Chapter 22: The Worst Train Ride Ever
Harry and his 'Gang', as Sirius started to call them, had all met up the weekend after his birthday to go shopping for their school supplies. So Harry, Draco, Hermione, Neville, and Daphne had all gone in to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Each taking their turn to be fitted. Hermione had noticed all of her friends had additional crests on the right sides of their robes. Sirius explained to her since each of them was an Heir to a Noble house their family crests were also emblazoned on their robes.
Harry's coat of arms was a phoenix holding a rose in its beak with flaming tail feathers spread out behind it. Draco's was the Black family crest that had a black crow standing on a sword with its wings spread out. Neville's crest was a bear standing on its hind legs with a shield behind it. Daphne's was a Swan that was looking down at an open book.
Hermione had been a little jealous when Neville teased her, "Just get married to Harry and you can have his crest." He told her.
Hermione's eyes had widened and her face reddened a bit hearing this. Daphne popped Neville in the chest for this comment, "Do you have any tact?"
"Of course he doesn't," Draco said, "he's been around my father too much." He had started calling Sirius his father a few years ago.
"True Sirius has definitely been molding Neville into his own personal mini me." Harry added, "In personality at least."
"You think I'm bad just wait till to see the twins when we get to Hogwarts." Neville said defending himself, "Sirius has told them all about the pranks he and Harry's dad pulled and the twins are determined to one up them."
"Bloody hell someone better warn Nana." Harry said.
After they left they left the robe shop they all went to Ollivander's. Neville was particularly excited about this because for years his grandmother had been saying she was going to have him use his father's wand. Fortunately, Minerva and Remus talked her out of it claiming a wand that had not chosen its owner would likely not work properly for someone else even if said person was the son of the previous owner. The old woman finally relented agreeing to let Neville get his own wand.
The wand selection took the longest of the entire day. After each one of them finally had a wand they would step outside and wait for the others. Harry had been the last. He tried multiple wands one of which rejected him so harshly Sirius had been thrown through the window, "Sorry Padfoot." Harry called from the inside. Sirius grumbled as he got back up and fixed the window before going back inside leaving Harry's friends and their parents staring wide eyed at what just happened. It took about four more tries until finally Harry took hold of a Holly and Phoenix feather wand that tingled in his gasped. Mr. Ollivander had a look of surprise on his face at this.
Sirius asked him what was wrong when the old wand maker explained the tail feather in the wand that chose Harry was not the only feather that particular phoenix gave him to use. He then explained the other feather had been used in the very wand that gave Harry his scar. Harry and Sirius looked at each other with wide eyes upon hearing this. Harry left that shop with the wand eyeing it curiously wondering what the wand's brother wand looked like.
Their shopping had concluded with Flourish and Blotts since the adults knew, both Harry and Hermione would be in there for hours exploring the numerous titles. They got the books they needed for the first year, The Standard Book of Spells: Grade One, History of Magic, Magical Theory, Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Magical Drafts and Potions, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Hermione looked at the pile of books in her arms with a look of pure glee on her face she couldn't wait to devour them. She got a little jealous when Harry said he had read more than half the books already. She was determined to finish them all before they were to get on the Hogwarts Express. They spent another thirty minutes looking at other books, Harry got himself four additional books, two on advanced defensive spells, one on advanced potion making, and one on intermediate transfigurations. Harry promised to let Hermione read them when he was done since she looked at him with envy.
The day finally came for them to board the train for Hogwarts. The group was standing on the platform. Harry's hair was changed from its normal black to a light brown while his eyes were changed to hazel. He looked like he was Hermione's brother, which made Daniel feel a bit good since he always wanted a son. The group turned to their parents and guardians who smiled down at them. "Well time for us to get going." Neville said looking to his grandmother.
"You behave and don't you think of helping those twins with their pranks." She told her grandson who smirked at her.
"Draco," Narcissa said, "Remember it doesn't matter what house you get put in you be proud of who you are and don't let anyone tell you who your friends should or shouldn't be."
"Yes ma'am." Draco told her.
Hermione's mom knelt down, "Don't let anyone get under your skin sweetie. You have lots of friends now." She tucks a strand of her daughters hair behind her ear.
"I won't mum." Hermione said blushing a little.
Now it was Sirius' turn he leans down and tell his godson, "I know the Headmistress is your grandma and two of your uncles are your professors, but don't let that dissuade you from cutting loose and having a good time." He says as he hands Harry a packet of folded parchment, "You remember our motto right?"
"You've repeated to me since I was four so yea I got it Padfoot." Harry tells him as he tucks the parchment into his back pocket.
"Good keep your friends close and give 'em hell kiddo." He tells him standing back up straight.
"Alright you lot off you go!" Augusta said clapping her hands at them holding back tears.
"Gran!" Neville said seeing her tear up, he hugs her waist.
"Oh you, go on go get a seat." She said after kissing the top of his head.
The children bid their parents and guardian's farewell and scurried to train with Harry leading the way. They found an empty compartment and the five of them piled in putting their bags on the top rack before moving to the window to wave to their families as the train started moving. Once their families were out of sight the children flopped down in the seats. "Well…we're actually on our way." Neville told them.
"Yea," Daphne said then looked to Hermione, "So did you read every one of our course books like you said you would?"
Hermione looked at her scrunching her nose, "Yes as matter a fact." She replied, "What about you Harry?" she looked to the boy who still had his hair and eyes brown.
"Oh yea I finished the four I hadn't already read and reread the ones I already did." He said.
"Seriously Harry?" Neville said, "You're ridiculous, an eleven year old boy who is obsessed with books…you're definitely going to Ravenclaw."
"Hey I got as much Gryffindor and Hufflepuff in me as I have Ravenclaw." Harry remarks.
"Exactly," Hermione piped up, "Oh and Harry please change your hair and eyes back already its getting creepy how we look like siblings."
"Oh yea I forgot." Harry say clenching his eyes shut and his hair turned back to black. When he opened his eyes they had returned to their usual emerald green eyes, "Better?"
"Much!" Hermione says with a nod as she pulls out a copy of Hogwarts a History, the only extra book her parents let her get.
"You love that one don't you?" Daphne said.
"Yes the history of the castle is extremely fascinating." Hermione retorted.
Their compartment door slid open, "Reading again eh Granger?" came the harmonious voices of the twins.
The group turned their heads to the door, "Greg, Forge." Draco said smirking.
"Still rocking the black hair eh Black?" Fred said.
"I have to admit the blond suited you much better." George added.
Draco rolled his eyes, "Oh shut it." He responded, "I'm more comfortable with the black hair."
"If you say so." The twins said together.
"Well we just wanted to say hi and remember if you see Ron," George said holding his finger to his lips. They were referring to the little trick they were playing on their brother.
The group chuckled, "Mums the word." Neville said smirking.
"I figured we could count on the Potter Gang to be discreet, but we had to check to be sure." Fred said smirking.
"Potter Gang?" Daphne piped up.
"Oh yea that's our little nickname for you all." George smirks at her earning him an eye roll.
"Well, enjoy the trip and finger's crossed most of you land in Gryffindor." Fred told them and the door slid closed and they disappeared down the hall.
The group laughed and once again began chatting amongst themselves. They were having a pleasant conversation when their compartment door slid open once again. The group turned and Daphne, Harry, Draco, and Neville all let out quiet groans.
"Still hanging out with snakes eh Harry?" Ronald Weasley was standing at their doorway.
"I don't remember giving you permission to call me Harry, Ronald." Harry said narrowing his eyes at the boy.
Ron turned his nose up a bit, "Your gran really should've taught you by now which wizarding families are the ones you should associate with. Malfoy's are not on that list."
Harry stood and walked up to the boy, "You must be confused Ronald there aren't any Malfoy's in this compartment. Now if you'll excuse us the only Weasley's we like talking too are your parents Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ginny. You however, are not on that list." Harry grabs the handle and closes the door in the red heads face while the boy gawked at him. He gave him a wave good bye and closed the blinds.
When Harry returned to his seat he let out an exhausted groan, "Ugh! The only reason wouldn't want to go to Gryffindor is because of that total arse!"
"Yea he's bound to end up in Gryffindor his entire family have been Gryffindor's for centuries." Neville said, "If he ended up anywhere but there the entire castle would be in an uproar."
"I see what you guys where talking about…" Hermione spoke up, "He's very…unpleasant."
"That's putting it mildly." Draco told her before looking to Harry, "Thanks Harry."
"Anytime." Harry said, "You and Neville have been my oldest friends for as long as I can remember. If I didn't stand up for my friends it would shame the Potter House."
Draco smirked, "Its times like these I'm extremely glad my mother took me away from that house. Otherwise I might've ended up worse than him." He tilted his head toward the door.
Harry, Daphne, and Neville all laughed at this, "Yea us too." Neville told him.
Draco chuckled at him, "So Houses where does everyone want to go?"
"Well personally," Hermione began, "I would prefer Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, Hufflepuff would be fine too but I don't think I'm ambitious enough for Slytherin."
"Hmmm," Daphne looked to be pondering the question, "My mum was a Ravenclaw and dad was a Slytherin so one of those two most likely. But daddy says Ravenclaw would suit me best like my mum." She said.
"Well both of my parents were Gryffindors." Neville said, "So I'd like to be there but I'm dreading sharing a dorm with Ron for the next seven years. What about you two?" he looks to Harry and Draco.
The two boys look at each other smirk the turn back to the rest, "Anywhere but Slytherin." They said in unison putting Fred and George's harmony to shame. The whole cabin erupted in laughter.
Hermione looked out the window and saw the scenery, "We should get changed. I expect we'll be arriving soon." The boys stood giving the girls the room to change while they stood out in the hall chatting till it was their turn to change.
After everyone was changed they chatted more until the train started pulling into the station. They looked around excited as the train came to a stop, and quickly gathered their things heading to the platform, dripping with anticipation.
A/N: I thought switching it up on everyone would be intereting having Ron be the one who was nasty on the train ride. I borrowed the scene of Harry accidently knocking Sirius out the window during his wand choosing from another author. Can't remember the title but the scene was so funny I had to borrow it. If your reading this whoever you were hope you're not offended.
Up Next: The Sorting begins and a couple of the 'Potter Gang' get surprising placements.