do, and Harry was convinced it was because Leon was going to make him another schedule to keep. Still, Harry knew he'd do it. He was too used to doing things the way he'd always done them. Not following one of Leon's schedules didn't make him feel happy; it made him uneasy. Harry was all for a bit of spontaneous fun, and it was enjoyable talking Leon round. However, he was used to a day that had distinctive parts planned out. Leon never went insane. He didn't go overboard with precise minutes and detailed structures, but he provided order that Harry seriously needed. If left to his own devices, Harry tended to be a broody child, prone to spending time alone and wasting hours doing nothing constructive, even as he could not stay still. Leon had long ago found a series of small exercises to strengthen and create more flexibility in Harry's hands, feet, arms and legs that could be done any time he felt like wriggling around or pacing. Harry had gotten so used to them that he did them unconsciously now.
As September approached, Harry and Leon plotted how to get Harry to Hogwarts. Stonewall didn't actually start until the second, because the first was actually on a Sunday. This was very good, because it meant that Leon could see Harry safely off, and see if their plan was feasible, before he had to go off to Stonewall by himself. On Saturday evening after dinner, Harry and Leon excused themselves up to their room and prepared for bed. Then they very carefully locked their door and snuck out the barred window, which was not as barred as Uncle Vernon liked to think, and down the reinforced gutter pipe, and out to the garden shed. Leon and Harry had stored Harry's trunk and owl there during the day, confident that none of their relatives would go out to the shed on a Saturday. Once the trunk and Hedwig, Harry's owl, had been collected, they walked to the train station, and caught the train to Paddington station again. From there, they made their way to the Leaky cauldron, where Leon had booked a room by owl the previous week. The bar tender Tom quickly overcame his surprise at recognizing the Potter siblings, and helped them carry Harry's things to their room. They spend Saturday night asleep squashed together in the single big bed in the room, lulled to sleep by murmurs and the clinking of bottles, that drifted upstairs from the common room below.
On Sunday morning, Leon awoke at a disgustingly early hour. He ruthlessly woke Harry up, and they did their morning exercises and prepared themselves before they went downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast, they went out to the Alley. They slipped through the passage, and then henged into two of their primary school teachers faces' and wizarding robes like those described in the Introduction to the Wizarding World for Muggles books as robes belonging to well-to-do declared Light wizard robes. Then they went and got some floo powder. Leon's idea for the clones was simple, and came mostly from two sources. Hogwarts, A History, and the Introduction to the Wizarding World for Muggles books. Harry would make a shadow clone. The clone would find one of the secret passageways to Hogsmeade mentioned in Hogwarts, A History, henge, and go to the village. Then the clone would floo to the Leaky Cauldron, as detailed by the Introduction to the Wizarding World for Muggles book described. Then the clone would take the train back to Surrey, get some rest, and attend Stonewall all day. The clone would then do some study, do all homework for the next day, and destroy itself. By which time Harry should have finished classes and dinner, and be doing his own homework. He'd then make a new clone, and the process would start all over again.
It was a good plan. With the henge, shadow-clone-Harry could look like an adult Wizard who had every right to use the floo to the Leaky Cauldron. Leon was already hip deep in letters to the Goblin bank about buying property in Hogsmeade and London, and was negotiating a price for a cottage on the outskirts of Hogsmeade currently. It would be better to have their own properties to floo to and from, he had reasoned to Harry, as it would probably be less suspicious than some random Wizard turning up nearly every day to use the floo to London, instead of apparating as most Wizards could. However, it was less suspicious than taking the Wizarding Knight Bus every day.
After they got their floo powder, and Leon had dragged Harry into Gringotts to check how the purchase of the cottage in Hogsmeade was going, with strict instructions to Harry about how they should both behave and what he was supposed to say, they caught the train from Paddington station to Kings Cross. Once there, they had to look for platform Nine and three quarters. Harry was a bit nervous about trying to find a wall with an invisible doorway they were supposed to run through, but Leon was self-assured as always. Leon strolled along casually in front of Harry, sort of making room for Harry pushing the trolley with his trunk and owl on it behind him. They were actually on platforms nine and ten, and looking for the wall they were supposed to go through, when Harry heard a snatch of conversation.
"-so many Muggles so be careful–" floated from behind him. He spun around and saw a plump woman lecturing a crowd of red-haired children. He gave a clucking sound he was sure Leon would hear, and Leon turned around. The woman was looking around too, but Harry made sure not give any eye contact. Instead, he watched as she eyed a particular wall, and soon enough a teenaged boy with a trunk and a harried expression swept past her, and ran at the wall. He disappeared without a sound. While the book had been quite clear, Harry was still feeling nervous. Although he knew Leon wouldn't be happy, Harry decided to ask a responsible adult for help. After all, while Leon might have the confidence to try something like this by himself, Harry was a bit more sensibly afraid! So he marched up to the lady and asked her.
"Excuse me," Harry said to the plump woman.
"Hullo, dear," she said, "First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new, too." She pointed at the youngest of the boys surrounding her that Harry guessed were her children. Ron was tall, thin and gangling, with freckles, big hand and feet and a long nose. By this time, Leon had joined Harry and was scowling at him. Harry ignored him.
"Yes," said Harry. "The thing is – well, you see, we don't know how to –" here he sort of flopped his hand at Leon, and then at the wall.
"How to get on to the platform?" she said kindly, and Harry nodded.
"Not to worry," she said. "All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before my lot."
"Er – um. Thanks. Yeah, OK," said Harry. Leon scowled at him.
"I'm going first," he demanded. Harry sighed, but rolled his eyes and gestured for him to go. Leon determinedly trotted at the wall, and just before it sort of sprung forwards, and disappeared. Harry quickly followed him through. There were lots of people on the platform, but Harry had eyes only for his brother. Leon was already safely out of the way of any incoming travelers, and he grabbed the trolley and helped Harry move to a safer place. Then he spotted the Malfoy snot, and dragged Harry and their trolley along with him. Malfoy was with his parents, but he nodded to Leon and Harry as they came closer, and then introduced them all. Mr. Malfoy sneered politely, but Mrs. Malfoy smiled kindly at them, and congratulated them for not having had any trouble arriving. Harry was polite, but it was Leon who did most of the talking. However, they left soon enough, and moved down the train to try and find an empty carriage. Leon lectured Harry on the importance of knowing people, but Harry tuned him out, determined to get as much fun out of this as he could. He was going on a train to a magic school! Leon realized he wasn't paying attention soon enough, and went back to scowling at him. When they got to an empty carriage, he refused to help Harry with his trunk or Hedwig too. Harry rolled his eyes at him again, and did it himself. Leon laughed at him and didn't even try to hide how funny he found Harry's attempts to maneuver his trunk. He'd already dropped it on his foot twice before one of the red-haired sons of the helpful plump lady found him.
"Want a hand?" he offered.
"Yes, please," panted Harry.
"Oy, Fred! C'mere and help!"
With the twins help, Harry's trunk was at last tucked away in a corner of the compartment, and Leon came trotting in holding Hedwig's cage, innocent as butter.
"Give me her!" Harry snarled at him. Leon smirked back, but handed over Harry's owl quickly enough. Harry turned back to the twins.
"Thanks for that," he said. The twins laughed.
"Not a problem," said one.
"You looked like you needed the help," said the other. They smiled at him, and then left. Harry collapsed into a seat that conveniently left him able to watch the red-haired family outside the compartment. Leon sat beside him, shoulders brushing, and they watched them as they said farewell to each other.
"Guess this is it." Harry said to Leon. "I'll send a clone tonight, after dinner, and we'll see how it goes. Remember to write to me sometimes, and not just about homework."
Leon smiled at him, and nudged his shoulder. "Course not. And I'll see your clone anyway." They fell silent, and didn't say anything more. Soon the train whistle blew in warning, and Leon got off. He reappeared at Harry's window, and they watched each other. As the train started to pull away, Leon began to wave. Harry stood up and waved back until he was out of sight, and then collapsed back on his seat. It was a long way to Hogwarts.
As the train pulled away, Leon waved until he couldn't see the train anymore. When he turned back, there weren't many people left at the platform. However, the woman who had assisted them was still there with her youngest child, a girl his own age. She smiled at him.
"Seeing your brother off then, were you dear?" she asked.
Leon nodded silently. "Yes. First time. It's odd." He said, once the silence had gone on a second too long. The woman smiled again.
"It feels different, when you can't follow someone anymore, when you used to all the time," she said compassionately. "Still, you can always owl," she added brightly. Leon smiled at her, understanding what had drawn Harry to her, and her family. She was so maternal and warm. Kind-hearted. Harry liked that sort.
"I'm Leon, by the way," he said. The woman laughed a bit.
"Oh dear. Silly me! Of course, I'm Molly Weasley dear, and this is my daughter Ginny," she said, gesturing to the girl standing at her side. Leon murmured hello to her too. She giggled, but didn't say anything to him. Mrs. Weasley looked at the big clock, and clucked.
"Oh dear. We're going to be late, Ginny! Well, if you need to, you can owl me any time. I live at the Burrow. Will you be alright Leon?" she asked.
'I'll be fine," said Leon. "I'm just waiting for my Uncle," he added smoothly, when she looked about to say something more. "You should probably be going." Mrs. Weasley looked him over once again, and then smiled and bustled her daughter away. Leon waited for her to disappear before he went back through the barrier with the empty muggle trolley.
Going home alone was peculiar. Leon was startled to realize that he was already missing his brother. Not having Harry with him was strange. Knowing he couldn't follow his brother to Hogwarts yet was frustrating. At home, he destroyed his own clone, but left the Harry clone alone. He waited for a long while, but he fell asleep waiting for his brother's shadow clone to arrive close to midnight.