Chapter 8! Hope you enjoyed Christmas! I was away with my family doing family stuff. Here is the next chapter. In my opinion, it progresses the plot a lot. Thanks for all the favourites and follows! I'm doing something special that I think will be cool. You guys get to choose Harry's path. More info at the end! Have a nice rest of the year!

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR IT'S EXTENDED UNIVERSE

Chapter 8: Trouble on the Express

Harry James Potter was packing his books and other wizard school supplies into his trunk. In just 15 minutes he would be transported to the world of the wizards. The excitement was killing him. He fed his owl Hedwig a quick treat before placing her in her cage. He grabbed a pouch full of wizard money and stuffed it into his pocket. He was ready.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"This is where I leave you." The man Harry learned was named Severus Snape said.

Severus Snape was an odd one. He both seemed to respect and hate him. He was scary at times and occasionally Snape would seem lost in thought. He was interesting, to say the least.

"But where do I find Platform nine and three quarters?" Harry asked.

"The headmaster has told me to drop you off and give you no other information." The man smirked. "Although he has said to ask around. But do be careful. Only ask wizards." And with that, the man named Severus Snape strode away.

Harry sighed. He didn't really like this headmaster. Harry had recently learned that Dumbledore was the headmaster of the school that he would be attending. (Thanks to chocolate frogs.) The same Dumbledore that was stealing money from Harry's parents. His dead parents no less. It was outrageous. But Harry, being the naive soul he is, gave Dumbledore the benefit of the doubt. Maybe his parents wanted him to have some of the money. Who knows?

Harry walked around the platform, looking for things like wands and weird pets. He pushed his trolley around, his were snakes hidden in bags and his owl was brightly gleaming. Many people gave him strange looks. He ignored. He was looking for anyone who popped out. Then he saw them. An army of redheaded children walking up to the platform.

"Come on George." One of the kids said. The tallest one. Harry assumed that he was the boss. Where were there parents?

"I'm Fred! Honestly, Bill, you can't tell your own brothers apart?" Fred asked.

"Let it go. I know that you're George. He's-" The kid identified as Bill pointed. "-Fred."

"Well, George oh buddy ol' pal. He's got us." The one called Fred winked. Or was that George?

The two of them both charged towards the wall in the middle of platform 9 and 10. Harry closed his eyes, waiting for an impact. But there was none. Somehow, the wall was charmed to allow people to walk through. Magic at its work.

"Those two. Can't even go through the gate in proper order." Another redhead said.

"Calm down Percy," Bill said. "This isn't the military." He waved a hand and Percy then proceeded to calmly run towards the wall.

"Emm... Excuse me Mr..."

"Bill. Bill Weasley." Bill said offering a hand. Harry shook it. "First Year? It's Ron's first time as well." He nodded towards a small boy covered with freckles.

"Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Ron." Ron said. He pointed at a small girl. "This here is Ginny." Harry nodded.

"So," Bill said. "You need help getting on the platform?" Harry nodded once more. "Just gotta go through that there barrier. Best to run so muggles won't notice."

Harry turned his head to face the wall. 'It's simple.' He said to himself. 'Just run. Just run. Just run.' He repeated.

"Nervous? You weren't nervous when you ate those rats." Agua laughed. Agua would never let that slide. Never.

Harry rushed towards the barrier. Wind blowing in his hair while his broken glasses attempted to slide off. Hedwig was screeching in fear as she didn't know what was happening and Lily was tightening her grip on Harry's arm.

Suddenly, Harry morphed through the wall. His body felt like it was dipped inside a warm bath. It was a strange sensation that made him stagger and fall onto the stone floor. Ron quickly followed through with Bill tagging along.

"Never been through a magic barrier?" Ron smirked. Harry blushed in embarrassment.

When he got himself up off the floor, he was greeted with a scarlet steam engine. Smoke was flying out the top and an old, rusty decal told him that he was in the right place.

"Platform Nine and Three Quarters." Harry gasped. He made it. Harry was just one step closer to learning magic. Like a true wizard. Like his parents.

"All aboard! All aboard! The train will be leaving in five minutes. All aboard." Harry heard.

"Well, better be leaving. You two have a good time." Bill winked as he passed Ron his trunk.

Harry boarded the express. He gawped at all the wonderful sights and sounds. Whistles and bells blew and rung in the air. Harry, Agua, Lily, and even Hedwig could sense the magic. Harry quickly found an empty compartment in the front and had a seat. This was going to be the most fun he ever had. He knew it.

Just as the train was about to leave, a chubby boy with an old lady started running towards the express. Through the window, he could see the boy and what he assumed was either his grandma or mother explaining something to the conductor. Soon, the boy wiped some sweat off his forehead and grabbed his luggage off the floor. He started entering the express. Harry could see him asking around the compartments through his window. Eventually, the boy came to his room.

"M-May I come in?" The boy asked. "I was a little late and my Gran told me to be friendly so-so-"

"It's okay." Harry interrupted. He pat down the seat next to him. "You can sit with me. I did want someone to talk to." The boy smiled.

"I'm Neville, Neville Longbottom." The kid said as he took his seat.

"Great to meet you, Neville. I'm Harry, Harry Potter." Harry put out his hand to shake with Neville but instead of shaking it, Neville just stood there. Staring.

"Yo-you're Harry bloody Potter! Harry bloody Potter!" He screamed but immediately covered his mouth. "Sorry. My Gran tells me not to swear or scream."

"It's okay. Why are you so excited?" Harry asked.

"You, Harry Potter, single-handedly defeated You-Know-Who! You!"

"Well, I couldn't have! I don't remember that..."

"That because you beat him as a child!" Neville whispered.

Harry kept a confused look. "Explain later. I need sleep." Agua whispered.

"So..." Harry tried to change the topic. "Want to change into robes?"

"Sure! I'll go first. My Gran always tells me to change before I forget." Neville said as he entered the changing room.

"And Neville. Please don't act like I saved the world." Harry said.

"But you did!"

"I mean I don't want to be known for something I didn't do. Please, can we just be normal friends?" Harry asked.

"Friends? Sure! Yes! I mean... Sure. I'd love to." Neville said while calming down. He entered the change room leaving Harry alone. "Oh yeah! Can you take care of Trevor while I'm gone?" Neville asked pointing at a toad in a cage.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

About two minutes later, a buck-toothed girl and Ron came knocking on the door. "I don't trust those two," Agau said.

"You also don't trust the washing machine, the trash can, raccoons, tissue boxes-"

"Hey! Raccoons tried to steal my dinner! Of course, I don't trust them." Harry made a quiet snicker while Agua gave him a glare.

Harry stood up and went to answer the door. The buck-toothed girl flicked he bushy hair at Ron before entering. Ron looked dazed for some reason.

"Have you seen a toad named Trevor?" The girl asked in a sassy tone and a straight posture. "A boy named Neville Longbottom lost him and is looking for the toad." She said.

"Wait, Nev-"
"Wait! You're Harry Potter! The Harry Potter!" The girl interrupted. Ron suddenly snapped back into the world like he realized what the girl had said and slapped his hands onto his cheeks.

"The Harry Potter?" Ron asked.

"I'm Hermione Granger. This is Ron Weasley." Hermione snapped. Nice to meet you! Harry's senses where going off. Normally he would think that they were actually talking the truth but now he could sense that they were acting. Also, Neville was in the same room as he was. How would he lose his toad if Harry was looking after him? 'Thank you snake powers.' He thought.

"Emm... I'm sorry Hermione and Ron. Trevor is right here with me." Harry said pointing at the toad in the cage.

"Then perfect! Ron will give Trevor back to Neville and I can sit in here. I was kicked out of my other compartment because they said I was 'too bossy.'" That Harry could sense was the truth.

"I'm sorry. Neville is currently sitting here with me." Harry said with a calm yet strict voice.

"He's what? I'm sorry. You must have the wrong Neville."

"Then who is this?" Harry asked. Harry used a minor unlocking charm that he learned on the door to reveal Neville Longbottom struggling to put on his robe.

"Hi, Neville!" Harry said cheerfully. "These two wanted to see you. They said that you lost your toad." When Harry turned back, the two kids were gone. Suspicious.

"What? Who?" Neville asked. He was still stuck. Harry used an untangling spell and helped Neville up.

"Some kids. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley." Harry said.

"Oh. Those two. Ignore them, Harry. They work for Dumbledore." Neville said.

"What's wrong with Dumbledore?" He asked. Harry knew that Dumbledore was a maniac that tried to steal his parent's fortune but he wanted to know more. His plans and stuff like that.

"Dumbledore is the Headmaster at Hogwarts. He also wants something. He's been recruiting some people to help him do whatever he wants to do. He tried to recruit my Gran. It failed. She knew what he was up to. Trying to do weird evil stuff. Dunno what he wants in the endgame. I just know that if he offers you tea, don't drink it. It's probably this weird loyal-tea he made to try mind control people or whatever. That's what my Gran told me." Harry nodded. Dumbledore was more suspicious than ever.

"I'm hungry. Where's the food?" Agau asked. Harry laughed and accidentally forgot that Neville was there.

"Don't worry. I'll give you something." Harry said in parseltongue.

"You-you are a parselmouth?" Neville asked in fear.

"Yeah... What's wrong?"

"Yo-you have a snake! We're not supposed to bring snakes!" Neville screamed.

"But they're my snakes! My friends!" Harry screamed as his temper rose. "MY ONLY FRIENDS! THEY CAN'T TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ME! THEY CAN'T"

Neville was taken aback by the sudden anger Harry produced. It almost seemed like Harry's tongue was flicking like a snake. Seeing Neville in such horror brought Harry back to Earth. He just hurt the first human being who actually tried being friends with him.

"I-I'm sorry Neville," Harry whispered. "It's just that... My whole life has been 'Beat up Harry!' 'Abuse Harry!' Mock Harry!' When I found these snakes, they were nice to me. They were like the parents I never had. I don't care if I'm not allowed snakes. There has to be some exception!"

"So it's true." Neville frowned. "Your parents did die?"

"Yeah." He said. "It's true."

"My parents are probably worse off then yours..." Neville stuttered. Tears were dropping from his eyes. "They've gone mad. The torturing spell really does a number on you when repeated." Neville lightly chuckled. Harry could feel what he meant.

"I-I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's Lestrange's fault. I just wish I could pay her back." Neville said through gritted teeth.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The train soon arrived at the student's stop. Ron did sneak a peek into one of Neville and Harry's conversations but left when Harry shot him a blazing glare. Other then that moment, everything was fine.

"I can't wait! I'm going to be a Gryffindor like my Mom and Dad!" Neville told Harry.

Harry, on the other hand, was being bombarded with choices that would extremely effect his life. Would he be like Voldemort or Salazar? Join Slytherin, the house of his favourite animal? Or would he join his new human friend in Gryffindor? The enemy of the snakes. Harry weighed his options. Destiny or Friendship? It's a thing he wanted to know.

"Longbottom, Neville!" The old teacher called. Neville walked towards the front where a rugged hat stood on a stool.

"GRYFFINDOR!" It screamed.

Cheers arose from the Gryffindor table.

"Potter, Harry!" The Ms. Mcgonagall yelled.

Harry nervously walked towards the stool. Butterflies were in his stomach. What will happen? Everyone was silent. People were staring at his head where he usually kept Lily. Harry luckily hid his serpents in his trunk so he knew that the kids weren't looking at them. They were looking at his scar. People soon started whispering.

Harry sat on the wooden stool. Nerves were tingling. Ms. Mcgonagall placed the hat on Harry's head.

"Interesting..." The hat told Harry. "Very, very interesting."

OOOOOOOOHHH! Cliff Hanger! If you remember what I said at the start, you guys get to choose what house Harry ends up in! A poll will be posted.

If you choose Slytherin then Harry won't see Neville as much. Ron will be more aggressive instead of nervous to Harry, Draco will hate Harry but they will be roommates. Harry's only friends will be his snakes and he will stray closer to the dark Side faster then if you choose Gryffindor. Harry will be colder and he won't completely hate Snape. Harry will also dislike Mcgonagall.

If you choose Gryffindor then Harry will make it on the Quidditch team. (He won't on Slytherin side.) He will get a crush on Ginny* even though they are enemies. Ron will be less aggressive but still mean. Angelina will also be much more prominent. Harry will have Neville as a great friend and he will become evil slower. Also even though he will be evil, he will still have some mercy, unlike Slytherin Harry who will have almost no mercy.

Please answer before January 1st.

*If you saw this star then you read that Harry will get a crush on Ginny for Gryffindor side. I've decided that Harry won't get a pairing as that will be a little awkward to write. I'm sorry for those who wanted shipping but there will be none in this story. I was actually rethinking my decision to add the poll when I did. I really hope this makes up for the other poll.