Chapter 18
On the overhead speakers a voice rings out alerting them that they are almost at Hogwarts, Hermione pushed the two boys out so she could change before she stepped out to let them get ready as well.
Once all three had fully changed they started to reach for their luggage when the voice comes on the speakers again.
"We have now arrived at Hogsmead station, please leave all luggage and exit the train, it will be brought up to the school for you, we hope you have a wonderful year."
The trio look at each other before Harry simply shrugs and heads out, Ria leading the way, Hedwig and Salazar attached to him, and John trailing behind, Hermione and Ron join him and they quickly exit the train and join the other students on the platform.
A loud booming voice in a thick accent carries across the platform.
"First years, firsts years over here!"
A mountain of a man, standing at eight feet tall, with a large bushy black beard and a wild mane of hair from which two beetle black eyes shine out with joy and warmth.
Ron simply gawks at the man, while Hermione is mumbling about how he might be a child of one of Galars hero's, Harry is just wondering if he could have him help him with some exercise equipment since a guy that big has to special order stuff to stay in shape. Soon enough all the first years had gathered around the large man holding the lantern, and as he starts to speak to the students, a figure darts down from the sky and alights on the giants shoulder with plenty of room to spare.
It had a long yellow beak and a large green eye, its feathers were a dark blue with a set of lighter blue feathers going around the base of its neck, and small black webbed feet.
Harry could hear Hermione muttering about the Pokémon on the giants shoulders, it was a Pokémon named Cramorant and it was a water flying type, Harry would have to look more into it later.
"Alright, first years, follow me down to the base of the mountain."
With that the giant turned and started to walk out of the small town the train had stopped at, the first years followed and as they walked out, the snow fell, coating everything in a fine powder as they walked. As they walked Harry looked off to the side of the path the giant was leading them down to see nothing but wild untamed land, and catching glimpses of wild Pokémon.
Ria, John, Hedwig, and Salazar where all on high alert for any dangers, but it seemed like only Harry and his Pokémon where on the look out for such things, because a short while later just as they where about to reach the mountain base, a pair of wild pokemon sprang from the foliage.
The two Pokemon where of the same height and over all body shape, but that is where their similarities end, the one coming from the left was purple and slightly off white, it had spikes from its forehead and trailing down its back.
The one coming from the right was blue and tan, spikes not as long or sharp but also from their forehead and trialing down their back, this was clearly the female of the two.
"It's a Nidoking and Nidoqueen! Quick move out of their path the have a hard time turning!"
Shouted the giant, but some students where frozen in fear, luckily for them, Harry was prepared.
"Ria, take out the Nidoking, use your speed and special moves to hit him hard and fast."
Ria nods and runs off towards the charging Nidoking, an aura sphere appearing in her hand.
"John, use sing and then dreameater, if that doesn't work then shadow ball her."
Without even looking back at Harry, John puffs himself up and floats towards the Nidoqueen ready to defend his trainer. Hedwig quickly takes to the sky and begins to circle around the gathering of students keeping an eye out for any other surprise attacks, while Salazar loosens himself from Harry and begins to use quick attack to move among the students so he can react when Hedwig lets him know where another attack might come from.
Soon more Pokémon are called out and are set to protect the students or help Ria and John fight, but by that time, Ria has already taken out the Nidoking and is back by Harry's side.
While John had just finished with the Nidoqueen and was floating back to Harry, the giant had also called out his Pokémon but wasn't going to simply leave it at that.
"You lot spread out and see if that attracted any more of them critters, as for you first years get to the clearing over there and you'll be perfectly safe."
Many went running towards the clearing with some taking up a rearguard position, but Harry and his Pokémon remained right where they were, Harry simple kept calm and looked around waiting for Hedwig to give the all clear.
After all, the first rule of any battle, is never let your opponent get behind you, so Harry called out Ivan and Morana, they both quickly took up positions facing outwards looking for any threats.
Soon enough, a hooting could be heard, coming from the direction that the Nidoking came from, so Ria and Ivan prepared for the fight, while John and Morana stayed vigilant for any surprises.
Then from the foliage burst forth a small hoard of small dog like creatures with tan and green fur with yellow lines, and leading them was a couple much taller dog like creature more green and white with some yellow.
It moved quickly and seemed to have sparks of electricity coming off it, Ivan reacted instantly, stomping a foot on the ground, and rumbling sounded out and then a mighty earthquake hit the charging group of Pokémon, taking out the little ones and severely hurting the larger ones. Ivan then kicked out once one of the larger dog like creatures got closer and hit it with a high horse impact knocking it out instantly, Ria fell on the other one instantly and hit it with a bullet punch sending it flying back and into a tree.
The giant had also been attacked by a group of Dreepy, but his Pokémon had already routed them and was looking to help Harry but saw he wasn't needed.
Soon enough Hedwig and the giants other Pokemon had returned signifying that there was no other incoming attacks, Harry and the giant soon joined the others in the clearing.
As they passed into the clearing Harry and his team could feel the field that was covering the clearing, giving a signal that something powerful lived here and would not take kindly to trespass. But since the feeling didn't worsen and nothing more happened as they went further in, Harry and his team put it to the back of their minds, but kept there guard up just as much as the did on the path to here.
"We'll now wasn't that exciting, get your blood flowing just before your sorting."
Everyone stared at the giant like he was insane, the blonde idiot Draco Malfoy decided to voice what everyone was thinking.
"Are you mad, we almost died, you were supposed to protect us and you let us almost get squashed by two brutes and think it was exciting."
The giant looked confused by Draco's reaction.
"What do you mean, we've never had any student die during these first year walks, maybe and injure or two but never a death."
This seemed to comfort some of the others while others still looked unsure, of course Draco just had to get the last word in.
"Well I'll be telling my father about this."
Harry had to suppress a snort but Ria didn't even hide her contempt for the boy, John was grumbling which was surprisingly intimidating for such a cute Pokémon. Ivan simple kept looking around while Hedwig was on top of his head looking the opposite direction Ivan looked at to keep tabs on everything.
Morana reluctantly returned to her PokeBall but not before she had throughly checked over Harry and the others, and of course Salazar was back around Harry's neck and keeping an eye out for anything the others might miss.
The giant resumed his previous work of being their guide to Hogwarts after getting sidetracked by Draco.
"Now on to the important bit for your sorting, at the top of the mountain sits Hogwarts, it is your duty to climb up the mountain and reach Hogwarts under your own power. As you climb you will face four separate challenges, each one representing a founder."
The giant had begun pointing at the mountain as he explained and had everyone's full attention, many students looked scared at the prospect of climbing the mountain, then their fear grew as the giant kept talking.
"When your name is called you'll start to climb the mountain and then the next until all have been called."
The silence that followed was deafening.