Chapter Four

Harry left his compartment to head towards the bathroom.

After he had finished and was on his way back he bumped into Hermione of all people.

His heart lept at the sight of her.

But he also had to remind himself this wasn’t “his” Hermione.

No, she was so young and innocent looking.

That was despite the fact she was scowling slightly, obviously having zero luck in helping Neville find his toad and having to endure the other students no doubt abysmal behaviour.

Taking pity on her and wanting to establish his friendship with her as soon as possible he asked “hi is everything okay?”

She seemed quite wary of him at first.

But in her desperation to help Neville she shrugged and said “I’m trying to find a lost toad belonging to a boy named Neville” she said in her bossy tone.

To most it would be annoying.

And would no doubt not ingratiate her with them.

Thankfully Harry knew her enough to recognise it as a defence mechanism.

And so he smiled and said “oh is that all. Come with me” he said grabbing her hand and pulling her along before she could complain.

He took her to the Prefect's carriage.

He quickly knocked on the door.

And before he knew it Percy Weasley opened.

He looked just as pompous as ever.

His chest stuck out displaying his badge.

Harry however gave this little thought whatsoever.

“Hi we are trying to find a lost toad. I was wondering if you could summon him for us please” Harry said politely.

Percy instantly preened under the opportunity to be of use.

“Of course what is the toads name” Percy said.

Harry looked towards Hermione.

“Trevor” she replied instantly.

“Accio Trevor the toad” Percy called with a quick wave of his wand.

It didn’t take long for the toad to arrive from that point.

Harry did however have to use his seeker skill in order to catch it before it smacked into the back of Hermione’s head.

“Thank you” Harry said to Percy and with toad in hand they headed back to Neville compartment.

To say the boy was relieved to see his toad again would be an understatement.

He nervously asked Hermione and Harry if they wanted to stay in his compartment for the rest of the journey.

Instantly they both agreed.

Once they sat they began introducing themselves.

The moment Harry said his name both of their eyes grew wide.

Thankfully unlike most people their eyes never travelled towards his scar.

Hermione however in a fit of nerves reverted to her bossy demeanour.

“I read all about you” she said.

Harry patiently said “I somewhat doubt that”.

But before she could complain Harry went on to say “did those books say that I live with my magic hating Muggle relatives?”

“Erm no” Hermione said.

“Did those books say I was forced to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs?”

“Erm no……Wait what?” Hermione said sounding outraged towards the end.

And so Harry did something he never did in his previous go round.

He opened up to exactly how badly he was treated at the Dursleys.

And how he was there because Dumbledore wanted him to be there.

“Bare in mind he knew how bad they were as people as Professor McGonagall had observed them for a day before he dropped me off” Harry said.

He knew that from hearing it from the woman's own lips in the future.

Hermione was instantly irate but also confused.

“But…….But the books I read said he was a hero who defeated Grindelwald” she said in confusion.

“Again those books don’t tell you the entire story” Harry said.

“For instance they don’t mention that Dumbledore and Grindelwald were lovers. It certainl;y doesn’t mention that much of Grindelwalds plans for subjugating Muggles were thought up with by him AND Dumbledore” Harry said amazing his captive audience.

“The only reason Dumbledore didn’t follow through on it was because of an argument between his brother and Grindelwald that erupted into a three way duel” Harry said.

He then went on to mention how Kendra Dumbledore died and nobody knew who cast the curse that killed her.

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And how Dumbledore waited for years before confronting his former lover.

“And in that time thousands died” Harry said.

Hermione was struck dumb.

Taking pity on her he said “all I’m saying is to take what you read with a grain of salt. Afterall the phrase history is written by the victors is true. Especially in the magical world”.

Hermione nodded.

Changing the topic to something much more pleasant he moved the conversation onto Hogwarts.

When the question of houses came up they debated the pros and cons of each house based on what traits they pride themselves on.

Neville was adamant he was probably going to be a Hufflepuff.

Harry however made it clear he saw just how brave he was.

All he needed was the confidence to become the true Gryffindor he knew from the future.

“Whatever houses we get sorted in how about we all promise to remain friends no matter what” Harry said.

He stuck out his pinky finger.

Hermione being a Muggleborn recognised this immediately.

and wrapped her pinky around his.

Neville looked confused.

“It’s a Muggle custom for a binding verbal promise between friends” Hermione said with excitement.

No doubt due to her never really having friends before to do this with.

Neville smiled and happily went along with it.

And so they made their promise to remain friends no matter what house they ended up in.

Not long afterwards they pulled into Hogsmead station.

The three of them disembarked from the train.

And before long they followed the large booming voice of Hagrid calling for first years to follow him.

Once by the docks on this side of the lake they boarded a boat together.

They shared their boat with who Harry recognised as being an incredibly shy looking Susan Bones.

“Hi” Harry said cheerfully.

“I’m Harry, this is Hermione, and this is Neville” he introduced them to her.

“Hello” she said.

“I’m S……Susan” she said nervously.

The four talked for a bit before the sight of the castle halted any more words coming from them.

The magnificant view of the castle was amazing.

Harry was just as awestruck as the others.

But mostly due to seeing how the castle looks at this point in time. There was something more magical about it.

He guessed it was due to the fact the wards around it were those built by the founders.

And not the ones that were raised after Voldemort used the Elder Wand to topple the original ones.

These ones emparted on anyone who passed through them a sense of history and wonder.

“This is something else I’m going to preserve,” Harry vowed on the spot.

After all, all magical kids deserve to feel this feeling.

Like they are part of something larger than themselves.

Like the whole world is out there waiting for them.

And that this is just the first step in the rest of their lives.

Harry remained silent as he ruminated on these thoughts.

It was only as Hagrid told them to duck under the curtain of ivy that he realised the boat ride was almost over.

Harry helped those in his boat to carefully disembark.

They then made their way up the large number of steps before coming to a large door.

Hagrid knocked loudly.

The door remained standing however.

Nothing like the door on that shack in the middle of nowhere.

The first years were then handed over to Professor McGonagall who was doing her best to appear stern and businesslike.

Harry however knew just how much of a softy she was.

She was after all the woman who brought him his first broom.

Her only real failing is just how much she trusted Dumbledore.

Well that and how she has taken on so much work that each position suffers for it slightly.

But then again with who her mentor is.

And how he himself has three important roles that get undermined by having his focus divided.

It’s not a surprise that she tried to emulate him in some way.

Harry however shook those thoughts away and began listening to her “your house is like your family” speach.

It was almost enough to make Harry snort.

After all he knew from experience that family didn’t always equate to good.

It was just then McGonagall went to check if they were ready for them.

As if on queue the ghosts made their appearance.

Each one talking up their respective houses.

Once that was over and done with Harry spotted Ron and Malfoy both about to make their move in approaching him.

“Yeah no thank you” Harry thought not wanting anything to do with either of them.

And thus he pickpocketed Nevilles wand.

It felt wrong in his hands but it would do for this.

He sent a quick compulsion to both boys forcing them to leave him alone.

Which they thankfully did.

McGonagall returned just about then calling them into the Great Hall.

“Here Neville you dropped this” Harry said handing the wand back to Neville.

“T…..Thanks Harry” he said nervously.

“Say that wand looks quite old” Harry said using this opportunity that was presented to him.

“It…….was my Dads” Neville said.

“So it didn’t choose you” Harry said.

“Choose me?” Neville said in confusion.

“It’s what Mr Ollivander said to me when I brought my wand. The Wand chooses the Witch or Wizard” Harry said.

“Harry’s right” Hermione agreed.

Harry also smiled as she was reciting what she had read about the enchanted ceiling in Hogwarts: A History in a fit of nerves to anyone who would listen.

“So if …….i……it d…..doesn’t choose me it won’t work well for me” Neville deduced.

“Thats the least of it. It could even be dangerous” Harry said as he regaled them with stories of all the damage he caused in Ollivanders shop with mismatched wands

Nevilles eyes grew wide at the prospect and also looked somewhat fearful towards his Fathers wand.

“Tell you what, leave it with me and I’ll find a way of getting you a properly matched wand” Harry said.

Neville simply nodded before turning their attention back to the ragged looking hat placed on a stool that of all things suddenly began to sing.

Once the hat finished its song McGonagall then called them one at a time in alphabetical order for them to be sorted.

For the most part everything went as he remembered it going the first time.

The only differences being Harry’s own sorting and Hermione’s.

Neither argued with the hat on it’s initial placements of them.

Because of that Harry ended up in Slytherin much to the shock of everyone.

“I’m just glad I could hide my last life's memories with my Occlumency” Harry thought as his robes took on the silver and green of the house of the snakes.

Hermione then headed towards the House of the Ravens.

“Your intelligence will be much more appreciated there” Harry thought as he smiled over to her.

And just like that Harry and his new friends were divided between the four houses.

Him in Slytherin, Hermione in Ravenclaw, Susan in Hufflepuff, and Neville in Gryffindor.

“Excellent” Harry thought as this would make encouraging house unity much easier.

Not that he didn’t expect some difficulties along the way however.

And so Harry had started at Hogwarts for a second time.

A chance not many people are given.

And he was going to do his best to make the most of the opportunity he was given.

“I’m certainly not going to waste it this time” Harry thought.