Hogsmede Station, 6:30 p.m.
..As the train pulled up into Hogsmede Station, the students began to spill from their compartments into the crowded hall of the train. Harry, Germione, Caitlin and Will fetched their things from the overhead bin and dispersed into the hall. A little further up the line, a group of Slytherins were forcing their way to the front of the train in hopes to get off before everybody else.
"What's going on up there?" A voice murmured from somewhere next to Harry's ear. He looked over and realized it was Caitlin who was speaking to him.
"Aah, nothin' out of the ordinary.." replied Harry with a shrug, "Slytherins. A nasty crowd, they are. Don't want to get mixed up with that lot.."
After finally making it off of the train, the students began to seperate by years.
"Fir's years, this way!"
Harry knew that voice from anywhere; he set off down the track to find it's owner, though it hadn't been much of a challenge.
"Hagrid!" exclaimed Harry as he aproached the groundskeeper.
" 'arry Potter!" Hagrid bellowed, extending his hand out to Harry, who took it with the mere intention to shake but was quite surprised when he was suddenly pulled into Hagrid's large mass. "So good t' see ye', mate!" said Hagrid, squeezing Harry tightly.
"Good to see you too, Hagrid." mumbled Harry from somewhere deep within Hagrid's furs.
Hagrid released Harry a short while after, allowing Harry to suck in a much needed breath.
"Ye' takin' Care of Magical Creatures this year, righ'?" Asked Hagrid, while looking around to make sure the first years didn't wander off.
"..Sure.." mumbled Harry half-heartedly; He recalled his father telling him about his 'expierence' with said-class and decided early on that he wasn't looking forward to such things this year.
After a moment longer of chatting with Hagrid, they each bid each other goodbye and Hagrid went off towards the lake, followed by a line of young first year students staring after him with wide-eyed expressions; some even pointed at Harry and whispered amongst themseleves as they passed.
'Bloody hell. Same thing every year..' thought Harry spitefully as he wandered over to Will and Caitlin, who were chatting animatedly about their fathers; he thought he also heard something about speghetti and golf carts somewhere in the conversation.
'Why can't people just mind their own businesses? How come no one ever bothers Will or Germione..?' Harry snorted at the thought, but then something dawned on him. He took a quick look around, then elbowed Will hard in the ribs.
" 'ey, Will..Where'd Germy get off to?" Said Harry, standing on his toes to get a better look over the rest of the students who were lingering around waiting for the carriages to arrive and transport them to the school grounds.
Will stayed silent for a few seconds, rubbing his ribs, contemplating Germy's whereabouts, before finally shrugging his shoulders. "Don't know. What diffrence does it make?"
"Look over there.." Caitlin murmured airily, pointing a finger in some direction. "What d'you think is going on over there?"
The boys slowly turned and followed Caitlin's finger; a small group of slytherins were circling a bushy redheaded girl, leering and chanting insults at her.
Harry immediately ran towards them, not giving much thought for anything else.
"You filthy little mudblood..I can't believe they still let YOUR kind into this school." One slytherin spat, his blonde hair threatening to fall from it's slicked-back position every time he tossed his head; the other Slytherins around him laughed and continued circling Germione.
"I'd watch your mouth if you know what's good for you, Malfoy.." The Slytherins whirled around to find Harry Potter jr. standing before them.
"Oh yeah? Well, what are you going to do about it, Potter?" Draconisis Malfoy said, emphasizing Harry's last name with more spitting. Harry looked past the group, at Germione, who's face was just as scarlet as her hair and her jaw was tightly set; Harry's heart lurched at the sight.
He then, in turn, looked each Slytherin in the eye; Standing to Draco's immediate left, clutching his arm, was a pug-faced surly girl Harry knew to be Daisy Parkinson. Standing behind them, Harry immediately recognized Vincent Crabbe jr and Gregory Goyle jr, who were quite large in stature for a pair of third years. And to Draco's right, stood a dark girl with high cheekbones and indigo eyes, whom Harry had seen around in previous years, but did not know..
"Well, Potter?" Inquired Draco, snapping Harry from his thoughts. "What ARE you going to do about it, I said!"
"I'll tell you what I'm going to do.." growled Harry, reaching deep into his robes for his wand.
"Easy, now. School hasn't even started and you two are already going at it? Save it for later on in the year, please.." said a handsome boy who stood tall over Harry's head.
"Pft. Who do you think you are, Diggory?" Asked Draco, but began to twitch when he saw the boy reach into his robes also.
"Y-You know what? I don't have time for this." said Draco, taking a small step back. "C'mon guys, the carriages are arriving.." He took the opportunity to shove past Harry and the handsome boy as he wandered off towards the arriving carriages; The other Slytherins mimiced his action and followed after him.
Harry sighed, pulling his hand from his robes. "Thanks Fredric.." Harry mumbled to the handsome boy, offering his hand. The boy laughed and shook it.
"Not a problem.." Said Fredric, running a hand through his thick brown hair. "Damn Slytherins think they own the place. Luckily, I only have to witness this sort of behavior for 2 more years, you know?"
Harry nodded. He didn't 'know', but..nodding seemed like the most appropriate thing to do, so..he nodded.
"So, I'll see you around, then.." Fredric said with a smile before wandering off.
Harry turned to find Will and Caitlin standing near Germione.
"All right, Germy?" Asked Harry, resting a hand on his good friend's shoulder.
"All right.." Germione mumbled, staring off into the distance. Harry frowned. 'This doesn't look good..' He turned to look at Caitlin, who was also staring into the same distance. '..What the..?'
"What are you two looking at..?" asked Harry, turning to take a look for himself. His gaze was met with Fredric Diggory chatting it up near a few 6th year girls; turning to look back at Caitlin and Germione, he found the same dazed look planted on both of their faces (Though, on Caitlin, Harry found that hers just came..naturally). '..You've got to be kidding me..'
The Great Hall, 7:18 p.m.
The Great Hall, with its four long House tables and its staff table set at the top of the room, was decorated as usual with floating candles that made the plates below glitter and glow. The traditional sorting of the first years went on as par usual, and was followed by the traditional 'Welcome to Hogwarts' speech by the head of the house. Harry only half listened to this, for his growling stomach tuned out the rest; he stared into his empty golden goblet, becoming quite happy when the words "Tuck in!" spilled from McGonagall's lips and the plates miraculously filled with food.
"About time.." Germy said through a mouthful of chicken. "I was afraid I wasn't even going to make it to the feast..". Bits of food flew from her mouth and landed across the table.
Will peered at his sister from over a book about Runes, making a face. "Please, please, PLEASE..Keep your mouth shut while you're eating. I like bathing in water, not in soggy bits of corn.."
"Sorry!" Blurted Germy, sending more food flying.
Will shook his head before turning his attention to Harry. "So..wheres Caitlin..?" He asked airily, causually turning the page of his book.
"She's, uh..In McGonagall's office. She's waiting to find out what house she'll be put into.." said Harry, helping himself to some treacle tart. "I really hope McGonagall puts her in Gryfindor.."
Germione made sort of an agitated sound, thrusting more food into her mouth.
"Take it easy!" hissed Will, lowering his book. "Seriously. You want mum comming down here and embarassing you infront of everyone like she did last year? You know she won't hesitate, you know. Look, she's watching you now.."
Germione looked up at the staff table and, sure enough, Hermione-Granger Weasley glared back at her. After a short pause, Germione lowered her fork.
"I think I just lost my appitite.." Germy mumbled, rising from her seat. "I'm going to go to bed. See you two later.." She quickly rushed out of the Great Hall, occasionally glancing back at the staff table as she did so.
15 minutes later, the food completely cleared from everyones plates and the Students began emptying into the entrance hall. A little ways ahead of Harry, Draco and his band of Slytherins were heading towards their dorms; They looked back at Harry and Will, before bursting out with laughter.
"Wonder what they're laughing about.." Will mumbled as he began to climb the grand staircase that lead to the Gryfindor Common room.
Harry shrugged; He wasn't really worried about what Draco had to say, or anyone else for that matter. He wasn't going to let last year repeat itself. He was going to buckle down, excell in his classes (especially potions) and perhaps maybe win the Quidditch cup this year for his team. ..And maybe, just maybe if he had the time, learn an effective spell that would shut Draco's ass up once and for all..
TO BE CONTINUED..