4As she entered 9 3/4 Platform she stopped in awe. Everything was so different! She loved the vibrant colors of the wizarding robes. She didn't rememember seeing so much color during her short trip to Diagon Alley to purchase her supplies. And the bright red of the Hogwart's Express contrasted with the puffy clouds of smoke it produced that floated by lazily.
"Oomph!" she said as she was pushed further onto the Platform.
"Hermione Granger! We need to move before your father comes through. Remember, our temporary bracelets will only let us through the Platform once and we want to experience it, too."
"Sorry Mom! I just...Wow! Look at everyone!" the young girl said as she quickly stepped further aside so her parents could join her. She glanced around and took in a deep breath. As soon as her father came onto the Platform she grabbed both her parents hands and started walking toward the train. Her father quickly grabbed her trolley with his other hand as they began winding their way through the crowd.
Before Hermione could actually board the train her mother stopped her and guided her toward a more secluded spot. "Hermione dear, let's stand off to the side for a few moments for proper goodbyes before you head off for a year of boarding school. After all, we won't see you again until the Christmas holidays."
"Oh, Mom! Dad! I was hoping to get on board without crying," she replied as tears welled in her eyes.
"Honey, there's no need to cry," replied her father. "We did, after all, say our big good byes last night. We just want one more big hug before you're off to Hogwarts. We know this will be one great, big adventure for you and we look forward to your letters home. We love you kiddo." Then he grabbed both his ladies into a big, family hug.
"I love you Dad! I love you Mom!" And with that the young lass quickly turned, grabbed her trolley, and ran to the queu for the train. Unfortunately she bumped into a young boy with light brown hair holding a toad. "Oh! I'm so sorry! My name's Hermione Granger. What's yours?"
"Neville, Neville Longbottom," the young boy replied. "It's nice to meet you Miss Granger. Are you a first year, too?"
"How'd you know?"
"I saw you saying goodbye to your parents. It seems you're a close-knit family?"
"Oh yes! I'll miss them so much! Although I'm looking forward to learning about being a witch. I'm Muggleborn you see. And please, call me Hermione."
"Alright then, call me Neville. And my toad here is Trevor." And with that they had finally made it to the front of the line. Neville handed Hermione into the train before boarding himself. "Would you like to share a compartment Hermione?"
"Oh, that'd be wonderful Neville! Thank you. I haven't met anyone else yet." Together they passed several comparments with older students in them before they found an empty one which they entered. "Shall we leave the door open, hoping for other first years to enter?"
"Great idea! My grandmother raised me and kept us pretty much to ourselves so I don't really know many people, either. Hopefully we'll meet some new friends during our ride." They sat and chatted for a while as students passed by. Even though they smiled as people poked their heads into the compartment no one else entered until a young boy with messy black hair stopped by.
"Um, hi... would you mind if I joined you?" the young boy asked.
"Come on in. I'm Neville Longbottom"
"And I'm Hermione Granger"
"Thanks guys. My name's Harry Potter," he replied as he sat across from them.
"Harry Potter! I read about you in several books that Professor McGonagall recommended. But I'm sure there's more to you than what books say. It's nice to meet you Harry," replied Hermione. Hermione looked over at Neville and nudged him.
"Oh, nice to meet you Harry. Sorry about that," replied Neville. "I hadn't expected to meet you so soon. You're kinda famous you know. Plus...I've always wanted to meet my God-brother."
"I'm not famous," scoffed Harry. "I'm just me."
"Actually Harry, you are famous," replied someone from the doorway. The three of them turned and saw a lanky, red headed boy their age standing in the entrance. He plopped himself down next to Harry as he continued, "everyone in wizarding Britain knows you Harry. After all, you killed You-Know-Who! I'm Ron Weasley, by the way."
"What! I haven't killed anyone! I only just found out I am a wizard on my birthday a month ago," replied Harry.
The other three exchanged glances. Neville sighed and began. "Harry, your family didn't tell you anything about being a wizard, or your parents"?
"No-my aunt and uncle told me my parents were drunks and died in a car wreck. I never knew anything else about them until Hagrid delivered my Hogwarts letter on my birthday. He told me my parents were great wizards but didn't go into any details. I knew that my Aunt Petunia was my mom's sister but that's it. Although after Hagrid brought me back from Diagon Alley she did tell me that I was dropped off on their front doorstep. And that me being magical is why she and Uncle Vernon dislike me." Harry shuddered as he thought back to living with them.
Hermione and Neville noticed the shudder. Neville took a breath and asked "Harry, were your aunt and uncle nice to you?"
"No, not really," Harry sighed. "But can we talk about something else? Did you say something about being my god-brother?"
"Yeah, Harry. Our moms were best friends according to Granmother. Your mom was my god mother and my mom is your god mother. We should have grown up as really close friends. That's why I was so shocked when you introduced yourself. I've always wanted to know you and have missed having the friendship we were supposed to have."
Ron interjected, "well I met Harry first so he's my best friend."
"Ron! That's not nice; Harry can be friends with anyone he wants," responded Hermione. "Besides the more friends we have the better it is. At least that's what my parents say. I never had many at my old school so I'm really hoping to have more at Hogwarts," she said as she deflated a bit.
"Oh, sure Hermione," Ron snickered.
"Yes, Hermione, you're right," replied Harry and Neville together. They looked at each other and laughed.
"Seriously, Hermione, more friends are definitely better," responded Harry as he stood and gave her a hug.
Neville, Ron, and Hermione spent the rest of the ride explaining to Harry about his parents, You-Know-Who, and the Hogwarts Houses.
As they exited the Express they were greated by a huge man with a bushy head of hair. "Harry!" he shouted. "Glad to see you made it."
"Everyone, this is Hagrid. Hagrid, this is Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Ron Weasley."
"Nice to meet you all. Go ahead and grab a boat. We'll be heading along shortly." With loud voice he spoke out "first years over here. Four to a boat, please."
The group grabbed a boat and settled in for the ride. Once all the first years had gathered Hagrid pushed off and they headed across the lake toward the school.
"Look lively everyone!" Hagrid called out. All the students looked up. Around the bend they could just make out the silhouette of Hogwarts. As they turned the corner you could hear gasps as the school was seen in all its glory for the first time. The huge school was covered in sparkling lights that reflected off the water. Each spire stood tall against the darkness beyond. The boats beached and students started climbing out. Ron jumped out first followed by Harry who held the boat. Neville took Hermione's hand and helped her out of the boat.
"Thanks Neville."
"You're welcome Hermione. Don't be surprised when the pure-bloods act like that. We were raised to treat ladies with respect."
"You're a pure-blood Neville?" she asked.
"Yes, but please don't think I let it go to my head. All witch and wizard children are precious in our world's eyes. Although there are some blood "purists" who think Muggleborns such as yourself aren't worth anything. But don't worry-they are in the minority and you should be treated just find here at school. At least according to Grandmother."
"Come on guys!" yelled Ron who was half way to the castle. The group sighed and followed suit. When they arrived at the castle Hagrid gathered them into a small foyer where they were instructed to wait for the sorting.
"Any idea what the sorting will be?" asked Harry.
"George and Fred say we have to fight a troll," replied Ron.
Neville and Hermione just sighed.
"A troll?" responded a blonde haired boy who had just walked up along side them. "Let's see, red hair, you must be a Weasley! Hello Neville, I hope the train ride was pleasant." Turning to Harry and Hermione he introduced himself "I'm Draco Malfoy by the way."
"Hermione Granger, a pleasure to meet you Draco."
"Nice to meet you Draco, I'm Harry, Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter!" Draco exclaimed before gathering himself. "Welcome to the Wizarding World. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know. Father and Mother will help also."
"Uh, thanks." is all Harry could answer before a tall, stern looking lady in green robes entered the room.
"That's Professor McGonagall," Hermione whispered.
"Children, attention please. The sorting will begin momentarily. Please form a straight line and straighten yourselves up as best you can. Once your name is called come to the front, sit on the stool, and place the Sorting Hat on your head." She quickly turned, opened a door, and led them into the Great Hall.
Harry and Hermione gasped as they entered. Four long tables full of students ran length ways down the room while a head table with professors went across the front. However, what truly caught their attention was the ceiling; it sparkled and twinkled like the night sky. "Oh how pretty! exclaimed Hermione. "Hogwarts, a History just doesn't do it justice."
And with that the Sorting began.
The first student called was Abbot, Hannah. As she walked to the front Harry was glad he didn't have to go first and could observe. He noticed Hermione and Neville doing the same. The Sorting flew by until Granger, Hermione was called.
She bravely approached the stool although she was a bit shaky. She sat and pulled the Sorting Hat onto her head.
"Ah...welcome to the Wizarding World," said the Sorting Hat. "A bit timid this evening are we?"
"Well...maybe a bit, sir?"
"Not to worry child...I'll have you sorted right. Let's see...plenty of bravery and courage. There's your work ethic and belief in fairness. I see plenty of cunning and ambition, too. However, what I see most is a desire to learn for the sake of learning. Does that sound about right, dearie?"
"Oh, yes, sir, Hat Sir!"
"Well, then, it has to be RAVENCLAW!"
Hermione quickly removed the hat, placed it upon the stool, and bounded over to the Ravenclaw table where she was warmly welcomed.
The next person Harry knew to be sorted was Neville Longbottom. Neville marched up to the stool, stuck the hat on his head, and sat down. Harry could hear the Hat snicker.
"So a Longbottom, eh?"
"Yes, sir," replied Neville.
"I see plenty of thoughts bouncing around in the noggin of yours. You don't believe in the "pure-blood supremecy" so that rules out Slytherin House. Even though you have a great work ethic you want to prove to Grandmother you're more than Hufflepuff?"
"Yes, sir. Even though I know that House produces great wizards I just don't think I could bear Gran..."
"Understood boy, understood. You're brave enough for Gryffindor. Might that suit?" But Neville looked over to the remaining first years and saw Ron and frowned. "Eh, not wanting there in case he follows his family, eh?" Neville frowned but nodded his head. "Well, then there's no place like "RAVENCLAW". Neville looking shocked, jumped off the stool and headed towards Hermione. Halfway there he remembered he still had the Sorting Hat so he ran it back to the stool before heading back to Hermione.
A few more students Harry didn't recognize were sorted before Malfoy, Draco had his turn. He jumped onto the stool and cockily placed the Sorting Hat upon his head. But then wore a puzzled face when the hat didn't immediately speak. After a few moments the hat exclaimed "RAVENCLAW" and Harry saw Draco had a stunned look upon his face. Draco slowly removed the hat, placed it upon the stool, and stoicly walked to the Ravenclaw table. He sat on the end of the bench and looked like he was about to cry.
Harry didn't have much time to think about it, though, because his turn quickly came. He broached the stool, sat down, and placed the hat upon his head.
"Mr. Potter, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," said the Hat.
"Um...thank you," he replied.
"Let's see here...you would do well in any of the houses. I see attributes of them all. But I think one thing puts one house in front of the others...you need to be somewhere you can grow and not just exist. You need room to expand your horizons. Plus I think some studious friends will do you well. So it'd better be "RAVENCLAW."
Harry popped off the stool, gently set the hat back down, and headed toward the Ravenclaw table to join his friends. He didn't hear the "We Got Potter" being chanted by the older students of his table or see the shocked expressions from some of the professors. He did, however, see Draco sitting at the end, still alone, so he gave Hermione a hug, high-fived Neville, then went and sat next to Draco who looked up at him shocked.
"What do you want Potter?" asked a sullen Draco.
"Just sitting with my new housemate," replied Harry who then smiled at Draco.
Draco smiled. "Thanks Potter."
"It's Harry, Draco, just Harry."
As they looked up they saw Ron heading to the stool and Sorting Hat. The hat barely touched his head before "GRYFFINDOR" could be heard across the room.