Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
START OF SECOND YEAR HERE WE GO!
"Thank god the traffic was good!" Luke exclaimed as the two walked leisurely through King's Cross Station - noticeably less stressed and less rushed than last year.
Harry glanced at his watch, "10:40." He noted, "Good. Means I should be able to get a good compartment."
"You'd think, considering that you're all wizards and all that, that they'd be able to spell the train to have enough compartments." Luke mused, "Or maybe just hire a bigger train?" He asked and Harry laughed slightly.
"Whilst they may have magic, it doesn't mean they have common sense." Harry said and the doctor laughed.
"Clearly." He replied, "I mean they haven't figured out your little secret." Luke added wiggling his eyebrows.
"To be fair, it isn't like they'd recognise me - most of them never met me and I was, you know, a baby... I've grown up since then." Harry reasoned.
"Sure... but you'd also think that a simple name change wouldn't throw an entire government off. I read that Daily Prophet newspaper of yours, 'Harry Potter: The Boy Who's Missing'." Luke said, his voice taking on that of a football commentator's as he ran his hands through the air dramatically. "Or," The man said lowering his voice, "The boy who's standing right besides me and goes to the only wizarding school in Britain." He whispered conspiratorially and Harry laughed again.
"No common sense." Harry repeated as the two reached the wall in between platform nine and ten. "Ready?" He asked Luke who was staring at the brick wall apprehensively.
"I don't think I'm ever going to get used to this." Luke muttered, before nodding his head and the two started to run through the wall.
The platform was relatively empty - despite their being only twenty minutes left until the train departed. It was so typical of the wizards though, leaving everything to the last minute. Most of them apparated to the station, or floo-travelled which was why the majority of the people only started arriving at ten, or five to eleven.
"Harry!" A voice called excitedly.
Harry smiled - typical Terry to be early. "Hey." Harry replied, an equally big smile growing on his face as he greeted his best friend.
"Hi Mr Reynolds." Terry greeted Luke. "These are my parents." Terry continued, gesturing to the couple who were trying to catch up to Terry, after his mad dash across the station to greet Harry.
"We've met." Luke smiled nodding to Terry's parents as they began to re-introduce themselves.
Terry took Harry to the side, "C'mon, we need to get a good compartment." He said, starting to tug Harry towards the train.
"I'm just going to get a compartment," Harry called over his shoulder as Terry dragged him, and his trolley full of luggage, to the train. "I'll be back soon." Luke rolled his eyes affectionately at Harry, happy to see him with his friends - happier to see how the childish joy returned to his face when he saw Terry. Harry often acted far too old for his age due to his troubled upbringing, but it seemed like Terry, and Harry's other friends, seemed to bring out his childish side.
"It's been too long my friend." Terry said dramatically, as he heaved his luggage onto the train, before starting to help Harry load his suitcases as well.
"We saw each other two weeks ago when we were getting our school stuff."
Terry turned back to him, an almost affronted look on his face. "Exactly." He said defiantly. "Too long."
Harry laughed as he climbed onto the train and the too started scouring for a compartment. Most of them were empty, but they didn't want to get one too close to the front of the train, as they'd be surrounded by prefects, and they also didn't want one near the back, as that's where the Slytherins always hung out.
"Here." Terry said, as he stepped into a compartment. It was one of the bigger ones on the train, and should be able to fit most of the Ravenclaw first - well, second now - years. Harry peered out of the window and waved at Luke through the glass as they made eye contact. 10:45, Harry's watch read.
"Hey look, its Ant." Terry said, and Harry quickly caught side of Anthony Goldstein, the two waving their arms trying to get his attention. Anthony soon waved back at them, gesturing he'd join them in a second, and the two leaned back onto the seats.
"What do you think about Lockhart being our teacher?" Terry asked as he peered out the window, watching as more and more people filed into the station.
"The textbooks are literally just stories." Harry complained, "Quirrell might not have been the most perfect teacher ever, - may he rest in peace - but at least we actually learnt something - and at least we actually had textbooks."
"I'm going to see if any of the upper years still have their second year textbooks." Terry replied. "I'm guessing DADA is just going to turn into History of Magic 2.0."
"I don't know..." Harry trailed off. "From what we saw of him at the book signing it's more going to be about boosting his own ego and talking about his tales - not sure whether I believe them though."
"I get what you mean." Terry replied. "They do read more like fiction than non-fiction." He continued as Anthony walked in.
"What are you talking about?" He asked after he greeted the two.
"Lockhart." Terry replied and Anthony groaned.
"My mum is obsessed with that guy - no idea why though. You know he used to be a Ravenclaw?" Anthony told them.
"No way!" Terry replied, "That's embarrassing." He moaned. "I don't want to be associated with Lockhart."
"From what I've seen he's thicker than the books he's written." Harry mouthed off before checking his watch again. "I've got to go say goodbye to my dad." Harry said, making his way out of the door before he stopped suddenly. Dad?
"You okay Harry?" Terry asked concerned.
"Um, yeah. No, I'm good." Harry replied before forcing himself to move, trying furiously to push his earlier slip to the back of his head - not that that worked. Dad? He thought over and over again as he made his way through the train. Not that Luke wasn't legally his father, but actually calling him dad?
"Reynolds." Malfoy snarled and Harry's head jerked. Well that was a good distraction from his thoughts.
"Malfoy." Harry replied curtly, before making to move past him.
"I saw your little muggle father out on the platform." Malfoy said with a malicious tone, moving so Harry couldn't get past him.
"Adopted father." Harry replied quickly, almost as a defence mechanism. It felt wrong to diminish James Potter's memory like that. The man had died so Harry could live. His father - his biological father - had died when he was only 21, saving Harry - and how did Harry repay that sacrifice? Calling another man 'dad'. Forgetting about him. Ignoring that he existed. Harry tried to push down the guilt but he couldn't.
"Adopted?" Malfoy asked, his tone becoming softer, but Harry pushed past him, taking the Malfoy heir by surprise as he left the train.
"Harry?" Luke asked concerned as Harry made his way over to him. "You okay?" He asked, putting a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Yeah." Harry replied shortly. "I'm fine." He took in a deep breath trying to calm himself - in the way Luke had taught him too whenever he started to get anxious.
"Harry..." Luke trailed off concerned, clearly noticing Harry's breathing technique to calm himself down.
"I'm okay. Seriously." Harry reassured him. "I just wanted to say goodbye."
Luke nodded slowly, clearly debating whether to push Harry or not. "Okay." He said softly, before pulling Harry into a hug. "I love you, kid."
Harry fell into the embrace, trying to push the guilt he felt down. Just because James was his father, it didn't mean that Luke wasn't also, he reasoned with himself. "I love you too." He mumbled into the embrace before pulling back and glancing at his watch. "I've got to go." Harry told him and Luke nodded.
"Be safe." Luke said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Always." Harry replied, grabbing the hand and squeezing it, before turning and getting on the train.
Luckily for Harry he didn't run into Malfoy on the way back - he didn't think he could control his emotions around the blonde prince at the moment.
"Harry!" Michael greeted him as he re-entered the compartment and Harry smiled back at the boy. As he sat down he heard the train starting to move, and looked out of the window, his eyes scanning the crowd for Luke.
He soon found the doctor and let out a relieved smile as the doctor saw him too. Harry waved as the train started to move and the doctor kept waving back until he was out of eyesight. Harry sat back into his seat.
"We were just talking about Dumbledore." The brunette continued and Harry couldn't help but groan.
"Haven't we talked enough about him this summer?" Harry retorted. Every Daily Prophet seemed to reference the old man, and every letter that he exchanged with his friends somehow seemed to come back to Dumbledore - they'd even spent a good portion of Terry's birthday party talking about him.
"Yes." A voice affirmed quickly - sounding about as exasperated as Harry at the topic.
"Lisa!" He exclaimed happily as he heard the girl's voice. "I didn't see you come in."
"Observant much?" Lisa replied and the other boys laughed at Harry's expense. "It's good to see you too Harry." The girl added and Harry smiled.
"I never said it was good to see you." He snarked back, though the mirth was clear in his eyes and Lisa just smiled.
"Sure." She commented simply, clearly not believing for a second that Harry wasn't glad to see her.
"So how was your summer?" Harry asked her. Lisa had been the one person he'd not been able to see over the summer. Terry had spent a couple of days around his house near the start of the summer, and all of the boys had gone around Diagon Alley together at the start of term, with the exception of Anthony who'd been in France - but Harry had seen him when they'd gone to Terry's house for his birthday - Lisa had been invited but she'd been away at the time.
"Amazing." Lisa replied as her eyes lit up with excitement as she thought about her summer. "We went to Romania, and did a tour of a dragon sanctuary - they even had a baby Hungarian Horntail!" The boys gasped at this - and though Harry wasn't that knowledgeable on breeds of dragons, it still sounded pretty awesome. "I think Hagrid's dragon was there as well. And," Lisa continued her Irish accent seeming to grower thicker with each word as her excitement grew, "My older brother, James," Harry couldn't help but flinch at the name, another reminder of how he hadn't been respecting the sacrifice of his father, "He works as a team medic for the Ballycastle Bats, and he took me to see one of their games!" She exclaimed.
"Speaking of quidditch," Anthony started after they grilled Lisa on every aspect of the game, "Is anyone going to try out?" Anthony asked curiously.
"No way." Lisa replied quickly. "I love watching it - but playing it, no thanks." Harry nodded in agreement.
"Maybe." Terry replied, "I don't think I'll get on the team though - I'm aiming for the reserves, that way I can practice with the team and hopefully get some advantages going into third year." Terry told them, and Harry couldn't help but smile - it was so typical for Terry to have meticulously have everything planned out like that.
"Me too." Michael added. "About trying out for the team that is - I'm aiming for the starting seven." Michael said slightly arrogantly - though Harry knew he didn't mean to be arrogant, Michael just always aimed as high as he could, however realistic or unrealistic those aims were.
"What position?" Lisa asked Terry and Michael.
"Chaser for me." Michael replied.
Terry nodded, "Me too, I think - though I might just try out for every position, see what they need, where the gaps are and all that."
"Harry why aren't you trying out?" Lisa asked him.
"Yeah, Harry you were pretty good in class last year, if I remember correctly." Anthony added - the boy had spent most of flying classes trying to stay as close as he could to the ground, and observing everyone else instead of actually flying, no one needed to ask him whether he wanted to play quidditch. The answer was too obvious.
"You'd make a great seeker." Terry said, adding his bit, and Michael mumbled in agreement.
"Ravenclaw already have a seeker." Harry told them. "Besides, I want to focus on my studies, maybe sign up for some of those extra-curricular classes. Quidditch isn't a priority."
"Just because it isn't a priority, doesn't mean you should just dismiss it." Terry shot back. "Hogwarts is, most likely, going to be the only chance for you to play actual Quidditch matches. You shouldn't just ignore that opportunity." Terry told him - and Harry had to admit, it was a pretty good point.
"Also, you're wrong." Michael began, "Ravenclaw don't have a seeker at the moment, Finn - the seeker from last year - was a seventh year. He's left."
"C'mon Harry, at least try out?" Terry begged.
Harry sighed. "Fine. I'll think - just think, no promises - about trying out."
"They're officially adding ten more chocolate frog cards this year." Terry informed them, as he grabbed hold of a frog and bit into it. The lady with the sweets trolley had just been around and the Ravenclaws had all bought a ton - "stocking up for the year" Anthony had said - Harry picked up the card Terry had discarded and found himself staring into the face of Albus Dumbledore, trying to stop a scowl appearing on his face at the sight of the old man.
"Ten more?" Michael asked excitedly.
"Yes," He started as though he was continued before noticing Harry looking at the card. "You can have him." He said causing Harry to look up. "I've already got like ten of him." He explained before returning to his previous train of thoughts. "It has been about ten years, the haven't added anyone from the end of the war." He continued, his tone hardening up with mention of the war.
"Who's going to be on the cards?" Anthony asked curiously.
"Don't know yet, have to wait for them to be found." Terry replied, "I reckon it'll mainly be heroes of the war. Maybe Snape as well 'cause he invented that potion or something."
"Veritaserum." Harry corrected, grimacing slightly at the reference to the professor - he'd read a lot over the summer about Snape's work in the potions field, as well as other potions masters, but Snape in particular - he was after all the youngest potions master in Britain ever.
"The Weird Sisters maybe?" Lisa suggested. "They are becoming really popular."
"I reckon it'd just be Myron Wagtail - otherwise they'd have used up seven out of the new ten." Anthony replied and everyone nodded (even though Harry had no idea who 'The Weird Sisters' were).
"Do you think?" Terry asked before trailing off, bring everyone's attention to him. Harry raised an eyebrow at him and Terry sighed. "Do you think You-Know-Who will be on it?"
"But he's a dark wizard." Harry retorted - a dark wizard who had tried to kill him when he was a baby, and had killed his parents, along with countless others.
"Well yes, he is a dark wizard, but they have put dark wizards on there in the past, Herpo the Foul for example." Michael explained.
"I don't think they will." Lisa inputted. "They didn't put Grindelwald in because it would've been insensitive to the victims, they won't do the same here - not this soon, maybe in a century or so."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Michael conceded and Terry nodded. "What about Harry Potter?" Michael asked causing Harry to stiffen uncomfortably.
"If they were going to do Harry Potter they would've done it ten years ago." Terry replied.
"Yeah, but it's different now, you know?" Michael responded.
"How?" Harry asked, after there was a long pause, trying to keep his voice from shaking.
"Well Harry Potter didn't attend Hogwarts last year with us like he was supposed to and," Michael paused - for dramatic effect of course, "Apparently he didn't even get a letter."
"Merlin." Terry whispered as his eyes widened in realisation, Lisa Turpin's shocked expression showed she'd clearly came to some realisation as well.
"I'm confused." Anthony intervened before Harry had to, both of the boys equally curious.
"Well," Michael paused again, "Everybody who has magic gets a letter when they turn eleven - well everyone in Britain that is, or those who've been born in Britain even if they've moved." Michael elaborated, "When a baby is born who's British their name automatically put on the register. And Harry Potter's name was definitely on the register." Michael continued.
"Oh." Anthony said softly.
"Yeah." Michael replied shortly, the mood of the entire room had gone downhill fast, but Harry was confused.
"I don't understand." He said slightly annoyed as Michael didn't continue explaining.
"Harry." Terry started "Harry, if the other Harry didn't come to Hogwarts last year, then that means," Terry stopped again, only increasing Harry's frustrations. "It means he's dead."
What. The. Fuc-