Conquering Magic
Chapter 4: Friendships
King's Cross Station was as packed as always on the first of September. I was nearly suffocated when I tried to make my way to Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
After fighting through the huge mass of people, I finally arrived at the barrier between Platforms nine and ten. There I noticed an increased number of people that clearly did not belong to the Muggle population.
Some had their owl, toad or cat with them, others wore wizard robes and a few even held their wands in hand. The Magicals did not seem like they cared about upholding the Statute of Secrecy.
I walked through the barrier fearlessly and arrived at the famous Platform Nine and Three Quarters. The bright red Hogwarts Express was a sight to behold. The train was magical without a doubt, although it looked like a muggle invention.
The feeling the Express gave off left me to wonder if it was just a normal train or maybe something more magical.
I boarded the train quickly, so that I could choose the perfect compartment. My goal for this train ride was to befriend a few characters that I knew to be important. My first on the list was Daphne Greengrass. Apart from her beautiful looks, if Susan was to be believed, she was an important person for my plans regarding Slytherin House and especially the Grey-faction in the Wizengamot.
Second would be Cho Chang. Apart from her obviously good looks, she gave me a direct connection to Ravenclaw because of her popularity. Her dad's position as the ambassador for magical China here in Britain would come in handy in the future too.
Lastly, it was Hermione Granger. She would develop into a very attractive witch too, but her wits and her observant nature were more important to me. She was the only witch that judged to be capable enough to stop, or at least anticipate, my complete takeover of Gryffindor House. Not wanting to risk achieving this important goal, I decided to establish myself as her first and best friend. I planned for her to welcome my takeover of Gryffindor with opened arms, just like the rest of the lions would.
Walking through the corridor of the train, I soon spotted a head of silky smooth black hair sitting in one of the compartments. The girl was reading a huge book, her bright blue eyes scanning every page with interest. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful. Her red lips, enchanting eyes and high cheekbones made me wonder if the girl possessed a Veela heritage. Her robes, which did not display the colors of any house, hid her body from my eyes, only revealing her to be quite tall for a girl starting her first year at Hogwarts.
I put on my most dazzling smile, knocked on the door lightly and asked "Hi, can I sit here?". I could tell, by reading her surface thoughts, that she was charmed by my appearance and shocked to see the faded lightning bolt scar on my forehead. She put her book down and answered "I would be glad to have you join me" while analyzing me with her big blue eyes.
I levitated my trunk, placing it in the rack above our heads. Then I smiled at the young witch and said "My name is Harry Potter, what is your name?" while holding out my hand. She took it and introduced herself as Daphne Greengrass.
"Are you interested in potions, Daphne?" I asked while pointing to her book. Normally, I would have to address her as Lady Greengrass, but due to meeting here in Hogwarts Express and not at an official event, I was able to address her with more familiarity.
"Yes Harry" she answered, beginning to engage in the conversation. "It is the subject I'm most interested in studying this year" she continued in a dignified tone. "I like potions too, but it's far from my favorite subject. What kind of recipes is your book about?" I said with a small laugh.
Daphne seemed to be obsessed with potions. My question prompted her to launch into a long-winded explanation about the intricacies of potioneering and fascination with her favorite potions. "Sorry, I didn't mean to dump all of this information on you!" the girl said shyly at the end of her monologue. She immediately tried to put her dignified "mask" back in place.
"It's alright. You are quite cute when you are ranting!" I replied with an earnest expression on my face. "I also know quite a few things about potions" I continued, launching us into a discussion about potions, ingredients and brewing processes.
Daphne quickly opened up after noticing my genuine interest in her favorite subject, and we bonded quite fast. Her personality was very similar to Susan's. I was sure that they would get along with each other very well.
A few hours went by, during which Daphne and I talked about our interests and the coming times at Hogwarts. Suddenly, the compartment door was opened and a girl with bushy brown hair and brown eyes. She was not as pretty as Daphne, but with a slight makeover, she could also turn into a gorgeous witch in the future.
"Have you two seen a toad? Neville lost his" she asked in a bossy tone. Daphne looked at her with her cold mask back in place. When I noticed I had to hold back a laugh, the Greengrass was quite cute. "Bring him here please, Neville is a good friend of mine! I'm Harry Potter, by the way, and this fair maiden is Daphne Greengrass " I answered smoothly. Hermione's eyes widened after my introduction, quickly finding the scar on my forehead. "I'm Hermione Granger, nice to meet you" she said before leaving the compartment quickly.
"I don't like her'' Daphne said after Hermione was gone. I detected a small hint of jealousy in her voice. Checking with my Legilimency, I found out that Daphne did not like that Hermione stole my attention away from her. The young Greengrass seemed to be a little possessive.
A few minutes later Hermione returned, a chubby boy with a round face and hazel eyes in tow. I quickly stood up and greeted my pen pal and future subordinate properly. "Hi Neville, It's me Harry! It's nice to finally meet you properly! I heard you lost your toad, what a bummer", I said, while holding out my hand and smiling. The overwhelmed boy took my hand, shaking it. "Nice to meet you too, Harry" he said shyly. "Do you both want to join us? I think your toad will be returned to you anyway, after we leave the train" I proposed to Hermione and Neville. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Daphne staring at me, mortified. After he hesitated for a few moments, Neville joined us. Hermione decided to stay with us too.
Neville and Daphne conversed with each other easily, because of the similarities between their favorite subjects. Although the chubby boy was clearly intimidated by Daphne's pretty appearance, causing him to look at the floor most of the time and stutter a lot. Daphne still gave Hermione the cold shoulder, she likely saw her as a competition for my attention. Because of that, she looked quite annoyed when Hermione and I started to converse with each other.
"Hermione, you seem to be new to the wizarding world, are you a new blood or a halfblood?" I eventually asked, planning to bind the observant girl to me as fast as possible. "A new blood, my mom and dad are both muggles?" the girl replied, still in her signature bossy voice. "Then you should immediately start learning about magical costumes and etiquette. Prejudice against Muggle-born witches and wizards is quite common in our society, sadly. Learning about our culture will make most pureblood or halfblood magicals more accepting of you, if only a little bit" I said sternly. The girl looked at me with a shocked and sad face, nodding in understanding.
"The hate against new magicals is extremely unjustified. Of course, your magic isn't less special than mine or Neville's. Luckily we are friends, the fame of the great, fantastical, heroic Harry James Potter will be able to shield you against some of it." I said, the last part in obvious exaggeration. This made the girl laugh. " Thank you, Harry, for telling me, and being my first friend" she answered happily. A quick skim of her surface thoughts told me that she already held me in high regard, being thankful for my friendship. Making her loyal now would be a piece of cake.
Daphne's thoughts revealed her to be seething underneath her ice-cold mask. She was really jealous about my friendship with Hermione. She wanted to be my friend too, and maybe more, if her thoughts about my "dreamy face" and "beautiful emerald eyes" were any indication. Somehow, I managed to have her crush on me, without initially planning to do so.
"Well, I'm glad that you are my friend Hermione, because now you are all my friends here. Neville and I have known each other for a few years now. He is one of my longtime friends and Daphne was the first friend I made on this train." I said, catching the attention of the other two people in this compartment. Daphne's face lit up and Neville displayed a big grin after hearing my declaration.
"One more thing before I have to leave for the toilet", I continued with a happy smile. " I doubt that we will all end up in the same houses. Therefore, you all have to promise me to maintain our friendship in the future!" my words had an amazing effect. Each of my friends grinned from ear to ear and accepted immediately. Neville seemed to be especially happy with his new-found friend group.
Leaving the compartment with my future allies behind, I approached the toilets. After finishing my business there, I started my search for Ms. Chang, my third target for the day.
After twenty minutes of searching the whole train and even trying to sense her through my magic, I was disappointed. I was not able to find the second year Ravenclaw anywhere. Not wanting to waste my time, I started to return to the compartment filled with Neville, Daphne and Hermione. On my way, I met Draco and his two bodyguards.
"Who do we have here, the Snake and his two bodyguards!" I said, greeting Draco with a bit of banter. "If it isn't the Scarhead!" Draco greeted me back jokingly. After shaking hands with my pen pal and sending his two mini-guards a nod, I conversed with Draco for a short while. "What's the deal with this protection here?" I asked Draco while pointing at Crabbe and Goyle. "Father ordered it. I think it's absolutely unnecessary" the blonde boy answered, quickly saying "Nothing against you, guys" after. Crabbe and Goyle just grunted in understanding.
"Well, you are invited to my compartment, but leave the bodyguards. I think it would be extremely embarrassing to be escorted into a compartment filled with my friends, would it not?" I told him after a short talk. Draco nodded with embarrassment and dismissed his two "friends".
Back in our compartment, I introduced Draco to the rest, and we sat down together. Initially, Draco was skeptical about Hermione being part of the group, but after a stern lecture from me he accepted her, at least.
The rest of the train ride was filled with laughter, banter and conversation.
Finally, we arrived at Hogsmeade station. Hagrid's booming voice could be heard immediately after we left the train together. All the first years huddled around the half Giant excitedly. I spotted Susan and Hannah in the crowd and waved at my two friends. Susan evolved very well over the course of the last two years. Aside from growing in height, the redhead also grew in beauty. Although she did not have the sophisticated look Daphne had, Susan was gorgeous with her long flowing hair, heart-shaped face and full lips.
Still, we were all still young children. The girls were all cute and pretty, but in the end they were still kids. I could not think about them sexually yet.
I did not look for Susan and Hannah on the train because we were already very good friends, making new connections was my priority on the ride. Integrating them into my growing group of friends would not be hard, I was sure of that.
Neville, Draco, Michael Corner and I shared a boat. Seeing Hogwarts for the first time was a magical sight. The high towers, beautifully illuminated windows and the sheer size were breathtaking to behold. The beautiful castle instilled a sense of belonging and pride in myself and strengthened my resolve to truly change magical society for the better.
Upon our arrival, we were escorted to the castle by Hagrid and then delivered to Professor McGonagall. The witch looked stern and professional. She wore dark green robes and a wizard's hat, making her look like the quintessential witch. She welcomed us and told us to wait for her, as she would escort us to the great Hall in a few minutes.
Her face was extremely similar to Maggie Smith's, McGonagall's actress in the movies. Her nose was different though and her chin was more pronounced. This was different to all the other characters I have met until now. No one looked even remotely close to their actors in the movies, even I looked nothing like Daniel Radcliffe. Maybe Maggie Smith was just the perfect actress for Professor McGonagall and therefore looked close to identical to the real McGonagall.
I broke out of my musings when a red-headed boy appeared next to me and loudly asked "Are you really Harry Potter?" before he introduced himself as Ron Weasley. Most of the first years surrounding us stared at me after Ron's question.
"Yes" I replied curtly, not wanting to associate with the lazy bum. Arthur, the twins, Charlie and William were respectable people, but Ron and Percy were not the type of friends I wanted to surround myself with.
Before the rude boy could continue, Professor Mcgonagall returned and asked us to follow her to the great hall.
Author notes: Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.
Sorting next chapter! What House will it be?