Chapter 2 - The Hogwarts Express
Once the first awkward introductions had passed, the mood in the carriage eased. Shyness was quickly replaced by natural curiosity for the other from both boys (and anything to do with the magical world, for Harry).
The train had just left London, Remus Lupin telling him about his wizard father, who worked with 'Non-Human Spirituous Apparition' (whatever that meant, Harry unfortunately never getting the chance to ask), when someone knocked at the carriage door. It slid open to show two rosy-cheeked, round-faced, fair-haired students; a boy and girl. Siblings if Harry had to guess. They even looked rather similar to the boy with the lost toad from earlier.
The boy, obviously older, whispered loudly to the girl standing slightly behind him, "see, other firsties for you to play with," to then give both Remus and Harry a small wave, "Hiya! Do you guys have place for one more?" all while indicating the girl. "I promise she doesn't take much room-"
"-Liron," a moan coming from the girl.
"Alice," the boy repeated in humorous echo, before turning back his attention to the two boys, "this is Alice by the way. So, would it be alright for her to join you?"
Both boys found themselves only able to nod.
"Great! Right, here you go Alice," proceeding to lift one of the two trunks onto the overhead shelf and settling a small, rather girly handbag as well as a what was probably a box, currently covered by a just as girly patterned laced cloth, on the seat next to Harry.
When the teen, Liron, seemed satisfied with everything, some of the humour dimmed from his face, replaced with concern as he turned back to his sister, "I'm gonna go join Sturgis and Frank now, but you come find me if you need anything, alright?"
The girl, Alice, gave him a small scowl, her cheeks going slightly pink, with embarrassment or indignation Harry wasn't sure, before she whispered hotly, "Yes – As I told mom, I don't need you or your friends childminding me."
Liron raised his hands in mock surrender, "Alright, alright..." Though he did then looked up to Remus and Harry saying, "Take good care of her", an 'or else' implied in his tone.
He gave a quick peck on Alice's cheek before she could protest, and he was off, the door sliding back in place behind him.
Alice gave the now closed door a long glance, biting her lip slightly, before she turned and faced Remus and Harry, "H-hello... like my brother said I'm Alice - Alice Carol Orpington. It's nice to meet you," sticking out her hand, seeming trying to overcome her previous shyness-embarrassment.
Harry slid from his seat, stepping forward, "Harry Potter."
She eyed him with increased interest, "Is it short for something?"
Harry frowned, "'short'?"
Alice's cheeks rosied, as she explained, "Oh, well you see my father is called 'Lutwidge' but everyone calls him 'Lewis'[1], and my uncle is called 'Algernon' but we call him 'Uncle Algie'[2]. So I couldn't help wondering if 'Harry' was short for something...?"
Harry blinked. At home he was 'boy', the 'other one' or 'freak'. At school he had been 'Mr Potter', with the occasional 'Harry'. He had never considered that even 'Harry' might be an alternative for something else. He remembered Aunt Petunia once describing it as a 'nasty, common name', to which Harry had thought it was at least loads better to Dudley or 'Dudlikins'. Still, perhaps she had shortened his name to 'nasty, common Harry', out of biter pettiness? Or simply, to go with his 'freakness'? Seeing as Aunt Petunia had only revealed to him less than two months ago that he had actually inherited his 'freakiness' from his parents (only once he had received his letter), and that they hadn't actually been killed in a car crash but had been blown up by another 'freak', there was a high chance that she had also kept several other things - this - from him as well.
Alice must have sensed Harry's discomfort, as she quickly added more shyly and definitely mortified, biting her lip, "Sorry... I didn't mean to pry. Liron is always telling me I'm too curious for my own good; he says I'm definitely a Ravenclaw, 'cos I'm always wanting to know everything about –well, everything."
"Hadrian." The word was out of his mouth before Harry truly thought on it.
Harry had always liked History class. He had always loved reading stories about other people from faraway places and different times; people from outside of Privet Drive, where the most interesting things to happen were gossiped about by Aunt Petunia at dinner that evening (which didn't say much for the actual incident). Not to mention, the historical accounts themselves, were practically the only stories (apart from the odd children story in school) that Harry had ever been allowed to read, deemed acceptable as they weren't made up (and obviously not 'freakish'). (Not to mention, the Dursleys had never gotten him any storybooks, nor did Dudley ever lend him his, though Harry doubted he had ever read them himself.)
One of Harry's favourite historical tales was of the Roman Emperor Imperator Caesar Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, or simply, Hadrian. In addition to also being an orphan and having a similar name to Harry, the teacher had talked about him being one of the 'Five Good Emperors'[3], how he had visited almost every province of the Empire (inciting Harry to imagine himself travelling all over, mainly to escape the Dursleys), and how he had built 'Hadrian's Wall' to protect his people.
Besides, Remus, Fabian, Gideon, Liron, Lutwidge and Algernon (not to mention most of the names in his textbooks) all sounded rather old-fashioned names; perhaps it was a wizard thing to have. He could see Petunia shortening whatever his real name might be just on the reason that it sounded too 'wizard-like' – 'freakish'.
Alice shy smile returned full force, "nice to meet you, Hadrian – 'Harry'- Potter," before turning her attention to Remus.
"Remus Lupin... I-I don't think Remus is short for anything."
"That's fine, Alice isn't short for anything either," her smile only growing.
And with that she settled down next to her small hand bag and lace covered box. Her curious gaze filtered around the space, for she let out a soft – "Oh." Her smile and the wonder in her eyes only growing, she exclaimed, "What a beautiful bird," having clearly noticed the snowy owl in its cage.
"Thank you, that's Hedwig. I got her when I went to Diagon Alley." Harry smiled, looking up to see his owl clearly sleeping, her head hiding under her wing. He didn't mention though that he had only been able to get her by pointing out to Aunt Petunia that a pet was on the list and 'they' would probably do something (possibly even come to Privet Drive to see how Harry was fairing at home), if Harry didn't bring either a bird, cat or toad. He had also promised to leave Hedwig at Hogwarts on his return next summer (silently jealous that he would most like be unable to do the same).
"Uncle Algie gave me Kenneth and Grahame[4] when I received my letter," Alice beamed, all while she lifted the lace off the box, which turned out to be a small paludarium, next to her to show two impressive looking toads (at least as far as amphibians went) that were also clearly sleeping. "Mother worried that the school would say something about having two, but Father said it would be fine. He even sent a letter. Of course, when the reply said it was fine, Mother then huffed, saying 'of course Dumbledore agreed; he did so because both Father and Liron are Gryffindors'." Alice's mother had apparently been a Hufflepuff.
For Harry, he puzzled more on why anyone would want a toad, let alone two. Clearly, it was a wizard thing. His thoughts also went to the round-face boy from the platform, wondering on his possible relation to Alice; perhaps they were a whole family of toad-farmers? Or, more generally, amphibian farmers? (Surely that would be thing in the wizarding world if toads were so popular. Parts of them were even used as potion ingredients according to his textbook.)
Alice's own attention turned to Remus, clearly interested in find out which pet he had gotten.
Remus' ears went pink. "... A pet is a big responsibility; Dad thought it best to wait till next year to maybe to get me something," he explained, all while shifting awkwardly.
Harry didn't think there was anything wrong with not being able to afford a pet. After all, he'd never really owned anything of his own, let alone a pet, until a few weeks ago. Alice must have as well, as she was quick to give Remus a genial smile, all while stating, "You're welcome to borrow Kenneth or Grahame whenever you want. I'm sure they would love the company."
Harry bit back a smile then, noticing the discomfort in the other boy's expression while thanking her. It was clear that least Remus also thought that toads weren't the most appealing pet.
"You're both welcome to borrow Hedwig," Harry quickly added, mainly to cover the unease, but also because it wasn't like he had anyone to send letters to and he didn't want Hedwig to go bored or something. By their faces, both Remus and Alice were more than agreeable to the idea.
The conversation moved on – to Harry's dismay – to the rest of their Diagon Alley shopping experiences.
While mostly listening to the other two, only adding the odd remark as contribution, Harry thought back on his own trip. While having been the best day of Harry's life, it had also undoubtedly been the strangest.
The whole experience had really all started with the previous day, also being both extraordinary and enlightening. It had been filled with many first and revelations; receiving his first letter ever, getting his own bedroom (while, for perhaps the first time ever, Dudley's cries and protests had not swayed his parents), Aunt Petunia willingly talking about his parents... and other 'freaks' like them and Harry. Other 'freaks' who apparently had now deemed Harry 'freakish' enough to finally rejoin their world again.
So, it was with all this running through Harry's mind that Aunt Petunia had woken him early the next morning – even earlier than usual - and had taken him into London. It had been so early in fact that the dingy-looking pub she had brought him to, the 'Leaky Cauldron'5, had been empty except for the man behind the bar, breakfast not yet being served. Harry had been caught off guard when the wizard had actually known his name and 'welcomed him back', to which Aunt Petunia, looking horrified, had snapped at the wizard - 'Tom'– and brusquely demanded that he 'open the back for her nephew'. Once he had done so using his wand (Harry looking in awe, Petunia twitching silently, as the bricks moved), Petunia had categorically refused to enter 'Diagon Alley' herself, especially given that she had to return to home to make 'Didikin's breakfast'. Instead, she had distastefully thrust two £50 notes in Harry's hands (all while looking as if it physically hurt her to do so) and a return train ticket, before informing him that the bank would be able to exchange the bills for 'their money'. She had also warned him to best return on time to make lunch and trim the rose bushes; Harry had been too concerned that she would change her mind and leave him with less money, or worse, take him straight back home, to protest.[6]
Needless to say, with no Dursleys around but magic instead, it had easily been the best morning of Harry's life. After his visit of 'Gringotts' (meeting goblins for the first time), Harry had gone through the school list, all while exploring the wizarding world for the first time.
Of course, Harry had been mindful of time and, mainly, money, through the whole experience. His previous experience of doing the food shop with Petunia, as well as years of needing to be cautious on any (meagre) possession he had, had been valuable in getting everything, not to mention having enough to buy a couple extra books, as well as a beautiful snowy owl, and still have a galleon, as well as a few sickles and knuts left by the time he had headed home.
For both the trunk and books, he hadn't bought the new items but rather already used ones (sometimes the previous edition) that were still in good condition. In fact for the books, when reading through them during the rest of the summer, Harry had occasionally found the odd note added in, on the sides of the pages. Some made little sense, but most were interesting and even helpful. On the other hand, Harry had gotten the standard, basic but new set for his uniform, as he had for the protective gloves, cauldron, glass phials, scales, and telescope, figuring it would be better (and safer) to not go for pre-used and worn ones (especially for the protective gloves and potions equipment).
To be fair, the shop owners themselves had helped in keeping his spending to a minimum. Harry had been more than happy by the near empty street, assuming their over-all warm attitude and helpfulness was to do with the early hour and being a slow day for the shops (Madam Malkin mentioning that most families did their school shopping later, as the older years usually received their own lists a few days after first years, not to mention some of the first years -mostly the muggleborns- might not have received their letters yet either). Still it had been more than appreciated (Harry thanking them profusely) when several had added a small discretionary discount on his purchases. The clerk who sold him his trunk had also placed a spell on it to make it lighter. Madam Malkin added a charm on the robes for them to extend a few inches when Harry (hopefully) grew. The wizard in Flourish and Bolts had been more than happy to suggest different introductory books to the wizarding world upon Harry's enquiry, to which (careful of his spending) he had gotten So You're Magic! and Hogwarts, A History, appearing to be good first general descriptions of wizard culture, the ministry, 'Quidditch' (the main sport apparently played on brooms), etc, as well as the school he was about to spend the better part of the next seven years at (in addition to the required textbooks, and Gobbledegook: Understanding Goblins, after his first experience with the bank tellers). And the owner of Eeylops Owl Emporium had given Harry the bag of owl treats for free.
It was only when he had finally gone to get his wand that Harry had ultimately put together why so many had known his name, the overly welcoming behaviour (a lot of hand shaking) and odd looks at his scar, all with the (minimal) information Aunt Petunia had revealed the previous evening. Not that he had gotten much information from the relatively disconcerting Mr Ollivander. After the brief mention of his parents and their wands (making Harry all the more eager to hear more about them) the wandmaker had proceeded to not only look, but touch his scar, before mentioning 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named', the 'terrible but great things' this other wizard had apparently done (things clearly terrible enough for the wandmaker to not want to say his actual name), the wand that had done those 'terrible but great things' and that Ollivander had already re-sold it (not that Harry particularly wanted the wand that had killed his parents), before selling Harry the 'terrible but great' wand's brother.
Unfortunately, by the time Harry had finally been linked to his own 'holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple' wand it had been time for him to head back to the Dursleys, in order to be back on time to make lunch. Thus he hadn't been able to return to the bookshop to try and find a book about his parents' killer and the events surrounding their death (and his scar?).
Unlike Harry though, both Remus and Alice's favourite part had been the buying of their wands. On the other hand, Alice apparently wasn't convinced by the ride in the Gringott's carts.
"They aren't for everyone," Remus nodded, commiserate. "Mom refused to go in them, so just Dad and I went to the vault, while she waited up stairs." With a small grimace, he added, "Though she didn't really like being left alone with the goblins either."
Harry frowned. "What's wrong with the goblins?"
While he had no idea about the carts that went down to the vaults, he had quite liked the goblins.
Remus' ears turned pink, shifting awkwardly. "Well, my mom's muggle, so she'd never actually saw goblins before we went to get the things on my list. Mom and I usually stay at home when Dad goes to Diagon."
"They are rather scary looking, especially if you've never met them before," Alice nodded in agreement. "Father said they can get rather vicious, if you're foolish enough to get on their bad side or be indebted to them."
Sure the goblins were perhaps a little scary looking. And they had been rather peculiar; the goblins guarding both sets of doors at the entrance, as well as the one at the till had looked at him strangely when Harry had returned their bow (which had made him wonder if there was a special way to greet goblins, convincing him, later on, to buy Gobbledegook: Understanding Goblins). Yet, Harry thought they had been helpful (and, all in all, less creepy than Mr Ollivander). Not only had the goblin changed the 'muggle money' for him and explained about galleons, sickles, and knuts (as well as the term 'muggle'), but, when Harry had asked for his advice on where to go next (inciting another odd look from the goblin), he had recommended Harry go to the trunk shop first, so that Harry would be able to put all his purchases directly into it as he went through the different items on the list. Not to mention, according to A History of Magic, the last Goblin Rebellion had been in the 18th Century, two hundred years ago, and wizards wouldn't leave their money with goblins if they weren't now at least reasonably trustworthy. Harry said as much to the other two. (Although, he didn't add that the goblins hadn't acted any more oddly than the different store owners.)
"-Besides, anyone described by Aunt Petunia as 'nasty creatures' can only be a recommendation for them in my book."
It was the other two's turn to frown, at Harry.
He could see the curiosity and confusion glowing in Alice's eyes as she asked, "Why did the goblins have to explain galleons, sickles and knuts to you?"
Harry froze, not knowing what to say. He suddenly started feeling very hot, as both continued to look at him curiously.
"Well... you see... I didn't actually know I was a wizard until I received my Hogwarts letter."
If anything, their frowns only deepened at Harry's answer.
"But that doesn't make sense," Alice exclaimed, "I mean you're a Potter, - you even look like one, so you're obviously not muggleborn-"
Remus nodded in agreement, all while his eyes traced over Harry's face, as if he was jolting down all the ways Harry apparently looked 'like a Potter'. As for Harry, the comment only increased his interest to find out more about his (magical) family.
"-I actually don't think I've even heard of a half-blood Potter. In any case, if you were muggleborn, someone from Hogwarts would have come to your home and explained it all to you, to then go to Diagon Alley with you."
"Well, the thing is, Aunt Petunia did actually know about it all, she just never told me."
Both looked horrified.
"She never told you?" Remus repeated faintly.
Alice's own face looked rather concerned. "What about your parents?"
Harry looked down at his intertwined hands, his mood dimming further, "They're dead – died when I was a baby."
And then it all came tumbling down: the strange things that continued to happen through Harry's childhood and the bizarre dreams he sometimes had, much to his confusion and the dismay of his aunt and uncle; to receiving his Hogwarts letter; to Aunt Petunia finally telling him about this whole other world that apparently existed, one with witches and wizards (though he didn't mention her use of the word 'freaks'), that his parents had both been wizards as well and that they had actually been killed by another wizard, while somehow Harry had survived with only a scar (leading to Harry pulling back his bangs to show the lightning scar, as both stared).
"- which was why I was sent to live with my aunt as well as Uncle Vernon and Dudley. When my letter came, she brought me to the 'Leaky Cauldron' and Diagon Alley... though, she refused to enter herself. She only told me that I would be able to change pounds – muggle money – for wizard money at the bank. She at least told me what Gringotts looked like though: 'It's the big white building, you can't miss it. Run by nasty creatures'," Harry said, echoing her shrilled-voice.
If anything both Remus and Alice looked more horrified.
Face rather grim, Alice finally spoke, "Your aunt is most likely a squib."
"A squib?"
"I supposed she wouldn't like referring to herself as one. Squibs are quite unusual in the way that they are people born into wizarding families but haven't any magic powers. They are kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards," Alice explained, her previous cheer by now completely gone. "Wizard families tend to hide any squib born in the family. They're seen as a mark of impurity; that there is something wrong with the line." Her voice lowered a mix of sad and horrified, "Liron once told me that some of the older, dark families used to actually kill any squib children, but mom insists it's only a silly rumour. Still, even if they aren't killed or even shunned by their families, quite a lot of them end up living in the muggle world. Squibs tend to find it too painful in living among magical folks; even end up severing all ties with their family. Father says that they can turn rather resentful to witches and wizards for their magic. If your aunt's a squib it would explain why no one came to your house with your letter... or why she doesn't like talking about our world."
– Or my parents, Harry thought.
Alice's description actually explained a lot. More than she could know. Aunt Petunia never talked about Harry's parents. She always snapped at him when he asked questions about them. Nor had she actually ever talked about his grandparents – her parents – either. Even when she revealed to him how his parents had actually died, she had only said the bare minimum: they had been killed – 'blown up' – by another freak.
Thinking on it, Harry actually ended up feeling a little sorry for Aunt Petunia. To be different from all those surrounding her, unable to do what was considered 'normal' through no fault or choice of her own; Harry had known that his whole life. Not to mention, it wasn't like it would make her anymore welcoming to the world that rejected her to hear that her sister was killed by magic, by of those who rejected her from their world.
Still, it didn't excuse that she had knowingly and willingly hidden Harry's heritage his whole life, and had only finally told him out of fear/worry rather than anything else.
The sound of the compartment door sliding open once more pulled Harry form his thoughts (as well as gratefully interrupting the overall awkward mood that had descended upon the space).
It wasn't Alice brother (or Fabrian Prewett) though.
A dark red haired girl stood at the entrance. A tall and skinny black-haired boy, already in his Hogwarts robes, stood just behind her. The girl looked flushed and aggravated, not to mention her eyes were slightly red and puffy like she had possibly been crying. The boy wasn't much better, a scowl marring his face.
Taking a tentative step inside the carriage, her eyes going more to the available space on each sofa than the actual occupants, the girl asked, "Excuse me – could we join you? Our last carriage was unfortunately infested by idiots-"
It was then that her eyes landed on Harry. Before any of the three could answer, she looked at him accusingly and added, "-You should know that your brother was very rude to us; him and the other boy he was with."
Harry blinked several times, as he blurted, "brother? I don't have a brother."
There was a slight pause before the girl corrected herself, "cousin then."
"I'm pretty sure you haven't met my cousin," Harry replied, his brows knitting further together. Noting their own looks of confusion were forming on both the girl and the boy's faces, he clarified, "My aunt is a... squib–"giving Alice a quick glance, who nodded silently in response, "-and my uncle and cousin are muggles; so he's definitely isn't on this train."
Harry didn't add that he was pretty certain that if he had another cousin – a magical one at that, with magical parents – Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would have dumped him on their door step without so much as a 'how do you do?' Not that Harry would have minded in the slightest.
The girl blinked, "Oh," while also noticing the nods from Alice and Remus. She quickly turned flustered and apologetic, her cheeks going pink.
The lanky boy looked less convinced though, while his scowl had dimmed, his dark eyes stayed narrowed on Harry, a slight sneer on his face, "are you planning on going into Gryffindor?"
Alice frowned slightly in response, "What's wrong with Gryffindor? - My brother is in Gryffindor."
"There is nothing wrong with Gryffindor," quickly replied for the girl, before her companion could do so. "It's only that the boy we were with-," giving Harry a quick glance, clearly indicating it was the boy that apparently looked like him, "-made unkind comments when we mentioned our possible interest in Slytherin. He apparently had a preference for Gryffindor, since it's where his father had been."
The boy looked like he wanted to add something, but caught the girl's eye and remained silent.
Alice, who didn't notice, grinned, "To be fair, Liron and his friends can be right buffoons when they want to be. In any case, it will probably be Ravenclaw for me."
For Harry, when he had read the small introductions on each of the Houses in Hogwarts, A History, he had thought it an odd concept to separate them as soon as they arrived. Though, if anything, he was more frustrated by the fact that the book hadn't mentioned how they were sorted. He personally would be happy in any House as long as he wasn't sent back to the Dursleys, for possibly failing whatever the sorting might be.
Still, he thought it best to add, "Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin all built Hogwarts together didn't they? Built it to teach all children how to use their magic in a safe place? Well, I would be rather proud to be chosen to any of their Houses, just on that simple fact. It's like Alice says – there are idiots and 'buffoons' in all families; pretty sure the same would apply to the Houses as well. Just as there will be those who are loyal, brave, astute, curious in all houses..." Looking between the girl and the boy, he added, "As for that boy (who apparently looks like me), Merlin was in Slytherin, possibly even taught by Salazar Slytherin himself; how can there be anything wrong with a little ambition and cleverness after that?"
The lanky boy, clearly pleased with Harry's comment, gave him a satisfied nod.
As for Alice, she gave a small laugh to then retort, "well, seeing as Morgana was in Ravenclaw[7], perhaps I will become the next Queen of Avalon, and become your mortal enemy, if you do," before letting out an overly dramatised evil-laugh. To which the previous tension thankfully complete lifted, most giving into a burst of laughter while the dark-haired boy huffed, though his shoulders did seem to deflate some.
Alice then presented her hand at the red-haired girl, "Alice, Alice Carol Orpington, pleased to meet you. And yes, feel free to join us."
"Thank you. Lily Evans," the girl quickly replied all while taking the hand and returning the smile.
During this the lanky boy had followed in after his friend into the carriage, to stick his hand out to Harry, "Severus Snape."
Harry couldn't help but notice his black eyes looking straight at him as if daring Harry to make fun of his name.
Seeing as he was just another wizard with an old-fashioned name, Harry quickly shook the hand while answering, "Hadrian Potter."
While Remus introduced himself to Severus as well, Harry turned to the girl. She once more looked a little flustered, all while tentatively presenting her hand to him, "Lily Evans. And-and I'm sorry about... before; I shouldn't have had a go at you because of how some other boys acted."
"I understand," he reassured her while shaking her hand. "Hadrian Potter." Before he couldn't help but add with a small smile, "My mother was also called Lily."
It was possibly the only thing Harry actually knew about his mom. -Well, her name and the wand she used, thanks to Mr Ollivander.
All seated themselves once more. Alice showed Lily her toads, while the other girl informed her that her black cat, 'Bagheera'[8] (Remus smiling at the apparent reference to a muggle storybook – one the Durlseys had clearly deemed too unusual to have in their house), was apparently roaming the train. The other two boys ended up talking about their wizard father (for Remus) and witch mother (for Severus), as well as life in the wizarding world; Harry finding their stories possibly even more interesting than what he had read so far in his books.
While they talked, the train continued speeding past houses, fields, lanes... and soon enough they started getting hungry. Lily and Severus, having left their trunks in different carriages (Lily's with the rude boys going by the grimace on her face), went to fetch them on the promise to return.
Sadly for Harry though, as he watched the other two reach for their hand bag and trunk, the mention of food only reminded him that not only had Petunia had not prepared him anything but the fact that he hadn't actually had breakfast this morning (a mix of Dudley eating everything his eyes landed on and Harry's apprehension and excitement too high for him to eat anything).
He tried to ignore the small pang in his chest as Remus took out an apple, biscuits, a small carton juice box (clearly muggle), and several handmade sandwiches from a brown paper bag.
As for Alice, she seemed to have brought a whole tea party. It was complete with cucumber and egg-and-cress sandwiches (crusts removed, and cut into small triangles), bread and butter, scones (with clotted cream and jam), and teacakes. She even had a set of pretty teacups, with little white rabbits drawn on the sides. By the time Lily and Severus returned (a metal lunchbox with flowers printed on it for Lily, and a brown bag similar to Remus' for Severus), all had been placed neatly and with care on a floating tray (with the same matching design of white rabbits), also taken from her handbag.
Harry had been so absorbed by the whole preparation than he nearly jumped when he felt a small poke on his side. Remus, having evidentially noticed Harry hadn't taken anything out, silently passed him one of his sandwiches and a couple biscuits. His ears and neck definitely warmer, Harry smiled awkwardly at the other boy, whispering a tongue-tied 'thank you', while taking them.
Whether she had also noticed Harry didn't have a lunch of his own or just having taken on the role of hostess (all while making Harry think of those historical TV dramas Aunt Petunia liked to watch when Vernon and Dudley were out), Alice also took the initiative to enquire how each preferred their tea. After each request, she then proceeded to repeat it politely to one of the cups for it to fill itself with said tea, milk and sugar, before she passed it to the appropriate person. Alice proceeded to explain (mainly, to an awed Harry and positively enchanted Lily) that the tea couldn't be outright created from nothing. It was actually summoned. The cups were apparently linked with the Orpington Family's kitchen, which allowed them, knowing their location, to be supplied with the requested tea, milk and sugar.
The trolley lady also passed. Harry went out into the corridor, eager to finally try wizarding food (Remus having already explained that she wouldn't have Mars Bars or any other muggle sweets). Mindful of the few coins he had left, Harry ended up getting a one of everything for himself, as well as a pack of Chocolate Frogs and a bag of Bettie Bott's Every Flavour Beans (apparently the two most preferred wizarding candies according to Alice) to share amongst everyone. Having never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with, Harry couldn't help but smile the whole time, as he tried his first ever pumpkin pasty, while sitting there with other children talking about a world full of magic.
Pumpkin Pasty, Liquorice Wand, Cauldron Cake and a number of others eaten, Harry moved on to the Chocolate Frogs (Remus having confirmed that they weren't actual frogs).
He unwrapped one of them and picked up the card. It showed an old wizard's face. While bald, he had impressively thick eyebrows and a flowing silver beard, and moustache. It was the eyes that caught Harry's attention the most: they were bright yellow, and seemed rather hypnotic. Underneath the picture was the name Herpo the Foul.
Harry turned over his card and read:
Herpo the Foul
Ancient Greek wizard.
One of the earliest known Dark Wizards. The first known creator of the Basilisk.
Harry frowned, "What's a basilisk?"
Alice was mid-chew on one of her tea cakes. Lily was sipping her tea while listening to Severus who was talk about... potions possibly? Remus, eyes on his own card, looked up, "Pardon?"
"A basilisk."
"Oh. It's a great big snake."
Severus scoffed, his attention diverted having clearly heard the answer, "A basilisk is more than a 'great big snake'; It's known as the 'King of Serpents'. It can reach a gigantic size and live for hundreds of years. Plus, in addition to having sharp fangs and being deadly poisonous, it's said to be able to kill you just by looking at you – stare into its eyes and you die."
Huh.
Finding the other boy's (thankfully not-deadly) black eyes rather unnerving, Harry looked down at the card, turning it back over, to exclaim in astonishment—"He's gone!"
"They do that in wizarding photo and paintings," Severus nodded importantly. "He'll come be back when he wants to."
Harry blinked, "In the Muggle world, people just stay put in photos."
"Do they? What, they don't move at all?" Alice asked, sounding amazed.
Both Remus and Lily nodded in confirmation.
Alice made another face of astonishment, "fascinating", before opening her own Chocolate Frog, "Oh! I got 'Beaumont Marjoribanks', he supposed to be one of the newer cards: '1742-1845' – A pioneer of Herbology and collector of many rare and magical flowers. Marjoribanks is said to have discovered Gillyweed."
"Gillyweed?" Lily asked this time, while Harry's own gaze focused on the card showing a large-bellied man holding what he thought looked like bundle of slimy, grey-green rat tails.
Alice satisfied both their curiosity once more, "It's a magical plant that allows you to breathe underwater. Uncle Algie says that the efficiency of if for salt water or fresh water depends more on what you give the seeds as they grow and at what time during the lunar cycle you pick them; full moon for a 'salt water gillyweed' and a new moon for 'fresh water gillyweed'."
Remus shifted oddly then, drawing the others' attention on him.
Harry asked him, "Who did you get?"
Showing Harry the card of a wizard wearing a toga, he answered, "'Falco Aesalon, Ancient Greek. The first recorded example of an Animagus, he could transform himself into a falcon.' I already have three of him."
"A-ni-ma-gus," Harry read-repeated slowly.
"It's the ability to change into an animal," Alice supplied once more. "It's a really hard process to do, but you don't even get to choose which animal you become! It's all linked to your personality, or so Father says. – If I could pick it would be a cat, to reach the tops of the trees and see better at night – or a mouse – or a hare..."
Lily looked from the card to Alice, "If you change into a caterpillar, does that mean that you get to turn into a butterfly at some point?"
Severus, Alice and Remus all shrugged, Harry noticing the look of frustration on Severus' face, clearly not pleased of his inability to answer his friend.
Harry wondered what animal he would like to turn into. A bird would be nice. He had always wondered what it would be like to fly. Not to mention, escaping Dudley and his gang would have definitely been easier.
His musings were interrupted by Lily then opening her Chocolate Frog, getting Helga Hufflepuff, and for Severus to then get Albus Dumbledore, before they slowly went through the rest of the pack. Harry not only ended up with Herpo the Foul, but Hengist of Woodcroft (trading him for one of Remus' Falco Aesalon), Circe, and Merlin (Alice finding it hilarious a moment later, when she got Morgana).
As the countryside outside turned from fields to woods, twisting rivers and dark green hills, they took a break from discussing the different wizards and witches on the cards. Harry tried a few of the other sweets he had bought (as well as one of Alice's delicious homemade cream and jam scones) to then finally try the Flavoured Beans – which really did mean every flavour. He ended up tasting coconut, sprouts, toast, grass, strawberry, coffee, sardine, as well as being brave enough to try a funny gray one, which turned out to be pepper.
The window soon showed mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. Even the train seemed to be slowing down. They decided it would probably be best to change into their robes (except for Severus who was already in his). Remus and Harry changed first, while Alice joined with the other two in retrieving Lily's robes, for the boys to then stand outside and wait while Alice and Lily changed.
By the time a voice announced an almost immediate arrival, Harry's stomach was once more full of butterflies fluttering with nerves.
[1] – Small wink to 'Lewis Carroll' actually being a pseudonym, his real name being Charles Lutwidge Dogson.
[2] – It's never actually stated in the books if Great-uncle Algie is from Neville's father or mother's side; made him from his mother's side in this story, liking the idea that Neville got his love of plants and amphibians from Alice's side.
[3] – The 'Five Good Emperors': Wikipedia - Five Good Emperors
[4] – Kenneth Grahame was a Scottish writer, most famous for The Wind in the Willows, and creating the character of Mr Toad. Wikipedia - Kenneth Grahame
[5] – I'm making it so that in this story muggle parents/guardians/families to magical children are able to see the Leaky Cauldron (whether it be by some ward instilled by the Ministry, or by having just enough magic to do so, or some other reason I leave it up to you, the reader, to decide).
[6] – Not super important but I see Harry's outing in Diagon Alley being a little less than five hours: just before 7 to 11:30-12.
[7] – Canon doesn't actually say in which House Morgana was in but I can clearly see her in Ravenclaw; and not just because she could turn into a bird.
[8] – Bagheera is the (friendly, loyal, trustworthy, protective, sly, clever, serious and responsible) black leopard in A Jungle Book, by R Kipling.