Chapter 3
As Solis predicted, Hogwarts sent someone to deliver a letter to Harry. Hagrid. The giant man had taken Harry and Solis to a bar where the two found out that the brunette boy is famous in the wizarding world, and that people get horrified looks when Solis introduces himself. The giant, Hagrid, then took them through a brick wall to Diagon Alley, it was filled with shops and people, and the three of them first visited a bank run by goblins; which took the boys by surprise. Apparently the Potters left their son a... generous amount of galleons to inherit. Solis on the other hand was less shocked by his own money and more by the knowledge that his biological family is one of the richest in the wizardry world; after hearing that was one the rare times Harry got to see genuine wonder and curiosity fill Solis' eyes.
Hagrid then took them shopping for their school supplies. Textbooks, quills, parchment, ink, uniforms. Their last shop was Ollivander's, a wand shop. It took three tries, and a broken vase, for Harry to get the correct wand, an 11 inch holly wood wand with a phoenix feather core. One of two to ever be made. Solis got his on the second try, a near 12 inch cedar wood wand with the core of a dragon's heartstring.
Hagrid had gotten them owls while the two were getting their wands. Harry had gotten a Snowy owl which he named Hedwig, and Solis a Eurasian Eagle-owl that he named Hibou.
They got all of their things packed onto carts before Hagrid left the two at the train station with their tickets to a platform that didn't exist. Looking for the platform they met a redheaded family that helped them out, by having them run through a stone pillar that was a portal to their train. Harry was starting to doubt liking magic when that happened; Solis was enjoying the adrenaline rush. Their things got loaded on; Solis opted to fill his new leather satchel with his uniform, his Stephen King books, a spell book, and some galleons and his wand and keep it on him, while the two found an empty compartment.
Once they found an empty one near the middle of the train, Solis sat by the window and took out his spell book to read. Harry sat across from him to look out the window. It was silent for a while, until Harry asked, "Do you think this is really happening?"
"Well, it's impossible for us to be having the same dream, so yeah." He looked up at Harry, meeting his gaze. "We are really on a train that is taking us to a school where we will learn magic and hopefully, in your case, style."
Harry's face scrunched up. "What's wrong with my style? You're wearing the same as me."
The black-haired boy scoffed and set his book in his lap. "Your shirt and pants are practically the same color, and that flannel doesn't match either, it barely fits you."
Harry gave him an 'are you serious?' look.
"Hey, we both got Dudley's hand-me-downs, at least I know how to wear them right." Solis gestured to his own outfit. A plain white t-shirt tucked into a pair of black pants that fit nicely. He wore a black button up too, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
The brunette looked at him in disbelief. "Hand-me-downs? Those pants fit you perfectly. You're not even using a belt."
Solis shrugged and picked his book back up. "I learned how to sew."
Just then a boy stuck his head into the compartment gaining Harry and Solis' attention. "Do you mind? Everywhere else is full."
Harry shook his head while Solis squinted his eyes a bit at the kid. 'He was at the station with that family. What was his name? Ran. Rin-'
"I'm Ron by the way. Ron Weasley." The boy- Ron- took the seat next to Harry.
"Harry. Harry Potter."
"S-so it's true. Do you have th- the..."
"The what?"
Ron glanced at Solis, who had returned to his book, before turning back to Harry and whispering, "The scar."
The brunette nodded and lifted up his bangs, showing the ginger the lightning shaped scar on his forehead.
"Wicked."
"Not really." Solis scoffed under his breath, catching the attention of the redhead. Ron squinted, almost glaring, at the boy diagonal of him.
"Who are you?" The redhead asked, almost accusingly.
"A wizard." He responded dully.
Ron rolled his eyes. "What are you reading?"
Solis turned a page and sighed. "The Standard Book of Spells by Miranda Goshawk. You should've recognized it, it is on the school list after all."
Ron gave a small, slightly embarrassed huff. "Didn't see the list, I got my older brothers' hand-me-downs."
The black-haired boy looked up from his book to Harry, giving an amused smirk before turning his expression into one of shocked surprise. Harry groaned a little as he recognized the look Solis gave him and started to pity Ron. It was the same look Solis got before he tricked the Dursley's into doing what he wanted or into a lake of embarrassment.
A dramatic gasp left Solis' lips. "You have siblings? A family? How strange, I thought those didn't exist anymore!"
Ron inched back in his seat bewildered. "Wh- what?"
Solis sat up and closed his book to put it back in his satchel and stood up, putting his bag on his shoulder as he shook his head in fake amazement. "I mean, I thought everyone was an orphan but I guess not. Might as well and go see if any others here have families too. Bye."
The brunette and ginger watched as the black-haired boy left the compartment in search of a new seat. It was silent for a couple minutes as Ron continued to stare at the door confused before the trolly lady stopped there. She asked if they wanted anything, and Ron held up a pitiful bag of snacks muttering he was fine. Harry felt bad for Ron after what Solis did and bought all the candy aboard the trolly.
After leaving Solis made his way to a bathroom so he could change into his uniform. Finishing up his tie, Solis thought about Ron. 'I don't think I'm going to like that Wesley. Harry deserves some recognition after living with spoiled boy Duds, but ginger acted like he was some leader not to be looked down on. Hmmm.' He glared at the robe hanging on the back of the stall door. 'Yeah... I'm not wearing that.'
Solis tossed the robe in his satchel and put the bag over his shoulder, taking a final look at himself in the mirror as he left the bathroom. Walking to the back of the train he found a compartment that looked empty. Solis took a seat by the window and pulled out his spell book, he was about to open it when someone started speaking.
"Hey, you're in my seat."
Turning to face the speaker Solis was met with three boys. Two of them, both brunettes, stood behind the other, like henchmen. The other, the one who spoke, has platinum blonde hair that's gelled back.
Solis pushed down a blush as he thought, 'He's kinda cute.' Shaking away his thoughts he responded. "No one was here and your name's not on it. So how is it your spot?"
The blonde boy huffed and moved to sit by Solis, the other two sitting across from them. "I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. That there is Crabb and Goyle."
Solis opened his book and found where he left off. 'Hm. Almost done.' "I'm Solis."
Malfoy looked Solis up and down, taking in his appearance. His black shoulder length hair, half up in a bun. The school uniform which fit him perfectly and didn't make him look awkward. And the school spell textbook he was nearly finished reading.
'He doesn't seem like a mudblood.' Draco thought before speaking again. "What, no last name?"
Solis paused his reading to look Draco in the eye, a chilling look in his own. "I've found others tend to freak out when they hear it. Besides, you'll probably hear it soon."
They continued to stare at each other with calculated looks for a few minutes before Draco scoffed and turned to face forward. "Whatever. You're probably a boring mudblood anyway."
Solis gave a breathy laugh through his nose before continuing to finish his book. The rest of the train ride was spent mostly silent, Crabb and Goyle were chatting with each other about the snacks they got from the trolley while Solis read and Malfoy glared at the wall in front of him.
A couple hours later the train pulled to a stop and everyone made their way off. Hagrid was calling out for all the first years to gather near him. Solis made his way over and met Harry and Ron at the front, saying hi to Hagrid on the way. Once all of the first years had gathered Hagrid led them to boats that took everyone the rest of the way to Hogwarts.
Solis rode with Harry and Ron, and another boy who introduced himself as Neville Longbottom. Hogwarts looked more like a castle than a school to them.
All the kids kept expressing their amazement and wonder about the magical school.
When they reached the school, they got out of the boats and Hagrid directed them to walk up a series of stairs where one of the school's professors was waiting for them. She welcomed the students to the school and explained that they would be sorted between four houses; Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin, and that the houses they were sorted into would be like their family.
As she spoke, Solis moved to stand next to Harry, a toad croaking catching his eye. The boy from the boat, Neville, pushed past him to grab it, stating, "Trevor! Uh... sorry."
When the woman finished her speech she retreated into a set of doors to see if they were allowed to enter; someone started speaking, one Solis was familiar with, drawing everyone's attention. Except Solis, who was staring intently at a ghost hiding in a corner on the ceiling.
"It's true then, what they're saying. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." whispers started to fill the stairway. Draco nodded at the two boys next to him before moving to stand in front of Harry. "This is Crabb and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Ron snickered a bit, catching the blonde's attention. "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe, you must be a Weasley."
'I thought his name was Wesley?' Solis thought, still looking up at the ceiling. Feeling eyes on him he lowered his head, Draco, Harry, and Ron were staring at him. Harry had a look of 'seriously', Ron looked exasperated, and Draco had on a smirk. "Did I say that out loud?"
Malfoy nodded a greeting at him. "Solis."
"Blondie."
Malfoy turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." He glared at Ron. "I can help you there." The blonde held out his hand for Harry to shake.
The brunette declined the offer. "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks."
Draco's expression towards Harry changed and he glared distastefully at the boy, turning his gaze to Solis he asked, "What about you?"
The black-haired boy looked behind the blonde to see the professor from earlier, a scroll in her hand. "I think we can go in now."
Draco turned to see her and moved back to his spot with Crabb and Goyle as she led them through the double doors and down the middle of the room. Four long tables filled with students filled the length of the room with one long table at the front of the room for the professors. There were candles floating above them and the ceiling looked like the night sky. At the front of the room was a stool with an old hat placed on it.
Once they reached the front, the professor stood next to the stool and spoke. "Before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
An old man sitting in the center of the professors table stood up. "I have a few notices I would like to announce. First, the first years please note, the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also our caretaker has asked me to remind you all that the third floor corridor, on the right hand side, is off limits to everyone who does not wish to die a painful death. Thank you."
Solis stared at the man as he sat back down. 'Didn't Hagrid say Hogwarts is the safest place to be? Yet Dumbledore says we might die if we take a wrong turn. Someone is bound to die this year.'
The female professor begins speaking. "When I call your name, come forth and the sorting hat shall be placed on your head and you will be sorted into your houses." She unrolls the scroll and calls the first person. "Hermione Granger."
A girl with frizzy curly hair walked up, nervous. She sat on the stool and the hat placed on her head. The hat came to life and after a moment shouted, "Gryffindor!"
A table erupted in cheers and clapping. She went to sit down and the next was called.
"Draco Malfoy." The blonde sat on the stool and the hat spoke before it could be placed on the boy's head.
"Slytherin!"
Solis overheard Ron whispering to Harry. "There's no witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin."
Malfoy smirked and went to sit at the Slytherin table. The next person was called and sorted, and then the next and again. Houses cheered when someone was placed and light chattering filled the room as people introduced themselves to the new house members. Then Harry Potter was called, and everyone began to whisper about 'the boy who lived' before they fell silent as the brunette took his seat on the stool.
The hat murmured on about where to place Harry, his courage and wanting to prove himself, how Slytherin would nurture him to greatness. Harry could be heard muttering 'Not Slytherin' over and again. The sorting hat murmured on before deciding, shouting out, "Gryffindor!"
Clapping and cheers erupted as Harry moved to sit next to Ron, shaking hands with some people as he did.
Solis rolled his eyes after seeing that and turned back towards the hat. Watching everyone treat Harry like he's special was fine at first, but now it was starting to annoy him.
The professor cleared her throat, causing the hall to quiet down so she could announce the next person. "Solis Black." Hearing his name caused everyone to stop talking and look forward, stunned silence filled the air.
Solis took a deep breath and moved forward to sit on the stool. Rubbing his thumb nail along his pointer finger he tried to squash the anxiety that was bubbling up as everyone stared at him. He never really liked big crowds. The hat was placed on his head and Solis closed his eyes, ignoring the eyes on him he focused on what the hat was saying.
"Hm strange... difficult. Knowledgeable and kind... perhaps I'll put you in Ravenclaw. No, hm... yes I see. You will be in Slytherin!"
Again, the called upon house cheered and clapped as Solis made his way over and sat beside Draco. Keeping a calm look on his face Solis ignored the people staring at him and whispering in favor of pulling out his Steven King book to read. Ron's words kept running through his head as the sorting continued and a feast began.
'No witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin.'