The Express

Harry read Triplanetary, a novel by E. E. Smith, in the rearmost compartment of the Express when a bushy-haired girl wandered by, looking for an empty compartment. He knew that Hermione was a bit anxious about the new school and circumstances and would have preferred to travel alone. Still, traveling with him without Ron around was bound to be better than any alternative.

It had to be admitted, but Harry hadn't been a genius back in his first life, and probably wasn't one now. He just had a lot of experience and perfect recall which allowed him to emulate being one. Hermione, on the other hand, was a genius. Now, and in all of his lives.

Ron had a sort of wisdom to him but it tended to manifest after having five kids, so Harry often didn't bother with him. He was pleasant enough company if you were of age with him, but with an age gap measured in millennia his antics got a bit old.

Harry was expecting the school to be boring, with some quirks here and there. After all, no one in Hogwarts got even close to his experience, skill, or ability, including all the professors.

"Hey, what are you looking for? Did you lose something?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Oh, no. Just looking for an empty compartment. There seem to be none, though."

Harry shrugged. "If that's the case, you're welcome to share mine. Harry Potter," he said and offered his hand.

Hermione started to reach for it when she stopped. "The Harry Potter? From Modern Magical History and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century?"

Harry reached over and shook her hand before getting back to his seat. "Well, no. I was raised by my muggle aunt and his husband, and I've been there ever since my parents died, so most of what the books have on me must be fabrications."

Hermione had been dragging her luggage in but stopped when she heard that. "But they're books!"

Harry smiled. "You've heard of fiction, right?"

"But they're nonfiction books!"

"Really? Who interprets history? How do they know what they claim they know? As far as I know I'm the only person who survived what happened, and I've certainly never given an interview. Sirius Black and Hagrid came to the scene after the house was destroyed in whatever happened, and Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall went straight to my aunt's place to wait for Hagrid to bring me to them. So I ask again, how do they know what they claim to know?"

Hermione went silent and dragged her luggage inside the compartment and Harry helped her to lift it to the rack above the benches. "Okay, I see what you mean. But why write about it the way they did, then?"

Harry shrugged. "To sell books? Perhaps that's a bit cynical of me."

Hermione started to worry her thumbnail. "I wonder how many books do that? Mix fiction in with nonfiction, I mean?"

"I don't really know. Probably most history books since very few of them are written by those involved, and even they can't know everything that happened. Most of it is hopefully reliable hearsay. I'd hope most books about hard sciences like math and biology are rather exempt of it."

Hermione looked up at Harry, realizing something. "You don't sound like a child. I mean, you sound a bit like me, but even more teacher-y."

"I'm older than I look, or something like that."

"I guess it's that 'old soul' thing that Dad sometimes talks about."

Harry shrugged. "Maybe. Now what House do you think you're going to be sorted? Ravenclaw?"

Hermione shook her head. "I hope not. I want to be Gryffindor, just like Dumbledore."

"Really? I'd thought that the House of the smart would have been a better fit. That's where I hope to end up in."

"But you're Harry Potter! Surely you'll go to Gryffindor!"

"Why would I? It's not like I've had to be especially courageous, loyal, or cunning. I'm sort of smart, though, so I think Ravenclaw would be the best fit."

The compartment door opened again and Neville Longbottom peeked in. "Have you seen a toad? I lost Trevor and can't find him anywhere."

"Sorry, no," Harry answered. "Why don't you go ask a Prefect? I'm sure they'd help you."

"I did! They just laughed and told me to go look for it myself!"

Harry rose up and walked out of the compartment, Hermione following and Neville giving way. "Let's go see them again. I bet Hufflepuff prefects won't laugh. What color were their badges, the ones who laughed?"

"I don't remember. Maybe green?"

"Green is for Slytherins, red for Gryffindor, blue for Ravenclaw, and yellow for Hufflepuff. So Slytherins, then. Somehow I'm not surprised."

They walked through the train, occasionally dodging other who were out of their compartments, until they came across a couple of prefects. Harry checked out their badge colors rather obviously, but he already knew that one of them was a Gryffindor, and the second a Slytherin. They had been bickering before Harry and his companions arrived.

"Hey, you're prefects, right? Neville here lost his toad and needs help to locate it."

"So look for it, midget," the Slytherin said.

"Yeah, we have better things to do," the Gryffindor said and glanced at the Slytherin.

"But aren't you supposed to help students?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Sure, we'll help students. You're not students, though, not yet," the Slytherin replied.

"OK, sure. Hermione, Neville, let's keep going," Harry said.

As they continued their trek towards the front of the train they heard the two prefects start bickering again. "Well, those two really represented their houses well."

"Maybe they were just busy," Hermione said.

"Right. You heard them just as well as I did. They didn't even consider us worthy of their time, and I doubt it was because we aren't students yet."

Neville was just nodding when Harry spoke, walking forward with his eyes down. After a couple of minutes they got to the prefects' compartment and Harry knocked on the door. A prefect with a red-backed badge opened the door.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Neville's lost his toad, could someone please help us find it?"

"It's his responsibility, isn't it? Why should we help?"

Harry stared at him. "Did you really just ask if you should help an eleven-year-old?"

Another prefect came to the door looking what was happening. He wore a yellow-backed Hufflepuff badge. "What's going on in here?"

Before the first prefect could answer, Harry opened his mouth. "This Gryffindor seems to think it's beneath him to help eleven-year-olds who haven't even been Sorted yet."

The Hufflepuff glared at the other prefect with such fury that the Gryffindor lifted his hands up to shield himself while he stepped back into the compartment. "Peace, Gabriel. I didn't mean anything by it."

Once Gabriel had determined that the Gryffindor was sufficiently cowed, he turned back to us. "Now, how can I help you?"

Harry looked at Neville, encouraging him to speak. "I... I lost my toad. Trevor. I can't find him anywhere and the prefects-" Neville stopped in horror, realizing that he had been about to criticize prefects in front of one.

Harry filled the silence. "The prefects we've met this far haven't been inclined to help us. Slytherins and Gryffindors, haven't yet seen others."

Gabriel grimaced. "Yeah, we've been having meetings back to back, only a couple of us patrolling the train. I didn't realize it was just Gryffindors and Slytherins, though. Even a Ravenclaw would have been better, although they tend to be a bit impersonal. Would have helped you, though."

Hermione was a bit nervous. "Err... Is that common? Ignoring younger students like that?"

Gabriel hesitated before sighing. "I'm afraid it is, for too many. Slytherin's prefects tend to stick to helping only Slytherins, and some Gryffindors help anyone not Slytherin whenever they're actually inclined to do their duties. Ravenclaws are so engrossed in whatever they're thinking that they often miss things happening right in front of them. Most of the real prefect work is done by us Hufflepuffs, although that shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone." The state of affairs seemed to weigh on him quite a bit. Then he perked up. "A lost toad, you say? Would you happen to have something of his?"

Neville froze and nervously looked around. "Well, yes..." He pulled out a string with a large bug tied to one end of it. "His favorite toy."

Gabriel took the string and nodded. "Avenseguim."

The bug at the end of the string took flight, and we followed it. The path it flew was a bit erratic but luckily it didn't matter since it was still attached to the string. We had to walk almost back to our compartment before the bug started to buzz against one of the compartment doors. Gabriel knocked on it. "Open up."

After a couple of seconds Vincent Crabbe opened the door, ready to pound on anyone stupid enough to disturb them. It took him an embarrassing number of seconds to realize Gabriel was older and bigger than him, and a prefect to boot. "It's a prefect," he said over his shoulder. Draco Malfoy rose up from his seat and came to the door while Crabbe went behind him to hover.

"So what's this about?" Draco drawled.

"Have you seen a toad in your compartment? Mind if we take a look?"

Draco managed to look really baffled. Apparently a lost toad wasn't something he had been expecting. "Uh, sure."

As soon as Gabriel got in the bug on the end of the string flew up on the luggage shelf, and a toad's tongue flashed out and grabbed it. Apparently the toad knew what was what as he let go of the toy as soon as he realized what it was. Draco looked up at it genuinely surprised. "How did that get up there?"

Gabriel shrugged. "Magical animals tend to be really sneaky when they want to, in addition to all the other trouble they get to."

While the prefect was grabbing the toad from the shelf, Draco seemed to notice the rest of them. His eyes glided right past Hermione as if she wasn't there and stopped at Neville in gleeful recognition. "Longbottom, is that your pet? I can't believe you have a toad."

Neville inched a bit behind Harry and didn't answer.

"And who is this then?" Draco said and turned to face Harry. Once his eyes got up to his scar, his eyes widened. "Harry Potter!"

"Yeah, that's me."

"What are you doing with Longbottom and whoever that is? You can definitely do better."

Harry lifted his left eyebrow. "Oh? I could say the same about your friends."

Draco actually flinched at that one, but rallied almost instantly. "They're hardly friends, more like employees, really."

"I see. Well, I see that Gabriel got Trevor, so I'll leave you with your employees. I believe we need to go somewhere not here."

Gabriel stepped out to the corridor and handed Trevor to Neville. "Will you be alright from here?"

Harry pointed at his and Hermione's compartment. "We're just over there, I'm sure we can handle that distance. Neville, would you like to join us?"

Neville hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "Yeah, let me go get my trunk, it's just over there in the other section."

Harry turned to Gabriel. "Could you help him with that? Those trunks are heavy."

"Sure. We'll be back in a jiffy."

Harry and Hermione walked back to their compartment and left the door open. After a couple of minutes Neville and Gabriel came, Neville's trunk levitating in front of them. Meanwhile, Hermione and Harry had set up their places like they wanted them, both having books out on a small table that folded against the wall.

Soon Gabriel had said his goodbyes and Harry had locked the compartment door. He didn't want Malfoy barging in, and knew that the witch with the trolley full of sweets was going to knock on the door when she got to the end of the train. She wouldn't have every item available at that point, but enough to demonstrate Wizarding sweets to Hermione.

"Those prefects were horrible," Hermione said.

"I thought Gabriel was nice," Neville replied.

"He was," Harry agreed. "Not all prefects are like those we met. But the divisions at Hogwarts have grown, from what I've understood."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked. "I thought Hogwarts was the best school of magic in Britain?"

"Sure, but that doesn't really mean much when it's just about the only school of magic in Britain."

They ate candy for some time before Harry continued, thinking aloud.

"I think I'll ask the Hat to be sorted into Slytherin. I understand from what I read that they used to be smart in addition to being devious and ambitious. These days they appear to be only bullies, and I think I can do something about it," Harry said.

Neville's looked stunned. "Harry Potter, sorted into Slytherin? People will go nuts!"

"Why?"

"Because you beat the Dark Lord. Everyone thinks you are destined for Gryffindor."

"That's ridiculous. What if I had really been a horrible person? My Muggle family isn't really the kind to foster positive demeanor."

Neville opened his mouth to say something, then shut it looking thoughtful. "I guess it doesn't make any sense. Sorry."

Harry waved Neville's apology off. "Don't worry. I've noticed Wizarding people are pretty superstitious lot. Doesn't really bother me unless my friends can't see beyond that."

"Friends?" Neville asked hopefully.

"Sure. You've already been to one adventure with me, quite successfully I might add. If that doesn't forge bonds of friendship, I don't know what does."

Hermione chuckled. "I thought you just said something about superstitions?"

Harry scoffed. "That's not superstition, it's psychology. It's how people work. Spending time, especially significant events, together creates bonds. Often those bonds are at least beginnings of friendships."

There was a moment of silence as the other two thought about what Harry had said.

"Do you think I should try to reform the Gryffindor? They were quite rude," Hermione asked.

"Only if you want to. I still think you'd do better at Ravenclaw. I think you wouldn't really enjoy being in Gryffindor as they seem to be. What about you, Neville?"

Neville thought for a while. Harry knew he was thinking about his grandmother's reaction if he ended up anywhere but Gryffindor. "I... I think I could maybe try changing Gryffindor."

"Are you sure? I know that the Longbottoms have a tendency to end up Gryffindor, but I think you might find Hufflepuff a better fit. At least they're hardworking and loyal, something I think you would be. Of course, you can be those things in Gryffindor, too."

Neville looked a bit ill for a moment, but then squared his shoulders. "I'll do it. I go to Gryffindor if possible. I don't really like what they seem to be, it doesn't really match what Gran told about them."

"Take everything adults say about Hogwarts life with a pinch of salt, Neville. Memories grow sweeter with time. I have to agree, though, Houses Gryffindor and Slytherin have grown apart from what they were meant to be since the last War, and maybe even before that, their enmity bringing the worst in them forward."

Hermione looked at Harry searchingly. "Are you sure you're eleven? You sound like my Dad."

Harry grimaced. "I'm cursed with perfect recall. I can't forget anything, so I've had to deal with all of it my whole life. I think acting, or being, older than I am is a defense mechanism."

"You remember everything?!" Hermione wondered.

Harry looked at her tiredly. "It's not all that great, Hermione. Have you ever been punished for being bad? Have you been really sad? Have you been hurt? Now imagine remembering all that with perfect clarity. Imagine seeing someone else hurt and remembering exactly how it felt to be hurt yourself. Imagine seeing someone cry and remembering exactly all the reasons why you've ever cried."

Hermione had been in the process of looking through her books, probably to test Harry's memory, but her movements slowed, and she sat back down. "I- I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Just don't be jealous of this, since I really think that there are too many downsides compared to the upsides. I wouldn't wish this to anyone."

There was a knock from the door, and Harry went to open it. On the other side was the witch with the trolley, and Harry bought a bit of everything for the three of them.

"These are Chocolate Frogs," Harry said to Hermione, handing her one. "They've been enchanted to move pretty realistically, so be careful when opening the package. They also contain a collectible card."

Harry took a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and started munching on them. He especially liked eating more than one at once, but never more than five. "Be careful with these, they can taste like literally anything. Although, for some reason, you always know what the taste is, even if you've never tasted it before." Harry took a bean from the box and plopped it into his mouth. "Eww. Crocodile stomach lining."

Neville stuck with Honeyduke's Best Chocolate and Cauldron Cakes. Harry also took out a picnic basket from his chest, divvying up the many sandwiches he had there, with bottles of strawberry and blueberry juice. Hermione dug out a bag with a few sandwiches and a bottle of water, while Neville fetched, with difficulty, a small cauldron full of fish stew and two bowls.

"I'm sorry, I think Gran didn't think I'd make many friends," Neville apologized.

Harry smiled. "Don't worry," he said and took out his wand. "Geminio." One of the bowls was copied and now they had three.

Hermione's eyes were wide open, a look of utter astonishment on her face. "That's the Doubling Charm! It's a sixth-year spell!"

"Yeah. And?"

"How can you- Oh, that's not fair!"

Neville looked from Hermione to a smirking Harry. "Did I miss something?"

"He's read all the books already!"

"Well, not all the books," Harry deflected.

"All school books! You know what I mean!"

Neville still looked uncertain. "But there's more to spellcasting than books, right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I had to learn the different ways wands are moved and..."

"It doesn't matter!" Hermione interrupted. "He needs to get it right once, and then he'll always remember it. That's so-"

"Unfair?" Harry interrupted. "If you really feel like that I'll try to look for a spell to give you perfect recall, at least temporarily. Then you can tell me if this is unfair."

Hermione sat back down, having jumped up on her feet in her moment of aggravation. "Fine."

Harry finished off his bowl of soup, two sandwiches, and another handful of beans in the silence that followed. "So, I'll go to Slytherin, Neville to Gryffindor, and Hermione, you go to Ravenclaw?"

Hermione hesitated. "I guess so. Unless Neville wants me in Gryffindor?"

Neville shook his head. "Better if I do it alone. Prove to myself and everyone that I can do it. But how are we going to keep in touch? I don't think students from different houses hang out much."

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Harry said and smiled.