So, I haven't forgotten this. I've had a goddamn idea stick to me like glue for the past few weeks. Honestly, it was annoying. I want to write it out but can't find the right words to get down on paper. It's pretty much overtook everything else. I've also been getting into trouble at work because of the bunny. Hopefully, it will go soon, but I doubt it.
On with the show.
"Okay, I'll join you. Until my mum comes out of the bank."
Mrs. Polkiss was becoming worried. She'd told her son to stay put while she and Professor McGonagall exchanged money to buy his school supplies... only to come out and find he wasn't where she'd told him to wait. She scanned the crowded alley, her heart racing, only to find him sitting with a group of teenagers in the ice cream parlour, Florean Fortescue's, laughing as one—a boy with jet black hair and icy blue eyes—gestured wildly, his eyes lit up as he regaled a tale of mischief.
"Vlad Masters?" Piers was asking, licking his spoon while Jazz rolled her eyes and answered, "He's this billionaire who's a family friend. For some reason, Danny hates his guts."
"Probably because he wants to end Dad and have you, me, and Mom as his family, Jazz. He's a seriously crazed-up Fruitloop who uses food as curses." Danny argued before looking back to the two Brits, his spoon digging into his ice cream. "Anyway, Phantom set up this elaborate prank where he made Vlad think a ghost haunted his mansion. He rigged a bunch of gadgets all over Vlad's mansion. He hid speakers in the walls to emit eerie, ghostly whispers and moans. He placed hidden projectors to create flickering shadows and ghostly apparitions on walls. He even installed devices to make the furniture move on its own."
Harry and Piers were already chuckling at the mental image, but Danny wasn't done yet. "It all started one evening when Vlad was lounging in his grand living room, probably gloating over his newest investment. Suddenly, the lights began to flicker, and the temperature dropped. Vlad sat up, looking around suspiciously. Then, a chilling moan echoed through the room."
Piers laughed, "Bet that got his attention!"
"Oh, it did," Danny confirmed, grinning. "Vlad got up, trying to figure out what was going on. But something else would happen every time he thought he found the source. A chair would slide across the room, or a portrait would fall off the wall. It was hilarious."
Harry was laughing now too. "What did he do?"
"Vlad started to panic," Danny continued. "He grabbed a broom and started swinging it in the air, shouting 'Get out of my house!' He ran around in his silk pyjamas, looking like a madman. The best part was when he saw a ghostly figure—one of Phantom's projections—and he tried to use one of Dad's weapons he'd left there, but it just went right through to the wall."
Piers nearly choked on his sundae after laughing hard. "Did he ever find out it was Phantom?"
"Nope," Danny said, shaking his head. "Phantom even left a fake ghostly message on the wall, saying 'Gotcha.' Vlad was fuming for weeks afterward."
"Piers!" The mentioned boy turned around at the shout and groaned slightly at the sight of his mum standing at the entrance to the ice cream parlour, arms folded with a disapproving look on her face.
"Looks like I've been caught," he muttered, finishing the last spoonful of his sundae and standing. "It was… fun hanging out with you, Harry. And… I am sorry about bullying you in Primary School."
Harry, Danny, and Jazz each exchanged a look before they too stood and walked with Piers. "We'll join you. I've been meaning to get a book for my Optionals, and these two still need to get their dragon hide gloves," Jazz said, her eyes lighting up at the thought.
The group exited Florean Fortescue, the lively chatter of the parlour fading behind them as they stepped back into the bustling alley. Mrs. Polkiss gave Piers a stern look before leading him down the street. Professor McGonagall gave the older teen a nod in greeting as they introduced themselves to Mrs. Polkiss and went about their day, Piers looking behind at the three as they went into a shop named 'Drakenshield's Magical Gear and Protective Equipment'.
1st September
The morning of September 1st dawned with excitement and urgency in the air. Though they'd bought everything through August, Danny hadn't quite adjusted to the idea of attending Hogwarts just yet as he and Harry had often spent countless hours imagining what it would be like.
Even now, as he packed away the Fenton Thermos and closed the trunk lid, sitting on it to close it tightly, Danny couldn't stop his racing mind. Harry entered the room with the snowy owl he'd bought from the Owl Emporium the week before perched on his shoulder. Danny had opted out of an owl, feeling that Tala would be enough for him and Jazz. None of the birds of prey had liked him as they wandered through the shop, all the different species flapping their wings and hooting warningly until Danny had decided to leave the building. Harry and Jazz had found him nearby, picking at his jeans as he waited.
Line break.
"All set, you two? Hagrid's here to take us to King's Cross Station," Jazz asked, peeking her head into the room and spotting Danny sitting on his trunk while Harry packed away the toothbrush and toothpaste.
Both boys nodded. Danny hopped off the trunk and grabbed his shoes, answering, "Almost there, Jazz. Five minutes."
Satisfied, Jazz retreated from the doorway as Harry looked at Danny, who shrugged. "I still have to find my copy of 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.'"
Danny blanched but pointed to the desk beside the window, where a pillow lay on the floor after Danny had thrown it to get Harry to go to bed. "By the window, Harry. Where you left it last night."
"At least I…" Harry stopped and just shook his head, getting a raised eyebrow in response, grabbing his book and packing it away before getting his jacket along with the pillow and throwing it back over to the American, who batted it onto the bed. "You know what, never mind. Let's just go meet Hagrid."
"I'm sure yeh'll remember how when we get there, Jazz."
The teenager hummed, looking unsure as Harry and then Danny sat down at the table. Jazz gave the two boys a gentle smile before she sighed and then nodded. "Yeah, I'll get us there, Hagrid. If not, well, I'm sure we'll find someone."
"That's the ticket, Jazz." Hagrid sat back, looking pleased before he turned his attention to the boys, who were listening quietly, and added, "All set fer Hogwarts?"
"I think so," Harry replied, with Danny nodding.
"Yeh'll love it at Hogwarts. I guarantee it," Hagrid said with a broad smile, his enthusiasm infectious.
With that, Hagrid looked down at his watch once more and stood up, towering over the others. "Righ', we best be headin' off if we wanna make it ter the Platform in time," he repeated, his voice filled with urgency and excitement.
As they left the Leaky Cauldron, Tom, the barkeeper, waved goodbye to them from behind the bar. His toothless grin was warm and welcoming.
"Good luck at Hogwarts, you lot. Make sure to come back and tell me all about it!" The group smiled and waved back at Tom, appreciating his well-wishes. They gathered their belongings, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement about the adventure that awaited them. As they made their way out of the cozy room and into the bustling streets of London, the magic of the moment was palpable, a sense of new beginnings and endless possibilities in the air. They had just to navigate the bustling city and get to the station.
The group of young wizards-to-be weaved their way through the bustling streets of London, their unusual luggage—heavy trunks, and cages containing hooting owls—attracting bemused stares from the oblivious Muggle population. The cacophony of city life seemed to fade into the background as their excitement mounted with each step closer to King's Cross Station.
As the imposing Victorian architecture of the railway station loomed before them, the gravity of their imminent departure to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began to settle in their minds. Danny and Harry, two first-year students on the cusp of a life-changing adventure, shared a meaningful glance. Their eyes sparkled with a mixture of nervous energy and unbridled enthusiasm, silently communicating their shared feelings of trepidation and exhilaration.
The platform numbers ticked by as they manoeuvred through the crowded station concourse. Nine... ten... and then, the seemingly solid barrier between platforms nine and ten. Their hearts pounded in their chests, a rhythmic reminder of the magical world that lay hidden just beyond that unassuming brick wall. Platform 9 awaited them—a gateway to a realm of enchantment, where wands would replace pens, and broomsticks would soar through the air.
Jazz smiled warmly at the boys, her excitement mirroring theirs. "Just walk straight at the barrier. Run at it if it makes you feel better," she reminded them. "Don't slow down, don't stop, and don't be scared you'll crash."
With hearts pounding, the trio moved toward the barrier. Jazz went first, walking confidently and disappearing through the solid wall.
With hearts pounding, the trio moved toward the barrier. Jazz went first, walking confidently and disappearing through the solid wall. Harry and Danny exchanged a nervous glance, gripping the handles of their trolleys tightly.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
It's not true to the book but I will be having them meet Ron and Hermione on the train. Please please please, review this.