Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. I don't even own the story,
I'm just translating it from Khari.
5. The Hogwarts Express.
The next day, Harry felt s gently hand shake him to wake up. When he opened his eyes, he saw July Potter's kind face hovering over him with a smile.
"Good morning, Harry. It's time to get up."
"Good morning, Grandmother. How late is it?"
"It's eight in the morning. Quick, breakfast is ready, and if you want to eat anything you'll have to come down before James eats everything."
"Ok, I'll be down in a second."
July walked out of the room and went down to the kitchen, where he son was already stuffing himself with breakfast. At first, she smiled at the boy's hunger, but her expression quickly changed.
"James, if you keep this up, you won't leave anything for Harry." She lectured.
"Well, he should have come down earlier." He said swallowing the food he had in his mouth.
"James, you know very well that I allowed him to sleep a bit more because I was worried about him."
"How is he doing?" He asked, looking up from his breakfast.
"It's seems he's doing better, he looked like he was feeling happier."
"Who is happier?" Asked Harry from behind.
"Oh, Harry dear, you got up," she smiled. "Come on, sit down and eat breakfast."
"Who were you talking about?" Asked Harry.
"One of father's friends." Said James, quickly. "He has been pretty depressed for a few days."
Harry nodded and sat down to eat what was left, since James had practically devoured everything. When he finished ten minutes later, Mr. Potter appeared through the door and told them to get ready.
"Come on, boys, we need to get going. Are the trucks packed?"
"Yes, I took care of them myself last night." Answered July.
"Let's go, then." Said Robert forcefully. "Everyone, get in the car."
"And Sirius?" Asked James. "Isn't he coming with us?"
"No, his father will take him." Answered his father.
They all made their way to the car that was in front of the house and, after loading the trunks, quickly went in and started their way to King Cross so the boys could take the train.
When they reached the station, they noticed it was full of people. No one seemed to notice that slowly, people disappeared through the barrier between 9 and 10. Harry was very calm; this was very easy, the hard part was trying to do it so no muggles would notice.
"You'll see, Harry. It's very easy. You don't need to worry about anything. To reach the place you just need to..."
But James never had the chance to finish his explanation because Harry calmly walked through the barrier with his trunk. James quickly ran after him, followed by his parents. Harry was waiting at them on the other side.
"How did you know?" Asked James. "How did you know what you had to do to reach platform 9 3/4?"
"My parents told me." Answered Harry.
"I see... you could have told me! Then I wouldn't have had to explain."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you were going to explain it."
"Well, it doesn't matter." Said Mrs. Potter. "Don't you have to pick a compartment on the train?"
"Right!" Said James. "Let's go, Harry."
"Go ahead, James. I need to talk to Harry for a moment." Mr. Potter said.
James nodded and started to walk away from his parents, while Harry remained at their side. When they couldn't see him anymore, Robert Potter looked down at Harry seriously.
"Harry, I send that letter to Professor Dumbledore, and this morning, I received his answer."
"What did it say?"
"He said that he understood how important the situation was and that he would be careful. He also told me that you were to follow James to the school instead of going with the first years. Professor McGonagall will be waiting for you and she'll take you to talk to him."
"Ok, I was already expecting something like this." Harry said, calmly.
"Very well, let's go look for James." Smiled Mrs. Potter.
"Should we go together?" Said a voice coming from behind them.
When they turned around, they saw Sirius Black standing there, smiling as always. At his side stood a tall man, with bright blue eyes and dark hair, just like his son.
"John! I'm so happy to see you again!" Said Mr. Potter.
"Hey, Robert! How's everything going?" Greeted the other man.
"Fine, just as always. How did your trip to Spain go?"
"Oh, very well. You know that the people there are very cheerful and kind. What about you, James? Aren't you going to greet me?"
"No, Dad, that's not James." Corrected Sirius. "He's Harry."
"John, allow me to introduce to you my nephew, Harry Potter. Harry, this is John Black, Sirius' father."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Black."
"Let's go Harry, before anyone else thinks you're your cousin." Said Sirius, starting to drag him away.
Both boys walked away from the adults, and started to look for James. They found him near the end of the train, in an empty compartment, where he had already placed his trunk. When he saw them, he brightly greeted Sirius, while Harry entered the compartment to place his luggage in it. A few moments later, Harry heard noise coming from outside the compartment.
When he looked out of the window, he saw that James and Sirius were standing with two other boys, who he recognized as the other two Marauders. He thought it was better to remain inside so he wouldn't have to speak with Peter, but James had other ideas.
"Hey, Harry! Come out here, they want to meet you!" Shouted James.
"Ok, ok." Said Harry while he walked out. "You could have given me some time to place my things on the train in peace."
When Harry raised his gaze, he couldn't help but smile at the look on Remus' and Peter's face. They were priceless! Even so, he walked till he was standing next to James, so they could see how much they looked like.
"Remus, Peter, allow me to introduce to you my cousin, Harry. Harry, these are Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew." Said James, pointing at each boy in turn.
"Hey." Said Harry while shacking their hands, even if he was a bit reserved with Peter. "I was looking forward to meeting you."
"Us too. James and Sirius have told us a lot about you." Said Remus, turning around to face the other two boys. "You had told me they looked alike, but we didn't think they would look so much alike. They could easily pass as twins!"
"Yeah, they really do look alike. When Harry arrived, for a moment, I even thought he was James." Said July Potter, appearing next to them with the other parents.
"Is everyone already here?" Asked Robert Potter.
"No! Lily isn't here yet!"
Everyone started to laugh at James' worried words; they knew very well that the two lovebirds were very much in love. Harry's mere existence proved it. It was a pity that only Harry and his grandparents knew that.
"Don't worry about Lily, James. I don't think she'll take much longer to get here. It would be better if you already got on the train." Said his mother. After her words, everyone started to get in the train. "Wait, Harry, I want to speak with you for a moment."
"Of course, Aunt July."
Once all the children were inside and the other adults had gone to stand next to the window, July came closer to Harry and hugged him gently.
"Harry, do you want us to look for a way to tell your parents that you're alright?"
"Don't worry, Grandmother." Answered Harry with a smile. "I have my ways to tell my loved ones that I'm alright. In fact, I've already done it."
"Okay, honey, then take care."
Harry climbed into the train and smiled when he saw that James was very nervous because Lily hadn't arrived yet. Then, bright red hair drew his attention and calmly, he turned towards his future father.
"Say, James, is Lily a red-haired girl with green eyes?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Answered his father.
"I just saw her entering the train."
As if hearing his words, the door to the compartment opened and a smiling Lily appeared. She quickly ran to hug James, who returned the hug. When they drew away, everyone started to laugh at their flushed faces, and from outside, even their parents were laughing.
"I think that James is going to be more relaxed now." Laughed his father.
"I think so." Nodded his mother, and as the train whistled, she added. "Well, boys, we'll see you during the holidays, be good, and James, do take care of your cousin."
"Don't worry, Mum, I'll take care of Harry. Bye." Said James while the train started to move.
"Bye!" Said all the marauders while waving back at their parents.
When the station was out of sight, everyone went to sit in the different seats of the compartment. It was then, that Lily saw the silent Harry.
"You must be Harry, am I right?" Said Lily with a large smile.
"Yes, and you're Lily, James' girlfriend. I'm happy to meet you." He answered shaking her hand with a smile on his lips.
"Same here. You know, it's weird to see someone who looks so much like James, even if you're family."
"I know; it's weird to me too. They had always told me we looked alike, but I didn't realize how much until we met."
"You mean you hadn't seen each other until this summer?" Asked Remus, surprised.
"Right." Said James. "To tell the truth, I didn't even know I had a cousin."
"Well, it's not like they haven't told you before," told Harry, while James started to blush.
Everyone started to laugh while James became even more uncomfortable. They quickly became good friends and they were just opening a bag of Bertie Botts, when the door to their compartment opened and a blond boy, with pale skin appeared. He was joined with three other boys; one of them had black, greasy, hair. Harry didn't need anyone to tell him who they were, he immediately recognised them as Snape, Lucius Malfoy and Crabe and Goyle's fathers.
"Well, look who we have here." Said Lucius Malfoy, in the same tone of voice his son usually used. "Potter and his worthless friends."
"Shut up, Malfoy." Said James in an angry voice.
"What's the matter, Potter?" Said Snape. "You don't like being told the truth, do you? That's why you don't like that we call you, your friends, and that mudblood, worthless."
Before anyone could answer, Harry had already his wand out and was pointing it dangerously at his future potions instructor.
"Take that back." Harry said in a soft, cold voice.
"And who are you? Another Potter without doubt. I didn't know you had a twin brother," he said to James, "but that's ok, he's probably also worthless."
Harry didn't even have the time to pronounce a curse. Saïl, who had been sleeping in one of his master's pockets, poked his head out of it and threw a fireball that made the four boys flee.
"Wow, Harry, you were scary." Said James.
"He's right, you have taught them a lesson." Added Remus
"Yes, but you shouldn't have done it. you could have got into trouble. I don't care what they call me." Said Lily.
"I do." Said Harry. "My mother was muggle born and so is my best friend. I don't like people insulting muggle borns."
They didn't talk about it anymore, but the other boys saw how Harry became even more quiet and withdrawn as they neared Hogwarts.
"Harry." Said James, after a while.
"Yes?"
"We are here."
To be continued...
A/N: Thanks for all reviews and thanks to my beta-reader, Vinnie.
5. The Hogwarts Express.
The next day, Harry felt s gently hand shake him to wake up. When he opened his eyes, he saw July Potter's kind face hovering over him with a smile.
"Good morning, Harry. It's time to get up."
"Good morning, Grandmother. How late is it?"
"It's eight in the morning. Quick, breakfast is ready, and if you want to eat anything you'll have to come down before James eats everything."
"Ok, I'll be down in a second."
July walked out of the room and went down to the kitchen, where he son was already stuffing himself with breakfast. At first, she smiled at the boy's hunger, but her expression quickly changed.
"James, if you keep this up, you won't leave anything for Harry." She lectured.
"Well, he should have come down earlier." He said swallowing the food he had in his mouth.
"James, you know very well that I allowed him to sleep a bit more because I was worried about him."
"How is he doing?" He asked, looking up from his breakfast.
"It's seems he's doing better, he looked like he was feeling happier."
"Who is happier?" Asked Harry from behind.
"Oh, Harry dear, you got up," she smiled. "Come on, sit down and eat breakfast."
"Who were you talking about?" Asked Harry.
"One of father's friends." Said James, quickly. "He has been pretty depressed for a few days."
Harry nodded and sat down to eat what was left, since James had practically devoured everything. When he finished ten minutes later, Mr. Potter appeared through the door and told them to get ready.
"Come on, boys, we need to get going. Are the trucks packed?"
"Yes, I took care of them myself last night." Answered July.
"Let's go, then." Said Robert forcefully. "Everyone, get in the car."
"And Sirius?" Asked James. "Isn't he coming with us?"
"No, his father will take him." Answered his father.
They all made their way to the car that was in front of the house and, after loading the trunks, quickly went in and started their way to King Cross so the boys could take the train.
When they reached the station, they noticed it was full of people. No one seemed to notice that slowly, people disappeared through the barrier between 9 and 10. Harry was very calm; this was very easy, the hard part was trying to do it so no muggles would notice.
"You'll see, Harry. It's very easy. You don't need to worry about anything. To reach the place you just need to..."
But James never had the chance to finish his explanation because Harry calmly walked through the barrier with his trunk. James quickly ran after him, followed by his parents. Harry was waiting at them on the other side.
"How did you know?" Asked James. "How did you know what you had to do to reach platform 9 3/4?"
"My parents told me." Answered Harry.
"I see... you could have told me! Then I wouldn't have had to explain."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you were going to explain it."
"Well, it doesn't matter." Said Mrs. Potter. "Don't you have to pick a compartment on the train?"
"Right!" Said James. "Let's go, Harry."
"Go ahead, James. I need to talk to Harry for a moment." Mr. Potter said.
James nodded and started to walk away from his parents, while Harry remained at their side. When they couldn't see him anymore, Robert Potter looked down at Harry seriously.
"Harry, I send that letter to Professor Dumbledore, and this morning, I received his answer."
"What did it say?"
"He said that he understood how important the situation was and that he would be careful. He also told me that you were to follow James to the school instead of going with the first years. Professor McGonagall will be waiting for you and she'll take you to talk to him."
"Ok, I was already expecting something like this." Harry said, calmly.
"Very well, let's go look for James." Smiled Mrs. Potter.
"Should we go together?" Said a voice coming from behind them.
When they turned around, they saw Sirius Black standing there, smiling as always. At his side stood a tall man, with bright blue eyes and dark hair, just like his son.
"John! I'm so happy to see you again!" Said Mr. Potter.
"Hey, Robert! How's everything going?" Greeted the other man.
"Fine, just as always. How did your trip to Spain go?"
"Oh, very well. You know that the people there are very cheerful and kind. What about you, James? Aren't you going to greet me?"
"No, Dad, that's not James." Corrected Sirius. "He's Harry."
"John, allow me to introduce to you my nephew, Harry Potter. Harry, this is John Black, Sirius' father."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Black."
"Let's go Harry, before anyone else thinks you're your cousin." Said Sirius, starting to drag him away.
Both boys walked away from the adults, and started to look for James. They found him near the end of the train, in an empty compartment, where he had already placed his trunk. When he saw them, he brightly greeted Sirius, while Harry entered the compartment to place his luggage in it. A few moments later, Harry heard noise coming from outside the compartment.
When he looked out of the window, he saw that James and Sirius were standing with two other boys, who he recognized as the other two Marauders. He thought it was better to remain inside so he wouldn't have to speak with Peter, but James had other ideas.
"Hey, Harry! Come out here, they want to meet you!" Shouted James.
"Ok, ok." Said Harry while he walked out. "You could have given me some time to place my things on the train in peace."
When Harry raised his gaze, he couldn't help but smile at the look on Remus' and Peter's face. They were priceless! Even so, he walked till he was standing next to James, so they could see how much they looked like.
"Remus, Peter, allow me to introduce to you my cousin, Harry. Harry, these are Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew." Said James, pointing at each boy in turn.
"Hey." Said Harry while shacking their hands, even if he was a bit reserved with Peter. "I was looking forward to meeting you."
"Us too. James and Sirius have told us a lot about you." Said Remus, turning around to face the other two boys. "You had told me they looked alike, but we didn't think they would look so much alike. They could easily pass as twins!"
"Yeah, they really do look alike. When Harry arrived, for a moment, I even thought he was James." Said July Potter, appearing next to them with the other parents.
"Is everyone already here?" Asked Robert Potter.
"No! Lily isn't here yet!"
Everyone started to laugh at James' worried words; they knew very well that the two lovebirds were very much in love. Harry's mere existence proved it. It was a pity that only Harry and his grandparents knew that.
"Don't worry about Lily, James. I don't think she'll take much longer to get here. It would be better if you already got on the train." Said his mother. After her words, everyone started to get in the train. "Wait, Harry, I want to speak with you for a moment."
"Of course, Aunt July."
Once all the children were inside and the other adults had gone to stand next to the window, July came closer to Harry and hugged him gently.
"Harry, do you want us to look for a way to tell your parents that you're alright?"
"Don't worry, Grandmother." Answered Harry with a smile. "I have my ways to tell my loved ones that I'm alright. In fact, I've already done it."
"Okay, honey, then take care."
Harry climbed into the train and smiled when he saw that James was very nervous because Lily hadn't arrived yet. Then, bright red hair drew his attention and calmly, he turned towards his future father.
"Say, James, is Lily a red-haired girl with green eyes?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Answered his father.
"I just saw her entering the train."
As if hearing his words, the door to the compartment opened and a smiling Lily appeared. She quickly ran to hug James, who returned the hug. When they drew away, everyone started to laugh at their flushed faces, and from outside, even their parents were laughing.
"I think that James is going to be more relaxed now." Laughed his father.
"I think so." Nodded his mother, and as the train whistled, she added. "Well, boys, we'll see you during the holidays, be good, and James, do take care of your cousin."
"Don't worry, Mum, I'll take care of Harry. Bye." Said James while the train started to move.
"Bye!" Said all the marauders while waving back at their parents.
When the station was out of sight, everyone went to sit in the different seats of the compartment. It was then, that Lily saw the silent Harry.
"You must be Harry, am I right?" Said Lily with a large smile.
"Yes, and you're Lily, James' girlfriend. I'm happy to meet you." He answered shaking her hand with a smile on his lips.
"Same here. You know, it's weird to see someone who looks so much like James, even if you're family."
"I know; it's weird to me too. They had always told me we looked alike, but I didn't realize how much until we met."
"You mean you hadn't seen each other until this summer?" Asked Remus, surprised.
"Right." Said James. "To tell the truth, I didn't even know I had a cousin."
"Well, it's not like they haven't told you before," told Harry, while James started to blush.
Everyone started to laugh while James became even more uncomfortable. They quickly became good friends and they were just opening a bag of Bertie Botts, when the door to their compartment opened and a blond boy, with pale skin appeared. He was joined with three other boys; one of them had black, greasy, hair. Harry didn't need anyone to tell him who they were, he immediately recognised them as Snape, Lucius Malfoy and Crabe and Goyle's fathers.
"Well, look who we have here." Said Lucius Malfoy, in the same tone of voice his son usually used. "Potter and his worthless friends."
"Shut up, Malfoy." Said James in an angry voice.
"What's the matter, Potter?" Said Snape. "You don't like being told the truth, do you? That's why you don't like that we call you, your friends, and that mudblood, worthless."
Before anyone could answer, Harry had already his wand out and was pointing it dangerously at his future potions instructor.
"Take that back." Harry said in a soft, cold voice.
"And who are you? Another Potter without doubt. I didn't know you had a twin brother," he said to James, "but that's ok, he's probably also worthless."
Harry didn't even have the time to pronounce a curse. Saïl, who had been sleeping in one of his master's pockets, poked his head out of it and threw a fireball that made the four boys flee.
"Wow, Harry, you were scary." Said James.
"He's right, you have taught them a lesson." Added Remus
"Yes, but you shouldn't have done it. you could have got into trouble. I don't care what they call me." Said Lily.
"I do." Said Harry. "My mother was muggle born and so is my best friend. I don't like people insulting muggle borns."
They didn't talk about it anymore, but the other boys saw how Harry became even more quiet and withdrawn as they neared Hogwarts.
"Harry." Said James, after a while.
"Yes?"
"We are here."
To be continued...
A/N: Thanks for all reviews and thanks to my beta-reader, Vinnie.
