September 1st, 1991

"Harry, Neville, we need to get to the platform on time." I tell them rushing through kings cross station with my twin 10 year old troublemakers Sirius the 2nd and Salazar, and my 7 year old daughter, Carina running after us.

Neville and Harry run ahead pushing their trolly's. Neville's with his toad in a cage on top of his. Harry with his owl, Hedwig's cage on top of his. Hedwig was a gift from Sirius and I when he received his Hogwarts letter. We agreed to do gifts for receiving Hogwarts letters, sorting, and of course end of year marks. We all race through the barrier and arrive at the platform. Sirius the 2nd and Salazar both look sad but are holding in their tears. Carina is crying. I pick her up to hold her. Sirius finally arrives walking up to us. He must have apparated. I wanted the boys first trip on the Hogwarts express to be the full experience. I wanted them to walk through the barrier.

Love, let me take, Carrie." My husband says while taking her from my arm.

I look around and see Draco, Blaize, Theo, Daphne, and Pansy all prepping to get on the train. They walk past us with their trolly's. they nod to me. I discreetly pull out my wand and shrink their trunks. They nod their heads again in thanks. Sev and Reg made sure they spent a lot of time coming over and playing with Neville and Harry. Unfortunately, they have to hide their friendship because their parents wouldn't approve.

"Siri, Sal, give your good-byes to Neville and Harry." I tell the boys.

The boys give each other hugs and tell them they will miss them. Siri and Sal tell them to make sure they go visit Salazar in his office.

"Bye boys." I tell them giving them a hug. "Try not to get detention until everyone is settled."

Sirius walks over to them, still holding a crying, Carina. He gives them a hug and tells them he will miss them. Carina refuses to tell them good-bye. She thinks that is she doesn't say good-bye they won't leave. The boys get on the train.

Harrys POV

Getting on the train and leaving my brothers, sister and parents is hard. Neville and I find an empty compartment.

"You excited to start?" I ask Neville.

"Yeah, definitely," Neville says, "Your parents got me the best gift for getting my letter."

"Yeah, mom is good at gift shopping." I say laughing "Dad is hopeless unless it's for mom. But I think she is just saying she loves it, just to make him feel good."

"True." Neville says. Neville got a potions kit from mom and dad.

Mom wanted to make sure he did well in her mastery. Neville is really bad at potions. So, she was hoping the extra practice might help. A girl with bushy hair opens the door of the compartment.

"Hi," Neville and I both say.

"Is this compartment full?" She asks

"No" Neville says.

I pull out my Hogwarts a history as she sits down beside me.

"I love that book." She exclaims "I'm Hermione."

"I'm Harry, that's Neville." I introduced. "What house do you think you will be in?"

"I think I will be in Ravenclaw." Hermione says. "You?"

"Gryffindor." Neville and I both say together confidently.

"You seem confident in that," Hermione says.

"Yeah, we are," Neville says. "Both our parents were Gryffindors, and Harry's godparents were Gryffindors as well."

"My godfather. My godmother was a Slytherin." I corrected.

"I keep forgetting that. She fits in so well with Gryffindors." Neville says

"Well, Slytherins aren't evil." I tell him what my mom always tells me.

Draco opens the compartment door. I see Crab and Goyle. So, I know he will be rude.

"Entertaining the masses, Potter." Draco sneers

"Malfoy." I acknowledge.

"Who is this?" He asks looking at Hermione. "I am Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

"Hermione Granger." She introduces.

"I don't recognize that name. So, you must be a half blood or a mudblood." Draco says with attitude. He does play a good part.

"I'm muggleborn" Hermione says confidently.

"Making friends with dirt now, Potter." He says. He leaves quickly.

"Don't worry Hermione. We don't care who your parents are." Neville says. I nod agreeing.

"Thanks, I guess. I never thought I would have trouble fitting in here. I never had any friends in the muggle world. I was considered a freak." She explains looking down at her lap, with her hands folded. She looks so upset.

"Well, we are your friends, now." I tell her.

We all get changed into our uniforms and arrive at the station. We get out of the train.

"First years!" I hear Hagrid's unmistakable voice. "First years over here!"

We head over to Hagrid. "Harry, Neville, how are you?"

"Good, how bout you, Hagrid?" I ask him.

"I'm doing good, Dumbledore had me do an important task." He tells us.

"That's good." I reply. My mom always said Hagrid has a habit of over sharing.

"Four to a boat." Hagrid tells all of us first years.

Us three get into a boat together. We glide across the black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. Pulling up to the castle the three of us stare at it in awe. The grand castle towered over us. We arrive to the front and step out of the boats. We walk up to the doors. Hagrid knocks three times. The door swung open and a tall, black-haired witch in emerald green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and I thought she was not someone to cross.

"The first years, Professor McGonagall" Hagrid says.

"Thank you, Hagrid, I will take it from here." The Professor says opening the door wide.

The entrance hall was very big. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches and the ceilings to high to make out. we follow Professor McGonagall down the halls. Tons of voices talking to each other.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start of the term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room." McGonagall explains "the four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points are awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Professor McGonagall.

Neville and I made sure to look good knowing we always have to look our best.