Chapter 12: The Hogwarts Express
Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. Many thanks!
Sorry! Sorry everyone! I know I'm a day late in posting, but technically I've had a long (and really busy) weekend. On another note, YAY for public holidays! Anyway, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it!
A shout out to all my reviewers, fav's and followers! You guys are the best! Thank yoooouu! If you haven't realised already, it's pretty much the only reason I'm motivated to stick to a schedule with my posting. I'm not usually so diligent! It's weird.
Anyway, we finally made it to Hogwarts! My inner child is squealing with excitement! So if you hear that noise in the background, please feel free to just ignore it and keep reading.
Can any of you guess which people Harry is going to make friends with? I'll give you a clue: it's more than you'll meet in this chapter ;-)
Swishy Weekends To You All!
-G
Do I own any legal rights to Harry Potter? No. No, I do not. Do I make any money from writing this story? Pffft I wish. But cheers to J. K Rowling (and associates?) for dreaming the world of Harry Potter! It was the theme song to pretty much all of my childhood.
I'm still waiting for my letter to be delivered. Any day now would be great
Severus turned to Harry, silently offering his hand, the other tightly gripping Harry's trunk handle.
Excitedly, Harry reached up and took it. He was really doing it! At the stroke of eleven, just under an hour away now, he'd be on a train to a wizarding school, all for the purpose of learning magic!
And both his newfound friend and Godfather would be right there with him!
There was a moments pause after Harry's hand was held firmly in his Godfathers, then there was a sharp pulling sensation as they were both transported away from the Manor.
When Harry blinked open his eyes, he was looking out onto the smoky Kingscross platform of 9 ¾.
Chapter 12: The Hogwarts Express
The lustrous red train engine gleamed, coiled in the mass of shifting smoke. Harry peered at it with wide awed eyes, and his tummy filled with an unnameable sensation: a mixture of excitement, nervousness and amazed disbelief. The riot of tumultuous feelings making him almost giddy.
As Harry took in the rest of his surroundings however his anxiety began to swell. He could barely see anything through the swarm of people that were boarding the train, though he'd been warned beforehand that the platform would be busy. He didn't like crowds. The raven haired boy pushed back closer to where his Godfather stood, and felt a flare of happiness when Severus reached out and briefly rested his palm on his shoulder in response. Harry glanced back at his Godfather. The tall dark haired man was like an immovable pillar in the sea-like crowd, unbuffered by the movement. Harry edged closer with relief, instantly feeling comforted where he stood. Feeling more confident again, Harry turned to once more watch the bustling crowd.
He really wasn't used to being around so many people.
Thankfully the Malfoy's and Severus' calm and composed aura's appeared to be quite successful at discouraging people from jostling or bumping roughly against the group, like Harry could see with many of the other families milling around.
Draco, who stood slightly off to Harry's left, turned to him, grey eyes gleaming with excitement. The blonde had already said his farewells with his parents, and Harry had a brief moment of wistfulness when he saw the Malfoy's proud, happy faces as they watched their son. Harry wondered if Draco had noticed the way Lucius had clasped his son's shoulder slightly longer, or how Narcissa's smile wobbled slightly as Draco turned to look at Harry.
Draco reached out to grasp Harry's hand. "Come on, Harry!" he urged, eagerly. "I think I just saw Blaise boarding the train further down, let's try and all get a carriage together!" Draco said.
Harry paused, glancing back (and meeting) his Godfather's gaze.
They were both silent for a moment, then Severus spoke. "I will be up the front of the train in the teacher's lounge, if either of you need anything." Severus said in his typical cool voice, the tone might have been intimidating had it not been for the softened lines of his face. "I would hope to expect you both to visit my office tomorrow after classes." He stated.
"Even if I'm not-?" the words blurted from Harry's mouth before he could stop them, then continued to stumble out. "I mean . . I might not b-be." Harry edged away unconsciously from the small group, shoulders starting to hunch. "I don't know if I'll be in Slytherin…" The words came out in a whisper from Harry's numb lips as he stood in a tense little bundle.
Four pairs of eyes had swung to focus on him, and Harry shrunk back, heart thrumming like a hummingbirds. He knew he shouldn't have asked. He didn't want to know the answer! He didn't want the confirmation that he knew was coming. Couldn't seem to make his heart brace properly for the rejection. The Dursley's hadn't wanted anything to do with him when he didn't fall in line with what they wanted. Why would they? Uncle Vernon had constantly ranted and raged about how horrid Harry's presence was. And Harry would be lying if he said that he wasn't waiting for the moment when either Severus or the Malfoy's changed their minds. No one had ever wanted Harry around. So, why would they be any different? Why would practical strangers want him around, when his family couldn't stand him?
Harry's legs turned brittle at the sharp tone of his Godfather. "Harry."
Harry couldn't bear to meet his gaze, his eyes refused to raise from the paved stone floor.
A warm hand clasped his shoulder "Harry, look at me please."
Green eyes flickered up in shock at the gentle tone, and froze on the worried gaze of his Godfather. The hand pulled him closer until strong arms wrapped around his shoulders. "Wherever you are sorted, be it Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff" he said softly "I will always support you, as both your Godfather and Guardian." Severus' voice said quietly from above Harry's head. "There have been frankly brilliant witches and wizards from each House. The only thing I hope for Harry, in regards to this topic, is that you do yourself and your House proud." He said calmly.
Harry breath hitched. As his eyes suddenly starting to blur, he turned his head slightly into his Godfather's chest. Then, remembering how Dudley always teased him about being a cry baby in primary school (mostly after they'd just played a round of Harry hunting), he drew away and flashed a smile up at his Godfather.
"I-I'll come around tomorrow, Godfather." Harry said, with a slight flush of embarrassment about his small break down.
Draco, who had been standing to the side (some-what awkwardly during the conversation), leaned forward to nudge Harry. "Where's your faith it my expertise advice?" he huffed, the grin telling Harry he was kidding around. "You worry too much, Harry. Besides," he grinned like a cat with a canary "If you are in another house we can trade secrets on the different dormitories!" Draco's grey eyes had a familiar gleam in them, one which Harry had quickly learnt to associate with plotting and questionable schemes.
Harry huffed a quiet laugh, his smile lopsided as he turned back to his friend. "And what makes you think I would reveal the secrets of my House to you if I'm not in Slytherin?" he questioned, putting on a fake haughty attitude. It was an expression he had learnt quickly around the Malfoy family, given they frequently used it both in jest and in seriousness.
"Hey!" Draco cried, with mock affront "What kind of friend loyalty do you call that?!" he demanded.
As the two boys went off on a tangent, the adults looked to each other.
Severus reached out a hand "Pass me Draco's trunk, Lucius. I'll stow it along with mine and Harry's in the baggage cart." He offered. The dark haired man was calm again now that Harry's anxiety had been assuaged.
Lucius nodded in thanks. "You had best reapply the notice-me-not charms again now Severus, unless you want to be hounded for the entire train ride." The blonde reminded Severus.
Severus scowled. They'd decided to release the basic details regarding Harry's change of Guardianship, knowing that it was best to have an official release statement rather than allow the media to construct their own conjectures and lies. They'd been careful ever since to minimise Harry's exposure to heavily populated areas, at least until the interest and outcries died down somewhat. Frustratingly, at least for Severus, they were still getting hundreds of letters a week from multitudes of obnoxious, busy-bodied, imbeciles. Even the potions master had resorted to concealment charms on the few times he'd been required to leave the Manor over the last month.
Of course, this would all change once Harry arrived at Hogwarts for the sorting ceremony. Though they might wish otherwise, the notice-me-not charms would be broken and have to be dropped for the remainder of the school year at Hogwarts.
Severus quickly caught the Harry and Draco, before they scurried off, and renewed the magic currently keeping them concealed. The boys clearly hadn't noticed yet, but both the elder Malfoy's and Severus had been subtly keeping an eye on the several reporters slinking through the crowded platform.
Before Draco could drag him off towards the train, Harry turned to the Malfoy's and smiled timidly up at them. Unaccustomed to goodbyes, Harry struggled awkwardly for the words to say.
Narcissa beamed softly at the small shy messy-haired boy before her, then stepped forward to quickly encircle Harry in a hug. Harry stood rigidly, uncertain how to respond, but slowly Narcissa felt him relax and then melt into the embrace. She gently pulled away. "I will be expecting weekly letters from you, Harry." She insisted firmly, though her eyes sparkled.
Harry tilted his head up to her. "Okay" he said, tight throat unable to produce any more sound.
"I hope that I, too, am included in that statement." Lucius drawled, also stepping closer. He turned to focus on Harry, who smiled shyly at the tall blonde. "Until Christmas, Harry." he said, extending a large palm. Harry reached his own hand forward to clasp it. "We will, of course, be anticipating both yourself and your Godfather in attendance at the Manor" He informed Harry.
Harry face illuminated, and he beamed at the elder Malfoy. "Yes, Lucius." Harry's tongue fumbled with the pronunciation, but he was rewarded with a warm grey gaze, and a smile twitching at the corner of the serious mouth. Both Narcissa and Lucius had insisted some weeks ago that Harry call them by their first names, though this was one of the few times Harry had been brave enough to attempt it in public.
Lucius nodded, and Harry was soon after dragged away by Draco towards the gleaming red train carriages.
Harry's feet stumbled as he was pulled along, wide green eyes more focused on his surrounding then the pavement. As they approached an open carriage door Harry felt excitement bubbling in his stomach. Draco's hand was still in his and he took his first step onto the train, and the excitement burst as a warm wave of happiness flooded his body.
Harry's parents had both stood on this train to Hogwarts. Soon he would be learning magic in the same rooms that they had. The thoughts circled through his mind with a blaze of content, and he was only half aware of Draco's eager search through the train. It wasn't until his friend gave a crow of success that Harry's mind drifted back to his surroundings. Tugging Harry along, Draco ducked into a train compartment. Harry's legs stuttered, and his hand slipped out of Draco's as his friend eagerly submersed himself in a group of kids their age chatting excitedly in the middle of the compartment. Harry stood awkwardly in the entrance, patting self-consciously at his shirt.
Draco turned around when he realised his friend was missing, eyes scanning the group for Harry.
The blonde frowned in consideration as he saw the raven standing alone, awkwardly in the entrance, as though unsure if he were allowed to join the rest of the group. Draco walked back over to his friend, silently entwining their hands and leading Harry over towards the rest of his friends.
"Blaise, Pansy, Greg, Vince" he spoke loudly to garner his friends attention, the four turned towards him "I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Harry Potter." Draco said smiling, squeezing Harry's hand comfortingly.
Harry tensed uneasily, as the majority of the rooms occupants froze in shocked surprise. Only one of them seemed unphased by the introduction and moved away from the group, one of the tallest of in the compartment. Harry watched warily as a pale boy with slightly curled brown hair stepped forward. The boy stretched out a slightly chubby hand, which Harry timidly accepted.
"Hi Harry. My names Gregory Goyle." He said friendly, and shook Harry's hand. "But I prefer Greg." Dimples popped up as he grinned, and Harry felt himself relax in response.
"N-nice to meet you Greg." Harry stuttered, then flushed in embarrassment as he tongue became tangled. He was surprised at the warm welcome from someone he'd only just met.
That seemed to break the ice because the younger girl bounded forward soon after, peering at Harry with undisguised interest. Harry edged closer to Draco nervously, worry growing about what she was going to say. "Morning Harry!" she beamed "Draco mentioned you in his last letter, it's great to finally meet you. I'm Pansy Parkinson!" she introduced herself. Her dark hair was woven in a bun atop her head, and she had a small slightly upturned nose that (when she smiled) reminded Harry of the pictures he'd seen of pixies in primary school.
Harry managed to unfreeze his mouth enough to mumble out a response. "Good morning." Harry greeted her quietly.
She didn't seem phased by his lack of response. "We were just discussing the sorting" Pansy babbled happily to Harry "Blaise seems to think that we'll have to demonstration of our magic for them to decide. Of course Vince just heard some of the Weasley family trying to convince people that all first years have to battle a magical creature before they're sorted!" she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Mother and Father wouldn't tell me anything other than saying that I would be sorted where I belong." She whined in remembrance, pouting.
Draco laughed and puffed out his chest as he heard what Pansy said. "I suppose I might tell you what I learnt. . . " he drawled casually, examining his fingernails idly, grey eyes alight with mischief.
Everyone's attention snapped to Draco except Harry, who squirmed uneasily at the sudden intense focus of the compartment.
Blaise, noting Harry discomfort, huffed out an exasperated breath. "Why don't we all sit down, so you can put Pansy out of her misery then, Draco." He suggested, taking a seat. The dark skinned boy turned to Harry, and flickered a tilted smile. "Nice to meet you, Harry. Ignore this lot, they love messing around with each other. I've heard them go on for hours before." He said, rolling his eyes. "I'm Blaise Zabini, and the boy sitting beside Greg is Vincent Crabbe." He told Harry, having seen the smaller boys overwhelmed expression upon entering their loud compartment.
"I take offence to that statement." Draco drawled, sitting in the middle seat beside Blaise. He tugged Harry's arm a couple of times to get him to sit by his side nearest the window. "We have lengthy discussions. There is no 'messing around', as you put it, involved." Draco sniffed haughtily.
Pansy hurried to sit beside Gregory on the opposite side of the compartment, twisting impatiently to face Draco. "Spill Draco, what have you learnt?" she demanded, pointing her finger imperiously at Draco.
Draco drolly raised a pale eyebrow at the girl, smugly folding his arms across his chest as he settled in his seat. "And what makes you think that I would tell you?" he questioned.
Pansy looked mockingly outraged "You can't tell us that you've figured it out then keep it to yourself!" she shrieked, hands firmly on her hips.
Vincent turn inquiringly to Harry "Hey, Harry." He said, the raven haired boy turned to him "Do you know how we're sorted?" he asked.
Harry blushed at the sudden scrutiny of the others, and Draco's hand whipped up to cover Harry's mouth. "Don't answer that, Harry" he muttered, scowling at Vincent, before lowering his hand.
Pansy's eyes gleamed. "No fair!" she cried "You told Harry! What about us?" she turned to Harry "You'll tell us won't you Harry? We've been going out of our minds for the last year trying to figure it out? What if we're not ready when we arrive? I don't want to look like an idiot in front of the whole school." she bemoaned, slumping in her seat.
Harry's guilt quickly grew as he saw the girls anxiety, he'd never been particularly good at lying. He could only keep secrets until they were uncovered, as soon as someone else got a whiff of them his resolve crumbled.
Draco, quickly noticing Harry's acute discomfort, relented his game. With a quick wary glance towards the door, Draco leaned forward "Our Godfather, Severus, told us that they have some kind of magical object that assesses us at the welcoming feast. Apparently it's designed specifically to place us in the House we most belong." Draco told them, in a hushed voice. "He wouldn't tell us how it knew where to place everyone though." He admitted reluctantly, sitting back.
Vince and Greg looked thoughtful, Pansy queasy, and Blaise unconcerned.
"That's worse than I thought!" Pansy moaned, almost melting into her seat. "How on earth are we supposed to ensure we're put in Slytherin if some random object is what's deciding where to put us? I can't bribe or persuade an inanimate object, Draco!" she worried, blue eyes anxious. "I'm doomed. With my luck, my cousins jesting will be right and I'll be placed in Hufflepuff!" she bemoaned.
Vince sniggered, having been a spectator to that particular argument.
Pansy whirled on him, jabbing him half-heartedly in the side. "Just because I happen to like unicorn's does not mean I'm a Hufflepuff, Vincent Crabbe!" she bristled, and bright flush spreading across her nose and cheeks.
Vince edged away warily from any more attacks, stifling his chuckles. "Sorry! Sorry." He apologised.
Gregory turned to Pansy as well "You'll be a Slytherin for sure, Pans." He said "Who else would consider bribing someone to get into –" he was cut off as the door to their compartment suddenly slid open.
"Excuse me." A bushy haired girl interrupted, standing in the open doorway "Have any of you seen a toad? Neville Longbottom's lost his." She inquired, brown eyes scanning the room intently for any sign of the missing amphibian. Suddenly her eyes locked on Harry's forehead, and the raven-haired boy shrunk away, hand automatically reaching up to pat his hair down across the lightning bolt scar.
"You're Harry Potter!" the girl exclaimed loudly, eyes widening. Harry winced, shoulder hunching uncomfortably at the attention. She edged her way further into the compartment, thrusting her hand towards Harry. "I'm Hermione Granger," the girl, Hermione, babbled. She pumped the hand which Harry had reluctantly extended vigorously. "I've read all about you!" she exclaimed, much to Harry's horror. "You're in 'Modern Magical History' and the 'Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts' and 'Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century'!" she said. Harry's eyes widened briefly in surprise, and he glanced helplessly at Draco, face growing paler with embarrassment and unease as the girl pressed on. Hermione's quick mind easily noted Harry's surprise. "Goodness! Didn't you know, Harry?" she inquired, shocked. Looking at the raven disbelievingly. "If it were me I would have read everything I could on the matter!" she said. "It's quite shocking to hear how You Know Wh-"
Pansy suddenly popped up from her seat, pressed her hands on her hips and faced the other girl. "As much as I'm sure" she said, unable to remove the angry tone from her voice "Harry enjoys discussing this with a perfect stranger." She said, sarcasm creeping into her voice as she bristled with anger. Harry sat quietly, frozen in his seat, green eyes avoiding everyone else's. "Would you mind, terribly, stepping out of our compartment now?" Pansy requested politely.
The bushy haired girl's mouth wavered, her brown eyes growing increasingly embarrassed as they darted around the silent compartment. Without another word, she rushed out of the room, the door sliding shut behind her with a click.
Pansy turned and dropped down down on her seat, a frown still marring her pale brow as she scowled at the doorway. She turned to Blaise "Please tell me you know some kind of locking charm to prevent that" she waved her hand broadly at the doorway "from happening again." She pleaded.
Draco too was scowling at the doorway angrily "That was incredibly rude!" he said, affronted.
Gregory turned to Harry "Er. . . You alright, Harry?" he asked with concern.
Draco's head whipped back around to the raven haired boy, carefully inspecting Harry's face for any lingering signs of distress. "Don't bother yourself with her, Harry." He said firmly, then bumped his shoulder against Harry's gently. "We'll help keep away anyone too nosy, right guys?" the blonde said, turning to his friends for confirmation.
The entire group took one glance at Harry's still pale face and nodded with resolution, backs straightening with determination.
Harry looked around at everyone else, and felt a sense of relief and gratitude seeping through him. "Thanks" he said, gratefully, flushing slightly as they smiled in return.
After a while their compartment returned to normal, and they began (with a definite air of excitement) discussing their hopes and speculations for the first term at Hogwarts. After an hour or so a lady knocked on their door pushing a food trolley. Harry's eyes widened as he looked at the brightly coloured assortment of different wizarding treats.
Vincent grinned at Harry "Hey Harry, why don't you let us get our favourites. We can share them all together then?" he asked, gesturing around the group "You might miss out on something good otherwise." Vince suggested. They'd all been horrified to learn that Harry had never tried any wizard candy, and were determined to educate him as quickly as possible.
The idea was quickly approved, and Harry watched as the other five ordered their favourite treats (Harry helped pay for some of them) before the lady moved away again. Room was quickly made between Harry and Draco for the small pile of sweets. Pansy and Blaise were arguing quietly about who had chosen the best treat, whilst Draco, Greg and Vince were animatedly describing to Harry the different foods.
By the end of their train ride all six of them were slightly sugar high, playing an increasingly loud game of Exploding Snap on the floor, and surrounded a an assortment of empty wrappers.
There was a quick, unorganised rush, as they all scrambled to change into their robes ten minutes before arriving. Then, as the train pulled up to the station, the group bundled closely together out onto the platform.
Shepherded by some older students, and the loud calls of Hagrid, they scuttled over to a large platoon of floating boats.
Harry ended up on a boat with Draco, Pansy, and Greg as they floated across an icy black lake.
All four of them gasped quietly in awe at the first glance of Hogwarts. The huge castle was filled with hundreds of gleaming lights, like stars in the darkness, reflected and rippling out across the water.