Chapter 2
The Hogwarts Express
"That's..." Neville was lost for words.
"I know." Harry replied.
Harry had not told Neville right away about the story of how Harry's father had truly died. He had waited until he and Neville were on their way to Kings Cross station, (Lily had insisted on travelling by muggle train) to inform him of the details which were kept hidden from Harry for all of his life.
The tale of the night that Voldemort had come to Godric's Hollow was one that caused Harry to have more than a few nightmares. He would envision himself at the end of a long lane, standing in the cold street watching a hooded figure floating towards the cottage that he and his parents had lived in. In these dreams he was never privy to what was going on within the little home, but would hear screams of agony just as a flash of green light would take James Potter away from his family. It had truly haunted Harry to know the truth and he was not keen on sharing it with anyone except Neville.
He knew of course that others knew. It was elaborated to him that the greater Wizarding world all knew about the night that James Potter died. They knew that for some reason Voldemort had targetted the Potter family for death and it had led him to their home. What they did not know was the details of the attack itself. These details were only known by Lily Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Severus Snape, a lady called Bathilda Bagshot and to Harry's great surprise, Albus Dumbledore. And now Neville knew.
"But you're telling me that Sev, as in, Severus Snape, Potion Master and all round scary man, actually killed, You-know-who?"
"According to mum, yeah." This was something of a revelation in itself. No one knew how Voldemort had been defeated. It was in the final moments just before Voldemort had managed to beat James Potter and had his sights set on Lily and Harry that Severus Snape appeared to save them. "Mum said that Severus got word from Peter that Voldemort..." he ignored the shiver from Neville, "And just apparated into the house. Took him by surprise with the killing curse."
"Apparated into a house that had protective enchantments?" Neville was quite good with protective spells, it was the only subject besides Herbology that interested him.
"Yeah, there is a few things that don't add up." Harry said knowingly. "Peter was the one that was keeping my parents location a secret and not Remus?"
"Why would someone let Peter protect anything?"
"Got me, maybe they thought it would be less likely for Voldemort..." Harry sighed when Neville winced again, "It's just a name!"
"I know, I know!" Neville huffed, "But Peter got Severus before Remus, I always thought that Peter was terrified of Sev and Sev has never hid how he felt about Peter."
"Mum said that during the war they got on very well, but things changed after that night."
"Weird." Neville mused."So, you-know-who came to kill your entire family, because?"
"No one knows." Harry sighed. "That's the part I don't get. I knew my dad was helping to fight against him, but to be targeted, how annoying did you have to be to get a direct visit from Voldemort?"
"What are you two conspiring about, little first years?" Only the cackling laugh of Peter could have sent shivers down Harry's spine in that moment. Lily and Remus were sitting a little away from Harry and Neville on the Muggle train that would take them to Kings-cross Station. Lily had been giving Harry as much space as possible since his birthday. Which was actually annoying because Harry had been so used to them having a comfortable relationship.
"Nothing!" Harry and Neville said together. They both glanced at each other and resisted the urge to roll their eyes when Peter invited himself to sit next to them.
"Well, listen."Peter whispered mysteriously. "I got something for you Harry, but you can share with Neville as I know you will."
The history of Peter and presents was a long and dark one, in Harry's opinion. There was the year of the yellow mustard jumper, that time he got Harry a rat that died in one day. The time he gave Harry a watch that yelled random swear words at him, Lily had thrown Peter out for that one, which resulted in numerous years of socks and sickles. The money that had gone into getting Harry his owl, which he named Hedwig, was about the only present that Harry had ever liked. And it was all down to Remus that it happened. It was no surprise to Harry that the excited look on Peter's ratty face was preceded by him taking out an old piece of parchment and handing it to him. "There you go!" He said, as if he'd just handed Harry a thousand galleons.
"Oooo, parchment, I've heard of this." Harry said, making Neville laugh.
"But you've never had a piece of parchment quite like this, my sarcastic little nephy-poo." Peter was obviously annoyed by the lack of wonder on Harry's face, but was quick to take out his wand, look to make sure that Lily and Remus were not paying attention and tapped the piece parchment and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Still not phased in the slightest by what Peter was doing, Harry would quickly regret his lack of faith in Peter for the first time in his entire life.
"Blimey!" Neville had burst out, but Harry had hardly heard him, for on the piece of parchment, words started to form. "Messrs Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, are proud to present the Marauders Map. Thee Map?!"
"The very same!" Peter beamed, very proud of himself by how impressed Harry was. "Your dad, me and Remus put this little thing together back in the day, and he always said that when the time came, it should be passed on to you, with the explicit instruction to never tell Lily about it." Peter was a bit more serous at the end, "Best not tell Remus either, he's a little grumpy about it, he actually thinks we lost it, but truth was, I found it last time I was in Hogwarts. Some daft old bugger named Filch who you're going to hate had it, and I recognised it right away."
Harry sat, fully ignoring every word that Peter was saying for as he unfolded the map it revealed a detailed and lively representation of the very school that Harry was on his way to at this very moment. He could see little tags all over the place moving around. He found straight away Severus Snape's name, he was sitting in his office that Harry knew was in the Dungeons. He saw other names he did not yet know and wondered who they were, but most of all he saw one name in particular.
"That's Dumbledore!"
"Dumbledore?" Neville gasped excitedly.
"The very same." Peter nodded with a toothy grin. "He's usually in his office, always pacing around thinking about something clever."
"Thank you, Peter!" And for once, Harry actually meant it.
"Say no more, my dear boy, say no more. Just make sure you put it to good use." Peter winked and got up from his seat.
"But who is Padfoot?" Neville was the one to ask, Harry had thought the same and they both looked at Peter.
"Oh," Peter hesitated. "Erm, that's Remus' full nickname. Mooney Padfoot, kind of like a first and last name, he shortened it to Mooney after a while, it's a shame we can't remove it from the map." Peter was never the best liar, but he was saved by the fact that Harry and Neville were so completely engrossed by the map, that he was able to slip away. "Oh and before I forget, when you're done, always tap your wand and say, Mischief Managed, otherwise anyone can read it."
The rest of the journey to Kings-cross was a quick one owing to the fact that Harry and Neville had spent the rest of it working out the different routes they could take around the school. As promised, when they arrived in London, Harry stowed the map away safely into his school robes which he was already wearing and made no mention of the map to his mother or Lily.
"Right then, through we go!" Lily was just as excited as Harry had been to take those first steps through platform nine and three quarters. It would take them to the platform in which Harry got his first glimpse at the scarlet Hogwarts express and it was in this moment that he truly believed he was finally going to the school he had dreamed about all his days.
"Now, Neville, I want you to pay close attention to all of your things, they will not be replaced if you lose them and for the love of Merlin, tie your shoes!" Neville's grandmother Augusta Longbottom had raised Neville since he was baby owing to the fact that both of Neville's parents were in St Mungos Hospital. Neville had only told Harry the story of how Neville's parents were tortured into madness by some of Lord Voldemorts followers. And it was to Harry's credit as a best friend that he never mentioned it.
"Augusta, give the boy a little breathing room, he's going to think you love him too much." Lily chided her. Augusta had made it her soul purpose to be as close to Lily as possible and it was only now that Harry understood that it was to protect them, not bully them as she did Neville. Although, she often liked to bully Harry as much as she did Neville. She was the strictest and most protective person Harry knew, and not a woman to be messed with.
"Has Master Harry got all of this things?" It was with great joy that Dobby agreed to come to the platform to see Harry off to school, doing so at Harry's request. "Dobby can go back to the house if he has forgotten anything."
"I think I'm all covered, Dobby, thanks." Harry beamed at the little elf.
"Brings back memories this, eh Remus?" Peter was saying as he stepped through the barrier with Remus next to him. "Remember they day we all met, in that little carriage."
"Yes, you were stuffed in an empty trunk and James and I had to save you." Remus added fondly.
Both Harry and Neville laughed hearing this.
"Best friends ever since." Peter snorted, patting Remus on the back.
"Yes, the best." Remus sighed, rolling his eyes and winking at Harry.
Harry beamed at Remus but was instantly distracted by the comings and goings around him. So many children were here with their families, all of them Harry did not know. The only other wizard child Harry had ever known was Neville. It was only now that he understood Lily's reasons for wanting to keep Harry as hidden as possible. He walked by and occasionally a few eyes of parents or children would look and they would stare at him and Lily. He was told to expect this because as far as anyone was concerned, Lily and Harry had managed to escape Voldemort and in turn, caused his downfall. These people didn't know the whole story which, Harry now felt unfair since Severus was clearly a hero and should be famous. Not that Severus Snape would enjoy such a thing as fame. Harry was fairly sure the only people Severus liked were him and his mother.
"Nosey lot, ain't they?" Peter had said.
"It was bound to happen, you're a very famous wizard after all." Remus told him, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "He once set fire to the Minister of Magic's robes."
Having his small family there made coming here all the easier. Only, when they had come to a stop at one of the carriages, Harry couldn't help overhearing the most curious conversation.
"And you will keep yourselves quiet this year." A cold, hard and pompous voice said. Harry glanced only slightly in the direction of the voice while Peter and Remus helped lift Harry and Neville's trunks and Owl onto the train. A little farther away, Harry saw a family of the most curious nature. He knew they were a family because of the way they looked.
The one who had spoken was a tall, older man with long red hair that was tied back in a knot and wore robes of black and silver. He held himself in a very powerful and pointed manner and had the look of someone who was very wealthy. Harry instantly disliked this man as he had a cruel and uncaring face as he looked at the four boys in front of him. There was the shortest, with freckles and hair similar to his father.. A set of twins who were thin and gaunt, pale and scary looking and the forth was a younger copy of the father.
"Am I understood?" The father hissed, sounding eerily like a snake. "I have more than enough to be doing without you three drawing attention to yourselves."
"Yes, father." The three oldest boys said.
"Now, Ronald." The man said, looking down at the smallest of the three. "Percy is the only pride I have at that school, you will take your lead from him,understood?"
"You want me to be a boring prat who lurks in the shadows like a vampire?" The one named Ronald said. The twins sniggered darkly.
Harry jumped when he saw the man's hand fly and slap Ronald across the face. The hiss that issued from the boy's father was so harsh that it sent shivers down Harry's spine.
"You will bring glory to our house, boy. If I find out you have tarnished even a bit of my reputation, I'll lock you in the attic with your..." but before the sentence could be finished, the man turned to see Harry staring. Ronald had been rubbing his cheek and trying to hide his embarrassment but noticed that Harry was looking at them and gave Harry a sneer.
"Well, well." The man said, taking in Harry and glancing around at the entourage that was with him. Harry hadn't noticed Remus and Lily coming to stand with him when the man had spoke directly to him. "Lily Potter and Remus Lupin, but of course." The man walked slowly towards them and halted a few feet from the little group. The man's sons all followed him as if they were bidden to without command.
"Arthur, such an unexpected surprise, normally you send your elf to bring the boys, I hear." Lily said, looking directly at the man named Arthur and ignoring his sons. "Nice to see you out and about outside of the office."
"Well, one must take a strong hand when it comes to ones children, wouldn't you agree?" Arthur instantly turned his gaze on Harry. Lily placed a hand on his shoulder and raised herself up proudly.
"Oh, not with this one. A handful, but a true wizard in the making. Harry, meet Arthur Weasley and his sons, Ronald, Fredrick, George and Percival." She had indicated the boy who had been slapped first, then the twins and lastly the oldest brother, who upon closer inspection was just as gaunt and pale as his younger brothers. Harry was sure that his mother did not like Arthur Weasley and it was almost instantly that he detested them as well.
"I can imagine he is not just like his father in looks?" Arthur enquired.
"You would be right." Lily said, another note of pride in her tone.
"A shame." Arthur hissed. "Still, I can imagine he's had a rather intriguing upbringing, what with the company you keep." He instantly looked at Remus.
"I think you'll find my company rather splendid, if I do say so myself." Remus replied, looking exceptionally calm. "I just get a bit moody now and then."
"You mean, Mooney, don't you?" Arthur sneered. "Such a brave...man," He snorted distastefully, "to come into public and risk so many young lives."
"Father," Percy said, "The train is leaving in two minutes."
"But of course, school awaits and I am sure young Harry and my Ronald will be the best of friends."
"One can hope." Lily beamed, though Harry was fairly sure that she meant something else entirely.
Arthur did not say goodbye or good day or anything as he turned and swept away with his long cloak billowing behind him. He placed a hand on Ronald's shoulder and knelt down and started to whisper to him in a rather dodgy manner. Which caused Ronald to look back at Harry with another sneer. For a moment he had felt bad for the boy who had been slapped in public, but the look of disgust on the boy's face now, made Harry's sympathy's die quickly.
"Can hope the compartment they're in will explode." Peter said. He had been unusually quiet through the whole exchange to a point that Harry had no idea he was even there.
"Enough Peter, say goodbye to Harry." Lily told him coldly.
"Eh, well, goodbye Harry, enjoy your first year, send me an owl with how you get on." Peter spoke very quickly and went to say goodbye to Neville as well.
"Yes, Owl's all round, Harry." Remus said, reaching out to shake Harry's hand. "We'll see you at Christmas."
"Bye Remus." Harry beamed, finding it strange to be shaking hands. He thought he caught a glimpse of a darker expression on Lupin's face before he turned away. Harry had never known Remus to take things personally, especially from those who knew he was a werewolf, but there was clearly something about the Weasley family that bothered him.
"Strange family, eh?" Harry said, when Lily knelt down in front of him to say her goodbyes.
"Do me a favour?" She said to him.
"I'm already the most wonderful son in the world, don't you think you're asking a little too much at this stage?" Harry joked. Young as he was and knowing he would have many chances to say goodbye before getting on the train to school, he didn't want this first one to be a bad one.
"Oh, but of course, how selfish of me." She giggled, placing her hands around his waist and pulling him close. "But seriously, try not to get tangled with the Weasley family, there is a dark and more dangerous past there and I'd rather you weren't caught up in it."
"You're really not selling me on not being curious about them." He teased.
"OK, how about this." Lily suggested. "If I find out you've gotten involved with them in anyway, I'll strangle you in your sleep the second you come home?"
"These threats feel empty, you love me too much."
"And I do love you." She whispered, coming in close and kissing him right on the nose. "Have a good first year, stay out of trouble and mind Severus, he is a teacher now, not just your friend."
"I already know he's not going to let me get away with stuff." Harry smiled at her.
"Of course not, he's going to challenge you the most. He's already asked me to tell you to come down to his office after the feast."
"I've not even got there yet, how can I be in trouble?!" Harry asked, offended.
"I'm sure you'll find out." She smiled, kissing him again and wiping a tear from her eye. "Go on, before I start crying and dragging you home because I don't want my little prince to go!"
"Stop!" Harry shouted, dramatically. A few others looked around and laughed at the scene, but Harry didn't care, he climbed onto the train with Neville, shut the door and gazed out longingly. "Farewell mother of mine, when I return, I shall be the greatest sorceress of all time!"
"Aww, that's nice, if you get detention once I'm going to kill you!"
"That's fine, Dobby gets my room!"
"Thank you Master, Harry!" Dobby called out, "Have a good year!"
"This is it, we're on our way!" Neville beamed, making his way through the corridor of the train behind Harry. "Where should we sit?"
Harry wasn't very keen to sit with other people right away. Some of them were still staring at him and he didn't quite fancy the idea of trying to lie about what happened in Godric's Hollow if the other students were going to be nosey enough to ask. It wasn't until they were midway to the back of the train that Neville stopped Harry and said, "look!" he was pointing above a particular compartment that had a few initials above it.
"J. S. R. P. L" Harry read the letters as one whole and then said, "James, Severus, Remus, Peter and Lily?"
"Must be!" Neville grinned. The Map had not been the only thing that Peter had told Harry about that day. He'd made mention of the compartment that he and the rest of the Marauders, including Lily had sat in every time they had gotten the train. Peter may have lied, but he said that Remus and James had even put an enchantment on it to make sure only they could use it while at school. If it was a lie, it was a good one, but the letters were there.
"Funny, I don't remember mum ever saying that she and Severus were friends with dad and the others at school, she said she and dad never got on in the beginning and were friends later."
"Who cares, they're old, we're new!" Neville grinned.
"I think you've had too much sugar."
"Oh come on, there is only one person in there."
"Very well." Harry sighed, smiling fondly at his best friend.
Harry politely knocked on the carriage door and the stranger, who was looking out through the compartment window turned to see Harry and Neville as they slid the door open, both of them smiling brightly at her.
"Hey, everywhere is a bit full up, mind if we join you?" Harry asked, he was rather good at being polite and charming when he wanted to be and it was no surprise that the young girl scooted up and nodded with a shy smile. "Wicked, I'm Harry, This here is my house-elf, Neville."
"Funny." Neville glowered. "Neville Longbottom I am, and this ugly sod is my ghoul, Harry Potter. What's your name?"
"Oh, my name is...Dra...Dru...Drusilla." She told them, "Drusilla Malfoy." She quickly looked back at the window and Harry and Neville glanced at each other. Neville mouthed the word "Shy?" And Harry just shrugged his shoulders and took a seat across from the girl. Neville braved the empty seat next to her and sat, giving enough space so as not to spook her in anyway.
The three of them sat in silence for a long time. Harry glanced at the girl and then out the window while Neville, who had produced a book from within his robes, started to read up on plants from around the world. She was rather pretty, Harry thought. Long blonde hair down to her shoulders that looked sleek and shiny, a soft complexion, sharp blue eyes and a slightly pointed nose. When she noticed him looking, she flushed slightly and finally said, "You could take a picture, if you like?"
"And me without my camera, Neville, got a quill so I can sketch Miss Malfoy here?" He grinned and Neville just rolled his eyes. Drusilla laughed again. She seemed to like the way Harry called her "Miss Malfoy" almost as if no one had ever called her it before.
"You'll have to forgive Harry, here." Neville said in a mock apologetic voice. "He's never seen another human before, his mother keeps him locked in the shed." And whispered, "It's safer for everyone."
"Hey, I love that shed, me and that shed have a great time!"
It didn't take long before Drusilla became comfortable with Harry and Neville, they were joking and laughing so much that she couldn't resist joining in and it was eventually after a good amount of joking, mostly at Harry and Neville's expense, that she started to tell them things about her. She was going to be in first year as well, she had a cousin called Tonks who she adored and was a big fan, to Harry's joy, of duelling championships. She and Harry spent a good twenty minutes (Neville reading his book for something to do) about spells they liked, matches they'd seen and books they read. Harry was pleased to have met someone who had the same interests has him.
"I live with my Aunt and Uncle, Andromeda and Ted Tonks." She told them, "My parents died during the war." It was this little sentence alone that had Harry sharing a small portion of his own life and loss. Even Neville had mentioned a little of his parents but didn't go into too much detail. "My mum knows your mum and grandmother," She also added.
"Mine works at the Ministry, so she knows almost everyone." Harry told her. "Doesn't bring many people home, mind."
"That's your fault, you're too creepy." Neville smirked.
"Listen, I rip my victims limbs off one at a time, just like everyone else!"
"What does your mum do?" Dru asked, seeming much more confident than when they first met.
"She's a Potions Mistress, works in the department of Mysteries there, but nothing like an unspeakable, they offered her the job, but she said she would be too tempted to tell people stuff." Harry grinned, "What about your Aunt and Uncle?"
"Oh, Andromeda is one of the governors of Hogwarts, which means I can't get away with anything while I'm there." She sighed, "I was hoping for a bit of adventure, as well. And Uncle Ted works at the Ministry, Sports and games."
"My Gran's retired, she mostly just sits around and yells at people." Neville put in. Augusta was much more than that, she was part of many committees and all sorts of groups, Harry knew this, but her favourite past time was to sit in her garden and yelling and Harry and Neville.
"You two are nicer than I thought you'd be." Dru told them.
"What do you mean, blondie?" Harry asked, trying to sound tough and mean, but failing dramatically.
"I saw you and your mum talking to the Weasley family."
"Know about them, do you?" Neville asked, looking curious.
"Mum told me to stay away from them." Harry said, wisely.
"She would be right." Dru said, darkly.
When she realised she had Harry and Neville's full attention, she broke into a deep story about all the things she had heard about the Weasley family. Apparently, they had once been a good family, one of the best pure-blood families around who even fought against you-know-who back in the beginning of the war. Sadly, it had all started when Molly Weasley, who was Arthur Weasley's wife was killed in an accident that was caused by the Ministry. It had driven Arthur to the dark side and from it, he was left with seven children to look after.
"Seven?!" Neville had burst out.
"Shush!" Harry growled, aiming a kick at Neville to shut him up. "And then what happened?"
Dru continued to tell them that when the youngest Weasley, who is meant to be the only girl was a baby, it was the Ministry who made the mistake of targeting the place that Arthur was hiding his family because someone let slip that he was actually in league with Voldemort. The Ministry attacked and Molly Weasley died defending her baby daughter and young son. Since that day, Arthur Weasley has done nothing but fight the side of pure-blood fanatics and is rumoured to have been training and turning his children into his own private dark army.
"I never saw a girl when we were on the platform." Harry mused.
"That's because no one ever sees her." Dru said in a mysterious voice. "rumour is that she has never left Weasley Manor. They're rich, mega rich and they've put out a story that she is too sick to come outside."
"Strange." Neville said, thinking over what was said.
"I feel bad for that Ronald," Harry sighed. "His dad hit him right there on the platform and..."
It was almost with epic timing that the compartment door slid open in time for Ronald Weasley to appear in the door frame, flanked by two large boys who looked like trolls. He gave Harry a nasty sneer and looked around at Drusilla and Neville.
"Well, well." He said, sounding like a younger, less threatening version of his father. "Potter feels bad for me, How touching."
"Want me to touch you the way your dad does?" Harry offered.
"That sounded so wrong." Dru said, giggling.
"And if it isn't little, "MISS" Malfoy?" Ronald sneered at her. "Told them your little secret yet?" Drusilla flushed brightly and hid her face.
"That you're clearly a spoiled prat and that your dad should have slapped you harder?" Neville offered, sounding more brave than he actually was. "She didn't mention, but it seems obvious."
"My father is a great man!" Ronald said. "And I, Ron Weasley will..."
"Get out of here now before I curse you and your Monkey friends into a pile of ash?" Harry suggested, he was to his feet and very confidently (Albeit unsure if he even could cast the curses coming to his head right now if he tried) took out his wand and aimed it right at Ron.
"Now, now, Potter." Ron sneered more dangerously, "You should be careful with who you align yourself with. I can help you get your priorities straight."
"My priority, is to make sure you get out of this compartment." Harry warned him, flexing his wand in a way that he'd seen Remus do once. This caught Ron's eye and Harry was impressed, and surprised, to see that Ron backed up a little.
"Crabbe, Goyle." Ron said, pointing to the two boys next to him. "We best leave, wouldn't want to risk hurting Potter and his pals on the first day." With that, Ron had turned and walked out, but before he disappeared completely, he called out "Bye bye...MISS...Malfoy!" And the three boys laughed loudly as Neville slammed the compartment door shut.
Despite the randomness of the appearance of Ronald Weasley, who Harry, Neville and Drusilla all decided was not going to be their favourite person in the world, it did raise some odd questions. Why had he singled out Harry to meet, why had did Ron try to make friends with Harry when on the train platform it looked as though Mr Weasley disliked his mother and Remus so much? And curiously, how did he know Drusilla, who, had told them they had never met and was avoiding any more questions on the subject. The incident had caused a sort of awkward silence that was eventually broken by another visit.
Harry had not put his wand away and it encouraged Neville to bring his own out. They had been discussing different spells they had read in their school books and Dru joined it, retrieving her own wand.
"They'll teach us the Flippendo knock back jinx," Harry told them, "Which is no fun at all, it won't even do anything except push you over. What you really want is Stupefy!" He had pointed his wand right at the wall behind Neville and nothing except a small spark of red light shot out and faded before it even crossed the small compartment. "Course, you've got to practice."
"That shield charm sounds useful, but we're not quite getting it right either." Neville told Drusilla, "Protego!" he called out, a small gust of wind whooshed out of the wand and made Dru's hair wave around majestically.
"How do you both know all this stuff?" She asked them. She herself admitted she had read through most of her books and was only able to cast a few of the spells in them.
"My uncles." Harry told her, as if it explained everything. "Remus Lupin, probably the best known authority on Defence against the dark arts the world has never heard of all because he is a werewolf."
"A werewolf!" Dru gasped, though she didn't sound prejudice, just more intrigued.
"Yup," Neville nodded, smiling at her reaction. "And then there is Severus."
"Good old Uncle Sev," Harry said thinking of his favourite uncle, "I wouldn't know half the stuff I know if he wasn't around, he's head of Slytherin house and the Potion Master at Hogwarts."
"I've heard of him." Dru said, and Harry grinned when he saw the grimace on her face.
"He's got an interesting reputation, but he's not as scary as people think."
"Speak for yourself," Neville huffed, "Remember that time he baby sat us?"
"Good times, good times." Harry chuckled. The memory of the night that Severus Snape had come to look after Harry and Neville was one of sheer terror. Unlike everyone else who would put up with his and Neville's high-jinx energy, Severus had lost patience and suspended both of the boys upside down for three hours and made them recite potion ingredients. "have to admit, it was a good way to teach."
"You don't think he'll do that to his class, do you?" Dru asked tentatively.
"Nah, Mum said he'd like to, but there are rules at Hogwarts."
At the moment, the compartment door had swung open again, making Harry and Neville both raise their wands. In the door frame stood a young girl with brown bushy hair, a soft complexion and a rather bossy look to her little face.
"I'm looking for a boy named, Neville." She said, rather haughtily.
"Erm, that would be me." Neville told her.
"Ah, good, I've been looking for you for ages." She said, stepping into the compartment uninvited and presenting him with a toad in her hand.
"Trevor!" Neville gasped, going straight into his robe pocket to check and discover it was empty. "how did he..."
"What on earth, is that?!" Harry gasped, pointing at the little toad as if it were some disgusting little creature.
"It's a Toad," the girl said, looking down on Harry as if he was rather special. "I found him hopping down the corridor, a red haired boy was planning to squash him."
"Ron." Neville glowered, reaching out and taking the little toad, shoving it back into his pocket. "Gran got me him, said it was better suited for me."
"Hedwig sees that, she's going to eat him." Harry said, casually.
"Yes, well, they are rather useless so I hear." The girl said. She then glanced at the wands on display and her eyebrows crept up higher on her forehead, "Oh, you're doing magic? Let's see then, what have you all learnt, I've read all of my books and memorized them by heart. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, not that you asked. Who are you?"
"Erm," Harry was rather blown away by how odd this girl was, yet he couldn't stop staring at her. It wasn't often he was rendered speechless. Drusilla decided to help him.
"Which one of those do you want answered first?" She asked, sounding rather annoyed.
"Your names will do for a start, I know his." She indicated Neville.
"I'm Drusilla Malfoy and this is Harry Potter." Dru said, flicking her hand in each of their directions. "Can't you tell?"
Harry sensed tension and instantly tried to perk things up, only to be interrupted, again.
"Harry Potter?" Hermione thought for a moment and then clicked her fingers. "Of course, they're all talking about you as if you're some kind of legend, I really doubt it though, I imagine it was your mother and some others who deserve the credit for escaping you-know-who, you were after all only a baby. The details of the story don't add up though, I imagine you'd know a lot more, but I wouldn't go advertising it, wouldn't want people to think I had a big head."
"You talk a lot." Neville said without thinking.
"And you don't talk at all." Hermione shot back.
"Erm, so..." Harry again couldn't find the words to start joining in the conversation. "Spells?" was all he could manage.
"We were..." Neville attempted to speak, but he was cut off instantly.
"I've only tried a few small ones myself, for instance." Hermione took out her own wand and pointed it towards Harry's face, "Accio, glasses." Harry's glasses instantly shot off the front of his face and across the room into Hermione's waiting hand. "See, rather easy, but it's a higher level spell, I imagine you won't learn anything like that until later on."
"Accio, Glasses." Dru suddenly said, and the glasses flew out of Hermione's hand into Drusilla's, she smirked at the look of shock on Hermione's face, then reached out and placed them onto Harry's face. "Don't think it's going to be that big of an issue."
"We know spells." Harry said rather stupidly, he didn't know what was happening to him. Had the bossy, know it all nature of this girl stunned him into stupidity?
"Such as?" Hermione demanded, she waited for a few moments and almost as if fate deemed it, a voice filled the corridors telling them all that they were about to arrive in Hogsmeade station, "Well, I'm sure you'll learn something eventually, you best all get ready, I hear we go by boat, I'll see you all there." And without a word she turned and sauntered off without another word.
"With any luck, she'll drown on the way." Dru said. Harry and Neville glanced at each other, both still confounded by Hermione Granger.
It had certainly been an interesting train journey. All that had taken place however had slipped straight from Harry's thoughts as he realised one amazing thing. He was finally at Hogwarts, he was finally going to get to test out all he knew, which, despite the opinion of a certain, annoying, bushy haired, chatty witch in the making, Harry knew quite a lot and he was eager to prove to everyone. especially, Hermione Granger.