Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; I write for fun and am making no profit off of this.
Chapter 11: Train Ride, and Second Sorting:
The morning of their return to Hogwarts was now on them. The last 10 days had passed far quicker than even Harry thought they could. For the first time he almost didn't want to return, but he figured it was because he actually had something to miss now.
He was happy to go back though, maybe this year would be quiet. Without the reputation and perils of being Harry Potter, just maybe this year would be different from the last 4 years of hell.
It would be weird to go back though, none of his classmates would be there yet. He was 7 years early after all. It would be hard to see Cedric as a little first year, considering he just watched the man die less than 6 months ago, thankfully he wouldn't see him until next year. He really hoped the Unspeakables would have a way to save him from his fate. If they did then this new war's casualty count would stay at just Voldemort and his Death Eaters, at least he hoped.
He was worried about his morph slipping and him adopting his normal look, though with the glasses gone and his scar being lighter he looked a lot different than usual. Dora had been drilling him on his morph skills for almost three months, Andi had helped him build the foundation, but Dora had helped him refine and perfect it.
Another worry he held was the fact that he wouldn't be able to be a Gryffindor. He needed to distance himself from the image of Harry Potter as much as possible or questions would arise in 4 years when he entered Hogwarts for the first time. It would already be hard when it was revealed he was a parselmouth. Slytherin was also out, it wouldn't do for a perceived muggleborn, even if he was a metamorph and a parseltongue to be sorted into the house of the pureblood fanatics. The true cunning would realize that he wasn't a muggleborn, but unfortunately the house was full of fakes.
He knew Ravenclaw was also a longshot, as much as he had changed his study habits, he knew he didn't have the intellect or drive to be a Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff was really the only choice he had. He was a bit frightened to becoming a badger for the sole fact of being in the proximity of one Cedric Diggory. As much as he harbored guilt for his death, it was his continued survival that was what drove him. It would be hard not to interfere with Time and just tell the boy when he met him next year.
"Oi Evans! Time to go!" His shouting housemate caused him to sigh and leave his thoughts in the past and move forward with his future.
"Coming Dora!" He made his way down the hallway to the stairs, when he reached the landing of the stairs, he smiled seeing Dora tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for him. She had spent the last week calling him Evans to familiarize herself with his new last name.
"Come on! We got places to be, friends to see." She huffed.
Andromeda shook her head in amusement, Dora was always impatient when the first day of term arrived.
"Are you kids ok to use the knight bus or do you want me to drop you off at kings cross, Ted already left for work."
Dora rolled her eyes at her mother, "Mum we aren't 11 we can get there on our own."
"Excuse me for showing a little worry and wanting to see my kids off to school." Andi said with mock sadness.
Dora groaned in annoyance, 'We'll be fine mum, you can go now. Besides I need to lay the ground rules for lover boy over here anyway."
Harry looked at her startled as Andi let out a chuckle of amusement, "Have fun with that Nymphadora." She paused ignoring the Dora glare she got off the name, "You three have a wonderful term, and make sure you take care of Zephyr properly. I also expect letters at least once a week from you three."
$ Even me? $ Zephyr hissed from his perch on Andi's shoulders, causing Harry to translate to his guardian.
Andi scratched under Zephyr's chin causing him to let out a hum of satisfaction, "Especially you, you're as much family as these two miscreants, make sure Harry writes it for you and take care of them they get into enough trouble as is."
Andi earned a glare from her 'children' $ If I must, these two are a handful though. $
$ Please, you and Dora do more pranks than me! $ Harry chided his familiar with his arms crossed, causing Zephyr to snicker at him.
Andi merely laughed at their interaction, with a wave goodbye she Apparated away.
Next thing Harry knew was Dora was directly in front of him, causing him to step back at the sudden action.
With her finger in his face, "Now listen here Evans, you will call me Tonks. Not Dora, Not Nym, Not NYMPHADORA, Just Tonks. We can't have the rest of them thinking they can get away with calling me Dora."
Harry gulped loudly which caused a brief tug of Dora's lips and a snicker from Zephyr. "But I've always called you Dora. What wrong with that?"
Her cheeks went slightly pink before she shook it off, "I have had to deal with the sheep insulting me about my name for the better part of the last 4 years. It's only gotten worse since I've started going through puberty. I'm sure you can imagine with a metamorphs name that's closely related to nymph."
Harry would admit later that he felt slightly possessive of his fellow metamorph, but what he felt most in that moment was rage, "We'll then I'll hex them, you're Dora to me and if anyone gives you crap, we can either curse them or sic Zephyr on them."
$ I get to attack stupid humans who mess with my nestmates, count me in. $ Zephyr puffed up proudly.
Harry let out a chuckle before explaining his familiar's remarks to a now grinning Dora.
Harry grabbed Dora's hand getting her to blush brightly, looking into her eyes, "You're not alone anymore and you never will be again if I have anything to say about it."
He would remember the next moment in vivid detail for the rest of his life. Dora grabbed his head with both hands and kissed him deeply. It wasn't the best kiss in the world, it was both of their first kisses and it showed from their own inexperience. It was filled with passion and the stirrings of love though, only the hissing of Zephyr broke them out of it.
With red faces they decided to make their way to the door with their trunks to begin their journey to Hogwarts. Harry gently clasped her hand in his with Zephyr disillusioned and coiled on his shoulder, and with his trunk firmly in his other hand. Dora Had a similar arrangement only no Zephyr attached to her.
Eventually they arrived at the road, Harry let her hand go already missing the warmth and companionship the action provided. He snapped his wand into his hand from his wand holster and raised it signaling the knight bus.
5 minutes later a cramped knight bus arrived. Paying their fair, they stood as they rocketed off, only a well-done sticking charm kept them from moving. A very nauseas new couple made their way off the Knight Bus and approached Kings Cross train station, trailed by countless other occupants of the bus.
After making their way past the barrier at nine and three quarters they found themselves on the train, finally headed to one of the only homes Harry had known. He realized something in that moment, the Tonks' household felt more like a home than Hogwarts did. This realization made him feel warmth creep into his heart.
"Har?"
"Sorry Dora, just missing home already."
Her face was pink, still not used to the name in public, "Well, can you help me with my trunk?"
She pointed at her trunk and at the rack in the compartment that was meant for luggage. He placed their trunks on the rack and sat down, he was surprised when she sat down on his left and grasped her hand in his and leaned into him.
They sat in silence for a minute before she said, "Hmm this feels nice."
He smiled in response as he just leaned into her enjoying the moment. Zephyr meanwhile removed his disillusionment and settled himself across their laps. He was rewarded for his actions by being petted by both with their free hands. Slowly he entered the realm of Morpheus as did his two humans.
Sadly, their sleep was short lived as the compartment slid open to reveal a black long-haired woman with a pale complexion.
"TONKS! About time I found you." The woman said grabbing a now standing Dora in a hug. Zephyr had shifted solely to Harry's lap.
With a look at Harry she whispered, "Who's the hotty?
Smacking one of her best friends in the arm, "He's mine Hes."
Hes shrugged at her friend, "Obviously, I mean his hair is blue. I assume he's like you?"
Tonks nodded her head.
Hes wrapped her friend into another hug, "Good on you, after last year I thought you would become celibate."
Dora's response died on her lips as two red headed newcomers made their way into the compartment.
"Bill! Charlie!" Tonks wrapped each of them into a hug.
Harry was surprised to see the Weasleys, he had forgotten that they were friends of Dora's.
With a Nudge at her friend Hes asked, "Aren't you going to introduce us to your new beau?" The Weasley's for the first time looked at the blue haired man that was in the compartment. Protective brother instincts went through their head as they eyed him with caution.
Tonks rolled her eyes fondly at her friend. Gesturing to Harry, "This is Harrison Phillip Evans, his adoptive father was an old family friend. When he died Harry came to live with us. The snake on the other hand is his familiar Zephyr."
The three noticed the snake for the first time and glanced it without a shred of fear.
$ Nice to meet you $ Zephyr said to the newcomers.
"He said nice to meet you." Harry said. Their eyes widened at his gift.
They were broken out of their stupor when Tonks loudly coughed. Bill smiled sheepishly while Charlie looked down and Hes looked at Harry with interest.
"Sorry about that, I'm Bill Weasley, this is my brother Charlie and that is the mighty Tonks best friend Hestia Jones. It's nice to meet you both." Hestia waved at him in greeting.
$ They seem friendly, a little weird though. The Exuberant one has weird friends. $ Zephyr said looking at his human.
Zephyr's words caused Charlie to laugh loudly, he paled when he realized what his actions implied.
Zephyr floated up to him, drawing fear from the three now that they realized what kind of snake he was, $ Speaker? $
Charlie let out a sigh, $ Dammit, I hid it for so long and you trip me up. $ He finished with a glare at the serpent who merely hissed in response.
Hestia, Tonks, and Harry looked at Charlie with surprise as Bill rubbed his temple.
"I don't know if I should be happy or annoyed. On one hand you hid it for so long and on the other the hand you meet another Parselmouth you out yourself faster than Ron eats." Bill said as he shut the compartment door.
Everyone took a seat as they weren't sure how to react. Harry really wanted to react at the dig on his best friend, not to defend him but to laugh and commiserate with his friend's brothers, but time travel made that impossible.
"To be fair Bill, you told me to hide it." Charlie said shrugging at his older brother.
"Of course, I did, British magical society looks at anyone that can talk to snakes like their evil incarnate." Bill said throwing his hands up in annoyance. "They don't care that some families have it in their lineage. For example, we are descended through the Gaunt's through our Grandmother Cedrella Black."
"Hang on, Black? Does that mean it could show up in my future family line?" Tonks questioned.
With a nod Bill explained, "Yes, it does Tonks. Just like your metamorph abilities it has a chance to appear in your lineage. If you had a kid with Harry here-" They both went red at the implication causing the three to grin, "The child would have a chance to inherit both parseltongue and your metamorph gift."
"But I'm a metamorph too, would that increase the chances?" Harry was legitimately curious about the answer.
Bill smiling at him, "I didn't want to presume with blue hair but yes, the chances of you two having a metamorph is almost 100 percent. Parseltongue on the other hand would be closer to 50 percent though. Unless you were a pureblooded Gaunt, which is impossible since the line has been stagnant since Morfin Gaunt was sentenced to life in Azkaban."
"How do you know all this?" Tonks asked.
"When Charlie displayed his ability, I researched the hell out of our family tree. I tried to find out as much as possible. Since You-Know-Who was the last parselmouth in Britain I wanted to find out if we had any connections to him. Not that I could ever find out his true name."
"Tom Marvolo Riddle." Harry said before he could stop himself.
Tonks groaned at his slip up as the others looked at him with suspicion.
"How do you know that? You're not his kid, are you?" Bill demanded.
At the question both Tonks and him looked disgusted, "Merlin No! He killed my parents I've made it my mission to know everything about him. Tom Marvolo Riddle was born to Merope Gaunt and a local muggle Tom Riddle." When the chamber incident happened, he had questioned Dumbledore about Voldemort's origins, all the man would tell him though was the name of his enemy's parents.
"Wait… the pureblood bigot was a half-blood?" Harry nodded at Hestia's words, she started laughing loudly.
"Oh, Merlin that's great. The champion of the Purebloods was a half-blood, someone they didn't even want to clean their shoes." They all started laughing at that.
After a moment Harry's face turned serious, "I need you guys to promise not to say anything."
"W-why?" Hestia stuttered in surprise.
Bill looked pensive, before he took a stab at the question, "Think about it Hes if the bigots find out their fearless leader was a liar, they might rally behind someone else and come out of the shadows starting the war anew. Most of them bought their way out of Azkaban."
They all went silent at the mention of another war. A war most of them remembered. A war they didn't want to see come again. Harry knew that with everything that happened in his timeline that it was a matter of when not if. He only hoped that the Unspeakables would help him set everything up so that they could take out not only the Dark Lord's supporters but the Dark Lord Voldemort himself.
"Enough with the talks of doom and gloom, anyone excited to return to Hogwarts. Speaking of Hogwarts, Mr. Head Boy don't you have a meeting to get to?"
With a chuckle Bill, Charlie, and Hestia stood, "Aye, Aye, Captain." Bill finished with a mock salute.
The three made their way out of the compartment as Hestia and Charlie showed the metamorphs their new Prefect Badges.
Once again, the two leaned into each other as Zephyr coiled himself on to their laps. They drifted off to sleep almost immediately, the warmth of the others presence helped them have a wonderful sleep that ended with the flash of a light. Groggily they opened their eyes to see a grinning trio with a camera clasped in Hestia's hand.
"I'm so glad I never leave home without this." Hestia grinned showcasing the camera in her hand.
Tonks shot up Zephyr almost falling to the floor, only for Harry to catch him. "I'm going to kill you three!"
Dora chased the three of them out of the compartment as Harry shrugged and drifted back to sleep. He ignored the returning trio and an irate Tonks. She merely glared and sidled back into Harry who unconsciously wrapped her in his arms as she fell asleep again.
Bill, Charlie, and Hestia watched on smiling that Tonks finally found someone she could be herself around. Tonks was like a sibling to the three of them. They hoped that her new boyfriend wouldn't hurt her like the others who had tried to date her before. If he did Bill and Charlie would make his life hell, they wouldn't let their sister be treated like she was last year. Unknown to Tonks, Bill and Charlie had dealt with her former dates, the three that wanted to treat her like an object had spent almost a week in the hospital wing due to 'accidents' that befell them.
Scene Break
Dora and Harry were awakened by Hestia, "You two need to wake up, were almost there. Lover Boy, get out me and your flame need to get dressed."
A blushing Harry made his way out of the compartment with the Weasleys.
Deciding to make small talk Charlie began questioning his best friend's boyfriend, "So, what house you hoping to get into?"
Harry wanted to go back to Gryffindor, but he knew he couldn't, and learning about McGonagall lackluster care soured him a little bit on Gryffindor. "Probably Hufflepuff, I'm not smart enough to go to Ravenclaw. Besides if I joined Gryffindor then I would have to compete with you for your seeker position."
Charlie lit up, "You play seeker?"
Bill smiled at his brother's reaction; it wasn't often that Charlie took an interest in conversations. Not unless they revolved around quidditch or dragons. It would be nice for him to have another friend, especially if the newcomer stayed around Tonks.
The compartment slid open to reveal the robe dressed witches, "Your turn, get a move on it!" Tonks gestured to the compartment.
The three entered to get dressed, as Harry passed Dora, she smacked him on the ass, causing him to look back at her in question, only for her to adopt an innocent look while whistling loudly.
Harry shook his head as he closed the door. He started to undress and was getting ready to put his Hogwarts robe and uniform on only to stop and see the Weasley's staring at him.
He looked himself over but didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. "What?"
Charlie pointed at his shoulder gesturing for the back of it, "What's that scar?"
Harry internally groaned, he had only morphed the scar on his face rather than all the ones on his body. "From a Hungarian Horntail."
Bill gaped at him, "How the hell did you run into one of those."
Harry scratched the back of his head nervously, "I'd rather not talk about it, I'll tell you guys eventually, probably."
"What about the one on your right bicep?" Charlie inquired.
Harry was really starting to hate his incomplete morph; he really should have morphed his scars away. "It's from a basilisk, a phoenix healed me. Really guys I'd prefer you don't mention this, I haven't had an easy life and the last thing I need is the other students on my case, or worse the teachers."
Bill put his hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry about it, I hope one day you can tell us the story but until then your secrets are safe with us." Charlie nodded at his brothers' words causing Harry to give them a grateful smile.
When they finished getting ready, Tonks and Hestia reentered the compartment. They idly chattered while waiting for the Hogwarts Express to come to a full stop. As they made their way off the train, they went to the carriages. Harry noticed for the first time that the carriages were pulled by black skeletal looking horses.
Harry stood in shock at them until Charlie placed his hand on his shoulder, "There called Thestrals, only someone who has seen death can see them. I saw my uncle Billius die, as did Bill." Bill smiled sadly at them.
"Oh." Was all Harry managed to get out.
Charlie looked to be curious at who he saw die but thought better of it as he shrugged and entered the carriage, with Harry soon following his lead.
"So, which house you want to be in?" Hestia asked.
Harry opened his mouth to respond only for Tonks to beat him to it, "He's going to be a badger like us, we need him to trounce Charlie on the Quidditch Pitch."
Charlie scoffed, "Please like he stands a chance against me."
Harry never one to back down from a challenge, "It's you who doesn't stand a chance against me."
Bill decided to throw in his two cents, "Please both of you will be irrelevant as I'll manage to stop each and every goal, thereby making it so the snitch's points won't matter."
Hestia smacked Bill's shoulder, "How dare you William, I remember scoring on you three times last year." Tonks giggled at the interaction.
"Those were lucky shots, and you know it, Tonks hit me with a bludger, it caused me to be a little loopy."
"A little loopy? You could barely fly straight. Besides I remember Pomfrey saying I gave you a concussion on top of a fractured skull." Tonks was beaming at the memory.
Charlie let out a chuckle, "You should have heard the yelling mum gave him when she found out that he didn't tell her about his injury. He had to de-gnome the garden all by himself this whole summer."
Bill shoved his brother playfully, "Don't think I've forgotten that you told her right before it was your turn to de-gnome the garden." Bill said with a mock scowl at Charlie.
"Hey, it was the right thing to do." Charlie added with a slight grin on his face.
Before their argument could continue the carriage came to a stop. Making their way inside Harry wished them goodbye as he made his way to the head table, spotting Professor Flitwick he made his way to him.
"Hello Professor, I'm the new transfer student, Harrison Evans."
Flitwick gave him a quick look, "Ah, Mr. Evans this way please," he gestured for him to follow him to the antechamber that the first years usually waited in before the sorting. "You should have taken the boat across the lake since it was the first time you've entered these esteemed Halls." With a shake of his head, "No matter, when you graduate in three years you will ride out in the boats anyway."
They stopped just as the first years entered to get sorted, Harry had to utilize his occlumency to remain calm and not ruin the surprise of the sorting for the first years. He noticed another teenager waiting, the stranger grinned at him and gave him a wave. Harry waved back and went back to centering his emotions.
5 minutes passed before Professor McGonagall returned and gestured for them to follow her, though she did give him a long look which caused his nerves to reflect in his now changing hair causing her to look at him in shock as the first years looked at him awe. The stranger gave him another smile. Professor McGonagall quickly steeled her face as she led them to the great hall.
He figured his metamorph capabilities interested her, due to her profession of transfiguration. Metamorphs were the living definition of transfiguration after all.
He started going over his plans for the year, they were mostly just to do well in classes, spend time with Dora, make new friends, and retrieve the marauders map.
Eventually the first years were all sorted. He waited for his name to be called only for The Headmaster to stand up and address the school.
"Welcome back to another year, before we begin the feast, we have two new transfer students to sort. Mr. Harrison Evans if you please." Dumbledore gestured for him to go to the chair that held the sorting hat.
He sat down and placed the hat onto his head.
Ah a new transfer student, unusual when we get two in a decade let alone in a single year. Do you mind lowering your shields so I can get a read on you so that I can sort you.
Harry started to panic, in all his plans for Hogwarts he forgot one crucial fact. The sorting hat read minds.
Mr. Hat, you won't tell anyone about any of what you read will you?
Worry not Mr. Evans, what I see stays between you and me. Even the headmaster wouldn't be able to get the knowledge I possess. Many have tried and failed after all and the name is Alastor.
Letting out a sigh of relief he lowered his shields.
Now let's see here…. I guess I should say welcome back Mr. Potter, I see from your reasonings Slytherin and Gryffindor are out. I have to say I agree with you, Godric always did say we had to protect the timeline.
Harry almost asked why, until the sorting hat beat him to his question.
Godric himself met a traveler in his youth, if not for the actions of the man Godric would have died. Unfortunately, Godric had to go incognito for a decade to avoid suspicion and to not meddle in the timeline. It's what cemented the brotherhood of Godric and Salazar, but that's not why you're here. I can sense you have many questions, unfortunately I'm duty bound to hold their secrets, I only told you about the similarities due to the leavings of the founders.
You have many traits all houses would want in their houses. Like I said before Gryffindor and Slytherin are out. You aren't studious enough for Ravenclaw, even with your drive for knowledge. Before I finish let me say good luck I wish you well in your plans, even if there barely formed. Refine them, you will need them, better be!
HUFFLEPUFF!
The Hufflepuff table started clapping uproariously with Hestia and Tonks leading the charge.
He took his seat between the both of them.
"Mr. Rolf Scamander if you would please." Dumbledore gestured to the stranger; the room started whispering at the familiar name. The hat was barely on his head before it shouted Hufflepuff.
The Hufflepuffs started cheering uproariously again, this time Harry joining them.
When the feast and start of term announcements ended, the Hufflepuffs made their way to the Badgers den. He memorized the route as they made their way down towards the kitchens. When the portrait swung open a huge, homely room entered his vision.
He learned that instead of a dormitory that separated the girls and the boys the bedrooms were instead broken down into a set of four adjoining apartments that held their own common room. Tonks and Hestia dragged him into theirs, since they weren't separated by gender, and they had lost two of their roommates when they graduated last year. Rolf made his way to the last bedroom as he gave them a cheery wave.
With a wave goodbye to his girlfriend and Hestia, Harry made his way into his room, noticing his trunk magically appearing in the room along with Zephyr who gave him the equivalent of a shrug and went back to sleep. He got ready for bed himself and passed out almost immediately, dreaming of the next day and his new life as a badger.
AN: Another chapter done, and we finally enter Hogwarts. I decided to make Charlie a Parselmouth for a multitude of reasons, that will be explored later. Unlike Harry though, Charlie will remain incognito. I do plan on the trio becoming in the know about Harry, I am not sure if it will happen this year or not, I'll see how it goes when I write it.
As you can see, I introduced Rolf, I did it for a bunch of reasons with the chief one of them being I love Newt and wanted a younger version of him to become integral to this story, I might even update the story tags just to add him. He will be one of the main characters of this story and will become Harry's best mate. We don't know much about Rolf other than he marries Luna, something which will still happen in this story (Probably the Epilogue.) only much much later, considering the age difference.
Also, when Harry said Tonks wasn't alone anymore it could read like a love declaration, that wasn't the case he meant as a fellow metamorph. I tried rewording it, but it just didn't feel as emotionally charged as the initial statement I had, so I kept it as is.
Expect a new chapter of New Dimension and Teddy Lupin and the revamped 1st chapter sometime next week. Before I release the next chapter of this story, I plan to do an edit of the released chapters. I have also written two new stories, one of them a Bloody Brandy Vegas Challenge, I plan on releasing that one once I have 20 chapters completed (considering there aren't that many completed ones.) I have it planned at 80 chapters and plan to release it in each of the four parts. Should I release the first chapter so I can get feedback, or should I wait for the rest of the chapters, even if they won't be done until the end of the year.
Thanks for reading, until next week.
