Chapter 8

Gohan had officially made it through the first week of magic school, and he as well as all of the other students were excited for their first Saturday. Gohan was excited because today was the day he was going to get to leave the castle and have tea with Albus and Mr. Hagrid whose strong resemblance to his Grandpa made him eager to be around the large man.

Around midmorning, Gohan followed Albus out of the castle after meeting up with the other boy in the entrance hall. Once outside they made their way down towards a small cabin at the edge of the forest. Gohan was reminded of the small hut his Dad had grown up in with his Grandpa which now served as a small shrine that gohan often went to study in when it was nice out. Before they arrived Hagrid emerged from the other side of the hut with what looked like, and smelled like raw meat.

"'ello there Albie! So glad you could make it down, and with yer friend!" The huge white bearded man offered Albus a large smile which didn't falter one bit when he turned his gaze to Gohan.

"Oh yeah, Hagrid this is my friend Gohan, Gohan this is Hagrid!" Albus announced excited to be out of the castle and talking to family who didn't seem like they cared that he was a Slytherin now.

"Hello, Mr. Hagrid, nice to meet you." Gohan smiled and offered a polite bow to the large man that still reminded him so much of his Grandpa Ox.

"Oh none a tha' Mr. Hagrid stuff Gohan," Hagrid waved his hand at the notion, "Now I know I promised ya tea, but would ya mind coming with me for a bit before tha' boys?" Hagrid asked, but the look on Albus' face told the other boy he needent have had to. Albus was excited to spend time with Hagrid, tea was the excuse to visit and see whatever he was up to. Gohan suspected their detour had something to do with the raw meat that Hagrid carried and the fact that he was the Care of Magical Creatures Professor. The young Saiyan quickly sped up next to Albus and the two boys followed Hagrid into the edge of the forest. Gohan hoped he was right and they were going to see some creatures, he loved animals.

"Oh now mind yer step boys, there's a 'lil one right o'er there," Hagrid gestured to a fallen log on the right side of the clearing the trio had just entered.

"'ello there Sunshine" Gohan watched as Hagrid gently patted the head of a creature that just walked out of the coverage of the tree nearest the group. It had dark leathery skin, the body of a horse, but the face of the creature reminded Gohan of a lizard. Long bat like wings hung to the skeletal sides of its flank, overall it was like nothing Gohan had ever seen.

"What is she Sir?" Gohan asked not taking his eyes off of the strange creature.

"What are you guys talking about!?" Albus interrupted, obviously annoyed to be the only one out of the loop. He was peering around the clearing looking around for something he was missing.

Hagrid kept his gaze focused on Gohan, a sad knowing look crossed his eyes before he answered Albus' question, "Sunshine 'ere is a Thestral, and she just had a 'lil baby foal Ray o'er there." Hagrid had again gestured to the log, this time Gohan looked closer noticing the tiny body of the baby Thestral camouflaged against the bark. It looked so small and helpless. Gohan realized quickly the meat was for the mother and baby even before Hagrid started feeding Sunshine. The mother chewed the meat a few times before setting down and placing the small piece of meat next to the foal's small muzzle.

"Sunshine's mate was killed before their baby was born, the male Thestral is in charge of finding food while the mare watches o'er the foal." Hagrid patted her muzzle in comfort, Gohan could tell Care of Magical Creatures was definitely going to be a class he wanted to take, the young boy could immediately tell how much Hagrid knew, and cared about creatures from just the small interaction he had just witnessed.

"C'mere boys" Gohan and Albus walked closer to where Hagrid was now crouching next to the mother and baby, although Hagrid crouching was still heads taller than the two boys standing. Pulling out a small piece of meat which he handed to both boys Hagrid instructed, "Now, give 'er a piece and she'll let ya pat 'er head." Albus held the meat in his hand but still looked confused and worried, clearly not knowing what to do. Gohan decided to take charge and approached the mare gently letting the animal take the meat from his outstretched hand before pulling closer and stroking her mane.

"Well done Gohan, 'yer very good with animals aren't ya." Gohan smiled at the compliment, even though it had only been a week it had felt like forever since he had the freedom to wander around the wilderness and play with the animals he found.

"Now Albie, see where Gohan's petting 'er?" Gohan shifted to the creatures side, running his hand down her neck to give Albus better access. Albus gathered his wits and walked up with his arm stiff towards where Gohan was, the half-saiyan could tell the other boy was nervous by his slightly shaking hand but once he got close enough, Sunshine bent her neck down and picked up the offered meat and repeated the same process of chewing then offering the meat to her baby. Sensing Albus' trepidation but also his desire to pet the creature, Gohan gently grabbed his friends' hand in his own free hand and pulled it gently down to the top of the mares' head. Albus' eyes widened before he slowly moved his hand by itself across the creatures mane. The boys spent the rest of the time patting the gentle creature while Hagrid fed her the rest of the meat.

"Now Thestrals are very protective o' their young. Notice not even I'm allowed ter touch 'lil Ray and I've known Sunshine since she were a foal 'erself." Hagrid explained to the boys giving a glimpse of his immense knowledge about the creatures. Gohan couldn't blame the mother, the foal truly looked tiny and fragile like even a gust of wind could hurt it.

"We should get back for some tea now, thanks fer the help boys," Hagrid gave Sunshine one last pat, while the boys gave their own goodbyes to the creature and they followed the huge man back to his cabin.

After washing their hands, Hagrid set a kettle on his large stove to boil while Albus and Gohan sat down at the large table in the center of the room. Albus broke the silence in the room with a question that obviously was burning a hole in his tongue.

"Hagrid, why are Thestral's invisible, and how did you know Sunshine was there?" The boy questioned clearly not over his confusion from the feeding they had just returned from. Gohan however was taken aback, gazing between Albus and Hagrid in succession. Was this some sort of inside joke Albus was playing?

"Albus, what do you mean, she was standing right there, you petted her too?" Gohan questioned thinking he was missing some sort of wizard humor. Hagrid however let out a small sigh Gohan was sure only he could hear, while he gathered some tea cups and set them in front of the boys before retrieving the now whistling kettle. No one spoke again until the large man settled himself at the third chair at the table. Albus and Gohan were staring at each other in confusion, both boys wondering to themselves why their friend would play this joke on them.

"Now boys, Albie," Habrid began focusing his attention on the young Potter, "Thestral's are creatures that can only be seen by those who have seen someone err, well pass on." Hagrid fumbled over his words, trying his best to break the news to the boys gently.

Albus let out a small "Oh" before awkwardly taking a quick glance at Gohan. Thoughts ran through Gohan's mind, obviously he'd seen a lot of people die, mostly enemies thankfully, but he had also seen more than his fair share of innocents and friends go as well. Not to mention…Dad. In a way it didn't surprise the young warrior that a boy his age hadn't experienced death, it actually made Gohan glad that not everyone had to experience the same pains he had to. Gohan hadn't realized that both Albus and Hagrid had been watching him from behind their respective tea cups until he looked up and saw Albus' confusion and Hagrid's gentle worry. Gohan didn't want to burden Hagrid but especially not Albus with tales of the fights he was a part of in his life. Instead he settled on telling his friend and his Grandpa's doppelganger the part of the truth which had settled at the forefront of his mind.

"Umm my Dad died. Earlier this year. I was, well I was there." Gohan answered their unasked question hoping he wouldn't have to explain more, the young boy could already feel the beginning of tears forming in the back of his eyes and the last thing he wanted was to ruin tea for his friend.

"I'm so sorry Gohan." Albus was first to speak offering a small sad smile towards his friend. Hagrid himself had gotten out of his chair and pulled Gohan into a bone crushing hug which had Gohan not been infinitely stronger than the average boy would have definitely caused permanent damage.

"I lost me Dad 'roun yer age too. Come down for tea whenever you like, we can talk." Hagrid gently whispered bending down to Gohan's ear. Hagrid might not actually be his Grandpa, but he was the closest thing he felt to home since he had gotten to Hogwarts.

"Thank you." Gohan replied with a smile, grateful for the hug he had needed. Sitting back down to his tea which was growing cold, and eager to talk about any other topic to diffuse the situation, Gohan abruptly announced. "Albus told me when we were walking down that you once had a pet dragon too!" Those were indeed the magic words, Hagrid lit up as he began talking about Norberta.

"Yer father helped me raise 'er Albie before yer Uncle Charlie took 'er away to be with 'er own kind. I've been up ta Romania ev'ry year since the war to visit. She had ten 'lil ones 'erself since then!" Hagrid continued to tell the boys stories about his beloved dragon, and he was surprised, and immensely pleased if not a little jealous of Gohan when Albus brought up the fact that Gohan had a dragon too.

"Uh yeah I've known Icarus sine I was four, he's not a really big dragon like Norberta it sounds like, but I used to ride him when I was littler." Hagrid's eyes grew wide like the one thing he wished in all the world would be to ride a dragon.

"Albie, 'yer Dad once saved a dragon and rode 'er all the way from Gringotts to Wales." Hagrid reminisced with clear admiration.

"Yeah I know, it's one of the only stories he tells. All. The. Time," Albus said with a fond roll of his eyes that only a son could have for his father. "You'd think being blacklisted at Gringotts would make him and Uncle Ron be a little less proud of that particular story, but no." Albus finished, and Gohan suddenly realized why his trip to the strange wizard bank back in Diagon Alley was so awkward with Mr. Potter. Was that why he was so famous like Eddie had said?

The trio continued telling stores until they were all finished with two cups of tea each. Gohan could tell that Hagrid and the Potter family were very close, even though they might not be actual relations, Hagrid was definitely a favorite uncle/grandpa if Gohan were to label him. The boys bid Hagrid goodbye to head back up to the castle for dinner. Gohan felt more normal than he had all week getting to just be himself outside of the castle walls.

They were taunting him, Raditz, Nappa, Frieza, Cell, circling, circling, he had no voice to call out for help, they were all too big. You're nothing Son Gohan, you're just a stupid little boy who was too much of a coward to save his own father. They were laughing, cackling at the small scared boy closing into a suffocating distance. You let him die, weak, pathetic. Now you're still just running away, you can't save your mom, and your friends. You let the only one who can protect them die. Pathetic crybaby. The voices were too big and too loud. The laughter making him sick to his stomach, he was just so small and weak. Daddy, help me…Daddy!

Gohan awoke from his nightmare, sheets curled around his limbs, tears rolling down the sides of his face mixing with the sweat from his brow. Slowly catching his breath Gohan looked around at his surroundings, no sight of old enemies, just five other eleven year old boys asleep in their beds. Loud snores were still coming from Ben's bed, but a beam from the waning moon flashed across Dwayne's four poster where the other boy was looking at Gohan. The other boy gestured towards the door and silently creeped out of his own bed across the room to leave. Gohan took the gesture as a sign to follow, sure that his roommate was going to be mad and yell at him about waking him up from his sleep.

Once out in the stairway that led down to the common room, Gohan noticed Dwayne sitting crouched near the still lit fire, the rest of the room was empty.

"Uh, sorry about that…bad dream, was I really loud and woke you?" Gohan rubbed the back of his head shyly, nervous as to what the other boys reaction was going to be. Dwayne shook his head and gestured towards the matching pillow he had placed on the floor next to him. Gohan quietly joined the other boy and was surprised when Dwayne placed a mug of warm milk in his hands once he sat down.

"My mom always made it for me after I had a bad dream." Dwayne explained with a soft soothing voice and encouraging look to Gohan. "Don't worry I wasn't asleep yet, you didn't wake me. But…" Dwayne paused looking up at the other boy across from him "It looked like a bad one, if you hadn't woken up I was thinking of waking you…" Gohan felt a strong surge of warmth towards the other boy. "...if you ever want to talk about it…" He finished awkwardly obviously wanting to help but unsure how.

"Thanks, that's really nice...maybe sometime, but I'm feeling a lot better." Gohan smiled gesturing to the milk. He knew he wasn't ready to talk to anyone about his nightmares, but like his mom sometimes said, it was the thought that counts and Dwayne comforting a boy he had only know for less than a week, was definitely thoughtful. The boys sat in companionable silence watching the last of the embers of the fire dance in the hearth. Gohan took his last sip of milk, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Dwayne stifle a yawn.

"We better get back to bed." Gohan simply said, not wanting them to lose anymore sleep this night. The two boys got up from their cozy spot in front of the fire, Gohan gave Dwayne another appreciative smile before they began walking towards their room. "Why were you still up anyway?"

"Er, well I decided to finish my Transfiguration essay."

"What! That's not even due until next Friday," Gohan couldn't help but exclaim, Dwayne just laughed, giving no answer, but the two boys felt lighter, and quickly fell asleep once both their beds hit the pillow.

Gohan felt better when he woke up that morning, no more nightmares had plagued his sleep. Winking the sleep out of his eyes, he remembered that today was Sunday. He had a great time at tea the day before with Albus and Hagrid but he couldn't help but think perhaps their conversation at the cabin had spurred on his dream last night. Now that the sun was up, it was easier to digest his dream, it had been very similar to ones that he had during the summer, the difference being at home he had his own room with a window. Gohan often snuck outside after his nightmares in the summer, sometimes he just stared out at the night sky on his favorite rock down by the lake, other times he released some pent up energy with some training. Gohan hadn't anticipated how much he would miss the freedom to go outdoors, freedom that he didn't even know he had at home. As much as his mom loved him to study all hours of the day, they both knew it was impractical so the young boy often spent many hours outside between study sessions either relaxing or sometimes doing some training with Piccolo.

Gohan quickly knew what he would be doing during his free Sunday, glad when he looked out his dorm window that the sun had risen to a bright clear day.

After a quick breakfast by himself, (all of his friends seemed to be taking advantage of the weekend and were sleeping in) Gohan grabbed his book bag. He had packed both his wizarding books and a few Biology and Calculus workbooks he could complete for his mom and outside he went. It was a warm morning still being on the tail end of summer, and Gohan couldn't be happier. Looking forward to exploring the grounds some, Gohan first took off towards the lake.

On the way across the grass down towards the water a familiar itch had found its way throughout Gohan's body. He knew the only way that the itch he felt curling up inside him could be scratched was to expend some energy. Dropping his book bag next to a large shady tree close to the lake, Gohan carefully looked around the grounds to make sure no one was out to see him. Luckily it was still early, and Gohan knew that if he went fast he could be up and in the air without anyone seeing a thing.

Lifting quickly off into the sky felt exhilarating for the young saiyan. He hadn't realized how uncomfortable he had gotten keeping his energy level so low for the whole week. Gohan made a quick b-line for the forest, although technically students weren't allowed in there per the Headmistress' opening speech, he had been in there just yesterday with Hagrid and Albus so maybe they were just guidelines, besides, the forest would be the best place not to be seen.

Landing in a clearing Gohan took in the sights and sounds around him, the forest really was wild. He could sense all sorts of different energies around him, nothing strong enough to give him any troubles. The greenery and life all around him was very refreshing and he took some time performing some much needed Katas, stretching and refocusing his body. After some time had passed, Gohan looked up into the sky through a hole in the dense foliage and noticed that the sun was much higher than when he had left. Although he was greatly enjoying his break out in nature, he knew he should get back to the school work waiting for him.

Floating himself out and above the tree line, Gohan leisurely made his way back to the castle flying just above the tree tops occasionally racing a few birds back to their nests. Once he neared the edge of the forest Gohan upped his speed incase there was anyone watching, they would only see a slight blur if they happened to spot him at that speed. Feeling worry free after his excursion, Gohan wasn't paying quite enough attention to notice a person was sitting at his destination until it was almost too late.

Gohan noticed the girl reading near the tree he was heading towards and in a panic, he stopped himself and dropped straight down near the shore of the lake. In his haste to land unspotted his left foot hit the water with a large splash. Gohan held his breath hoping the girl hadn't heard him. Unfortunately, she had.

"What was that!" Gohan heard the girl exclaim. Realizing he was caught, Gohan slowly trudged up the hill towards the voice. The girl had gotten up from her study spot and was surveying the area when she spotted the slightly damp young Saiyan emerging from the small bluff near the waters edge.

"Where did you come from?" The girl exclaimed, catching his eye. Gohan stopped in his tracks right arm rubbing his head in typical Son fashion, realising not only was he caught but he knew who this girl was.

"Uh hi, um Rose?" Gohan said to the girl, unsure how much she had actually seen. Of course it would be Rose Granger-Weasley who was there. Gohan still didn't know what the red head thought of him even after a week of classes together. She was cold on the train, warmed up after the sorting and had since then pointedly ignored the half-saiyan.

"Don't hi Rose me. I've been reading here for a half hour alone then all of a sudden you pop up out of nowhere!" The fiery girl accused.

"Um, well I'm pretty quiet?" Gohan's weakly defended himself. "and I was down closer to the lake, um practicing...spells?" Gohan was a terrible liar, but he didn't know what else to say. Clearly no wizards could fly without a broom, and Gohan didn't have a broom on him so he couldn't tell her he was flying around, especially not in the forest which was technically off-limits to students. To Gohan's saving grace, Rose perked up.

"Oh what spells?" The girl asked. Gohan looked around and noticed a medium length black and brown feather near his school bag.

"Um levitation spell." Gohan replied weakly.

"Go on then, and I'll see if I can help, I did get it perfect my first try in class, and no offence but it's probably a good idea for you to practice. Old Professor Flitwick almost had a heart attack when you blew up your feather last class." Rose said with a light air of superiority.

"Um ok…" Gohan grabbed his wand that thankfully was still in his pocket and focused on what he remembered about the spell. "Wingardium Leviosa." Gohan spoke and closed his eyes not too eager to see another explosion. Not hearing anything, Gohan peaked an eye open and to his surprise the feather was floating up near the top of the tree. "Wow, it actually worked!" Gohan exclaimed.

"Well done, looks like your… practice…down by the… lake paid off." Rose commented, drawing the last part of her sentence out to show her skepticism. Only getting a happy grin in response, the red head huffed, "Fine, don't tell me what you were really doing." She rolled her eyes before looking the boy up and down and with a smirk on her face changed the topic entirely.

"You really aren't from around here are you." Rose said, the witch dressed in a pair of jeans and a casual t-shirt, pointedly looked at the half-saiyan boy whose outfit was a stark contrast to her own.

Gohan noticed yesterday that all the other students didn't wear their school robes on the weekend, instead they were in much more casual attire. Gohan felt like taking advantage of getting out of his uniform, deciding instead to wear his comfy white jacket shirt, black pants, with flat black shoes. He felt so much more comfortable than in the robes, the only thing better would have been his gi, but he want sure how casual was too casual and didn't want to push his luck.

"No I guess not?" Gohan breathed out in relief that the red headed girl had changed her method of inquisition.

"I've heard rumors that you were from the East District but I thought they were the same kind of rumors that people had been saying about my cousin being the next Dark Lord. Completely bogus."

"Um, well yeah, I live at Mt. Paozu, but no one here has ever heard of it before." Gohan stated, he knew he lived out in the country but most people back home at least pretended they knew where it was.

"Yeah can't say I have either." Rose simply stated obviously waiting for more of an explanation.

"Well, when Mrs. Potter came to meet my mom and me, she said something about it being hard to get to East District." Gohan said trying to recall that first conversation about the wizarding world.

"So you are from East District? Why didn't Albus tell me!" The inquisitive girl stated in response.

"Well, have you even talked to him since school started?" Gohan couldn't help but blurt out, immediately realizing how rude he was to talk about her personal business. Good thing Mom isn't here, that definitely would have earned a frying pan. "Sorry." Gohan stated simply, even though he knew his weak apology wouldn't make much difference. To Gohan's surprise the ginger haired girl looked to be ashamed.

"Er, well no. But he hasn't made it easy either!" Rose's abashment quickly turned to anger. "Getting sorting into Slytherin. We had a plan, and he ruined it!" Gohan was confused, the girl was clearly talking to herself more than to him.

"Why can't you still be friends, or um cousins, I mean, I see him all the time, and I'm in Gryffindor too." Gohan stated diplomatically, but that was obviously the wrong thing to say by Rose's reaction of grabbing her school bag and roughly tucking her forgotten book inside.

"You wouldn't understand!" The girl turned slinging her bag over her shoulder ready to make her way back to the castle but quickly pivoted back "And don't think you're off the hook Son, I'm watching you." Rose hissed, and with that the fiery girl stomped away back to the castle leaving a very confused half-saiyan in her wake.

Shrugging off the strange run in with the fiesty girl Rose, Gohan turned back to his own school bag that was still lying on the tree. Still marveling about how he had gotten away with literally dropping out of the blue with no explanation, his eyes spotted the forgotten feather he had actually managed to levitate! Gohan's face broke into a smile with delayed delight, he had finally made a spell work!

Pondering why all of a sudden he could do it, the only two possibilities that sprung to mind were that, 1. He was a terrible liar and Dende was being especially kind to him today. Or 2. Perhaps flying and doing some training had expended some of his pent up energy which had a correlation with not blowing things up with his magic. Either way Gohan knew he had more work to do. Settling back down next to his bag and the tree, Gohan pulled out his homework, eager to keep enjoying the beautiful day.

Thanks so much for reading! So, I like to think this chapter is the end of Gohan's introduction to the wizarding world. (Yes I know finally!) So the story is going to start moving along with some time skips because otherwise I'd be a hundred chapters in and only done with the first month of school lol. I didn't want to add in too many OC's but I realized it would be awkward if Gohan never spoke to his roommates, so I hope the characters I've introduced aren't too terrible. Also yes, obviously I'm drawing comparisons to Rose and Videl, what fun is Gohan if he doesn't have a fiesty girl looking out for all his secrets and him acting super awkward in the process lol. Anyway let me know what you think! :)