Chapter 3

Hogwarts Bound

The last days of summer passed by on a breeze and it wasn't long before Harry was packing his trunk, in preparation for the journey tomorrow. In his preparation he had moved Hedwig's cage down into the kitchen, as an official move to make her the family owl, a position she took with great pride because it involved being near food all the time. Nova's new climbing frame and bed now sat in place of the stand and was often where you could find the kitten, when she wasn't exploring the house or demanding Harry's attention.

Harry was electric. He couldn't settle as the night drew to a close and even now his mind was racing ahead, looking to the future he was putting together for himself. The only thing that interrupted his deep thoughts, was a knock on his bedroom door. As far as he knew, Lily had gone to the Ministry for a meeting of sorts and so it wasn't likely to be her. When he opened the door, Peter Pettigrew was on the other-side. "Harry Ma'boy, you're up late!" Peter said, smiling wide enough so that his two front teeth stuck out.

"It's not that late." Harry said, peeking over at the clock on his wall and huffing. "Alright, it's after midnight. Which makes me wonder why you're here."

"Just thought I'd come and see you off now. Won't be around tomorrow. Moody's asked for his security to be looked at." Peter said, bobbing his sideways for Harry to follow him. Harry didn't think twice, and followed the short, round man down the stairs and into the kitchen.

The lights were on and Hedwig had already left to go hunting. Dobby was pottering around in the kitchen and had peered up to see Peter and Harry together. "Harry Potter," The elf squeaked. "A midnight snack is it, sir?"

"Not tonight, Dobby." Harry said, appreciatively. "I don't think my stomach could keep anything down."

"Nervous?" Peter said, with a great deal of doubt in his voice. He moved to the other side of the kitchen table and sat down. "Not like you, Ma'boy. What's got you worried?"

"Nothing." Harry lied. He took his own seat and huffed. Peter stared at him and eventually Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'm worried about the sorting ceremony."

Peter made a small grunting noise. "What the bloody hell for?"

"I want to be in Gryffindor like you all were." Said Harry. He'd not shared this concern with anyone, not even Lily. He felt silly about it. He knew it didn't matter what house he was put in, He just wanted to follow his family. "Imagine being in Ravenclaw? Boring. Slytherin? Not a single Auror came out of there. And Hufflepuff, I'm way smarter…"

"I was almost put in Hufflepuff." Peter reminded him. "Or had you forgotten?" He added. "And since when were you going to become an Auror?"

This was something that Harry also hadn't shared with the grown-ups in his life. "Well, it just seems like a good job. You know. I'd be able to…"

"Go on a one man crusade against the greatest dark lord of all time. Assuming he's still alive. And do what? Avenge all the people he murdered including your dad?" As guesses go, it was a pretty good one. Peter had a knack for understanding Harry just as well as Lily could. It was scary sometimes.

"So, what if I did?" Harry challenged him. "What if that's what I wanted?"

"You've met your mother, right?" Peter joked. "How about starting with just being a first year. I'm telling you, 7 years at Hogwarts and you won't know yourself. You might want to become a Herbologist."

Harry slammed his hand on the table. "Never!"

"Alright, alright," Peter chuckled. He huffed and reached into his brown jacket and pulled out a folded up piece of parchment. To Harry's eyes it looked ancient. It was bent in places, over touched and yellowing. Peter placed it on the table and passed it to Harry. "I wanted to give you this sooner but there was never a good time. Namely because I had to be sure your mother wasn't around, and I don't think Remus would approve either."

"Of you giving me a dirty old bit of parchment?" Harry asked, reluctant to even touch it.

"Old bit of parchment, he says." Peter muttered and shook his head. From his left sleeve he produced his wand, placed the tip of it to the parchment and said. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

What Harry saw next made his eyes widen and his mind boggle with the possibilities. "Now," Said Peter, with a big smile. "Let me tell you all about the Marauders."

The next morning the house was a buzz of activity with last minute things being gathered, old socks being abandoned, and books being packed away. Peter's gift had kept Harry up half the night, and he was lagging a little bit from lack of sleep. Still, the excitement of finally going to Hogwarts had really kicked, and with the help of a Dobby cooked breakfast, Harry was more than awake when he, Lily, Remus, Neville and Neville's Grandmother all left for Kings Cross Station. A place that Harry and Neville would face their first test.

"Platform Nine and three quarters." Harry said, reading his ticket. "There is a train station in Hogsmeade, why did they…whoever they are, feel the need to build the platform here when they could easily have made one in the middle of nowhere?"

"It was Minister Evangeline Orpington, who came up with the idea of the platform." Remus answer, always happy to inform Harry of something he didn't already know. "And are you going to question something that's stood here for over 100 years?"

"Yes." Harry nodded.

"Well, you're young. You'll stop doing that eventually." Remus warned him, smiling as he took a step back to let Lily and Harry go ahead.

"Ready?" Lily asked Harry, putting her hand on top of his and helping him wheel the trolly towards the wall.

"Born ready." Harry grinned.

Together they went, passing the muggles who didn't even flinch in the direction of an adult and child that were speeding up towards a solid wall, only for the two of them pass through it with ease. The passageway lasted only a few seconds and it wasn't long before Harry caught his first glimpse of the scarlet steam engine. Seeing the might Hogwarts Express made the whole thing seem more real. It was really happening, and he had spent, what sometimes felt like his whole life, preparing for this one moment. Harry had only a few seconds to soak up that feeling. Remus, followed by Neville and Augusta, had appeared and Augusta was already vocalising the list of rules Neville had to follow.

"Don't worry about charms, they're pointless. I want to see good grades in Potions, Defence against the dark arts and Herbology. Don't let Harry lead you a stray. Don't listen to any of Harry's ideas. Don't listen to Harry when he says he's bored." This list was long, and Harry had heard it all before. Luckily, Neville was willing to ignore it. Especially when it came to the charms rule. Neville had been afraid to even take charms until Lily pointed out over dinner one night that Augusta hated charms because she was terrible at them in school.

"Do I need to write a list of Do's and Don'ts?" Lily asked once Harry's things were onboard the train and the two had found a secluded spot to say goodbye.

"Hmm, I'm going to a place where Severus can punish me." Harry said grinning, weighing the risks of such a place. "I think getting into trouble wouldn't be a good idea."

"Being naturally clever as you are, I will say that is a very smart decision." She whispered to him. Harry could see the sparkle in her eyes and knew that tears were coming. "I'd say learn something but judging by all the hole sin your wall, I'd say your first year isn't going to be very educational."

"I don't know about that," Harry said, trying not to get emotional. "I hear they've got a pretty big library."

Lily smiled lovingly at her son. It was only hitting Harry now that he would soon be spending more time away from her than he had ever done in his whole life. While this made him sad, he worried for her. What was she going to do with her spare time if she couldn't be paranoid over him?

"Behave, be smart and above all else…"

"Be kind," He said, stepping in closer for a hug. "I'm the kindest person there is, mum. I mean, I let a werewolf stay in my house."

"Your house, is it?" Lily asked, chuckling softly. She pulled her son closer and forced a few kisses to his cheeks and nose. "

"Alright, alright. You can have it while I'm gone!" He said, mockingly complaining as he tried to dodge the kisses. "No wild parties, though."

"Oh, yes sir." She promised, "Very kind of you."

"See, Kindness is my middle-name. Harry James, Kindness, Potter." He said in a heavenly tone. "Some are just not worthy of my kindness and wisdom."

"All right, Mr Kind. Get on the train before you're behind." She told him, smiling as she gave him a nudge. "And write to me. I want to know about your first week before I go away with Hestia."

"Yes, you're going to need something to distract you from Mistress Strange." He grinned.

"Promise or I'll take you off the train!" She said, glowering at him playfully.

"I promise." He grinned. Then his face softened. "Love you mum."

"Love you to, Sweetheart."

After a few tearful farewells, some manic waving from the train windows and a short spell of Neville choking on some fumes from the train as it took off, Harry and Neville together leaned back from the window, looked at each other with wide grins and unison said, "Freedom!" And high-fived each other. With a breath full of free air, which smelled oddly like a corridor filled with teenagers, they shuffled off to find a compartment. Along the way they'd pass a compartment that was half open. Upon taking a look, Harry saw a group of red-haired boys. Two of them, twins was teasing the smallest of the group.

"I'm thinking full on blood traitor, this one." Said one of the twins, prodding the young boy. "Maybe we should have a nosey inside his head to find out, Fred?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me," The one called Fred replied, his tone dangerous. "Find out what little Ronnie's really thinking."

"Enough, both of you!" The oldest of the four, snapped. He looked round and saw Harry peering in at them and sneered. "The compartment is taken, move on!" he ordered.

"Come on, Harry." Neville said, quickly pulling Harry out of the way of the door. "We don't want to tangle with them." He added in a low mutter.

"Why?" Harry enquired, thinking they should go back and help the other boy. "They were bulling that kid."

"Their brother." Neville corrected. "They're the Weasley family."

"Weasley?" It was not for nothing that Harry would hear that name again so soon. Ever since Remus had run into the infamous Arthur Weasley in Diagon Alley, Harry had kept hearing the name spoken around the house.

"Lets just leave it, yeah?" Neville asked, continuing to pull Harry down the corridor. "Besides, last thing you want is your mum going to war with their family."

"she'd win, though." Harry said, confidently.

"Probably but she can't attack children, can she?"

Harry had a patronising look on his face. "Do you remember the time I almost accidently let Remus out during the full-moon?"

"Yeah." Neville chuckled. "You could sit for a week after that. Wasn't that reason she got rid of the garage door?"

"Yup." Harry chuckled.

After that they would run into a few more people, some more friendly than most. There were a few children from the other wizard houses in Ottery St Catchpole. One of them they ran into was a boy named Cedric Diggory. A handsome boy who was older than them, he had waved at Harry and Neville and wished them good luck in the sorting. Harry thought if he ended up in Hufflepuff it wouldn't be so bad if Cedric were around all the time. He was, in Harry's humble opinion, very cool. Another was a strange girl by the name of Luna Lovegood. She and her father were the closest thing Harry had to next door neighbours. A quiet girl, she had lost her mother in an unfortunate potion experiment. Luna was very odd compared to most people, but Harry liked her, he often got a kick out of the odd things she would say. He managed to dodge a conversation with her because she was distracted by her magazine – she was reading it upside down – and found his way to one of the last, nearly empty, compartments. "This looks promising." Harry said, pulling the door open and making eye contact with the girl inside.

She was very pretty. This was Harry's first thought. Her long, blonde hair was immaculate without a single strand out of place and had a single, braided black streak coming down the right side of her pale face. Her eyes were a stunning blue, dazzling to look at and her lips were a soft pink. She gazed up at Harry, nervously biting her bottom lip. When she said nothing, Harry swallowed, remembered his mother's words and said. "Hey there. Everywhere is full. Mind if we join you?"

The girl hesitated. A faint blush coloured her cheeks making her glow and she broke eye-contact, as if realising she was staring back too much. "Um, sure," She said, shyly. "If you want to."

How any girl as pretty as this one could be shy was beyond Harry. His experience of attractive woman was limited but he was sure almost all of them without fail, were confident. How little he knew about the world. "Thanks," He said, keeping his tone light. He shuffled and Neville followed as well. Harry took the seat directly across from the girl and Neville sat with Harry after closing the door. "My name is Harry Potter, this is Neville Longbottom."

"Alicia Malfoy." Alicia replied, looking from Harry to Neville as if she'd had never seen another person her age until this very moment.

"It's very nice to meet you, Alicia." Neville said, his voice going strangely high all of a sudden. Harry watched him with mild amusement. "First day nerves?" Neville asked her. Before she could answer he cut in, "I have them to. My gran saves I talk too much when I get Nervous. I have a toad named Trevor I keep in my room that Harry doesn't know about. Harry and I have been friends for a very long time, Have you…"

"Nev, do the world a favour, mate. Learn to breathe." Harry interrupted, saving Neville from talking himself into having only one friend in school. Alicia giggled. Harry felt this was good progress.

"So, what subjects do you think you'll like best?" Alicia asked them. She wasn't great at making small talk, this was clear. Harry noted that she was already in her school clothes. A skirt, sleeveless sweater and white shirt. She looked perfect, not a thing out of place. He was suddenly very aware of his shabbiness and wondered if he needed to smarten up a bit.

"Herbology for me!" Neville said, puffing his chest up proudly. Harry rolled his eyes and leaned back into the seat to get more comfortable. He knew what was coming next.

Harry didn't count the minutes, but he was sure that Neville had broken a world record in the twenty minutes it took him to tell Alicia about all the plants and creatures that lived in Lily's garden back home. Neville had gone into such deep detail that Alicia giggled and asked. "Do you live there or does Harry?" Which made Neville's face turn bright red.

"I like this girl." Harry grinned. Giving Alicia what he thought was a perfectly friendly wink, she turned just as red as Neville had done.

It was made clear right away that Harry and Neville had successfully found their first new friend. It took a bit of effort but eventually Alicia started, and with this both boys had discovered someone who was smart, funny and very promising when it came to the idea of trouble. She relaxed so much that she was able to share some facts about herself that were a bit more personal. Facts that were ringing familiar in both Harry and Neville's ears.

"I live with my aunt and uncle." She was telling them. Alicia's parents had died during the war against Voldemort and as a result was sent to live with Ted and Andromeda Tonks. "I don't really remember them, but my aunt tells me that my mother was very beautiful and my father very brave." She went on to tell them about her cousin, Tonks. After that she wasn't very forthcoming with anymore intimate details and both Harry and Neville were too polite and respectful to ask her to dredge up anything that might upset her. It didn't matter though. In a strange way, this gave all three of them a strange connection. Harry had mentioned – but not gone into details – about his father. Neville also mentioned that his parents were affected by the war but wasn't ready for details either. After that particular conversation there was a strange tension in the compartment. Luckily, they were saved when the compartment door swung open. A girl with long, bushy, brown hair and large front teeth standing with a slightly perturbed look on her face. This being caused by the kitten on her shoulder.

"Do either of you know who this cat belongs to?" She asked them, pointing directly to Nova who was sitting very casually on the girl's shoulder.

"Nova!" Harry cheered, jumping to his feet and sticking his hand out. Nova mewed once and leapt from Hermione's shoulder into his hand. "Well, yes. No one can understand you but me."

"I'm sorry?" The girl asked, sounding very bossy.

"I was talking to the cat." Harry told her, giving her a grateful smile. "Thanks for finding her. She disappearing after we got on the train. How did you find her?"

"I didn't." The girl said, gritting her teeth. "Nova, a strange name, found me and wouldn't leave me alone. She kept mewing and I picked her up to check for a collar. When I tried to put her down, she climbed into my shoulder and kept mewing until I found you. This is the first time she's been quiet since she climbed me."

"Probably just missed daddy, that's all." Harry said, turning to give Nova a few kisses on the nose. "And who did you bring to us?" He asked.

"Mew."

"Hermione Granger, eh?" Harry nodded and sat Nova back on his shoulder where she was able to lay herself across it and relax. "Well, Hermione Granger. Thank you for finding her."

"That cat told you my name?" She asked. Her expression changed from annoyed to intrigued. She took one step closer, getting even closer than social rules would allow, to see Nova closer. "She must be an empath cat. They're very rare. I read about them in magical creatures of the 19th century. You're not really hearing her speak you know. She's just letting you feel her thoughts."

Both Neville and Alicia glanced at each other, them both thinking the same thing as the other. This Hermione was a bossy know it all. A book worm. A nerd. Harry seemed to be getting the same feeling. He took a few steps back and retreated to his seat.

"You really should take better care of her. There are some very odd people around here. I saw a set of twins trying to eat flobberworms for a bet a moment ago." She said, her bossy tone only confirming what all three of them thought.

"Well, in that case why don't you join us?" Harry suggested. Sarcasm was clearly lost on Hermione because she had closed the door and sat down next to Alicia, who, didn't seem all that pleased to have Hermione there. Granted, Harry thought the contrast between the pair was rather comical. Hermione was messy haired, untidy to a degree and made him feel better about the shabby state he was in. Hermione seemed to bring harmony to the group in a way.

"So," Hermione said, peering round at all of them. "What subjects are you most looking forward to?" Fully understanding how things were going to be, like Harry, Alicia huffed and dropped backwards into her seat. The two of them grinned at each other when Neville started his herbology rant. The grins faded when Hermione started asking Neville all kinds of complicated questions.

By the time the train arrived in Hogsmeade Station, even Neville's patience was beginning to wear a bit thing with regards to Hermione Granger. She had proven indeed to be a bossy know it all and had spent most of the journey fact checking and correcting anything that Harry, Neville and Alicia had told her. "For a muggle-born she's well educated." Alicia said. Harry learned quickly that kindness was also one of Alicia's strong points. However, even Harry had his limits. "She's also closed minded." This was something Harry didn't approve of in the slightest. "I don't want to be in the same house as her." Neville had taken to Hermione in the same way one might take to a rabid wolverine chomping at your leg. He had gotten particularly offended when Hermione said, "I see the use in Herbology, but it doesn't quite have the same grit as Transfiguration or Potions. Does it?" This had lost her any points with Neville. Especially when she claimed it was an easy option.

Hermione had decided to wander off with the intention of speaking to the driver. When she didn't return, Harry saw it as a sign that Nova's instinct for new friends may not be as strong as he might have thought. Still, given that Neville and Alicia were not keen on Hermione, it was probably a good thing that the bushy haired smarty-pants didn't come back. When the trio climbed down from the train and onto the platform, Harry and Neville heard a familiar voice.

"First years over here!" Hagrid boomed over the crowd of students. "First years to the boats with me!"

"Well, he's big and scary." Alicia muttered, standing behind Harry as the three approached Hagrid.

Harry chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Thought the same when I met him. Truth be told he's harmless as he his big." He assured her.

And it was the truth of course. Harry told Alicia about how Hagrid had spent the day with him and his mother in Diagon Alley and that it was because of Hagrid, Harry now had Nova. Nova was good at winning people over and had done well with Alicia during the train journey. The simple mention that Hagrid was the reason for her was enough to make Alicia trust Hagrid enough, to want to climb into one of the boats that lay waiting for them.

It was a slow ride across the Black Lake and Harry managed to get a boat for just Alicia and Neville. Neville was instant they be as far away from Hermione Granger as possible, but they could still hear her ruining the magical moment of seeing Hogwarts, shining brightly in the night, with facts about how the castle was built. There was one exciting moment when Harry caught sight of a large tentacle floating around the water. He'd been told about the giant squid and very much wanted to meet it at some point. The boat ride itself was pleasant and Harry was sad to see it over so soon. Once they arrived, they were taken up some stairs which led to the doors of The Great Hall, where they met Professor McGonagall. She was a stern looking which who explained that they would soon be sorted into their houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, where the choices.

"Slytherin is the one Sev is charge of, right?" Neville whispered to Harry. "Probably best to avoid that one."

"My mum and dad were Slytherin," Alicia said, keeping her voice low. "Aunt was a Ravenclaw, Uncle a Hufflepuff, my cousin as well. I could end up anywhere." She said, her face dropping into a look of concern. Harry got the feeling that Alicia would very much like to be in the same house as him and Neville.

"Look," Said Harry, putting his arms around both of their shoulders. "lets just agree that no matter what house we get sorted into, we'll still be friends no matter what, ok?"

"Oh, how sweet." A taunting, husky voice said. Harry and his two friends turned to see who had spoken and saw the red-haired boy that was being bullied by his brothers on the train. "They're such close pals, they don't want to lose each other."

There was a round of giggles from a select number of the group of students. Others backed up slowly, some watched with curiosity. The red-haired boy took a step closer and appeared to be flanked by two exceptionally large and ugly boys. There was a girl with them as well, a short, black haired girl who might have been pretty if her nose wasn't so big.

Harry's inner bravado stepped forward and he smiled brightly. "Hey it's…" He clicked his fingers a few times as if trying to remember the boy's name. "I'm sorry, who in the name of Merlin's saggy left nut, are you?" This earned Harry a few chuckles, especially from Alicia and Neville. Hermione Granger was off to the side looking thoroughly not happy.

"The names Ronald." Ronald said. "Ronald Weasley. This Crabbe," He indicated one of the large boys, "Goyle," he pointed to the other one, "And Pansy Parkinson." He pointed to the girl, who sneered at Harry. Alicia giggled, quickly covering her mouth.

"My name funny to you?" Pansy demanded to know. Her voice was squeaky, annoying and something about it made it grate heavily on the mind.

"Um…" Alicia flushed, embarrassed.

"You're Harry Potter, right?" Ronald asked, saving Alicia from having to answer the question. "I saw you on the train with my brothers, had a good nose did you?"

"Better nose than hers, I'd say." Harry wasn't sure where the remark came from but on occasion he would say things too quickly before thinking it. Normally he'd receive a back-hander to the side of his head for it. It was a strange relief not having Lily there to scold him. He was going to have to be careful with this new freedom.

It was Pansy's turn to flush bright red. Ronald took one step forward in an attempt to be intimidating. It wasn't working. "Listen here, Potter." Ronald hissed. "You're going to learn that some wizarding families are better than others. Luckily, yours comes from a good crop. I think you best keep in mind that there are better allies for you than…these." He cast a glance at Alicia and Neville.

"Wow." Harry breathed, sounding amazed. "You're living in your own little world, aren't you?" Before Ronald could comment, Harry raised his hand. "I'm talking, you're listening," He said, looking very impressive as he did it. "These are my friends. You're just a rotten little bully who's afraid of his brothers. Now, be a good boy and fall back in line or I'll be forced to…"

"Teacher!" Neville hissed quickly.

"Challenge you to a cracking game of exploding snap. Haha, yes!" Harry turned to face the front and put his arm around Ronald's shoulders. "That's right…Ron, A good old game of snap!"

"Nice to see the first years making friends." Professor McGonagall said once she had returned.

Hermione Granger looked as though she was dying to tell what really had just happened but was stopped by Alicia who had whispered, "Oh come on, do you want to risk losing points for your future house before you've even started?" This made Hermione shut her mouth very quickly.

Harry managed to get away from Ron before they were lead into the Great Hall. This massive open room was lit by thousands of floating candles, had four long tables for each of the houses and a platform for the teachers to gather and sit. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky, which echoed the weather outside. The students gathered in front of a single stool that had an old hat on it. They all watched curiously while Professor McGonagall explained that they were to approach when their named was called. It was another slow process and one that Harry would need to wait longer for. He watched as Hermione Granger stepped up and was sorted into Gryffindor. Neville, much to his dismay, ended up there as well. Alicia, after some time was also sorted into Gryffindor and before Harry, Pansy Parkinson was sorted into Slytherin.

Harry realised that it would be quite a shame to be sorted into any other house other than the ones his friends were in. He wasn't sure where he fit in the grand scheme of things. For him though, it was a strange feeling when his name was called, and he walked willingly up to the stool. Before turning to sit, however, he caught sight of a man with long black curtains for hair, a hooked nose and a blank expression on his pale face. Harry, smiled slightly at him and received nothing more than a very subtle, unseen by most, head nod. This was Severus's way of saying good luck without trying to show any kind of favouritism.

When Harry sat down, the hat was placed on his head just like the other students. For a time, quite a long time the hat did nothing. It was taking such a long time that things started to feel, a little awkward. Those that were left, plus the entire hall were staring directly at Harry. He was beginning to feel tense until-

"I truly cannot decide." The sorting hat said. There was a low murmur of voices around the room. All the teachers leaned forward, Professor Mcgonagall blocked Harry's view to the rest of the students. "Yes, its all there. The potential to be great, wise, loyal and brave. A thirst for power but not nearly enough to be considered a problem. A good mind, potentially great. Yes, this is difficult. Do you have a preference?"

Everyone stared intently while Harry said, "Wouldn't mind Gryffindor. All my friends ended up there. Would be nice to spend my years with them. If you don't mind, er, Mr Sorting?"

"GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat shouted, sounding as though it were relieved to be able to do so. There was a round of applause from almost every table, the exclusion being the Slytherins.

"Cheers, mate." Harry grinned, taking the hat off and handing it to Professor McGonagall, who was looking rather pleased by the result. Harry looked over at the teachers table and saw Severus roll his eyes, which made him grin wider. He did catch the eye of another teacher. This one sat in the middle of all the rest in the tallest of chairs. The old man raised his glass to Harry and nodded, giving a warm smile. This was Albus Dumbledore. Not really knowing how to respond, Harry turned and headed straight to the Gryffindor table where his hand was shook, his back was thumped, and Alicia even gave him a hug.

Once he's sat down between Alicia and Neville, they witnessed the rest of the students, including Ron Weasley being sorted into Slytherin right away, being sorted. What followed was a feast of monumental proportions, the likes that Harry had never seen before. It was for the rest of that evening that Harry ate, laughed and eventually was taken to Gryffindor tower, where he would sleep in one of the four, four poster beds with Nova sleeping soundly on his pillow next to him. He was very glad indeed to be at Hogwarts, in Gryffindor and sleeping in his new bed. For tomorrow, would be the start of the rest of his life.