Answers to reviews:

Guest250: True.

Jason K: I won't.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I only own the OC Anthony Black.

Anthony exhaled as he stood on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, staring at the stream scarlet engine waiting next to a platform packed with people. Witches and wizards ran around, each trying to say their goodbyes. Anthony took them all in. Twins were hugging their mother, a father gave stern warnings to a son while a mother kissed a daughter's cheek.

There was a sign overheard that read Hogwarts Express, 11 o'clock. Beautiful scarlet and gold letters. Smoke from the engine drifted over their heads.

A hand was placed on Anthony's shoulder, startling him and he looked up at the concerned face of his aunt. "You okay?" She asked softly.

"Yeah, just... nervous." Anthony said, staring at the train, his eyes drifting to the kids that will be his classmates. What will they think when they realize the son of Sirius Black is coming to Hogwarts with them? Will be at Hogwarts for the next few years?

"Hey." Andromeda turned Anthony's head gently as she crouched down, putting her hands on his shoulders. "It'll be okay. I was nervous myself when I was going to Hogwarts. It'll pass, trust me. Now, let's go find you an empty carriage and get your stuff onboard."

Together, they managed to find an empty compartment that Anthony picked. As they worked on lifting Anthony's trunk onto the train, someone called out to them. "Andromeda Tonks?"

Anthony grunted as he tried to lift the trunk onto the part overhead, but it wasn't exactly easy. However, his struggles got someone's attention as a boy poked his head around the corner.

"Need a hand there?" An older boy with flaming-red hair, freckles and teller than her grinned.

"Please," breathed Anthony, his arms starting to become sore.

"Oy, George!" called the boy towards the end of the corridor. "C'mere and help!"

Another boy entered the compartment and Anthony's eyes widened briefly for a moment at the surprise of twins. With their help, they hoisted his trunk in the overhead and secured it tightly.

"Thanks," said Anthony, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's not a problem," said the first twin. "Name's Fred, and this is George. First year?"

"Yeah," He replied, shaking their hands. "Anthony Black."

What he expected happened. Their faces fell and Anthony quickly wrenched his hand away from George's. His face turned red as they stared at him, gawking.

"Black?" asked George. "As in Sirius Black?"

Anthony gulped before saying, "I – I suppose so, yes."

They continued to stare at him and he wondered if they somehow hated him. Then, to his relief, a voice came floating through the train's open door.

"Anthony? Anthony? You there?"

"Coming, aunt Andromeda."

With a last look at the twins, Anthony left the compartment and hopped off the train. He was then met with a plump woman and a small girl, both red-headed as well. Anthony suspected that they were related to the twins.

"Anthony, I would like you to meet Molly Weasley," introduced Andromeda. "She's an old friend who I knew back at Hogwarts and after we left. It's been a number of years since we last saw each other."

Mrs. Weasley smiled at him and searched his face, as though sizing him up. Anthony's chest closed up and he wondered if he was going to get the same reaction as before.

"You have your mother's eyes, dear," said Mrs. Weasley. "I knew Selena. A remarkable woman and witch of her age."

Anthony returned the smile and his shoulders slumped in relief. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley continued to smile as she introduced her daughter. "This is Ginny. She's not old enough to go to Hogwarts yet, but she will be next year. My sons are on the train right now. You can't miss them! All with red hair. Percy is the oldest, and he will be the Gryffindor Prefect. Then there's Fred and George, my twins, and Ron will be a first year like you."

Anthony nodded at her words. "I can't wait to meet them."

Mrs. Weasley smiled at him then clapped her hands together and looked at Andromeda. "Well, I'd best leave you two alone. Andromeda, please do try to keep in touch this time. It's been a while since we've spoken. And Anthony, good luck at Hogwarts."

Mrs. Weasley hugged Andromeda and hesitated with Anthony before patting his cheeks fondly. Anthony smiled towards Ginny as they walked away, calling for her sons.

"You know her?" Anthony asked his aunt.

Andromeda nodded. "We were both in the same year at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, she was sorted into Gryffindor while I was in Slytherin alongside my sisters. After we graduated from Hogwarts, the both of us were inducted into the Order of the Phoenix during the war with You-Know-Who. We haven't seen each other since the downfall of the Dark Lord, everyone's been busy with recovering and rebuilding from the war."

Anthony nodded. He had been told about the Order of the Phoenix from his surrogate uncle figure, Remus Lupin, a fellow member of the Order. It was a secret society, founded by Dumbledore to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters during the Wizarding War. The Order had been disbanded following Voldemort's downfall and disappearance eleven years ago.

Anthony looked at the crowd of faces and sighed, wondering when the judgement and hate will begin for being the father of a traitor and murderer. Andromeda seemed to know what was plaguing her nephew's mind and pulled him close.

"You'll be fine, Anthony." She assured him. "You have nothing to be scared or ashamed of. They will only see your name, but you will prove to them that you are capable of much more than that. You are talented, smart, brave, witty, and just purely brilliant. Right?" Anthony did not nod, but a smile began to blossom. "Now, have a safe journey. Make some friends. Write to me when you get there." She then hugged him. "I will miss you."

"I'll miss you too, aunt 'Dromeda," replied Anthony, speaking into her shoulder.

"You better get on board." Andromeda said, seeing the time. "The train will be leaving soon."

Anthony nodded. His aunt kissed his forehead before seeing him onto the train and stepped off. Anthony went to his compartment and watched a mother kiss their kid's cheek and thought of his own for a moment. He saw Andromeda in the crowd and she smiled at him, waving and giving him the thumbs up. He waved at her as well.

"Ron, you've got something on your nose."

Mrs. Weasley and her red-haired children were close to his window. Anthony could hear everything they were saying, and he tried his best not to seem as though he was intruding.

Mrs. Weasley took her handkerchief out. The youngest boy, Ron, tried to jerk out of the way, but she grabbed him and began rubbing the end of his nose.

"Mum – geroff." He wriggled free.

"Aaah, has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nose?" said one of the twins.

"Shut up," said Ron.

"Where's Percy?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"He's coming now."

The oldest boy came striding into sight. He had already changed into his Hogwarts robes and on his chest was a red and gold badge with the letter P on it.

"Can't stay long, Mother," said the older boy, Percy. "I'm up front, the Prefects have got two compartments to themselves – "

"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 –"

"Oh, shut up," said Prefect Percy.

"How come Percy gets new robes, anyway?" asked 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."

She kissed Percy on the cheek and Anthony turned away. He couldn't bear to look at Mrs. Weasley kiss her son on the cheek. His chest rose with jealously and he wanted his own mother to rub his nose, finding some sort of dirt on it.

"Hey, Mum, guess what?" asked one of the twins. "Guess who we just met on the train?"

They caught Anthony's attention once again and his ears perked up. He hoped they weren't speaking about him.

"You know that black-haired boy who was near us in the station? Know who he is?"

Anthony's eyebrows scrunched up. That didn't sound like him. He wasn't near the Weasleys until Andromeda introduced them.

"Who?"

"Harry Potter!"

Anthony was shocked and so was Ginny Weasley.

"Oh, Mum, can I go on the train and see him, Mum, oh please…"

"You've already seen him, Ginny, and the poor boy isn't something you google 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 on to the platform."

"And that's not all, Mum," said the other twin. "We also met Sirius Black's son."

"Do you reckon he remembers what he looks like?"

Mrs. Weasley suddenly became very stern.

"I forbid you from asking him, George. Don't you dare. As though he needs reminding of that man on his first day at school. Now, listen to me, all of you. I remember his mother, and I am sure the boy is nothing like his father. If I hear that you have been mistreating him –"

"All right, all right," said one of the twins. "Keep your hair on."

A whistle sounded. Anthony withdrew from their conversation and his heart swelled at Mrs. Weasley's words. She seemed very nice and she remembered Selena. If only there were more people like her.

Anthony got up from her seat and waved towards Andromeda as the train began to gather up speed. Soon, the train was out of the station and buildings were passing by. Anthony sighed and sat down when the door of his compartment opened, making him turn to see a black-haired boy with glasses standing there.

"Do you mind? Everywhere else is full." He said shyly yet politely.

"Plenty of room." Anthony said, gesturing to the seat across from him. The boy smiled and took a seat across from him. Not five seconds later, the door was opened and the red-headed boy, Ron, stood there.

"Excuse me." He started, gaining both boys' attention. "Everywhere else is full."

"Seems to be a common thing." Anthony said with a chuckle before gesturing him to have a seat. Ron smiled and entered, sitting beside Anthony though there was a respectable space between them. "So, what's your names? I'm Anthony."

"Ron Weasley," said the red-haired boy.

"Harry Potter," said the dark-haired one.

"Seriously?" Anthony stared at him with wide eyes while Ron looked just as shocked.

"Do you really have the... the...?" Ron gestured to his forehead. Harry pulled his hair back, showing the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. "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."

"Well, from what I've heard you were only a baby when that happened, so I doubt you'd remember too much detail." Anthony said. "Ah, sorry. You probably don't want to talk about that."

"It's fine." Harry said, before deciding to change the subject. "So, are all your family wizards as well?"

"Well, all of them on my dad's side are, and most on my mum's. I don't really keep in touch with most of them." Anthony said with a sigh.

"So both of you must know loads of magic already," said Harry, looking at both him and Ron.

"I heard you went to live with Muggles," said Ron, redirecting the conversation. "What are they like?"

"Horrible – well, not all of them. My aunt and uncle are though, wish I'd had three wizard brothers."

"Five," said Ron, looking gloomy. Anthony wondered why though. He would love some siblings...namely for the trouble they could cause, and also the prank wars with Nymphadora. "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 Charlie have already left – Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. 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."

Anthony frowned for a moment. He honestly felt bad for him, especially after he 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 from my dad for being made a Prefect, but they couldn't aff – I mean, I got Scabbers instead."

His ears turned pink and it seemed as though he said too much or maybe he was used to not saying much at all. With so many brothers, Anthony wondered if his voice was ever heard at home or if he never bothered to say these things to his brothers or parents.

"So what about you, Anthony?" asked Harry, trying to take Ron's mind off of his problem.

"I live with my aunt, uncle and cousin, all of whom have graduated from Hogwarts."

"What about your parents?" Harry wondered.

"My mother died when I was a baby." Anthony said with a sigh. "As for my dad... he wasn't there."

"Sorry. I know what it's like." Harry said sympathetically.

"Thank you." Anthony nodded. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject. "So, what's it like living with those Muggles?"

Harry began to tell Ron and Anthony all about his life with his family, the Dursleys, having to wear his cousin's old clothes and never getting proper birthday presents. Anthony raised his eyebrows at Harry's explanation, part of him really wanting to give a prank on these three Muggles just for the fun of it.

"… and until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort – "

Ron gasped and Anthony jumped at his sudden action.

"What?" asked Harry.

"You said You-Know-Who's name!" said Ron, sounding 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 – I bet I'm the worst in the class."

"You won't need to worry about that, Harry." Anthony cut in. "We'll all be starting off at the same level as each other, and loads of kids will come from Muggle families. Trust me, you'll be fine."

Harry nodded with his words. 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 trolley, dears?"

Anthony leapt to =his feet with Harry, but Ron's ears went pink once again and he muttered something about bring a sandwich. Anthony took out some of his money and bought some Chocolate Frogs while Harry bought some of everything. He helped him carry it back into the compartment and placed it all into an empty seat.

Anthony took his seat next to Ron once again as he stared at Harry, taking a bite out of a pumpkin pasty.

"Hungry, are you?" asked Ron.

"Starving," replied Harry.

Ron took out a lumpy package and unwrapped it. There were four sandwiches in there and he began to pull them apart. "She always forgets I don't like corned beef."

"Here, why don't we trade?" said Anthony, holding a Chocolate Frog towards Ron. "Go on. I like corned beef."

"You don't want this, it's all dry," said Ron. "She hasn't got much time," he added quickly, "you know, with the five of us."

"Go on, have a pasty," said Harry.

Anthony suspected that Harry never had anything to share with anyone before, and he couldn't blame him. Neither did he. Nymphadora was always older, spending most of her time at Hogwarts, and Anthony always wished he had friends his age. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron and Harry, eating their way through the candy, pastries and cakes with the sandwiches forgotten.

Harry turned to Anthony while holding a pack of Chocolate Frogs and asked, "These aren't really frogs are they?"

"No. It's the card you really want," said Anthony, while starting to eat his second piece of chocolate.

"What?"

"Oh, of course, you wouldn't know," said Ron. "Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, you know, to collect – famous witches and wizards. I've got about five hundred, but I haven't got Agrippa or Ptolemy."

"I've got about two Agrippa and three Ptolemy," said Anthony. "Do you have Summerbee or Aesalon? I'll trade you."

"Sure. I can give them to you later. Just got to find them."

Harry unwrapped his Chocolate Frog and picked up the card. He stared at it for a moment before saying, "So this is Dumbledore!"

"Don't tell me you'd never heard of Dumbledore!" said Ron. "Can I have a frog? Maybe I'll get Agrippa – thanks –"

Harry turned over his card and read. He then turned it back and cried, "He's gone!"

"In our world, pictures move all the time," said Anthony.

"Don't worry he'll be back," said Ron. "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, while Anthony was almost done with the small pile that he bought.

"Help yourselves," said Harry. "But in, you know, the Muggle world, people just stay put in photos."

"Do they?" Ron sounded amazed. "What, they don't move at all? Weird!"

Anthony chuckled as both him and Ron began to eat more Chocolate Frogs and gave the cards to Harry, who seemed interested in the Famous Witches and Wizards. Once he had gotten all the cards, he opened a bag of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans.

"You want to be careful with those," Ron warned him. "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 bogey-flavoured one once."

"Come off it, Ron," said Anthony. "Bogey-flavoured? I highly doubt that. It's disgusting!" He then picked up a funny looking grey one. Ron looked skeptical and Harry watched him with wide eyes.

"That looks a bit dodgy," said Ron.

Anthony pursed her lips before biting the end of it. His eyes widened and he spat it out. "Ugh, pepper!" Ron picked up a green bean and bit into the corner.

"Blaeegh – Sprouts," exclaimed Ron.

They had a good time eating the Every Flavour Beans. Toast, coconut, baked beans, strawberry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine and chocolate – they had a good time laughing as they ventured into each bag.

The countryside was now flying past their window and was becoming wilder with each second. The green hills were now gone and wild forests took its place with twisting rivers and dark grass.

There was a knock on the door of their compartment and a round-faced boy came in. He looked tearful.

"Sorry," he said, "But have you seen a toad at all?" When they shook their head, he wailed, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"

"He'll turn up," said Anthony, trying to reassure the poor boy in front of them.

"Yes," said the boy miserably. "Well, if you see him…" And then he left.

"Don't know why he's so bothered," said Ron. "If I'd brought a toad I'd lost it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk."

The rat was still snoozing on Ron's lap.

"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 more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look…"

He rummaged around his trunk and pulled out a very battered looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.

"Is that wand safe?" asked Anthony, eyeing the end of the wand with uncertainty.

"It's fine. Unicorn hair's just poking out. Anyway –"

He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. The toad-less boy was back, but this time he had a girl with him. She was already wearing her new Hogwarts robes.

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she said. She had a bossy sort of a voice, lots of bushy brown hair and rather large front teeth.

"We've already told him we haven't seen it," said Ron, but the girl wasn't listening. She was now looking at the wand in his hand.

"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then."

She sat down across from Anthony and Ron looked taken aback, sharing a look with Anthony.

"Er – all right." He cleared his throat. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow." He waved his wand, 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 learnt all our set books off by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough – I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"

She said this all very fast. Anthony wondered how she could do that without taking a deep breath. He was stunned and was glad to see that Harry and Ron were as well.

"Uh, I'm Anthony," he said, still stunned.

"Ron Weasley," Ron muttered.

"Harry Potter," said Harry.

"Are you really?" said Hermione. "I know all about you, of course – I got a few extra books for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical Historyand The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

"Am I?" asked Harry, surprised.

"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione. "Do any of you know what house 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 one, 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.

"What the... how did she... did she even stop to breathe?" Anthony asked with wide eyes.

"No idea. Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it," said Ron. He threw his wand back into his trunk. "Stupid spell – George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."

Harry turned to Ron.

"What house are your brothers in?" asked Harry.

"Gryffindor," said Ron, seeming gloomy 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."

"What about you, Anthony?" said Harry turning to Anthony.

"Mum and dad were in Gryffindor together, my cousin was in Huffelpuff and... most of my family on my dad's side, practically all of them, were in Slytherin." Anthony said.

"Your family was in Slytherin?" said Ron, looking a bit astonished.

"Yeah. Though I don't know much about them, my aunt Andromeda was in Slytherin but she's a good person. One of the best. I don't know where I'm going to go. But I bet there'll be a riot of they put me in Slytherin."

"Vol –I mean, You-Know-Who was in Slytherin, right?" asked Harry.

"Yeah," said Ron. He flopped back into his seat, looking a bit depressed.

"You know, I think the ends of Scabbers' whiskers are a bit lighter," said Harry. "So what do your oldest brothers do now they've left, anyway?"

"Charlie's in Romania studying dragons and Bill's in Africa doing something for Gringotts," said Ron. "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 high security vault.'

"I heard about that," said Anthony. "I read the headline and some of the article."

"What happened to them?" asked Harry.

"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." Ron explained.

Anthony was unsure of that. But then again, Voldemort had simply disappeared after his downfall, and he was one of the few, alongside Remus, to believe that he was somewhere out there still, too tired to carry on. But nobody else would entertain the though, especially with the times of peace they were living in. Nobody wanted to think that whenever something bad happens, Voldemort is the one behind it.

"What's your Quidditch team?" Ron asked, breaking Anthony from his thoughts.

"Puddlemere United," replied Anthony.

"Er – I don't know any," Harry confessed.

"What!" Ron looked dumbfounded. "Oh, you wait, it's the best game in the world –"

And both Ron and Anthony went off about the game – the four ball and the positions of the seven players, describing famous games, broomsticks, and some of the fouls they have learnt over the years. Anthony was just about to tell him about Snitchnip when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville the toadless boy or Hermione Granger this time.

Three boys entered the compartment at once. The boy in the middle was pale haired with a pointy face and he was flocked by the thickest and meanest looking boys Anthony has ever seen. They looked like the pale boy's bodyguards.

"Is it true?" said the pale boy, taking some interest in Harry. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," said Harry as he took in the sight of the other boys.

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the boy carelessly. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Anthony narrowed his eyes at the name – he did not trust a single Malfoy – while Ron gave a slight cough, hiding a snigger. Malfoy looked at him.

"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father's told me all the Wealseys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

He then turned to Anthony, who locked his jaws.

"And who are you? Muggleborn?"

"Name's Anthony," he said, standing up and taking a deep breath. "Anthony Black."

Malfoy's eyebrows rose and Ron's mouth opened in shock. Anthony felt bad for keeping his last name from Harry and Ron, but he had to.

"Really?" asked Malfoy. "Why are you hanging out with people like him?" He jerked his thumb towards Ron. "Why, you should be hanging out with us."

Anthony was furious at his dismissive tone towards Ron and just as he was about to say something, Malfoy turned back to Harry.

"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coolly.

Draco Malfoy turned back to Anthony, and he clenched his fists at the sight of his face. "What about you? We are family, after all. I can guide you along the right path."

"I'm fine, thank you very much," said Anthony, grinding his teeth.

Draco Malfoy did not go red, but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks when he got rejected twice from Harry and Anthony. He then turned towards Harry and said, "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter. 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 riff-raff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid and it'll rub off on you. But if you hang around people like Black, they'll get you right in the back."

Anthony's fists clenched tighter as both Harry and Ron stood up. Ron's face was as red as his hair.

"Say that again," he said.

"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" sneered Malfoy.

"Unless you get out now." Harry sounded very brave, but Crabbe and Goyle were a lot bigger than the three of them combined.

"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 towards the Chocolate Frogs next to Ron – Ron leapt forward, but before he'd 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 and Goyle swung Scabbers round and round, howling, and when Scabbers finally flew off an hit the window, all three of then disappeared at once. Perhaps they thought there were more rat lurking among the sweets, or perhaps they'd heard footsteps, because a second later, Hermione Granger had come in.

"What has been going on?" she asked, looking at the sweets all over the floor and Ron picking up Scabbers by his tail.

"I think he's been knocked out," Ron told to Harry and Anthony. He looked closer to Scabbers. "No – I don't believe it – he's gone back to sleep."

And so he had.

"So, you're last name's Black?"

Harry and Ron looked at Anthony, expecting an answer, and he stalled for a moment, trying to figure out what to say.

"I'm not like them," he offered. "Sirius Black's my father, but I honestly don't remember him and I've only been brought up by my aunt, uncle and cousin."

"Sirius Black?" asked Hermione Granger, her eyes widening.

"Who's he?" asked Harry.

"A murderer," said Anthony gravely. "He killed thirteen people years ago when I was a baby. He's one of the more famous murders of his time. A lunatic."

"Why didn't you tell us you were related to him?" asked Ron.

"Because… the both of you are the first friends I've made in years," said Anthony. "I didn't want to ruin it by saying my name. I'm sorry. I'd understand if you don't want me to –"

"Nonsense," said Ron, waving it off. "My Mum remembers yours, if that's any comfort. And you don't need people like Malfoy."

"Are you really related to him?" asked Harry. "Malfoy?"

"All pureblood families are related somehow," said Anthony, embarrassed. But he felt gratitude towards Ron. He didn't care about his last name. Mrs. Weasley remembered his mother and that's all he seemed to need as well. "So you've met Malfoy before?"

Harry began to explain about their meeting in Diagon Alley, his comments at Hagrid, snide remarks and dismay of those below him. Draco sounded exactly like his father, the last time he remembered Lucius as he petitioned the Ministry to grant him and his wife custody of him.

"The Malfoys were some of the first to come back on our side after You-Know-Who's disappearance," said Anthony, glancing at Ron. He did not like saying You-Know-Who, but he knows so many people with bad memories from the First War, and she wondered how many stories he knew.

"They said they'd been bewitched," said Ron darkly. "My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side."

"They really didn't," said Anthony, nodding.

Ron then turned to Hermione. "Can we help you with something?"

"You'd better hurry up and put your robes on, I've just been up the front to ask the driver 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?"

Ron glared at her as she left. It was getting dark and Anthony could see mountains and forests under a purple sky. The train seemed to be slowing down. Anthony, Harry and Ron took off their jackets 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."

Anthony's stomach twisted with nerves, and he kept repeating his aunt's words in his head, trying to reassure himself that every First Year was nervous.

The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way towards the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Anthony shivered due to the cold air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?"

A giant cowered over them and Anthony's eyes widened at the shaggy haired man with a long beard.

"C'mon, follow me – any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, they followed the giant down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark either side of them that Anthony thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much. Neville, the boy who kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," the giant called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

There was a loud "Oooooh!"

The narrow path had opened suddenly on to the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. Anthony stared at the lake, watching the still moon and stars. It was utterly beautiful. But then the castle took the cake. That was it. He was finally at Hogwarts.

"No more'n five to a boat!" the giant called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Anthony, Ron and Harry were followed into theirs by Neville and Hermione.

"Everyone in?" shouted the giant, 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 a smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

"Heads down!" yelled the giant as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy which 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 harbour, where they clambered out on to rocks and pebbles.

"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said the giant, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

"Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after the giant's lamp, coming out at last on to 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?"

The giant raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

And that's it for the first chapter everyone.