The train journey to Hogwarts was going to be nightmare, Dudley just knew it. After begging and pleading with his parents for weeks to be allowed to go to Hogwarts he felt suddenly alone. The reality of leaving home for the first time finally dawned on him. Not one to show vulnerability he decided he was going to take his sadness out on the first person he could find, who was smaller than him of course, that was until he saw a kid make his trunk fly into the luggage racks. Seeing that thoroughly took the wind out of his sails and reminded him how out of his depths he truly was. 'What was he thinking leaving home to be surrounded by all these freaks' Dudley thought to himself, getting more and more nervous as time went by.
'What if this is a trap? I can't do anything with this poxy stick.' The boy thought despairingly, knowing in his heart that his parents aren't creative enough nor determined enough to create such an elaborate ruse. Feeling like an old lion cast down by a younger male, he took his seat.
The train journey started off fairly uneventful until 3 lads entered the compartment.
"Nobody of worth in here, let's go." The blonde boy said before leaving as quickly as he arrived, not giving Dudley a chance to even speak. Feeling insulted Dudley chose to sulk for a while. That was until the second interruption of his journey, a girl with bushy brown hair and buck teeth, examined the compartment before finally asking.
"Have you seen a toad? A boy named neville has lost his."
"Urm no, I thought the line about owls, cats and toads was a joke."
"Right... well I've heard from some of the upper years that professor Mcgonagall, she wrote our letters by the way, isn't to be messed with. Nor is she the sort to joke with her students." She finished with. "So I think that is rather unlikely.' After a moment where Dudley sat with his mouth agape he settled on replying with.
"You seem to know a lot about Hogwarts, do you think you could maybe help me learn?" He hated feeling vulnerable, this girl could just laugh at him and what could he do? He could punch her but who knows what she can do with that wand. While Dudley was thinking all of this the girl had already responded.
"Sure I can help you if you help me look for Trevor the Toad. He can't have gotten too far. I'm Hermione Granger and you are?"
"I'm Dudley Dursley." Was all he said in reply, and with that Dudley left his compartment for the first time. Seeming to have made his first real friend, hopefully.
***
The sorting ceremony at Hogwarts is a grand tradition, going back to the founding of the school. But for a group of first years it was to be the scariest thing they've had to face so far... if one ginger lad is to be believed, then they are sorted based on a fight with a troll. Dudley stands, terrified, listening to the sounds of idle chatter, when the blonde lad from earlier starts.
"Word on the train is that Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." At this announcement everyone turned to face Harry, some were perplexed 'why is this Harry kid so special' some would think. Others, those of magic descent would know exactly who Harry is and try to move to get a better look at him.
"This is Crabbe and Goyle, and I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." At this the ginger boy, who was talking about the troll, started to laugh from the other side of the crowd.
"Trust a Malfoy to believe everyone cares who he is." The redhead interrupts humorously.
"I don't need to ask your name, red hair and a hand-me-down robe, you must be a weasley. You'll find some families are better than others, I can help you there." The black haired boy, Dudley now knew was named Harry, took a moment before a grin split his face only... it wasn't a happy grin. Dudley had seen that exact grin on Piers' face just before he grabbed their arms for Dudley to punch.
"Why exactly would you want to help me? Do you actually wish to be my friend or are you just following power like dear old dad." Following Harry's reply everyone was silent and as Draco opened his mouth to reply a stern looking woman approached to inform them that "They're ready for you now."