Chapter 8: Train Ride and New Faces

Notes: Hello lovelies and welcome to chapter 8! There are more new face in this chapter, and this was such a fun chapter to write :) I do hope you like it! As always thanks goes to my amazing Beta! 3 they do such a lovely job at looking after my work! As always I do hope you like it and please leave comments on what you thought of it! anyways that is enough from me! On to the story!

The week seemed to fly by, Harry was enjoying the time that he got to spend with everyone, as well as studying for the upcoming school year. Of course that wasn't his idea, it was Severus's, saying that it would help him the first day at Hogwarts if he read at least the first chapter in all of his classes. Harry didn't just study the whole time though, he hung out with Draco and met some more people that were also going to be in their year such as; Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, and Theodore Nott, who all were at Malfoy Manor one day. They helped him understand more of what was to come, and didn't say anything about the way he looked or acted. Theodore, or Theo as he liked to be called, was interested mostly in some the muggle things Harry had to share. They all had a good afternoon, Pansy telling Draco and Blaise the latest gossip, all the while Draco filling Harry in on every bit so that he didn't feel that left out. Harry had wondered if this was what it was like to have friends; he would've liked to ask someone, but he didn't want to seem to strange by asking that sort question.

Harry also hung out with Severus a bit as well, the older man explained parts in his books that he didn't understand, and also introduced him a couple teachers that stopped by during the week, dropping off various paper work. The first one as Professor McGonagall, she was an older women, she had her hair tied back in a tight bun upon her head, she also seemed very stern to Harry, but yet she was very polite. She told him that she taught Transfiguration, and that his father and mother were very good in the subject when she taught them. The other teacher Professor Flitwick, he was, well, he was very excited to meet Harry and explained that he was the instructor for Charms, and that if he ever had any problems that he could ask help from him or his house, Ravenclaw.

It was the morning of the day Harry left for Hogwarts, and Severus had conflicting feelings. He had known Harry for less about a month, and he grown to respect… No that is what he was looking for, he felt a fatherly duty to the boy. If someone was to tell this to Severus before he went to go get Harry, he would have laughed in their face, and would explain how this child would be a spoiled little brat, much like his father. Now he knew wrong he was and Severus couldn't help feel bad about those assumptions, but was also happy that he was able to overlook such things now.

Severus was waiting now on Harry who had decided that it would be a good idea to pack everything at the last second. Severus sighed, knowing that they are pushing their time right now, and felt a little irritated at the fact that he would be late. Of course, at that moment Harry showed up trunk in hand, his Kitten in her cage sleeping. Harry had brought the little thing home and named it, Neit, it was the name of an Egyptian goddess, Harry explained to him, at least that's what he had understood from the title, "The Huntress". Harry thought that would fit his new little kitten just right. Levi, of course, first thought he was kidding about keeping the kitten, but slowly started to feel for the furball much to his irritation. Said snake was following behind Harry, and seemed to be scolding the young boy.

"Harry, we are running late!" Severus said, looking at the young boy who had entered the room.

"I am sorry Sir, Neit didn't want to get in her cage," Harry said, looking at Severus, "So it is alright if Levi comes to Hogwarts?"

After many discussions with Severus over the snake, as well as Severus asking the Headmaster, it seemed the snake would be allowed to join them at Hogwarts under the rule that he would stay in Severus's living quarters when Harry was in class.

"Yes, now come on, we are running behind," Severus said while casting a spell to shrink Harry's stuff, "I want you to keep a firm grip on Neit, Levi you keep a good grip on Harry, and Harry whatever you do, do not let go."

With a nod from Harry, Severus apparated to King's Cross train station. To Severus this was a normal thing, and didn't think much about it anymore, to Harry just another wizarding away to get around he hated; to him it was like being sucked in a vacuum and everything being distorted with the world spinning around you then all of the sudden you are spit out in a random location. Harry was trying not to let his breakfast to come back up, but was having difficulty with Severus dragging him off.

"Sorry, I forgot to warn you about that, it's called apparating you won't get to do that till you are 17." Severus quickly explained to Harry, while trying to avoid all the on rush of students and parents alike, trying to get to platform 9 ¾.

"Now Harry, this is where I leave you, I must go on ahead to Hogwarts. Draco and the others will help you on the train, and if possible help you this school year. I know you want to be in the same house as Draco, but there is a possibility that you won't, so please be prepared for that outcome, please."

Harry nodded to indicate to Severus that he heard him loud and clear, "Alright then go get on the train before it leaves, and I will see you soon."

With that Severus left Harry on the platform with all his stuff that he had unshrunk before he left, with the swarm of people taking his place. Levi went with Severus not wanting to be smushed with all the people running about, and for good reason since Harry was quickly pushed to the ground by rushing students.

"Look here," One voice said.

"We have someone laying," another one said

"Down on the job,"

"Get up,"

"Before,"

"You're trampled," The two voice said together.

Two hands were thrusted into Harry's view, Harry accepted them and was lifted to his feet when he turned around to thank them, he thought he was seeing double. There were two red heads that looked exactly the same smiling down at the young boy.

"Looks like you need some help," One of the red heads said.

"I think your right Fred, let's give him a hand."

Before Harry could say anything, his trunk was lifted onto the train, and two reds heads were pulling him onboard.

"T-Thanks." Harry said, looking from Fred to his twin, pushing his hair out of his face to get a better look at the two.

"What's that?" Asked one of the twins suddenly, pointing at the lightening shaped scare on his forehead.

"Bloody hell," The other one said, "Are you-?"

"He is." The other one picked up, where the other started, "Aren't you?"

"What?" Harry asked, getting really confused since they seemed to know when one was going to talk and the other wasn't.

"Harry Potter," The twins said at the same time.

"Ohh, him," Harry said, finally understanding them, "Yeah, I am." Shrugging his shoulders at the two gawking red heads.

"It nice to meet you!" Said one, "I am Fred, and that is my twin,"

"George is the name!" George finished, smiling at the small boy.

"Say Fred, can we keep him?" George asked, Fred looking at Harry then back at his twin.

"Yes, when can keep him, he looks like he is going to be fun," Fred said to George, smiling before pulling Harry into an empty car, before another red head came in, he looked almost Harry's age.

"There you two are! Mum and Percy have been driving me insane, why did you take off so suddenly?" The new red head asked the twins.

"We saw a little kitten," George started.

"That needed our help," Fred continued where his twin left off.

"So we helped it out," they both finished.

"Would you two stop that? It's rather very annoying." Their little brother, Harry assumed, said scowling at the twins antics.

"No can do Ronniekins-"

"We live to annoy."

As soon as they said that, another red head opened the car, looking at the other three redheads with displeasure.

"You three are in trouble, you didn't tell Mum goodbye." The new red head stated.

"Sorry Percy, I was looking for these two," Ronniekins said.

"That is no excuse Ronald, now you two," Percy said, looking at the twins, "I want no trouble from you two this year, if I so much as hear of a prank from you two, I will personally, as a prefect and as your brother, take care of you." Percy said, fixing his glare upon the twins.

The Twins only smiled at their brother not fazed what he said. "Of course Percy dear, we wouldn't want to cause any trouble what so ever for our perfect prefect brother." The tins said in unison, laughing all the while. Harry couldn't help the smile at the two, seeing the way they were so carefree. Percy only nodded then left the car to the four mumbling about going to the prefect car.

"Hey Fred, do you want to see Lee's new tarantula?" George turned and looked at his twin a mischievous grin upon his face. Harry noticed that their younger brother's face went pale at the mention of a spider.

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea!" Fred said smiling, before turning to Harry, "Would you like to come Harry?" Ron did a double take at Harry, and was about to open his mouth, but Harry beat him in speaking first.

"Yes, I would love to go with you, but after that I must find Draco, he is supposed to help me out, or at least that is what I was told before coming here."

"Of course Kitten, we will help you find Draco after we visit the tarantula." Fred smiled at the younger boy. With that the trio left the, leaving the smaller red head alone, scowling at his older brothers.

After spending time with Lee and the twins, Harry felt like it was time to find Draco, so he gave the twins sleeves a tug to indicate that it was time for him to make a leave.

"Sorry Lee, but we must get this Kitten to his proper owner, but do you think that we can barrow this guy for a bit?" Fred ask Lee.

Lee thought over this for a moment, but noticed that the twins had an idea and wasn't going to stop one of their pranks. "Yeah of course mates, but I want him back in one piece!" Lee said firmly, looking at both of the twins.

"Don't worry we will have him back in one piece," George said with a mischievous grin, "Harry do you want to hold him for a bit?" Asking his little kitten, holding the tarantula out to him.

Harry took the tarantula from George holding it in one hand and Neit's cage in the other as the exited the car with a promise to return it shortly.

"So why do you need this tarantula?" Harry asked the twins, lightly running his thumb down the spiders back.

"You see our brother, Ron-"

"If terrified of spiders-"

"So we thought that we would have some fun." They smiled down at the small kitten.

Harry smiled, feeling the brotherly love from the two.

"You promise to tell me what happens?" He asked the twins. The twins nodded, and opened a car where they spied a certain blonde haired boy.

"Harry! Where have you been?" Draco demanded when he saw his friend, slightly afraid that he missed the train when he didn't see him in any cars. Of course, deep down he knew that there was no way his Uncle Sev would allow Harry to miss the train.

"Sorry Draco, I met some new friends," Harry said casting a glance over at the red head twins, "they helped me when I was pushed to the ground, and was helping me out to find you." Harry explained when Draco scowled at the thought of Harry having other friends them himself.

Harry handed Fred the tarantula, "Tell me how he reacts?"

The twins once again made the promise, before turning the blonde that was still eyeing them warily.

"Please take care of our kitten for us?" George asked, understanding the blonde's concern for Harry. Draco's eyes widened at the question, even for a Weasley they were different from what his father had said; he made a note to owl his father about that.

"Yes of course I will take care of your 'Kitten'." Draco stated, and smirked when Harry blushed at the name. With that the twins left Draco and Harry in peace.

"Next time Harry please find me, and tell me, I was very worried of where you went." Draco said softly, eyeing his friend in concern. Harry couldn't help but smile at his friends concern, happy that for once in his life that he had someone worried about his health and well-being. He was reminded that Draco was safe, the twins were fun to be with, but they were new. Draco, however, he knew, and he knew the blond wouldn't hurt him.

"Of course Draco, I'm sorry I worried you." Harry said apologetically, though he couldn't stop smiling.

For the rest of the train ride Draco, filled Harry in on what to expect of the opening feast. He then promised that even if they where is separate houses, Draco would be there for him; even if he was in Gryffindor. Harry didn't understand Draco's hatred for Gryffindor, but happy that Draco would be there for him.