Chapter Two: Getting Sorted and Settled

The day had finally arrived. Chi-Chi and Gohan spent the last evening packing his school and training gear into capsules. He rolled his eyes as he fingered his second hand Nimbus 2000.

"Aw, Mom! Why do I need this thing anyways? I can fly without it, not to mention that I have a real flying Nimbus!"

Chi-Chi gave her son a stern look. "Gohan, you need to try fitting in at the school. Don't you think you'll be getting a lot of stares if you take off without a broom in a culture where flying with a broom is standard practice?"

He sighed. "I guess so."

"Besides, I worked really hard to find that Nimbus 2000 secondhand. It's a real popular broom. Not many had them for sale…not to mention the high demand for it, especially since the 2001s are out, and a lot of people who can't afford a 2001 would be naturally inclined toward purchasing the second best."

"You could have bought a 2001, Mother."

"But you insisted, remember? "Don't spend so much on all that rubbish. Buy it all as cheap as you can. Just the essentials." Wow, Gohan! You have plenty of money to play with from both me and Bulma. I suppose I should be glad that you got your frugal sensibility from me."

Gohan grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, maybe I should relax a little. I didn't mean to work you so hard. If it is easier for you to get something new, then you can."

"Oh, I donno. Maybe having mostly everything secondhand will allow you to fit in better, eh?"

Gohan nodded.

Characteristic of Chi-Chi, they arrived on the platform twenty minutes early. After watching a family vanish through a large concrete post between platforms nine and ten, Chi-Chi hugged her son and bade him good luck. Gohan walked slowly to the wall and stepped through. A different platform immediately came into view. A sign in gold lettering identified it as Platform Nine and Three Quarters. The train was already at the platform. Anxious yet excited, Gohan handed off his ticket to be punched and boarded the train.

Being early had its benefits; Gohan found an empty compartment almost immediately. He pulled his wand from his gi, admiring and fingering its beautiful carved surface. Olivander, the wandmaker, had delivered it to him personally.

"Yes, Gohan Son. I must say, this wand is the most unique wand I have ever crafted. Ten and a half inches. The wood I used was selected from the finest shoots of the Ajissa plant. I trust you are familiar with Ajissa?"

"Yes, sir. Ajissa is a tree native to the planet Namek. How did you get the wood?"

"Ah, your headmaster paid a visit to the current guardian of the Earth. I understand that the guardian was most generous. Your wand also has a unique core. You see, most wands have either a unicorn hair, a phoenix feather, or dragon heart string. Yours has none of these as a core."

"What kind of core does mine have, Mr. Olivander?"

He chuckled. "I am afraid that I don't know. Headmaster Dumbledore provided the sample. All I know is that the core wasn't normally a core that wand makers use. Now, Mr. Son. I would like you to take the wand from me and give it a wave. I wish to see if the wand will recognize you as a master."

Gohan had gingerly removed the wand from Olivander. Immediately, a warmth had spread into his fingers. He had waved it, and a shower of gold and rose sparks had filled the summer air.

"Excellent! Apparently, your headmaster anticipated this…how curious…but satisfactory, nevertheless. Your custom-made wand will be fifteen galleons, eleven knuts…"

Gohan smiled pleasantly as he turned the wand over and over in his fingers. Just as he had then, he felt a strange connectedness to the stick…a kinship. He didn't think he could explain it, but he felt a familiar sense of safety and comfort as he wielded it.

The compartment door slid open. A girl with mousy, bushy hair and rather large front teeth stuck her head inside. Sighing loudly, she asked, "Do you mind if I sit in here? I am afraid I can't find my friends."

Gohan nodded. "Okay."

"I'm Hermione Granger. You're first year…are you nervous?"

"Actually, I'm second year."

The girl named Hermione raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

Gohan sat up. "I'm second year. I'm twelve years old."

"How is that possible? Why weren't you here last year?"

"They must have skipped me…or forgotten me."

She scoffed. "Well, that can't be."

"Why not?"

"Because," she began but never finished. She couldn't think of any reason it wasn't possible. After a short silence, she asked, "Who are you?"

"My name's Gohan...Son. What's your nam-oh, nevermind," Gohan added, blushing. Hermione gave a small smile. Another silence followed. Gohan looked out the window. As he looked back, he discovered she was staring at him.

"Oh, sorry. It just seems as though I have seen you somewhere before."

Uh oh. "Really? Ever been to Japan?" Gohan scratched his head and laughed nervously.

"Hmm."

Gohan turned his head back to the window, blushing furiously. But his attention was drawn elsewhere. What? There are two power levels following the train! But how? They don't seem powerful enough to even fly! Maybe they are suppressing their power levels.

Hermione watched the boy as he rose from his seat, focusing intently out the window. He's avoiding me. Gohan suddenly gasped, pointing at a small, dark object in the late afternoon sky.

"Is that…a car?"

Hermione scoffed, standing to look at it. "Don't be silly, Gohan, cars can't fly-" She gasped. Whatever it was looked exactly like a car. They didn't hear as the compartment door slid open.

"Well, Granger, finally found yourself a boyfriend?" Hermione and Gohan spun around to face a tall, pale-faced, blond headed boy, who was flanked by two bulky bodyguards. The pale one sneered. "It's about time you started hanging around your kind. It's tragic to expose Potter and Weasley to your taint. They don't need anymore brain damage."

"Get lost, Malfoy,"Hermione barked. The three laughed raucously.

"Oh, we will, Granger, really soon. After all, the stench is unbearable. But we had to get a good look at your boyfriend. A first year? That's desperate, Granger," the boy drawled as his cronies continued laughing stupidly.

Hermione frowned. "He's not my boyfriend, and he's not a first year."

The boy glared angrily. He approached her. "Did I say you could talk to me?" He raised his hand to slap her. Gohan saw it slowly bearing down on its intended target. Gohan blocked the blow inches from her face, leveling his eyes at her attacker. The other two pushed forward toward him to attack him for daring to touch their leader. Gohan raised his hand to Malfoy's chest, his thumb applying pressure to his middle finger. He flicked him; the force from the blow carried the entire trio out of the compartment where they slammed and ricocheted off the hallway wall. Gohan strode to the compartment door and closed it.

"They're not very nice," Gohan said simply.

Hermione nodded, staring at Gohan in shock. Blushing, Gohan sat and continued his window gazing. Although he couldn't see the car with his eyes, he could still sense the power of the two inside. Ijust lost it just then. Maybe I should learn to control my temper better.

Once more, the compartment door slid open. Gohan stood, expecting another confrontation. Instead, a short boy with a rather round face and a trembling lower lip peered in.

"Come in, Neville," Hermione said, nodding at the boy. The boy slowly entered the compartment and sat in the seat across from them.

"Gohan Son, this is Neville Longbottom. Neville, this is Gohan,"

"Hi!" Gohan said enthusiastically.

"Hi," Neville returned shyly. He turned to Hermione. "Where's Harry and Ron?"

She growled in frustration; Neville winced. "They better not have missed the train. I thought Harry was with the Weasleys, but Fred and George haven't seen since going through the barrier."

"Who are Harry and Ron?"

Hermione smiled. "They are our friends: Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."

Gohan frowned. "Harry Potter. Where have I-oh yeah! Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts! He's the one who stopped that dark wizard…Voldemort!"

Hermione flinched; Neville jumped involuntarily and whimpered. "Oh, Gohan. Something you should know. Not a lot of people speak his name."

"Why not? He couldn't be as bad as Cell."

Hermione's eyes widened, and Neville fell off his seat in horror. Gohan stared in confusion at the peculiar behavior of his friends.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. When they finally reached the station, Hermione and Neville made their way to some carriages carried by some strange looking creatures. Gohan stared, transfixed, until a large hand rested on his shoulder.

"Gohan Son?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm Hagrid. You're teh ride with me." Gohan looked up at the speaker. Hagrid was as tall as his grandfather, the Ox King. Gohan smiled at the thought and nodded.

"Okay!"

Gohan was preparing to enter the castle when he stopped.

"What is it?" Hagrid asked.

"Those two power levels inside that car is getting pummeled by a tree! Wow, for a tree it has an amazing Ki!"

Hagrid patted Gohan on the head. If Gohan had been any other child, he would have toppled from the force. "Poor fella'. Musta' bin wa'er logged in the boat."

Gohan stood in the room to the left of the Grand Hall, patiently waiting for the stern witch named Professor McGonagall to return. When she returned, she instructed all to follow. Because he was so engrossed in the ceiling, he failed to hear the sorting hat as it sang. In fact, Gohan was forcibly returned to the present when-

"Son, Gohan. Second Year Placement." Gohan jumped upon hearing his name. He approached the stern witch, smiling. "Sit." Gohan sat on the stool.

Gohan heard someone chuckling. My, this is a rarity. What a pure heart! Gohan looked around in search of the speaker. And what power! An incredible force, a prodigious talent…marvelous! You're the one who defeated Cell…I feel honored to perch on your head. Gohan gasped. He jumped from the stool, gesturing wildly.

"Ahhhh! It's the hat! It's talking!" Some students and teachers chuckled appreciatively.

Heh heh. But where do I put you? You have the cunning of Slytherin, the bravery of Gryffindor, the loyalty of Hufflepuff, and the wisdom of Ravenclaw…hmmm…incredibly difficult…

Gohan looked over at the Slytherin table. They didn't look very pleasant. Moreover, the boy Hermione called Malfoy sat at the table. Oh, not Slytherin! Definitely not Slytherin. Please!

Really? Are you sure? You would do well in Slytherin-

No way! Look at those guys! They're creepy! I'd rather be on a desert island with Vegeta…ewwww, nevermind, that's just as bad. Please, anywhere but Slytherin!

Well, I suppose you'd do just as well in…"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Harry, Ron, did I hear correctly? Did you actually fly a car to Hogwarts?"

A slim boy with untidy hair and glasses grinned. "Yeah. Did you hear about the whomping willow?"

Gohan perked up. "Hey! You're the two that got beat by that tree! That tree has incredible Ki…well, for a tree, anyways."

The three stared. Gohan blushed. Hermione spoke. "Harry, Ron…Gohan Son," After the short introduction, she rounded on the two. "You could've been expelled. Honestly, they let you off easy." When she left, Ron whispered, "Mental."

Harry grinned. "So, Gohan. Tell us about you."

Gohan winced. He was supposed to be maintaining a low profile. He pulled his capsule organizer from his robe, "Well-" he opened the box, "I-" he selected the one labeled Gohan's Wardrobe, "am-" he pushed the button on the capsule and dropped it onto his bed, "I am-" a loud pop permeated the room, and a large suit case appeared.

"Woah!" Ron exclaimed. Neville, Seamus, and Ron crowded around the bed. Dean shrugged.

"That was a capsule, wasn't it?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Bulma gave them to me for my trip here."

Dean dropped his trainers. "Bulma? As in Bulma Briefs? From Capsule Corporation?"

Darn it! Why do I keep slipping like that? "Yeah. She and my dad go back a ways."

Harry smiled. "Your dad must be cool."

"He wa..is."

Ron stared in awe. "When do we get to meet him?"

Gohan frowned. "Father died last year."

"Oh…sorry."

"It's okay. Dad is happy where he is." The boys all looked at each other uncomfortably.

Harry broke the silence. "Your clothes are, er, interesting."

"Thanks. This is my training Gi."

"Training Gi?"

"I study martial arts."

Dean walked over, suddenly more interested. "You say you know Bulma…do you know that guy that is always in the background…the one with the spiky hair?"

"Oh, Vegeta?"

"I guess. Do you study fighting with him? He looks tough."

"Heh heh, no. Vegeta is tough, but I wouldn't train with him if he was the only option."

"Why not?"

"Why not? He's a loose cannon! Didn't you see how he acted during the Cell-" Gohan stopped. He turned his back on them and began putting away his things. Dean, on the other hand, nodded knowingly before returning to his bed to finish unpacking.

Ron nudged Harry, looking from Gohan to Dean and back. "What's that all about?"

Gohan lay awake, listening as his roommates softly snored.

"Gohan," someone whispered.

Gohan looked up. It was Dean.

"Gohan, you were at the Cell Games, weren't you?"

Gohan didn't answer.

"Hey, did Hercule really defeat Cell?"

Silence.

"That's what I thought."

Gohan listened as his heart threatened to break through his chest. Now what do I do?

"Gohan, I won't tell anyone. I promise."

Silence, and then- "Thanks."