Platform 9 3/4 was quickly becoming the most crowded place Garron had ever seen. People were gathered in every available crevice, bunched around their own children in small, compact huddles. Carts upon carts were piled everywhere next to their owners, towers of belongings almost toppling from their own height. Garron had lost count of how many mothers he'd seen in the last 10 meters alone grab onto their children and burst into tears. Pathetic, he thought for a moment with disdain, At least they're not muggles. Draco tugged onto his robes, pulling Garron into the smaller boy's side - Ambrose hissed at the sudden yanking.
"Come on we're going to be late!" Draco's voice was tight with excitement. Garron smiled internally at his brother's antics. Inside, the raven haired boy was just as excited for Hogwarts as Draco was, perhaps even more. Garron had been in the wizarding world for almost four years now, he'd quickly become accustomed to the mannerisms and the wonder of it all. That had just been the frivolity of every day life. He'd seen the manor, Gringott's, and Diagon Alley more times than he could count - but he'd never even glimpsed Hogwarts. Sure, He'd scoured Hogwarts: A History more times than he truly needed, especially with his memory, but books can only get a person so far in life. Experiencing is what truly made your power. The more one sees and does the more knowledge they accumulate. Knowledge is power, and I will be the most powerful wizard there ever was, Dark Lord or not. All for the sake of magic and Her Lady's gifts.
There was a brief moment, after they had gotten their Hogwarts letters, that Garron had pondered over which house he would be in. Lucius had told him his birth parents had both been Gryffindors. It was noble of them, sure, but it got them killed in the end. Garron would not meet their fate, not unless it was in the plan. Hufflepuff was out of the question completely, he was not loyal to anyone outside of his own blood. He wouldn't label the house poorly though, loyalty does not equal stupidity. Besides, those who give their loyalty would have to understand the dangers of blind faith and the risks of trust. Ravenclaw was a solid contender. Garron treasured knowledge, and knew that he would be perfectly comfortable there, surrounded by intellects like his own. However, they would let their curiosity get the better of them. Slytherin was the only true place for him. Power is what he needed, not friends. He needed to be around individuals whose ambition matched his own. Well, a little less than his own. He doubted any other eleven year old was planning ritualistic sacrifices to ancient deities to get ahead. If they were he'd be concerned, as close to concerned as he could get really. Eleven years old and while he may have gotten good at mimicking emotions he still couldn't truly grasp them, or feel them for that matter. That was an issue for another time, another place, another moment alone with the voices. Briefly, he wondered if there were a letter addressed to Harry Potter somewhere, as his own read Garron Malfoy-Black. He would find out soon enough.
The two brothers and their parents stopped just before the first car of the train, the boy's own luggage towered above their own heads. Ambrose coiled tighter around Garron's neck, making a fuss about all the ways the snake would love to maim the needlessly noisy children around them. Lucius looked down at his two sons, marveling in how they looked against one another. The perfect show of ying and yang. Draco's light coloring clashing against Garron's darkness. The Malfoy heir and the young Lord Black looked the perfect pair of pureblood progeny. Garron had worked hard for the proud look in Lucius's eyes and he reveled in it. Phase one: complete. Onto Phase two. Garron and Draco were wrapped up in Narcissa's arms not even a moment later, the embrace lasted only for a second but the emotion and intent were there.
"You boys will make a fine addition to Slytherin." Her voice was cool, but Garron knew the affection behind the tone. They were in public after all, no proper witch would show so much emotion. It was plebeian. "You will write to your father and I every week, no exceptions." It wasn't a request.
"I expect to hear great things from your professors at the board meeting. Perhaps I shall see you then?" Lucius's mouth curled into a smirk that Garron knew well, "Severus will be keeping me informed of your progress. Both in class and out." The last comment was directed toward the young Lord Black. Garron tensed at the idea of another set of eyes watching him. His plans were too intricate to be muddled by some moron. However, Severus Snape wasn't a fool. Perhaps Garron could even get him to assist in some aspects. He'd have to watch what he told the man though, and make sure not to make direct eye contact. He had heard Lucius and Severus discussing Legimency one night and had read the entirety of the Malfoy library on the subject. His own Occulemency was rather weak, but that would change soon. He was only eleven after all, he couldn't be invincible. Yet.
The train wailed and it was called out that all Hogwarts student must board within five minutes. Suddenly, the scurrying of children and parents increased ten-fold, all of them clawing at the small opening of the train doors. Garron sighed, Like rats in a cage.
"Go on then. I expect a letter tonight with your houses. I trust you'll both represent houses Malfoy and Black well." Lucius's crisp voice was enough to snap Garron out of his inner thoughts.
"Yes, father." Draco's voice was far softer than Garron's own. Of course he was going to represent well, who did Lucius think he was talking to? Garron was a Lord in his own right and he'd be damned if he weren't treated as such. Calm down, would you? We have far bigger things to fuss over. They made their way onto the train and were attempting to find a car when they were suddenly bumped into by a cloud of red hair.
"Oi! Watch where you're goin'!" The small, dirty, boy with copper hair shouted around the food in his mouth. Disgusting. Garron watched with intrigue as the boy's face morphed into a sneer so very much like his brother's it was astounding. "Malfoy." The boy said the name with the same contempt that Lucius usually reserved for two groups of people - Muggles, and Weasleys. That was it! The boy was a Weasley. Garron didn't understand when the feud between the two families began, but the one thing he did know was that the entire family was a bunch of blood traitors. Not only did they approve of muggles and muggleborns, (though Garron had never understood the hatred toward mudbloods. Magic was magic.) they assimilated to all of the muggle traditions. That was a point from them in Garron's book. The old ways paid homage to the Gods, they secured the family. Yule, Samhain, Beltane, and the other sabbats are vital to the health of the magical world. If a muggleborn could trade their muggle world for the magical one, there would be no issue. Our culture would remain unchanged, Lady Magic would remain healthy. They just have to choose. It's so simple. Why would anyone want to stay with those awful creatures?
Garron opened his mouth to speak, but Draco got to it first. "Oh look it's a Weasley. Pardon me for not recalling your first name, there are just, so many of you now. It's hard to keep up, truly." Draco's cool smile reminded Garron more of Narcissa than of Lucius. It was the same look she gave when she was tearing down a witch in public. Such a polite tone, such scathing words. The Weasley boy's face reddened to the same shade as his hair, lighting up in indignation.
"Oh you just watch it Malfoy! I'll hex you here and now!" The hallway they were standing in was empty now, everyone else having found a seat to relax in.
"You go right ahead Weaslebee. I'd be shocked if you could even perform a spell. I hear they're letting anyone into Hogwarts these days." That sneer was all Draco, not an ounce of Narcissa's cool rage resided. This was becoming rather childish, but Garron remained intrigued nonetheless. The boy looked like he barely had enough braincells rubbing together to speak let alone practice magic.
"Alright then, Malfoy. Uh. Eat Slugs!" Coincidentally, nothing happened to hurt a single blond hair on Draco's head. Instead, within a minute of staring at Draco confused, Weasley began to heave over. Every single time the idiot attempted to open his mouth, deep green slugs came pouring out. It was disgusting, but Garron couldn't help but feel amused. This is what happens to the weak.
"Spells don't truly work like that. Even though he had his intention set, he refused to even attempt a wand movement. The combination of the runes from the movements and the intention might have made it a tad more successful. Though, at our age, not using movements in our spells isn't possible. Our cores need to grow, with them, our capabilities grow." A girl's calm voice spoke out from behind them. Towards the end of her little speech, she had gotten very passionate. She knew what she was talking about though. The book that information resides in isn't even accessible to student until their fourth year. She must had read ahead like I did. Maybe she's like me?
Turning around, Garron was faced with a petite girl with golden skin and riotous black curls. Her large, glassy eyes were a deep brown freckled with the same amber gold that seemed to light up her skin in places. The only defect Garron could see were her teeth, her two front teeth were entirely too big for her mouth. Magic could fix that. Didn't she know? She held a stack of large tomes of varying subjects, among them Wizarding Etiquette for the Non-Wizard Raised. A muggleborn then. "What house do you hope to be in Miss...?"
Her eyes flashed with surprise, they were entirely too expressive. "Granger and Ravenclaw, or maybe Slytherin. Hogwarts: A History was rather biased against them though. Which I find to nearly discredit the entire work, non-fiction should be as unbiased as possible - especially history book." She looked at him suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. "Why?" Oh we are keeping her.
"Because if I'm going to keep you, then I would rather not have to deal with a Gryffindor." Draco looked at his brother in complete shock, Garron had never outright said he was going to keep a person. Usually, they just inferred that he tolerated them after a while. Only three people to this day understood Garron had decided they were his: Draco, Theo, and Blaise. For Garron to claim some random girl he had just met was unheard of. Draco thought that must mean that Garron thought she was worth something, and what Garron says goes. No matter the decision. No one wanted to be on the raven haired boy's bad side. Not if they wanted to live.
"And who said I would want to be kept?" The girl's voice was pitched to be tipped into a icy fury, she kept herself steady though.
"I did." Garron was getting rather annoyed with her lack of trust. Didn't idiots trust easily. She's not an idiot though, that's why she's useful. She could be very helpful, especially if we can make an example out of her. The model muggleborn for which all shall be modeled after. That sounds rather nice.
"And who said I needed to be kept?"
"Multiple things really. Number one, you're a muggleborn so a lot of people at this school won't like you. Some will even want to harm you. Which means protection, which means me." She scoffed.
"You're an eleven year old boy, I fail to see how you would protect me."
This time Draco popped in, "Oh my brother is terrifying. Especially when you mess with his things. I should know. I am one of them. One time, in Knockturn Alley, some bloke tried to take me and Garron lit his hair on fire and make his skin boil." Garron smiled entirely too wide with dead eyes and far too many teeth. That was a good day. The girl took a minuscule step backward away from him.
"Thank you, my dear little brother."
"Hey I'm older!" All the while, Weasley was incapacitated on the floor, still puking slugs.
"What I lack in age, I gain in maturity Draco. Don't be so uncouth. There's a lady in our presence." He turned back towards the girl, her mouth curling up into small grin. "And number two, you seem to be of a perfect intellect. I highly doubt anyone else in this school would be up to your standards besides, of course, myself." He saw the girl weighing her options carefully in her mind. Maybe she needed just a little bit of a push. "I also have access to an ancient library at my family's estate." Her eyes sparkled at that.
The girl walked closer to Garron with a sly smirk on her face. When she got to a step in front of him, she reached out her hand. "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger. Muggleborn, and apparently in need of being kept." He shook her hand with a smile on his face.
"Hello Hermione Granger, I am Lord Garron Malfoy-Black. Pureblood, and happy to keep. And if I am being perfectly honest, I feel this is a wonderful start to our partnership." He clapped his hands together, "Now! We have a very long train ride, let's see if we cannot find the rest of our little group."
Leaving Weasley on the ground, he lead both Draco and Hermione by the arm down the cars until they found the one containing Theo and Blaise. Unfortunately, is Garron's absence, Pansy had felt the need to accompany the two boys. She would need to be disposed of.
Seeing Draco and Garron the two other boys leapt to their feat to greet them. Both giving Draco a hug and being very careful to only nod at Garron. Another lesson they learnt the hard way, no unexpected invasions of personal space. Theo and Blaise greeted Hermione with a quiet and curious hello and sat back down. Those left standing quickly took their own seats, Draco sat on the far wall as far away from Pansy as he could get, Garron sat near the car door and Hermione was placed between them. The placing of Hermione had not gone unnoticed by Theo and Blaise, very rarely did Garron allow anyone who wasn't his to sit next to him. Though, the way the girl made quiet conversation with the raven haired boy lended to the theory that she already was his. Garron didn't like to be involved in any more conversation than he had to.
"Who is she?" Pansy's nasally voice questioned, her nose already turning up in distaste. The conversation between Garron and Hermione halted to a stop as he looked the pug-nosed girl in the eye.
"She's Hermione." Garron's eyes remained cold and dead. The rest of the car seeming to drop in temperature twenty degrees, the shadows becoming darker in the corners, the metal of the train grinding more than ever.
"Why is she even here?"
"Because I said so. Can you handle that Miss Parkinson? Or should I remind you what happens when you interfere with my plans?"
"No. Lord Black." Pansy's voice was a whisper now, her hair moving to cover her eyes, suddenly the very picture of demure.
For the second time that day, it was demonstrated to Hermione Granger just the type of boy she had chosen to make friends with. She wasn't deterred however, she believed her first friend just might have been the best one to choose. She wanted to be respected just like him, even if that respect was tinged with fear.
"Good. Now, let's all put on our robes, shall we? We'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon." He may have phrased it as a question but it wasn't. It was an order, said politely and happily, but an order nonetheless.
Twenty minutes later the Hogwarts Express was pulling into the station at Hogsmeade and a large, booming, giant of a man was directing first years into boats. The picture of Hogwarts was beautiful in all of its glory, its marvel was only amplified as it reflected against the surface of the lake along with the torches on the boats.
"No more 'an four to a boat!" The giant called out.
Garron turned once again to Pansy, "Dreadfully sorry, Miss Parkinson, our boat appears to be full." Leaving her sputtering behind them, Garron climbed gracefully into the boat which then started making its own way across the lake. Leaning in to whisper to Hermione, "I'm not normally as downright rude to people. It's truly just her. She made the dreadful mistake of spilling hair tonic all over my favorite book as a child, I've never gotten over it. She's also no less air headed as she was when we were eight."
"Oh I completely understand. I feel like I could fillet her and I've only known her an hour." Hermione's voice was a hushed whisper in return. He'd loved having someone who understood him. Do you think she kills people in her spare time? Then she'd be perfect! We've never been friends with a girl before! She giggled into her hand, "Not literally, though, of course." He sighed mentally, How does one tell a new friend that he would rather she hurt Pansy physically? It would take off so much work off of our hands.
"Of course. I wouldn't tell a soul either way though."
Before Hermione could answer in reply, they had already been walked up to the entrance to the great hall. The doorway itself was as tall as the first few floors in Malfoy Manor combined, intricately detailed and directly in front of it was a tall, thin woman in dark green robes that spoke in a strict Scottish brogue.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," The woman's accent came through with every crisp and clear utterance, the entirety of the first years were fixated on her as if she spoke gospel. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses." A few murmurs from the crowd arose as the different theories as to how the sorting takes place were discussed. "The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
The doors opened behind her, revealing a just as big Great Hall. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky, candles seemed to float in the middle of it as well. Four long tables were filled with the older students all trying to catch a glimpse of the first years. In front of the four tables was one table that held the professors. Only three stood out to him, an old man with twinkling eyes whom he had come to know as the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Severus Snape, to which he gave a polite nod to, knowing they would be talking soon.The last man was unknown to him, he wore a purple turban and seemed to be quaking in his boots. How odd, one would think a person required a tad more of an edge to become a professor. Glances into the strange man's eyes, Garron felt the barest of touches against his very weak occulemency shields. It didn't hurt, it felt more like it was a fish nibbling at bait, testing the waters. It's very rude to intrude on one's thoughts uninvited you know, Garron thought to the man. In return, he saw his eyebrows shoot into his turban in surprise. After a moment however, the man smiled and gave a nod in return. His thoughts were interrupted by voices sounding out around him.
"Do you think Harry Potter is here?"
"Oh yea! He is our age. I wonder if he came!"
"I heard he was dead!"
"No that can't be true. The Prophet would have said something!"
"He hasn't been seen or heard. Ever!"
It was interesting to hear what people pondered about the "Great Harry Potter". The amount of hero worship aimed his way was sickening. He wondered what all of these idiots would do if they figured out their "savior" was right behind them. Probably faint. Ambrose constricted around his neck.
"There are too many idiots here for my liking." Garron nodded in response, it would do no good exposing that he was a parselmouth on day one.
"Let us begin! I will call each of your names and place the sorting hat onto your head, from there you will be sorted into your houses. Hannah Abbot!" The old woman place a decrepit old hat upon the girl's head, to everyone's surprise, the hat became animated and scrunched up its approximation of a face.
"Hufflepuff!" The hat shouted out.
The old woman paused for a moment, confusion lighting her face as she called out,"Garron Black!"
He made his way up to the stool comfortably as she and the rest of the Hogwarts scrutinized him and his every move. He was mildly relieved that his new name had been on this list as well, it would have been very awkward to tell them they had missed someone. When he arrived at the stool and sat down she placed the hat onto his head. Can you get lice from this? Is lice only a muggle issue?
Pardon you boy, but I am charmed against such things. It took everything Garron had not to jump out of his skin when the second (third?) voice popped into his head.
That's good to know, how are you going to sort me? Do I need to pass a test? Why don't they mention this in the books?
I see Ravenclaw is definitely a contender, though it may bore you. All ravens seems to care for are books and intelligence outside of them are snubbed. Gryffindor is far too brash for someone with your... skillset. And while you may find your greatest friends in Hufflepuff, I fear the wrong toned look would be enough to upset them. Now, Slytherin, that is truly a place for you. It will allow you to thrive, you could be great you know.
If I am going to be anywhere I will go where I can be the best. Slytherin sounds just fine to me thank you.
So be it - Harry Potter. Again Garron had to quickly school his features to not give away his shock.
You will not tell anyone who I am. Do you understand? If I hear word that you've spilled my secret I will find where you are kept and burn you alive, making sure to pop every last stitch from you.
Oh yes, your secret is safe with me, Harry Potter. With determination and power like that, better be -
"SLYTHERIN!" Hearing the hat's voice outside of his head again made Garron relax just a bit more. From the way everyone was looking at him, he assumed he had taken a rather long time talking with the hat. The old woman let him down to the Slytherin table, he was the first of his friends to make it there. She coughed and continued with the next name on the list.
"Susan Bones!"
"Hufflepuff!" This went on for quite some time. Garron only truly paid attention to those he cared about. Hermione had been chosen as a best choice for Slytherin, though he could see her eyes drift sadly towards the Ravenclaw table for a brief moment before she sat to diagonally across from him, right of center. He had been surprised when Daphne Greengrass sat to the left of Hermione, yet again leaving the middle open.
"How do you do, Miss Greengrass? It has been a while since we've seen each other, your mother's own Yule ball a few years ago was it?" Garron had adopted the shark like grin once again. He didn't hate Daphne, no, but he did have to establish the order of things. Specifically, his order of things.
Daphne took the politely veiled threat well, a point for her in his book. "I am perfectly well, Lord Black. It has been quite some time since our last meeting, but I hope to rekindle our friendship now that we are in Hogwarts together."
"I look forward to it." He went from a tiger shark to an angel in 3 seconds flat, Hermione was impressed.
Draco followed her a few minutes later and sat to his right with Theo only seconds after Draco. Theo chose his seat to be Garron's left side. Each of their placements a deliberate act as they were seated in the middle of the table, which meant that ranking came with seat. Though Draco and Theo were nearly tied as his second but Draco's position won out Theo's best friend title. Hermione 4th to Blaise who was soon to come and Daphne, as the newest member ranked 5th to Blaise's left. Pansy, however, sat on Daphne's left, the outsider to their little group as she always was. Tracey Davis sat to Draco's right, Draco was quite fond of her because she was the only one that didn't fawn over him. That, and the girl is absolutely gifted in hexes, curses, and jinxes. Draco's henchmen of Crabbe and Goyle sat to her right, oblivious of the fools they make themselves. Millicent Bulstrode sat to Pansy's left. He would have to thank Greengrass, the seating was such a subtle tell off that it was perfect.
"Harry Potter?" The Scottish woman's voice was clear as bells across the Great Hall. Not a single soul moved in response, the Great Hall went dead silent as they searched for their savior. Rather, who they thought their savior should be. "Harry Potter?" Her voice cracked towards the end, noticing not a single child was moving towards her. In Hogwarts: A History it stated that any magical child that did not open to their Hogwarts letter, and were called for Sorting but not present was assumed dead or no longer possessing of magic. The letters were sent to every single family, charmed to alert a teacher to their opening by the addressed child. They were also charmed to always find the student, the only way a letter was returned to Hogwarts was if they were dead or had lost their magic. Well, that's a bit of a plot hole there. But it works in our favor so who am I to judge the Governors shoddy writing.
The professor cleared her throat and continued on with the names. Apparently, someone had found Weasley on the train as he was there to be sorted straight into Gryffindor. Blaise did indeed take his spot across from Garron. The woman took her seat after the final sorting and Dumbledore rose, his old greying voice making its way through the hall.
"Welcome back returning students, and welcome home new students. As always a reminder that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that, forbidden. Other than that tidbit of news, I beg you ... Eat up!" With a wave of his hands, a gigantic feast appeared and students and professors alike dug in. Garron couldn't help shake the feeling that speech was a bit more rushed that normal years. He let his eyes drift from the headmaster back to the strange man. Their eyes connected and once again Garron felt the brush against his mind.
Hello? Can I help you? Garron thought out into his mind, surprised to find the man smirking back at him.
Oh you will be interesting, won't you - Lord Black. The man's emphasis on Lord made Garron sit straighter, begging for the stranger to see all of the people he's collected, to see how far he's come and how far he will go. Already older years were looking toward their positions on the table and wondering how much Garron's control reaches.
As will you. What did you say your name was again?
I didn't.
Well that's very rude. If you're going to come into my mind, I'd at least like to know who's perusing.
A dry chuckle forced it's way into Garron's head, My name is Tom.
Mcgonagall's Welcome Speech (Harry Potter