Author's Note: This chapter, and the next few are currently in the process of being rewritten. Plot wise they won't change, but the writing style will be updated to reflect the post chapter 8 style, which is were I got confident in my writing style, as well as the story began being betaed by CaskettFan5 :) This will be a slow process, as I will never put rewriting these old chapters over writing the new chapters. Just know that from here until chapter 8 the writing gets kinda rough. Thank you for being patient and awesome, enjoy the story.

Chapter 2 – A magical cat

1st of September 1991 10:32am – Kings Cross Station

Harry stood outside the entrance to Platform 9 ¾, his heart pounding with anticipation as he waited for Hermione. The bustling crowd of King's Cross Station swirled around him, a chaotic blend of travellers, luggage, and vendors peddling snacks and souvenirs. Distant sounds of trains and announcements echoed through the vast halls, contributing to the hectic ambiance.

As time passed, Harry began to worry that Hermione wouldn't show up. Perhaps she had gotten lost in the labyrinth of corridors and platforms, or maybe she had changed her mind about attending Hogwarts altogether. The thought of losing his first friend filled him with a profound sense of dread and loneliness.

Suddenly, the sound of a trolley caught his attention. He glanced up and spotted Hermione approaching with her parents, their faces glowing with excitement. Relief flooded over him like a wave, and he eagerly smiled and waved to catch her attention.

Hermione quickly navigated her way over to him, skilfully dodging other travellers and their luggage. She threw her arms around Harry in a tight embrace, and he could feel her excitement radiating through her body. "Oh, Harry, I can't believe it! The day is finally here. We're going to Hogwarts!" she exclaimed with boundless enthusiasm.

Harry chuckled and responded, "Hello to you too, Hermione," taking in the faint scent of mint in her hair.

As Hermione's parents caught up, her father addressed Harry with a warm smile, "You must be Harry Potter then. Hermione has told us quite a bit about you." Harry nodded in response, "Yes, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger."

"Are you here on your own?" inquired Mrs. Granger with a gentle expression. Harry averted his gaze as he replied, "Yeah, my uncle dropped me off here earlier since he had to take my cousin to school as well."

Mr. and Mrs. Granger exchanged a concerned glance and decided to change the subject. "So, this is the entrance to the platform?" asked Mr. Granger, his hand resting on the solid wall. Harry perked up, "Yeah, this is it. I guess it's enchanted to only let wizards and witches through," he said as he put his arm into the wall to demonstrate. Mr. Granger chuckled, "Well, magic truly seems like a wonderful thing."

As Mrs. Granger pulled Hermione into a tight hug, her eyes brimming with tears, she said, "Then this is where we say goodbye. Promise to write to us often, sweetheart."

"Yes, Mum, I will," replied Hermione, her own voice cracking slightly. She then hugged her father goodbye, who ruffled her hair affectionately before releasing her. Hermione stepped in front of the barrier, her eyes shining with determination.

Harry exchanged a quick, reassuring look with her before they both stepped through the wall together, ready to face the magical world that awaited them.

~~~o~~~

As Harry and Hermione emerged from the barrier, they were met with the sight of a bustling platform filled with excited young witches and wizards, accompanied by their families. The platform was adorned with bright red and gold banners emblazoned with the Hogwarts crest, giving the area an enchanting feel.

The iconic Hogwarts Express stood majestically on the tracks, steam billowing from its smokestacks, making the air feel thick and misty. Its deep red color and polished metal accents shone brilliantly in the sunlight. As Harry and Hermione made their way towards the train, they could hear the clattering of trunks being wheeled and the excited chatter of students as they boarded the train, eager to start their journey to Hogwarts.

As they peered into various compartments, they finally came across one that seemed to have enough space for them. The door was slightly ajar, and they could see an older girl with bubblegum pink hair sitting alone inside. The compartment was cozy, with plush red seats that were arranged in pairs facing each other. Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the space and casting a warm glow over the compartment. A small lamp rested on a nearby shelf, waiting to be lit once the sun began to set.

"Excuse me," Hermione hesitated, "is it okay if we sit with you?"

"Of course," replied the girl warmly. "I was just about to get settled in myself."

Harry carefully placed Hedwig's cage onto the seat, the hinges creaking softly. As he turned his gaze around the compartment, he caught sight of a sleek black cat lounging opposite them. The cat's fur looked glossy and smooth, and Harry could see the faint glint of sunlight reflecting off it. Intrigued, he turned to the girl.

"Is it okay if I have an owl here, or will the cat have an issue with that?" he asked.

The girl smiled and replied, "That's Jingles. He's a magical cat who lives at Hogwarts. And don't worry, he won't attack pets. He's too lazy to hunt his own food after living at Hogwarts for so long."

Hermione's eyes widened in excitement. "Can we pet him?"

The girl nodded. "Go ahead, but be careful though, he can be a bit feisty sometimes, especially towards boys." Harry and Hermione approached the cat carefully. Jingles seemed to be lounging comfortably, his tail flicking lazily back and forth.

Hermione effortlessly petted Jingles, who purred contentedly in response. When Harry reached out with his hand, the older girl was surprised by the cat's reaction. Jingles didn't seem to mind Harry at all; in fact, he nuzzled into his hand and then proceeded to jump onto Harry's lap.

"Wow, it's rare to see a boy Jingles likes," the girl commented. "I'm Nymphadora Tonks, by the way, but please call me Tonks. You two are first years, right?"

"Yes, we are. I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione replied.

Harry, still focused on petting Jingles, added, "And I'm Harry Potter."

If not for Jingles' contented purring as Harry scratched him behind the ear, the compartment would have been completely silent.

Tonks stared at Harry with a mix of awe and curiosity. "The Harry Potter?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly. "The Boy Who Lived?" Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the famous wizard sitting in front of her, petting Jingles. Harry fidgeted, and his smile quickly faded as he looked away in discomfort.

Realizing Harry's unease, Tonks quickly apologized. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice softening. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just that... well, you're a bit of a legend, you know? We've all heard stories about you since we were kids. It's like meeting a hero in person." She smiled warmly at him, hoping to put him at ease.

Harry forced a smile back, appreciating Tonks' effort. "It's okay," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'm just not used to all the attention, that's all." He returned his attention to Jingles, who was still purring contentedly in his lap.

Tonks nodded and changed the subject. "I'm a seventh-year Hufflepuff student and the Head Girl. Would you like me to tell you a bit about Hogwarts?"

Hermione's eyes lit up, and she bounced in her seat. "Yes, please!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

The train whistle's shrill sound cut through the air, startling everyone from their conversations. Harry felt the Hogwarts Express's vibrations as it began to move, watching the platform outside the window turn into a blur.

"Let me tell you about the four Houses of Hogwarts," Tonks began, leaning forward in her seat. "First, there's Gryffindor, founded by Godric Gryffindor, who valued bravery, daring, and chivalry above all else. Then, there's Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff, who believed in hard work, patience, loyalty, and fair play."

Tonks paused briefly before continuing, "Next, we have Ravenclaw, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw, who valued intelligence, creativity, and wit. And finally, there's Slytherin, founded by Salazar Slytherin, who prized ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness."

As Tonks explained the founders' history and the Houses' current state, Harry listened attentively. "There's a bit of rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin," Tonks mentioned with a smile, "but overall, the Houses get along quite well."

She went on to describe the Sorting Ceremony, the first event students attend at Hogwarts, where their Houses are determined.

"I assume that's when our Houses will be decided," Harry said, and Tonks nodded. "Is there anything special about the ceremony?"

Tonks smiled. "Indeed. The Sorting is conducted by an artifact called the Sorting Hat. The Hat is quite special; it was enchanted by the Hogwarts founders themselves, making it very old and powerful. When you put it on your head, it will read your thoughts and decide which of the four Houses you belong in."

Harry and Hermione looked fascinated. "How does it know which House is the right one?" Hermione inquired.

"The Sorting Hat is very wise," Tonks responded. "It searches for certain qualities in each student, such as bravery, ambition, intelligence, and loyalty. Based on what it finds in your mind, it will determine the best House for you."

"So, Jingles lives at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

Tonks confirmed with a nod. "Yes, he's been here for years. He's sort of like the school mascot. Each summer, he goes home with a student, and for the past four years, that student has been me."

Harry looked surprised. "You get to take him home with you?"

Tonks grinned. "It's my favourite part of the school year's end. Jingles is the best companion. He even understands everything we say, and on rare occasions, he'll nod or shake his head to answer yes or no questions."

Hermione's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's incredible!" Her excitement, however, quickly turned into concern. "But are you sure he isn't an Animagus in hiding?"

Tonks chuckled as Harry's eyes narrowed on Jingles. "What's an Animagus?" he inquired.

"An Animagus is someone who can transform into an animal," Hermione explained.

Tonks, sensing their concern, reassured them. "Don't worry, my father had the same suspicion, and he checked. There's a spell that forces an Animagus back into their human form, and he tried it on Jingles. Jingles is definitely a cat."

Hermione visibly relaxed at this information. "So, how did he become so intelligent?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Tonks shrugged. "Maybe spending his whole life at Hogwarts did that to him, or maybe he was born like this. I don't really know."

Harry chimed in, "He's magical, right? You said the Sorting Hat is also intelligent and wise. If a magical hat can be, why is it so surprising that a magical cat is?"

Hermione and Tonks exchanged a bewildered look before Tonks burst out laughing. "You have a point, Harry," she admitted, her voice filled with amusement. Jingles, who had been lounging on Harry's lap, meowed softly, as if agreeing with Harry's observation.

"You mentioned that you've taken him home with you for the past four years. Do you know how old he is?" Hermione asked, smiling.

"I don't think anyone really knows," replied Tonks, "but he's at least ten years old, according to an older student I talked with about Jingles."

"Ten years?!" Hermione exclaimed, clearly shocked. "I already had trouble believing he was four years old; he looks so young!"

"Well, perhaps this is another attribute of him being a magical cat," Harry interjected. "I mean, do we even know what his magical abilities are?"

Tonks laughed, "You two have a sharp critical outlook. You've analyzed his abilities and traits more in this train ride than I have in the past six years."

"Did you grow up in a magical family, Tonks?" Hermione asked, intrigued.

Tonks nodded, "Yes, I'm a half-blood witch. Why do you ask?"

"I think that's why we have different perspectives," Hermione said thoughtfully. "You grew up with magic in your everyday life, so you don't question things that are described as magical to you. Harry and I have only known about magic for about a month now, so we question everything."

"What do you mean by 'half-blood witch'?" Harry interrupted, furrowing his brow.

Tonks began to explain the intricate social hierarchy of wizarding society. "In the wizarding world, blood status is a significant factor," she said, leaning in closer to Harry and Hermione. "It's believed that certain bloodlines are superior to others, with Purebloods being at the top of the hierarchy."

"Purebloods have a long history of magical ancestry, going back at least three generations," Tonks continued, "while half-bloods have one magical parent and one non-magical parent. Muggleborns, on the other hand, have non-magical parents and are often looked down upon by purebloods due to the belief that magical ability should be passed down through pureblood families. This belief stems from a history of discrimination and prejudice against those without pure wizarding ancestry, and some purebloods view Muggleborns as inferior and lacking in knowledge and understanding of the wizarding world. However, this belief has been increasingly challenged and questioned in recent years, with many in the wizarding community advocating for equality and acceptance regardless of blood status."

She then explained the concept of the "Sacred Twenty-Eight", a group of families considered to be the most pure in wizarding society. "These families, like the Abbotts, Bones, Greengrass, and Malfoys, have a long history of being purebloods," she said. "However, not all of them still believe in the idea of blood purity, and some have even died out."

At the mention of Greengrass, Hermione turned to Harry and asked, "Isn't that the girl we met at Madam Malkin's?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Harry's thoughts returned to the conversation. "Yes, I think her name was Daphne," he replied, recalling their encounter. He then turned to Tonks and asked, "What is my blood status? I know Hermione is a Muggleborn, but what about me?"

Tonks' eyes widened in surprise as she responded, "You don't know? Why not?" She leaned back, considering Harry's question.

Harry replied with a heavy heart, "I don't really know much about my parents. I grew up with my Muggle aunt and uncle, and they never talked about them. They always said they died in a car crash. My home life was not great, and I don't like to talk about it. Can you just tell me about my parents, please?" Harry's gaze was fixed on Jingles, who was contentedly purring in his lap, as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

Tonks was angry at what she just heard, how could the boy who lived be treated so badly by his relatives. But she decided to hide her anger. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to pry. I don't know your parents personally, so I'm not the best person to ask. However, I can tell you what I do know," she said with a reassuring smile, and Harry nodded in agreement.

"You too are a half-blood, Harry. Your father was James Potter, a wealthy Pureblood from the renowned Potter family. I don't have much information about him other than that. However, his marriage to your mother, a Muggleborn, caused quite a stir. Your mother was considered to be one of the greatest witches of her generation." Tonks provided the details. "That's all I know about your parents, Harry. I apologize for not having more information. The stories typically center around you rather than your parents," she added with a sheepish smile.

"Thank you Tonks, for telling me about them." Harry said, with a tear rolling down his cheek.

Hermione was sad for Harry, and was really curious what his home life is like, but decided that now certainly isn't the correct time to pry. She turned to Tonks "Tonks could you tell us a bit about how life is in a magical family?"

"Sure, I can explain a bit about how the day-to-day life is in a magical family," Tonks said. "Well, for starters, most households are enchanted to make things a lot easier. For example, you can have a broom that can sweep up dust and dirt by itself or a teapot that fills itself up with hot water. These enchanted items are really convenient and save a lot of time."

Tonks continued, "Another thing that you'll find in most magical households is a house elf. They are magical creatures who are incredibly skilled in household chores like cleaning, cooking, and laundry. Most families have one or two house elves who take care of all these tasks, so there's not much need to do them yourself."

She smiled and added, "However, not every magical family has a house elf. Some families like to do things on their own and not rely on a house elf to take care of everything. It really depends on the family's preference."

Tonks took a moment to think before continuing, "Also, it's important to note that the use of magic is strictly regulated in the wizarding world until you become an adult. You can only use magic in certain places, such as Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and in magical households. The Ministry of Magic closely monitors and enforces these rules. However, in these places, there are a lot of fun and interesting things you can do with magic. You can levitate objects, make things disappear, or even create objects out of thin air. There's never a dull moment when you're a witch or wizard!"

As Tonks continued to explain more about the magical world, Harry and Hermione grew increasingly excited to learn magic. Suddenly, the train whistle sounded, interrupting Tonks.

"We're about an hour away from Hogsmeade station," Tonks explained. "That means it's time to change into our School Robes." She looked at Harry and added with a wink, "Here's your first lesson in chivalry: ladies first." Harry understood and left the compartment to wait outside while the girls changed. They swapped places with him about 15 minutes later, giving him time to change.

When Harry returned to the compartment, he noticed Jingles lounging on the seat. "So, I had to leave, but you get to stay," Harry said to the cat with a smile. Jingles stretched and let out a big yawn before responding with a soft 'meow'. Harry chuckled at the cat's response and quickly changed so as not to keep Tonks and Hermione waiting.

When Harry finished changing, he opened the compartment door to let the girls back in. But Tonks didn't sit down. "Well, I have to go take care of some stuff before we arrive. Head Girl duties and all," Tonks said with a smile.

Hermione looked surprised and asked, "Wait, aren't you taking your luggage with you?"

Tonks replied, "Oh no, you just leave it on the train. The house elves from Hogwarts will take care of it once we're at the station." As Tonks finished speaking, Jingles got up and jumped down from the seat, heading towards Tonks. She picked up the cat and said, "We'll see each other at the Feast then. See ya!" before closing the compartment door behind her.

~~~o~~~

After Tonks left, Harry and Hermione sat in the compartment, still excited about what they had just learned.

"I can't believe we get to do magic!" Harry exclaimed. "Did you hear Tonks? We can levitate objects, make things disappear, and create objects out of thin air!"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "And the way she described the magical world, it sounds so fascinating! I can't wait to learn more about it."

They both sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Hermione spoke up again.

Hermione turned to Harry and raised an eyebrow. "And what about Jingles?" she asked. "He seems like such a great cat, but I can't shake the feeling that there is something more to him."

Harry paused for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know what you mean," he said. "But maybe it's just because we're not used to magical creatures. I mean, everything in this world is so different from what we're used to."

As the train chugged along towards the magical world, Harry and Hermione were filled with excitement and anticipation for the new experiences that lay ahead. Tonks had just explained the four Houses of Hogwarts to them, and Hermione, ever the curious one, couldn't help but ask Harry about his House preference.

Harry was taken aback by the question, as he had never given much thought to it before. He shrugged and said, "Honestly, I don't really have a preference. As long as we can remain friends, I'm happy with whatever house I end up in."

Hermione felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Harry for his selflessness and kindness. She had never had a friend before, and Harry's words meant the world to her. "That's really sweet of you, Harry. No matter which houses we end up in, we'll always be friends. I promise," she said, beaming at him.

As the train continued on its journey, the landscape outside the window transformed from rolling hills to a more rugged, mountainous terrain. Harry and Hermione delved deeper into their discussions about Hogwarts and magic, excitement building as they neared their destination.

Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, Harry and Hermione felt a sense of comfort in each other's company. They knew that no matter what challenges they might face, they had each other's backs. And as the train finally arrived at the station, they stepped out onto the platform, ready to embark on their magical journey together.