Chapter 2: The Hogwarts Express

Over the rest of the month of August, Josh barely put down his school textbooks. It was very exciting for him to learn magic. He had dreamed of it and now the dream was coming true. He didn't really read the theories, just all about the spells and how he could cast him. He didn't really touch his potions or history textbook because they didn't have any spells inside them. His favorite book was still the defense one. He couldn't wait to start learning how to fight. He was still excited about other spells, charms, curses, and jinxes of all kinds; even potions. He wanted to learn it all.

Josh had woken up before the sun had risen on September first, maybe about 6:30. Today was the day he would go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He had dressed quickly and tried to flatten his hair which was sticking up in different places before going through his trunk several times to make sure he had everything packed and ready. He also checked again to make sure Shadow was safe and secure in his cage with plenty of owl treats before walking downstairs with his things and set them down by the door. He then went to the kitchen to wait for his mother to awake so he could have some breakfast. He layed his head in his arms and fell back to sleep minutes later.

Half an hour later, Josh was reawaken by the smell of bacon, eggs, and the sounds of sizzling. Josh sat up, yawned and stretched out his arms and legs. He blinked a few times, squinting at the lights, looking over to see his mother was cooking beakfast.

"Well Good morning," Silviana said jovially, looking over at her awakening son.

"Morning," Josh mumbled and yawned again. "What time is it?" he asked when his mother put a plate of food in front of him.

"It's only about 7:05," Silviana replied. "Hurry up and finish your breakfast, because we're leaving once you are filled up with food," She said as she sat down to read the Daily Prophet and eat her own plate of breakfast.

Once breakfast was finished, Josh and his mother left their house and drove towards King's Cross station in London. They arrived with half an hour to spare. Minutes later, the duo arrived near platforms nine and ten. Josh grinned as he and his mother quickly walked through the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

Josh stared in awe at the red beautiful train in front of him known as the Hogwarts Express.

"Josh."

Josh turned to the sound of his mother's voice and a questioning glance. "Yeah?"

"I want you to be good and do your best, okay?" Josh nodded. "And no funny business. Focus on your schoolwork. Don't get into trouble." Silviana said sternly. Josh tried not to smile and nodded.

She rubber his shoulders, looking a little solemn. "It's okay mom," Josh spoke, grabbing her hand. "He doesn't deserve to be here. You deserve better. He's the one missing out.

Silviana sniffed and gave a teary smile to here son, hugging him tightly. She kissed his cheek just as the Hogwarts Express whistle blew. She helped load Josh's trunk on the train. Josh bid his mother goodbye and stepped onto the train. He waved from one of the windows as the train started moving.

After his mother was no more to be seen, Josh backed up, and started looking for a compartment. He passed one with a lone boy that looked familiar and onto the next where he saw a compartment filled with some kids that he knew from pureblood social gatherings. He figured he should enter this compartment when he thought of the lone boy in the next one. He turned back towards that compartment. Josh knocked and opened the door. Inside was the boy he had seen at Madam Malkin's. The one with the round rimmed glasses, green eyes, and his baggy clothes. "Do you mind if i join you? Everywhere else is full?" Josh asked the green eyed boy who smiled.

"Not at all," he answered and waved him over to sit down. Josh nodded, pulling in his owl and trunk, setting them on the shelves above the seats, and sat across from the boy. "I'm Josh, Josh Emrys."

"Harry, Harry Potter," the boy replied with a small.

"Potter?" said Josh with a curious and confused expression. "That sounds familiar. I've heard your name before." Harry smiled then moved his bangs out of the way and Josh saw his lightning bolt scar and it came back to him. He was the boy who lived right? "You're the boy who defeated the Dark Lord."

Harry nodded. "So they tell me."

"Oh. I'm sorry about...you know...your parents, and not getting to know them," Josh said. Harry gave a small smile and nodded in thanks. "You don't remember me do you?" Josh asked changing the subject. Harry furrowed his eyebrows, looking at Josh for a few seconds then nodded with a realizing smile.

"Oh yeah, we met when we were getting our robes fitted at that clothing shop," Harry said.

Josh returned the smiled and nodded. "Yep." And just then, the compartment door opened again and a boy with red hair and blues eyes poked his head in.

"Hello," he said a bit soft. "My brothers kicked me out of their compartment next door. Do you mind if i join you two?" the red haired boy asked. Josh shrugged and nodded.

Harry nodded as well and said, "Sure, come on in."

"I'm Ron Weasley by the way," the new boy greeted as he sat next to Harry.

"Joshua Emrys."

"Harry Potter."

Ron gasped and pointed at Harry, more specifically, his forehead. "Is it true then?" he gasped.

"What?" Harry asked in confusion. Josh looked at Ron. He seemed to know what he was asking but was just making sure.

"That...that you have that scar?" Ron asked in almost a whisper.

"Oh," Harry replied as he lifted up his bangs to reveal his lightning bolt scar.

The redhead stared up at it. "Wicked," Ron murmured in awe. Josh rolled his eyes. He didn't think having a scar from a murdering lunatic was so wicked. "So that's where you-know-who - "

Harry shrugged. "I guess so, but I can't remember anything."

"Nothing at all?"

"I just remember a lot of green light, but that's about it," Harry informed.

"So it's your first year then too?" Josh asked, changing the subject. Ron turned towards him and nodded excitedly.

"Yeah. I can't wait to get there and see all the things my older brothers told be about," Ron stated.

"How many brothers do you have?" Josh asked.

"I have five brothers and a younger sister," Ron answered, the then twiddled his thumbs. "You could say it's a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left - Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five older brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat." Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat grey rat, which was asleep. "This is Scabbers, he's useless and hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my dad because he was made prefect, but they couldn't aff - I mean, I got Scabbers instead."

Josh didn't think there wasn't anything wrong with not being able to afford anything. Harry felt the same way and told Ron so. He also told Ron how he had never even received a proper gift or had any money until Hagrid sprang him from his muggle family. "And until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort - "

Josh jumped when Ron let out a loud gasp.

"What?" asked Harry in confusion.

"You said you-know-who's name," Ron said, sounding shocked yet impressed. Harry still looked confused.

"Harry, Voldemort, or as Ron calls him, you-know-who, was a dark wizard," Josh told him. "People were really afraid of him, so afraid that saying his name could bring them trouble. Which is stupid." Harry nodded in understanding.

"You never know," Ron muttered, siting back in his seat.

"Looks like I have loads to learn about this world," Harry commented. "I bet I'll be the worst in class."

"Of course not, Harry," Ron said, "There's loads of people who come from muggle families and learn magic quickly enough."

"Where do you come from?" Harry asked Josh.

"My mom and her family are magical," Josh answered.

"And what about your father?"

"I never knew him," Josh replied with a shrug. "All my mother told me was that he was a wizard and that he was out of the picture. Though I did have a step-father at one point, but he ran off when he found out my mother and I were magical beings. So it's just me and my mum."

"I guess you kind of know what it's like to not know your parents," Harry said solemnly, and then looked out the window. Ron and Josh shared a worried glance, and thought it'd be good to change the subject.

"My mother is an Obliviator!" Josh blurted.

"A what?" Harry asked, turning to look at Josh with a confused expression.

"An Obliviator," Ron repeated, "They erase the minds of muggles who've witnessed magic." Harry, still confused, nodded in understanding. While they continued to chat, the train carried them out of London. They were now speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

Around half past noon, there was a great clattering outside the corridor and a smiling, dimpled elder woman opened the compartment door. "Anything from the trolley, dears?" she asked sweetly. Harry leapt to his feet and walked over. Josh eagerly followed, hoping to have some lunch. He was a little disappointed when all she had were an assortment of his favorite treats such as; Pumpkin Pastries, Licorice Wands, Chocolate Frogs, Berty Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Cauldron Cakes, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, and other candies. Harry seemed to be purchasing a few of everything to Josh's surprise. Though Josh really wanted some food. He looked over to Ron who had brought out a few sandwiches and then suddenly had an idea. He purchased some chocolate frogs and licorice wands. The two went back to their seats.

"You hungry?" Ron asked Harry nodded. He looked a bit envious.

"Ron, I was hoping for some real food," Josh began as Ron's ears perked up. "And I was wondering if you would trade one of those sandwiches for these chocolate frogs?"

Ron nodded and smiled. "Yeah alright," he said, handing Josh one of the sandwiches, as he handed Ron the chocolate frogs.

"I'll have one as well," Harry spoke up, "And you can help yourself to anything." Ron smiled, and handing Harry a sandwich, and Harry handed him an assortment of sweets. Soon, the trio of eleven year olds were enjoying lunch. "So, these are chocolate frogs?" Harry asked, grabbing one of them. He opened it and was surprised that a frog made of chocolate, leaped out at him. He quickly caught it before it hit him in the face.

"Nice catch," Josh commented. "Those also come with a collectible card."

Ron nodded. "Check it! I'm missing Agrippa! The cards inside are of a famous witch or wizard. I have a lot of them, nearly each one of them, though I'm missing a couple."

"Do you collect them?" Harry asked Josh as he pulled out the card.

"I've got some lying around at home," Josh answered, "And I do have Agrippa, Ron. You can have it."

"Yes!" Ron celebrated, eating his own chocolate frog and checked the frog. "Gryffindor again."

"I've got Dumbledore," Harry announced, and then read the card to himself.

Josh opened his own chocolate frog to see who he had received. It was Merlin: The Most Famous wizard of all time. He is sometimes known as the Prince of Enchanters and part of the Court of King Arthur.

"He disappeared?" Harry spoke up, turning the card over. "He was there, but he's gone?"

"Wizards pictures move," Josh informed a confused Harry, tossing his card over to Harry for him to keep.

He put away the cards and grabbed a different box of sweets. "Berty Bott's Every Flavored Beans?" Harry said.

"They mean every flavor," Ron replied, digging into a licorice wand.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, examining the jelly beans inside the box.

"Go on. Try one," Josh said with a mischievous smile. Harry nodded, picking out a red one and popped one into his mouth. Harry grimaced then spit out the bean making Ron and Josh burst out laughing. "What did it taste like?" Josh asked.

"It tasted like beets and i hate beets," Harry answered coughing. "I thought it'd be cherry."

"You would've been lucky to get a cherry," Josh commented. Reaching into the box and picking out a white one. "See, this looks like either plain sugar or salt." And then tossed it aside. He then glanced inside, smirking to himself and pulling out another red one, but a different shade of red than the one Harry had. "There's your cherry."

"How do you know?" Ron asked, and Harry took the jelly bean and ate it, smiling as it was cherry.

"It's all about the color," Josh answered. "My grandfather would always give me jelly beans. And I learned my lesson after so many wrong choices."

A second later, a small plump boy with light brown hair knocked and entered the compartment. "Hello," he said quietly. Josh stared at the boy. He was very familiar with this boy.

"Neville," Josh greeted with a nod.

Neville waved back. "erm, Josh, have you seen a toad at all?" he asked

"Like this?" Harry asked, holding a leg wiggling chocolate frog in his hand. Neville shook his head, looking sad.

"No, sorry, Neville," Josh answered with a shrug as Ron shook his head.

Neville didn't seem to like the answer as he cried out. "I've lost him!" he cried, "He keeps getting away from me!"

"He'll show up," Josh said trying to make to boy feel better, "We'll keep an eye out and let you know if we see him." Neville nodded, turning, and leaving the compartment.

"Don't see what he's upset about, really," Ron said, "If I had a toad, I'd try to lose him on purpose. Can't say much, though. I have Scabbers. He could die and you wouldn't know the difference," Ron said simply, "I tried to turn him yellow yesterday, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you..." Ron pulled out a battered-looking wand from his trunk. "Part of the unicorn hair is poking out," Ron sighed, but turned back to Scabbers. Harry and Josh turned to look at each other, but then turned to watch in interest as Ron attempted to turn his rat yellow.

Just as he pointed his wand towards the rat, Neville returned, this time a bushy haired girl was with him, dressed in her school robes.

"Has Anybody seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she said. Josh instantly jumped and pointed towards the girl when he saw the familiar face.

"I know you!" He gasped. The girl looked over at Josh in surprise. "You were there at the Leaky Cauldron when I F..." He looked between Harry and Ron. "You were there." The bushy haired girl smiled and gave a nod.

Ron sighed, shaking his head. "No, we already told him we hadn't and if we did we would tell him." Harry and Josh nodded.

The girl huffed then noticed Ron was trying to do a spell. "Oh are you doing magic, let's see then."

Ron rolled his eyes then cleared his throat before turning to Scabbers.

"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow

Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

Ron waved his wand, but, not surprising to the bushy haired girl, nothing happened.

"Are you sure that's even a real spell?" the bushy haired girl asked, "It's not very good. I've tried a few simple spells myself, for practice. They've all worked for me. Nobody in my family has magic except me, it was such a surprise when I got my letter, but so pleased. From what I've heard, Hogwarts is the best school there is for magic. I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough—I'm Hermione Granger, by the way." said Hermione towards all the boys. "And you are - ?"

"Ron Weasley," Ron replied with a mouth full of sweets. Hermione watched in disgust.

"Joshua Emrys."

"Er...Harry Potter," Harry finally said, looking back at Hermione.

"Are you really?" Hermione asked, "I know all about you, of course—I got a few extra books for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, and The Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

"Am I?" Harry asked slowly, his eyes furrowing.

"Goodness, don't you know? Doesn't he know?" Hermione asked, looking at Josh but then shrugged, "I tried to find out everything I could. It's only natural, if you ask me. Do any of you know what House you'll be in? I've been asking around. I hope I'm in Gryffindor. It seems the best, though Ravenclaw wouldn't be so bad. Anyway, you three should change into your robes. We should be there soon. Come on, Neville. Let's go find your toad." She waved towards Josh who waved back.

Ron mumbled something that Josh and Harry couldn't hear, then continued louder, "Anyways, whatever house she's in, I hope it's not mine."

"What house are your brothers in?" Harry curiosly asked.

"Gryffindor," Ron sounded gloomy, "I don't know what will happen if I'm not in Gryffindor...But Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. Better than Slytherin, I suppose." Josh's eyes flickered in annoyance towards Ron.

"Isn't that the house Vol-sorry, You-Know-Who was in?" Harry asked.

Ron nodded gloomily. "Nothing's wrong with Slytherin," Josh said loudly. "My mother was in Slytherin, and she's not some evil witch."

Ron suspiciously eyed Josh who slightly glared back, but then decided to change the subject. "What's your favorite Quidditch team?" he asked Josh.

"Appleby Arrows," Josh answered in an instant. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Quidditch?" Harry asked asked.

"You don't know what Quidditch is?" Ron seemed horrified and immediately took it on himself to go into explanation of the game, everything from the four balls and their purpose, to the seven members of the team, to the games he's attended. Towards the end of the explanation, the compartment door opened again, this time three boys entering. The two on the side were big and rather dumb-looking, but the one in the middle was pale with a narrowed face. Josh had seen these three boys before, knowing Malfoy of course, and the other two. He had seen the three always hanging around one another whenever there was a social gathering his mother had to attend.

"Is it true?" the boy in the middle asked, staring at Harry in interest, "Word on the train is Harry Potter is in this compartment. You him?"

Harry nodded shortly, looking at the other two boys. Josh couldn't remember the names of the other two boys.

"This is Crabbe and Goyle," the pale boy said, "And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron made a coughing sound that was probably a laugh at first. Malfoy glared over at him.

"Think my name is funny, do you?" he sneered, "No need to ask yours. My father told me all about the Weasleys. Red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." Malfoy, glancing over towards Josh. "Emrys." He turned back towards Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter," he said, holding out his hand, "You don't want to be making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thank you," Harry said, not taking Malfoy's hand. Josh and Ron smirked.

Malfoy's face went slightly pink. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said, "Unless you're a bit politer, you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around riffraff like the Weasleys, Emrys, and that oaf, Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."

Harry was on his feet first, quickly followed by Ron, both looking angry. Josh jumped in front of the two boys, blocking them.

"You better watch it," Ron growled.

Malfoy gave a smirk. "Going to fight us, are you?" he asked.

"Unless you get out now," Harry said bravely. Josh watched Malfoy's two friends who were cracking their knuckles. They were much bigger than him, Harry, and Ron. If it did come to a fight, he doubted they had much of a chance.

"How about we do it some other time," Josh interrupted. "I think you three should just go."

Malfoy chortled, "We don't feel like leaving, do we, boys? We've eaten all our food and you seem to still have some."

Goyle had started for the Chocolate Frogs and Harry and Ron started forward, but Goyle let out a howl as he jerked back. Ron yelped and scampered back considering Scabbers was clinging to Goyle by the teeth. Goyle slung Scabbers off his hand, the rat hitting the window as Goyle, Crabbe, and Malfoy left the compartment in a hurry.

Ron picked up Scabbers.

"Is he okay?" Josh asked.

"He went back to sleep," Ron rolled his eyes, then turned to Josh, "How do you know Malfoy?"

"Those dumb Ministry gatherings," Josh answered, "Why haven't you been to any of them?"

Ron shrugged, "I guess my mum doesn't want to have to keep an eye out for five children," he told Josh, "Especially if two of them are into jokes and pranks."

"We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time," a voice echoed through the train, "Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

"I suppose we should change into our robes then yeah?" Josh suggested. The other two boys nodded, and all three changed into their school robes.

Josh felt his heart pound from nerves and excitement. He looked over to see Ron and Harry look the same. They decided to get as many of their sweets as they could into their pockets before beading through the corridor with the crowd. The train soon slowed and came to a complete stop. Josh stuck close to Ron and Harry as they followed in the pushing crowd off the train. Josh noticed a lamp nearby, held over the heads of everyone around.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?" bellowed a low voice.

Josh looked up at the giant man in surprise. He had never seen a man so large, except in books.

"I'm good, thanks for asking, Hagrid," Harry replied with a smile. Ron too was in awe of the giant man.

Hagrid nodded and then yelled, "C'mon, follow me—any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" The first years began to follow Hagrid. "Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "Jus' round this bend here."

"Look!" Josh breathed when they turned the bend. They were on the edge of a large lake, the water black in the night light. But what Josh was staring at was the magnificent castle of many turrets and towers that caught the attention from its perch on the mountain on the other side of the lake.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing at a large group of boats nearby. Josh, Harry, and Ron quickly climbed into one, soon joined by Hermione.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who was in a boat by himself, "Right then—FORWARD!" And the boats began moving on their own.

"Heads down!" Hagrid called. The first boats had reached the cliff. Boat by boat, students ducked down as they passed into a dark tunnel, following it until they reached a small harbor where everyone scrambled out of their boats.

"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" Hagrid called.

"Trevor!" Neville cried in delight, rushing over to Hagrid and taking his toad quickly.

With Neville reunited with his toad, the students headed up a passageway, led by Hagrid. They came up in a grassy area, shadowed by the large castle before heading up a flight of stone stairs and grouped up at the large oak door.

"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?"

Hagrid raised one of his hands and knocked three times on the door. Josh suddenly felt his stomach tighten and bit his lower lip, suddenly feeling more excited than he had all day. He glanced over at Harry and Ron, who seemed to be feeling just nervous but just as he was. He looked over to Hermione who was wringing her hands with a mix of nerves and excitement.

A/n: Dont own HPSS. Some of it or most of it came from the book and the movie!