CHAPTER 3
September 1st comes and Harry had gone back to Diagon Alley with Hedwig to get her supplies since she was a sixth year but is now a first year.
"I can't believe I have to get first year student supplies." Hedwig says annoyed.
"Well you are the same age as me." Harry says.
"Because of a spell that made me de-age to your age and remain this age for eleven years." Hedwig says.
Harry and Hedwig walk onto 9 ¾ to board the Hogwarts express. Hedwig helps Harry through the barrier and Harry is excited to see the scarlet steam engine and looks forward to attending Hogwarts. Harry and Hedwig find a compartment near the end of the train. Not too long later after the train has left Kings Cross a red haired boy barges in.
"Can I share a compartment with you? Everywhere else is full."
"How is that possible? This train is charmed to provide space for all, and have you ever heard of knocking when opening a door to some place with people in it?" Hedwig says annoyed at this boy's attitude and manners.
"Shut up. Who are you to tell me what to do!" Hedwig gets mad and gets to her feet.
"Leave if you are going to be a prick, go be one somewhere else." Hedwig says as she draws her wand. The kid doesn't get the threat and still bosses her.
"You be someone who belongs to the dark side." The kid says. Hedwig casts a spell which sends him out into the corridor and she closes the door and casts a locking charm on the door. Hedwig sits next to Harry and he wraps his arm around her shoulder and she relaxes.
"Thanks Harry. You're always making me feel better." Hedwig says with a smile and Harry smile back.
"Of course I am your friend and doesn't me calming you down have to deal with the soul-bond?" Harry asks. Hedwig opens her eyes which are wide.
"Of course. The soul-bond would do that since our souls are practically one now. So if you comfort me it works and vice-versa." Hedwig says. The two watch as other people try to open the door but can't due to the locking charm. The two hear a knock on the door and Hedwig lowers the locking charm and opens the door to a witch with bushy brown hair and large front teeth.
"Yes?" Hedwig asks.
"You haven't seen a toad by any chance have you?" The girl asks.
"No we haven't. who lost a toad?" Hedwig asks.
"A boy named Neville."
"Is he with you?"
"Yes. Neville!" The girl calls. She moves as a chubby boy with black hair steps into view.
"So you are Neville?" Hedwig asks.
"Yes I am." Neville says.
"What is the name of your toad?" Hedwig asks.
"His name is Trevor." Neville says.
"Okay. There is a spell I will use to find your toad." Hedwig says and notices the girl perks at this as well as Harry. "Accio Trevor." Hedwig says. A minute later a toad flies into Hedwig's hand.
"Trevor!" Neville says. Hedwig conjures a cage sot the toad can't escape.
"Thank you!" Neville says.
"You're welcome Neville." Hedwig says.
"You're a first year yet that was an advanced spell." The girl with bushy hair says in a bossy tone which makes Hedwig's eye brow twitch.
"Yeah so?"
"Well I didn't think any first years would know any advanced spells." The girl says. Hedwig narrows her eyes at the girl. Harry seeing this jumps into action.
"Hello I am Harry."
"I am Hermione Granger"
"I am Neville Longbottom. Wait. Harry? As in Harry Potter?" Neville asks and Hermione's eyes widen.
"Yes." Harry says and Hedwig narrows her eyes at Neville.
"It's great to meet you Harry. We have been wondering where you disappeared to. Our parents were best friends." Neville says.
"Really?" Harry asks.
"Yes and I am sorry that you lost your parents." Neville says.
"It's okay, what are your parents like Neville?" Harry asks and Neville becomes quiet.
"My parents are like yours Harry but mine are alive but are in St. Mungos." Neville says.
"Neville I am sorry." Harry says.
"It's okay you couldn't have known." Neville says.
"Neville would you and Hermione like to join us?" Harry asks.
"Really?" Both asks.
"Of course." Hedwig says.
"Okay we need to go get our trunks." Neville says. He and Hermione leave the compartment and return with their trunks and two others. Harry and Neville lift and stow all the trunks and the other two introduce themselves as Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot. The six first years (Hedwig is 11 due to the spell thus restarting school as a first year) enjoy talking and getting to know each other. Harry and Neville leave the compartment so the girls can change and they go to the loo to change. 30 minutes later the train starts to slow down as it approaches Hogsmeade station. The train comes to a stop and the six first years stepoff the train and look at the swarm of students.
"First years! Calling all first years!" Calls a booming voice. The six turn to see a man that is half-giant holding a lamp. "First years this way!" Hagrid says. They follow Hagrid and the rest of the first years down a narrow path to a bunch of boats.
"Four to a boat!" Hagrid says. Harry, Hedwig, Neville, and Hermione get a boat and Susan and Hannah get another one shared with twin sisters. The red head boy tries to get in since he found out that Harry had gotten in it. He tried making either Neville or Hermione give him their seat.
"Why should we?" Hedwig asks annoyed.
"Because I am Harry's best mate!" The kid says.
"Please" Hedwig snorts "You just want to be friends with him and be known as the friend of the boy-who-lived." Hedwig says.
"What was that bitch?" The kid asks as his face turns the same color as his hair. He goes to make Hermione leave but a fist from both Harry and Neville sends him falling into the lake. He has no choice but to get in another boat.
"Everyone in? Right then. Forward!" Hagrid says and the small boats start sailing. The boats round a bend of rocks and everyone stares in awe at seeing the castle perched above the lake with its lights reflecting on the lake. The boats arrive and the soon to be student follow Hagrid up a bunch of stairs and stop at a door which he knocks twice and they open to reveal a witch wearing green robes and thin tight lips and a look that brokers for no nonsense.
"The first years Professor McGonagall." Hagrid says.
"Thank you Hagrid" Hagrid leaves "follow me." Professor McGonagall says and leads the first years into a room. They all hear a noise coming from a set of doors that Harry figures is where the rest of the school is.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Here you will learn to control your magic. Soon you will be sorted into your house. The houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. For the next seven years the hoiuse is like a family. You will earn points for following the rules and lose points if you break the rules. Wait here as I announce that you are here." McGonagall says. She leaves the first years who start whispering to themselves of what the sorting may be.
"How do you think we will be sorted?" Neville asks.
"I don't know. I guess we will find out when we get in there." Hedwig says but she knows how the sorting goes.
"What house do you think you will be sorted into?" Susan asks.
"I don't know hopefully not with that red head." Harry says.