5. Dark room

Harry pushed up his glasses anxiously. The trip had been a little better than the whole school supplies trip. He attributed it to all the kids coming to school for the first time. He got an empty corridor and sat down. The curtains of the windows dampened any light in the room.

The boy removed the cap he had brought for the sake of hiding his well-known scar. This was his big break to fit in. Everything had to be perfect. Harry refused to live the same life he did back at school with Dudley.

But would things really change? He found that life rather liked putting him down.

"With that attitude, you won't go far." With no warning or sign, the compartment no longer roomed one. A woman now sat across from him, her legs crossed and expression thoughtful.

Harry rubbed his glove covered hand before waving bashfully.

"Come now, you can do better than that. I don't bite." She laughed to herself. It was stuff of composers for little Harry and he had to calm his pounding heart.

"Hello. Did you come to see me?" He failed to hide the hopeful tone of his voice. The Dursleys had been quick to keep him out of the house for the school period. Before he could even mumble a half-hearted bye, they drove off. Even if he didn't get along with them, that had stung.

A coy smile formed on her lips as she clapped lightly, "That goes without saying little one. Did you think I would forget about your big day? You sure told me enough about it." The pale lady lightly drummed on her knee. A beat he couldn't grasp formed.

In response to her statement, he ducked his head a little. "Thanks a lot."

"So how's your first trip on the Hogwarts Express? Many of my acquaintances hold fond memories about this trip." She had that appearance of knowing something amazing he couldn't fathom.

"It's alright. I met some nice people outside that helped me get to the station." What was left unsaid was how her appearance had elevated the trip to perfection. He sorely wished he had some tea to offer her at the moment.

Though, he wondered when it had gotten so dark. Turning to his right, he gasped. No more did the window show the rushing landscape of England. Instead, there were images splashed with shades of black and gray. Amazing creatures were roaming just outside. There were dragons, unicorns, elves, and living trees. Each smiled kindly at him and waved, snorted or whatever felt comfortable. Standing beautifully above them all was a rippled moon that expanded and shrunk with the breeze and surroundings.

A land as pretty as his compartment mate.

Young Harry pressed his face to the glass and stared astounded. Somehow, he didn't believe he would ever see a more magical sight.

"Are you doing this?"

She giggled lightly and sat back as she stretched her arms. "Such a memorable day should have a little something to remember it by, don't you agree?" Her smile grew when he nodded so fully.

All of this sent a light warmth to travel through him. It was more kindness than he was used to in one sitting. But the pale lady was nothing if not kind. It was as though every aspect the Dursleys had thrown away was picked up by her and valued.

"You'll grow up to be a little Casanova if you keep thinking like that. Don't follow his example though, he was a touch too egotistical for my taste." She laughed at some joke that he felt was for older people.

Still, Harry vowed to learn about this Casanova and benefit off his mistakes. If he could amuse her so than it was worth the effort. A silence dragged on. Not wanting her to get bored and leave, he spoke the first thing that came to his mind.

"Are you a witch?"

She covered her mouth and laughed a soft and sweet laugh. "I use magic, yes. But Harry, you'll find that, just like with the Dursleys, that you shouldn't be so closed minded. There is so much more to magic than people understand. Remember Harry, magic is very much a living force, you're only human so don't believe that you're so great that with a stick you control magic. For witches and wizards magic is doing you a favor. Respect it and you will be rewarded. A mule is reluctant, but a friend will go above and beyond. Some of the greatest lessons in magic can only be learned, never taught. Got it?"

"Yes." He nodded vigorously. Magic was a friend, a new one. At that moment he felt sheer acceptance from his wand.

"Good job, Harry." She reached over and ruffled his already messy hair as he laughed.

"Do you think I will be a good wizard?"

She nodded to him knowingly, "Instead of being a good wizard, you should just try being a good person. You'll find that the rest will fall into place."

Their conversation was interrupted by a new gingered hair boy, that was Harry's age, entering. "Do you have any room in this compartment?"

"Yeah, but…", when the boy hero returned his sights to the pale lady's seat, he found that she was nowhere to be seen. The window to the world of dancing shadows had returned to typical England. "Never mind, have a seat."

"Thanks, I'm Ron Weasley."

The boy wasn't as good company as the pale lady.

But really, who was?