September 1st, 1991
Nicholas had found a near enough empty compartment near the back of the train, after pulling along his owl and the trunk being taken care of he'd settled into a seat next to the window. He hadn't realised how rushed and exhausted he'd felt until his eyes started drooping.
But the sound of a large bang stopped him from dozing off.
"Excuse me? Do you mind me sitting here?" Nicholas turned his head towards another kid who looked his age, with dark unruly hair and a thin face. Round glasses nearly slipping down his nose.
"No, go ahead." Nicholas propped his chin on his hand looking at the boy in front of him "Is this your first year?"
"What? Oh yeah." The boy replied "I'm Harry."
"Nicholas. But you can call me anything else, if it's too long for you." Nicholas shook Harry's outstretched hand, a grin on his face. Worry melting away from his shoulders.
"Sounds good." Harry grinned, "Are you from a magical family then?"
"Nah. My parents were normal- muggles I mean. So is my sister, Mel." Nicholas shrugged his shoulders "What about you?"
"My family's the same, I was quite worried actually that a lot of the kids here are from a bunch of magic families only. Thought I was behind." Harry let out a heavy sigh.
"Didn't you read the books they recommended in the letter? Quite a few of them gave pointers about the wizarding world." Nicholas quipped, Harry's eyes widened a fraction.
"Oh yeah, no I just don't like reading." The boy looked away, Nicholas decided to let the subject drop. He mentally kicked himself for the lame conversation starter.
"Don't worry. We'll just get lost together." Nicholas smiled, watching Harry getting hyper again about Hogwarts. "I like your owl. I just got mine last week. Named her Raven." He watched as Harry's features light up with amusement.
"Why Raven?" Harry mused.
"Why not?" Nicholas chuckled turning to his gorgeous Black owl perched in her cage. She had such a regal look to her, deserving such a regal name and yet Nicholas couldn't help but love the idea of calling her a punny name. "Could've been worse, my sister said I should have called her dog." Harry burst out laughing at that.
"Mine's called Hedwig, I got her name from one of the books we got." Nicholas raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Oh so you did read one of them?" Harry laughed again. The door slid open again to reveal one of the redheaded kids he'd seen earlier on the platform standing there. The boy looked to be about his age, with pale freckly skin and bright red hair. Looking a bit sheepish.
"Hey can I sit here? Everywhere else is full." Nicholas looked over at Harry, the other boy smiled and gestured towards the seat next to him.
"I'm Ron by the way. Ron Weasley." The new boy introduced himself, shaking hands with Harry and Nicholas.
"Nicholas Drake." Nicholas felt oddly formal. Perhaps it was because he had to say his last name to this stranger.
"I'm Harry, Harry Potter." Nicholas and Harry watched as Ron's eyes widened in excitement.
"No way! Really?! That's wicked!" Nicholas felt a bit left out considering how easily over this one bit of information that the other two boys had bonded, "Is it true then?"
"Is what true?"
"The- The scar?" Ron hesitated, as though the topic would hurt Harry. But to his and Nicholas' surprise, Harry pulled his fringe back to reveal a scar on his forehead in the shape on a lightning bolt. Nicholas shuddered, he'd never heard of Harry Potter before none in any of the books he'd gotten from Diagon Alley and he'd already read most of them.
"So you've met him, You-Know-Who?" Ron asked the question like as though he'd just asked Harry what he got for Christmas.
"I'm sorry but what are you guys talking about?" Nicholas interrupted getting annoyed slightly.
"You've never heard of Harry Potter?" Ron gasped, his jaw falling open "Did you grow up under a rock?"
"That's quite rude." Nicholas snapped back "Not all of us grew up in the wizarding world y'know."
"Wait you're muggle born?" Ron raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"So am I." Harry responded, jumping into Nicholas's defence "Well, raised by muggles anyway. Neither of us really know about You-Know-Who."
Ron started explaining then about this evil, dark lord named Voldemort. He was really against muggle-borns and had a bad legion of wizards that followed him named Death Eaters. Apparantly, the reason Harry was famous was because this Voldemort guy had killed Harry's parents. But then when Voldemort turned on to kill Harry, the spell backfired and ended up killing himself instead.
Nicholas looked shocked and almost surprised at the thought that Harry as a kid was capable of killing this powerful overlord. He couldn't wrap his head around it but he was sure that in the next few days he'd learn more about this story and of Voldemort considering his arch enemy was going to Hogwarts with him.
Nicholas hadn't meant to either, but he had dozed off in the compartment leaning against the window of the compartment. The exhaustion had finally hit him all at once, leaving him burying his face in his hoodie and wrapping his arms around himself to find some comfort.
He dreamed of home, seeing Mel chase the toddler around in the backgarden before collapsing on the grass in a bundle of laughter. Nicholas was stood to the side, watching them with a smile on his face. Watching Jake's face light up in glee as Mel pretended to be the boogie-monster chasing him slowly to give him a head start. But Nicholas then noticed a dark figure inside the house, almost gliding his way around the furniture with his arm extended. It was like as if Nicholas was dropped in a bath of water, as he'd realised what was going on in front of him. He could make out a pair of red eyes from under the black figure's hood.
Nicholas couldn't help it, he started screaming. He tried running towards Jake and Mel, to pull them to safety but his legs were glued to the floor. His blood ran cold, realising that whilst the figure was nearing his family in front of him there was nothing he could do. They couldn't see or hear him.
Jake let out a scream of giggles after being caught by his mother that he didn't even see the flash of green light-
"Nicholas!" Nicholas stirred violently awake, accidentally slapping his head against the window with a hiss "Sorry mate. We're nearly there. Thought you'd want to get changed into your robes." Harry smiled sheepishly.
Nicholas grumbled his thanks, before searching his trunk for the robes he'd bought from Diagon Alley. Tucking his wand into his pocket, he looked out the window realising that it had gotten dark in the time he'd been asleep. He'd been only half paying attention to what the other two boys were saying, it was something about being sorted into houses but Nicholas couldn't listen. He was shaken up from his dream, chilling him to his bones. He knew that it was because of the story Ron had told them both about earlier on Harry's parents and that Nicholas's sister and nephew weren't going to be found in their village, but he couldn't help but start worrying.
And that worrying made him feel like he'd aged ten years already.
The train drew to a stop eventually, Nicholas followed the other two boys out of the train before a body crashed into him almost knocking him off his feet.
"Watch where you're going! Idiot!" Nicholas glanced up at a boy with nearly pure blonde hair, and what looked like a permanent sneer on his face. He'd already decided that he didn't like this boy in particular.
"I knew where I was going. It was you that crashed into me." Nicholas retorted, his grey eyes narrowed.
"Are you actually talking to me?" The blonde brushed himself off, suddenly being flanked by two other burly looking boys "Do you have any idea who I am?" he spat out.
"No I don't actually. I don't really have the time to waste on looking up stupid little boys, especially those who need an entourage to lean back on." Nicholas watched as the blonde seemed to start questioning him, Nicholas glared on as he barged past the blonde. His shoulder slamming past his in the process. He gave off a cool exterior but on the inside, he was screaming profanities in his head. Since when did he start fights on the first day?! Today wasn't even his first day!
"Don't pay him any attention. He's a bully." Nicholas reared around on another voice beside him, looking at a girl with wild bushy hair and front teeth too large. He cocked an eyebrow in response. "His name is Draco Malfoy. One of those purebloods that think they're better than everyone else."
"Pureblood?" Nicholas repeated.
"They think that because their family doesn't have any non-magical folk, it makes them purer wizards than everyone else." The girl grimaced looking back towards the blonde haired boy.
"They do realise right, that blood is just blood right?" Nicholas smirked, earning a smile off the girl "Nicholas Drake."
"Hermione Granger." Hermione had stuck by his side as they followed the line of first years up to Hogwarts. He could briefly see a giant leading the way, learning from Hermione that his name was Hagrid and that he was the keeper of keys or something.
"Wait, so are you a muggle born?" Nicholas countered at one point suddenly curious.
"So what if I am?"
"Don't get upset, I was only wondering. I've been asked that question already another time today and couldn't help but wonder if you were one too, especially since you knew so much about magic and Hogwarts." Hagrid had stopped walking at a lake, where boats lined the edges. He shouted four to a boat, Nicholas instantly walked to one closest, a babbling Hermione behind him nearly tripping over in the process since she wasn't paying attention to where she was going. Nicholas reached out a hand to her, causing her to stop in shock before putting her hand in his as he helped her into a boat. He stepped in after her, noticing how she was still silent as two other boys clambered in behind them.
"So you were talking about the classes?" With that Hermione continued on again. Nicholas was only half paying attention as he leaned forwards as much as he can, trying to catch his first glimpse of the castle.
"You're going to end up falling in the lake if you continue leaning forward like that." Hermione looked over the side of the boat with uncertainty, Nicholas grinned suddenly moving the boat rigorously from side to side. Hermione screamed at him, her hands gripping the sides of the tiny boat "Stop! Stop doing that!"
"Why? It's fun!" Hearing Hagrid ahead shouting back to duck low, before Nicholas felt his breath catch in his chest.
It was beautiful. Hogwarts was beautiful. It looked like something out of a painting. With high rising towers, yellow lights from windows twinkling like stars. Nicholas knew his lower jaw had fallen wide open, as well as all his fellow first years. For once he felt like he was acting his age, being bewildered and excited to start at this new school and have this new excitement. He could feel the anticipation bubbling in his chest, when McGonagall had come to his home in the summer he was just picturing another boring boarding school. Not something as magnificent and majestic as this.
For some reason he felt guilty as well, like he shouldn't be happy that he was leaving Mel and Jake at home. Here, he would have no responsibilities- granted he loved it back home, and being able to help Mel and be with Jake when Mel was at work was one of the things he loved to do the most- but he'd be able to be a kid. That made him guilty. He didn't want Mel to think that he hated being home.
Nicholas decided to put the matter to rest, only focusing on the task ahead as he started listening eagerly to Hermione talking about the house sorting. A part of him feared it. What if the Sorting Hat didn't know what house to put him in? What if the Sorting Hat decided he was too muggle to even be in Hogwarts and just sent him home before even starting properly?
He shook the ideas out of his head as the boats reached the boathouse, he stepped out of the boat leaning back to help Hermione out as well as the other two boys before venturing forth towards the castle.
"Hermione look!" He gasped pointing towards the front doors. Two large wooden doors decorated with what looked like runes stood towering before them. Nicholas noticed Harry and Ron in front of them, whispering away as well probably just as excited as he and Hermione were about starting the school year.
The grand doors swung open to reveal a stony faced woman, one that Nicholas was happy he'd recognised despite the stern expression on her face. She wore a similar dress to the one she'd wore over her visit in the summer, emerald green in colour with her hair pulled back tight from her face hidden in a bun under her tall pointed witch hat.
"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said with a flourish of his hand.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." Professor McGonagall opened the doors wide, allowing the crowd of first years to bustle their way into the entrance hall. Nicholas noticed out of the corner of his eye that McGonagall seemed to purse her lips as he walked past with Hermione in tow. Casting his gaze forwards again he couldn't help the unsettled feeling in his chest.
They followed Professor McGonagall through the entrance hall towards another room where the loud sound of mixed voices were coming from. Nicholas gulped, he hated being around so many people and from the sounds of it the other students were already gathered and awaiting their arrival. She veered off at the last minute towards another small chamber off the hall, crowding all the first years into a chamber that were looking around nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began. "The start of the year feast is about to begin shortly, but as per tradition before you take your seats you will be sorted into your houses." Nicholas noticed how silent and grave the ambience had turned since she had mentioned the sorting hat. "The sorting hat ceremony is important, because while you are here, your house will be your family during your stay at Hogwarts. You will sleep in your house dormitories, spend time with your house in your common rooms and take classes with your house."
"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Every house has it's own history and has each produced outstanding witches and wizards." McGonagall continued to explain about the individual houses and how every good piece of work you did earned you house points, whilst any trouble you caused would lead to these house points being taken away. At the end of the year, the house with the most points would win the house cup and that this was a great honor. Nicholas looked around a bit apprehensively wondering if his fellow first years had suddenly felt as pressured as he did.
"I suggest you smarten up before you get presented to the rest of the school." She eyed up Harry's unruly hair and something on Ron's nose, before landing on Nicholas. He gave her a confused look for a moment as she eyed his askew tie before leaving the chamber.
Nicholas's hands were shaking in his pockets, fighting off the urge to bite his nails again. The previous thoughts he'd had about not being sorted into one of the houses was causing him to panic. What if he couldn't be sorted? What if he gets sorted into Slytherin? How would he even begin to explain to Mel that he was sorted into a house where all the bad wizards come from?
He ignored the whispers around him, looking around at the ghosts that had drifted from the walls and interacting with the other first years. Glancing to his side, he noticed Hermione talking to another pudgy boy with blonde hair and a nervous expression. He heard her briefly talking about the hat and 'Neville' guessing that was his name.
"Another Black?" Nicholas cocked an eyebrow at a ghost that was previously talking with Harry and Ron, his head seemed to be at an awkward angle hanging on by the tiniest bit of skin. He felt sick to his stomach, wondering what the ghost would look like if he'd pulled his head off all the way.
"Excuse me?" Nicholas said, the ghost looked taken aback from a moment.
"Didn't think there was another Black. I might be old but my memory is as fresh as a daisy," The ghost continued folding his arms narrowing his eyes at Nicholas "Why, it only feels as though it were yesterday that your father had sent off dungbombs in the Slytherin common room."
"My father never went to Hogwarts, he's a muggle." Nicholas countered, his eyes narrowing slightly as the accusation. The ghost reared back, suddenly getting the attention of all the first years who had quietened down.
"I didn't know there was another living Black," The blonde boy from earlier curled his lip in Nicholas's attention "There's no way this idiot could come from such a prestigious family." The boy stepped up to Nicholas, his grey familiar eyes piercing back at Nicholas.
"I'm not a Black. I'm a Drake. That ghost is just off his rocker." Nicholas hissed back defensively, "I'd rather be a muggle born than someone like you."
"And what would that be?"
"Someone with his nose turned up so high, I wouldn't be surprised to find spiders lurking in that big nose of yours." A few people laughed as the doors to the chambers opened once again, revealing Professor McGonagall. The two boys separated immediately, putting distance between them. Draco sent Nicholas a cold glare, that Nicholas returned coolly.
"That's quite enough." Mcgonagall said with the clearing of her throat, regarding Nicholas and the boy carefully "If you're quite finished, we're ready for you now."