A/N: this is my first ever fanfc! Let me know how you like it and if I should continue writing it! Also, the story will get a lot more interesting as it progresses, this is more of an introduction chapter. :) please give it a shot! If this first chapter isn't interesting, just skip to the next one!
Chapter one: Prolouge
"Well there we are Harry! Now I got some business to take 'are of, so yer gotta go- just walk righ' through that wall there," Hagrid explained, glancing at his pocket watch. He pointed a meaty finger at a red brick arch that stood menacingly in between platform 9 and 10, impatiently checking his watch again.
"Through the wall?" Harry questioned, his thick black eyebrows vanishing behind his raven fringe. He turned his head to look at Hagrid, but he had already left. This whole wizard thing was overwhelming. Walking through walls, people teleporting, and finding out your parents were killed by some dictator with a fancy stick...
All the magic, although fascinating, was also quite terrifying.
Harry gingerly stepped up to the arch the half-giant had pointed out previously. The bricks were a tired red color, shadowed by the overhead passageway that blackened the barrier, making the wall seem old and worn. He tentatively prodded it with his trolley. It felt solid at first, but as he pushed, it seemed to give way like a mirage. Harry slowly reached out to touch the wall with his hand, which seemed to disappear into the bricks like a star into a cloud. Unnerved, he quickly drew his hand back against his chest. Harry tilted his head back slightly as he looked up at the arch that loomed above him, his long black hair falling back to reveal a lightning-shaped scar. This is absolutely terrifying. Harry thought, briefly closing his eyes to try to calm his nerves. Why couldn't Hagrid have stayed for just a few extra minutes to help me? The young boy slowly opened his eyes and his heartbeat quickened again, realizing he was now moments away from entering the world with people like him. Harry was finally going to be where he belonged, somewhere where people would accept him.
Mouth dry and palms sweaty, he straightened his spine and set his shoulders back, taking a deep breath before pushing through the bricks.
He stopped for a brief moment as he entered the platform to soak it all in. His ears were filled with goodbyes and joyful reunions of family and friends as he stepped out onto Platform 9 3/4. Mothers hugged and waved to their children as they boarded the Hogwarts Express, and others greeted their friends as they chatted about the upcoming school year. A group of young children, probably siblings that were accompanying their parents to drop off their older brother or sister, ran around to his left. Giggling, the boys made choo choo noises and pretended that they were trains while their parents looked on fondly.
Looking to his right, he saw a boy that looked his age standing with his father, both wearing a sneer. The boy had hair whiter than the clouds but with an excessive amount of hair gel forced into it. In contrast to the forced style, the father's platinum hair flowed seemingly effortlessly down his shoulders. Both father and son held themselves with a superior air that a irritated Harry- he had spent way too much time with people who thought them selves to be better than everyone else.
Tearing his eyes away from the pair, he turned his head to admire the Hogwarts Express. The train mechanics intrigued him in addition to the smell of burning coal floating from it which hightened his anticipation. Steam billowed from the hole located at the top of the train, standing out against the sleek black paint of it's body. Then the whistle finally blew, shrill as a child's cry, warning the families of its soon departure.
Harry settled in the last and only empty compartment of the train, setting his belongings on the chipped wooden shelf above the cushioned seats. He heard his compartment door slide open and as he spun around to see who entered, a girl with a mane of unruly brunette curls peeked in. She had warm sand-colored skin with a very light spray of freckles across her nose accompanied by soft rose lips. The girl seemed nervous but also trying her best to be as brave as possible; her eyes flickering as the two emotions clashed. Harry related to the feeling of being terrified but also wanting to prove yourself- it was a combination he had experienced one too many times throughout his childhood.
Hands braced against the door panels, the girl leaned into the compartment, her deep brown eyes boring into his fierce green ones."Have you seen a toad hopping around anywhere? " She inquired, stepping into the section as she quickly scanned the floor, her brows pressed together. "A friend of mine lost his again." The girl continued, meeting his inquisitive gaze again.
"A toad?" He questioned, cocking his head as his eyebrows knitted together.
"Yes, a toad. It's quite an ugly little thing. I don't particularly care for that slimy creature, but my friend Neville is going into a state of panic." She sighed, tucking a wild curl behind her ear.
"I could help you look if you want, but I'm not really sure what toads look like." Harry stated, subconsciously adjusting his black Windsor glasses. They never really stayed put on his nose after his uncle broke them. "I'm Harry by the way."
"Nice to meet you Harry. " She responded, smiling warmly as she tilted her head slightly. "I'm Hermione. " Harry returned the smile, and as he was about to ask for clarification an what a toad was, a small riiiiibbit floated out from the hallway. Hermione spun around on her heel, quickly locating the amphibian as she snatched it off the floor before it could hop away. The creature seemed to voice its discontent with another sharp ribbit.
"Ugh! This feels disgusting! " Hermione commented, scrunching her nose. She straightened her arms, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and the toad. Harry's eyes widened with curiosity; he had never seen one before, but it looked quite interesting. And quite ugly. But still intriguing.
"Can I hold it?" He asked excitedly, looking down at the animal.
"Be my guest," Hermione quickly passed the frog over to Harry and wiped her hands on her black Hogwarts robes.
Harry admired the frog for a moment and spoke without tearing his eyes away from it. "Should we bring this over to your friend- Neville, you said?"
"Yes. If you'd like to follow me, he's just a few compartments over." Hermione walked down a bit and opened the second compartment door. "Neville, we got the toad!" She called, stepping back so he could walk through. Harry carefully offered the creature over to the boy with fiery hair he assumed to be Neville.
The boy scrunched his face as he looked at him. "I'm not Neville." He spat out, moving away from Harry's outstretched hands which were cupped around the animal.
"Oh. Uh s-sorry then." Harry stuttered, stepping backward and quickly jerking his hands away from the redhead. He turned and handed the toad to the slightly pudgy kid who lovingly cradled the creature. Out of the corner of his eye he could see The other boy sneering at him. Well he seems jolly. He thought to himself sarcastically. Why is he so annoyed that I mistook him for Neville? Hermione, noticing Ron's rude expression, stared daggers at him and crossed her arms hotly.
"Thank you," The brown-haired boy replied quietly, smiling up at Harry sheepishly.
Harry smiled back wanly. "Of course." He stepped back to the compartment door, standing next to Hermione. He thought Neville seemed like a very kind person, but the other boy reminded him of the bullies in his primary school. Perring closer at the ginger-haired boy, he realized his expression was one of jelousy- why he was jelous, Harry had no idea. Who on earth would be jelous of him? Harry decided he would stay away from him; he didn't want to take any chances. "Um, I'm going to go to back to my compartment now." Harry added awkwardly, walking back to his section. He could practically feel the boy's envious stare boring through his back.
"Ronald! What was that for?" He heard Hermione exclaim, her voice fading as he walked farther away. A smile slowly crept into his lips; the fact that someone had his back was one of the most warming feelings he had experienced.
A few minutes had passed before Hermione joined him in his compartment.
"Hey Harry." She said, sitting in the seat across from him as she smoothed her skirt.
"Hi." He looked up and smiled as she sat in front of him.
"I'm sorry about Ron. He seems to always be in a bit of a mood." She pressed the palm of her hands on the cushion as she swung her legs absentmindedly.
"Oh? I hadn't noticed at all."
A few light giggles escaped from her lips. "Yeah, he sure does an exellent job of controlling his emotions, huh?"
"I dunno how he does it." Harry shook his head slowly with mock admiration as Hermione chuckled with amusement.
After a few seconds, she looked up at him shyly, chewing on her lip. "Do you mind if I stay here? I don't really want to sit with Ron but I don't have anyone else I know besides you."
Harry met her gaze. "Of course." He smiled. "I don't think I quite like him either. Reminds me too much of the kids I used to go to school with."
"Tell me about it." She returned his smile. "Kids are brats."
Harry laughed. "They sure are." He leaned back in his seat as they sat in silence for a moment, watching the trees fly by the window.
"Harry?" She asked.
"Yeah?" He replied, turning his head to look at the brunette.
"You mentioned earlier you didn't really know what a frog was." She stared at him, silently asking a question she was too polite to openly inquire about. Harry knew what she was implying, noticing the sad look in her eyes. He glanced up at her, not sure if he should explain his home situation to someone he just met. Hermione, noticing his uncomfortable expression, quickly added, "You don't have to answer. I don't want to press if it's a sore subject."
"It's ok. It's just a bit complicated, I suppose." He sighed. "I wasn't really allowed to do much. Um..." Harry laced his fingers together and subconsciously fiddled with his thumbs as he spoke. "I was forced to serve my aunt, uncle, and cousin until they didn't need me to for anything. Then they would lock me in the cupboard for the rest of the day." Harry rested his forearms on his knees, hands clasped together as his gaze flickered from Hermione, to the the window, and then back to the floor, nervous that she would laugh at or mock him.
Harry didn't mention the verbal abuse or the excessiveness of the labor. He thought she would think less of him for it; think he was weak and pity him. He really, really, hated it when people pitied him. Not that many did, anyway. Anytime he mentioned his treatment to any form of authority, they just assumed he was spoiled and sulking about being forced to do chores. There was someone who noticed once, but their poignant expression made him feel embarrassed, plus their pitying gaze sure did nothing to save him from his family. So from then on he decided to stop seeking help.
Hermione's jaw dropped as she listened to his story. "That- thats just horrible! Actually, no, not horrible. It's absolutely vile!" She threw her hands in the air, her look of surprise quickly switching to one of anger. Harry's head snapped up, surprised. Her eyes flashed with indignation. To be honest, Hermione really wanted to hug the poor boy. But she barely knew him, so that might not be appropriate.
"I-uh, its fine. I'm fine." He stammered quietly and shrugged, genuinely shocked that she was frustrated at his unfair treatment. He continued to nervously fiddle with his thumbs as she quirked an eyebrow. "Just-don't tell anyone. Please." He looked up at Hermione, green eyes pleading in correspondence with his words.
"I wouldn't Harry, not without your consent." She responded softly, looking at him solemnly. She wanted to help him so bad, but she would never forgive herself if she betrayed his trust.
"Thank you." He replied, relaxing back into his chair.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?" A woman asked, stopping in front of them with a cart full of candy.
"No thank you." Hermione responded politely, looking longingly at the treats nonetheless.
Harry, noticing her expression, pulled out a handful of coins he had gotten from his vault earlier that day. "I'll take whatever this buys."
To Hermione's surprise, Harry placed half of the candy he bought (which was still quite an excessive amount) next to her seat, smiling shyly over at her. Hermiones hazel eyes went as wide as saucers; her parents, being dentists, had never once let her eat candy.
"F-for me?" Hermione asked, flabbergasted.
"Yup." Harry's sheepish smile grew at her beyond-delighted expression. The girl practically glowed with happiness; who knew such a simple act could make someone so delighted?
"Oh, and Harry, I couldn't help but notice your broken glasses. Would you mind if I fixed them for you?" Hermione dug through her belongings she had brought into the compartment earlier, looking for her wand she had stashed previously.
"Why, because I gave you candy?" He teased lightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Laughing, Hermione responded sarcastically, "Yeah. I only hang out with people who benefit me. Bribery also works very well." The young witch fixed her wand on Harry's glasses, "Repairo." The messy pile of tape he had used to keep his glasses together unraveled itself and vanished, revealing a now fixed bridge. Dumbfounded, Harry took them off and stared at his glasses, his jaw practically on the floor.
"T-thank you, Hermione," He finally got out, previously too stunned to speak. "How'd you know a spell already? We havent even arrived at Hogwarts yet!" He exclaimed, putting his glasses back on.
"Just a little reading." Hermione shrugged with a smile plastered across her face.
"What other spells can you do? Can you teach me them?" Harry asked, as excited as a puppy.
She smiled. "Sure Harry."
Both kids happily snacked on their two towering mountains of candy, chattering contentedly as Hermione taught Harry the few spells she knew.
After what had only seemed like minutes, the shrill sound of the train whistle vibrated throughout the compartments, signaling their arrival at Hogwarts.
