Chapter 8
Reappearing in a side street off Privet Drive, they waited for Harry to gather himself, and then started walking back to the Dursley household. Harry felt tired by the long day they had, and all the new information he had to process. He still waited on the explanation about the whole ‘boy who lived’ stuff.
Luckily for Minerva and Harry, they beat Vernon home, so they wouldn’t have to deal with him at all. Although Minerva would have had some few words and hexes she’d like to use. Opening the door, since Harry had thought about bringing a key, they went inside and heard snores coming from the living room. Well aunt Petunia certainly knew how to sleep a day away. Minerva couldn’t help herself in the moment, frustrated as she was at Petunia, so she used a spell to shoot a stream of water, straight onto Petunia’s face. With a shriek Petunia flew up from the sofa and looked around.
“What is the meaning of this, I was just having a nap! I see you brought the boy home with you. You must feel all high and mighty with that little stick of yours, I bet that’s the only stick you’ve gotten in your life, you hag.”, Petunia said in a rage.
Harry, who tried to keep his temper in check, just lost it at those awful words, directed at his amazing guardian, who had taken him into his real world.
“How dare you aunt Petunia? This lady is a much classier woman than you will ever be! You’re miserable about your life, we get it boohoo, but taking it out on others will only make you a worse person. That foul mouth of yours will only bring you more problems, and push people away. I will never hate you, because you took me in as a child, but this is going too far. I want you to immediately apologize for your crass words, and language!”, Harry shouted this at Petunia, who was just staring at him for raising his voice. Minerva had had an answer herself, but she felt touched and honoured about Harry wanting to defend her.
Petunia was speechless at this, just gaping and trying to find words.
“Whatever boy, just leave me alone, take Dudley’s second room upstairs, since I know this lady as you said, will have something to say otherwise”.
“No aunt, not until you apologize to her.”, Harry stood firm in his decision, not about to back down out of loyalty for Minerva.
“Fine, fine I apologize. Now leave me be, I must get started on dinner before Vernon and Duddykins comes home.”, With that Petunia left for the kitchen, leaving the others behind.
“Thank you Harry, that was very noble of you defending me.”, Minerva said.
“I just thought it was the right thing to do Ms. She was truly awful toward you, you of all people, who have been the kindest person I have ever met.”, after saying this Harry blushed, feeling he might have said a bit much.
Minerva said nothing but took Harry in her arms, and gave him the longest hug he’d ever had, and those had been few if anything.
“Look at me Harry. You have grown into such an amazing little man, even though you had to grow up like this. I promise you that you will always have a friend and confidant in me. Maybe in time I could be the aunt you never had.”, Minerva said, feeling emotional for once, instead of her usual stoicism.
“I’d really like that Ms.”, Harry replied softly.
“In that case I think I can allow you to call me Minnie if you’d like. Be warned though, only in private, and in school I will be professor McGonagall to you.”, she said with a small wink.
Laughing, Harry led Minerva toward the stairs, and started going upstairs. Turning to the small room Dudley had used, more as a storeroom than anything, they went inside, staring at the mess that was there. Broken items everywhere, gifts never even used, books never read, and a sad excuse for a little bed, that hadn’t been taken care of at all.
“This is not a room, this is a sty!”, Minerva exclaimed, reaching for her wand. “Now Harry, normally I wouldn’t do this, but you deserve to have a liveable area to yourself. I will transfigure some of these things, and vanish the rubbish for you.”, with that she started cleaning the room, making him a mirror, a wardrobe, a desk, a chair, a bookcase, and she even made a better bed for him.
Harry was blown away, now more than ever he wanted to learn how to excel at transfiguration, not only to make Ms. McGonagall, well Minnie he guess she was now, proud of him. Sitting down on the chair Minnie pointed him to sit on the bed. Harry guessed they would be having their conversation now.
“Now Harry, I know you have heard about being the boy who lived today. I will tell you the story, but I ask for you to not ask questions until the end. Before you were born, an evil man declaring himself to be a dark lord, started a war in the wizarding world. He believed that muggleborns, people with two muggle parents, were interlopers and impure. He hated them and muggles with a passion, so he wanted to have them eradicated from the world. His followers, who were called death eaters, followed this man thinking he’d be able to bring back the old ways of living, and ridding them from the stains they felt muggleborns were.
“When it comes to the theory behind it, they believed that only people of true magic blood, so called purebloods, that only had had wizards, and witches going back for generations, were the rightful users of magic. They tolerated halfbloods, that may have had a muggle, or muggleborn mother or father, but just barely.”
“This as you could imagine led to a catastrophic war, losing many, many lives in it’s wake. Everything seemed hopeless for the forces fighting back, until Halloween night 1981. The dark lord went after you and your parents, don’t ask me why cause I don’t have the answer, arriving at your cottage, that previously had been under protection until your parents were betrayed, he killed both of your parents, and tried to kill you. Noone knows what happened when he tried to, other than that you lived and he disappeared. You are the only one known to survive the killing curse, and that is the story about the boy who lived, and why you are well known in our world.” Minerva finished.
Harry who had listened to the story without as much as a peep, felt himself break down in tears. So this is how his parents lost their lives, not a drunken car accident as he had been told. Crying about what he had lost, he felt Minerva’s fingers in his hair, trying to soothe him of his pain.
“I understand it must be hard to take in all of this Harry, but you deserve to know, and be prepared about how people will view you in our world. Many believe you to be some kind of saviour, so I would caution you about trusting too easily, so you don’t get people around you, that only sees you as the boy who lived, not Harry.” I don’t want you to be taken advantaged of by unserious people.”
“What was the dark lord’s name Minnie?”, Harry asked.
“We don’t speak of his name any more. We call him ‘He who must not be named’, or ‘You know who’.
“But that seems like you’re afraid of him still. Can’t you tell me please?”
“Very well Harry, his name was V…., Vol…. Voldemort. Don’t ask me again.”
Harry nodded to show he understood.
“Now Harry I must be off, back to Hogwarts.”, while saying this, she took out his trunk, and touched the unshrinking rune. “Here is everything we procured, and I will see you on the first of September. You will take the train from platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross station. To enter the platform you will go through the divider between platforms 9 and 10. Here is your ticket, keep it with you closely. Was there anything else you wondered?”
“Well Minnie… Now that I’ll be gone, I fear that my uncle will take out his anger on my aunt. Is there any way we can protect aunt Petunia?”, Harry said, feeling in his heart it was the right thing to do.
“That is certainly noble of you Harry, especially after everything she put you through. I will go speak to her. Goodbye for now Harry.”
With that Minerva walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“You’re very lucky to have Harry as a nephew, I hope you know that, he asked me to give you protection from your husband, while he is away. I will do this for him, cause I would never do this for your sake Petunia Dursley. This brooch will give him a true chock if he touches you in rage, and if you rub it, while asking for help, an Auror will come to your aid in seconds. You should really thank Harry for this.”, with that Minerva turned around, walked outside and apparated away, leaving a stunned Petunia for the second time this evening.
Harry now knowing his aunt was protected, went back in his room and started to relax. His newfound friend, the raven, started to caw, wanting his attention.
“Hey friend, I haven’t forgotten about you.”, Harry said, opening the cage, and letting the raven fly around the room. “Now I think we need a name for you, don’t you agree?”, the raven cawed as an answer. “Let’s see then, how about Corvus, that’s part of your scientific name you know.”, but the raven flapped his wings and sounded displeased. “Ok not Corvus then, I guess it was a bit clichéed. Then how about Raphael, Raphael the raven?”, this got a better reaction, as the raven sat down on his shoulder and nuzzled his face. “Haha Raphael it is then my friend.” Harry said, happily stroking the raven’s feathers. “Well Raphael, I need to put away my things now, so you can go fly outside if you want.”, opening the window for him, Harry saw Raphael fly out, and he started unpacking his things.
At Hogwarts
Headmaster’s office
Albus had had a busy day, visiting the Weasley’s, as Minerva was away with Harry. He had gotten to speak with the two youngest, since the twins, and the prefect weren’t helpful to his plans. He had planted the ideas, with a bit of suggestion magic, that Ronald would seek out Harry, and become his best friend, going on reckless adventures together. The youngest, Ginny who was a girl, he put the idea of her being his wife in the future, after all he was her biggest hero. Satisfied, he went back to Hogwarts afterwards to continue on his day, and wait for Minerva’s report that evening.
Now he sat there as Minerva strode into the room.
“Hello my dear, how did everything go today? Lemon drop?”
“No thank you Albus, the day went fine, and I got your little package from Gringott’s.”
“Ah excellent Minerva, did Harry seem interested in the package?”, Albus smiled, knowing Harry would be put on the right road to be tested.
“Why would he Albus? He wasn’t even with me when I went to pick it up, he was speaking to a goblin.”
“HE DID WHAT?”, Albus felt the rage rise. His plans had failed once again.
“Yes of course he did Albus, it was his first time there so I’m sure they explained everything to him. I felt it unnecessary to wait until he was done, to pick up your item.”, Minerva said, wondering what Albus had been up to.
“No you are right of course, I just was surprised the goblins would be interested.”, those damn goblins! Ruining everything, Albus had to rely on the Weasley boy leading him on the right path now.
“If that is everything Albus, I will take my leave now.”
“Right, you are excused Minerva, have a good night.”
“Thank you Albus”, she said and left the man stewing in his office.
September 1st
The morning of September first arrived, with the first signs of the leaves turning to their autumn colours. Harry was beyond excited to start his journey to Hogwarts. He had read all of the books he purchased, more than once, and he couldn’t think of which subject he looked forward to the most. He leant mostly toward either herbology, or transfiguration because of aunt Minnie, and his love of gardening. Looking at himself in the mirror, he saw a fairly tall boy, he was one of the tallest in his age group at school, tanned skin from his father’s side, the white hair from that accursed day, and a pair of bright, green eyes. Harry had to stand really close to the mirror, since his eyesight was pretty bad, but noone had taken him to see an optician for it. He had chosen his best clothes, well they at least were decent, and they hadn’t any holes in them. He would change into robes on the train.
Heading downstairs, with his trunk packed and shrunken, he waited for the Dursley’s to finish their breakfast. After a long night of arguing, uncle Vernon had agreed to drive Harry to the station, albeit very reluctantly. To make it less stressful on Vernon, Harry had sent Raphael ahead to school that morning, after some treats and cuddles. He was a bit worried Raphael would get lost, but the lady in the store had said that he wouldn’t have any troubles at all.
A belch signalled that breakfast time was over in the kitchen, so Harry put his shoes on, and went outside to wait by the car. Mrs. Figg came walking along the street, so Harry said hello and waved at her. Soon every member of the Dursley family came out to join him in the car, as they had decided since they had to go to London, they’d make a whole day out of it. The mood in the car was downright miserable, but Harry couldn’t care less, he finally got to get away from everyone at home.
Arriving at the station, Harry was surprised when Petunia got out of the car as well, and started walking with him to the platform.
“Well boy I guess this is it then for now. I assume you will be happy to leave us for all that time.”
“Well I won’t lie to you aunt Petunia, yes I am happy to get away from you all, and to start a life in the wizarding world.”, Harry replied, wondering why she was still with him.
“Sigh, yes we haven’t made it easy for you, I know that. Just… thank you Harry for thinking about me, and my safety when you are gone. Don’t let yourself get killed like your parents please. I don’t want to lose another family member.”, with that Petunia left him there, going back to her normal life with just Vernon, Dudley and a glass of wine.
Stunned Harry stood there, wondering about what had happened to his aunt, to speak like that. Deciding not to question it, he went onward, until he reached the divider between platforms 9 and 10. Here goes nothing Harry thought, when he heard a commotion behind him. Turning around he saw a huge gathering of red-heads, running toward the platform, Harry quickly went inside, not wanting to have to deal with that chaos.
When he came through out on the other side, he stopped for a second to watch the beautiful, scarlet red train, that would bring him and everyone to Hogwarts. After a few seconds of being in awe, he reached the door, and climbed aboard the Hogwarts express, ready for the adventure. There were many compartments on the train, so he decided to look around for a bit. Maybe he could find Draco, or someone else that looked about his age. He wanted so badly to make friends, and not spend all those years lonely and sad.
After looking around for a bit, Harry still hadn’t seen Draco, but he had seen another boy, that looked like a first year, sitting alone in a compartment, so he decided to try and sit with him.
“Hello there, my name is Harry, is there anyone else sitting here?”
“No you’re welcome to sit down.”, the boy said with a smile.
“Thank you, are you going to be a first year as well?, Harry asked.
“Yes that’s right, and how chocking wasn’t that. I’m the only wizard in my family, so that makes me a so called muggleborn. You don’t have any problems with that? I heard some wizards do”, he said shyly.
“No absolutely not, that talk is just rubbish to me, magic is magic period. And there is a reason somewhere that made you magic, don’t forget that. Oh but I’m sorry I didn’t ask you for your name. My name is Harry Potter.”, Harry said watching if the boy would change his attitude toward him.
“That’s a relief to know”, he said smiling. “My name is Justin Finch-Fletchley, but please call me Justin”.
“It’s nice to meet you Justin.”, Harry said, returning the smile, and feeling lucky he hadn’t run into a fanboy.
Harry looked over at Justin studying him a bit, he was almost as tall as Harry, had light brown hair, and blue eyes. Harry thought he looked really kind as well.
“Excuse us, may we sit with you guys? The train is starting to get filled up, and this compartment is nicely placed around the middle of the train.”, a girl said, while her friend stood behind her.
“It is ok with me, how do you feel about it Justin?”
“It is fine for me as well. Please join us.”, Justin said, inviting the girls inside.
“Thanks guys, I am Susan Bones, and this is my friend Hannah Abbott.”. Susan was not a very tall girl yet, she had dark blond hair, and blue eyes. Hannah was a little taller, with reddish hair, although not as garish as the group of red-heads he had seen earlier, and brown eyes.
When they all had sat down, the train slowly started to roll out from the station, and began its journey northwards.
Remembering he hadn’t introduced himself yet, Harry went to introduce himself to the girls.
“Sorry I didn’t give you my name yet, I am Harry Potter.”
“And I am Justin Finch-Fletchley, but please call me Justin”.
Harry saw the girls’ eyes open wide at his name, and he prepared himself for the gawking. However the girls’ just went back to normal after a second, not badgering him with questions, or staring. He felt warm at this, and felt that maybe these guys could be his friends, without ulterior motives.
“So guys, what are your thoughts on Quidditch?”, Hannah said, and leant forwards.
“Quit itching? I’m not itchy, are you Justin?”
“No Harry I’m not itchy either.”, Justin replied.
“NO Quidditch guys.”, Hannah tried again.
Getting a bit irritated Harry said: “But I’m not itching anywhere Hannah, and neither is Justin!”
“Ugh not itching Quid…”, Hannah started.
“Hold up, stop this madness.”, Susan said. The term is Quidditch, Q-u-i-d itch. It’s a sport in the wizarding world on broomsticks, and Hannah here is a huge fan, so don’t let her talk your ears off”.
“Ohhh…”, both boys said.
“No I’m muggle raised, and Justin here is muggleborn, so we haven’t heard of it before.”, Harry said, looking at Justin for confirmation.
“Yeah it is like Harry said.”, Justin confirmed.
“Oh ok, well then I must teach you guys about everything there is to know.” Hannah said with an intense expression in her eyes.
“Oh brother… if you need me I’ll be over here reading.” Susan said, and started to read her book.
After a long lecture on Quidditch, Harry and Justin were happy for a break when they heard a knock on the door. Outside stood a kind looking witch, with a little trolley full of goodies and drinks.
“Hello dears, anything off the trolley for you?”
They all bought a little something, with Harry and Justin not recognizing anything. After the witch had left, they all started opening, and sharing their little treats with eachother. One thing in particular, was a chocolate frog, that had been enchanted to act just like a regular frog would! So Harry had to catch it mid-leap to not miss out on it. Inside the carton he found a card, which Hannah explained, was a collectible that came with every box. Looking down Harry saw that he had gotten Albus Dumbledore, great the headmaster of all people he thought, and left it there in the bottom of the pile.
Time passed, and soon there was a knock on the door again, this time Harry was happy to see that it was Draco.
“Hi Draco, I’m glad you found me! These are my friends, Justin, Susan and Hannah.”, the others looked at eachother at being called his friends, but it felt right so they didn’t say anything.
“Hello everyone, my name is Draco Malfoy, a friend of Harry’s”.
“Yes we certainly know about your family Malfoy.”, Susan said a bit sharply.
Draco winced a bit at that.
“Well nice to see you Harry, I hope to see you around the castle sometime.”, Draco said and left toward his own seat.
“Susan why were you so rude toward him!”, Harry said staring at Susan, feeling hurt.
“His family was on you know who’s side during the war Harry, it’s no secret that Draco’s father Lucius, was very close in the rankings. He got away claiming to have been put under the imperius curse, which controls the mind, and he walked free. I just think you should know that.”
“Oh…” Harry felt conflicted, cause this was the boy he had met in the clothing shop, a bit pretentious yes, but he did not seem like a bad person.
“I think it was wrong to judge him on his parents Susan.”, Justin said of all people. “It’s not fair to judge the child on what the parents did.”
“Justin is right Susan, please try to keep an open mind around Draco?”, Harry said to her.
“Fine I guess my aunt’s ideas may have been forced on me too. I’ll apologize to him when I can.”, she said.
“Thank you Susan.”, Harry smiled at her, and got back to talking with Justin.
Now darkness really had fallen upon them and the lights had lit themselves throughout the train. A bushy haired girl had peeked into their compartment, first asking for a toad, then reminded them to change their clothes, since they’d arrive soon. The girls went to change in a bathroom, while Harry and Justin did it in the compartment.
Just as they were done, the trained stopped at the station, their journey finished. Meeting up with the girls again, Hannah said that someone had heard a red-headed boy running all around the train looking for Harry Potter. Well thank goodness I didn’t have to meet him then Harry thought.
Heading outside of the train they were met with the sight of a huge man, telling all the first years to follow him down to the lake. When they got there, there were all these small boats, that were meant to ferry them across the lake. No more than four to a boat, the man yelled, so Harry and his new friends, chose to ride together over the lake. The view was fantastic when the castle came into sight. Standing there atop a cliff, with the moon in the background, the castle looked full of magic and wonder.
Getting there they moored at a small dock inside, and headed up a long set of stairs until they came to a large door. The man knocked at the door and in a few moments it opened, and someone came out to meet them