Chapter 8 (The Shock Of A Century)
'Platform 9 and 3/4,' I smiled as I stood opposite the wall. I'd just taken a picture, I got some very strange looks from passersby, but I didn't care. Looking at my watch, it was ten fifteen. Draco will be here soon, I can't wait to see him. We made a plan to tell his parents about how I left the muggle world, I was quite nervous, but Draco said his Mum and Dad would look after me, and that I didn't have to stay in the Leaky Cauldron for much longer. I tried arguing with him, but he didn't listen to me. Checking my watch again, it was ten seventeen.
Double checking my wand was in my cloak pocket, I walked backwards to platform eight and started to mumble to myself, on purpose, asking myself questions like why didn't Dudley write to me, or why didn't my family write to me, until I bumped into someone. Looking up, I froze. It was Lucius Malfoy, to say he looked confused would be an understatement.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Sir!" I said, with wide eyes, before he could speak, Draco and Narcissa walked up to us, I tried not to smile at Draco, he looked so happy. Just as Lucius was about to speak, Hercules hooted affectionately at me, damn it, Draco, why didn't you put him in his cage?
"Hercs, be quiet," Draco mumbled, going bright red in embarrassment when Hercules jumped up and down, eventually flying over to my shoulder. Flip. We didn't think that through as much as we thought, did we?
"Draco? Would you like to explain why Hercules is sitting on Harry Potter's shoulder like they've been best friends for years?" Lucius asked him with raised eyebrows.
"Er, no?" He questioned and I shook my head, grinning at him. He says he's brave, but he literally just stopped the plan from working. I gave Draco a 'are you stupid' look, from which he just shrugged.
"Mr Malfoy, it's nice to finally put a face to the name I've been hearing about," I said, with confidence. Draco looked up from the ground, completely shocked. Don't worry, bud, I've got this. Lucius's mouth literally dropped to the floor, but, for some reason, Narcissa smiled.
"Don't be so shocked Lucius, we wondered who he was writing to, didn't we?" Realisation hit all across Lucius's face.
"I am really confused right now," Lucius admitted, making me chuckle.
"Draco and I will explain everything, but can we get onto the platform? I want to avoid seeing the Weasley's, and the crowds," I said, looking around. They all agreed and I walked through the barrier with Hercules still on my shoulder and Hedwig in her cage, with my case.
As we got through, there was no one there. It was empty apart from a few helpers for getting items onto the train, who imediately walked up to us and put our stuff on the train.
"How do you know about the Weasley's, and how do you know how everything is done? I expected you to be more confused as you've been in the muggle world for eleven years?" Lucius asked, finally taking a breather.
"I've been living in the Leaky Cauldron since I was eight, please don't tell Dumbledore, he won't be happy," I said, Draco gave me a reassuring hug, I hugged him back tightly. I hadn't seen him in a few months and I had missed him.
"We won't tell him, but before you step on the train, how did you come to meet Draco?" Narcissa asked, Draco finally got his confidence back as he explained excitedly,
"Oh, it was the funniest thing, remember that trainee, Deniese? Well I think she left the same day because of Harry, she was so excited in seeing him, that she was going to tell her friend Andy from the Daily Prophet, Harry managed to scare her so much that she didn't say anything more," He said, grinning. I rolled my eyes,
"You never told me she left, I feel bad now," I said, Draco chuckled,
"Don't worry, Harry, if she's scared of an eight year old that job wouldn't have been for her anyway! Come on, let's get on the train, I'll race you to the back of the train, last one there has to eat a whole pack of Bertie box every flavour beans," He finished, I didn't even blink before he ran off and he didn't say goodbye to his parents, honestly. I stood there, awkwardly. It was obvious now Draco would win. I will have to except my fate. Lucius was still in shock.
"It was nice meeting you both," I said, smiling. Narcissa smiled,
"You too, Harry, now hurry, if you don't want to puke before you get to Hogwarts," I laughed and waved goodbye before charging onto the train, weaving in between a few of the prefects, I'm guessing. I managed to get into the Slytherin part of the train, before I bumped into someone that wasn't Draco.
"Woah, there, are you alright?" He asked, I looked at him, nope, definitely don't know what family he is from, but I think he's a Slytherin prefect. I nodded, getting past him, shouting,
"I'm just dandy," I heard the guy laugh, just as I braced myself for the wall as I ran into the door leading to the driver. I rubbed my forehead, entering the compartment, Draco was sitting there, reading Hogwarts: A History. He looked up and started to laugh,
"Seriously, Harry, did you brush your hair this morning?" He asked as I closed the door and sat opposite him. I rolled my eyes,
"Seriously, Draco, did you back out of our plan leaving me to do all the work?" I mocked him, he finally looked at me with a guilty expression.
"Sorry, it's different playing behind the scenes than actually doing it," He explained. I nodded in understanding.
"Well, it went better than I expected, although maybe you should've put Hercs in his cage," I said, smiling. Draco laughed,
"I didn't know that would happen! I swear! I think it's time we let them take off?" He said and I agreed as I opened the cage Hedwig was in, she hooted and flew off out of the windo. I raised my eyebrows at her flying out into the distance, she didn't even say goodbye!
Hercules flew off a second after, leaving Draco and I silent for a moment. I was about to say something when the door opened. I blinked as a girl came flying in, not literally, and she hugged Draco, I saw three boys standing outside of the carriage awkwardly.
I'm guessing she's Pansy then.
"Urgh, Pansy get off me," Draco complained, pushing her off. I heard her huff but she sat down next to him anyway, taking a look at me, she frowned,
"Who are you?" She asked, sounding disgusted. "Come on you three, aren't you going to sit down?" She asked, Blaise sat next to me, Crabbe sat next to Blaise and Goyle sat next to Pansy. I narrowed my eyes at her,
"I'm Harry Potter, if you don't like it, leave," I snarled. Her eyes widened, but Draco laughed.
"That's brilliant, Harry, maybe you'll scare her like you scared Deniese?" He said, smirking, making Pansy look extremely worried. Blaise looked at me confused.
"Erm, I'm just going to the... toilet," Pansy says, rushing out of the compartment. I grinned, thank God she left. Shortly after Crabbe and Goyle went, they didn't have an excuse, they just got up and left.
"Well, that was easier than I expected," Draco shrugged and I laughed, "You staying with us, the cool kids, or are you sticking with Pansy?" He asked Blaise who looked kind of torn. He sighed,
"I'm staying neutral, but I'm going to see if Pansy is okay, nice meeting you, Harry," Blaise said and I nodded at him, trying not to laugh. He walked out and I looked at Draco, we both burst out laughing.
I looked at the time, one minute to eleven.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" I looked up and burst out with laughter again at the sight of Ron Weasley, Draco had to answer for me,
"No, sorry, we are saving these seats," He lied, I coughed and agreed with him as Ron left in a strop.
"Wow, is it just me, Drake, or are we making enemies?" I asked, Draco shrugged and picked up his book again. I got out the potions book I had been reading in the Leaky Cauldron.
The train started to move and nobody else came into the compartment, thankfully. Although that didn't last, just as I turned the page, I heard someone ask,
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one?" I rolled my eyes, seriously, who thinks it is a good idea to bring a toad to Hogwarts? I got out my wand and faked a yawn,
"Accio Neville Longbottom's toad," I said, waving my wand about slightly. Draco chuckled when a toad came flying through the door, past the girl and straight onto my lap. She looked at me, appauled,
"You aren't allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts!" She deadpanned. Well, she could at least be greatful I actually have the stupid toad. I got up and strutted over, she backed away, slightly scared.
"Well thats funny, I'm not sorted into a house, therefore I'm not actually in Hogwarts yet, so that rule wouldn't apply to me now, would it? I'd be careful who you're talking to," I said, raising my eyebrows as I gave her the toad. She nodded and ran off.
"Yep, definitely making enemies," Draco mumbled, looking surprised himself.
"We will be arriving in Hogwarts shortly, please make sure you're ready to leave,"
That's the announcement, I was actually pretty excited. Blaise came back half way through the ride saying he was on our side, which I was very happy about. As we left the train, I saw Hagrid. I've seen him about the Leaky Cauldron a few times, never actually spoken to him though.
"First years, this way!" He shouted and we followed him to a group of boats. We got on one with someone called Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein who seemed to know each other well.
The castle was absolutely amazing! There's no other words for it! It didn't take long to make it up to the castle grounds, and before I knew it, we were walking up the stairs to the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall explained to us about the houses and how our house will be like a family. She left us to talk to the people inside the hall. I looked around and most people seemed scared, I noticed Pansy who was standing next to the girl who was trying to find the toad, they both looked nervous and I snorted loudly. Pansy narrowed her eyes at me, but she didn't get to say anything as McGonagall came back.
I walked in first with Draco. I didn't really take in what the Great Hall was like. Where was I going to be placed? Did Draco still want to be in Slytherin? Did it even matter? What about if I was placed in Hufflepuff? No, I couldn't go there. I jusy wouldn't suit it. I definitely don't want to go to Gryffindor, imagine having to put up with the Weasley's everyday?! Nope, I can't imagine it.
"Hannah Abbot!"
I could be in Slytherin, I can definitely see myself there. But, I don't know, I'm not really feeling it. I clapped with everyone else as Hannah was placed in Hufflepuff.
"Harry, you okay?" Draco whispered as Professor McGonagall called the next name. I shrugged,
"I'm thinking about houses, I'm not feeling Slytherin anymore, Drake," I whispered to him. I heard him sigh, placing a hand on my shoulder,
"Don't worry, Harry, if I'm honest, neither am I, but I refuse to be in Hufflepuff, not even for you," He joked and I laughed.
"Hermione Granger!" I heard a shout, I was pushed out of the way as she walked past us to the stool. Draco rolled his eyes and whispered, "Rude,"
"Gryffindor!"
I sighed in relieve,
"We aren't going in that house," I whispered. He nodded, smiling. We didn't talk after that. I was still thinking. What about Ravenclaw? It wouldn't be so bad, would it?
"Draco Malfoy!" I grinned as he strutted, yes, strutted up to the stool and he sat down. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on him,
"Hmm, interesting. I've never had a Malfoy that's so complicated," the hat spoke it's thoughts. The room was silent, and Professor Snape was staring at Draco with his mouth open.
"Well, there's always a first," Draco said, happily. I rolled my eyes at him,
"Yes, indeed," The hat didn't seem very impressed. "I can't put you in Slytherin..." I laughed along with everyone else when Snape fainted from shock. Professor Flitwick tried to wake him up but couldn't.
"Ah, I've got it, Ravenclaw!" The hat shouted and I cheered, quite awkwardly, as I was the only one to actually clap, seen as everyone else was, well, baffled.
Draco sat down next to Terry Boot, who shook his hand as he sat down. The rest of the sorting continued and I was getting nervous.
"Padma Patil!"
"Ravenclaw!"
I clapped with everyone else, and I giggled when Snape finally woke. He looked a bit dazed, but he assured to Professor Dumbledore that he was fine.
"Pansy Parkinson,"
"Gryffindor,"
"Harry Potter!"
I heard whispers as I walked up to the stall. Come on Harry, you can do this, it's not like your famous or anything...
"Mr Potter, ah, interesting, very interesting, some dark secrets in this mind,"
"And I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone," I said, and even though I wasn't looking at Draco, I could tell he was rolling his eyes.
"You're very, very smart, in fact, I don't even think you need to be in first year, you could pass your O.W.Ls right now, if you wanted to... you're very loyal, but you're definitely not a Hufflepuff, you're brave, yes, but that's the only quality from Gryffindor you have, so you aren't going there,"
Ergh, just get on with it already, I'm starving!
"Definitely haven't got the patience for a Hufflepuff, that's certain, now, Ravenclaw or Slytherin?"
I heard a bang behind me, and I looked round to see Snape had fainted, once again. I heard Draco burst out laughing which made me try and surpress a chuckle. If only I was in his house.
"Ravenclaw!"
A/N- well, that's longest chapter I've written on here, I might eat something...