For Harry, the two weeks spent in Cornwall were the best times in his life to date.
The Grangers plus Harry arrived back to the Grangers home late on the 29th of August. The 30th was spent in frantic preparation by the Grangers getting Hermione ready for school.
Harry had an easier time of it. He just put everything he owned in to his trunk. With all the room he had there was more than enough space for everything. Though the new clothes that Hermione and Mr Granger had insisted on buying him took up more room than he expected.
By the time everything was packed and Hermione and her parent and finished arguing over which and how many of her own books she was allowed to take, everyone was exhausted. After a light supper the children were sent up too bed.
Harry was lying awake thinking about everything that had happened in the last month and wondering what tomorrow would bring when there was a tapping at his window. Looking up he saw Hedwig sitting on the sill. He relived her of the letter and gave her an owl treat. She settled on her perch as he opened the note.
Dear Harry,
Hey mate. Just thought I'd send you a quick good luck for you school tomorrow. Not that you'll have any problems. Everyone always says the Academy is one of the best schools in the world.
You know what I just realised something. Everyone here still thinks you're going to Hogwarts! Ginny was talking to Mum about how she couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts next year so she could be with you. I was going to tell them you weren't going but then I thought it would be funny if everyone was expecting you and you didn't turn up. I mean its not like you on the list or anything.
I better go, Mum's making us pack everything now. And with four of us going and Ginny wanting to go, you can imagine what it's like. Tell Hermione I'll see her on the train.
Ron.
Hermione was breathless with excitement the next day. She came rushing into him room at a horrendously early hour of the morning and proceeded to bounce him awake. Mrs Granger came to rescue him and sent them both off to get dressed. Now that he was fully awake, Hermiones excitement was infectious. Since the Grangers were of the belief that one should be early for everything, the four of the had planed to be ready to go by nine, giving them plenty of time to get to the station. Hermione however demanded they be out the door by eight thirty, "Just in case."
Since Harry was leaving by portkey and didn't need to be there just yet he had everything with him and would leave from the station. Having his trunk shrunk down and in his pocket made loading the car much easier.
Hermione had now lapsed into a tense silence and she contemplated the coming day. Harry tried to get her to relax by saying Ron and Neville would be on the train as well but just he just got snapped at.
"Don't worry Harry." Mrs Granger was very familiar with her daughters moods. "She'll snap out of it as soon as she gets to the station and can see here friends." Judging by the glare she was giving her copy of 'Hogwarts a History' he didn't thing it would be any time soon so he pulled out a book of his own to read. Animagi, Release the Wild Within the book his father had written. The book was hand written and most of it he didn't understand but he loved his fathers style of writing. Mixed in with spells and warnings about the process were little anecdotes about his father and his friends. There was even a comment or two about his mother, who apparently wasn't speaking to him at the time. His fathers description of his pranks and their resulting detentions almost made him wish he was going to Hogwarts as well.
It was only ten thirty as the Grangers plus Harry made their way into Kings Cross Station. Harry was delegated to pushing the card with Hermiones trunk as she led them through the crowd.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Harry asked, getting a dirty look in return.
"Of cause I know. Professor McGonagall told me where to go when she visited. She stopped beside the pillar between platforms nine and ten.
"Here?" Harry asked sceptically.
"This is what Professor McGonagall said." Mr Granger answered.
"Well what are we supposed to do?" Hermione just laid her hand on the brick and pushed. Her arm sunk into the wall. She shot Harry a smirk.
"See? Just follow me." Harry shrugged and screwing up his eyes, followed her into the wall. As he passed through he a shudder went through his body and he felt a strong sense of dislocation. He opened his eyes to see another platform entirely, one with bright red steam engine and a hanging overhead sign saying "Hogwarts 11 o'clock." This was not Kings Cross Station. At least not the place they had been.
They weren't the only early arrivals it seemed as a few families milled around the platform.
"Well Hermione," Mr Granger started. "Lets get you on to the train." They moved over to the train and he was about to pick up her trunk when they heard a voice.
"Hermione! Harry!" They looked up to see Neville waving at them and walking over followed by a formidable looking woman wearing hat with a stuffed vulture on it who was introduced as his Gran Augusta Longbottom. They left her talking with the Grangers as Harry helped get Hermione and Neville on to the train. He also prevented an escape attempt by the toad named Trevor. Harry privately thought Neville would be very happy to lose it but didn't dare. He sat talking with Hermione and Neville for a while until the Weasleys showed up.
It was nearly 11 when Ron dropped is things off in their compartment. Harry went to say hi to Ron as Hermione bid her parents farewell. She gave her parents one last tearful hug before doing the same to Harry.
"Don't forget to write soon, Harry." She said. "I expect a full report on what your classes and teachers are like and what you are learning. And I do the say for you."
"Hermione give the guy a break, you can only go to one school each. You don't have to learn everything from both."
"It's important to get a well rounded education Ronald." Ron and Harry just shook their heads.
"Alright Hermione I'll write soon"
Neville looked confused as Hermione and Ron bid Harry goodbye but didn't say anything. Mrs Longbottom gave Neville a formal farewell before leaving by way of the public floos.
Harry stood with the Grangers and Weasleys and waived as the train pulled of the station. When they couldn't see the train any longer Mrs Granger turned to Harry. "Well I guess it's time for you to be leaving too." She gave him a quick hug and Mr Granger patted him on the back. "Have fun Harry, and study hard. We'll see you for Christmas."
Harry pulled out his letter but before he could say anything Mrs Weasley noticed he was still there.
"Harry! My goodness Harry what are you still doing here? How could you miss the train? Even my boys wouldn't miss it!" Mrs Weasley was horrified and Ginny was blushing bright red.
"It's all right Mrs Weasley, I'm not going to Hogwarts."
"Wha… Not going?"
"Yeah I got accepted into the Academy of Magics. Speaking of which I better go. Portus Academy." The look on Mrs Weasleys face as he was yanked away made him wish he had a camera. Ron would have loved to see it.
The portkey deposited him on the shore of the river and stubbled to retain is balance.
"Hey you must be Harry." A voice said from behind him. He turned to see a young woman, maybe 18, greet him with a smile. "Hi I'm Hailey Cooper. Professor Mange asked me to come and escort the new students to where they need to be so here I am. Come on the rest of the new guys are waiting down by the water." She led him along a path that led down to the bank of the river.
"Why do the portkeys drop us off here instead of the school?" Harry asked.
"Only the new students get deposited here." Hailey said cheerfully. "One reason is security. Not that we have much of a problem around here but the headmaster likes to get everyone's magical signature recorded by the wards so that we can know who is in the school and where everyone is. The other reason is the view. Isn't is great?" Harry had to agree.
The Academy resembled nothing more than a huge fairy tale palace. At first glance it looked like it was surrounded by a moat but it was actually located on a huge island in the middle of a river. The palace look up most of the island but there was also large open areas as well as a small forest.
The building was everything Harry has ever pictured. There were towers and spires everywhere. It was unbelievable. Some of the towers had be at least as tall as Big Ben and the spires were even taller.
"It's amazing." Harry said.
"Yep. That's the Academy. Come one I'll introduce you to everyone else. You going to be the youngest this year. We don't often get students in their first year of schooling. Usually people go to one their local schools and the Academy invites people who have exceptional talent. Here is everyone." One the bank of the river stood a group of about 30 students ranging from 12 to 18. Hailey was right he was the youngest and he definitely felt the most out of place.
"Alright that's everyone we're expecting today. How about some introductions. You've already met me I'm Hailey. I'm assistant to Professor Mange who is the Deputy Headmaster and well as the Advanced Rituals Professor. I'm also his apprentice and another two years away achieving from my Mastery. Who wants to go next?"
One of the older students stood up. "My name is Gwen Holten. I'm from Beauxbatons and I'm going to be studying Potions and Healing."
"I'm Tim Stanhope, I went to Salems Academy in America, and I'm hoping to get a mastery in History."
As the students went around giving their names and field of study Harry felt incredibly stupid. Most of the names were going in one ear and out the other and he only had a basic idea what each field was. The knot in his stomach tightened. When it finally came to his turn he didn't know whether he could speak. He really hated being stared at and everyone was looking at him in expectation.
"Er… I'm Harry Potter, and, um, this will be my first magic school." At this everyone broke out in chatter. Hailey called out to gain control.
"Alright yes I know that Harry is a first year and that many of you may recognise his name. But that doesn't mean anything here. The Academy prides itself on providing an environment conducive to learning and mastering magic. Not gossip. He's not the only celebrity you will find within our walls. Harry, don't worry about fitting in. All the classes are based on ability so your age doesn't matter. For example I am absolutely rotten at transfiguration. I only have a third year education in it so don't worry." She turned back to the group. "Alright people this boat's going to take us to the school, so lets head over."
The school itself was teaming with people, most of them lugging their trunks and chatting with their neighbours about their summer. Hailey led them unerringly through the chaos and up three flights of stairs to an office with far fewer people around.
"All right folks this is the registration office. This is where we will record your magical signature for the wards and where you'll get your schedule and living assignments. Harry you come with me, the provost wants to see you."
'The provost?' Hailey picked up on this confusion.
"Don't worry. It's nothing bad. You'll just need to be tested to see what areas you'll excel at. Skills, talents that sort thing."
Right and since when were tests not a bad thing. Particularly tests he hadn't studied for. Hailey led him down another corridor and knocked on a door that said 'Provost Sanga,' and a voice called them in.
"Good morning Provost Sanga, I've brought Mr Potter to see you."
"Thank you Miss Cooper, I'll take it from here." Provost Sanga was a tall, imposing woman in her mid forties. Harry got the impression she was not someone to be trifled with. She observed him for a moment before speaking. "Well you do present us with a problem. It's not unheard of for the Academy to take first years if they have shown talent for some field. However it is extremely rare for us to bring in someone with little to no prior experience with magic. This means you have no knowledge of what fields you wish to study. You have been brought to me so that I may advise you."
Harry looked at the Provost in confusion.
"I have a special gift, known as Conlocatio, a gift that is very useful in situations just like this. I am able to look at your aura and magic and determine what fields of magic you have a predisposition for. To do this I am going to ask you to tell me what you understand of magic as it stands and what you wish to learn here and I may get you to perform a few spells you have learned. Then I can give you a brief overview of the subjects we teach here and we'll go from there. Alright?"
Sorry about the wait for the chapter. I hope everyone likes it.
My thought for the school was the univercity off the Dungeons and Dragons movie. If anyone saw that. And the island in thie river came from the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
Also Sanga is the sumerian word for the administrative head of the temple just in case anyone cares. Oh and I changed a few lines of the last chapter changing Hermiones age.
Well, thats it. So as always please review.