Chapter 5 Leaving for Hogwarts
Summer did not seem to come fast enough for Eric. Sure he spent the weekends with his Uncle Harry training on his broomstick. Under the close supervision of his mother of course. She had wanted to make sure he was learning properly.
Harry often reminded her that he had been asked by the Chuddley Cannons to play seeker on their team right after Hogwarts.
Eric heard his Aunt Ginny say that 'Ron called him a block for turning that job down'.
When Eric had received his booklist a few days ago he wanted to immediately go to Diagon Alley. His mother said that they would go as a family on the weekend.
The afternoon before they planned to go to Diagon alley the family had gone to a local park to play. Eric had climbed on top of the monkey bars and was seated on the top of the perch. From there he could see the entire playground. His parents were sitting on the parents benches snuggling. He turned his attention away to the swings. The twins were there sitting talking with their cousin Christine Lily.
The one thing about the twins is that they were not to be separated. They always seemed to prefer each other's company. The twins spoke to each other in a way that only they seemed to understand.
Only one other member of the family could be welcomed in, that was Christine Lily. His Mum had speculated that it was because of their ages.
Eric watched has two older kids come across towards the swings. Eric had seen them in the park before. Eric did not like either one of them, in short they were bullies.
Eric climbed down and headed towards the swings as well.
The two bullies had beat Eric there. Both started talking to the twins for a moment. The next thing that Eric saw was one of them grab Elisabeth by her ponytail and he pulled her off the swing.
That set him off, on a dead run.
Eric curved his shoulder down to make a battering ram, and ran right into the bully. He used all his force to knock the bully down.
"No one messes with my sisters or cousin." Eric said raising his fists. He was ready for a fight.
The other one came from the side, but Eric saw it and ducked down. The second one tripped over on Eric's large feet.
It then turned into an all out brawl.
Eric held his own against the both of them.
Molly and Elisabeth ran after their parents with Christine Lily right behind.
Ron and Hermione were soon over.
The two bullies had seen the parents coming and ran off.
Eric still stood his heart was still racing. Hands were still in fists.
"Eric, you know better than to get into a fight." His mother had said right off.
"They pulled Elisabeth off the swing." Eric argued.
Ron had not said anything yet. "You're going to have quite a shiner" He said looking at Eric's eyes. "But I think those other two are going to be in more pain."
"Ron!" His mother said sternly.
"He was defending his sisters and Christine Lily." Ron argued back.
The family left right after that. The twins went to their room with Christine Lily. His parents had gone immediately to their room to argue.
Eric went to his room and pulled out his Birthday gift from the twins. Extendable ears, they had done without his mother knowing about it. All that his family thought they had given him was a bag of sweets in a tin box.
The tin box looked like it was nothing but sweets. But it had a false bottom. It took Eric a little while to figure out how to work it. The lid only opened when he said. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Inside were several tiny devices, courtesy of the twins' shop.
Eric went over to his parents' room and set up the Extendable Ears. He listened to his parents argue.
It had always bothered him for some reason when his parents argued. He would still listen in, he could not resist it.
His parents always made up afterwards, but still there was always that odd feeling.
"He has your anger. The same we saw at Hogwarts. How many fights did Harry have to pull you out of at school?" His Mum said in a not so calm tone.
"Who was the one that slapped Malfoy three times?" Ron asked.
"Twice." Hermione said.
"I'm counting the time at the Ministry." Ron said.
"You heard what he called our son." Hermione argued.
Eric was taken aback. He knew of the Malfoy family. They were in Azkaban. He wondered when he had contact with them.
Eric did not see the twins and Christine Lily come up behind him.
"You really shouldn't listen to that." Molly said.
"I don't see what the big deal was." Eric answered.
"We do." Molly said. "Thank you for saving us from those two."
Christine Lily hugged Eric around his middle.
"No one messes with my sisters, or my cousin." Eric said heading up to his room.
In the morning when Eric woke up he say that he still had a black eye. Eric grabbed a ball cap and put it on before going downstairs.
After breakfast his family went to Diagon Alley.
Their first stop was Gringotts for some money. Eric waited with the twins while his parents got some money from their vaults. The twins were about the size of some of the goblins. Eric still kept one in each hand. It was his job to keep an eye on them.
Afterwards they went shopping for books and he got new robes for the school year. Eric did not like the smell of the apothecary too well. Potions would probably not be his best class. The last place they went to was Ollivanders.
His father gave him a few gallons. "I think this is something that you should do on your own." It was the first time that they let him into a shop alone. He was rather excited.
Eric walked into Ollivanders. It was a very dusty shop that resembled a library in someway. He forced himself to ignore the prickling on the back of his neck.
"Well, the first Weasley." An old man said. He looked over Eric. "Ready for your first wand? Now let's see about getting you measured first." He took out a tape measure from his pocket.
He then took notice of Eric's eye. "I see you inherited your father's anger. But I'm sure you won."
Mr. Ollivander went around him with his tape measure. The tape measure continued to measure him even after Mr. Ollivander had stepped away. It was measuring every kind of distance on him, including his nose.
Mr. Ollivander went around and picked out a wand.
"This is a personnel favorite of mine. Willow and Unicorn hair.
Eric took the wand and gave it a wave.
"Nope." Mr. Ollivander said. He passed Eric another and then another.
"I see you don't seem to match your parents on wands. Let's try this odd combination Phoenix tail and Oak, ten inches."
Eric gave it a wave and saw several different colors of sparkles come from the wand.
"I like it." Eric said. He paid for the wand and also purchased a wand cleaning kit as well.
He then went after his parents who were just outside.
"What did you get?" Molly asked.
"Phoenix tail and Oak ten inches long." Eric said showing it to his family.
"I thought it would be dragon heart string." His mother said with a slight laugh.
Afterwards they had gone home. Eric could not be divided from his wand for the entire day.
It seemed like overnight that September came. Eric got up early with his parents so they could make their way to London. It took a while for them to get there. Traffic was a little bad.
They finally made it to the Kings Crossing Station and to platform 93/4.
Eric looked at first.
"Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous." A voice from behind said.
Eric turned to see Harry with Ginny and Christine Lily.
"You came." Eric said surprised.
"Do think I would miss my godson going to Hogwarts?" Harry said patting him on the back. "I'll see you on the other side."
Eric looked at the barrier and started walking through at a fast past. Eric then saw what he had been waiting to see for a long time, the Hogwarts Express.
A moment later his family was behind him. "You better get on board." Ron said. "You have Galadriel, so I expect at least one owl before Christmas."
"You can stay for Christmas if you want, but you can come home." Hermione said.
"We expect you to do well in classes. If you need help you know you can ask." Ginny said giving him a hug.
"Just don't go chasing after mountain trolls or go for trips in the Forbidden Forest in the middle of the night." Harry said.
Eric laughed, he knew from his Uncle what really happened when his parents were in school. His parents had given him a nicer version of events the night before. Eric knew that they had his best interests at heart.
Ginny gave him a hug and wished him luck. Harry patted him on the back.
Christine Lily gave Eric her own hug, "I'll miss you." She said really quietly.
"I will send you some letters okay?" Eric told her giving her a hug.
His uncle then headed off to leave him with his family.
With a little help from his Dad Eric was able to load his trunk and birdcage into the car. It would be a little while before the train left.
Looking down the way, Eric saw a girl. She was probably his age carrying her own trunk. Where were her parents? Eric wondered heading down her way to give her a hand.
"Let me help you with that." Eric said grabbing the other end. "There is plenty of room in the car over there."
"Thanks said the Asian girl sweetly.
Hermione and Ron watched from a distance.
"You know that I am blaming you for this." Hermione said.
"He's just being the little gentleman that we raised him to be." Ron answered.
"Thank you." The Asian girl said to Eric after he helped her store her stuff away.
"It's alright." Eric said.
Hermione stepped up. "The train is about to leave so we better get going."
"Have a nice term." Ron said.
"We will miss you." Molly said hugging him along with Elisabeth.
"Thanks, I'll come home for Christmas." Eric said seeing them off.
He watched his family leave with the other parents back through the barrier then sat down.
"You didn't tell me your name." Eric said to the girl.
"Olivia Wood." The girl answered.
"Wood, your father isn't Oliver Wood is he?"
"Sort of funny being named after your dad isn't it."
"Not at all." Eric said. "Your dad is a great player. I saw when he played against the Warlocks."
Olivia smiled shyly. "My mother is one of the promoters on the team. I guess I'm supposed to have Quidditch in my blood."
"Everyone in my family played for Hogwarts." Eric said. "I suppose I am the same way."
Right then the door opened it was Michael and Shawn.
"Hey Eric, where have you been. We thought that you missed the train." Michael said.
"You are not going to believe who got a Hogwarts letter." Shawn quickly added.
"Who?" Eric asked. He supposed that all of his classmates had gotten a letter.
"Brocklehurst." Shawn said.
"He'll go right into Slytherin." Michael said. "But we all know that you're going to Gryffindor like every other Weasley."
"Weasley." Olivia said taking everyone by surprise. "Are related to the Minister of Magic."
"He's my grandfather." Eric said.
The group started talking together. It turned out that Olivia knew just as much about Quidditch as the rest of them.
As evening approached they arrived at the station.
Eric exited out of the car with Olivia.
That's when they saw Hagrid. Eric had known him all his life.
"All right First years to the boats." Hagrid said guiding them all.
Eric climbed into the boat with Michael, Shawn, and Olivia. The weather was calm which was nice because when Hogwarts came into view they all got a clear sight.
It was magnificent. The high towers, the tall windows. Eric felt his heart beat faster as they neared.
Once inside all of the first years were herded into a room and told to wait.
"Are you nervous?" Olivia asked.
"No, you?" Eric answered.
"A little." Olivia answered.
"I hope they hurry, I'm hungry." Shawn said.
Soon the doors opened and Professor Flitwick stepped in and guided them into the great hall.
Eric found his knees getting a little weak as he entered. He was actually nervous.
"Before we begin Headmistress McGonagall has some words for you all." Professor Flitwick began.
"Before we begin this year, I would like to welcome the first years and wish them luck on their term. Please note that the Forbidden Forest is called the Forbidden Forest for a reason. Do not go in there. Also please keep in mind the list of restricted items on Mr. Filch's office door. I do not want to see any of them. All violators will be dealt with by me personally."
Eric made a note to never see the inside of her office.
"Now let the sorting begin."