Chapter 1: The Hogwarts Express
It all began with a simple handshake.
Harry Potter entered Madam Malkin's robe shop and met Draco Malfoy for the first time in that shop. They had a conversation and became friends. Draco told Harry about the Wizarding World and for the next month, Harry and Draco spent time exchanging letters. Harry enjoyed discussing the Wizarding World, Quidditch, and his disdain for his Muggle relatives, the Dursleys, with Draco. Harry could not wait to reunite with him again.
1 September 1991
Harry woke up that morning, filled with eagerness and anticipation. He could smell the taste of freedom. He could not wait to be away from Privet Drive and at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he truly belonged. None of his irritable and vexatious Muggle relatives would be in the proximity of Hogwarts, which meant he would be feeling emancipation and liberation from their harassment.
Harry snuck a piece of bread from the kitchen and stuffed it in his mouth. He tried to digest it and somehow managed to finish it.
Perfect, Harry thought. Now I have to wait for the useless Muggle to actually do something useful for once in his life and drive me to King's Cross Station.
Just then, Uncle Vernon knocked on his door.
"Are you coming or what, boy?", he asked harshly.
"Absolutely", Harry said.
Oh, sweet sweet freedom! , he thought. This is going to literally be the best year of my life. No muggles, no annoying cousin, this almost feels like a dream. I hope it is not a dream, I would hate to have to wake up and watch it all end.
Vernon drove Harry to King's Cross Station without saying a word. Harry could only wonder if Vernon was feeling just as delighted as Harry was.
Well, I don't care, he thought. I'm on the path to emancipation and freedom, and there is nothing he or the other muggles can do about it.
Finally, he reached King's Cross Station. Harry walked out of the car without saying good-bye and walked into the station. Vernon then hastily drove off.
I probably should have checked what station the train leaves from, Harry thought. That was a stupid and critical mistake on my part. Well it doesn't matter. I just have to check the station number on my ticket and I'll find out anyway.
Harry looked at his ticket, then was filled with disbelief and trepidation.
Platform Nine-and-three Quarters. But I don't see that platform number. All I see are Platforms Nine and Ten. If I ask any of the security guards or police officers for help, they will think I am irrational and insane. There has to be another way.
But just then, the Almighty granted him a blessing right next to him. Harry felt a tap on his shoulder! He turned around. It was his friend, Draco Malfoy. Behind him were a boy that seemed to be a few years older, two middle-aged men, and a woman. Harry felt relieved that there was someone he knew there that could help him.
"Hello, Draco", Harry said, his worry and fear completely eradicated. "I was just wondering…how do you get to platform nine-and-three quarters?"
The older boy chuckled. "Draco, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend? I can help the both of you with this task easily."
Draco rolled his eyes. "How contemptuous of me. Harry, this is my older brother, Julius Ceasar Malfoy. Julius, this is my friend that I met in Diagon Alley last month…Harry Potter."
Harry shook hands with Julius.
"You're named after the Roman general and dictator," Harry said with epiphany.
Julius smiled. "Yeah, he certainly has the knowledge for Slytherin. I am so glad to meet you, Harry. I think you will enjoy Slytherin very much."
Draco then said, "Harry, this is my father, Lucius Malfoy. This is my mother, Narcissa Malfoy. And this is my paternal uncle, Lothair Malfoy."
Harry shook hands with Lucius, Narcissa, and Lothair. He was starting to enjoy the Wizarding World so far.
"It's superb and smashing to meet all of you", Harry said. "Now about my previous question…how do I get on Platform nine-and-three quarters?"
"The process is quite rudimentary", Narcissa said. "All you have to do is go through that brick wall that you see between Platforms Nine and Ten. Julius, why don't you go first?"
Julius nodded eagerly, then pushed and steered his cart towards the brick wall. Harry watched with excitement and anticipation, wondering what would happen.
Julius was coming close to the brick wall. Harry watched as Julius's cart reached the wall…and completely went through it. Julius went through the wall.
Lucius rested his hand on Draco and Narcissa rested her hand on Harry. Harry felt the warmth of Narcissa's hand on his back and briefly fantasized that it was his own mother that was sending him off to school.
"On the count of three, head through the wall", Lucius said. "The two of you can do it. One…two….three!"
Harry and Draco charged their carts towards the brick wall. For a split second, Harry was fearful that he would smash into the wall and sustain injuries. However, when his cart reached the brick wall, it completely went through to the other side of the brick wall.
Harry looked around and saw the sign: Platform 9 3/4. He had done it.
He felt his face and his hands. No injuries, not even a slight blemish on his body.
Lucius and Narcissa came behind them. Draco hugged them both tightly before they left.
"Have fun, Draco", Lucius said. "And it was pleasure to meet you, Harry."
"Likewise, Mister Malfoy", Harry said.
As Lucius and Narcissa headed back through the brick wall, Draco tugged on Harry's arm.
"Harry, I think my friends are on the train. Let us greet them, and I will introduce you to them."
Harry and Draco gathered their belongings and put them in the compartment in their section of the train.
"Where's Julius?", Harry asked.
"Probably snogging Jaclyn Deppe as we speak. Julius and Jaclyn are both incoming fifth-year Slytherin prefects. Those two are honestly inseparable."
Just then, Draco smiled. "I see them now. Okay, Harry, sit over there, and I'll make the introductions."
Four other boys and four girls sat down in their section of the train. They sat across from Draco and Harry.
"Glad you all could make it", Draco said. "Harry, this is Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zabini. Everyone, this is Harry."
"Not to sound like a snoop or a gossip column", Pansy said. "But just out of curiosity, are you Harry Potter?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Harry and I met last month at Diagon Alley", Draco said. "And we discovered that we have more in common and more mutual interests than we realized. So, we are going to work together and make Harry feel welcome in our group. Hopefully we will all be sorted into Slytherin where we all belong."
"That sounds excellent", Theodore said. "I have several books that Harry can read. Books about politics and potions. I feel like he will need to brush up on these books and have awareness of these topics."
"Politics?", Harry asked.
"You will need to be aware of the Wizarding World and how to adapt to your social life and future career as a Wizard", Theodore said. "There is more to magic than just waving a wand and saying incantations. There are many mixed viewpoints and narratives that could be simultaneously confusing and accommodating to the average wizard. Here's a book that I think you will find useful, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. Gives you basic instructions and tutelage you may find convenient for Herbology and Potions."
Pansy then patted Harry on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Harry. We'll all work together. We're on the same team. We will all contribute to your social life in Slytherin. Isn't that right, guys?"
"Yes", everyone else replied.
"That includes you two as well, Crabbe and Goyle", Pansy said with a smile.
Harry smiled. But then, an idea formed in his head. He was sure Draco would like it.
"If we are going to work together as a cohesive unit, we should form a group of like-minded individuals with the same goals. An elite force, if you will. The other houses are already judgmental from what Draco told me in his letters. As Slytherins, we need to be a united front. We strongly concur with each other. We are all on the same side. We should call ourselves The Order of the Serpent."
"Sounds excellent", Draco said. "It makes sense to form a group that has some correlation and relation to the founder of Slytherin House."
"Who will be our leader?", Blaise asked.
"Harry, of course", Pansy said. "It was his idea. All in favor, vote yes."
"Yes", everyone simultaneously agreed.
"Any objections?", Draco asked.
There were none.
"Good", Draco said. "We strongly concur that Harry should be the leader of the Order of the Serpent. So Harry and I both share a mutual dislike and hatred for muggles. Harry should know about how nefarious Muggles truly are."
"Before Hagrid rescued me, I was living with my uncle, aunt, and cousin for the last ten years. It was horrendous", Harry said as he recalled what happened. "Then, two months ago, I received a letter from Hogwarts. My uncle tried his best to prevent me from seeing the contents in that letter. He even had all four of us hide out at some Lakehouse to hide from whoever was sending those letters. But then, Rubeus Hagrid arrived to rescue me from those Muggles."
"I know all about him", Theodore said. "I always thought he was just some big oaf."
"He's not all that bad", Draco said. "He did rescue Harry from those Muggles. So Harry, tell us what else happened that night."
"So, Hagrid arrived at that boathouse. He gave me my Hogwarts letter, and told me about my heritage and whom I truly was. He gave me all the information about my background. My uncle and aunt always told me my parents were killed in a car crash when they were drunk. I am glad that Hagrid cleared up all that confusion and told me the truth about who my parents were, whom I was, and what happened to them. Vernon then insulted Albus Dumbledore…"
"The headmaster," Theodore clarified.
"Right, and then Hagrid cast a spell on Dudley and caused him to grow a pig tail. It truly was a humorous sight, you should have seen it."
"Yeah, I'm sure I know how Hagrid reacted to that", Draco said. "He has such high adulation and veneration for Dumbledore. He would never allow anyone to just randomly insult him."
"I'm not sure you all would want to hear about my life with those muggles", Harry said. "It honestly is depressing."
"You're our friend", Draco said. "And we strongly concur with your feelings and we agree that those Muggles are vile and deplorable. So Harry, tell us all about them and what they did to you."
Harry nodded. "Right. So, for as long as I can remember, the Dursleys starved me, abused me, and screamed at me for as long as I can remember. In our elementary school, Dudley and his gang made me an outcast and a social pariah. No one in our school wanted to be my friend because Dudley and his friends would harass them and bully them. Once, a boy named Matt Wilcox spoke to me at school. Dudley and his gang then attacked him after school and beat him up. No one ever dared to talk to me after that."
Harry could tell the other nine children in that train compartment were deathly silent and he could even see the anger and indignation in their faces.
"My aunt and uncle continued to make my life at home a living hell. If I caused accidental magic, as Draco calls it, they would withhold meals from me and starve me. They would lock me in my cupboard, and I would be lucky if they let me out within a week."
"See what muggles are like?", Draco asked. "They have absolutely no respect for wizarding kind. They think they are better than everyone else and cannot wait to show everyone how stupid they are."
Just then, a woman walked past their compartment.
"Do you want anything from the trolley, dears?", she asked.
"We'll take the whole lot", Draco said.
So, Draco sat down the chocolate bars and the chocolate frogs on the table. Harry grabbed some and ate, feeling ecstatic.
After they ate, Harry continued his story.
"So, when Hagrid rescued me, he and I went to Diagon Alley together where I met Draco. Hagrid told me that my parents were murdered by some Dark Wizard named Voldemort…"
Everyone in the compartment gasped.
"Oh, Harry, there's something I forgot to tell you", Draco said. "No one is supposed to say the name of the Dark Lord. As a euphemism, we refer to him as "You-Know-Who".
"That's exactly proves what you guys told me earlier", Harry said. "I need to be aware of social etiquette and norms in the Wizarding World. I was not trying to act boastful or gallant when I said You-Know-Who's name. I just had no idea that you were not supposed to do that. I cannot do this by myself. But if you guys help me out, I think I will get adjusted to life here in a few weeks."
"Absolutely", Pansy said, touching Harry's hand with one of hers. "We are all members of The Order of The Serpent. We will all help each other out. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask. We are more than happy to help."
"So anyway, I met Draco at Diagon Alley, exchanged letters with him, and here we are."
Crabbe then peered into one of the windows.
"I think I see the school."
"Okay. Harry, when someone asks you your name, do not give them your first name and your last name. Just give them your first name. For instance, if someone asked me my name, I would just introduce myself as Draco. And if someone asked you your name…?"
"I would introduce myself as just Harry", he said with epiphany and clarity.
Draco then patted his shoulder.
"Now you've got it."
Just then, three boys burst into the compartment. Harry noticed they all had red hair. Two of the boys were identical. But one of the boys seemed to be younger and around Harry's age.
"So, the rumors are true", the younger redheaded boy said. "Harry Potter himself has come to Hogwarts."
"What's it to you?", Theodore snapped.
"What was it like seeing You-Know-Who?", one of the twin boys asked. "Can we take a look at your scar?"
Harry was suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Who did these boys think they were to suddenly start pestering him with questions, just because he was famous and lost his parents? Didn't they have any sensitivity or decency to respect his privacy? Apparently not, because they were quick to remind him of the reason he was an orphan.
"That's none of your business!", Harry snapped.
"This is Fred", the younger redhead boy said, pointing to the twin that asked about Harry's scar. "And this is George. And I'm Weasley. Ronald Weasley."
Draco then sniggered. Ron then gave him an ugly glance.
"Think my name's funny, don't you? There's no need to ask yours. My father told me Malfoys are prejudiced and inbred bigots that are too lazy and indolent to be productive in society."
When Harry was hearing Ron speak, he was instantly reminded of Dudley. Ron then turned to Harry.
"You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to be making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
Ron then extended his hand to Harry.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks."
Ron's facial expression then turned to an expression of hate and contempt.
"Better think long and hard, Potter. Your parents did not know any better. You'll go down the same path as them if you're not careful. Stick with moronic scum like the Malfoys, and you're headed for disaster. It seems your parents died for you to love the same evil filth that got them killed."
Harry, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, Theodore, Millicent, Daphne, Tracey, and Pansy all stood up, the looks of hatred at Weasley being apparent.
"Say that again", Draco said.
"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?", Ron sneered.
"Don't be ludicrous, Weasley", Theodore said. "There's ten of us and only three of you. You're outnumbered."
Just then, Julius Malfoy stepped into the compartment.
"Is there any trouble here, boys?", Julius asked.
"These boys were insulting my friends and your family, Julius", Harry said. "They were asking me questions about my scar and You-Know-Who."
Julius turned to Ron, who now seemed terrified to even be there. Fred and George also appeared to be nervous.
"You know, Ron, I know your older brother Percy", Julius said. "I could just tell him about what you did here today and I'm sure the results would be unpleasant. You will stop bothering Harry and his friends. Are we clear?"
Ron appeared aghast. "Yes. We are clear."
"Good. Now beat it."
Ron, Fred, and George hastily left the compartment.
Julius then turned to the members of The Order of The Serpent.
"I apologize for what happened here", Julius said. "Apparently Percy Weasley can't keep his younger siblings in line. Anyway, Hagrid is coming to bring the first-years to the school. A sorting ceremony will take place to decide your Hogwarts house. Just ask the sorting hat to put you in Slytherin. The hat takes your choice into consideration."
Harry nodded. "Thanks, Julius."
He then turned to Draco.
"Just a matter of time until we are all in Slytherin. I am feeling so much excitement."