Chapter 1: You're A Wizard My Boy.
July 31st, 1980 had started out like any other day in the past few weeks. James Potter and his beloved wife Lily Evans Potter had been busily going from one shop to the next buying food and toys for their son, Harry James Potter. The boy in question was busily giggling happily at a joke his mother had told him. The sight was, to say the least, a truly beautiful sight to them both and one that they wouldn't have dared to trade away even for all the gold in the whole world. The upsetting news that people had been disappearing at a frightening rate over the past few weeks had, of course, worried them greatly but they were sure the many ancient spells placed around their house by their order would warn them before anything could happen. However that was not the case for one of the most powerful of the dark lords of recent history, Lord Voldemort had been told where to find them by somebody who the Potters had felt was a true friend. Sadly their secret keeper a rat-faced of a man called Peter Pettigrew had sold away their friendship to him for his continued existence and relative safety. After all, so long as he didn't anger the powerful dark wizard that was now and forevermore his master he had little to fear from the snake-faced man.
Once lord Voldemort had arrived at Godric's Hollow he had easily enough been able to bypass the many protective spells and runes that had been set up all around the sizeable house by the Order Of The Phoenix. Once done he soon entered the house being ever mindful not to allow even the smallest sound to be emitted from his steps. Making his way up the stairs he could hear the sounds of mother and son playing together playfully. Such a thing made the man sick to his stomach. Such weakness was unbefitting of a wizard and he would soon rid the world of some of that pitiful weakness tonight. Just as he readied his wand for the kill he was soon kicked backwards by the boy's father. His eyes blazing with utter hatred for the man now before him and a great deal of parental love for his son.
"You will go no closer to my son you snake! You'll die here tonight...by my wand"! James Potter said before firing a powerful spell at the powerful dark wizard. The two battled with streaks of red, green, and yellow flashing outside the windows of the house. But for all his skill in dueling Voldemort was his better and soon he was able to strike the man in the chest. James could feel his life force ebb away into the ether. Doing his best to remain upright he tried and failed to raise his wand for another attack. The wand in his hand felt like a block of lead. After ten seconds his body finally gave in and he fell onto the floor with a thud. His eyes forever seeing not but endless darkness as his body grew cold.
"One down two to go". Voldemort said uncaringly as he once more resumed his trek to the bedroom. Like the first, he was again stopped by the pitiful boy's mother. Her hair fanning outward like a great fire behind her form. In another life she would have made for a great death eater, however, in this one, she had chosen to stand against him and for that mistake, she had to die. Rising his wand he soon began to battle the enraged woman. She was noticeably a better duelist but even so, he knew he was her better. Few could truly match his skills in a duel and what few could were unlikely to arrive in time to matter. As such she like her husband before her soon fell to his wand clearing the way to the boy himself. Harry could only eye the pale man who looked very much like a snake in the pale light of the full Moon. It was with but the slightest of movements that the killing curse was sent at the boy and with that done world history was made.
Harry Potter had been busily playing with the tin soldier that his uncle Vernon had gifted him on his 10th birthday. It was by no means a new toy having passed from one set of hands to another for close to a century. Even so, Harry felt an unusual connection to the tin soldier adorned in his WW1 guns and uniform. As if it was speaking to him. But he, of course, knew that such a thing was impossible. Toys, after all, couldn't talk or move, especially toys made out of tin, and yet at times, he couldn't help but wonder about that fact. After all, he had many a time swear he had seen the thing move its head slowly in the inky darkness of his room only to turn on the light on his nightstand to see it the same as it had always been. Facing forward and unmoving in any way. His beloved uncle would always give him the same bemused expression before sending him back to his room every time he would rush inside and tell them the newest story. His aunt Petunia had done her best to keep the boy's peculiar imagination from getting past the walls of their house. They had, after all, a carefully constructed reputation to consider and it just wouldn't do to have people talk about their nephew's peculiar tendencies, especially with her husband's possible promotion in the coming days. It was due to this fact that he seldom left the house and every time he did both of them had kept a close eye on what he did and what he said. It wasn't always an easy task to do seeing as over the years Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had many close calls with Harry. One time he had somehow disappeared from their ever-watchful gaze and walked over to a local zoo and started to talk to of all things a snake. Oddly still was the fact he was talking in what sounded like a series of long hisses very much like the sound of a snake. As soon as he was pulled away the snake returned to lazily laying on a bit of wood under the heat of the light seemingly upset at losing its conversation partner. This fact however luckily went totally unnoticed by the passersby.
"Harry you know better than to do that. You had the both of us in a right fit looking for you, boy". Vernon said as his face seemed to turn red in anger. But that anger was short-lived before the three got back inside their small car and raced back home at such high speed it was a wonder he wasn't pulled over for his speeding. It would be many weeks later before he was allowed outside the house again.
It was a nice sunny day when the mail was pushed through the mail slot and landed softly on to the floor. Harry as always was the first of the three to wake and thus see it and pick it up. The first of the letters was a water bill for his uncle to open and pay. He never seemed to enjoy such letters mostly due to the fact it meant the loss of his hard-earned money. The second of the letters was from their next-door neighbor, Ms Elizabeth Walkins. She was an old woman nearing her 91st year of life who always seemed to smell of ripe raspberries and wore something that looked like it had come from the 1950s. What he never understood about the old woman was why couldn't she just walk over and tell her whatever it was herself. The woman had always been a subject of some confusion to the 10-year-old boy but she was an odd sort of woman. She always hid herself away in her tiny house with her sizeable collection of cats that always seemed to disappear whenever his aunt would walk into the room and as soon as she was gone show back up again just as fast. Yes, a very odd woman indeed. A kind old woman but odd, very, very odd. Harry knew that fact all too well. It was the last letter, however, that made his green eyes open wide. It was addressed to himself. But who would write to him he thought? Who would even know he lived inside this house? It wasn't like many people even knew he lived in the house. This fact was mostly due to the fact that he was homeschooled and was never allowed outside besides into their backyard where he would aid his aunt in her gardening. As such he had no friends to speak of. So how would anybody be writing a letter to him he thought? Placing the letter inside one of his pants pockets for later reading he soon entered the kitchen. As always aunt Petunia was busily cooking a few strips of bacon and eggs. His uncle Vernon always loved eating bacon before starting his day. He guessed that was why he was so round. He didn't dare to voice such thoughts out loud as that would be rude and he knew better than to be so. He had been raised a right and proper man his uncle would always say. A right and proper gentleman befitting the name of Potter. As soon as his aunt Petunia saw him she made her way over to the boy before kissing him lightly upon the forehead making the boy frantically rub his forehead as if the kiss itself was infectious.
"Just like your mother dear. She too hated kisses. An odd sort she was". She said before renewing her task of cooking the food.
"I could help". Harry said always one to be helpful.
"No, dear I'm fine. The food is mostly ready anyway. You can, however, go fetch the orange juice from the refrigerator. It should be near the top behind the milk". She said as she placed the strips of bacon and eggs on his uncle's plate. It wasn't long before the man walked inside and sat down and began to enjoy his meal. Once he had downed two strips of bacon he turned to face the boy. His long bushy mustache hid a few small bits of meat that Harry couldn't help but notice.
"So anything in the mail for us? His uncle asked before downing a third of his glass of orange juice.
"Yeah you have a bill to pay and Ms. Elizabeth Walkins sent you a letter aunt Petunia". Harry said as he gave the two of them the letters. At once the pair opened them and at once both looked very unhappy.
"The damn water company has jacked up the cost again. At this rate, we will be forced to use bottled water to wash. I'm calling them again and complaining. Eyeing his aunt he could see at once she didn't at all like whatever it was she had sent her.
"That's odd she is moving away. She didn't say anything to me about this. Now I'll have to find a replacement for you Harry". Petunia said as she placed the letter down with a noticeable level of irritation. A fact that made him eye her quizzically. He had only seen her upset a few times but this was the first time her anger was aimed at anybody besides her husband or himself. It was an interesting situation, to say the least, but one he was happy not to be the cause of for once. Uncle Vernon meanwhile just ate his food and got up. He knew she was unreachable in her mood. The best thing to do was to allow her to cool off and try not to anger her any more than she already was. Harry guessed that level of understanding came from many years of marriage.
"Do eat your food boy". His uncle said before getting up from his chair, grabbing his coat from the hook next to the door, and lastly getting inside the tiny blue car that seemed two sizes too small to fit his size and pulling off to go to work. It was a scene he had seen thousands of times before but this time it felt different. He couldn't rightly place it but today it felt like something was amiss. Thinking about it he guessed it was due to the letter with his name on it. That was itself a very odd thing indeed. He never got any mail. Why would he, after all, nobody knew he even lived inside that house, and for the few who did none had any reason to send him a letter. So with that thought in mind, he soon turned to his plate and downed his strips of bacon and eggs before going back upstairs to read the letter.
Harry's room was easily the smallest of the bedrooms but he didn't at all mind. It had the essentials and for him, that was enough. Pulling the letter he opened it and began to read.
"Dear Mr Potter I understand that this letter may come as a surprise to you but we wish to reach out to you to inform you that you have been selected to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry starting next year. Down below you will see a list of necessary materials for the school year. If you are somehow incapable of obtaining said materials please check the box below". Harry at once looked down to see a small box near the bottom of the page. Looking at the necessary books and materials he knew at once he was never going to be able to get them. Namely, because it all sounded ridiculous and second because no bookstore sold anything like it. After all, what the hell was a Bunglow or a Pellek? This absolutely had to be a prank but the question was who was pranking him? Nobody he knew would do such a childish thing and he knew he gave no cause to do so in the first place. So with that thought in mind he soon returned it to its envelope and placed it inside his desk. It was a prank and nothing more. It wouldn't be the last of the letters to be sent his way but it was the first. The first of many, many, many, many more.
Harry awoke the next day to the sounds of birds singing their songs happily just outside his windowsill. It was a sight he had seen many times over the years and one he enjoyed immensely. He had always held a love for birds of all sorts. Big, small, exotic or fairly common it made no real difference to the boy. To him, his love for birds was just like his uncle's love for dogs or his aunt's love in gardening and cooking. It was just a part of who he was and he didn't see that fact changing anytime soon. The letter the other day had, of course, made him wonder about the school and magic as a whole but magic wasn't real. Magic was nothing more than sleight-of-hand and misdirection. The very notion that there was a school somewhere that existed to teach people how to use magic was to him about as laughable as expecting a broom to rise to ones command or the idea that a person would be able to turn themselves into a cat or dog or even a lowly rat. Magic was pure nonsense and that was that. Walking downstairs Harry could see both his aunt and uncle watching the television. This had of course not surprised him at all considering they always watched the television in the afternoon hours. It was just one more constant in their lives that seemed unlikely to ever change. In a way, he liked that as it meant he wasn't surprised by anything too unexpected. Looking at it he could see it was a news story of a group of people who had somehow found themselves on a rooftop.
"Dumb kids nowadays have no care for their own safety...it's madness I tell you...pure and utter madness". His uncle said as he waved his hand in the air as if that would do anything at all. His aunt, however, seemed a bit off. It was as if she had an idea of how this oddity had happened but wasn't planning on telling. Thinking nothing of the strange look on her face he walked calmly into the kitchen and got himself a glass of orange juice. He was done with odd things for a good long while. Sadly he wasn't going to enjoy a reprieve in the strangeness as the television soon started to flip from one channel to the next in rapid succession. The speed was such that the numbers were not but a mere blur to the eye until it had stopped almost as fast as it had started.
"What in the blazes was that about"? Vernon said as he got up and looked the thing over for any loose wires or the like. He found nothing wrong and soon returned to his chair and watched the show as if nothing had happened. Harry had never seen such a thing in all his life and that fact made his mind race.
"Uncle maybe we should get a new tv". He said as he eyed the tv half expecting the thing to start going through the channels again. It, however, remained fixed in place much to his relief.
"Now why on Earth would I go do such a thing for? It's an old tv, boy. Old things act up from time to time. It's fine now so don't worry about it". Vernon said as he waved his concerns away as casually as one would swat at a fly.
"But...don't you think it's odd"? Harry asked.
"I find it odd why you care so much about an old tv acting up". His uncle said finally turning to face him.
"I...I don't". Harry replied taken aback at his uncle's outburst.
"Then drop it, boy. You have far better things to be doing than worrying about an old tv". His uncle said before turning back to face the television set. Seeing no point in worrying about it any longer he soon downed the glass and placed it inside the kitchen sink to be washed. His uncle was likely right. It was an old tv, nearly as old as his uncle was. He never saw much need to have a colored tv seeing it as just a waste of money. Even so, what had happened seemed a bit more than an old tv acting up. After all, the numbers that flashed upon the black-and-white screen hadn't been the following channels but channels that were sometimes more than a dozen places apart. Thinking back on the numbers it had almost seemed to him to be a code of some sort but that, of course, was nonsense. With that thought in mind, he soon started to do his daily tasks of washing the dishes and cleaning the house and of course doing his assignments that his aunt would have him doing. All in all, it was a fairly normal day for him, aside from the oddities that were happening to him as of late.
Meanwhile in a dark room sat around a dozen or so individuals all dressed in dark-coloured robes and illuminated by the light of candles.
"It isn't working". Came the voice of a woman.
"The letter and the tv don't seem to be doing the job. We might need to send Hogwood to collect the boy". Came the voice of another.
"Oh goodness no Hogwood would likely make the boy run for his life. I say we send Hagrid. It was, after all, he who dropped the boy off. It would only be fitting it be he who collects the boy". Came the voice of Sirius Black. The group soon started to argue about the next course of action. It soon got to the point that the light of the candles were flickering due to the constant movement of the individuals.
"Enough of this! came the voice of Albus Dumbledore. We will hold off sending Hagrid for a bit longer. Until then you are to send more of the letters. If he still hasn't deciphered their meaning then and only then will we send Hagrid to the boy. Am I understood"? The aged man asked even though he knew he was.
"Yes, of course, I'll send out another letter out as soon as I can Albus". Came the voice of the woman.
"Good, then this meeting of the order is now done". With that said the room was soon emptied of its occupants. When the last of them left so too did the lights of the candles.
The last week had easily been one of the strangest in his whole life. Things falling for seemingly no good reason at all. Cats of all sorts sitting just outside their door eyeing them all quizzically. His uncle had done everything he could to be rid of the things but the next day they would once again be sitting outside their door. Birds of every sort rested on every light post, on every tree, and on every car that existed on the dead-end street of Pivot Drive. But at least that had ended a few days ago and it seemed like life could get back to normal. This hope soon died when a mountain of a man knocked on their door a full three weeks after the first of the letters dropped onto the soft carpeted floor of their house.
"O, Harry me boy it's good to see you doin so fine in this here house". The man said as he walked inside the house knocking down a fair number of photos and paintings as he forced his sizeable body through the admittedly tiny door, well tiny for him at least. The man was easily over seven feet in size and had a massive unkempt beard that made its way to the midway point of his stomach. He was truly an odd sight to behold as he stood in the hallway. His head being forced downwards due to the low ceiling.
"You know me"? Harry asked as he was sure he had never once met this man. He was sure he would have recalled such a meeting, especially for the likes of him. One doesn't see all that many men who could be at eye level with a basketball net after all.
"O goodness yes. It was I who don dropped yous off. We sent you de letters but when that failed we don tried that there box thingy". The man said as he pointed at the television that was now on mute. Even so, the show was still visible. The man paid it no mind. He was here for the boy, not to gawk at whatever the Muggles had invented in their spare time.
"You mean you're the one who caused our television to go all loopy a few days ago"? Vernon asked as his face slowly turned red in anger.
"Me...no. It was one of my order who don that. Hogwood Fletchling was the one to do that to your...television". The man said as he turned to face the sole woman in the house. Once he did his eyes grew wide in recognition. He had, of course, never met the woman but he had seen her face many a time in family photos that the boy's mother had shown to him many years ago.
"Wait a minute I know you". The man said before being stopped by Vernon who seemed about done with this unknown man standing in his house.
"I don't know who you are but I want you to go. You're making a mess and I'll have none of it". Vernon said as he pointed his finger at the intruder who seemed almost taken aback at the fat man who was pointing his fat little finger at him. Doing his best to stand at his full height, a deed that was made all the harder due to the low ceiling of the house. To him, it was far too small but he was a giant of a man and had spent far too little time in anyone else's house except his own and his family's.
"I'm Rubeus Hagrid. I'm the groundskeeper at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm here for don boy here". Hagrid said as he eyed Harry. A fact that took him totally by surprise.
"Y..your here for me. Why"? Harry asked the man.
"You're a wizard, Harry. By the reports I've been a seein a fairly good one at that. It's not every day one is seen speaking Parseltongue. That is a rare gift, even for a wizard". Hagrid said in a tone Harry hadn't heard being sent his way all too often. His family wasn't the sort to give out compliments willy-nilly. So hearing such praise was always nice even if it was coming from a man he didn't really know.
"What the hell is Parseltongue"? Vernon asked as he eyed the man.
"Parseltongue is the ability to talk to snakes; it's a very old skill. I doubt more than a dozen people can even do it. Harry here shows a real mastery of the skill". Hagrid said as he patted the boy lightly. Harry for his part felt like he was being squashed like a bug. It wasn't a fun experience, to say the least. In fact, he was more than happy when the man had stopped patting him like he was a lowly dog.
"So we best be off. We have much to do before you depart for the school". Hagrid said as he pushed Harry out the door and into the early morning air. Looking around he couldn't see the cats or birds or even people. Even at such an hour, he should have seen a few people as they got inside their cars to start the workday. Yet nobody seemed to be out and about. An odd sight indeed and one he was slowly growing used to seeing in the past few weeks.
"Where is everybody"? Harry asked as he turned to face the man now known as Rubeus Hagrid.
"Useful little thing timeturners. If you push this here button everything outside 30 feet or so stops a-movin. It does have the unfortunate effect of causing headaches but I'm told you have things for that nowadays". Hagrid said as he pulled out a pink umbrella from his coat.
"What's that for"? Harry asked as he knew all too well it wasn't going to rain anytime in the next three or four days.
"To call my ride o course. You don't expect us to be a walkin all don way to the shops...do you"? Hagrid asked before a small white light seemed to flash at the tip of the umbrella before being placed back inside the oversized coat. Seconds later a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar landed softly upon the asphalt.
"Do get in Harry my boy. We are running a wee bit late". Hagrid said as he lifted off the ground and into the sky. Harry held onto the sides of the sidecar with all his strength fearful he would fall out. Hagrid for his part only shook his head in mild amusement at the boy's antics. No sooner did they disappear from view life once again returned to Pivot Drive. The only indication that anything was wrong was that everybody was holding their heads as if they all had a headache.
Harry was busy eyeing the rows of nearly identical homes that were flying past him at a breakneck speed far below the flying motorcycle that he and Hagrid were using to go to wherever it was they were going. It had only been a few minutes since he had left his home and in that time he had come to an inescapable conclusion. Magic was real and he was seeing it firsthand or he was having an extremely convincing dream the likes of which he had never had before in his whole life. Thinking on the matter some more he decided it wasn't a dream. This conclusion of his had come when he hit himself as hard as he had dared and he hadn't awoken from the hit. The deed had made Hagrid eye him with a look of mild confusion and concern for his well-being both mentally and physically.
"Why did you don do that for"? Hagrid asked as he moved the motorcycle above some clouds. The movement forced him into the back of his seat. The wind making him see not but blurs of blue and white and the occasional flash of brown of Hagrid's oversized coat.
"An experiment...Hagrid". Harry answered after the motorcycle had finally leveled off and he could once again move forward in his seat without the G-forces keeping him pinned to it.
"An experiment. What kind of experiment has you don do a foolish thing like that for"? Hagrid asked before dropping behind a small shop called Dunkin Donuts.
"It doesn't really matter. It answered something that I wanted to be answered". Harry said before he started to remove himself from the sidecar and stretch his legs behind the small donut shop. "Now, if you don't mind me asking where are we going"? Harry asked as soon as he could once again feel his legs. Hagrid at once moved forward and started to press a set of bricks on a brick wall in what was a clear pattern to the boy. Once done he could see the wall moving apart to reveal a street of shops that he was fairly sure shouldn't exist in this part of London or for any part of the city for that matter.
"Well, my boy we are going to none other than Diagon Alley o course". Hagrid said as he moved aside to allow him to see the long crooked street that was lined with all sorts of shops. Harry could see that the shops were old and lopsided and crooked with a fair number being held up with beams of wood and iron. He was sure they would fail any health and safety checks should they ever be tested for such things. But for all the obvious violations of the health and safety laws of London, he could also smell the intoxicating aroma of food somewhere in the maze of streets and shops.
"You should go in there and get yourself a wand. I'll be back in a bit so don't go too far once you're done here". Hagrid said as he moved down the road some more. Harry not seeing much of a point in not getting his wand soon approached the shop dubbed by the aged sign that hung above the door as Ollivander's wand shop dated from 382 B.C to 1991 AD.
Ollivander's was filled with rows of boxes and held the smell of wood and oil. The wood part he could understand somewhat. Wands were made out of wood, at least he guessed they would be seeing as he had never paid all that much time to magic or to its applications and appliances. The smell of oil however perplexed him greatly as he couldn't see anything that would be the cause of the smell anywhere in the wand shop.
"I'll be right with you in a...bit". The man he guessed was Ollivander stopped upon seeing him. A fact that made him feel uneasy with the man. He really would like it if Hagrid would enter the shop and stop this man before he did something unsavory to his person. He doubted he would but one could never be sure about a person nowadays. The world was changing rapidly and the acts some people did would have been seen as unbecoming only a few years before.
"By Merlin's beard, you must be Harry Potter. I've been looking forward to this day for many a year. I take it you're here for your wand". Ollivander said as he moved quickly to a small box and pulled it off the dusty shelf and placed it before him.
"Go on my boy...give it a nice good flick". The man said and with that, he soon sent papers flying every which way.
"No not that one for sure. Perhaps you'll do better with one with dragons tail". He said as he once more picked a box up and set it before him. Giving this wand a flick he soon found himself looking every bit a fool as he waved the thing around with not but a slight wind for his trouble.
"Hmm, not that one. Maybe your emotions are messing it up". The man said as he took the wand and placed it next to his ear. The sight was quite amusing though he had the good sense not to say such things out loud.
"I see...no...maybe...oh goodness". The man said as he placed the wand back inside its box before just as fast placing another before him.
"Are you alright"? Harry asked as the man looked a bit disgruntled after doing this around a dozen times.
"Oh yes, I'm fine. The wands you see are in a foul mood today. But I'm sure this one will work". Ollivander said as he pushed a few bits of white hair aside. Taking hold of the wand he could feel an overwhelming sense of power flood throughout his whole body. The feeling was intoxicating as he felt nearly unstoppable.
"Hmm, an odd choice". Ollivander said as he eyed the wand long and hard. When it seemed he would fall upon his desk he pulled backward, pushed his round spectacles up his nose, and was off once again into the deepest depths of his shop leaving the boy utterly confused at the man's peculiar behavior. When he turned to exit he saw Hagrid holding up a cage that housed a white owl who hooted upon him seeing her.
Who is this"? Harry asked.
"She is your owl. Pedwig told us all about your love of birds so I knew an owl would be the best fit for you". Hagrid said as he pushed the caged owl into his hands. This, in turn, had made the rightly upset bird go into a fit of angry hoots and flaps of her wings
"Pedwig...who is Pedwig"? Harry asked.
"His your family's goblin. All the great houses have them". Hagrid answered before closing his mouth. Looking at Harry he could tell his mistaken utterance wasn't missed by the boy.
"Great houses...are you saying I'm some kind of noble"? Harry asked as his mind raced with what that could mean. Did he have money or land? Could he do things others couldn't? He didn't know but he would find out soon enough he was sure. His mind already planning for every potential eventuality. Hagrid knew he had messed up and he would have to answer to Albus Dumbledore. Seeing no real way out of that he bowed his head low and accepted his mistake.
"You're a noble. A very old family but now isn't the time to worry about such matters. For now, all you need to worry about is your books and the only place for that is at Alexandra's library down there a-ways". Hagrid said as he pointed at a shop that seemed to be squeezed in between two larger shops. It was far from the kind of place he would have ever expected to enter yet here he was about to do just that very thing.
Whatever he had expected to see was nothing to the fantastical sight that awaited him upon his entrance. Books of every color and size flew through the air like birds. Chairs moved to and fro around the many tables that dotted the shop's reading area. If he wasn't sure about the existence of honest-to-goodness magic he was sure now. It was as real as the Sun in the sky or the changing of the seasons or even the phases of the Moon.
"Harry you should go and get your things. If you need any help you would do well to ask a book". Hagrid said as he moved to talk to a man with of all things green hair and mismatched shoes. He guessed the magical world was a bit odd to his own non-magical world. Seeing no harm in doing what Hagrid had said he asked the books and sure enough a set of books soon flew over to him and drop softly into his hands.
"Cool"! Harry said as he walked over to Hagrid who seemed to be about done with his chat with the man.
"I see you got your things". Hagrid said as he looked it over to ensure he hadn't missed one or two. It wouldn't be the first time such a thing had happened and he wasn't about to allow such a misfortune to befall Harry Potter.
"Looks like you have everything. It's about time I take you back to that house of yours. It's still a few weeks yet before it's time for your first year at don school". Hagrid said as he and Harry walked outside. The Sun was now making it's way to the horizon.
"How did you know what I needed"? Harry asked.
"We don sent you all them letters weeks ago. You never answered any of don letters so they sent me to make sure you don got them". Hagrid said as he started the motorcycle as Harry took his place inside the sidecar.
"Ready"? Hagrid asked as he shot forward at such a high speed that Harry was forced into the seat. The mass of blues and whites were not but a blur as the two raced through the sky. Before he knew it he was once again standing before his house. His hair a mess due to the wind. Opening the door he was immediately greeted by his aunt and uncle who at once sent him to the bathroom to wash himself of the dirt and grime from his visit. As he enjoyed the warm water Harry couldn't help but think back to what he had seen today. He was of course worried but he also couldn't deny he held a great sense of anticipation for the weeks to come and all that such things entailed for him.
Harry had spent the past few weeks reading over the material for the upcoming school year. It was an odd thing, after all, finding out that he was a wizard who seemingly had money and that there existed a school to teach him and likely hundreds of others how to utilize their magic. It was even odder finding out the many unusual sounding creatures and plants that existed in the magical world. But for as odd as all that was he had to admit it was also a very exciting prospect. He would get to see and hear all new and exciting things. He, of course, knew that his aunt and uncle would likely miss him and he, in turn, would miss them as well. He was about to leave his family for many long months only really getting an opportunity to return to Pivot Drive maybe once or twice a year. But after many long weeks of waiting the day had come at last and off he was to the train station to start his new life as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The car ride was done in near-total silence with the only real sounds being of the various cars honking angrily away and his uncle clearing his throat once or twice over the 30-minute long car ride to the train station.
"Well, my boy here we are". Uncle Vernon said as he parked the car in one of the open spots and opened his door to exit the car. His sizeable gut, however, was making that goal a task in and of itself. But after a good ten seconds of trying to exit the small car he finally did it and with that in the three went. Vernon looking a bit redder in the face all the while. Harry wasn't sure if it was due to the exhaustion of the whole ordeal or simple embarrassment at being unable to exit the car. It was then and there that he decided he needed to go on a diet and cut back on the junk food.
"Do you have your train ticket"? Vernon asked to which he answered that yes he did. With that answered the two of them waved him off as he slowly descended the escalator and started his hunt for platform nine and three-quarters. As he thought about such a thing he couldn't help but laugh at the nonsensical sense of it all. But that was before he saw flying books, magic wands, and of course a flying motorcycle. Now he was sure such a thing existed he only needed to find the elusive thing so he could get his new life at this magic school started. Looking at the golden ticket in his hand he saw it would deport at noon and it was nearing 11:54. If he didn't find it soon he wouldn't be going at all. It was in the midst of such thoughts that he heard the sound of a family actively talking about platform nine and three-quarters only a few dozen feet away. Seeing not but blurs of humanity he raced nearly headlong into the matriarch of the family before stopping just as fast beside her. Her family of two nearly being tossed aside by the boy's sudden appearance by there mother's side.
"Watch where you're going you nearly caused me to lose my new hat". The woman said as she eyed the boy now before her. He was a bit small but she could tell he had a mind as good as any she had seen. It was a gift, being able to tell who may be the next great wizard or witch. It was why she had been placed inside the house of Slytherin.
"Oh, I'm sorry I was just hoping you could help me". Harry said as he fixed his glasses on his nose.
"Help you...why would she do such a thing like that for"? A girl asked who wore the green colors of the house.
"Because I asked her nicely". Harry shot back before eyeing the matriarch.
"What's your name"? She asked. She had a fairly good idea who this was but she wanted to make absolutely sure. If he was who she thought he was this could be a great boon for the house of Slytherin.
"I'm Harry James Potter and I'm trying to find the platform on this ticket". Harry said as he showed it off for the family to see.
"It's right behind you. The one next to the trash bin. You need only run into it". A fat boy said who also bore the same colors as the first but he at least was far nicer about it. He liked the boy already and he would be sure to ask his name upon finding a seat on the train. Turning to face the now confirmed location of the platform he raced forward at great speed until he saw the light dim and the sound of a train blowing its horn could be heard to his left. Rushing on he soon found a seat near the rear and set to work placing his bags away. No sooner had he done that he was once again off to find the boy and ask for his name.
It didn't take him long as the boy was only two cars up from his own and seemed to already be in a deep conversation with another boy, his hair a silvery-white.
"Oh, and who may I ask are you"? The boy asked as he stood up and extended his hand. Harry at once took hold of it and the two shook hands.
"My name is Harry James Potter and your name is"? Harry asked the new boy who seemed almost taken aback at the answer.
"Draco...Draco Malfoy. This is Crabbe and Goyle. It seems you have already met Goyle his family and mine have been allies for close to a millennium. May I ask what house do you think you will be in"? Draco asked as he eyed him intensely.
"My...my house? I haven't put much thought into it...why"? Harry asked.
"You do know the history of the four houses...right"? Draco asked but at once saw he didn't. Suppressing his desire to rub his temples he pulled out a small booklet and handed it to him who at once took it and began to read. As he did he couldn't help but find each house fairly underwhelming besides one. Not knowing this was a booklet made by and for Slytherin his thoughts were already being colored by the house of snakes.
"I wouldn't mind being a Slytherin. It seems like a good fit for me". Harry answered to which Draco seemed happy with. For the remainder of the train ride, the four boys talk unendingly and formed a strong friendship that would last years. By the time he departed from the train and eyed the massive castle that sat at the top of the sizeable hill his thoughts were on only one thing. Being the greatest wizard he could be and proving he belonged here.
Chapter 6: The Sorting Hat Ceremony
If Harry had one thought on his mind at the moment it would have to be his absolute hatred for boat rides. The constant rocking motion of the boat as it slowly made its way to the port under the massive castle that sat atop the hill. It was a sight to behold, even now nearly a half-mile away he could already see the many stain glass windows that dotted the sides of the castle. Unsurprising to him the boats rowed themselves leaving the children to only sit and enjoy the beautiful tranquil sight that lay before them all. A fact he and the many other first-years took full advantage of as they busily took photos of the magical sight before them. As soon as the boats docked the students were escorted to the lower doors where they were told to start the long and arduous trip upwards until they met one of the many Hogwarts professors who would then take them all to the great hall that would play host to the agelong Sorting Hat Ceremony that took place on the first night of the new school year. It was a tradition that dated back nearly as long as the school itself was old and few people fully understood how the hat was able to do the house placements as perfectly as it did but that was one mystery unlikely to ever be solved and so it was left to the minds of tricksters and schemas of ages long passed. Even so, he couldn't help but wonder about the hat. Surely such a thing was well taken care of after all it was what set one's house for the next six years.
However, as soon as he met one professor McGonagall and entered the great hall that seemed to go on forever and whose ceiling seemed to be the sky itself he was left disgusted by its appearance. It was a dirty moth-eaten thing and seemed to slouch in on itself as if it was a lifeless husk. Its deep and powerful voice reminded him of an undertaker who lived four houses down and seemed to not know any other emotions besides that of anger and irritation. The naming itself was fairly straightforward. A student would be named, would sit on the stool, have the hat placed upon his or her head, and then after some time had passed would name a house and they would take the seat at the appropriate table. It was a sensible way of sorting the students he guessed, however, he had the feeling that this was a bit premature but he passed that off as butterflies about being placed in any other house besides the house of snakes.
"Harry Potter". Came the voice of one professor McGonagall who looked every bit the stern disciplinarian of old. Her long bony fingers tapped away impatiently as she awaited him to take a seat on the stool. Once he took his place atop the stool on went the hat and with it any ability to see past the first 20 or so kids at any of the four house tables.
"Hmm, a hard one indeed. You have the bravery of a lion of house Gryffindor but you also bore the mind of a snake of house Slytherin. Hmm, what say you"? The hat asked as it seemed to drop lower upon his head.
"Not Gryffindor...Not Gryffindor...Not Gryffindor". Harry said in his mind over and over again. He didn't dislike the other houses per se, he just didn't know anybody from them and so wouldn't know anybody in the first few days after the sorting. Slytherin, on the other hand, he would know at least three of the other students and with that some companionship over the coming days and weeks. With its answer, the hat slowly rose up and for a time remained fixed as it eyed the collection of students from houses Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin.
"Harry Potter shall go to...Slytherin". The hat proclaimed loudly to the applause of the house of snakes. His name was yelled by all of them happily. With that now done a welcoming meal appeared before them. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, apples, and many other foodstuffs appeared on all the tables to the delight of everybody. All the while the ever-watchful gaze of Dumbledore watched Harry Potter incessantly. Being mindful to not make his movements noticed he subtly gave Snape a letter who took it with the skill of a snake. He would read it after the meal and the great hall was void of thousands of eyes. When he did read it in his office he understood at once what the problem was. Harry Potter was never meant to be sorted into Slytherin. However, the hat had placed him in his house and by law, it couldn't be undone. Burning the letter Snape departed from his office his mind already racing with who could have done the deed. Whoever it was he was sure of one fact. It had to be a Hogwarts professor as only they had the means to bewitch the hat. The only question on his mind was who and why.