The Changs were a very hospital and kindly family. In them, Harry saw a chance, possibly, that he might redeem himself.
It was not an orphanage he went to or a house where he was just taken care of or worked. This was surely a new family: they treated him, instantly, as such. He was given his own room, smallish, simple, in the smallish, simple house, across from the daughter's, Cho.
Cho was sweet, very gentle and calm. She seemed overly kind to him and unlike her parents, did seem to walk on eggshells just a bit around him. Harry didn't mind that. He did feel very bad, quite terrible that she seemed to pity him. He had brought this situation on himself. He did not deserve her pity; it's presence only increased his feelings of guilt.
Her father was a therapist specializing in a very specific field. Due to the statue of secrecy, relationships between magicals and muggles were often difficult. It had become fairly common practice when in one of these relationships for the witch or wizard involved to avoid explaining the magical world until after marriage, which obviously presented complications. It was Sun Chang's job to work as a marriage counselor for these incidences and as a sort of culture-shock therapist. His specialty in introducing muggles to the magical world might have been the impetus for why this family in particular was chosen to adopt Harry.
Though why they had wished to adopt at all, he was still figuring out.
The mother of the small family worked for the magical government in their transportation department. It had taken some explaining for Harry to understand the Floo Network, and then a little more to understand Lin's role in its regulation. Mrs. Chang, apparently held a high position in her department, making her a more important woman. She was, apparently, a pureblood as well, whereas Mr. Chang was half-blood, and despite the bad math, Cho, too qualified as half-blood.
In their description of magic, society, culture, government, and onward to Harry, they had not sugar-coated any element. Harry had hardly expected the magical world to be perfect, pure, and just. He could not find himself expecting that of anything anymore. In the muggle world, they had racism, sexism, class-ism – so in the wizarding world, they had those too, with the unremarkable edition of the concept of 'purity'.
These, too, Harry wondered might be a way towards redemption. His past could eventually be buried under good works and love – or at least Harry hoped.
That, however, was for the farther future. Despite feeling so aged and tired, Harry did very well remember his true age being only eleven. He could be a champion, maybe, if he studied hard and learned well like Cho.
She was a Ravenclaw. The best of the four Houses in Hogwarts, she'd told him – though of course she didn't mind if he went elsewhere, she was quick to mention. They hadn't known each other for long, but Cho took time out of her life to get to know Harry and personally help him adjust to life in the new house and home.
Harry was given reign to do as he liked through the nearly empty house while he 'adjusted'. He chose to spend his time with Cho, staying in her room and reading her books while she caught up before school. They talked most often about school.
It was amazing how accepting Cho was of him. He thought maybe she'd be upset. There was apparently no warning whatsoever of a new brother in the house that used to be all hers. But she seemed happy about it. She was excited to have Harry come to school with her. She was in no way lonely – she had a varied group of friends and was very close with Ms. Marietta Edgecomb, who mother worked with Mrs. Chang. So loneliness didn't account for it.
The acceptance did make Harry feel guilty. He didn't deserve it. Not at all. But it made him feel a little good too. She comforted him when he cried during the night and didn't even tell her parents. She was wonderful.
"Is there any way to decide which house you get into?" Harry asked her one day while they were sitting together in her room, on and off reading and talking.
Cho looked up from her book at him and took just a moment, considering. She was only a year older than he was, but clearly did like to act out being the older, wiser, sister. Harry didn't mind.
"I heard once that you can choose. The hat won't force you into a House that you hate if you say so. But I don't think that's the best thing to do. You'll be happiest wherever it thinks you fit, so you shouldn't worry about it." She smiled at him, gently, evoking a maturity, and returned to reading.
Harry fiddled with the corner of his own book, only really pretending to read while he thought. He decided his future actions fairly quickly. His happiness was unimportant. He had three distinct and conscious goals, to be achieved in order: keep Cho happy, keep Mr. and Mrs. Chang happy, and do good works for the good of all people. It was his duty now – this was what he received for committing the vile act he did. The Dursleys, terrible people or no, would be the impetus towards Harry's work.
There was a gentle knock at the door Harry already started to think of as 'theirs', spending as much time in Cho's room as he did.
Mrs. Chang opened the door slightly, her voice gentle, calm, walking on eggshells. "Harry, it's time for your appointment. You feeling up to it today?"
Harry nodded, knitting his eyebrows in secret underneath his mess of hair. No, he was not – but the Changs would be happier if he went to his therapy and pretended to get better.
He could not hide the evidence of his abuse from anyone. Mr. Chang's expertise was not in the field of child psychology and especially not the kind of issues Harry had. Therapy at all was rare in the wizarding world – Mr. Chang's practice being the exception, not the rule.
Daily, Harry went to a session with a Dr. Leung, a muggle. Any feeling of culture shock he'd speak about to Mr. Chang. Any feelings of guilt to no one. And not having much else left, Harry worked out with Dr. Leung the issues he had with the Dursleys.
And even though he lied so, so often in their sessions – somehow, like real magic, he felt them helping him anyway. Maybe he couldn't speak of the reasons for his emotions, but he could still speak of the emotions themselves. And Dr. Leung could listen, give advice, give silly 'homework' like "Do something for yourself today," or "Go for a walk this evening,". Harry felt like he was becoming a real person, maybe. And the pain from secrecy and dishonesty faded away.
There wasn't much time before the semester was too being. Hence the once-a-day rather than once-a-week sessions and the rush to get prepared for the new school and new world. The family went together to Diagon Alley for the sole purpose of purchasing Harry's school things and getting him acclimated to the world before he was to be thrown into it at the start of the year.
They went multiple times, for short durations, when it wasn't crowded and noisy. Harry quickly began to feel at home there. More than he'd ever felt at home with the Dursleys. It was a good feeling and he quickly liked the world he had decided to work for.
He wasn't expected to call Mr. and Mrs. Chang 'dad' and 'mum'. Or do much of anything, really. He had chores, but worked together with Cho in all of them. He was told that he should work hard when school rolled around to starting, get good grades, which were very important in his new family. Hence why he read so much with Cho in her room. That, and the material was the most fascinating he had ever soaked in.
And maybe most of all, how very pleased Mr. and Mrs. Chang looked when they found out he was reading and studying. Not just pleased, maybe – proud. Harry was going to work hard to make that keep happening.
Dumbledore sent letters by owl, but never visited. A Professor McGonagal did, just to introduce him to the concept of Hogwarts, more or less. His situation was, after all, rather unique.
He had new clothes – simple, clean. A trunk. Lots of books. School things, including some he was not yet allowed to use. They'd given him a small sum of money as an allowance to take with him to Hogwarts.
Before Harry was introduced to the fold, Cho had made an agreement with her parents that if she got very good marks that year, the family would get a cat. This widened to include Harry – another reason to work hard. He would not be the reason Cho was deprived of something.
There were a few other encouragements before he and Cho were left at the train station: have fun, stay out of trouble, make friends.
Harry, finally feeling a little bit good, would do all of those things.
He and Cho walked together towards the train, early. Harry was calm, content, til Cho girlishly shrieked out, "Marietta!"
Cho's chosen best friend. She, too, was early. And the rest of Cho's group of there too – noisy, happy, giggling people.
"Do you want to meet Marietta and everyone?" Cho turned to him, asking excitedly.
Harry shook his head, stepping back, "Not right now, actually. You go ahead – I'm going to look for a drinks machine, or something."
Cho nodded, understanding, and let Harry wander off, running over to her group of friends.
Harry doubted he could ever allow himself to be so openly joyous. It seemed rather strange and he doubted he'd be welcome there. Still, he watched the group as he walked away. Not exactly jealous, not exactly...
Thawk!
His armful of books and rolling trunk hit the pavement as he did. Caught in melancholic thoughts, he'd been paying no attention – he'd walked right into someone.
"Are you okay?" A female voice asked, "I wasn't paying attention."
Harry quickly shook his head and answered, "I'm fine – that was my fault. Your books..."
As he picked up his things, Harry realized his books had been mixed up with hers – the girl had also been carrying a large amount of books in her arms.
"Is this one yours?" He asked, holding up one of hers to her as she, too, knelt down, gathering spilled books.
"Yes. Haven't got around to reading that one yet. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way," She said, pausing in her work to hold out her hand to him.
Harry took her hand and smiled at her. This girl wasn't very attractive, like his sister was. She was buck-toothed, with the bushiest hair, but Harry already decided that he liked her. She had an attitude to her that was visible just seeing her eyes.
"Harry Chang." He replied as he shook her hand, "It's good to meet you. I'm glad me and my sister aren't the only big readers. I'm a first year."
Hermione smiled, showing off her teeth more, but looking very friendly and attractive.
"Me too," She said, "It's all really new. I didn't even know about magic before this."
"Me neither." Harry said, "But I've been doing a lot of reading on it. My, uh, family knows a lot too."
"Your sister?" Hermione asked as they finished up sorting the books into two piles.
"Yeah. Cho. She's a Ravenclaw – I know I'll be too. Oh, do you know about the Houses?"
Hermione nodded as they stood, "I've been reading about them. Hogwarts, A History – that's probably my new favorite book. Most of the greatest wizarding inventors and innovators came from Ravenclaw – I read that. I guess Ravenclaw is probably the House I'll be in too. I don't know though, you can't really know where you'll end up until you're actually sorted."
"You should just go where you're happy." Harry said, "Though Cho told me you can decide, actually – she didn't, but apparently you can."
"Right." Hermione said, her eyes sparkling.
Harry didn't have another thing to say to her. Suddenly, their rather happy chance meeting was a bit awkward, because all the books had now been picked up. Harry didn't have anything to really do with his hands. And he wanted to make friends – Hermione seemed a perfect fit.
"So, um... do you know anyone here?" He asked, a little bluntly.
Hermione didn't seem to catch the bluntness, "No, not really. The muggleborns all went together when he got our school things, but we didn't really talk or anything. I've never really been good at people anyway." Hermione said, looking a bit shy and sheepish.
Harry didn't quite know what to say to that – empathize? "Do you want to sit together? I know Cho's going to be with her friends, so I don't really have anyone to sit with either."
Hermione nodded happily, "Yeah."
And just like that, Harry had already started socializing. Hermione seemed like a wonderful girl – likely a Ravenclaw, Harry, even knowing as little as he did, could tell – smart, too, and just talkative enough. She didn't intimidate him either.
As they walked to the nearest entrance of the train, Harry spotted Cho, still talking animatedly with her friends, none of them having moved since they met up together. He caught her eye and gave her a little wave, letting her know he was getting on. She returned his gesture and smiled, then continued paying attention to her group.
The platform had been quiet, but the train itself was absolutely silent.
"Guess we're really early," Harry said.
"Where do you want to sit?" Hermione asked, "We've got full pick."
Lately, Harry had taken to over-analyzing. Where was optimal? If they chose a compartment near the entrance, they could be among the first off. Was that important, in this case? No, he decided. If they sat somewhere away from an entrance, things would be far quieter – a bonus. They might also be more likely to have the compartment all to themselves. A good thing? Harry looked at Hermione – yes.
"Let's go to the very front." Harry finally said.
Hermione looked at him a little strangely and he blushed.
"Sorry," He said, blushing, "I'm terrible at quick decisions."
Hermione shook her head and half-giggled. "No worries." She said.
The awkwardness arose again momentarily after they put their things up and sat down. Quickly, however, conversation began to flow near-naturally.
"Have you been practicing spells?" Hermione asked him.
Harry shook his head, "No, we aren't allowed yet."
Hermione blushed. "Oh, right."
Harry laughed lightly at her, "You have, I'm guessing? It's fine you know. I think it's cool actually. Can you do any?"
After a moment to accept he wasn't making fun of her, Hermione nodded. "It took me a while, but I learned a few. They get so much easier after the first – and I really just couldn't wait for Hogwarts."
She took out her wand, carefully tucked in her pocket, and also opened the window of the stationary train. Harry was very curious. What she did what actually very simple.
"Aguamenti." She said, releasing a jet of water from her wand down onto the gravel on the other side of the track.
Simple, but Harry knew that was a more difficult one of the first year spells from reading through the interesting parts of his charms text.
"Wow!" He exclaimed with honest enthusiasm, "You're so cool!"
Hermione looked a mix of embarrassed and very proud of herself. "Thank you," She said, smiling.
"Can you teach me anything?" Harry asked, then catching himself, "I mean, if that's..."
But Hermione just nodded, still smiling, and by the time Cho came by, checking to make sure Harry was on the train, he was already making tiny red sparks.
For a sliver of a moment, Harry felt guilt come over him again. He had never been so happy – and that happiness was because he had done a terrible thing. That happiness was not deserved.
That sliver of a moment lasted only a sliver of a moment, because Hermione made him laugh and forget it.
They did not end up having the compartment all to themselves. Shortly before it was time to set off, a thoroughly nervous boy approached and asked to sit with them. He seemed ashamed of himself, an idea quickly dispelled by Harry and Hermione.
It was Neville Longbottom, a friendly enough if nervous and awkward lad. Unfortunate name. Harry was able to talk comfortably with both of them. The train started, eventually, and Harry waved goodbye to the empty platform.
The new boy, Neville, calmed down after a while. He had a pet toad, which Harry and Hermione were both eager to look at. They ate snacks together, Hermione having brought her own, Harry and Neville purchasing from the trolley. The countryside was beautiful, the company pleasant, and the ride stress-free. Only very rarely did Harry's thoughts return to the slate and chalk hidden in the bottom of his trunk.
It was a healthy development for him, he knew.
"Neville, your toad." Harry said, as Trevor the toad hopped down from where he had been temporarily forgotten on the bench.
"Oh!" Neville cried out, grabbing a hold of Trevor and returning him to his carrier.
"Thanks, Harry," He said sheepishly, shrinking into his shoulders.
"Welcome," Harry said, still cheerful. "And we should get changed soon, shouldn't we?"
"That's a good idea." Hermione said, "Why don't you guys go first? I'll wait outside."
It was an agreeable plan and very quickly everyone was cleaned up and ready for arrival.
"We should take a boat together." Harry said, "Three people is enough, right? So we don't have to share."
"Yes," Said Hermione.
"Well," Neville said, "There might be someone left out. We should maybe keep an eye out. If there's like... a group of five and someone has to be alone?" Neville seemed nervous again. Like he hadn't wanted to say anything at all when it disagreed with friends.
"Yeah, that's right." Harry said, making sure Neville saw his smile, "That's a good idea, Neville. Thank you for reminding me."
Hermione, too, smiled at Neville, who smiled back at both of them. Clearly, the three were going to make good friends.
When the train did arrive, they were instructed to leave their luggage and follow the very large man with a lantern.
The train trip had taken the better part of the day. It was very dark now.
There turned out to be no one left out. Only first-years took boats and there weren't too many first-years. Harry, Hermione, and Neville shared a boat and Harry and Hermione both got a chance to be amazed at the self-rowing oars.
It was cold and a little wet on the lake, but fun too. Harry found himself laughing with the other too students. When they got very close, the atmosphere did change a bit. Neville was nervous he wouldn't be in Gryffindor, like his family always was.
"That kind of thing doesn't matter," Harry said.
"And what's wrong with Hufflepuff anyway?" Hermione asked, "We'll still be friends if we aren't in the same House. I mean, right?"
Both boys nodded.
"I just..." Neville said, looking equal parts nervous and sad, "I don't want to disappoint my gran any more. I know she wants me to be in Gryffindor, like my mum and dad were."
Harry nodded in sympathy. "That is rough, I guess. But I know things will be all right."
"Yeah," Hermione said, "I know you get to decide it now. If you don't want to be in Hufflepuff, you can say so. I know you can. I, well, I'm already planning on asking for Ravenclaw."
Harry grinned widely, "Me too."
Neville looked back and forth a moment. "You're both going to be in Ravenclaw?"
Harry and Hermione nodded.
The boats soon arrived. They were ushered up and told to wait. Even Harry found himself a bit nervous, his stomach tight. The idea of sitting in front of an entire hall, everyone staring at you, was a little nerve-wracking. He unconsciously made himself look small, quite nearly hiding behind Hermione, who didn't seem nervous much at all.
Eventually, they were called in, and sorted one by one, alphabetically.
Of their group, Harry went first, having the last name Chang.
Everyone stared at him as he walked up and put the hat on his head. It was a fiercely uncomfortable walk, but he did manage.
The voice of the hat speaking to him was a calm, old-sounding one.
"So you're not a Potter anymore? You're quite different from what I expected you to be boy. With such a terrifying darkness there... you've done terrible things, haven't you?"
Harry swallowed. He had mentally prepared for this, and read about it in depth. The hat could not tell about anyone's thoughts. Wasn't allowed to.
"I'm not looking to get you in trouble." The hat said, "Are you? Slytherin is by all likelihood, the optimal place for you. You're lacking severely in courage, though I see strong intellect, loyalty... such a sense of hard work too."
Harry thought very purposefully at the hat, "Not Slytherin. I know I wouldn't fit in there. I want to work hard. I want to help people. I want to learn everything. I want to be with my new sister. Ravenclaw is where I need to be for that and I know I'll fit."
"You've come to me already knowing what you want. I won't delay trying to convince you. Work hard, then, boy, and perhaps great things truly will await you. RAVENCLAW!"
The House was shouted aloud. Like with the other students, Ravenclaw cheered loudly. Maybe, more loudly, it seemed? No, it probably only seemed that way because Harry was in front. There was no reason for them to cheer louder for him than for the others.
Hermione, too, ended up in Ravenclaw, as he'd expected, having saved a seat for her. Harry was curious to see where Neville would go. He had nervousness in his mannerisms, but true bravery where it mattered, Harry felt. So Gryffindor was likely. Not sure maybe.
The true answer really surprised him. Neville went to Ravenclaw! Just like Harry and Hermione. That was an utter shock, but a delight too. Harry cheered very loudly for his new friend and waved him over to sit with him and Hermione.
The future seemed very possible.
Harry paid good attention to the lectures, emphasizing to himself to stay away from those dangerous places, then enjoyed the feast with the other Ravenclaws. Cho introduced him to her friends and Harry introduced Hermione and Neville. Getting to know the other students in his House was an enjoyable, if hectic experience. He was left excited for classes tomorrow – not so excited as Hermione, though.
There was only one real bad thing introduced – whenever he looked towards the teacher's table, Harry felt a headache to his core.
He said nothing about it.
Harry knew he had no right to complain.
[Quick Note - I'm rather new at this. I'd love your help! Please let me know when you spot areas I could improve on.]