(Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter does not belong to me. It is all the creation of the wonderful J.K. Rowling and I take no credit for inventing these characters.)
(Note from the author: Sorry this one is so late everyone! I got totally tied up in family and school and I just couldn't find the time to write! So I finally got down to it and here is chapter 7!)
(Blooper Alert: One of my close friends pointed out to me that Harry didn't tell Brad the beginning of his "story" in chapter 2…he was telling Scott. So, for the sake of moving on in the story, let's just say that Brad had entered the room for that part of the conversation. Sorry! And now, on with the story!)
On September 1st, the whole Potter family got up a little big early so that Brad wouldn't miss the Hogwarts Express. Brad had packed all the school supplies he'd gotten at Diagon Alley the previous day, but it still took a while for the family of six to get going. They all got in the car (Harry had asked Arthur for advice on Expanding Charms so that everyone could fit) and drove off to Kings Cross Station.
Brad thought it was odd that he had to run through a solid-looking barrier to get to the train, but did it all the same. He gripped his cart and turned it at the barrier to run at it. His new pet owl, Tyto, squawked as he picked up speed and ran at the barrier to platform 9 ¾. He looked up and saw the big, scarlet steam engine across the platform. A few moments later, his whole family joined him.
Brad looked around for his cousins and found them almost at once. He rushed over to say hello to Elizabeth before finding a compartment on the train together. As the Potters approached Ron, Hermione, and their family, Harry saw that Ron was holding their now-two-month-old son, Jonathon. When Ron saw Harry and his family, he waved and Jonathon fell out of his arms. Ron quickly charmed the baby back into his arms. Unfortunately, Hermione has seen the while thing and started yelling at Ron.
"Ronald! You have to be more careful! Dropping the baby, honestly!"
"I'm sorry! I just lost my grip, that's all."
"Well, give him to me," she said, taking the baby in her arms. "Hi, Harry. Hi Ginny."
"Hi," they both responded.
Meanwhile, Brad and Elizabeth decided to go find a compartment on the train. They told their parent's they'd be right back and went off. While looking for a compartment, they discussed what they thought what was to come of the up-coming school year.
"What do you think it's going to be like?" Brad asked Elizabeth.
"I don't know," she responded "but I think it's going to be loads of fun. Which house do you think you'll be in?"
"I hope I'm in Gryffindor, like my mum and dad."
"Yeah, me too. Wouldn't that be cool if we were in the same house?"
"Well, you're going to be the only person I know at first, so I hope we're in the same house – I'd be lost without you." Brad said as they found an empty compartment to put their trunks in.
"Same here. And do you know what's going to happen when your mum has the babies?"
"Well, Mum and Dad said they'd send the Headmistress a letter asking if they could take me out of school for it."
"That's awesome. Do you think she'll say yes?"
"I hope so," replied Brad. They made their way through the crowded hall to get outside to say good-bye to their families.
Both Ginny and Hermione started crying as they hugged Brad and Elizabeth good-bye.
"Write often," Ginny told her son "and we'll see you soon. She placed her right hand gracefully on her pregnant stomach and gave Brad one more kiss on the forehead. He hugged all his siblings and got on the train with Elizabeth.
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Later that evening, Brad and Elizabeth arrived at Hogwarts and gathered with the other first years around the large dark shape in the night that was Hagrid. Hagrid was rather old these days, nearly 80, but he still obliged to guide the first years across the lake in the little boats. He still taught Care of Magical Creatures and he was still the gamekeeper.
Hagrid led the mass of first years to the boats so they could cross the lake. Brad's jaw dropped as soon as the Hogwarts castle came into view. It was certainly bigger than he had expected. He turned to Elizabeth on his right and saw that she had the same look on her face as he did.
Once in the castle, he waited anxiously to be sorted. Finally, after what seemed a life time, Professor Marshbanks, who had been Gryffindor Head ever since McGonagall became Headmistress, called Brad's name.
"Potter, Bradley!" she called.
Elizabeth gave Brad a little push to get him going. He walked up to the stool with shaking legs. He sat down on the three legged stool. Professor Marshbanks placed the old, patched up Sorting Hat on Brad's head. The rip at the brim of the hat opened and it started whispering softly in Brad's ear:
"Hmm, Potter is it? Yes, indeed. Well, all I can say is that someone'd better keep an eye on you. You'll be just your father, yes you will. The Sorting Hat sees all. I remember those from before. So you be belong in…GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat shouted the last word to the whole hall ad the Gryffindor table on the far left exploded with cheers.
Brad let out a sigh of relief and walked off toward the Gryffindor table. He took a seat and looked down at his empty silver plate. Being so nervous had made him forget he was hungry. Now that it was over, he remembered just how hungry he was.
He looked up toward the front of the Hall when he heard Professor Marshbanks call his cousin's name.
"Weasley, Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth walked up to the stool as Professor Marshbanks put the Sorting Hat on her head. Brad secretly crossed his fingers under the table while the Sorting Hat seemed to be making its choice about her. Finally, the Hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" and Brad almost covered his ears because the noise from his table was so great. He clapped and cheered with everyone else.
Elizabeth quickly ran to sit next to Brad. Only two people were Sorted after Elizabeth and then McGonagall announced that the feast had begun. Brad looked around at the plates as they magically filled with food.
Both he and Elizabeth started grabbing almost everything they could reach. Everything tasted so delicious. Hogwarts seemed to have every one of Brad's favorite foods. Then the food disappeared from the plates and Brad thought the feast was over. That was, until hundreds of delicious desserts rose from within the plates themselves.
McGonagall announced that it was time for bed. Brad and Elizabeth rose from their bench and followed a Gryffindor Prefect to the portrait of the Fat Lady on the 7th floor. The prefect gave the password and entered through the portrait hole and let everyone follow suit.
Brad entered the dormitory and chose a bed. As he started unpacking, his four roommates entered the room and started making themselves comfortable.
His roommates' names were Mathew Longbottom, Travis Finnigan, and Justin and Nicky Thomas. Mathew was kind of pudgy and he had curly blonde hair and light blue eyes. Travis had light skin and sandy hair. He also had hazel eyes and light freckles. Meanwhile, Justin and Nicky were fraternal twins, so they didn't look alike, but they had some similarities. For instance, they both had very short dark brown hair and were both Black.
To Brad, all his roommates seemed rather nice. He was eager to start class the next and fell in to an easy sleep.
