I'm back and Hogwarts HAS arrived! I've introduced Hogwarts and this stories finally going to start going somewhere!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING...not for lack of trying mind...
Chapter Five
By Rosa241
Harry was trying hard not to panic, he had ten minutes to get on the train to Hogwarts and he had absolutely no idea what to do. Platform nine and three quarters was nowhere in sight, even the ticket guard had said it didn't exist, so how was he supposed to find the train?
Oh no, what do I do? Harry thought to himself as he spun around in panic.
"Harry?" A familiar voice broke through his panic. Spinning round he saw a rather tall, dark haired lad whom Harry could have sworn that he recognised. "I'm Percy, we met the other day, in diagon alley?"
"Oh...yeah..." He suddenly felt less panicked although he didn't know why. "Hi."
"Are you okay? Only you look a little lost." Harry gazed down at his feet, feeling rather shy and embarrassed. "You don't know how to get onto the platform, right. Why don't you come with me, I'll show you how."
Harry hesitated a little but in the end he really thought he had no other choice, it's not like he had any idea what to do and he was fast running out of time. He carefully followed Percy still wary of the stranger. He followed his guide to the wall between platforms nine and ten, meeting a larger group of people.
"Who's that?" Two red haired boys – Twins Harry thought – asked in tandem. His guide – Percy – gave them a glare before turning to the older woman. Harry couldn't quite hear what Percy said but the woman's kind smile calmed him somewhat.
"Harry, it seems you're in need of a hand. All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous." She wrapped one arm round his shoulders and gave him another kind smile. "I'll tell you what, why don't you watch Fred do it and then you can follow dear. Go on Fred!" She beckoned to one of the red haired twins who swiftly protested.
"I'm not Fred he is!" One protested. "Honestly woman your call yourself our mother." The second one yelled.
"Oh I am sorry George." She apologised as she waved him forwards again.
"I'm only kidding I am Fred." Fred – or was it George – Harry was rather confused right now, ran at the barrier followed closely by his twin and the pair disappeared straight through it. Percy ushered him forward, reassuring him that he'd be fine. Closing his eyes he ran forward, waiting for the horrible impact, only it never came. Hesitantly he opened his eyes, gasping slightly at what he saw.
A beautiful sign overhead read Hogwarts Express whilst an incredible red steam engine puffed away in the background, looking meticulous, as though it had just been polished. Hundreds of people wandered around, some simply stood looking blown over by the enormity of the sight that lay before them. The hooting of owls could be heard all around whilst cats wandered here and there, many of the carriages in the huge red steam engine were already filled. Harry wandered forward, suddenly filled with happiness at the sight that lay before him.
It's really not a dream...He thought to himself as he surged towards the train.
Ron's POV:
"Go on...in there." Percy quickly ushered me through into a carriage with just one boy sat in it, I quickly recognised him as the boy from the platform. "Right I've really got to be going but I'll meet you at Hogwarts and don't worry...you're going to be fine."
I gave him a dark glare as he retreated although in truth I was glad he was here. I don't know what happened over the summer but whatever it was I'm glad it did happen. I think for the first time I actually feel alright about Hogwarts, course I'm still nervous as hell but...don't suppose it can be helped.
"Do you mind?" I asked gesturing to the carriage, which was empty apart from one boy, the one Percy helped on the platform. "Everywhere else is full."
"Not at all." He seems oddly shy, which is strange cause if what Fred and George were saying is true then he's Harry Potter. If I'd defeated the most evil of wizards in history then I wouldn't be seen dead with me. Two familiar voices enter the carriage and instantly I try to shrink away into the smallest corner. It's not that I don't care about Fred and George they just drive me insane with all the teasing, although they tease Percy worse...or at least they did. Now the three tend to get on better...maybe I should ask Percy how he got them to back off.
"Hey, Ron. Listen, we're going down to the middle of the train – Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there." I mumble out a few words as they turn their attention to Harry. "Harry, did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley." Within minutes they'd left the compartment (thank Merlin) and sped off down the train. It was only then that I glanced over at Harry. He was quite thin, looked like he could use a decent meal – mum would have a field day – and quite small, he wasn't a total midget or anything but he was smaller than me.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" Oops, I hadn't meant to say that out loud. He merely nodded – quite hesitantly I noticed. "Oh, well...I just thought it might have been one of Fred and George's jokes...do you really have the...you know?" He looked confused until I pointed at his scar, he brushed back his hair, revealing the lightening shaped scar. "So that's where...you know who..."
"Yes, but I can't remember anything. Just a lot of green light – nothing else!" He whispered out, wow he was shy. The compartment goes silent for a few more minutes – during which I notice I'm staring and quickly look away, before one of us finally get the nerve to talk.
"Are all your family wizards?" I think for a moment, I'm pretty sure we all are.
"I think my mum's got a cousin or something that's an accountant but we never really talk to him." He quickly starts asking me about magic, more specifically whether I know any which of course brings me back to the stomach churning nerves.
I quickly move the topic onto families, he tells me how horrible it was to live with the muggles – apparently his cousin's a right git – and I tell him that having five brothers is not all it's cracked up to be. Bill and Charlie are great but they did so well at school that we all have to live up to it. Fred and George are funny but they take it too far sometimes, especially with me. Percys a prefect and he gets the best marks in his year...but he's great really, bit over the top at times but still great. I show him Scabbers –the thing that's supposed to pass for a rat but looks more like a dish cloth – I almost let slip that we don't have money but I don't think he noticed...until he told me about his life. How he had to wear his cousins old clothes and how he never got any birthday presents. Maybe we do have something in common after all.
"You know until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard, about my parents or about Voldemort." I can't help the choked gasp that comes out of my mouth. "What?"
"You said his name! You of all people..." He sighs heavily before grumbling on.
"I didn't know I wasn't supposed to...see what I mean I don't know anything. I bet I'm the worst one there." I just about keep the smile off my face; I'm not the only one worried. I quickly think back to what Percy told me the other night.
You won't be. There are loads of witches and wizards who come from muggle homes and don't know the first thing about magic. Not to mention you can always come to me if something's bothering you.
"You won't be, there's loads of witches and wizards who come from muggle families." He seemed doubtful at my words, but before I could say anymore a lady with a cart pushed back the compartment door before asking if we wanted anything. While I mentioned I was all set – ignoring the fact that mum knows I hate corn beef – Harry practically bought the entire cart. Before long we were filling ourselves full of sweets and my disgusting sandwiches were forgotten about. I introduced Harry to the famous witches and wizards cards and Bertie Botts every flavour beans.
Before long a rather tearful looking boy came by looking for a toad – Ron didn't know it but he would eventually become a good friend – only for him to come back moments later with a rather bossy, bushy haired girl.
"Are you doing magic then, lets see." She pointed to the wand in his hand before sitting herself down. Ron reiterated the spell the twins had taught him, naturally it didn't work – which no doubt the twins knew anyway.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl. "Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard - I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough -I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?" The speed at which she said all of this was amazing; I shared a look with Harry, who thankfully looked just as confused. Of course after she learnt his name she couldn't possibly leave without telling them just how much she knew about him – stuck up bossy witch! Eventually – thank Merlin – she left, taking the toadless boy with her and leaving me and Harry alone again. Before long we got onto Quidditch – a topic I was happy to spend hours talking about – and Harry seemed happy to learn, until they came in.
Three boys, the one of the left was short, stocky and looked like he'd been chewing a wasp, next to him (in the middle of the three) was a small, thin blond haired boy (looked like a weasel if you ask me) and on the far right another short, stocky boy who'd clearly been hit with the ugly stick on more than one occasion.
"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Yes ." said Harry.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle, "Said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where the pair were looking. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
I couldn't help but laugh at that – Draco ha! May as well call him weasel features and be done with it.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." He quickly turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
He held out his hand to shake Harrys, but Harry didn't take it. "I think I can tell who the wrong sort is for myself thanks." he said coolly. Apparently Draco wasn't used to getting told no because he stood there looking confused for a few moments before his face settled on anger.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."
We both shoot out of our seats – ignoring the fact that Crabbe and Goyle could probably rip us limb from limb without breaking a sweat – feeling a lot braver than we probably should. As I prepare to launch myself at Goyle he lets out an almighty (and rather girly) squeal. I can't help but burst into laughter at the sight that lay before me, there – dangling on the end of Goyles finger was Scabbers. Thankfully the three of them leave shortly after –I don't really fancy getting my head kicked in before I even reach Hogwarts – and after checking that Scabbers aka dish cloth is still breathing I set about explaining to Harry about the Malfoy family.
Before long we were off the train and ushered over to a rather large man (absolutely gigantic) who Harry seemed to know. Turns out this is Hagrid –didn't quite catch a lot of what he said as I was too busy staring at how big his hands are. They're like dinner plates! All too soon however we're locking eyes with Hogwarts for the first time and welcoming back those stomach turning nerves.
Percy POV:
I clapped along with the rest of the hall as the sorting hat finished its song – a song I'd heard before – all the while the reality of the situation I'm in sinking further and further into my brain. All these faces, people I watched die, people's funeral's I'd been to...all these lives and their resting on my shoulders. Oliver keeps giving me curious glances but doesn't say anything, at least not yet. He'll ask me tonight once we're settled and I'll seriously have to stop myself from saying anything – he'd think I was crazy! A nudge from Oliver tells me the sorting has begun and I pull myself out of my own thoughts.
"ABBOTT, HANNAH!" Hufflepuff
"BONES, SUSAN!" Hufflepuff
"BOOT, TERRY!" Ravenclaw
"BROCKLEHURST, MANDY!" Ravenclaw
"BROWN, LAVANDER!" Gryffindor – and Ron's future girlfriend...I couldn't help allowing my mind to wander once again, how many people in this room had I seen die? How the HELL am I supposed to save them? How am I supposed to stop Voldemort from returning?
"GRANGER, HERMIONE!" I made sure to cheer as loud as possible as she and Neville joined us, knowing full well how important they would be...and how I hoped to be of more help second time round.
"POTTER, HARRY!" I glanced around the room as Harry sat awaiting his fate, my eyes fell on the Slytherin table. I glanced at Flint just as Harry was added to the Gryffindor's and noticed the dark glare I received as his eyes locked with mine. Giving him what I hoped looked like a smug smile before greeting Harry with a friendly smile.
"WEASLEY, RON!" As Ron was made a Gryffindor – I still held my breath despite knowing the outcome – I retreated into my own brain once again. I allowed the talk of lessons, ghosts and everything else to pass me by as I thought; all the while one thought kept coming into my brain.
What the hell am I going to do?
Looks like reality's finally settling in for Percy, so what IS he going to do?
Next Chapter: First day nerves for Ron and decisions for Percy.