Step by Step
This is it, huh?" Sabo murmured.
Luffy also stared at the huge metal vehicle. Currently, he, Sabo, and Ace were all standing in the middle of the 9¾ platform. Students and parents alike rushed around them, kissing their goodbyes and good lucks, telling them to be careful, and many other parently things that parents do. Luffy listened to all the animals hooting and yeowling in their cages; the cats obviously hated those things, while the owls were merely greeting each other in any ways they can.
"We should get going," Ace said. He wrapped his arms around his brothers, grinning widely. "We're standing in the way."
They rushed towards the train, pulling their suitcases with them. Luffy had brought Sunny along, the feline calmly observing their surroundings from inside a big cage. They are a lion, but as lions weren't allowed in Hogwarts, Luffy asked Sabo to shrink them, so they was now a "rare breed of cat".
As the three brothers walked silently through the long hall of the train, Luffy thought about the past two months. He remembered the party that was thrown in the cafeteria that day. And the party his friends threw in the woods. And the mini party in his dorm room with his brothers. And the other millions of parties because summer parties were a common thing in Grandline. They were all fun, like usual. Luffy loved parties, especially ones with a lot of food!
...He missed his friends. He had last seen them a few hours ago, but he wanted to see them again now! At least he had Robin and the other ones.
In the two months, he had gotten to know the other four students who were chosen. The redhead was Eustass Kidd. He had magnet powers, and can make himself strong with a bunch of metal. Luffy thought it was so cool! And when he attracted every metallic object in the room? Luffy was impressed, even if Kidd was a bit of an asshole.
Trafalgar D. Law was another person Luffy thought was neat. He had really weird powers that Luffy didn't understand, but they were cool anyways! He can cut people into pieces without hurting them, he can teleport, and he used a sword like Zoro did! Except he used one instead of three, but still. He was also a bit of a jerk, but he was super smart about medical stuff.
Then there were Thatch and Koala, whom his brothers knew. Thatch was a cook, and that immediately put him in Luffy's "coolest people" list. And he can fight like a pro too! Koala was also a Muggleborn, like Sabo, and that's mainly why they became friends. She can fight too, and she is friends with many of the Fishmen! Man, his brothers had such cool friends.
Luffy noticed that, as they passed through the train, people had turned their heads back to stare at them and whisper. There will probably be a lot of unnecessary attention given to them in their stay. Luffy 'shishishi'ed, catching Ace's attention.
"What's so funny, Lu?" the freckled man asked, giving his little brother a smile.
"Everyone's staring," Luffy replied, "Do you think they're scared of us?"
"They could be," Sabo replied lightly, "Although let's not scare them. We are here to 'establish a relationship' with these people, aren't we? Anyways, I found an empty compartment. Let's go in."
Luffy grinned and nodded. They went inside.
After having their baggage sorted, they three sat down and talked about everything and nothing. The train wasn't yet to leave in another ten minutes, which gave them enough time to get ready to reach the school. At some point, Robin and Thatch had found them. The five students had made themselves at home, when suddenly, the train lurched into action.
Luffy had scrambled to the window, eager to watch the scenery flash by. He felt the other four also looking out the windows. The air was suddenly thick with tension and excitement. Luffy turned to Robin, whose fists were clenched tightly on her lap. She was as ecstatic as he was.
"It's really happening huh?" he said, voice thrumming with elation.
Robin nodded, smiling at him. "I can't wait to get my hands on their library books," she said, "I've heard they have this thing called the 'Restricted Section' which contains books that are not allowed to students under the appropriate age. I'll read that place dry."
"I'm sure you will!" Luffy laughed.
"I've read in Hogwarts: a History that they have a humongous octopus in their lake," Sabo said.
"Can I eat it?" Ace and Luffy asked at the same time, Ace half-jokingly and Luffy excitedly. Everyone laughed.
"I am going to miss our place, though," Thatch sighed.
"I already miss Pops," Ace said, a little sad. The mood had turned wistful as everyone thought of their home. Luffy frowned, shaking his head to clear those thoughts.
"I miss home too," he said, "but I have Robin! And Ace has Thatch, and Sabo has Koala even if she isn't in here right now! And we all have each other. We'll be fine!"
He gave his signature smile. Everybody smiled back, moods having been lifted. Luffy was right. It's not like they're leaving forever, and they have their friends with them. Their conversation about nothing continued.
Luffy again looked out the window, and saw that they were now travelling through an open field. It made his heart twinge. He also missed home, like everyone else did, but he wasn't alone. His brothers were here, and he is making new friends. He will make more in the school! Maybe he could get someone to join his nakama?
-----
A man named Professor Longbottom was sitting with them in a big carriage. Law, Koala, and Kidd were with them. Luffy had asked where they were, and Kidd said it was none of his business while Koala explained they were in a separate carriage together with some Hogwarts students. According to her, they were nice.
Professor Longbottom was talking about something called a sorting, but Luffy didn't care enough to listen. Robin or Sabo could just tell him later, they always knew what was going on.
The carriage stopped, and they all got out. Luffy gazed up at the humongous castle, eyes alight with wonder. He wants to run around and explore every nook and cranny of this place. He looked at his brothers and saw both of them looking at him, eyes wide.
None of them were smiling, but there was no need to. This place was amazing.
The doors were opened, and they walked in. There was an entrance hall here too, all grand with walls of stone, lanterns and knight armor lining the walls. Ahead, there were some doors, and the man led them to the biggest one.
"We will wait here until it is time," he said cheerily.
Luffy blinked at her and then turned to Robin. She immediately took the hint.
"We are having this thing called the 'Sorting Ceremony.'" she explained in a low voice, "Basically this talking hat named the Sorting Hat will read our personalities and put us into one of four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin."
"Why?" Luffy asked.
"Each house represents a founder of the school. This school has four founders, like ours does."
"Are they strong?"
"They're dead."
"Oh. Okay."
Luffy then went to cling to Ace for no reason, who ruffled his hair and continued his silent conversation with Sabo as if there wasn't a child hanging off of him. Robin joined a conversation between Koala and Law. Things were oddly peaceful.
After what felt like centuries, where Luffy whined about being hungry and earned a lot of punches on the head, Professor Something told them to get in line. As soon as they did, he opened the door and led them inside.
Luffy's eyes blew to the size of beachballs. The dining hall looked magnificent. There were four long tables, each holding a numerous amount of students in dark robes. There were floating candles lighting the place with a warm glow, and Luffy realized with awe and a sudden pinch of homesickness that this place had a glass ceiling too.
He was led down past the tables by Sabo, who was holding his hand with some Armament Haki so he doesn't run off, just enough for nobody to notice. Ace was standing behind him with a hand on his shoulder. They went to the front of the room and faced the students, the teacher's table behind them.
"Hey, Lu," Ace whispered, "You okay? You're silent."
Luffy didn't notice how quiet he was being, and quickly showed his older brother a smile. "I'm fine. Thinking of home. Also, I'm hungry."
Ace smiled back and punched his shoulder, before turning back to the audience. Robin, who was watching her younger friend carefully, also looked away. The brothers had it handled.
Luffy bounced excitedly in his place, staring back at anyone staring at him. He was so hungry! He might start eating his hat if food wasn't brought out soon! People were whispering again, but Luffy ignored them in favour of staring at the dark sky above and thinking of food.
A woman whose face reminded Luffy of Nami started reading names off of a paper. She read:
"Eustass Kidd!"
The redhead left the line and went to sit in a stool in front of them. The woman put a very large and old hat on his head. It barely stayed there for five seconds where the hem of the hat suddenly opened and shrieked: "Slytherin!"
The table in the far right started cheering. Luffy gaped. The hat really talks!
When Kidd left and sat at the table, she read again, pausing slightly at the lack of surname:
"...Koala!"
Koala went to sit. She took of her own hat, and the other hat was put on her head as well. Again, it barely stayed there before the hat shouted: "Ravenclaw!"
Another table cheered. She left, and then it was Luffy's turn.
"Monkey D. Luffy!"
He rushed to the stool, knowing what to do. He sat, pushed his straw hat to hang on his back, and the old hat was on his head. He waited.
Well this is interesting, a in his head voice said.
Hold on, Luffy thought, I thought you could just read minds, not speak in them!
Don't worry kid, I won't bother you too long, the hat chuckled. Just gonna look into some things. Let's see here... yes, I understand you so clearly. You are one brave and kind boy. You're strong, and you can and will be much stronger. You will stop and nothing, throw yourself into any danger thoughtlessly, to give your friends the happiness you think they deserve, and even morals won't make you pause on your path to make those around you free and happy. Some may say that disregard of morals is a trait of a Slytherin, and it isn't at all, by the way. You have gone through many, many difficulties, but at the end, they will help you grow into the best version of yourself you could be. You, my friend, are one hundred percent...
"Gryffindor!"
The hat was ripped off his head, and Luffy started his way towards the table on the far left. It was cheering raucously and chaotically, making Luffy grin. Again, it reminded him of home. He found a place to sit, greeting everyone who welcomed him with a wave and a smile. They then quieted down, and so did Luffy, as Robin was next.
Just like with Koala and Kidd, the hat touched her head before it cried out "Ravenclaw!" She got up, and gave a smile in his direction before going to sit next to Koala. Luffy was upset about her not being next to him, but she seemed okay with it. Besides, the hat made the decision, it couldn't be helped.
"Portgas D. Ace!" The woman said, and Luffy sat up straight as his brother sat on the stool, watching carefully.
Deafening silence stretched for ten suffocating seconds. Luffy did not want to be alone. If Robin couldn't be there with him, he wanted his brothers. The hem opened, and the boy sucked in a breath, bracing for the result.
"Gryffindor!"
"Yes!" Luffy yelled, shooting himself up to stand, smiling so widely that his gums were showing. Ace laughed at the sight of his little brother, and jogged towards him. When he reached him, Luffy threw his arms around Ace, hugging him tight. He only used his rubber powers a little, as he was warned by Whitebeard not to use too much of them in here. Something about not revealing secrets and stuff.
They sat down, Luffy still clinging onto his brother. People were staring, but neither cared.
"Sabo!" the woman said. The two brothers watched with bated breath as their third was put through the test.
"Gryffindor!"
Today is a great day, Luffy thought as both he and Ace loudly cheered the blonde's name. Sabo had a crooked grin on his face as he sat next to them, and Luffy caged him with his arms as well. They stayed like that for a long while, ignoring how Thatch was put in Hufflepuff and Law in Slytherin.
Then the food appeared on the table. Roasts, mashed potatoes, and other dishes graced their vision. All three of their stomachs rumbled loudly, and soon they were eating in lightning speed while trying to steal each others food.
"Hey, Ace! That's my meat!!" Sabo said with his mouth full. Strangers will listen to him speak and would think he was having a stroke, but years of brotherhood had made all three of them understand each other with merely a blink. Talking with full mouths was child's play.
"Mine now!" Ace replied, mouth also full of food. He somehow managed to shove in the meat he stole and he swallowed it all in one go. Sabo screeched in outrage, as if he didn't let him take it in the first place, and aimed a punch at his stomach. Luffy took advantage of this and stole some food from both of their plates.
They ate like monsters. Everyone at the table were either leaning away from them, disturbed, or cheering on whatever fight broke out.
"Geez, where does that food go?" someone asked under their breath. Luffy heard them and turned to look. It was a guy with normal, shaggy brown hair who looked about the age of seventeen.
"In the stomach! Where else?" Luffy replied cheerily. Ace had Sabo in a headlock.
"...You're Luffy, right?" The brunette asked.
Luffy nodded. "And that's Ace and Sabo! We are brothers!"
Just as Sabo was about to stab Ace with a fork when they both simultaneously fell asleep. A few seconds of silence later they both woke up and continued their fight like nothing happened.
"My name's James. James Sirius Potter." the brunette — James — introduced himself. He was staring at the two older brothers, looking confusing but slightly entertained.
"Nice to meet you! Is your name James or Sirius?" Luffy inquired.
"Most people use James."
"Okay. James then! Are you gonna eat that?"
Sabo and Ace paused their fight to watch their little brother interact with James. They could see the attachment growing in the older one's eyes a mile away. The brothers shared a look. Ah, the Luffy effect. Nobody can escape his clutches.
Soon enough, the food disappeared and deserts appeared. The three brothers ate those a bit slower, but still in huge amounts. They table got used to their eating quickly, and made a game of throwing ice cream scoops into their mouths after Luffy caught one on accident. The racket had caught the attention of the whole room, and soon a teacher was sent out to give all the Gryffindors a scolding. Of course, nobody listened, so the games continued the second everyone's backs were turned.
Once the desserts disappeared too (Luffy threw a short tantrum about it until both his brothers hit him across the head,) the woman who read their names stood up, and everyone was silent again. Apparently, she was the Headmistress, Professor McGonagall. She was telling her speech, but Luffy yet again didn't bother listening. He picked his nose and looked around some more, taking note of the people around him. He also decided to spread out his Observation Haki, because why not? It would be more useful to find his friends.
In the nearest table sat Thatch, who was leaning back in his seat, listening to the woman speak. He looked comfortable. Everyone at his table was just as relaxed as he was, with easy smiles and calm expressions. They looked like a kind bunch! Thatch noticed Luffy staring at him and waved, receiving a wave back.
Luffy looked further. The people there were listening to the woman in rapt attention. He saw Koala and Robin sitting next to each other, but they weren't listening. They were huddled with two other girls, one of whom was whispering something to them rapidly. Not wanting to look like he was eavesdropping, Luffy turned his eyes to the last table.
The last table was probably the most boring one. Nobody looked like they were having fun. Even as the standing woman spoke, they obviously weren't listening. They were whispering among themselves, making small tricks with their wands. Honestly, Luffy couldn't blame them. It was boring. The only ones listening were Law and Kidd, who both looked okay, if not slightly pissed at being in each others presence. Luffy was surprised they haven't killed each other yet.
Another person caught his attention: a boy about his age. He looked kind of like James, but with darker eyes. The look on his face reminded Luffy of when he and his brothers officially became brothers. Ace had looked like that. Luffy did not know what was going on in the boy's life, but he sure hoped he would be okay.
Remembering how Ace used to be reminded him of his childhood, which in turn reminded him of home. Luffy frowned and looked away. He misses his other friends, but he was with Robin and his brothers. He'll be fine.
Suddenly, everyone got up to leave. The three brothers got up too, and made for the door when James was next to them.
"C'mon," he said, "I'm a Prefect, which means I can show you your rooms. The three of you will be sharing one room to yourselves. Let's go to the common room."
"Alright, thank you very much," Ace said, smiling politely. Sabo snickered and received an elbow in the stomach. Luffy laughed at his older brothers' antics.
They were being led through the halls. As they walked, James turned to the three of them and smiled.
"So, how'd you like it here so far?" he asked.
"Not bad," Sabo admitted easily, "The castle concept is really cool. The food's really good. Your forest ain't as big as ours, and nobody's allowed in it, which is boring but understandable. And you don't have an ocean. But I still think this place is kinda cool."
James raised an eyebrow. "You have an ocean?"
"We live in a place with the sea!" Luffy said, "Don't ask which one because we won't tell you!"
Ace smirked lightly, amused. "Well, he's not wrong about the 'not telling' thing. We won't give away nothing about our home... except maybe some things."
"What things?" James asked. He sounded only a little interested, but the three brothers could easily hear the excitement he was trying to hide in his eyes. Ace grinned sharply.
"The trees in our forest grow hundreds of feet," he declared dramatically, "and can get as thick as an elephant's skull. Sometimes we found hollowed, dried trees and make camp in there for some nights..."
The dramatic retelling of the school forest continued as they walked up many stairs and through twisting hallways. Sometimes Luffy would punctuate about the animals and wildlife in the forest; how they would be chased by them, make friends with them, or kill them and eat them up. Sabo spoke of how pretty everything looked in the forest; how you could see every star in the sky if you manage to climb up a tree, how the sunsets and the moon looked over the vast sea. Soon enough, the look on James' face showed he really wanted to see the place.
They reached a humongous portrait of a woman.
"Password?" she asked.
"Grata Domum," James said.
"Woah! You can talk? Awesome! Do you poop?" Luffy asked excitedly.
The Fat Lady made a noise of disgust and swung open. A hole was behind the portrait, leading to the Gryffindor common room. It was occupied with a few students, as most of them have went to bed. There were many armchairs and pouffs litered around the place. Games of Explosive Snap have been left to explode on the tables. The brothers looked around in interest, and Sabo asked where their room was.
"Through that door, dorm room 24," James replied, pointing, "Your things would already be there. I've got some things to do, so this is goodbye for now. I hope you have a nice stay in our school!"
They thanked him and quickly and quietly left for their room. Luffy was basically falling down the steps with how tired he was. He couldn't fall asleep down in the cafeteria because he still had to keep an eye out. It was a new place with a bunch of cool things, he had to see it all! But now he was ready to collapse and sleep for a long, long time.
The food here was really good. The place was cool. Although it can't all be safe yet. The only person he knows so far is James, and not everyone would be like him. There will be friends as well as enemies. Luffy hopes there will be many friends!
His brothers saw him drooping, so they decided to carry him the rest of the way. Luffy let his eyes close as Sabo helped him onto Ace's back. His brothers always cared for him so much, and his love for them went just as deep. Maybe deeper. He was always known to be very compassionate to those he cared about. He would die and kill for them.
N̶e̶a̶r̶l̶y̶ d̶i̶d̶.
Worries nonexistent, Luffy felt content. The warm hands tucking him in and the hushed whispers surrounding him were the perfect lullaby for him. He dozed off, and dreamed of the wind and the shores of his home.