ми нежното цвете is Bulgarian for My delicate flower
Аз няма да ги пусна is Bulgarian for I will not let them
моят ангел на доброта is Bulgarian for My angel of kindness
любовта на живота ми is Bulgarian for Love of my life

Chapter 17
Allow him some romance, will you

Arthur's POV

"I would like to read next. I heard from Molly Harry met us at the platform and I want to read about that, if no one minds." I tell the Great Hall and Minerva says: "We don't mind, Arthur, and once the Sorting Hat comes up will we have dinner." I nod at the woman, while my sons smile at the idea of food and walk over to the stand.
I quickly page through the closed book for Sirius' marked page and when I find it, I smile as the title alone shows much promise. I clear my throat, worried as the start doesn't look too good and Poppy quickly gets me a glass of water. I smile at the woman and while Filius charms to glass to refill when nearly empty, do I start to read.

The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Harry's last … a while.
Of course after a while Dudley took advantage of this and whenever his dad was near, Dudley would 'accidentally' sit on Harry, realize it was him and then fake to run out of the room screaming – while Harry could clearly hear his laughter through his screams.
His aunt on the other hand had decided that she would bring him dinner to his bedroom door and allow him ten extra minutes in a hot water tub if he in return works in the garden from 9 to 4 every day. And because Harry now knew that his magic helped him make the most beautiful garden, he happily agreed, taking every possible opportunity to raise the power and control of his magic – without his aunt or the Ministry noticing.

This makes many students smile, the Slytherins – especially those sitting closeby – smiling at Harry in pride for his cunning actions and Pomona asks: "Mr. Potter, if you're that good, why don't you show it in my classes?" Harry shrugs and says: "Your plants are – I don't know – I guess it's the magical substance within them.
The flowers and plants I use for my aunt's garden are simply Muggle Garden plants. I guess that makes it easier to add my magic and fuel them with it. With your plants I feel my magic fighting theirs and that makes it harder to take care of them." The woman nods, while many students look at him shocked and she says:
"Maybe if you did some work on the grounds during the weekends and then moved a little closer to the Greenhouses each time you can get adapted to the magic of my plants and it will help your talent, seeing you obviously have one." Harry smiles and nods at the idea and while feeling happy for my long-distanced cousin, do I read on.

Harry kept … very interesting.

"You actually read those?" The twins ask, terror on their faces and Harry says: "You guys, they were very interesting, because I could use my full – oh, just read and you'll understand." The boys still look shocked, even when their large smirks prove they were just playing with their younger best friend and I read on.

With every book his imagination rose along with his need to be around other witches and wizards. That people could fight Goblins in wars, could harvest plants like monkswood and Aphrodite and could make potions out of beetle-eyes and falcon feathers was something that made Harry feel alone unless he could be with them.
Whenever he wasn't working in the garden, he read his books, so many times, he woke up one morning, murmuring the ingredients on a cure against chicken pox. He knew why that was, Potions and Herbology were his favorite subjects, just by reading the books about them and he hoped his teachers would be as fascinating as the books.
A History of Magic was the only book he read every night, but that too had a reason. To read about other witches and wizards and how they used magic to fulfill their achievements really made him feel as if he was there, as if we was already part of the magical world; just reading the book gave him a sense of being home.

Now the twins smile and shrug and they say: "If that's the case, we understand." Pomona smiles as well, but I can tell Severus feels shocked and stupid. That Harry was that interested in Potions must be a real shock to the man and I wonder what caused the boy to lose all of that excited interest in the subject as I read on.

He lay … the first.
He also made sure his window was closed between 8.30 in the morning and 4.10 in the evening and somehow Hedwig seemed to know this as – after the third day of doing this – Hedwig brought him a small note from Hagrid in the garden, telling him that the man was sorry not to have told him how to get on the platform and that Professor Dumbledore had informed all Pureblood families to look out for him on the Muggle Platform.

Now I smile, even if Albus' actions regarding those Muggles still infuriates me and Narcissa smiles as she says: "That almost convinced me and Lucius to, for once, take the Muggle way to the platform. But Lucius decided he would first want to see how you behaved around our kind, so we just took the regular way."
Now Harry, who seems to open up again now that we're moving away from the chapters about his so called relatives, asks: "What is the regular way?" Before flinching and making a move that indicated he had wanted to hide. The boy stops halfway through and Sirius says: "Those books really are affecting you, aren't they?"
Harry nods at him and Narcissa, who has a worried frown on her face as she looks at her cousin, uses a tone that proves to me she turned a blind-eye to his earlier actions – or at least wants to make him believe she did – and answers: "The regular way is for witches and wizards with one or two children to just apparate onto the platform.
Both ends are designed for either Port Key or Apparation; one end Portkey, the other Apparation. The Portkey is most used for families with a max of 4 children, but is only allowed to be used if both parents bring the students to the platform." Harry nods in understanding, while smiling at her gratefully and I read on.

On the … on television. A small plate of dinner, filled with – to his standards – a full meal, was on the kitchen table and Harry knew this was left for him, because he had been able to bring life back to a small dead patch of grass, hidden behind the garden shed.
He cleared … meant yes.
The man's tone made it quite obvious he was in a bad mood and this was the last day before he left; he didn't want to enter the school all bruised up.
"Thank you." … first time.
Sure he had read A History of Magic, but there hadn't been a single mention of the school's location. He pulled … uncle stared.
Harry thought this stupid and believed that his aunt had probably never gone with his mother when she went to school.

"Oh, she did, alright." Snape says and he goes on: "I was even standing quite close to them when they first entered that platform. Petunia even had the damned guts to insult all of us in our own platform, calling us all freaks." Harry shakes his head and shares a meaningful glance with Minerva, who nods in agreement with him before I read on.

"Platform what?" … Uncle Vernon. and from where Harry was standing he could see that a vein was starting to throb in the left side of the man's neck – a clear sign he was getting angry, "howling mad … to Smeltings."
This made Harry wince and he thought: "At least I'm not performing magic. If I did – I don't know how long it would take before Uncle went mad again." And with a shudder he left the room.
Harry woke … to sleep.
Not that he had had much of a rest as his uncle had drunk his night away – and when uncle got drunk, Harry got hurt. There were wells on his back, blood stains on his night shirt and a sore crack in his neck to prove it.

I wince as I read how badly Harry had been hurt and Ron says: "But mate, if you were hurt, why didn't we notice?" And Harry says: "Ron, I was hurt and nobody noticed when I went to primary school. I've had years of experience with pain and with hiding it.""But why hide it?" Hermione asks, but Harry doesn't answer.
Instead he shudders and trembles and Hermione slaps her hand on her mouth, while Sirius pulls the boy close and Viktor speaks to him: "You're rid of them now, ми нежното цвете. They will never hurt you again. We won't let them. Аз няма да ги пусна." Harry smiles at his obvious new boyfriend and while smiling at the two, do I read on.

He got … the train. Still, the jeans and large shirt were quite the blessing, because they hid his wounds and the large cut on his left side that had been burned to stay open thanks to a shot-glass of champagne and a sigarette lighter – something Finar – one of uncle Vernon's finest customers – had taught his uncle.

Harry's shudders return tenfold, the shudder bad enough to make Sirius' arms tremble along and I worry for this Finar person, as he seems to be a true torture-master. Then Amelia says: "Seems we will have to look into the clientele of Grunnings, together with the neighborhood of Privet Drive. This is starting to be intense."
Harry nods and whispers: "Sometimes, after I discovered about Voldemort, I often lose my strength and think of how I can understand why he hates Muggles so much." This makes everyone look at him shocked and he says: "I don't approve what he did. Never think I would. It's just this is a most common occurrence after a punishment."
The Great Hall nods, some of us still shocked, but I can tell the whole school can understand why Harry would think like that. If all he had known were abusive and torture-master Muggles, it's hard not to believe all of them are bad. Relieved the boy never thought further on that subject, I smile at my cousin and read on.

He checked … set off.
Harry and Dudley had made sure they both leaned against the windows of their side of the car – Dudley out of fear and Harry because the stance kept the wound in his side closed. And besides that, if Uncle Vernon were to try anything, he would try it with his left arm, but Harry had quickly sat on the right side of the car – far away from his uncle.
They reached …his face.
Harry quickly spared a look around, hoping someone would notice the small boy in over-sized cloths and the large man with an expensive suit and a nasty grin on his face, but the people passing them were too busy getting onto other platforms or the trains getting ready to leave.
"Well, there …were laughing.
Harry didn't like it that they actually enjoyed his, now, hopeless situation, but luckily, his uncle had walked around Harry without hurting him. Harry's mouth … to panic. Harry wondered if he should do something. According to … large owl. – but he could easily see that the other wizarding families had already entered the platform as there was no one with a large trunk or an owl-cage. Hagrid must … and ten.
Quickly deciding not to, he decided it would be best if he would start passing the platform over and over, paying close attention to everyone's luggage and hoping he could catch a trace of an owl or a toad or other magical pet.
At that … and ten.
He stopped just in front of the barrier between and quickly glanced at everyone around – Harry had the feeling he was looking for someone. He hoped these people were looking for him, to help him onto the platform like Hagrid had written him, but he decided to first observe the family and then make his presence known.

"Wise move, boy. You have quite the fine makings of an Auror, I can tell you that." Alastor says, the proud tone in his voice making some of us look shocked and making Tonks glare at him and while I feel relieved the man is feeling better after a few days of rest and a long day of reading, can't I help but ask: "At age 11, Alastor?"
The man shrugs and says: "Personally I wouldn't start training them until 12 ½, maybe 13, but you can never be too careful." And the whole hall, or at least all the Hogwarts students shout: "Constant Vigilance!" Making the man smirk in pride, even if it was the fake-Moody that made them all know about his catchprase.
Then I hear Harry mutter: "Is it wrong that I feel freaked out about the fact that Moody just said the same thing Crouch jnr. said a couple of months ago?" This makes the man grumble and Sirius shake his head, while I smile at the freaked-out look the young boy is showing. I then shake my head and simply read on.

Harry watched … he went, walking towards the barrier and looking around him every now and again. His twin … almost there, looking around, just like his brothers, and then … for it.
The fact all the three brothers had been looking around as if looking for someone and that the little girl was now doing the same proved that this family was looking for him – exactly like Hagrid had told him.
"Excuse me … said Harry,he thought it better not to say his name just yet – the reaction of the people at the Leaky Cauldron still scared him. "The thing … very solid.
He looked back, but the last members of the family weren't looking at him. They were all looking around, obviously searching for someone. Harry felt bad he hadn't told them his name, but then the woman sighed and said: "I guess someone else already helped him onto the platform. Hurry up, dear, before the train leaves."
He started … the crash –he desperately hoped it wouldn't cause any of his wounds to open up again It didn't … done it.

This makes everyone smile and Harry says: "Hey Ron, sorry man." But the boy shrugs and says: "Hey, I understand, mate." But then Molly says: "Harry, you really sh –." But before she can continue, does Ron snap: "I said, I understand. And as far as I know, I'm named Ron, Prewett." The woman looks shocked and I read on.

Smoke from … over seats.
Harry could barely believe his eyes. Next to school – all those years ago – and Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron, had he never seen this many people in one place together. His eyes quickly scanned for those with a grimace or other dark facial features, but everyone seemed either proud or happy to be where they were.
Harry pushed … woman sigh.

Now the boy smiles, obviously happy to be included so soon into the chapters about Hogwarts and with a playful grin says: "He still gets away. I really wish he would just stay put, you know." To this Harry asks: "How many times a week does he get away exactly, Neville?" And the young lion answers: "About once or twice."
Harry nods and says: "Make sure you train him on that then. If he escapes twice a week, put some toad snacks in your pocket, wizard hat or lunch bag, along with a small cage. If that works let it go down to once a week and then stop it all together, but leave some in the dorm. He'll learn that if he stays close he'll get snacks."
The round-faced boy looks shocked and says: "I never thought of it that way. Good idea, Harry." And I smile at the boy, while fearing he had the same treatment done to him by his uncle. The boy looks at me and when he sees my worried smile, he says: "He didn't." And with relief I realize he understood what I was thinking, as I read on.

A boy …hairy leg.
Harry felt the need to go and check for himself, to see if this spider could be made just as friendly as the spiders in his old cupboard. Then suddenly he noticed something. Just like in primary school – where he was always the shortest of the class – there was absolutely no eleven year old that was his size. And to be honest was even the small red-head girl 1 or 2 inches taller than him.
He always believed that there was a slight bit wrong with putting a child in a cupboard, especially because Dudley had two rooms, but Harry had grown up to live with it. Now that he looked around and saw all those First years and older be bigger than him, he slightly feared if he would ever be bigger than he was now – the size of a 10 or 9 year old.

My lips thin in anger for that Muggle's behavior towards young Harry, while Sirius pulls Harry close enough to almost sit on the man's lap and Lucius growls: "Raising the Heir to an Ancient line in a Cupboard. Disgraceful Muggles." And for the first time since I met him, do I feel myself agreeing with Lucius Malfoy.

Harry pressed … train door – mostly because the pulling caused his right arm to ache and burn with pain, while his wrist felt like it was breaking all over again. He was … Harry panted – he was more exhausted from all the pain than of really pulling up his trunk, but he had not dared to leave anything behind in fear his uncle would burn it.
"Oy, Fred … lightning scar while Harry held his lower arm with his right hand and twirled his wrist around, trying to see how bad the break or bruise really was.
"Blimey." Said … I am."
Immediately he felt stupid and hoped the twins wouldn't laugh. They had after all helped him, but in the last year, he had only been called by his name about a dozen of times. He just wasn't used to people saying it.
The two … going red.
Immediately he hated and feared his fame. If it would make everyone behave like this, then even in the magical world it would be impossible to make friends as everyone would be too awed or interested by the Boy-Who-Lived.

Now I feel tears stain my eyes and Sirius whispers: "Losing the hope of making friends even before you enter Hogwarts. Merlin, I hate those negative thoughts you have." He then holds the boy at arm length and says: "From now on, Harry, I will make sure you have more happy thoughts than you can ever care to count."
The boy smiles and Molly obviously wants to make a comment, but the fierce glares of her six ex-sons and ex-daughter are enough to silence the woman. Viktor then again kisses the boy on his temple and whispers: "Your friendship is a true blessing to everyone who has it, моят ангел на доброта." Harry smiles at him and I read on.

Then, to … were saying.
He really didn't want to eavesdrop, but this was the only family he knew and he wanted proof that his uncle's treatment had been either good or bad.
Their mother … wriggled free.

"You do know you could have just given him the handkerchief and whispered it to him, don't you?" Fred spats at the woman and then says: "And don't even try to defend yourself, it will fall on deaf ears." And all of his siblings nod in agreement, shocking the woman before Ron hisses: "Doesn't feel good, does it? To be humiliated in public?"
The woman says: "I did no such thing?" But I ask: "Want me to reread the last paragraph?" The woman glares at me and William says: "Face it, Prewett, you blew it with the lot of us and now, we'll pinpoint every small thing you ever did wrong and rub it in your face." The woman looks shocked and while I smile at my eldest son, do I read on.

"Aah, has … he said. "I have to ask the other families if they've let Potter onto the platform yet and then I'm up …great surprise. while Harry could detect a small hint of kindness under the playful smirk. "You should … "All summer –"

This makes a lot of the twins' fellow pranksters laugh, but then the twins stand up and say: "We officially take back every prank and joke we have played on our siblings." Everyone – especially the teachers and their best friend Lee – looks at the twins shocked and I smile at them in pride as Fred, his tone grim, says:
"Our ex-mother has often, and I mean really often, reprimanded us and told us to be more like Percy, while on the same time forcing Percy into studies and pushing him away from us every chance she got. It caused a rift between us that made us resort to pranks, big ones, that would make it clear our brother was still important to us."
George then goes on: "We should have instead talked to him when arriving at Hogwarts, but we were much too busy with our thing and paid no attention to Percy, which was wrong. The rift will be our reason for going against Percy, but now that our ex-mother no longer has any reason to influence our bond." And together they say:
"Do we take every joke and prank and scheme against him back and will we work to be as close as we were since we were born." This causes Harry and Hermione to applaud the twins, while Percy hugs his brothers, tears of gratitude running down his face. The twins happily embrace their older brother and sit him between them as I read on.

"Oh, shut … mother fondly.

Now Harry shakes his head and Sirius asks: "Anything wrong with that, pup?" Harry looks at him and says: "It's not wrong she gave him a gift, I just believe it was at the wrong time. You'll see, it's in this chapter." This confuses me and I wonder what Harry discovered that makes him think like that and I read on.

"All right … with us."

"I wish we had looked after him." Fred tells George and George nods, but then Ron slaps them, one by one on the back and says: "Trust me, you two would have freaked and told her half-way through the year had you kept an eye on me.""Not funny." The twins tell him in chorus, as white with worry as I feel as I read on.

"Shut up." … oh please …" Harry shook his head and sighed. He already had the idea this would be his life, but to have that reaction out of a family that had, only minutes ago, helped him, hurt.
"You've already … the platform." I'm glad we were still able to help him, I had hoped some family had done so. Do remember to tell your brother about this."
"Never mind … looks like?"

Harry shudders strongly, obviously reliving the graveyard in his mind and whispers: "I do now." And Sirius wraps a close arm around him, whispering: "And it was the last time you have to see it. Remember that." The boy nods, gratefully pushing himself closer into the hug, but then Smith huffs and says:
"We all know how he looks, you don't see us shuddering." But then Sirius spats: "You only heard a description. You didn't see it face to face. That's stuff for nightmares, just so you know." And I can't help but agree, having seen Voldemort from afar a few times during the first war, when he observed how his men were doing. I shudder and read on.

Their mother … hair on."
Harry felt glad the twins wouldn't ask, but he could tell, just by looking at the younger boy, he was looking for him. He was also ecstatic to be leaving, still in the hope he could finally fit in somewhere.
A whistle … joking, mum."

"You know, I'm still waiting for that." Ginny smirks and the twins snicker, before Fred says: "Sorry, Ginny. We have our reasons for never sending you that toilet seat. First, we found someone who needed it more." And George goes on: "Two, we didn't have a death wish." And he motions with his head for Molly.
Ginny laughs and says: "Alright, you're forgiven, but you better really have a good reason to send the toilet seat to someone else." The twins now look down, somehow feeling guilty and they say: "Trust us, we have all the reason." My daughter looks confused and worried and I too wonder what my boys did as I read on.

The train … leaving behind.
Now he knew for sure that the way his uncle had treated him was wrong and the first thing he decided to do was see if, at Hogwarts, there was anyone he could confide all his secrets and pains with. Until he found someone, preferably an adult, he could trust, he would keep the treatment of his relatives a secret. He didn't want his fame to blow the thing out of proportion – it wasn't all that bad yet, was it?

"Harry, what on earth makes you call all that not bad?" Hermione asks shocked and Sirius says: "Hermione, you have to understand that the principle of a good family had yet to fully sink in with Harry. He had after all never seen any other than those Blasted Muggles. He didn't know any better." The girl nods and I read on.

Then he suddenly had an epiphany and quickly reached into the back of his pants, into his underwear and pulled the small string with rings out of his ass, hissing at the pain of moving the terrible thing. He looked at it and then quickly put it into his jeans pocket – deciding to use this as evidence, the minute he knew why it was used this way.

"Mr. Potter, I am glad you were planning this, although I would like to know why it took you so long. And I'm sorry for my rude words, Mr. Potter, but this is a serious case." Amelia tells the youngster and he says: "It's alright, Madame Bones. The end of this book will explain everything." The woman nods and I read on.

The door … down there."

"Was that done on purpose?" Harry asks, his tone slightly accusing and he goes on: "Did you actually know he still has a terrible phobia for spiders?" The twins look at each other and Fred says: "No, we didn't." And George goes on: "We thought that because he was so young when it happened, he forgot all about it."
This makes Harry and Ron hit themselves on the head and Harry says: "Guys, you now know that I remembered parts of that terrible nights even years later and that spider scared the crap out of Ron. Would he really forget something as traumatizing as that?" The two look at each other and then shake their heads, looking down.
They then turn to Andromeda and Fred ask: "Mrs. Tonks, could you help us help our brother get over his fear? We could use pranks and show him ways to take spiders down, but – well – we don't think that will really work." And while George nods in agreement, does Andromeda smile and say: "It'll be my pleasure." The two smile and I read on.

"Right." Mumbled Ron. His sudden pale complexion seemed to go unnoticed by the twins, which made Harry doubt they would really look out for him at Hogwarts.
"Harry." Said the … said Ron.
This already made Harry feel better, especially the easy tone Ron used to talk to him with. "And have … Ron eagerly.. Harry felt even more relaxed. The fame seemed to have made Ron think he should automatically show Harry some respect. Harry decided, there and then, by respecting Ron back, he would try and gain a friendship with the boy.
"Well – I … window again.
Harry felt relieved. Obviously Ron didn't want to make as much of a big deal out of it as the people in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry badly hoped Ron's family would be the same.
"Are all … found him."

Ron shakes his head and asks: "Wait, what was that?" I smile, happy to help my son get past his minority complex and read again: Asked Harry, who found Ron just as interesting as Ron found him. My son shakes his head again and Harry says: "I don't think he'll read it again, you know." Ron turns to him and asks: "You found me – interesting?"
And Draco says: "I know. Weird, right?" But the glare his mother sends him isn't half as bad as Harry's, who's ferocity actually scares me and makes me wonder how bad a temper that boy could really have. Draco sees it and actually trembles, making his mum smile at her cousin before Harry turns to Ron and says:
"Ron, your family seemed the total opposite of what I called family behavior. You were actually willing to hang around with me. You showed you didn't care as much for my fame as the Leaky Cauldron visitors. And you could tell me more about the Magical World than my books could. What was there not to be found interesting?"
Ron blushes beat red by now and Fred asks: "So if we hadn't left for Lee." And George ends: "You guys wouldn't have been as close as you now are?" And Harry answers: "There might be a slim chance of that, yeah." And the two look at each other as they say: "Thank Merlin we left." Making the two boys smile as I read on.

"Er yes … about him. Dad says it hurts her feelings if we talk of her family."
"So you … talked about.

"And old wizarding family, yes. One I was talking about, no." Draco says, but Harry shrugs and says: "Didn't really matter to me. I was able to learn magic and gain a friend. Loved it." Ron smiles, obviously pleased with himself and then the twins want to make a comment, but Harry sends them the same glare he sent Draco.
They immediately back down and while the teachers, my wife and some of the other Houses look shocked that the two untameable pranksters can actually be tamed, does Ron say: "And that's why Harry is never a prank target." I see the teachers look at each other and when their eyes widen, do I know they realize that my son is right.

Immediately I wonder what Harry had done to stop the twins from pulling pranks on him and Sirius voices my thoughts as, with an excited voice and a little hopping on his seat, he asks: "What'd you do? What'd you do?" But while the twins beg Harry with their eyes not to tell them, he says: "I'm sure it's in the book."
The twins blanch and suddenly look quite like how Harry looked when the secret of the cupboard came out. Realizing this has to be humiliating for them, I smile and think: "Wonder what the son of famous Prankster, James Potter, did to my boys. Wonder if they even know who his dad really is?" Yet before I read on, do I remember.
Back during one of the chapters of the last book, was it revealed that one of Voldemort's Death Eaters was a former Marauder and this actually made Harry reveal to my sons that his father, godfather and their teacher were the others, but then I think: "The events of this book might have made them forget." And with that I read on.

"I heard … wizard brothers."
Harry really wanted to tell Ron the truth. Of the cupboard, the three meals a week – if he was lucky and did a good job – the Harry Hunting and so much more, but he realized that the youngest of four brothers could barely do anything to help him out of his situation.
Sighing inwardly and feeling more determination to get away from the Dursleys the minute he had an adult he could trust, he decided to just be various about it.

"I really wish you had told me, Harry." Ron says, looking at Harry and the boy says: "Ron, I'm sorry, but even your dad would not have been able to do a thing. And he worked at the Ministry." Then Bill says: "I work at Gringotts." And Harry answers: "Yeah, but sorry, I feared I would have to leave England with you to Egypt if I told you."
"What gave you that idea?" Bill asks confused and Harry says: "I know you're an adult and well – I just thought that if you knew the truth, you would personally take me under your wing until you had those Muggles dealt with and that would mean you had to take me to Egypt if you would go to work again."
The man nods, while my ex-wife and Sirius look shocked at the actual logic behind that and Bill says: "Good logic. But seeing the crimes those Muggles committed it would have only taken me three days. On the other hand, finding you a proper guardian would have taken a longer time." Harry shrugs and I read on.

"Five." Said … really funny.

"Is that really important to you, little brother?" The twins chorus and Fred asks: "You really want to be Head boy or Quidditch Captain?" But Harry says: "That Bill and Charlie had those titles isn't meant that way. You'll see soon enough." Now I feel confused and worried and after sparing a glance at my youngest, I read on.

Everyone expects … it first.

This makes me stop dead and I shake my head, before muttering the words again, wondering if I really read this right, even if Ron said almost the exact same thing three days ago during the Family Meeting that changed everything. I look up and see that all of his brothers are now looking at Ron shocked and in pure disbelief.
Then Bill says: "Ron, you know that has no influence on our love, our pride." But the boy keeps looking down and Harry asks: "You don't, still feel that way, do you?" And Ron answers: "No, not after reading this book, I don't." Harry smiles and says: "Good, because I've been jealous of you for a long time now."
Ron almost gets his neck cracked as he looks up and asks: "Jealous? Honestly?" Harry nods and Draco says: "Okay, I can get the interest, but why jealousy?" And Harry says: "It was already clear to me that Ron was loved and cared for by his family and I always thought, the more family, the more love you can get."

Ron looks at his best friend shocked, while Sirius and Remus look hurt at the idea that Harry was envious for love and Harry lies a hand on Ron's and says: "Ron, after all these years, you and I are finally even." This confuses the entire hall and he says: "Well, not really. You still have five brothers and a sister and I still have my inheritance.
But you have twins and older brothers that are either making or going to make a lot of money and with all the tactics and strategic brains you have, you might even make more money than them and I have two dads that want to start a family together." He then slaps the boy on the shoulder and says: "We'll get there, buddy."
Ron still has wide eyes and then Harry leans over and whispers something in his ear that makes my son whiten before he pulls back and asks: "Now you understand why I've been jealous?" The boy nods and then he smiles at his brothers, while Charlie says: "I smell another family meeting coming." I nod at my son and read on.

You never … old rat."

"Sirius, I hope you don't mind that I kept that terrible scoundrel so close to Harry, seeing the friendship we share." Ron then growls at Sirius, confusing me as Fred and George had written me last year, telling me how Scabbers had been eaten by Crookshanks and how Ron had been furious with Hermione over it for months.
But when Ron got home, he had a new owl and he didn't seem to care for Scabbers' death in the slightest. He even forbid us to ever speak about the – as he called him – worthless rodent in his presence again and Molly and I had agreed, making sure his brothers agreed too, believing Ron to want to forget about his lost pet.
But now the words of my boy tell a whole other story. I look at the two and Sirius says: "To be honest, I'm glad you kept him. Else I would have never escaped prison and have the beautiful life I have in front of me now." And he hugs his son and mate close, making both smile at him in love. I wonder what he means and read on.

Ron reached … Scabbers instead."

"And if that's not favoritism, I don't know what is." Harry growls and Molly asks: "What are you talking about?" To which Harry glares at her and says: "I saw Hermes, Mss. Prewett. And I saw the quality of Percy's robes. Those obviously cost you a couple of Galleons, which you could have used to get your son a proper first year.
You actually spent money, that should have been used on the wand and cloths of your youngest, which would have from the start, helped him be the top wizard he is, on some gifts for your third eldest? Never heard of Christmas? You could have let Mr. Weasley buy that for him and it would have had double the meaning."
The woman looks shocked and Harry says: "And that's not even the first sign of favoritism. You've shown so many signs, I'm shocked Ron even has self-confidence. No offense, pall." Ron nods and Molly asks: "And what other signs are there then?" And Harry glares and spats: "Just listen to your ex-son." And with that I read on.

Ron's ears … birthday presents.
He didn't dare to tell Ron about everything, but he knew sharing some parts would make it easier to later tell the grownups of the real deal. This seemed to cheer Ron up.
Harry knew it was because Ron's family obviously didn't have a lot of money, and if he had to go by Gringotts, that wasn't too good. So to hear some other people, at one point, had little money too must have made the boy feel better about himself.

"Merlin mate, how do read me so well?" Ron asks and Harry answers: "I wasn't. I was just thinking of how I would feel if this were to happen while I was you." Ron looks confused and Fred says: "He means, he was thinking about how the situation would have been from your point of view, little brother.""Exactly."
Harry says and Ron smiles. Viktor then pulls Harry closer and whispers: "So sweet. So caring." Making Harry blush and many boys around them hold back a snicker. But Ron and Hermione glare at these people and their glare obviously says: allow him some romance, will you? The glare scares the snickering boys and I read on.

"… and until … quick enough.
I heard from Bill one of them learned so fast, she was allowed to skip two years and do her O.W.L.s in third year."
Harry didn't really know what owls were, unless you counted Hedwig and other post owls and suddenly he had a vision of 15 year old chasing wild Owls, with the highest score appointed to the one who caught the most beautiful or most dangerous the quickest.

This makes a lot of Purebloods laugh and a young Third year says: "Don't worry, Harry. Loads of Muggleborns think that at first when hearing about O.W.L.s." The young fourteen year old boy smiles at his fellow Lion and says: "Thanks, Collin." And Collin seems to shine with joy just by those words, making me shake my head as I read on.

While they … and sheep.
Harry felt both relieved and disappointed at that. The fact they were out of London meant he was further away from his uncle, but had barely been able to see his Nation's capital and hoped Ron and his family could one day take him sight-seeing.

"Count on it!" All my sons shout and then they huddle together, obviously making a schedule of who does what, while Harry looks shocked and a little disturbed and then Sirius raises his hand and shouts: "I call dips on the Tower of London!" Making the six boys and Remus look at him, which causes him to lower his arm and says:
"What? There's a lot of Magical History in that Building and my mother never let me get close. I always wanted to see it, so why not with my son?" The family smiles, while Harry pinks away a tear. Then Remus grabs Sirius' chin and pulls him over to softly kiss his lips, before Harry softly hugs him, obviously not used to deep-heartened hugs.
I smile at the family and Remus says: "Then that's settled. The minute we're done with this book Amelia and Arabella go get the Dursleys and other people of Privet Drive, Minerva and the Heads do whatever Harry discussed with them and Sirius and Harry go and visit the Tower of London." The whole Great Hall nods and I read on.

They were … any breakfast had also puked out his dinner after Uncle Vernon's late night punishment, leapt to … the Dursleys or ever had any candy for that matter – the lemon ice pop had been the first he could remember, and now … pumpkin pasty.

"I should have taken that seriously." Ron grumbles, but then Harry says: "Ron, 1st of all, I don't have your appetite, but you could have easily presumed from this that I had. And 2nd, you were eleven. What could you have done, no offence meant." My youngest smiles at his friend and while I read on, does he mutter: "Still should have tried."

Ron had … corned beef."

"And with always I mean even before I went to Hogwarts and even when all of us told you what we wanted for breakfast. And no, that happened four times in three weeks, so it wasn't once in a lifetime. We just never said a thing, because we still – for as little as it was – loved you." The woman looks shocked at my son's words and I think:
"I should have divorced her years ago. She was harming my sons. My children." I shake my head and thin my lips and then look up and try to get eye contact with Sirius. The man looks at me and I whisper: "Please help me keep her away from them. Forever." My distanced cousin nods and I smile as I read on.

"Swap you … lay forgotten).
As Ron broke a Pumpkin pastry in halves and gave the other half to Harry, Harry actually felt like crying and thanking the boy, but he held in, not wanting to scare, who he considered his first friend, away.
"What are … Chocolate Frogs.
He had asked that with just about every piece of candy, but Ron hadn't seemed to mind one bit. Harry was really growing into asking questions, but decided to keep it to Ron for now.
"They're not … or Ptolemy."

"I have Ptolemy." A Second year Ravenclaw says and a Third year Hufflepuff says: "And I have Agrippa." But then Remus looks at Ron solemnly and says: "Ron, I will share half of my collected and still growing collection of Chocolate cards, if you later swear to always be Harry's friend." And Ron shakes Remus' hand and says: "Deal."
Remus nods and says: "We'll settle the deal and the oath when I get my collection. Expect them the second day before Second year reading." Ron nods and then the Third year asks: "Want to trade other cards, Ron I'm still missing on Morgana." Ron looks up and says: "I have six of her, you can have one." The girl shines with joy and read on.

Harry unwrapped … tenpin bowling.

Now Harry, Ron and Hermione look at each other and Ron asks: "What exactly is more ridiculous about this situation? That the information we needed was on a Chocolate frog card all along, that Dumbledore likes tenpin bowling or that it was Neville's accident with M – Draco that got us the required information?"
The two look at each other and Neville asks: "What incident?" And Hermione answers: "The one with your feet." Neville nods and Narcissa asks: "What did you do, Draco?" But the boy holds quiet, his cheeks sporting a pink hue and Harry says: "I'd say the tenpin bowling, the other 2 can easily happen to us." His friends nod before I again read.

Harry turned … amazed. "Weird."

"Well Ron, you do know it's a magical substance and a potion that makes our pictures move, right?" Collin asks and Ron says: "Didn't know that until you showed up, really." But then Harry, who seems to be in deep thought as he has his head titled up slightly, says: "You know, movies are quite a bit like moving pictures.
Only in our pictures the people in it constantly repeat their actions. A film is a little like hundreds and thousands of moving pictures. You can really compare a movie to a combination of memories in a Pensive, drawings of pictures of things that can either never happen or can and Magical photos." Everyone nods and Cedric says:
"I can't wait to go to the cinema." To which Sirius says: "Then it's settled. First Harry and I will go to the Tower of London and then afterwards we'll all meet up at the cinema and go see a movie." Everyone nods and then Harry whispers: "Better plan that a little better. Or else we'll completely scare the Muggles working there."
Hermione nods and Minerva says: "I like the idea, Mr. Black, but I agree with the words of your son. I believe it would be best if we first studied the categories of the movies and then sort the students into the categories they want to see. Then we will move to the cinemas in groups, depending on the category." Sirius nods and I read on.

Harry stared …and Merlin. ("Not fair." The Third year girl pouts) He finally … on once."

"I didn't." George then confesses and when everyone looks at him, he says: "Fred did. He was allowed to commentate on a Quidditch practice of the Keepers the year before if he were to take a Booger-flavored Bean. We had already tasted part of it to make sure it was Booger." Everyone laughs and Fred turns red as I read on.

Ron picked … be pepper. He didn't dare tell Ron he knew what grass tasted like, mostly because he tried to forget about – that incident. He shuddered just thinking about it, but luckily Ron thought they were after shudders tasting grass.

"Why didn't you ask about the grass one, Ron?" Ginny asks and Ron answers: "I thought his family pushed him into their garden or something. The twins often did it when they thought I would beat their Gnome-throwing record." The twins look ashamed, but playfully so and Hermione and Ginny shake their heads as I read on.

The countryside … green hills.
Harry had been able to hear the news on his uncle's car radio that morning and judging by the wind blowing in the trees, he would say they were heading quite in the Northern direction, which was more than fine with him, seeing how Surrey was in the south of England. The further away from uncle Vernon, the happier Harry felt.

This makes me, many other adults and older students shake their heads and the young Lovegood girl says: "Only true family is the one you miss when away." To which Sirius says: "Hear you there, girl." Looking at his son and mate with loving eyes. Harry happily presses himself against the man and Remus kisses him as I read on.

There was … He left.
Harry quickly walked out, closed the door and said: "Try using the owl of an older student, they would probably be trained to find small creatures. I would let you borrow Hedwig, but I'm not sure she'll come back while we're on the train." The boy smiled and said: "I understand. Thanks for the tip." And he left as Harry went back into the compartment.
"Don't know … can't talk."

"Ain't that a fact. Trevor is a million times the animal and faithful pet Scabbers could ever be. Traitorous piece of vermin." I look at my son shocked and the twins ask: "Why the sudden change? Aren't you hurt Scabbers got eaten?" And Ron hisses: "I wish he had been." Shocking and confusing my sons as I read on.

The rat … out. Anyway –"

"And there you have even more proof of favoritism." Harry grumbles, moving closer to Sirius in an obvious attempt to calm himself with the comfort of his parents. "And why is that?" Molly spats and Harry asks: "Why spend money on a proper tool, when you can give your son a second-hand, overused wand?"
The woman looks shocked and Harry says: "Giving Ron that wand, while he and Charlie are barely anything alike is nothing short of favoring Percy and with that you give Ron all the more reason to think that, compared to his siblings, he means nothing to you. And you can bet your sorry ass I will strive to change that."
And all my sons, except for a very red Ron, nod in agreement, but then Molly says: "Harry James Potter, you have no ri–." But Harry stops her and says: "I have every right, seeing you decided this year to believe a gossip queen over a boy you knew for four years." The woman whitens in shock and I read on.

He had … front teeth.

"Okay, I really made a bad first impression." Hermione says with her head down and her bushy hair hiding her red cheeks, but then the Lovegood girl speaks again and says: "The closest friends come from the strangest bonds." Hermione looks at the weird girl, obviously freaked out, and then she smiles at her friends as I read on.

"We've already … his hand.
This made Harry decide to just look at Neville with a question in his eyes, but the chubby boy looked a little uncomfortable and shook his head, making Harry know he didn't get the chance to ask an older student before meeting this girl.
"Oh, are … taken aback.

"Okay, that was pushy." Hermione mumbles, barely hard enough to let the spell have effect and Ron says: "Hermione, no offense, but you're often quite pushy when you want to study. It's just part of who you are and – we love you for that." Harry nods, while the young girl smiles at her friends and proud of my son, I read on.

"Er – all … very fast.

"And all in one breath." Harry tells me as I breath in and out, trying to get my breath back, while I had to take several deep ones throughout the speech. The girl blushes and says: "I was always asked to do other people's book reports and essays. Reading so much made me love studying and it was hard for me to make friends."
Harry nods and stands up. But instead of walking over to his friend to comfort her, he walks over and whispers something in Minerva's ear of which only small parts are caught by the spell. "Purebloods – Muggleborns – after – introduction – meetings – heads." I shake my head, not able to make heads or tails of the things said.
Minerva on the other hand does, and for some reason so do the other Heads as they all nod in agreement. Harry then mutters: "Try and put up a schedule for next year." And then sits back down, while everyone wonders what he's talking about. When it seems clear to me the boy won't say another word, do I read on.

Harry looked … heart either.
He had of course read as much as he could, but some books had been so fascinating, he had accidentally forgotten to read a few others. And the ones he did read without finding the contents really interesting had just been impossible to remember; something he was planning to work on.
"I'm Ron … said Hermione.
Harry was shocked as the girl was Muggleborn and he wondered if some of his fame had reached the Muggle world.
"I know … feeling dazed.
He wondered how that could be possible as he remembered nothing of the entire event that made him famous. Then suddenly a terrible thought struck and he thought: "What if the rumors in those books will make people expect more out of me than I could handle? Will they reject me if I don't live up to their expectations?"
His eyes got misty with tears and he swore to himself to use Hogwarts as a place he could create a persona he could live with and that would appease the witches and Wizards of Magical England enough not to reject him.

I shake my head and think: "Hogwarts is supposed to be a school you can grow in and learn who you are. Not what others expect of you." Sirius then hugs Harry tightly and whispers: "From now on, we'll help you be the Harry that is your heart and soul. I promise." Harry tears up slightly and hugs his mum as I read on.

"Goodness, didn't … off houses.
He himself didn't want to think about them either. The choice of House would further determine what kind of character he would have to create for himself.
"So what … said Ron.

"What the hell, Ron? You remember what job Charlie has, but not me?" Bill asks, obviously playing with his younger brother and Ron says: "Okay, so I was a little jealous at the others but didn't want to show it. You after all took a day off from your work to see them off for their second, but not me for my First."
Now Bill looks guilty and says: "Fair point, little bro." And he hugs Ron tightly, his face showing how sorry he is. "Until Ginny graduates." Fred starts and George goes on: "Let's all come to King Cross Station." And they chorus: "To see each other off." And the whole group of siblings shouts: "Deal!" Making me smile as I read on.

"Did you … behind it."

Ron, Hermione and Harry look at each other and Ron says: "Okay, that was just too weird." Making me blanch and I think: "Voldemort didn't die all those years ago. The last book proved that. Did my eleven year old son really have to face Voldemort himself?" I fear for the answer and with a slightly trembling voice I read on.

Harry turned … without worrying.
The fact Gringotts was robbed was even more worrying to him. Did this mean his vault was not as safe and secured as he thought. He would soon have to write a letter to Gringotts and ask how much it would cost to put top security on all that he owned.
"What's your … Diagon Alley.

Now Draco hits himself on the head before lying his face on his empty plate. Lucius and Narcissa look at the boy and Severus asks: "Is there something you haven't told us, Draco?" But all Draco does is mutter: "I hate these books." To which Harry pats him on the shoulder and says: "Again, welcome to my world, cousin."
The boy glares at his cousin, but I can tell the glare isn't really meant as Harry doesn't seem fazed. Draco then lies his head back and Lucius says: "I have the feeling that meeting did not go as my son told us." And a small shake of the head is his answer, making Harry snicker softly behind his hand as I read on.

"Is it … a snigger.

"Sorry about that. It's not really your name I was laughing about, more the way you were introducing yourself. You sounded like a 30 year old business man." Again Ron has to hide a snicker and Draco says: "Understandable and acceptable. Apology accepted." Still with his head on the table. I look at the boy a little longer before I read on.

Draco Malfoy … take it.
No way was he going to let others tell him who to befriend and what to do, especially not someone his age or with that high and mighty attitude.

Draco cringes and Harry says: "Had you just talked with Ron and tried to see him as another human being, instead of letting his family make you think low of him, I would have given you a chance. But you seemed so full of yourself and I didn't want others controlling my life." Draco looks up at his cousin and says:
"Quite understandable. I didn't realize that I said it that way until after we left and I was too embarrassed to tell others what really happened. My father and Severus were after all expecting me to leave a good impression with you and I didn't want to fail them. I shouldn't have lied though." And Harry asks:
"What did you tell them?" Draco shrugs and says: "I'll tell you once we're done reading this meeting. I mostly used Uncle Sev's hatred for your father to base my story on, to be honest." This makes Severus raise his eyes skyward and I think: "And thus begins another Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry." Before I read on.

"I think … on you."
Harry was furious. Since his uncle's lies had he decided he would never again let anyone talk bad about them or their sacrifice. And that this boy – someone his age – had the guts to discriminate them irritated him to no end. He wanted to fight and make the boy pay – even though he was tiny, the size of a 9 year old and dead scared of those other two boys.
Both Harry … his hair.
Harry wondered if Ron was angry about the insult towards his parents or about everything Malfoy had said. He himself kept quickly glancing at Crabbe and Goyle, trying to find a way to hurt Malfoy without them getting him. He would have to rely on his speed as always.
"Say that … or Ron.
They quite reminded him of his uncle and he didn't think he could really fight strongly after last night's beating, but he wasn't going to back down and let some snotty brat insult his first friend or his parents.
"But we … have some."
Harry felt his disgust for the boy grow. First insulting him and his parents and then thinking he can take their food. Malfoy's guts obviously knew no limits. Goyle reached … at once. Harry felt a new wave of courage flow over him at the thought that even such a small animal could harm someone as large as Goyle. Perhaps they … come in.

Now I stop, while I had to force myself to read the words from the young boy, and I look up, seeing Severus, the entire Black family (Lucius, Narcissa, Remus, Sirius, Harry, Andromeda, Tonks and Ted) glare at the pink cheeked young Draco, who tries to hide his face in the plate and his robe, but with no success whatsoever.
"Draco, if there is one thing I taught you it was to respect other Noble and Ancient families. You knew Harry was the Last of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter and so I expected some more respect from you, young man. Seeing as this makes him a Lord and thus your better." Lucius tells his son, who blushes even more.

Then Harry asks: "I'm a Lord? What does that mean?" And while Narcissa turns to him, do I see Harry send a quick look that says you owe me at Draco. The woman then says: "You see, dear, as a Lord all that concerns the Potters, finances, estates, business, funds and everything else falls under your hands and control.
You are to receive a monthly check-up of your accounts and an account of how your businesses are doing every two months to every semester. It will also be allowed for you to have one or more wives or husbands and as many children as you want, but you have to have at least one son to carry on the family name.
But seeing you now have Sirius as your mum, most of the responsibilities fall on his shoulders until you reach the age of 17 and become a legal adult. He will also be responsible for other members of your family and if one of your children or spouses hurts you or tarnishes the family name it will be up to him to punish and or disown them."

Harry looks shocked and asks: "Wait what? Check-ups? Spouses? Kids?" Everyone looks at the shocked boy with a smile on their face and then Viktor pulls him close and whispers: "Don't worry. You'll be great, I know you will." The boy turns red and whispers: "Do you – I mean – you actually want – kids?"
And Viktor answers: "Not yet, no. And neither will I want to marry you tomorrow, любовта на живота ми. But I do hope I can be together with you for a while and that one day we will both have a happy future together." Harry looks at Viktor in pure shock and then smiles sweetly at the boy, hugging him as I want to read on.

But then suddenly I wonder why Molly hasn't had her fit about it being wrong for Harry and Viktor being together and that Harry should try and date Ginny or that Sirius is the wrong person to guard Harry's rights and when I look at her, I see that Bill has his wand aimed at her and that she suddenly holds a muzzle over her mouth.
The muzzle has four racks in front of her mouth and is obviously not tight enough to keep her from breathing and yet it must be charmed in some way to keep her from yelling as the woman seems to be huffing silently, glaring at my son. I smile at my eldest, proud of his quick magical intervention and happily read on.

"What has … he had.
Harry looked at the rat intently, mostly because constantly being around spiders made it easier for him to see if small animals were hurt, but the rat didn't seem fazed by the blow in the slightest. Harry wondered if the rat had wanted to defend them or just the food. He had spotted him chunking down on some beans every now and then.

Now Draco lifts his head, only to hit it twice as hard against the plate and he says: "Goyle got beaten by a rat over some food. Talk about embarrassing." But Sirius lies a hand on his shoulder and says: "Don't worry about it. That rodent has always been a total maniac when it came to food." And while I wonder how he knows that, do I read on.

"You've met … Dark Side."

Lucius then looks at me and says: "I will explain you and yours my reasons for joining that madman later, is that acceptable Arthur?" I nod, wondering if the explanation could put an end to the almost instinctual feud between Malfoy and Weasley and then suddenly wonder: "Why do we even feel need for that feud?"
I try to think back to anything Malfoy senior could have done to me or my family, but can't think of anything until the end of the war and the feud between Lucius and me began in 1968, while the family feud began in 1765. This confuses me and I think: "What on earth could have caused that?" But instead of wondering on, do I read on.

He turned … sniffy voice.

"Hermione, how old do you think us?" Fred asks, his tone sounding like that of a playful adult and George goes on with the same tone: "Of course, people run up and down the corridors. Most of them have friends in many different compartments and maybe even friends they haven't seen all summer." The girl blushes and says:
"I just knew how high and respected this school was, so I guess I expected the same dignity and grace out of the students. I forgot their age while thinking about it." The twins nod, their faces showing a fake regal understanding and they chorus: "That's quite understandable." Making the girl smile at them as I read on.

"And you've … black robes.
Harry wanted to take off his old shirt, but even if he turned his back on Ron to do so, the boy would see the belt scars of when he was ten. He decided to just change into more comfortable cloths when he came to Hogwarts.
Ron's were … sweets and after Harry crooned at Hedwig to join him as soon as possible and to be good to whoever would take them off the train, joined the … dark platform.
The many pushes of fifteen to seventeen years olds were high enough to constantly bump into the scar on Harry's side and he almost bend double with pain. Harry shivered in the cold night air.
It was cold, but the wind blowing against and through his thin shirt cooled down the burning ache in his side. Then a … of heads.
Harry wanted to greet Hagrid back and thank him for the day in Diagon Alley and Hedwig, but Hagrid was already checking if all First years were present, looking over Harry and Ron's heads easily.
"C'mon, follow … trees there.
The darkness was quite blinding, but Harry was used to total darkness and whenever they passed a long patch of straight road, he looked to the side and thought he saw something flutter and jump away, as if hiding inside or behind trees.

The students look at Harry shocked and Ron says: "I saw absolutely nothing. I barely even saw Hagrid in front of me." The boy shrugs and Minerva says: "Those senses of yours are truly something else, Mr. Potter." The boy blushes and turns even more red under the proud and loving gazes send at him by Sirius and Viktor as I read on.

Nobody spoke … and towers.
Harry couldn't believe it. He had always dreamed of running away and then hiding somewhere people could easily get lost or lose him and now he was going to live there for ten months a year. If the Dursleys now tried to do something or if they ever came here, he could easily get rid of them by making them get lost in the many towers, turrets and large rooms he saw all over the building.

"Too bad Muggles can't enter Hogwarts. Would have been one hell of a prank." The twins chorus laughing and I smile too, glad Harry is willing to stand up for himself against those Muggles. I then see Harry send a look at Minerva and the woman nods, agreeing with him on something I can't even fathom. I shrug and read on.

"No more … it stood.
Harry was in such awe by the castle he almost felt as insignificant as he always did when aunt Petunia praised Dudley on something or if uncle Vernon shouted at him and insulted him for getting a higher grade than Dudley. He quickly shook his head and decided that he would never compare his life there to his life here. And to make sure of that he would work to be as great and amazing as the castle in front of him.

I feel shocked that any responsible adult would treat their kids like that and see the teachers look at each other and then Pomona says: "Being insulted for doing better. No wonder he never scores higher than average in my class. He's holding back." Harry nods and Ron asks: "But why, mate? They're not here now, are they?"
Harry lowers his head and says: "It's complicated and – well – a little hurtful too. I feel embarrassed just thinking about it, not to mention ashamed of myself for thinking it." Hermione, my kids and Harry's parents all look at Harry worried, but the boy holds his face aimed at the plate in front of him and I read on.

"Heads down!" … his hands.

"How did you know it was mine anyway, Hagrid?" Neville asks and Hagrid shrugs and says: "I saw you weren't really paying attention to the castle. You were looking around as if searching for something and so I thought it could be yours." The boy smiles, slightly red in embarrassment and I read on smiling.

Then they … yer toad?"
Harry remembered Neville saying that the toad kept getting away from him and quickly examined the toad for traits that he could remember to recognize the pet if it ever got away again. Hagrid raised … castle door.

Neville then smiles at Harry and says: "Thanks for that, Harry. I remember that you found Trevor three times for me in the first two months. I wondered how you recognized him." Harry smiles and shrugs, while Sirius pulls him close and says: "That's my helpful little boy. Onto the Sorting, we go." And to my confusion Harry whitens.