Disclaimer: I make no money from this and hold no rights to it save for any original characters I may create. Anything you recognise belongs to Warner Bros.
Authors Note:
This story his been rated T due to some violent scenes and some bad language, though the bad language will be kept to a minimum.
Wow I am blown away by the response to this story. Thank you to everyone who has read it so far and a special thank you to everyone who has favourited, reviewed and followed the story including smithtk, EzeRollin, browngreeneyes, skyrimasterarcher, Goth695150, kronecher2017, Harriet1997, PotterLove590, Isabelle6116, vestrit, Ironhidensh, Kala4nea, skyjadeprincess, faizyutha, spectsusan1, Sined, decoy73, oofea, geetac, gms023, tarynrpotter, minerdude and shinigami49.
Chapter Three:
Harry sat up in the bedroom he shared with his brother that afternoon pondering the events at the zoo. While he was deep in thought he distantly heard the door open. Ron walked across the room carrying a slice of toast and plopped down on the bed opposite him.
"Could've got me some toast couldn't you?", said when he noticed Ron had entered the room. "I did but I got hungry on the way up", Ron replied.
Harry rolled his eyes. "I've known anyone who eats as much as you, honestly where do you put it all?!".
Ron grinned and reached into his pocket taking out a packet of humbugs. He handed one to Harry. "Thanks", Harry said as he took the proffered sweet.
"To be honest I didn't want to stay too long in the kitchen", Ron said as he took a bite of toast.
Harry frowned. "Why what's going on?".
Ron looked a bit uncomfortable. "Mum and Dad were...well they were discussing what happened at the zoo this morning, in the Reptile House, between you and that snake".
Harry had a sinking feeling in his gut. He'd known the look on his Dad's face had meant more than the man was letting on. Arthur Weasley only ever had such an expression on his face when he had to explain something uncomfortable or if something bad had happened.
"What were they saying?", he asked Ron, his throat felt dry as a bone.
Ron shrugged trying to sound nonchalant as he said, "Mum was all worried, she said only dark wizards are known to have used the ability of Parseltongue, that's what speaking to snakes is apparently, and she was worried that the ability might cause people to be afraid of you".
Harry's stomach dropped to his shoes. He couldn't deny that his Mum was right, the Wizarding World was a superstitious place and many were likely to fear someone who had an ability believed to be dark or dangerous.
"Don't worry though", Ron reassured him, "Dad talked her round some, said that it's not like anyone would find out about your ability at Hogwarts or elsewhere in public so there was no real danger to you from that and then he reasoned that there must have been good witches or wizards who spoke Parseltongue in the past".
"He's right too", Bill said as he stuck his head through the doorway, "mind if I come in?". Harry and Ron shook their heads and their older brother entered the room. He sat down next to Harry.
"You know none of us here think you're dark for this ability, right?", he addressed Harry.
Harry shrugged, hope filling him.
"Bill's right", Ron backed their older brother up, "we all know you're a good person Harry, who else would put up with Ginny's moods without getting bad tempered".
Bill added, "not to mention you're always helping Mum in the kitchen or with the chickens".
"And if you were a dark wizard the signs would have started to show by now like taking pleasure in hurting people or interest in dark magic but you're too nice to do any of that", Ron agreed.
Bill said, "remember that time you found that stray tabby with a hurt front paw that was limping near the back door of the house?".
Harry nodded as Bill continued, "you took it back to the house in tears at it's predicament and asked if Mum could heal it and said if we took it in then you'd look after it and you stuck to your agreement when Mum caved in".
"Meow", as if on cue a black and grey tabby, rather long, wandered into the room, approached Harry's bed and hopped up onto his lap. Harry smiled as the cat nuzzled her face against his hand and purred when he scratched her under the chin.
"See, Pip knows you're a good person Harry and cats are never wrong about things like that", Bill said with a grin.
A grin of his own lit up Harry's face. "You're both right, I'm not going to let people do me down because of this ability".
"And besides, Ginny would be furious with you for thinking of yourself as a bad person", Ron added with a snort of laughter.
Harry took the humbug out of his mouth and lobbed it at Ron, his grin showing he'd not taken offence.
"Eurgh!", Ron leapt to his feet and he and Harry began to playfully wrestle the cat dodging for cover while Bill acted as "referee" before he joined in. After a while the three of them were sat on the bedroom floor laughing uncontrollably.
"As it happens I really came in here to ask if you Ron and you Mr Birthday Boy wanted to play some Quidditch with Me, Charlie, Fred and George before the party", Bill said with a smile.
The grin still spread across his face Harry replied, "that would be awesome, but what about Ginny, you know she'll be furious if we don't include her".
Bill grimaced, "well normally I would let her play but Mum asked her and Luna to help sort out the party food for later and Ginny didn't feel she could say no".
"We'll have to sneak past her then", Ron said with a smirk, "she'll go off on one at us if she see's us heading out to play Quidditch without her".
Harry, Ron and Bill took broom from the broom shed for themselves, Charlie, Fred and George and proceeded to cross the yard to the gap in the hedge that led to a footpath and the field on the hill beyond.
"Hey!, where are you going without me?!", a furious voice demanded. Harry, Ron and Bill all grimaced and shut their eyes a moment as they heard footsteps.
When the three of them had opened their eyes again, Ginny was standing in front of them, a glare on her face, her brown eyes fixed on them. Her hands were on her hips much like the way their mother stood when scolding them for some transgression. "Well?", she demanded.
The three of them exchanged looks with Harry and Ron urging Bill wordlessly to explain to their little sister.
Bill glared at them for having to do such a thing. He sighed and explained, "we're going to play Quidditch Gin Gin".
"I can see that!", she snapped, "what I meant was why am I not invited?".
Their mother must have seen the confrontation for Mrs Weasley now came bustling over asking, "what's all this shouting about Ginny dear?".
Ginny pointed at her brothers, "they're going off to play Quidditch without me".
Mrs Weasley gave her daughter a sympathetic look. "I understand you enjoy Quidditch Ginny dear but really it is too dangerous for you". Ginny glared at her Mum who continued, "and besides I need your help to finish preparing for the party, Percy's helping too and Luna so you won't be on your own".
"But it's not fair!", Ginny cried out.
Harry gave a look to Bill who said, "Mum, did I tell you about that mummy's tomb we had to enter and secure the other week?".
With their Mum distracted Harry walked over to Ginny and said to his little sister, "look Gin, I know you love playing Quidditch, heck it's way more fun when you're involved but you know Mum doesn't approve so tell you what, give a miss this time and tomorrow morning Me, you and Ron can sneak up to the hill and play some Quidditch together, what do you say?".
Ginny looked from Harry to Ron and back again before nodding, she still didn't look happy but this idea had clearly appeased her at least a little bit.
Later that afternoon, Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Bill and Charlie all filed down the hill back to the Burrow having had a thoroughly amazing time playing Quidditch. The team led by Bill, consisting of himself, Harry and Fred had narrowly beat the team consisting of Charlie as captain with George and Ron.
"Ah there there's the Birthday boy now!", Mrs Weasley was the first to reach Harry and she pulled her son in to one of her usual motherly bone crushing hugs topped off with a kiss to the head.
"Mum!", Harry protested in embarrassment and wiped at the spot which she'd kissed. His brothers sniggered as did Ginny.
"So you're finally here are you young man?". Harry had been dreading this moment of the day. Aunt Muriel approached him and appraised his appearance, "rather messy, you really should go inside and get cleaned up".
Harry forced a smile on his face. "Hello Aunt Muriel", he said politely. Neither He nor his siblings really got on well with the old woman, 'I don't think anyone does much', Harry mused. In order to keep his aunt happy however he duly went inside to the kitchen and washed his hands and face before returning to the large table around which the party guests were either seated or standing.
"On three everyone", Mrs Weasley instructed. She raised her hands, "one, two, three...". She led everyone in rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday to you".
Once the song was finished people began to wish him Happy Birthday, the first of these being his mother. "Just look at you Harry, getting so grown up, I can't believe you're eleven already!", she had tears in her eyes and was forced to blow her nose briefly in a handkerchief.
"Happy Birthday Son", Harry's Dad said with a warm smile. He ruffled Harry's hair.
More people wished Harry Happy Birthday including Hagrid and Luna. It was then time to blow on the cake candles and make a wish, this being swiftly followed by the present opening.
Harry went through the smaller presents first. Most of these consisted of clothing, books, sweets and chocolates. He soon got to the bigger presents. "This one is from us", Ron indicated himself and Ginny.
Harry happily took the present and tore off the wrapping paper only to frown in confusion at the sight of broomstick servicing kit. "Uh...guys...we already have one in the house".
"Yeah but this one is more up to date and for...for newer brooms", Ginny replied and seemed like she wanted to say more.
He tore open one from Bill and Charlie next and grinned at the sight of a quaffle and snitch set. "We thought it was time you lot started playing with ones in better condition", Bill explained.
Charlie chuckled, "yeah, they're older than us", he added.
Hagrid's present was second to last. It was a rather odd shape, sort of cylindrical and covered in a large towel rather than being wrapped up. As Harry was staring at it with curiosity there came a "hoot" from inside. Harry stared wide eyed as Hagrid explained as he pulled off the towel, "I wanted to get ya something useful and your parents agreed this would be something much more useful than clothes or toys".
Harry gazed in to the uncovered cage at the most beautiful snowy-white owl he had ever seen. "She's majestic", was his first comment. He opened the cage door and the owl flew out, circled once around the garden and landed on his outstretched arm.
"Hello girl", he said affectionately as he stroked her soft feathers. The owl nipped his finger affectionately and Harry smiled knowing as he did that a soft peck was her way of showing affection too.
Harry looked up at Hagrid. "Thanks so much Hagrid, she's wonderful!". He had a thought, "does she have a name?", he asked, "what should I call her?".
Hagrid scratched his thick beard. "Matter of fact I don't recall the shop owner saying she had a name", he replied.
Harry was thoughtful for a time wondering what the best name would be. He looked at the owl and suggested, "Caroline?". The owl hooted her displeasure. Harry thought again, "Olga?". The owl hooted again. Then it came to him and he grinned. "What about...Hedwig?".
The owl hooted happily and shuffled about on his arm. Harry stroked her feathers. "Hedwig it is then", he said with a smile.
"Here, got these an all", Hagrid fished in one of his massive coat pockets extracting a packet of something. "Owl treats", the large man explained.
Harry took the bag and fed a few to Hedwig who seemed to approve of how they tasted. "How about you go for a bit of a fly girl, I'll see you later?", Harry suggested. Hedwig hooted her agreement at getting to stretch her wings. She playfully nipped his finger and took off, soaring around the grounds of the Burrow taking in the sights of her new home.
Impulsively, Harry went over to Hagrid and hugged him around his waist. "Thanks again Hagrid", he said.
The large man blushed and returned the hug, patting him on the back. "Was nothing", he replied with a smile.
"And this present is from Myself and your Mother, Son", Mr Weasley said with a smile as he picked up the last gift and handed it to Harry.
The present was long and slender, wrapped all in brown paper packaging. Harry read out the card that accompanied it. "To our darling son Harry, Happy Birthday and much love from Mum and Dad, enjoy your present".
With help from Ron, Ginny and Luna, Harry managed to tear the brown paper off. The unwrapped object made Harry gasp in surprise. Happiness welled up inside him and only reinforced how happy he was to belong as a part of the Weasley family. The object was a nimbus two thousand broomstick.
"Bloody hell!", he swore.
His mother gave him a disapproving look, "language young man!".
"Sorry Mum", Harry apologised a bit sheepishly. He ran a hand along the polished wood of the handle as he admired the craftsmanship that must have gone in to making it.
He looked up from the broomstick to his parents. They were both smiling widely, clearly they could see how delighted he was.
Harry ran over to them and hugged them together. His parents hugged him back affectionately.
"Thank you!, thank you!, thank you!", he said with joy.
His father chuckled. "Well it was only fair to give you a new broomstick given we purchased one for Ron as a present for his Birthday in March".
His siblings and even Hagrid crowded around Harry to admire the quality of the broomstick. "Can I have a go on it?", Ginny asked.
"Of course", Harry said, ruffling her hair. Ginny gave him a glare that would have caused most people to pale and smoothed it back down as Harry gave the same offer to ride it to Luna. "No thank you Harry, though it's a kind offer. I prefer to stay on the ground".
As all the party guests went to the buffet table for food Harry sidled up to Hagrid. He had decided on the spot to try a new attempt at discovering what the sorting ceremony was. "Hagrid, you know how you know everything that happens at Hogwarts?".
Hagrid blushed slightly. "I'm not tha' knowledgeable Harry, but thanks. What's your question?".
Harry came straight out with it. "I was just wondering, out of curiosity, how people are sorted at Hogwarts".
"Ah well, lets see. Obviously yeh already know about the four houses. Professor McGonagall meets us outside the Great Hall when we enter the castle and then the Professor opens up this scroll...", Hagrid paused. By the look on the large man's face he had rumbled what Harry was up to.
Harry pressed home. "And then?".
"I'm not telling ya any more, it would ruin the surprise", Hagrid stated firmly and then closed his mouth.
Harry clasped his hands in supplication and pleaded, "please Hagrid? I promise I won't tell anyone!".
Hagrid snorted a laugh. "Yeh don't think I'll fall fer that all line do ya? there's Ron fer a start and Ginny's bound to want ta know and then she'd tell Luna...no I'm saying no more".
Harry sighed in defeat and slumped off over to the buffet table where his brother was heaping food on to a paper plate. "Well, what did Hagrid say?", Ron asked in a whisper.
Harry shrugged. "He started to tell me but stopped when he mentioned something about parchment. I think he knew why I was asking".
Ron huffed in annoyance. "I don't see why they won't tell us, what's the big mystery all about?".
"Search me", Harry replied. He felt annoyed too and wondered why adults felt the need to keep secrets.
"Arthur, if you take Harry and Ronald to get their wands I'll take Percy, Fred and George to Flourish and Blotts to purchase the schoolbooks. Once your done meet us there and we'll get the rest of the school supplies", Mrs Weasley instructed.
Arthur nodded. "Understood dear", he turned to Harry and Ron, "come on then boys". The three of them headed down through the alley in the direction of Ollivanders Wand Shop.
As they did so Harry remembered his and Ron's encounter with a blond haired boy in Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. "That Draco Malfoy was a right snob wasn't he", he whispered to Ron.
"Yeah, thought he was so much better than us just because we didn't have tailor made robes", Ron grinned, "I'm so glad you convinced Mum to transfer some of your money to my vault so we've both got enough for our schooling. So happy we've got new robes".
Harry felt a bit of embarrassment about the fact he had so much money in his vaults. "You know the money doesn't matter to me, right?", he said feeling worried.
Ron waved it off and said seriously, "I know you'd much rather your birth parents have lived than having all that money, don't worry about it". He patted Harry's shoulder to reassure him.
Harry smiled. He had the best siblings ever...well minus 'Perfect Percy' of course.
"Here we are boys", Arthur held the shop door open. The bell tinkled above their heads as the three of them entered.
Arthur walked towards the counter in a leisurely manner, the boys following on behind gazing about with curiosity at the rows and rows of cabinets that lined the walls even at the front of the shop.
"Hello?", Arthur called out, "Mr Ollivander, are you there?".
There was the sound of a draw slamming shut and shuffling feet. After a few moments a very old wizard appeared behind the counter. Harry gave him a long look noting the shoulder length grey hair, silvery eyes and smart but old fashioned suit he was wearing, he had no idea why but the man looked unusual to him.
"Ah Arthur Weasley, willow and dragon heartstring, eight inches long", Mr Ollivander said.
Harry was amazed at the man's capacity to recall a wand he had made and sold decades ago.
"A pleasure to meet you again Mr Ollivander", he placed a hand on each of Harry and Ron's shoulders and introduced them, "these are my two youngest son's, Harry and Ron".
Mr Ollivander nodded. "A pleasure Mr Weasley. Mr Potter-Weasley I wondered when we would be seeing you".
Harry felt a bit of annoyance at the way his brother was passed over by the older wizard but as Ron didn't seem to mind he decided to keep silent.
"Well we had better try you both out with some wands then", the old wizard said. He checked a box, took out a wand and gave it to Ron who, after some prompting, gave it a wave. There was a loud bang and Mr Ollivander took the wand back shaking his head, "definitely not".
It took several more tries but on try number five one of the wands responded well to Ron with a faint glow. "Excellent!", Mr Ollivander declared with a slight smile, "willow and unicorn tail hair, that means you are pure of heart and full of magical energy Mr Weasley".
Ron grinned as he gazed at his new wand. "Awesome!".
"And now you Mr Potter-Weasley", Mr Ollivander said. Harry was handed a number of wands which either emitted dangerous sparks or nearly caused explosions before he was handed wand number seven.
The other three people in the shop had to shield their eyes at the bright glow that emanated from Harry and his wand.
"Well it seems this wand has chosen you Mr Potter-Weasley", Mr Ollivander said. He seemed intrigued, "curious though...very curious indeed".
Harry was nonplussed. What was so unusual about a wand taking a liking to him, the way he'd heard it from his parents all wands did so, having a loyalty to their owner. "Sorry Sir, but what's curious?", Harry asked.
Mr Ollivanders face seemed filled with tension as he answered. "It is curious that this wand has accepted you as it's owner given that it is made of fir, that means you will be unusually resilient in duels. That, however, is not the most curious part. You see it has a phoenix feather core and only one other wand I have sold has the same core from the same phoenix".
Harry had a sudden feeling of dread which was compounded by Mr Ollivanders next words. "The very same wand that gave you that scar", Mr Ollivander pointed to Harry's forehead. Unconsciously, Harry ran a hand over the lightning bolt shaped scar he'd had for as long as he could remember.
Harry shuddered. "I think that will be enough of that Mr Ollivander", Harry's Dad interjected. He put a protective arm around Harry's shoulder. "You're clearing scaring my son". Arthur paid for the wands and steered the boys out of the shop.
As the three of them walked back up the street towards Flourish and Blotts Harry noticed his brother giving him concerned glances. He sighed and whispered, "lets talk about it later".
Ron nodded but said nothing, he seemed to know that Harry preferred silence right now as old memories of a decade past assailed him.
"The first of September arrived and as usual it was a chaotic rush in the Weasley household to get the school aged children downstairs with their trunks and, in the case of Harry, Ron and Percy, the cages for their pets. "Harry James Potter-Weasley!", Harry's mother shouted up the stairs, "if you aren't down in five minutes you'll miss breakfast!".
"Coming Mum, sorry just getting something sorted!", Harry shouted back down the stairs.
Harry returned to his room and took something from beneath his pillow. It was one of the two way mirrors his brothers Bill and Charlie had charmed for his tenth Birthday so he could contact one of them if there was an emergency or if he just needed to chat.
Harry had one of them secured in his trunk and was planning to take it to Hogwarts. His parents had no idea what he was about to do as he hadn't told them. "Ginny can you come in?", Harry called out.
"Coming!", came the reply from a floor below.
In a few moments a familiar head of long red hair appeared in the doorway. "Hey, you wanted something?".
Harry nodded. "Come in Gin, shut the door.
Frowning, Ginny did as he asked. Once the door was shut and she was standing in front of him he said, "close your eyes a second".
Ginny crossed her arm and gave him a sceptical look. Given the pranks played by Harry and Ron on her and vise a versa down the years he wasn't surprised but there wasn't time right now. "Please Ginny, I promise I'm not playing a prank".
She stared at him for a few more seconds and muttered, "if you are you'll regret it at Christmas time".
Ginny shut her eyes. "Hold out your hands", he instructed.
She duly held out her hands and felt something made of what felt like glass being slipped into the palm of her hand. It was smooth and square, like a mirror. As Ginny opened her eyes she realised that was exactly what it was. It was a polished hand mirror.
Ginny looked at Harry in confusion. "A hand mirror, what is this meant to for?".
Harry nodded at it. "It's one of the two mirrors Bill and Charlie gave me for my tenth Birthday. They changed the code on that one so that you can use it. It'll contact me whenever you need something".
Ginny tested it out and her face lit up with joy as the mirror in Harry's hand responded. He played along like it was an actual call causing her to laugh. She threw her arms around him. "Thank you so much!", she said, "now I can hear all the news at Hogwarts without waiting for letters".
"That's idea Sis", Harry replied returning the hug.
"Harry James Potter-Weasley, for the last time get down here!", their Mothers voice shouted up the stairs.
Harry shouted down, "coming down now Mum, sorry!".
Harry and Ginny hurried downstairs chatting animatedly about Hogwarts and what Harry thought it might be like.
"Finally!", Molly said in exasperation as her two youngest children entered the kitchen, "take some toast and eat it quickly, I don't like rushing anyone but we have to be leaving in three minutes".
Harry and Ginny scarfed down two slices of buttered toast each, jam on Harry's, marmalade on Ginny's and then they hurried outside to where the rest of the family was waiting.
Fred and George were already on the backseat whispering to each other as Percy helped their father haul the trunks in to the boot of the car while Ron watched. "Here you are boys", Arthur said as he handed Harry and Ron the cages containing their pets.
Harry and Ron got in followed shortly thereafter by Percy and Ginny. Molly finally appeared with a harried look on her face as she slammed the car doors. "We need to go, hurry Arthur!".
"Molly, dear, we could get there a lot quicker if...".
Molly cut her husband off sharply. "No Arthur, not in broad daylight!. If any Muggles spotted us we'd get into trouble with the Ministry especially you being a Head of Department". Arthur made no further attempts to persuade her.
After a long and boisterous ride the Weasley family pulled in to the car park at Kings Cross Station, location of the Hogwarts Express.
"It's ten minutes to eleven, hurry everyone!", Molly bustled about getting trollies for Percy, Fred, George, Harry and Ron and the large group of wizards and witches hurried through the station, on to Platform Ten and towards the barrier that would take them to Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
They reached the barrier and after checking that no Muggles were watching Mrs Weasley instructed, "Percy you go first, then Fred, then George and Ron and Harry you go together, alright? Arthur, you go through with them and I'll bring Ginny through last".
Percy went through first. "You next Fred", Molly said with a smile.
One of the Twins turned to look at her and said in annoyance, "I'm George, honestly woman you call yourself our mother!".
Molly sighed. "Sorry dear, alright George you next".
The Twin exchanged a grin with his brother and called back, "only joking, I am Fred".
"Oh you!", Molly said in exasperation as Fred disappeared through the barrier followed by a sniggering Fred.
"Right now boys, take it nice and easy. Get up a good head of steam and go as fast you can, you've been through before so it should be easy. On three, one, two, three". The three wizards ran towards the barrier and went through effortlessly.
Harry opened his eyes and grinned at the sight of the gleaming scarlet steam engine that stood next to the platform ready to be boarded by the hoard of Hogwarts students.
Harry and Ron were finally going to Hogwarts.