Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights belong to J. K. Rowling or associated companies who bought the rights. I'm just playing in the world she created. I make no money out of it.

Author's note: What would happen if Harry met someone else at the King's Cross? Story about a boy who wasn't all that brave and his difficult upbringing actually had an impact on his values.

Rating M, there will be some swear words, for now, it may come to gore or sexual situations some day later, but the characters are too young for that now. I chose this rating for a reason. Now, onto the story:

Chapter 1 - The journey to freedom

Lonely boy sat in the backseat of the car and stares absentmindedly into the surrounding countryside. Lazy passing images only strengthening his idleness and lull. They are closing into London, but it's still a long way to the station. Uncle Vernon said only one sentence so far. 'Don't you dare speak to me boy, I want peace and you to be quiet in there.' Dismissing Harry, he turns the radio on. Not that Harry would have anything in common to speak with his uncle.

Harry would like to read some magic books he had bought, but they were all locked in the car's trunk. There is no way he could convince his uncle to stop and get one now. Not without risking being thrown out of the car and going to London on foot. Hedwig is doing her best pretending to sleep as to not wake the ire of Vernon, but she is definitely not thrilled unsecured in the cage sitting on the seat. Harry has nothing better to do than seek after her and to be absorbed in his mind.

Harry's face turned into a frown. His relatives were never very nice to him. They pride themselves at being normal and proper, the highlight of the neighborhood, yet are anything but. No work is ever well done enough for Petunia. She berates him almost every day, always finds something to complain about, his chores that are not up to her standard, or just snide comment here and there. In recent years she abandoned most of the house duties to him whenever he is not at school. He can't wait to be far away from all the chores she saddles him with. The only ones he likes a bit are cooking and being in the garden, but only sometimes when he has less work there.

Vernon is even worse. He usually pretends Harry doesn't exist or shout orders like he is some kind of servant. A few times he recognizes his existence outside of the 2 states is with a belt painfully slapping on his ass for weird accidents and unnaturalness around him. Harry wished he knew before, that all the strange events and accidents were because of his magic, even though he doubts such an explanation would please Vernon. He would probably beat him up even more. Vernon also often complains about how much it costs to raise him, not that he buys him anything at all and gives only a small amount of food, just enough so he would not die starving or faint in the middle of the trip to school from lack of energy. Most of the time, he is not full after the meal, possibly thanks to Dudley often stealing a better part of his food.

Both of them are completely blind to Dudley's bullying. Dudley's gang is terrorizing their school, yet nothing is being done about it. Most of the time they scare other kids to not tell or blame Harry for getting into fights. It got so far that most people think he is the troublemaker, not Dudley's gang. Dudley himself isn't that bright, but that Piers is a vicious bastard, always finding a way to hide things from adult eyes or shift the blame. Seeming as Harry goes home as the only one with wounds, they would never believe that their precious Dudlikins or his friends caused it. The only one who ever showed concern for Harry was a school nurse when he was 9, yet they transferred her to another school not long after it. He blames Vernon that he somehow shushed it.

Harry has learned that complaining almost always leads to nowhere and usually makes things worse. He is sick of this life and his relatives. Not only do they not care about him, they outright lied to him for years about parents and magic. He suddenly shudders just reminiscing about one more family member, Marge. He quickly thinks about something else. Something better, happier, something magical.

It's been several weeks since his birthday and his magical trip with Hagrid. What a strange development. Until recently his place was in the cupboard under the stairs and now, he has his own bed. One letter to change it all, Harry, however, can't shake the feeling that there is a lot more to it. Why did magicals sent that many letters when they do not get a response? How was he supposed to respond, anyway? He has Hedwig now, but he didn't have any means to answer that before. It makes little sense, they can't be all that stupid.

When he thinks about it, why the school sent Hagrid? Harry has to admit, that Hagrid isn't a bad person. He was easy to talk to, funny and great to be around, but his magic introduction was shoddy and he rushed a lot of things. Honestly, he felt the man was not overly bright. It's like school sent the janitor to new prospect students instead of teachers. It's kinda weird, but a lot of things were when involving magic. Who knew, perhaps it's tradition.

Now he has a problem and no one to help him. Harry could send a letter to Hagrid, but it would be an entire day before he gets any response, it's too late for that. If he wasn't so awed with the magical shops and people, he would have noticed it sooner and not forgot about it till this morning. In the trunk, together with all the magical stuff, lies the ticket for the ride to Hogwarts. Harry only ever rides a train twice in his life last time with Hagrid a month ago, but he is fairly sure that all the platforms have normal nonpartial numbers on it. Vernon was no help, only laughed at Harry's predicament. How is he going to find 9 3/4? Yet another detail that Hagrid forgot to mention. Harry is also angry that he didn't give him the key to his vault back! Why did he have it in the first place? He couldn't remember if he ever told him a reason, his attention was elsewhere. Well, the goblins in the bank were eye-catching, no doubt about it.

Perhaps he should not trust the giant man completely, yet Harry was so swept away with all the new things that he did not pay much attention at the time. Uncle Vernon often says, humans are greedy, unreliable, and wish to rip you off. He is making a lot of deals at work, so he should know about this stuff. Just because Hagrid showed him some pleasant things once, doesn't mean that they are friends now. People turn to other side so easily and kids even faster. It happened many times, he should learn his lesson already. He shouldn't give his trust so easily. Many have broken it before.

Harry looks out of the window from his stupor and sees the streets of London with Vernon's aggressive honking and cursing to another driver. He will be free soon. He is almost shaking with plenty of anticipation and fear about how things will turn out. Being famous in the magical world kind of complicates things further. Random wizarding people knew more about his actual family than him, it's so sad.

That brings Harry back to the question. If he is so famous and important person in the magical world, why would his only contact with the school and anything magical was a groundskeeper? No contact from anyone. Not that Dumbledore guy and not this McGonagall person from the letter either. What are they doing? No one else ever cared where and how this supposed celebrity lives? He has seen child celebrities on TV when Dudley was watching it. They invite them on interviews and talks, showing their houses and selling some products for other children in adverts and such. He has done nothing. Why did nobody care until he hit Diagon Alley? He doesn't miss the attention, but how is it possible that in his 11 years no reporter ever snaps a picture or wanted an interview?

Harry had no time to think more about it as his uncle stops the car and starts shouting back without even bothering to turn his way. "We are here, so get out of the car, grab your ruddy owl, and get lost to that freakish Hogwash school boy."

Vernon's rude remarks jolt Harry into action. He's out before he even hears the end of a sentence. His uncle really did not want to be here, but he would rather do this than pay for his public transport. Vernon opens the trunk of the car and slaps its cargo with a loud thud to the sideroad next to Harry and his caged owl. Hedwig is frantically waving her wings from the harsh movement and sound, hooting grudgingly, but Vernon doesn't care one bit about her and Harry is too afraid to do anything for her right now.

"You have everything, right?" Vernon glance over him.

"Yes uncle Vernon, I have." Even if he didn't, there is hardly any other answer to that.

"Good, now behave yourself in that school of yours. I don't want to hear any complaints. Better yet, I don't want to hear anything about you until summer. Now go," remarks Vernon.

That was the last thing Vernon said with an angry snarl before leaving him alone and quickly driving away to the hospital. To settle the bill from Dudley's operation, or at least that's what he said he would do to Petunia. Harry doesn't trust him, but he doesn't care even if it's a lie.

Harry stood lost in there, gawking around before the grand building of the rail station at the King's Cross. Grabbing his trunk and the cage with Hedwig, he moves into the crowd through the main entrance.

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Harry is getting impatient. He still has about 20 minutes till the train is supposed to leave, but he can't find the bloody train. He has searched all of platform 9 and went to look at 10 also, but it only has rail 1 an 2 and trains leaving to normal sounding destinations. There is no 3, 4, 3/4, or whatever rail mentioned on the ticket.

Before Harry could begin to wail in despair, he found some kid gazing at him. He is young, slightly taller than Harry, with decent clothes, but remarkably similar kind of unruly hair. His case is milder than Harry's own, but it's black all the same. Hmm, he is not exactly gawking at him, it's more like he's interested in his snowy owl.

"Hi, nice owl. You going to Hogwarts?" asked the kid.

"Ah, yes." That was totally lame answer. Wait, weren't they supposed to make everything secret, how does this kid know? He must be a student, right? What a stroke of luck!

"Cool. So what year are you?"

"Ehm, I'm just starting today?" Harry tried his best, but he can't help but sound awkward.

"That's great. So do I" sounded yet unnamed kid's enthusiastic response.

"Mm, that's a shame, I was hoping to find where that train is. You probably don't know either, right?" Harry is really at the wit's end about how to get on the train.

"Ha! I know and I'll tell you." Kid paused dramatically. "For a price, of course. Give me a galleon and I'll take you there." Kid is attempting to wiggle his eyebrow or something, he looks ridiculous doing it.

Smiling at the grimace, Harry deeply ponders about it. He could theoretically wait it out, until the other kid moves and just follow him, but on the other hand, he knows nothing about how to do so. What if it has some hidden gimmick things like the wall to Diagon alley?

"Okay. Here it is." Nothing to be done about it. It's just one galleon. He has plenty of them.

"Woah, man! It was a joke, just a joke. I was just channeling the goblins, you know? Well, anyway, since you are offering. I'll totally guide you, no prob," and the kid reaches, grabs and pockets the coin in a single quick sleight-of-hand move. 'Channeling goblin my ass, he is one!' thought Harry.

"What are you standing around for, let's go, we only have about 10 minutes left, come on! Follow me," and the kid was already moving away, not really waiting for Harry to grab his things. Now that he thinks about it, he doesn't even know his name. Isn't it kind of late for an introduction? Hopefully, it would not be needed later.

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The entire experience of going through the solid wall was, well, interesting. Not exactly the pleasant, but not horrible, yet confusing and disorienting process. He was dizzy for a moment after he went through it. There was also this weird-looking family of redheads standing around and making a scene, talking something about muggles, loudly. It was like they wanted to get noticed, dumbasses. He's glad that they gave them a slip. They were probably wizards, that kind of aura of not exactly belonging on the station, and it felt similar to people in Diagon Alley. Or perhaps wizards have just weird fashion sense. He is not one to comment them on that. His usual clothes look even worse.

Anyway, while Harry mused about it, he let the unnamed kid drag him around into the wagons of steam engine machine, at least 100-year-old looking beauty. For such a relic, the train looked pristine, brand new. So strange how wizards do things. He stopped before one empty compartment, but he didn't make it inside.

"Hey, you want only us for the entire ride? It would be boring and you never know who would want to cram inside with us. Better pick half empty one with someone decent inside already. Trust me on that." 'He has a point, we should do that' thought Harry. Both boys reached the next one containing two young girls.

"Let's go into this one. They look nice and with 4 of us inside, nobody should want to just barge in later. What do you think?"

"Sure. Lead on." There is no way he would go inside first. It's embarrassing, and it's not his idea, anyway. Harry's guide opens the compartment and starts talking nonchalantly to the girls sitting next to each other.

"Hi, I'm Mira. Can we join you?" Harry finally gets his companion's name. It's almost laughable that he didn't introduce himself to him and he gets to know his name second hand when introducing to others.

"Sure, why not? I'm Katie by the way and this is Leanne." Introduced the girl already in the wizarding garb with red rims pointing to the window seat. She has brown hair and eyes and is actually taller than Harry, she is also pretty. Is that why Mira picked up this compartment, or was it a coincidence? Not that her height would say much, as he is smaller even than most boys he met of his age. Black-haired girl next to her is still in the muggle clothing of jeans and some kind of hoodie hiding her body shape.

"I'm Harry." Was all he uttered without looking like too much of an idiot or stumble on the words.

All of them got seated with girls on one side and boys on the other. Their trunks stuffed on the seats or on the floor in the corner, no one really bothered to lift them up to the place above their heads. Plus, with these in the way, they took a space of the whole compartment. They will need the stuff from them in due time, anyway. Hedwig gathered some attention initially until she decided to rather sleep than listen to them. Ride in Vernon's car was very stressful for her, with all the news and music and his not very gentle riding. The conversation was lead mainly by Mira and Katie as Leanne is yet to say a word and Harry's contribution was mostly one or two words here and there, not used to talking with unknown kids much. There is no Dudley here to break it off or scare the potential friends, but it's still hard to manage any kind of small talk for Harry. He has trouble following their talk. The only real thing he picked up is that the girls were friends for several years already.

"So, you are both first years? Like Leanne?" asks Katie in the conversation as the train moves out.

"Yes, I'm. What gave me away?" lead curious voice of Mira.

"You ask too many questions. Questions you wouldn't ask if you were already a student before," smiled Katie. "And what about you, Harry?" she changes the target.

"Me too. I'm totally new to this," answered Harry truthfully.

"So you are muggleborn then?" she asks in an even tone, probably not wanting to offend him.

"Not really. My parents were witch and wizard."

"Were? As they are not around anymore?" she seems a bit confused.

"They are dead. I don't even remember them. It happened a long time ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that. It wasn't very sensible of me. Wait, a moment. That scar..." Kate trails off as if revelation hit her suddenly. Harry is sure he knows what's up as her face lit up. "Are you Harry Potter?" and here it is. He was hoping to avoid this, but no luck.

"Yes" uttered Harry humbly, not wanting the attention.

"Am I missing something?" came from the next seat, Mira looks baffled by this.

It took some explaining to do, but Harry said nothing at all and tuned her out. Katie tried her best explaining about his famous status, managing to sound almost professional, often glancing at Harry. He finds this a very brave action. He could never talk about it, especially with the topic of conversation sitting right with him. Harry gained some interesting information from her talk. It wasn't just his parents ending up dead, there was a wizarding war raging with the leaders of Voldemort on one side and Dumbledore on the other. Harry's mother was muggleborn. A witch born to nonmagicals, muggles, and that they do not have a high standing in the magical world even now, especially from a large portion of purebloods. The war won ultimately changed very little, despite his status.

He gave her and the other girl a fright though when he interrupted her story at one point when they had trouble with 'You-know-who' part. "Voldemort" easily said Harry with no prompt. Followed by 2 loud gasps.

"Really? His name is something about death in French? Why do people fear saying his name anyway, Katie?" Mira pointed the question back at the most knowledgeable and talkative person in the room.

It wasn't for Katie to answer them. It came unexpectedly from another source, the second girl Leanne. "People or at least my parents say that You-know-who's name is cursed and when people spoke it during the War, usually something unfortunate and terrible happened to them like they were killed, suddenly went missing or ended up in the hospital without a hand. That's why almost no one even today says his name, they still fear it."

That was unexpected. Not just the explanation, but her voice. Harry almost thought the girl mute, as this were the first words she ever spoke to them. She has some kind of interesting and unusual accent though, perhaps a Scot? Not that Harry ever met one, so who knows. After that, they all went silent and looked through the window. Well, silent until Harry broke it.

"What about you guys? Do you have magical parents? You know a fair bit about me and mine, yet I don't even know each of your surnames." Harry hopes this will prompt the end of the silent atmosphere and let them share some things about their family situation. He certainly does not want to talk about himself, his dead parents, and Voldemort anymore than necessary. It was actually Mira who opened up first, sharing his bit of the story.

"My full name is Mira Sparks. I lost my parents too, and I do not know if they were magical or not. I was too young to have any memories of it. Maybe I will find about them one day," shared Mira wishfully. "My only family is my Gran, which is technically not my grandmother at all, but a great aunt instead."

"I guess it's my turn now, right?" half asked Katie after a while, sounding nervous. Maybe she feels bad about both of them being orphans? He could sympathize with Mira. His family situation is similar.

"I'm Katie Bell. My family name came from long lasting pureblooded magical family, but I'm considered only Half-blood. Same as Harry here, as his family name has an even longer history. I have 3 magical grandparents, my grandmother from my mother's side is a squib, and that's the sole reason most of the purebloods don't consider me one too. The terminology is kind of loose on my case, as there are disputes about what category squibs belong to."

"What's a squib?" interrupted Mira

"It's a non-magical person born from magicals, somewhat of opposite of muggleborns, but not entirely the same. Even the non-magical category is not exactly right. Squibs can see all magic and can even use enchanted items mostly, they can never cast spells though, something about their magic reserves too low or something. No wand will work for them no matter how much they try, but they differ from muggles who are almost magic blind unless it hit them directly."

When no one else said anything else for a while, the last person speaks up. "Leanne McLevarthen. Both my parents are muggleborns." That was extremely short, but hey, at least she did not stay silent.

"Is this muggleborn, halfblood, and pureblood status that important?" wondered Mira aloud.

"You could say that. Most of the people in a position of power and wealth are purebloods with a long and rich history of their houses. The largest portion of the wizards and witches are half-bloods though, as pureblood standards are too high for some. Having both parents magical, all grandparents too and really stuck up purebloods sometimes even do not acknowledge people who have muggleborn grandparents as purebloods. 'They don't descend from real wizards' they say. Though going by the definition, they are purebloods all the same. Truly, it's kind of mess," added Katie.

Group got interrupted by the loud bang of the compartment doors forcibly sliding open. All 8 eyes stare at the newcomer. It's a girl, with very wild, bushy like brown hair and rather prominent front teeth.

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one. No? That's too bad. I really wanted to help him find it. Anyway, this is so exciting, magic school. Are you starting today as well? I can't wait till we learn some proper spells. I have already tried a few on the train, but I would rather wait for the professors for the more tough ones. Do you know any spells? What houses do you think you will be? Oh, and I'm Hermione Granger, by the way. Nice to meet you," she gushes up in rapid-fire without taking a breath.

They all just stare at her, unable to comprehend this hurricane like being that barged in. First, one to recover is Katie, and she stops the strange girl from leaving in the same style as she entered with no answers.

"Hi. I'm Katie Bell. I'm in second year, Gryffindor. If you are searching for a lost pet, you should go to the front of the train, to the compartment of the prefects and ask them to find it. I think there is a summoning charm that would work easily on it. They will surely help, at least those with the red, blue and yellow colored trims on the robes. Slytherins are not known to be most helpful," she answers in a much more sedate pace than Hermione.

"Oh, really? Thanks! I'll catch up with Neville and go there. See you!" and she bangs the compartment closed yet again with vigor.

"Really now. What a rude girl," commented rarely Leanne.

"Should I lock the door?" Harry offered, unsure if the girls would want that.

"No need. I've got a better way," answered Katie with a gleam in her eyes and readied her wand.

"Colloportus" with a wave she pushes a barely visible beam toward the door and they locked themselves up.

Harry tried the handle, and it wouldn't budge at all. Interesting.

"That's cool, Katie. Nice one!" Mira looks enthusiastic about it, showing her a thumb up.

"Unfortunately, it's easily opened by anyone who is not a first year or already knows the counter charm, which is alohomora. Don't worry, though. I'll open it later."

As soon as she said that and Harry sit back on his seat, some oddly familiar red haired kid showed up and tried to enter. There were some grunts and cursing, but he was rather unsuccessful. He gave up soon and moved on. Harry covered the door with the curtains this time. Hopefully, no one else would want to barge in.

All the unwanted attention over, Katie offered to play Exploding Snap with them and they all had fun with the game of exploding cards. The group was so into it they didn't hear the knocking and the asking voice from the outside. It was after the particularly loud bang exploded in Mira's hand that they finally registered that someone opened the door and the lady looking at them.

"Locking doors? Really? You kids are not causing any kind of mischief in here, right?" asked the trolley lady with a wide smile and mirth in the eye. "Would you want to buy some drink, food, chocolate?" asked now in a more proper business voice. Well, according to Katie, the trip would take practically 8 hours. It should be no surprise they offer refreshments. The trolley lady helpfully mentioned the sign that let her know if people do not want to be disturbed when sleeping if they need it. Kids never noticed it before, and the reason she unlocked the door in the first place were the loud noises of the exploding cards.

They all bought various things, although Harry had an amount that was almost greater than all 3 of the others combined. He really splurged on this, but hey, it was cheaper than 1 galleon, in total, so why not? Not like he ate anything on the breakfast. Harry stuffed his mouth with the 2 jumping chocolate frogs. It felt utterly weird eating something that moved, but it was a novel experience and tasted heavenly. He got 2 cards out of it. The first one was some long dead guy named Sickle who did some money reforms and was an important governmental figure somewhere or another, boring. The second card was much more interesting. On the card, it showed Nicolas Flamel. Apparently, a 600-year-old immortal alchemist who created the Philosopher's stone. People know about that in the muggle world too, even if regarded as a myth only. Living forever and creating gold, what a life.

As all of them ate candies contently. "Hmm, what houses do you guys want to be sorted into?" Katie asks them suddenly.

"Gryffindor, like you," was quick if quiet, and not very confident sounding answer from Leanne.

"As much as I would like you to, I don't think you would be sorted here Lea." Katie almost sighs at the end of her speech.

"I know," muttered Leanne.

"I don't really understand this house's business, but why could she not go there?" sounded Mira.

"It's because people in the house usually share at least some common characteristics, traits, or values. Exceptions do happen, but they are very unlikely." Katie paused for a bit, gathering her thoughts, then continue.

"I'll start with my own house. Gryffindor values bravery, daring, and chivalry. The spirit animal is a Lion. Most of us are rather outgoing, friendly. We also have a strong sense of justice, hold our nerve in difficult situations, have a lot of courage and determination to go through even tough actions. We stood by our friends, our house is almost a family to us," started Katie with a vigor. "On the other end, some kids are too boastful show-offs, reckless, stubborn, and arrogant with short tempers," she added with a quieter voice. They all intently listen to her as she shares her knowledge. "I would like to see you both there, Mira and Harry, but I'm not so sure, you would end up in my house if I'm being honest. You, Harry, are somewhat passive for that, and Mira, although outgoing enough, seems more like Ravenclaw to me. We will see later when you get sorted if I'm right about it."

Harry can't help to think about Dudley as an example of the bad pick, while Katie seems like the best they have to offer. He himself is used to just running away and shy away from problems, he can't imagine being that great at bravery. Being outgoing is very far from what he does normally. If Mira didn't drag him here, he would probably sit alone right about now.

"Than there is Hufflepuff. I think it's the house that fits Leanne the best. They represent loyalty, emotional strength, compassion." She picks some paper with notes and continues with that as help. "They are also hardworking, kind, humble, and dedicated. Hufflepuffs are most tolerant of other's opinions. They can be quite naïve, sometimes gullible, submissive, and shy. Hufflepuffs are often outspoken from other houses, pushed around, and are also called Duffers, even though I don't share that motion. They band together very well, protecting their own house members, similar to Gryffindor. Their house unity is very high, perhaps better than my house even. Their animal is a badger," shared Katie.

'Yeah, it kinda feels like me too, at least somewhat. Better fit than the first one.' thought Harry. Although Harry doesn't work so hard on anything else than house chores, mainly because he isn't allowed to excel in school in any way. He wants to have loyal and kind friends. It doesn't sound that bad to go there if he got a choice.

"If you are wondering why I know that much, it's because of Lea here. We did some research in the summer together." That makes sense, that's exactly what he was thinking about.

"And how would we get picked or choose one?" wondered Mira.

"It's a surprise," winked Katie at them. "Not really, but it's supposed to not be shared with new students, like a test. I would rather not be called for it as spoiling the fun for others."

"Okay," sounded both Harry and Mira. Leanne staying silent through it.

"Next house is Ravenclaw. I don't actually know much about them. It's said that they are intelligent, creative, enjoy learning, seek, and value knowledge. I have very little personal experience with them as most are rather withdrawn and pursue their own agendas, goals, and academic success. They have the best marks overall of the houses but are often seen doing nothing else than studying and sucking up to teachers. They are quick to judge anyone who they deem less intelligent and able than them, which leads to some hostility from other houses. Most of them are witty, but not share their wisdom so freely, aloof, cold, and they don't have many friends. Some are even eccentric. The animal that represents them is an Eagle."

Harry doesn't have many opinions about this house. He sees himself as rather intelligent, more so than most of his normal school class and definitely more than Dudley, but he has seen teacher's pets, geeks, and such to know that it's not really him, even though he is eager to learn anything about magic and he will most likely spent a lot of time buried in books.

"Mira might be picked there. He asks a lot of questions, Ravenclaws are often inquisitive, but it's not a rule."

"Sure, why not, but Eagle?" remarks Mira. "Why not a Raven? It's in their name." Mira shakes his head in confusion. Harry also wonders about it.

"Perhaps raven wasn't noble enough? Maybe they felt a raven would be inferior compared to other houses? Who knows? I never asked them. Perhaps if you go there, you will find about it and can tell us." Katie trails out. No one had better ideas than Katie why is their animal like that, so they remained silent.

"Onto a last one, Slytherin. I'll warn you prior to continuing, that I might be biased, but I think most of my observations are true. Slytherins have a terrible reputation and are called evil snakes, especially in some confrontations with Gryffindors. It's not only because of animal that represents them is a snake. The reason for this is mostly shitty behavior, insults, covert actions to cause harm to others, and the history of previous members of the house. It's a house that produced most of the dark wizards with little to none redeeming attributes in this century." Katie pauses a bit, a frown on her face. It looks like she has some poor memories with them. It never happened when she spoke about other houses.

"I suppose some have wonderful qualities, but they are rarely shown. Their dominant ideology is ambition, striving for greatness, for success, but often it's despite of stepping on others. They are intelligent nearly on a par with Ravenclaws, cunning, clever, and resourceful. It often pairs their determination to succeed and self-preservation, paved with going through any means toward their goals. They are ruthless, more arrogant than any bad behaved Gryffindor, close-minded elitist group, and blood purists that I ever saw. A nasty, cruel, vicious cesspit of snakes. Selfish, smug, uncaring bastards thinking themselves on top of the world with the rest of us as peasants beneath them." Katie spat out in a really heated speech at the end. So much enmity. It doesn't sound like a pleasant house to end in at all. It really is a surprise for Harry to see her that way. Such a stark change from a nice, gentle, easygoing girl that was so friendly to talk to just a while ago.

"Okay, Katie, calm down. That's enough." Leanne places her hand on Katie's shoulder.

"What are blood purists?" asks seemingly totally unaffected Mira. Leanne shot him to death glare but did not stop rubbing Katie's shoulder.

"Remember, my talk about squibs and my heritage?" Katie starts, now somewhat calmer. Both Harry and Mira nods. "It's roughly about that. A blood purist is a person who prides himself in his blood purity and ancestry. That's where the name came from. Purebloods. They condemn anyone who has no 'pure' blood as someone lesser than them. That means all muggleborns, squibs, and muggles. Some of them scorn even on halfbloods. The longer the lineage, the better they think they are than anyone else." Harry can't help but let his mind wander about pedigree in dogs, what a nonsense. The ones with higher pedigree and pure bloodlines are the worst ones. He had seen plenty of examples from the vicious Marge's dogs.

"Why I mentioned it in Slytherin? I think it's a foul house fit for both of you. Harry, you are not a pureblood and despite the fame, you do not have anyone strong backing you up. Do you?"

"No," answered Harry honestly.

"There are even children of the unconvinced Death eaters and other You-know-who supporters that were never proven guilty in the war in that house. Their fathers wiggled their way of out prison sentences and now their offspring is among us at school," it feels like Katie almost shivers.

"You would be miserable there, I'm sure of it," Katie concludes.

"And you Mira could be potentially muggleborn with your unknown status of parents. I don't want to even imagine how muggleborns survive in that house surrounded by hatred," sadly finishes Katie while Leanne stops supporting her with her hand, instead, covering her own mouth with it as she yawns.

They had eaten quite a lot of candy except for Katie that talked a lot, so they are now feeling quite full and tired.

With unanimous consent and some quick fiddling later, they all set down the beds and lie down. Katie told them that there is some voiced message loud enough to wake anyone when they are closing to the final and only station of Hogsmeade, so they don't have to worry about oversleeping their arrival. Girls quickly exchanged clothes for more comfortable ones to nap while boys went away for a moment, but in the end, Katie shut the door again with the spell and they went to sleep. No one was in the mood to talk after the heavy topic and the sour Katie's mood. It tired Harry as he worked on the house yesterday to almost midnight and then drive in the car early in the morning, so it wasn't long and he was sleeping like a log.