･ﾟ: *･ﾟ*･ﾟ: *･ﾟ*･ﾟ: *･ﾟ
Honestly I love magic. I really do. No need to rush this morning. I even have time to sit and read the morning paper with a spot of tea and biscuits. And just this morning I have been able to summon my wand; and anything else I felt like summoning in my room, wandlessly, repeatedly. So life was good.
Thankfully whatever fallout from the article about me, has so far not led to Binns sacking or anything else newsworthy in that manner. I did notice that the Prophet suddenly has more articles on magical traditions - as people write in expressing their opinions for and against. Surprisingly it seems to be favoring for by quite the margin, unless the Prophet is lying, of course. Uncomfortably a lot of the rhetoric revolves around re-educating muggleborns since it seems they can learn. Which… It doesn't really sound very nice.
I don't feel nervous at all as I breathe in the scent of my favorite Earl Grey tea, leaning back in my chair, calmly watching the morning hustle of people coming into the Leaky Cauldron for just a quick nip of something or passing through - oh, and one lady is apparently on fire. It's September 1st, the day it all begins for real. It seems my Occlumency practice really is working, it's supposed to enhance mood stability and control as well as memory retention and focus, or so most fanon have done it, it makes sense if it works that way though. Except for Snape, he's one moody dude. Probably an outlier.
Or perhaps it's my adult mind, knowing that one train ride is not that big of a deal, at work keeping me calm. I frown as I sip at my tea. Or I am a complete idiot. "Tom?" I ask the old barkeep as he rushes by me, halting him in his tracks. "Did you slip a calming draught in my tea?"
Tom cracks a grin, nodding quickly, "Right ye are, lad! A spot of help for yer travels!" And then he winks at me, before rushing away. Wand already conjuring water.
I was wondering why I had such a tepid reaction to the fact a witch by the entrance to the pub seemed to be on fire. A calming draught explains it. I was quite chagrined actually, that apparently potioning up strangers was considered fine and dandy in the wizarding world.
Still. It's damn good tea. So I sit and finish it. Finishing the paper in good order. The witch is still on fire, but it doesn't seem to be hurting her, so by now Tom and the pub's patrons have left her alone to sit and smolder in a corner looking very put out.
I stand up, double-checking I have everything and then I cast a hovering charm on my trunk, I grab it and sidle up to the fireplace, giving Tom a quick wave, having already said my goodbyes earlier.
I grab a pinch of floo powder from the pot on the mantelpiece, and toss it into the flames, making them flare up green. I confidently call out, "King's Cross station." As I step into the flames, closing my eyes as the sensation of spinning takes over, wizards really do not have comfortable means of fast travel.
If I was never side-along apparated again I'd be a happy little wizard.
I step out of the corresponding fireplace at Platform 9 at King's Cross station, marveling at the bright red train that had taken me on such an amazing journey of fantasy back when I had read the books the first time. This train was where it all really started. I feel like I'm saying that a lot. But these were all milestones.
I step forward, my trunk bobbing along after me in the air as I walk towards the train, not having to dodge around too many people as I have made sure to arrive with plenty of time. I don't stick around the platform, immediately finding my way onto the train, picking a place to sit, and utilizing Wingardium Leviosa to put my trunk away above me.
I remove my dice from their pouch, concentrating on my question, "Do I stay here?" I whisper to the dice, before rolling them. Two minutes of interpretation later and the answer is stay. Good enough for me, I'll keep this compartment then. Having ensured I sat nowhere near where the books had described Harry Potter entering the train. I wanted no part of that mess.
I remove my history book from my mokeskin pouch, opening the book and settling down to read. The train will start to fill soon. I wonder briefly who will find their way to my compartment. Hopefully some unnamed characters with absolutely no drama or plot attached to them. Would it be rude to write absolutely no Grangers on the outside of the compartment door?
About a chapter or so in my book later, my compartment door is slid open, two girls stopping at the entrance to peer at me shyly. One girl has long red hair, done into a braid, expressive blue eyes and a pretty face, the girl following her has blonde hair in pigtails and a pink cherubic face that makes her look even younger than our already young age.
"You're welcome to sit here if you'd like." I speak up, as neither of them has made a move to sit or speak.
The redhead gives me a smile and moves into the apartment, "Thank you, I'm Susan Bones and this is my best friend Hannah Abbott." Susan introduces herself, her pink faced friend following behind her and giving me a jaunty wave as she sits down next to Susan.
"Nice to meet you both, my name is Lucas Greenwood." I say politely. To my relief neither one of them react to my name. Perhaps that one article really hadn't been picked up as being very important. Thankfully the slew of articles since, have not mentioned me by name.
Any further chatting is interrupted as Su Li appears in the doorway. Brightening as she sees me, "Can I sit here?" She practically squeaks out.
"Of course, as long as the ladies have no issue?" I say, looking over the two future Hufflepuffs who both reply in the negative.
Su Li smiles shyly at them, and drags her trunk inside with her.
Noticing the other two girls also have their trunks at their feet still, I ask them if they need anything out of them, before using the levitation spell to put them away as well.
"You can already do spells that well?" Hannah asks, looking on with excitement as the trunks levitate up and above them into the overhead compartments.
"I have practiced a bit." I admit, sitting back down, Su Li sitting down next to me as the future Hufflepuffs have the opposite bench.
"How? Aren't you a muggleborn? I don't recognize your last name. Isn't it illegal to do magic at home?" Susan frowns at me. Spoken like the niece of the woman running the Department of Magical law enforcement.
"I am muggleborn, yes, but I spent the last month at the Leaky Cauldron, and it's not actually illegal to cast magic in a magical area." I explain, keeping it simple, technically once I've joined the first year it would be illegal for me to do magic even in a magical area in the summer. The Ministry couldn't track it however so it was somewhat a moot point.
"Oh, that's okay then." Susan brightens, now that she doesn't think I'm committing crimes. "I'm a half blood and Hannah is as well." Apparently blood status is just something you introduce yourself with, groovy. I think, a bit perplexed.
"Hannah can speak for herself." Hannah grumbles slightly which makes Susan roll her eyes. These two obviously already know each other well.
All eyes turn to Su who squeaks out a quick, "Half blood." Before ducking her head, peering out at us from those long eyelashes of hers.
"You're pretty cute when you go all shy like that, Su." I say with a small teasing smile.
She blushes beet red and stares at me, as Susan and Hannah both giggle.
"You can't just say that to a girl!" Susan takes pity on Su. Moving over to her other side and putting an arm around the short girl. "He's just a boy, don't worry about him." She soothes.
Yet another girl crashes our compartment, bringing her trunk with her, this one however quickly levitates her own trunk, taking a seat next to Hannah. "This compartment is full now, no one else can sit here." She says intently, staring at us.
Being as she was a very cute Indian girl with long black hair held in a plait. I assume this is either Parvati or Padma Patil. And considering her serious mien. I'll wager Padma.
Sure enough, before any of us can answer the abrupt girl, her twin appears in the doorway. "Padma, don't run off on me like that! I've already found the perfect compartment with this girl Lavender, and she brought all her witch weeklies!" Parvati, despite being Padma's twin, is easily identified by her more cheerful disposition and colorful hair bands all over her plait.
"I like it here." Padma says monotonously, as if to be as different from her cheery sister as possible.
Parvati lets out a big breath of air, "C'mon, Padma!" She whines, she looks around the compartment, "Maybe Lavender and I can come in here."
Padma looks like she's about to say something biting and I jump in before there's family drama in my drama free compartment. "This compartment is full unfortunately, but I am sure you'll see your sister at Hogwarts."
Parvati looks at the empty spot next to her sister. Susan, catching on quick, still holding on to Su, answers her unspoken question. "Su's not feeling well so she'll need two spots to stretch out in." Su going very red as everyone looks at her just sells it better. I give her a thumbs up.
Parvati rolls her eyes, giving Padma one last annoyed look, before she flounces off. Saving me from the drama and more importantly, from having two of the absolute worst types of girls in my compartment. The gossipy boy obsessed fashion girls with empty heads. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown definitely qualified.
"Thanks, she's so exhausting." Padma sighs, allowing us a small honest smile.
"What is it like being a twin?" Hannah asks curiously.
Padma gives her a look, "Exhausting." She repeats dryly.
"Thanks for taking one for the team, Su." I say, giving the small Asian girl another thumbs up.
"It's alright. I don't think I could have spent the entire train ride with her." Su says quietly. Padma nods fiercely at that sentiment.
"She wasn't so bad." Susan says diplomatically, before standing up and shutting the compartment door. "Closed for business!" She says cheerfully.
"And what is our business?" I ask amusedly.
"To read quietly until we arrive at Hogwarts." Padma says happily.
"Nooo…" Susan groans dramatically, flopping back next to Su.
"To take over the world?" I ask, ribbing the redhead lightly.
Her eyes narrow at me, "I'm watching you, mister!" But she's grinning.
"To hide from loud people." Su whispers, getting in on the little gag.
"Nooo…" Susan stops herself, tilting her head in thought, "Well. Kind of." She admits with a giggle.
Every eye turns to Hannah who looks nervous to be put on the spot. The pigtailed girl stammers for a second before rushing out, "To become best friends forever!"
Susan grins, jumping over and hugging her friend, who lets out a quiet squeak, cheeks red. "Trust my best friend to hit it right on the head!" She cheers.
"I don't even know your names." Padma deadpans.
"Who's fault is that?" I say with a teasing smile and a raised eyebrow, referencing her quick entrance.
Before introductions can be made, the door slides open again. And Nymphadora Tonks pokes her head in. Smirking when she spots me. "Wotcher, playboy! Should have figured you'd have already found yourself a harem, Lucas." She teases.
I stare up at the roof exasperated, "Don't make things weird, Tonks."
"Your face is weird!" Is her mature response. Making the girls around me giggle. Gotta hand it to Tonks, she knows what audience she's playing for.
"Why are you here, harassing me?" I ask, my lips twitching. It's hard to be annoyed when girls are giggling all around you.
"Just making sure my future target prac- "She breaks up her sentence with a cough, eying the girls around me, "I mean helpful friend, is on the train, wouldn't want to miss the fun at Hogwarts." She grins at me with anticipation.
"So nice of you to look after me." I say very dryly. "Truly you are a wonderful witch."
She preens, one hand rubbing her nails against her shoulder, pretending to brush something off them, "I am aren't I?"
"Girls, this is Nymphadora Tonks. Pay particular attention to that first name." I introduce her to the compartment. Smirking at the rapidly reddening witch.
Tonks brandishes her wand, "You just wait until we get to Hogwarts you little smartass!" She hisses, before closing the compartment and stalking off. She's so easy to rile up, although I'm sure I'll pay for it.
"I'm going to pay for that one." I say wryly. I shrug, "Totally worth it."
"I wouldn't want to be known by my first name either if it was Nymphadora! " Hannah giggles.
Introductions are finally made, and the compartment settles into small talk about our different families as the train starts moving. I obviously do not have much to add. But I listen with interest. It's not like the Harry Potter books went into a lot of background on anyone not a protagonist or a Weasley. Hermione didn't really even get a background during the entire seven years.
I pay attention as Su begins to speak shyly.
"My mom is a half-blood and my father was a pureblood. Mom works as a model and has her own fashion company." Su explains her family situation quietly. I notice the was in regards to her father idly.
Hannah and Susan both gasp excitedly, while Padma and me both remain calm, not seeing the big deal. Su blushes as Hannah and Susan both squeeze in next to each side of her, forcing me to jump over to the other bench with Padma. Both excitedly pepper her with questions about her mother, who is apparently fairly famous for her beauty and her witch only clothing brand.
"Yes, I can move, thank you for so kindly asking." I quip sarcastically from beside Padma. The Indian girl smirking as the other three girls completely ignore me to continue on about fashion. I suppose I was never going to avoid the topic getting myself stuck in a compartment with girls.
"Not as into fashion, then?" I ask Padma, tilting my head at the chattering girls in question. Su looks a bit more animated talking about a subject she's at home with.
Padma looks like she's in pain as she leans back on the bench. "With Parvati as a sister I know much more than I would ever like to know." She admits. "I've seen Su's mother in magazines, she's gorgeous, Parvati practically idolizes her, so I'm glad she didn't hear Su's last name." She sighs, "My only hope is that we get into different houses at Hogwarts."
I could definitely agree on Su's mother being absolutely gorgeous, but figured I probably shouldn't say that with her daughter in the compartment. I wasn't aware Padma and Parvati had issues, but then you're definitely different people if you end up in different houses as twins. "You two don't get along?" I ask politely. "I'd have thought siblings would try and get into the same house."
Padma rolls her eyes, "We get along fine, Parvati just isn't someone you can handle all hours of the day." Her countenance darkens slightly, "Especially as she gets to take it easy."
"Family expectations?" I say quietly after a short pause to collect my thoughts, a bit surprised. Then again Rowling never did flesh out anyone.
Padma scowls, "She was born first." Then she settles into silence, either not willing to expound further or simply lost in thought.
I don't know enough about pureblood families to know exactly how this status would change things, so I don't comment yet. Usually being the heir meant more expectations not less. So I wasn't sure if this was a pureblood thing, an Indian thing, or just something to do with their family in general. And it would be rude to push.
I try to lighten the mood, "Well I've only known the two of you for minutes - In your case, and seconds in hers. And I can already tell you're the smart one, and that's what really matters isn't it?"
Padma snorts, "If you're trying to cheer me up, that was a terrible attempt." She tosses her hair arrogantly, "A rock could tell I'm smarter than Parvati!" She is smiling though.
"And you're prettier too!" Susan interjects cheerfully, the terrible trio seemingly finished with their fashion discussion.
"We're twins." Padma deadpans, but her lips are twitching.
"I'm glad you're finished with the subject-which-must-not-be-named, and have returned to the present." I say teasingly. Padma snorts again beside me.
"Boys!" Hannah rolls her eyes, but she's chuckling, Susan rolling her eyes in sync with her best friend. Su however is looking at me with these big puppy eyes, making me squirm slightly.
"Of course, Su is an expert no doubt and her wisdom should be sought." I ramble out, defeated by shiny big soulful eyes.
"Su's already got him trained." Susan giggles, giving Su a shoulder bump. Su smiling along shyly.
"You realize you are absolutely doomed." Padma tells me dryly.
I look around the room of girls, realizing my only other acquaintance is Tonks. And I get a sudden desire to find a male to offset the balance. I can not have only female friends, puberty will be murder in that case.
"Dooomed!" Susan and Hannah, cry out, laughing at me. Even Su is smiling along, drawing a chuckle out of Padma.
I shrug, "You're all too cute to scare me." Smirking as all the girls blush. They'll have to work harder if they want to off balance me.
"You can't just say that!" Susan complains again, cheeks red.
"You're even cuter when you blush." I quip, watching her go tomato red as Hannah outright cackles, watching her friend.
Padma punches my shoulder, "Stop being such a boy!" She orders.
"I'm not sure I can follow through on that." I tell her, rubbing my shoulder gingerly. Damn, little girl can punch.
"He doesn't get to call us cute, when he has such girly silky hair, it's absolutely gorgeous." Hannah jumps in with mischievous eyes alight.
Susan immediately catches on and smirks at me, cheeks still red. "And those eyes, so dreamy!"
I can feel my own cheeks reddening, "Hey, stop that!" I say, starting to feel embarrassed as they all focus on me while grinning. Even Su.
"Such a cute and nice smile, makes you feel nice." Su mumbles, a tiny grin on her face.
"Hey, even you, Su?" I complain. Fully blushing now.
Padma eyes me speculatively, "He has a cute butt." She says finally. Making Susan and Hannah cackle outright as I blush beet red. Su falling into Susan she's giggling so hard.
"I'm the butt of the joke at least." I chuckle, admitting they really got me back good. Trying to will my blush to back down, Occlumency probably helping a bit in settling my embarrassment.
"Let's just all agree we're adorable and move on before we make Su pass out from the giggles." I continue, my own blush receding.
"Aww," Susan pouts, "I was just getting started."
Hannah giggles, "We have seven years to go." She suggests to her best friend. Sending me a sly look.
"I'm starting to see the doom now." I tell Padma. She only smirks.
We're interrupted as the snack lady comes by our compartment and Susan and Hannah immediately get up to overdose on sweets. While us sensible people stay put. Or in my case. I'm an orphan that can't see himself spending my money on candy instead of things that could help my magic going forward.
"Not a sweets fan?" I ask Padma and Su, curious about their reasons. Wanting to know more about people I've only ever known by name, or a sentence or two.
Padma shakes her head, pulling her plait over her shoulder. "They make Parvati hyper, so I just started avoiding them in general."
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"My mom only makes Chinese sweets, there's too much sugar in British ones." Su explains her own stance.
"She makes her own? That's cool." I say, nodding appreciatively. "I'd like to try them someday."
Su smiles, "I'll have her owl some for the holidays!"
"You didn't tell us why you didn't like sweets." Padma points out.
I grimace inwardly while keeping a calm face on the outside. There's really no way to say it without making them feel bad about it. "I'm an orphan so I don't really have the money for sweets." I explain as placidly as I can.
Both Padma and Su look saddened, Padma speaking up, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I didn't mean to put you on the spot." She says guiltily.
I shake my head just as Susan and Hannah come back in, arms full of candy. The chocolate around Hannah's lips show that they didn't wait long to devour some. "Don't worry about it, Padma. And don't feel bad about it, it is what it is and I'm fine with it." I see her skeptical sad look and add a "Really." Which doesn't seem to convince her.
Suddenly Su is standing in front of me with a determined look on her face, a chocolate frog in her hand that she just snatched from Susan. "Eat it!" She says firmly, no shyness visible.
"Uh… No, really, I'm good." I try, holding my hands up in front of me in defense. The cute little girl had become really intense all of a sudden.
"What's going on?" Hannah wants to know, looking between Su and me.
Su stands firm, "He's never had sweets, because he's an orphan, so I'm giving him one, now eat it!" She orders, lips thin and gaze fiery as she meets my eyes.
"That's not really giving, more like forcing, and didn't you just steal that from Susan?" I say, trying to deflect the intense girl away from me.
Both Susan and Hannah give me compassionate looks at that revelation and I grit my teeth, being basically on my own did have its advantages but this was one I really dislike, the pity.
"We bought it for all of us to share anyway, Lucas. Su is right, you need to try these." Susan tries a more gentle approach. Reaching out to me with another chocolate frog in her hand.
"I really don't need charity." I protest. Am I interested in the difference from muggle candy, yes. Have I had no sweets for years, also yes. Does that mean I need to use up these girls' pocket money, absolutely not!
"For the love of Merlin, it's just candy." Padma sighs, reaching over to the pile, grabbing some Bertie Botts every flavor beans and tossing it in my lap.
"You'll make Su upset if you don't accept her gift soon, Lucas." Hannah points out slyly.
I turn my gaze back to Su, who indeed is starting to look less and less determined and more mortified as she stands there, a chocolate frog in her hand.
"Thank you…Su…" I say, grabbing the candy from her tiny hand. I carefully open the package under the gazes of my compartment mates, barely able to catch the chocolate frog as it makes a leap into the air. I stare at it in my hand for a moment, before biting its head off. The animation wears off immediately. The taste is perfect, not too crazy sweet and just deeply chocolatey and gooey. Magic makes everything better! "That's so good…" I say, taking another bite.
Su sits back down with a small smile, accepting a sweet from Susan a second later, but not doing anything with it, she didn't like British sweets much, but Susan and Hannah had missed that conversation. I was starting to see hints of why Su's mother had called her a spitfire though.
"Just accept it next time, we're friends now, it's not charity, it's just sharing." Padma says decisively.
"Says the girl who did not buy the candy." I point out with a smirk, the Indian girl getting a pink tint to her cheeks, looking away from me refusing to acknowledge my point.
"She's completely right! We're friends and sharing is caring!" Susan jumps in, patting Padma on the knee. "We don't care that you're an…Or-Orphan." She almost trips on the last word, looking sad just saying it. This girl really wears her emotions on her sleeve.
"No one's allowed to be sad!" Hannah pokes Susan in the ribs making the girl squeak and throw her a dirty look. "We're on our way to Hogwarts, only smiles now!"
"Well we know my extensive family history now," I say dryly, wanting to move away from the subject as soon as possible. "What about you two?" I ask Susan and Hannah.
Susan brightens up, "I live with my aunt Amelia, she is so cool." She then dims a little, her smile becoming a bit brittle, "She works a lot though at the Ministry of Magic." Before perking right up again, " So I stay over with the Abbots all the time." Merlin this girl needs Occlumency for some emotional control, I think amusedly.
Hannah pipes in at that obvious segue. "My dad's a muggle born and he runs his own pub!" She says excitedly, almost bouncing in her seat "My mom's a pureblood and dad took her name, she mostly works in our greenhouses, they're huge!" She throws her arms out wide, almost hitting Susan in the face. The blonde throws a chocolate frog at the pigtailed girl in retaliation.
"You must be pretty good at Herbology, then?" I ask, interested. It was one subject I couldn't really practice in.
Hannah throws the chocolate frog back at a giggling Susan, before answering. "I'm decent, my mom's the one that's like a plant mistress.*
I hum in thought, "Well, I'll come to you if I have any questions about Herbology then. I've mostly read up on Transfiguration, History of Magic and Divination."
"I've already studied ahead pretty far in Potions, Charms and Astronomy." Padma offers. Seeing the beginning of a study group just as well as I do. Smart girl.
"Arithmancy and Defense against the dark arts." Su says, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Susan looks at her with wide eyes, "Arithmancy is a third year subject, you must be really smart!" She says to Su, who looks pleased at the praise.
"Hey! Divination is a third year subject as well, why aren't you calling me really smart?" I tease gently, drawing a giggle out of Su.
Susan looks at me like I'm crazy, "It's divination." She explains, like that covers everything.
"Besides, Su is a girl, so she's obviously smarter than you." Padma deadpans.
My disgruntled face has the girls giggling again. I decide not to educate them on the value of divination at the moment. And Su looks so pleased to have her intelligence acknowledged there's really no point in bringing her down. Because I'm not an ass.
"You guys must all be going to Ravenclaw, I've only tried some Defense against the Dark Arts and Potions." Susan sighs, once the giggle fest is over.
"Only, she says. About the two hardest subjects at Hogwarts." I quip to Padma, drawing a smirk out of her, and having Susan smile brightly as I assure her she wasn't lesser in any way.
"We'll still hang out, even if we're in different houses, right?" Hannah asks unsurely. Looking between us, we all nod.
"We're totally fit to be the best study group in Hogwarts anyway." I say.
"I'd like that." Su agrees.
The rest of the ride to Hogwarts continues in the same light teasing tone and with making plans for meeting up, no matter what house we end up in. I do end up getting kidnapped by Tonks for an hour to just hang out, which saddens me a little, because if she's kidnapping me to hang out on the train, how many friends does she have? Can't be many. She also very reluctantly let me go back to the firsties.
Eventually a few hours later I end up leaving to get changed, allowing the girls in the compartment to switch into their school robes. I find a nearby bathroom and accidentally walk into someone, knocking them over. "Shit, are you okay?" I ask. I hadn't even been walking that fast, they must have shit balance. Then the student turns around. That explains it. It's Neville Longbottom.
"I'm fine." He says quietly. Face downturned as he accepts my hand and is helped up on his feet.
I grab the second chocolate frog that Susan had forced into my hands out of my pocket and shove it at him, "Here, it will help make you feel better."
Neville stares at me confused, before slowly taking the chocolate frog out of my hand. "I don't think anything will." He says with a weak smile. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes are a bit puffy. Bad encounter on the train most likely. Malfoy already? I wonder.
"Chin up, we're almost at Hogwarts!" I say encouragingly. Which has the opposite effect as Neville blanches completely white and whimpers.
"You can come sit with us, if you'd like, we're all probably going to be Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs so we don't bite." I try another tack. I'm sure the girls won't mind Neville joining us for the last bit. He's so harmless it's ridiculous. Considering we all have reality altering murder weapons.
"I can't, I have to be in Gryffindor." Neville mumbles self consciously, almost like a mantra. Who the fuck raised this kid? Neville had kind of been a bit bland and background for a lot of the books, The little pudgy boy everyone picks on, even the main characters really didn't think much of him, even if they didn't pick on him. So my memory of his guardian is a bit loose, since I know his parents are in St. Mungo's. It was someone with a crazy hat I think I can remember.
"The only thing you can be is you." I say firmly, putting a hand on his shoulder and giving it a shake, making him look at me. "No one can be anything but themselves, so you be you, and if Gryffindor is what you want? Then shout it loud and demand it, for you. Not for whoever wants you in there. What's best for you, seven years is how long you're going to be at Hogwarts, so don't do anything because of someone else. Do it because you want to do it!"
Neville stares at me like he's never seen anyone like me before and I remove my hand from his shoulder self conscious of how I tend to rant and get myself in trouble. But surely this wouldn't be a problem? Giving Neville some spine from the beginning would only help him in Gryffindor.
"You're right… I think." He mumbles, but his face is clearing up and he's standing straighter. "C-can I join you, in your compartment?" He asks, hesitantly.
"Sure, just let me get changed first, " I hold my hand out, "I'm Lucas Greenwood by the way."
Neville shakes my hand, a wondering look on his face, "You're the boy who talked about magical traditions in the paper! My Nan wouldn't stop talking about how you're the only thing that's made any sense in the prophet for years!" He blushes slightly, realizing he forgot to introduce himself, and is still shaking my hand. He drops it, and rushes out, "My name's Neville Longbottom."
Of all the people to recognize my name it's Neville Longbottom. I think slightly irritated with the supposition that I was in the paper by choice, and not dragged in by some nosy reporter eavesdropping on me. "It was my words, to an extent, but I didn't agree to be put in the paper." I say, shaking my head.
Neville nods, not looking surprised, "That's the Daily Prophet."
So the paper being shit is just considered; oh well, it's our paper, innit? Why am I not surprised? I had held some hope that Rita Skeeter and whoever edited the paper were just bad eggs. Then this Routledge fellow just used my name and small rant to further his own agenda while leaving me to take the shit from anyone that didn't like it, while he walked scot free. Magic was amazing. But magical institutions really needed some work.
I get changed quickly in one of the stalls before taking Neville to my compartment, dragging him in before me, declaring to everyone, "I have brought a sacrifice for the wicked witches of the compartment, so that I may be spared for another turn of the moon!"
Neville looks panicked for just a moment before all the giggling looks from the girls has him more panicked. This boy doesn't like being the center of attention at all.
"Neville, it's nice to see you again." Susan giggles, at our questioning looks she explains further, "There's a lot of parties pureblood families and ministry officials go to, Hannah and I have run into Neville loads of times before."
"Nice to see you, Hannah, Susan." Neville says politely, still looking a bit white. I shove him In-between the two girls without compunction. The girls making room for him, Su already sitting next to Padma on the other side, allowing me to slide between them as well.
"Not you two?" I ask Padma and Su once we're all seated.
"We're foreign." Su says simply. And I guess in this insular world that would perhaps be seen just as bad as being, Merlin forbid, a muggleborn! Wizards are ridiculous!
"Our family only moved to Britain in the last generation, we probably won't be invited to any of those parties for another two generations or so." Padma says, the look on her face clearly saying she didn't mind one bit.
"They're really dry and boring anyway." Hannah says," Making a face," You have to stand around and be polite and have small talk with boys like Nott or Selwyn." She shudders theatrically.
"I take it we don't like Nott and Selwyn?" I ask, not surprised, didn't that whole Slytherin bunch belong to death eater families this year, although I don't remember a Selwyn... No, wait! There's those two fanfiction darlings Zabini and Greengrass, they were so bland and non existent that they never were mentioned as Death Eaters. Or as anything, really. It made them fanon darlings for a while.
"No we do not!" Susan says firmly. And by Neville's wince, he agrees.
Conversation slows down soon after as we approach Hogwarts. Everyone but me showed signs of nervousness. No doubt worried about what houses they'll be in and such. I wasn't worried. As everyone kept telling me, I was a shoe in for Ravenclaw. And Slytherin was already out for obvious reasons.
Trying to pass through the throngs of students leaving their compartments all at the same time is not easy when you're the smallest age group amongst giants. Our group constantly gets broken up by some big footed seventh year who doesn't notice us little ones scurrying around.
No wonder Hagrid is the one taking firsties on, his bellowing voice and large stature is the only reason any firsties make it off alive and in the right direction. As he declares no more than four to a boat, Neville and I do the only proper thing, and allow the girls to travel together. While we climb into a boat that houses two girls that I have no idea who they are, twins as well. Although Neville seems to recognize them, so I'm assuming purebloods.
The view of Hogwarts as we float along, is absolutely spectacular. As someone who has played the legacy game and explored the halls religiously, I could honestly say that reality was a hundred times grander than the best graphics money could buy. The castle looks ancient and beautiful, and you can practically feel the magic even here by the lake.
I briefly spot Harry Potter and mentally thank him in advance for being such a magnet for trouble that he'll take all the heat over the next few years. Soon enough we make our way to the entrance, I'm just entranced not only by the look of Hogwarts, but the feel of the castle.
The door swings open immediately as we arrive. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stands there. She looks like a younger version of her movie self, while Hagrid looked almost identical to his actor. Makes sense since magicals age slower and McGonagall was older then Hagrid, but not old enough for the wizarding version of old age yet. Seventy to Eighty for a wizard or witch was basically hitting your forties to fifties.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid practically booms out.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
McGonagall says as she pulls the door wide. The entrance hall was huge, and just as beautiful as I had imagined, beautiful inlaid wooden paneling, wherever it wasn't pure ancient stone. Moving paintings and statues everywhere. The walls were lit with flaming lanterns, burning bright, the ceiling is too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase faced us, no doubt leading to the upper floors. It seemed a mix between the movies and the game. Not quite as filled with fun dragon skeletons and such, as the game is, but the look is similar otherwise. I wonder how many secret locations are shared. Food for thought, I think, excited for the chance to explore.
Professor McGonagall showed us into a small, empty chamber off the Great Hall. We all crowd in, standing rather closer together than we would probably usually do, peering about nervously. I almost wanted to shout, boo! Just to see how far some of these little ones would jump. I didn't because, one, I figured Neville would jump the highest. And two, I didn't want detention.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall says primly. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
I almost scoff, but manage to suppress it, not wanting to gain a detention before my sorting for interrupting the Deputy Headmistress. I really want to ask her a few years from now how the houses are like a family. Harry Potter would agree… using the Dursley's as his baseline for family.
Professor McGonagall continues on, "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards." There is a slight pause, maybe she's taking a breath, or maybe she's trying to think of a noble Slytherin. That might take her awhile.
She sends a stern look around the room, "While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." The stern glare she levels us with practically demands we live up to that hope. I am almost tempted to tell her that the house cup is from now on more dependent on what Harry does, then any hard working student.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes linger for a moment on who I believe is Seamus Finnegan, who somehow is smoking a little just standing there, looking singed, and on Ron's smudged nose.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," Professor McGonagall says sharply. "Please wait quietly." She leaves the chamber.
I steady Neville with a hand on his shoulder as the ghosts 'totally by accident' make their way into the Great Hall antechamber we're all waiting in while McGonagall checks that everything is ready for us.
"Breathe Neville, ignore the buffoon." I whisper to him as what can only be Ron Weasley blathers on about fighting a troll. Huh. Maybe he has a touch of divination in him, come to think of it. Well he was bound to have something in him. Other than food and chess.
McGonagall returns and leads us all into the Great Hall. Words are not enough to describe the feeling of entering, seeing the magnificent hall stretch out before us, every student and professor watching us. The floating candles brightening the entire hall, the ceiling which is by both definitions absolutely enchanting. While others around me shuffle with nervousness or even fear. I have a hard time keeping a grin off my face. I'm actually here!
Sweeping my eyes over the professors at the head table I note that they all look remarkably similar to their movie counterparts which is slightly odd when I consider that none of the small brats I've seen have looked like their movie counterparts. Neville looked nowhere near as clueless as the actor who had played him. I'd spotted the little Malfoy and his face was much more narrow and arrogant then his actor. Harry himself looked way sharper and edgier than Daniel Radcliffe, while the bushy haired Hermione looked nothing at all like Emma Watson. You really notice her teeth here. Ron Weasley has the unfortunate luck of looking like his book description.
I focus as suddenly the hat sitting on a stool, that most of us have been staring at in confusion, opens it brim to sing.
" Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole hall bursts into applause as the hat finishes its song. It bows to each of the four tables and then becomes quiet again. I was quite impressed. Not with the song, because honestly I already knew it and thought it really just enforced the house stereotypes, but its singing voice was actually spectacular.
Professor McGonagall steps forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she says and there's a shiver that runs through all us firsties.
"Abbott, Hannah!"
Hannah stumbles forward and sits down, the hat falling down over her eyes, and almost immediately -
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouts.
The table on the right cheers and claps as Hannah sits down at the Hufflepuff table.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouts again, Susan smiling brightly as she runs to sit next to Hannah. The girls exchanging a quick hug.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stand up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them. I honestly found that somewhat pretentious.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Again the applause followed by the somewhat pretentious hand shaking routine. Having an older student sending you along for handshakes just seems a bit condescending. Just let the kiddos sit down, gents. I think scoffing slightly.
"Brown, Lavender" The hat calls out, Lavender giggles nervously as she runs up to the hat.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouts after a minute. The table on the far left explodes with cheers. I notice that the Weasley twins manage to be the loudest, no surprise there.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" The large girl strides up to the hat like she's about to wring its neck.
"SLYTHERIN!" Comes the expected result seconds after her hat slides over her eyes.
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" I have to hand it to the Puffs, they celebrate loudly and wildly for each new addition. And it seems fairly genuine.
"Granger, Hermione!" Hermione speedwalks to the stool and jams the hat on eagerly. She's a cute kid, but I doubt she'll ever grow up to be as beautiful as her actress. The hat takes a minute to decide this time. No doubt arguing for Ravenclaw.
"GRYFFINDOR!" It shouts, and Hermione looks thrilled as she rushes to the applauding Gryffindor table.
Suddenly I realize, Granger. We're at the G's. I'm next. I take a deep breath as the hat opens up yet again.
"Greenwood, Lucas!" I calmly walk forward and sit down, sliding the hat on, hoping for the best.
" Hoh? Very interesting, hmm. Interesting indeed!" The hat speaks directly into my mind. "Not often I see one of you, indeed the last one was in the late 1800's!"
" Just sort me into Ravenclaw, don't make everyone wait on me." I say mentally. Part of me is curious about what the hat said, the other definitely does not want to get into a discussion on my previous life experience.
" Ravenclaw eh? You'd do well there, that is true." The sorting hat agrees. " Wit and a thirst for knowledge. You'd do well indeed."
" Glad we are agreed." I project dryly.
" I see ambition burning in you, hmm. Lots of cunning as well, you do have a ruthless streak in there too don't you?" The hat goes on and I freeze under it. Nope, no, no, just no. Don't you dare go there.
" Don't you DARE send me into that hellhole! I'll be dead or a dark lord by the time I'm 15!" I argue back, there was no way I was allowing this stupid hat to put me, a muggleborn, in Slytherin.
" Not very suited for Gryffindor perhaps. Hmm." The hat ponders on and I bite my tongue. Is that flea bitten piece of crap saying I'm not brave?
"Your plan for the devastation to come is to ignore it and then flee the country until it goes away." The hat says in a deadpan.
" That's just common bloody sense! I can't fight freaking Lord Voldemort, let the prophesied one do it!" I argue back, hearing the mutters of the students as my sorting is by far the longest one so far.
" On the other hand, you're not a genius, not by any stretch, you come by your intelligence through impressive commitment to hard work. An admirable trait, you work for everything you've ever had, yes." The hat rambles on and my mind is blown. What is even happening right now? "And fiercely loyal to family and friends in your past life. You would do well to pick that back up, no one can go through life alone. That's a self imposed exile you've done, lad."
" There can only be one place for you, and that is, HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat finally shouts out my house and I take it off, walking towards the cheering Hufflepuff table. Somewhat shocked, but not altogether displeased. Just not something I would have imagined. I feel a rush of anger, but I bottle it up quickly, no use in it.
I get a hug of excitement from both Susan and Hannah, both seem surprised but delighted. And I sit down, taking a minute to process before moving to take a drink, just wondering how I ended up here. Just to spit it out in shock soon after when Neville fucking Longbottom. joins me, less than three minutes after I came over. I look over at the Ravenclaw table and see Su already settling in, she must have had a lightning quick sorting.
"How? Why? I thought, Gryffindor?" I manage to ask weakly, pumpkin juice still stuck the wrong way. And by the way. Never having this again. This shit is disgusting.
Neville beams at me, "I did what you said, I picked my own way and told the hat exactly where I wanted to be. With my friends!" This earns him a hug from Susan. Me, I'm busy lamenting how me trying to make Neville more confident to survive Gryffindor better, made him a Hufflepuff.
"Well, we're glad to have you, Neville." I say giving him a pat on the back. Spotting Tonks further down the table, I excuse myself. If I have to suffer, so should she.
A firstie suddenly walking down the length of the table towards the seventh years has most of the table turn and watch me instead of the sorting. Tonks sees me approach and loudly groans. Putting her head in her hands. Sweet, she already knows me so well!
"Hello Tonks." I greet her cheerfully. The other seventh year students giving me confused looks. I give them a grin with all teeth, feeling off, stupid pumpkin juice probably poisoned me.
"Lucas." Tonks says, removing her hands to sigh, and stare at me with trepidation. "What do you want, you little gremlin?"
"I seem to remember that you bet me that you'd eat your knickers if I didn't get sorted into Ravenclaw." I remind her as her face goes pure red and then shock white, as one of the students next to her chokes on his drink. "I just came to find out if you wanted to eat them in front of the whole common room, or a more private setting."
"Merlin, kid!" One of the seventh year males breathes out in awe. "You've got a heavy pair on you!"
"Edwin!" The seventh year girl next to Tonks, a beautiful black girl with a prefects badge on a sizable chest , snaps. She gives me a golden eyed glare that could probably melt steel.
"C'mon Ophelia! He's managed to break Tonks!" Edwin whines. Pointing at the girl who's hair is going between several colors rapidly. And she's muttering to herself, most of the words seem to be unkind. Several of the students around us are laughing at her.
"If this is a bad time, I'll ask again some other time." I say with a butter won't melt smile. Which finally snaps Tonks out of her fugue.
"Tomorrow after classes!" She snaps at me. Then seeing the wide eyes and red faces of those around her she growls, "Not for that you perverts!" She turns my way and her eyes are practically Voldemort red, "For beating this firsties skull in, until intelligence starts seeping into the pretty little pieces!"
"I'll be there!" I say cheerfully. Everyone is staring at me even harder as I walk back to my spot next to Susan, Hannah and Neville.
"What was that about?" Susan asks, curious. And mildly wary, watching the death glare from Tonks.
I hum in thought. "I decided I needed motivation."
"For what?" A brown haired boy a seat down and across from me, which must be Justin Finch-Fletchley, asks.
"To survive." I say, only half joking.
I knew exactly what the damned hat was trying to pull. It knew that I was trying to make the decision to focus on magic, to not get drawn into the plot. It was very unlike the me from before. But that me didn't face concentration camps if I failed at something. That was literally a possibility in just a few years. It pissed me off. If the hat could see all that, how dare it judge me for not wanting to go through it.
If I went into Ravenclaw, not only would I have been able to disappear into books easily, my friends in Ravenclaw, Padma and Su, loved books just as much, and likely wouldn't try and pull me away. They also had private rooms, once again making it easier for me to focus on my studies and extracurricular magic.
The hat put me in Hufflepuff. Where of course I could still study. But my friends and likely even strangers and the house prefects would probably intervene if I spent too much time away. The Hufflepuffs seemed the only house that tried to live up to the; your house is like a family schtick. What few friends and family I had in my past life. I would have murdered for, died for. I did do the hardworking and loyal thing, damn.
The damn hat was trying to tie me down here and force me to help the damn plot to save my new friends. Smart fucker.
So it might have been a teensy bit suicidal to aggravate Tonks. Honestly, it made me wonder if I had masochistic tendencies. Yet I just had this feeling that I needed to have my ass beat. To see how tiny and useless I was against someone with full scope of their magic. I needed to reaffirm how I have no business being on the battlefield or performing guerilla attacks against Death Eaters. That and I just felt angry, and I needed an outlet. Having spent some of it, I'm already regretting my actions. I should be better than that.
My sister would be ashamed of how I just acted.
I note with idle bewilderment that I've missed the entire rest of the sorting, and Dumbledore's speech as food appears in front of me. I sniff the newly filled goblet in front of me. Yep, it's still puking juice. Eh, I mean pumpkin, I mean…Either or works. "This is disgusting."
"You've already said that." Hannah points out.
"It needed saying twice." I sniff haughtily.
"Eat some food, grumpy." Susan piles some mashed potatoes onto my plate.
I so want to say you're not you when you're hungry, right now. I think, chuckling to myself as I start loading up my plate. She's right though, I am grumpy.
"So what did I miss?" I ask, loading my plate to Ronald Weasley levels of excess. I'll need it for my beating tomorrow.
"Harry Potter went into Gryffindor." Neville says, eating slowly as befitting of a pureblood heir. His shoulders are still slightly slouched in, but he seems happy at the Hufflepuff table.
"I said what did I miss, Potter was always going to be a dumb Gryffindor." I say teasingly.
"Too right." A pompous looking boy says arrogantly two seats down from me. I squint at him, "Who are you?"
He puffs up, "Zacharias S-" I wave my hand in his direction and keep talking to an amused Susan. "Anyway, Susan, what did I miss?" Hufflepuff or not, I wasn't going to deal with pompousness at all, we're eleven for Merlin's sake. Well… Most of us. And I kind of remember this kid as a total dick anyway.
Susan just smiles at me and mimes as if her lips are sealed. Before taking a spoonful of peas and filling her not very sealed mouth, her eyes filled with mirth at my annoyance. Or the pompous boy, could be either, or both.
"Hey! I was talki-" is abruptly cut off as I turn to Hannah, "Hannah, sweetie, darling, you'll be nice and tell me what I missed won't you?" I ask.
Hannah giggles, eyeing the reddening boy a few seats down with amusement. Maybe she knew he was a dick too? "Headmaster Dumbledore said we'd find a painful death if we went to the third floor corridor on the right hand side."
"I'm talking to yo-" I ignore the loud nonsense in my ears and hum thoughtfully. "So, how many Gryffindors will be dead by Monday?" I say, some guilty chuckles from most of those near me. I see I wasn't the only one having the thought.
"That's mean!" Susan says, using a napkin to dab her lips to hide how wide her smile is. Hannah not bothering to hide hers at all.
A furious red faced firstie suddenly stands next to me having put his hand on my shoulder to get my attention. "Finally! Stop igno-" He starts.
"Who are you?" I ask, tilting my head slightly. "You seem familiar, have we met?"
Can eleven year olds have aneurysms? He looks like he's about to have one. "My name is Zacha-"
I turn back to the table, "So was anyone taking the bet on how many Gryffies would be dead by Monday?"
No one answers, they're too busy trying to hold in laughter. I give them a polite confused smile. Being a little shit can be really fun I decide. A prefect suddenly yells at the firstie behind me and tells him to get back to his seat. I watch him sit down angrily. "Nice bloke, I feel like I've met him, too bad he didn't introduce himself." I say and Susan and Hannah can't keep it in anymore, both breaking out laughing. Neville chuckling along. Even some of the upper years near us are laughing.
Zacharias almost rises up again, a boy who I believe must be Ernest Macmillan holds him back. I smile innocently at them, before going back to eating. I might never have planned for Hufflepuff, but I'd make sure I could enjoy myself.
I'd figure out the whole war thing eventually. But not today.
I pause, noticing Tonks is still staring at me. The black girl next to her looks if anything even angrier.
Well. If I survive tomorrow.
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