Hey, howido? It's chapter 5 of Harry Potter and the Shaman! I keep getting positive feedback for the last chapter, so you guys keep it up and I'll continue to belt out piles of literary gold… or don't and I'll still belt out piles of literary gold; call me stubborn. So finally, the moment you've all been waiting for… MORE HARRY TIME! That's right, chumps and chumpettes! Harry heads to Hogwarts, meets new friends and bollocks up Brian's (I finally spelled it right! Didn't notice I spelt it "Brain" once until someone pointed it out.) plans for "The Greater Good" while helping Ray and his interests for "The Common Good". But first, the Hogwarts express. Aren't first impressions grand?
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, who gave me her blessing to write this. Then again, she gave her blessing to everyone, so I think we'll be alright.
[xXx]
Harry Potter and the Shaman
Chapter 5
[xXx]
King's Cross Station, London, 9/1/1991, 10:00 AM
"Harry! Hurry up, boyo!"
Harry and Ray made their way through the crowds of people within the train station. The brothers decided to arrive at this time because then Harry wouldn't have to wait too long for the train to depart. What Ray didn't prepare for was how busy and heavy the station would be.
'Couldn't prepare for everything, could I,' Ray asked himself as he made passage for Harry and himself through the mob of corporate busy bodies, vacationing backpackers and working joes, bobbing their heads to music on their iPods or tapping out text messages on their cellphones (A/N 1). 'If only Sparrow was here.'
Sparrow left for Hogwarts two weeks ago to begin her apprenticeship with Madame Pomfrey. She was more or less working with the matron in the infirmary, preparing for the coming term with fellow members of the faculty, or exploring the castle and familiarizing herself with her surroundings. She sent letters, but Ray was a little depressed for a while. But for some reason unknown to Harry, Ray lightened up considerably; like farting rainbows delighted. When the boy asked him why, the only answer Harry received was "it's a surprise" and the subject was dropped.
Harry was now watching Ray boost himself up over the crowd until he found something. He led Harry to a security guard in his forties or fifties. The guard looked portly, but, in all honesty, he was probably very muscular. The guard reminded Harry of a man he met in the US who worked as a doorman at the hotel he, Ray and Sparrow stayed at during a case. Being a doorman was a tough job; a trial of endurance, apparently. One had to stretch frequently or you'll get cramps. You had to be very fit and get a lot of sleep because you had to stand in the same spot for a long time. And finally, you had to constantly distribute weight in your pockets; if you had too much tip money in one pocket, you'll look lopsided and sloppy. This guard could have easily been the doorman's brother.
"Can I help you," the guard asked? Ray and Harry noted the East End London accent in his voice. The guard conveyed a personality of experience, nuance and a dash of world-weariness. Ray grinned.
"You can thank you very much," Ray answered with respect for the guard. "My brother and I are looking for Platforms 9 and 10. Would you know where they are?"
The guard raised an eyebrow. "Both of them, eh? What for," the guard asked with exasperated humor. Ray grin grew wider at the humor his guide was giving.
"I know it's crazy, but I couldn't remember if my brother's train was Platform 9 or 10. I'd pull out the letter, but it's stuck somewhere in his trunk. We'd probably miss his train looking for it so can you help out?" The guard sighed.
"Alright, fine," he answered pointing his thumb backwards. "That way is platforms 6 through 10. Platform 6 is first, so Platform 9 and 10 will be fourth and fifth in that order. You won't miss 'em."
"Thanks," Ray said holding his hand out for a handshake. The guard just waved him off.
"Doesn't your brother have a train to catch? What are you standing around for?" At that, Ray nodded in acknowledgement while Harry waved goodbye as they made their way to the Platforms.
After they got out of the guard's earshot, Harry looked at Ray.
"Why didn't you ask him where Platform 9 ¾ was," Harry asked confused?
"That would get us nowhere," Ray answered. "We look strange enough with my arms covered in tattoos and you having a pet owl. If we just asked him, he would just think us to be jokers and a waste of his time." Harry nodded in acceptance.
As the approached their destination, they spotted a family of six redheads. The mother was griping about the station being 'packed with muggles'. With a sigh, Ray motioned for Harry to follow as they closed the distance between themselves and the redheads.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley and Weasley children," Ray greeted with a relaxed voice. Startled, the mother turned around to look at her acquaintance. "You're here early. Kudos, but do I need to remind you that we have a Statute of Secrecy?" The plump redhead woman blushed for a second but cheered up after recognizing who called her out.
"Oh, Raymond," she addressed him with light surprise and a hug. "Didn't I tell you to call me Molly? It's been years! How have you been? And what are you doing here?"
"In order: I've been as I've been and I got to drop get Shortround (A/N 2) here on the train to school. How's Bill? He liking work in Egypt?"
"Yes he is. He's been partnered up with this French girl your age. Renee, I think that's her name, seem to have a rivalry or some nonsense," she groused. Ray raised an eyebrow. "All this time and he doesn't have a girlfriend. Can you believe it?"
"Her last name wouldn't be Delacour, would it?" Molly's eyes widened in surprise.
"How would you know that," she asked is disbelief? Ray chuckled a little.
"She told me the same thing," he answered. "I don't believe in fate, but the stars are going to align when those two realize they share the same feelings." More surprise emanates from Molly.
"What did you do," she asked with a slight edge in her voice? Ray put up his hands in surrender.
"Nothing bad," he said, placating his best friend's mother. "I can assure you. If anything, you should be happy. Grandkids galore and all that." Molly wanted to argue, but nothing's happened yet. Maybe her Bill and this Renee girl will just stay friends… yeah, right. Harry pulled a fob watch out of Ray's pocket and gave it to Ray. Looking at the time, his eyebrows raised behind his sunglasses.
"Yikes. Why don't we talk later? We both have to make appointments with a train, don't we?" Molly remembered where she was and agreed.
"Right. Percy, why don't you show Ron and…" Molly paused to look at Harry, as if to ask him a question.
"Harry Potter," he supplied. Molly and her family became surprised. Harry Potter was coming to Hogwarts; the rumors were true!
"Can we see your scar?" There were shouts of 'Ron!' directed at the youngest Weasley son; Molly's daughter punched him in the arm. Molly was about to apologize to Harry and Ray for her son, now named Ron's, rudeness. Harry waved it off as Ray held up his fob watch. She sighed and glared lightly at Ron for a moment and sighed, looking to her eldest son.
"Percy, you first." The teenager nodded and lined himself up between the Platforms facing #10. When he was ready, he ran towards the pillar. A normal passerby would have thought young Percy mad… that is if the pillar was solid. Percy passed right through it.
"Fred, you're next," she said to one of the pair of twin sons. "George, go after him."
"I'm George," he said and pointed to the other. "He's Fred."
"Whatever, just go," she replied exasperated. The twins' mouths twitched and grew into identical, mischievous grins.
"Actually, I am Fred." With that, he ran into the pillar, his brother, George, following.
"Alright, Ronald, your turn." She turned to her youngest son, giving him a look that said 'we're going to have words; count on that'. He gulped as he moved himself into position. Ron took a deep breath and ran through the barrier.
"Ok, Ginny, You're with me," Molly said to her daughter then looked at Ray. "We need to catch up soon. Where do you live?"
"I haven't a clue," Ray answered, making the Weasley matriarch raise an eyebrow. "The owls seem to know, but they're holding out on me, those tight-lipped chickens. I wouldn't worry, though; they seem to have a good bearing. I'll be forwarding my mail anyway." Molly didn't like the answer, but she couldn't argue.
"Well, alright," she replied with concern. "Come on, Ginny. Merlin knows what the twins are up to unsupervised." Ginny giggled behind her hands as Molly made a look of mock caution with mischief in her eyes. (A/N 3) Ginny then bid Harry and Ray a shy farewell. Harry looked up at Ray.
"Why are you forwarding your mail," he asked?
"Later, let's do this," Ray said, pushing off the question for the task at hand. He and Harry took position in front of the barrier. The duo steeled themselves for their entry. "On your ready, Half-pint." Ignoring the nickname, Harry nodded. There was a pause.
"Go," he exclaimed quietly. The brothers ran straight for through the threshold. No one saw a thing.
[xXx]
The other side surprised Harry. Wizards and witches of all ages and sizes surrounded a large red steam engine. Parents where helping their children move their luggage onto the train or saying goodbye. Friends talked to each other, catching up from the summer hols. This was Harry's first stepping into the Magical World on his own two feet: The Hogwarts Express.
"Keep up, kiddo," Ray said to him, patting him on the shoulder. Harry shook himself out of his stupor. The two of them were approaching the train, until Ray turned them towards a group of four Ray and Harry's age; a man and woman along with a boy and girl.
The man had dark skin, wearing a sleek black suit with a black shirt, a white tie and black shoes. His was handsome with short-cropped black hair, dark eyes and a smirk on his face. He was smirking because of the woman he had his arm wrapped around. She was a beautiful blond with ice blue eyes; her ensemble included a strappy purple top, skinny jeans, red pumps and a short leather jacket. The children they were with appeared to be their younger siblings. The girl looked just like her sister, but wore robes, so did the boy.
"Alastair Zabini and Sofia Greengrass," Ray addressed the older two with a smirk on his face. "How are you two? Nice to see you're still together." The woman now named Sofia, snorted and smirked back at him.
"Raymond Carnacki, back from the great unknown," she shot back. "If you want to know so badly, we're doing fine." With her answer, she held up her left hand, revealing an engagement ring to Ray. "But I have to thank you again for getting me a job at the Looking Glass." Originally, Sofia was an intern at the Daily Prophet. For two years, she was forced to do menial labor for Rita Skeeter, the Prophet's "star" reporter. Ray and Sofia met again in Bordeaux during a case he was working on; Rita nearly caused an international incident and was almost arrested for meddling in Ray's affairs. The pair, along with Sparrow, met for coffee and caught up. Upon hearing Sofia's plight, Ray offered her a chance to become a correspondent for the Glass' UK office. She sent in a portfolio of articles she wrote for the Prophet that weren't published because of her standing at the paper. The UK editor loved her work and gave her the job. She has since become a popular contributor, writing columns and cover stories.
"No prob, Soph. Congrats on the engagement," Ray said to her and turned to her paramour. "And you, Al. How's 'government' work going for you?"
"It's going," Alistair answered aloof. "But please, mind your tongue. You never know whose listening." Officially, Alistair worked for the Ministry of Magic's State Department. In truth, he was an operative for the Department of Mysteries, work directly under Serpico himself. He and Ray met in Corsica, when a British expatriate died due to "mysterious circumstances". It was through Alistair that Ray and Sparrow learned that the victim was spying on a suspect who dealt in buying and selling of dark objects as well as being on the DOM's radar for a long time. It was also during this case that Ray met Serpico, and began a most beneficial relationship. Sofia knew what Alistair did, just not in detail.
"Whatevs, Al," Ray quipped back. "What do you have to worry about? You work for the State Department. Stop jumping at shadows." Alistair gave him a bemused look while Sofia laughed and the children gave confused faces.
"Oh! Right," Ray snapped his fingers, "This is Harry Potter, my younger brother." Their current company was just as shocked as the Weasleys were at the barrier.
"Alright, enough of that," Ray interrupted the looks of awe. "Why don't you have the midgets introduce themselves?" The girl stood in front of Ray and Harry.
"I am Daphne Greengrass," she said politely with a small curtsey. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." Alistair's brother approached next.
"Blaise Zabini," the boy said curtly, giving his hand to shake. "Good to meet you." Harry smiled at his two future classmates.
"I'm Harry," he said simply, accepting Blaise's handshake. "It's nice to meet you all." With that, Blaise and Daphne smiled as well.
"Do you guys need someone to sit with," asked Harry? "I'm sure Susan will be alright you sitting with us on the train."
"Thank you, but no," Daphne answered. "We promised a friend of ours, Tracy Davis, that we would sit with her. See you at school?"
"Of course," Harry replied. "Even if I was a Gryffindor and you guys were Slytherins." His new friends were surprised, but then happy. Alistair chuckled.
"You'll go far, Harry Potter," he remarked amused then looked at his fiancée and their siblings. "Alright, let's get you two back to Lord and Lady Greengrass so you can say goodbye." Sofia snorted.
"You know, Al, you can call them 'Mom' and 'Dad', right; you're already on their good side" she stated with some mock frustration at her fiancée's manners. "At least address them by their names. You're at that stage already." Ray couldn't help but agree.
"She's right, you know," he chirped. "I call Sparrow's dad Cole all the time. He's fine with it." Alistair got thoughtful.
"You're right," he said simply. "But I'm just working up enough respect for if and when I do something stupid. You can never be too careful." Ray laughed.
"Whatever, man," the shaman said, waving off his friend's careful attitude. "Just remember to invite Sparrow, Harry and I to the wedding."
"Do you really think we'd forget," Sofia asked rhetorically as they walked away. "See you later!" She waved behind her as she led her fiancée by the hand with their siblings following them back to her parents. Ray looked at Harry.
"Good job," he commented. "You made some new friends." Harry thanked his brother bashfully. Ever since his panic attack in America, Harry was somewhat shy around strangers (A/N 4). For Harry to make friends so quickly was a breakthrough. Ray pulled out his watch again: it read 10:40. Time flies when you're catching up with old friends.
"Let's go find Susan and Auntie Amelia," Harry instructed. Ray agreed and the duo made their way closer to the train. Making their way through the throng of people, the brothers found the Bones'. Susan was talking to a blonde girl while Amelia conversed with what appeared to be the blonde girl's parents; Amelia's back was facing them. Ray snuck up and poked her on the shoulder. She spun around quickly while drawing her wand as she turned from its holster, a serious look of battle-readiness on her face. When she realized who it was, she holstered her wand and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Raymond," she groused. "What did I tell you about sneaking up on me like that?" Ray stayed calm.
"That it's ill advised," he answered, a mischievous smile stretching across his face.
"And what did you do?"
"I snuck up on you. But I did it for good reason!"
"And what reason is that?"
"Keeps you on your toes! You may be the director of the DMLE, but we shouldn't allow you to get rusty! You were an Auror Investigator! My father would turn in his grave if you died without drawing your wand!" Amelia faltered and sighed in surrender.
"Good point," she replied, but cheered up. "Moving on, nice to see you and Harry made it to the train on time." Ray shrugged.
"I try," he said nonchalantly. Amelia went on to introduce the Abbots. Meanwhile, Harry was reuniting with Susan. Susan was chatting animatedly with her friend and Harry couldn't think of a way to interrupt her besides poking her shoulder. He did so making her turn around quickly with an annoyed look on her face that change into delight.
"Harry," she cried out his name as she wrapped around him in a tight hug. "I missed you!" Harry blushed.
"Um, hi, Susie," he greeted. "I missed you too." He patted her back and the friends separated. They turned back to Susan's friend, who had a look of curiosity.
"Suze," she asked? "Aren't you going to introduce us?" Susan blushed now.
"Sorry, Hann," she apologized. "This is Harry Potter. Harry, Hannah Abbot. She's my oldest and bestest friend… next to you, of course." Hannah was surprised.
"Cor (A/N 5)," she exclaimed, impressed! "You said that you were friends with Harry Potter, but I never believed it. But to meet him in person… How come this is the first time I've actually met him?" Harry looked at Susan as if asking for permission to speak. She nodded.
"My family travels a lot," Harry replied, answering Hannah's question. He looked over towards the adults and pointed at Ray. "The guy with the tattoos on his arms is my adopted brother Ray. He works for the ICW as a Special Investigator."
"Special Investigator," Hannah asked curiously? Susan took over.
"It means that he travels the world, helping aurors with strange cases and crimes when they're too confused," she answered. "Harry and Sparrow, Ray's girlfriend, go along for the ride. I'm a little jealous of you, Harry."
Harry could only scratch the back of his head bashfully. Ray, Amelia and the Abbots approached the trio, suggesting they get on the train. They children agreed and found a compartment close by. The whistle blew, the conductor shouted 'all aboard!' It was time for goodbyes. Ray approached Harry, who was sitting at the window.
"Have fun," he told Harry. "Keep an eye peeled for trouble, do your work and all that jazz. I'll see you in a few hours. Have fun on the train!" After saying what he felt needed saying, he stepped back and smiled.
"Ok, Ray," Harry said, not paying that much attention. "See you in a few hours. Bye!" He sat down in his seat as the train began to pick up steam. And then, Harry froze. 'See you in a few hours,' he asked himself? Suddenly, he jumped up, to the surprise of Susan and Hannah, and poked his head out the window.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'SEE YOU IN A FEW HOURS'," Harry shouted over the sound of the train at Ray, who was waving goodbye and suppressing a laugh fit the best he could. "RAY? RAY! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?" Harry tried to ask more but the train had already left the station.
Ray finally let out his laughing fit. He laughed for five minutes, huge belly laughs. He had been waiting for this day ever since he got that letter from Hogwarts. The reason he and Sparrow laughed was due to the sheer absurdity and irony of the situation that fell into his lap that morning by the Board of Governors. Since then, the couple kept it a secret all this time and now it was time to unleash the surprise on Harry and the unsuspecting faculty and student of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At last, Ray calmed down as he saw a familiar head of blonde hair pass him by. He had time to kill so there was no reason not to catch up with old friends. Ray jogged to catch up to the blonde who caught his eye.
"Hey! Cissy!"
[xXx]
Hello everyone! I'm so sorry for the delay on this chapter! I've been apartment hunting and I haven't had the time to publish. This chapter was supposed to be longer, but I've held out on you guys for too long. The next chapter will be Harry on the train, which means he gets more spotlight time. The next chapter was supposed to be part 2 of this chapter, but as I said before, delays!
Now, some ANs:
1 I don't know if anyone noticed in the third chapter, but Harry went to watch a DVD. And now I added cellphones. WTF, mate? The logic behind modern technology 20 years ahead of schedule is because I'm too lazy to research late 80s/ early 90s technology. If the movies could get away with it, why can't I?
2 The Indiana Jones movies were on nonstop these past few months and I was watching Young Indiana Jones Adventures on Netflix, so Shortround snuck in there. He no mad, he crazy!
3 I'd like to believe the Weasley Twins gained their love of chaos from somewhere on the Prewitt side. If not the Prewitt Twins, why not Molly? I can't imagine Molly not having a wild streak in her school days. Her pranks might not have been well-known, but still pretty good. Where would Ginny have learned the Bat-Bogey Hex from? So my Molly Weasley may be strict, fair and overprotective, but also fun. She'll still rant, but she'll calm down more quickly and listen better than she did in the books.
4 Characters work better with flaws. With the Dursley's out of Harry's life, I needed something make Harry less… adjusted. So I made Harry somewhat shy around new people, thus explaining why he doesn't get a lot of attention in these first five chapters. I mentioned that he had a panic attack in the US during Ray's first case when he was mobbed by paparazzi. Ray, Sparrow, Amelia, and most of all, Susan has been helping him cope. So now, Harry is a little better. Still shy, but not cripplingly so.
5 Just some British slang I found. It means cool.
And there goes the ANs! Look at 'em go! Please remember to review. Be constructive; no flames or trolling allowed. If you do either, I know where you live. The NSA lets me use their spy satellites from time to time. I'll update soon!
WATCH OUT, Y'ALL!
I'M BACK LIKE 8-TRACK!