Chapter 7 – Journey to Hogwarts

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its characters do not belong to me, otherwise there would be a LOT of changes...like, dragons?

The Dursley household was up early on September 1st, ensuring everything was ready. Vernon focused on packing the car while Petunia got the boys ready. Having moved Harry over to Sev's potions, he was doing a lot better. Of course, it helped that they'd had beef stew for dinner the night before. Petunia had already packed a lunchbox of beef sandwiches and a flask of stew for Harry's lunch.

Once the boys were up and the car packed, Vernon drove them to the café for an early breakfast, before heading off to London.

They arrived at the station with plenty of time to spare, fortunately, as Harry, having been fine during the drive down, ended up with a heavy coughing-fit. The aftermath of this leaving the little raven pale and rather shaky.

Spotting a nearby café, Dudley suggested getting morning tea, and a moment to relax before looking for the platform. Agreeing, Petunia lost no time in steering Harry across the through-fair and finding a table. Nodding, Vernon took Dudley with him to get the drinks.

By the time their drinks (and cake, can't possibly forget the cake) were finished, Vernon decided they ought to get onto the platform. Agreeing with him, Petunia started running down her check-list, for the 6th time that morning, as they returned to the car for Harry's luggage.

"Right, here we are, Harry dear. You come through with me and Duds, and Veron'll bring the trolley." Petunia smiled, taking the boys' hands, and steering them towards the barrier between platforms 9 and 10.

Just before they reached the barrier, Petunia squeezed their hands reassuringly, and stepped through the wall. Harry stared. Just like Diagon Alley, it was a different world. A scarlet steam engine – a steam engine! - was waiting by the platform under a sign which read: Hogwarts Express, 11 o'clock. Another, closer sign, read: Platform 9 3/4. Curious, Harry turned to look back, not sure what he was expecting to see, but it most certainly wasn't a wrought-iron archway.

Petunia sighed.

"It's still as busy as I remember." she smiled fondly as Vernon joined them. "Come on, Harry dear, let's get you a compartment found." she decided, leading them across the platform.

Finding an empty compartment about halfway down, Vernon busied himself loading Harry's trunk, while Petunia pulled him into a hug.

"Now, you look after yourself, and send us a letter tomorrow about your sorting. You still have your lunch?" Petunia asked.

"Yes, Auntie." Harry held the bag up so she could check it.

"Relax, Pet. Harry can let us know if he's forgotten anything, and we can post it over." Vernon chuckled, before patting Harry's shoulder. "Now, you have a good term, and we'll see you at Christmas. And, let us know if you need anything."

"Yes, Uncle." Harry nodded.

"Right then, up we go." Vernon hummed, lifting Harry up into the compartment. "Have a safe trip, I don't want to hear of any trains derailing." he added seriously, hidden mirth in his eyes.

"Yes, Sir." Harry returned, just as serious.

"Good man."

Petunia shook her head.

"Boys. No, don't you start." she added, mock-glaring at Dudley, who simply grinned up at her innocently.

Having settled down with his potions text after his relatives left, Harry was startled by a knock. A moment later, the compartment door slid open, revealing a group of boys. The leader of which had a pale, pointed face with sharp blue eyes, and pale-blond hair.

"Um, hello?" Harry managed, between a mild coughing fit.

"Hello, are these seats free?" the blond asked.

Harry grinned, before shrugging.

"Not sure, I'm not charging for them. You think I should be?"

The boys blinked, and a darker-skinned boy at the back snorted.

"I'll need to remember that one." he grinned as they sat down.

"Heir Malfoy." the blond introduced, offering his hand. "This is Heir Nott, Heir Zambini, Heir Crabbe, and Heir Goyle." he introduced as Harry shook his hand.

"Ple-pleased to meet you." Harry smiled shyly. "Uh, Heir Potter-Black." he added nervously.

Malfoy's eyes widened.

"Black?" he asked curiously.

"Er, yes?" Harry stammered, beginning to hide behind his book.

Malfoy grinned.

"Then call me Draco." he leaned back into his seat. "We're family. Mother was a Black before she married Father."

"Oh, ok. I'm Harry." Harry offered.

Nott glanced up from searching his bag.

"Theo. Makes it easier." he shrugged.

Soon the others had also announced their preferred names, and the compartment settled back down.

Halfway through the morning, Harry (having managed to only have rather mild attacks) ended up having a violent coughing-fit.

"Hey, you alright?!" Theo called in alarm, staring at the slight trickle of blood running down the raven's chin.

"Huh?" Harry wheezed through anther cough. "Yeah, jus' need m'wa'er bo'le," he slurred.

Scrambling up, Blaize hurriedly started looking.

"Here." pulling off the cap, he carefully held it to the raven's lips.

"Th'nks," Harry managed after he'd taken a drink.

"So, er, does this happen often? You don't seem surprised to be coughing blood?" Draco asked.

Harry nodded slowly.

"Yeah, this's actually my first school, Auntie homeschooled me. There was a terrorist attack when I was...five? I think, or might've been four?" Harry shrugged, and took another sip. "Long story short, I got 'jected with some kinda light-blueish serum. The doctors still haven't found a cure, so I'm on quite a few meds." he smiled sardonically.

"Wait, light-blue?" Draco yelped, staring at him in horror.

"Uh, yeah. At least, that's what Auntie said." Harry shrugged.

"Father told me there was a break-in at the Ministry about seven years ago, and that some experiment the Unspeakables were working on was taken. He said it had to do with vampire and werewolf venom." Draco explained slowly.

Harry grinned humourlessly.

"Well, given that the only thing that seems to help is blood..." he trailed off.

Further conversation was halted by the door slamming open, Harry barely managing not to spill his beef stew all down his shirt.

"Wha-" he began, looking to the door.

The culprit turned out to be a tall, thin and gangly eleven-year-old, with freckles, a long nose, and shocking red hair.

As one, Harry's new friends groaned.

"What do you want, weasel?" Draco demanded.

The red-head huffed.

"Have you seen Harry?" his eyes darted round the compartment.

"Harry? Harry, who? You'll have to be a bit more specific, as I'd imagine there's several Harrys on the train," Theo pointed out helpfully.

"Harry!" the red-head glared. "You know, Harry Potter?! My best mate?"

The boys exchanged looks.

"We haven't seen your best mate." Blaize said slowly, causing the red-head to slam the door and storm off. "Well, that was interesting."