chapter 2
1st of September 1991
A laughing family of four passed through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross station London.
Sirius Black, dressed to perfection. A black suit with an elaborate black and gold waistcoat. His wife of 7 years on his arm. Amelia Bones-Black smiled broadly her strawberry blond hair swishing around her face as she tried not to let a belly laugh escape her. Her niece Susan Bones-Black in full Hogwarts uniform, skirt, tights, shoes, shirt, tie and pullover. Her long blond hair in a high ponytail. Her brother in all but blood Harry Potter-Black stood beside her in his matching boys uniform with the perpetually messy black hair and glasses , The excitement of the fact that they will be riding on the beautiful steam train In front of them.
The Hogwarts express stood waiting at the platform, steam spilling from the funnel. Reay to whisk the new and returning students off to Scotland.
Amelia knelt in front of the young Pair of preteens.
"Can you try and behave just for a little while at least a week without detention?"
The mock indignation on their faces wasted by the two smirks they could not control.
"We will be total angels mum"
Was stated in unison as they proceeded to slap the sloppiest kisses they could on each of her cheeks at the same time.
Laughing raucously she passed them off to the man they called dad, Sirius encompassed them in a bone crushing hug and whispered in their ear.
"Find your Moony he was the only reason we made it through with as few detentions as we did"
"we will"
It still marvel to Sirius how these two would finish each other sentences, or speak the same phrase in unison. Though they don't share blood they were true siblings.
They pulled their trucks up and into a carriage dragging them alone looking for an empty compartment. Once they had the trunks stowed away they returned to the two adults to retrieve the owl in a cage and cat in a carrier. A last goodbye had them making their way back to said compartment to await their friend and enjoy the ride.
The train whistle rang with two short bursts to signify the 5 minute warning, the cabin door slid open to reveal a stocky boy with sandy blond hair and a trunk.
"There you two are, I though I had missed you near the start I was contemplating turning around a walking back".
The seated children both looked up at the same time and smiled.
In the Doorway to the compartment stood Neville Longbottom. A little taller and broader than Harry, they had been friends for as long As they could remember.
"How's your mum and dad?"
They said in their usual unison.
"Yeah they're really good, Mom will always have the tremors as you know and though dad can't speak we still communicate"
Nevil's hands formed the muggle sign language as he spoke. Something he always instinctively did when he spoke about them.
Eyes gleaming the two preteens asked
"So has your dad taught you any new good ones"
Smiling Neville sat opposite them, formed his right hand into a loose fist and wiggled his left index finger in the hole in the middle. the others copied him then asked What it meant.
"Asshole"
All three turned to see where the comment had come from. Just outside the compartment shuffling from foot to foot and looking down was bushy haird girl.
"Sorry that was rude I can't help myself if I know an answer I have to say it"
She looked up in shock when Harry spoke next.
"Don't be sorry for being clever, Nev give me a hand with her trunk. Take a seat, Join us. Unless you have other friends you were looking for."
The last part was said with a little trepidation, There was something about this young witch that Harry liked. He hoped she would want to join them.
Shaking her head she stated.
"No I don't know anyone, I don't really have many friends I find it hard to interact with other people".
Susan took the young girl by the hand and lead it to the seat next to her, while the two lads hefted her trunk into the rack. Turning to her new friend she stated.
"Over there with the green eyes that's my brother Harry, My name is Susan and chunk in the corner there is Neville"
Have you looked towards her tipped and imaginary hat, Neville just poked his tongue at her. Susan laughed and looked at the young girl expectantly.
"Hermione, Hermione Granger"
"Midsummer night's tale or ancient Greek?"
Her head whipped round in astonishment and for the first time brown eyes truly met green.
"Sorry I know it's not cool but I read a lot I love Shakespeare and I love history"
The two then were lost in each other's knowledge of books and reading and history and any other thing I could think of to keep talking.
Susan looked towards Neville and together they mouthed third year, then both burst into laughter. A book had appeared on Harry's lap And after Susan and suggested that Hermione and Neville swapped places, it was then shared between Hermione and Harry.
The next two hours passed in comfort Neville and Susan planning how they were going to explore the castl, Harry and Hermione lost in Hogwarts a history. This was when an elderly witch passed by pushing a trolley and asked if they wanted anything. Hermione informed him that her parents were dentists and that she didn't really eat sweets. Harry insisted on buying one of everything so that she could try it all, but promised to teach her really good teeth cleaning spell.
A very enjoyable journey was interrupted but the door being flung open. There stood pale boy with white blonde hair And two thick set boys one either side of him.
"Black, black, looongbottom Who's your friend"
Disdain dripping from every word. the two boys stood up. To confront the unwelcome visitors. Harry spoke.
"Draco Malfoy this is Hermione Granger"
Both boys forming the sign for asshole behind their backs so only the girls could see. This caused an involuntary chuckle from the two seated witches and had the effect to draw the attention of blonde to them.
"Granger I don't know that name pure blood, half blood, muggle?"
The last word was said was almost a slur. Three of the quartet shrugged but one look down internally berating herself. Believing she should not have believed that she had actually made friends. The next statement was another shock to her system. Never looking away from Malfoy Harry spoke.
"As he is only one that cares why don't you fill him in, So we can get back to enjoying our journey"
With confidence she didn't know she had Hermione looked up, Stared straight into Malfoys eyes and stated.
"Muggle born and you"
"Urgh a mud"
Malfoy didn't get to finish his sentence because Harry lashed out with his hand and grabbed him by the throat dragging him into the carriage, Instantaneously Neville slammed the door and glared is two gorillas through the glass.
"Listen Malfoy I will say this only once if you ever use that word around her again, I will rip your fucking head off and stuff it up your ass. Am I understood or do you need Any clarification on that point."
Without another word Neville pulled the door open and Harry pushed the boy out.
"My father will hear about this"
Rang along the corridor as the compartment door slid closed. Harry turned to sit and found Hermione wrapped in Susan's arms.
"I'm sorry I always cause trouble I'll get my stuff and go"
Harry turned for the door But was stopped by Neville leaping in front of him he turned again and found he was looking directly into his sister's eyes.
"Harry Potter-black don't you dare, We promised at least one week".
What followed was a 2 minute staring contest which involved flaring of nostrils, twitching of lips and squinting of eyes. The silence was broken by Hermione.
"What are they doing?"
Neville came to a rescue.
"You see these two don't really argue and fight but when do they do it's big and it's loud. My uncle threatened to curse them so much they would not be able to sit for week if he heard them argue again. So now they do it silently which is really unnerving for the rest of us."
Harry deflated and sat down.
"Sorry about that Hermione my brother was about to go and rearrange Draco's face and we had to promise our mum that we would be good for a week. I managed to get Draco a stay of execution but he would need to be very, very careful around you for the next week at least. Sorry if we overstepped but my brother let you touch his copy of Hogwarts a history you are stuck with us for life"
The last part caused Susan and Neville to laugh and Harry and Hermione to blush.
Malfoy having put the idea of a family into their heads Hermione preceded to tell them about hers, parents dentists, did well at school found it hard to fit in. Diagnosed with autistic tendencies And finds it hard to fit in with her peers.
It was then Susan and Harrys turn, They both explained how they had lost their parents while they were still babies. Susans aunt and Harrys godfather were In a relationship. so they became one big family. They married when they were three or four years old and then when they were seven they asked if they would be their mum and dad. That's why she became Susan Bones-Black and he became Harry Potter-Black. Before Neville could be put on the spot, A voice rang through the train informing everyone that they would be arriving at Hogsmeade in 10 minutes. they pulled out their robes threw them over their uniforms and prepared to Leave the train together.