Chapter 2: Start of a New Chapter
Minerva McGonagall knew Potters were a wealthy family. But as she stared at the heaps of gold, silver and bronze coins, she couldn't help but shake her head. What was James Potter thinking, keeping this much money in the Trust Vault, in the care of an eleven year old child?!
"How-how much money is there?" asked Harry, his eyes wide in awe.
"Fifteen thousand six hundred and twenty six galleons, two hundred and thirty one sickles, and ninety seven knuts", said the goblin named Griphook in a bored voice. "Your family vault has nine hundred ninety eight thousand and thirty eight galleons, two thousand nine hundred sickles and four hundred and two knuts. Lily Evans-Potter's personal vault has twenty thousand nine hundred and eighty nine galleons, four hundred and seventy sickles, and two hundred and ninety nine knuts. However, as Teller Gnarlock has informed you, this is the only vault you have access to until you are of age."
"The gold ones are galleons, the silver ones are sickles, and the bronze one are knuts", explained Minerva. "One galleon is seventeen sickles and one sickle is twenty nine knuts, you'll soon get the hang of it, Mr. Potter."
"And what is the muggle exchange rate?" asked Harry.
"A galleon is five pounds and twenty seven cents", replied Griphook. "However with how the muggle economy is, in two or three years we expect one galleon to cross six pounds."
Harry's eyes widened even more at how much money he had. If Minerva was correct in assuming so, his assets would sum up to more than six million pounds in the muggle world when he would come of age.
"Mr. Potter, I know I don't have much say in how you spend your money, yet I must advise you not to squander your money by leading a life too extravagant", said Minerva. "While you may buy the best of the equipment available and do otherwise shopping you may be willing to, just…just exercise some caution."
"Yes, professor", said they eleven year old. "Erm, how much should I take with me…and how do I carry the coins?"
"I think forty or so galleons would be more than enough, and would even leave you some money, after you are done shopping for your school supplies", said Minerva. "Do remember to take a few sickles and knuts with you. As for where you will take the money…isn't there a mokeskin pouch Gringotts provide for a price of three galleons?" she asked the goblin.
The goblin grunted, and waddled to the cart, drew a leather pouch out of the cart and handed it to Harry. She watched as the boy loaded the bag with the coins, and after he had put all of it inside, he paid three galleons to the goblin who snatched it out of Harry's hand.
After the cart ride, the professor and student duo came out of the marble building.
As they came across a shop called 'Madam Malkins' Robes for All Occasions', Minerva said, "You know it would be better if you would go and ask her for a Hogwarts full set, she will understand, while I shall buy the telescope, brass scales and stationary. I think five to seven galleons would be more than enough to cover that cost. If by that time you are done we will buy a trunk for you." Harry nodded at her. "And yes, might I advise buying three sets of everyday robes too. While most students do wear muggle clothes, some everyday robes might just come in handy."
"Right, professor", said Harry nodding, as he provided Minerva with the said money. Minerva went off to Twiftling and Twafts her thoughts revolving around the eleven year old. He didn't seem he would turn out as troublesome like his father, and there seemed to be more Lily in him than anything. He didn't seem to have developed any attachment to his family, and Minerva wasn't surprised by that. She sighed, knowing that she would have to explain to him about the night of Halloween 1981, and the celebrity he was in the Wizarding World. She meant it when she said world, because who else was known to have had survived the Killing Curse? It was the curse that brought no survivors. Instant Death. Yet, the boy had lived. Albus had given her the duty to explain Harry about all this. But how do you broach the subject of one's parents' death?
With the thoughts in her mind she continued shopping for the boy, deciding to buy some extra stacks of parchment and ink too, like she advised the other muggleborns, she had accompanied before, to buy.
After having bought the scales and telescope, Minerva went back to Madam Malkins to find Harry conversing with a blond girl, who also appeared to be in her first year too. The girl seemed to be laughing at something Harry had told her. Minerva noticed that it didn't appear the girl was in awe of him or something, like many had reacted that day.
"Ah, I see that you're done", said Minerva on approaching the two eleven year olds.
"Yes, professor", said Harry. "All right, see you Daphne!"
"Hullo professor", greeted the blonde girl. "I'll have to go too. See you James!"
Minerva raised her eyebrows on hearing the name the girl, Daphne, had called Harry. She looked at him questioningly.
Harry looked a bit sheepish. "I figured you wanted me to keep my name a secret, because for some reason when people meet me, their eyes go all wide and…well", he shrugged his shoulders. "I realised my scar is a recognizable feature so I covered my scar with my hair, and I introduced myself as James Evans, which isn't exactly a lie…I mean, Aunt Petunia had written my surname as Evans-Potter in the primary school, so my full name is kinda Harry James Evans-Potter, I guess."
Minerva sighed. "Yes, I think it's for the better you didn't introduce yourself as Harry Potter just yet", said the older woman. "Madam Malkin is very professional, but I'm not sure about her assistants. And the last thing we need is a horde of withes and wizards gathered up here. Very well, let's go and see some of the trunks."
"And I'd rather make friends who don't see me as a celebrity", commented Harry quietly.
Yes, he was definitely like Lily, mused Minerva.
Although a standard trunk was enough for the students, Minerva didn't object Harry to buy a trunk which had a slight expansion charm to it (it could stretch to a maximum of five times the space of a normal trunk), seeing as he had enough money as it is. The required textbooks were bought without much incidents from Flourish and Blotts, followed by getting him the cauldron and the standard potion ingredients from the Apothecary.
The last stop was Ollivanders, to get Harry his wand.
On entering the dark shop which had the sign 'Ollivanders: Makers of fine wands since 382 BC', the door bell rung indicating the arrival of customers. The wand shop was the same as Minerva remembered from the first time she had come here for buying her wand, a number of boxes containing the wands stacked in the shelves, and a roll of tape on the counter which would sprung up like snakes to do some measurings, Minerva didn't know what use the measuring came to, she never studied wandlore.
"Minerva McGonagall", said a voice, nearly startling her, as out came an elderly man, from the behind of the shop. In her opinion, no one visited this shop as often as she did, and he still managed to take the mickey out of her every single time! "Beechwood, twelve inches, dragon heartstring, excellent for transfiguration."
"We met yesterday, Garrick", said Minerva dryly, "when I brought Hermione Granger for her wand."
"Yes, that wand is good for charms", said the old wandmaker. "My bet is she would be in Ravenclaw. Twelve sickles?"
"I'd say Gryffindor, Garrick", said Minerva. "I'll be coming on Saturday, 3rd of September in Leaky Cauldron. Let's see who wins."
"A wager", said Garrick. "Mr. Potter", his attention turned towards Harry. "The resemblance between your father and you is uncanny, if I say so. He favoured a mahogany wand, eleven inches. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration, but then again, it is the wand that chooses the wizard."
"James Potter was indeed exceptional in Transfiguration", said Minerva, in reminiscence of a fond memory. "I'd have thought he would've gone for a mastery in transfiguration, but he and Lily ended up joining the Aurors. But then again, both were equally brilliant in duelling, so I shouldn't have been that surprised."
"Yes, Lily Evans got a ten and a half inches, willow", said Garrick. "It was excellent for charmwork, and she did end up getting a mastery in charms despite her joining the Aurors. The youngest to get a mastery in charm. So, Mr. Potter, let's see which wand chooses you."
"You said that the wand chooses the wizard", said Harry, speaking for the first time. "How does that work?"
"It's a secret among us wandmakers", said Garrick. "Maybe if you one day decide upon studying wandlore, you might know. Which is your wand-arm?"
"Erm, I'm right handed", replied Harry.
The tapes on the counter sprung to life and started measuring his right hand, coiling around like a snake. And then, the tapes withdrew and got itself neatly rolled on the counter.
"Let's try this…beechwood, nine inches and dragon heartstring. Nice and flexible", he gave Harry a wand, and as soon as he touched it, it immediately gave away red sparks.
Minerva's eyebrows rose. "A match on the first one?" she asked the old wandmaker.
Ollivander narrowed his eyes, and took away the wand. "No, I don't think so", he said, with his eyes boring itself into the boy, as if to trying to find something. "Tell me, Mr. Potter, are you capable of wandless magic? Magic at will, without a wand?"
Minerva's eyebrows now threatened to disappear into her hairline? Wandless magic? An eleven year old capable of willing wandless magic?
"Erm, y-yeah, I can do a few things", said the raven haired boy.
"Show me."
For a moment, nothing happened. But then, the wand boxes lying on the counter started floating and then moving in a zig-zag pattern or in circles. The boy had not even moved a single muscle to do what he had been doing!
"Is that the true extent of what you can do wandlessly?" asked Garrick, suddenly appearing very excited. "You need not worry about my things getting a bit roughed up."
"Erm…well…"
At that moment every wand box in the store, the shelves, the counter, the tables behind them, all started rising into the air and then began tap dancing. The shelves moved around rapidly in zig-zag pattern in the narrow space, yet they didn't touch each other or the walls, and Minerva watched the scene in awe. Even with a wand, this accomplishment would have been exceptional. And the boy just did it wandlessly!
"Bravo!" cried Ollivander, excitement laden in his voice. The shelves, boxes, and the tables returned to their original position. Minerva gaped at the exceptional feat the boy had displayed.
"Well, this does make things a lot difficult for me, but I would find you a perfect match, don't you worry, Mr. Potter", said Ollivander.
Minerva had no idea how many wands the boy had tried, and each of them continued shooting red sparks, accepting the wizard to be their master. But that didn't necessarily mean they had the 'best fit', as Garrick constantly said.
And then Minerva suddenly found warmth in the air and a chilliness at the same time. This time, when Harry had taken a wand, and as usual red sparks shot out, but Ollivander cried, "Bravo!"
Garrick gave the boy a mysterious smile. "Curious, how very curious", said Garrick. "That is no doubt the best fit you have, but it is curious that it is this wand which does."
"What is curious, Garrick, if you don't mind me asking?" asked Minerva.
"You see, the phoenix which gave up a tail feather for this particular wand, gave just another one", said Garrick, with an aura of mystery around him. "That yew, thirteen and a half inch wand was sold to the witch, who would later go on to give you that scar on your forehead."
"We can expect great things from you, Mr. Potter", said Garrick, smiling. "Voldemort, whatever her intentions had been, had managed feats most had considered impossible. Her achievements in magic is perhaps rivalled only by Albus Dumbledore or Nicholas Flamel—maybe even Grindelwald or Azevedo."
No one in the shop said anything. Minerva's lips had thinned and Harry looked pale.
"That would be seven galleons", said Garrick finally, breaking the silence. "But remember this, Mr. Potter. All of us have light and dark within us, but what matters is the path we choose to act on. And that's who we truly are."
"I know you have a lot of questions, Mr. Potter", said Minerva. She took a spoonful of her mint flavoured ice cream. Minerva and Harry were sitting in front of Florean Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlour, and Minerva thought of the best way to explain his history to him. "And perhaps the best way to tell this is starting at the beginning.
"After the International Statue of Secrecy was introduced in 1659, the muggle world and the Wizarding World became totally different entities. While the muggle world progressed in its own right, the Wizarding World progressed in a different road. The muggles stayed with their narrow minded ideologies and corruption by the church, while wizards and witches never believed in religion, and calling them atheists would be the correct term in my opinion, but then again we never had any concept of God to start with. The muggle society remained sexist, while witches and wizards had been considered equal as long as our history books go. We never believed in monarchy, and ever since our ministries existed, we had a parliamentary body which has seats passed down through generations, and it is they, who elect the Minister of Magic. However, the only problem, which some believe, stagnates our society is the belief among witches and wizards, that those who are muggleborn should not be given the right to be in our world. Laws have come and gone about the position of muggleborns, but Dumbledore after a lot of fighting, has been able to secure equal rights for the muggleborns. However the corruption in the ministry remains, and muggleborn witches and wizards rarely end up getting better jobs, compared to those of the old families, who find themselves rising among ranks. And of course, we have had our fair share of Dark Lords and Dark Ladies popping us from here and there, who came in and out as time went, but the International Confederation of Wizards had always been there to take care if situations went towards the worse.
"However, never had a conflict ever arose like the Global Wizarding War starting from 1920s, brought about by Gellert Grindelwald. He believed that muggles would destroy the world we live in, with their violent ways, and so before such a calamity arose, we must rule over them. Before they kill us, we should kill them. He justified his ideology by saying that it was for the Greater Good. People were wary at first, but then came The War, which nowadays is known as the First World War, and the brutality of the war had shook the witches and wizards to the core. The last straw had been the mass slaughter of an entire Veela conclave in France brought upon by the muggle soldiers. The veelas were violated, and even the children weren't spared! The entire wizarding population got separated into two fronts. You were either against Grindelwald, or you believed in Grindelwald's ideology of mass slaughter of muggles for the Greater Good. The war became much serious in 1927, when Grindelwald prophesised about another 'War' among the muggles, more brutal than the first one, and there would be weapons which were capable of destroying wizarding civilizations too. Your grandfather, Fleamont Potter, himself had sympathised for Grindelwald's cause. The Potters, though originally from Wales, had stayed in France for over four generation, until Henry Potter had decided to return to Britain when his son Fleamont was in his third year. And the death of Veelas…both Fleamont Potter's mother and wife had been veelas, you see, so I believe many of his relatives had been among those who were…" Minerva sighed. "You get what it was like, right?"
"Anyways", Minerva continued, "Another War did come in, starting at 1939, the Second World War, even more brutal than the first one as Grindelwald had foretold, and the Global Wizarding War reached its peak. The war had gone very brutal, when in the end, Albus Dumbledore finally decided to step in and end the war which had gone for over more than thirty years. The most epic duel, perhaps in the history of wizard kind took place, and Albus Dumbledore emerged victorious, ending the Global Wizarding War.
"But the fear and hatred for muggles didn't die, with the defeat of Gellert Grindelwald. The purebloods became even more hostile towards the muggleborns. People like Albus Dumbledore truly believed that they were very much like us, and they shouldn't be held responsible for what others of their kinds did. But the puebloods didn't want the muggleborns to be a part of our society and so the purebloods took their revenge on the muggleborns by bills being introduced to supress their rights. Dumbledore prevented such bills to ever become laws, though. And then arose the Dark Lady Voldemort." Minerva shivered at the name. "She held similar beliefs to Grindelwald, however it is said she didn't hate them, per say. She had even offered Lily Evans, your mother, who was a muggleborn, a position among her ranks. As Mr. Ollivander had said, the magic she did was thought to be impossible. There was only one man who could match her power, and that was of course Dumbledore. Many lives were lost in the Global Wizarding War, and so Dumbledore had taken up a more active role in the British Wizarding War of 1970s, and to match the footing of Voldemort and her Death Eaters, he founded the Order of the Phoenix. Aurors like Mad-Eye Moody and Elphinstone Urquart, and I were among the first members of the Order of the Phoenix. We were accomplished duelists. It was 13th of July 1976, and that day the twenty most elite of aurors were sent, including Moody and Urquart, to capture the Dark Lady in Devon. It was twenty accomplished witches and wizards against one woman. Mad-eye Moody was the only one to have returned, and he wasn't in a good state. Moody had said that half of them had already been down before they even knew what was happening. This had caused waves of fear to run across not only Britain but the whole world."
"I don't understand one thing professor", said Harry. "My grandfather was a sympathiser of Gridelwald's cause. So why was my father opposed to a person who held the same beliefs to his father?"
"They were totally different individuals, Mr. Potter", said Minerva. "Moreover, Fleamont's attitude towards the war had changed when his brother Abraham ended up dying in the war. Your father was deeply in love with your mother Lily Evans, and that in itself meant having chosen the side. He also had a huge dislike for the people who had joined the Dark Lady's cause."
"Anyways, after the death of your grandfather due to dragon pox, your father had already chosen his side, and after graduating, he had joined the Order of the Phoenix", continued Minerva. "Your parents joined the Aurors too, and constantly worked against Voldemort. And then, one of your parents' friend betrayed their location to Voldemort. On Halloween 1981, she broke into your house, killed your parents, and when she had finally turned her wand towards you…the spell rebounded. The Killing Curse, which hasn't ever failed to claim a person's life, a curse which causes immediate death, had failed for the very first time, especially the one fired by the Dark Lady. The spell rebounded, and the Dark Lady was vanquished. That is why, you are famous Harry, that's why everyone knows you—you became the Boy-Who-Lived, the sole survivor of the Killing Curse. And that had also marked the end of the British Wizarding War of 1970s."
Harry remained solemn and continued to stare at the chocolate sundae which lay before him.
"This of course ends our shopping trip", said Minerva finally. "The Hogwarts Express would stand at Platform Nine and Three Quarters in Kings' Cross Station, and it would start its journey at eleven in the morning, on September 1st. To get to the platform, you have to run into the barrier between platform nine and platform ten. It's normally busy, and you might even find a few people going across the barrier. Might I advise to arrive a bit early… it's new to you after all."
"It is also written in the letter that you may bring a pet to school", said Minerva, suddenly looking at him. "Might I suggest an owl? They are incredibly useful when you want to send letters, and are loyal pets."
Harry had trudged up the stairs, into his room, with his trunk in tow, and an owl cage with a snowy white owl in hand. He sat on the bed, laying his trunk beside him and keeping the owl cage on top of the table, and ran a hand through his hair pondering on the revelations of the day. His eyes turned towards the snowy owl, Hedwig, perhaps the first gift he had gotten from somebody. Professor McGonagall had gifted her to him, saying it was the least she could do for the son of two of her best students, who had also grown very close to her over time.
Harry smiled softly at Hedwig and said, "This is my room, Hedwig. I don't like it much here and I don't think you would too, but perhaps you're gonna be more comfortable in Hogwarts."
The snowy owl gave a bark, as if agreeing to Harry. He opened her cage, and let her out. She hopped onto the table, and trotted near him.
"I hope we'll be good friends", said Harry, stroking her soft feathers, causing the owl to purr in delight.
Harry had been shocked by the revelation that wizards and witches did not have any telepathic powers. Neither McGonagall nor any person he'd met, had even the slightest clue that he was able to read their mind without trouble. And his ability to do magic wandlessly, or doing any magic at will, had been a shock to them as well. But he knew magic came almost second naturedly to him, something which was very VERY uncommon for an eleven year old. But Harry didn't care about how much of a prodigy or how much gifted they considered him to be. Magic was what had separated him from his relatives, and it had served as a reminder to his parents. He knew McGonagall expected him to be gifted like his mum and dad had been, and it was for the first time in his life that someone had wanted him to do good in something, and he swore to himself he won't disappoint them. His father had been a prodigy in Transfiguration and his mother had been the same in charms, and both had been exceptional duelists. He knew his parents would've wanted him to shine, and he promised to himself to make them proud.
If the Dursleys were afraid of him before McGonagall's arrival, it was nothing compared to how terrified the Dursleys were of his presence. He could feel Vernon eye him warily for the whole time Harry came in their close proximity, that is, during the meals and so. When Dudley had been informed about magic later by his parents, Harry knew his cousin didn't have the brains to understand that it was to be a close guarded secret. So, he had explained to his aunt and uncle, that if Dudley ever spews anything about magic to any of his friends, his people would come to wipe their mind, and Vernon had been absolutely terrified at the prospect of someone tinkering with his mind, so he gave Dudley a hard warning. It was the first time his father had been stern on him.
"So, it's a private boarding school in Scotland, huh?" asked Jason, who lightly kicked the football as they went down the street. "Must be all expensive and stuff?"
"Yeah…" said Harry, as he rolled the football with his feet and started juggling it. "Never knew my parents had actually been rich, you know. I don't exactly have access to the whole money, but I have some in the Trust Fund they've left me, and it's enough for the school and all."
"Don't know what my mum's gonna say to that", said Jason chuckling. "I mean she went on about not to see much of you and all, and she heard all sort about your parents being—hey, you've crossed fifty juggles! How's that even bloody possible?"
Harry stopped juggling and raised an eyebrow, "You were counting?"
"What can I say, mate?" Jason smirked at the taller boy. "I'm multi-tasking."
"Sure", said Harry dryly, amused at his best friend. "So, I guess I'll see you next summer then…with the train tomorrow…"
"Yeah…" said Jason. "Unless we go to Tenerife…again."
"It's better than visiting your aunt in Liverpool", said Harry as Jason grimaced at the thought of his aunt and her family.
"I guess, it's gonna be a goodbye then, eh?"
"You know, I'm not dying", said Harry rolling his eyes. "Ed's gonna support Manchester for you, from now on."
"I'm gonna miss you, mate", said Jason quietly.
"Yeah, me too", admitted Harry, as they fell into a silence. "You know, it's getting too mushy-mushy now", and with that they started laughing.
"Don't do anything stupid till I get back", said Harry.
"How can I?" said Jason. "You're taking all the stupid with you."
Both chuckled and punched their fists.
"Prat."
"Jerk."
A wave of euphoria rolled over Harry as he got up from bed on September 1st. It was exciting, yet scary at the same time. He had packed all his stuff in his trunk, except his wand which he would keep by his side. He had wasted no time in going downstairs to the kitchen and making breakfast for his family (with his aunt being the only person awake at that time putting the clothes in the washing machine), knowing he'd get late if he waited for Dudley and Vernon to wake up in the Sunday morning, and it was more likely Vernon would intentionally try to delay Harry. Harry helped himself to some sausages, toast and a fried egg. With a slight wave of his hand, his plate had been cleaned and dried. Years of having done that, it had kind of developed into a reflex.
It was at that time that Vernon and Dudley had trudged down the stairs. Vernon glared at him and said, "It better not be cold, boy. Or I don't care where you're going, I'm gonna make you do it again."
"It's not", replied Harry simply, and had sprinted up the stairs, and came down a moment later with his trunk and Hedwig's cage in tow. Hedwig had assured him that she would meet him in Hogwarts, and Harry had agreed. Harry didn't know how he had understood what the snowy owl had wanted to say, but he simply did. Maybe it was a variant of telepathy.
"I'll be on my way then", said Harry, as he stood on the doorway to the kitchen where his uncle and cousin were wolfing down their breakfast. Dudley had barely looked up and his Uncle Vernon had just grunted.
His aunt appeared to have wanted to say something else, but all she did was nod.
"I'll pick you up from the station on 31st June", said his aunt. "3'o clock, wasn't it?"
"Yes", said Harry, and then he had turned to leave.
As Harry walked out of Number Four Privet Drive, he stuck his wand out at the road. The next moment with an enormous 'BANG!' arrived the triple decker Knight Bus. Stan Shunpike had opened the door and began to say, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergen—o' `choo doin' `arry? Off to Kings Cross, eh?"
"Hullo Stan", greeted Harry. "Yeah, to Kings Cross…how much? And I'd take tea, but no toothbrush."
"Fifteen sickles", said Stan. "Lemme' help with yer trunk!"
Harry paid fifteen silver coins from his mokeskin pouch and let Stan drag his trunk, while he carried Hedwig's cage with him. He greeted Ernie, the driver of the Knight Bus, and sat on one of the sofas. This time Harry noted, there was a boy who appeared to be about four years older than him, but he was too green to notice any of his surroundings, and beside him was a woman, who could only be his mother. Fully knowing how the bumpy the ride might get, Harry had braced himself. Second time won't be as bad as the first one, would it?
"Take it away, Ern!"
This time, Harry did manage to brace himself despite the bumpy ride. He had watched Stan lazily stroll down to the back of the bus, and return with a tray, on which there was a cup of tea, a milk pot and a sugar bowl.
"I won't take any milk or sugar", Harry informed him.
Stan nodded and gave him the tea. The boy who appeared would get sick any instant, looked at Harry incredulously, who was sipping his tea peacefully. The mother of the boy seemed to be concentrating more on holding tight on to the ferret cage, though.
With sharp turns and sofas moving around wildly on the bus floor (Stan had come to collect the cup once Harry had finished his tea), the bus finally came to a stop and Stan called out, "Kings Cross!"
Stan helped Harry and the other boy with their trunks.
"'Ave a noice `ear `Arry!" Stan saluted them, and with a 'BANG!' the triple decker bus was gone. The boy, Dylan, no doubt had vomit in his mouth, but he didn't know whether to throw up or swallow it. Harry himself was thankful neither the boy nor his mother had caught up to his name. He didn't want many people to start fawning over him because he was the Boy-Who-Lived, and had used his bangs to hide his scar.
"I'd rather you apparate me the next time, mum", said Dylan, finally swallowing his vomit.
"First time?" asked Harry grinning.
"Yes, it's his first time in the Knight Bus", said the woman, who herself looked a bit dishevelled, and was flattening her overcoat. "We normally take a muggle taxi, but this year we decided to come in a bit early, Dylan has been chosen as a prefect, you see."
"Oh, congratulations", said Harry.
"Thanks", said Dylan, who seemed to have finally composed himself, and smiled a little. "If you don't mind me asking, is no one accompanying you?"
"My aunt and uncle are busy today", said Harry trying to evade the topic. "Let's take a trolley, shall we?"
As Harry and Dylan dragged their trunks towards the place where the trolleys were kept, Dylan asked him, "I don't think I've caught on to your name. I'm Dylan, by the way. Dylan Landhardy." Dylan struck his hand out.
"James Evans", Harry shook the boy's hand. "I'm a first year."
"Oh, is this your first year?" perked up Mrs. Landhardy. "Well, Dylan could help you if you need some, no matter which house you are in."
"Thanks", said Harry as he placed his trunk on a trolley.
"Excited for Hogwarts?" asked Dylan.
"Yeah", said Harry. "Very. But a little nervous too."
They continued on through the station, when Mrs. Landharday said, "I was scared for my first year too, you know. I was a muggleborn and going into a new world and…I didn't know where everything would lead up to. Despite the war, I've never regretted coming to Hogwarts. And don't worry about the sorting, all the houses are equally good."
"Many people underestimate Hufflepuff", said Dylan. "But many forget how many people have succeeded in their life through hard-work, perseverance, and loyalty. Did you know the director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, had been in Hufflepuff?"
It seemed Dylan and his mother had both been Hufflepuffs, and they had taken it upon themselves to explain to him about the pros of being a Hufflepuff.
"…and our head of house Professor Sprout is one of the leading herbologists in the whole of Magical Europe, and she has herself bred variants of magical herbs and plants. Even most of the potions used in St. Mungo's and by the Ministry aurors are from plants grown by Professor Sprout and Professor Snape brews them. It turns out to be a key source of income for Hogwarts…" and the boy rambled on, which amused Harry no less.
"Right, here comes the barrier", said Mrs. Landhardy, cutting across Dylan's rambling. "You know how to get on the platform, right James?"
"Yes, Mrs. Landhardy", replied Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me."
"All right then, you first James", said Mrs. Landhardy.
Harry nodded to her. This was it. The start of a new leaf in Harry's life.
Harry walked straight into the barrier, and then felt a strange warm sensation tingling through his skin. When Harry blinked again, he found himself facing a scarlet steam engine, rows of compartments joined together. It was half past ten, and the platform already seemed to be bustling with the crowd of witches and wizards. Families bidding their children teary goodbyes. A few teenagers were talking excitedly about a Quidditch match (Harry had figured out it was kind of the wizarding version of football) between Puddlemere United and Wilmbourne Wasps and the new racing broom Nimbus 2000. Some were going on about a place they had visited during the summer. Some older students were talking about passing the apparition test, and Harry's eyes grew wide in excitement as he took in everything.
"Brilliant, isn't it?" said Dylan, who seemed to have crossed the barrier too. "Wait till you see Hogwarts…anyways, see you later, James! I've got to go to the Prefects' Compartment."
Harry took his trunk out of his trolley and climbed into one of the cars, casting one last look at Dylan and his mother. Mrs. Landhardy had engulfed Dylan in a tight hug, while Dylan seemed to mumbling something to her, embarrassed.
Harry dragged his trunk looking at one compartment to the other, finding most of them more or less full, while some had individual students, they seemed to be reserving the spot for their friends, once they arrived. Finally, in one of the compartments he found the blonde girl he had met at Madam Malkins. She was accompanied by a raven haired girl, and both were chatting amiably.
Harry knocked on the compartment door, causing both the girls attention to turn towards him. Harry slid the compartment door a little and asked, "Do you mind if I join in?"
"James!" said Daphne Greengrass, her eyes lit up in recognition. "Of course, you can sit here!"
"Hullo Daphne", greeted Harry. "Most of the compartments were already full, while some had older years who clearly didn't want a firstie bothering them."
"Huh? And it's probably just half past ten now", said Daphne. "Anyways, James meet Tracey Davis, Tracey meet James Evans."
"Hi", greeted Harry, as he sat beside Daphne and across from Tracey, placing his trunk under the seat.
"Hullo! Nice to meet you", said Tracey. "Anyways, out of curiosity, are you a muggleborn?"
"A muggle-raised, really", explained Harry. "I'm technically what you would call a halfblood, I guess."
"Oh! What's it like growing up in the muggle world?" asked Tracey excited.
"Erm…" Harry wasn't sure how to respond. "Well, I was pretty surprised when I heard about magic first. And it's just growing up more around technology, I guess", said Harry shrugging.
"Oh you mean the teevee, right?" asked Tracey, while Daphne appeared confused. "Tech-what?"
Harry shook his head. Wizards and witches were truly clueless about the muggle world.
"…and mum still doesn't know it was me, could you believe it?"
Tracey had a bubbly personality, and you could sit with her throughout the day and she could maintain a one-sided conversation, without getting discouraged. Daphne, who seemed to have known Tracey since they were kids, was amused by her friend's antics.
Daphne Greengrass was a pureblood witch, which is to say, all her family were magical for some time now. They owned many potion apothecaries and also ran a potions business, as both her parents were a Potion Master and a Potions Mistress respectively. Tracey Davis' father owned a lawsuit while her mother worked in the Department of Magical Records in the Ministry of Magic. The three of them discussed about the houses they would probably get sorted to, and the two girls wanted to be in the same house very badly. Tracey had no siblings while Daphne had a sister a year younger than her, Astoria.
The train was moving for two hours now and when the Trolley Witch had passed, Harry had said that he knew nothing about wizarding chocolates, and so had decided to take a few of each, and offered to share it with the two girls.
"And you know, Dad of course got into trouble with that…and mum was furious!" continued Tracey with her story, however on seeing a yellow coloured toffee Daphne had picked up from a box, she cried, "Wait that could be pineapple!"
"Bertie Botts comes up with the most ridiculous flavoured candies", Daphne had commented lightly. "Pineapple's not ridiculous enough to appease Bertie Bott."
"It could be sunflower", said Harry. "What?" he asked them at the looks they were giving him. "You did get a grass flavoured one, and sunflower isn't that far-fetched."
The three of them had decided upon having Bertie Botts candies in turns, and the others would guess upon the flavour they could get.
Daphne popped the candy and then grimaced. "It's a lime flavoured one", said Daphne. "I mean it's not that I'd say no to a lime soda, but it's just too concentrated."
At that moment however, their compartment door opened to reveal a platinum haired boy, with a thin face. Behind him were two burly big boys, who looked like taller versions of Dudley, but they appeared to be made up of solid muscles instead of fat. The two boys looked more like henchmen to the platinum haired boy, if Harry was being honest to himself.
"You're Greengrass, aren't you?" said the blonde boy, looking at Daphne.
"Yes, Malfoy?" asked Daphne. "You want anything?"
"No, I was just looking for Harry Potter", informed Malfoy, causing Harry to stiffen a bit, and look into his mind a bit deeply. His father, Lucius Malfoy, had informed his son that Harry Potter would be joining Hogwarts this year, and asked him to make an acquaintance with him. From what he could understand, they were the type of people which suck up those who would benefit them. Despite this typical nature, they had a strong hatred for muggles and muggleborns, not because of the atrocities the muggles had committed in the World Wars, but simply because they considered themselves better than the others as they had magical blood running in them through generations. "But I did remember, your father was in Slytherin, wasn't he? So, I thought why not make acquaintances with prospective Slytherins."
"Well, no one knows which house we might be in", said Daphne coolly. Daphne clearly wasn't fond of the Malfoy boy, but she tolerated him enough out of courtesy. "Yes, while I might be in Slytherin, my mum was also in Ravenclaw, and I won't really mind it there, you know."
"Yes, Ravenclaw won't be so bad, I guess", said Malfoy. "But you know, Slytherin is the best house there is." He then took in the presence of Tracey and Harry, and a slight sneer came on his face on seeing Harry wearing muggle clothes.
"So, who might both of you be?" he asked them.
"Tracey Davis."
"James Evans. It's nice to meet you."
Malfoy nodded slightly at Tracey. Her father was a pureblood and her mother was a halfblood, and his nod was as if he approved of her. His sneer deepened on hearing a surname he hadn't heard before.
"Evans? That isn't a wizarding surname, is it?"
"No, I bet it isn't", said Harry, unperturbed by how the boy treated him.
"Are you a muggle?" he asked, his eyes flashing a bit.
"If I had been a muggle, I don't think I'd have gotten my Hogwarts letter, and I can assure you, I am capable of doing magic", replied Harry coolly.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed and visibly scowled. "No, I'm asking whether your parents are one of us or not. Witch or Wizard I mean."
"Yes, they were magical", Harry informed him. "In fact they were Hogwarts alumni too."
"Oh", was all what Malfoy said, his sneer lightening a bit. "Why're you wearing muggle clothes like a blood-traitor then?"
"Well, you do need to remain inconspicuous while coming through a platform filled with muggles, don't you?" said Harry, the slight smile never leaving his face. "An owl cage attracts enough attention as it is. Statue of Secrecy and all. You know, being a responsible wizard and revealing as less about our world as possible…" Harry shrugged.
"Well, I guess you're right", said Malfoy finally.
"Anyways, are you sure Harry Potter's gonna come this year?" Daphne changed the subject of the conversation quickly. "I mean, I've heard he was born in somewhere around August or September 1980. So if he was indeed born in September, then it would make him fall to the next year's batch."
July 31st to be exact, Harry mused to himself. Close but not close enough.
"No, my father confirmed he is coming this year", said Malfoy. "He's in the board of governors, you see, my father. He's accepted his Hogwarts letter and all. Well, I'll go on looking for him."
With that the blonde boy and his two henchmen left the compartment.
"What a moron!" huffed Tracey, once the compartment door was closed.
Daphne, however, was eyeing Harry critically. "You'd do well in Slytherin, you know, James." She smirked at him. "I've never ever seen Malfoy getting riled up like that, and Narcissa Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy, his parents, are the most Slytherin duo you would find."
Harry simply shrugged, and picked up a toffee, which seemed to be a mixture of shades of orange, yellow and pink.
"You know his family?" asked Harry eyeing the toffee appraisingly.
"His family holds these balls every year during Christmas, which is pretty boring, I must tell you", Daphne told Harry. "They only invite like the ex-Slytherins, and some important people like Minister of Magic and some high post officials. It doesn't look good if you refuse any invitation without a valid reason, so we went. I only went once, the previous year that is, because I was ten and…"
Tracey gasped. "I know that one!" she said, pointing at the toffee in Harry's hand. "I got the same coloured toffee once before, it is vomit flavoured!"
Harry scowled in disgust. "I'm not having that", he declared.
"Well, you have to", said Daphne in a sing-song voice. "You made me have that disgusting bogey flavoured candy, and now it's your turn."
"Yes, you have to! You have to! You have to!" cried Tracey.
Harry gave his best expression of puppy-dog eyes.
"Awww!" cooed Tracey.
"Nope, not falling for that", said Daphne, smirking at him.
The journey continued, and Harry could tell from the scenery that they had entered into Scotland. According to Daphne, Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were located on the northern hilly sides of Scotland, and that was the closest anyone could predict Hogwarts' location. Perhaps the only person who had a more accurate idea would be the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and other than him, the people who made the railway track for the Hogwarts Express in the eighteenth century, but they were dead. The trio's conversation moved towards classes, and Harry had declared to be excited about Transfiguration and Defence against the Dark Arts. Daphne also expressed that she was also excited for Defence against the Dark Arts, but she also mentioned a new teacher being there for this year.
"Professor Gliderbird, who had been teaching in that position for about forty years decided to take an offer from the Gringotts Bank to lead a curse breaking expedition in an Egyptian tomb", said Daphne. "It was in the Daily Prophet and all…"
"That reminds me", said Tracey. "Did you know I went to watch the final Quidditch match of the league between the Wasps and Puddlemere? We were given seats in a VIP box, as my dad's friend with Ludo Bagman, he's the—"
And Tracey went on. While on the journey, a bushy brown haired girl had entered the compartment and asked if they had seen a toad, and they had shook their head in dissent. At a point of time, Dylan, who was the Hufflpeuff house prefect and was doing his rounds, had greeted Harry and informed him that as the sky had already darkened, it was probably a matter of another hour or two before they reached Hogwarts, but it was better if they wore their robes now and not delay it. Harry had moved to the loo, to change into his uniform and put the robes on, while Daphne and Tracey changed inside the compartment.
While in the loo, he had heard a croaking noise. Opening the lid, he found a toad inside the toilet. Harry scowled in disgust, but then remembered the bushy haired girl had informed him about a toad missing. The toad floated up, and not willing to touch a thing that was inside the toilet, Harry used his magic to clean the toad with a soap, as it squirmed in discomfort and tried to squibble out of the magic holding him, in vain. Nodding his head, that the toad was probably clean, Harry washed his own hands, while the toad remained afloat in the air. Making sure his hair properly covered his scar, Harry came out of the loo, clutching the toad.
Not knowing where the bushy haired brunette was, Harry used his telepathy to hop from mind to mind of students, forming a chain to locate the girl (he had often used it in school). He found the first trace of her from a ginger first year named Ron Weasley. He found another link from a third year named Cedric Diggory, who seemed to be helping in the search of the toad too, and then finally found the bushy haired brunette, her name was Hermione Granger, with a boy named Neville Longbottom, two carriages down. It was Neville that had lost the toad.
Harry started walking towards them, and soon found the two of them.
"Trevor!"
Harry gave the toad to the round faced boy, Neville Longbottom, who seemed to be relieved to have finally found his pet.
"He was in the loo, while I was changing", Harry informed the two.
"Thank you", mumbled Neville.
They talked for a while, after which Harry moved to the compartment where Daphne and Tracey were sitting.
"You took your time", commented Daphne. "For a moment I thought whether you had lost your way or not."
"I found the toad in the loo", Harry informed them. "I decided to give it back to the boy."
The time went on, as the trio continued chatting, when almost an hour and a half later, a voice, which sounded like coming out of a microphone, echoed through the train, "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train. It would be taken to the school separately."
Suddenly the trio had turned very solemn. A new world awaited them outside of their closeted life they were used to, since they were kids. Mostly they were nervous about what house they might be sorted into, as it would play a great role in not just their life in Hogwarts, but after their graduation too.
"I need to say something", declared Harry suddenly. "I am Harry Potter."
"No, you're James Evans!" said Tracey giggling.
Harry simply moved his bangs to reveal the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. The scar the Wizarding World kept fawning about.
The expression on the girls' faces were priceless, and had Harry not been so nervous, Harry would've been amused.
"Look, everything I said to you was true", explained Harry. "Except my name. I just came in terms with the fact that I'm some sort of a celebrity in another world a month back, and it would've been overwhelming for me to have people coming over, overcrowding our compartment, trying to befriend the Boy-Who-Lived. You saw Malfoy kept on searching for me, and I didn't want that kind of attention." He sighed. "I just wanted to go through the journey just like some other eleven year old wizard going for their first year at Hogwarts."
Students already seemed to be getting out of their compartments and crowding the corridors, while the trio just sat there. Harry could hear the debate going on inside their minds. At the front of their mind there was shock, and then coming in terms with what Harry had told them, there was a bit of hurt because to them the whole conversation seemed to be put upon a lie, and Harry couldn't really blame them for thinking that. And then an understanding flashed through Daphne's mind. Tracey appeared to be more peeved out though.
"I know I said this before, but my name was the only lie I told you", said Harry. "People have and will have preconceived notions, either positive or negative, about me, and I didn't want that to hamper people I befriend. I'm sorry."
"It's a huge revelation", began Daphne slowly. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have, well, preconceived notions about you, but I-I understand", she looked at Tracey and a silent conversation took place among the friends. They must be really good friends for them to understand each other this well.
"So…" Tracey began finally. "Did a crowd of people in Diagon Alley stampede you when you first visited it?"
Harry snorted while Daphne let out a chuckle.
"Nah, Professor McGonagall saved me from that", said Harry grinning, but relieved. "Whatever house we'll be in…we'll still be friends, right?"
"Hear! Hear!"
"I agree!"
The train skid to a halt, and from the window Harry could see the train stop in a small platform, and some students had already gotten off, as he watched two gingers sprinting across the platform followed by another boy. Harry hadn't seemed to notice the train had been slowing down for three or so minutes now.
"We better get down, eh?" said Tracey.
They pushed through the crowds, and got into the dark platform, and Harry nearly shivered in the cold Scotland air.
"And I was thinking that the thick material for the robes were too much", muttered Tracey, as he saw her rubbing her shoulders slightly.
"Well, I kind of expected that for a person who lives just beside the sea", commented Daphne lightly. "Think what'll happen during the winters."
"Firs' years! Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a voice boomed, and on one side of the platform they could see the silhouette of a huge man, with a lantern dangling.
They started walking through the crowd towards the person who had been calling the first years. "I think we'll just have to learn the warming charm then", said Harry.
"That's not even in our year!" said Tracey.
"It's in second year", informed Harry. "Not that of a far-fetch in my opinion. We'll get it with enough tries." I hope I get it wandlessly too.
The man who had been calling them was at least ten foot high, and his face was more or less covered in wild beard, and his hair was long and wild to the same degree. The only part of his skin visible was between his nose and hairline. His black beetle eyes sparkled in the light from the lantern. The man, despite his size, seemed to have a cheery persona.
'And Uncle Vernon thinks my hair's wild', thought Harry to himself.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure you're gonna end up in Ravenclaw", Tracey told Harry.
The students had started gathering around the giant man, and after he had counted all of them, he declared, "All righ' everyone's here! Name's Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper o' Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts." From the corner of his eyes he saw the Malfoy boy sneering at Hagrid.
"All righ', C'mon now! Follow me!"
Hagrid took them through behind the platform, where there was a rocky paved road, going downslope, and unimaginably dark. Harry saw that the other years were walking straight across the platform, where there was a huge gate. The path they were being lead through was so dark, that Harry had to resist the urge of conjuring small fireballs to light up the way. Many kept on falling and tumbling down the path, but they went on.
"Whoa!"
The narrow path had stopped in front of a huge lake, which seemed to have continued on beyond to their right, and just in front of them, atop a high mountain, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. A voice at the back of his head whispered, 'Home!'
There was a loud "Oooooh!" as students gazed at the castle in wonder. Just near them were a number of boats, no doubt to take them across the lake.
"No more'n four to a boat!" called out Hagrid, as the first years started scrambling into the boats. Harry, Daphne and Tracey hopped in one of the boats and were joined by another boy.
"Everyone in?" asked Hagrid. He then prodded the boat in which he was sitting with an umbrella and shouted, "All righ' then, FORWARD!"
All the boats started moving across the lake, as everyone stared wide eyed at the huge castle. Even the Malfoy boy, who was two boats beside theirs, wasn't scowling or sneering, and his cold grey eyes took in the castle. None of the first years said anything, except Hermione Granger, who was rambling on about how first years were taken across the boat for the view, and from next year onward, they'd be going in horseless carriages.
As they sailed nearer, the castle towered over them, and they finally reached a cliff when Hagrid called out, "Heads down!"
Everyone ducked their heads, but it seemed it was only Hagrid who needed to do so. They neared a paddock, and scrambled out of the boat on reaching it, with Harry giving a hand to Daphne and Tracey causing them to mutter a "thanks!"
They were led into the castle through a flight of stairs, and the only sound that was coming were the echoes of their footsteps. They reached a door, and before the door stood Professor McGonagall, but instead of a muggle suit, she was wearing emerald green robes and a pointed hat.
"The firs' years, professor!" said Hagrid cheerily.
"Thank you, Hagrid", said McGonagall. While she had seemed more at ease when she had taken Harry to Diagon Alley, in school she looked practically stern, most likely because she wanted to make this sure to everyone that she was not someone to be crossed.
Hagrid had moved behind the door, and McGonagall finally addressed them. "Welcome to Hogwarts! The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but not before you are sorted into your respective houses—Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The Sorting Ceremony is very important, as the house you would be sorted to will be like your family, here in Hogwarts. You will spend free time in your house common room, sleep in your house dormitory and have classes with the year members in your house. Although, lest I say it, this year's batch has the smallest number of students, so maybe all of you would have classes together. Anyways, the Sorting Ceremony will begin in a few minutes, I suggest you smarten yourselves in the time being." She cast a long look at Neville Longbottom who had his robes tucked behind his left year, and a lanky ginger boy who was nearly as tall as Harry, had a smudge of dirt near his nose.
Nervous whisperings broke out among the students.
"What if we aren't in the same house?" Tracey whispered to Daphne and Harry.
"We'll still stay friends, Trace", said Daphne.
"But what if one of us goes to Gryffindor and the other in Slytherin?"
"We'll still be friends", said Harry.
The whisperings came to a stop as Professor McGonagall returned. "Follow me."
The doors opened to reveal a huge hall, and the hall was in simple words magically beautiful. It would appear as if the ceiling wasn't even there, with the night sky reflected upon it. It was probably charmed to appear so. There were thousands of candles hanging from the ceiling, brightening up the place. There were four long tables. Above each table hung a huge banner. A red banner with a golden lion designed into it—Gryffindor. A yellow banner with a black badger on it—Hufflepuff. A blue banner with a bronze eagle—Ravenclaw. And finally, a green banner with a silver serpent designed—Slytherin.
The first years followed McGonagall, as everyone seemed to be whispering on such a small group they were. At the other end of the Great Hall, opposite to the great wooden doors, was the teachers' table. The giant man, Hagrid was also sitting there, and there was just one empty spot, which Harry reckoned was Professor McGonagall's. Professor McGonagall led them from between the tables of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, near the Staff Table. Before them, on a stool, sat a hat, similar to McGonagall's, but brown, dirty and it seemed to be a bit ripped.
Suddenly the hat burst out into a song:
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The Hall burst out into an applause. When the claps had finally died down, McGonagall said, "As I call your names, you would come forward and I shall put the Hat on your head. After getting sorted into your house, you will move to sit in your respective House Tables."
McGonagall took out a scroll, and read the first name:
"Abbot, Hannah."
A blonde girl with pigtails walked up to the stool and sat there. The hat was lowered to her head, covering her eyes. After about twenty seconds, the hat cried out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The table which had the banner of a badger above them, burst out in applause.
Harry watched as her tie turned to yellow and black stripes, almost as soon as the hat had cried her house. She gave the hat back to McGonagall and walked to the Hufflepuff table.
"Bones, Susan."
The sorting continued, and Harry started eyeing the Staff Table. On the middle of the Staff Table sat an old man, with waist length white hair, and long white hair too. He was wearing glittery, purple robes, and a wizard cap of the same colour. Behind his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes twinkled. Despite his appearance, his eyes held power and were as sharp and intelligent as ever. Albus Dumbledore was of course, the man who had defeated Grindelwald and matched Voldemort in a duel. Among all the other teacher his eyes were drawn to a very familiar young brown-haired woman. It was the woman from the zoo. At that moment, Harry's green eyes met her blue eyes, Harry saw a flash of recognition cross her face. She smiled ever so slightly at him, and Harry didn't know whether to smile back or be nervous. He only paid half-attention when "Davis, Tracey" was sorted to Slytherin. Would she tell everyone that he was a telepath? Among everyone in the Hall, even including all the teachers in the Staff Table, there were only two people who seemed to have blocked their minds from Harry's telepathic connection. It was Albus Dumbledore and the young woman.
Harry started paying more attention to the sorting. Many students were sorted into Hufflepuff with only one or two sorted in the other houses, up until now. Slytherin only had Tracey and Gryffindor had only one "Dunbar, Fay". That however changed when "Granger, Hermione" was sorted into Gryffindor. The next was "Greengrass, Daphne", who joined Tracey as the second first year member of Slytherin House. "Goldtstein, Anthony" joined Terry Boot and Sally Anne-Perks in Ravenclaw. "Goyle, Gregory" joined Hufflepuff among the others, and went to sit beside his other burly friend Crabbe. Malfoy stared incredulously at the two of them, and then let out a light sneer at their direction. "Malfoy, Draco", went to Slytherin and was later joined by "Nott, Theodore". "Patil, Parvati", went to Hufflepuff, while "Patil, Padma" joined the Ravenclaw table, and sat beside Su Li and Lily Moon. "Parkinson, Pansy", joined the Slytherins and sat beside Malfoy.
"Potter, Harry."
Whisperings broke out in the Great Hall, as Harry stepped up to the stool.
"Harry Potter? THE Harry Potter?"
"The Boy-Who-Lived?"
"He's the tall kid."
"He's so cute!"
Harry nearly blushed at the last comment. He sat on the stool and felt the hat being dropped on his head, covering his eyes.
'Ah, Mr. Potter, I've been waiting to sort you', said the Sorting Hat's voice inside his head. 'And I'm not disappointed. Not disappointed at all, I must say. So young, yet such control over the elements, wandless magic…I'm impressed. And a natural Legilimens too!'
'You can read my mind', it was more of a statement from Harry and not a question.
'Yes, I can', informed the Hat. 'A power bestowed upon me by Rowena Ravenclaw, who was also a natural Legilimens, very much like yourself. I'd even say you'll grow up to be a stronger Legilimens than her; the feats you've achieved with the Mind Arts…'
'What's a Legilimens?' asked Harry.
'It is what you call a telepath in the muggle world. While Legilimency can be performed by very skilled wizards and witches, their powers are nowhere near a natural Legilimens like yourself. They are very rare too, appearing once in a century. The last one was Queenie Goldstein, who was born in 1897. But then again, you are more skilled among all the natural Legilimens out there. Even skilled Occlumens can't keep a natural Legilimens out. Occlumency is the art of protecting your mind from external influence by a Legilimens, for your information.'
'Oh', was what Harry said.
'It's good thing that we sort kids at eleven. Give a two or three years, and I wouldn't have been able to access your mind,' said the Sorting Hat. 'Now where to put you?'
'You're brave and courageous, no doubt', continued the Hat. 'Saving that many people from such a terrible fate at the meagre age of eight, when you yourself could've easily escaped. And there's a thirst to prove yourself, I see. You would do very well in Slytherin, and rise to heights unimaginable there. You have the cunning and the talent to achieve greatness.'
'Is this a test?' asked Harry, almost immediately. 'To see how much I give in for ambition? To see if I fit Slytherin? I won't mind Slytherin, I mean Daphne and Tracey are there. But you are the Sorting Hat, no? So, it's for you to decide.'
The Hat was silent for a while. 'Well, this proves you deserve a spot among the eagles too.'
'Mhmm.'
'This is difficult', the hat declared. 'More difficult than sorting Emily Riddle.'
'Sorting, who?'
'Never mind, Mr. Potter', said the Hat. 'I'll use my gift of divining, which I had acquired from Helga Hufflepuff, as a last resort to see which house I should put you in.'
The Hat was quiet for a long time. Harry reckoned his sorting was probably taking the longest.
'Ah, yes, I see it', said the Sorting Hat finally. 'I'll tell you one thing, Mr. Potter. You would think she is your foe. But, all she will say, are not lies, remember. There are always two sides to a picture.'
'What?'
'It's Divination, Mr. Potter', said the Hat. 'I have to be vague.' The Hat chuckled at his own joke. 'Very well, better be'… "GRYFFINDOR!"
Author's Notes:
As you have very well figured out Harry's legilimency is different than what is mentioned in the seven books of Harry Potter, and more like telepathic abilities of Charles Xavier. So, let's say every natural Legilimens are like that, even Queenie Goldstein had been so. In Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them, we see Queenie being able to read Newt's mind despite not maintaining the eye-contact which is 'necessary'. And Queenie is able to read Grindelwald's mind in Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald. I mean Grindelwald must know something about Occlumency, right? So, I'm theorizing their powers are different and much more powerful. Now, wandless magic is an ability which Harry gains through being in tough situations. Him being a natural legilimens is a power, let's say Harry would've had, despite Voldemort attacking him on Halloween 1981 or not. Parseltongue is surely one which he inherits, but how...we'll jump into that much later.
Yes, I made huge changes in the sorting of the first year students, and a lot more students are in Hufflepuff. Reasons? You'll find out in the coming chapters. Plus, do you actually think Crabbe and Goyle belong in Slytherin? Because, it kind of appears like...'All Slytherins are evil, and I'll put them in the same house.' Look, let's be honest, there's a huge shift in the way the first Harry Potter book and the later books are written. The Philosopher's stone is basically a children's book, but the later books where you get mentions and even description of torture, death, corruption and stuff...pretty dark, eh? I have a theory behind that. Maybe Rowling, wanted to write the books in the tone of the later books, but the publishers thought no one would be interested in her books other than children, and maybe she underwent major editing with the first book while she kept getting rejected by publishing companies. A channel called 'Harry Potter Theory' in Youtube even discusses about the first draft of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone, and it's a lot different than what we have. Something about James and Lily Potter taking the stone before they died, and what not. So, after Rowling got recognition, she was like, 'I'm gonna write the stories like I want to, and everyone else can go suck it!' And this is why everyone likes the later books! It's just a theory, though.
And another point, before you guys go saying how easily Harry made friends with Daphne and Tracey, despite being an abused kid, note that Harry did have friends before. And, his telepathic power gives him an understanding of the greater picture, which causes him to grow up faster mentally, than any other eleven year old. He's had horrible people raising him, but there are also people like Mrs. Figg, his teachers in primary school, and most importantly his friends like Jason, which leads Harry to come to the conclusion that the world isn't all rotten.
Harry's grandfather being a follower of Grindelwald is a nice touch I thought about adding, and I even gave reasons for it. For your information Fleamont Potter was around Dumbledore's age, both here and the cannon. It is mentioned James Potter was born when his parents were old, even by wizarding standards, but still having Veela genes would help a bit with conceiving James (the veela part is just for my story, by the way).
The Wizarding World in this story is different than any other cliche fanfiction you come across. McGonagall's description gives you an idea about it. I am keeping the blood purity and corruption in here. But, the wizarding world had never been sexist. I mean, it won't make sense if it does. In the cannon, Bellatrix Lestrange, Alecto Carrow and a few others were among the inner circle of Death Eaters. I mean it can't all be rotten, right? There are some places where the wizards and witches were indeed ahead than the muggle world. There would be more explanation about my version of British Wizarding War of 1970s and even the Global Wizarding War in later chapters, so I won't spoil it. I just gave you tidbits about the story up until now.
All right, next chapter coming up the next week! Stay tuned!