It was early on September 1, 1991.

Harry had spent the past month hopping around Britain, visiting many of his new friends. He had even stayed with the Weasleys, Longbottoms, Grangers, and his Godfather for several days each over the last two weeks. The Weasleys picked him up on the 10th and he had stayed for four days.

Neville had invited him for a few days as well. Not wanting to be left out, Hermione had gotten her parents to agree to host Harry for a long weekend from the 23rd to the 26th; Neville and the other Magicals didn't feel comfortable enough to stay in a non-magical house yet. Sirius had volunteered that as an optimal window as he and Remus would be distracted for the weekend.

His favorite, however, had been being able to stay with Sirius. At least it was a lot more fun – even if there were a few too many pranks. Sirius tried to be a good adult figure, but succumbed to temptation far too much. Remus had to provide the voice of reason.

However, Sirius' lack of adherence to "the rules" DID allow Neville, Hermione, and himself to practice several spells at 12 Grimmauld Place. After the removal of several pests, curses, horrible items (including a painting of Sirius' mother) and a number of other things, the place was looking much brighter.

Sirius had taken the large bedroom on the 3rd floor – not wanting to sleep in the room his mother had slept in. That was just too weird for him. Harry had happily taken one of the other two on the same floor with Remus taking the last. The fourth floor, where Sirius and his brother had grown up, was being redone more fully to allow the Harry and Sirius to move there when it was all done.

The will reading had opened his eyes to exactly how well off his family had been. His parents hadn't even had to work – his grandfather had invented a potion that had made his family wealthy. Professor Dumbledore had told him that they had spent their time post-Hogwarts helping defeat Tom Riddle. So, in reality, his Uncle had been correct that they were unemployed. There was no Dole involved, however.

The Dursleys were another difference for Harry. He had continued to get along with Aunt Petunia and Dudley had been curious. Vernon was just kept away from Harry.

When Harry had found that the stipend for his care hadn't been paid, he could understand why Vernon had complained about costs – not that he had spent much on Harry himself. In a purely Marauder mood, he had arranged with Mr. Weasley for the Dursleys to receive the stipend in full – and pay back any amount they had received from other sources. They came out ahead, but the amount they had to pay back to the government because Harry "no longer qualified" had annoyed Vernon to no end.

Mr. Weasley had protested the fee stipulated in the will, but Harry had been adamant that it get paid as it had been set by his parents.

Sirius was going to take care of anything doing with the Magical world about Harry's care or representing him as needed. Mr. Weasley would make sure the financial estate was managed properly until Harry turned of age. He had taken an oath to not bring up details with his family or others. Mr. Weasley was very honest. Harry had promised not to mention where the extra 1000 galleons a year was coming from to his children as well. His wife, of course, had to be told.

Harry woke up to the alarm. He looked at the alarm and then yelled, "Padfoot! Moony! It's September 1st! Today, I go to Hogwarts!"

Several sounds were heard until Sirius showed up at the door to his Godson's room. "Pup, it's 0700. You don't have to be at the station for hours yet."

Remus was right behind Sirius. "Padfoot, it's his first day. Weren't you excited your first day?"

Sirius looked a little thoughtful. "Yeah. And nervous. Very nervous."

Harry was almost bouncing around. "I have to get ready! Hermione and her parents are coming by the tube and we have to be there by 09:15!" Gone was the cautious, quiet boy that had grown up on Privit Drive and now Harry Potter was much closer to a typical eleven year old.

Hermione, Sirius, Remus, Hermione's parents, Harry, and Neville would all be going out for Sunday breakfast before the 11:00 Hogwarts Express. The Grangers were coming by tube as driving in London – even on a Sunday – could be messy and it was a straight route from their home area to King's Cross. Neville would be brought by his Grandmother.

Soon, all were walking towards King's Cross. It was about a twenty minute walk, according to Sirius. Harry had snagged a small snack to keep him going until breakfast. Kreature had silently provided when asked.

Sirius had commented that Kreature, had become less surly than he was when Harry had first met him, but he still was fairly useless. The elf had complained for a week about the removal of the elf-heads and the portrait of Walburga Black that Sirius had initiated. However, as the dark items had been removed, Kreature had become less manic. It was if triggers to insanity were removed.

Hermione had been aghast at the ideas of house elves, but her lessons on keeping polite had paid off and she had restrained herself from going on a rant until she asked. Sirius had explained that house elves in general were unhappy with the idea of being freed but if one wanted that he would help to achieve it. Harry had nodded. Hermione had only asked Kreature once if he wanted to be freed and the amount of angst he had displayed at the idea had disabused her of suggesting it again.

Finally, Harry and his two minders were waiting at the platform where Line 10 disembarked. At 09:15, the train pulled in and Harry looked. Finally, he saw Hermione. He began madly waving.

Harry heard her tell her parents, "There he is! Come on!" Hermione ran up to greet them, even as her parents followed at a more sedate pace.

When they arrive, Hermione's mother was chuckling. "Oh, just leave us old folk behind. Your poor father has to drag that heavy trunk around, but don't mind him! He'll be alight!"

Hermione managed to look both embarrassed and indignant all at once. The males all chuckled at the byplay. Finally, Mr. Granger said, "Well, I suggest a locker for the books and such and then we can be off to breakfast!"

Sirius looked around and led them around to a quiet spot. "Actually, Graham, we can just keep them with us." At this Sirius tapped the trunk and it reduced down to a very small size. Harry's was already reduced. Hedwig had been sent ahead because Harry hadn't wanted to drag her through London.

Everyone trooped to the barrier and shortly, Neville and his Gran had emerged. Hermione and Harry were both amazed by the barrier to the Hogwarts Express.

After the group had eaten, they were all back by 10:40. The Granger parents stayed with the children while the rest secured a place on the train. Harry, admittedly, was a bit nervous about Sirius having free reign to "secure the compartment." He hoped Remus would keep Sirius from doing anything too obnoxious.

At 10:50, Harry heard a voice he recognized. "… always packed with Muggles. Now, what is the platform number?"

Harry spun and saw the Weasleys. He heard Ginny enthusiastically say, "Platform 9 ¾!"

Harry gave a small shout, "Hello!"

The Weasleys turned and saw the three other prospective Hogwarts students waiting. "Hello, Dears," Mrs. Weasley said. "Are we all prepared?"

The three waiting replied in the positive and they group made their way through the platform. Harry heard Ginny say, "I want to go to Hogwarts!"

Mrs. Weasley had apparently heard this often. "Sorry, Ginny. One more year. All of your brothers had to wait." Ginny looked a bit sullen at this.

Wanting to cheer the girl up, Harry said, "If you went this year, who would arrive with poor Luna next year?"

Harry had met Luna Lovegood at Ginny's birthday party. He had been saddened to hear about her losing her mother the year before, but she was so straightforward in the things she said he had liked her immediately – regardless of the strangeness of some of those things.

Ginny tried to smile, but was having a hard time.

The adults all seemed to hug the children they knew indiscriminately. Sirius said, "Now I want to hear about every detention you get for pranking."

Hermione, having heard this, yelled, "Sirius!" Sirius just grinned. Remus looked resigned as he moved to embrace his friends' cub.

Harry heard Mrs. Weasley say to the twins, "Now, you two- this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've- you've blown up a toilet or-"

"Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet."

"Great idea though, thanks, Mom."

Sirius had also heard. He laughed a short bark-like laugh and said, "Molly! Never give a prankster ideas." Remus agreed solemnly.

Molly looked with exasperation at the twins. "Oh, it's not funny! Look after Ron."

"Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us," provided one of the twins.

"Shut up," was Ron's reply.

A whistle sounded.

"Hurry up!" their mother said, and everone clambered onto the train. The Weasleys leaned out of the window for her to kiss them good-bye, and Ginny began to cry.

Fred (Harry guessed) yelled out of the window, "Don't, Ginny, we'll send you loads of owls."

"We'll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat," added George.

"George!"

"Only joking, Mom."

The train began to move. Harry saw everyone on the platform waving. Ginny was half laughing, half crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed, then she fell back and waved.

Harry watched everyone disappear as the train rounded the corner. Houses flashed past the window. Harry felt a great leap of excitement. He didn't know what he was going to, but he would face it with the help of his friends.

The twins turned to Ron, ""Listen, we're going down the middle of the train- Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there."

Ron – as well as the other three first years – shuddered a bit. He replied, "Right."

The twins left and finally Hermione said, "So, off to Hogwarts!"

Everyone was a bit nervous until Ron said, "Oh wait! You guys haven't seen!"

The other three looked at him. "Dad and Mum got me an owl a few days ago!" Ron stood and grabbed a cage from the shelf. Harry hadn't noticed it when the train was being loaded. Ron opened the cage door and a small owl enthusiastically flew out, twittering madly.

Neville was curious, as was Hermione. Harry just grinned at the little thing. "It's a Scops Owl. His name's Pig." The small owl twittered. "Ruddy bird."

Harry had to ask, "Pig?" The small bird flew up and began fluttering around the ceiling. He had never seen anything that looked less like a pig.

Ron sighed. "Ginny named him Pigwidgeon cause it was 'cute.' I used Pig for short and wow he won't answer to anything else." The bird joyously twittered at all of the students in the compartment. Harry made an attempt to grab him and the bird cheerfully dodged. All four had a bit of a time catching the small owl.

"It's a menace," Ron moaned. Harry noted, however, that he wasn't nearly as annoyed as he seemed. Finally, Pig had been bribed by a treat that Ron had gotten out of his pocket.

Ron looked around. "Where's Hedwig?"

Harry replied, "Sent her ahead. Didn't want to drag her cage all over so Sirius shrunk it in my trunk."

Hermione and Neville both took the opportunity to pet the small, enthusiastic owl.

Finally, Neville went to take Trevor out and noted something. "Trevor's gone!"

Hermione said, "Oh no! Where did you last have him?"

Neville thought back. "I remember checking when we got on the train. So it was after that."

Hermione stood up, "Come on, let's check out the compartment." It was soon obvious the toad was not present. Hermione suggested checking the rest of the car and the two adjacent.

Harry looked at Ron. Ron didn't look like he wanted to go anywhere. "Ron, you keep our things safe. We'll be back." Ron nodded, now looking less happy about staying in the compartment.

They checked the current car and then moved out. Harry found it in a car with several other children all about his age. "Sorry for the interruption. My friend's toad did a runner."

The two girls and the boy all accepted the apology. The boy said, "My name's Wayne Hopkins. These are Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott."

Harry nodded, "Harry Potter."

All three were gobsmacked. "Really?" Susan asked.

Harry grinned a little. "Yeah" He held up the toad. "And this is Trevor; owned by my friend Neville. If he comes by before I see him, tell him I got him." The two girls blushed a little and Wayne nodded and smiled.

Harry made his way back to his compartment. He absently noted Wayne passing behind him. Hermione and Neville made it back at the same time. Harry held up the toad. "Trevor!" Neville was very happy to receive his toad back.

Neville took down his trunk (with help from the others) and got out his glass container for his toad. "Couldn't carry him in it as you can't carry animals in your trunk." Neville put Trevor in the case and then dropped in several live insects. The toad ate them all. Neville then went and washed his hands. He suggested to Harry he do the same. "You have to wash your hands if you handle a toad. Some of them have poisons coming out their skin."

Harry and Neville took their robes with them so they could change at Hermione's suggestion. Ron accompanies them and Hermione used the compartment.

The four pre-teens were interrupted by the snack cart at around 1:00. Hermione had taken out a book and was reading. Neville was watching his toad. Ron and Harry were both napping a bit.

There was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"

Before anyone else could say anything, Harry jumped up. "Sirius gave me a Galleon. What can I get for a Galleon?"

The Snack Cart lady started listing prices. Apparently, the snack cart was cheaper than a candy store because a Galleon could apparently get A LOT. In the end, there was a Sickle and 6 Knuts change which Harry gave to the lady as a tip.

Harry turned and dumped the last load of snacks on one of the seats.

Ron took out a lumpy package. There were four sandwiches. Ron looked inside and said, "She always forgets I don't like corned beef."

Harry turned and said, "How about we each eat a sandwich and all of you help me eat up the rest."

The four quickly ate the sandwiches. Harry hmmed as he ate his. Ron looked at him. "Love the food your Mum makes." Ron's face turned pink. He thought they were kind of dry.

When the sandwiches were done, each took several snacks – although Hermione took the fewest saying, "My parents would kill me if I ate too much sugar."

"Want some of these?" Harry asked Ron, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs.

"See what the card is. I'm missing Agrippa."

Hermione asked, "What?"

Ron looked at her. "Oh, of course, you wouldn't know - Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, you know, to collect. They have famous witches and wizards on 'em. I've got about five hundred, but I haven't got Agrippa or Ptolemy."

Harry unwrapped his Chocolate Frog and picked up the card. It showed a man's face. He wore half-moon glasses, had a long, crooked nose, and flowing silver hair, beard, and mustache. Underneath the picture was the name Albus Dumbledore.

"Remus has gotten me into collecting them. This is Dumbledore!" said Harry.

Ron took one. " I might get Agrippa - thanks-"

Harry turned over his card and read:

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Currently Headmaster of Hogwarts. Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times,

Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicholas Flamel.

Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.

Harry turned the card back over and saw that Dumbledore's face had disappeared. "I'm still not used to pictures leaving." Hermione nodded her head in agreement, even as she took the card to look at it.

"Well, you can't expect him to hang around all day," said Ron. "He'll be back. No, I've got Morgana again and I've got about six of her… any of you want it?" Hermione took that one as well. The cards contained information, after all.

Harry commented as he opened the next chocolate frog, "In the Mundane world, people just stay put in photos."

"What, they don't move at all?" Neville sounded amazed. Ron was just as amazed.

After Harry nodded, both Neville and Ron chorused, "Weird!"

Ron and Neville were more interested in eating the frogs than looking at the Famous Witches and Wizards cards, but Harry and Hermione looked at each one that presented itself. Soon they had not only Dumbledore and Morgana, but Hengist of Woodcroft, Alberic Grunnion, Circe, Paracelsus, and Merlin. He finally handed away from the Druidess Cliona, who was scratching her nose, to Hermione so he could open a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

"You want to be careful with those," Ron warned Harry. "When they say every flavor, they mean every flavor- you know, you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George reckons he had a booger-flavored one once."

Ron took one and tasted it. "Bleaaargh- see? Sprouts?"

They had a good time eating the Every Flavor Beans and naming the flavors as they went. Even Hermione got into it a bit even if she was nervous about eating something without knowing what it tasted like.

After the snack break, the four chatted about several things. Hermione even got Ron to talk about classes, much to Harry's surprise. Ron wasn't enthusiastic about studying.

Suddenly the door slid open. Three boys entered. Two were thickset and looked extremely mean; they looked like bodyguards. They were standing on either side of a pale blonde boy with slicked back hair.

"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

Harry nodded. "Yes."

Before Harry could say anything further, the boy said, "Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him.

"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

He turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

Harry shot up and stood straight in front of the pale blonde. He, Remus, and Sirius had worked out what to do in case this happened. They had told him about the Pureblood attitudes and the children of Tom Riddle's followers.

"Mister Malfoy! Please desist from being so rude! Why, if I didn't know better I would think that your were a Mundane teenager!" He shook his head and looked off thoughtfully. "So many Mundanes forget to teach manners to their children these days."

Harry refocused on Draco. "Of course, we are not Mundanes: Common, everyday, non-magical. We are Wizards and Witches. I am certain your parents impressed upon you the importance of good breeding and manners?"

Draco spluttered out, "Of course!" as though the idea that his Pureblood parents would neglect such a thing was ludicrous.

Harry nodded. "I am exceedingly happy to hear that. We cannot act like some common rabble." Harry looked at Draco as though he expected him to have exactly the same mindset. Draco nodded, still confused-looking.

"So, as good manners dictate: Mr. Draco Malfoy, Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle: These are my very close and dear friends Mr. Neville Longbottom, Ms. Hermione Granger, and Mr. Ronald Weasley. I am Mr. Harry James Potter." He held out his hand to shake; the three boys each mechanically responded. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Although we may or may not become close friends, we can ensure that we remain polite acquaintances as good manners and breeding dictate, yes?"

The three boys nodded dumbly and retreated. All three had confused looks on their faces. Harry closed the door, trying to maintain his composure.

Finally Harry turned around and saw the shocked looks on the faces of his compartment mates. He lost it and laughed loudly. Finally the three joined in.

Ron crowed, "That was AMAZING! My Dad told me about his family! I don't think I ever heard of anyone getting over on them."

Harry shook his head. "Professor Dumbledore warned me about manners in the Magical world. According to him, you even have to be polite to your enemies." He grinned. "Besides, as my Godfather said: Out-snobbing the snobs is a prank worthy of the Marauders."

Hermione giggled. "He can't even complain to anyone because it would make him look silly."

Harry obviously winked his eye so that all three could see him. They continued laughing.

Harry finally said to Ron, "I've seen you react sometimes. In the long run, it's more fun this way than reacting to whatever they say."

Hermione was a bit curious – and then a little upset. "Why did you insult Mundanes?"

Harry placated her with, "You and I both know that non-Magicals are just as intelligent as any Magical – they just know different things. Muggle sounds insulting and implies 'easily fooled'. Mundane, even if it can also sound insulting, really isn't; it only implies they aren't uncommon like Wizards and Witches are. He's going to be insulting anyway. Why not redirect him to ignore the idea of Muggleborn vs Pureblood? And you have to admit, a lot of the flowery manners have been dropped in the last 50 years in regular society. Those are still used a lot on the Magical world."

Hermione thought about it. She couldn't find fault with Harry's argument. Still she grumbled, "I don't like anyone implying my parents aren't special because they are, to me."

Harry put his arm around Hermione. "I know and I agree. I love your parents. It's about slow changes. Let's get them away from 'Easily Fooled' to 'Ordinary' before working on 'Each Person is Special in Their Own Way.'"

Ron and Neville were a little surprised at the arguments used. Thinking about it, they couldn't really disagree.

Suddenly, they heard a voice: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

Harry's stomach lurched with nerves and Ron, he saw, looked pale under his freckles. Hermione looked resolute. Neville got a bit nervous. They all (except Hermione) crammed their pockets with the last of the sweets and joined the crowd thronging the corridor.

The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Harry heard a familiar voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?"

Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.

"C'mon, follow me- any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

There was a loud "Ooooh!"

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. All four got into one boat.

"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then- FORWARD!"

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face.

They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles and up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.

They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

"Everyone here?"

Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.