Soon enough they had returned back to number four Privet Drive after their fun filled day shopping for wizard stuff. They both lugged their trunks in and expected Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia to fuss at them but instead they were strangely ignored.
It wasn't even fun to try and scare' the Dursleys anymore, especially with Dudley jumping every time he saw Greyson or Harry. So the brothers spent most of their time in their bedroom reading their school books. Harry had named his owl Hedwig, after a famous witch in one of their school books, and Greyson named his Atrox, after one of the famous werewolves in his book. The pair even got along quite well and went out on hunts together.
Harry marked out August 31 on their calendar and Greyson frowned. "Should we go ask Uncle Vernon about giving us a lift to King's Cross?" he asked. "Hagrid said we need to go there tomorrow."
"I suppose you're right," Harry agreed,sighing as he mentally prepared himself to deal with their uncle. They went into the living room where Uncle Vernon sat in his chair before the fireplace sipping on his evening brandy. Greyson watched as Uncle Vernon swirled his brandy around like he tended to do before giving it a large whiff and then a sigh at how great and expensive it was.
"Um, excuse, me Uncle Vernon," Harry said and Greyson gladly let him ask for their lift to King's Cross tomorrow as Harry was the better behaved one out of the two of them. "Do you mind giving us a lift to King's Cross Station tomorrow? We need to be there for eleven to take our train to Hogwarts."
Uncle Vernon just grunted and Grey took that as a yes, as did Harry, since he didn't yell and tell them how horrid it was for them to go and learn 'magic'. "Thank you," Harry said before they started out.
"Funny thing, wizards," Uncle Vernon said, his voice mocking and lip curled in a sneer as his eyes stayed on the amber liquid in his glass. "Taking a train to school. No magic carpets? Or did all of their broomsticks break?"
They both stayed quiet as they weren't quite sure how to actually handle their uncle talking to them for the first time in a month. "What platform do you even need to be on?"
Greyson opened the envelope that contained two gold and white tickets. "London to Hogwarts, one way travel. Platform nine and three quarters."
Uncle Vernon let out a laugh, the harsh sound loud in the small room. "Platform nine and three quarters?" he asked.
"Well, that's what it says," Greyson said, not particularly fond of Uncle Vernon's laughter. He hated it more than his anger. Whenever Uncle Vernon laughed it was because someone had done or said something particularly stupid in his eyes or got harmed, and this time it was over them believing what was on their ticket.
"Very well, we'll give you two a ride. We have to go to London anyway. Have to get that blasted tail removed for Dudley before he goes off to Smeltings', otherwise we wouldn't bother," he said, making it clear with a wave of his hand that he didn't care what happened to them either way. With that they left and were rather restless the night before and early in the morning.
They both wore their jeans the next day, conscious of attracting too much attention in their robes. Hedwig and Atrox were already enough to cause heads to turn.
Somehow they managed to fit both their trunks in Uncle Vernon's car and place both owls back there too. Aunt Petunia had to convince Dudley to ride next to Greyson since Harry had wanted a window seat, even though Dudley would have preferred to sit next to neither of the Potters. But it didn't really surprise Greyson as Aunt Petunia always catered to Dudley to stop him from being upset. Eventually she bribed him with two new video games for his computer and a new game system that was going to be coming out for the Christmas holidays.
Greyson ended up passing out on Harry's shoulder as he slept way less than his brother did. Even though both of them were restless the night before, Harry had passed out long before Greyson did. He had stayed up packing their trunks then repacking and triple checking to make sure everything was there before sleep finally took him, until Harry woke him up well before dawn. "Wake up," Harry said, shaking him awake. "We're here."
Greyson was suspicious when Uncle Vernon was unusually friendly as he helped them put their trunks and things on a cart and even wheeled Harry's right up to the station platform going directly to number nine. "Alright, platform nine and three quarters," he said grinning. "Well it should be right between platforms nine and ten. Shouldn't it?"
He felt Harry's face falling as if this had been one terrible joke. All of it. "Well, have a good semester!" Again, Uncle Vernon was laughing as he walked off with Dudley and Aunt Petunia.
"Don't listen to him, Harry," Greyson said. "I'm sure someone here has heard of it. Hagrid wouldn't talk about Hogwarts if it didn't exist." He was beginning to dislike Uncle Vernon more than Dudley or even that Malfoy kid. At least Dudley and Malfoy just went to being asses than going on like it was some sick joke. Greyson looked around and spotted a guard. "Look, I'm sure he knows about the train to Hogwarts." He grabbed Harry by the hand and led him to the guard.
"Scuse me," Greyson said. "But can you tell us how to get to Platform Nine and Three Quarters? We're looking to take it to Hogwarts."
"What kind of joke are you playing?" he asked. "There's no such platform." He checked his watch and left quickly, muttering to himself, before Greyson could even say anything.
"See?" Harry said glumly. Greyson was desperate now, beginning to look around more intensely. There had to be some way to get to the platform. After spending forever trying to figure it out he let out a sigh of defeat. There was only ten minutes left... they were never going to make it to the train... if there was even one at all...
"Greyson," Harry said suddenly. "Look!" Harry pointed out a group of flaming, red headed people. "She said the word muggles." Harry hurriedly pushed his cart towards them and Greyson followed.
"Alright, Percy," the woman said. "You go first." They watched as the boy ran toward the brick wall in between nine and ten. But before they could see where he went, a large group came between them. She had two more boys with bright red hair go but once again, neither of the Potter's could see where they even went.
"Excuse me," Harry said pushing his cart up to the woman. "But how do..."
"Get to the platform?" the woman asked helpfully. "It's alright dear. It's Ron's first year too. Now, you just go into the barrier, best to run if you're a bit nervous." Harry nodded but still seemed a bit timid.
"Want me to go?" Greyson asked helpfully, noticing his hesitation.
"Preferably," Harry said. Greyson nodded and positioned his cart towards the wall. He gave his brother an encouraging smile. Readying his stance he felt that courage that always came as soon as Harry needed him, as familiar as ever.
"See you on the other side," he said. He took off running and closed his eyes just before his cart crashed into the wall. When he opened them he was no longer at the King's Cross station he knew, but instead was greeted with the sight of a beautiful scarlet red engine. He let out a relieved breath, feeling his shoulders relax, and moved his cart out of the way so Harry wouldn't run him over.
"Come on," Greyson said as soon as Harry appeared, interrupting his wide eyed stare of wonder. "Let's try and find us a compartment." They pushed their carts off towards the train and eventually found one empty at the very end. Together they managed to get their trunks loaded and tucked away. Atrox and Hedwig were fast asleep in their cages.
"Scuse me," the red headed boy from earlier, Ron, said. "Mind if I share with you, all the others are full?" Greyson noticed how nervous Ron was with how his hands gripped the door, despite his best attempts not to show it.
"Course," Harry said brightly. Greyson offered him a small smile as he sat with his werewolf book comfortably in his lap. Harry had always been open and friendly to those who gave him the time of day. Things needed to be different for them at Hogwarts. If Ron could be friends with Harry and make him happy, Greyson could attempt to help that along in any way possible, even if it meant offering a small smile.
"Whoa," Ron said after doing a double take at Harry's scar, visible due to his tousled hair. "Are you?"
"Harry Potter?" Greyson finished for him. He wrapped an arm around his little brother's shoulders. "Yes he is. Defeating the most evil villain the wizard world has ever known when he was only a year old and still in diapers."
"Wow," Ron said with a note of awe, before his voice went down to a sadder note. "I'm the youngest with five older brothers... I'd never do anything as remarkable as that. Bill was headboy and Charlie was captain of the quidditch team and Percy's a prefect so he got an owl and new robes. Fred and George get good enough marks, but they're funny, everyone thinks so."
"I doubt I'll be that good. I'll probably be the worst since I know nothing 'bout magic," Harry said. Greyson just let himself fade into the background and watched as the scenery went by while Harry made himself his first real friend. However, the more the conversation continued on, the bits and pieces he caught, the more he found himself liking Ron.
Once the amazement of Harry being famous died down, Ron and Harry seemed to be two in the same, especially with Harry and Ron swapping stories. Greyson felt the fondness in his chest growing as Harry told him plenty of stories concerning the Dursleys, while Ron told him all about his older brothers and all sorts of exciting things that went on in the Weasley house.
By the time noon came, a lady popped her head in with a cart full of sweets and Harry eagerly bought everything on it. Greyson smiled at his antics and enjoyed munching on some of the candy with Harry and Ron. Ron explained about all the different wizard candies like Chocolate Frogs that really hopped and Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans meaning every flavor. Harry even seemed to open up more, trying the new candies with only a fraction of his usual hesitance and wariness when faced with new things and Greyson loved seeing it.
Greyson dozed off again until the door to their compartment opened up around the time Ron was talking about turning his rat, Scabbers, bright yellow. On the other side of it was a girl with bushy brown hair. "Have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one,"
"No toads, but plenty of chocolate frogs," Greyson said, attempting to be friendly to her for Harry's sake, and held one out to her, which she ignored in favor of Ron having his wand out.
"Oh? Are you about to practice magic?" she asked Ron.
"Er, yeah, I guess," Ron said.
"Well, let's see it then," she said and sat down expectantly. Ron then proceeded with a spell that Greyson was highly suspect wasn't even a spell at all. Not to mention, Ron looked more like he was about to jab Scabbers with his wand than do a magic spell.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" She asked and didn't even wait for Ron to answer before continuing. She was quite sure of herself and was amazingly confident. Greyson, still irritated at being ignored earlier, didn't even attempt to give her more space and went back to looking out the window. She started telling them about all the different houses and how she hoped to be in Gryffindor as it seemed to be the best and how she read all of their course books. "I'm Hermione Granger, and you are?"
"Greyson Potter," he answered, half paying attention, as did Ron and finally his little brother.
"Are you really?" Hermione asked taking a sudden interest in Harry and then proceeded to tell him about all the books he was in. While Greyson didn't care for a lot of attention, it still stung to be outright ignored.
"Well, best to get back to helping Neville find his toad, though you should put your robes on. I suspect we'll be there soon." With that she left and shut the door behind her.
Ron then talked about how his family had all been Gryffindors and how he would hate to be put in Slytherin. "I just don't want to be with any house that has her in it," he added.
"Well, I don't think she's too bad," Greyson said, despite his irritation at her dismissing him. He couldn't see himself liking her, but he could admit her confidence was respectable. "She definitely seems sure of herself, and eager too."
Ron just rolled his eyes. "Anyway, what's your favorite quidditch team?" he asked. As soon as Harry admitted to not knowing about it, Ron launched into a rant about all the teams, rules of the game, and anything that even revolved around the subject.
Once more the door to their compartment opened up, this time revealing Malfoy and two boys. "Finally decided to apologize?" Greyson asked, meeting Malfoy's stare.
"Actually Potter," Malfoy said, looking down his nose at Greyson. "I came to make sure you two weren't rubbing elbows with the wrong sort." Malfoy caught Harry looking at the two boys on either side of him. "This is Crabbe and Goyle, and I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"I swear, you sound like a James Bond character every time you introduce yourself," Greyson said, rolling his eyes.
"A what?" Ron asked.
"It's a muggle reference," Greyson said dismissively. "But of course, Malfoy, we'd just bother you since we are as bad as those muggles borns you were talking about, since we were raised as such." Ron, of course, snickered.
"Red hair and shabby clothes, no need to tell me who you are, or rather what you are," Malfoy said eyeing Ron. "You're a Weasley. Well, Potter, you'll soon learn some wizarding families are better than others and I can help you with that."
This time Harry spoke, surprising Greyson a bit. "I can sort that out for myself, thank you," Harry told Malfoy coolly. Malfoy's face just scrunched up more and Greyson couldn't have been prouder of his little brother.
"Best be careful," Malfoy said.
"Or what?" Greyson asked standing up to Malfoy. He ignored Crabbe and Goyle. "You going to bully your father into coming to get you? I thought I already made it clear not to mess with my brother, but apparently not, so I'll spell it out for you. Leave Harry alone. And seeing as he's taken a shine to Ron, I don't need you botherin' him either."
"You might end up blown up like your parents," He said. A startling rage overtook him, turning everything red, and before anyone could blink, Greyson swung at Malfoy, hitting him squarely in the cheek. The thud of his fist landing on Malfoy's face was the only sound for several moments. Malfoy seemed stuck with his hand on his face and a look of utter disbelief that was quickly turning to anger.
"What is going on here?" Hermione's voice called over the fighting of Malfoy and Greyson, who were wrestling around on the floor of the train, causing them to stop as Ron and Harry pulled Greyson off of him.
"Malfoy just wanted a lesson in how muggles handle their issues," Greyson said, eyeing him.
"Like barbarians?" Hermione said. "You best be careful or else you'll be expelled before we even get there." Malfoy straightened up, face flushed red, mouth opening and closing but nothing coming out. He ended up turning with a huff and left with Crabbe and Goyle following right behind him.
"Anyway, I've talked to the conductor and he says we're nearly there," she informed them. "You best get your robes on then." She closed the door once more and the three began to change.
Soon after they dressed, the train slowly came to a stop. As they got off the train, they heard a familiar voice call out over the crowd, "Firs' years! Firs' years this way!"
"Hagrid!" Harry and Greyson said in unison.
"Harry, Greyson," Hagrid said with a large smile. "How was yer trip?"
"Alright once we found the platform," Greyson told him. Hagrid just smiled and led them towards the lake that had dozens of small boats surrounding one large one that Greyson suspected was for Hagrid himself. When he looked past the boat, he saw a large castle off in the distance. "Woah..." They were really going to go to school in a castle?
"Alrigh, four to a boat," Hagrid said as they all piled in. Greyson, Ron, and Harry shared a boat with Hermione. Soon as everyone was settled, Hagrid said a few words and the boats glided soundlessly across the lake, straight towards the castle.