Chapter Nine
The Past and the Present Starts to Blur
The morning of the first of September was a sombre one, Harry had awoken to find all three siblings in his bed, He had expected the twin to crawl in in the early hours, when he noticed that Calla had cuddled into his side though, he felt his heart-warming.
Trying to remove himself from the human pile without waking a single soul was made all that much harder because Neville and Suzan where both asleep on his floor. The household was over full at the moment, the entire family was over for a celebratory goodbye to its three Hogwarts students and the Bones and Longbottems had stayed the night, so they could all leave together in the morning.
Harry snuck into the shower before the world was even awake and the hot water helped ease his mind, his frantic overwhelmed mind, soon he would be on going back to Hogwarts again his skin itched to be able to use magic, his heart ached as he remembered the last battle and all the dead people he would soon be seeing. It shouldn't be fazing him he had grown up around the dead.
But when he pictured people like Severus Snape and Lavender Brown people he had seen die he couldn't help but freeze inside, how could he talk to these people? Mere children who had died so long ago fighting for and beside him? How could he walk into the potions classroom act like the man sneering and insulting him wasn't a man who held his utter most respect and gratitude?
Washed and dressed Harry put on a plain t-shirts and jeans and headed down to the kitchen it was a large group that needed breakfast and he was happy to cook for his family one last time.
Entering the kitchen the smell of food flooded his nose, Alice Longbottom and Natalie Bones had beaten him to it and where hard at work cooking up a storm, both turned in shock to see Harry awake so early but both issued pleasant morning greetings.
Yawning Harry walked to the fridge intent on a glass of orange juice; he gave the jug of milk a look of loathing as he closed the door. "Morning Aunt Alice, Aunt Nat Need any help?"
"Oh no honey it's okay I promise not to let your Aunty Alice burn anything" Nat Bones gave Harry a cheeky grin that made her face light up and her eyes sparkle
"Me? Burn anything!" Alice cried with indignation "What about last Christmas? Tell me again who burnt the roast duck?"
"Just because you can cook better than Lily doesn't mean you're capable to hold your own" flipping her current pancake Natalie tapped Alice on the forehead with the egg flip "No offence Harry Honey but you need to give your mother cooking lesions"
Hiding his grin behind his glass of juice Harry grabbed the daily prophet and upon seeing his face plastered over the front along with the horrible title Boy Who Lived finally catching the train he instinctively flipped past the first eight pages finding an interesting article on Broom safety Harry gladly started reading.
"I'll have you know Natalie Bones that my cooking is approved by Frank's mother! and you know how hard won her approval is" Alice turned from her cooking companion in a show of mock snobbery "Harry you should turn to page six the betting on your sorting has become fierce if you go to Hufflepuff you'll made three very daring people rich"
"Alice Hon your eggs are burning" Natalie called out in a sing song voice. Orange juice sprayed out of Harrys nose all over the table as he was reduced to fits of laughter as Alice frantically tried to save them.
YADYADYADYADYADYADYADYADYADYADYADYADYAD
Soon the house was awake and crowding the breakfast table everybody piling their plates with food kindly taking at least one egg and pretending that they didn't mind the charcoal edges. The conversations ranged from the upcoming sorting to the forbidden forest but it was all Hogwarts from one end of the table to another. First to finish Harry stood and deposited his plate in the sink turning back, he looked at his family and his stomach lurched, this was the last time he would see them all around a table together till Christmas… he would miss them all cramming each other's houses and never going three days without at least seeing two different Uncles and Aunties what about his Mum and Dad? His Brothers and Sister? Harry quickly excused himself to finish his last minute packing.
Once back in his room, a room left in a total mess by his cousins and siblings, Harry tried to shake himself out of it, he was going to Hogwarts the first place he felt at home, why the sudden hesitation? It took Harry sometime to come to the conclusion going to Hogwarts would never feeling like he was going home, because he would always have to leave home to go, for some odd reason this comforted him, it also meant that leaving Hogwarts just had him returning home again.
By the time he had reached such an enlightened conclusion he had packed all his school supplies and had his first compartment pack the point of overflowing, closing the lid he switched it to his second compartment and started loading up again his trumpet was packed along with his art supplies and sheets of music, the muggle chess set he had carved oh so long ago with the matching chess board and lastly his skateboard lovingly tucked away he closed the lid.
Convincing Kitten to get into her cat crate was harder than expected it was the first time Harry could remember having to confine her. Hedwig was much more co-optative and with the help of Neville and Suzan Harry managed to clean the lingering mess from the night before and looking back one last time he closed the door reminding himself he would be home again soon.
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The journey to Kings Cross Station was rather short and sweet, traveling to the leaky cauldron by fireplace and catching taxis to the train station found a well organised group of witches and wizards almost an refreshingly early for the train, they entered kings cross station full with the hustle and bustle of many muggles struggling to get to their destinations on time.
Facing platform 9 and ¾ the Longbottems went first followed by their children then the Bones followed them in the same fashion, Harry was next followed by his sibling then lastly Lily and James made up the rear. This was an old formation that only uttered slightly to accommodate for different sized groups.
When Harry emerged on the other side, he couldn't help grinning a little it was still there as brilliant as the first time he saw it, though if he wasn't mistaken it had a few extra carriages had been added on the back.
"So Kiddos where are you all sitting?"
"Tonks said that that the first carriages are reserved for the seventh years Uncle James" commented Suzan "Firsties need to sit at the back"
"Nonsense Sue, Sue" James teased as he pulled on her ponytail "First in best dressed, you sit at the back by the time the food trolley arrives all the best stuff is gone!"
"Yeah but" Harry injected "I don't want people thinking that I can jump the line just because I'm Harry Potter, besides I want to be in the back if all the other first years will also be there" The other two nodded as well they were worried enough about being alienated because of their relationship with Harry and though they wouldn't trade it for the world it seemed pointless to aggravate the situation. Harry much to his father's dismay took one of the very last compartments and within moments their trunks where packed and their pets deposited on one bench there was nothing left to do but say goodbye.
Long hugs from the parents where bestowed and much resurging each other that they would write often and lastly many promises of the best behaviour where given by the trio before the Parents gave their final hugs and kisses to allow the children a moment to say goodbye The twins cried heavily at the loss of their brother and Anastasia was giving Neville just as much grief, Samuel was faring better with the immediate loss of Suzan pending. Harry was kind of hurt but not that shocked with Calla's stand offish attitude, it was only when the whistle blew and the three Hogwarts bound turned to board the train that she suddenly rushed him in the tightest hug of her life.
"I'm gonna miss you" she choked out with a small sob "Don't forget me"
Harry squeezed her back, "Forget you? Never, I'll be back at Christmas to annoy you to death once again" She chuckled into his shoulder and with a final squeeze Harry let go and boarded the train.
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Waving their last goodbyes out the windows Harry, Neville and Suzan watched as their families disappeared as the train sped through the station, once they were out of view the three of them flopped down exhausted.
"Well" Harry started while stretching out "that was totally emotionally exhausting" The other two nodded their agreement "How about a game of exploding snap?"
A deck was produced by Neville and the first explosion had just taken place, sending the three into fits of laughter, when the compartment door slid open and a shocked Ron Weasley stood in the frame.
"Oh sorry just looking for a compartment" it was clear that the moment he looked at Harry he recognised him and he quickly made a turn to go, Harry was In too much shock to speak.
"It's okay you can sit with us" Suzan called out "There is plenty of room"
"You sure" Ron turn around to look in the compartment "I don't want to intrude"
"Nonsense" Suzan grabbed his hand and pulled him in "I'm Suzan this is Neville and that's Harry" Suzan pointed to the boys in turn but she knew the last interdiction was more for civility than anything else "You a fist year too?"
"Yeah, I'm Ron, Ron Weasley" Harry scooted over and to allow Ron to sit next to him.
Storing his trunk he sat down, "So Ron" Harry turned to look at him better "Who's your favourite Quidditch team?"
The ice was broken and within minutes the compartment had descended into friendly chaos and each individual bravely defended their teams short coming and grossly inflated their strengths
"No, no, no Suzan the Holy Harpies have no strong beaters!" Cried Ron "They lack muscle they have no strength behind their strikes!"
"But they have speed, speed is better!"
"Until you get knocked on your broom perhaps"
"Hey Ron" Harry interrupted before the argument could gain any real heat "Are you okay is I let Kitten out? You're not allergic to cats are you?"
Taken back by the sudden change of topic Ron looked lost for a few seconds "Err no its fine my mum has a cat" Harry opened the crate and within an instance Kitten was out and up, jumping on Harrys shoulder before leaping onto one of the trunks above their heads. She stared down at them her disapproval gleaming in her yellow eyes.
When the food trolley rolled up later Harry stood and returned before anyone else could move depositing a large variety of snacks and sweets between the four of them, standing on his seat he unlocked his trunk to his second compartment and pulled out a second slightly smaller bag of goodies.
"Dig in my fine fellow firsties" Harry motioned to the pile of food before him as he grabbed a bar of Honeydukes finest chocolate.
Harry noticed that Ron looked at both Neville and Suzan contemplating weather it was normal for Harry to buy for everyone or if it was an act of charity on his behalf, Ron eventually grabbed a Pumpkin Pasty though Harry wasn't sure if he had convince himself that it was normal or if he just didn't want to make a fuss in front of famous Harry Potter.
"Harry what is this?" Turning to look at Ron Harry saw him holding a Chomp Bar
"Oh that a muggle sweet" raising an eyebrow Ron broke a bit the end off and was impressed enough to immoderately go in for another bite.
Food was eaten and small talked was exchanged and for awhile even Harry forgot life's troubles lost in the excitement of going to Hogwarts and finally being able to practice magic, the conversations where wildly different from before, their potential houses where the main topic but classes and the house teams where close seconds, Ron was looking forward to charms mostly a small titbit of information Harry hadn't ever uncovered the first time.
"Charms? I'm most looking forward Herbology"
"I'm with Ron, Charms takes the cake"
When all three turn to him Harry had to suppress a smile that was sneaking to the corners of his lips. "Potions most definitely"
Suzan and Neville looked at him slack jawed but Ron pure look of horror was more comical "Mate you know who teaches that class right? Snape"
Grinning Harry replied "Yeah I know about Professor Snape he was in the same year as my Mum and Dad"
"Yeah and he hated Uncle James!" blurted Neville "Uncle Prongs calls him the greasy git"
"So does Uncle Padfoot!" Suzan cried in some distress
"Yeah well that's just mean" Harry huffed in anger "You can't judge someone on the fact that they have oily hair! That' like disliking someone who has blue eyes"
"Uncle Prongs says he was a bully!" cried Suzan, Neville nodded besides her.
"Argh!" Harry gritted between his teeth "Have you ever listened to the stories Dad tells about his days at Hogwarts! He hung Professor Snape upside down in front of everyone teased him about his old clothes and covered him in soap bubbles, Dad gave as good if not better than he took!"
The other three occupants in the compartment looked shocked, and it was only then that he realised that his father may not of shared that actual story, though he had spoken in the past of other interactions he had with Snape that made Harrys blood boil.
"Yeah but mate" Harry turned his head to give Ron his undivided attention "All my brothers say he is a git, picking on Gryffindor and favouring Slytherin"
"Well I'm going to Hogwarts to learn the subjects not befriend the teachers" Ron looked at him like he was completely crazy and was probably about to tell him so when the sliding door opened for a second time
Bushy haired and buck teethed once again Hermione popped her head through the sliding door "Excuse me but I'm trying to read in the next compartment and you're making an awful lot of noise, besides Transfiguration is by far the most useful subject"
With his three companions shocked by her sudden appearance and reprimand Harry was forced to take point, somethings never change. "Your right Transfiguration is a most useful subject; sorry for being so loud pass on our apologies to your companions"
Hermione was taken back whether by his politeness or his phrasing "I was sitting by myself actually"
"Well" cried Suzan "Now you can sit with us!" Before she could refuse or even get the gobbed smacked look off her face Hermione was seated snugly between Neville and Suzan "Transfiguration huh? You've picked a dreadfully hard subject to master, Gryffindor for sure you are!" Harry turned to close the compartment door again before the gawkers could invade
"Gryffindor are a load of tossers that's what my father says" Draco Malfoy in all his glory, not battered by war not nearly as timid when the room wasn't filled with imposing adults who quietened his own imposing parents, plus he had his two loyal goons where beside him "You're Harry Potter I'm Draco, Draco Malfoy"
Harry stood nodding his head and ignoring Dracos extended hand he gestured to each of the compartments occupants in turn "Please to meet you. My cousins Suzan Bones and Neville Longbottom, My Friend Ron Weasley and this is" Harry stopped suddenly realising that Hermione hadn't actually introduced herself and he by rights shouldn't know her name yet "Em sorry we haven't been properly introduced yet"
"OH sorry I'm Hermione Granger" She went to offer her hand to Draco but he had already lowered it.
"Granger I don't recognise that surname…"
"Oh my I'm muggleborn" the look on Draco's face was unmistakable and Hermione caught the meaning perfectly.
"As is my mum and Suzan's" Harry took Hermione's outstretched hand "Pleased to meet Hermione so you know you are destined to the smartest witch of your age. My Dad always says look for the Muggleborn girl she will prove the doubters wrong, for she has something to prove"
Harry turned to Draco his eyes piercing, Draco had been a prat at eleven and eleven is what he is "I'm sorry but we couldn't fit another three people" and the door slammed in Draco the prat Malfoys face.
The outside world gave to the darkness of night and the boys went next door to Hermione's now abandoned compartment to change and allowing the girls to do the same.
The party regrouped as the train slowed to halt and the students disembarked. Harry took the deepest breath he had of his life, Hogsmage gleamed its lights casting shadows along the silent streets, Hogwarts was close Harry could smell wisps of the feats thought the castle itself was hidden from view.
Harry had to stop himself from following the older years and instead headed towards the voice of the beloved half giant beckoning the first years down a narrow path, now that they were all separated Harry keenly noticed that there was more first years then then he remembered a lot more the first year group was at almost 50% larger than it was last time and he recognised none of the new faces.
Looking at one new girl her hair silverly blond but he skin quite tanned Harry had no idea where she came from till her eyes fell on his, he amber eyes glowed in the moonlight, she was a werewolf and supposedly so where all the others. It shouldn't of surprised Harry but it did, yes all the children that surrounded Harry at present where alive during the war and Grayback was very active during the final few years, Harry was revolted that he targeted them so young most would've been bitten before they could talk.
But then he was targeted for death before he had been born.
Climbing into the boats Harry grabbed Hermione and gave Suzan an apologetic look as she climbed into the next boat down, smiling her understanding Suzan waved him on, she also knew that it was not best to leave Hermione alone, Malfoy was probably still fuming about being cast down for a muggleborn.
The boats moved forward gliding softly along, the water was reflecting the stars and the boats could have been crossing the havens themselves and you wouldn't know any different.
When Hogwarts came into view its magnificence fully reflected in the water below Harry joined his classmates in remarking on its beauty. Looking over at Suzan he noticed that the darked haired werewolf boy sitting next to her had tears in his eyes, he probably grew up like many others never expecting to be allowed into Hogwarts. In that moment Harry was convinced that if nothing else had changed then it would've all still been worth it.
The boats landed under the castle, the children where led up the stairs and handed off to professor McGonagall. Her speeches were lost on Harry as he waited in the side room connecting to the great hall all the smells and sights of past memories came flooding back and where slamming into him both good and bad.
"Harry Potter?" spinning around Harry found source of the voice a tall eleven year old boy with soft brown hair and shining yellow eyes.
"Yes that me" the boy smiled.
"Mitchel Grey" he extended his hand and as soon as their hands had clasped Harry was pulled into a hug "Thank you so much" pulling apart there was tears in the boys eyes "I always said the if I met you at Hogwarts I would thank you"
Gobsmacked harry was going to reply that it really wasn't necessary when they were interrupted by Draco Malfoy
"First Mudbloods now wolves you're a disgrace Potter!" Harry was forced to hold back his own flurry of insults as McGonagall had returned
"We're ready for you now"
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The welcoming feast was magnificent as always, thousands of candles floating above head making the room glow. The student population was decidedly larger but harry had already gotten used to it but he couldn't help notice that more than a few amber and yellow eyes where now fixated on him, nor the fact that Slytherin seemed to have very few werewolves among their ranks.
"Bones Suzan" Harry jumped as Suzan left his side socked Harry hadn't even noticed that the sorting had begun
The hat had barely touched her head when it shouted "HUFFLEPUFF" she smiled weakly looking at her harry mouthed 'hard working loyal' her smile brightened and she joined Hanna at her house table
As far as Harry could remember all the old student where going in the same place it was thr werewolf children that intrested him
McKenzie Robin – Ravenclaw
Franklin Robert – Hufflepuff
Hermione went to Gryffindor
"Grey Mitchel" Harry watched the tall boy approach the stool, he walked with confidence and the moment before the hat landed on his head Harry knew the outcome
"SLYTHERIN" Malfoys looked appalled, probably because he realised that being in Slytherin would require him to share a room with a werewolf.
The silver haired girl Harry had noticed on the journey to the boats was Fay Lockwood and she was the first werewolf to join Gryffindor.
"Longbottom Neville" Harry squeezed Neville's shoulder as he past only then noticing that he was leaning heavily on his cane and walking slower than normal, the stairs and long walks had taken a toll on him. Though he approach was slow it was nothing if not dignified, head held high, his face impassive at all the looks of pity directed at him even the ones coming from the staff table.
"GRYFFINDOR"
"Malfoy Draco" strutting up to the stool but unlike before the hat hesitated a moment before placing the blonde in Slytherin
The sorting seemed to gain speed Harry tuning it out, he was worrying to much about his reunion with the hat.
"Potter Harry"
Hundreds of eye homed in on him, sighing he straightened his back and moved forward heart hammering in his chest he hoped he looked more composed than he felt. Sitting down the hat fell past his eyes and the world went dark. Harry sat for a few seconds confused the hat was totally silent nothing was spoken was about to ask it what its problem was when.
"GRYFFINDOR"
The hat was removed and Harry stumbled towards the twins singing "We've got Potter" sitting next to Neville Harry shook hands with a few people and looked at the hat in shock.
"Silver Fillin" a pale boy with strawberry blonde hair sat down and was after some time sorted into Gryffindor.
Smiling broadly he almost skipped over to seat himself next to Harry, shaking his hand warmly he introduced himself "Fillin Silver but please call me Fill I'm so pleased to meet you at last!" Harry just smiled, if he was going to be accepting thanks from every werewolf child to ever come to Hogwarts it was going to be a very long seven years.
Neville reached over to shake Fills hand "Neville Longbottom pleased to meet you" shaking hands Fill kept smiling "Also I'll give you a hint best way to make Harry feel comfortable around you is to treat him normally" Harry gave him a scathing look but Fill seemed to relax afterwards.
"Weasley Ron"
"GRYFFINDOR"
"Sitting across from Harry, Ron accepted Harry's congratulation and the sorting ended. Calling for their attention the tables fell into a silence as Dumbledore addressed the hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" the tables filled with food and the silence was broken as the new students gasped at the sheer amount of food before them all the old favourites where back but Harry noticed that now their where steaks as well, ranging from rare to well done. Grabbing a medium steak harry piled the plate high and dug in.
Completely stuffed and with heavy eyelids did Harry watch the last of the deserts disappear leaving the tables clean again. Dumbledore stood again to address the hall
"Welcome both old and new!" Dumbledore beamed down at them "Before I allow you all to wander off into your beds I have a few start of term announcements to make first" Harry stared at Dumbledore standing tall and looking strong despite his aging body could he really be dead in six short year? "First years should note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden, and some older student would do well to remember that also. Quidditch tryouts will be held at you team captains discretion, and notices should appear within your dorms." Suddenly Dumbledores eyes got very cold "Only students who suffer from Lycanthropy are able into enter Luna tower and anyone else caught attempting to will suffer severe punishment. Lastly the third floor corridor is strictly forbidden to all who do not wish to suffer a terrible death" Harry did not laugh this time his mind still reeling what the hell was Luna Tower? "And now I think it's best to end the night in song!"
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Harry climbed into the dormitory with his fellow first year yawning and ready for bed but he stopped short seeing professor McGonagall waiting for them "Sit" she indicated to the chairs around the fireplace and the group diligently did so "I'm going to make this perfectly clear once and if I ever need to repeat it to anyone of you, I will be most displeased" her eyes where so cold and stern that Harry knew instantly that none would be forgetting what she was about to say "You are all Gryffindors you will all act as noble as your house implies you are. Your dorm mates are a part of your house no matter what who or what they may be" and suddenly Harry knew what this was about and his felt dissapointed that apparently it was a big enough issue that their head of house felt need to address it personally "NO ONE has more or less right to be here and if you have issue with who you share a room with get used to it quickly, if I hear of any issues the person responsible will be met with nothing but distain from me and they will regret it. You are in no danger from any of your class mates any medical problems they may face have been address carefully and with everybody's safety in mind now go to bed its past curfew." Harry noticed that both Fill and Fay squirmed in their seat and where the first to rise and depart.
Climbing into bed Harry looked at Fills closed curtains before closing his own and bidding everyone a goodnight.
AN
Okay I know this chapter was heavy with the werewolf theme but it's only this chapter and a little in the next because I can't really have a world where werewolves are allowed into Hogwarts and not have it affect Hogwarts in some way
Besides next chapter is classes and I know that many people are looking forward to it.