Hey all! Here's the latest installment of Hogwarts' Guardian. Hope you all enjoy. And thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. They really help keep me writing.
Chapter 3
"So where will I be staying?" asked Harry. "Will I have to return back to the Dursleys?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out. I will not have a student be mistreated at their home. You may not be a student yet, but no one should go through that. If Ria's parents can't take you in, I will take you to Hogwarts, where you will stay until the ride to Hogwarts. That is something that no fist year will miss, at least not on my watch."
"Professor, I brought my father in," said Ria as she sat down. Harry looked up at the man. Harry could tell that he was much different from his uncle. While his uncle was big, but fat, this man was big but muscled. Where his uncle had fat, this man had muscle. And then there was that intimidating gaze the man had.
"Hello, Mr. Kachmer, how do you do?"
"I am doing fine, Professor. Is there something wrong? Do you need something from us?"
"Yes, but whether you choose to do what I am proposing is completely up to you. But first," said McGonagall as she pointed towards Harry, "Let me introduce one of Ria's soon to be classmate, Harry Potter. Now, what I am about to propose to you is something that involves Harry. For the past eleven years, Harry has been living at his aunt and uncle's house. However, he has not been happy there. He has been treated similar to slave or a servant in his own home. But I do not want Harry to have to continue to go through that before the school year starts. Will you be able to take him in for the summer?"
"I'm sorry, but even if I could make that decision, which I can't, we are not going to be here until about August 29th. We are going to visit Ria's cousins in Germany. I truly do wish I could help with Mr. Potter's situation, but this summer it would just be impossible. But, I will say this. If next summer, Mr. Potter needs a place to stay over the summer and you haven't come up with anything, he is welcome at our house."
"But sir, that would rude of me. I couldn't possible just come over just because I'm being treated badly at my house. Besides, what if I don't get along with your daughter? It would not do for the both of us," spoke Harry.
"Well then," said Mr. Kachmer as he winked down at Harry, "You best get along with her, for all our sakes." Harry looked down and nodded. "Now, I do believe I should be going. Good day to you, Professor, Harry."
"Good bye, Mr. Kachmer," said Harry.
"Good day, Mr. Kachmer," replied Minerva. As the father and daughter left, Harry turned to look at the professor.
"So, am I staying at Hogwarts?" asked Harry.
"Yes. Though, I will warn you that you will not be the only student there. There are a few students still at Hogwarts. The students who are still at Hogwarts right now are those students who are studying under a specific teacher so that they will be prepared for whatever job they are going into. There are a few who are studying under me to prepare themselves for obtaining a transfiguration mastery. Of course, your father was one such student."
"Did you know them? My parents, that is."
"Harry, I taught your father throughout his entire stay during Hogwarts. I was his head of house, and the person who assigned him the most detentions. It was also me who persuaded him to go for a transfiguration mastery. The things that your father could do with transfiguration were marvelous. He came up with theories that boggled everyone's mind."
"And my mother?"
"Your mother was talented in a different area. She was a master potioneer and a master in charm-work. You will meet her charms teacher while you are at Hogwarts. Her potions teacher, however, has gone off the map and no longer teaches at Hogwarts. But your mother, she had a truly gifted mind. Both your parents were the type that comes only once every few generations. And I am sure that you will be the same. Now hold onto my hand." Harry grabbed onto McGonagall's outstretched hand and suddenly they were no longer in the leaky cauldron, but now in a field. Harry looked up and saw a gigantic castle.
"Is that-"
"Yes, Harry. Welcome to Hogwarts."
Once the pair had made it inside the castle, Harry and McGonagall were greeted by two of the students.
"Professor."
"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Tonks. What can I do for you?"
"Uh…well, I were wondering if I could bring my youngest brother, the one that will be attending Hogwarts next year. See, I won't be able to spend any time with them during the summer or during the year as I will be headed to Romania to work on the Dragon Reserve, so I thought if I could bring them here, we would actually get to spend some time together."
"And why not ask Professor Dumbledore about this?" asked McGonagall as Harry stared at the two students in front of him.
"He said that we should ask you so that I don't get in trouble…and so that he doesn't surprise you when they appear. Also it was mentioned that since I am studying under you, professor, that I should ask you for permission."
"Hmm," murmured McGonagall, pursing her lips. "I will allow him to come, but not only will you be responsible for him, you will also be given responsibility of young Mr. Potter for the summer." Harry stepped forwards from behind McGonagall.
"Of course. I'll apparate home and grab my sibling. Where will he be staying?"
"Hmm…put him with Harry in the Gryffindor rooms. The password should be Draco Dormiens. I'll leave Harry in there. But you will also be responsible for taking them back to King's Cross station so that they can ride on Hogwarts Express."
"Yes, professor!"
"Run along then. Come on Harry, I will show you to where you will be staying." Harry ran to catch up to McGonagall as she briskly walked past her students as she led her young charge to the Gryffindor dormitories. "Harry, this is the fat lady, the portrait that you will let you in if you say the password. Also note that in the magical world, all our portraits are alive and not still as they are in the muggle world."
"Yes, professor."
"Good. Now speak the password."
"Draco Dormiens!"
"You may enter," said the fat lady as the portrait swung open, revealing the room behind. Harry stepped forwards as if in a daze. It had only been a day since he learned about magic, and it's abilities were amazing. Hiding a room behind a talking portrait? So cool!
"Your room will be the first room on the right hand staircase," said McGonagall from behind Harry. "I suggest you only unpack a week's worth of clothes and just leave them in the basket that is provided. Hogwarts will take care of your laundry. This way you won't have so much to repack at the end of summer before you go to King's Cross to take the train here. It is something that every first year must experience. Now, breakfast will be served in the great hall from 7-10, lunch will be served from 11-2, and dinner will be served from 5-8. You will be allowed to practice magic in the castle, however, I urge you to do so with caution and if you do practice magic, do it in a classroom. And, as I mentioned before, there will be two incoming first years joining you here. Be nice. I will see you at dinnertime."
"Thank you, professor!" said Harry as he bowed deeply. McGonagall nodded her acknowledgment before leaving to go up the stairs to find a room and unpack. Harry opened his trunk and switched it to relaxation and climbed in.
The inside of his trunk looked like an incredibly luxurious room. The walls were made of polished wood with a few pictures of who Harry assumed to be his parents and their close friends. In the middle of the room were a few couches and table in front of a magically- lit fireplace. On the side of the room was a bathroom and on the other side was a bed and a desk. Standing on the desk was the raven while the snake was curled up on the bed. Harry ambled over to the bed and stared down at the snake.
"What is your name?"
"I dooon't have one. I was born with noooo mother. As the one who took me from captivity, please name me. Who am I?"
"You are Hedwig, after Saint Hedwig, patron saint of Orphans," said Harry smiling. "For if I am an orphan, then my companion and friend will be named after my patron saint."
"I approve."
"And the raven? Does he have a name? He is a he, right?"
"Yes," laughed Hedwig, "He is a he. And he has no name either. Both of us were born into captivity. They decided not to give us names so that we would listen to whatever name our new owner would give us."
"How old are you two?"
"We are both a year old. What is his name to be?" Harry looked over at the raven walked towards him. Harry gently pet the raven on his head, eliciting a few caws of happiness.
"He will be named Muninn after one of Odin's companion ravens." Harry held out his arm to Muninn, who jumped off the desk, flapped his wings rapidly before landing on Harry's outstretched arm. Harry held out his hand for Hedwig, who slithered up Harry's arm and wrapped herself around Harry's shoulder with her head peeking out from the collar of Harry's shirt. "You comfortable in there?" asked Harry as he shivered, getting used to feeling Hedwig rubbing against his skin.
"Yesss. This spot suits me just fine."
"Okay," replied Harry as he went over to the ladder and climbed out of the trunk with his two pets. Once he was out of the trunk, Harry switched the compartment to books and grabbed one of his new school books: Defense Against the Dark Arts Year 1. He walked down the stairs with his two pets and settled into a couch to read the textbook.
As Harry read the first chapter, there were many terms that he did not recognize, so he took out a piece of parchment and started scribbling down the terms that he did not understand along with their definitions. By the time he had finished reading through the first chapter of the book, there was about a foot worth of parchment filled with notes on the chapter. Harry was so engrossed with his reading and writing down notes that he didn't even notice when two young girls walked right past him and up into the femal dorms.
"Harry!"
"What Hedwig?" asked Harry as he scribbled something with his quill.
"You didn't notice the other human walk upstairs…"
"So? If I'm meant to become friends with them, I will in time. Let me envelop myself in the world of magic." Hedwig remained silent while Muninn flapped around the room.
"Hello?" Harry looked up to see a boy with bright orange hair, similar to the older boy he had seen earlier.
"Hello, who are you?"
"My name is Ron. Ron Weasley. I think you saw my older brother Charlie earlier. He looks like me but his hair is much shaggier."
"Oh! I remember. My name is Harry."
"Nice to meetcha. What you reading there?"
"Our textbook for first year. I've been raised my muggles my whole life, so I'm kind of fascinated by everything regarding magic."
"Hmm…well I've grown up around magic my entire life, so I could probably answer any questions you probably have. Only things I wouldn't know are more obscure laws about ancient families."
"What do you mean by ancient families?"
"Ah, those are the nine families that came together to help found magical Britain under the guidance of Merlin and the four founders of Hogwarts. Let me introduce myself. My name is Ronald Billius Weasley, scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Weasley. Most Ancient means that we were here from the beginning where as ancient just means that we have supported magical Britain for at least 300 years. Noble means that we have aided Britain during times of strife. The only families to have the title Most Noble are Houses Potter, Longbottom, and Gryffindor. Grffindor is long dead, Longbottom's heir is attending this year, and you are the last of your family, aren't you Harry?" asked Ron as he wrote all the information down on a piece of parchment for Harry after taking the quill from Harry.
"You knew."
"I'm not an idiot. Anyone who sees your scar could tell," said Ron as he finished writing. "But no one who gets famous off their parents' deaths wants to be reminded of it. I was trying to be respectful of the fact that you didn't want it widely known."
"Thank you."
"Not a problem. So like I was saying, I don't know some of the obscure laws regarding the ancient families. As the youngest son of the House of Weasley, I was never required to learn all the ancient laws. That was mostly Bill, Charlie, and my other brother, Percy."
"Weren't you coming to spend time with Charlie?"
"Yeah. He's the only brother I really get along with. Bill is too distant and cares more about my younger sister. Percy is stuck up. And the twins, Fred and George prank me into oblivion."
"What about your sister? Don't you get along with her?" asked Harry, cocking his head in confusion. In Harry's mind, anyone to share time with is great.
"I mean, yeah. I guess," said Ron, but didn't elaborate any further. Harry sensing that he didn't want to talk about decided to change subjects.
"Hey, did you get any pets?"
"Nah. My family doesn't really have money to get pets or anything new for that matter." Harry smiled.
"Well, then I have a proposal for you. You help me learn wizarding customs and reviewing the first year textbooks and I'll get you a pet of your choice from Diagon Alley before the school year." Ron looked at Harry in disbelief.
"You don't have to do that for me."
"I'm not doing anything for you. You're going to help me learn so I don't look like an idiot when school starts and I'm going to buy you a pet in exchange." Ron looked at Harry and then at Minunn who was flapping around the room.
"You got yourself a deal." Harry grinned as he began peppering Ron with questions, who's eyes widened as he realized how much work he was going to have to do to earn his new pet.
|1 day until Hogwarts starts|
Both Harry and Ron sat in the Gryffindor common room cross legged with their eyes closed. Both of them had a single quill in front of them. Harry reached down within himself as he tried to find his magic. He remembered how it felt when he used magic with his wand and attempted to replicate that feeling without the wand.
Slowly, Harry felt himself being drawn into the innermost part of his mind and began to lose himself as he attempted to find his magic.
Within his mind, Harry was able to see his magic, was able to envelope his entire being with the feeling that he had when he was using his wand. Slowly, Harry opened his eyes as he pointed his hand at the feather. Slowly, the feather began to lift up in the air.
Unlike how the feather rose at a calm and steady rate when done with a wand, this time the feather rose up erratically. The feather would jump a few centimeters, then stop. This process would repeat itself until the feather was about eye level. Harry panted as he faised his hands to direct the feather to float over to where Ron was sitting.
Around the same time, Ron also opened his eyes and reached out with his latent magic to push the feather up into the air. However, unlike Harry who as able to make it lift off the table to eye level, Ron was only able to get it to five centimeters off the table before the feather fell back down to the table.
"I have a lot of practice to do if I want to get up to your level, huh?" asked Ron as he leaned on his legs, panting like a dog and sweat glistening on his forehead.
"I do too. This was the easiest spell, and yet we both had issues just trying to lift the feather. Want to get back to working on magic with our wands?"
"Definitely. Transfiguration or charms?"
"Transfiguration." They both took out a box of matches that they had procured from Ron's older brother and placed them on the table.
"Are we going to attempt transforming the box around the matches, and only the matches?"
"Obviously," snorted Harry as he focused on the matchbox. In his mind, he pictured the box taking on a metallic feel with a raven and a snake engraved on the top. Harry tapped the box, not even saying a spell as he let his intent flow from his wand and into the box. The box transformed into a metal box with a latch stylized with a raven flapping its wings and snake curled around its neck.
Harry reached for the latch, and unhooked the top to reveal plenty of matches inside. Harry smiled and looked over to where Ron was concentrating. Ron tapped the matchbook and the same thing happened for him except his box was gold and emblazoned with a proud lion ready to stalk his prey.
"Nice job Ron!" Harry's voice startled Ron out of his concentration. "Now let's see how fast we can do it and how many times we can do it in the next hour. If I remember correctly, Charlie is going to take us to Diagon Alley and I still owe you a pet…"
"You're on!' The two boys went back to transforming the boxes with matches inside of them from metallic to normal match boxes and back for the next half hour until Charlie entered the common room.
"Hey you two. Busy learning?" Ron turned his head to see his older brother standing in the portrait hole.
"Charlie!" yelled Ron as he ran from where he was sitting to his elder brother. "Can we go to Diagon Alley now?"
"Sure. Why don't you boys go clean up, grab your money pouches, and I'll meet you down at the entrance to the great hall in 15 minutes?" The two boys nodded as they started clearing off the desk and taking their textbooks upstairs to the first-year rooms. Harry placed his books in his trunk as Minunn flapped over to his shoulder and nipped Harry's ear.
"No, I can't take you with me this time. I'm going shopping. But if you want, I can let you go flying." Minunn cocked his head and nodded. Harry walked over to the window and opened it up. Minunn leaped off Harry's should out into the sky.
"Aaand what about me?" Harry glanced down at his neck where Hedwig's head could be seen poking out from under his shirt.
"You stay where you are, Hedwig. Unless you want to go out and do some hunting of your own?"
"I'm quite fine, thank you very much." Harry chuckled as he finished putting his books in his trunk. Harry grabbed his money pouch before walking down the stairs to the common room to see Ron waiting for him.
"You ready to get your pet?"
"Yep. Are you ready to get hounded by the public?"
"Nope," said Harry as he pulled his cloak over his shoulders. "That's why I have this. To obscure my identity."
"Whatever suits you. Let's get going." The two boys walked out of the common room and down to the great hall entrance where Charlie was waiting for them.
"Took you two long enough. What were you doing, each other's make-up?"
"Shut up Charlie," growled Ron. "That's nothing compared to how long it takes you and Nymphadora to come down when she stays over during the summer." Charlie looked panic and put his hand around Ron's mouth.
"Are you crazy? What if Tonks was nearby and heard you," whispered Charlie. "We'd both be dead!" Ron's eyes widened in fear.
"Oh crap."
"Exactly. Now let's get out of here and forget this even happened." The three males walked out of Hogwarts and down towards the gates. As soon as they passed the gates, Charlie put a hand on Ron and Harry's shoulder. "Alright boys, don't throw up."
"Wha-" Harry didn't even have time to ask what was happening before all three of them disappeared with a "pop".
|Diagon Alley|
Charlie, Ron, and Harry appeared in back alleyway. As soon as their feet touched the ground, Harry and Ron separated from Charlie and began patting themselves down to make sure that they had all their body parts.
"What the hell was that?" yelled Ron. "You don't just say 'don't throw up' and then apparate without telling us. Are you trying to be Fred or George?"
"Well, when you put it like that, it doesn't sound so great. But come on, it meant that you didn't have to work up the courage to side-apparate with me. You just did it!" Ron continued to glare at his older brother. "Here, since I scared the living hell out of you, I'll buy you both one book on advanced offensive magic from the bookstore. Now go get your pet and meet me at the bookstore in 15."
Both Harry and Ron both perked up at that and grinned at each other. The two nodded before running out of the alleyway down towards the pet store. When they entered, they could hear birds cawing in their cages, cats mewing, and snakes hissing. Ron and Harry wandered through the pet store looking at all the different animals until Ron caught his eye on a particular owl: a snowy spotted owl.
"Is that who you want?" asked Harry as he picked up some food for Minunn and Hedwig. "She looks nice."
"Hmm…I like her, but are you sure? She's 18 galleons. That's not cheap!"
"It's fine. I told you any pet, remember? Go grab some food an any other accessories that you want to get for her. I'll take her up to the front." Harry picked up the owl's cage and brought her to the cashier at the front of the store.
"Hello, will this be all?" asked the cashier as he tapped his wand on the cage, making it glow green.
"No, can I get a monthly auto-fulfilling food order for an owl, a snake and a raven under the name of Harry Potter?" As he was talking with the cashier, Ron came to the front with a guide on how to care for owls and owl treats.
"Of course."
"Harry!" Harry turned to look at Ron. "Why are you asking for an auto-fulfilling order for an owl? I can't afford to pay you for that!"
"Which is why you'll pay me back in the form helping me learning magic. You will help me learn magic that is beyond what they are teaching in the school curriculum. That is how you'll pay me back."
"But…ah man, I was looking forward to being lazy again."
"Sorry Ron, but you're going to have to keep up with e if you want all the food for free."
"You know what, fine. I'll do it."
"Great. Now that is all," said Harry turning back to the cashier who finished tapping the owl guide and a contract for the auto-fulfilling food order.
"Okay, that'll be about 100 galleons. Please sign here with a blood quill," asked the cashier, presenting the contract to Harry.
"Why a blood quill?" asked Harry.
"It is so the goblins can verify that you agreed to having money taken out of your vault every month." Harry nodded in understanding and took the quill to sign his name. Rob grabbed the cage with the owl and his guide to caring for owls.
After leaving the pet store, the two boys made their way to Flourish and Blotts, where Charlie was waiting for them.
"I see you got your owl Ron. What's his name going to be?"
"It's a her and her name is going to be Pellimore."
"I see. Well, I picked out two copies of three books: one book on martial arts magic, one book on battle magic, and one on runic magic. The runic magic will be too hard for you two right now as you have yet to learn anything about runes. But if you can learn it, you two will have a unique skillset that many wizards never learn. Plus, if you have any questions about runes, you can always ask Bill." Charlie handed one bag to both Ron and Harry, containing the three books.
"Eh…but I like you better Charlie. Can't I ask you instead?" complained Ron.
"You could, but I'm not nearly as good at Runes as Bill is. Anyways, let's get you back to Hogwarts. I'll have you two at the train station tomorrow at 10 AM. Make sure everything is packed."
"Yes Charlie," replied Harry and Ron. Charlie placed his hands on Ron and Harry's shoulders before apparating back to the gate of Hogwarts. The three males walked back to the Gryffindor common room together before they went their separate ways. Charlie went to the 7th year rooms to start packing while Ron and Harry went to the 1st year rooms.
"So," asked Ron as he packed up his belongings, "What house do you think you'll be in?"
"Hm…either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Thought with my thirst for knowledge I might also get sorted into Ravenclaw or Slytherin. You?"
"Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Though, I'm leaning towards Hufflepuff. Then I won't have to have any fear about Fred and George pranking me during the night."
"That is a reasonable fear," responded Harry with a shudder. Ron had told him about all the pranks that the twins have done over the years. Those two had scary minds and sick sense of humor.
"Well, whatever house we are sorted into, we're still studying together, right? Studying with you is probably the only way I'll stay focused."
"For sure," replied Harry, bumping fists with Ron. Neither boy noticed, but a spark of lightning appeared on Harry's fist for millisecond before disappearing.
|Next Day: King's Cross station|
"Well," said Charlie as he looked at the two boys before him. "This will be the last time I see both of you for quite a while. I'm headed off to Romania to work on a Dragon reserve. If either of you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. And Ron? If you don't get sorted into Gryffindor, it's not the end of world. You'll do well wherever you get sorted."
"Thanks Charlie," whispered Ron as he hugged his big brother.
"Yes, thank you Charlie," said Harry as he bowed to the older man. "Thank you for the past month."
"It's been no trouble at all. Now, run through that pillar," said Charlie, pointing to the pillar between the pillars for platform 9 and 10. "That'll take you to Platform 9 ¾. Good luck." Harry and Ron looked at each and nodded. Both charged at the pillar and phased through. They looked behind them to see Charlie come in right after.
"Alright, let's get you boys a compartment." Charlie as he helped Ron and Harry take their stuff from their carts and take them into a train. After finding a compartment, he helped place their trunks on the racks above. "Guess this is it. See ya Ron!"
"Bye Charlie!" Ron waved as his elder brother stepped out of the train and into the sea of people. Harry and Ron collapsed into their seats and sighed.
"Want to play a game?"
"Chess?"
"Why? Do you like torturing me?"
"Well, it's one of the few things that I am 100% sure I can beat you in. Besides, don't you want to get better at it?"
"Yeah, but not when I'm getting thrashed so thoroughly I'm not even sure what I am doing wrong."
"Fine, I won't try as hard. I'll only use about 40% of my current skill." Harry groaned as Ron took out his portable chessboard and put it on the table between the two of them. And so began Harry's torture as even with Ron playing with less than half of his real skill, he was still dominating the game.
"Harry?" Harry looked over to see Ria dragging her trunk and carrying her owl cage.
"Hey Ria. Want to sit in the compartment with us?"
"Yes please. Could you help me with my trunk."
"Of course I can. Ron, can you help us well?" Harry stepped out of the compartment and together with Ron helped her put the trunk on the rack above along with placing her owl cage next Pellimore's cage. Minunn was currently sleeping in Harry's trunk in the library room while Hedwig was wrapped around Harry's shoulder.
"So Ria, how was Germany, was it?"
"It was great. Are you guys playing chess?" asked Ria, motioning to the chessboard.
"Yeah. Ron's kicking my ass." As they continued to talk a blonde girl knocked on the compartment.
"Hello, all the other compartments are filled or don't want to let me sit with them. Could I possibly sit here with you guys? I won't bother you."
"Of course!" said Ria before Ron or Harry could respond. Ria went and helped the girl place her trunk and owl cage on the racks above before sitting down next to Ron while the blonde haired girl sat next to Harry. "Oh, my name is Ria Kachmer. What is yours?"
"Daphne. Daphne Greegrass." From her side, Harry looked closely at her face. Daphne had very cold grey eyes, almost the color of a light fog.
"Greengrass," muttered Ron before his eyes widened in realization. "You mean, you're the heiress to the Greengrass family, and one of the sacred 28?"
"It seems the Weasley family isn't as incompetent as I was led to believe," replied Daphne with a smirk. "It is a pleasure to meet you Scion Ronald Weasley."
"And you as well, Heiress Greengrass, but please call me Ron. Like you said, I'm a Weasley and we Weasleys don't care for that formal stuff unless we are called to Wizengamot. And while we are on the subject, allow me to introduce Heir Potter." Daphne turned to look at Harry and saw the lightning bolt on his forehead.
"Hello Heir Potter. I assume Ron here has been teaching you our traditions." Harry eyes Daphne and nodded with a small smile.
"Yes, Heiress Greengrass. Though I must insist you call me Harry. I am just re-entering the wizarding world. I come from a humble background. I was not raised as the Heir to the Potter family. I was raised as a muggle." Daphne's eyes widened.
"You mean to tell me," growled Daphne, "That you did not know about the wizarding world until you received your Hogwarts' letter? The heir to one of the three ancient families didn't know he was a wizard until you were eleven?"
"Yes," replied Harry, "but please calm down. Ron has been gracious enough to help me learn. Though since you are an heiress there are things you know that Ron wouldn't."
"Yes. It would be my pleasure to help you acclimate to the wizarding world along with Ron. And please, call me Daphne." As the three had been talking Ria's eyes had been bouncing between all three of them before she finally exploded.
"HEY! What is going on here?" Harry, Ron, and Daphne looked over at Ria and smiled ruefully.
"Sorry about that Ria," said Harry. "We got so caught up in discussing our families that we forgot to include you. As you know, my name is Harry Potter and I grew up with my aunt and uncle who do not possess magic. What you don't know is that my father, James Potter was the head of a prominent magic family that can be traced back to the time of Merlin."
"And how did you not know this beforehand?" asked Ria as she stared at Harry in shock. She had thought he was just a normal first-year just like her. To hear that he was the heir to such a historic wizarding family unnerved her.
"Ron, who is a member of another historic wizarding family helped me find a book of historic family lines and I was able to find my family in it. Plus, he also started teaching me some of the wizarding customs expected of an heir. Though I expect Daphne can do a much more thorough job since she is an actual heiress."
"That would correct, Potter," replied Daphne. "Now enough about our families or we'll be here all day. Have you decided on a favorite quidditch team yet?" Harry noticed the sharp gleam in her eyes and shuddered in fear before shaking his head.
"Good. You're now a fan of the Tushtill Tornados."
"Like hell he is!" yelled Ron. "If you're going to force him to be a fan of a team, it should be the Chudley Cannons!"
"That pathetic excuse for a team? I think not." Daphne and Ron glared at each other before turning to look at Harry. "Who do you want to support more?" asked Ron and Daphne.
"Err…let me watch one game from both and then I'll decided." Both Ron and Daphne contemplated this and nodded.
"Deal!" Daphne and Ron shook hands before setting back in their seat. Ria and Harry looked terrified.
"Want to finish our chess game?" asked Harry.
"Nah, I was going to checkmate you in three moves."
"What? No way!"
"He's right, Potter," said Daphne as she grabbed a book from her trunk. "You will lose that chess match."
"Fine. I'm still better than you at magic though, Ron."
"Okay, whatever." The four in the compartment settled in to reading a book. Harry grabbed his matchbook from his trunk and while he read about charms, absentmindedly practiced turning the matches into muggle pencils.
*knock* All four first-years were startled when they heard a knock on the door. Opening the compartment door, they saw a bushy haired girl and slightly pudgy boy.
"Hello, my friend here lost his toad, Trevor. We were wondering if you had seen it." All four of them shook their heads. The girl's eyes wandered over to Harry's matches, one of which had only been half-transformed into a pencil. "Have you been practicing magic?"
"Hmm? Yeah. I'm trying to determine how complex of a pencil I can create."
"How have you already practiced magic? Don't they track that during the summer?"
"I was in a place where magic was permitted over the summer. And as for the toad, ask one of the older students if they can use a summoning charm on Trevor."
"Thanks. My name is Hermione Grange and this is Neville Longbottom, by the way."
"Pleasure," responded Daphne. "Now if you would excuse me, I have to use the loo." Daphne slid past Hermione and Neville. Hermione eyed the blonde-haired girl's back before turning back to Harry.
"Thank you for the suggestion…uh, sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"I'm Harry. This is Ron and Ria," said Harry, pointing to his compartment buddies.
"Well thank you. I'll see you later." Ria closed the door and went back to reading her book while Ron and Harry practiced their transfiguration. Soon enough the door opened again, but instead of Daphne returning from the loo, it was a blonde-haired boy, though his hair was much closer to silver and behind stood two muscular boys.
"Hello? Can we help you?" asked Ron.
"Yes, we heard that Harry Potter was sitting here and wanted to say hello."
"Well you did that," responded Harry, not even looking in the boy's direction. "You can move along."
"Wait, my name is Draco Malfoy. I heard that you weren't acclimated to the wizarding world yet. There are some…families that are better left in the dirt. I can help guide you on what families those are."
"Hmm, like the Malfoys? Are you saying you know better than anyone else?"
"Yes."
"Even better than say, Greengrass?" asked Harry as he continued to read.
"Of course. They're nothing compared to the Malfoy family."
"You want to say that again, Malfoy?" Draco turned to see with her arms crossed glaring at him.
"Oh hi, Daphne. What a pleasure to see you!"
"I highly doubt that. Take Crabbe and Goyle with you and get. Leave us alone and I'll forget that you insulted the house of Greengrass. You know what would happen if word of this got out, don't you?" Draco gnashed his teeth and turned on his heel and walked away with Crabbe and Goyle following in his wake.
"What was that about?" asked Ria, looking up from her book.
"Malfoy being an arrogant prat. Harry, Ron, can you two step outside. The train is almost to Hogwarts and we should probably change into our robes." Ron and Harry nodded and stepped outside without complaint. They waited until Daphne opened the door and the girls did the same.
|Hogwarts|
Harry, Ron, Daphne, and Ria exited the train and looked at the magic castle that stood before them. Daphne and Ria looked in awe whereas Ron and Harry just grinned at the familiar sight.
"First-years, this way!" Harry saw Hagrid herding the first years and smiled. The four children followed the crowd to where Hagrid was standing. "Three to a boat. Come on!"
"I guess I'll see you guys at the end of the ride," said Daphne as she joined another boat with two other girls.
"Yep," replied Harry as he joined Ron and Ria on a boat. "See you at the castle." After Harry sat down, the boat started to propel itself forwards.
A/N: Special thanks to my dear friend Cyberhank (he doesn't have a fanfiction account) for helping me with this chapter. I'll have the next chapter up next Saturday. I'm also going to start posting this story on AO3 as well starting next week. Also, this chapter was exceedingly long. Not sure if I'll be able to write chapters this long every week, but we'll see. Until next week!