Chapter 2 -
The rest of the time until Harry had to go to Hogwarts was passed fairly quickly. Harry had booked a room in the leaky caldron and stayed there, he had spent his time either playing with Loki or reading through books. He had read through the school books including the muggleborn package which was designed to explain the magical world.
The only person that Harry really had any contact with was Tom the barkeeper who usually took his food orders, he and Tom would spend about ten to fifteen minutes each day talking with each other but other than that Harry was pretty much left alone, not counting people who greeted him and asked for autographs.
On the day he had to go to Hogwarts Harry flooed their by using the floo system of the leaky cauldron, as he exited he was glad he remembered Tom's advice about walking forward as soon as he arrived at his destination so he doesn't end up being thrown onto his face. Harry quickly sneaked through the crowd and onto the train.
Eventually he found himself a compartment, he sat down with Loki sitting on his shoulder and eating grape while Harry took out a book and began reading. All was quiet until a few minutes after the train started moving when the door opened.
"Ah, hello Harry." A voice said, Harry looked up to see Lisa standing there with a trunk. "I'm sorry I thought the compartment was empty, may I sit with you?" She asked politely.
"What do you think Loki?" Harry asked Loki, Loki looked at Lisa for several seconds, Lisa gave him a hopeful look, one that clearly worked as he turned to Harry and nodded. "That's two votes, feel free to come in."
"Thank you," She said as she entered, Harry got up and helped her with her trunk before they both sat down with Lisa sitting opposite Harry. "I'm glad I found you here, I think this is yours." She said as she pulled out a card and handed it to Harry.
"Hmm, queen of hearts, 'Love from Satan'." Harry read the card as if this was the first time he had seen it. "I told you." Harry smirked.
"How did you do it?" Lisa asked.
"How did I do what?" Harry asked with fake confusion.
"Don't play dumb, how did you do the trick?"
"I would tell you but a magician never reveals his tricks."
"That would make school a bit of an awkward experience then, if the teachers aren't going to reveal their tricks..."
"I said magician, not wizard." Harry cut her off. "I'm perfectly fine helping you learn spells and stuff as long as you help me if I get stuck."
"Fine but I will find out how you did it." Lisa replied. "So...the wizarding world has spent a lot of time wondering where it's saviour was all of these years. There were lots of different rumors, some said you were living and training with the best wizards and witches around, some said you were hidden with muggle relatives."
"I spent most my time living on the streets in America." Harry replied in a calm voice.
"On the streets?" Lisa blinked before her eyes widened in surprise. "You were homeless?!"
"Pretty much," Harry shrugged. "this summer I found out I was a wizard and was brought back to England, I spent the rest of my summer in the Leaky Cauldron."
"If...if you don't mind me asking, what was it like? Living on the streets I mean."
"It was alright for the most part, you get used to the cold. I spent most my time sleeping in this old warehouse."
"You didn't go to school?"
"Nah, but there was this one old English guy there in the local area who taught me how to read and write in exchange for favours like cleaning and stuff." Harry answered. "What about you? What's your life like?"
"Um...well...nothing really interesting. Just a normal childhood."
"Yeah well..." Harry was about to say more when the door suddenly opened, Harry looked at the person who had opened it. He was a lanky, red headed boy with what looked like second hand clothes. "Yeah?" Harry asked.
"Do you mind?" The boy said. "Everywhere else is full."
"Are you sure?" Lisa asked. "I checked a few minutes ago and there were plenty of spaces."
"Yeah...well everywhere is full now." The boy replied, turning red slightly.
"Meh, I don't care." Harry shrugged.
"It's fine with me." Lisa sighed. "Come in then."
"Thanks." The red headed boy replied as he took a seat in the compartment. "I'm Ron by the way, Ron Weasley."
"Lisa Swan." Lisa replied.
"Harry Potter." Harry said before turning back to his book.
"Really?" Ron gasped. "Is it true? Do you really have the..."
"The what?" Harry asked, turning back to Ron and raising an eyebrow.
"The scar." Ron whispered like it was a government secret.
"I don't know about THE scar, but I do have quite a few." Harry said before turning back to his book.
"Yeah but...hold on...is that a monkey?" Ron said while gesturing to Loki.
"How have you only just noticed?" Lisa asked.
"Shut up." Ron mumbled, turning red slightly. "I suppose a monkey's cooler than what I got," Ron said before pulling out a rat. "this is Scabbers."
"Ew!" Lisa jumped away from Ron and sat next to Harry so she was away from the rat.
"Pathetic isn't he?" Ron asked.
"I've seen worse." Harry said as he idly flipped a page.
"Anything off the trolley dears?" The trolley lady asked when she arrived at the compartment with a trolley full of sweets.
"No thanks," Ron sighed as he pulled out a pair of wrapped sandwiches. "I'm all set."
"I'll take one of everything." Harry said as he pulled out some galleons.
"Whoa." Ron gasped. A minute later Harry sat with one of everything.
"Oh let has have one of those." Ron said as he reached for one but he found his hand slapped away by Loki. "Hey!"
"You said you were 'set'." Harry pointed out. "Besides I brought these, you should ask before trying to take one."
"But you've got lots of them!"
"I know, I should know as I'm the one who brought them. And I plan to eat as much of these as I can now and save the rest for later."
"That's quite smart actually," Lisa said. "they have charms on them to keep them nice and fresh until they're opened so you could hold on to them for ages, but you'll probably end up fat at the end of it."
"I probably won't eat them all," Harry said defensively. "but until I've decided what I am willing to share they are all mine." Harry said before putting most of his new snacks into his trunk while pulling out a milk bottle which had been kept at just the right temperature thanks to a helpful charm that Harry had learned, after putting most of his new purchases in apart from a select few Harry sat down and he began eating.
"Oh can I have one of those please?" Lisa asked, pointing to a chocolate frog.
"Sure." Harry said before tossing it to Lisa.
"Wait! How come she gets one?!" Ron demanded.
"She asked politely." Harry answered, he was going to leave it at that but Ron began turning more red so Harry decided to toss him a bone before the boy burst. "Here have one," Harry said as he tossed him a chocolate frog. "next time you can just ask you know." Harry added with a shake of his head as he opened his own chocolate frog box, he quickly caught the frog when it jumped out then bit it's head off. "Rest in peace froggy, rest in peace." Harry added before he began eating the rest.
"Liked it?" Lisa asked as she ate her own frog.
"I didn't not like it." Harry replied once he was done, Loki hopped down and onto Harry's lap. Harry held Loki up in one hand like a baby while using the other to feed him milk from his bottle.
"He's adorable." Lisa smiled.
"Why are you feeding him milk?" Ron asked.
"Because he likes milk...plus...I think he likes it when I treat him like a baby." Harry replied, as if to prove his point Loki gave a short grin before going back to drinking. Any further response was cut off when the door opened, revealing a bushy haired girl standing in school uniform.
"Has anyone seen a toad?" She asked in an irritated voice. "A boy named Neville has lost one."
"Nope." Ron shook his head as Lisa replied with a small "no".
"Yeah well...is that a monkey?!" She demanded when she saw Loki.
"The people in this country are really slow." Harry whispered to Loki before turning back to the girl. "Would you believe me if I said no?" He asked.
"No." The girl shook her head.
"In that case it's a monkey." Harry nodded.
"You can't have a monkey, the rules say that you can only have a cat, owl or a toad." The girl said in a disapproving voice.
"Oh I know...I just ignored it." Harry smirked before taking the milk bottle away from Loki who began protesting. "No," Harry said to Loki. "you'll spoil your appetite, not too much." Harry added before standing up and putting the milk back in his trunk before sitting down as Loki pouted while in his arms.
"You can't bring him to school, you'll get in trouble."
"No I won't, I asked permission from the headmaster." Harry said dismissively as he scratched the back of Loki's head.
"May I?" Lisa asked as she aimed her hand towards Loki.
"Go ahead." Harry replied. Lisa smiled before gently reaching out and began gently stroking Loki who shivered and leaned into her touch for several moments before he hoped up her arm and sat on her shoulder.
"I think he likes me." Lisa said with a wide smile as Loki rubbed his head against her cheek.
"Traitor." Harry glared at Loki as he returned to reading his book.
"I doubt that the headmaster let you bring it here." The girl said in a disbelieving voice.
"The last time someone doubted me they ended up with a card on their back." Harry replied.
"I am still not going to forget that." Lisa said as she petted Loki who was playing with her hair by flicking it up. "Who are you anyway?" Lisa asked the girl.
"I'm Hermione Granger," The girl said, brightening immediately, she quickly began talking in a fast paced voice. "I'm a muggleborn witch, I was ever so surprised when I found out I was a witch. My parents were so proud, I am the first witch in the family. I've read all of the books. I'm looking forward to classes, I really want to be in Gryffindor, that's where the headmaster went. I think Ravenclaw would be a nice second choice. I heard that in lessons we..."
"My god! She just asked your name!" Harry said in an exasperated voice as he looked up from his book.
"There's no need to be rude." Hermione admonished. "What are your names?"
"I'm Ron, Ron Weasley." Ron said while talking with a mouthful of chocolate, Lisa and Hermione looked at him with disapproval. So did Harry and Loki, homeless and a monkey they might be but they knew not to talk with food in their mouth.
"I am Lisa, Lisa Swan." Lisa said.
"Harry." Harry said absently as he kept reading.
"Wait...I know you...you're Harry Potter!" Hermione blurted out. "I read all about you in..."
"Can I tell you a secret?" Harry cut her off before she could build steam. "I don't really care much."
"Hmm," Hermione huffed. "what are your reading?" She said as she leaned down so she could see his title of his book. "Oh, 'a hundred charms', such a fascinating book, I've read it all. I haven't tried out any of the charms but I think I can..."
"Excuse me," Lisa cut her off. "didn't you say you were looking for a toad?"
"Huh...oh right, well tell me if you see it." She said before walking off.
"Well that was rude, she didn't even tell us her name." Harry said.
"She did tell us her name, it's Hermione Granger." Lisa reminded him.
"I wasn't listening," Harry said dismissively. "but it was still rude for her to say it when I wasn't. Plus, I think that...okay what now?" Harry groaned when the door opened once again. This time it revealed two big and beefy boys standing behind a blonde boy that Harry recognised as Malfoy from the robes shop.
"I've heard that Harry Potter was in this compartment." Malfoy said before noticing Harry and Lisa. "You?!" He blurted out upon recognising Harry. "You're Harry Potter?!"
"Apparently." Harry said as he continued reading his book. "What the hell was your name again? Malboy? Who the hell are your friends?"
"These are Crabbe and Goyle," Malfoy introduced the two boys, "and my name is Malfoy," Draco said through gritted teeth. "Draco Malfoy." Ron snorted, which caused Malfoy to snap his head towards him. "Think my name's funny do you? Don't suppose I need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe, you must be a Weasley."
"Hold up," Harry said as he looked at Ron. "that's a known trait of your family and you haven't dealt with it yet?"
"You'll soon find out Potter that some wizarding families are better than others," Malfoy said. "I mean you've got at least one decent person in this room."
"You talking about Lisa?" Harry asked.
"Yes, the Swan family are the richest family in the world." Malfoy nodded.
Lisa glared at Malfoy for revealing that, though she supposed that it would have been revealed sooner or later. She looked at Ron who reacted like most people and looked at her with disbelief and a hint of jealousy. Loki on the other hand looked at her with a dropped jaw and a look of shock, which was quite adorable on the monkey, she then looked towards Harry who had simply raised an eyebrow at her.
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Lisa sighed, she was about to say more when Harry continued.
"Cool." Was all he said.
"Wait...that's it? Cool?" She said with disbelief.
"Um...nice?" Harry shrugged, not sure what else to add.
Lisa looked at him, she wasn't quite sure that she could believe it. Jealous kids and people who were being nice to her was what she was used to, warnings from her parents about people only ever wanting to be her friend because of money was what she was used to, people acting like she was a spoilt brat was what she was used to. She was not used to people acting like it didn't matter. She especially didn't expect it from a homeless kid of all people.
"You've got to be careful about who you make friends with Potter," Malfoy warned. "I can help you there." Malfoy said, offering him a hand.
"I know how to tell the difference between good and bad people." Harry said though he did shake Malfoy's hand. "I don't really need your help with that."
"We'll see Potter." Malfoy sneered before walking off.
"Malfoy." Crabbe said as they walked away.
"What?" Malfoy asked.
"You have something on your arm." He said.
"What?" Malfoy blinked before looking down, he shrieked and jumped back when he saw a giant spider crawling on his arm. He ended up accidently hitting Goyle in the face with the back of his head, he tripped on Crabbe's feet and fell to the floor, he reached out to grab something and ended up pulling Crabbe who fell on top of him. Several people walked out of their compartments and looked at the trio, they saw Goyle standing there and clutching his nose while Crabbe was on top of Malfoy.
Malfoy shoved Crabbe off and looked at his arm and was glad to see there was no spider anymore, he looked around to make sure it wasn't there before he realised that many people were looking at him, some were even laughing and sniggering at him. Malfoy flushed red with embarrassment as he quickly stood up and walked back to his compartment, ignoring everyone else.
"Wow, he's still big." Harry said when he exited the train and saw Hagrid. The train ride itself would've been fine if not for Ron, at least in Harry's opinion. The red head had tried to talk to Harry throughout the trip, Harry had tried to ignore him and read his book but the boy couldn't take a hint.
"He's the biggest man I've ever seen." Lisa whispered to Harry as she looked at Hagrid. "Do you know each other?"
"We've met once." Harry answered as they along with the rest of the students all walked towards Hagrid.
"First years over here," Hagrid called, his voice easily reaching everyone's ears. "follow me." Hagrid said before leading them all to the lake where there was a bunch of boats. "Four to a boat." Hagrid said.
Harry took a seat in one boat followed by Lisa who still had Loki on her shoulder, the two remaining seats were taken by Ron and Hermione, leaving Harry to pray that the two didn't start talking. However it appeared that today was not his day.
"What house do you think you'll be in?" Hermione asked. "I'm hoping for Gryffindor, that's where the headmaster went, though I think Ravenclaw would be a good second. How about you all?"
"Gryffindor," Ron said as if it was impossible for him to go anywhere else. "Harry's going there as well, aren't you?"
"I don't really care." Harry said bluntly just as the boat rocked slightly, Loki jumped off of Lisa and grabbed onto Harry's hair so he wouldn't fall off. "Oh, so now you want to come back?" Harry asked sarcastically before he pulled out a deck of cards and began rearranging them.
"What are you doing with these?" Hermione asked. "They don't teach muggle card tricks at Hogwarts."
"I'm well aware." Was Harry's response as he kept rearranging his cards, Hermione frowned at him for not saying more but managed to bite back a response this time.
"Setting up for another trick?" Lisa asked with a small smile.
"Perhaps," Harry smirked. "would you like another one?" Harry asked.
"I would." She nodded.
"Here," Harry handed her the deck. "shuffle it in any way you like."
"Okay." She said as she began shuffling the deck, Hermione and Ron watched closely. "Done," She said after several moments.
"Pass it." Harry said before taking the deck, he shuffled it again before spreading them out and showing them to Lisa with the back facing up. "Chose a card, any card but don't show me which one." Harry said.
"Fine," Lisa looked at the cards with a thoughtful expression before she picked the last one on the right. "this one."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, she nodded. Harry shuffled the remaining cards once more. "Place the card anywhere in the deck." Harry said, she took a few seconds to decide before placing it around the middle, Harry did a quick shuffle before he showed the deck to Lisa. "Do you want to shuffle it again or should I just get on with it?"
"The second please." She answered.
"If that's what you want." Harry said before he took the top card of the deck. "What was your card?"
"Ten of diamonds." Lisa answered.
"I think you're lying to me." Harry replied.
"I am not."
"Well it couldn't have been the ten of diamonds."
"Why not?"
"Because there are two ten of diamonds here and neither are in my deck. Watch," Harry said as he placed the deck in his left hand, his right hand reached into Ron's robes breast pocket and pulled out a card that was none other than the ten of diamonds.
"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed as he placed his hand where the card was.
"See," Harry said before he handed the card to Loki who ripped it apart. "now there's only one question left to ask."
"How did you do that?" Hermione asked.
"Wrong." Harry said before pointing to Ron. "What's the question Ron?"
"Can you teach me that?" Ron asked.
"No and wrong," Harry said before pointing to Lisa. "what's the question?"
"Where's the other?" Lisa asked.
"Right answer, as for my answer..."
"Here we are!" Hagrid called as they all reached the other side of the lake.
"I'll tell you later then I guess." Harry sighed.
"You had better." Lisa said as they got off the boat.
A few minutes later all of the first year students followed Professor McGonagall into the great hall and followed her up to towards the stage.
"It's an enchanted sky," Harry heard Hermione whisper to someone. "I read about it in 'Hogwarts: A History'."
Eventually McGonagall stopped next to a stool on top of the stage which was in front of the teachers tables, where all the teachers including the headmaster sat, the first years stopped just before the stage. McGonagall picked up an old hat that was on the stool. She turned to the first years as she pulled out a scroll.
"When I call your name, come forward and take a seat so you could be sorted. Hannah Abbot." McGonagall said, the first girl to walk up was a blonde girl who nervously sat on the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on her head, the hat suddenly came alive and it looked like it had eyes and a mouth.
"Hufflepuff." The hat said after a short pause. McGonagall removed the hat as the girl stood up and her tie and badge turned into a Hufflepuff tie and badge. She smiled and walked off to the Hufflepuff table as the sorting continued.
After a while and a few other sorting Hermione Granger was sorted into Gryffindor while Malfoy and his two friends were sorted into Slytherin. Then Harry was called up so he walked up to the stage while paying attention to the crowd.
"Is that Harry Potter?" One boy asked.
"Oh he's got a monkey!"
"Why does he have a monkey?"
"Mr Potter," McGonagall said when he sat down. "we are sorting you, not your monkey."
"Huh?" Harry asked before remembering that Loki was on his head. "Oh right," Harry said before he pulled Loki off and held him in his arms. "Sort away professor." Harry said, McGonagall placed the hat on Harry's head.
'Hmm,' Harry heard a voice sound in his head. 'Difficult, very difficult'.
'Are you the hat speaking?' Harry asked mentally, wondering if the hat would hear him.
'Yes Mr Potter, I am and I can hear you.' The hat replied. 'Do not worry, I do not reveal any information about any person I sort, no matter who asks. Now, the question is where should is sort you? Hufflepuff perhaps? Perhaps not, hard working maybe but your loyalty as of the moment is limited to your monkey.'
'What's wrong with that?' Harry asked defensively.
'Gryffindor is another possibility, you certainly possess bravery but you're not one to jump into fights unless you have to. I have limited the best choice down to two, the first is Slytherin, while you currently have no ambition's you certainly do possess cunning, more than most members of the house anyway. The second option is Ravenclaw, while you do not want knowledge for knowledge's sake, you do like learning.'
'First rule of magic, always be the smartest in the room.' Harry replied.
'Do you have a preference between Ravenclaw and Slytherin?'
'Put me in Ravenclaw please.' Harry requested.
'Why Ravenclaw?' The hat asked curiously.
'From what I've read so far I am apparently a 'hero' while Slytherin is apparently the home of 'dark wizards' while Ravenclaw is considered the second least popular house by many. If I was in Slytherin then that would bring more attention to me and I'd have to work on them not calling me evil, and I control the audience, not the other way around. Also Malfoy's in Slytherin and I don't really like him.'
"Ha," The hat said out loud. "welcome to RAVENCLAW!" Harry stood up as his tie turned into a blue tie with white stripes as the Ravenclaw badge appeared on his robes. Harry removed the hat from his head as he placed Loki on the stool.
"Mr Potter?" McGonagall asked, wondering what he was doing. She got her answer when Harry placed the hat on top of Loki, though because of Loki's size he went right inside the hat. "Mr Potter, what are you doing? You cannot just sort a monkey, that is..."
"Ravenclaw!" The hat shouted, interrupting McGonagall. Harry smirked as he removed the hat and handed it to McGonagall. While that was shocking, the most shocking part in many people's opinion was the fact that Loki had disappeared. McGonagall looked for him inside the hat as Harry walked over to the Ravenclaw table as the entire hall whispered to each other.
"Mr Potter, where is your monkey?!" McGonagall demanded once Harry sat down.
"In the hat professor." Harry answered. "I'd like him back if that's fine with you."
"He is not in the hat Mr Potter, I have checked."
"Are you sure?" Harry frowned.
"Yes I'm sure." An exasperated McGonagall said as she humored him by looking in the hat once more, except this time a fury face popped out and grinned at her, catching her by surprise which caused her to drop the hat and jump back.
"Ow, for goodness sakes Minerva!" The hat said as Loki slipped out of the hat and went towards Harry as fast as he could. "Just because I'm a hat doesn't mean I don't have feelings!"
"I...I apologise," McGonagall said as she picked up the hat, and turned back to the scroll after sending Harry a small glare.
Harry picked up Loki jut as McGonagall continued with the list, Loki gave Harry a look that Harry mentally translated to mean 'did I do good?'.
"Yes, yes you did brilliantly." Harry smiled at him, Loki grinned before climbing up and sitting on his shoulder.
"Wow, he's so cute." One older female Ravenclaw said.. "Nice to meet you, I'm Penelope Clearwater, fifth year prefect."
"Harry Potter," Harry said as he shook her hand. "first year...something, I haven't decided yet."
"Does your monkey have a name?" Penelope asked.
"Loki." Harry answered, Loki gave a cute wave to Penelope and the other Ravenclaws.
"Ravenclaw!" Harry heard the hat shout, he looked back and saw Lisa walking to the Ravenclaw table, she sat next to him with a smile.
"Ah, hello Lisa." Harry said. "Ravenclaw huh?"
"Yeah, you're not getting out of showing me that trick." Lisa grinned.
"Yo Penelope," Harry said a short while later after the sorting was other and as they were all eating. "can you pass that bread please?"
"Hmm, oh sure." Penelope nodded, she reached across and grabbed a piece of bread before handing it to Harry.
"Thank you," Harry said to her, she smiled at him before returning to her own food, "here." Harry said as he tossed it to Lisa.
"What's this for?" Lisa asked.
"Usually for eating but I'd like it if you opened it." Harry replied.
"Why?" Lisa raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you think?" Harry smirked and gestured to the bread, Lisa's lips turned into a frown shortly before realisation hit her and her eyes widened. She quickly ripped the bread open only for a card to pop out.
"Ten of diamonds." Lisa whispered as she looked at the card. "How?!" She said to Harry.
"Would you believe me if I said magic?"
A.N: Hi guys, hope you liked the chapter. Just wanted to say a quick few things:
* First of all if anybody is interested then Loki is a Capuchin Monkey, I'm no monkey expert though so I may write some things that might not be accurate but we can just put that on him being a magical monkey (it's fanfiction, shut up).
* Lisa is who Harry will be paired with, I will be going into more detail on her character later.
* Harry will not be an overpowered character who can easily defeat anybody (unlike some of my other stories). In this story he uses a mixture of brains and magic. In the future he may become a strong wizard but it'll be more realistic or at least I'll try to keep it realistic.
Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a review.