Cadence: A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase, either in the middle or the end of a composition.
Chapter Four: Train Ride Cadence
Albus Dumbledore had been startled when documents, quite of bit of them, had appeared out of nowhere on his desk during his beginning of the year preparations. There was a note on the top of the stack.
Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
If you're reading this than that means our will has been read. This information and documentation is to prove that one Sirius Orion Black was not, and has never been, our Secret Keeper.
We understand that we convinced you otherwise and that we told everyone that Sirius was the one protecting us but it was a ruse. At the last minute Sirius and James decided that Sirius was too obvious a choice and that it would be smarter to pull a fast one on the Dark Lord. We choose Peter Pettigrew as Secret Keeper instead and to make sure that the ruse was full proof we even told our other best friend, Remus Lupin, that Sirius was our Secret Keeper.
If we were killed or our location compromised than on the reading of our will these documents will be given to you so that Sirius is not blamed for our deaths even if the mutt blames himself. And he will.
We hope that Petunia and Sirius will raise our son right and that the blood wards that protect little Harry will remain strong for his life.
Thank you for your warning and if you're reading this, I'm sorry that it was in vain.
Sincerely,
James and Lily Potter
"Oh dear," the chief Warlock and Headmaster of Hogwarts looked at the documents before standing. He had a terrible, terrible wrong to right.
He only hoped that there was enough of Sirius' mind left to save.
Harry Potter was nervous and excited. Maybe anxious would be a better word for it? Either way, the eleven year old was attempting not to bounce up and down as his Aunt drove Denis, Dudley, Piers, and himself to King's Cross were Harry would board the Hogwarts Express.
Denis and Piers had been skeptical when he and Dudley had first told them of the Wizarding World and why Harry wouldn't be going to school with them anymore. Harry couldn't blame them as he, himself, had been skeptical at first when his letter arrived. He still wondered how they had known where he slept but brushed it off as what it was: magic.
"You'll have to write us every day!" Denis told the bouncing eleven year old. "And you better use that camera to take tons of pictures!"
Electric cameras didn't work in the Wizarding World but Harry and his Aunt had gone to Diagon Alley and picked up a magical camera when they went shopping for some things that Harry thought he would need for Hogwarts.
They'd even found a piano that could grow and shrink on command. Petunia had told Harry that they'd have to wait to get it but Harry was determined to buy one by this time next summer. They had bout a few journals of endless pages as well as a sketch book with endless pages. Harry had removed all the journals and paper that he had previously packed and replaced them with the new purchases. Petunia had also gotten him a pencil sharpener and colored pencils to go with the sketchpad.
Harry wasn't a true artist but he did like to draw. Not nearly as much as he enjoyed playing music on the piano and flute but it was a close tie. Petunia had also gotten him a couple new sheet music books that he was instructed to learn while he was away. Harry packed them in his bookshelf compartment, putting them next to the books he was taking to read for pleasure. His school books were the first thing that he saw when he opened that compartment so he could reach in and grab them if need be.
He'd also placed his father, mother, and the Marauder's journals in that compartment for safe keeping.
His wand holster was strapped to his leg with his wand safely inside and the servicing kit was in the, apparently, bottomless storage area with the going away and birthday gifts from Dudley, Piers, and Denis.
Denis had gotten him a Harmonica with sheet music and beginners instructions. Harry had laughed when he saw the 'going away' gift of a recorder that also came with sheet music and beginners instructions. It seemed that his friend was going with a theme. The sheet music joined those for his flute and piano (brought because Hogwarts had to have a piano somewhere) in his third compartment. The Harmonica and recorder joined his flute in the storage compartment.
Dudley had gotten him a hand carved Dragon pendant necklace that he'd seen at a fair and knew his cousin would love. The Latin Dictionaries were more amusing for his going away gift. Dudley had obviously remembered Harry saying that the spells in his books looked slightly Latin like. The books were next to his school books with the necklace had joined the locket around his neck.
Piers had gotten him a soccer ball with a hand air-pump for his birthday. Originally it was because they didn't own a soccer ball but Harry had packed it in his storage area trunk. The going away gift was Harry's favorite: a carved wooden picture frame with a picture of all four of them inside. He had smiled brightly when he'd opened the gift.
Harry had carefully pack everything he thought he'd need (including his flute) into his trunk. His toiletries, new robes, socks, underwear, and extra pair of shoes had been placed in the first compartment as well as a small jewelry box that Vernon had gotten him from the fair Dudley had gotten his birthday present form. It, too, had a dragon craved on it and it didn't take a genius to figure out the two had collaborated on their gifts.
"Don't worry! The camera automatically develops the pictures. I also got a photo album so that I can place them all in there. You'll be able to see everything as soon as Christmas Break begins!" Harry reassured the oldest of their group once more. Petunia was smiling slightly from the driver's seat. Vernon was originally going to come but had been forced to come into work that day and they had dropped him off on the way.
"You already sent Hedwig on ahead then?" Dudley asked as Arctic wiggled in his arms, leash hanging from his collar.
"Yup, I didn't think that she would want to be in that cage the entire time," the eleven year old wizard responded sheepishly. "I don't like seeing her caged up all the time."
Dudley nodded in agreement; both boys were found of the beautiful white owl that never made a mess in the house (something that endeared her to Petunia). Hedwig, of course, only encouraged the attention and seemed to puff up proudly after receiving praise.
"We're here boys," Petunia told the children as she parked in the lot in front of the station. "You'll be getting on the Express on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, if I remember correctly."
"That's what the ticket says," Harry responded, picking up the ticket McGonagall had slipped into his stuff when she'd taken him to the Alley.
"Alright then, all of you out," his aunt ordered as she got out of the car herself before leading them into the busy station. It was easy to pick out other excited eleven year olds from the crowd.
They reached Platform Nine with little trouble, Harry's trunk trailing behind him. He could only imagine the looks he'd be getting if he'd had an owl with him and it would have been murder if he'd of had to push a trolley like he would have been forced to do if he'd used a normal trunk.
Petunia motioned to the third barrier and began walking towards it before passing through the stone easily.
"Wow," the boys breathed as one. Harry wondered if this was the final piece that convinced his friends that he and Dudley weren't really crazy. Harry hadn't been sure if the small display of magic he'd shown them would do it but there was no denying that they had just seen his aunt walk through stone.
"Come on already," the anxious newly discovered wizard called to his friends as he entered the platform, the other three trailing closely behind.
Platform Nine and Three Quarters was magnificent and Harry felt some of tension ease from his body as if it had never been there. Harry didn't know if that was due to the magic that filled the air reacting to the magic in his body or the realization that he was truly going to learn magic but Harry decided that he didn't really care what the reason was and was just pleased that he was here.
"The train will be leaving soon," Petunia noted as she looked at the clock mounted on the wall. "You boys say goodbye so that Harry can board."
It wasn't so much as a cheerful goodbye as it was demands that he bring them back sweets from the Wizarding World and reminders (for the tenth time) the they expected letters at least every other day. Harry hugged his aunt, who returned it, and dragged his trunk onto the train just in time for the final boarding whistle.
Harry, after a moment of searching, found a car with two other boys inside. Both were about the same size as him. The one on the left had dark blond nearly brown hair with dark brown eyes. It was obvious from looking at him that the boy didn't care to much for physical exercise as he was sort of string instead of lithe.
The other boy was more lithe than stringy, probably exercised more, but he had nowhere near the amount of lithe muscles that Harry, Piers, Dudley, and Denis had developed from playing football. His hair was platinum blond and was just a shade off from being white and he had a still developing aristocratic face that look a tad pointed than his companions more rounded face.
"Hello," greeted Harry as they realized he was there. "Do you mind if I sit here? Most everywhere else has too many people in the cabin already."
"They'll be new cabins appearing soon then," the stringy boy commented. "Mother and Father explained that the magic in the train makes sure that none of students have to pile to many into a cabin. It's how they know that there'll always be room for new students."
"Awesome," Harry breathed. "Magic is wonderful!"
"That it is," the blond snorted. "Muggleborn, are you?"
"Muggle Raised," Harry corrected, frowning. "Not that it should matter. I doubt that it'll make a difference grade wise."
"We'll see," the blond sneered. "My names Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"Watched too much James Bond there, Draco?" Harry grinned as he sat down. The boy blushed and his friend grinned.
"Snuck out to a muggle theator once," he told the new comer, brown eyes twinkling while grey eyes narrowed in a glare.
"You swore you'd never tell!" the blond snapped.
"Oh he already knew! He's obviously seen the mooovy," the stringy boy countered.
"It's pronounced movie," Harry made sure to pronounce the word slowly so they could hear. "And they're shown in a theater not theator."
"Oh," the two boys blinked at him as the train began to move. Harry made his way to the window and waved goodbye to his friends, all of which spotted him immediately.
"Waving goodbye to your family?" the stringy boy asked politely.
"My aunt. She raised me after my parents died. My cousin's with her too." Harry made sure not to mention his friends as he wasn't sure it was allowed to tell people outside of the family.
"Sorry," the boy winced at his mistake.
"It's fine. I'm Harry, by the way." Harry stuck out his hand to the dirty blond or brown haired boy. He would have to ask what his hair color was because it seemed to change in the light if turned the right way.
"Theodore Nott," the boy grinned as he took the hand. "Call me Theo. You've already met Draco Malfoy over there."
"You have a last name, Harry?" Draco asked looking contemplative.
"Of course," the black haired boy rolled his eyes. "I also have a full name but I don't see why I need to go handing it out all the time. I would have just been fine with your first names."
"Muggle Raised," Theo nodded to himself. "Manners are a bit different in the Wizarding World. Giving your last name is only polite seeing how our world involves a lot of politics and Family Status. Also, you only shake hands with those that are of equal standing of yourself. If I were a Lord or Duke I would have to initiate the handshake first."
"Oh," Harry blinked. "In that case my name is Harrison James Potter, Heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter." No one ever said that Harry wasn't a quick learner that could read between the lines.
The two boys blanched and stood. "Pleased to meet you Heir Potter. I am Theodore Nott, Heir of the Ancient House of Nott."
"And I am Draconis Malfoy, Heir of the Ancient House Malfoy." They both bowed to him and Harry bowed back before they straightened and took their seats.
"You pick up on things fast." Theodore commented.
Harry remembered the promised book list from the goblins and how he'd spent hours reading them after returning to the Alley with his aunt and purchasing them. "I was recommended some books," he said carefully. He didn't want the goblins in trouble for preferential treatment.
"Good, never reveal your sources," Draco nodded.
"So you were raised by muggles?" Theodore asked, seeming to ignore the last few minutes and went back to what he was more curious about.
"My mother's sister, Petunia." Harry nodded. "It was a little rough in the beginning since they weren't sure how to deal with a magical child on top of my cousin or if they could support two children but luckily one of my Primary teachers let them know how to get benefits from the Muggle Government for raising me so they weren't stretched on money. It also helped that my mum left some books on magical child care for squibs with my aunt as a precaution."
"Smart," Theo nodded. "What's Primary school, though?"
"It's the beginning of schooling for muggles," Harry blinked. Surely wizards had a form of Primary. "We start between ages five and six before graduating to Secondary school at the age of eleven or twelve. From there we move up to Tertiary Schooling at eighteen. After that, it varies."
"Wow, that's a long time," Draco whispered, his eyes wide. "Why does it take so long to learn what you need to know?"
"That because of all the different subjects," Harry explained. "You've got Maths, which teach you various forms of equations starting from easy addition to the harder algebra. Then you've got English which teaches you how to properly use the English language and all the proper grammar. You write essays on various books and you even learn how to find the moral or the theme that's not really stated in the text but is expressed in the happenings of the book. And science teaches you how to predict weather, how to correct read a thermometer, teaches you the phases of the moon and there's even a unit on the universe and the planets. The next core subject is History and that teaches you the evolution of the human race which is also taught in science and events of different muggle time periods dating back to the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks."
There was a stunned silence. "That's…a lot…" Draco admitted, stunned.
"Yes and there's the subcategories that you go into in Secondary school as well as the other subjects. Physical Education is where you keep in shape and learn various muggle sports and how to play them. Then there's Arts and Crafts that teaches you how to draw or create things with your hands. That's followed by Music class were you learn to play an instrument In secondary school we'd start on things like Chemistry, Biology, Language class, and probably more but those are the only ones that I've heard of," Harry admitted after a moment.
"What are those?" Theo asked, fully enraptured at the knowledge he was gaining. Draco was paying just as close attention.
"If I had to describe Chemistry I'd say it sort of like a mix between Potions and Transfiguration. Chemical reactions are when an object, like say wood, changes form. Like if I were to light a piece of wood on fire, that would be a chemical reaction because ash is different from wood. It's different from Physical Reactions in that I'm not changing the appearance but the chemical make-up of the item. Like in changing a needle into a match of vise versa. You're changing the form down to the exact chemical make-up and not just the appearance, like ripping a piece of paper wood. It's like potions in that the certain elements reaction with each other differently. Potions use the entire plant to get the reaction but in chemistry muggles actually take the element that reacts with another from the item they want on a microscopic level." Harry knew that what he was saying could even stump some adults, let alone other eleven year olds, but it was the only way he knew to explain the subject. He wouldn't have even known this much if he hadn't taken to reading higher level books than what children his age were usually assigned. "Chemistry is how muggle doctors get their medicines, like how potions is how we cure illnesses."
"Then what's Biology?" Draco demanded. Harry grinned; he had actually watched a documentary that concerned Biology.
"Biology is the study of the human, plant, and animal bodies. Biology basically teaches about the human organs as well as the systems that cause them to function, like skin, muscle, bone, and blood." The two pureblood perked up at the last one. "So blood is made up of both DNA and RNA. DNA is basically the chemical code that makes up a living being and RNA is the messenger for DNA and carries out the instructions that are listed in our DNA."
The two boys blinked, taking in the information. "Alright, so how is DNA formed?" Theo asked, frowning. He was following so far.
"Well," Harry paused as he searched for the information he'd gained from the documentary. "Our parents both have DNA and when the reproduce they contribute half of our DNA, half of their own, essentially. Depending on the structure that the DNA makes, called the chromosomes, we're either male or female. Two X chromosomes makes a female and one X and one Y chromosome makes a male."
"So blood is important," Draco sounded smug while Theo looked a bit weary. Harry frowned in confusion.
"Of course it is, blood is what keeps your heart pumping," Harry rolled his eyes at the surprised looks on their faces. "DNA can also be used to indentify parents of children or indentify a killer or even to indentify a dead body. Muggles have even discovered the fingerprints are unique to every person and have been identifying murders fingerprints left at crime scenes though I thinks that a fairly recent thing."
"Okay so what happenings when a cousin marries a cousin or a sibling marries a sibling," Theo specified.
"Oh! I saw that one in a documentary that mentioned DNA." If Harry recalled right that was what had the documentary had been about in the first place. "According to scientist, those you study different parts of science but there scientist study DNA and most are called Doctors," Harry explained at the confused looks. They cleared at the explanation. "If two close relatives were to intermarry than the DNA codes would be too close together and the children would be likely to develop a birth defect."
"Birth defect?" Draco sounded a bit scared and Theo looked nauseas.
"Yeah, like Autism, which is a disorder in the brain," Harry racked his brain for other defects he'd learned of. "Um, blindness, hearing loss, and I think Down Syndrome is one of them. That's when you see babies with ears too low and really wide faces and upward slanted eyes. It's caused by having 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46. I think retardation is a birth defect and speech problems. There's a lot of them," Harry winced as he thought of the long list that he could just barely recall.
"You remember a lot," Theo noted as he lost a lot of the color in his face. Draco was quiet and paler than normal, no doubt thinking about Crabbe and Goyle and how two of those descriptions fit the pair.
"It was interesting!" Harry defended. He tended to remember things that interested him better than things that bored him. "Like they also said that inbreeding doesn't always cause defects. It's only really apparent in animals or humans that do nothing but marry cousins or sometimes even siblings. If they inbreed too much they're likely to start developing insanity in the lines."
The Blacks flashed into the two pureblood's minds. That was a clear case of insanity from inbreeding, Theo noted with a sigh. "Who knew that muggles had that answer to stomping down on blood purity," Theo mumbled as he felt the irony. While a pureblood, Theo's family had married in many halfbloods of the centuries and had never truly bought into blood purity like families similar to the Malfoy's. Nott's were neutral or if they weren't they didn't try to force their views down their children's throats.
Draco, however, decided that he would need to look into this information more before he even considered changing his views or bringing it to his father's attention. Malfoy's did not, after all, breed stupid children and if that meant marrying a halfblood than Lucius would probably allow it. Draco didn't even consider the notion of muggleborns, his mind automatically dismissing them entirely.
After all, considering marrying a halfblood was already a miracle in Draco's opinion.
Harry remained unaware as to the effect the information had on his two new acquaintances and he blissfully answered question after question that they threw at him before he dug out a few of his old school books that he'd brought along and handed them over.
After reading one of the science books shared between them, the next few hours of the train ride were spent drilling Harry on everything he knew about Dinosaurs and Rockets.
Boys, no matter what their background is, will be boys after all.
New Chapter! It's a bit late but I got sick so the finishing touches had to wait. Currently, I'm hating life with a horrid headache and a stuffed, throbbing ear because ear infections hate me. Not that it isn't mutual, but still...
So, some people are going to comment on the sudden knowledge Harry seems to have but seriously, I knew most of this at nine because of a documentary, books, television in general, etc. So really, it's not all that uncommon to learn at an early age.
IrishDancer: Er, I do read the chapter before posting...I know I still miss things but there's only so much revising I can stand for something that's being done for fun. Thanks for the suggestions though!
Hands Off My Wolfie: One: I love your user name. Two: I'm glad you like it, look forward no more! The next chapter is here! And I like my chapter titles too. I play the flute and am learning guitar (which is probably what inspired this fic, now that I think about it) and I love the large amount of musical terms that are out there and finding a fitting way of using them in the chapter title has become a fun challenge for me.
melamariannie: I like Harry's wand too! It was a challenge trying to find something that someone hadn't done before and no many stories mention Alicorn (winged unicorns) or Devil Dogs. I think J.K. Rowling used that myth as inspiration for the Grim but I felt that they deserved a featuring considering that Devil Dogs are native to England (or the myth is, at least).
Any other review that needed answering I sent a reply to them directly. I was going to do more review answers but my vision is blurring from my headache and I just want to curl up in a me sized ball so until the next chapter!
~MisteryMaiden~