Author Note: A Whole New World. Trope used: Harry meets Hermione first then befriends Neville. Winds up in Ravenclaw. All rights belong to Rowling. I am Rahmota not Rowling.
Harry stood staring glumly at the wall between platforms nine and ten. Somehow Hagrid had forgotten to mention to him how to get to nine and three quarters. Harry doubted Hagrid had meant to do that, as it would have been far too much of a Dursley action for the big man, but it did confirm he was a bit on the scatterbrained side of things.
Harry heard a family of three approaching. They were two professional looking middle aged people and their daughter. She had a cart with a trunk on it. A messenger bag was slung over her shoulder although as bushy as her shoulder length dark brown hair was it could have just been hovering on her hip. She was chattering to her parents about how much she was going to miss them and how she hoped her year at the school was going to go well. They nodded and listened in that tolerant patience of parents who know they have a chatterbox child.
When they drew even with Harry the girl seemed to notice him. Pausing she looked like she was going to ignore him for a moment then she turned and asked, "Is there something wrong?"
Harry shrugged, "I'm not sure. No one told me how to get onto the platform." He hoped she was going to be going to Hogwarts as well.
"Oh. I was told all we have to do is run into the wall. Which seems to rather defy physics and logic but then it is ma-." She paused to look around and then whispered, "magic. We are dealing with."
Harry smiled as that confirmed she was going to Hogwarts too. "Oh so that's how we do it? Hagrid didn't tell me."
She looked at him curiously, "Hagrid? I had Professor McGonnagal tell me. Oh he must be one of the others then. That's good to know. By the way my name is Hermione. These are my parents Daniel and Emma Granger." She said pointing at the two adults then smiling politely at Harry.
"Hello." Harry said unsure of how to act. The two adults smiled back.
"Well pumpkin you and your new friend should be able to handle things from here?"
"I think so father. I do think its quite unfair you can't come through with me." She pouted.
"Well things are what they are. And you've read the history so you know they have their reasons." Daniel said.
"Alright. I know father. I'm still going to miss you and I'll find a way to write." Hermione said giving her parents a hug.
"We could have gotten you an owl like they said in the letter." Emma reminded her.
"I know mum. But I didn't think about it at the time. The professor said there were school owls to." She stopped talking as she realized she was about to reveal deep secrets it seemed like. Harry almost chuckled at the expression on her face.
"I could let you have Hedwig carry your notes." He offered. He figured she wouldn't have much to do otherwise since he had no one to write.
"Oh you would be willing to?" Hermione asked happily.
"I don't see why not." He smiled back.
"See it'll work out." Daniel said patting Hermione on the head.
"Okay. We had better go through and find a good seat. Do you want to go first?" She asked quickly. She seemed to say everything quickly.
Harry was still processing the idea of running into a wall that was supposed to let you pass through it. The cement looked very solid, but he didn't ant to let her go first and hurt herself if this was some huge prank. "I can if you don't mind. To make sure it works." He said with a nod.
"Ah chivalrous and willing to take the risk first. Good lad." Daniel said with a grin.
Harry blushed at the compliment, especially as he was not accustomed to them. With a deep breath he looked around made sure it was clear and then with a bit of a jog that increased in speed as he got closer he was through the wall with a brief moment of darkness and a strange rushing sound.
On the other side of the wall Hermione watched Harry and his cart seem to pass through the solid wall like he had dove into water. Turning to her parents for one last hug she repeated his actions and was soon through as well.
The two Granger Adults looked at each other with a bittersweet smile as Daniel asked, "Well I wonder how that friendship will turn out?"
…...
Harry saw Hermione come rushing through with a nervous grin on her face. He was glad that neither of them had been stuck in the wall or worse.
"That was amazing." She gushed, "It must have something to do with the atomic vacuum theory or maybe indeterminacy theory." She said trying to touch the space that was outlined by a double row of goldbricks and having as much success as touching a handful of fog from this side.
Harry had utterly no idea what she was talking about but liked to hear her voice. It held a certain excited wonder that he felt for magic as well.
She seemed to remember he was standing there as she sheepishly turned away from the portal. "Oh sorry. I do tend to go on about things."
Harry smiled, "That's alright. I don't have a lot of people to talk to at, where I live."
"Oh." She said sympathetically. "I understand. I don't have many friends my age either."
Harry sighed not correcting her. "So you want to find a seat?"
Hermione smiled, "Yes please."
The two of them gaped at the large hissing and billowing scarlet steam engine idling like some large beast as they walked across the busy platform. Other students scurried around as their parents said farewell to them. Harry and Hermione managed to get their things aboard the train and find a seat slightly behind the middle car. She had read that was the safest place to sit in a book. Harry nodded as he had not ridden on many trains to notice. Although unlike the modern ones he had ridden this one had brass fittings, leather panels and rich bright woodwork. It was also far cleaner and had less advertising.
The two of them plus Hedwig had settled into a compartment when the door open and a medium height chubby boy with dusty blonde hair sheepishly looked inside. "Hello. Do you mind if I join you?" he asked.
Neither Hermione nor Harry seemed to mind so with their nods he brought his things with him and sat down.
"Hello I'm Neville Longbottom." He said once his trunk had been placed in the luggage rack over the seat.
"I'm Hermione Granger and this is," She paused as she realized she had not learned his name yet. "I'm sorry I never learned you name."
Harry paused remembering the way the crowd had acted at the Leaky Cauldron but these two seemed nice so said, "I'm Harry Potter."
Both of them seemed to recognize him as they looked surprised. Neville asked in a low voice, "You're THE Harry Potter." With an emphasis on the.
Harry nodded as he was the only Harry Potter as far as he knew.
"Oh my. I read about you in several books. You and your family." Hermione gasped then blushed as she looked the floor, "I'm sorry. That was rather rude. You probably don't want to talk about it."
Harry shrugged, "Its okay. I'm not hurt about it. It was rather long ago. So what do the books say?" He asked curious to know what was written.
"That you and your family were very brave and that you survived the killing curse." Hermione summarized. "I have the books with me if you'd like to read them."
"Thanks. Maybe sometime." Harry said.
"So which house do you think you'll get?" Neville asked glumly, "My Gran wants me to get Gryffindor like my dad but I don't know. I'm just surprised to even be here."
Hermione looked at him witch her head cocked, "Why is that?"
"Everyone in my family thought I was a squib for the longest of time." He explained.
"A squib? Whats that?" Harry asked.
Neville bashfully said, "A non-magical person born into a magical family."
"Oh. I see. In the non-magical world a squib is a firework that does not go off for some reason. I suppose it could be etymologically related." Hermione said rapidly.
Neville looked at her oddly then nodded, "I guess. That does make sense in an odd way."
Hermione said, "I have no idea which of the houses I'll get into either. I suppose on paper according to Hogwarts a History they are all equally good."
Harry shook his head, "I know I don't want to go into Slytherin."
Hermione looked at him quickly. "Is there a particular reason?"
"Well Hagrid pointed out that most of the bad wizards have been from Slytherin and I met someone that was hoping to go into Slytherin that didn't contradict that." Harry said disgustedly.
"Oh. Well I admit I don't think I'd be very welcome there since no-one like me has ever been in the house." Hermione said glumly.
"Someone like you?" Harry asked in confusion.
"What they call a muggle-born. My parents don't have magic." She sadly said. "That's why they couldn't come onto the platform with me."
"Oh. And Slytherin doesn't like, muggles?" Harry asked.
Neville spoke up then, "No they don't. Most of the Death Eaters were in Slytherin."
Harry frowned, "I think we can agree to try and avoid Slytherin then."
Hermione nodded her agreement. "I read that Ravenclaw is very nice. They have their own private access to the library, a study center and private labs."
Neville shrugged, "But you've got to be really smart to get into there so I doubt I'd get in."
Harry looked thoughtful "I don't know if I would either if you have to be really smart."
Hermione looked uncertainly at the two boys. "The only other two remaining are Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Hufflepuffs are hard working and loyal. Gryffindors are brave and true. Of course all of these are generalities and individuals can exhibit a range of personality traits so you might still wind up in Ravenclaw."
"How do we get put into one of the houses?" Harry asked.
Hermione frowned, "The book A History of Hogwarts was rather vague about it. Saying it was a tradition that went back to the founders of the school and that each generation should discover it for themselves." She seemed quite put out that a book did not have the answer she sought.
At that point a loud croaking noise came from Neville's pocket. The other two glanced at him as he looked bashfully back. "Its my toad, Trevor. My uncle Algie gave me a toad for a familiar."
"Oh. He sounds rather unhappy." Hermione observed.
"Yeah he is, I dropped and broke his cage. So I stuffed him in my pocket." Neville sighed.
"I've practiced several of the basic spells. I could try to repair the cage if you would like." Hermione offered.
"Could you?" Neville asked.
"Well I haven't had any problems yet." She confided. "Aside from having to go to Diagon Alley every time I wanted to practice. Its very unfair to not allow magic to be done at home."
Neville was digging in his trunk when the toad wriggled and made a bid for freedom. Harry managed to capture it before more than two hops had been made. "Oh thanks." Neville said handing Hermione the cage with a broken door.
Hermione took out her wand and pointing at the cage said, "Reparo."
The cage glowed briefly as the pin slipped back into the hinge and the latch grew a new hasp.
Harry marveled at the new looking cage before handing the toad to Neville "That's a basic spell?"
"Yes. And by the way do you mind?" She said pointing at Harry's glasses. When he shook his head she said, "Occulus Repairo."
His glasses had the scratches on the lens clear up and the hinge had the tape vanish as it healed itself. "Amazing!"
"Although I am still trying to rectify this with basic physics. I haven't studied the higher physics yet so its possible that the answer is in there somewhere." She said with a frown.
The train blew its whistle and began to roll out. Parents stood on the platform waving and smiling as the journey began. The three of them fell silent watching the city roll behind them and turn to countryside soon enough. Harry relaxed in his seat, there was no way for the Dursleys to reach him now. He was really going to Hogwarts.
After a few moments of thought Hermione asked, "So what houses do you want to go to?"
Harry sighed, "As long as its not Slytherin I don't think I would be upset with any of them."
Neville shrugged, "Since I know the both of you how about we try to get into the same house, whichever one it is."
Hermione thought for a moment then asked, "But how do we do that?"
"Well they should announce it right?" Harry suggested after a moment of thought, "Maybe whichever one of us that goes first the rest of us try to get into that house."
Hermione did some mental calculations, "That means if they go alphabetically I'll go first."
"I don't have a problem with that." Harry said. Neville nodded his agreement.
"Okay. Whichever house I get into the two of you'll try to get into?" she blushed slightly, "Thank you. I'd like that."
The three of them began to talk about other things regarding the school. Hermione did not seem to mind talking about the things she had learned in the books she bought. Harry did not mind letting her talk as he found her voice nice to listen to, and Neville just did not mind letting someone else talk in general.
Eventually there was a knock on their compartment door and it was the trolley lady. With Neville's guidance Harry bought several snacks and a large amount of sweets. He had been hoping for a Mars bar but they did not have them. Hermione though hesitated to try the sweets until the trolley lady pointed out magicals did not get cavities, in general. And for those few who did there was an easy potion to swish and rinse with to fix them.
Hermione's first taste of the deep rich chocolate seemed to cause her to go into a strange paroxysm of joy. "Oh that is delicious."
Harry laughed in happiness, "Yeah it is. So you've never had sweets before?"
"I've had honey based candies or mints as mum and dad say they are less damaging to your teeth. But never chocolates or other pure sugar based sweets like this." Hermione admitted.
"I was only allowed them as a rare treat or if my cousin didn't like them." Harry said with a sigh, "but I think I could get used to this."
"Well according to gran the food at the castle is all top notch prepared." Neville said then noticed Harry getting ready to open the jelly beans, "Oh you might want to be careful. When they say every flavor they mean every flavor."
"What do you mean by that? It sounds vaguely threatening." Hermione asked looking askance at Neville.
"It is. I've gotten vomit, dog snot, booger, earwax before and the brown ones are not always chocolate."
"Oh how absolutely revolting. Why would anyone ever think that was a good idea." Hermione declared in disgust.
Harry nodded his agreement as he slid a brown jelly bean back into the package.
Neville shrugged, "For the challenge. The risk I guess."
Harry frowned, "I don't think I feel that adventurous right now." Laughing they moved on to other things including a chocolate frog which came in milk chocolate and crunchy flavors. The crunchy was a crisped rice and toffee filled according to Neville.
Hermione did not like it when the frog jumped out of the box but did find the card inside to be rather interesting she declared. She got a Merlin.
Harry got a Dumbledore which let him finally see the person whose name had been bandied about so much by Hagrid.
"Neville you said your grandmother is on the board of regents. What does she think of Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
Neville took a deep breath, "She isn't as enamored of him as most of the magical world is, she doesn't think he's the second coming of Merlin, but she does respect his ability and considers him a good leader."
"Interesting." was all that Harry said in response.
"Do you know anything about the other professors? I really like the one that came to show me around the Diagon Alley. She reminded me of my grandmother a bit."
"Professor McGonnagal?" Harry asked.
"Oh. Gramma and her are sort of friends but not friends?" Neville said with a tone of consternation. "They trade barbs and comments yet get together for tea and are part of the same social clubs."
Hermione raised her eyebrow as she said, "Oh. So they are sort of frenemies?"
"Frenemy?" harry asked.
"Its a portmanteau of the words friends and enemies. It first appeared in print back in the 1960s in England and a decade earlier in the United States." Hermione confidently proclaimed. Harry was beginning to notice she had a certain tone of voice she used when she dropped into lecture mode. Only not quite as snotty as the one teacher he had in primary.
The rest of the journey they talked about the various professors and trying to determine if they were going to like them or not. When Hermione found out one of their teachers was a ghost she found the concept a bit odd but hoped it would be at least an interesting insight into things.
"One thing I am glad Gramma was able to push through was using uniforms instead of robes." Neville declared as they pulled into Hogsmeade.
Hermione nodded emphatically, "I know. I don't think I would have enjoyed the whole witches and wizards wearing robes in an ancient castle thing. Traditionalism can only go so far."
Harry just internally shuddered at the idea.
…...
"Firs years o'er here!" Harry heard the booming voice of Hagrid calling out.
Harry nodded to Hermione and Neville and headed that way with them at his side.
"Arry! Welcome to Hogwarts. Where's Ron?"
"Who?" Harry asked in confusion. Hermione didn't seem to know who he was talking about either although Neville frowned.
"Ron Weasley." Hagrid expanded, "Redhead?"
"No idea who that is. This is Hermione and Neville." Harry introduced the two, "They're my friends."
Hagrid looked puzzled but with a shrug said, "Alright. Good ta see ye making friends then. Go on down and get into the boats. Four per boat."
"Thanks Hagrid I'll see you soon." Harry said with a smile that his hirsute large friend answered.
They arrived at a boat and piled in. Harry and Neville helping Hermione into the boat first then taking a seat themselves.
Looking across the lake they could see the castle glowing in some sort of magical light. "Wow. It looks like a fairy tale castle." Hermione gushed then bashfully fell silent.
"Yeah it does." Harry agreed though.
They saw a red haired boy rushing down the jetty at them but a blonde girl stepped into the boat with them before he arrived making him frown and get into another boat.
"Hi. I hope you don't mind me joining you." the girl said softly.
"No. We don't mind. I'm Harry, this is Neville and Hermione."
"I'm Mandy." The girl replied giving them a warm smile. "So are you excited to be here? I am."
"Excited is a word for it." Harry neutrally said with a chuckle.
"Sorry. Maybe I'm a little bit nervous. I have a very nasty tendency to chatter on when I get nervous." Mandy declared as they watched Hagrid come along and check each boat. With a nod he stepped into the lead boat and with a thump of the lantern tipped staff he was carrying on the boat the small flotilla began to move smoothly across the lake.
The boats went into a small damp cave then bumped along another jetty that had solid looking stone steps leading upwards through a torchlit tunnel.
At the top of the steps they found themselves in a small room with two doors out of it. One of them a set of large double doors. The other was a brown, leather covered door that was rather nondescript.
"Right. Wait here."
One girl raised her hand, "Excuse me. I have to use the loo."
Hagrid frowned but pointed at the brown door, "Through there." He then turned and left.
The group began to drift apart and form their own clusters once he had left. A red haired youth came up to Harry, "Hey. I'm Ron. Ron Weasley."
Harry looked at the boy who had a swath of freckles across his face and untamed bright red hair . "Oh. Hi."
"So. You ready to be in Gryffindor?" Ron asked.
"I'm not sure where I'll wind up." Harry said, although he looked at Hermione who smiled worriedly.
"All the heroes wind up in Gryffindor." Ron assured him, "You'll be in there."
Draco harumphed, "Don't prattle one Weasley. The cannon fodder wind up in Gryffindor. The best of society wear the green and silver."
Hermione snorted, "If you're an example of the best of society then I'd rather not."
Whatever retort Draco was going to say fell silent as a tall middle aged professor entered the room. She was stern looking with her graying hair pulled back in a tight bun and looked closely at everyone through her round spectacles. "Greetings. I am professor Minerva McGonnagal. I am also the head of Gryffindor house and the Assistant Head of the school. You are about to be sorted into your houses. None of them are any better than the others. You are not limited to being friends with those in your house, though they will be the people you establish the closest bonds with no doubt. In the end though, you are all Hogwarts students and Hogwarts will be your home."
Everyone stood staring at her nervously so she nodded, "Follow me."
Entering the great Hall harry was struck by the immense size of the room, the candles floating overhead should have been dripping hot wax on all of them he wondered. Hermione whispered that it was just an illusion causing him to relax a bit. The fact that every eye in the place felt like it was on him however did not help.
A tall ugly old hat was placed on a stool in front of everyone. Harry wondered what was going to happen when it began to sing a song welcoming them to the school and describing the four houses. Once it was done Professor McGonnagal started calling everyone forward in alphabetical order. Harry was not too concerned with anyone until he heard Hermione's name called. Watching his new friend go sit down he and the others waited as the hat seemed to be considering things finally it said, "Ravenclaw."
Harry heard Neville sigh deeply as he watched Hermione walk to the table of the Ravens while her robe took on the blue trim of that house. He patted him on the arm reassuringly when it came his time to sit under the hat.
Nevile fidgeted several times as the hat and he seemed to be having an issue. While not taking quite as long as Hermione it seemed like a very long time before the hat almost reluctantly said, "Ravenclaw."
A few others took their turn before Harry including Draco Malfoy who did not even have the hat touch his pomaded head before it screamed Slytherin like a woman seeing a mouse in one fo the old cartoons. This made a few people laugh and professor McGonnagal have to soothe the hat for a moment before it would go on.
Finally it was Harry's turn and as the hat touched his head it started talking to him, "Well interesting. Looks like I could put you almost anywhere. Although Gryffindor and Slytherin would be the best two bets."
"Ravenclaw like my friends." Harry declared.
"Look. I think you have the personality for Gryffindor. Although hat thirst to prove yourself would fit quite well in Slytherin."
"Put me in Ravenclaw with my friends." Harry stridently commanded.
"Oh no not you too?" The hat huffed.
"What do you mean not me too?" harry asked in confusion.
"That Longbottom boy. He demanded I put him in Ravenclaw when he's clearly a Gryffindor Lion." The hat prissily declared.
"Look I just want to be in the same house as Hermione and Neville. We'll work it out somehow." Harry angrily stated. "Now just say Ravenclaw."
The hat seemed to sigh, "Why do I even exist if my opinion doesn't matter?"
"I have no idea. But when I get some classes through me in Ravenclaw I might be able to answer that."
Sighing the hat said out loud, "Ravenclaw."
When harry stood up there was a brief pause as everyone processed what the hat had declared. Harry's robes took the blue trim of his house as he walked across the room. From the Gryffindor table a pair of red haired twins began to complain and call for a resort, several others in that house joined them.
Harry saw Ron Weasley's expression was one of utter disbelief in what happened. He watched as harry walked over and join his fellow first year Ravenclaws. Hermione, Neville, Stephen Cornfoot, Kevin Entwhistle, Padma Patil, Morag Macdougal and Daphne Greengrass. He had no idea what was going to happen next be he felt assured that he had friends who would stand by him now.
…...
Review Responses
Freddie Rindklip: Thanks. Glad you're enjoying these tales. As to where I'm from let's just say that while I have traveled a bit and hung my hat in many places Country Roads do take me home.
Dennisud: Cool. Glad you enjoyed this. As the bard said all that is old is new again. Although I have tried to give it my own twist on things. I'm hoping to have some funny stuff, some tearjerker scenes, and some serious as well as maybe some action. We'll see how it turns out in the end.
Ebonpurlight: Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed this. I tried to show them being supportive and understanding. Harry is an orphan but so is Neville in a tragic way too. They would have made a more natural bond I think than Ron would have.
OfficerDonNZ: Yeah I thought it would be about that way with Umtoad. And no Old harry has some serious issues. So he is going to share with the others and give Dumbles some serious issues too.
Dagda06117032: Oh yeah. Its in the Works in progress. So we'll see it eventually in its fullness.
TomHRichardson: Thank you. Glad you liked that. Yeah I am envisioning old Harry as Bruce Willis from RED or the later Die Hard movies. Sort of worn down, but still a bit of a smartass and no longer willing to play nice with others.
Katmom: Thank you. We try.
Minerdude: there is always more until the words The End scroll across the screen. So who knows.
The Counting Reviewer: Hike?