Chapter 5
Shortly after the group had Flooed back to the Potter household, Chi Chi bid her farewell to her son fighting back the tears she knew she would shed once she was returned to their mountain home. Gohan's shining eyes reflected their shared emotions, after all it was going to be the first time Chi Chi actually willingly let her son leave home.
"Now study hard Gohan, just cause I ain't gonna be there doesn't mean you're allowed to become a slacker." Chi Chi firmly told her son, although she knew deep down Gohan would always try his best, she liked reminding him she expected excellence.
The sternness of the Son matriarch's statement was lessened when she ruffled her son's already permanently wild hair and pulled him in for a hug. "Your father would be very proud of you son," she whispered into her son's ear knowing it was something the boy needed to hear. Gohan didn't say anything back but the large intake of breath told her he was trying to compose himself. Chi Chi knew that even though Gohan literally just saved the world, he was still just a little boy constantly missing the father he adored. After another tight squeeze, Chi Chi let go and backed away with a smile and a small tear sliding down her cheek.
"Thank you very much for all you hospitality Ginny, Harry." Chi Chi told the witch who along with her husband had retreated to the porch to give the mother and son some privacy to say their goodbyes.
"It has been our pleasure Chi Chi, and feel free to send Hermes to us with any questions or concerns you have at all." Harry replied sidling up to his wife, who had joined the Son's on their lawn, Ginny reaffirmed his statement.
"I'm glad to know there's good people where Gohan's going. I think I'm ready to go whenever your portkey-thingy is ready to take me." Chi Chi smiled adjusting her dress and checking that she had everything she needed to go home. Ginny removed a rubber band she had around her wrist indicating that was the new portkey she would use and began placing a spell which would activate the inanimate object
"Send me a letter as soon as you get there Gohan."
"Don't worry Mom, I will." Gohan automatically replied before lowering his own head and rushing back to his mom for one last hug. "I'll miss you!" Chi Chi hugged her son again before pulling back with a smile. Stepping back Chi Chi again thanked the Potter's and blew her son a kiss before taking the rubber band and returning home in the blink of an eye.
It hit Gohan like a ton of bricks when he saw his mother suddenly disappear. Gohan didn't think leaving his mom would be this hard, after all he had done it too many times to count in his short life. But the difference this time was she was leaving him…Flashbacks of his father suddenly disappearing in the same way struck the young hero like a painful dagger to the heart. Gohan was almost about to rise into the air and fly back to the small home but Mrs. Potter had been watching the boy.
"Don't worry Gohan, you'll see your mum again soon. There are so many crazy things you are going to be learning at Hogwarts, time will fly by." The red haired mother gave the ebony haired pre-teen's shoulder an affectionate squeeze. "But don't forget to write home, it's a mother's worst nightmare to be left in the dark." Gohan gave a small smile in return ensuring the older witch he wouldn't dare not communicate with his mom, he'd been down that road one too many times before.
The rest of the afternoon at the Potter household involved the kids playing outside in the yard while Mr. Potter prepared dinner for the family. Luckily enough, Mr. and Mrs. Potter must have forgotten about James' grounding from that mornings snake escapade because he was allowed to join his siblings and Gohan outside. Gohan was a bit jealous because he knew his mother would never have forgotten a punishment, he realized it must be one of the positives of not being an only child, too much going on to remember every little detail.
The boy's introduced Gohan to Quidditch, although a very rough version, meaning Gohan had no clue how the game actually worked, one more thing he was going to look up in his new books. Since the Potter's lived in a mixed wizard/muggle neighborhood, the brooms the boys flew only hovered a few feet off the ground. Therefore the boy's game ended up consisting of James chasing Albus around the yard, then up the old oak tree with Albus hovering over a branch while James attempted to hit his younger brother with the big ball, (Gohan couldn't remember the name of it) while Albus ducked and kicked the ball back at his older brother.
Gohan laughed watching the two brothers, but a shadow lingered over him wishing he had a brother he could play with like that, but knew that would never happen now. Growing bored of watching her brother's tease each other, Lily insisted on introducing Gohan to Sprinkles her purple Pygmy Puff. The strange fluffy creature decided its new favorite place was nestled on the top of the ebony haired boy's head, much to Lily's chagrin, which soon brought a smile back to the young boy's face.
That night the Potter family experienced first hand a hungry half Saiyan. After the group had returned from Diagon Alley, Mrs. Potter had decided it would be easiest to whip up a plate of sandwiches and send the kids on their way, subsequently no one really paid attention to how much or how little anyone ate. Gohan feeling a bit melancholy after his mom left had only eaten a few sandwiches meaning that by the time Mr. Potter called everyone to dinner, the growing half-breed was hungry.
Gohan despite his hunger had eaten perhaps half his usual portion, trying to appear normal but he soon learned that apparently that was still a lot for regular human/wizard people. Gohan's display prompted Lily to nickname the older boy "Hungry Hungry Gohan" which earned the Potter family a laugh reminding them of the disaster at Madame Malkin's earlier that day and also turned Gohan a bright shade of red.
Gohan realized he was very glad that he had discussed with Bulma the idea of taking a food supplement to Hogwarts because if he tried to eat like a 'normal person' to fit in he would surely starve. The growing half Saiyan boy would have to remember to take one of the 'vitamins' Bulma had generously prepared for him if he didn't want to wake up the whole house in the middle of the night with the sound of his grumbling stomach.
After the kitchen was cleaned up, the group all retired to the family room to watch a movie. James explained to Gohan that this was actually unusual for wizarding families, most of his friends at Hogwarts didn't even own a television let alone watch muggle movies. Gohan never watched too much TV or movies but that was mostly because he was either doing homework, training, or exploring outside. The idea that some kids he would be going to school with didn't even know what a television was, was strange. It reminded him of when he first met Dende and how all the Namek's had to learn about Earth customs while they were marooned on the planet waiting for the Dragon balls to refresh.
After the credits rolled, Mr. and Mrs. Potter ushered the kids up to their room to sleep to get ready for their big day tomorrow. Gohan fell fast asleep tucked in a large comfortable bed in the Potter's guestroom.
"I'll just meet you on the train okay Albus?" Gohan had bid the Potter family farewell, offering sincere thanks for taking care of him for the last day and a half. He didn't exactly want to venture onto the large scarlet steam engine by himself, but he could tell that the family needed some personal time to say their goodbyes.
"Yeah, I'll be right on Gohan." The other dark haired boy replied as Gohan smiled and turned toward the train. He was glad that he was venturing into this strange world with a few familiar faces to accompany him.
Considering the boy didn't have a trunk to lug onboard the train, he was one of the first children on board the train and quickly chose a compartment and slid into the seat closest to the window. Gohan hadn't had much of an opportunity to see this strange new place he had been thrust into. In fact, besides Diagon Alley the only other place Gohan had seen in LondonCity was the Potter's house. He wasn't quite sure where the train would be taking them, or how far away, but he was eager to watch the journey.
Gohan had started to read a few of his new school books the night before, but he hadn't gotten very far along before his exhaustion from the long day caught up with him. Pulling out his school supplies capsule he quickly retrieved his book bag, which he had filled with his wizarding schoolbooks. Choosing Hogwarts, a History from the stack he stashed the bag back inside of the capsule before cracking open the spine.
Gohan hadn't gotten too far along in his reading before the door to the compartment slid open. In front of him stood a young boy who looked to be about his same age. His white blonde hair and grey eyes were in stark contrast to the black wizard robes he was wearing.
"Oh sorry, um mind if I join you for the ride?" The boy offered an awkward smile to Gohan. "I have sweets we can share!" The blonde rattled off before Gohan could respond, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink in embarrassment.
"Of course you can!" Gohan was never one who would turn someone away, he himself glad to meet another student. "My name's Gohan," He offered a quick bow to the boy in greeting.
"Oh you're not from around here are you?" The blonde slapped a hand over his mouth. "I'm sorry that was rude, my name is Scorpius, nice to meet you Gohan." The boy named Scorpius offered out a hand to shake with Gohan, which the black haired boy readily accepted.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that, it's my first time in LondonCity actually."
"No way, I mean I live out in the country with my parents so I don't come into town very often but that's pretty crazy."
"I live out in the country too, it's unbelievable how many people there are around here all the time."
"Yeah, that's what my dad always says." Scorpius put on a grumpy old man voice. "Too many whipper snappers with their loud engines and muggle cars." Both of the boys laughed at the impression.
"My dad would probably only just want to eat all the different food available," Gohan laughed before his mouth downturned realizing that Goku would never be able to experience this new part of Gohan's life. The dark haired boy was relieved when Scorpius steered the conversation onwards not allowing him to dwell long.
"It's going to be weird being away from my parents for so long. The longest I think I've gone without seeing them was three days, when I had to spend a long weekend with my grandparents while mum and dad went on vacation together. I think that was the longest three days of my life! Have you been away from home much Gohan?"
"Um well actually, yeah I have." Gohan paused recalling how often he was actually gone from his home and his mom in his short life. "I was gone for a year when I was four, then another four months or so after that. I've gotten to be home pretty much since then though." Gohan finished with a smile.
"Wow, where did you go when you were four? Your parents get into a big fight or something?"
"Heh yeah, I guess you could call it that. I spent that year with my mentor Piccolo…camping." Gohan added as an afterthought. If there was one thing he had learned from the previous evening at the Potter's it was that the average wizarding family was incredibly overprotective of their children. He already knew coming from where he was from was going to be different, he didn't exactly want to advertise how different he was until he got to know this world a little better.
"Wow, did you like live off the land and stuff or what did I read in that muggle magazine once…" Scorpius tapped his chin in thought," 'Glamping' is that what you did?" Scorpius questioned Gohan, seeming very interested in the other boy's story. Gohan realized he was really starting to like the new boy, he had an easygoing disposition and was easy to talk to which kind of reminded him of Krillin in a way.
The compartment door slid open before Gohan was able to answer, the two boys were met with a familiar dark haired boy, and a new girl.
"There you are Gohan, I was worried you got on the wrong train." Albus laughed, Gohan scratched the back of his neck while also giggling along. "Gohan this is my cousin Rose, Rose, this is Gohan the boy who stayed with us last night."
"Wow, nice to meet you Gohan, um who's your friend?" The ginger haired girl gestured towards the blonde in the compartment.
"Oh this is Scorpius, we've been talking about…'glamping'?" Gohan tried out the strange word still unsure that his new friend was actually talking about.
"Oh. Hi Scorpius." Rose greeted abruptly, Gohan could tell something was off with her rather cool greeting to the other boy, he wondered whether they actually already knew each other. "Al, I'm going to go and try and find Roxanne, join me?" The girl stated turning to go.
"I think I'll stay with Gohan for right now Rose, I'll try and find you guys later okay?" Albus replied to his cousin. Gohan was never one to judge too quickly, always hoping to find the best in people, but he wasn't sure what to think of this new girl yet.
"Whatev Al, see ya later." Albus moved into the compartment and sat down on the seat next to Gohan, as his cousin Rose turned around and made her way further down the train.
The rest of the train ride flew by as the young boys traded silly stories and jokes back and forth in the compartment. Gohan noticed the cityscape fade to countryside and started to feel a bit more at ease without feeling the presence and energies of so many people all around him.
The trio of boys departed to train after it pulled into the station, the sun having recently set. As the newcomers made their way down to boats that would lead to the castle Gohan enjoyed the feeling of being outdoors in the open air. The young warrior wasn't used to being cooped up for too many long hours, it had always made him rather restless. It was a beautiful night, and the clear sky made the reflections on the lake of the huge majestic castle even more magical to the new First Years. Despite both of Gohan's new friends having heard about Hogwarts their whole lives, Gohan noticed both their jaws drop a little at the magnificent sight in front of their boat. He couldn't blame them, it was an amazing sight and if it were not for the excitement of joining the rest of his fellow students and teachers inside of the school, Gohan would have happily stay outside all night long.
Upon entering the Great Hall, Gohan joined the other First Year students in gazing up at the beautiful enchanted ceiling mirroring the clear night sky they had just left for the indoors. Gohan sensed rather than looked with his own two eyes all of the other humans in the hall watching as the youngest of them filed down the center between the four tables of students. Once they stopped walking at the front of the hall, Gohan gazed over to his left, which was where Albus was nervously glaring at the center of the room, specifically at an old hat which sat upon a small stool. There was little talk on the train about the actual sorting, Gohan had gotten the basic scoop about the four houses at Hogwarts from the boys on the train, and knew from the Potter's conversations the previous night that all of the Potter's and their extended family had been so far sorted into Gryffindor house. Gohan realized Albus, must be worried about the sorting, should he be?
The sorting started, after to Gohan's surprise the old hat sang a song to the school, one of the weirder things the half Saiyan experienced and that was saying a lot. The old hat started shouting houses out as First Years scurried to and fro joining the cheering table they were assigned to. Gohan's ears perked up at the call of his two friend's names from the train. The blonde boy, Scorpius took quite a long time with the hat, before the brim opened and boomed out, "Ravenclaw". There was a mix of chatter and applause amongst the student body as a nervous but excited Scorpius got down and sat at the end of the long table beneath the bronze and blue eagle.
Albus soon followed, surprising the whole school it seemed when the hat called out "Slytherin." Hushed whispers and pointed looks followed the small black haired boy as he joined the table of snakes, looking scared and miserable. Gohan felt a pang of sympathy for his first friend from their conversation on the train, Albus' brother had constantly teased him he would join Slytherin over the summer and it turned out he was right. From the day he spent with the Potter's, Gohan knew family was very important to the wizards, and being the black sheep of the family was a strong burden for an eleven year old to bear. Gohan knew what it felt like to feel like he had failed everyone he cared about, by not being who they wanted and expected him to be. He remembered seeing the terrified faces of Krillin, Trunks, Yamcha, Tien and worst of all Piccolo as he was brutally beaten by Cell. He felt shame letting his friends and especially his father down because he couldn't live up to their expectations. Until Android 16 told him to let go and fight for peace and love, all Gohan had felt during the fight was horrible failure and self loathing. Gohan knew the same thoughts he felt earlier that year were probably flowing through his new friend's mind. Once the sorting was over and he would talk to Albus, he knew he wanted to try and help the other boy as best as he could.
Caught in his thoughts about his family and friends, Gohan was thrown back into thinking about the small party Bulma had thrown just last week, a week before he left. It had been a nice night, after so many months of the mish-mashed group of warriors tiptoeing around the pre-teen boy, it was nice to have a night where everyone let go and had fun, (even if there was copious amounts alcohol involved, which Chi Chi never failed to tell her son she disapproved of).
The party was planned on very short notice, right after Chi Chi had told Bulma over the phone that Gohan was going to a boarding school Bulma had started planning. Surprisingly everyone the small family knew was there, even Vegeta and Piccolo the most antisocial of the group had shown. As usual the party had abundant amounts of food and Bulma had even pulled out a Karaoke machine which everyone took advantage of, singing their renditions of popular songs terribly out of key.
The conversations at the party were pretty typical, old stories of Dragon Ball hunts and Tenkaichi Budokai fights sprinkled amongst teasing and laughs among old friends. What surprised Gohan the most was when Vegeta asked to speak to him while Yamcha and Krillin were physically reenacting a fight from their youth, both a bit under the table, not that Gohan would ever tell his mother he knew what drunk people acted like.
"Don't forget who you are boy." Vegeta spoke without prompt once they were out of earshot of the group. "You are a warrior from a proud race. They might make you try to be soft at this so called school, not use your fists, but remember your heritage."
"Uhhh thanks Vegeta…?" Gohan responded, caught off guard by the genuine tone of the warrior. Gohan never thought Vegeta really cared much about him, the half-breed son of his rival was surely only another mortal in his way to world domination. In fact Gohan was sure that Vegeta probably hated him because he was now stronger than the arrogant Prince.
"Don't let it go to your head boy, I expect you to keep training to nurture the power you as a half-breed brat was for some foolish reason gifted. But by the time you come back I promise I will have surpassed you and will not hesitate to beat your body into the ground, just as I would your pathetic excuse for a Saiyan father." Vegeta then turned around and left Gohan standing in the corner of the garden curious but also immensely confused. "Am I the new Kakarot?" Gohan asked out loud to himself, not fully understanding this new relationship with Vegeta.
"Son, Gohan."
At first Gohan hadn't realized his name had been called, probably looking really foolish standing there having been lost in the reverie of his memories. All of the other First Years still left to be sorted, not many at this point, were glancing around at one another wondering who was supposed to be going up which only increased the dark haired boy's blush. Gohan scurried towards the hat on the stool, his right hand habitually scratching the back of his head as he uttered a small apology to the wizard, while Professor Longbottom he recalled, placed the hat over his wild locks of hair.
Gohan was startled when all of a sudden another presence had entered his subconscious. He had felt this type of thing before when Piccolo would psychically connect with him, but it was still unexpected coming from a supposedly inanimate object. Despite his natural instinct to guard against intrusion, Gohan listened as the old hat began to speak.
"My, my, my, you're from the infamous East District, it's been centuries since I've gotten to peak into one of your minds… Delightful... Hmmm…yes. You have been through many trials already in your short life, lots of bravery. Yes…loyalty too…in droves. A sharp mind too. Hmm….ah what's this? Yes, oh yes you might be afraid of it but there is much ambition in you as well, a strong desire to prove your strength…Hmm…now where to put you…better by GRYFFINDOR!"
Thanks so much for reading let me know what you think!
Old Author's Note: (kept for historical reasons lol)
Hi Readers! Yes, this is an update, no freaking way! Thank you all so much for the kind reviews over the years, it's one of the main reasons why I bother coming back to this story and attempt to write something. Honestly this story has hung over my head for (obviously) a long time now and I know I always want to come back to it, I just haven't. I've had bits and pieces of lots of the story written for a long time now but I'm a bit of a perfectionist despite not being an actual writer, and I wish I was actually a good writer then I would probably have a lot more actually updated. Since I am not a good writer, I get bogged down in how to actually write a story, getting lost in the little details and conversations I write which personally amuse me. However, since I know this will never be anywhere near perfect (or well written) I decided I would at least put out chapters even though my pacing (is horrific) and plot progression (is nonexistent) I hope what I put out will at least amuse you lovely readers some. I'm hoping just pulling the trigger and updating will help me write more and hopefully better, so I am sorry if the quality is bad or I start doing major time skips (like I said I bog myself down in scenes and the only way to move forward is to go to the next big scene) I'm not a writer, I don't pretend to be an actual writer, but I have fun ideas for fandom's I like (I think lol) But like I've said before, I actually do have a plot for this story, it's just taking me a lot of time to figure out how to write to get to it. Enough rambling, but I felt I owed a bit of an explanation for people who have actually read my story and liked it a little bit (again thank you, it's truly an honor).
TL;DR What's almost three years between updates anyway? XD
A/N: I've decided I like pieces of The Cursed Child but a lot of it wasn't my fave (the whole Voldy daughter is something I like to forget), so this will not be compliant with it, (obviously Gohan is there lol) but you'll see… Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoy!