Sitting inside the first empty compartment he'd found, Harry anxiously bounced his leg up and down. Hedwig was perched above his head with the luggage, Gizmo lazily lounging beside her, and Missy was sleeping on the seat across from Harry, clutching a shiny gold coin.
His grandfather, Fleamont, had been the one to tell him how to get onto Platform 9 , as Harry had no idea. They also promised to be there and listen to him when he returned during Yule Break, and the thought made Harry smile. Portrait or not, he had a family. Now, all he could do was wait for his best friends.
o - o - o
Skillfully, Ron remained at the back of his mother's herd, making sure she never noticed his lack of items. The twins both eyed him suspiciously, but likewise remained quiet about it, instead helping to keep her attention off him.
Ron raised an eyebrow when his mother loudly began speaking of the platform, glancing around as if looking for someone. Deciding to save that for later, a slight pulsing made Ron's head snap right, a bright grin spreading across his face at who he saw.
Hermione glowered with crossed arms as her parents walked on either side of her through the station, looking for 9 . Her mother was clutching the cross pendant around her neck while her father regarded everyone around them warily, keeping his wife close. The ground had started to tremble when a slight pulsing sensation made Hermione look to her left, smiling happily.
"Mum, Dad, you don't need to be here for my getting on the train. I'll be fine, and I don't think you can pass the entrance anyway," Hermione lied, internally rolling her eyes when her mother sighed in relief, hands shaking as she gingerly kissed Hermione's forehead before pulling away as if burned. Her father simply clapped her shoulder and nodded, the two adults quickly walking away.
Ron glanced at his mother when Hermione's parents left, the redheaded woman already entering the platform. When she fully disappeared, Ron sprinted over, capturing Hermione in a fierce hug.
"Dear Merlin, you'd think we'd be used to them by now," Hermione grumbled, pulling back. "But it's like they got even more insufferable while we were away,"
"You can say that again," Ron grinned. "Come on, let's find Harry,"
"Oh let's! I can't believe that was why you'd turned in Scabbers, he's probably burning with questions," Hermione joked, poking Ron's arm.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. No more surprises," Ron smiled, and the two ran through the wall onto the platform.
As they walked down the train, they felt that same pulsing sensation from one of the compartments, and slid the door open.
"There you guys are!" Harry exclaimed, the trio pulling each other into a group hug. "I thought you guys forgot me," Harry murmured, looking awkward. At his words the train shook violently, and his head snapped up, seeing an angry Ron and Hermione.
"Your muggle relatives are absolute buffoons, Harrison James and don't you ever think we'd abandon you. We are best friends, so even if you tried you couldn't get rid of us," Hermione snapped.
"Three. No more, no less, it's us three. Through thick and thin, we've only got each other. Okay?" Ron said and Harry nodded. Before anyone spoke, Ron squealed as he was nearly tackled by a pitch black blur.
"Missy!" Ron gasped, hugging the Niffler tightly, making her smile and wriggle in excitement. A giggling Hermione attempted to get Gizmo to stop purring and rubbing against her leg, and Harry smiled at the sight.
He'd missed his friends.
"So you freed my godfather from prison, and now I might possibly be able to meet him, his husband, and who are basically my cousins?" Harry asked, flatly. "And you chose not to tell me?"
"I didn't want you to freak out. And I eventually forgot. But anyway, there's a chance Sirius and Remus will attempt to become your guardians, but it's not high. They're already on thin ice due to Remus being a lycan, and them having decided to have kids," Ron explained. "But I already promised Hermione that I wouldn't keep any more secrets. Speaking of," Ron sighed, "I spoke with Grandmother Lucretia, and since I've continued my training, I might have a vision or something at any time,"
"And if they're long, you're vulnerable," Hermione said. "Many True Seers have been killed during a vision due to inability to defend themselves,"
"Then we'll never leave you alone," Harry said firmly. "Not like we'd planned on separating anyway though,"
"Speaking of, what house are we going to be in?" Ron asked. "The twins attempted to trick me into thinking we had to wrestle a troll or some rubbish. I'd assume it's something safer,"
"It's more than likely a type of personality quiz, considering each house is associated with different traits," Hermione began, both boys smiling fondly when she went off on a tangent. "Gryffindor, house of the brave and chivalrous. Godric favored those who stopped at nothing to do what they thought was right, even in the face of danger. Ravenclaw, house of the wise. Rowena favored those who were clever and unique, imaginative and witty.
"Slytherin, house of the cunning and ambitious. Salazar wanted those who would stop at nothing to achieve their greatest desire, no matter what. It caused great disagreements between the two houses, because Slytherins obey only their own moral code while Gryffindors follow the letter of the law. Hufflepuff, of the loyal and hardworking. Helga favored everyone, anyone who was willing to work hard and remain loyal to their beliefs and friends was someone she deemed worthy. She also believed everyone deserved an education, which is why many people stereotype Hufflepuffs as leftovers.
"The calm of Ravenclaws tends to balance out the outgoing Gryffindors, which is why there are more friendships sparked between those two houses. Likewise, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins are both incredibly loyal and determined, making those two houses drawn to each other as well. Though all of us would do well in any house, what's important is that we're all in the same house, and one that doesn't separate dorms by gender. That leaves Ravenclaw and Slytherin, the two most traditional houses. Many purebloods of those two houses follow tradition to a 'T', so many betrothed couples room together from first year onward to get to know one another, but have separate beds until their sixth year," The girl finished.
"That's not to say that Hufflepuff and Gryffindor aren't good houses. My parents and their friends were all Gryffindors," Harry pointed out.
"So was Peter Pettigrew though, and Albus Dumbledore," Ron countered. "The Heads are all acceptable, Pomona Sprout for Hufflepuff, Filius Flitwick for Ravenclaw, Minerva McGonagall for Gryffindor, and Severus Snape for Slytherin,"
"That leaves Slytherin out of the equation, then," Harry said. "I've been sending letters to Remus since the trial—"
"Then why bother questioning me?!" Ron exclaimed, narrowing his eyes at his friend. Harry raised an eyebrow and Ron huffed. "Yeah, yeah, you git; No more secrets,"
"—because I wanted to get to know him. Snape had an obsession with my mother and a hatred for my father. He thinks that Snape may be a git towards me because I look so much like Dad,"
"And no Hufflepuff, because it's a big family," Hermione stated. "I mean, I'd enjoy it, we all would. Finding a new family. But that means there's not a lot of privacy, and that's something we need,"
"Not to mention we don't want to be under Dumbledore's watch, and Sprout is very Pro Dumbles," Ron added.
"But so is McGonagall, they've been friends for almost sixty years," Hermione pointed out.
"True, but McGonagall's lost faith in him since his plan got two of her cubs killed, and she was the most vocal about me being left with the Dursleys. McGonagall herself wanted to take me in to keep me away from the Dursleys," Harry said. At their looks, he continued. "Since lettering Remus, I realise I've got a much bigger family than I thought, and McGonagall's practically my grandmother,"
"So no matter what house we're in, McGonagall is going to be our go-to teacher. No question," Ron said, and the other two nodded in agreement.
"So we know what houses we don't want to be in, but considering it's a magical quiz, I haven't the slightest idea on what to do to trick the quiz so we get either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor," Hermione chewed her lip, frustrated.
"Then we'll leave it up to the quiz," Ron shrugged. "As long as we're away from Dumbledore and Snape, we're fine,"
Just then, the door to their compartment slid open, revealing three figures. Two were obviously their age, but unusually tall and muscular, while the other was shorter, more slender, and with sleek blond hair.
"I heard Harry Potter's on this train. Is he in here?" The boy asked, bored. He gave Ron a once over and sneered. "Weasley,"
"A pleasure as always, Malfoy," Ron rolled his eyes, too tired to give Malfoy the time of day. Something that irritated the young Malfoy.
"Who's Harry Potter?" Harry asked after covering his scar with his fringe. Hermione laughed quietly and Gizmo stretched.
"Everyone knows who Harry Potter is. What are you, a mudblood?" Malfoy asked. The three stiffened and the atmosphere in the compartment turned tense. Malfoy noticed, immediately zeroing in on Hermione. "Oh, you might not be, but this one is, isn't she? Aren't you? Raised by Muggles, weren't you? You've got dirty blood, little girl. It's a testament to how far Hogwarts has fallen while under Dumbledore's control that you're even on this train,"
Harry and Ron glared at him. Hermione's shoulders had begun to shake, hands clenched into fists. Gizmo was at her side immediately, baring his teeth at Malfoy, while Hedwig had an angry expression (as angry as she could look, anyway). Missy raised her gold coin threateningly, aimed to hit Malfoy.
Unbeknownst to them all, the winds outside began howling and picking up. Lakes and rivers began to grow unsteady, currents going wild.
They did notice when the ground began to shake uncontrollably.
Malfoy stumbled, catching himself on the doorway to the compartment. The train was trembling wildly, and everyone on board heard the beginnings of a terrible earthquake.
Hermione laughed.
Everyone stared at her as she looked up, eyes glowing golden. Her grin was mad. "You think I've got dirty blood?" Hermione crooned, and Malfoy shuddered at the familiarity of the way she spoke. "Which one of us, again, comes from a giant incest pool? It's a wonder you were born without deformities, or magic depletion," The words made Malfoy's eyes widened. Hermione got to her feet, not even reacting to the violently shaking ground, towering over Malfoy. "Run along, little boy. And be scared, because Daddy can't save you here. You've got to learn to protect yourself, and from what I've seen," Hermione gave him a once over, "Even that's something you'll fail at,"
"Hermione, the ground's shaking," Ron said softly, the first to let his temper dissipate. The girl startled, glancing back at him. She took a deep breath, nodding, and her eyes returned to their regular hazel, slightly yellow color.
The ground ceased it's trembling and Malfoy and his goons ran from the compartment.
"Who was he?" Hermione snapped, returning to her seat. Gizmo laid his head in her lap, purring when she began to pet him.
"Draco Malfoy," Ron spit the name with venom. Missy hugged him tightly, dropping her gold coin. "The Malfoy and Weasley families have been in a blood feud for centuries, and our dads hate each other. I was open to just ignoring him, I find the whole thing bloody stupid with the amount of public desputes my dad's gotten into. But now Malfoy's number one on my hitlist," Ron's eyes flashed a bright, sky blue.
The winds outside calmed.
Both glanced at their friend, frowning at the look on his face. It was dark, his hair casting a shadow over his eyes. His fists were clenched so hard they were shaking. Hedwig flew and perched on his shoulder, gently nipping at his ear.
Hermione and Ron each took his hand. "He's gone, Harry," Hermione stated. "And I'm okay. His words mean nothing, and I'm twice as powerful as he'll ever be,"
"She's right, mate. Don't dwell on what he said," Ron said to Harry, and the black haired boy nodded. He finally looked up, eyes glowing a dark, almost black shade of emerald, before the glow stopped, leaving regular green.
Outside, the currents slowed, and the incoming tide washed away from the shores.
"I don't give a damn about anyone else– Dumbledore, Snape, who ever," Harry hissed. "Draco bloody Malfoy is our number one enemy,"
"I couldn't have phrased it better," Ron smirked. Both boys looked to Hermione, who was beaming at them, a slight flush to her dark cheeks.
"Thanks," She crushed them both in a hug. "I can't wait to make him regret being born," All three laughed, and the rest of their journey was a memorable one.
o - o - o
"Wow," Harry breathed, in awe. He, Hermione, and Ron had gotten their own boat to the castle, and the sight was incredible.
In moments like these, Harry had to pinch himself to be reminded that he wasn't at the Dursleys.
"Wow is right," Hermione echoed. "This is incredible. Can you imagine what we'll do here for seven years?" She exclaimed.
Ron grinned. "Not to mention the trouble we'll get into, as you two seem to attract it," The other two blew raspberries at him, and Ron chuckled.
All the first years exited the boats, walking up the front steps to the castle, and being greeted by a woman in a tall black witch hat upon entrance. Harry grinned and waved excitedly at her when they locked eyes, and the woman's stern expression softened as she nodded at him.
"That was Professor McGonagall," Harry explained to his friends. Hermione nodded, listening intently to the woman as they walked through the halls.
"I like her. That's one tally more towards Gryffindor," She said. Ron laughed at that and the three followed the rest of the first years into the Great Hall.
"Why is it so– empty?" Harry asked, glancing around the Great Hall. The huge tables were only just over half filled with students, and the first year class was small.
"The war with Voldemort was detrimental to society," Ron whispered back. "Lots of long lines of wizards died out in the war, so most of the students here are muggleborns, or those who were brave enough to have had children during the war,"
"I didn't think you knew so many big words," Hermione teased, squeaking and glowering when Ron jabbed her in the side.
Missy peeked her head out of Ron's robes when McGonagall read the first name off the list of first years, and Ron hastily shoved her back in.
"Ron!" Hermione chastised.
"What? I couldn't leave her in a cage or she'd be noticed. And Nifflers aren't on the school list!" Ron whispered back.
"It's fine but keep her hidden!" Harry snickered, hiding the small paw that had poked out of Ron's collar.
"She's lucky she's so cute," Hermione said with a fond smile.
"Granger, Hermione!" McGonagall called, drawing their attention. Hermione swallowed nervously, and Harry and Ron each squeezed her hand in assurance. Then, pushing down her nerves, Hermione strode forward.