Disclaimer: I only own Leo and Fawn
"Chapter Six the Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters," Peter began to read.
"You're finally going to Hogwarts!" James cheered.
Harry's last month with the Dursleys wasn't fun. True, Dudley was now so scared of Harry he wouldn't stay in the same room, while Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't shut Harry in his cupboard, force him to do anything, or shout at him- in fact, they didn't speak to him at all. Half terrified, half furious, they acted as though any chair with Harry in it was empty.
Although this was an improvement in many ways, it did become a bit depressing after a while.
"At I wasn't getting punished," Harry muttered to Leo who glared at the book.
Harry kept to his room, with his new owl for company. He had decided to call her Hedwig, a name he had found in A History of Magic. His school books were very interesting. He lay on his bed reading late into the night, Hedwig swooping in and out of the open window as she pleases.
"You actually read your school books?" Sirius asked with a surprised tone. "I didn't think anyone actually did that."
"I did," Leo admitted.
"So do I," said Fawn.
Sirius just looked between he two with a strange expression.
It was lucky Aunt Petunia didn't come in to vacuum anymore, because Hedwig kept bringing back dead mice. Every night before he went to sleep, Harry ticked off another day on the piece of paper he had pinned to the wall, counting down September the first.
On the last day of August, he thought he better speak to his aunt and uncle about getting to King's Cross station the next day, so he went down to the living room where they were watching a quiz show on television. He cleared his throat to let them know he was there, and Dudley screamed and ran from the room.
"Good luck," said Remus.
"Er- Uncle Vernon?"
Uncle Vernon grunted to show he was listening.
"Er- I need to be at King's Cross tomorrow to- to go to Hogwarts."
Uncle Vernon grunted again.
"Would it be all right if you gave me a lift?"
Grunt. Harry supposed that meant yes.
"I didn't know you could speak Troll, Harry," laughed James.
"Thank you."
He was about to go back upstairs when Uncle Vernon actually spoke.
"Funny way to get to a wizards' school, the train. Magic carpets all got punctures, have they?"
Harry didn't say anything.
"Where is this school, anyway?"
"I don't know," said Harry, realizing this for the first time. He pulled the ticket Hagrid had given him out of his pocket.
"I just take the train from platform nine and three-quarters at eleven o'clock." He read.
His aunt and uncle stared.
"Platform what?"
"Nine and three-quarters."
"Petunia knows exactly what Platform Nine and Three-Quarters is and where it is, she comes with mum and dad to drop me off every year," said Lily, disgusted that her own sister was going out of her way not to help her son.
"Don't talk rubbish," said Uncle Vernon. "There is no platform nine and three-quarters."
"It's on my ticket."
"Barking," said Uncle Vernon, "howling mad, the lot of them. You'll see. You just wait. All right, we'll take you to King's Cross. We're going up to London tomorrow anyway, or I wouldn't bother."
"Why are you going to London?" Harry asked, trying to keep things friendly.
"Taking Dudley to the hospital," growled Uncle Vernon. "Got to have that ruddy tail removed before he goes to Smeltings."
Everyone cracked up laughing again at the reminder of what Hagrid did to Dudley when he came to give Harry his letter.
Harry woke at five o'clock the next morning and was too excited and nervous to go back to sleep. He got up and pulled on his jeans because he didn't want to walk into the station in his wizard's robes- he'd change on the train.
"That's a good idea," said Lily. "No one wears their school robes to the platform."
He checked his Hogwarts list yet again to make sure he had everything he needed, saw that Hedwig was shut safely in her cage, and then paced the room, waiting for the Dursleys to get up. Two hours later, Harry's huge, heavy trunk had been loaded into the Dursleys' car, Aunt Petunia had talked Dudley into sitting next to Harry, and they had set off.
"He's actually terrified of you," Sirius cackled. He thought that Dudley deserved it after how he had treated Harry his whole life.
They reached King's Cross half past ten. Uncle Vernon dumped Harry's trunk onto a cart and wheeled it into the station for him. Harry thought this was strangely kind until Uncle Vernon stopped dead, facing the platforms with a nasty grin on his face.
"Well, there you are, boy. Platform nine- platform ten. Your platform should be somewhere in the middle, but they don't seem to have built it yet, do they?"
"Does he have to be such a horrid person? I mean, come on, how can someone be such a terrible person?" Ron asked, frowning deeply.
He was quite right, of course. There was a big plastic number nine over one platform and a big plastic number ten over the one next to it, and in the middle, nothing at all.
"Have a good term," said Uncle Vernon with an even nastier smile. He left without another word. Harry turned and saw the Dursleys drive away. All three of them were laughing. Harry's mouth went dry. What on earth was he going to do? He was starting to attract a lot of funny looks, because of Hedwig. He had to ask someone.
He stopped a passing guard, but didn't dare mention platform nine and three-quarters. The guard had never heard of Hogwarts and when Harry couldn't even tell him what part of the country it was it, he started to get annoyed, as though Harry was being stupid on purpose. Getting desperate, Harry asked for the train that left at eleven o'clock, but the guard said there wasn't one. In the end the guard strode away, muttering about time wasters.
"No," Remus winced. "Asking the guards is one of the worst things you can do, they just end up thinking you're crazy."
"I know that now," Harry defended himself.
Harry was not trying hard not to panic. According to the large clock over the arrivals board, he had ten minutes left to get on the train to Hogwarts and he had no idea how to do it; he was stranded in the middle of a station with a trunk he could hardly life, a pocket full of wizard money, and a large owl.
"How did Hogwarts expect him to know any of this?" asked Fawn. "They know how abusive the Dursleys are and they still expected them to tell you how to get to the platform?"
"When I found out I was a witch, Professor McGonagall came and explained everything to me and my parents," said Hermione, her brows furrowed. "She even told us how we were supposed to get onto the platform."
"Why didn't you tell him, Hagrid?" James asked.
"I'm not too sure, migh' 'ave slipped me mind," Hagrid admitted.
"I think it should be on the letter for all first years," said Leo.
Hagrid must have forgotten to tell him something you had to do, like tapping the third brick on the left to get into Diagon Alley. He wondered if he should get out his wand and start tapping the ticket inspectors stand between platforms nine and ten.
"That's a good idea, not the what your meant to do, but a good idea all the same," said Andromeda.
At that moment a group of people passed just behind him and he caught a few words of what they were saying.
"-packed with muggles, of course- "
Harry and Ron shared an excited grin between, they knew what was about to happen.
Harry swung round. The speaker was plump woman who was talking to four boys, all with flaming red hair.
"Is that you guys?" Regulus asked looking at Ron and Ginny.
"Yep, that's our family," Ron smiled.
Each of them was pushing a trunk like Harry's in front of him- and they had an owl.
Heart hammering, Harry pushed his cart after them. They stopped and so did he, just near enough to hear what they were saying.
"Now, what's the platform number?" said the boys' number.
"Why is she asking you that?" Peter asked. "She knows where she has to go."
"She wanted to make sure we remembered," said Ron. "Was kind of pointless though, at that point it was only me and Ginny who weren't at Hogwarts."
"Nine and three-quarters!" piped a small girl, also red-headed, who was holding her hand, "Mum, can't I go…"
"You're adorable, Ginny," cooed Leo, earning himself a pillow to the face much to everyone's amusement.
"You're not old enough, Ginny, now be quiet. All right, Percy, you go first."
What looked like the oldest boy marched toward platform nine and ten. Harry watched, careful not to blink in case he missed it- but just as the boy reached the dividing barrier between the two platforms, a large crowd of tourists came swarming in front of him and by the time the last backpack had cleared away, the boy had vanished.
"Fred, you next," the plump woman said.
"I'm not Fred, I'm George," said the boy. "Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?"
"Ah, my brothers in arms," Leo sighed dreamily. Harry snorted a laugh next to him.
"Are they pranksters too?" James asked excitedly.
Leo just gave him his Cheshire grin but didn't answer.
"Sorry, George, dear."
"Only joking, I am Fred," said the boy and off he went. His twin called after him to hurry up, and he must have down so because a second later, he had gone- but how had he done it?
Now the third brother was walking briskly toward the barrier he was almost there- and then, quite suddenly, he wasn't anywhere.
There was nothing else for it.
"Excuse me," Harry said to the plump woman.
"I was wondering how long it was going to take you to ask them how to get onto the platform," said Lily.
"Hello, dear," she said. "First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new, too."
She pointed at the last and youngest of her sons. He was tall, thin, and gangling, with freckles, big hands and feet, and a long nose.
"Is that really how you described me?" Ron laughed.
"Yeah, sorry, mate," said Harry sheepishly.
"Yes," said Harry. "The thing is – the thing is, I don't' know how to- "
"Aw, it's so cute how nervous you are," Fawn gushed with Lily.
"How to get onto the platform?" she said kindly, and Harry nodded.
"Not to worry," she said. "All you have to do it walk straight at the barrier between platform nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into to, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron."
"Er- okay," said Harry.
"You have nothing to worry about," said Lily reassuringly, forgetting that Harry had already live this moment.
"I was nervous my first time, too," Hermione said quietly to Harry.
He pushed his trolley around and stared at the barrier. It looked very solid.
He started to walk toward it. People jostled him on their way to platforms nine and ten. Harry walked more quickly. He was going to smash right into that barrier and then he'd be in trouble- leaning forward on his cart, he broke into a heavy run- the barrier was coming nearer and nearer- he wouldn't be able to stop- the cart was out of control- he was a foot away- he closed his eyes ready for the crash-
It didn't come… he kept on running… he opened his eyes. A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock. Harry looked behind him and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it. He had done it.
Everyone started to cheer for Harry, making his cheeks turn bright red once more.
Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every colour wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.
"It was amazing seeing the platform for the first time, I'll never forget it," Narcissa smiled.
The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. Harry pushed his cart off down the platform in search of an empty seat. He passed a round-faced boy who was saying "Gran, I've lost my toad again."
"Oh Neville," he heard the old woman sigh.
"Neville," Leo shook his head fondly at the forgetful boy.
"Is he your friend?" Sirius asked, wanting to know more about his future son.
"He's one our best friends," said Leo. "He did a lot when the war happened, one of the bravest people I've ever met."
A boy with dreadlocks was surrounded by a small crowd.
"Give us a look, Lee, go on."
The boy lifted the lid of a box in his arms, and the people around him shrieked and yelled as something inside poked out a long, hairy leg.
"Don't even think about it," Professor McGonagall warned when she saw the Marauders start to exchange looks.
Sirius gasped dramatically, holding his hand over his heart as if he was hurt. "Minne, we would never," he said.
All Professor McGonagall did was purse her lips at him.
Harry pressed on through the crowd until he found an empty compartment near the end of the train. He put Hedwig inside first and then started to shove and heave his trunk toward the train door. He tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly raise one end and twice he dropped it painfully on his foot.
"That happened to me in first year," said Peter.
"Want a hand?" It was one of the red-haired twins he'd followed through the barrier.
"Yes, please," Harry panted.
"Oy, Fred! C'mere and help!"
With the twins' help, Harry's trunk was at last tucked away in a corner of the compartment.
"Thanks," said Harry, pushing his sweaty hair out of his eyes.
"What's that?" said one of the twins suddenly, pointing at Harry's lightning scar.
"Must really suck to be only recognised by a scar on your face," said Regulus with a frown.
"Blimey," said the other twin. "Are you?"
"He is," said the first twin. "Aren't you?" he added to Harry.
"What?" said Harry.
"They must have confused you," said Ginny with a playful grin.
"Harry Potter." chorused the twins.
"Oh, him," said Harry. "I mean, yes, I am."
"Oh, him," Leo repeated mockingly to his boyfriend.
Harry just shoved his face away slightly making Leo laugh.
The two boys gawked at him, and Harry felt himself turning red.
Then, to his relief, a voice came floating in through the train's open door.
"Fred? George? Are you there?"
"Coming, mum."
With a last look at Harry, the twins hopped off the train.
Harry sat down next to the window where, half hidden, he could watch the red-haired family on the platform and hear what they were saying. Their mother had just taken out her handkerchief when there was a slight knock on the compartment door.
Startled, Harry saw that it was the white-haired boy he bumped into coming out of Ollivanders back in Diagon Alley.
"It's me!" Leo grinned, slapping Harry on the arm as to make him pay attention.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya," said the boy with a mischievous grin. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"You're going to be a trouble maker, aren't you?" Lily asked.
"Of course," said Leo with a proud smirk.
Sirius looked at his son, proud that he took after him.
"Go ahead," said Harry gesturing toward the seat in front of him but the boy just sat next to him instead.
"Why did you sit there?" Harry asked.
"Because you were telling me to sit across from you," said Leo, his grin wide as Harry rolled his eyes good naturedly.
Harry didn't pay any attention to where the boy sat because he turned back to the window where the red-haired family was.
"Ron, you've got something on your nose."
The youngest boy tried to jerk out of the way, but she grabbed him and began rubbing the end of his nose.
"She just had to do that in the middle of the platform," grumbled Ron, as everyone chuckled.
"Mum- geroff," he wriggled free.
"Aaah, had ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nosie?" said one of the twins.
"I think I'm going to like these twins," said James.
"Shut up," said Ron.
"Where's Percy?" said their mother.
"He's coming now."
"How many kids do Molly and Arthur have, there are five of you at the moment," asked Andromeda curiously.
"There are seven of us all up," said Ginny.
"There's Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, me, and then Ginny," said Ron.
Everyone looked at the two shocked. Seven kids was a lot, how did they have the time for anything.
The oldest boy came striding into sight. He had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes, and Harry noticed a silver badge on his chest with the letter P on it.
"Can't stay long, Mother," he said. "I'm up front, the prefects have got two compartments to themselves- "
"Oh Merlin, he's one of those Prefects," whined James.
"What do you mean?" Regulus asked.
"There are two kinds of Prefects, the ones who just do their job and aren't up tight and then there are Prefects who believe that they are the law and everyone needs to respect and listen to them no matter what. The latter always suck," James explained.
"Oh, are you a prefect, Percy?" said one of the twins, with an air of great surprise. "You should have said something, we had no idea."
"Hang on, I think I remember him saying something about it," said the other twin. "Once- "
"Or twice- "
"A minute- "
"All summer- "
"Yep, I like these twins," said James, content that there were more pranksters in the future to carry on the ways of the Marauders.
"Oh, shut up," said Percy the Prefect.
"How come Percy gets new robes, anyway?" said one of the twins.
"Because he's a prefect," said their mother fondly. "All right, dear, well, have a good term- send me an owl when you get there."
"Do Molly play favourites?" asked Lily tentatively.
Ginny and Ron shared an uncertain look between the two. That was all Lily needed to know her answer.
She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left. Then she turned 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."
"We should do it first!" said Sirius, excited.
James and Remus shared a smirk, ignoring Professor McGonagall's disapproving stare.
"Great idea though, thanks, mum."
"It's not funny. And look after Ron."
"Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us."
"Shut up," said Ron again. He was almost as tall as the twins already and his nose was still pink where his mother had rubbed it.
"Hey, mum, guess what? Guess who we just met on the train?"
"Their going to say you, aren't they?" Lily asked with a light wince.
"Yeah, but it's okay, I don't mind the twins talking about me," Harry admitted. The twos could talk about whatever they wanted about him to anyone and he wouldn't mind, the two had done so much for him over the years.
Harry leaned back quickly so they couldn't see him looking. The boy sitting next to him raised an eyebrow at him, he had been listening to the family as well.
"In my defence, I was being nosy," said Leo.
Ron chuckled; he knew that Leo always owned up to any mischief he caused if it didn't get him in trouble.
"You know that black-haired boy who was near us in the station? Know who he is?"
"Who?"
"Harry Potter!"
Harry heard the little girl's voice.
"Oh, mum, can I go on the train and see him, mum, oh please…"
"Here comes the start of Ginny's crush," sang Leo, ducking to avoid the pillow Ginny threw at his head.
"You're already seen him, Ginny, and the poor boy isn't something you goggle at in a zoo. Is he really, Fred? How do you know?"
"Asked him. Saw his scar. It's really there- like lightning."
"Poor dear- no wonder he was alone, I wondered. He was ever so polite when he asked how to get onto the platform."
"Molly is so sweet," said Lily, touched at Molly was worried about her son.
"Never mind that, do you think he remembers what You-Know-Who looks like?"
Their mother suddenly became very stern.
"I forbid you to ask him, Fred. No, don't you dare. As though he needs reminding of that on his first day at school."
"Well, that was pointless," said James.
"All right, keep your hair on."
A whistle sounded.
"Hurry up!" their mother said, and the three boys clambered onto the train. They leaned out of the window for her to kiss them good-bye, and their younger sister began to cry.
"Don't, Ginny, we'll send you loads of owls."
"We'll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat."
Everyone laughed, they all already understood that the twins were mischievous and were looking forward what kind of trouble they would get into.
"George!"
"Only joking, mum."
The train began to move. Harry saw the boys' mother waning and their sister, 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 the girl and her mother disappear as the train rounded the corner.
"You really are so adorable, Ginny," said Leo with a smirk.
"Shut up," Ginny groaned, used to Leo's teasing by this point.
Houses flashed past the window. Harry felt a great leap of excitement. He didn't know what he was going to do but it had to be better than what he was leaving behind.
The door of the compartment sild open and the youngest redheaded boy came in.
"Anyone sitting there?" he asked, pointing at the seat opposite Harry, looking between Harry and the boy sitting next to him. "Everywhere else is full."
Harry shook his head and the boy sat down. He glanced at Harry and the boy and then looked quickly out the window, pretending he hadn't looked. Harry saw he still had a black mark on his nose. The boy next to Harry shifted and pulled his legs up so he was sitting crossed legged.
"You could have asked for my name at least," said Leo.
"I was nervous," admitted Harry.
"Hey, Ron."
The twins were back.
"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train- Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there."
"Right," mumbled Ron.
"Harry," said the other twin, "did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. And who's this?"
"Finally, I am acknowledged," said Leo, throwing his hands into the air.
"You don't like to be ignored, do you?" Andromeda asked with a smile.
"I hate it. I don't care you don't give me attention but don't ignore me," said Leo.
"I'm Leo Black, nice to meet you," the boy, Leo, introduced himself when he realized the twins were talking about him, ignoring the slight pause that came from all three Weasleys.
"Why did you they pause?" Sirius asked but Leo looked away, he knew what was about to come and he didn't know how his father would react.
Harry gave his hand a supportive squeeze.
"You too. See you later, then."
"Bye," said Harry, Ron and Leo. The twin's sild the compartment door shut behind them.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron blurted out.
Harry nodded.
"Oh- well, I thought it might be one of Fred and George's joke," said Ron. "And have you really got- you know…"
He pointed to Harry's forehead.
Harry pulled back his bangs to show the lightning scar. Ron stared. Leo took one look at it and looked away.
"Aunt Andy raised me better than to stare," Leo shrugged.
"So that's where You-Know-Who."
"Yes," said Harry, "but I can't remember it."
"Nothing?" said Ron eagerly.
"Well- I remember a lot of green light, but nothing else."
"Wow," said Ron. He sat and stared at Harry for a few moments, then, as though he had suddenly realized what he was doing, he looked out of the window again.
"It's impressive that you remember that much. Since you were a year old when it happened," said Leo.
"Leo's right, it's amazing you remembered anything, though it shouldn't have happened int the first place," said Lily.
Ron then turned to Leo as though he just remembered he was there, "And, you're really Leo Black?" said Ron.
Leo was silent for a moment before sighing, "I'm nothing like him, you know, my father." Was all he said with a frown, leaving a slightly awkward silence in the compartment.
"What?" Sirius gasped. "What happened that you want to be nothing like me?"
"It's sort of explains it in a moment," winced Leo, not looking at his father, he knew he would be heart broken when he found out what happened and all the things he said about him through the years.
Harry wondered who Leo's father was for him to have to defend himself against his own name.
"I would like to know that too," Sirius grumbled.
"Are all your family wizards?" asked Harry, who found Ron and Leo just as interesting as Ron found them.
"Er- Yes, I think so," said Ron, happy for the change of conversation. "I think mums got a second cousin who's an accountant, but we never talk about him."
"Why do you never talk about him?" said Lily.
"I dunno, something happened between mum and him ages ago," said Ron.
"My family are all witches and wizards," said Leo. "Even if some of them shouldn't be." He added in a mumble that neither Harry or Ron heard.
"Are you talking about me?" Sirius asked sadly.
Leo winced, "I was talking most of the Black family."
"So, you must know loads of magic already."
The Weasleys and Blacks were clearly some of those old wizarding families the pale boy in Diagon Alley had talked about.
"I heard you went to live with muggles," said Ron. "What are they like?"
"Horrible- well, not all of them. My aunt and uncle and cousin are, though. Wish I'd had three wizard brothers."
"Five," said Ron. For some reason, he was looking gloomy. "I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charley have already left- Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of the Quidditch team. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they're really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bill's old robes, Charlie's old wand, and Percy's old rat."
"It must be so hard to be one of the youngest in such a large family," said Remus.
Ron shrugged. "I made a name for myself that wasn't over shadowed by anyone else in the family, Ginny did too," he said proud of himself and his sister.
Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat grey rat, which was asleep.
"His name's Scabbers and he's useless, he hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl form my dad for being made a prefect, but they couldn't aff- I mean, I got Scabbers instead."
Ron's ears went pink. He seemed to think he'd said too much, because he went back to staring out the window.
Harry didn't think there was anything wrong with no being about to afford an owl. After all, he'd never had any money in his life until a month ago, and he told so, all about having to wear Dudley's old clothes and never getting proper birthday presents. This seemed to cheer Ron up.
"You're so kind," said Lily happily. She was glad that her son was kind and not like Dudley in anyway.
"Do you have any brothers or sisters, Leo?" Harry asked.
"I don't have any siblings but I do have a cousin, she's really cool. Her names Nymphadora Tonks, but she hates being called Nymphadora so everyone calls her Tonks.
"Is she, my daughter?" Andromeda asked.
"Yeah, she is, she's so funny and a great witch," Leo beamed, hiding his devastating pain at the reminder of his cousin who was basically his sister.
-She a metamorphmagus, like me, which means we can change we appearance whenever we want to, we can into just about everything." explained Leo who Harry and Ron started to look confused. He even demonstrated by turning his pure white hair bright red like Ron's, then black like Harry's, before turning it back to white.
Leo changed his hair to exact colours that were read out for everyone's enjoyment.
Harry and Ron were very impressed and asked what else Leo could do, who was all too happy to show his new friends the cool tricks he could do, like turning his nose into a pug snout, or his tongue into a snake's forked tongue.
"I love doing that," Leo grinned, changing his nose into a pig's snout.
Everyone laughed. Leo stuck his tongue out and used his ability to make it longer than what should be possible before licking the air in front of him. He managed to make the boys and Ginny laugh but all the girls cringed away from him at the disgusting sight.
After their little bit of fun with Leo's morphing abilities, he asked Harry how he found out he was a wizard.
"…and until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort."
Ron gasped and Leo tensed slightly.
"I'm glad we grew out of that," said Ron.
"What?" said Harry.
"You said You-Know-Who's name!" said Ron, sound both shocked and impressed. "I'd have thought you, of all people- "
"I'm not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name," said Harry, "I just never knew you shouldn't. See what I mean? I've got loads to learn… I bet," he added, voicing for the first time something that had been worrying him a lot lately, "I bet I'm the worst in the class."
"I doubt that, you'll be amazing, with a mum like Lily, how can you not be?" said James.
Lily and Harry smiled at him. Lily was touched at how smart James thought she was and Harry was happy that his dad was trying to make him feel better.
"You won't be. Loads of people come from muggle families and we all learn the same things at the same time, anyway, you're not any further behind then the rest of us." said Leo.
"That really helped settle my nervous, you know," said Harry.
"I tend to do that a lot," Leo bragged.
While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.
Around half past twelve 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?"
"I love the trolley lady, she's always so nice," said Fawn.
Harry, who hadn't had any breakfast, leapt to him feet, alongside Leo, but Ron's ears went pink again and he muttered that he'd brought sandwiches. Harry went out in the corridor with Leo.
He had never had any money for candy with the Dursleys, and now that he had pockets rattling with gold and silver, he was ready to buy as many Mars Bars as he could carry- but the woman didn't have Mars Bars.
"What are Mars Bars?" Narcissa asked.
"It's a muggle chocolate bar," said Lily.
"It's really good," said Ron remember when Harry bought him a Mars Bar, it was so good.
What she did have were Berttie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Liquorice Wants, and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in his life. Not wanted to miss anything, he got some of everything and paid the woman eleven silver sickles and seven bronze knuts. Leo got a some Berttie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, some Chocolate Frogs and some Liquorice Wands.
"I really want some," whined Peter.
"I love Liquorice Wands," said Fawn.
"I prefer Berttie Bott's," said Sirius.
"My favourite is Iced Mice," Leo added.
Ron stared as Harry brought it all back in to the compartment and tipped it onto an empty seat.
"Hungry, are you?"
"Starving," said Harry, taking a large bite out of a pumpkin pasty.
Ron had taken out a lumpy package and unwrapped it. There were four sandwiches inside. He pulled one of them apart and said, "She always forgets I don't like corned beef."
"Swap you for one of these," said Leo, holding a liquorice want. "Go on- "
"You don't want this, it's all dry," said Ron. "She hasn't got much time," he added quickly, "you know, with five of us."
"Go on, have a pasty," said Harry, who had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron and Leo, eating their way through all Harry's and Leo's pasties, cakes, and candies (the sandwiches lay forgotten).
"That's so nice of you two," said Lilly, smiling at her son and his boyfriend.
"What are these?" Harry asked Ron, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs. "They're not really frogs, are they?" He was started to feel that nothing would surprise him.
"No," Ron said. "But see what the card it. I'm missing Agrippa."
"What?"
"Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, to collect, like baseball cards- but instead its famous witches and wizards," explained Leo.
"I've got about five hundred, but I haven't got Agrippa or Ptolemy." Said Ron.
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 moustache. Underneath the picture was the name Albus Dumbledore.
"So, this is Dumbledore!" said Harry.
"Don't tell me you've never heard of Dumbledore!" said Ron, ignoring Leo's exasperated look. "Can I have a frog? I might get Agrippa- thanks."
"I used to forget you weren't raised in the wizarding community," said Ron sheepishly.
Harry turned the 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 with alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.
"You know, Dumbledore is a very strange man," said James, an amused grin making itself known on his face.
Harry turned the card back over and saw, to his astonishment, that Dumbledore's face had disappeared.
"He's gone!"
"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… do you want it you can start collecting."
Ron's eyes strayed to the pile of Chocolate Frogs waiting to be unwrapped.
"Help yourself," said Harry. "But in, you know, the muggle world, people just stay put in photos."
'Do they? What, they don't move at all?' Ron sounded amazing; Leo just chuckled at Ron's reaction. 'Weird!'
Harry stared as Dumbledore sidled back into the picture on his card and gave him a small smile. Ron was more interested in eating the frogs than looking at the famous Witches and Wizards card, Leo was eating his liquorice wands, staring out the window, but Harry couldn't keep his eyes off them. Soon he had not only Dumbledore and Morgana, but Hengist of Woodcroft, Alberic Grunnion, Circe, Paracelsus, and Merlin. He finally tore his eyes away from the druidess Cilodna, who was scratching her nose, to open a bag of Berite Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
"You want to be careful with those," Ron warned Harry. "When they say every flavour they mean every flavour- 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-flavoured one once."
"That's the best part of them," said Sirius.
Ron picked up a green bean, looking at it carefully, and bit into a corner.
"Bleaaargh- see? Sprouts."
"The worst one I've gotten is vomit flavour," said Leo with a scrunched-up nose.
"Ugh, I can still remember the taste of it sometimes," Leo grimaced.
They had a good time eating Every Flavour Beans. Harry got toast, coconut, baked bean, strawberry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine, and as even brave enough to nibble the end of a funny grey one Ron and Leo wouldn't touch, which turned out to be pepper.
The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers, and dark green hills.
Harry took this time to really look at Leo. His eyes were still a vivid blue and his hair still white. But his face seemed to have a kind of elegance to it, like one would expect from a Royal. He seemed to carry a confident air around him that made Harry more confident himself. He also looked like he wasn't the sort you'd want to anger.
"Aw, is that really how you though I looked?" Leo said with a small smile.
"Well, yeah…" Harry mumbled.
Leo smiled at his boyfriend before giving him a kiss to his warm cheek.
There was a knock on the door of their compartment and the round-faced boy Harry had passed on platform nine and three-quarters came in. He looked tearful.
"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?" When they shook their heads, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"
"Oh, Neville," Hermione said fondly.
"He'll turn up," said Harry.
"Yes," said the boy miserably. "Well, if you see him…"
He left.
"Don't know why he's so bothered," said Ron. "If I'd brought a toad, I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brough Scabbers, so I can't talk."
The rat was still snoozing on Ron's lap.
"Stupid rat," said Leo quietly getting a nudge in the side from Harry.
"He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference," said Ron in disgust. "I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look…"
He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a battered-looking want. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.
"Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway- "
"That's so dangerous! You should have gotten a new wand," said Lily, shocked that Molly hadn't gotten his son a new wand.
"We couldn't afford it, but it's fine," said Ron.
He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. The toadless boy was back, but this time he had a girl with him. She was already wearing her new Hogwarts robes.
"Has anyone see a toad? Neville's lost one," she said. She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth.
"Really, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Sorry," said Harry sincerely.
"That's you?" asked James. He was confused, the Hermione he was looking at right now didn't have large front teeth.
"It is," said Hermione.
"We've already told him we haven't seen it," said Ron, but the girl wasn't listening, she was looking at the wand in his hand.
"Oh, are you doing magic Let's see it, then."
Hermione groaned, "I forgot what I was like in first year."
"What were you like?" Lily asked.
"You'll see," said Hermione.
She sat down; Ron looked taken aback.
"Er- all right."
He cleared his throat.
"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."
The Marauders laughed as Ron blushed in embarrassment.
"Where did you even learn a spell like that?" Remus asked.
"The twins gave it to me," Ron admitted with a sheepish smile.
He waved his want, but nothing happened. Scabbers stayed grey and fast asleep.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl. "Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard- I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough- I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"
"Oh wow, you are…" Regulus trailed off, trying to be rude.
"Annoying, rude, pushy," said Snape, bored. He had begun to wonder why he was even there in the first place.
Hermione blushed embarrassingly, her four friends glaring at Snape angry that he insulted their friend even at this age.
"You're one slimly, little git, aren't you Snape?" snapped Leo.
Snape glared at the white-haired teen but Professor McGonagall clearing her throat stopped anymore fighting that was happening. She could see that the Marauders were about to step in as well.
She said all this very fast.
Harry looked at Ron, then Leo, and was relieved to see by their stunned faces that they hadn't learned all course books by heart either.
"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron mutter.
"Harry Potter," said Harry.
"Are you really?" said Hermione.
"You didn't even let me introduce myself," Leo pouted at Hermione who rolled her eyes at him.
"I know all about you, of course- I got a few extra books, for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Darks Arts and Great Wizarding Evens of the Twentieth Century."
"Am I?" said Harry, feeling dazed.
"Wow, famous before you can even walk and talk, for something you can't even remember, it sounds horrible," said Andromeda.
"It is," said Harry.
"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione. She then turned to Leo who hadn't said anything. "What's your name?"
"Leo Black," said Leo.
Hermione gasped, "Like Sirius Black?"
Sirius perked up at the mention of his name, he was wondering why Leo didn't seem to like him and he hoped that it would be explained.
Leo shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "Yeah, like him. He's, my father," said Leo uncomfortably.
Hermione seemed to sense his discomfort because she changed to subject.
"No, no, don't change the subject," said Sirius. "Why is it a bad thing I'm your father?"
"Umm…" said Leo, not sure what to say.
"It will be explained in our third year, it's best if you don't know right now what happened," said Harry, saving Leo from explaining anything.
Sirius pouted, he wanted to know what happened to him now.
"Do either of you know what houses you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad… Anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You three had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon."
And she left, taking the toadless boy with her.
"Well, she seems nice," Leo said uncertainly.
"I did mean that, too, I just wasn't sure how to take you at that time," said Leo.
"I know," Hermione smiled.
"Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it," said Ron.
"Sorry," winced Ron at Hermione's slightly hurt face.
"It's fine, it wasn't the best first impression," said Hermione.
He threw his wand back into his trunk. "Stupid spell- George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."
"What house are your brothers in?" asked Harry.
"Gryffindor," said Ron. Gloom seemed to be settling on him again. "Mum and Dad were in it, too. I don't know what they'll say if I'm not. I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin."
"That's the house Vol-, I mean, You-Know-Who was in?"
"Yeah," said Ron. He flopped back into his seat, looking depressed.
"What about you, Leo? What house was your family in?" asked Harry.
"Mum was a Ravenclaw and my father was a Gryffindor. My cousin was in Hufflepuff. All of my father's side of the family were all Slytherin though," said Leo.
"Out of all our friends, you have the most connections with other houses," said Harry suddenly realising that fact.
"Who is your father?" said Harry.
Sirius perked up from his spot where he had been pouting, maybe he would finally get answers.
Leo paused before sighing. "My father is Sirius Black. They say he's completely mad. Been locked in Azkaban, a wizard prison, for the past ten years. Can't remember a thing about him, really, don't even know what he looked like," said Leo.
"What?" all the Marauders shouted.
Sirius was shocked. He ended up in Azkaban. His own son didn't even know what he looked like, how could that have happened?
"Why is Sirius in Azkaban?" James asked stunned.
Leo fidgeted nervously only stopping when Harry squeezed his hand.
"I promise, it gets sorted out but you have to wait until third year to find out what happened," said Leo. "And I'm sorry in advance for anything I say or do when it comes to you, dad."
"What do you say about me?" Sirius asked, hurt that his son would say mean thing about him.
"You'll see," Leo winced.
Harry didn't know what to say after that so he turned back to Ron. "You know, I think the ends of Scabbers whiskers are a bit lighter," said Harry, trying to take Ron and Leo's mind off houses. "So, what do your oldest brothers do now that they've left, anyway?"
Harry was wondering what a wizard did once he'd finished school.
"Charlies in Romania studying dragons, and Bill's in Africa doing something for Gringotts," said Ron.
"Charlie's my favourite Weasley," said Leo, smirking mischievously at Ginny and Ron who both glared playfully back at him.
"I would love to work with creatures once I finish Hogwarts," said Leo, very interested in Charlie's career.
"That's the Scamander in you," said Fawn proudly.
"Did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with the muggles- someone tried to rob a security vault."
"Someone actually tried to rob Gringotts? I thought it was impossible," said James.
Harry and Leo exchanged a small, secret glance at James's words. They knew it wasn't impossible.
Harry stared, "Really? What happened to them?"
"Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't think they took anything, that's what's odd. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-who's behind it."
"That doesn't make any sense," said Lily. "Everyone thinks Voldemort is dead, so why would anyone think it was him that did it?"
"It's just people's fears that make them believe that," said Hermione.
"Plus, Gringotts is so well protected that everyone's stumped over how they even got in, in the first place." Leo added.
Harry turned the news over in his mind. He was starting to get a prickle of fear every time You-Know-Who was mentioned. He supposed this was all part of entering the magical world, but it had been a lot more comfortable saying 'Voldemort' without worrying.
"What's your Quidditch team?" Ron asked.
"Ballycastle Bat!" Cheered James.
"Falmouth Falcons," said Sirius.
"The Ballycastle Bat," Leo grinned.
"I'm stealing your son, Sirius," James grinned at Sirius's offended gasp.
"Er- I don't know any," Harry confessed.
"What!" Ron looked dumbfounded. "Oh, you wait, it's the best game in the world- " And he was off, explaining all about the four balls and the positions of the even players, describing famous games he'd been to with his brothers and the broomsticks he'd like to get if he had the money, Leo putting his own opinion here and there. He was just taking Harry through the finer points of the game when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville the toadless boy, or Hermione Granger this time.
"Who is it now?" Remus wondered.
Harry, Leo, and Ron al groaned. they knew who it was.
Three boys entered, and Harry recognized the middle on at once: it was the pale boy from Madam Malkin's robe shop. He was looking at Harry with more interest than he'd shown back in Diagon Alley, even shooing a few glances at Leo.
"Why is he looking at the two of you like that?" James asked, getting protective of his son and his son's boyfriend.
"Is it true?" he said, "they're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment, with Leo Black. So, it's you two, is it?"
"What of it?" snapped Leo.
"Yes," said Harry. He was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, ignoring Leo's answer, noticing where Harry was looking. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"He's, my son?" Narcissa asked horrified.
Leo let out an annoyed groan while Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him, again ignoring Leo.
"Good," said Leo.
"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."
"That is so rude!" said Lily, disgusted that an eleven-year-old would act that way to another.
"I am so sorry," Narcissa said to the Weasley children.
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."
He held his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't take it.
"What are you going to do Malfoy? Buy Harry's friendship, like your dear daddy needs to buy respect?" said Leo with a nasty smirk.
"That's my boy!" cheered Sirius.
Malfoy went slightly pink in the face.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort is for myself, thanks," Harry said coldly.
James and Sirius shared a high five, happy that their sons were sticking up for themselves.
Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a deeper pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you. Who knows, maybe Black here will be the one to do you in, just like his father."
"What does that mean? What did I do?" Sirius asked desperately but no one answered him.
Both Harry and Ron stood up. Leo slowly stood from his seat, giving Malfoy a chilling glare.
"Say that again," said Ron, his face as red as his hair.
"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" Malfoy sneered.
"Unless you get out now," said Harry, more bravely than he felt, because Crabbe and Goyle were a lot bigger than him or Ron.
"I'm going to turn your hair as red as Ron's if you don't leave." Leo threatened.
"What does that mean?" asked Lily.
"That I was going to crack his skull opened if he didn't shut and up and leave," said Leo with a shrug.
"That's a bit much, don't you think?" Lily asked.
"Probably, but I didn't, if that makes you feel any better," said Leo.
"It's doesn't," Lily frowned.
"But we don't feel like leaving, do we, boys? We've eaten all our food and you still seem to have some."
Goyle reached toward the Chocolate Frogs next to Ron- Ron leapt forward, but before he's so much as touched Goyle, Goyle let out a horrible yell.
Scabbers the rat was hanging off his finger, sharp little teeth sunk deep into Goyle's knuckle- Crabbe and Malfoy backed away as Goyle swung Scabbers round and round, howling, and when Scabbers finally flew off and hit the window, all three of them disappeared at once. Perhaps they thought there were more rats lurking among the sweets, or perhaps they'd heard footsteps, because a second later, Hermione Granger had come in.
Everyone laughed, happy that the three boys got what was coming to them without the violence that Leo promised.
"What has been going on?" she said, looking at the sweets all over the floor and Ron picking up Scabbers by his tail.
"I think he's been knocked out," Ron said to Harry and Leo. He looked closer to Scabbers. "No- I don't believe it- he's gone back to sleep- "
"That poor rat," said Peter.
And so, he had.
"You've met Malfoy before?"
Harry explained about their meeting in Diagon Alley before the two boys turned to Leo.
"He's a cousin of mine. Never actually met him until now, to be honest with you," said Leo sitting back down with his legs crossed underneath him again.
"I've heard of his family," said Ron darkly. "They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side."
"I bet he didn't," said James darkly.
He turned to Hermione. "Can we help you with something?"
"You'd better hurry up and put your Robes on, I've just been up to the front to ask the conductor, and he says we're nearly there. You haven't been fighting, have you? You'll be in trouble before we even get there!"
"Scabbers has been fighting, not us," said Ron, scowling at her. "Would you mind leaving while we change?"
"All right- I only came in here because people outside are behaving very childishly, racing up and down the corridors," said Hermione in a sniffy voice. "And you've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know?"
"You two are going to get married," said Remus with a smirk.
Hermione and Ron blushed deeply but didn't deny it, they had been together for a few months now and were going very strong.
Ron glared at her as she left. Leo watched her curiously. Harry peered out the window. It was getting dark. He could see mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. The train did seem to be slowing down.
He, Ron and Leo took off their jackers and pulled on their long black robes. Ron's were a bit short for him, you could see his sneakers underneath them.
A voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."
"You're going to be at Hogwarts very soon, I'm so excited!" Lily squealed.
Harry's stomach lurched with nerves and Ron; he saw looked pale under his freckles. Leo, on the other hand, was grinning widely, obvious too excited to be nervous.
"Can't be nervous if you're excited," Leo said simply.
They 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 towards 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?"
"Aw Hagrid, you're always looking out for Harry, thank you," said Lily, smiling up at the half-giant.
"'s nothin'," said Hagrid bashfully.
Hagrid's big hairy face beaming 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. Nobody spoke much. Neville, the boy who kept losing his today, sniffed once or twice.
"Ye' all ger yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
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.
"You're first look at Hogwarts, I can remember when I first saw it. It was amazing!" said James with a dreamy sort of smile.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid call, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry, Ron and Leo were followed into their boat by Hermione. "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 overheard. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"The only thing that would have made that boat ride even better is if the giant squid made an appearance," said Leo.
"Our definition of better is completely different, mate," Ron chuckled.
"Head 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.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.
"How did it even get there?" asked Fawn confused.
"No one actually knows," said Harry.
"Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rocks 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? You there, still got yer toad?"
Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.
"That's the end of the chapter," said Peter.
"You're finally at Hogwarts!" James and Sirius cheered.
"You'll be sorting into your house next chapter, won't you?" asked Lily.
"Yeah," said Harry.
"I'll read next, I want to know what house Leo gets sorted into," said Fawn excitedly.
Peter quickly handed her the book so she could start reading. Everyone was excited to know what houses the four were going to be in.
"Chapter 8 The Sorting Hat…" read Fawn.