Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Harry had been dropped off by Mr. Dursley before 8am. Mr. Dursley had long since insisted, on being called Mr. Dursley by Harry. He was not related, in any way, to a freak! There were no signs of familial intimacy or informality, in his relations to young Potter, ever! For this reason, and the many beatings given to Harry, to remind him; Harry had long since given up on having a family. His most painful beatings revolved around such requests when he was young…or showing signs of freakishness.
This morning, Mr. Dursley told Harry he had arranged to move his London meetings to Sept 1, so he didn’t waste the petrol. However, that meant he would drop Harry off at 8, so he could get to his first meeting on time.
Mr. Dursley pulled up to the station and curtly ordered, “Get out. We don’t expect to see you ever again. We tried to save you from your freakishness, but you are too much of a freak, for it to work. Go to that freak school, if you must. We are done with you! If you are smart, you will finish your GCSEs, get a job, and get out on your own, when you realize this magic stuff doesn’t put food on the table! Don’t think that freak Dumbledore, will get you back in our house. We are done with you!”
Harry, kept his eyes down, and just said “Yes Sir, thank you sir.” He was smart enough not to remind Mr. Dursley of all the times they had tried to get rid of Harry. Dumbledore always brought him back…and then the beatings resumed…those were very bad.
Harry quickly got out his trunk, and the owl cage holding Hedwig. Once he had them out, Mr. Dursley drove off without a backwards glance.
Harry dragged his school trunk to a cargo dolly and loaded it up, with Hedwig’s cage on top. Hedwig didn’t like being in the cage, but if the bobbies called Mr. Dursley about a ruckus at the station, it would mean another beating, and it would be bad.
Harry pushed the dolly along the platforms. He passed platforms 7…8…9…10. ’Wait-a-minute! Where was platform 9 ¾?’ he asked himself. Harry looked at the ticket again, sure it said 9 ¾. ’Well, I really am early, so I will wait here at this bench between platforms 9 and 10 to see what happens.’ he decided.
Harry went to the bench beside platform 9, and surreptitiously watched the space from here to platform 10. He was watching for anyone who could be going to Hogwarts, too.
Over the next hour, many had wandered by, but most had no youth his age, too many suitcases, or no children at all. Around 9:00, a couple walked up with a girl who looked to be on the cusp of womanhood, around 14-15…his age. Harry noted she had wild untamed brown hair, which rivalled his!
The father was pushing a cargo dolly with a school dorm trunk, similar to the one he was pushing. That may be the answer! He then watched as the girl looked around furtively, but honestly wasn’t paying that close attention. Afterall, she never noticed Harry was nearby, and watching her closely.
She walked up to an ordinary brick wall, about 5 meters away. She then pushed on the wall, as she walked along, until she found a place where her hand sunk in. “Here it is!” she exclaimed to her parents.
The man pushed on the same spot, and just felt solid wall. It felt like solid brick. “Astonishing!” he said.
Harry took a closer look at her. She was fair skinned, light complexioned, with the craziest nest of unruly brown hair, Harry had ever seen, outside the notably frizzy and kinky hair of African descent. Now that he thought about it, she had to be magical. That hair looked like she was playing with static electricity, and it practically crackled, depending on her emotion. She also had the most striking, and magnetic brown eyes, which lit up when she discovered the wall. Harry couldn’t help but also notice, she had a nice pair of breasts, a beautiful swell to her hips, and a well-formed arse for her age.
Harry then looked at her parents. They had to be professional, upper middle-class, by their dress and bearing. The girl was dressed the same, in a Sunday dress, which showed off the developing figure, Harry had already noted. In her hands, was a large book, as big as an encyclopedia. She held it, like it was her most prized possession.
Taking a chance, Harry got up, and walked over to them, pushing his own dolly. The girl saw him approaching, and looked at him with concern. Harry was wearing old clothes which were many sizes too large on him, broken glasses and trainers with tape holding them together. He was shorter than her by a few inches, and looked rail thin. In short, he looked sick and emaciated, and with those clothes…she would assume he was a vagabond, except he and the clothes were clean.
The girl stopped looking at him, and saw the school trunk he was pushing on the cart, and more importantly the owl in a cage. Seeing this, she visibly relaxed.
Once Harry was close, she quietly asked, in the most melodious voice Harry had ever heard, “Hogwarts?”
Harry with a big grin of relief, replied, “Hogwarts! Can I join you miss…”
Hermione then gasped, “Oh! Where are my manners.” She then shifted her book to her left hand while putting out her right for a shake like she was making a business deal. “Hermione Granger at your service!”
Harry still lost in her eyes and voice, replied bashfully, “Harry Potter, at your service!” While taking and shaking her hand.
At his name, Hermione’s eyes lit up again, “Harry Potter really? I have read ever so much, about you! Did you know at least three text books, talk about you, and what your parents did? They said you have been training for years already while living in a castle in Wales! The magic you must know!”
Harry looked ashamed, “I…I only found out I was a wizard a month ago on my birthday. I don’t live in a castle. I live with my relatives the Dursleys, wh-“
Mr. Granger interrupted, “Dursley? So, you’re THAT nephew? He has mentioned…you.” And he frowned looking at the boy more closely, in the obvious hand-me-down clothes, broken glasses, and ruined trainers. He looked sickly and small.
Harry went white at mention of Mr. Dursley. In a trembling voice, Harry asked “Please don’t mention to him you saw me, Sir! He will be…very angry. Please!” Harry all-but-begged.
With a kind voice, Mrs. Granger calmed the young lad, “My husband is entirely too busy to speak to Mr. Dursley today, and this meeting wasn’t important enough to mention on another day. He will not say anything.” She then gave a sharp look at her husband, who just stood there looking troubled.
Hermione getting a hector tone in her voice, “But the books said, th-“
Mrs. Granger sternly interrupted her with a warning in her voice, “Hermione! What have we told you about books being no more reliable than an MP on campaign? Critical thinking! Trust but verify! Are you really surprised the books mislead, or outright lied about things?”
Harry looked at her and realized she had a fantastic figure, a beautiful face, and couldn’t be Hermione’s mother. She looked like an older sister.
Hermione whined almost coming to tears, “But I was really hoping this world would be different! I was hoping books and professors were honest and the bullying would not occur! Am I going to be bullied here too?!” she all but wailed.
Harry found himself responding to her distress. What she said, made him furious. Harry growled with a violent intent, he had never allowed himself to express before, “Not if I have anything to say about it! You are my first friend, Hermione! I will thump anyone who thinks of bullying you!”
Mr. Granger snorted, to hear this scrawny kid threatening to thump someone. Then he looked in his eyes and saw something he hadn’t seen since the war. Pure conviction with a willingness to sacrifice himself to achieve his goal. This boy truly meant it!
Dan wasn’t an idiot, and caught the warning his wife sent to him. It was obvious the Dursleys were not being completely honest about Harry…and the evidence made the likelihood of child-abuse… He would send warning letters to his daughter if needed…and if that didn’t work, to the appropriate professors. He did have enough awareness of teenagers, to know that disapproving of this Harry could send his daughter right into his arms, so he did the opposite for now.
“Well, with your new-found champion, Princess, I think we can feel more comfortable about you leaving.” He then turned to Harry and with a half-joking smile, “Mr. Potter, you will protect my Princess, won’t you?”
Hermione groaned, “Daaaad!”
Harry’s eyes were suddenly striking. They visibly shone with a magnetic green radiance, as he responded with enthusiasm. “Yes SIR! You can count on me! SIR!”
Mr. Granger, noted the eyes and wondered how these wizards had stayed hidden so long. From his daughter’s hair almost catching fire today, and this boy’s eyes…He smiled at Harry’s enthusiasm and dropped his hand on his shoulder to give it a friendly shake.
Harry had never had an adult give him such a warm greeting. He decided he liked it.
Mr. Granger turned back to his daughter, “Give us a hug goodbye, Princess. Don’t forget to write!”
Hermione then launched herself into her father’s arms and they gave each other bone-crushing hugs. She then gave her mother a hug, and the parents shooed them through the wall.
Harry turned to Hermione and asked, “Ready?”
Hermione grinned at him and said, “Keep up!” as she pushed her dolly through the barrier.
Harry sheepishly looked at Hermione’s parents who grinned at him, motioning him to get along. Harry then pushed his dolly through the barrier too. Once on the other side he stopped next to Hermione, who was bent over, hurt or uncomfortable about something!
Suddenly, he felt something inside him snap! He groaned and almost fell, after stopping his dolly on the other side of the arch. It was like something had taken a heavy weight belt off of him.
Hermione was bent over in pain too. She looked up at Harry and gasped. Harry’s eyes, which were magnetic before, were now glowing with a bright green fire! She glanced up and realized her hair now had static running through it, making it stand on end in a complete mess!
Harry for his part, noticed Hermione’s eyes were magnetic, with a beautiful chocolate brown color, and her hair was literally everywhere. He reached out for a strand and a spark shot from it to his finger. ZAP! With a curl of smoke rising from the hair strand. Harry grinned and pulled his hand back.
Hermione saw that Harry looked to have felt something too. She asked, “What happened?”
Harry frowned, “I don’t know, it’s like something released in me. Something holding me down, has now let go.”
At that point someone else came through the arch and ran his dolly into the back of them, “Get out of the way.” The boy exclaimed, “Don’t block the arch!” After they moved out of the way, he shoved past them, and kept moving, all but ignoring them.
Harry held Hermione were standing out of the way, and started to look around, when a train whistle went off. They both gawked at the train, but then giggled at the old technology. This thing looked to be a turn of the century steam engine, though the fire-engine’s red paint job, looked nice! Harry looked at Hermione, “Is this what you expected?” glancing down at her book.
Hermione blushed and clutched her ‘Hogwarts: A History’ tome. “Sort of,” she replied, “I knew the Hogwarts Express was a train, but had no idea it was an antique steam engine! Fascinating!” The two pushed along past the engine and walked along the train, just looking at the like-new, antique. Once they were close to the back, Hermione said, “Well let’s get on, and find a cabin.”
Harry grinned at her, and the two of them worked together to get their trunks up and on the train. It was a struggle, but they managed it. Soon they dragged their trunks to the first cabin, which was empty. The two were able to get both trunks in the cabin, and up on one seat. Hermione said, “Let’s leave them down for now, so we can dress later. If we need to raise them up because someone else comes, they can help!”
Harry grinned, “Good idea. I didn’t feel comfortable trying to get those overhead, with just the two of us!”
Hermione grinned and nodded, sitting down on the opposite side. She looked at Harry, “Well come and sit down. The trunks take up the whole other side anyway.”
Harry went and sat down next to the beautiful girl.
Hermione opened the book and showed Harry the chapter on the Potters and the ‘boy-who-lived’. She then pointed out the references to him, stating he was living with a distant pair of cousins, who own a castle in Wales. It informed everyone Harry was happy, healthy and looking to rejoin the magical world at Hogwarts.
Hermione shook her head in dismay while a spark zapped in her hair sending a tendril of smoke into the air, “I just can’t believe this is a lie.” She then gasped at realizing she all but called Harry a liar. Hermione looked worriedly at Harry to see if he will drop her as a friend. It wouldn’t be the first time a book came between her, and a new friend.
Harry glanced at the smoke, and looked at her sadly. “Can you explain How I live with a cousin in Wales, yet your father knows about me as the ‘problem nephew’ of the Dursleys? Do YOU live in Wales, and from your parent’s comments, does it sound like the Dursley’s have a castle?”
Hermione blushed, as those points did refute the castle idea fairly strongly. She looked at Harry, saying “But still…”
Harry wanting to convince her, implored “If you stay calm, can I show you something?” while he waved some smoke away from her hair, which was still smoking.
Hermione saw the look at her hair and huffed. “I don’t know what is happening. My hair has always been a mess, but never this bad. All since we came through that arch!” She then glanced at Harry’s glowing eyes. “Have your eyes always glowed like that?”
Harry replied, “Like what? The Dursleys would have killed me if my eyes actually glowed.”
Hermione was going to chide him, but stopped. He wasn’t kidding…and something in his voice…
Anyway, Hermione went and opened her trunk, pulling a small mirror from it. She showed Harry his glowing eyes.
Harry looked at the green glowing eyes and gasped. “I have always had vibrant eyes…but they never glowed like this!” He then reached up and touched his hair, “My hair!” Harry exclaimed, “It has never been this bad!” He glanced at Hermione, “It’s as bad as yours!”
Hermione suddenly embarrassed, chided “Harry! That wasn’t nice!”
Harry mumbled “Sorry.” Harry then handed the mirror back to Hermione who looked in it for a second, and groaned at her hair before she just put it away.
Harry then said, “Anyway, I want to trust you. Can I show you something which will show you, how false those books really are? Please?” with an almost desperate tone to his voice.
Hermione looked confused, and a bit concerned, “What, Harry?”
Harry blushed furiously, “My back. I was regularly beaten and whipped by my wonderful relatives. They treat me as a slave. I have been working in the kitchen, gardens, and doing much of the cleaning since I was five. I was spanked, and when older, whipped, if I failed in the slightest way.”
Hermione looked at him sadly, “Where you beaten today? Is that why you want to show me your back? To prove it by showing the bruises?”
Harry blushed, “Worse. My back is scarred from the multiple whippings I receive. Nothing so ordinary as a belt was used on me, for many years.”
Hermione holding a hand over her face with tears in her eyes, “That can’t be true! It CAN’T!” she asserted.
Harry with a sigh, pulled off his loose shirt. He had already removed the ratty coat which really didn’t protect him from the weather. As he pulled off his shirt, Harry turned around with another blush. It was bad enough seeing how thin he was, almost emaciated, but his back. Sure enough, there were bruises on top of scars. The kind that spoke of regular and very serious beatings. The numerous scars were evidence of multiple whippings by something which cut the skin. And it was done enough to leave a lot of scars on top of other scars. Too many to count. Hermione couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “Is this all of it?”
Harry rapidly pulling his shirt back on in embarrassment, and glared at her, “Would you like me to drop my skivvies and show you my bum too? I am sure you have an idea how that looks, now!”
Hermione was mortified at the implication she had tried to make Harry strip bare for her…despite the sex education lectures her mother gave her, she had never had a boyfriend! She quickly shook her hands in front of her, “NO! Sorry Harry! I just can’t believe people would do something so cruel. How did you end up with them, if they so obviously don’t want you?”
Harry was putting on his shirt again when Hermione said, “Why don’t you change into your school uniform? You don’t want people to see you dressed like that, they would make conclusions and demand explanations.”
Harry nodded and he went over to his trunk. Harry flipped the top open before he distractedly stripped off, forgetting he was with a girl, and not his masters who brooked no delay.
Hermione squeaked as Harry unexpectedly dropped his threadbare slacks and pants, and was bare, in front of her. She yelled “Harry! You’re naked!” Hermione spun around, blushing furiously with his bare bottom burned into her mind. Hermione was mortified that her first male friend (not boy-friend!) was completely bare behind her.
Harry turned and blushed realizing he was bare in front of a girl, and worked to quickly dress. He muttered, “Sorry Hermione. The Dursleys expect me to work in the house bare. They said a freak doesn’t deserve clothes, and it allowed them to whip me without tearing my clothes or get blood on them.”
Hermione still looking away, asked, “They make you clean naked? How do you go to school, or even outside?”
Harry replied bitterly, “I get to wear clothes when going to school, or doing yard work.” He paused and said with pain, “It’s the reason I prefer garden work. I get to wear my clothes and, pretend I am a person and not a slave.”
She tried to distract herself and caught a reflection of his bottom in the shuttered window.
“Oh Harry!” She quietly sobbed, after getting a good look. His bottom and thighs were worse than his back. The pain tolerance he must have, to sit still on such a bruised and scarred bottom. Trying to distract herself and keep from catching more reflections, she desperately asked, “You were saying about your relatives?”
Harry replied, “I once snuck a glance at a letter. Evidently a Mister Dumbledore put me there, and said keeping me would keep the Dursley’s safe…it sure didn’t keep me safe!”
Hermione turned around in surprise, fortunately Harry was pulling on his slacks over his shorts. “Hermione!” Harry bellowed.
Hermione blushed again, "Sorry Harry!" and moved to turn back around but stopped herself, “Oh bother! You are already covering the important stuff, just keep getting dressed. Now what was that about Headmaster Dumbledore? You did know he is our Headmaster at Hogwarts?”
“Figures.” Harry grumbled. “He’s the one who placed me with the Dursleys. Over the years I have heard numerous arguments with and about him to get me gone, but he always said they have no choice. Every time he brought me back, they beat me very badly as soon as he left. The Dursleys resent my continued presence, and take it out on me…as you can now attest.”
Harry had now finished getting dressed, and was pulling on his over-robe. “Your turn.” And Harry stood there looking at her.
Hermione looked at Harry for a second, then blushed at the implication of him watching her. “Um…aren’t you going to leave while I change?”
Harry calmly looked back at her, “When you change your undergarments I will turn my back, but as I saw you peaking at my bottom, I think we have a debt between us now, yes?”
Hermione then blushed to her roots. “I’m not changing my undergarments!” she exclaimed, mortified at the idea of getting bare in front of a boy.
Harry then shrugged and calmly said, “Well then, what’s the problem? Bra and panties are like the bikini you would wear to the beach, right?”
Hermione whined, “But I didn’t mean to look at your bum.”
Harry with a hard smile replied, “I believe you…the first time, but what about the second…and the third?”
Hermione blushed again, realizing she was truly and wholly caught. She whined again and huffed, “You really aren’t letting this go, are you?”
Harry grinned, “The chance to look at the body of a beautiful girl like you? Someone who actually cares about me? It is a dream come true.” Harry’s face then clouded over, “Don’t you trust me? I wasn’t lying to your father. I will protect you from everything I can. I would not let anything happen to you. I would certainly not harm you myself!”
Hermione whined, “Fine!” and with a blush she looked at Harry. “Um…Harry? Could you unbutton my dress?” and she turned her back to Harry while looking at him over her shoulder.
Harry blushed and with trembling hands, undid the three buttons at the top of the dress and pulled the zipper down to her lower back. He then jumped back, on accidentally touching her knickers at the top of her bum.
Hermione quickly started pulling down her dress, but when she saw Harry intently watching her, she covered up her bra-covered breasts. “Could you stop staring at me while I undress? It is very uncomfortable.”
Harry with a smile turned around, and she continued to undress, but did notice his occasional glance in the reflection. Hermione grumbled, “boys!”, ignoring the fact she had done the same thing herself. She undressed as fast as she could.
When she was down to bra and panties, Hermione exclaimed, “One quick look, so move it, buster!”
Harry spun around and drank in the site of her. She was definitely transitioning to her womanly form as a young woman. Her bra was filled out to a nice B cup, with her young breasts riding high and the small bumps of nipples present, through her bra. There was a definite curve to her hips and her arse was nicely formed as he had noticed earlier. There was a dark shadow under her thin panties, indicating she had dark pubic hair, similar in color to her head. Harry blushed, thinking about seeing her bare, and exploring under that hair. He thought she was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen.
“Beautiful, Mine.” Harry whispered with obvious wonder.
Hermione melted at having a boy call her beautiful, and so obviously mean it, though she did notice him thoroughly undress her with his eyes. It had never happened to her before, so she ignored it.
Honestly her father didn’t call her mother beautiful with that much conviction, and he loved her dearly. She then started to rapidly pull on her skirt, when she stopped after picking up her blouse. “Wait, did you call me mine?”
Harry gulped and said, “Did I?”
Hermione now holding her blouse and shaking it at Harry with some irritation, “Yes you did! Mine as in yours…mine?” and there was a loud SNAP! from her hair with another tendril of smoke.
Harry was watching Hermione’s flashing eyes, as she shook her blouse at him, in just her bra and knickers. After getting lost in her eyes a moment, he replied again, “Um…yes?”
Hermione stood there for a second, then blushed realizing her state of undress...and its obvious effect on Harry. She quickly pulled on her blouse not looking at him. Finally with the last button done up and the blouse tucked into her skirt, she looked back at Harry, and quietly said, “Well you are my friend too, and don’t you forget it!”
Hermione then started working on tying her tie. Harry watched for a minute, noticing Hermione knew what she was doing. “Mine?” he politely asked.
Hermione glanced back at Harry while working on her tie. She was expecting…well anything! She had stripped near bare for this boy! What was she thinking? “What Harry?” she asked with some exasperation.
Slightly embarrassed Harry beseeched, “Can you teach me to tie my tie? I never learned.”
“Oh Harry! Of course I can!” and Hermione spent the next half-hour teaching Harry how to tie a tie. By the end, he had a rough one, but good enough under the circumstances.
Once properly dressed, the two resumed their conversation. Harry had never had a friend before, and there was something about Hermione. He couldn’t help but trust her. Before long, he was telling her everything. All his fears, his dreams. How he hoped to have a family someday. Nothing like the Dursley’s however. They were disgusting. After a while Hermione got up to go.
Harry with some trepidation asked, “Where are you going, Mine?”
Hermione blushed, “To the loo.” She then gave him a look, “Is it OK with you, that I don’t want to share this just yet?”
Harry blushed to his roots too. “Ahhh…yes. If you don’t mind, can we wait until we are formally engaged before witnessing anything of that sort, in the bathroom?”
Hermione smiled, “So formal engagement? Is that your plan, Mr. Potter?”
Harry looked down and shyly back up at Hermione, “Would it anger you if I said yes?” he asked with obvious hope.
Hermione smiled even more, “No, it would honor me. I will say you would need my parent’s permission, and you aren’t likely to get it for a couple of years. Certainly not before my 17th birthday!”
Harry sighed, “Good! It will give us time to get to know each other, first! I’m not kidding, Mine. Not kidding at all.”
Hermione with a gentle smile, consoled him “I know Harry. It’s sweet. Be back in a bit. Certainly before the train leaves.” And she left.
Hermione returned from the bathroom and the two of them started reading Hogwarts: A History together, waiting for the train to finally leave the station.
Hermione was suddenly worried after reading the passages about the Potters in the latest Hogwarts: A History. According to Harry, little was true. “So many things look to be lies. I hope they were telling the truth about the GCSE classes. I could never forgive myself if I ended up a secondary school drop out! I intend to take my A-levels!”
Harry grimaced, “That would be nice. The Dursleys told me I am kicked out at the end of secondary school…this year. No sixth form possible, as I would need a job to pay for a flat.”
Hermione just looked at him. “We will work together to make sure we both get our GCSEs and A-levels! If necessary, I will ask my parents to take you as a lodger while at Hogwarts! I am sure they will consider it!”
Harry looked at her worriedly, “I couldn’t impose! They don’t even know me!”
Hermione shrugged her shoulders, and said “Well…maybe I can have you over for the winter hols so they can meet you!” She looked at Harry nervously, “Would you like to spend the holiday with my family, Harry?”
Harry’s eyes lit up with such joy, it took Hermione’s breath away, “I would like that, Mine! I would like that very much!”
Hermione blushed and looked away with a small smile. She then frowned to herself, ’What are you doing, girl? You don’t even know this boy and you are inviting him to your house for the holiday?’ she then looked up into his green glowing eyes, looking at her with such happiness. God, he was beautiful! ’Alright…wait a few months before making the attempt.’ she then looked back into his eyes and groaned to herself, ’Well…a few weeks!’ she promised herself.
Shortly thereafter, a red-haired boy their age came barging in. “Can I sit with you, everywhere else is full.”
Hermione frowned, “No it’s not! There are two empty cabins in this car alone! What are you on about?” and another SNAP! came from her hair with another tendril.
The boy blushed and his ears turned red, “How would you know? I just walked down the hall!” He then glanced at the smoke, “What wrong with your hair? Somebody prank it?”
Hermione glared at him, “No one pranked my hair!” and another SNAP! occurred.
Harry grabbed her hand, “Calm down Hermione! You don’t want to set your hair on fire.”
Hermione nodded with a smile at Harry’s concern. No boy had ever cared about her before. She then glanced at Ron with irritation, “Well, I was just out there minutes ago, and there is no way the car filled up that quickly. Should I go outside and look?” she challenged.
The boy tried to force the situation, “Butt out, beaver face! I want to talk to my new mate here!”
Harry didn’t say anything, not knowing what to say in this situation. This boy was acting like Dudley. He hated bullies. SNAP! and his hair sparked with a large tendril of smoke rising up, too.
Hermione squeezed his hand and glanced up at his hair with a knowing look and a smile, causing Harry to sigh and grin back. She could tell Harry did not like that insult at all. Finally, Harry turned to the boy and said, “If you wish to join us, you may.” He then pointed to their trunks, “Help us get them in the overhead bins.”
The three of them were able to get all three of their trunks overhead. Once done, Harry pointed to the empty bench across from the two of them, “Sit over there!” he commanded.
The boy didn’t say anything though his ears stayed red in embarrassment. Harry went back to discussing the different houses with Hermione as they were reading the pertinent synopsis in the book. Harry looked at Hermione, “What do you think about Slytherin? Wanting to make something of yourself seems like a worthy goal.”
The boy overhearing their conversation, yelled “All Slytherins are evil! The boy-who-lived can’t go there! That was He-who-shall-not-be-named’ house!”
Hermione went into her hectoring mode again, “All Slytherin’s are evil? What rubbish! Merlin was a Slytherin! So, you came into this cabin to become friends with the boy-who-lived? You are just another fanboy trying to become famous because of what he suffered! You make me sick! Are you even going to introduce yourself? Pathetic!” SNAP! and Harry patted her hair, as an ember had formed this time.
Ron blushed to his roots with his ears glowing now. “I’m Ron Weasley, and Harry and I are going to be best mates. My mother said so!”
Harry going cold, looked at him, “And why would your mother, make you be friends with me? How do you know I want to be friends with you?”
Ron looked confused by the possibility, and replied, “You have to be! We will be in Gryffindor like the rest of my family, and become the best of friends. We will help you fight the death-eaters in Slytherin!”
Harry looked at Hermione for clarification. Hermione with a huff, replied “The Death-Eaters was the name for Voldemort’s supporters. Since you supposedly killed him, everyone assumes you will take up the battle like a good soldier.”
Ron exploded, “Don’t say his name! And what do you mean supposedly? Dumbledore said he did, so he did!”
Hermione sneered at Ron, “Harry was 15 months old at the time. What did he do, hit him in the face with a full set of nappies? No! His mother must have done a ritual which trapped and defeated Voldemort. That is the only thing which makes sense…or someone else was there to do it. That works too.”
Hermione looked astutely at Ron. “Let me guess. Headmaster Dumbledore told your mother to have you befriend Harry like a good little Gryffindor. How…predictable.”
Harry looked at Hermione with open admiration, “You really are brilliant, you know that?” quickly changing the subject, Harry asked Hermione “What happened to believing everything you hear and read?”
Hermione blushed at his open admiration, then answered the question with a shy grin, “I am rapidly realizing what my parents were trying to tell me. People are people, be they wizard or mundane.” She sighed. “I had so hoped I could find utopia, but alas the last 4 treatise on the subject insisted such was impossible for the human condition. I didn’t want to believe, but now I think I do.”
Ron just looked confused, “What are you barking about, and what’s a mundane?”
Hermione just looked at him deciding Ron was neither honest, intelligent, nor worth her time. “You call them muggles, but that is an insulting term obviously implying they are inferior to wizards.” She looked at him with disgust, “I can assure you, my mundane parents are anything but inferior to you. As to the other? I’m sure I don’t know. Go ask someone else.”
Ron shrugged, “Whatever.” He turned to Harry, “Hey can I see your scar?”
SNAP! SNAP! Both their hair had tendrils of smoke and they both patted each other out, with some worry.
Harry looked angry and Hermione quietly growled out, “Show him your back. If you show everyone what Headmaster Dumbledore caused, maybe we can do something about those horrible books…and the Dursleys.”
Harry thought about what Hermione said, and with a look of conviction in his eyes, removed his robe. “Look all you want.” And he pulled up his shirt.
Ron yelled, “What is that?!” on seeing the bruises and scars all over Harry’s back.
Harry coldly replied, “Those are the scars the Dursleys have given me. Whipping me as their slave. Dumbledore keeps me in that house. So, someone who worships that child-abusing honorless bastard, is not my friend. GET OUT!” SNAP! and Hermione quickly pat Harry’s hair, to put out the small fire in it.
Ron flushed with anger, “Dumbledore would never do that! Go ahead, be a Slytherin! See if I care!” and he stormed off, muttering under his breath.
Shortly there was a knock at the door. A blond boy their age, who wore impeccable clothes opened it. He had two overt bodyguards at his back. Looking around the cabin he stated, “The word on the train is that Harry Potter is in here.”
Hermione was sitting next to Harry, holding his hand. She quietly whispered to Harry “He is obviously a noble. I have read on magical customs and usages. Don’t say anything until he introduces himself.” Harry sat there saying nothing.
After an appropriate time, the boy nodded, “I am Heir Draco Malfoy, Heir of Malfoy and Black. These are my fellows Crabb and Goyle.” He said looking over each shoulder. He then looked at Harry and said, “I can help you meet the right families and make the best connections. I would be willing to help with that.” And he held out his hand.
Hermione again whispered in his ear, “You must shake his hand as not doing so, is akin to a declaration of war. However, do not agree to anything. Take everything under advisement and promise to get back to him.”
Harry let go of Hermione’s hand, stood up, and clasped hands with Draco. “Pleased to meet you, Heir Malfoy. I am Harry Potter.”
He then turned to Hermione, “This is my best friend, and soon to be betrothed, Hermione Granger.” He then smiled slightly and continued, “Well, once I can convince her father I am worthy of her. I am honored by your offer of assistance. Please understand I mean you no disrespect, but must consider all my options before committing to an arrangement.”
Draco had noticed how Hermione was advising Harry on proper comportment. He pretended to ignore what she was doing, and nodded in agreement to Harry. Glancing at Hermione, Draco politely said, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Granger.” and he kissed her hand with a small bow.
Hermione quickly but gracefully rose when Draco turned her direction. She gave a passable curtsey as he bowed, kissing her hand. Draco smiled and turned back to Harry. He then asked, “How long have you known, Miss Granger?”
Harry sat back down and grabbed Hermione’s hand again, pulling her down next to him. He looked back to Draco. “We met, getting on the train. Why?”
Draco shook his head and said with a smirk “I never would have believed it, without seeing it myself. It seems the Potter Foible is not exaggerated.”
Harry looked confused and asked, “The Potter Foible?”
Draco glanced at Hermione again, before answering Harry “Have your advisor look into it if you lack the knowledge. It isn’t for me to say. We will talk again, soon. Good day to you, Heir Potter.” Draco said giving a slight bow to Harry.
He then turned to Hermione, “Miss Granger.” And he gave a slight polite bow to her as well, with a smile of amusement at their relationship. He then turned and left with his two guards.
Harry let out a big breath, “Boy! They play for keeps here!” He turned to Hermione, “I could not have done that without your help.” He clasped her hand more tightly, “Thank you, Mine. For everything.”
Hermione blushed at his earnest look, “Your welcome, Harry.” Her eyes then flashed in anger while another SNAP! was heard in her hair. “Hey! You said we were betrothed! How dare you!” as a small puff of smoke rose from her head.
Harry looked at her in confusion, “You agreed to it when we talked about a formal engagement. You said it would not be official until your father allowed it. Exactly as I told Draco.”
Hermione looked at Harry with an open mouth…and realized he was correct. She snapped her mouth closed and grumbled, “I think you ARE a Slytherin.”
Harry looking slightly hurt, “Aww! Don’t be that way, Mine! Now he won’t bother you as it would insult me, thereby dishonoring him since we are in negotiations to be allies. I said I would protect you, and I will. Don’t think I wasn’t paying attention to the things you are teaching me. I would think you should know ignorance, is not the same as stupidity.”
Hermione looked at Harry and nodded her acquiesce. She was gratified he wasn’t a dullard at all. Harry was actually very sharp, just extremely ignorant. An ignorance he appeared to be rapidly correcting. She thought to herself, ‘this might actually work…’ with a smile.