Sections of dialogue in this chapter do not belong to me. They belong to J.K Rowling's Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. Thank you and enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 5: The Train and The Feast
Draco enjoyed the end of summer very much; thank you. He and Harry became closer after the argument between his parents and godfather. It seemed that they had a truce, perhaps for the sake of his and Harry's friendship. It was a fact that pleased Draco immensely.
Two days after the argument, they had all gone to Diagon Alley to purchase their school supplies and finished the day by going to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
Draco mused as he recalled buying Harry his owl. He remembered as he saw the snowy owl and asked his mother to buy it for him. Draco had learned that it was Harry's birthday weeks ago, but he wanted to buy his friend a gift. After his mother had bought it, he presented it to Harry as a gift. Harry had protested first, but after Draco insisted, Harry had accepted it with a hesitant smile on his face. Harry later named his owl Hedwig. Draco, on the other hand, also got an owl who he named Regal.
Otherwise, his days have been boring. He wandered in the manor, or he read his books to get a head start and know what he will be learning. He wondered what Harry was doing now. He found out that his godfather had been teaching Harry how to read and write, more on writing. Harry had told him how horrendous his writing was, and Draco had not believed him until he saw first hand his writing. Draco thought at first; it was a chicken who wrote, but imagine his surprise when he found out it was Harry's. Thankfully, through each letter Harry sent him, his writing got better.
Draco couldn't wait for September 1, the day where we would attend Hogwarts. He was also nervous for he didn't want to be in Slytherin but Ravenclaw. He also hoped that deep down that Harry would join him in Ravenclaw, but Harry just screamed Hufflepuff than Ravenclaw. But thankfully, Draco and Harry can still be friends. And so, Draco slept dreaming of meals with Harry.
September 1, it was finally here. Draco quickly got ready was downstairs waiting for his mother and father, both would drop him off at the train.
"Mother, Father, good morning." Both his parents accepted his greeting by inclining their heads. The Malfoys soon went outside their mansion and apparated to King's Cross Station, where they would wait for his godfather and Harry to arrive. Draco knew that his godfather couldn't be seen unless he wanted to ruin his reputation. But his godfather would never do that; so he would drop off Harry at the Muggle side of Platform 9 3/4, and Harry would meet the Malfoys on the other side.
Draco and his parents waited for almost five minutes, then Harry appeared with Hedwig in her cage, his trunk nowhere to be seen. Harry must have seen his confusion.
"Mr. Snape, I mean Professor Snape shrunk my trunks down so it would be easier for me to carry. He told me to ask either Mr. or Mrs. Malfoy to unshrink them if they wished." Draco nodded and turned to his parents.
Draco's father decided to do the unshrinking.
"Mr. Potter, if you may, please take out your trunk?" Harry nodded and took the small trunk out of his pocket. He laid the trunk on the ground. Draco's father pointed his wand at the trunk, and a whispered spell unshrunk Harry's trunk. Draco wished to know what spell this was. But he'll find out either way without asking. Draco was resourceful this way.
"Stay well, son. Do write to us about your Sorting." That was his father, Draco knew that he wouldn't show much, and he truly didn't care much.
"Draco, stay safe. I love you. Let me know should you require anything from home." That was his mother. Draco let himself smile for his mother and a kiss on her cheek.
Harry was silent, watching the Malfoys say goodbye. Draco neither that Harry was still uncomfortable with his parents. Draco couldn't blame him.
Draco and Harry went into the train with final goodbyes and went to find a compartment. As they sat down, Draco realized how tired he was. He blamed it on how excited he was the night before, denying him sleep.
"Harry, I'll sleep for a bit. I wasn't able to sleep well. Wake me up when we're close to the school?" Harry looked at him, from his book, Magical Drafts and Potions, the required textbook for Potions.
"Of course. Enjoy your nap, Draco." Draco smiled at Harry and slowly dozed off, listening to happy screams and yells of the outside and inside of the train.
E&H E
Harry watched Draco as his breathing evened out. Harry gave his friend a gentle smile and went back to reading. Mr. Snape had put extra notes with Harry into his book to help him understand the reasons as to the order of the potion and the necessity of certain ingredients, even up to explanations as to why potions were stirred the way they were. Harry was thankful for the pointers and notes because he would surely fail the class, and he would disappoint Mr. Snape.
Harry felt the train move after almost thirty minutes of reading and waiting. He heard Draco groan from across from him. Draco moved around the seat before he relaxed and slept well. Harry stifled a laugh. His friend reminded Harry of a cat. Harry decided to read One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi since Mr. Snape had told Harry that Herbology and Potions were connected as by knowing the properties of plants and their classifications, Harry would be able to understand Potions better. Mr. Snape had mentioned that if Harry was able to understand, then Harry could even create his own potions. This excited Harry. He wanted to try making his own potions.
Suddenly, the door to their compart was wrenched open. A boy with red hair and mangy clothes stepped in.
"I heard that Harry Potter was on the train. I was wondering - WAIT A MINUTE, BLIMEY YOUR HARRY POTTER!" Harry did not like this boy. This boy had entered rudely without knocking and then yelled out Harry's presence to the whole train.
"Who are you!?" Oh no, Harry turned to see Draco blinking away his sleep, and he now stared at the red-haired boy.
"Wait a minute, red hair, and a hand-me-down robe... you must be a Weasley!" The boy, well, Weasley flushed heavily.
"Well, white hair, and a stuck-up attitude... you must be a Malfoy!" Weasley exclaimed loudly, causing Draco to lift an eyebrow. Weasley soon turned back to Harry.
"Why are you with a git like Malfoy? He's a Dark wizard. You belong with Light wizards like me. Come on, I'll take you to my compartment. By the way, can I see... you know, the scar?" Harry was disgusted. First, this boy insults Harry's first best friend then dares to ask him if he could see his scar? Harry was sure that the disgust was ever-present on his face because Weasley flushed.
"Well, Draco is my best friend, and I don't want to go with you because of what you think; and no, you cannot see my scar. Now, leave." Weasley scowled at him, and Harry could care less.
"FINE! Hanging out with mini Death Eaters, be like that. But don't come to me when that mini Death Eater betrays you for You-Know-Who!" With that, Weasley stomped out of the compartment. Harry looked at Draco, who looked depressed. Harry knew that the Death Eater comment struck a chord in Draco.
"Draco, you know that I don't think of you as a mini Death Eater. You're my best friend, and I also know that you rather die than be a Death Eater. So let's forget about Weasley, and let's talk about what I read in A History of Magic!"
E&H E
Draco was pleased when he heard what Harry said. He was glad that his best friend knew and understood him so well. He was also glad that the Weasley git finally left. Draco was very tempted to give him a good hex before arriving at Hogwarts. Draco gave Harry a weary smile and sat down with him. Draco was hardly paying attention to what Harry was saying. He was too focused on Harry was talking so animatedly. Before, Harry would barely talk and animate his speech. Now, he would do it a lot especially when talking to Draco and it made him happy. This is a side of Harry that'll only I'll see, Draco thought smiling at Harry. Harry smiled back and continued to talk.
A knock was heard at their compartment and Harry sighed, opening the door. A bushy-haired girl and a blonde boy stepped into the compartment.
"Hello, good afternoon to you both, have either of you seen a toad? Neville here lost his." Harry looked at Draco and he shrugged his shoulders.
"No, we haven't but we'll let you know." The bushy-haired girl sighed.
"Oh wait, where are my manners, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Hermione Granger, and this is Neville Longbottom. May we know yours please?"
Draco's lips pursed. He hoped that these two won't gape at Harry. His friend had more than enough fame to deal with.
"Malfoy, Draco Lucius Malfoy. A pleasure to meet you both." He went first to give his friend time to pick himself up and introduce himself.
"I'm Harry, Harry James Potter. Nice to meet you both." Both Hermione and Neville's eyes widen.
"HOLY CRICKET! I didn't realize it! I read all about you though..." Harry gave a weak chuckle at Hermione.
"Yes, erm, please don't tell everyone. Although I think Weasley did that already." Hermione and Neville nodded and decided to sit down. Draco inwardly sighed; these two didn't even ask. Oh well, what's done is done.
"What houses do you think you'll be in? Gryffindor does hold merit, although I think I'll be Ravenclaw." Hermione moaned as she talked about it. Draco felt a little offended. This girl seemed insulted that she'll end up in a house he wished to be a part of.
"Ravenclaw isn't that bad, you know!" Draco couldn't help but sneer at Hermione. Hermione at least blushed and spluttered apologies and started saying maybe Ravenclaw wouldn't be that bad all. Draco gave her a smirk in return. Harry thought it would be a good time to talk, ruining Draco's gloating over Hermione.
"I want to go into Hufflepuff. I know that people want me in Gryffindor, but it just doesn't feel right, being a Gryffindor." Both Hermione and Neville looked at Harry with sympathy on their faces.
"I understand, I want to be Gryffindor like my parents, but my Gran doesn't think I'll fit in." Their sympathetic faces went from Harry to Neville. Draco felt bad for the boy. Expectations, most of the time, ruin children. So he, as a child of many expectations spoke up.
"Well, Mr. Longbottom, you should follow your heart's desire. If you truly wish to be in Gryffindor, then that's where you'll go, but if not then stay proud, because I'm sure that any house... well probably not Slytherin, but the other houses would be glad to have you!" Neville looked at Draco with hopeful eyes.
"Really? You think so, Mr. Malfoy." Well, at least he remembers pureblood customs, Draco thought satisfied, though, Hermione looked confused at this.
"Why address each other through your last names?" Now, this is one of Draco's expertise, pureblood manners - drilled into him by his mother. For once, Draco was glad for the lessons and hoped that Merlin forgive him for all the times he cursed his mother in his mind.
"Well, Ms. Granger, wizards and witches, especially purebloods, always address each other with their family name, unless the families are allied or you are given explicit permission to call them by their first name." Hermione nodded, scrunching her eyebrows in thought. Harry nodded solemnly, sighing at the same time.
"So I must address you all by last name? How proper!" Hermione's eyes sparkled with a new tidbit of information. Draco couldn't help but chuckle at the look in her eyes.
"No, as Draco said, we can give you explicit permission so that you can address us by first name, so, I, Neville Longbottom, give Hermione, "Jean" as Hermione butt in. "Granger, Draco Lucius Malfoy, and Harry James Potter the right to call me by my given name, so mote it be." Draco was thoroughly impressed. Neville had said the proper dance to initiate a tender truce between him and the other three should they choose to accept. Even more when he remembered that the woman's name was to be said first. Many people tend to forget thus failing the dance. Neville, to Draco, thought he was brave to start this with Draco who hails from a Dark family while Neville's was that of the Light. It would be rude not to give them all the same courtesy.
"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, give Hermione Jean Granger and Neville Longbottom the right to call me by my given name, so mote it be." Draco smiled at the two causing them to smile back. He turned to Harry and saw him swallow. Draco knew he was nervous and didn't want to mess up the dance between them all, so he gave Harry's hand a squeeze of reassurance. Harry smiled at him and began to speak.
"I, Harry James Potter, give Hermione Jean Granger and Neville Longbottom the right to call me by my given name, so mote it be." Harry finished with a big smile, and Draco was proud of him. Hermione was jumpy as it was her turn to finish the dance. With a clear of her throat, she began.
"I, Hermione Jean Granger, give Neville Longbottom, Draco Lucius Malfoy, and Harry James Potter the right to call me by my given name, so mote it be." Then, Draco felt a magic bloom around them. The magic around them was strong, binding them as friends. Draco felt himself get high and drunk on the magic - and started to giggle. Around him, he heard the others do the same. Just as the magic appeared, it disappeared as well, leaving the four of them, giggling.
Finally, after about 5 minutes, they stopped.
"What was that?" Neville asked, in a quiet voice, his eyes wide with fear.
"That was the magic binding us all. It accepted our four-way truce and gave us its blessing. Should we break this truce, I heard that terrible things would happen to the person that breaks it." Everyone, including Draco shuddering in fear. None of them were willing to break this truce and see what would happen.
The rest of the time was spent laughing and learning more about each other. Draco was happy he finally has friends that were his own, not friends provided to him via his father and mother's name and status. Draco was excited to see what Hogwarts would bring him and his newfound friends.
E&H E
Severus Snape waited in the Great Hall. He was anxious as to where Harry and his godson would be. He knew that they would defy all expectations set amongst them by the British Wizarding World. Severus was excited to see the change that would come fort because of them.
Soon the great doors of the Great Hall opened. Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress walked in, the first years, including Harry and Draco, followed behind her. Severus did not pay mind to what Minerva was saying, for she said the same each year. Soon she started to call the names. Again, Severus had no care for them. All he wanted to know was where Harry and his godson would be placed. Thankfully, he did not have to wait long.
"Malfoy, Draco!" Severus saw his godson exhale and stepped up to the Sorting Hat. It took a while as Draco just sat there. Severus did not know what was going on as Draco was not facing him. He was worried.
E&H E
The moment the hat was on Draco, it began to speak to him.
"Hello, Mr. Malfoy." Draco almost jumped off his seat, but he told himself to stay calm. So he spoke in his mind.
"Hello, you can see all can't you?" The Sorting Hat in response chuckled.
"Yes, I can. Smart boy. Now, I can see how much you wish to be in Ravenclaw. Why is that?" Draco knew he had to justify himself - less the Sorting Hat puts him in Slytherin. He held in a shudder.
"I want to be in Ravenclaw because I value knowledge and wisdom over, power and control. I am ambitious, yes, but I want to use what I will gain to help others than to serve myself foremost. Knowledge, to me, is everything, and I know that Ravenclaw will help me learn and grow. So please, let me be in Ravenclaw." The Sorting Hat was silent. It made Draco terrified. He hoped he said enough for the Sorting Hat. Then he felt the hat move its mouth.
With bated breath, Draco hoped.
With bated breath, Draco wished.
With bated breath, Draco dreamed.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Did he hear right? Ravenclaw. Draco heard Ravenclaw. Does that mean he was in Ravenclaw? He felt someone's hand on his back. He turned to see Professor McGonagall inclining her head towards the Ravenclaw table. He knew he was smiling, and he turned to Harry, who was clapping. Draco heard whooping from the Gryffindor table to see Neville giving him a standing ovation. He looked at Ravenclaw to see Hermione beckoning him over. Draco walked over to her with a skip in his steps and immediately sat down. Hermione hugged him as she whispered, "Congrats! Now let's wait for Harry."
Draco looked at godfather, who gave him a small nod of approval. Draco beamed at him and turned to Harry, who was about to be sorted.
E&H E
Harry hoped. He hoped that he would be placed in Hufflepuff and not Gryffindor. It seemed that the Sorting Hat knew this.
"But why not, Slytherin? You have the most potential there. You will achieve many great things if you go there." Harry did not care about achieving - he wanted to be himself and feel comfortable in his house, not to be on edge and wary of everyone.
"No, I don't want to be in Slytherin nor Gryffindor. Everyone expects that of me. I don't want to live to be everyone's expectations. I don't want my life to be dictated by them. I want to live to my expectations alone. That is why I wish to be in Hufflepuff. I'm too kind for a Slytherin, too cowardly for a Gryffindor, too slow for a Ravenclaw, but loyal enough for a Hufflepuff. Please, Sorting Hat, let me be in Hufflepuff. He heard the Sorting Hat give him a chuckle, and with a yell, he exclaimed.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry's smile was splitting his at he heard Draco, Hermione, and Neville cheering him on. He turned to each one of them and gave them a beaming smile, which, was returned equally as well. Harry quickly went to Hufflepuff and sat next to a boy.
"Hello, congratulations on making it into Hufflepuff. My name's Cedric Diggory. I'm a third year. Ask away if you need help alright?" Harry nodded and shook Cedric's hand. He liked the boy already.
Harry turned to Mr. Snape and gave him a beaming smile. Mr. Snape gave Harry a small smile in return.
The Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore stood and addressed the school. Harry did not like the way the Headmaster was looking at him. He felt scared and nervous under that glance. Thankfully, the Headmaster allowed them to eat with a clap of his. Food, it was everywhere. All kinds of food as well. Harry's mouth watered as he gazed at the plethora of food. It seemed that Cedric noticed as he tapped Harry's shoulder.
"What do you want to eat? I'll grab the plates for you." Harry smiled and told Cedric how he wanted to eat the chicken, mashed potatoes, with peas and pumpkin juice. Cedric was glad to fill Harry's plate with the food.
"Thanks, Mr. Diggory!" Cedric seemed confused at first, but then he realized the reason as to why Harry addressed him through last name.
"I see. I forgot about that, well, I, Cedric Diggory, give Harry James Potter the right to call me by my given name, so mote it be." Harry was thankful that Cedric realized what he was doing, so he responded as well.
"I, Harry James Potter, give Cedric Diggory the right to call me by my given name, so mote it be." A warm wash of magic surrounded the two boys as magic accepted their friendship. The other Hufflepuffs felt it as well as they looked at Harry and Cedric with awe and respect. Thankfully, to Harry's delight, they didn't say anything but continued to eat, and Harry was happy to join them as well.
E&H E
Severus felt the wash of magic at the Hufflepuff table. He knew that it came from Harry and the Diggory boy. Severus was worried but when he saw the smile from Harry, he knew it wasn't bad, whatever transpired between the two.
Severus didn't know how to feel per se, with Harry being a Hufflepuff. But he knew how the boy desired to be in said house. They had spoken about it before when talking about the Houses. Severus was happy that Harry was not living to the expectations of others, but his own. Although, Hufflepuff, the name left a sour taste in Severus' mouth already. But he will try to be more civil to the Hufflepuff's, for Harry's sake. Though, Severus is more grateful that Harry did not go into Gryffindor. Severus thanked Merlin many times over for that alone.
Severus was extremely proud of Harry, but of course, he'll never tell anyone who asks.
E&H E
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was furious. He knew what Severus had done. Harry James Potter was to be his pawn to defeat Tom Riddle. Harry was supposed to be influenced, to be in Gryffindor, where he will rely on him, the great Dumbledore, for comfort and mentorship. Yet, he had slipped to Severus that the boy had not responded to his acceptance letter and wanted someone to check why. He hadn't expected Severus to volunteer, more so, to take the boy away and change him.
Albus will do whatever it takes to make sure that his pawn will be his.
E&H E
The end of the feast was approaching and all students had to leave for their dorms. Since their housemates stood, Hermione stood and looked at Draco. He looked at her back and stood as well. Their prefect, Allison Gloris had lined them up so that she can take them back to Ravenclaw dorm.
"Wait, Ms. Gloris!" Hermione had rushed up to the female.
"May Draco and I at least say goodnight to our friends?" Gloris pursed her lips and looked at Hermione. Hermione stared right back, not at all intimidated by her look. Gloris sighed and nodded and Hermione smiled at Draco. They both ran to the Hufflepuff table who were ready to stand.
"Harry! Neville!" It seemed that Neville had arrived at the Hufflepuff table first. Both boys greeted their friends with waves.
"So, we're all happy that we got in the houses we wanted?" Neville asked them, grinning from ear to ear. Hermione couldn't help but smile back and eagerly nodded her head.
"Yes, oh, I'm so happy for us four!" Hermione pulled the boys into a four-way hug. They all couldn't help but laugh and smile at each other. But they all knew that they had to part ways and tuck in for the night. With a parting laugh, the four friends pulled away and greeted each other a good night's sleep.
Hermione and Draco went back to their Housemates, who stood waiting for them with various expressions on their faces. Neither Hermione nor Draco cared for what they thought. House divisions will never break their friendship, and that is how it will be for the rest of their lives.
Soon, they stood in front of a door with an eagle knocker on it.
"To get in, you must answer the riddle, get it wrong then you have to wait for someone to get it right. Understood?" Hermione nodded. Oh, how she loved riddles and logic puzzles. She couldn't wait to hear the riddle from the knocker.
"All right, I'll let you first years figure it out, that way you'll be used to it." Hermione was ecstatic. She was already bouncing on her heels. Then the knocker spoke.
"I travel all over the world, but always stay in my corner. What am I?" Hermione gasped. She knew this one! She moved her way towards the knocker and proclaimed with a loud voice.
"A stamp." The eagle knocker gave a coo of approval, and the door opened.
The common room was beautiful. The architecture was astonishing. Although Hermione wished to ogle it more, she was tired and wanted to rest. It seemed that the prefects knew of this and quickly sent the rest of the first years to their beds. Hermione gave Draco a sleepy wave before she went inside her room. She was also too tired to know her roommates, and just as she flung her body onto the bed, she quickly fell asleep.
Author's Note: Alright, I know I said that I might do a double or triple update. I apologize, my Labor Day weekend was more busy than I thought it would be. So I made this chapter a little extra long and with more perspectives for you all! I hope that you enjoyed it especially with how I characterized Hermione, Neville, Ron, and Dumbledore. Don't worry, there'll be more to their characters, so please look forward to it! Next chapter, we'll see how classes take a toll on our quartet and Halloween arrives as well!
See you all soon!
- The-Songbird-Who-Wrote