Here is the next chapter of my story. Please read and review love Sag x
Padma and Parvati woke up in the morning and dressed for their journey to school. Padma was dressed in black leggings with a purple dress and cardigan on over them. She wore dangling earrings and a long necklace both of which were teal in colour. She carried an undetectably extended cross body handbag her father had procured for her and asked her to keep on her person at all times. It contained her money, a few books, a jacket, a scarf and her school robes. It was blood activated however so only she could open it and not anyone else including her sister. Parvati had kicked up a royal fuss about it until he laughed at her and told her that of course she also had one and that she should think to ask for the things she wanted next time otherwise she might end up left out. She said she would for sure. Padma's hair was half up with a gorgeous teal ribbon at the front of her head which her mother had helped her with this morning as promised. She wore very light makeup. She wanted to look good for Harry and herself after all. She had done some serious thinking last night and realised that Harry wasn't the kind of shallow person who would care about what she looked like truly or if he did he'd definitely tell which he hadn't which meant he didn't. She had her Himalayan cat Lina with her in her carrycase.
She'd always loved cats so getting one had been a no brainer for her. Harry himself had gone to get Hedwig again but she'd been gone by that point something he assumed was a blessing in disguise. He had searched through all of the owls and couldn't find one he liked. He could still hear the snakes in the store conversing about how stupid the owner was which had made him laugh at the time. He'd figured Hedwig wasn't there so he would not be getting another owl. He just couldn't bring himself to replace her like that. It wouldn't seem right to do that now. He'd do it in many years when he left school and they needed a family owl. He'd taken a look at the toads and laughed so hard he couldn't even take himself seriously. Sirius had insisted on buying him the pet and accessories for his birthday and had mocked Harry when he'd thought he was going to buy a toad. It was like he'd not seen him laughing at them earlier on or something. He'd eventually chosen a ginger tabby cat with bright blue eyes which he'd called Coco. He'd gotten her a collar with a heart charm containing her name in crystals on it along with a luxurious couch bed and a designer bowl for her food and water. He'd bought a few magical toys for her as well. She was very sweet and he loved her dearly already.
He'd decided when he woke up to travel to the station that he'd wear some jeans with a t-shirt, a pair of stylish brown boots and a pea coat over it which was lovely and warm. In his bag he also had a warmer jacket along with a hat and scarf. Even he wasn't taking Scottish weather for granted. He and Sirius entered the train station early via floo and he instantly spotted Hermione feeling warm inside. He didn't rush over and hug her although he did want to. He had to remind himself that this Hermione wouldn't know him yet. She glanced at him but barely to his disappointment. He'd soon learn it had been a good thing. She was only interested in Harry Potter and he didn't look like him so why even bother going over to him.
As they were early he got to look at the scarlet express all over again. It was gorgeous and he felt his eyes fill with tears at the memories of it from the last time. Sirius noticed him tear up and sighed. "Don't worry pup you'll be fine and make Gryffindor or whichever house you go into great. Just know I'll always love you and my opinion of you will not suddenly change if you end up in Slytherin either! You see I'm not a jackass like my family was" he said passionately and so passionately at that, that Harry genuinely believed he really thought that Slytherin could be a possibility for him. Harry wanted to scoff at the idea but didn't because the sorting hat is weird and you never do know for sure what it will decide to do.
"I love you too Sirius!" he said hugging him fiercely just as Padma and her family came through the floo. She ran at him embracing him in a huge hug and giggling as soon as she saw him because he'd picked her up and spun her around once before putting her back down again.
"Hello Harry I missed you so much. Thank you for my enchanted rose it's divine" she declared kissing his lips quickly and turned to greet Sirius politely. He was like a cool uncle she didn't have and she really enjoyed spending time with him. Sirius smiled brightly at her. He used to mock them about the pdas they would show but soon learned not to when Harry told him it was immature and hurting his feelings. He told Sirius he had found someone he loved very much and that this was something which was not one bit funny. He said he somehow knew he loved her and couldn't explain it. He had said if Sirius loved someone and they mocked her they'd never hear the end of it and he didn't get to do so now to Harry either. Sirius had been stunned but when he saw how serious Harry was he never did it again.
Harry turned to Harish embracing the man who was like a second father to him and smiled brightly. Pooja and Harish were almost like second parents to him at this point as he ate over at their house regularly. He stepped back with a huge smile on his face reaching into his bag from which he pulled an envelope which he handed to Pooja. "Pooja this is for you. I know you guys have an anniversary coming up so you may stay at this Himalayan spa resort the Darkmore family owns for a week. It's all been sorted. You just write to tell them whenever you are coming and they will wait on you hand and foot there. Have a lovely anniversary mum" he said as she cried. She loved so much that he thought of her almost as a parent and vowed to love him like the son she didn't have the whole time.
"Thank you so much Harry, my darling son. We love you so much and you are too kind to think of us Lord Darkmore! Also I have something for you" she said bowing once as he smiled at her. She pulled his favourite Indian snack Sev Mamra from her purse. It was puffs of crisped rice and sticks which were salted and spiced and served with peanuts. It was a delicious snack he'd been unable to stop eating since he'd first tasted it. He actually blushed as he had a few bags of it in his trunk also. He glanced at Padma to see she was crying and smiling at him. He'd been so thoughtful to think of her parents like that. He put the bag of Sev Mamra into his bag and turned to hug them both goodbye. He then ran at Sirius embracing him in a huge hug.
"I love you Sirius. I'll write and tell you which house I'm sorted into as soon as I know it!" he said as Sirius kissed him on the head and shed a tear.
"I'll miss you pup. You look after yourself and don't forget to make plenty of friends too. Take care of yourself Paddi and remember to write to old uncle Sirius!" he said kissing her head as she thanked him and promised to write to him. They boarded the train whilst Parvati waited for the Zabini family to floo in from Italy to the platform. They chose a compartment at the far end of the train next to the dining car where you could get a hot meal for lunch if you could find it. It had been installed in the twenties and most times wasn't found by many people but that just made it more intimate. As he got settled in his seat he let Coco out of her carrier and she snuggled on his lap her tail swishing backwards and forwards as he pet her. Lina was let out of her carrier too and she climbed onto the seat beside Padma and fell asleep. They each got a book out and began to read it peacefully. Harry had initially joked about reading about most things he knew from his previous timeline but now actually did love reading. It had always seemed so overbearing when Hermione had done it because she'd often gotten stressed out thinking she needed to tell everyone how they should be reading or studying as it were so this is why he'd always avoided reading last time. Boy had he lost out!
Soon enough the whistle had blown and the train was leaving making Harry gasp. He'd been so into his book that neither he nor Padma had noticed. They were soon interrupted by Parvati who told them Blaise wished to stay where he was and so she was going to be with him there. She did ask if that was ok first though and they told her it was. Shortly afterwards their door was wrenched open by none other Draco Malfoy himself. He was still flanked at either side by Crabbe and Goyle and still managed to look pompous even without his father still living.
"What are your blood statuses? I must ask as it wouldn't do to go sitting with the wrong sort. I might catch something! I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy! This is Crabbe and that there is Goyle" he said quite seriously as Harry laughed.
"Yes and I'm Bond, James Bond. I mean seriously is that how you truly address people? How utterly pretentious. I am Harry Potter and this beautiful young lady is Padma Patil. I assure you that you will not catch anything if you sit with us but I wouldn't want you sitting with us anyway because we might catch something from you!" he sneered as Draco gaped.
"Who the hell is James Bond and why didn't you mention you were Harry Potter sooner? I'd have acted differently if I knew that!" he whined as Harry rounded on him looking furious. Somehow he just knew Draco would say that and it had instantly rubbed him the wrong way. He was determined to give him one chance and he already seemed to be pushing it motherfucker.
"James Bond is a muggle spy. I know that Draco and that is the most disgusting thing of all. Next time address people normally or bugger off. Now go and find yourself an empty compartment and think about what you did wrong! Maybe tone down the pretentiousness and you may even have real friends who knows" he snapped as a stunned Malfoy simply left to do just that. Soon enough Ron entered asking if he could sit there as most other places were full up.
"Yes of course you can. I'm Harry Potter and this beautiful lady to my left is Padma Patil!" he said as she smiled shaking his hand.
"I'm Ronald Weasley but you can just call me Ron if you like. It's a pleasure to meet you both. This here is my familiar Lady Grey. Are you very excited for school? I'm not sure what house I'll be in yet but I know whichever house it is will be wonderful!" he enthused brightly. Harry openly gaped until he remembered how rude it was and closed his mouth quickly. Ron had not been this cultured last time around having a chip on his shoulder about everything everyone ever did that he didn't like. What he said also implied that he wasn't' all that sure he'd end up in Gryffindor either which would be a nice surprise if it happened like that. Harry decided to take out some exploding snap to play and both Ron and Padma joined him. It had been a good game and both he and Ron had smoking hands and were laughing a lot whilst Padma looked as though she'd not even been playing with them. Their door was once more wrenched open by a highly defeated looking Hermione.
"Hello everyone would you all mind terribly if I sat here with you? I'm not having a good day so far. I'm Hermione Granger by the way!" she said sounding very impressed and full of her own importance which made Harry frown slightly. She'd not been like this last time. Maybe she was just extremely nervous and acting silly for this reason.
"Yes you may join us. I'm Harry Potter, this gorgeous lady to my left is Padma Patil and my new friend over there is Ron Weasley!" he said as she openly gaped and did look very funny indeed. She attempted to sit down in between he and Padma stunned when he asked her not to do that. She sat opposite him with a huge huff. She was so pissed off. He wasn't ugly at all. Those books had been lying to her and everyone for years. Books had actually lied to her something she couldn't seem to get past. She felt exceptionally betrayed.
"You don't look at all like those books make you look!" she snapped in an accusatory tone as if blaming him somehow for it all.
"I know yeah those pieces of trash should never have been written without my consent. Oh don't worry I've sued the writer and all royalties from them will go towards helping out muggleborn students who are in need of it during school. I feel like it will be a good thing to do with the money!" he answered oblivious to her shock.
"I see you have books out. Go on then show me! What are you reading?" she asked as he smiled at her still not truly getting her bad mood.
"Oh it's the spell book for this year" he said casually as she sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I can see you're in need of much help. Don't you worry dear I'll get you up to scratch soon. I've read that book ten times so I do know it off by heart. I'll be sure to help you in all of your lessons. Don't worry with me as your guide you'll never fail again!" she said sounding highly sure of herself. He then gaped at her seeming to realise something was very off with her. This wasn't the Hermione he remembered at all. Since when did she become so condescending and full of her own importance?
"If you continue like that I assure you that you will have no friends at all. Less of the condescending smart mouth and more of the normal socialisation and you might have actual friends. I'm half tempted to ask you to join that Malfoy fool. Do you speak so badly with everyone?" Harry asked snapping as she glowered slightly at him before flipping her hair dramatically so it shone in the sunlight coming through the window.
"I don't need friends. When you're this gorgeous you really only need a good man and I've got my sights set on you. Don't worry I can dumb myself down for you if truly do need it to feel good about yourself Harry. Don't worry I know what it's like. I was ugly until my accidental magic fixed me" she said attempting to sound seductive.
"If I were you I would leave any delusions of grandeur at the door. You cannot have Harry as he is not free and besides which he'd never lower himself to the standards of a stupid cow like you anyway!" Padma said showing her engagement ring for the first time. Harry saw she was wearing it and felt his eyes fill with tears of pride. In one of his vaults he couldn't even recall for which family he'd found a ring which had three stones on the front of it. A large teal coloured diamond flanked by two plain white diamonds on either side. The fact that she was wearing it made every statement she needed it to.
"You will learn. I'm not a cow I'm gorgeous and besides which I know more then you ever could quite literally. Don't you worry you stupid little girl I'll get Harry one way or another because I'm the best and I deserve the best which he is. I'll never give up either so take off your silly little ring and find someone of your own to wear it for!" she shouted jumping to her feet and stepping forward threateningly stunned as there was a sudden hissing sound from Ron's side of the car as Lady Grey moved to defend him thinking he was being physically attacked and blasting Hermione away from him. She came back in looking furious and attempted to smack Padma as Harry grabbed her hands preventing her from doing it.
"You not only tried to harm Padma but the girl I love. I will not break your wand this time but get out now before I curse you myself. You could go to the ends of this earth and I'd never choose you because you're not Padma and you'll never be her either. Now leave before you embarrass yourself any further!" he said coldly making her face very red as she fought tears which threatened to fall.
"Don't you worry sweetie I'll do all I can to get this vixen away from your clutches. I can see you're feeling a little tense now and need a time out so I'm going to go now. You can calm down in peace but rest assured I will get you!" she said as Padma snapped and stunned her. She hadn't been thinking and Tilly was called whereupon she was asked to place Hermione in a compartment of her own at the opposite end of the train. Once she was gone Ron turned to them with wide eyes.
"Look I know she's beautiful but what Hermione tried to do to Padma is unforgiveable in my eyes. We are all lucky to have the things we have. Never ever take anything for granted. I sure know I won't be. No matter what house I'm in we'll be friends for sure all three of us and I promise nothing will get in the way of us. I'll do all I can to protect Padma as I know you will Harry mate! Also thank you Grey for protecting me" he said as Harry smiled and thanked him. Ron bent down and cooed at Lady Grey who purred loudly stroking her cheek affectionately against his. She was truly wonderful. It was then that this friendship properly solidified. A short while later their door was opened once more Padma squealing in joy as her best friend entered.
"Oh my goodness I was looking for you but I didn't find you. Everyone this is Susan Bones my best friend. Susan this is Harry Potter my betrothed and this is Ronald Weasley my other dear friend!" she said smiling at Ron who looked thrilled to bits to have friends. As the train thundered on down the tracks they all grew closer. Halfway through the journey they were well on their way to becoming the golden quad of this timeline. They left their compartment heading next door to the dining car stunned beyond belief at its opulence. You could just tell it had been made in the twenties. Rows of tables with comfortable seating lined the walls of the room. In the centre of the room were tables with various opulent elephants made of glass inside which swirled various magical liquids which glowed with a pearlescent sheen to them. They looked exquisite. The table glasses were crystal and the flatware was all gold lined fine bine china. Hermione returned again to try and make Harry like her stunned when he wasn't there. Their compartment was empty and she couldn't find them. She couldn't even find the dining car. She was furious she'd been thwarted and by a cat of all things. She'd get Padma for sure.
Back in the dining car menu's appeared with instructions on how to order the food. You need only tap the item on the menu you wanted for it to appear there. It was relatively simply menu with soup, sandwiches, fish and chips, chicken wings and chicken satay on it. The chicken dishes all came with fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes. Susan ordered the chicken wings loving the spicy flavour of them. Ron elected to order the fish and chips along with Harry and lastly Padma ordered the chicken satay. As soon as they tapped their menus the food arrived and they all tucked in. They were then served glasses of bucks fizz a traditional twenties drink. It was exceptionally opulent and the food was so tasty. None of them had ever been in such opulence before. Ron was stunned. He'd been so casual and it had worked in his favour as he was now very close friends with three of the best people he'd ever met. As the lunch ended they left the dining car and re-entered their compartment. Just as they sat down Draco Malfoy returned looking stunned still.
"Potter I wish to apologise for my actions earlier and would not wish it to affect any friendship we may have. To be honest I was raised better than this and my mother would not like it if I offended you on my first day!" he said as Harry regarded seriously for a moment. It would seem he was learning.
"Thank you for that Malfoy and may I say it shows your maturity. You are learning to be better and that is something. I am very open to being friends with many people. These are my best friends but I am not opposed to being your friend!" he said as Draco looked very relieved and shook his hand once. Harry was willing to give Draco one chance after this and if he screwed up he'd be truly on his own then. He needed to remind himself that Draco wasn't the jackass of last time. He couldn't believe Hermione had actually believed her accidental magic had helped her hair and teeth out when that had been him. He was a bit mad about that actually. He seriously resented Hermione now something he hated but couldn't help. She didn't do much to make herself likeable either. This was such a shit show! He now felt for her the way he had felt for Malfoy when he'd first met him the last time. This was all wrong but she was a jerk and he wouldn't tolerate anyone threatening Padma. What he loved about Padma was how ordinary she looked but how well she could truly defend herself. You'd never look at her and expect that and so many people underestimated her and paid the price later. Hermione would be one of those people for sure. The train pulled into the station shortly after they'd all put on their school robes. They were here.