Kings Cross Station at London
September 1, 1991
"Now listen here boy! You'll do no such freakish things while you're looking for that imaginary platform of yours, you understand?!" A fat man bellowed at a young scrawny little kid with wired spectacles.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon." The boy meekly answered, but inwardly rolled his eyes.
"Go on then! Get out of my sight!" His uncle said shooing him off and the boy walked away, pushing his trolley in front of him. He entered the station when he heard his uncle say.
"Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters? Ha! There's no such thing as Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters!" Harry shrugged off the thought and went to find his way.
Harry was starting to worry, he has been pacing around the lane where Platform 9 and 10 quarters was and he hasn't found the Hogwarts Express. He was looking for a good amount of time until he decided to rest and was now sitting on a nearby bench trying to figure out where to find Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters was. Maybe this was all a cruel joke. Maybe he wasn't good enough to be a wizard. It was a good thing his uncle left him on the station an hour early so he could figure out where in Merlin Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters was. He was beginning to think to just go and find his way back 'home' when he heard someone.
"Come on Dad! Platform 9 and 3/4 is this way!"
Harry turned to the source of the voice and saw a bushy-haired girl walking with a spring on her step. The other two people on her side must be her parents. The father was the one pushing her trolley, while her mother tried to keep up with the girl's pace.
"Hermione dear, slow down!" The girl's mother called out and the girl slowed down, smiling sheepishly at her mother.
"Sorry mum, it's just i'm excited! There's a whole new world just beyond a platform and i can't wait to learn about the things!-" the girl chattered excitedly and her mother placed a finger to the girl's lips.
"Didn't the Professor told you about the Statute of Secrecy? You need to be careful saying these things in public Hermione." Her mother chastised, the girl's beaming smile faltered into a small pout, which Harry found a bit cute.
Wait what?
"I know, it's just i'm-"
"Exhilarated? Of course kiddo, we understand you, but do try to be careful next time." Her father spoke up for the first time and the girl nodded her head in understanding.
"It won't happen next time, i promise."
The girl promised and her father smiled and patted her bushy hair affectionately. Harry felt a small pang of sadness at the display of affection, but shook of the thought and focused on the family once more.
"Let's move on shall we?" Her dad suggested and the family continued walking down the platform.
There was no doubt that the girl was like him, she was a witch, one with magic just like him. Before the family could go any further, Harry bolted up from his seat, grabbed his trolley and chased down the platform towards the family.
"E-excuse me!" Harry called out to the family. They stopped and turned around to see him. Harry just then realized that the family now had his attention and just out of habit, he ducked his head down.
"Do you need any help lad?" The man questioned Harry.
"A-are you going to Hogwarts too?" Harry asked in a small voice. The three of their eyes widened and before they could say a word, Harry interrupted.
"I-its ok! I'm a Wizard too!"
The family calmed down at that and then stared at him in curiosity. Harry flushed and quickly replied.
"I know it was rude, but i can't help but overhear your conversation a moment ago, and i just had to ask if you're really going to Hogwarts?"
The woman smiled down at him.
"Yes. Our daughter is the one going to Hogwarts, it will be her First-Year. Are you going to Hogwarts too sweetie?" The woman asked him, and Harry nodded.
"Yes- you see, the one who introduced me to the Wizarding World might have forgot to mention where Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters was, and i've been stuck here for the past 20 mins. finding the correct platform. I was hoping maybe you could help me?"
Harry asked the woman and when he didn't hear an immediate reply, he began to panic inside and out of habit, Harry began to play with his fingers, waiting anxiously for their answer.
"Of course we can show you the way dear. Here, i'll help you with you trolley." Before Harry could protest, the woman took his trolley and walked beside him. Catching up with the other two who were now ahead of them.
"What's your name lad?" The woman asked. Harry looked up to the woman and answered.
"My name is Harry ma'am. Harry Potter." The woman smiled and raised her hand towards him.
"Nice to meet you Harry, my name is Dr. Emma Granger, over there is my husband Daniel, and our daughter Hermione." She introduced the others to him. Before Harry could reply, the girl- no, Hermione squealed and Harry looked in front of him.
"Here we are mum! We're at Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters!"
Harry raised his head and saw the Platform 9 and 10 Quarters. Now he was confused. Hermione must've seen his face because she immediately supplied an answer to his unspoken question.
"This is the muggle side of Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters. We have to run straight ahead the wall to pass through the barrier between here from the Wizarding World."
Harry jerked his head back to Hermione and sputtered.
"W-we have to run straight to the wall?! But what if we crash?" Harry asked her and the girl answered him again.
"We won't, because we have magic. Only magical people can pass through the barrier. Professor McGonagall advised those Muggle parents that they should hold on to us if they want to pass through the barrier."
Harry relaxed a bit at that, but still felt uneasy at running straight to the wall. Daniel Granger must've noticed his uneasiness because he went to his side and clutched his shoulder.
"I'll go along with you kiddo."
Harry felt grateful and thanked the man.
"Thank you Mr. Granger-" before he could say more, the man interrupted him.
"Nonsense, please call me Dan. All the mister stuff doesn't sit right with me." Harry nodded in understanding.
Dan then looked to his wife.
"You lot can go first, me and the kid will stay back to watch how you fare."
Emma nodded and placed her hand to her daughter's shoulder and the other clutching the trolley, they run straight ahead and disappeared?
Both him and Daniel looked at each other in surprise. Dan chuckled and did the same to what his wife did to Harry.
"Well kiddo, are you ready?" Dan asked him. Harry gulped and gripped his trolley tightly.
"Ready."
Then they pushed his trolley slowly and then they quickened their pace. Harry closed his eyes as the wall was getting nearer and thought that they were going to crash, but it never happened. Instead, he felt a tingling feeling spread through his body and he opened his eyes.
In front of him was a scarlet red train. He observed it a bit closer and saw that there was a plaque. It read: The Hogwarts Express
Harry raised his head excitedly and looked around the place. He saw a hanging sign above him and read it.
'Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters'
So Platform 9 and 3/4 Quarters really did exist! The Hogwarts Express, Diagon Alley, Gringotts and Goblins. All of it was really real!
Harry couldn't help but look at amazement in everything. He felt Dan tapping his shoulder and he looked up to him in question.
"The others are waiting for us."
Dan stated and Harry blushed. He forgot that Dan was with him.
"S-sorry! I forgot about them for a minute." Harry quickly apologized. Dan laughed and continued pushing his trolley forward.
"Don't worry about it kiddo. Come on." He urged Harry to follow and he did.
Before they could reach close enough to the other two, Harry stopped and drew the attention of Dan, who peered at him curiously.
"Is something wrong kid?" He asked.
"N-no! It's just- i just wanna thank you and your wife for helping me find where this platform was and, I-i'll find my own way for now." Harry told him.
"Your welcome kid, but we can-" Before Dan could say anymore, Harry grabbed his trolley and rushed away.
"I-i'm sorry! But thank you for your help sir!"
Harry pushed his trolley far away from the man as possible. He didn't mean bad, he just got shy all of a sudden and didn't want to cause more trouble for the family. Due to his rush, he almost forgot that there was someone calling him.
"Where you going kid?"
A loud voice called out from somewhere and Harry looked around to see who it was. It was an middle aged guy wearing some kind of uniform like a luggage guy. Harry realized the man was looking straight at him. Harry tensed up. Did he do something wrong?
"D-did i do something wrong sir?" Harry couldn't help but ask. The luggage guy nodded and Harry gulped. What did he even do?
"You almost missed me. I'm responsible for loading all the student's luggage. You can only bring a small bag inside the train kid."
The luggage guy stated and Harry sighed in relief.
"I-i didn't know that." Harry confessed and pushed his trolley towards the guy.
"No problem. Are you bringing your owl with you?" The guy jerked his head towards Hedwig. Remembering Hedwig's behavior, he grabbed her cage.
"Anything you want to bring with you during the ride? It's a long ride after all." The guy asked again.
"Is it really that long?" Harry asked in wonder.
"Yup, the train departs at 11 AM, and arrives at Hogsmeade around 5 or 6."
The guy answered and Harry put Hedwig's cage down and moved for his trunks.
"Can you wait for a sec? I'll only take a few things." Harry asked for his permission and the guy nodded his approval. He immediately opened his trunk and grabbed a small bag he added just in case.
Harry observed his trunk for a moment and decided to grab a school textbook, Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Digger to pass by the time reading something worth it. He grabbed his small pouch of Galleons for spending, the leather bound journal he would write for stuff he learned, owl treats for Hedwig if she gets hungry during the train ride, and his water bottle if he gets thirsty. Speaking of getting thirsty, how about when he got hungry? He decided to ask the luggage guy.
"Excuse me sir, but is there food during the train ride?" The guy looked at Harry in amusement and let out a laugh.
"Of course there's food boy! The Trolley Witch will provide sorts of sweets and pastries inside. Don't tell me you haven't been in a train before?"
Harry flinched at his laughter. The tone reminded him of his Uncle Vernon. Seeing the boy in distress, the man stopped his laughing.
"So it really is your first time? Well sorry about that, i didn't know. I apologise for my behavior." The man grabbed his hat and bowed at Harry.
Harry felt awkward at the man bowing at him and raised his hands.
"S-stop! You didn't know about it so it's okay really." Harry said and the man put his hat back on.
"Well, did you got all of your things?"
Harry looked inside his bag if he missed anything.
Book? check. Money pouch? check. His leather bound journal and pen? check. Water bottle? check. Owl treats for Hedwig? check.
Harry closed his bag and wore it on his shoulder and grabbed Hedwig's cage.
"I'm good. You can take my luggage now mister. Thanks for your help."
"It's my job to help with your luggages, Mr. Potter." The man replied with a grin and Harry gaped at him.
"H-how did you?-"
"Your scar is quite noticable Mr. Potter. And let me be the first to express my gratitude for the part you played in You-Know-Who's downfall." The man took Harry's free hand and shook it.
Harry just smiled at the man somewhat uncomfortably.
"Is there something wrong Mr. Potter?" the man questioned.
"I don't like all the Boy-Who-Lived stuff really. I don't even remember a single thing about it, and... i appreciate if people would just leave me alone." Harry confessed and the man peered at him closely.
"If i may suggest Mr. Potter?"
"Yes?"
"I could perhaps cast a charm to hide your scar. If that's not enough, you could cover it with your bangs."
The man suggested and Harry beamed.
"Can you really do it?!"
"Of course Mr. Potter, consider it as a gift of gratitude from me."
"R-really?! T-thank you kind sir!"
The man stepped closer and bent down to his eye level. He took out his wand and pressed it to his famous lightning bolt scar, Harry closed his eyes just in case.
'Illusiont'
The man casted the charm and Harry felt the same tingling feeling and opened his eyes. His hand immediately went up to the spot on his forehead where his scar was, but he could still feel it!
"Did it work? But i can still feel it."
"You can still feel it, but people will only see a scar free forehead." The man explained and Harry flattened his bangs, just in case.
"Does it stay forever?" The man frowned and softly shook his head.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't stay forever. A Permanent Disillusionment Charm is really hard and draws a lot of magic from your own core. But no worries, it would last long enough until you arrive at Hogwarts." The man added and Harry beamed again.
"T-thank you kind sir! It was nice to see you!" Harry thanked him, grabbed Hedwig's cage and walked away to board the train.
After Harry boarded the train, he was looking for a compartment. Not just any compartment, but one that would be far away from most people. He eventually found a compartment and noticed it was near the end of the train. He opened the door to the compartment and to his surprise, found someone already occupying it.
He took a closer look at the person and found it was the same girl whose parents helped him find his way to the platform, and the very same he just ditched not a while ago.
Just my luck.
"Do you need something? Wait! i know you!-" the girl asked but before she could say more he interrupted her.
"Do you mind if i join you? I'm not fond of many people you see, and this is just the right compartment for hiding. I-its ok if you don't want to-"
"Of course you can join me."
Harry looked up to her in surprise.
"O-h, thanks!" Harry entered the compartment and put Hedwig's cage to the far side alongside with his bag and sat down.
"T-thanks again for letting me join you." Harry thanked her again.
"It's fine really." The two stared awkwardly and the girl broke the silence by clearing her throat.
"I'm Hermione Jean Granger, and i'm the first magical one in my family. I was ever so pleased when i received my letter, i always thought that the mysterious things happening around me was just all a trick of an eye or something, but when Professor McGonagall visited me in my home and demonstrated things, i was convinced that i was different from everyone else."
The girl was rambling on at this point and Harry suprised himself that he managed to keep track with her. When she finally noticed that she was rambling, she flushed and bowed her head down.
"S-sorry, i tend to ramble you see- i must've scared you now." She said in a chuckle but Harry heard the sad tone beneath it.
"It's ok really, i understand you. I was suprised when my letter came too, and when Hagrid came to pick me up and introduced me to Diagon Alley and all the other things. I immediately felt that i belong here."
The two of them smiled at each other's ramblings and shared a laugh.
"Aren't we lucky ones?" Harry commented and the two shared another laugh.
"Oh my god! I almost forgot!" Hermione smacked her head. Harry looked at her in concern.
"Forgot what?"
"I forgot to ask your name!"
Harry stared at her in amusement and couldn't help but burst out in giggles.
Hermione's brows furrowed which Harry found it endearing.
"What's so funny?" She asked and Harry stopped giggling to answer her.
"I thought you left something important, but all you asked was my name." He told her and Hermione frowned.
"What's so funny about that? Of course it's important to know someone's name! I consider it rude for people not introducing themselves properly." Hermione stated and stared straight at the boy with wired round glasses. Harry gulped and raised his hand for her to shake.
"Sorry but if you must know, my name is Harry James Potter."
Hermione was already shaking his hand before learning his name, when she heard it she nearly dropped it in shock and her eyes widened in surprise.
Merlin, please let her be a decent one.
"Are you really? I've read all about you of course. You were on the 'Famous Witches and Wizards of the 20th Century' and you were in there for defeating Voldemort.
Harry widened his eyes on surprise. She wasn't all bonkers around him and she was bold enough to speak You-Know-Who's name.
"You're not scared to speak his name?" Harry asked her. People usually flinch or got scared whenever You-Know-Who's name was spoken, and she suprised her yet again. She just gave a nod of her head and replied.
"I read from somewhere that 'Fear of a name only increases fear itself' and i believe those words. He's already defeated isn't he? So why are they still scared of saying his name like it's some sort of taboo."
"You're right Hermione. You just surprised me is all. No one's bold enough to speak his name out here- but you better be careful though, there may be some people that may be reminded of what they experienced during the war." I reminded her and she was deep in thought.
"Yeah, i suppose so..." she murmured and looked at Harry, he noticed she was looking to where his scar was and he slid his bangs for her to see.
"But you have no scar!" she accused.
"The man who helped me with my luggage was the first one who noticed it, and when he suggested he could cast a charm to cover my scar, i agreed so people won't bother me during the train ride." Harry explained to Hermione, who looked at where his scar was again.
"A charm? What kind of charm was it?" She asked Harry and he sighed in relief that she didn't seem to be bothered with the whole Boy-Who-Lived thing.
"He said it was a Disillusionment Charm, you can't see the scar but you can still feel it."
Harry answered her and Hermione stood from her seat and leaned towards him. Harry blushed at the close contact and he was sure he was red all over the face when Hermione traced a finger to where his scar was. The feeling of her touch in his skin was just soothing and Harry felt awkward with her touch. He couldn't help but stutter out.
"W-what are you doing?"
Hermione seemed to realize she was now invading his privacy and sat back down to her seat and looked away blushing too. Harry noticed this and thought she looked pretty blushing and he blushed again and looked away too.
"S-sorry, i just wanted to test if what you really said was true." She spoke softly. The two of them sat in silence for a while until Harry worked his courage up and defused the tension.
"Can you promise me something Hermione?"
Hermione looked at him and knew he had her attention.
"Of course, what is it Harry?" She asked and he told her.
"Promise me you won't say anything about me being Harry Potter. I'd like it if we were to stay in this compartment minding our own business without people looking for me."
"Of course i can! It must be tiring for you with all the attention!"
"Wait, you really promise?"
"Yes! What kind of friend do you think i am?"
Harry mumbled something incoherent and she leaned forward to hear him clearly. She didn't saw him blushing at her close contact.
"What was that?" she pressed him to say the words. Harry gathered up his courage and answered.
"Y-you're one of a kind."
Hermione pulled back at his answer and blushed. They both stared at each other, before a word was uttered to one another- the door to the compartment jerked open and they both pulled back.
They both saw a somewhat pudgy boy, he had dark brown hair that you could only tell it was brown if the sun lighted on his hair. He had a small cage and inside was a toad.
"O-oh! S-sorry for disturbing you. I-i guess i'll just find another compartment..." the boy apologized and started to move but Hermione stopped him.
"You can come inside if you want. The two of us just settled in." Hermione offered and the boy looked at the two of them gratefully.
"R-really? Thanks! My name's Neville Longbottom and this is my pet toad, Trevor. I hope you guys are okay with him with us?" Neville asked hesitantly. But Hermione just smiled.
"It's fine, we've got an owl with us. Nice to meet you Neville, my name's Hermione Granger." Hermione offered her hand for Neville to shake and the boy accepted it.
"Nice to meet you too Hermione." Neville replied and put Trevor's cage beside him as he sat down beside Harry.
Before he could exchange pleasantries with Harry, the latter stood up and locked the door of the compartment and closed the windows. When he turned back to sit, he saw the two looking at him strangely.
Harry flushed pink and explained himself.
"Sorry, i just don't want people barging on our compartment," Harry turned to Neville, "i hope you don't mind mate?"
"I-i don't mind, after all you're the ones who offered me a seat." Neville replied and Harry nodded and sat down.
"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, my name's Harry, Harry Potter." Harry offered his hand.
Just like earlier, Neville looked up at him in shock. He raised his head to find the famous lightning bolt scar but seeing none, he looked back to Harry to ask why he didn't have one but Harry beat him to it.
"No scar? I had someone cast a Disillusionment Charm on it so i could i could ride the way to Hogwarts peacefully."
Neville flushed at that but shook his hand.
"S-sorry, there's another reason why i'm also shocked at hearing your name. You see- my godfather was your father, and my mother was your godmother, so we're kinda like godbrothers. Is that even a thing?" Neville explained and it was Harry's turn to look at him in astonishment.
"I have a godmother?" Harry mostly questioned that himself and this made Neville curious.
"You didn't know? My Gran told me that when we were really young, our parents used to visit each other. Well, that was before then, when both of our families went into hiding."
Harry took this news quite good, but he couldn't help but ask why he wasn't placed with Neville's family instead?
"To think that all this time, i thought i was a freak. My relatives told me that my parents died due to a car crash and that they were good for nothing people. But when i came into this world, they were admired by people for their bravery in fighting against Voldemort." Harry all but spatted his name. Neville flinched but Hermione continued looking at him in concern.
"That's not true! Your mother was a really talented witch of her time, and your father was a great Auror!" Neville added.
"Auror? What's an Auror?"
Hermione spoke up for the first time since they all settled inside the compartment.
"An Auror is like a police officer, but a wizard." Hermione supplied and Harry thanked her.
The three of them just sat in the compartment in mutual silence.
They all broke off from their own thoughts when they heard the sound of the train departing.
"We're departing!" Hermione announced excitedly and the boys stood up to watch from the window.
People were waving their hands goodbye and Harry saw some mothers tearing up as they bid their farewells to their children. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a large family of redheads climbing up the train. They were almost left behind!
"Those family of redheads almost got left behind!" Hermione commented and started saying that they should be more punctual.
Neville chuckled beside them and spoke.
"Those family of redheads were the Weasley family. They're always late when they board the Hogwarts Express."
"Sure is a lot of them." Harry joked and they all giggled at that.
"Do you guys know any spells beforehand?" Hermione questioned Neville. They were now talking for a while and they were now in the topic of spells.
Neville flushed at Hermione's question and shyly answered.
"My Gran insisted on giving me a tutor, just like any other pureblood families do, but i seem to have trouble learning it."
"You were given a tutor?" Hermione asked, she envied him that they already had a headstart, unlike her.
"Well, we weren't allowed to have a wand before turning 11, so they mostly taught us in theory." Neville clarified. Harry asked him a question.
"You mentioned 'pureblood', what's that?"
"Oh, it's a witch/wizard who were born to both magical parents. But be careful though, some purebloods think they're better than others just because they're one." Neville explained to both of his new friends.
"So you're also a pureblood?" Hermione asked this to Neville.
"Yes, but i'm not one of those who think they're better than others just because of their lineage." Neville stated and Harry clapped him in the back.
"Nice to know you aren't a posh prat Nev." Then they laughed.
"Are there more pureblood in Hogwarts?" Hermione questioned.
"If we're talking about the majority of the students, no. Most wizards and witches today are half-bloods and muggleborns like you Hermione. They just talk big since their families are a part of the Sacred 28."
"What's the Sacred 28?"
"Are you part of the Sacred 28?"
Both Harry and Hermione asked at the same time and they looked at each other and laughed.
"The Sacred 28 are 28 pureblood families that have been in the magical community for centuries. Some of those families consider themselves purest of the pure, because they didn't taint there blood by mingling with half-bloods and muggleborns. And no, the Longbottoms aren't a part of the Sacred 28." Neville answered.
"How come you're not? You said you were a pureblood?" Harry asked, confused at all this pureblood nonsense.
"Because my family are part of the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses."
"The what?"
Neville chuckled and sat straight.
"Ok, you guys know that there is a Sacred 28. But there are 6 families that were founded a very long time ago, further than the Sacred 28 families. Those are the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses. Those six families were: Black, Greengrass, Abbot, Bones, Longbottom and Potter." Neville said the last one looking straight at Harry, who gaped at him in shock.
"I'm a part of those six families? But you said that my mum was a muggleborn."
"Yes, most of us six families didn't really buy the whole pureblood ideology except for one, the Black Family, but people follow us since we've always been here since near the time of the Hogwarts Founders. During my lesson with Gran about our family history, our ancestors were one of the first ever students that graced Hogwarts."
Harry and Hermione were openly gaping now, and Neville was really uncomfortable with their gaping.
"Sorry Neville, there's just lot to process."
"If you must know, there are some of those six families with us in Hogwarts." Neville added and the other two leaned in.
"Who?"
"Well, there's me and Harry for the Houses of Potter and Longbottom. The House of Black are nearly extinct except for their eldest son, who is now in Azkaban, the Wizarding Prison. The other 3 are actually in the same year as us, i'm childhood friends with Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott. There's a girl named Daphne Greengrass, i've seen her in parties but she's unapproachable."
"You've got to introduce us sometime to your friends Neville. We'd like to learn more about them, maybe we also could be friends." Hermione suggested and Neville replied.
"You're not befriending them just because i told you their families were famous are you? Both of them are wary of people befriending them."
Neville looked seriously at Hermione, who felt uneasy about being under suspicion and Harry decided to save her.
"Don't you worry about Hermione, Neville." he stated, clapping his back again. "If there's one thing your friends should worry about, it's Hermione asking hundreds of questions about the wonders of the Wizarding World." Harry joked around and got a punch to the shoulder.
"Ouch! What was that for?!" Harry groaned out.
"Don't mock me Harry James Potter!"
She warned him and Neville was laughing at his mate's misfortune.
"I just noticed but we went off topic of knowing any spells back there." Hermione stated after.
"Yeah, nice of you to point out. I only know one spell, and Hagrid taught it to me." Harry told them and both listened attentively.
"Hagrid? You already know the Gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts?" Neville asked suprised.
"Yeah. He's the one who introduced me to the Wizarding World."
"I thought Hogwarts Professors were the ones who introduce the Wizarding World to muggleborn students?" Hermione wondered.
Harry shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to reply.
"Anyways, i forgot what type of spell it was, but i remembered its incantation was 'Flipendo'." Harry told his friends.
"That's the Knockback Jinx. I've read about it!" Hermione told him and Neville's eyes widened.
"That spell is quite useful Harry. If someone ever messes with you, you'd beat them down," Neville joked then ducked his head down. "I've tried practicing it but i'm hopeless." Neville told both of them and continued to looked down.
"Rubbish. If you just grasp the theory correctly maybe you could get it right." Hermione said to him and the boy just flushed.
"You think so?"
"Hermione could help you if you want Neville. She's read all of the books in our year in advance." Harry told him.
"Really? She's read all of them?" Neville asked surprised and Hermione just blushed.
"He's just over exaggerating." She told Neville and Harry had to stiffle a snort.
"I could use both of your help- that is if you want to join us Harry." Neville said, liking the idea.
"Of course i'd join you two, Neville. I would probably learn more from Hermione than the other teachers at Hogwarts." Harry joked and got a smack on the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" Harry cried out again, rubbing his arm.
"Serves you right Potter." She said, sticking out her tongue at the boy.
"Why you-" but he didn't get to finish his sentence since the Trolley Witch was passing by their compartment and they unlocked their compartment.
"Trolley! Anything from the Trolley?"
The Trolley Witch said aloud. Neville stood up from his seat and grinned at Harry and Hermione.
"Do you guys know anything about wizarding sweets?"
"Nope. Care to show us?" Harry asked smiling, as he stood up from his seat.
"Anything from the trolley m'dears?"
The Trolley Witch asked us.
"What type of sweets do you recommend i get, Nev?" Harry asked, standing next to him and looking at the various sweets in the trolley.
"If you fancy some chocolate- Chocolate Frogs would be good and there's this interesting flavoured beans called 'Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans'." Neville suggested and Harry looked at the trolley lady.
"I'll have what he suggested please."
The trolley lady nodded and grabbed 3 hexagon shaped cartons labeled 'Chocolate Frogs' on them. Then, she took a small box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and gave them to him.
"That'll be 15 sickles m'dear, will that be all?"
"Do you want some Hermione?" Harry asked her, gesturing towards the trolley full of sweets. She just shaked her head.
"No thanks, i'll just try a few of those flavoured beans you bought. Thank you for the offer though. It's nice of you." Harry nodded and turned back to the trolley lady.
"That's all of it. 15 sickles was it?" The trolley lady nodded in agreement and Harry scavenged in his money pouch for sickles. He counted the right amount and gave it to her.
"Enjoy your ride of the Hogwarts Express m'dears!"
After they were finished eating their sweets. They all went back to discussing their previous topic.
"I've tried practicing all the spells at home and they've all worked for me." Hermione told them and took out her wand again and pointed it in front of Harry.
"Uh, Hermione? What are you doing?" The boy chuckled awkwardly.
"For example-"
Merlin! She really is gonna do it!
"Oculus Reparo!" A small bam could be heard and the crack at Harry's lenses were fixed. He took off and stared at them in amazement and put them back on.
"Wow! Thank you Hermione! Now i don't have to worry getting them all taped up anymore." He thanked her and Hermione blushed.
"It was nothing, besides they kept on bothering me." Hermione muttered.
"I think were getting near to Hogsmeade. We should change into our robes- i expect we'll be arriving soon." Hermione reminded the boys.
"Sure me and Neville will change in the loo. You can change inside the compartment Hermione." Harry told her.
"No, it's fine. I'll go to the loo-" She started protesting but he shrugged her off.
"Just change inside Granger. Besides, me and Longbottom need a bit of a stretch of our legs- right Neville." He nudged him and he agreed.
"Fine, i'll look after your stuff when you're done then."
The two grabbed their robes and left the compartment to change inside the comfort room.
"Doesn't it get hot out here? I mean we're gonna live in a huge bloody castle after all." Harry mentioned to Neville on their way back to their compartment after they finished changing.
"Trust me Harry, you'll need it once we get there- we're living in a huge castle in the Scottish Highlands after all." Neville reminded him.
"Right, i forgot about the weather there- silly me." Harry chuckled at himself. They were just a few compartments away from theirs when they bumped to a blonde haired guy with two supposedly baby giants.
"Watch where you're going Longbottom." He sneered at the pudgy boy, whom Harry observed was now pale.
"Apologies, we were just getting back to our compartment." Harry excused himself and Neville. From what he observed, this guy had new robes and his appearance screamed pureblood like how Neville warned him earlier.
"Tsk. Making friends with losers are you Longbottom? Just like how you're a squib?" the blonde taunted and Neville flinched even more. Harry couldn't accept this, he had to defend his friend.
"I thought squibs were born without magic?" Harry pretended to ask the blonde.
"They are."
"If you said that Neville's a squib, then why is he here on this train? After all, only those with magic can go to Hogwarts." Harry pointed out to him and the blonde scowled, clearly not expecting for him to defend his friend.
The blonde moved closer to Harry and he narrowed his eyes.
"You think you're so clever huh?" He sneered at Harry. His companions laughed like it was funny.
"No, just making a statement." Harry grabbed the edge of Neville's robes and dragged him away from the trio.
He glanced back and saw the blonde was scowling at their retreat but left.
Once we were far enough from the three i rounded on Neville.
"Who was that blonde prat? And why did he called you a squib? Is he one of those families that are pureblood fanatics?"
Momentarily scared at the barrage of demands from his friend, Neville cleared his throat and told him.
"The guy we just bumped into was Draco Malfoy, and you're correct, his family is part of the Sacred 28 and are also one of the fanatical ones. Those two goons with him were Crabbe and Goyle, their families too are like the Malfoy's."
Harry relaxed his grip on Neville's robes and straightened it out.
"Sorry about that, i just can't stand bullying. Why did he call you a squib back there?"
Neville's eyes widened and he looked down at his feet.
"Let's talk about this with Hermione."
"When i was young, I didn't have outbursts of magic like the others do during their childhood and people started calling me a squib. My Uncle Algie insisted to shake out the magic in me and did things to let me have an outburst or any sign that i'd have magic. One day he dropped me into a deep pond and i almost drowned, luckily, i somehow traveled from the pond back to the surface. It was the first time i had a case of accidental magic."
Neville told his story, and both of them were feeling mixed emotions.
"That's awful! How could your Uncle do that to you?" Hermione cried out and left from her seat to engulf Neville to a warm-hearted hug.
"Don't worry Neville, no one will be calling you a squib while we're here. Because me and Hermione are right beside you, and if there's one thing that i hate the most- it's bullies. Right Hermione?"
Harry declared to Neville and Hermione agreed with him.
"Yes, we won't tolerate those people who are just a waste of time. Why do we have to care about the people who talks smack about us? Let's just ignore them and be ourselves."
Hermione was giving quite the speech and Harry couldn't help but cheer her on.
"Yeah!"
Hermione seemed to be getting fired up at Harry's cheer, because she continued on.
"We could care less about them! We're different and that's better than trying to be the same boring people as them!"
"YEAH!" Harry and Neville both yelled and the three of them laughing at it all.
Once they finally stopped and took a breath. Harry couldn't help but asked something.
"The three of us are bestfriends right?"
"Of course we are!" came Hermione's quick reply.
"We fit together don't you think?"
Neville said and they thought it over their heads. Eventually, he replied.
"Yeah we do, and none of us could ask for anymore."
To be continued