Helena Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

by SreznoJIG

AU: Harry Potter is born a girl named Helena. Expect several other changes to the main story, including that Helena is best friends with Ginny Weasley (who is second youngest of the Weasleys) and Neville Longbottom, and that Helena's personality is a bit different as well. Follows the entire HP storyline.

2. School supplies and new friends

Chapter 2: Buying school supplies and making new friends

Helena woke early the next morning, finding herself on a soft bed, softer than the one back in her cupboard. As she rubbed her eyes, she noticed she was in a whole different room, which had a big closet on the other side, a small window which let the morning sunlight in and a very big chair, where Hagrid was snoring.

Helena remembered that after their flight on Hagrid's flying motorcycle, she had a vague memory of being helped off the sidecar as they entered some sort of place, a hotel probably. Helena felt she had the most peaceful sleep she had in years, as a whole new world had opened to her.

At that very moment, while Helena puts back on her glasses and stepped out of bed, there was a tap on the window. Helena checked and saw an owl raping its claw on the window, and held a newspaper in its beak.

Helena went to the window and jerked it open. The owl swooped in and dropped the newspaper on top of Hagrid, who didn't wake up. The owl then began to attack Hagrid's coat.

"Hey! Don't do that." Helena said while trying to wave the owl off of Hagrid, but it snapped its beak fiercely at her and carried on savaging the coat.

Hagrid then finally woke up, noticing the owl ravaging his coat.

"Hagrid! There's an owl on you!" Helena warned him.

But calmly, Hagrid chuckled "Oh, I got to pay him." he searched into one of his pockets, taking out a handful of strange-looking coins "Gotta give him five Knuts." He said while counting his coins, which were called Knuts.

"Knuts?" Helena asked confused.

Hagrid nodded "He wants paying' fer deliverin' the paper." The owl held out his leg so Hagrid could put the money into a small leather pouch tied to it. Then the owl flew off through the open window. Hagrid yawned loudly, sat up, and stretched.

"Um, Hagrid? Where are we exactly?" Helena asked.

Hagrid smiled as he stated "We're in London, in tha Leakin' Cauldron."

"The… Leaking Cauldron?"

Hagrid nodded "It's an pup and inn the same."

Now it made some sense Helena.

And so, while Helena and Hagrid went downstairs to get some breakfast, which Helena enjoyed it the most, as she hadn't had a full breakfast her whole life, Helena had so many questions that she wanted to know. Hagrid did his best to answer, telling her some things about the wizarding world, including about the Ministry of Magic and Gringots Bank. Hagrid also mentioned that he once attended Hogwarts, but was expelled in his third year, but what for… Hagrid didn't like to answer, which Helena understood and wouldn't force him to tell her if he wasn't yet ready for it. Hagrid appreciated that Helena said that.

So, changing the subject, Helena asked "Uhm, Hagrid? You said that in… Gringotts there are dragons, besides from all the spells and enchantments to keep robbers out?"

Hagrid gave a small shrug "Well, so they say. Crikey, I'd like a dragon."

"You'd like to have one?" Helena asked with some surprise.

"Wanted one ever since I was a kid. Magnificent creatures they are."

As Helena had never seen a real dragon before, only use her imagination for now, she more likely would see dragons as dangerous."

"Still got yer letter, Helena?" Hagrid asked before returning eating his soup.

Helena nodded as she took the parchment envelope out of her pocket.

"Good," Hagrid said "There's a list there of everything yeh need."

Helena unfolded the second piece of paper she hadn't read the night before, and read:

---

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

- Three sets of plain work robes (black)

- One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

- One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

- One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

- The Standard book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

- A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

- Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

- A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

- One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

- Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

- The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope set

1 brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

---

Helena looked at Hagrid after reading paper "Can we buy all this here in London?"

Hagrid chuckled "If yeh know where to go." He then took out his pocket watch and saw it was already 10 o'clock "Oh, best be off and buy your stuff fo' school."

As Hagrid rose from his chair, followed by Helena, the bartender asked while cleaning some glasses "Was the breakfast good, Hagrid?"

Hagrid nodded "Oh yes, it was very nice, Tom, but I need to go and help young Helena here buying er school supplies." He said while tapping his great hand on Helena's shoulder.

The bartender peered at Helena with wide eyes "Bless my soul. It's Helena Potter."

The Leaky Cauldron had suddenly gone completely silent, all peering at the young girl being accompanied by Hagrid.

The bartender hurried out from behind the bar, rushed toward Helena and seized her hand with tears in his eyes "Welcome back, Miss Potter, welcome back."

Helena didn't know what to say. Everyone seemed to know who she is, like she was a famous person being raised from the dead.

Before she knew it, there was a great scrapping of chairs and Helena found herself shaking hands with everyone in the Leaky Cauldron, all wanting to shake hands with the girl who was their savior.

"Doris Crockford, Miss Potter, can't believe I'm meeting you at last." The old women with a pipe said with a happy smile.

"So proud, Miss Potter, I'm just so proud." Another man said.

Then another man shook hands with Helena "Delighted, Miss Potter, just can't tell you how delighted I am. Diggle's the name, Dedalus Diggle."

Helena recognized the man named Dedalus Diggle, as he was the same man who bowed to her once in a shop when she was seven "I think I've seen you before. Yes, you bowed to me once in that clothing shop where I was with my Aunt Petunia."

Deadalus Diggle top hat fell off with excitement "She remembers! Did you hear that? She remembers me!"

After several more people shaking hands with her, a pale young man with a turban walked up to the young girl, being very nervous and one of his eyes was twitching "Helena P-P-Potter. C-Can't t-tell you how p-p-pleased I am to meet you."

"Hello, professor," Hagrid said "I didn't see you there." Hagrid introduced the nervous man to Helena "Helena, this is Professor Quirrell. He'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts."

Helena smiled to meet one of her teachers "Oh, nice to meet you, sir." She reached her hand to him.

But he didn't seemed to take it while his left eye twitched, being even nervous of even taking her hand. "F-fearfully… f-fascinating subject." Helena raised an eyebrow, wandering why Professor Quirrell was so nervous about. Quirrell made a joke while he smiled "N-not that you need it, e-eh, P-P-Potter? Hahaha."

Hagrid nodded but knew it was better to go and buy Helena's school supplies "Yes, well, must get on. Lots to buy."

It took Hagrid ten minutes to get away from all the people and led Helena through the bar and into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a trash can and a few weeds. Hagrid grinned at Helena "You see, Helena? You're famous."

"But… why am I famous, Hagrid?" Helena wandered "All those people back there, how is it they know who I am? They all stared at me like I'd been recently resurrected from the dead."

Hagrid sighed as he took out his umbrella "I'm not sure I'm exactly the right person to tell you tha', Helena."

Hagrid then counted the bricks in the wall above the trash can "Three up… two across…" he muttered "Right. Stand back, Helena." He instructed before tapping the wall three times with the point of his umbrella.

The brick he had touched began to quiver, followed by the others on the wall, all wriggled and moved out of the way and made a small hole, growing wider and wider, till forming an archway large enough even for Hagrid, an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out sight.

"Welcome, Helena, to Diagon Alley."

Helena was amazed what she saw as the stepped through the archway. At every corner of the street, called Diagon Alley, many shops there were, with the nearest shop selling cauldrons in all sizes in either copper, brass, pewter, silver self-stirring, collapsible.

Helena kept looking around in amaze, spotting a shop that sold all kinds of quills, and another selling all kinds of robes for wizards and witches, a shop that sold magnificent flowers which Helena had never even seen before, another that sold all kids of animals and owls, a shop that sold telescopes, a spell book shop, another selling potion bottles… Helena could stare at each one for hours.

A women bypassed Helena and Hagrid who'd just exited a magical Apothecary, and shook her head, saying "Dragon liver, seventeen Sickles an ounce, they're mad…!"

Helena then spots a group of young boys, all staring into a shop that sold broomsticks, with one saying with wide eyes as he glanced at a very special broom "Wow, look at it! The new Nimbus 2000!"

His friend nodded "It's the fastest model yet."

Helena then reminded herself as she asked Hagrid while holding up the parchment saying what they had to buy "But, Hagrid, how am I to pay for all this? I haven't any money."

Hagrid ensured her as he pointed to a large snowy white building "Well, there's your money, Helena. Gringotts – the wizard bank."

"I have… money in there?"

Hagrid shrugged as he chuckled "Well of course! Didn't think your mum and dad would leave yer with nothin', now did you?"

This made Helena curious as her deceased parents had left her some money after all, having been believed by the Dursleys that her family was poor and had nothing. This made her angry inside as to what more the Dursleys hadn't told her, but left it out of her head for now.

When they walked inside the bank, entering through the big bronze doors into a vast marble hall, Helena was surprised by the number of creatures who were about a head shorter than herself, all wearing a scarlet/gold uniforms, having swarthy, clever faces and some having a pointed beard and had very long fingers and feet. A pair of them made a bow to Hagrid and Helena as they bypassed them, while most of them were working sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales or examining precious stones using eyeglasses.

"Uh… Hagrid? What exactly are these things?" Helena asked.

"They're goblins, Helena," Hagrid stated "Clever as they come, goblins, but not the most friendly of beasts. Better stay close."

Helena understood and remained close to Hagrid as they walked further. Along the hall, there were too many doors to count leading off the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these.

When they made it for the main counter at the end of the hall, where the Gringotts Head Goblin was sitting at a big counter, writing down something on a large parchment, Hagrid cleared his throat. The Head Goblin slowly glanced at Hagrid with a serious face.

"We've come ter take some money outta Miss Helena Potter's safe." Hagrid told the Head Goblin.

The goblin glanced at Helena while putting his quill down, asking with a serious and business tone "And does Miss Helena Potter have her key?"

Helena felt a bit scared as how the goblin was looking at her. She nearly wanted to say she didn't had her key, but that was when Hagrid reminded himself and said "Oh, wait a minute. Got it here somewhere," and began to search his pockets. When he had it, he held up a tiny golden key "Ha! There's the little devil."

The Head Goblin looked at it for a moment. He gave a nod as he could clearly see it was the same key to access the vault of the Potter family "That seems to be in order."

Then Hagrid took a letter from his pocket "Oh, and there's something else as well. I've also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore," he said importantly as he handed over the letter to the Head Goblin, seeing on the envelope it was indeed from Professor Dumbledore and had a stamp on it saying: TOP SECRET. Hagrid whispered what it's about "It's about the You-Know-What in vault You-Know-Where."

Helena raised a suspicious eyebrow as what was so very important for Hagrid to take something else from Gringotts.

The Head Goblin read the letter carefully before giving a nod "Very well," he said, handing the letter back to Hagrid "I will have someone to take you down to both vaults. Griphook!" the Head Goblin called for another goblin named Griphook.

As Helena and Hagrid followed Griphook towards one of the doors leading out of the hall. Griphook held the door open for them. Helena was surprised to find themselves in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches. It sloped steeply downward were little railway tracks were on the floor. Griphook walked in front of them, leading them to the railway tracks and whistled, summoning a small cart, which came hurtled up the tracks towards them, stopping before them. When they climbed in, with Hagrid having some difficulty to sit as he was very big, and were off.

At first they just hurtled through a maze of twisting passages. It was for Helena impossible to remember all the passages ways they went to make it back to where they came from. The rattling cart seemed to know its way, as Griphook wasn't the one who was steering it.

After several minutes, the cart came to a stop "Vault six hundred and eighty-seven." Griphook said before stepping out of the cart "Lamp, please." he gestured Hagrid to hand him over the lamp. After Hagrid handed the goblin the lamp, he and Helena stepped out of the cart and followed Griphook to the designated vault door.

When they made it to Helena's vault, Griphook asked for the key "Key, please."

After Hagrid gave the small golden key to Griphook, he placed it inside the small keyhole and made a small twist to the right, activating a few small mechanics inside the vault door, opening it.

A lot of green smoke came billowing out as the vault door opened. As the smoke cleared, Helena gasped. Inside her parents' vault, were mounds of gold coins, columns of silver and heaps of little bronze Knuts. An entire fortune was inside Helena's inherited vault, deep below London.

Hagrid helped Helena pile some of it into a bag as he explained "The gold ones are Galleons, seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle." Helena nodded "Right, that should be enough for a couple o' terms, we'll keep the rest safe for yeh."

After walking out of Helena's vault, the vault door closed itself behind them and made a few mechanical sounds as it was now locked.

Griphook nodded as he then suggested "Ready to go to the next vault, sir?"

Hagrid nodded "Yes. Let's go."

After they climbed back into the same cart, it drove away, heading even deeper into the caves of Gringotts bank. The air felt colder as they went deeper.

Not long after, they arrived at their next destination "Vault seven hundred and thirteen." Griphook said.

Helena noticed that this vault door had no key hole. Wandering what Hagrid was going to take from it, she asked him "What's in there, Hagrid?"

"Can't tell yeh that, Helena," Hagrid said mysteriously "Hogwarts business. Very secret. Dumbledore's trusted me. More'n my job's worth ter tell yeh that."

"Stand back," Griphook said, gesturing Hagrid and Helena kept some distance from the vault door. He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers, deactivating lots of more mechanics inside the door, showing it was far more secured than Helena's "If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there." Griphook warned Helena, but clearly tried to make her scared.

Helena however seemed to understand how powerful magical security can be "I see," she said "In order to keep the thieves from ever leaving, you goblins lock them in the vault that they try to rub. But… how often do you check to see if anyone's inside?" she asked Griphook.

"About once every ten years, Miss Potter." Griphook answered with a rather nasty grin.

Hagrid stepped inside the vault. Helena took a peek to see what was so extraordinary that had to be inside this very top security vault, but surprisingly… it looked like it was empty, with only one grubby little package wrapped up in brown paper laying on the floor. Hagrid picked it up and tucked it deep inside his coat.

"Best not to mention this to anyone, Helena." Hagrid told her as he patted the part of his coat where he kept the package.

Though Helena was very curious to know what it was, she nodded and promised not to tell anyone.

One wild cart ride later, Hagrid and Helena were back outside. Helena almost didn't know where to run first now that she had a bag full of money, which was more money that she'd had in her whole life – even more money than her piggy cousin Dudley would ever have.

"Might as well get yer uniform," Hagrid suggested as he nodded towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. But then Hagrid said "Listen, Helena, would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringotts carts." Hagrid did looked a bit sick. Helena didn't blame him as a ride in the Gringotts carts was almost like a rollercoaster ride. She nodded and entered the robes shop alone, feeling a bit nervous.

The owner of the shop, Madam Malkin herself, smiled as she asked Helena who'd just taken two steps into the shop "Hogwarts, dear?" Helena nodded "Got the lot here. Right this way, dear." She gestured to follow her to the back of the shop. Madam Malkin stood Helena on a stool and slipped a long robe over her head, and began to pin it to the right length.

After a few minutes, Madam Malkin had sewn the right length for Helena's school uniform, winter cloak and other robes "That's you done, my dear."

Helena hopped down from the footstool and went over to an old cash register with Madam Malkin. After paying for the new uniform and other robes, Helena thanked the lady "Thank you."

The witch chuckled while packing the uniform and robes for her "You're welcome, dear."

After Hagrid had returned to meet Helena, both went on to buy her other school supplies.

Their next stop was Flourish and Blotts, where they bought Helena's school books. Helena took a particular interest in not only books telling about curses and counter curses, but also about brewing potions. Hagrid nearly had to drag Helena her out of the shop.

"Sorry, Hagrid," Helena said "All those books looked so interesting."

Hagrid carefully patted Helena's shoulder as they moved on "Maybe another time. Now, we're here for yer school supplies."

After having bought a few quills and some ink to use, they walked into the shop that sold telescopes and bought a collapsible brass one.

In the shop that sold cauldrons, Helena had a very interest in potions. She was a bit disappointed as she couldn't buy one of those solid gold cauldrons, as the list says pewter, but got a nice set of scales for weighing potion ingredients.

The visit to the Apothecary was more memorable for its horrible smell, which was like a mixture of rotten eggs and cabbages. But Helena couldn't care less, as she couldn't keep her eyes away from the barrels, jars and bright powders; bundles of feathers, strings of fangs, and snarled claws hung from the ceiling. While Hagrid was asking the man behind the counter for a supply of some basic potion ingredients for Helena, she examined the silver unicorn horns and minuscule, glittery-black beetle eyes.

When Hagrid had paid for the stuff for Helena and said they should go, Hagrid did wander where she got such fascination for potions all of the sudden, which Helena states that back at her old Muggle school, chemistry was one of her favorite classes.

Hagrid began to understand now why Helena had such an interest in potions 'She sure is more like her mother than er father,' he thought with a smile.

Then, seeing that Helena was a bit tired from checking shops for hours, Hagrid suggested "Har about some ice-cream, Helena?"

Helena liked the sound of that "Sure." she nodded with a smile.

"Right. Yer wait here while I buy some." Hagrid stated before going into a nearby shop. Helena waited outside, with some of her newly acquired school supplies they'd bought, in her arms. Feeling her feet were tired, she sat at a nearby bench.

A minute later, while Helena would stare at some of the other shops, imagining what other magical things they had for sale, a young boy walked up towards her and asked with a seemingly friendly smile "Hello. Going to Hogwarts too?"

Helena brought herself out of her imagination and glanced at the boy. He had a pale pointed face, sleek white-blond hair and grey eyes. She gave a nod to him "Yes, I am. You too?"

The boy nodded "My father's buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," he stated before sitting next on the bench too, next to Helena, which she didn't mind "Then I'm going to look at racing brooms," the boy stated before giving a shrug "I don't see why first years can't have their own."

The boy reminded her a bit of Dudley, but somehow he seemed to be a bit… different. So, going along with the conversation, Helena gave a shrug too "Me neither. Well, I've never been on a broom before."

"You never played Quidditch before?" the boy asked.

Helena shook her head "No, I never heard of it."

"I do. Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house. I'm not sure yet, but I can't disappoint him." the boy explained before he asked "Know what house you'll be in in yet?"

Helena shook her head again while giving a shrug, feeling a bit stupid "No. Honestly, I hadn't even known anything about Hogwarts till yesterday."

"Really?" the boy asked with a surprise, before asking with some seriousness "Your parents are our kind, aren't they?"

Helena wasn't really fund of being asked that way, but answered "Well, they were a wizard and witch, if that's what you mean."

The boy formed an bit of ensuring smile "That's a relief. My parents forbid me to interact with other people than our kind."

Helena wandered why he wasn't allowed to interact with other people than wizards and witches.

"I mean, look at that man!" the boy said suddenly, nodding toward the ice cream shop where Hagrid was paying for two large ice creams for him and Helena.

"That's Hagrid," Helena stated "He works at Hogwarts and helps me buy school supplies."

"Oh, I've heard of him," the boy said, but then wandered "Why is he with you? Where are your parents?"

Helena gave a little sigh "They're dead. I've been living with my uncle and aunt for nearly a decade."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know," the boy said, feeling a bit sorry for her. He then introduced himself to her "I'm Draco."

Helena and the boy named Draco shaked hands "Hi, I'm Helena."

Draco then wandered with a bit of surprised look "Helena? Aren't you-" he interrupted himself when seeing his father stepping out of the Flourish and Blotts, looking around with a serious look on his face as Draco wasn't at where he told him to wait "Oh, sorry, I got to go," Draco said while standing up from the bench "I'll see you at school, I suppose," and walked towards the bookstore.

Helena wandered why Draco had to leave all of the sudden, but waved to him friendly "Oh, okay. It was nice to meet you, Draco."

Draco gave a simple nod and walked a bit faster into the crowd.

That was when Hagrid walked up to Helena with two large ice creams. Helena took hers, which was chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts.

"Who was that boy you were talking to?" Hagrid wandered as he sat next to Helena.

"A boy named Draco," Helena told him "He's also going to Hogwarts."

"Draco?" Hagrid wandered "Isn't he of the Malfoy family?"

Helena was unsure "I don't know. He didn't say. Why? Aren't they good people?"

"Well… you see, Lucius Malfoy…" Hagrid nearly told, but then he shook his head "Never mind."

Helena raised an eyebrow with suspicion. Why didn't Hagrid told her what was about Draco, or this man called Lucius Malfoy? But left it out for now and just enjoyed her ice cream.

While enjoying their ice cream, Helena asked "Hagrid, what's Quidditch?"

Though he was surprised that Helena had never heard of Quidditch before, he reminded himself that she couldn't have known about it as she'd spend a decade with the Dursleys and not knowing any magic. So, Hagrid told what Quidditch is a wizarding sport played on broomsticks.

After another hour, Helena checked the list "I still need… a wand."

"A wand? Oh you want Ollivanders, there ain't no place better," Hagrid nodded to a shop called Ollivanders, which sold the best wands as a sign next to the name said: MAKERS of FINE WANDS since 382 BC.

A magic wand… this was something that Helena really was looking forward to.

Then Hagrid reminded himself "A yeah, an' I still haven't got yeh a birthday present."

Helena felt modest that Hagrid wanted to buy her a birthday present "Oh, Hagrid, you don't have to-"

Hagrid shrugged "I know I don't have to," he then suggest "Tell yeh what, why don't yer run along in there and wait while I got yeh a birthday present? Won't be long." Hagrid then left, leaving Helena going inside Ollivanders herself.

The shop itself was narrow and shabby. As Helena opened the door, a tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as she stepped inside. It was a tiny place, and had thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up the ceiling. The very dust and silence in here seemed to tingle with some secret magic.

Helena puts her school supplies somewhere before walking in further to the counter, but saw no one "Hello?" she called, but no answer "Hello?" she called again.

An old man suddenly appeared from a scaffolding ladder, sliding suddenly from one of the hallways, making Helena jump. The man named Ollivander formed a smile as he saw Helena "I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Helena Potter." He climbed down the ladder "It seems only yesterday that your mother and father were in here buying their first wands." Mr. Ollivander stated as he could clearly remember when Helena's parents bought their first wands when they were Helena's age.

He then walked up to her "Well, now, Miss Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket "Which is your wand arm?" he asked.

"Well, I… I'm right-handed," Helena said.

"Hold out your arm," he said. Helena did so "That's it." he measured Helena from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round her head. While he measured, Mr. Ollivander said "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Miss Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard or witch's wand."

Mr. Ollivander checked a few of the narrow boxes, picking one out. As he placed the narrow box he'd taken on the counter and opened it, he took out a wand "Right then, Miss Potter. Try this one. Beachwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible." He handed over the wand to Helena, who took it "Give it a wave."

Helena waved the wand around a bit, causing many of the narrow boxes fly out of the shelves of a few closets.

"Currently not." Mr. Ollivander said, being used to that not always the first wand is the right one. So, he climbed one of the scaffolding ladders and picked out another narrow box, taking a different wand out "Perhaps, this. Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches."

As Helena took the wand and gave it a wave… nothing happened.

Ollivander didn't seem to mind and kept looking for a different wand for Helena "Here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy." He handed over the next wand, Helena tried it again, but only caused a vase to break into pieces, which shocked Helena.

"No, no, definitely not. No matter." Ollivander ensured before waving his own wand and made the broken vase whole again. He began to think, perhaps Helena needed a more special wand. Mr. Ollivander walked a bit further in the back, where there was more dust then the rest of the shop, showing that he hadn't been in that part of the shop for a long time. He took out a black narrow box from an unorganized pile of narrow boxes "I wander…" he said before walking back to Helena, taking out the wand from the narrow box "Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."

Helena took the wand. She felt a sudden warmth in her fingers. As she gave it a wave, a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on the walls. Helena was amazed.

Mr. Ollivander was showing a mixture of both happiness and a bit of worry "Curious… very curious."

"Sorry, but what's curious?" Helena asked.

Ollivander puts Helena's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper, telling "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss Potter. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather resides in your wand, gave another feather. Just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother… gave you that scar."

Helena was both shocked and surprised when Ollivander mentioned that the scar on her forehead was actually the result of someone who'd casted a curse with another wand like hers.

"And… who owned that wand?" Helena asked.

Mr. Ollivander gave her his pale stare "We do not speak his name. The wand chooses the wizard or witch, Miss Potter. It's not always clear why. But, I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things – terrible, yes… but great."

Helena felt she began to shiver. A thousand questions raced through her head. The scar on her forehead, in the shape of a lightning bolt, was not the result of the car accident as the Dursleys had told her, but from a curse casted by a dark wizard.

While Helena paid seven Galleons for her wand, she knew deep down she had to ask Hagrid more about this dark wizard and why she's famous.

Helena then heard someone ticking at the window of the shop "Helena," it was Hagrid, holding up a big cage "Happy birthday." He said with a smile as he held up the big cage, which had a beautiful snowy owl inside.

Helena walked over to Hagrid with a smile "Is that… for me?"

Hagrid nodded "She's all yours. All the kids want owls, they're dead useful, carry yer mail an' everythin'."

Helena glanced at the snowy owl as did she. Helena smiled and thanked Hagrid "Hagird… it's… I don't know what to say. Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Several hours later, back in the Leaky Cauldron, Hagrid and Helena were eating lunch in the inn. Helena felt she'd just had the best birthday ever – and yet – she knew that it would come to an end and had to go back to the Dursleys till she would finally go for Hogwarts, learning all kinds of magic. However, it wasn't about going back to the Dursleys that troubled her, as Helena still had some unanswered questions and came to only one conclusion to after what Mr. Ollivander told her about the wizard that gave her the scar on her forehead.

"You alrigh', Helena? Yer seem very quiet." Hagrid asked her as she hadn't taken a bit for 10 minutes.

"He killed my parents, didn't he?" Helena asked before pointing to her scar "The one who gave me this."

Hagrid turned quiet.

Helena wasn't a fool and knew that Hagrid knew more about what happened to her parents and about the wizard who did this to her "Hagrid, I know that you're not telling me everything, but I need to know; for what I am famous for and who is this wizard that killed my parents? I deserve to know the truth." Helena told with a bit of seriousness, not wanting to be kept away from the truth any longer.

Hagrid sighed as he turned to Helena, and began to tell her "First, and understand this, because it's very important, Helena. Not all wizards or witches are good, some of erm go bad. A few years ago, there was one wizard that went bad as yer can go. And his name was…" words failed him as he couldn't pronounce the man's name and took a deep breath trying to say but looked like he was too scared to say it "His name was V… his name was V…"

"Maybe you should write it down?" Helena offered.

Hagrid however shook his head "No, I can't spell it." he then took another deep breath, gathering some courage "Okay, Helena…. His name was…" he whispered then the dark wizard's name "…Voldemort."

"Voldemort?"

"Shhhh!" Hagrid hushed her before whispering again as he shuddered "Don't say it out loud."

Helena was confused at why this dark wizard called, Voldemort was so evil that even Hagrid or anyone was afraid to mention his name. She listened carefully to what Hagrid was going to tell her.

Again, Hagrid sighed before telling Helena the whole tale "Aroun tha time yer were born, it was dark times, very dark times. Voldemort started to gather some followers, brought them over to the dark side. Anyone that stood up him ended up dead." Then came the sad part for Hagrid "Yer parents… fought against him… but nobody lived once he decided to kill 'em. Nobody… not one… except you…"

This shocked Helena to the core "Me…? Voldemort tried to kill… me?"

Hagrid nodded "Yes, that ain't no ordinary cut on yer forehead, Helena. A mark like that only comes from being touched by a curse, and an evil curse of that."

"Then… what happened to Vo-" Helena nearly said his name again, but knowing it made Hagrid too uncomfortable to even mention his name, Helena asked "What happened to… You-Know-You?"

Hagrid gave a shrug "Well, some say he died." however, Hagrid shook his head, feeling deep down that Voldemort isn't dead at all "Codswallop, in my opinion. Nope, I reckon he's out there still, too tired to carry on." Then he mentions what made Helena famous for "But one thing's absolutely certain, Helena, something about you stopped him that night. That's why you're famous, that's why everybody knows yar name. You are The Girl Who Lived."

This was a lot to take in for Helena, knowing now what truly happened to her parents and why she was famous for.

In the late afternoon, Hagrid and Helena took the London Underground instead of the flying motorcycle, as Hagrid doesn't want to cause any unwanted Muggle attention about his flying motorcycle. Some people watched with a weird look in their eyes to see Hagrid and Helena carrying funny-shaped packages and a snowy owl in a cage. Helena didn't care and ignored the other people as she sat down with the cage on her lap, watching her owl being asleep.

When they got to Paddington station, Hagrid decided to buy Helena a hamburger as he wanted her to eat something before her train back to the Dursleys would leave.

Helena did felt a bit uncertainty, as how all the people would expect from her great things as she never knew anything about magic till yesterday. Hagrid ensured her that she'll learn fast enough as everyone starts at Hogwarts. He advised her to be herself, though it would be hard, but ensured her that she'll have a great time at Hogwarts.

After helping Helena on the train, Hagrid handed her an envelope with her ticket for Hogwarts, leaving on the first of September at King's Cross station, and told her that if there were problems with the Dursleys, he could send him a letter with her owl.

As Helena wanted to watch Hagrid until he was out of sight as the train pulled out of the station, she only blinked for a second… and Hagrid was gone.

-:-

Helena's last month with the Dursleys before going to Hogwarts wasn't fun. Several improvements for Helena were; that Dudley was now was so scared of Helena that he wouldn't stay in the same room, while Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't shut Helena anymore in the cupboard, force her to do anything or shout at her – in fact, none of the Dursleys spoke to her at all, ignoring her for the most part.

Even thought it gave some peace in Helena's spirit, being ignored had become a bit depressing for her after a while.

But luckily for her, Helena was most of the time in her room, with her new owl for company, which she named Hedwig, a name she'd found in A History of Magic. Her new school books, telling all sorts of things about the magical world and the classes she would attend were very interesting to her, which made her to read them late into the night. But the most interesting books to her were the ones that told about Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Hedwig swooped in and out of the open window as she pleased, bringing back dead mice from time to time.

On the last day of August, she spoke to her aunt and uncle about getting her to King's Cross station the next day. They agreed, as Petunia and Vernon were planning to go to London that day anyway, to bring Dudley to the hospital to remove the pigtail before he would go to Smeltings.

The next morning, Helena woke at five o'clock and was too exited and nervous to go back to sleep. Not wanting to walk into the station in her witch's robes, she put on her jeans, purple/white t-shirt and dark blue jacket. She putted on her glassed and combed her hair. She checked her Hogwarts list yet again to make sure she had everything she needed, saw that Hedwig was shut safely in her cage, and then sat on her bed, waiting for the Dursleys to get up.

While waiting, she decided to open the envelope that Hagrid gave to her and took out the train ticket, which says: LONDON to HOGWARTS for ONE WAY travel. Platform 9 3/4.

"Platform nine and three quarters?" Helena confusingly reads "But… there's no such thing as platform nine and three quarters. Or is it?"

Two hours later, Helena's huge, heavy trunk had been loaded into the Dursleys' car, Aunt Petunia had talked Dudley into sitting next to Helena, and they set off.

When Helena mentioned they have to be in King's Cross station at platform nine three quarters, both Vernon and Petunia looked with a weird face, with Vernon thinking it was all rubbish, despite what was on Helena's ticket.

When they reached King's Cross at half past ten, Uncle Vernon dumped Helena's trunk onto a cart while Helena placed Hedwig's cage on top of it. While Aunt Petunia and Dudley remained in the car, Uncle Vernon wheeled the cart for her into the station, which Helena thought was strangely kind of him, but figured that he just did it as he knew they'll be rid of her for a whole year.

After leaving her at where Platform nine and ten were, he said with a nasty smile "Well, have a good term," and left without another word.

Helena sighed, though she was glad to be away from those awful people as she could hear her uncle laughing while leaving the station.

But now, Helena didn't know what to do as she couldn't find platform nine and three quarters as she wheeled her cart across the station, starting to attract a lot of funny looks, because of Hedwig. When asking a passing guard where she could find platform nine and three quarters, the man though that she was making a joke and left.

Helena tried hard not to panic as she looked at the big clock at the station, seeing she only had ten minutes before the train to Hogwarts would leave and had no idea how to find it.

At that moment, a group of people passed just behind her and she caught a few words of what they were saying "-packed with Muggles, of course. C'mon."

"Muggles?" Helena wandered as she pushed her cart after them.

"Platform nine and three quarters this way." The plump women named, Molly said to three boys and a girl, all with flaming red hair, clearly her children. Each of them were pushing a trunk like Helena's in front of her – and they had an owl on one of the carts.

When they stopped, so did she, just near enough to hear what they were saying.

The young boy, holding her hand asked "Mom, why can't I go?"

"You're not old enough, Ron, now be quiet." Molly said before telling the eldest of the boys "All right, Percy, you first."

Helena watched, seeing as the boy named Percy reached the dividing barrier between the two platforms with his cart. But as he reached the barrier, the boy had vanished, making Helena look in surprise.

Molly then told one of the two other boys "Fred, you next."

The other boy, clearly his twin brother, said "He's not Fred. I am!"

The first twin looked with disappointment at his mother "Honestly, women. You call yourself our mother."

"Oh, I'm sorry, George." Molly apologized and let him go next.

When the boy was ready to go for the barrier, he grinned at his mother "I'm only joking. I am Fred!" and off he went, followed by his twin brother George through the barrier and a second later, both had vanished.

"Excuse me," Helena said the plump women "Could you tell me how to…" she gestured to the barrier.

"How to get onto the platform, dear?" Molly asked kindly "Yes, not to worry dear, it's Ginny's first time to Hogwarts as well." she pointed to her daughter, Ginny, who was Helena's age, had long flaming red hair and freckles. Molly then explained "Now, all you've got to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms nine and ten." Helena nodded, though she was nervous of doing that, fearing she would crash to the wall. Molly encouraged her to go before Ginny "Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous."

Helena pushed her cart around and stared at the barrier. She took a deep breath before starting to walk toward it, then walked quicker before running – the barrier was coming nearer and nearer – Helena closed her eyes read for the crash… but it didn't come… she kept running, till she finally stopped. She opened her eyes, seeing a scarlet steam engine, waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said 'Hogwarts Express – Platform 9 3/4'. Helena had done it as a smile grew on her face.

After Helena managed to get through the crowd until she found an empty compartment near the end of the train, she put Hedwig inside first and then started to shove and heave her trunk towards the train door. It was heavy and could hardly raise one end and twice she dropped it painfully on her foot.

"Want a hand?" it was one of the red-haired twins, Fred.

Helena nodded while panting "Yes, please."

George called his twin brother, Fred over to help. After lifting Helena's trunk, Fred and George helped Helena placing it in the compartment.

"Thanks," Helena said while pushing her sweaty hair out of her eyes.

"What's that?" Fred asked, pointing at Helena's lightning scar.

"Blimey, are you…?" George asked.

"She is!" Fred said.

"It's Helena Potter!" both twins said simultaneously.

Helena sighed before giving a shrug "Yes, I am."

The two boys gawked at her, with Helena feeling embarrassed. But, to her relief, Molly came over, calling her twin sons through the train's open door. "Fred? George? Are you there?"

"Coming, Mom." Fred and George said before hopping off the train.

Helena watched as Molly said goodbye to her children. Though the youngest, Ron, was a bit sad that he had to wait one more year before going to Hogwarts. Percy said a short goodbye before going into one of the front compartments, as he was a prefect now and could sit with the other prefects, which Fred and George teased their older brother for it, which annoyed Percy.

Molly then warned her twin sons not to cause any mischief on Hogwarts and to look after their little sister, Ginny.

When Helena bypassed them and entered the train, a whistle was blown.

"Hurry up!" Molly said and Fred, George and Ginny clambered onto the train. They leaned out of the window for her to kiss them goodbye. Ron began to feel a bit sad.

Ginny ensured her little brother "Don't cry, Ron, we'll send you loads of owls."

"We'll send you a Hogwarts' toilet seat." Fred added.

"George!" Molly said stern.

Fred laughed "Only joking, Mom."

The train began to move. Helena saw the mother and the little boy waving from the platform, half laughing, half crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed, then she fell back and waved.

Helena sat in an empty compartment, looking out the window, seeing houses flashing past them. She felt a great leap of excitement. She didn't know what he would expect where he was going – but it sure was a whole lot better than what she was leaving behind.

The door of the compartment slid open. It was the red-haired girl, Ginny "Hey. Do you mind if I sit here?" she asked while pointing at the seat opposite Helena "Everywhere else is full."

"Not at all." Helena shook her head, saying she doesn't mind if she sits in the compartment with her.

Ginny smiled as she entered "Thanks." After Ginny puts her trunk inside the compartment, she sits opposite of Helena and introduced herself "I'm Ginny, by the way. Ginny Weasley. But I guess you already knew that when we met at the platform."

"Please to meet you, Ginny." Helena said. But just as Helena wanted to introduce herself, the twins Fred and George opened the door of the compartment.

"Hey, Ginny." Both said simultaneously.

"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train." One of the twins, probably Fred, says.

"Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there." The other, probably George, stated.

Fred the smiled as he told Ginny "Ah, I see you've already met the famous Helena Potter. I'm Fred Weasley."

"And I'm George."

Ginny glanced at Helena back, seeing the lightning scar on her forehead, making her eyes go wide as she gasped.

Seeing how they've surprised their little sister, Fred and George left them be "See you later." Both said at the same time and closed the door of the compartment.

"So… you're really are Helena Potter?!" Ginny blurted out, still shocked and surprised that she hadn't recognized Helena sooner.

Helena nodded.

"Blimey! I thought my brothers made a joke." Ginny said with embarrassment. Not knowing what to say, Ginny looked out the window.

Wanting to get to know Ginny a bit, Helena asked "Are all your family wizards and witches?"

Ginny glanced back to Helena and nodded "Mmm hmm. Well, I think Mom's got a second cousin who's an accountant, but she never talks about him."

"So you must know loads of magic already."

Ginny nodded and then asked her "Is it true that you went to live with Muggles? What are they like?" Ginny asked with bigger curiosity.

Helena formed a bit depressing face "Horrible. Well, at least my aunt and uncle and cousin are." But not feeling ready to talk about the Dursleys, she said attempting to bring back the mood as she gave a small chuckle "Wish I'd had four wizard brothers."

That made Ginny giggle "Try to live with six brothers."

"You have six brothers?" Helena asked with a bit of surprise.

Ginny nodded as she stated "I'm the second youngest and only girl in the house, well, besides my Mom of course. Bill and Charlie have finished Hogwarts already. Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of the Quidditch team. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get good marks and they're really funny, at least if they don't pull pranks on me," She then shrugged "But my younger brother Ron is more easily to fool, so Fred and George don't pull that many pranks on me." She then thought out loud "I just hope that Ron won't be too lonely now that we're off to Hogwarts. But I'm sure that Scabbers can keep him company?"

"Scabbers?" Helena asked while raising her eyebrow.

"Oh, he's Percy's old rat," Ginny stated "But because my Mom and Dad bought him an owl as a reward for him becoming a prefect, he gave his rat to Ron." Ginny then sighed as her smile faded "I wish that Mom and Dad would have bought me an owl, but because we don't have much money, they couldn't afford one to buy for me. I mean, we have to buy everything secondhand, including all our school supplies. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but still…"

Ginny felt a bit embarrassed of talking this much, but Helena didn't seem to have any problem with it and actually showed her compassion as she'd never had any money her whole life until a month ago. Helena told Ginny all about that she too had to wear old clothes and second-hand clothes and never getting proper birthday presents. This seemed to cheer Ginny up.

"… and until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a witch or about my parents or Voldemort-"

Ginny gasped.

"What?" Helena asked.

"You said You-Know-Who's name!" Ginny said, both sounding shocked and impressed "I thought that you, of all people-"

Helena raised her hand "Hey, I'm not trying to be brave or anything. I just never knew you shouldn't." she then sighed, feeling a bit down "I still have so much to learn about the wizardry world. I just hope I won't be the worst in class."

That was when Ginny cheered her up "You won't be. Besides, there are loads of students who come from Muggle families and they learn quick enough."

While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep.

For a little while, both Helena and Ginny were quiet, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

However, their quiet moment would be disturbed when they heard soft chirping sounds "What's that?" Helena wandered, trying to see where that chirping came from.

"I don't know," Ginny said while also looking around their compartment "It sounded like… a toad?"

And to Ginny's confirmation, she did found a brown toad, covered in wart-like bumps, behind a small opening behind their seats.

Ginny carefully picked him up "What are you doing here, little buddy?" she asked the toad.

Reminding herself that students can also take a toad with them to Hogwarts, Helena wandered as she looked at the toad "You think it belongs to someone?"

"Maybe." Ginny said, giving a shrug.

That was when Ginny noticed a round-faced boy, clearly looking through the train while looking tearful.

Ginny opened the door of the compartment and asked the boy "Are you looking for something?"

The boy turned to Ginny and wailed "Yes! I've lost my toad! He keeps getting away from me!"

"Well… me and Helena found this toad in our compartment. Is it yours?" Ginny asked while holding the toad she and Helena found.

"Trevor!" the boy called in relief and ran to Ginny, which shocked her a bit as if he was gonna run her over, but thankfully stopped just before her. Ginny handed over the toad to the boy "Thank you!" he smiled while having teary eyes.

"You're welcome." Ginny said as she shrugged.

Then, there was a great clattering heard, as a smiling dimpled women, who pulled a cart with all kinds of treats, approached Ginny and the boy standing at the opening compartment door and asked "Anything off the cart, dears?"

The boy was a bit unsure, while Ginny felt a bit disappointed as she couldn't buy any candy and only had some sandwiches that her mother made for her.

Helena however, who hadn't had any breakfast, was ready to buy as many Mars Bars as she could carry, now that Helena had pockets rattling with gold and silver – but the women didn't have Mars Bars. What she did have were Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands, and a number of other strange looking candy that Helena had never seen before in her life. Not wanting to miss anything, she got some of everything and paid the women eleven Sickles and seven bronze Knuts.

Ginny and the boy stared as Helena brought it all back into the compartment and tipped it onto an empty seat. Helena chuckled with embarrassment "Starving." Helena stated as she took a Pumpkin Pasty, but before taking a bite, she asked Ginny "Want some too?"

Ginny smiled bright "Sure!" and took a Licorice Wand.

The boy stood at the open door of the compartment, feeling conflicted if he should just go or join them, though he felt a bit shy.

Ginny asked him "You can join us if you want?"

"Are you sure…?" the boy asked with some uncertainty "I don't want to be in the way or anything…"

Helena, who took a large bite out of her pumpkin pasty, didn't seem to mind at all, while Ginny ensured the boy "Of course you won't be in the way," she then chuckled "I don't even think just the two of us can finish it, though I doubt Helena would."

Helena narrowed her eyes at Ginny, before she chuckled and took a Cauldron Cake.

The boy then smiled as he entered the compartment "Okay." And took a seat next to Helena, taking a pack Chocolate Frogs. Not wanting to be rude, he introduced himself "Oh, I haven't told my name yet. I'm Neville Longbottom."

"Hi, I'm Ginny Weasley."

"I'm Helena."

The boy named Neville shake hands with both of them, till he noticed the lightning scar on Helena's forehead, making him gasp "You're… Helena Potter?"

Helena sighed before nodding, making Neville's eyes go wide, realizing he'd just met The Girl Who Lived. But, Neville's shock vanished after a few minutes and enjoyed eating candy with Ginny and Helena.

Helena wandered as Neville opened another Chocolate Frogs "Uhm… they're not real frogs, are they?"

Neville shook his head "No, it's just a spell," he then showed her the card that was inside the pack, which showed the famous witch, Mirabella Plunkett "Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them of famous witches and wizards, to collect of course. I've got about sixty back home with my grandma."

"My brother Ron collects them too," Ginny said before rolling her eyes "He's a total fanatic about those cards. He's got like five hundred of em."

Helena then picked a Chocolate Frog herself and unwrapped it, picking up the card. It showed a man's face. He wore half-moon glasses, had a long, crooked nose, and flowing sliver hair, beard, and mustache. Underneath the picture was the name Albus Dumbledore. "I got Dumbledore." Helena then turned over the card and read:

---

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

CURRENLTY HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS

Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is practically 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 of alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.

---

When Helena finished reading it, she turned the card back over and saw, to her astonishment, that Dumbledore's face had disappeared "He's gone!"

Neville ensure her "Not to worry, he'll be back." He then offered her the card of Mirabella Plunkett "Do you want it? You can start collecting."

Seeing that these cards could be useful, Helena took it "Thanks, but… don't you want to have it?"

Neville shook his head "No, I already got two of them. You can have it."

"Okay. Thanks." Helena said.

Even after having the cards of Mirabella Plunkett and Dumbledore, Helena also had Hengist of Woodcroft, Alberic Grunnion, Circe, Paracelsus, Merlin and Druidess Cliodna from a few more Chocolate Frogs. But she soon turned to open a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

"Be careful with those," Ginny warned Helena "When they say every flavor, they mean every flavor. You get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George even had a booger-flavored one time."

Helena felt a bit weirded out that these beans seriously had every single flavor you could image. Wandering which taste she would get, she picked a green bean and took a bite. The taste even made her uncomfortable "Ew! Sprouts."

Seeing Helena's face how awful that bean tasted, earned a little laughter from Neville and Ginny.

"I told you." Ginny said.

Eventually, even Helena began to laugh.

They had a good time eating the Every Flavor Beans. Helena got toast, coconut, baked bean, strawberry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine, and even bravely nibbled the end of a funny gray one, which turned out to be pepper. Even Ginny and Neville had a few beans with funny or good tastes. Neville even almost had to vomit when he tasted a bean which had endive flavor.

After a few more hours, the train had passed the countryside. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills.

Neville held up his toad, Trevor and sighed before stating "If I could make him a bit bigger, maybe I could find him more easier."

"You can do that?" Helena asked.

Neville however shrugged "Not really. I tried to use a spell yesterday but it wouldn't work."

"Can you show it to us?" Ginny asked Neville.

Neville felt a bit unsure, but seeing how Ginny was asking it him nicely, he gave a nod "Okay." And pulled out his wand.

But just as he raised his wand, the compartment door slid open, showing it was a girl who was already her new Hogwarts robes, having bushy hair and large front teeth. She did not looked that happy "So here's where you are, Neville! Me and Padma were kind enough to help you find your toad, but clearly you have already found it without telling us and have been here this whole time."

Neville apologized "Sorry, I just…"

But seeing that Neville had taken his wand, the girl changed her attitude "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then." she sat down, waiting for Neville to cast his spell.

Neville glanced back to Helena and Ginny. Both gave him an encouraging nod. Neville sighed before waving his wand at his toad "Engorgio." Neville said softly with uncertainty in his voice.

A little icy blue spark came from the top of Neville's wand, increasing the toad's size only a bit.

Helena was impressed "Hey, you did it!"

Neville however shrugged with uncertainty "Yeah… but only a little bit."

The bushy haired girl tipped her finger on her mouth "Hmmm, that sounds more like a too challenging spell for first-years, if you ask me. I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me." She noticed the Scotch tape on Helena's glasses "Example," the bushy haired girls said before taking out her own wand and pointed at Helena's face, at her glasses "Oculus reparo." And in an instance, the tape on Helena's glasses vanished, leaving a perfectly well repaired glasses. "That's better, isn't it?"

Helena took out her glasses to see how much it has fixed "Wow," she said before putting her glasses back on "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the bushy haired girl said before telling "Nobody in my family's got 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 learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough."

Helena gave a shrug "You're not the only one. I just got my letter last month and I don't even have finished reading all my course books."

The girl smiled at that before telling her name "I'm Hermione Granger, by the way. And… you are?" she asked both Helena and Ginny.

"I'm Ginny Weasley." Ginny said.

"Helena Potter."

"Are you really?" Hermione said "I know all about you, of course – I got a few extra books, for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical history and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

Helena sighed while muttering "Great. Even more attention for me."

This earned a surprised look from Ginny, Neville and Hermione.

"You don't like it?" Neville asked "Being famous and all?"

"I… I don't know," Helena admitted "I mean, I was a nobody for over ten years and now all the sudden I get all this attention for something I don't even remember doing as I was only a baby? It's just… so much to take in."

Ginny then suggested "Well, if it's too much and all, I could ask Fred and George to do something that'll turn away all the attention?" clearly she meant a prank that could turn away all the attention away from Helena.

Helena chuckled "Thanks."

Hermione formed a small smile before suggesting "Well, I should be going. You three had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon." She then stood up left the compartment, meeting another girl who was probably Padma and both returned to their compartment.

Ginny then said "She's really a know-it-all, isn't she?"

Both Helena and Neville nodded.

After their meeting with Hermione Granger, Helena, Ginny and Neville shared a few talks about which house they believe they'll be into. Ginny was sure she would be placed in Gryffindor, as all her family members and both her parents were, but deep down hoped she won't be sorted into Slytherin. Neville was unsure where he would be sorted into, but felt it could be either Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Helena didn't know yet in which house she'll be sorted into, but hoped it wouldn't be Slytherin after Ginny and Neville mentioned that most dark witches and wizards have been in Slytherin, including Voldemort.

Ginny then started to tell about her two oldest brothers, Bill and Charlie, with Charlie studying dragons on Romania and Bill is doing business' for Gringotts in Africa.

Neville stated that he was only child, but why he was living with his grandmother and not with his parents was somehow hard for him to tell. Helena seemed to understand him, as it was sometimes hard for her too to talk about her parents.

To stir up the mood, Ginny was about to tell about Quidditch.

Though Hagrid told Helena bits about Quidditch, Ginny seemed to know more about it and stated all of it in detail, explaining all about the four balls used in the game and the positions of the seven players, describing famous games she'd been to with her brothers and the broomstick she'd like to get if she had the money. She even briefly mentioned that though her brothers never wanted to play Quidditch with her back home, she sometimes sneaked into their family's barn and took one of her brother's broomsticks so she could practice Quidditch herself.

Just as Ginny was about to take Helena through the finer points of the game, Helena excused herself as she had to go to the loo.

When Helena left the compartment to find the toilet, she actually stumbled upon the same white/blond haired boy she met in Diagon Alley, Draco.

"Oh, hey Draco." Helena said.

Draco looked with a lot more interest than he'd shown back in Diagon Alley "So it's true? You're THE Helena Potter?"

"Well… yes, I am." Helena admitted.

But just then, Helena saw a pug-faced girl, having black hair walking towards her. She was accompanied by two other girls, with one having a large figure and the other being smooth and having pale/white skin.

"Ah, Draco. It seems you were correct after all; that the famous Helena Potter is on the train as well." she told Draco before glancing at Helena.

That was when Ginny walked towards Helena "Hey, I too need to use the-" she interrupted herself when she saw Helena was with the pug-faced girl and her gang, and the pale white/blond haired boy she knew all too well.

The pug-faced girl glanced at Ginny, like she was a stranger begging for money. Ignoring her, she turned back to Helena and introduced her friends "These is Millicent Bulstrode," she mentioned the large figured girl "And Daphne Greengrass," she mentioned the smooth paled looking girl "And my name's Parkinson, Pansy Parkinson."

Ginny gave a slight snicker, cause of Pansy's last name.

Pansy Parkinson glared at Ginny "Think my name's funny, do you?" Millicent Bustrode wanted to stop forward to teach Ginny a little lesson, but was stopped by Pansy Parkinson as she held her hand to her. She then turned into a more arrogant looking face while still glancing at Ginny "Well, no need to ask who you are, as I can clearly see who you are. Red hair, freckles, and wearing disgusting secondhand clothing? You must be a Weasley."

Pansy Parkinson then turned back to Helena "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sorts." Clearly she mentioned Ginny, making Millicent Bustrode and Daphne Greengrass agreeing with their leader "Me and my friends can help you there."

She held out her hand to shake Helena's, offering her to join them. But Helena didn't take it and said coldly as she crossed her arms "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks."

Pansy Parkinson didn't get angry, but began to glare "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," she said slowly "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys, and it'll rub off on you."

Millicent Bulstrode and Daphne Greengrass both chuckled.

Ginny's face turned red as she stepped forward "Say that again,"

Pansy Parkinson chuckled "Oh, you're going to fight us?"

Millicent Bulstrode stepped forward, being bigger than Helena and Ginny "Want me to teach them a little lesson, Pansy?" she asked with a bit of low voice.

Daphne Greengrass however patted Millicent's shoulder and said softly "Come now, Millicent," but then she smiled evilly as she took out her wand "There are far more polite ways to remind them to know their places."

Draco then stood next to Pansy as he shook his head as he sneered "You should have taken her offer, Potter."

Helena glanced with a surprised look at Draco before she glared at him, as Draco has just shown his true colors.

But just as Daphne Greengrass was about to jinx Helena and Ginny, Neville's toad, Trevor jumped high and landed right on Greengrass' face, making her yell "AAAAAAAH!"

Millicent tried to grab him but then jumped on Pansy Parkinson's head, making her panic "Get it off! Get it off!" she squealed in panic.

Draco backed away as Greengrass felt grossed out of having a toad on her face while Parkinson screamed. Again Bullstrode tried to grab the toad, but Trevor jumped from Parkinson's head, on Bullstrode's arm, right into her shirt, making her yell like a crying baby.

While Trevor kept jumping from Bulstrode back to Parkinson, onto Greengrass and back to Parkinson again, Helena and Ginny laughed of seeing Parkinson and her gang's reaction of being hugged by a toad.

Then, Trevor jumped high a few times and landed on Neville's hands.

Parkinson, still feeling disgusted, glared at Neville "Why you…!"

Neville held his toad up and walked with him over to her "Oh, he wouldn't harm you. He just wants to say hi."

"NO!" Pansy backed away in both disgust and fear "Keep that filthy thing away from me!" she and her gang walked away fast, followed by Draco. Ginny and Helena couldn't stop laughing.

As they all went into the next wagon, Pansy Parkinson glared at the trio with fury in her eyes "This isn't over!"

While Ginny wiped away a tear from her eyes cause of her laughter, she glanced at Neville "That was brilliant, Neville."

He gave a shrug "You're welcome." He then whispered to his toad "Nice work, Trevor."

Hermione then appeared from one of the compartments, together with another, clearly being Padma "What has been going on?" Hermione asked.

Helena, with her laughter being less, explained "Oh, those girls had just met Neville's toad."

Both Hermione and Padma exchanged looks.

After Ginny and Helena's laughter had finally died out, though both shared a few giggles, they returned from the toilet and went back inside their compartment where Neville was waiting.

"You've met Malfoy before?" Ginny asked Helena.

"Malfoy?"

"Yes. That boy, Draco."

Helena explained about their meeting in Diagon Alley.

"I've heard of his family," Neville said "They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared, same with the Parkinson family. Said they'd been bewitched."

"I heard about that," Ginny said "But my Dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side." She then added "I also heard from my Dad that Pansy Parkinson's parents were actually full supporters of You-Know-Who and convinced the ministry that they were forced to join him to avoid being thrown into Azkaban."

"What's Azkaban?" Helena asked.

While Ginny explained that Azkaban is a magical prison where all wizards and witches are locked up for hideous crimes, Hermione appeared and opened the compartment door "You'd better hurry up and put your robes on. Padma heard from her sister Parvati, who asked the conductor, and he says we're nearly there."

"Thanks for the info." Helena said in a polite way.

Hermione nodded and left. Neville went to the other compartment where he'd placed his trunk so he could put on his robes.

Helene peered out the window. It was getting dark. She could see mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. They train did seem to be slowing down. Both Ginny and Helena took off their jackets and pulled on their long black robes.

Helena's stomach lurched with nerves as the train arrived at a small train station, with Ginny feeling some nervousness too as they joined the crowd thronging the corridor. The train slowed right down and finally stopped.

People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Helena shivered in the cold night air.

Hagrid then walked up the platform while holding up a lamp "Alrigh' then, Firs' years! This way please! Come on, now, firs' years, don't be shy!"

Helena saw Hagrid and walked with the big crowd of first years over to him. Though many were surprised with a few being a bit afraid of Hagrid, Helena wasn't and smiled at seeing him.

"Hello there, Helena." Hagrid said.

"Hey, Hagrid."

As Ginny and Neville came up to Helena, Hagrid called to the crowd "Any more firs' years?" seeing that all the first years students had gathered, he nodded "Righ' then. This way to the boats! C'mon, follow me! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Helena thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much, while Neville tried hard not to lose his toad again "No, no, Trevor. Stay here."

After a few minutes, they came onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Helena, Ginny and Neville went into their boat, followed by a girl named Lavender Brown. Hermione joined with Parvati and Padma into a boat, together with a girl named Hannah Abbott.

"Everyone in?" Hagrid shouted, who had a boat to himself. Seeing all the first years were into the boats, he called "Right then – FORWARD!"

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Whoa…" Neville said.

Helena and Ginny both nodded as they glanced at the castle. This was Hogwarts.

A smile grew on Helena, imagining what life more had in store for her, as she made it to the place where she would learn magic. And with her two new friends, Helena felt that this was only the beginning of something more.

A/N: That's all I have for the second chapter of my Helena Potter story. I got to admit, it was a bit longer than I anticipated, but I enjoy writing it nonetheless.

Now with Helena being best friends with Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom, you can only guess what more will be different.

Don't forget to like and review, and I'll be seeing you all in the next chapter ;)