Disclaimer: I do not own.
So this is a lot later then I wanted it to come out. And I wanted to post it a couple of hours ago (for Dobby's birthday) but it wasn't finished. I rushed the editing to get it out, so let me know if you see any mistakes so I can fix them. And if anyone wants to be my beta let me know. I could use one.
If you haven't checked it out yet I have another story posted that's connected to this. It's got little stories that take place during this one, but aren't necessary to the story.
Chapter 12
The week that followed the staff meeting had started off on a low note. The staff meeting had been followed by a Prefect meeting which had been followed by House meetings. The result of which had been three children going to their Head of House, two going to Madam Pomfrey and another two going to a friend who went with them to talk to an adult. No House was left unaffected.
The Headmaster had read the reports as they came in and set about having the students placed elsewhere. His only hope was that finding a caring family for these children wouldn't be as complicated as it was for finding one for Harry. Sadly he believed that not every student had come to him, after all Harry never would have said anything had it not been for the books.
And yet despite how the week started it ended on a high note. Excitement for that weekends Quidditch match soon took over. Hufflepuff was strongly favored due to both their win against Gryffindor and because Cedric Diggory was a very good Seeker and Captain. Ravenclaw had a strong team, but their new Seeker, Cho Chang, was an unknown. No one had seen her fly much.
Dumbledore and several staff members turned a blind eye to the bets that were being placed. It was strongly believed that the Weasley twins were behind it, but they could be quite sneaky when they wanted so there was no proof. In a huge upset Ravenclaw ended up flattening Hufflepuff. Fred was heard loudly complaining that Diggory paid more attention to Chang then the snitch.
It wasn't until the following Tuesday that Harry realized he hadn't been called for a reading that weekend. He wanted to speak with Lupin about it but he wasn't at breakfast or lunch. He ended up hanging back at the end of Transfiguration to talk to McGonagall.
"What can I do for you Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked as she gathered her papers. This was her last class of the day and she wanted to drop everything off in her office.
"Well, er – I was going to ask Professor Lupin, but I haven't seen him all day," he started before trailing off. "Is he okay?"
McGonagall looked up from her papers and saw the concern on Harry's face. She couldn't help but smile to herself. She knew the two of them would get along well once they started talking. "I'm afraid Professor Lupin wasn't feeling well today," she answered vaguely.
Harry frowned at that. He thought Lupin looked fine at dinner last night. "I don't…oh. Oh." Last time the Professor was sick it was a full moon. Tonight must be one as well.
"What was it you wanted to ask him? Perhaps I can help."
"Hmm," he hummed. "Oh. I was just going to ask why we didn't have a –," he paused trying to find a word for it, "a meeting this weekend."
"Professor Dumbledore felt that it would be rather difficult for any of us to concentrate solely on the books after the match." That and he didn't want Harry to miss what he was sure was an excellent party. The witch felt it was rather tame. She only had to tell them to go to sleep once that evening.
After being dismissed Harry made his way to the Owlery to send a note to Lupin. He wanted to know if it would be okay to stop by for a quick visit before dinner. Although he didn't know the man very well he enjoyed his company and wanted to make sure he was okay. He also didn't think it right that he had to go through this alone. The short note he received back had him sulking the rest of the night.
By Saturday Harry had mostly gotten over it. And that was only because when Lupin had shown up to lunch the next day (he had taken the morning off) he looked like he'd had a rough night. After that Harry didn't have it in him to fault the man for wanting to be alone.
Hedwig had also delivered a letter that morning from the professors. They would be reading again that night. Harry really hoped nothing bad happened in the next few chapters. He racked his brain on his way to the office trying to remember what was next. He should be starting Hogwarts soon and he didn't think anything bad happened those first few weeks. Really he should be good until Halloween, and hopefully they wouldn't get to that tonight.
Remus sighed. He really hated full moons. He may have only missed a day and a half but he was still playing catch up. At least this time the professor who took over the class stuck to his lesson plan. (Albus had, thankfully, stopped asking Severus to sub.) His students couldn't afford to fall behind any more than they already were. Albus must have been getting desperate because the last Defense professor didn't even follow the curriculum.
It wasn't only that that was bothering him though. He felt guilty for being short with Harry in his note the other night. Harry had a big heart and he didn't want him to feel obligated to visit. It would have been nice though, even if it was only for ten minutes. It's been over a decade since he had company for the full moon. It was far safer for everyone involved if he locked himself up somewhere remote. Great now he was conflicted. Hopefully Harry wouldn't ask again because he might just say yes.
A knock on his door shook him from his thoughts. Smiling to himself he went to let Harry in. He had a sneaking suspicion Dumbledore and McGonagall were going to continue to make sure he and Harry had some time alone to talk before the readings. After exchanging greetings Remus put the kettle on.
They sat in silence as they waited for the kettle, both trying to find something to say to the other before the silence crossed the barrier from comfortable to awkward. It was Harry who ended up breaking the silence.
"So, are you staying at Hogwarts during Christmas break?" He had been thinking about asking Lupin about his parents but the only times he really had were during these short moments before McGonagall and Dumbledore showed up. Harry figured that maybe during the break they could have that talk Lupin promised him when this all began.
"I am," Remus replied. "And I'm glad you brought it up. Am I correct in assuming that you will also be staying for the holidays?" At Harry's nod he continued, "That's good. I've been wanting to ask if you would like to make a trip into London during the break. I know I mentioned going over the summer, and I still think we should do that, but I was thinking we could get a head start."
"I'd like that, but would we be allowed to go?" Harry wasn't too sure they'd let him out of the castle given the Black situation. There were also the Dementors. Would they let him pass unmolested? And he didn't have permission from the Dursley's. If he couldn't go to Hogsmeade without their say-so why would London be any different?
Remus smiled softy at him. "As long as we have the Headmaster's permission it will be allowed. And I don't believe he will give us any trouble when I ask. If anyone else questions it," and he was sure Snape would, "we can tell them the trip is health related."
"We can?" Harry questioned.
Lupin nodded, "Yes. Madam Pomfrey made a note in your file that you need to have your glasses prescription checked and most likely updated. And since we'll have to wait for them to be made it gives us the perfect excuse to spend the day in London, both Muggle and magical. If there's anything you want to do or maybe somewhere you want to go let me know. You have a couple of weeks to think about it."
Harry hummed in agreement as Lupin put the kettle on the tray and carried it over to the sofas. "Is there any particular reason you wanted to know if I was staying or were you just curious?"
"Oh – umm," Harry flushed lightly. "I was just wondering if it would be OK if I came by so we could talk about stuff."
The werewolf sighed to himself; perhaps he hadn't been clear the other week when speaking with him. "Harry, I've already told you my door is always open to you. Whether it's to talk or hide out for a little while doesn't matter. So, if you'd like to stop by and discuss your parents you're more than welcome to do so."
Harry's flush darkened. He didn't think he was that obvious about it. Nor was that all he wanted to talk with his professor about. Sure it was the main reason, but he also wanted to get to know the man who was friends with his parents. He just wasn't sure how to go about it.
Dumbledore and McGonagall's entrance saved him from having to respond to Lupin. The former Transfiguration professor placed a bowl of sherbet lemons on the table before taking what was quickly becoming his customary seat. He popped one in his mouth while the current Transfiguration professor poured them both a cup of tea.
"I do believe its Harry's turn to read. Whenever you're ready my boy," the Headmaster said.
"Er – right," Harry picked up the book and spent a minute searching for the correct page. When he found it he cleared his throat and began, "Chapter 6."
Harry's last month … did become a bit depressing after a while.
Remus sighed sadly. He could imagine how lonely that month was for Harry. Having no one to talk to about this new world he would be entering. He wondered what Harry's summers were like now that the Dursley's were used to the idea of Harry attending Hogwarts.
Harry kept to his room, …A History of Magic.
It was a pity Binns ruined that book. Harry had really enjoyed reading it that first summer, but once he met Binns he lost all interest in the subject and every time he opened the book he heard the old ghost in the back of his mind droning on and on. Of course this summer was a bit different. Mr. Fortescue was very interesting and knew a lot about history. Harry would prefer to have him as the professor.
His school books … Hedwig kept bringing back dead mice.
Harry wrinkled his nose. After a week of sharing a room with Hedwig he realized that he needed to clean it regularly. The smell of decaying mouse was not pleasant and Hedwig was constantly bringing him "gifts" that she refused to eat. Not that that was much better. The first few times he watched her eat a mouse it had been with a sort of horrified fascination. He only kept it up because he was afraid she'd choke on it (at the time he hadn't known that owls swallow mice whole).
And then there were the pellets. He had nearly written Hagrid the first time she puked one up but didn't want to send her away if she was sick. It wasn't until the third one came up that he managed to convince himself to examine it. Harry had poked at it with a stick until it broke apart and he saw a bunch of little bones in it. It was then that he realized this was probably natural for her and vowed to clean up her perch area more. They didn't exactly smell bad, but they were still disgusting.
Every night … September the first.
"I think you'd be surprised at how many kids do that. I know I did," Remus said. He did it because he couldn't believe his luck. Never, not even in his wildest dreams, did he think he would ever even see Hogwarts. Then to find out he was allowed to go, it was like every Christmas and birthday all wrapped in one. Every day ticked off the calendar was a day closer to being normal, to being able to make a friend for the first time in his life. Which was probably a very similar reason why Harry did it. Growing up with the Dursley's didn't offer him the opportunity to make friends. Hogwarts would have been a fresh start for him.
On the last day … watching a quiz show on television.
"Why did you wait for the last day Mr. Potter?" McGonagall questioned.
Harry looked up from the book at his professor. "Oh, well I figured if he was going to say no the day I asked wouldn't have mattered. But if he said yes there was always the chance he would change his mind. I didn't want to give him too much time to think it over, just in case."
Harry had honestly been surprised his uncle had agreed to take him.
He cleared his throat to let them know he was there, and Dudley screamed and ran from the room.
…
His aunt and uncle stared. (Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. Petunia seemed surprised at that. Surely she hadn't forgotten where the train was, had she?)
"Platform what?"
…
"Taking Dudley to the hospital," growled Uncle Vernon. "Got to have that ruddy tail removed before he goes to Smeltings."
"At least you tried," mumbled McGonagall.
"He still had the tail?" Remus asked astonished. "I had thought that it would have worn off by then."
"Incomplete Transfigurations aren't that easy to get rid of. Especially when done with a broken wand. Had they written to the school either the Headmaster or myself could have gone down to reverse it."
Remus turned to Harry, "Do you know what they told the doctor about it?"
"I heard Aunt Petunia saying something about a wart that had gone out of control or something like that," Harry happily supplied.
Harry woke at five o'clock …he'd change on the train. ("Thank Merlin you have sense enough for that. There's always one person who shows up in their robes and attracts attention," the stern witch said.) He checked his Hogwarts list … heavy trunk ("I really think they should make feather-light charms standard on school trunks," Lupin said.) had been loaded … and they had set off.
They reached King's Cross … was strangely kind (so did Remus) until Uncle Vernon stopped dead, facing the platforms with a nasty grin on his face. (The wolf raised an eyebrow wondering just what the Muggle was planning.)
"Well, there you are, boy. … nothing at all.
"Do you mean to tell me that Hagrid didn't tell you where the platform was?"
"Now Minerva, there's no need to be upset with Hagrid. He wasn't prepared to give a full introduction into our world. When I sent him I only told him that Harry needed an escort into Diagon Alley. The fact that the platform is hidden had more than likely slipped his mind."
"Have a good term," … what part of the country it was in,
"I'm surprised you didn't get a copy of Hogwarts, A History," as far as Remus knew the book was very popular among Muggleborns.
"I only bought the books on the list. And I don't really need it now. I'm pretty sure Hermione's got it memorized so I can always just ask her."
Remus made a mental note to make a list of books Harry should read, both for educational purposes and for fun.
he started to get annoyed, … and a large owl.
"I've been telling you for ages Albus, you need to assign someone to stand outside the barrier."
"I've tried Minerva, but the Ministry believes they only need to place the guards inside."
"Can't you just have a professor or some older students volunteer to stand outside with a sign so they can direct the students where to go?" Harry honestly thought he was the only one who had difficulty finding the platform.
"That's actually a really good idea. When I was a Prefect I remember hearing about a lot of Muggleborns and their parents who nearly missed the train because they were unsure about crossing through a solid barrier."
"It's most definitely something to bear in mind. I will need to think on it so that it can be implemented at the start of the next year." Dumbledore definitely like the idea. He could put the Head Boy and Girl in charge of it along with several Prefects and possibly some volunteers.
Hagrid must have … between platforms nine and ten.
Thank god he didn't. That would have been embarrassing.
At that moment …
"— packed with Muggles, of course —"
Remus snorted. There was always one family that gave way that they had magic on the Muggle side.
Harry swung round. … flaming red hair.
Harry felt himself smile as he read. The Weasley's were some of his favorite people. He even liked Percy to a certain degree.
Each of them … they had anowl.
"An owl does not a wizard make."
"True, but Muggles don't normally keep owls for pets."
Heart hammering, … said the boys' mother.
Harry raised an eyebrow at that. He wondered what the twins had done that morning to make her so frazzled that she forgot the platform number.
"Nine and three-quarters!" … Percy, you go first."
The professors all smiled. They had a feeling it was the Weasley family (no one else had that many red-haired children attending Hogwarts at the moment).
What looked like the oldest boy marched toward platforms nine and ten.Harry watched, careful not to blink in case he missed it — but just as the boy reached the divide between the two platforms, a large crowd of tourists came swarming in front of him and by the time the last rucksack had cleared away, the boy had vanished.
"That's tough luck."
"Fred, you next … and off he went.
Remus chuckled.
"That's their favorite joke," Harry said. He's seen them do it to all the Weasley's, several professors (not that he'd tell them that), the Quidditch team and their friend Lee Jordan.
His twin called after him … and a long nose. (Harry snorted at Ron's description.)
"Yes," said Harry. "The thing is — the thing is, I don't know how to —"
…
"Not to worry," … you'll crash into it (Harry subconsciously rubbed his ribs. Crashing into the barrier had hurt.), that's very important… go now before Ron." (Remus smiled. Mrs. Weasley seemed like a nice woman. He wasn't sure how many people would be that nice about helping when they were cutting it close to the Express leaving.)
"Er — OK," said Harry.
…It looked very solid. (It was.)
He started to … he closed his eyes ready for the crash —
"So someone tells you to run into a solid barrier and you just do it?" Remus thought it was odd that Harry would trust a complete stranger like that. Even if the Weasley's were good people Harry didn't know that at the time.
"I saw Percy and the twins do it… sort of. I definitely saw them all go towards the barrier, I just wasn't sure if there was something you were supposed to touch or not to get through."
It didn't come… he kept on running… he opened his eyes.
… "Gran, I've lost my toad again."
"Harry is everything alright?"
He looked up to see the professors giving him concerned looks. Oops. He hadn't meant to make them worry. "Oh, sorry. I was trying to remember the last time I saw Trevor – "
"Trevor?"
"Neville's toad. We always find him – eventually – but it would probably be better if we did it before he made his way down into the dungeons again. Last time we found Trevor down there it didn't end to well." Snape had threatened to poison Trevor and then took points off when it didn't work out for him. Of course the whole Boggart incident that happened right after didn't help matters. Neville had been miserable for weeks until Snape moved onto something else.
"Oh,Neville," … dropped it painfully on his foot.
The Defense professor found himself wincing in sympathy. This is exactly why feather-light charms should be standard on the trunks.
"Want a hand?" … of the compartment.
McGonagall smiled at the twins actions. Not many people realized that those two boys could be helpful when they wanted. It was a shame their helpfulness usually involved causing mischief.
"Thanks," …
"Oh, him,"
Remus laughed. "Oh, him? Really?"
Harry scowled at him. "I wasn't used to people knowing who I was. I'm still not," he muttered.
said Harry. … train's open door.
Thank Merlin for Mrs. Weasley. Things had been getting awkward for him in that compartment.
"Fred? George? Are you there?"
…
Harry sat down … they were saying. (Harry blushed as he continued reading. He had forgotten that he had eavesdropped on them.)…
…
… two compartments to themselves —"
Remus rolled his eyes. It wasn't like the prefects were required to spend the entire train ride up front. They just needed to sort out a schedule for patrolling the train and make sure the new prefects understood their responsibilities. After that they could spend the ride with their friends.
"Oh, are you aprefect, Percy?" … said Percy the Prefect.
Harry chuckled as he read. The twins had teased Percy about his prefect status the whole year.
"How come Percy …
"Great idea though, thanks, Mum."
McGonagall groaned. She had wondered where those two had gotten that idea from. She's surprised they managed to wait until the end of the year.
Harry sighed wistfully; he wished he wasn't knocked out when that happened. He had heard that explosion was spectacular.
"It'snot funny. And look after Ron."
"Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us."
Remus snorted. He highly doubted that. From what he's seen the twins were the type of older brothers who would tease you mercilessly.
"Shut up," …
"You've already seen him, Ginny, and the poor boy isn't something you goggle at in a zoo. ("Damn right!") Is he really, Fred? How do you know?"
… on his first day at school."
Remus was quite thankful for Mrs. Weasley at that moment. Harry most definitely didn't need to be asked about that. Ever.
"All right, keep your hair on."
…
"Only joking, Mum."
McGonagall really wished they were joking about that. They may not have sent it, but they certainly did blow it up.
The train began to move. … it had to be better than what he was leaving behind. (Anything would be better than the Dursleys.)
The door… "Everywhere else is full."
Remus raised an eyebrow at that. "I find it hard to believe that all the compartments were full."
Harry shrugged. "I'm not sure if they were full or not but when I was looking for a compartment there were only like two or three empty ones left." The compartments may not have been full full, but all the ones he passed had kids in them talking to each other like old friends or were talking about things he knew nothing about. He thought it would be weird to just join in with them. He figured Ron felt the same.
Harry shook … tarantula down there."
Harry snorted. That was a surefire way to get Ron to avoid the middle of the train, which was probably the twins' intention.
"Right … See you later, then."
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. The Weasley twins may not want to spend the train ride watching over their younger brother but they made sure he at least made a friend on the train.
"Bye," …
He pointed at Harry's forehead.
McGonagall resisted the urge to do something as undignified as facepalm. The boys' mother had just told them not to ask and what does he do?
Harry pulled back his fringe … interesting as Ron found him.
Harry was really curious about how a family of wizards lived and what they were like.
"Er — Yes, I think so," said Ron. "I think Mum's got a second cousin who's an accountant, but we never talk about him."
"I wonder why they don't talk about him." It seemed a bit odd to Remus since the Weasley's were known as some of the biggest blood traitors. They weren't the type to discriminate over blood.
"Ron said he insulted Mr. Weasley and then he and Mrs. Weasley got into a big row that ended with neither of them talking to each other."
"Ah," that made sense.
"So you must … had talked about.
"Not exactly. While the Weasley's are an old wizarding family they don't follow the beliefs of other pure-bloods. The fact that they're still pure-blood is strictly coincidence."
"I heard you … cousin are, though.
"It's good to see that despite your relative treatment of you, you do not paint all Muggles with the same brush. Far too many people judge groups of people as a whole rather than individually." It was far too often that the actions of a few colored people's opinions, usually for the worse. Dumbledore only had to look at the sofa across from him to see the truth. A werewolf and a Parselmouth, two groups of people shunned and considered Dark by their own society, and yet when he looked at these two he didn't see any evil. He saw kindness and compassion.
Wish I'd had three wizard brothers."
"Five," said Ron … and Percy's old rat."
Dumbledore sighed. Young Ronald had quite an inferiority complex where his brothers were concerned. Not that he could be blamed, having five talented older brothers would put a lot of pressure on the sixth child. And it would be hard to stand out from them. And then there was the wand. He knew Ronald had a new one now, but it really was detrimentally to a wizards' learning when the wand they were using wasn't suited to them. Maybe he should speak with the board about having the first years wands checked for compatibility.
Minerva on the other hand was deep in thought. It was true that the older Weasley boys were all intelligent. And in comparison the young Mr. Weasley was a bit of a letdown. He was by no means unintelligent. He just didn't seem to put any effort in his work. Perhaps he had given before he even really tried.
Ron reached inside … I got Scabbers instead."
"I thought Percy got new robes for being made Prefect," Remus questioned. It didn't seem fair that he got two gifts for it.
"He did, but I think he got the robes because they needed another set with Ron starting. So they weren't really for him, he'd just be the first one using them." Harry hoped that made sense.
Remus nodded in understanding. It did make more sense to get an older child new clothing when they were meant to be handed down.
Ron's ears went pink.… This seemed to cheer Ron up.
Remus shook his head. Harry was a good friend, even if they weren't exactly friends yet. It helped that he could sympathize with Ron over hand-me-downs. No matter how nice they started out they somehow always ended up worn out and frayed by the time they reached the next child.
"… and until Hagrid …"I bet I'm the worst in the class."
"That is a completely unfounded worry Mr. Potter. Despite what many pure-bloods believe everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts. Wands are not generally given to children until it is time for them to attend school." He may not have been top of his classes but he certainly was no slouch either. He was easily among the top 40* in his year.
"You won't be. …seven bronze Knuts.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "That's an awful lot of candy Mr. Potter. And it certainly doesn't replace a proper meal."
Harry just shrugged. He had been too excited to eat that morning and there was no way Aunt Petunia would have let him pack a lunch to take. She never even made him school lunches. He ate whatever they served there. Now that he thought about it the only time he had a homemade lunch had been when Mrs. Weasley packed him one for him when he spent the summer before second year at the Burrow.
Ron stared … a pumpkin pasty.
McGonagall just shook her head. Boys, she thought.
Ron had taken … (the sandwiches lay forgotten).
Remus' smile was bittersweet. He was glad Harry was making a friend, but sad that this was his first opportunity to.
"What are these?" … Agrippa or Ptolemy."
"Are there really that many?" Harry thought that seemed rather excessive. He didn't think he could even name 500 wizards.
"Probably more, they release new ones regularly," Remus answered.
Harry unwrapped his …
…
… chamber music and tenpin bowling.
Harry was glowering at the book. Stupid card. Stupid Nicolas Flamel. All that time wasted in the library. It was so unfair.
Harry turned … You can start collecting."
"Do you collect them?" Remus did as a child. He still has the cards; he just doesn't actively collect them anymore.
"Sorta. I have a bunch in my trunk, but I don't actually keep track of them. I'm pretty sure I have doubles of some cards."
Ron's eyes … Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
Dumbledore frowned. He never had any luck with those things.
"You want to be careful … bogey-flavoured one once."
The headmaster nodded sagely. He felt poor George's pain.
Ron picked up a green bean, … He looked tearful.
The professor looked concerned. The train ride was normally free of any incidents (this year not withstanding). The students were usually far too excited being reunited with friends that they saved all their fighting until arrival.
"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?"
…
… I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk."
Remus nodded. "Toads tend to go in and out of style. They weren't very popular when I attended either. Rats can go either way. Depends really on what they can do."
Harry could understand that. Scabbers was never very interesting. Not like the rats in the store.
The rat was still snoozing on Ron's lap.
…
"Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway —"
"That doesn't sound very safe," Remus frowned. Thinking about it he didn't think Ron's wand looked as bad Harry made it sound.
"It worked fine until he broke it. He got a new one this summer."
That explained it.
He had just … rather large front teeth.
That sounds a bit like Hermione, Remus thought. He wondered if they became friends on the train as well or it happened after the sorting.
"We've already told him … Let's see it, then."
Wow. Harry had forgotten how bossy she was back then.
She sat down. … "Well, it's not very good, is it?
"I don't believe it's a real spell, but magic has a lot to do with intent so it's possible it could have worked with a proper wand." Remus was hesitant about criticizing Hermione. She seemed like a nice girl from what he's seen, but she is being quite rude to them. It's not really a good way to make friends.
I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me.
Harry stopped reading and looked at his professors. "How could she have practiced spells? We're not allowed to do magic outside of school."
"The Ministry doesn't start sending out warnings until after you've attended Hogwarts. Before that they consider everything accidental magic as they have no way of knowing if you have a wand or not. Unless the magic is large enough to warrant interference the Ministry ignores it."
"Oh," well that was completely unfair. He so would have been doing magic before school if he had known.
Nobody in my family's magic …
She said all this very fast.
Harry had to stop to take a breath.
Harry looked at Ron, … by heart either.
"Not many people do."
"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered.
…
"Am I?" said Harry, feeling dazed.
"Unfortunately. Those books she mentioned are rather tame though. It's more of just a mention of your part in the downfall of Voldemort. Of course there are other books that do much more then mention you." Remus made another note to look into having the books fact checked. He was surprised no one had looked into it before.
"Goodness, didn't you know, … I expect we'll be there soon."
"I'm surprised she wasn't in Ravenclaw." With all the extra reading and memorizing all her books she would have been a shoe-in for that House.
And she left, taking the toadless boy with her.
"Whatever House I'm in, I hope she's not in it," said Ron.
McGonagall was torn about that. On one hand she wanted to scold Mr. Weasley for being rude (even though he wasn't there), but on the other hand Ms. Granger came on rather strong and that wasn't how you make friends.
He threw his wand … imagine if they put me in Slytherin."
Dumbledore sighed. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with Slytherin. As I've told you before Harry, it's your choices that make you who you are. Merlin himself was a Slytherin and he's considered one of the greatest wizards of his time." As an afterthought he added, "And I'm sure Molly and Arthur would have been proud of Mr. Weasley regardless of what House he was in."
"That's the House … someone tried to rob a high security vault."
"I remember hearing about that. They never did find out who broke in did they?"
"The culprit was discovered during the school year. I informed the goblins of it once the students were sent home. They were rather disappointed to hear that he had passed away before they could deal with him personally."
Remus shuddered at the thought of what the goblins would have done to him.
Harry stared.
…
… the broomstick he'd like to get if he had the money.
Harry smiled. Ron had introduced him to Quidditch and he loved it. He had been so excited listening to him explain the game. At the time he couldn't wait to see a game.
He … this time.
Harry wished it was.
Three boys entered, … So it's you, is it?"
"Well that's just rude."
"Yes," … looked like bodyguards.
Now Harry knew that they were.
"Oh, this is … Draco Malfoy."
"He doesn't seem to think much of his friends does he?"
Ron gave a slight cough… than they can afford."
"And that was uncalled for."
He turned back … I can help you there."
"No family is any better or any worse than any other family. And anyone who tells you who you can be friends with upon meeting them tends to be the wrong sort." The Headmaster was of the firm belief that you should form your own opinions. If you just did what you were told everybody would be the same.
He held out … he said coolly.
Remus was proud of Harry for standing up for himself and his new friend.
Draco Malfoy … it'll rub off on you."
"That boy! Albus you need to have a talk with Severus about this. He can't be allowed to go around saying things like!" the witch fumed.
Remus' fists were clenched. How dare the Malfoy boy! Who did he think he was?
"I will speak with Severus, but you need to understand that I have to be very careful about how I go about it. It will be tricky to do without citing these books."
Both Harry and Ron stood up.
…
… seem to have some."
McGonagall was muttering under her breath about boys who think they can just take what they want. Just what have his parents been teaching him? He was as bad as the Dursley boy.
Dumbledore was shaking his head sadly. Draco, it seemed, took after his father. His mother had much more sense than that Draco was displaying. Mrs. Malfoy may not have liked the Weasley's, but she did understand that they were an old family and had friends in places her husband didn't. And she was well aware that it was just stupid to make an enemy of a Potter. It never worked out well for those who had attempted it in the past.
Goyle reached … horrible yell.
Harry snickered. That was funny.
Scabbers … Hermione Granger had come in.
"Either way I'm glad they left," Remus was beginning to think that there wouldn't be a chapter that he could just enjoy. Something upsetting always seemed to happen.
"Whathasbeen going on?" … he's gone back to sleep."
Harry snorted, "That's pretty much all he does. I'm kinda surprised he actually attacked Goyle."
And so he had.
… the Dark Side."
"He most likely bribed his way out of Azkaban," Remus grumbled. He and the Order spent months tracking down some of the Death Eaters who claimed to be under the Imperius Curse and then bought their way out of being sentenced.
He turned to Hermione. …
… before we even get there!"
Harry rolled his eyes. They weren't even friends yet and Hermione was worrying about them getting into trouble. If she hadn't been so bossy about it in the beginning they could have been friends from the start.
"Scabbers has … in a sniffy voice.
"Of course they were. Not only are they children but they're also excited to be able to do magic again." Remus was really beginning to wonder how those three became friends. Because honestly, he couldn't see it in that moment.
"And you've got … to the school separately."
"Thank Merlin for that," Harry muttered. Getting his trunk on the train was enough of a hassle.
Harry's stomach lurched … All right there, Harry?"
Harry smiled. It was nice seeing a friendly face.
Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.
…
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
"The first view of Hogwarts is always the best," Lupin's voice was wistful.
The narrow path … by Neville and Hermione.
All Gryffindors, Remus noted.
"Everyone in?" … people climbed out of them.
"How did he know someone was looking for a toad?"
"Neville was asking before we got on the boats."
"Trevor!" … on the castle door.
Harry closed the book and passed it to McGonagall who was taking the next turn.
"The Sorting should be next right?" Remus asked.
"I do believe it is." Dumbledore looked over at Harry who was beginning to shrink in on himself and was shooting the man next to him worried looks. He didn't know why Harry was so worried. Remus couldn't care less about that.
*Right, so I know there's a list with only 40 named students on it for Harry's year, but I think there are a lot more. I think the list was more about having a set of names to go to when they were needed. JK Rowling has stated that Hogwarts population at any given time is around 1,000 students, and that 200 students (a quarter of the school) were in Slytherin. So the way I see it there are anywhere between 800-1,000 students in Hogwarts during Harry's time. Which works out to 114-143 students in his year (that's 28-36 per House). I figure his year (and a couple of years before him and the year after him) is on the low end because of the war and people being scared of not making it to tomorrow. So I went with 120 students (because I find math easier when using numbers ending in 0). That means that being in the top 40 would put Harry in the top third of his year.