Harry Potter – No Bullies
Premise: What if Harry had received secret help from a teacher in muggle primary school. A teacher with an interesting past and useful past. This starts with Harrys first trip on the train to Hogwarts.
Special Note: The main characters, ideas, and amazing settings are not mine. Thank you J.K for allowing us to play with your toys. If any of my additions pique your fancy please feel free to add them to your world. That offer is to JK or anyone. A nod to me would be nice if possible.
Note: Before the fact checkers notice I have Hermione mentioning a store a few years before they opened. I have been there and wanted to give it my stamp of approval. I would love to hear others comment if they have been and/or have other suggestions. Yes, I'm being vague. When you see it if you understand you will understand. Now on with the show.
A/N: This is a one shot. This is one way the train ride could have turned out different. I may return to it and add more in the future. I might have a different take on it in the future. Enjoy the train ride.
Chapter: First Train to Hogwarts
Harry was sitting alone in a compartment on the train. He was watching. No he was observing, which is significantly different, the world around him. He observed the magical families and how they interacted within their families and between the other families and groups. He could see the prejudices that John had warned him about. He has observed much of this with John pointing out pertinent events in communication between people and groups. Little things both silent and not. This gave Harry an idea of who and what people were. He had learned early on the evils of people and with an intervention three years ago, how to classify and eventually deal with those that needed redirecting.
Harry like that word, redirecting. It brought a smile to his face in how he redirected his relatives. His stroll down memory lane was interrupted but the door slamming open and a red head leaning in.
"Everywhere else is all full up, mind if I join you?" the interloper asked. Harry had reconnoitered the train when he first got here and judging by the size and number of cars there was no way everywhere was full. Harry had seen this one with his family yelling on the non-magical side of the barrier words like 'muggle' and '9 and '. Clearly a violation of the secrecy act. Either they were all stupid or, more likely, up to something. Which was why Harry had steered clear of the entire group and slipped in without being seen by them. It would give Harry an interesting insight to see just what this one was up to so he agreed and the boy entered and put his trunk away.
As the redhead sat across from Harry he reached out his hand. "Ron Weasley."
Harry responded with a firm hand shake to the other much weaker one "Harry Potter"
"Blimey. Really? Do you have the you know." Ron asked pointing to his forehead. Harry realized this was all a setup. The boys hand was damp and clammy and his reaction was too staged. This was going to be fun taking this one to task when the time came.
"What ever." Harry said and pulled back his fringe to show the famous scar. This only cemented his feeling toward this Ron character sitting across from him.
"Wicked. I heard the Dark Lord did that himself. He must have been a Slytherin. That house and everyone in it is evil." Ron blurted out. Harry listened closely to the words and delivery. It was a learned response but the red head also believed it. Harry shook his head internally. A zealot was going to make things annoying but could be a useful tool too.
Harry was about to turn back to his book when the door opened again and a bushy brown haired girl stuck her head in.
"Excuse me. Are you first years?" She asked politely. Ron kind of snorted at the girl.
"I am. Not sure but I think he is too." Harry offered. Seeing her looking at his book Harry turned it so she could see the cover. Her eyes opened wide at the cover and smiled.
"I loved that one. I think it was even better than the first two but you really need to read the others to truly understand the story. Is this your first time reading it. I've read it before but I was thinking about reading it again." She blurted out in one long sentence. Harry smiled that this. Another non-magical raised that he could talk to. She also seemed to be just what she claimed to be.
"My first time. Please join us." Harry said and motioned to the seat beside him. She joined them and Harry didn't fail to notice the slight scowl from the red head. Filing that away for future reference Harry turned to the girl.
"I'm Harry Potter." he said reaching out his hand. He noted the slight shock on her face then she offered her hand to him
"Hermione Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you." she said. Looking Harry directly in his eyes and not wavering to his forehead at all. She had a nice warm and slightly firm handshake and seemed sincere.
"This gentleman" Harry said waving towards Ron and adding a slight distaste to his voice that only Hermione caught. "is Ron Weasley." She offered her hand to Ron who shook it grudgingly. Both of them on this side of the cabin could tell that Ron wasn't thrilled to have her join the group.
"To answer your question. This is my first time. I wasn't introduced to Frank Herbert and Dune until the beginning of summer so I started at the beginning of the series and here I am. Harry said slightly waving the book with his thumb stuck between the pages holding his place.
"Someone should be in trouble for not introducing you earlier. I think that is a crime in some countries." She said dead pan until she looked in Harrys eyes and they both started laughing. Harry could tell she was going to make this trip and hopefully year fun.
"You read that much of a book this summer? Why. We don't have any summer home work." Ron blurted out.
Harry put on his blank face and turned to the red head "I like reading and just to be clear there were two books before this that I read to get to this point." Harry could tell this wasn't something the other boy could understand.
"Plus it's muggle book. Why read that junk. Wizards have much better books or so I'm told." Ron groused. The pair looked at the gormless boy with incredulity. Harry added this little bit to his data bank in his head under Ron Weasley. It was not looking good for the red head.
"Well." Harry began as if talking to a small child. "One. Because I like it. I don't care who wrote it if it's good I'll read it. Two. I was raised by non-magical so this is what I know. Three. And almost the most important, we didn't ask you. Please don't put something down just because you don't understand it." Harry had delivered his warning. Veiled somewhat and not very subtle but the bushy haired girl beside him understood and nodded at him in understanding.
The girl smiled at Harry when he returned his attention to her.
"Sorry about that. Where were we?" he paused thinking but not really needing to. His mind had been trained to follow several conversations and be able to keep up with them. John had seen to that training as well. "Ah yes. I agree with you. If not jail time at least some minor corporal punishment perhaps." he said with a wink. This had the effect of both of them falling into peals of laughter. Until they had tears starting to leak from them both.
"Maybe if they bring Shai-Hulud from the deep desert we will forgive them." Hermione added. Harry chuckled at the sight of John riding a sand worm into the school to gain forgiveness. Which caused Harry to laugh even harder.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked. Which caused Harry and Hermione to laugh even harder.
Attempting to catch his breath Harry said to Hermione. "I'm imagining John riding the sand worm into the school yard begging for forgiveness. What would the head master think of that." Harry barely got out before they both laughed again at the image of someone riding a block long worm up to a school door.
"Sand worm? Ride it? That sound like stupid muggle crap. You must be a mudblood." Ron said in frustration at being left out of the conversation. This had ice water run through Harrys veins and he turned to Ron with fire in his eyes. Hermione didn't know that word yet but Harry had been informed of the bigotry in the magical society.
"Let me guess. You're a pure blood and know nothing of the non-magical world?" Harry asked. The red head nodded.
"Why would I want to know anything about them." Ron said proudly. Harry nodded. He understood the red head and his beliefs.
"I will thank you to not insult me or my friend. Also, don't insult what you don't understand. That is a sure sign of ignorance. We are going to school to learn and not all of it will come from books or our classes. So learn from this." Harry said but decided to twist the knife one more turn as he was sure this red head would need a more direct approach. "Oh, and if I hear you use that term again I will do some teaching of my own." Harry then turned up his intensity to full power and directed it at the boy across from him.
Ron wilted at the glare and in only moments made a hasty retreat and left the cabin. He was in so much of a hurry he didn't even take his trunk with him.
"Harry. What did that term mean? I'm guessing it was really bad based on your reaction. Which by the way. Thank you." Hermione asked tentatively. When Harry turned back to her all she saw was the friendly boy from a few minutes ago. She was amazed that he could turn it on and off like that but also happy it wasn't directed at her.
"Mud blood?" Harry asked and she nodded.
"I will never use that word unless we are talking about how it's used. It means dirty blood. It's a foul derogatory reference to you being born with no magical parents. Something he" Harry threw his head towards the door "Was assuming. Whether it is true or not makes not difference. The word is vile and anyone that would use it is also vile." Harry said with a conviction that surprised the girl yet was comforting at the same time.
"Thank you for standing up for me. I felt like I should have been offended but I wasn't sure how badly." she said with a nod to Harry.
"Maybe he would make a good offering to Shai-Hulud?" Hermione quipped and watched Harrys face go from serious to surprised to laughing once again.
"I can see we are going to be great friends." Harry said.
"I would like that. Now where are you in the book?" She asked and they began chatting about books and everything else for a while.
A very pleasant hour later the two were enjoying sweets they had purchased from the cart lady. Hermione wasn't to sure about the chocolate frog as it was moving. Harry showed her the squeeze trick which would stop the frog from moving. He had to agree eating something that is squirming didn't enhance the experience. The chocolate was good. Although Hermione did compare it to the chocolate from 'The Chocolate Line' in Brugge and thought the Brugge chocolate was better but this was a close second. Harry could only nod as he had never been out of the UK.
A pudgy boy, Neville, with a frog in his hands had joined them and listened to the two talking. He was amazed to hear about the muggle world and only offered the difference between the two, never insulting them or where they were from. Harry was warming to the boy and liked him so far. He was a pure blood but with none of the superiority Harry had experienced from the red head. Neville did know the Weasley family but only in passing. Neville had told the two that in pure blood circles they all knew each other. Neville also added that his Grandmother, Gran, didn't let him associate with few of the other famliess at all.
To Harry it sounded like the shy boy was lonely and would probably befriend the boy soon. He was still vetting him but it looked probable.
Just then the door slammed open causing them all to jump. Harry stood and put himself between the door and the other two. It was a trained reaction from his childhood protecting the smaller kids from his bully of a cousin and his friends.
A skinny boy with straight blond hair and a sneer looked in at the trio. The blond also had two hulking henchmen at his sides. Harry pretty much knew how this would go and what was needed. He almost sighed. Were there this many bullies in the magical world?
"I hear Harry Potter is on the train." The blond sneered looking from Neville to Hermione and then focusing on Harry. Harry almost laughed at the stupidity. Never ignore the biggest, or nearest, possible threat.
'I'm Harry Potter. These are my friends Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. You would be?" Harry asked coolly which should have warned the blond that he should watch his words closely.
"Associating with a squib and a mudblood already Potter? That won't do you any good. I'm Draco Malfoy and this is Crabb and Goyle. I can help introduce you to the right people." Draco said haughtily thinking he was going to be rewarded greatly by his father for befriending the boy-who-lived as he reached out his hand to shake Harrys.
Harry looked at it and decided it was time to put a future threat in its place. Harry reached for his hand but instead of shaking it he grasped tightly around the palm and in a practiced move squeezed hard and twisted and lifted up. With Dracos arm extended fully and his fingers bent back at a painful angle the blond let out a rather undignified, yet girly, scream.
Harry looked at the body guards. "If either of you move I will break all of his fingers." To emphasize that he had the ability and resolve he bent Dracos fingers back just a little further. The scream was a little louder this time and a crowd was gathering behind the two trolls.
Turning to Draco Harry calmly said "I don't like bullies." Harry applied a little more pressure, being sure to keep it under the breaking point. Draco whimpered a little more. "I introduced these two as friends and you choose to insult them. Not very smart on your part. Further more" a little more pressure and a replied whimper "If I hear either of those words from anyone" Harry took a moment to look into the crowd and meet a few eyes. Some understanding. Some thankful. Some angry. "I will" Harry bent the blonds fingers almost to the breaking point. "Be annoyed."
Harry released the blonds fingers with a push that removed him and his two bookends from the doorway. Reaching out Harry closed the door gently not even making a sound.
Draco could be heard screaming as he ran away "Wait till my father hears of this."
As he turned to sit he looked at two shocked faces. He worried that he may have pushed it to far until they both smiled at him.
"Harry. Do you know who you just tossed out of the cabin?" Neville asked.
"A bully named Draco Malfoy. Oh, and a whiny little boy that runs to daddy when someone doesn't do what he wants." Harry said. Smiling to the boy.
"Harry, although I don't normally condone violence, that was impressive." Hermione said and followed up with a hug to emphasis her appreciation.
"Err. Harry. The Malfoys are an ancient family and they could cause problems." Neville said. Harry knew some of the magicals in the UK. He also knew about his family so he wasn't worried.
"May I ask about your family, Neville? I don't know if that is an invasive questions so please feel free to decline." Harry said. Neville paled a little but recovered quickly when Harry offered him an out.
"Actually the Longbottoms are an Ancient and Noble house. As are the Potters." Neville said. Harry nodded.
"Really? I didn't know." Harry replied truthfully. John had never told him saying it would be better for him to find out the information on his own. Harry thought John was being a jerk and had told him. This led to a very long conversation on the power of information and knowledge. Harry had eventually tossed in the towel on that idea.
"Harry. How didn't you know about your own family?" Hermione asked with some incredulity. Looking between what he was beginning to think of as his friends he thought for a moment.
"I was raised by muggles. My relatives didn't like the magical world and chose to ignore it's existence. I learned a little from a good friend but he also didn't share much. I think part of it was he didn't want me to be too informed for some reason." Harry knew why but that wasn't something to be discussed this early on in their friendship. Time would tell.
Before this conversation could go any further there was a knock on the door and it slid open. A tall red head stuck his head in. "Are you Harry Potter?" he asked. Harry only nodded and the taller version of Ron stepped in. Harry was preparing himself for another Malfoy situation.
"I am Percy Weasley, I am one of the prefects for Gryffindor house. I was told there was an incident involving Mr. Malfoy and he indicated that you assaulted and insulted him without provocation. I was hoping to hear your side of the incident?" Harry nodded and waved the older boy into the cabin and to a seat next to Neville.
"My two friends here were witness to the event so perhaps they would like to provide you with the incident from their perspective? May I introduce Miss Hermione Granger. She is …" Harry faltered here. "I don't really like any of the terms the magicals use so I will go with First Generation magical and Neville Longbottom of the Ancient and Noble house of Longbottom." Percy knew the Longbottoms and also approved of the designation for the girl.
Hermione delivered what was a perfect retelling of the incident.
Neville add to the description saying that "Mr. Malfoy had been totally out of line and did not follow the pure blood introduction protocols. It was most distressing as a pure blood to see that kind of elitist attitude."
This seemed to placate Percy "Thank you. I believe there shouldn't be any repercussions from this event. I can see that Mr. Malfoy was out of line and you" he looked ay Harry "responded with an amazing amount of restraint. Thank you for your time." and he left.
The trio went back to discussing the differences of the magical world and non-magical world. Neville was amazed at what he was hearing. When the two book worms talked about the sand worms again Neville asked if they were real also. The two looked at Neville who shrank away a little from their looks.
"Sorry Neville. The worms are not real. They are from a non-magical book series called Dune. It's entirely made up in the mind of Frank Herbert." Harry said. "Sorry, We should probably be more specific when we talk about Science Fiction and Fantasy writings." Harry said to Neville but looked to Hermione. She nodded.
"I guess with your reaction to some of the non-magical world we have discussed it doesn't take a much to think some fiction writings might be real. I'm really sorry. We weren't trying to lie to you or mislead you. I promise we will tell you the truth about the non-magical world if you ever ask." Hermione said. Harry nodded in affirmation also. This pleased Neville seeing how they were including him.
"Then I will to tell you the truth about the magical world, as I know it, should you ever have any questions. I promise." Neville said in return. There was a little flash of light in the cabin that encompassed them all briefly. Neville gaped at the flash and the other two just looked confused.
"Neville?" Hermione asked.
"That was a magical contract between the three of us. Um. I didn't mean to do that but we are bound to tell the truth about what we said. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Neville stated and was starting to apologize to the pair.
"No problem Neville. We already promised and I'm sure both of us were planning on keeping that promise so it's a moot point." Harry said and watched Hermione nod in approval. Neville sighed in relief.
"Just out of curiosity. What would happen if we didn't tell the truth?" Harry asked. "Not that we are planning on lying it's just … we don't know anything about magical contracts." Harry added quickly.
"Since there wasn't a statement of consequence like 'on my magic' or 'on my life' I'm not entirely certain. It might cause some pain if any of us lied about magic vs non-magic. But only if it was to each other. You could tell Malfoy that you owned a house on the moon and that most mug … er … non-magicals do and it wouldn't be a problem." Neville suggested. "It could also diminish our magic and make it harder to do spells. It's kind of up in the air. Magic is a lot about intent. Which I guess is why the contract. I intended to be truthful so that you could trust me."
"I intended for you to trust what I said also." Hermione added.
"Same here. I wanted you to know I would be truthful about the non-magical world to you. Knowing someone isn't lying to me is important. It seems that we all got a lesson on intent today." Harry said.
They all nodded and thanked whatever higher deity they believed in to have met each other.
Later the three of them found their group in a boat and were about to push off when the original red head jumped in.
"Hey, didn't want to miss joining you." Ron said to Harry as he gave Hermione and Neville slightly dirty looks. This was not missed by any of the other occupants in the boat. They all endured Rons prattle about the Chudley Cannons and Quiddich being the only sports game worth following and Harry should support them.
Harry looked at Neville and the look from the quiet boy told him everything. Ron and the Cannons were made for each other.
Harry and his real friends managed to get away from Ron when the exited the boat and as a small group within a larger one made their way up with stair to a large double doors. As they approached the door Ron tried again to get Harry away from his friends. Harry walked in the middle of their group with Hermione on the right and Neville on his left.
Ron nudged Neville hard out of the way and grabbing Harrys shoulder tried to pull him away from Hermione. Harry reacted like a snake striking. Grabbing Rons hand and a quick step back had the red heads arm locked fully extended and a solid wrist lock. He now controlled the red head. Harry pushed the red head forward until his face was against the large door on the right. Holding his arm and wrist tightly Harry lifted the arm a little more causing a loud scream to come from the other end of the arm.
At that moment the left door opened to a stern looking tall witch. She looked down at the two boys and scowled.
"From the reports I received already I would guess you would be Mr. Potter?" She asked. Harry didn't let up on the pressure as he nodded in affirmative. Since she didn't tell Harry to stop he held the red head on place.
"And judging by your hair you would be the new Weasley?" the stern witch asked.
"Yes. Ron Weasley" He squeaked out.
"Mr. Potter. Is there a reason you are using Mr. Weasleys head as a battering ram?" She asked. Harry looked at her face and she could see a little amusement in her eyes.
"Well I was walking with" was as far as Harry got before Ron jumped in.
"He just shoved me for no reason." Ron said. Ending with a little squeak as Harry applied a little pressure to the wrist lock.
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. I was walking with my friends when this person shoved Neville out of the way and grabbed my shoulder and tried to drag me away. I um …" looking down at the wrist lock and the boys face plastered against the large door. "reacted to an attack on my person." Harry completed.
"Attack. I was trying to save my best friend from a squib and a mud" was all Ron got out before Harry applied enough pressure on the arm and wrist that the red head screamed.
"I warned you about those two words. Want to try again?" Harry snarled. The entire group of first years backed up except Hermione and Neville. They stepped forward to provide Harry with support.
"I would agree with your feelings on those two words Mr. Potter. However, could I ask you not to harm Mr. Weasley any further?" McGonagall asked almost respectfully.
Harry released Ron and stepped away and between his two friends.
"He broke my wrist and arm. He should" Ron was interrupted by Professor McGonagall.
"Very well Mr. Weasley. Off to the infirmary. I'm sure you remember the way from visiting your older brothers." Professor McGonagall said much to the surprise of everyone.
"Well. I don't want to miss the feast. I guess I'm ok." Ron back peddled.
"No. No you are correct that you should be evaluated immediately. Off you go." she said and shooed Ron through the door and pointed him in the right direction.
"What about Potter." They all heard as the red head whinged as he walked away from the group.
"Ah yes. Mr. Potter." She turned her intense gaze on the middle of the trio. Then she looked at each of the students flanking him.
"Did Mr. Potter make any mistakes in his description of the event?" she asked Harrys friends.
"He may have actually downplayed it a little professor." Hermione offered and Neville nodded in solidarity.
"Very well. Mr. Potter we do not condone violence in this school. That will be one point removed from whichever house you get sorted into." McGonagall smiled at the boy and they understood each other as the rest of his trio flanked Harry.
"Now on to the sorting. Please follow me." Professor McGonagall said as she opened the large door and allowed the group into the great hall.