A/N: The face-claim to Mandy is Abby Ross.
Chapter 5: The Journey to Hogwarts
The rest of the summer passed quickly. May and Harry mostly stayed confined to their room, to avoid the Dursleys. It was fine, because the Dursleys avoided them when they emerged from their room.
May thought it was kind of tiring seeing Dudley run from them with his pig's tail tucked between his legs. At first it was kind of funny, but it just wore off after a while. She wondered if it was sad that she sort of missed her cousin bullying her.
Although it felt great whispering, 'oink oink' at Dudley when she got the chance. Dudley would squeal and cover his pig's tail with his hands before running away.
It was the last day of August with May double checking her supplies list, to make sure that she had everything packed in her trunk since she knew that the Dursleys wouldn't send her anything that was left behind. The only books that were missing was The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and A History of Magic. She was rereading those books. It was a little disconcerting reading about You-Know-Who's attack on Hallowe'en in The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts since it felt odd reading about herself. Although she wasn't mentioned as much as Harry though.
She finished up packing and got on her bottom bunk. She lied down to read to continue reading The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. The door opened and Harry walked in. He was holding Pepperjack, who had a piece of Romaine lettuce in her mouth.
May looked up at him, "Did you ask them to take us to King's Cross?"
"What?" asked Harry looking confused. "What? No. I was getting Pepperjack for you. I found her in the kitchen."
"But did you ask them?" asked May.
"Why can't you do it?" countered Harry.
"They tolerate you more than me," said May. "I keep tormenting the furry gerbil. They'll most likely listen to you than me."
"All right, fine," said Harry. He set Pepperjack on May's bed and walked out of the room again.
May picked up her guinea pig and started stroking Pepperjack, making Pepperjack do her bubbling sound of content. She looked at Harry's owl, who he named Hedwig, a name that he had gotten from A History of Magic. Hedwig was looking at either May or Pepperjack, May wasn't sure. She started reading her book again. She gotten so into it that she jumped up, almost hit her head on the top bunk, startled when a disgruntled looking Harry walked in.
"Did you ask them?" May asked sitting up.
"Yes, but he said that I was talking rubbish when I mentioned that we have to take the train from platform nine and three-quarters," said Harry. "He said that there is no platform nine and three-quarters and called the wizarding world barking."
May frowned at that, "It's on our tickets." She thought about it. Hagrid had showed them where the Leaky Cauldron was; it was only visible to witches and wizards, not Muggles. "The platform must be invisible to Muggles, then."
"I know," said Harry. "He said that if they weren't going up to London, they wouldn't take us."
"I did hear them saying something about getting Dudley's tail removed," said May.
"You couldn't have told me that?" asked Harry.
"I didn't know when they were going to go," said May. "I wonder how they're going to explain how he got that tail, though."
They woke up at five in the morning. More like Harry woke up and then he woke up May.
"Are you excited?" asked Harry after waking up May.
May groaned, "Go back to bed, Harry. It's too early for me." She rolled over and pulled her blanket over her head.
"I can't, I'm too excited and nervous," said Harry.
May groaned and ended up kicking him out so she can change. She allowed him back in and Harry went to double-check if he had everything. May packed up her two books and made sure that she had everything, even though she knew that she had everything packed up.
"What would happen if we get separated?" asked May.
Harry sighed, "They're not going to separate us. We're twins. They can't do that to us."
May nodded, "I hope you're right."
Two hours later, the twins had put their trunks in the boot of Uncle Vernon's car and Aunt Petunia had to bribe Dudley with five presents just to get him to sit in between Harry and May.
They got to King's Cross half past ten. Uncle Vernon dumped the twins's trunks onto separate trolleys and put Hedwig's cage on May's trolley, while he put Pepperjack's cage on Harry's trolley.
When May went to push her trolley, Uncle Vernon grabbed her upper arm and pulled her to the side.
"Petunia, get her trolley," Uncle Vernon said sounding gleeful for some reason.
Aunt Petunia did as she was told. They went into the station when May suddenly noticed why Uncle Vernon was gleeful. There was a platform nine and a platform ten, but no platform nine and three quarters.
"Well, there you are, you two. Platform nine – and platform ten. Your platform should be somewhere in the middle, but they don't seem to have built it yet, do they?" asked Uncle Vernon with a nasty grin. "Have a good term," he added with an even nastier smile before leaving with Aunt Petunia and Dudley.
May looked at the pillar in between the platforms, getting a sick feeling in her stomach. She knew that the Dursleys were cruel, but to abandon them at King's Cross? She felt that it was a new low, even for them. She switched the cages, sat down on her trolley, and put her head on her knees.
"Uh, May?" asked Harry tentatively as he shook May's shoulder.
"I'm thinking," said May as she shook off Harry's hand. "I just need to think about how to get on Platform Nine and Three Quarters. I'm sure that I read about it somewhere."
"No, I mean, people are staring at us," said Harry.
"You're the one with wildlife, so why wouldn't they stare at you?" asked May. She didn't lift her head.
She thought about how Hagrid said that if they had any questions, to send Hedwig out, since she would know where to find him, but she wasn't sure how long that it would even take. She could always look in her books, but she didn't want to drag out all her books and look, since they were running low on time and then she would have to pack it all up again.
"I'm going to ask that guard," said Harry.
"You go do that," said May. She wondered how Hagrid forgot to tell them how to get on the platform. He said that their tickets had information on them. "Stupid, stupid," she muttered as she looked in her messenger bag taking out the ticket.
"You're not stupid," said Harry.
May looked at him. "Did you get information out of him?"
Harry shook his head, "No. I asked him about the train leaving at eleven, but he didn't know what I was talking about. I asked him about Hogwarts, but I don't know where it's at."
May groaned and looked at her ticket. It didn't say anything about getting onto the platform. "This is just great. We're stranded and we have no money to get home too."
"I'd rather live here than go back to Privet Drive," said Harry.
"Me too," said May. She buried her face in her hands.
"It's the same year after year," said a woman. "Always packed with Muggles of course."
They turned to face the woman.
"Did she just say 'Muggle?'" asked May.
"Yeah, she did," said Harry. "Look, they have an owl."
May looked over to see a plump woman with flaming red, leading four boys and a girl, all with flaming red hair, over to the barrier. They had an owl in a cage.
"Let's go ask her," said Harry.
"She looks busy," said May, feeling uncomfortable at asking a mother with many kids for help.
"Nine and three-quarters," said the red-haired girl. "Mum, can't I go?"
"Do you have any better ideas?" asked Harry. "I don't want to be stranded here."
May was anxious. "Let's just watch. She has five kids with her. She doesn't need two strays to help."
The oldest looking red-head ran straight for the barrier, but a group of tourists blocked him from view as they went past her.
"That's just our luck," said May agitated.
"Fred, you next," said the woman to one of the twin boys.
"I'm not Fred, I'm George," said the boy. "Honestly, woman, call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?"
"Sorry, George, dear," said the woman.
"Only joking, I am Fred," said the boy, and he was off. His twin called after him to hurry up, and he must have done so, but he was gone.
"How?" asked May. Harry pulled his trolley over to the woman. "Harry!" she hissed in agitation.
"There's nothing else to do," said Harry. "Excuse me."
"Hullo, dear," said the woman looking at Harry kindly. "First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new, too." She motioned to the last boy, who was tall, thin, and gangly. He had freckles, big hands and feet, and a long nose.
"Yes," said Harry. "The thing is – the thing is, my sister and I don't know how to—"
"How to get onto the platform?" the woman asked in a kind manner.
Harry nodded and May pushed her trolley up next to Harry's.
"Not to worry," said the woman. "All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron."
"Er – okay," said Harry.
He pushed his trolley round and stared at the barrier. He ran for it and May closed her eyes, waiting for the crash but it never came. She opened her eyes to notice that Harry was gone.
"You're next, dear," said the woman, giving May a small smile.
May nodded, swallowed, and pushed her trolley to the wall. She started off with a bit of a walk, and then remembered that they were really running late, and ran for it. She closed her eyes and kept running, before slowing down, then stopping altogether.
A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said:
Hogwarts Express, 11 o'clock
May looked behind to see a wrought-iron archway where the ticket box had been. On the archway there was a sign that said:
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
She and Harry had finally made it. Smoke was drifting from the engine over the chattering crowds.
"May!" shouted Harry from a distance sounding worried. May pushed her trolley over to where Harry was standing. Harry helped May put her trunk onto the compartment that he had been standing in front of.
"Who helped you with your trunk?" asked May.
"The red-haired twins," said Harry. "They saw my scar though."
They got on the train and sat in front of the windows.
"Ron, you've got something on your nose," said the red-haired woman.
Ron tried jerking out of the way, but his mother grabbed him and started wiping his nose off with a handkerchief.
"Mum– geroff," said Ron sounding disgruntled as he tried to wiggle free.
"Aaah, has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nose?" asked one of the twins.
"Shut up," said Ron.
"Where's Percy?" asked their mother.
"He's coming now," said one of the twins.
The oldest boy came striding into sight. He already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes and May noticed a shiny red and gold badge on his chest that had the letter P on it.
"Can't stay long, Mother," said the boy. "I'm up front, the Prefects have got two compartments to themselves."
"Oh, are you a Prefect, Percy?" asked one of the twins, sounding really surprised. "You should have said something, we had no idea."
"Hang on, I think I remember saying something about it," said the other twin. "Once—"
"Or twice—"
"A minute—"
"All summer—"
"Oh, shut up," said Percy.
"How comes Percy gets new robes, anyway?" asked one of the twins sounding slightly jealous.
"Because he's a Prefect," said the mother in a fond tone. "All right, dear, well, have a good term—send me an owl when you get there." She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left. She turned to her twins. "Now, you two—"
May looked at Harry.
The mother continued, "This year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've – you've blown up a toilet or—"
"Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet," said one of the twins.
"Great idea though, thanks, Mum," said the other twin.
"It's not funny. And look after Ron," said the mother.
"Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us," said one twin.
"Shut up," said Ron again.
"Hey, Mum, guess what? Guess who just met on the train?" prompted one twin.
Harry ducked down and May stared at him, confused.
"You know that black-haired boy who was near us in the station? Know who he is?" asked one twin.
"Who?" asked the woman.
"Harry Potter!" the twins said in unison.
"Oh, Mum, can I go on the train and see him, Mum, oh please…" begged the red-haired girl.
"You've already seen him, Ginny, and the poor boy isn't something you goggle at in a zoo," admonished the woman. "How do you know, Fred?"
"Asked him. Saw his scar. It's really there – like lightning," said Fred.
"And he mentioned his sister, who must be Mayflower," said the woman. "Poor dears– no wonder why they were alone. I wondered. Harry was ever so polite when he asked how to get on to the platform."
"Never mind that, do you think they remember what You-Know-Who looks like?" asked presumably Fred.
"I forbid you to ask them, Fred. No, don't you dare. As though they need reminding of that on their first day at school," said the woman.
"All right, keep your hair on," said Fred.
The whistle sounded and May got up. She grabbed a book from her trunk and moved Pepperjack's cage to the seat right next to hers. She sat down right as the train started moving.
May smiled, "This is exciting. I don't know where we're going, but its loads better than being at Privet Drive."
Harry nodded, "Loads better."
The compartment door opened and the youngest red haired boy came in. "Anyone sitting there?" He pointed at the spot next to May. "Everywhere else is full."
May moved Pepperjack's cage and Ron sat next to her.
"I'm Harry," said Harry. "Harry Potter and that's my sister, May. Don't call her Madeleine or Leaf."
May nodded.
"Oh – well, I thought it might be one of Fred and George's jokes," said Ron focusing on Harry. "And have you really got – you know…" He motioned his forehead.
Harry pulled back his fringe to show Ron his scar. Ron stared at it, "Wicked. So, that's where You-Know-Who—?"
"Yes, but I can't remember it," said Harry quickly.
Ron looked at May.
May felt vaguely uncomfortable. "I don't have any scars or memories of it. I remember a lot of green light, though."
Ron kept staring at Harry's scar before looking out the window.
May shifted in her seat feeling uncomfortable and feeling like Ron had just ignored her. It was just a scar, nothing special. She had three on her knee after all.
She got up and grabbed her school uniform. She'll just put the button down shirt and skirt on. She'll put the other pieces on later.
"You're going to change already?" asked Harry sounding incredulous. "I know you love school, but we just left the train station."
"We won't get to Hogwarts for a long time," said Ron.
May shrugged and headed for the nearest toilet. A blonde girl was standing outside, clearly waiting to use. May almost sighed and she stood next to the girl.
"I'm Mandy," said the blonde girl in a whisper, which confused May, but she decided not to use it.
"I'm May," said May. "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise," whispered the blonde girl. She gave her a small smile.
The door to the toilet opened and a pug-faced girl emerged from the toilet. She had short brown hair. She looked at them with contempt as she said, "I'm Pansy Parkinson," she had a I'm-better-than-youvoice.
May was thrown at how a girl could sound so rude.
"I'm Mandy Brocklehurst and that's May," said Mandy.
"What's your surname?" asked Pansy, sounding curious but still somehow using that contemptuous voice.
"Potter," replied May.
Mandy and Pansy seemed thrown by that fact.
"Are you really?" asked Pansy looking at May with curiosity. May nodded. "You should be my friend. We girls with flower names should stick together, you know. You'll also find that there are families out there that are better than…others."
She was pointedly ignoring Mandy's presence.
"No thanks," said May. "I like who I find better. Thanks for the offer though."
Pansy's face seemed to redden and she lowered her hand. She sneered, "You just made an enemy, Potter."
"Get in line," replied May as Pansy stormed off in a huff.
"You should really watch your back," said Mandy in a much louder voice. "Making an enemy out of the Parkinsons and Malfoys was a bad choice. They're going to make life hell for you."
"Gee, I wonder what it's like to go through hell," said May.
Mandy looked like she couldn't tell if May was being sarcastic or not, so she went in the toilet. A few minutes later, she exited the toilet, and said, "Well, see you round Mayflower."
"I prefer May, and I'll see you round too," said May.
Mandy left and May took a deep breath, before going in the toilet to change. After changing, she went back to the compartment that she had shared with Harry and Ron.
She noticed that Ron had taken her spot in front of Harry. Harry had Pepperjack's cage in the seat next to him. They had a lot of sweets round them.
"Where did you get this?" asked May looking at the sweets.
"I bought it from the trolley lady," said Harry. "You were gone for a very long time."
"I wasn't gone for very long," said May sitting down in a seat, so Pepperjack's cage was in between them.
Harry handed May a package of Chocoballs, which were a chocolate sweet filled with clotted cream and strawberry mousse. "I know how much you love clotted cream and strawberries."
"Thanks," said May and opened the package. She noticed some other sweets that Harry and Ron had gotten.
Harry grabbed a blue and gold package. "These aren't real frogs are they?"
May made a face when she saw that it was Chocolate Frogs. "Oh, that's gross."
"It's just a spell, you two. Besides, it's the cards that you want. Each pack's got a famous witch or wizard," explained Ron. "I got about five hundred meself."
Harry opened the box and a chocolate frog jumped out onto the window. May jumped in surprise at the fact that frog moved. Well, it jumped but it was still moving.
The frog climbed up and out of a gap in the window.
"Oh, that's rotten luck," said Ron. "They've got one good jump in them to begin with."
"Yeah, only a chocolate frog would run away from Harry," said May. She laughed at her own joke.
"Rude," said Harry.
Ron passed a chocolate frog box to May, "Here. I haven't got Agrippa or Ptolemy."
May opened her box and a chocolate frog jumped out. She managed to grab it and bite it in half, as she picked up a card.
There was a man with a very impressive looking beard going on. He had a sword and he was winking at her. Underneath the card was:
Almeric Sawbridge
1602 - 1699
Famous for conquering the river troll that was terrorising those trying to cross the Wye River. River troll in question believed to be one of the largest ever to exist in Britain with a weight of one tonne.
"Well, that's certainly an achievement," said May looking at the description.
"He's gone!" Harry gasped.
"What?" asked May looking over to see what Harry was talking about. "Who's gone?"
"Dumbledore's gone," said Harry, showing her a card that had no picture.
"Huh," said May taking the card and tilting it at different angles. "That's weird."
"You two can't honestly expect him to hang around all day," said Ron. "He'll be back."
"You know, the cards in the Muggle world, people usually don't wander off," said May, handing the card to Harry.
"They don't move at all?" asked Ron. "Weird!"
"Look, he's back," said Harry showing May.
It looked like Dumbledore gave her a small smile. Dumbledore had a crooked nose, flowing silver hair, beard, and mustache. He wore half-moon glasses.
May took the card to read the description.
Albus Dumbledore
Currently Headmaster of Hogwarts
Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Professor Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.
"Help yourself," said Harry.
Ron went for the Chocolate Frogs and May handed the card to Harry, who took it, and started eating the Chocolate Frogs.
There was a squeak and May looked for the sound and noticed that it came from a rat that was lying on Ron.
"You have a rat on your lap," said May.
"Great observation, May," said Harry in a sarcastic tone.
"How clever of you to point out my observation," May responded in the same tone.
"This is Scabbers," said Ron. "Pathetic isn't he?"
May pointed at Pepperjack's cage, "This is Pepperjack, my guinea pig. She loves escaping her cage. Don't know how, but she does."
As if to prove her point, Pepperjack crawled onto May's lap and she started stroking her guinea pig.
There was a knock on the compartment door and a round-faced boy walked in, looking tearful.
"Sorry, but have you seen a toad at all?"
May shook her head, "No, sorry."
"I've lost him!" wailed the boy. "He keeps getting away from me!"
"He'll turn up," said Harry.
"Yes," said the boy miserably. "Well, if you seen him…"
"I'll let you know," said May.
The boy left.
"Don't know why he's so bothered," said Ron. "If I'd brought a toad, I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk."
Scabbers still laid on Ron's lap.
"I would think he died, but he squeaked a few minutes ago," said May.
"I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look…" He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very battered-looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.
"Unicorn's hair is poking out," muttered Ron. "Anyway—"
The door to the compartment opened up once more and a bushy-haired girl walked in. "Has anyone seen a toad, Neville's lost one."
"We've already told him we haven't seen it," said Ron.
"Oh, are you doing magic?" asked the girl. "Let's see it then." She sat down and watched very intently. "Er – all right," said Ron. He cleared his throat, "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow." He waved his wand, but nothing happened.
"That's not a real spell," May pointed out.
"I've tried a few spells just for practise and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard – I've learnt all our set books off by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough – I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?" the girl spoke very fast.
"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered.
"Harry Potter," said Harry.
"Are you really?" asked Hermione before May could introduce herself. "I know all about you, of course—I got a few extra books for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical Historyand The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentith Century."
"May and I are?" asked Harry sounding dazed.
"May?" asked Hermione sounding confused.
"I'm May. I prefer May over Mayflower," said May. "I'm Harry's sister."
"Twin sister," corrected Harry.
Hermione said, "Do any of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best, I hear Dumbledore himself was one, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad…Anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad." She looked at Ron and Harry, "You two had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon." She left, taking Neville with her.
"Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not it in." Ron grumbled and May nodded in agreement as she put Pepperjack in her cage. Ron threw his wand back in his trunk. "Stupid spell – George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."
"May would've done the same thing to me," said Harry. "She considers herself a prankster." He frowned, "What house are your brothers in?"
"Gryffindor," said Ron. "Mum and Dad were in it, too. I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin?"
"Come out of the house that You-Know-Who was in?" asked May. "No thanks."
"Yeah," said Ron.
"You know, I think the ends of Scabbers's whiskers are a bit lighter," said Harry. "So, what do your oldest brothers do now they've left, anyway?"
Ron said that his brother, Charlie, was in Romania studying dragons and that his other brother, Bill, was in Africa doing something for Gringotts. "Did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with the Muggles – someone tried to rob a high-security vault."
May was surprised. If the one vault that Hagrid had taken that one package out of, needed that safety measure where a person gets sucked in, what other safety measures did high-security vaults needed?
"They did?" asked May.
"Really?" asked Harry, "What happened to them?"
"Nothing, that's why it's such big news," said Ron. "They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't they took anything, that's what's odd. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it."
May couldn't help but snicker, "You-Know-Who's long gone."
"That's what some people say," said Ron. "Some say that's he gone, but some say that he's waiting for a return."
May looked at Ron, "What do you think? Do you think that You-Know-Who's gone?"
Ron nodded, "I think he's gone."
May nodded, "Okay."
Ron looked at them, "What's your Quidditch team?"
"I don't have any," said May.
"Er – I don't know any," Harry said.
"What!" Ron looked stunned "Oh, you two wait, it's the best game in the world—"
He explained to them about the four balls which were the Quaffle, two Bludgers, and Snitch. He told them that the Snitch was the one that caused the most points and was the game-ending ball. He told them about the positions of the players, which were three Chasers, two Beaters, a Keeper, and a Seeker, and what they do.
The Chasers put the Quaffle through the hoops and the two Beaters had to keep the Bludgers away from knocking the players off their brooms and to hit the Bludgers towards their opponents. The Keeper protects the hoops and had to keep the Quaffle from going in and the Seeker searched for the Snitch and took the most hits.
Ron was just telling them about the 'finer' points of the game when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville or Hermione.
It was the pale boy from Madam Malkins, accompanied by two other boys, who were thickset. The blond boy was in between the two boys, like the other two were his bodyguards.
"Is it true?" asked the blond boy. "They're saying all down the train that Harry and Mayflower Potter are in this compartment." He looked at Harry. "So it's you two, is it?"
"Yes," said Harry.
"And I prefer May," said May and looked at the two thickset boys.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the boy. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron gave a slight cough, which sounded like he was trying to hide a snigger. Malfoy looked at Ron, "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children that they can afford." He turned back to Harry and May. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potters. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He held his hand to shake Harry's hand.
May almost scoffed at that. It was almost the same spiel that Pansy had spewed at her earlier.
Harry didn't take the hand.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort is for myself, thanks," said Harry in a cold tone.
Malfoy's face turned pink and he turned to May.
"I'd rather not be friends with someone who insulted other people in front of me and then offer friendship," said May. "Thanks, but no thanks."
Malfoy scowled. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potters. Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents."
May stood up and made fists. "You take that back, you git." Malfoy was a bit taller than her, but it was okay. She could take him down if she wanted.
"May," Harry warned.
"Do you honestly think that you can take us on?" Malfoy sneered.
May reached for the package of Chocolate Frogs and grabbed one. She crammed the box right in his mouth. "Leave you git! You weren't even welcomed!"
Crabbe and Goyle looked confused and advanced forward making Harry and Ron stand up.
"You touch my sister, you'll get hexed," Harry threatened Malfoy's lackeys.
Malfoy managed to slap the Chocolate Frog box out of his mouth and he looked a little terrified.
"You're mad," said Malfoy. "Wait till my father hears about this!" He took off. Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other.
Goyle reached for the Chocolate Frogs that were next to Ron, who leapt forward. Goyle yelled, but Ron hadn't touched Goyle.
Scabbers the rat was hanging off of Goyle's knuckle. Goyle swung Scabbers round and round, howling, and then Scabbers let go, hitting the window. Goyle and Crabbe ran off.
"That was brilliant." said Ron, looking awed, "Hitting Malfoy with the Chocolate Frog like that."
May pretended to curtsey, "Thanks. Just don't bring up my parents. Is Scabbers okay?"
Hermione came back in the compartment. "What has been going on?" There were sweets on the ground and Ron was holding Scabbers by the tail.
Ron looked at Hermione. "Can we help you with something?"
"You haven't been fighting, have you? You'll be in trouble before we even get there!" Hermione admonished.
"Scabbers and May have been fighting, not me and Ron," said Harry.
Hermione looked at May, disapprovingly, "I thought you were better than that."
"You obviously thought wrong," said May flatly.
"You'd better hurry up and put your robes on, I've just been up the front to ask the driver and he says we're nearly there," said Hermione. "I only came in here because people outside are behaving very childishly, racing up and down the corridors. And you've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know?" She turned and left and Ron glared at her as she left.
"Anyway, is Scabbers okay?" asked May.
"I think he's been knocked out," Ron said. "No – I don't believe it – he's gone back to sleep." He frowned, "You've met Malfoy before?"
Harry and May explained their encounter with Malfoy in Madam Malkins.
"I've heard of his family," said Ron darkly. "They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side."
May turned to Harry, "Well, it's a good thing that we didn't take him up on the offer of friendship."
Harry nodded and May looked out the window. It was already getting dark, but she could still see mountains and forests under the deep-purple sky.
It felt like the train was slowing down.
She grabbed the rest of her uniform and left the boys to get changed. She looked out the window, feeling nervous all of a sudden. She wasn't sure if she and Harry were going to be in the same house, but they had to be. It was always them against the Dursleys, them against the school system, and them against Dudley and his gang. Now it was them against the wizarding world. Hogwarts just couldn't separate them. They just couldn't.
Harry allowed her back in the compartment and she crammed some sweets in her pockets. May noticed that Ron's robes were a bit short for him since she could see his trainers.
"We will be reaching Hogsmeade Station in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."
May felt anxious as she realized that she had to leave Pepperjack behind on the train; it just seemed cruel to do that to Pepperjack.
The train started slowing down and it finally stopped. People started pushing their way towards the door. Someone had elbowed May in her ribs and she was jostled and she hit the ground when she got tripped by someone who looked suspiciously like Pansy.
She covered her head as she got kicked and almost stepped on by other students. She managed to get up and left the train, but she couldn't find Harry anywhere, even among the older students who were leaving to a dirt path on the right of the platform.
"Who are you looking for?" asked a brown haired boy.
"My brother," said May. "I lost him."
"You won't be able to find him until we get to the school," said the boy.
A lantern came bobbing over the heads of the students and a man said, "Firs'-years! Firs'-years! All right there, Harry and May?"
It was Hagrid and he was smiling. "C'mon, follow me – any more firs'-years? Mind yer step, now! Firs'-years follow me!"
They followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that May knew that they were trees.
"Do you think the sight would be pretty in the morning?" asked May.
She noticed how the boy seemed startled that she spoke to him. "Yeah, I think it will. My parents came here and they told me that it was a beautiful sight. It's even more beautiful in the Ravenclaw Tower. It's said that it has one of the perfect views."
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," called Hagrid over his shoulder. "Jus' round this bend here."
The narrow path opened onto the edge of a great black lake. Onto of a high mountain on the other side of the lake was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. Its windows were sparkling amongst the starry sky.
"Oooooh!" they all chorused.
"No more'n four to a boat!" called Hagrid, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water.
May managed to find Harry's boat, but Neville and Hermione were in it. She glared at Hermione who seemed startled by it, but May ended up in a boat with a red-haired that seemed familiar, Mandy, and the boy named Terry.
"What's that look for?" asked Mandy looking surprised.
"Granger," snarled May agitated. She looked at the girl, who seemed depressed by something. "Hey, you're Morag right?"
The girl brightened up, smiling and nodding, "Yeah."
"Everyone in?" asked Hagrid who had a boat to himself, "Right then – forward!"
And the fleet of little boats was off, cutting across the glass-smooth lake. May stared up at the castle, wondering if they were going to have classes in the towers and wondered what other classes the school had to offer. It all seemed so magical.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid.
They bent their heads as they were carried through a curtain of ivy which hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried through a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle.
"There's a harbour underneath Hogwarts?" asked May blinking in surprise.
"Apparently," said Terry.
The boats scraped against the pebble and rock floor and they clambered out.
"Oy, you there!" Hagrid called out as he looked in a boat. "Is this your toad?"
"Trevor!" cried out Neville in a blissful tone.
May wondered how the toad got to Hogwarts if it was lost for hours. Strange.
After Hagrid handed over Trevor, they climbed up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lantern, emerging onto smooth, damp grass. It looked like they were in the shadow of the castle.
They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge oak, front door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" asked Hagrid. He knocked three times on the door.