Potter, Harry James
Ch 04
Isdh
121
1/9/1994
09:30
A storm was brewing.
He could feel it in his Bones.
He paced slowly along the lanes, heading to the pillars between #9 track and #10. He then approached the third of the four brick columns. Looking to see if anyone was watching, he leaned into the red brick… and stepped back into the inner pocket of wizard space.
Still seeing no one, he approached the red and gold steam engine. The Great Iron Beast was from the late 1700s, and now that he knew what to look for, he could see the signs of the Mundane-borne as they built, maintained, and repaired the Beast, the train, and even the tracks. The wood under his gloved hand was stained rather than painted. The letters on the side were recessed oak in pine.
He climbed into the first car, set in the style of First Class. Smiling and nodding to himself, he made himself comfortable in the first section, not set aside for the prefects. Sitting so he could look down the car's inner passage, he tucked his gloves under his belt. His Black-thorn cane at his knee, he pulled his shrunken book from his sporran, before resizing it.
He was quickly lost in learning the in's and out's of ICW Law.
At 10:07, people started swarming the platform. From there it was only a matter of minutes before someone disrupted his compartment.
"Beat it, 'Breed. This is our compartment!" sneered the now fifth year Bastien Queensbury.
Our fledgling hit wizard looked over his glasses at the green and silver robed OWLer. "Nay, you nag. It is first come, first seated. After spending three years in coach, I decided to ride up here. To get me to move, you have three options. A, you could ask politely. B, you could bribe me. And C, the use of Force." he pushed his glasses up his nose, "You have burned option A, and set option B relatively high. I would not advise option C."
Bastien Queensbury want for his wand only to have a knot of Black Thorn shatter his wrist.
"I said, I advise against Option C." the kilted wizard hissed. He closed the door and settled in for the ride.
Twenty minutes later, a prefect flung open the door. "What is this I hear about you assaulting your betters?" he snarled.
"I assaulted no one." Harry stood, leaning on his cane, "Little alone anyone my better." his three rings on his right hand glinted in the morning light. "I was defending my choice to ride in this car. It is after all, 'First come, first seated'."
The Prefect looked the boy in the eye, before noticing the three heir rings on Potter's hand. "Heir Potter. Please, next time, allow them to fully draw their wands."
"If I do that," Harry smiled disarmingly at the Prefect, "I run the risk of snapping a wand."
"Point." the sixth year stepped into the hallway. "Are you expecting anyone?"
"Not really. Weasley and Granger, maybe, but they will be last minute arrivals, and prefer coach. Malfoy will no doubt try to throw me out, but I can handle him. I welcome those who can ride with decorrem and curb their sharp tongues."
"Understand that I will have to report this to the staff."
"Potion Master Snape has issues with my Father stealing the Love of his Life." Potter bobbed his head, "But Headmistress McGonagall will rake me over any coals, and I must accept her rulings."
"Good to know." the prefect closed the door, before moving off.
Another five minutes and Harry was joined by two blonde sisters, and a dark haired witch. "Potter. Permission to join you."
121
Bastien Queensbury was getting his wrist set by a seventh year witch who was studying to be a Healer.
"You will want to see the medi-witch as soon as we get to Hogwarts." she smiled at him, just before her boyfriend, the Prefect entered.
"That pissant gone?" Queenie snarled at the pinned wizard.
"No." the hall-monitor sat beside his girl. "Heir Potter is keeping his compartment. He is correct, he got there first, and can hold it. From what he said to me, pushing him, even with Snape's backing will get you nowhere. He also referred to McGonagall as Headmistress."
"She is the old fool's right hand." the witch smirked, "It is how we get away with so much against the Gryfs. Because she is the Deputy, her backing her furballs is all but impossible. In Fact it is reported She that rides most of them harder than Snape does."
"Oi Potter! Out of my compartment!" was heard through the open door.
All three grinned, as they moved to watch Malfoy get his ass handed to him.
121
The two fourth year witches sat opposite him, as the now second year, one Astoria sat beside him. She was showing signs of curiosity, a humorous mix of Hermione and Ginny. She would shiver and blush, before opening her mouth to ask a Question… only to 'eep' and reset.
The two Fourth years were giggling at the younger witch's distress. After almost three minutes of this, Harry Potter closed his book, and turned to face the girl.
"Okay. You have twenty Questions. No take backs, do overs, or clarifications." Harry smiled, "I will answer most, but not all. If I say pass, move on. That question is burned."
The young witch furrowed her brow to think of the perfect question, when the Door was yanked open.
"Oi Potter! Out of my compartment!" the nasally rich tones of Draco Malfoy assaulted the compartment's occupiers.
Harry sighed as he stood. "Inbred Peacock says 'What?'"
Draco frowned, "What?" the whole car snickered at that.
"Heir Malfoy." Harry leaned on the door jam with a grin. "It is a sweet compartment. And I am willing to surrender it unto you…" the blond ponce went to push in, "For a Price."
"Oh?" the little wizard sneered at the kilted wizard.
"A magic oath." Harry's grin turned predatory. "Forever swearing to never lay claim to the Name Black."
"I…" Malfoy glared at Potter, "Black is Mine!"
"Really." Harry smirked at the poncy prince, "So you have one of these?" he flashed the two rings on his left hand. One was a 'snake' biting an emerald. The other was a pool of Jet in Platinum.
"Where did you get that?" hissed Draco. Pointing to the ring with the black stone.
"My Godfather." Harry smirked at the blond, "Right after he slid the Lord's Ring onto his own hand. I then moved from Heir Secondus, to Heir Primus. Right after that ceremony, I looked up the Line of Succession. As things stand, right now, you stand to inherit, should both Lord Black and I die. But Lord Black is talking about changing things. You have two options right now. Bugger off, or run and tell 'daddy'." Harry slammed the door in Draco's Face.
"Where were we?" Harry settled back into the plush seats.
"Twenty Questions." Daphne smiled demurely. "But before hand, is that Twenty each or Twenty total?"
Harry glared at the older witches. "Twenty total, but I only answer Her Questions." he jabbed his thumb at Astoria.
"Tori." the girl grinned at the boy. "My friends and Family call me 'Tori'."
"Honoured, miss." Harry took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. "My Friends call me Harry."
"And your Family?" the girl frowned.
"That counts as a Question."
Frowning at the lad, Daphne smirked "Rather telling, that."
"Oh?" Tori turned her head. "Do tell."
"Remember, he is an Orphan." Daphne held up her palm. "Not that it is a bad thing…" Harry nodded, "So… who raised him?"
Tori frowned cutely, "By the books, it was the London Coven, but I remember you and Mother arguing about them. Three years ago, I looked up the Potter Line… everybody but Harry had died in a Blaze of Glory." she clicked her tongue. "His Mother was…"
"First gen, or Mundane Born." Harry smiled at the witchling. "I was raised by my 'Muggle' aunt and her … family."
"You call your mother mundane? But your Aunt muggle?" the brunette asked.
"Yeah. I find 'muggle' to a polite insult or slur." Harry grinned, "My mother was either a true first generation witch, or descended from a squibe line. My blood is too… scrambled for the standard Bloodline test to trace out the truth. If my Mother did one herself, the results are locked away until I come of age." his nose wrinkled. "My Aunt is a Muggle."
"Judging by your face and tone, those who raised you did a poor job." Tori nodded, "But you didn't call them Family." Tori grinned evilly, "First Question; who is Family and what do they call you?"
"Two for one." Harry mock glared at the witchling. "No more doing that. Next time will count as two questions!" the mock anger fell from his face, "You were correct, my Father's Blood are dead. When he was our age, he had three Brothers not of his Blood. The closest, a true brother in All but Blood." Harry lifted his left hand into view, thumbing the 'silver' ring. "One who would become my sworn Godfather." Harry's smile grew dreamy. "Lord Black, a real Son of a Bitch. He calls me 'pup'." his hand dropped to his lap. "Uncle Lupin, our DADA professor last year. He refers to me as his cub." now Harry's eyes flashed, "the last is wanted for betrail, and treason. We do not speak his name."
The Engine sounded it's whistle, belched a cloud of steam, and leaned into its harness, dragging the train into the cold of Scotland.
121
Ron, Ginny, and Hermione tumbled into the last compartment in the last car.
Crookshanks hissed from his carrier, at the rough treatment.
'Pig' had been sent ahead, a small note for the Headmaster; "no sign. Will check train."
The two redheads flopped on the bench as the frizzy haired witch just stood staring at something overhead.
"Burk." the white owl was perched on the luggage rack.
"Hedwig!" roared all three.
"Burk!" she extended her foot towards the eldest in the compartment.
Hermione removed the small lizard skin pouch. Her fingers ruffling the downy chest in greeting. Opening the pouch, she dumped six gold coins into her palm, and a small scroll. Hedwig settled onto the witch's shoulder.
Granger.
If you seek real answers, bring your Master to the First Compartment.
Leave the gold, split between the fangirl and ratkeeper
Great trust is offered here. This is your first test.
HJPotter.
"Good news." Hermione sighed as she looked at the two before her, palming the note. "Harry is on the train."
"Okay." Ron muscled his way to his feet. "Let's go get him."
"Yeah!" Ginny cheered.
"So… you don't want the gold." Hermione counted the six shiney coins.
"What?" the redheads froze.
"I am to take Crookshanks, for a walk, while you two, with three gold each get ready for him to party."
"Why are you taking 'that' with you?" Ron sneered.
"Why else do you take a Tom anywhere?" Hermione lifted the carrier down. "There is a Queen who might be interested. Now, do I give you the gold or do I have to wait with you two for the trolley witch?"
"Burk!"
Ron sighed, before holding his hand out. Hermione dropped three coins into his palm.
Ginny frowned, before extending her hand for the coins. "Hurry back. The bottomless pit here won't let it sit too long."
Hermione heaved the wicker carrier out into the hallway, and leaving it in a cargo area, led Tom from the last Car to First car. Three times she had to call the smushed faced 'cat' from sniffing around closed doors. Twice he sprayed the metal walk between cars, more announcing his presence then relieving himself.
She passed the Trolley witch, and a Dining Car, where a House Elf, a big guy by their standards, was serving 'drinks'.
"Where are you going?"
She turned to see Bell asking, with her 'sisters' behind her.
"Harry wanted me to come to the first Car." Hermione handed the note to Angella, the sixth year prefect from Gryffondor.
"Let's go see our boy than!" Spinette turned and led the way to the first car.
Hermione soon found herself watching Harry smiling and chatting with three witches not of his House.
"Ah, Granger." Harry smiled at her. "I knew you would get the clues. Thank you for leaving the rest of the group behind." He stood, taking her hand, brushing her knuckles with his lips, before 'noticing' the 'Flying Foxes'. "Ladies. Are you joining us, or just escorting Granger in and checking on me?"
"Just checking on you." Bell brushed his check. "A lone Gryff here in the Ranked Zone, impressive boy. We are heading back to the bar." She shoved Granger into the Compartment, Pussycat, Owl, and all, before closing and locking the door.
"What was that about?" Tracey asked, having caught the orange Tom, who then decided that she was a comfy cushion.
"Bell decided last term, that I needed to be locked in a broom closet with a witch or two, before Malfoy drug me into one." Harry eased the snowy owl off the frizzy haired witch's shoulder, holding her on his left forearm as he nuzzled the beauty, and scratched under her wings, before lifting her to the Luggage rack.
The older witches snorted, while the youngest frowned. "What?"
"Tori. If you are caught in a broom closet before your sixth year." Harry smiled at the witchling, "Be alone or with a girl. Anything more will have to wait until your fourth year before I tell you."
"So they lock you in an Express Compartment with three witches and a witchling?" Tracey tried to sneer.
"Ice Breaker." Harry tucked his Black Thorne into his coat, before pulling out a walking stick.
The Slytherens snorted at Harry's joke, while Granger squee'd at the sight of his new cane.
"Granger?" Daphne asked, putting at least three separate questions into one single word.
"Templar Order." Hermione waved her hands over the cane, not touching it. "1880's design. Much like Mister Malfoy's snake headed cane."
"Lord Malfoy." this time Tracey did sneer.
"No." Hermione looked away from Harry's new toy. "Looked it up. L. Malfoy is a lord only in that he is rich, and Head of House Malfoy. He is no more a 'Lord' than Riddle is or I am."
"Careful, there girly." Harry chuckled, "ye be sailing dark waters." he offered her the cane as she sat against the window. The curious kitten all but snatched the cane from him.
"Potter?" Daphne turned her frozen face to him.
"Would love to tell you, deary. But the Lord of the Black Tower threatened to hang me by my thumbs with a rubber ball gag in my teeth, should I speak."
"Even if I use one of my Questions?" Tori asked.
"Even asking about using your Questions would cost a Question."
"Nevermind." the witchling than grinned evilly. "Question #15; my birthday is in a few months. Would you show me the broom closets?"
Everybody froze at that one.
"Suttle, snake." Harry deadpanned. "Real suttle."
"I am hunting big game here." the girl exclaimed. "I have a boy, Richer than Malfoy, Thicker than Crabbe, and better connected than Fudge." She waved her hands in the air. "If Daphne is not going to move on him, I need to."
"Thicker than Crabbe?" Potter 'glared' at the girl.
"Yes!" Tori stood to look him in the eye. "You are in the best compartment on the whole train, sitting here with three ladies, and myself. You have yet to even hint at what we are wearing under our skirts, nor under your kilt!"
"Tori." Tracey spoke quietly, the second year ignored her.
"I have overheard the rumors, the whispers," she smiled at him, "The confessions, Mister Seeker. Given half a chance, you would pursue my sister."
"First, Little Miss Greengrass." Harry drew himself up. "I meant what I said about getting caught in a broom closet before your 16th birthday." he smiled at her, "That said; on your 14th birthday, provided we are still single, I am willing to explore a closet or two with you."
"So." Daphne scowled at the boy, "To protect my sister's virtue, I must sacrifice my own?"
"No." Tracey stood, pushing Tori aside, she mounted Potter's knees. "We just need to keep his hands and mind focused where 'We' want them." as she mentioned hands, she moved Potter's to her ass. His five rings glinted.
121
Two hours before the express arrived… the storm hit.