On the Hogwarts Express

30th of August, 1995.

Kato was sitting next to Alice. She was telling him about the latest book she had read. He listened and commented and she explained things to him. He smiled as Neville and his gran came walking up to them. "Hey Neville," he said. He tapped Alice on the leg to get her attention. "This is Neville. He is a friend of mine," he told her.

"Hi Neville," Alice said.

"Hello Alice," Neville said uncertainly. He wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation. His mother was well enough to talk to him, but her mind was that of her nine-year-old self. She didn't know who he was, but he was glad Kato still thought it was okay for him to see her. He sat down with Kato and Alice talked to him too as she explained the plot of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. She described a girl named Lucy and her brother Edmund.

Kato got up and checked on Frank as Alice kept talking to Neville. He was glad that Neville finally got the chance to speak to his mother all things considered. He had already mended Alice for the day. He had to spread out his sessions with her now. Her mind needed time to process everything. If he moved too quickly, he would overload her.

"Thank you," Neville said as he walked next to Kato through the hospital.

"No problem, Neville," Kato said. "I'm just glad I can help."

"I guess we'll see each other on the first," Neville said before he left with his grandmother.

"We will Neville," Kato said. "I'll be early."

"See you."

"Bye," Kato said and he waved. Once Neville had left Kato went to try to get himself a mind-healer. He wasn't in a hurry to get one, but he recognised that he needed help.

31st of August, 1995.

Harry sighed as he looked at all of his things. He was standing in his room in the Leaky Cauldron. He had bought all his school supplies and needed to pack. He packed his school things into his trunk and his armour and weapons into his backpack. The backpack he would keep with him, but he wouldn't need to fetch things from it all the time.

Harry James Potter was a twenty-one-year-old battle-mage who was going to do his best to appear as a fifteen-year-old wizard attending his fifth year of school. Summer had been fun and relaxing, but it would be nice to get back to school and a full schedule. He was going to get some more books to read for fun before packing everything down, but apart from that, he felt like he had everything he needed. He walked out the door to muggle London so he could find a bookstore. He had been by Ennerdale and his house was coming together. It looked really good. The wards were strong. His clan could enter quite easily, but humans would have a lot of trouble. Come the winter holidays he would be able to stay in his own house. He walked in and out of stores buying books. He only bought one or two books in each store, but it quickly pilled up to be quite a lot.

1st of September, 1995.

Harry looked at the nearly empty platforms of King's Cross Station. It was early in the morning. He wanted to be one of the first people on the train. He would find a nice compartment and just settle down in there. He wanted to read Sherlock Holmes and relax. He slipped in on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The large red steam train stood dormant for now. Harry walked up to the train and headed inside. He sat down in one of the empty compartments and fished a book out of his shoulder bag. He was tan from a summer in the sun and he didn't care. He activated his glamour. His hair had grown a good inch over the summer. It looked really shaggy. He put it up so it wouldn't be in his way.

Neville was the first person to join Harry. He settled down with a book of his own. He had arrived in his school robes. So had Harry he had just illusioned them to look like regular clothes while in the muggle world.

Fred and George walked through the train a good while later. They were looking for their business partner. They had shrunken their trunks down so they didn't have to carry them. "Here he is," George said as he opened the door. "Hey, Harry."

"Hello, George. Hi Fred," Harry responded. He packed his book away.

"So no Perfect badge for you?" Fred said.

"No, Hermione was surprised too," Harry said.

"I have it," Neville said softly. He was blushing as he showed the badge.

"That's great," Harry said. "You definitely deserve it."

"Yeah, you are a much better choice than some I could think of," Fred said.

Neville's blush deepened from the compliments. "I guess," he said as he wrung his hands together.

"You should probably head to the meeting," George said. "There is a prefects meeting at the start of the trip."

"Oh, yeah I should go," Neville said.

"Don't worry you'll do great and if you need it Hermione will help you out," Harry said.

Neville smiled before heading off. He found Hermione on his way to the meeting and they went together. He pulled himself up straighter before they entered the compartment where the meeting would be held. He was going to make Professor McGonagall and his Grandmother proud. His father had been a perfect back when he went to Hogwarts and Augusta had been very happy when he had received his badge.

Harry leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "So guys, how have you been doing?" he asked.

"It's been good," Fred said.

"Yeah, mom didn't find out what we have been up to so things are good," George said.

They sat down and started telling Harry about their latest inventions. They had made quite a few new pranks. Some of those would need candy that Harry could make. He was trying to figure out what candy would be best. He knew he would have to experiment. Sometimes turning potions into part of a candy ruined the potion.

"Seems like you have done well for yourselves over the summer. I have an ingredients package for you that I got in France," Harry said. "It should give you something new to work with."

"Awesome," Fred said.

The door to the compartment opened and Angeline walked inside. "Hey, Captain how are things going?" she asked as she sat down.

"It's going well," Harry said.

"You look like you have had a good summer," Angelina said.

"Yeah, Fleur invited me to her house in the south of France. I have spent most of my time on the beach," Harry said.

"Oh, really?" Angelina said. "I've heard French girls don't care much about clothes when they're on the beach."

"Especially not when the beach is on their property," Harry said. "Though Fleur is dating their oldest brother and Gabrielle is a little girl so not that much action unless you count all the cousins that came for Gabrielle's birthday."

Everyone laughed. The door opened and Alicia walked inside. "So this is where you guys went," she said. She sat down next to Angelina. "Hi Harry," she said. "You had a good summer?"

"Yeah, it was great," Harry said with a smile. "Finished my homework early and worked on some strategy. I went over some game strategies too. I'm thinking we'll try to keep to how we did things last year. I want everyone to have fun. I think we should always invite the second team. They need training."

"Sounds good Captain," Alicia said. She was glad someone else had to figure things out. "So does anyone know who the Defence teacher is this year?" she asked.

"Nope, but the recommended book is good," Harry said. "Does anyone know how Wood is doing?" he asked momentarily forgetting that Alicia was dating him.

Alicia chuckled.

Oliver Wood was driving his team up the wall. But they were also doing better than ever. He got just a tad bit too focused sometimes. He had made the main team though instead of just being the reserve. The previous Keeper had stepped down when his girlfriend got pregnant.

Angelina had gone abroad. She'd been to the U.S. and messed around in Florida somewhere with her family. She had some pretty interesting stories to tell. Some of which got Fred to wrap his arms around her possessively. Harry had seen the look in her eyes as that happened. She had intended for that. It was exactly what she'd wanted.

Alicia had taken it easy for the most part but had spent time with Oliver. They had been together between his practices. She'd even played a bit against him. The other Chasers in Puddlemere United had been kind of impressed with her form.

As the trip went on more and more members of the Quidditch team joined them. Angelina had increased the size of their compartment so everyone would fit. Tanya and Natalie joined them with Tanya sitting down in Harry's lap. She was talking happily. She was glad to be heading back to Hogwarts and her friends. "So how has your summer been?" Harry asked.

"It's been alright," Tanya said. "Mom took me to Kenya. Grandmother lives there. We had loads of fun. And I saw lions and zebras and hyenas and elephants."

"Sounds good sweetheart," Harry said.

The compartment door opened again and George moved closer to Harry and wrapped his arm around him so Hermione and Neville could fit into the compartment.

"So how did the prefects' meeting go?" Harry asked as he noticed the two newcomers.

"It went well," Hermione said. "Diggory is the new Head Boy and the Head Girl is from Ravenclaw. She is really nice. Most of the new prefects are alright though Malfoy and Parkinson are the Slytherin prefects."

Harry nodded slowly. "We'll live, I'm sure," he said. He winked at Fred. They would deal with it otherwise. He felt how George tightened his hold on him, and he shifted so he would be a bit more comfortable. Tanya slipped down on the floor so Harry could play with her hair.

Hermione started talking about their summer homework. She was nervous for no reason again. It happened every year. She always felt like she hadn't done a good enough job.

Harry leaned back against George and closed his eyes. It was kind of nice to be back amongst friends. He missed Fleur and Gabrielle, but he was glad to be back with his other friends. He listened to everyone else talk for a while. Jimmy and Kyle were talking about sports. Demelza kept asking questions and the boys included her in the conversation to educate her on muggle sports.

The compartment door opened again, and Harry's eyes fluttered open. He tilted his head to the side and looked up at Malfoy. "Good day Draco, is there anything special you wanted?" he asked kindly.

Draco seemed to hesitate for a moment with the older students there. He didn't really want to get on the Weasley twins' bad side. "Tell me, how does it feel to be second-best to Longbottom, Potter?" he asked snidely.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't know," he said calmly. "How does it feel to be outdone by him in almost every subject apart from potions and even there he is threatening your position?" Neville had been doing much better in his classes towards the end of the year. Harry was very proud of him. Both Neville and he himself had risen in grades the previous year. They were competing with Hermione for the top spot and had pushed Draco down. Harry wasn't sure why this kind of information was available to students. It probably wasn't the best thing to tell someone, but the information was there so he had checked.

"You better watch it Potter or I'll give you detention," Malfoy threatened.

Harry shrugged. "You better not misuse your powers or you'll be stripped of your privileges and what would daddy dearest say then," he responded. He could see that he had struck a nerve with Draco and his calm demeanour wasn't making things any easier on the teen. He knew he had acted kind of meek around the Slytherins the year before. He wasn't sure he'd keep that up. He would be polite and calm if he could though.

Malfoy wisely decided not to linger after that. He backed out and took his two goons with him.

"Thanks, Harry," Neville said.

Harry chuckled. "You're my friend, Neville, of course, I'm going to stand up for you. Just keep an eye on his face when he realises that I'm the Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor. I may not have the power to boss people around, but I command a team. My players will deal with any idiocy he might try to fling my way," he said with confidence.

"Of course, we will Captain," Alicia said with a smirk.

Harry chuckled. He was pretty sure that Professor McGonagall would rebel if Malfoy started abusing his powers so he wasn't really that worried. He would just have any detention given to him by Malfoy reviewed.

The Quidditch team slowly wandered off not long after that so everyone could say hi to their other friends. Only Tanya and Natalie stayed with the older students. Natalie was talking to Neville about some flowers he had been manipulating over the summer and Tanya was talking to Hermione about her homework.

Harry smiled. He was glad that he had been building bridges the year before. He hoped he could continue.

There was a polite knock on the door before Cedric entered. "Just thought I'd say hi," he said.

"Tense about starting your last year?" Harry asked.

Cedric shrugged. "I know it will be tough, but I'm so ready to head out in the world. I have taken your advice and father has a position open for me already that I can take as long as my grades aren't miserable," he said.

"I highly doubt you'll have any problems with that," Harry said. "If you need help with anything just let me know."

Cedric laughed. "Oh, sure I'll do that. Maybe someday when I just want some peace and quiet. People are still on me about winning last year and I really don't think it was that special," he said.

"Just let me know," Harry said.

Cedric said goodbye and kept going. He was looking the entire train over and making sure all the first-year students knew who he was. He wanted to be a good Headboy.

As the train slowed down sometime later, Harry and his friends got ready to get off. It was just Harry, Neville and Hermione by then. Everyone else had left during the trip. Harry waited for the other two to leave. He watched them help the new students off the train. A small smile played on his lips. Neville was so kind and gentle. He would have the young students flocking to him if he kept his helpful demeanour up. Harry stepped off the train eventually. He could hear Hagrid calling the new students to him.

Harry waved to Hagrid and headed over to the carriages. He jumped into one and settled down. A couple of other students joined him. A bunch of second graders from Hufflepuff who started interrogating him on why he had opted out of the last task the year before. Harry laughed cheerfully before explaining his reasons to them.

"You are a secret Hufflepuff," one of them said.

"I'd like to think we are all capable of showing traits from all houses," Harry said. "It would be a little boring otherwise."

That got the younger students talking and Harry mostly just listened to them argue with each other until the carriage stopped. He walked with them until they entered the great hall. He scanned the head table for the new defence professor. It was a man. He had shaggy blonde hair and wore muggle clothes. So either a muggle-born or just someone who preferred muggle clothes from a movement perspective. Hopefully, he was more competent than some of the teachers they had endured over the years. If this one was good then they would be on a three-year streak. Hermione and Neville joined Harry and they waited as the hall filled up with students. As the last stragglers sat down, the doors to the hall closed. Harry listened to the rise and fall of the students' gathered voices. It was impossible to hear anything specific unless it was said really close by. His eyes caught Hagrid as he walked in and sat down by the head table.

The sorting would start soon.

The doors to the Entrance hall opened again moments later and Professor McGonagall walked inside with the new students. By the head table, Professor Flitwick placed a three-legged stool with an old worn hat on it down.

The young students looked worried and Harry remembered what it had been like to stand there and panic. He had been so sure the hat wouldn't sort him and he would have to be sent back to the Durselys. He wished he could tell them that it would be alright. At least it would be over soon.

All around the hall, the older students fell quiet as McGonagall positioned herself next to the stool. She was looking down at the hat. A rip opened up just by the brim of the hat and a voice sounded across the hall.

Once, a very long time ago,

Before I had come to be.

The founders walked these halls,

But four turned into three.

Before such a day I was born,

So I could help them choose,

Where their students would go,

And how could I refuse?

So, here I stand before you.

In your mind, I'll see.

In what house you'll fit best.

It's very clear to me.

Are you brave and valiant?

Are you the cause of the uproar?

Then maybe I will place you,

In a den of lions; you're a Gryffindor.

Are you fair and just and patient?

Do you work hard when life is tough?

Then maybe I will place you,

With the loyal Hufflepuff.

Are you studious and creative?

Will you see to the right in every law?

Then maybe I will place you,

In the highest tower; you are a Ravenclaw

Are you proud and ambitious?

Will you high tales spin?

Then maybe I will place you,

With the cunning Slytherin.

Together we can figure out,

Where you all shall go.

Put me on and show me,

Just give me a clue.

For I'm the smartest hat of all.

It is not so hard to be.

For wherever have you seen,

A talking hat like me.

The hat fell silent and the students clapped their hands. The noise died down and Professor McGonagall started reading off names from her list. The line of new students thinned slowly as they joined the four tables. Harry clapped politely no matter what house a person was sorted into. One thing he had realised growing up was that house rivalry was stupid. He didn't feel like fighting with the Slytherin students just because they were Slytherins.

As Professor McGonagall took the hat and stool away, Dumbledore stood up. His eyes twinkled gently as he looked out over the students. "To our newcomers, welcome!" he said in a ringing voice. He stretched his arms out as if he wanted to hug the whole room. A beaming smile shone on his face. "To our old hands, welcome back! I wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Conall Douglas!"

The students clapped politely as Professor Douglas stood up and bowed.

"I hope he is good," Hermione said.

"Me too," Harry said.

"There is a time for speechmaking, but this is not it. Tuck in!" Dumbledore said after that.

A burst of appreciative laughter rolled over the student body as the serving platters on the table filled with food. They ate and were merry. It was a good evening.