Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Jujutsu Kaisen. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.

Note: It's time to board the Hogwarts Express!

Chapter Three - A Train And Sorting

The morning sky was bright as Harry and Yuki made their way through the teeming throngs of King's Cross Station. This would be the longest time they'd be away from each other since they'd first teamed up and they wanted to enjoy each other's company as long as possible. When they reached the barrier to 9 ¾ they shared a look and took a step forward. Supposedly it would stop anyone that wasn't a wizard, but they were curious if it would have the same effect for someone capable of wielding cursed energy. A moment later they had their answer as the duo emerged together on the other side.

As one they stared at the multitudes of families strutting about, hugging their kids goodbye, and engaging in tear filled farewells. That last really wasn't either of their style, so after taking a bit to look around they squared off and shared a quick hug before separating.

"I expect some letters, kid. McGonagall said the school owls would get your messages to me wherever I am."

"You got it, Yuki."

She smirked, "Who knows, when you come back over Christmas you might even have an answer for me to the question I asked when we first met."

"What's my type? Why is that question so important to you anyway, Yuki?"

"Because knowing a person's preferences for women tells you everything you need to know to make an initial impression of them. Trust me."

"You haven't steered me wrong yet, so I will."

"Ah, thanks, kid."

"I mean, there was that time in Toronto…"

Yuki scowled at the reminder. "I thought we agreed to never mention Toronto again?"

"Fair enough." He hugged her quickly one last time. "Thanks for everything, big sis."

"Don't mention it, Harry. Now get on up to that train. You've got a magical year to get to and I imagine you'll wanna get the best car first."

Harry nodded and quickly ran up the steps to the train, his charmed trunk floating along behind him. The upper years had claimed the frontal cars, so he took one of the empty ones near the center, pulled a book out of his trunk before levitating it to the upper shelf, and then sat down to wait. It wasn't long before Draco found him with two other boys that he swiftly sent on to another location.

At his raised brow Draco blushed and said, "Their names are Crabbe and Goyle. Their dads are… associates of my father. They told them to look after me."

"Are they going to be a problem?"

"No, they aren't the brightest of kids. I'm sure they'll wander off to do their own thing eventually as long as I don't keep interacting with them. What are you reading?" he asked as he hopped onto the seat across from the boy who lived.

"Mistborn The Final Empire." He answered, showing off the cover. "Muggle's have an entire genre of books dedicated to unique ideas for magic and they are quite interesting."

Draco huffed. "As if."

"No, really, the author thought up this process wherein ingesting certain types of metal would give people different abilities like pseudo-flight, emotion manipulation, enhanced strength and agility."

"That actually sounds pretty cool." The pureblood scion noted. "Can I give it a look?"

"Have at it." Harry tossed him the book before pulling another one out of his coat. "I already grabbed the sequel since I was almost done with it."

The two settled into a quiet bout of reading their respective novels while they waited for the train to depart. Sadly he only had enough time to get twenty minutes in, and the train had just started moving, when the door opened again, admitting a red haired boy who looked around rapidly before his eyes landed on the boy who lived's famous scar. An action that escaped neither his nor Draco's notice.

"Would it be alright if I sat in here? Everywhere else is full." The redhead said, trying his best to look anywhere but at Harry.

Everything about this situation was drawing Harry's suspicion so he said, "I highly doubt that. There are at least seven coaches attached to this train with magically expanded interiors full of compartments, which means it is capable of carrying every Hogwarts student without issue. If it were as full as you say there would be more than just us in this carriage."

"W-Well I didn't like the other carriages okay. The people in them were weird." The redhead tried to cover for his lie but he convinced no one."

In the silence that followed he chose to just take a seat considering asking for permission had failed. "I'm Ron by the way. Ron Weasley."

"Draco Malfoy." The blonde answered, already annoyed with their new addition.

"Brock Tackleburn." Harry answered.

Ron blinked, "No you're not."

"Yes I am. I said so, didn't I Draco?"

"Yes you did, Brock." For his part, the young Malfoy knew exactly what his friend was doing and he found it hilarious, especially with how red the ginger's face was getting. It was only a matter of time until he exploded.

"You're Harry Potter so stop lying!"

Harry smirked, "Now why would you think I'm Harry Potter?"

"Cause you have the scar on your head."

"Do I?" The boy who lived moved his bang out of the way and rubbed his forehead. "I don't have a scar on my head do I Draco?"

"I've not seen one." The blond lazily turned a page in his book. "The ginger must be having a mental episode to see something that is clearly not there."

"You have the scar!" Ron clearly hated being messed with, as shown by the rapid escalation of his volume.

Now Harry could handle a lot of things, but someone having the audacity to scream in his face was not one of them. "I don't like your tone. Get out." Harry's voice was firm, and his hand was slowly pulling his wand from his wrist holster.

"You can't kick me out! We're supposed to be best friends! Dumbledore promised my mom-"

Deciding he'd had enough Harry swept his wand out in a horizontal arc and released the magic he'd been gathering since the new kid entered his comportment. At the same time Draco did the same with his own focus. Harry's movement launched Ron across the small space and Draco's opened the door just in time for him to crash into the wall outside before slamming it closed after him.

Left alone again the two boys broke into a peel of laughter for several minutes before going back to their individual reading. Somewhere along the way Damien slithered out from Harry's sleeve to perch on his neck, his little head moving along with his master's when he read the words before him.

"You have a snake?" Draco's eyes were locked on the serpent. "How did that not come up in any of our letters?"

Harry thought about it and realized he actually hadn't mentioned his little friend in their correspondence. "Sorry about that. This is Damien." {Say hi Damien} He hissed. In response the albino snake waved his tail awkwardly in a parody of a human greeting before slithering down under his human's collar. The boy was just so warm, and the air was so cold.

"You're a parselmouth!"

"Yes. It's really not that big a deal."

"Not that big a deal?" The blonde parroted. "Harry, the dark lord had that power."

"And so do nearly two hundred others in India alone. I checked. It's considered quite the gift over there because it allows people a simple way to deal with otherwise lethally poisonous snakes."

"But we're not in India, man. People are going to have some pretty strong opinions about this."

"And why should I care about the opinions of sheeple who would judge before learning anything real?"

Draco shrugged, "Fair point I guess." This of course led to a full conversation about how he'd learned he could talk to snakes, how long he'd had Damien, and what else he might be hiding. He was pretty tight lipped about the last one, not wanting to give away all of his tricks just yet.

The only other interruption they had on their journey was when a knock sounded at their door and a bushy haired girl entered with a rather timid looking boy behind her.

"Hello." The girl said, in a voice that Harry found rather pleasant, "We're sorry to bother you, but have either of you seen a toad? Neville here has lost his."

From just beneath his collar the hissed voice of Damien sounded, {Massster, I could find the lossst toad.}

{And it would still be alive after you find it?}

The snake thought about it for a moment before hissing an affirmative and slithering out of his shirt rapidly to exit down the hallway. The newcomers stared at him with wide eyes and he gestured to the empty seats across from him, Draco dutifully moved to sit at his side, "Please take a seat. Damien will return when he has located your toad."

The new boy, now extremely pale, shakily said, "P-P-Parselmouth. Hermione, we should go."

"Why?" The girl cocked her head. "He just said he'd find Trevor for you and we don't really have any other means of locating him."

He walked up to her and tried to whisper, but in the small space of the compartment everyone still heard him, "Only dark wizards can use parseltongue to talk to snakes. Everyone knows that."

In contrast to his light tone Hermione loudly brushed him off, indignation clear in her tone, "Don't be ridiculous, Neville. That's just stereotyping. I've read a lot about the magical world over the summer and people that can speak to snakes are in high demand all over the world. Heck, in India and Australia they are practically revered due to their ability to convince poisonous snakes to stay away from public areas and homesteads."

Moving forward with a confidence that Harry appreciated the girl extended her hand, "Hermione Granger. And he's Neville Longbottom."

Deciding he liked this girl a hell of a lot better than Weasley, the boy decided not to mess with her and took her hand in his own, "Harry Potter."

"Really?" Hermione blinked, "I've read all about you."

Harry huffed, "Yes I imagine from that ridiculous series of children's stories and novels. You shouldn't believe their wild tales, I'm actually in the process of suing their authors."

"Why? Surely the authors did their proper research and knew what they were doing?" Hermione couldn't fathom faults in those that wrote in her favorite object in the world.

"Yeah they knew exactly what it was they were doing. They were making shit up and using my name to sell it without my permission. I'll be taking their asses to the cleaners."

"Well, that aside, you have a very bad vocabulary, did you know that?"

Harry could appreciate someone that said things the way they were. "Yes, I've been told that before."

Just then Hermione spotted the book beside him and the one Draco was currently reading. "Are you reading Branden Sanderson novels? I thought wizards didn't know anything really about the muggle world?"

"I was raised muggle… after a fashion." Harry smirked.

"New convert." Draco didn't look up from his reading.

"Oh, well would you mind if I read too?" Hermione pulled a rather thick tome from her backpack, and when she was given the greenlight she began with gusto. Neville seemed lost for a moment, until he reached into his own bag and pulled out his transfiguration textbook. It seemed he wanted to get a headstart on his classes.

A short time later Damien slithered back in and informed his master that a toad was hiding in a corner near the second car's bathroom and when he informed Neville the boy took off like a shot from a gun.

"I'm sorry about Neville." Hermione said. "He's just a bit nervous."

"Nervous is one thing, but I sense a distinct lack of pride in him. That is something I cannot respect, so I don't think I'll be spending much time with him this year, hopefully he starts to grow into himself later. You, however…" Harry smiled at the sight of how the girl had been ravenously pacing through the book she'd started, "I think we'll get along just fine." Sure some might consider her attitude to be bossy, or invasive, but to his eyes she just knew what she wanted and went after it. It just so happened she desired knowledge and information.

"But she's clearly a muggleborn." Draco grumbled, earning a flat stare from the boy who lived. He quickly wilted. "Sorry, sorry, old habits. I'm working on it."

"I know, Draco." Harry patted his shoulder and the three went back to their silent reading, trading stories and ideas of what to expect for the year for the next several hours until a loud whistle announced their imminent arrival. The boys dutifully stepped outside to allow Hermione to change and then took their own turn when she was done. So it was a very smartly dressed trio that made their way to the boats. Though Hermione's robes were not as high quality as her new compatriots they were impeccably put together, tailored, and wrinkle free.

"Four to a boat!" A giant of a man that had introduced himself as Hagrid to the new students bellowed.

Harry's group found themselves joined by a honey-blond girl that introduced herself as Daphne Greengrass and they were off. There wasn't much talking amongst the eleven year olds from then on. The castle came into view very quickly and it took all of their breaths away. Well, all except for one. Harry had traveled extensively and Hogwarts didn't even rank the top five castles he'd seen. Number one was still Bran Castle in Romania.

Together they crossed the expanse of the black lake, docked on a jutting pier, and began to climb a set of stone steps to the grand doors of the great hall. It was with a smile that Harry noticed an absolutely drenched Ron Weasley at the back of their line. He heard a couple of students talking about how he'd been sick on the water and lost his balance to fall into the lake while retching over the side.

His musings were interrupted when the stern figure of professor McGonagall stepped out of the shadows to address them all. "Greetings everyone. I welcome you to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In just a moment you will enter these doors and be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While at Hogwarts your house will be as your family and over the course of the year you will have the opportunity to earn house points to aid them in winning the house cup. Success in academics or exemplary acts will earn you points. Rule breaking will lose you points." She looked out over all of them, fighting back a grin at all the eager young faces. "The ceremony is about to begin." Her gaze stopped on a soaking wet red haired boy, "I suggest using the time to make yourselves presentable." So saying she took her leave to return to her seat inside.

What followed was a mad dash of students brushing themselves off, Ron desperately asking anyone if they knew a drying charm, and Harry, Hermione, and Draco standing off to the side laughing at it all.

"So Harry," Draco asked, "How are you going to make your big entrance?"

The boy who lived gave his friend a knowing look, "Remember Madame Malkins?"

The blond boy's eyes lit up with glee. "Oh that will be excellent."

"Excuse me, but what do you mean?" Their bushy haired companion asked.

"Harry here is of the opinion that if everyone thinks he's the greatest thing since Merlin he's going to take pride in that assumption and own it. He wants to shock and awe the student body right away. Thus he's going to perform a pretty impressive feat of magic the moment those doors open."

Hermione blinked, "That doesn't sound like a very Gryffindorish attitude."

"And why should I want to act like a Gryffindor?" Harry wanted to know. "I have no intention of being one."

"But the books said both of your parents were in Gryffindor?"

He gave the girl a level stare, "We've already talked about my feelings on the books."

"R-Right, sorry." Hermione forced herself to calm down. She had finally found people that weren't annoyed with her presence, and that she hoped might become real friends, and she didn't want to let that go, or push them away. "S-So what house are you hoping for then?"

"Slytherin." Draco responded.

"Slytherin." Harry agreed. "If I'm going to go to school here I'm going to be the best, and Slytherin is the home of the ambitious after all."

"But Gryffindor has some of the best wizards in Hogwarts A History as alumni. Even Headmaster Dumbledore was a member."

Harry scoffed, "From what little I've learned of that man and especially with his actions in my life, I'd say he isn't as great as he tries to seem. Hermione, do you want to live your life on your own terms, or follow the example of people you haven't even met?"

"I-I want to live it on my own terms." The brunette bookworm said, unable to take her eyes away from Harry's green orbs. The other boy was just so confident, calm, and he spoke to her, instead of down to her like so many others. He smiled at her answer, and she found herself wanting so much to see more of it. "Y-You're going to try and get into Slytherin if you can?"

"I did say that, didn't I?"

"A-And if I was in your house too?"

Draco broke in then, "Based on your birth you'd have a hard time at first, but Harry likes you, so I'd speak for you."

The boy who lived took her hands in his own and added, "And I'd protect you. I look out for my friends, Hermione."

"Friends." Hermione said dreamily. It had been a dream for so long to have friends of her own. "That sounds really nice."

Almost as soon as the girl finished speaking the great doors opened on silent hinges, revealing a grand hall full of chattering students and a head table seating a bunch of older people that were obviously the professors. As they all turned to face the new arrivals entrance, Harry folded his arms over his chest and strutted at the head of the crowd down the walkway. The moment he reached the first table however he summoned his first three creatures and put them to use. Two of them rose under his feet and lifted him into the air while Mr. Smile supported his back and flapped his cloak as if a silent breeze was waving. He meant what he'd said before. He would stand apart, and now to the entire student body it looked like he was floating on air. He was a jujutsu sorcerer, and none of these other children had anything on him in the end. Sure some of them could prove to be adequate combatants, but he was sure none had faced the same things he had. The whispering and exclamations began the moment the first student noticed his scar.

"Holy shite, that's Harry Potter!"

"Harry Potter? He's starting here now?"

"Do you see his robes? They look like they cost more than my parents make in three months!"

"Where do you think he's been all these years?"

"I don't know, but he looks kind of hot… for an eleven year old…"

"Screw all of that! Does no one else see that the kid is fucking flying!?"

Harry soaked in their exclamations, feeling his pride sore the more he heard. Yes, they were impressed with him. They should be. With his arms crossed, posture straight, chin up, cloak billowing behind him, alleged flight at his command, and cursed energy flowing to increase the weight of his presence he looked truly like a young man who ruled the earth beneath his feet.

At the head table McGonagoll was smiling fondly at the display, Flitwick was bouncing with excitement, Snape was glaring with hate, and Dumbledore… was confused. He had set Harry up perfectly to be a weak willed waif of a child desperate for attention and willing to follow his directions and sage advice. The boy he was seeing now, while short for his age, was none of those things. He was absolutely radiating power and confidence and displaying a worrying amount of magical accumen the likes of which he'd not seen since Tom. How could things have gone so wrong?

Meanwhile the students had come to a stop and Minerva got up to set a stool before the high table and dropped a hat onto it. To the new student's surprise it came to life in an instant and sang a godawful tune before subduing itself back to silence. Then the deputy-headmistress started reading off names.

To be honest Harry only paid attention to a few particular names. Hermione took a while before being sent to Slytherin, and Harry was sure the hat looked downright smug if that was possible. Daphne went to Slytherin as well and the hat took a long time with Neville before grudgingly sending him up to Gryffindor. Draco was put in Slytherin almost instantly and he gave Harry a cheeky wave as he walked off to join the bookworm. He'd promised to help her and she was getting some thinly veiled looks of malice; he was not one to skimp on his word. Harry tuned out all of the others until his name was called.

"Harry Potter." Minerva read, and the whispers began all over again. The entire time the sorting had been going on Harry's feet had not touched the ground, and this trend continued as he 'floated' over to the stool and descended down to sit it. "Show off." Minerva chuckled as she placed the ancient article on his head.

All outside sound ceased as the voice of the sorting hat started speaking in his head. "Now, where to put you?"

"I'd prefer Slytherin, but I'm curious where you would choose to put me." Harry responded, earning an amused harrumph from the old sounding voice.

"Hm, open minded, what a relief. I've had to argue with a few of you already and it gets old. Now, Gryffindor… would not suit you. You have courage aplenty, and your pride could see you leading the way into a conflict, but your tactical mind and lust for further power and strength would be wasted there. Hufflepuff would also be a waste. You seek to excel too much to meld into their camaraderie and group based dynamics. Ravenclaw is a good possibility, but knowledge for knowledge's sake is not your final goal. No, you seek to advance beyond all others. For that reason the only choice for you is… SLYTHERIN!"

As the hat was removed and Harry hovered over to sit with Draco, several different reactions were taking place. Minerva was saddened that her little lion had turned out to be a baby snake, but she assured herself it wouldn't change how she saw him. Snape was nearly swallowing his tongue in shock and anger at the thought that the Potter brat would sully his common room. The Gryffindor table was confusedly muttering about how they didn't 'get Potter'. Finally, Dumbledore was freaking the fuck out.

Anything, and he meant anything, was better than Slytherin. He hadn't even met the boy yet but he could already tell that he had a chip on his shoulder, and the house politics of his new home would only increase it. He needed Potter to be more manageable, not less! He needed him beaten down and willing to die for the good of others, not full of pride! As if it knew what he was thinking the sorting had turned to him and winked. It was making it very clear that a resorting was not in the cards.

All was not lost however. The stone was still in play, Voldemort was currently possessing Quirrel, and he'd stopped his professors from creating any defenses that a first year wouldn't be able to defeat. His plan to force a confrontation could still proceed.

Meanwhile, Harry was enjoying a nice dinner with Draco and Hermione, answering questions left and right and not looking at those staring daggers at him. He'd deal with them soon enough. Dinner ended with a closing speech from the headmaster about forbidden contraband, not using magic in the halls, staying out of the forbidden forest, and avoiding the third floor corridor unless one wanted to die a very painful death.

That last one seemed weird to Harry. Why would you tell that to a room full of children. Some were bound to be curious and go look anyway.