The Art of Preparation

September 1, came quickly for Harry and Neville. They spent the remainder of their summer in meditation with Cayden and his papa, and getting to know their familiars, Gladius for Harry, Terra for Neville and Cayden named his Triton.

After packing their trunk, the three friends spent the last few hours on August 31 enjoying each other’s company and the company of the Kent family. Harry had met each of Cayden’s brothers and sisters, and now had an idea of what it is like to be a ‘little brother’. He enjoyed it immensely. Seeing as they would not be seeing each other for almost 4 months, they decided that they needed to spend as much time together before they had to leave.

Cayden was slightly scared to be by himself at The School for Magical Arts for the first time. He was however determined to make an image for himself other than the ‘boy you don’t mess with when Neville is around’. He wanted it to be just ‘the boy you don’t mess with’. Neville and Harry on the other hand wanted to stand out at both Hogwarts and The School for Magical Arts, so they had already began to study. They quickly found out that the curriculum at Hogwarts was identical to what was studied in the last two years of the introductory courses at The School for Magical Arts. Their only problem was channeling their magic through their School Wands.

When they had arrived home from Switzerland, the first thing the boys did was to experiment with their newly acquired wands. They quickly identified that magic was easier when using their crafted wands but impossible with their school wands. David explained that the school wands taught the wizard control instead of raw power. The boys had to learn how to control their power in order for the wands to react. They spent the next day puzzling over the fact until Neville figured out the solution. Control stemmed from a combination of visualization, magical strength and will power. The next two days were spent with each boy finding the right balance of the three factors, for themselves.

Once that was complete, they continued their quest to be ahead of their year mates. The first book they tackled was the wand wielding classes. After reading and making notes on the different theories and spells, they moved into the unknown. One of the course books for the School for Magical Arts introduced them to the Mind Magic of Occlumency. The course was Level 1 and continued for four years before mastery was gained according to “Mind Over Matter by Daniel Prescott”. After the introduction, the book went on to talk about the benefits of meditation. Cayden, who had been meditating for years with his papa, in order to control his elemental abilities with water, began to explain and demonstrate to the boys the benefits of meditation. Both boys were fidgety at first, but began to settle down as they got used to the different meditation poses. For Harry, in order to clear his mind, he had to focus on the feeling he got when flying. For Neville and Cayden it was similar. Neville reminisced on the feeling of the soil while he was gardening and Cayden on the feeling of the water currents while swimming. The boys took to just sitting in a triangle and meditating for an hour for the remaining four days before the beginning of the term.

The only other plus side to the final week of the holiday was Harry meeting Luna for the first time. Luna was a whimsical soul that was unbothered by the boxes that humans were to exist in. She existed on the outside of the box. When she became comfortable enough with Harry, she explained to him that she had a strong gift in precognition and her attitude was to prevent persons from taking advantage of her. Harry was then schooled in the terminology of Luna by Neville and Cayden who had been friends with her since forever.

The night before the beginning of the term Harry lay in bed awake. He wondered what would have happened if he had not spoken out in the bank. Would he be in this position now? All the questions floating about in his head made him purpose that he would never again be subjected to the will of another and that he would always speak out against what he disagreed with.

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September the 1st was a ritualistic chaotic day for the residence of the Borrow. The quaint, two story building, contained five bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms on the upper floor. The lower floor had a study with a small library, a living area, dining room, and finally a kitchen. At present, Molly was in Ronald’s room making sure he remembered his part that he was to play. She had done the same thing with Percy. She was eternally thankful that Arthur always went to work early. He had ensured that he told Ron and Percy farewell before bed last night.

“What will you do when you meet Harry?”

“Mom, we’ve been through this too many times.”

“Humor me Ronald; I want it to be executed to perfection.”

“Fine,” said an exasperated Ron, “I will pretend that I lost my pet and get whoever is with the brat to help me look for it. That will make it possible for Percy to meet and integrate with Potter and give a good word for me. I will then attempt to monopolize his time with interesting topics such as quidditch. Happy!”

“Very good Ron, if it goes well I will get your father to purchase you that new broom you wanted.”

“Really, that’s awesome! Don’t worry mom, I’ve got this,” finished Ron confidently.

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The Kent Manor was the total opposite. Harry and Neville just finished saying their goodbyes to Cayden whose international school portkey activated at 9o’clock. It took him directly to the School of Magical Arts, and so David was not worried about his transit. He was however concerned about Harry and by extension Neville.

“Boys, come here.” They immediately moved into the parlor and sat facing each other. “I’m positive that Albus has someone waiting to befriend you at the station Harry. He knows that I would not keep you ignorant and that you will be wary of people. I’m also positive that he will use someone who has easy access to you, so it will be a first year. In that case I have one more thing to show you before we leave.” David stood and walked over to the doors to the parlor. He began to draw seven different runes on each door with his wand. They appeared in a fiery form that pulsed with power. He continued his lecture, “These runes, as long as they are sufficiently powered, will prevent all persons to avoid your compartment. The train has enough space for each student to have his or her own compartment, so don’t fear being a nuisance. Let me see you boys trace these runes. Do them together to make them more powerful and stable.” The boys practice for the next half hour until David was satisfied.

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Platform 9 ¾ was as busy as ever. Full of screaming children who missed their siblings, doting parents, teens reuniting and old friends seeing each other. Harry was totally fascinated by the going-on of the train station and looked on with big round eyes. David and Augusta hurried both boys to the train before they could be recognized by any unsavory persons. With David’s help they were able to maneuver their trunks unto the train and into the luggage rack of their chosen compartment. All final good-byes and hugs were done in the train’s compartment. When both adults deemed it necessary to leave, there was a knock on the door. It opened to reveal a bushy haired, buck toothed girl. David gave her a quick mental scan and found no ill thoughts towards the boys and indicated such to them with a nod.

They helped their compartment companion with her trunk as David and Augusta left. When the doors were closed, Neville and Harry began to ward the compartment. They worked in sink whispering the names of runes under their breath and adding their considerable (for their age group) power behind the runic scheme.

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Hermione had pledged that she would do her best in making friends. Even if she had to do all their homework for them to like her, she would do it. When she entered the compartment with the two boys and their parents, she decided that she would start with them. When they assisted her with her trunk, hope blossomed in her heart at the possibility of them being her friends with no strings attached. She turned to get out her favorite book ‘Hogwarts – A History’ to share what she had learned with them. When she turned around, she noticed both boys with their wands waving in sync, whispering under their breaths and weird symbols flashing on the door of the compartment.

“Well, at least that is done and we can now breathe easier,” said the blond boy.

“I thought Uncle David and Gran would never leave,” added the one with Ebony hair.

“Hello there! My name is Neville, Heir to the Ancient and Gallant House of Longbottom. And beside me is my god brother Haddricus, Heir to the Ancient and Valiant House of Potter. May I enquire your name miss?”

Hermione was taken aback by the formality between the two. Then she remembered reading about Harry Potter in ‘The Fall of The Dark Arts’ and ‘Modern Magical History’. Surely this boy could not be Harry Potter. He looked very different than depicted in the books.

“I think you broke her Neville,” commented Haddricus.

That snapped her out of her thoughts, “Hi, my name is Hermione Granger pleased to meet you I am the first in my family to have magic I was ever so pleased when Professor McGonagall turned up at my house last September to inform me and my parents that I was a witch and completely normal Do you happen to know…”

“Whoa there, calm down and take a breath when you speak. That was an overwhelming list of facts that you spewed out just now,” interjected Haddricus.

Hermione blushed in embarrassment. She had just spoiled all chances in becoming friends with these boys because of her verbal vomiting tendencies.

“Now, why don’t we sit and have a conversation like regular friends,” came Neville’s words. Hermione’s head snapped up when she heard the word friends. With a quick nod to the boy they sat and began to talk about everything and nothing. When they got to houses, it sparked a fierce debate.

“Well I really want to be in Gryffindor because that’s where Dumbledore was when he was a student. He turned out to be the best of the best in today’s society,” Hermione stated confidently.

“Hermione, that logic is immensely skewered. Yes Dumbledore is a powerful wizard, but you are not Dumbledore. From our discourse here, I would say that you belong in Ravenclaw. You are witty and crafty, and your detail to acquire knowledge seems to be an immense part of your personality. If you were to be a Gryffindor, you would be ridiculed for being too methodical and studious. If you want to be bullied and your potential hindered, by all means go to Gryffindor. However if you wish to go the farthest YOU can go then I would say Ravenclaw.”

Hermione stared at Neville as he finished his lecture. He had just taken her dreams and crushed it unintentionally. He didn’t know she wished to be the Dumbledore of this generation. When he warned her about the bullying, her resolve crumbled. She just could not do that again.

Harry stared at Hermione as she thought through Neville had said to her. He hoped that she took his advice because he found that he enjoyed her company and did not want to see her hurt by crass words and tactless brutes. He mentally relaxed when he saw her expression changed from contemplative to accepting.

“Thank you Neville for looking out for my safety.”

“Don’t worry Hermione; it’s what friends do for each other.”

The conversation moved to muggleborns (first generation according to Harry and Neville), and their place in magical society. Hermione argued that the society needed to modernize and that muggleborns were the way to go. Harry countered that they needed to modernize in the ways of magic, not muggles (mundane). He emphasized that Magical and muggle should not be mixed. Muggleborns should learn the wizarding traditions that governed their society and fall in place. Feeling thoroughly berated, she asked how she could learn these traditions. Neville offered to tutor her and ask his Gran for some books to help her on her way.

Conversation continued to flow around the compartment until Harry and Neville stepped out of the compartment to attire themselves in their school robes.

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Ron felt like a failure. He had one task to ensure his family became rich and powerful. When they arrived at the station, Ron went to complete his task. They were late to the platform, but better late than never in his mind. He searched the entire train for three solid hours for any evidence of Harry Potter. He even began to introduce himself as Harry’s best friend to seem more important. This did not change the futility of his search. He eventually decided that he would have to get to Harry at the feast seeing as he was sure Harry would be in Gryffindor. He found an empty compartment and purchased some snacks from the Trolley. He eventually fell asleep until the train’s conductor announced that they were five minutes from Hogwarts. He quickly got dressed in new robes and waited impatiently to become Harry Potter’s best friend.

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Severus Snape was immensely irritated. The great oaf Hagrid had retired and there was a great gap in terms of the responsibilities he carried out. Albus refused to hire a new Keeper of Keys and Groundskeeper. This meant that the Heads of House had a greater amount of responsibilities foisted upon them. He had drawn the short straw in escorting the new brats across the lake to the castle. He was not pleased.

“First years this way,” he drawled with as much malice he could muster, just to show his displeasure at having to do this. When they all gathered he turned and walked down to the lakeside, “Keep up and try not to get lost.”

He guided them towards the boats and across that lake towards the castle. He heard the whispers of awe when the castle came into view and was not amused. He consciously forgot that he did the same on his first seeing the castle. When he led them to the meeting chamber, he quickly summoned the Deputy Headmistress and excused himself. He hoped it would not be an annual event because one of these children would die by his tongue.

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Harry, Neville, Hermione and Sue Li all shared a boat while travelling to the castle. Hermione and the Chinese descendant had made quick friends and talked to each other endlessly in a whisper.

When the miserable looking professor turned them over to the stern Professor McGonagall, they were led to ante-chamber to wait until the sorting began. During that time Harry experience something he was desperate to avoid.

“So this is the famous Harry Potter. I am Draco Malfoy. I can help you connect with the best of the wizarding of society.” Malfoy turned to Hermione and sneered at her.

“You forget yourself Heir Malfoy, to speak so freely with someone above your station. My steward will be in contact with the Head of House Malfoy.” The blond haired boy turned back to face Harry so fast that Neville swore he would suffer from whiplash. The fear in Malfoys eyes was for all to see.

“Of course if I am avoided for the next seven years, I might just forget this slight,” counter Harry conversationally. He added in a hushed tone, “Don’t make an enemy of me or my friend Malfoy. It won’t end well for you.” With a furious nod Malfoy turned and walked off with his cronies.

“Well you showed him Harry. My name is Ronald Weasley. Anything you want to know, you can ask me.” The unfamiliar boy then turned towards Neville, and spoke to Harry in a low tone, “You should really choose your friends better. The Longbottom Family is a known Dark Family. They are no friends to Dumbledore.”

Harry’s eyes became flinty as he turned to the arrogant boy, “Avoid me and my god brother Weasley. I dot care for you or your opinions.” With that they walked away from the stunned boy. Before anything further could happen, Professor McGonagall returned and led them into the Great Hall.

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Harry and Neville sat at the Gryffindor table near a pair of red headed boys. They were deeply engaged in a conversation about the pros and cons of potions in pranking. They occasionally looked over at the Ravenclaw table where Hermione was in deep conversation with her housemates. Both were pleased with their sorting and more so with Hermione’s sorting. They would always be friends, but this way was best for her.

When the feast ended, the Headmaster stood to give the notices.

“Now that we are all watered and fed, there are a few notices that must be heard before we retire. Our caretaker Mr. Filch would like me to remind you that there should be no magic used in the passage ways. He also has a list of contrabands nailed to his doors for you to peruse at your leisure. Also the Forbidden Forrest is out-of-bounds to all students. Finally, our Groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid has decided to take a sabbatical to experience life outside of Hogwarts. In light of this, students will be monitored by prefects when they are on the grounds of the school. Let us stand and sing our school song before we retire.”

In a show of power, Dumbledore waved his had to produce the lyrics of the song.

After a weird symphony of sounds, the song ended with the Weasley and Prewitt twin’s funeral rhythmed rendition, they were led from the Great Hall by Prefect Weasley and Cuff towards the Gryffindor dormitory. When they arrived at the common room, Neville and Harry were shown to the Heir’s quarters which the shared with the twins. They settled down and wrote letters to Cayden, Gran and David about their experience and sorting. When they were done, they retired to bed because tomorrow would be as long as it should be.