Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

A lone figure stood in front of a boundary between Platforms 9 and 10. Small, only about twelve, carrying suitcases and an owl, this sight should have been strange to the many Muggles passing. But to them, it was a regular occurrence. The only thing odd to the Muggles passing was the fact he was alone and much earlier than normal, normally such 'weirdos' came later with family. The small boy sighed. He had requested to arrive early, not wanting to see all the others with parents, happy, smiling, asking 'did you forget this' or 'did you forget that'. Nevertheless, as he walked through the boundary of Platform 9 ¾, he was comforted he was not alone, returning the grin of his irregular, though ever-present, friend and loving sister.

The small boy was Ethan Gaia, the first child with wizarding blood in many generations. Though the name Gaia once was as a prideful and acknowledged name as Black or Malfoy, the magic in the name had long since been lost. The last ones with magic dying before having children, leaving their Squib brother to carry the name. Magic had become so forgotten by the Gaia family that when their children showed it, they were instantly dumped on to the doorstep of the local orphanage. This child was Ethan Gaia, though luckily his sister Ebony quickly joined him. The wizard who explained Hogwarts to him also told him this to try to comfort him and make him feel proud, though Ethan honestly found it something to be quite embarrassed about, especially since the wizard had suggested that a Squib was a less-than-prideful thing to have in your family.

Ethan's friend roughed up his mangy, tan brown hair, a fact which Ethan would of found annoying if he wasn't used to it. This friend was Helge Ulfsang, though he normally introduced himself as 'Nocturne'. As far as Ethan could tell, Nocturne was Norwegian, though he held a neutral accent except when talking in his home tongue. It had been a mystery why he moved to England at a young age for most of Ethan's life, though with the letter to Hogwarts came many of the answers to Nocturne the Enigma. Apparently, the name Ulfsang was a semi-famous pureblood wizarding family in Norway and his mother had asked him to attend Hogwarts prior to death (a subject, much like why he kept his mother's maiden name and what happened to his father, that Nocturne clearly disliked discussing) and moving to England would make things simpler. Nocturne even stated he only picked their orphanage was because it was closest to Platform 9 ¾, a fact all three were glad as fate decided to make them friends (well, two and one saying "if fate existed").

Being friends with Nocturne also gave him and his sister a distinct advantage to other Muggleborns, they actually had someone to help explain everything. His white-haired friend was always keen to lend Ethan and Ebony information about the wizarding world after receiving their letters. Nocturne had been especially helpful after Ethan read through a book titled 'A Muggleborn's Guide to the Wizarding World' (his sister too busy sending letters via owl to some friends she quickly gained in Diagon Alley), answering any extra questions Ethan had about the wizarding world, though Nocturne always ended with a grin and 'But leave some of the teaching for the Professors, won'tcha?' or more commonly after rolling his eyes, 'But you'll find all this out at Hogwarts!'.

Another advantage was Nocturne was incredibly rich due to being in a very long and wealthy family and more than happily paid for everything they needed, and some things they didn't. Despite Ethan pointing out they got some money for second-hand stuff, Nocturne waved off Ethan's concerns with 'I'm not getting my friends second-hand stuff! Plus, best you keep that money for wizard lollies like Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, as well as Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes stuff' before pointing out the next new, shiny thing he'll buy them until Ethan stopped trying to be modest and gave in. Ebony didn't even mind, only thanking him with a big hug before running off to chat with some girls her age, long black hair swishing around as she did so. The constant letters she's sent to her new-found friends was also thanks to Nocturne as well, having bought her a grey, chatty and excitable owl which Ethan rolled his eyes at upon meeting. He silently thanked Nocturne for knowing them so well and not getting him a similar owl. Instead, Nocturne bought him a bigger, more mature dark brown owl that, while kind, wasn't nearly as energetic as Ebony's owl, a fact Ethan liked very much.

Said owl hooted in its cage labelled 'Anima', Ethan scratching his pet owl with a finger through the bars in her cage before she affectionately nipped at his finger. Nocturne grinned at Ethan. "Used to her yet?" Nocturne asked with a grin. A week previous, when they went to Diagon Alley, Ethan remarked he would never get used to living with an owl that delivered letters.

"Well, you said a lot of things would change once we were introduced to magic, didn't you?" Ethan pointed out, practically quoting what Nocturne had said in rebuttal to his owl statement at Diagon Alley. Nocturne grinned and shrugged, obviously acknowledging Ethan had a point there. Ebony waited impatiently, tapping her foot.

"Why did we have to arrive an hour early? My friends won't be here for hours!' Ebony said in an annoyed whine. Ethan, not able to stand such a contradiction, even if slang, quickly pointed out how she clearly made a false comment. Ebony gave an irritated eye roll while Nocturne simply grinned again.

"Come on, while Miss Popular waits for her friends to arrive, let's pick a compartment for our friends to arrive," Nocturne said. Ethan sighed. Nocturne had a habit of thinking such a chance meeting would guarantee them to be friends, or at least friendly rivals. Ethan, however, thought such things were just chance, no fate involved. He didn't even believe in fate. Nevertheless, Ethan heaved his stuff onto the Hogwarts Express and picked a compartment. As the two sat opposite to each other, Nocturne asked what, in Ethan's opinion, was a good question. "Which House do you think you'll end up in?"

Ethan pondered from a few seconds. He had already knew about all the Houses of Hogwarts, having read the recent edition of 'Hogwarts: A History'. He doubted he would end up in Ravenclaw or Slytherin, since he was more a hard worker than natural genius or cunning pureblood. He knew he could be in only two Houses; Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. "Hopefully Gryffindor," Ethan finally answered. "Hufflepuff seems to be a House which isn't too bright and where all the leftovers go and it's obvious I won't end up in Ravenclaw or Slytherin," Ethan explained, to which Nocturne raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Really? I hope we both end up in Hufflepuff," Nocturne said with a shrug. Ethan couldn't contain his look of shock.

"Hufflepuff! But even the book implies-"

"Oh please, I bet they aren't that bad. They're the House of Loyalty. There's no House of Stupidity, every House is balanced. If anything, Hufflepuff is probably the best House to be in," Nocturne cut him off with an eye roll.

"Why?"

"Simple, all but Hufflepuff is prone to pride. Ravenclaw is intelligent, but I bet they usually can't keep their pride in check. Gryffindor would flaunt that Harry Potter was in their House, along with the Wealsey family. Slytherin has always been cocky due to blood purity, even if branded with the term traitors," Nocturne explained, Ethan raising an eyebrow at 'traitors'. Nocturne continued on however, not expanding on the branding. "Plus, if we were to think of our most likely Houses, they would be Gryffindor and Slytherin. I don't need to explain what would be bad about that," Nocturne said, an awkward silence following when he finished.

Ethan knew exactly what he meant. Being in two different Houses would of put a bit of pressure on any friendship, yet none worse than Gryffindor and Slytherin. The two were infamous rivals, yet after the permanent defeat of Voldemort, this rivalry had somehow became much worse. Ethan, even if a Muggleborn, knew the statistics. The chance of duels or being attacked by an offensive spell dramatically increased if you were in either Gryffindor or Slytherin, most of these caused by the rival House. Nowadays, friendships between Slytherin and Gryffindor was unheard of, let alone possible.

Still, Nocturne was never known as a person to let negativities affect him or let others tell him what to do. Extending a hand, he let his usual grin grow back across his face. "Bah, who cares what they say? We've been friends for years and no one is going to stop that, even if I have to face a million waffle irons and Exploding Snap decks!" Nocturne said happily. Ethan laughed at the inside joke before accepting the hand. "Friends through thick, thin, rivalries, girls, decks of cards, a boot to the face and waffle irons!" Nocturne declared.

"Friends through thick, thin, rivalries, girls, decks of cards, a boot to the face and waffle irons!" Epsilon declared as well, agreeing as he laughed, shaking hands with Nocturne.

Nocturne groaned. "I forgot the partridge in a pear tree!" Nocturne said with mock sadness. Ethan rolled his eyes at the lameness of the joke, yet laughed anyway. The jokes and laughter continued on the lonely train of two boys, not a care in the world as they enjoyed the comfort of knowing it wasn't the House that mattered, but the friendships they made.

For the moment, at least.

((Hello! As this is my first story in a while, it probably won't be the greatest thing I've ever written but nevertheless, it was a fun thing to write, plus probably one of my longest every chapters. Over two thousand words! First things first, though. This is a story that won't be in a fully canonical part of the Harry Potter universe. This is set in the Epilogue, 19 Years after the end of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. Also, this story that, while featuring them, will not be focused on one of the main character's children. The focus will be on an OC, or Other Character to those not familiar with the term, and hopefully show my interpretation of what Hogwarts would be like in 2017, mainly the rivilries between Houses. Now, I know I am not anywhere near a perfect writer, so any critisms, comments and ectera I will pay attention to. Ideas for plots, chapters, even characters can also be suggested since I, to be perfectly honest, have no idea where this story is going but I will never get anywhere without support! I know it may seem silly or not worth the point, but a PM or Review to say something as simple as "This is a great story!" is appreciated. As a writer with little motivation, knowing people read my stories and either pay attention to point out flaws or enjoy my perspective is highly enjoyable. After all, a Review or PM is your opinion. Even if you tell me you hate it, explain how so I can make it better. That is what a writer is, after all. A person learning and improving from experience. So please, help encourage and improve me!))