Train track to paradise
Chapter 2- Train track to paradise.
Harry's good streak couldn't last, as soon as they finished Hagrid informed him he would be going back to the Dursleys until the term started.
He tried arguing- but Hagrid insisted it was for the best. There wasn't much to fight about after that, though he stayed silent the entire ride back.
Hagrid had beat the record of fastest to gain Harry's unquestionable trust, and then lose it. But he didn't hold it against him.
Besides, being at the Dursleys wasn't AS bad. He said Hagrid might drop by any day to check on him.
So he was moved to Dudley's second room, he kept himself locked away unless Aunt Petunia yelled at him to help with chores.
He'd only come out to use the bathroom, do chores, or get food and water for himself and his new pet owl, Hedwig.
Otherwise he'd stay on his bed- cuddled up under more blankets than he'd ever owned, and his one armed Teddy tucked into his side as he ran through books.
Each more marvelous than the next. He kept a parchment to the side, both to practice writing with a quill and to note down any questions he had to ask Dripfang or someone else later.
Potions was quickly becoming his favorite subject, the idea of hands on magic being able to perform such feats that the muggle world had decades of scientific research behind.
Harry even tried a few spells on the untracked wand, just a simple light or levitation spell. He didn't want to cast anything he couldn't easily fix or undo. But the thrill nonetheless was amazing.
His chest thrumming had taken on a new form, seeming to spread to every corner of his body and no longer was the buzz uncomfortable. It felt like floating in water.
More time passed and Harry had burned through every book he'd purchased, and even read a few multiple times.
But all was good preparation for the day to finally arrive.
September first.
Uncle Vernon was more than happy to have Harry leave the house for the next few months, and Harry couldn't complain either.
His uncle dropped him off and sped away, though Harry could practically picture the man cursing under his breath all the way home.
Harry began pushing his cart across the station, looking down at his ticket as he passed through crowds of people.
Hedwig hooted, shifting in her cage and Harry gave a soft smile "Don't worry girl- I'll get you out as soon as I can"
She seemed satisfied enough by his reassurances as he stepped onto the 9th platform.
"Muggles everywhere, Oh in Godrics name BOYS- Get in line, oh Ginny dear no you aren't going this year- puppy eyes don't make up for you being too young- oh Fre-George, please leave your brother alone he's anxious enough as is, Percy dear, quit fiddling, your hair is fine" A woman's voice caught his attention.
She was a short plump ginger haired woman surrounded by about five ginger haired kids, all seemingly running circles around her as she tried to usher them over to the platform.
"Fred- go in first so you can meet Ronald on the other side" She gestured to one boy, and Harry blinked- noticing the boy next to him was identical. Huh- twins.
"I'm George mom, honestly you'd think we were adopted" The first boy huffed, but grabbed his cart and pushed it towards the brick wall.
Harry had read about the "muggle entrance" but it was still hard to watch the boy run head first into a brick wall. But thankfully he went straight through, vanishing from sight.
His twin lined up as the woman apologized for her mistake, the boy only grinned "Just kidding- i'm George- see ya on the other side mom"!
Then he quickly sped through as well, the woman shook her head but had a fond smile. "Come on Ron, Ginny and I will follow after"
The shortest boy gave a hesitant nod before following his brother's lead, though going much slower. He vanished as well.
"Let's hurry along- before your brothers get themselves into trouble" The woman turned to the final boy, who looked both taller and older than his siblings
"You coming Percy"?
"Of course mom- I need to do something first though, so don't wait up" Percy said with a pacifying wave and ruffled Ginnys hair.
The short girl scowled but then disappeared with her mother into the wall.
Harry looked up and flinched when bright blue eyes zeroed in on him. Percy lifted a hand and beckoned him over.
His feet felt frozen to the ground, but he slowly forced himself to approach. But his magic stayed silent.
Percy looked down at Harry with a soft smile and an appraising glance "Hello- I'm Percy Weasley, I could see you watching family"
He opened his mouth, ready to apologize but Percy continued "It's scary isn't it"?
Harry blinked "I- huh"?
"I make an effort to know each group of first years when they join, and I've yet to see you- it's your first time right"?
Harry nodded.
Percy turned to the wall "It's okay to be scared you know- it's all new, and new is always scary, the only thing to worry about is facing your fear head on"
"Of course that might be the Gryffindor spirit- but I believe it applies to everyone"
Harry released a bit of tension he hadn't realized he was holding. This was- strange. But Percy seemed like the alley kids, someone who saw a scared kid and decided to help.
He liked Percy.
"Tell you what- i'll come in with you and help you onto the train how's that"?
Harry wasn't one to accept charity- but he also appreciated the offer and gave a curt nod.
Percy ran with him as the wash of magic pressed against his skin.
He opened his eyes and found himself starring at a giant black engine with "Hogwarts Express" in beautiful and bold golden letters.
"Come now- let's get you settled in before the carts all fill up" Percy placed a hand on his shoulder, Harry flinched.
Percy pulled back, his eyebrows furrowed and a vague look of concern, but he didn't press.
He instructed Harry on leaving his stuff outside the train and that all of it, yes- including Hedwig, would show up at his dorm.
He'd insisted on taking his trunk for his books and Percy helped him carry it onto the train.
It didn't take long for him to get settled in an empty cart and Percy pushed his trunk under the sear and brushed off his hands. "There we go- now then"
"Apologies for my rudeness, what's your name"?
Oh right- he hadn't said had he "My name is Harry Potter"
He braced for the loud gasp and the babbling praise, but none came.
Percy's smile didn't change, though bright blue eyes held back something "Oh well- I suppose that explains the lichtenberg fissures huh, anyways while I'd like to stay with you-"
Percy's posture straightened and he gestured to a shiny gold and red pin with the word "prefect" scrawled across a banner
"Im a prefect, that's um.. well I'm not exactly sure the muggle equivalent, but it means I have other responsibilities on the train"
Harry nodded, yup Percy Weasley was definitely someone he liked.
"I'll be back later to check in on you, but if you need anything just find an upper year" Percy's brow scrunched up "And if you see the twins, don't accept anything from them, it's likely a prank"
Harry nodded once more, saying a quick farewell as Percy shut the door and he was once again left alone.
He pulled out his Holly wand, he'd decided early on that the backlash of someone finding out he shared a brother wand with Voldemort was much less than if they found out he had a wand without a trace.
Besides, he liked Olivander, and didn't want to get the man in trouble.
Harry froze when the door shifted and he clutched the wand in his hand, it was far too early for Percy to be back.
The door slid open and there stood another boy his age, looking just as surprised to see someone else as he was.
He was tall, at least taller than Harry, which wasn't hard. Wavy dark brown hair sat neatly on his head. He was pale, with a few moles scattered across visible skin. And his eyes were a deep green color but seemed full of light nonetheless.
Yet the most striking thing was the lack of expression on his face, almost as if he was wearing a porcelain mask.
"Do you mind if I join you"? The boy asked.
Harry shook his head, and the boy stepped in, carefully closing the door behind him and then took a seat across from him.
The boy seemed to be looking at Harry for the first time and got a surprised look on his face. He knew it was about the scar, so he just stared back.
A moment passed and the boy opened up his trunk and took out a black leather book, cracking it open and settling silently into his seat.
Harry returned to his own book, discussing more in depth about the goblin rebellions and the establishment of Gringotts.
They sat in relative silence for about ten minutes before the door slid open again
"Ah there you are Theo, wondered where you vanished"
A boy with bronze skin and a pearly white sharp smile stood in the doorway. A girl with waist length light blonde hair and sharper eyes stood next to him.
Theo looked up at the duo and scowled, but neither seemed dettered by this.
"Oh who's your friend"? The boy asked, giving Harry a curious look.
The compartment fell silent and Theo turned to Harry "What's your name"?
But before Harry could answer the boy in the doorway continued "Oh my Merlin Theo- you're simply awful" he then stepped in and took a seat next to Theo.
The girl stepped in as well and took a seat beside them both "I hope you don't mind our intrusion" She sent a look to the boy who at least looked a little sheepish.
"My name is Daphne Greengrass, Heir apparent to the Noble and Most Ancient house of Greengrass"
Daphne then gestured to the other two "Theo is Theodore Nott, Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient house of Nott, and Blaise Zanbini is Heir to the Italian noble house of Zanbini"
That explained why all of them seemed so well put together.
"It's a pleasure- my name is Harry Potter um- I'm Heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Potter"
God he sounded so flustered, sure he'd read about wix culture but he hadn't expected to have to do a greeting so soon. He probably looked like a complete idiot compared to the trio.
Daphne's jaw opened just a smidge and Blaises eyebrows vanished upwards. Theodore looked unsurprised, which earned him twin glares from his friends.
"I didn't know for sure- but the scar is recognizable enough, anyone who wouldn't recognize him is either uncultured, blind, idiotic, or a mix of the three"
Both of their glares worsened picking up on the double meaning and Harry only gave a small snicker in response.
"Anyways- ignore Theo, he's still in training" Blaise confessed with an over exaggerated heartfelt expression.
"þögn dunga-" Theo spat on a language Harry couldn't understand.
Daphne gave a small tsk "It's rude to insult someone, even more so when they can't understand you"
"Good" Theo tried to bury himself back into his book, but Blaise only pouted "Come on- socialize with us…or else"
"Or else what"? He spat back. Harry would have been concerned but his body language read more annoyed than fear.
"I'll tell Ellie you're being a recluse, and rejecting an opportunity to talk to THE Harry Potter" Blaise sang and Harry watched Theos eyes widened and he practically half scrambled to put his book away.
"Who's Ellie"? Harry asked, and the trio of eyes turned to him "If you don't mind me asking"
Theo huffed "She's my cousin by blood, sister by force"
Harry blinked and Daphne seemed to take pity on him "His aunt and uncle are… absent- so she moved in with him"
Harry nodded, seemed to be a reverse of his situation- he wondered if this Ellie was anything like Dudely, he hoped not.
"So- What's life like for the boy who lived? Lavish mansions and a house elf for every hour of the day I imagine" Blaise leaned forward, his grin still just as sharp as before.
"What's a house elf exactly? I've
read about them in some of my books, but they were only really mentioned" Harry also wanted to put an image to what a house elf was.
If he thought their reactions to his name were something, it didn't come close to reactions to the question.
Blaise looked frozen in place, his sharp grin replaced with genuine bewilderment.
Daphne had a hand gripping on his shoulder and was looking between her friends and Harry himself with pursed lips.
Theo did react this time- having shifted forward in his seat and forest green eyes seeming to scan over him "You- where on earth have you been"?
Blaise elbowed him "You can't just phrase it like that-" then turned to Harry "We were all told the boy who lived was hidden away from the dark lords followers sure, but I wouldn't imagine they'd taken you out of the continent"
House elfs must be a European thing then. Harry shook his head "No- I was raised by my muggle relatives"
"The boy who lived- raised by muggles" Blaise said as if unbelieving his own words.
The trio seemed to be frozen in shocked silence as they processed apparently how weird Harry's situation was.
It was Daphne who broke the silence with an amused jab "Malfoy would have a fit"
Harry scrunched up his nose at the name, and Blaise noticed imminently "You know Malfoy"?
Yes he did- he knew about the Malfoy family's seven estates across Europe, their magic crossbred peacocks- and their impeccable hair.
"He was a git-" Harry watched their reactions.
"Hmm- would you like to be our friend"? Theo spoke and earned the most shocked looks Harry had seen yet on Blaise and Daphnes faces.
"What- YOU are asking someone to be friends"!? Blaise gasped
Theo shrugged "He didn't mind me reading in silence unlike some people, and he hates Malfoy- which is a bonus"
Blaise held a hand to his chest "And what am I dragon liver"?
Theo shook his head but right as Blaise began to relax he added "Dragon liver has its uses you dunga"
The cart went dead silent and Daphne failed to hold back a fit of giggles at Blaise utter betrayed expression. Harry quickly followed suit, and Theos expression took on a soft smug smirk, which was the most he'd shown so far.
Blaise rolled his eyes and seemed to get over his offense pretty easily "So then Harry- if Theo approves I for one would love to be friends with the boy who lived"
Daphne nodded.
Harry paused- he'd forgotten for a moment, that he was already known. That people could possibly want to align with him for his status alone.
But he'd never had friends before, and here they were offering
Not to mention these three- their every word seemed to have careful control, they exuded status and influence in a way he'd only ever seen in movies. But here he was sitting among them. He wanted to be someone worthy of respect.
But even more- he wanted friends.
"On one condition" All of them looked interested, though Theo was trying to play it off "You call me Harry- if you call me the boy who lived or the savior or the chosen one I'll hex you"
He was met with silence, until Daphne's cool indifference gave way to a small smile "We have to introduce him to Pansy-"
"They'd kill someone" Blaise remarked and Daphne only shrugged "Said someone would deserve it"
"God I hope it's Malfoy- if I have to spend another holiday listening to him prat out about the damm peacocks I'll shoot an unforgivable at myself" Theo groaned.
Harry blanched, looking between the trio in shock. Blaise raised a brow "What? Did you think we were going to say no- honestly you've probably been dealing with your fame since birth, i'm not surprised your fed up with it"
"Well- I actually just found out about the fame thing about two months ago when I went to Diagon Alley with Hagrid"
Friendship was built on trust, he needed to give a little to get a little. Besides he wanted a better idea of what the world thought of their "savior" before being thrust into the lion's den.
"Okay what in merlin's name-" Blaise started but was cut off by Daphne smacking his shoulder.
Theo turner his gaze on Harry once more "So let me get this straight, you've been raised by your muggle relatives, had no idea your story or how famous you were until two months before being thrust into our world- and your introduction was through Hagrid of all people"!?
Harry furrowed his brow, not liking how Theo said his name "Hagrid is nice-"
"I'm not saying he isn't, but part of the reason we were told you went into hiding was to protect you from the dark lords followers that would want you dead"
Theo sucked in a breath "And Hagrid… Well Ellie told me he's a sweet guy who means well, but against an active threat, I'm not sure he'd be able to protect you"
Harry- hadn't considered that. He'd been so blown away by the wonders of Diagon and overwhelmed with new information. Then of course feeling betrayed about being forced back to the Dursleys. He hadn't wondered why Hagrid specifically came to get him.
"Would this be a bad time to say that's also when I learned magic was real and I wasn't just a freak- well at least in that sense" Harry let the words flow out before he could stop them.
He learned to control himself for the most part, but he also knew he was far too quick to trust those who showed him basic affection.
He might be just an little too open too fast, but can you blame him?
Blaise and Theo both cursed in another language, Theo the same as before and Blaise in what he assumed was Italian.
Daphne just gaped and then shook her head "Thank Merlin we found you- okay what DO you know about the wizarding world, you said you read some stuff right"?
Harry nodded "I met a goblin, Dripfang, and he told me about being an Heir- he was just as horrified as you guys I was clueless, so he gave me a little spiel and then recommended some books"
"Hagrid didn't tell you about being an heir"?
Harry shook his head.
Blaise perked up, a dark flash in his eyes "How open would you be to an… experiment-"
Harry motioned for him to continue
"Don't mention that you know about your heirship- fake obliviousness and see who would try to inform you, and who would try to keep you in the dark"
Harry paused, mulling it over before giving a small nod "I think that wouldn't be too hard, and could provide some benefit"
Daphne smirked "Maybe you'll join us in the snake den then? if your already so open to plotting"
Harry shrugged "Everyone's been assuming I'll be put in Ravenclaw, but then again as long as I'm not a lion I don't mind"
He'd managed to identify the big cat from the Hogwarts house guide from Ms.Warntin.
The trio shared small smirks between themselves "Oh- then I assure this is only the beginning of a wonderful alliance” Daphne grinned
“Ah ah- a friendship” Blaise corrected with a playful grin.
“Careful- or you'll start sounding like a Hufflepuff” Theos smug look made the others fake sneer.
They continued to chat amongst themselves, pulling away from the topics of Harry's questionable past and instead they happily shared their culture to the bright boy who seemed to hang on every word.
He'd read about how friendships between children were the quickest to forge and hardest to break, but then again he'd been so deprived of any connection, it was no surprise how fast he was to latch onto others.
Blaise leaned up against Theo and chattering while the boy couldn't keep a stone face and let his features soften as he took in his friends words, and Daphne covered her mouth with her hand while trying to smother another fit of giggles.
It was everything he'd ever wanted- and he would be damned if someone tried to take it away from him.
_______
Translation-
þögn dunga- Silence, unwanted/useless (person)
dunga- unwanted/useless (person)