Magical Origins
Year 1: The Journey Begins
Harry's last month with the Dursley's wasn't that fun. In truth, the Dursley's were now petrified that Harry had a wand. It was now their most significant fears that if they upset Harry, he would turn them into toads or something else, possible into a slug. Harry didn't tell them he couldn't do magic, so it was fun watching Dudley run out of the room whenever Harry entered. The first few times, Harry could have sworn Dudley ran out, squealing like a piglet.
Harry first read his Magical Theory to understand the grasp of magic, and after reading and studying the book, he was finally able to move water around much better. It still wasn't like it was a year ago, but it was a significant improvement.
Harry got over his shock when Owl's started flying into his bedroom, carrying parcels he ordered from Diagon Alley. He was beginning to get used to the feeling of owls coming into his room. So he wasn't surprised to see a screech owl land in his room with a letter. This letter also boards the Hogwarts Crest.
'To Mr. Harry J. Potter, as a reminder that all first years the school term will begin on September 1st, 1991. You will board the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross no later than 11:00 sharp. Any questions or regarding boarding Platform 9¾ you can ask the station guard standing by the barrier between the muggle platform 9 and 10.
Hogwarts wishes you a warm welcome, and we look forward to seeing you on September 1st for your sorting.
Sincerely Professor Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress'
Harry was excited. He was really going. Inside his letter was a ticket that looked like it was almost gold but didn't seem to shine in the sunlight. The slight problem was he didn't have a way to get to Kings Cross, so he decided the only way to get there was to swallow his pride and ask his stubborn uncle for a lift.
Walking down, he saw the three Dursley were watching T.V. He cleared his throat to announce his presence in the room. Dudley got up and quickly left the room; seeing the birds outside seem to be very interesting to him.
"Uncle Vernon," Harry said in a slow voice. Years of experience taught him to stay clear out of his uncle's way whenever he was ready to let loose, and Harry wanted a head start in case his uncle decided to get violent. "I need a ride to Kings Cross tomorrow. I need to be there at Ten O'Clock." Harry stated. Vernon said nothing, but his eyes weren't moving, so Harry knew he was listening. "It's so I can go to school. I have no way to get there, yet but this is a one time deal. After tomorrow you won't have to bother taking me there again." Harry said slowly. He figured he could find some way to get there magically. Vernon grunted, and Harry took that as a 'yes.' Seeing no reason to stay, Harry started up the stairs to his room when his uncle spoke.
"A funny way to gets to a freak school by train. Wouldn't magic carpets be more suffice?" Uncle Vernon said.
"Maybe, but there are a lot of students, I would assume. I also would assume that wizards and witches don't want to draw attention to they would blend in." Harry said. Harry stops and paused. Was it possible that wizards and witches keeping an eye on him? He knew he was famous for vanquishing the previous Dark Lord, so would several witches and wizards be keeping an eye on him just to make sure he was safe without his knowledge. It would explain how so many people who seem to know him would vanish so quickly.
"Alright, I'll take you to your bloody school. Only because I don't bloody want you here during the rest of the year and getting you to leave for ten months is a blessing in disguise even if I disagree with how you are spending it."
"Thank you," Harry said as he went up the stairs knowing no more words would be needed. Harry knew at eleven o'clock the train would be most likely pack and it would be impossible to find a seat or a compartment. Assuming the train had compartments. He had no idea what was in store for him, the only thing he knew was he couldn't wait to go. He could even deal with freckles being there as long as the two of them were not in the same house. After reading each house, he wasn't sure which one he wanted to go to. All of them sounded by far great. Each one giving a strong skill set for him. He also wondered how he was going to be sorted. In Hogwarts a History, it didn't tell him how he would be sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses.
Harry decided to pack his stuff. He looked over to Hedwig's cage and couldn't help but smile at the beautiful snow-white owl. She was young but brilliant. Almost immediately, Harry had created a powerful bond with his first and only pet. He was even beginning to see her more than a pet, but actually more as a friend. Hedwig seemed to agree with Harry on many things, mostly how he hated his family and wanted to find a place of his own as soon as he could.
He opens the first lock and started putting his books inside. He was surprised to see how much space there seemed to be. After locking it, he moved to his second lock and put all his robes inside. He separated his school robes from his casual robes. Knowing full well, he would have to pay great attention to what he wore and how he wore it. He also figured he would wear his school robes when he arrived. After locking up the second lock, he turns to the third and puts all of his potions ingredients inside carefully. As for the fourth lock, he had no idea what to put inside of it. So he just left it empty for the time being.
Harry turns to Hedwig and couldn't help but smile.
"Tomorrow's our big day, Hedwig. I can't wait to go to Hogwarts. I hope I do well, I would be ashamed if I was a bad wizard at magic." Harry said. He laid down on his bed, thinking about the life he would have at Hogwarts. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep, dreaming away about the world of magic.
The next day, Harry's trunk was pack inside the Dursley's car, and the whole family was off to Kings Cross. Though Aunt Petunia had to convince Dudley, he won't turn into a toad if he sat next to him. What surprised Harry the most was how kind the Dursley's were treating him. Uncle Vernon even helped Harry unpacked his trunk and put it on the platform for him. His intentions soon became apparent.
"Where there is platform 9 and platform 10. Your school train platform form should be there somewhere in the middle. Perhaps they haven't built it yet. Have a good term." Vernon said as he disappeared into his car, laughing with his family.
Harry stood there, angry at Vernon's words, but he knew it wouldn't let him down. He already knew how to get on the platform if he guessed it right. Harry wasn't sure how to bypass the barrier that guarded the platform. So he looks at the platform in hopes of finding clues. Before he could even spot a flow in the barrier, he notices a group of teenagers with an owl disappeared into a pillar. The muggle didn't notice and kept to their business. Believing he figured it out, Harry walked forward and headed towards that pillar. He walked through the pillar and was pleased that when he stepped forward, a magical sign that was holding itself up in front of him said 'Hogwarts Express' and the red train was steaming with life. There were very few people around the train, seeing that it was barely a little after ten o'clock. Knowing he had plenty of time, Harry quickly went and got a compartment.
Harry knew magic was incredible, but this he wasn't expecting. The compartment seemed to be enchanted to be the size of a vast room. Harry put his trunk up and threw himself on the seat, admiring how warm and soft they felt.
He grabbed his robes from his trunk and put them on as well as the new shoes and glasses he ordered from the catalog in Diagon Alley. He put on his new glasses and was surprised to see how well he could see. They could be at least three times better than the glasses his aunt had given him.
Harry was glad he didn't reveal all the new things he had to the Dursley's. He was almost positive that Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon would destroy them if they couldn't, they would confiscate them.
Harry grabbed his book The Standard Book of Spells Grade One by Miranda Goshawk. He was enjoying reading all the spells there were and was beginning to learn the many different mending charms there were.
The train gave a loud whistle, signaling to all that the train was leaving. Harry looked outside and realized that the sun was higher than it was a few minutes ago. Clearly, he was caught up in his reading.
The compartment door opens, and Harry looks at the person who enters and groans.
"Of all the compartments on this train, I just had to choose the one with you on board," Liliana said in a disappointed tone.
"Then leave if you don't want to stay in my company," Harry said as he turns the page to his book.
Liliana sets her trunk up the rank and sat down next to Harry. They said nothing as Harry continued to read his book and practicing his wand movement. It was clear Liliana was bored and wanted to speak to someone about her excitement about going to Hogwarts. The train was passing through the countryside, but not a word had been uttered. Finally, she could hold it in no longer and spoke to Harry.
"Do you know what house you'll be in?" She finally asked. Harry did what he did best when Vernon would lash out and yell out him, he stayed quiet.
"Come on, talk to me, don't you want to mend our disagreement?" Liliana begged him.
"Not really freckles," Harry said as he turns another page.
"Ok, my name is not 'freckles' it's Liliana, my friends call me Lily. So call me that, at least, if you're going to be my friend," Lily said in a bit of a rant.
"Who says I'm your friend?" Harry said behind his book. He was starting to smirk at how she was getting frustrated.
"Bloody hell, are you going to be this difficult all year? You do realize we could end up in the same house together, right? Why won't you say something, or are you incapable because you're a bloody ass?" Lily exploded in his face.
"No, because I found you a nuisance," Harry stated calmly.
Harry smirk at the look of shock on her face must have told the whole story.
The compartment door slid opens a bushy girl stood there already dress her in school robes.
"I'm sorry, but has any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one." The girl said.
"Haven't seen it," Harry remarked, coldly behind his book.
"Or are you studying magic, do you know any?"
"If I did, I wouldn't show you," Harry replied.
"Well, I've already learned all the spells in our books. They come naturally to me. Although that surprised me as no one in my family can use magic. My parents were so proud when they learn I was a witch and could use magic. Does either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, Gryffindor sounds like the best so far, but I could do in Ravenclaw, it doesn't sound too bad." Hermione said in one breath. Lily was staring at Hermione like she had a second head.
"Why do you want to be in Gryffindor?" Harry asked.
"Well, mostly because Dumbledore was in it, don't you know? He's like the greatest wizard of modern time. Many claims he's the strongest wizard on the planet." Hermione said.
"You're stupid," Harry said. He did know that he did some of his own background reading on Hogwarts and learn much of Dumbledore's history. What he felt was stupid was that she was following someone's shadow like a personal lapdog instead of trying to find herself. Hermione looked hurt at his comment.
"Don't be so mean Potter; she is merely stating her reasons." Lily snapped.
"I think Gryffindor would be great, I also like it. I'm Liliana Morris, by the way, and this idiot who has a rude mouth is Harry Potter." Lily stated calmly.
"Harry Potter! I know all about you, I've done some of my own research on you. As well as a couple other books for light reading. You're in Modern Magical History, the Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."
"Do I look like I care?" Harry snapped. He was starting to get annoyed by this Hermione Granger.
"He's like that, rude to everyone. It's a wonder he doesn't have any friends." Lily said as she started to giggle. Harry merely raised an eyebrow. In truth, he never had a friend, thanks to Dudley and his gang. They made sure that any person who befriended Harry would get their asses handed to them. They scared everyone away from him so he would be alone, and for years while he craved a friend, he learns how to cope and deal with things on his own.
"Well, I better get back; Neville is still looking for his toad. I did promise I would help him." Hermione said as she got up and left.
"You didn't have to be rude to her." Lily snapped at Harry, who was suddenly taken back when Lily hit him with her own book against his legs.
"You don't have to hit me, you bloody violent troll," Harry said while rubbing his now somewhat bruised legs.
"You were completely out of line. You could have just told Hermione she was annoying you instead of insulting her." Lily said as she tried to hit Harry again, but Harry scouted away from her to keep out of her reach. Instead, Lily threw her book at Harry's head. Harry moved to the side, narrowly missing a head-on hit.
"You're too violent for my taste. I would feel sorry for the bastard who is going to be friends with you." Harry stated. Harry got out of his seat quickly like a cat and started dodging all the books that were being thrown at him. "Like I said, you're too god damn violent," Harry stated after Lily and stop throwing things at him and taken a breather.
"You still could have been nicer," Lily said as she sat down.
"I'm nice to those who deserve it, not because people demand it," Harry said.
Lily said nothing and was unable to think of a way to insult him and couldn't help but agree with his logic. Even if she didn't like his logic.
The trained continued onwards heading north, and soon, they had passed the farmlands and were heading into places were most civilizations hadn't touch yet.
The door opens again, and an elderly witch pops in.
"Anything off the trolley dears?" She asked.
Harry and Lily both got up. They both bought a bit of everything. They sat down in silence, eating their snacks in peace. The little fight they just had moments ago seemed to have disappeared from their minds.
The door opens again, a red-haired boy with dirt on his nose walked in.
"Can I sit in here? I really can't find anyone else to sit with." The boy said.
"Go ahead, it would be nice to talk with someone instead of Mr. Sunshine over there," Lily said as she pointed her fingers towards Harry. Harry said nothing but continued reading his book.
"I'm Ron, by the way, Ron Weasley."
"Liliana Morris, but you can call me Lily. This blockhead is Harry Potter." Lily said.
"Harry Potter? Are you kidding me? Can I see it." Ron asked in a voice that said he was way too excited.
"See what?" Harry said. Like with Granger, he was starting to feel annoyed with this Weasley as well.
"The scar, you know, the scar You-Know-Who gave you," Ron said.
Harry didn't do anything. Only kept reading though his face was clearly red with anger. Ron taking that as a no-decision to push it even it a bit further.
"Do you remember what happens? Or even what You-Know-Who looks like?" Ron asked.
"Sure, I do. He was laughing as he killed my parents before he tried to kill me, but the spell backfired, causing a massive explosion that vaporized him." Harry snapped.
Ron stared at him in awe while Lily looks disgusted at the blatant lie.
"Really," Ron said in an awed tone of voice.
"No you dip shit, I was a year old, of course, I wouldn't have remembered." Harry snapped.
"Oh," Ron said as he just sat there.
Harry just sat there, annoyed by the red head's outburst.
The compartment door slides open, and a blond boy stood there with two goons that look like Guerillas.
"Is it true, people are saying Harry Potter is in this compartment, so I would take that's you is it not." The blond boy said in a voice that clearly stated he was a standing figure. Judging by how he dressed, Harry could tell he came from a family of upper-class status.
"And if I am," Harry replied coolly. The boy seemed taken back by Harry's remark, but he stood his ground and spoke again. His voice seemed to be filled with arrogance.
"I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." The boy said as he introduces himself. Ron snorted at his name and tried to his laughter. "Think my name is funny, do you. No need to ask for who you are, red hair, second hand me downs, freckles on your face, not to mention having rude manners. You must be a Weasley. A disgrace to the name of wizards your family is." Draco said in disgust.
"You're the rotten apple here, Malfoy. Everyone knows how your family loves the Dark Arts but got away with their crimes because they paid off the Ministry." Ron snapped back.
"My father was innocent of the crimes he was convicted." Draco snarled. "He has been working very hard for ten years to repay for his sins, and the Ministry obvious agrees that he has his debt indefinitely. What has your family done that is so great? Your family can't even get a decent job." Draco said with proud.
Ron stood up and held up his wand to Draco's face. Draco, for a moment, was scared, but he soon caught onto Ron's bluff. It was clear he didn't know any magic.
"Let me tell you something, Potter. Some people in the wizarding world are much better than others. I can show you what he means to be a proper wizard if you like." Draco walked forward and held out his hand. Harry merely looked at him with a raised eye.
"As honor as I am to have someone show me how things are being done at Hogwarts, I think I rather see how things are done myself before rushing into any kind of judgment," Harry stated coolly. Though he didn't say it, he denied Malfoy's invitation. Lily giggles behind her hand. Draco turns to look at her.
"I don't recognize you? You're not a pure-blood, are you?" Draco demanded.
"What's pureblood?" Lily asked, confused with his reference. Draco gave a snort of disgust.
"As I thought, a muggle-born. We don't need your kind infesting our world. You should be careful who you hang out with Potter, or you may end up like your parents." Draco stated.
Before Draco could utter another word, Harry waved his wand and fired a Knockback Jinx at Draco. A loud crash was heard as Malfoy was launch off his feet and crashed into his two somewhat bodyguard goons.
Malfoy got up before he said, "You'll pay for that, Potter." He stormed off with his friends calling for him.
"That was amazing, can you show me that?" Ron asked in amazement.
"Sure," Harry said as he waved his wand, and a blue light hit Ron that caused him too also be thrown out of the compartment. Harry got up and slammed the door shut.
"You're mean you know that," Lily said as she picked up a chocolate frog and took a bit.
"I don't have time to deal with brainless idiots," Harry said as he began to finish his own treats.
"It's getting dark, do you think we are nearly there?" Lily asked.
"Most likely, the train is slowing down, you should get dressed."
"Get out," Lily said.
"No, you found somewhere else to change," Harry said.
Lily said nothing but soon began to assault Harry before she threw him out and lock the compartment so she could change.
"Goddamn violent woman," Harry muttered as he nursed his head. He was thankful she didn't give him a black eye. Harry got up and waited for five minutes. She opens the compartment door, and she stood in her black robes quite well. The train had come to a complete stop.
"Took your time," Harry muttered as he put his books in his bag. A voice seems to appear inside the compartment speaking for the first time.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, please leave your luggage on the train as they will be taken to the school separately." The voice said before it disappeared.
Harry quickly stuffs the last of his treats in his pockets before locking up his trunk, knowing everything was inside. Lily was taking a bit longer, seeing how she throw most of her books at him earlier.
"You could help me." She said in annoyance.
"You toss them at me, I had nothing to do with it, so you clean it," Harry said as he watches Lily picks the last of her books inside her trunk before she closed it. They both got off the train and look around a bit confused as to what to do next.
"All first years, first years this way." A giant's voice called out. A lot of the first years seemed to impress with Hagrid's height. Others were trying to bundle up tightly together in fear that the giant man would turn to eat them. Harry turns to see Hagrid standing with a lantern Harry walked forward before leading them to the boats.
"No more than four to a boat," Hagrid called out happily. Harry got in, followed by Lily, who didn't seem like she wanted to be separated. Harry silently prayed and hope they were not going to end up in the same house, he didn't like she was so clingy. They were soon joined by a small perky little boy who seemed very shy and half scared of his own shadow followed by a dark skin boy who appears to be very silent and didn't care where he ended up. Hagrid ended up taking a whole boat to himself.
"Alright, everyone in? Forward." The giant said, and the boats took off will all ten boats shot forward across the lake. The boats moved slowly, but they seemed to be heading in a particular direction. Many of the students were whispering to themselves about what was around the next bin. Others were looking around them half-scared something was going to be jumping out of the water.
"You'll be getting sight of Hogwarts in just a second; it's just beyond this mist," Hagrid called out. It was then Harry notices a mist in front of them, and they entered in, and their vision was taken from them. No one screamed, but a panic swept threw the first years like a plague.
It was hard to see who was were, and they could only hear each other's voices. Hagrid tried to assure the first years they were perfectly safe as long as they stayed in the boats. Some showed signs of panicking and wanting to jump out of the boats.
Then they broke clear of the mist, and Harry says a magnificent sight indeed. A giant castle stood looming in the darkness with hits lights shining as if it was the moon itself. Harry couldn't help but feel enchanted upon the sight.
A/N: Ok, many of you are wondering why I had Lily stay with Harry during the Hogwarts Express, well that's because he's the only person she really knows even if it's not in a good way. She was also trying to let bygones be bygones, but Harry didn't trust her because she has a short temper. (Don't most girls have short tempers?) So she stayed with him and as usual got violent.
I wanted Harry to reject both Malfoy and Ron utterly because well, Malfoy's pathetic at that age, and Ron is just a pig plain and simple. Harry knew he can find better friends so he'll try to look for his own in his own house.
Can anyone guess which house they are going to be going in? I'm going to write the next chapter as soon as possible.
