Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. But I do own a laptop, a blu-ray player, seven Harry Potter books and eight Harry Potter movies.

Chapter Three: Twenty-Four hours

The journey that Nate was about to experience would go down as perhaps the most exciting yet exhausting day of Nathaniel Harrison's life. He, of course, hadn't known that, but reflecting on this day perhaps a year later would spark that energy that would classify this day as such. He would go from the warmth of his bed in his home to the warmth of his bed in Hogwarts in twenty-four hours. And those twenty-four hours would be long for Nate. Very long. Long in the good sense, however, he was excited beyond heels at his magical abilities. So when Midnight struck that officially started September First, Nineteen ninety-one, Nate and his parents hopped out of the comfort of their beds and into the plush seats of their car.

Now, before this, Nate was wide awake, despite his parent's continual requests to sleep. Out of the four large trunks his parents had gifted him, he ended up filling two of them, one with clothes and books, the other with all of the school supplies. But they were nonetheless heavy, as Nate struggled to haul them to their car. Anna had insisted she go with them, but both her parents and Nate's parents would not allow it.

Anna had wanted to know all about the Wizarding world, but wasn't allowed to ask anybody what so ever as per her promise to Nate and to the world he was a part of. It was almost like a bond, except that this bond, if broken, could possibly lead to Nate's life going completely downhill, and Anna punished in the Wizarding World. However, Anna hadn't kept her promise entirely for Nate's safety, it was because Nate trusted her with information that he wouldn't have been allowed to disclose otherwise. She honoured her friendship with Nate very seriously, as he was one of her only friends.

Now, going back to midnight. Annalise hooted happily as both, as Ben called it, overloaded trunks were loaded into their car and the trio (or quadrio, if you included Annalise) kicked off for London. Annalise wanted to fly to London, but Nate denied her access as he didn't want her to get lost or even killed. She understood and eventually nuzzled herself in Nate's lap as his excitement drained out of him as he was deep in though while reading Hogwarts: A History for the third time. Before anyone noticed, he, Annalise, and the book Nate was reading were laying down in the backseat as Nate dozed off and Annalise slept. It was two A.M.

BING! BONG! BING! BONG!

Nate jumped awake and received an angry "hoot" from Annalise as she was awaken by his sudden movement.

"Sorry Annalise."

"Hoot!"

Ben and Emma were fast asleep in each other's shoulders, the nearly six hour drive had taken a toll on their minds. Nate looked at Big Ben's massive clock face to read just past seven A.M.

"Hoot!"

"What Annalise?"

"Hoot!"

She motioned her wing in the direction of Diagon Alley.

"Hoot!"

"You want to visit Diagon Alley?"

"Hoot!"

She was hopping now, excited.

"Ok Anna, but please be careful. Meet me at the station at ten thirty, okay?

"Hoot!"

And with that Annalise hopped out and took to the skies, gracefully flying as she flew to Diagon Alley.

Ben and Emma stirred, but did not awake. Nate wrote a note for them before leaving the car. And with that, he was off, off to explore. His first stop was Big Ben itself. He wanted for so long to see it up close, but both times he was there, it didn't feel right. He didn't know how to explain it. But this time, he was looking at Big Ben with his own two eyes and without the use of magic. He felt proud about that.

Next stop for Nate was a breakfast place. He had noticed it when he originally woke, but to get there he would have to go thru Kings Cross again. As he was walking through, a young girl with bushy brown hair was racing through the people with a large trolley cart and a trunk 20% larger than his, Nate barely managed to not get run over by the running girl but was unable to stop her.

A male voice called out, "Hermione! Wait up!"

Suddenly that man rushed past Nate. He assumed the man was the girl's father, but couldn't confirm nor deny it. He simply continued back through the station until he met up with his parents at the restaurant he mentioned in his letter. Although Ben and Emma were not happy, they were relieved when he showed up.

"Nathaniel Daniel Harrison, never ever do that again!"

Nathan knew full well that when his dad used his full name, it meant something bad was about to happen.

"I'm sorry," Nate muttered before sitting down.

"It is alright son, but next time wake us up before you decide to roam London for an hour and a half, " Emma noted.

"Sorry mum."

"Don't worry about it Nate."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome Nate."

The three shared a large egg, cheese, and sausage omelet before walking back to their car. By the time Nate had both his trunks on his trolley and Annalise's cage settled on top, Big Ben was chiming its ten-fifteen tune.

"Dad, can you wait here for Annalise while I find my train?"

"Of course son. Your mum is going to tour London and then we both will be back to see you off."

"Thanks, dad!"

"No problem, Nate."

And with that, Nate ran off with his trolley to the most logical place Platform nine and three-quarters would be: between platforms nine and ten. When Nate finally got there, he saw that same girl with the bushy brown hair. He approached her as politely as possible and noticed she had the same looking ticket he had.

"Excuse me, but are you also trying to get on Platform nine and three-quarters?"

"Umm... Yeah, uh, are you too?" she asked, clearly worried.

"Yeah, sorry, I didn't know."

"It's ok," she said, then smiled, "I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger." She stuck her hand out.

"Nate. Nate Harrison," he extended his hand and shook hers.

For the briefest of moments he saw her chocolate eyes twinkle and glimmer with joy.

"Dan, Dan! Have you seen Hermione? I hav-," she saw Nate, did a double take, shook it off, and turned to see Hermione smiling.

"I'm here mum," she said cheerily.

"Thank god for that," as Hermione's mom sighed in relief."

The four chuckled to themselves before Nate suddenly snapped.

"Hermione, I need to go get my parents, but are you going to still be here when I get back?"

"Yeah, I'll be here until I can figure out how to get through to our platform!"

Her smile reminded Nate of Anna. He smiled back and leaving his trolley cart with Hermione and her family, ran back to where he left his parents. Nate ran back towards the entrance to the station, where an angry Annalise continued to hoot until Nate found her.

"Stop making noise please," Ben asked.

"HOOT!"

"I don't know where Nate is, if that is-"

"Dad," Nate called out, "I'm here! And you Annalise are coming with me!"

Annalise hooted happily and hopped onto Nate's arm.

"I don't think you guys can get to the platform, it's enchanted i'm assuming so only I and other witches and wizards can pass. I'm sorry dad, but tell mum I love her and i'll be back for the holidays!"

With that Nate was drawn in by his father for a tight but fierce hug.

"You be safe now, you hear me," Ben asked sternly.

"Wouldn't think of anything else dad! Bye!"

And with that, Nate floored it back to the platform. The clock read ten fifty. Nate was panicking and he was running faster, Annalise flying close behind. Nate reached the area where he last was and to his surprise, Hermione was there alone, with both their trolleys.

"Hermione! Where's your parents?"

"They had to leave, something about work, but they wished me goodbye!"

"That's good, anyways, do you know how to get on the platform?"

"Yeah, heres this transparent wall, This large family went through it but I didn't go as I had your stuff too."

"Sorry, but do you want to go together?"

"Yeah, sure!"

"Lead the way Hermione," Nate said as she turned around and mentioned for him to follow her.

She smiled as he followed her to what appeared to be a brick wall between platforms nine and ten. She then carefully walked towards the wall and much to their surprise, she slid through. Nate did a double take before Hermione stuck her head back through.

"Come on Nate! It's this way!"

"Coming!"

Nate pushed his cart through the wall and suddenly he was on another platform. Well, their platform. Platform nine and three-quarters. Nate followed Hermione onto the scarlet express carriages and managed to hop into a compartment. The train whistled, and departed Kings Cross.

"Hogwarts, here we come," a beaming Nate stated.

Nate and Hermione helped each other put their trunks above them. Hermione seemed to have a cunning interest to read. Much to her surprise, Nate did too. There were a lot of things right off the bat that he and the brown eyed bushy haired girl had in common: they were both muggleborn, they both loved magic, and the both loved to read. It wasn't until about ten minutes into the train ride that a boy stuck his head in the compartment.

"You mind if I sit here?"

The boy in question looked about the same as Nate. Black hair, small frame, though this boy had green eyes and a pair of round glasses.

"Not at all," Hermione said.

"Thanks."

The boy sat down, both Nate and Hermione helped him put his trunk above them.

"So, who are you?" Nate asked.

"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

"Nate. Nate Harrison."

Hermione just looked speechless at Harry before speaking.

"Holy crickets! You're Harry Potter! You defeated You-Know-Who! I'm Hermione Granger."

"Heh. Yeah, I heard a lot about that," And Harry simply smiled. It was a little after that when another boy came in.

"Do you mind? Everywhere else is full."

"Not at all," Nate said, "Come on in."

"Thanks!"

The boy who walked in had red hair, loads of freckles, blue eyes, and worn out robes. Nate helped the new boy put his much used trunk with the others.

"I'm Ron by the way. Ron Weasley."

"Nate. Nate Harrison."

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

"Harry. Harry Potter."

"Oh my goodness is it true? Do you have the- the- *gulp* the scar," Ron asked.

"Oh, yeah," Harry chuckled as he raised his bangs to show a lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed.

From that minute on, the four of them started talking about whatever they could think about. Harry talked about how he was looking foreward to Hogwarts, Ron was looking foreward to hanging out with his brothers, and Nate and Hermione were both excited to learn about magic and spells. About an hour into the train ride, Nate excused himself to use the toilet. He hopped out of the compartment and headed down the corridor. A blonde haired girl and a black haired girl bumped into him but accidentally fell backwards.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," Nate exclaimed as he helped the girls up.

"It's okay. Thanks though. I'm Daphne, by the way. Daphne Greengrass."

"And I'm Pansy Parkinson. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Nate Harrison. Nice to meet you too. What house do you guys want to be in?"

Both girls replied with "Slytherin" instantly.

"That's nice, but I'm fancying either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor myself. Promise me that whatever houses we get sorted into, we won't turn on each other?"

"I think I can agree to that, right Panz?" Daphne asked.

"Yeah! I can agree to that too! Well, see you around Nate!" Pansy waved as both girls made their way down the aisle as Nate reached the toilets. "Nice. Toilets on a train. Bleh." After that monstrosity was over with, Nate headed back to his compartment, where soon after the four of them were munching on sweets, well, mostly, Hermione wasn't eating a lot of the candy.

"You alright there Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Oh, yeah, it's just my parents are dentists, they would kill me if I ruined my teeth."

The four of them laughed at that joke.

As Daylight turned to Dusk and Dusk turned to night, the group was losing energy. But Nate had met four others on the train: Susan Bones, her aunt was part of the Wizarding government, Neville Longbottom, who's best trait seemed to be losing his toad, Draco Malfoy, whos best gift was to make his life miserable and definitely his new enemy, and Kate Bell, a Second year Gryffindor who was over enthusiastic about quidditch, whatever that was to Nate. The Hogwarts Express had pulled into Hogsmeade Station at precisely six P.M. The four hopped out of their compartment and walked off the train, following the other first years where Nate and Harry saw Hagrid for the second time since getting their letters. Hagrid had led the anxious group of first year students to the docks where several boats were waiting for them.

"First 'ears into the boats! First 'ears into the boats!" boomed Hagrid.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Nate hopped on a boat while Susan, a girl he didn't recognize, Neville, and another boy he didn't recognize were in a boat. Draco, Pansy, and two boys Nate didn't know were in a boat, and Daphne, a brown haired girl, and two other boys were in a fourth boat.

Much to Nate, Harry, and Hermione's surprise, their boats suddenly leaped foreward as if they were being powered by magic. It only took about ten minutes to get to Hogwarts, but for Nate and his friends it felt like forever. The bright glimmering lights of the Hogwarts castle beamed against the still waters of the lake they were crossing. Nate was perplexed at the sight. He had never seen anything so magnificent nor large in his life before. It was all over too soon, however, because they had reached the dock house where the first years disembarked and headed to a set of doors where an older professor in dark green robes and a pointed hat was standing.

"Before you can settle in, you need to be sorted. There are four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Your House is like your family. Good behaviour will gain you points, rule breaking will lose you points. Now please follow me. We are ready for you," the lady stated.

All of the students followed her into what was the Great Hall. All of the students as well as all of the teachers were there, and at the head of the room was a stool and an old hat on it. "When I call your name, come up and sit on this stool, and I will place the Sorting hat on your head. Susan Bones," she called.

The young redhead stepped up nervously as the hat was put on her head.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table cheered as Susan hopped over to their table.

"Ronald Weasley!"

Ron gulped and sat down.

"AHA! Another Weasley. I know just what to do with you….. GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat boomed.

This time, it was the Gryffindor table to erupt in cheers.

The Sorting continued. Draco, Pansy, and Daphne ended up in Slytherin. Neville and Harry ended up in Gryffindor, despite the hat wanting to put Harry in Slytherin. The first year mob thinned out. The Sorting hat almost put Hermione into Ravenclaw after a three minute stall, but placed her in Gryffindor. Nate was beginning to wonder if he was not supposed to be there. Until he heard his name.

"Nathaniel Harrison!"

All eyes in the Great Hall were on Nate. He was the last first year to be sorted. He walked up and sat down, the Sorting hat going on his head.

"Hmm. Interesting. Very Interesting," the Sorting Hat muttered.

"Can you hear me young Nate?"

"Yes, I can, what is it?"

"Well, you are a very difficult wizard to place. Tell me, what house would you like to be in?"

"Gryffindor Sir, I want to be with my friends."

"And what quality do you posses the most of that you believe of? Ambition, Loyalty, Intelligence, or Bravery?"

"Honestly, Intelligence Sir."

"You would make a fine match for Ravenclaw, however you are simply excited over learning magic, am I right?"

"I suppose Sir."

"Alright then. I have a decision."

"Okay Sir."

"You belong in… GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting hat boomed out loud.

The Gryffindor table was cheering. Hermione was screaming happily at the top of her lungs. Nate hopped over and sat next to Hermione, who engulfed him in a bone crushing hug.

"You were there for four minutes, Nate! Four!"

"How?"

"The hat was thinking, I suppose!"

"I'm glad to be in Gryffindor, with you guys, my friends!"

This earned an even tighter bone crushing hug from Hermione and some whistling from some of the older students.

"Shut it guys, Nate is just handsome in his own way," Harry joked.

Suddenly the Headmaster stood up.

"I have a few start of term announcements to make. First years should be reminded that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all students. Also, Mr. Filch would like to remind you that the left side of the third floor corridor is forbidden. Anyone wandering there without permission may find themselves a most painful death. Now. With that out of the way, let the feast… BEGIN!"

The four long tables were suddenly filled with food as all the students began devouring it. Ron had a thing for chicken legs, as that is all the young boy ate. Hermione was eating with proper etiquette, using her knife and fork as if she was at a formal dinner. After the dream that was the feast, the students were lead to their respective house dormitories. Harry, Ron, and Nate shared a dormitory with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, both First years. Nate was surprised to find his trunks and Annalise had been delivered to his bed/dormitory. She hooted happily at the sight of her owner. The five stayed up late into the night talking about their journeys into the Wizarding World, before falling asleep. When Nate closed his eyes, the clock had struck midnight. He fell asleep in his new home. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Author'sNote: My goodness, where do I begin? First of all, this chapter is about 8 hours late. Originally I wans't going to introduce Hermione until Canon Harry and Ron met her, but I decided on this approach. I liked it, plus it differed just that much off Canon that i was happy with it. Now, my lateness. I blame that on me since I have bought all eight movies of the Harry Potter franchise. I spent five hours last night watching Philosopher's [Sorcerer's] Stone and Chamber of Secrets, while I watched Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire today. None the less, I have Chapter three for you guys. Now, here is a question for you all. Would you rather shorter chapters twice a week, or longer chapters with weekly updates? Let me know because I don't want to write so much I lose the magic in the story. Anyways thanks for reading and Chapter four will be coming out On Wednesday this time, don't worry! Peace!

P.S. I apologize if the spacing for this chapter is borked. I kinda fiddled around with it before I published it.