Chapter 4

During the remainder of the month, my focus was on studying the first year's book. I made sure to master casting all spells non-verbally and without any hand movements. My routine consisted of only leaving my room for breakfast and dinner unless Tom insisted that we eat together. Otherwise, I would just consume a potion.

As the first of September approached, I boarded the Knight Bus and followed Harry's memories to find the correct platform at King's Cross. In his first years, it was Mme Weasley that showed him the way, and despite not knowing if it was a manipulation of Dumbledore and I would guess it was Harry who never really trusted Ron after the fiasco of the fourth year. Upon crossing the barrier, I spotted the iconic Hogwarts Express and couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. Finally, I was on my way to where I truly belonged.

Although many people were bustling about on the platform, nobody paid any attention to me. And to be perfectly honest, I had no desire to entertain the masses again in this lifetime. The thought of being surrounded by a swarm of first years made my stomach turn. I didn't want to see any person that I know or heard of knowing that Harry's emotions would influence me. So, I made my way to the last compartment of the train and shut the door behind me, hoping to avoid any unwanted interruptions. After retrieving my trunks from my pocket, I enlarged them with a flick of my wand, just enough to fit my uniform inside. Knowing that the journey to Hogwarts was a long one, I also grabbed my journal to record all my thoughts and a book on beginner runes. Once I had everything I needed, I tucked my trunks back into my pocket and settled into a comfortable position to start reading my book. It was a beginner's guide to runes, a topic that I had mastered during these months in the Leaky Cauldron but I couldn't write them with a steady hand just yet. As I flipped through the pages, I came across a section on rune meditation. Intrigued, I read on and discovered that rune meditation was a technique used to connect with the energy and symbolism of each rune. It involved focusing on the rune and allowing its meaning to flow through you, opening up channels of understanding and insight. I decided to give try to incorporate them in my Occlumency and chose the first rune in the book, Fehu, which represented wealth, prosperity, and abundance. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, visualizing the Fehu symbol in my mindscape. At first, my thoughts were scattered and unfocused, but as I continued to breathe and concentrate, the symbol began to take on a life of its own. I felt a warm, tingling sensation throughout my body, and a sense of clarity and purpose washed over me.

The feeling didn't last long as I heard someone knock on the door, breaking my concentration and erasing the rune. "You may enter," I said loud enough to be heard.

---pov james--

Today is my first year at Hogwarts. My parents weren't thrilled about sending me, warning me to avoid making eye contact with the headmaster, but I don't understand why. Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard in the world and the one who saved us from Grindelwald. Why can't they see that? My father cautioned me against playing pranks on others, lest I end up in detention with Professor McGonagall, but my mother said I could do whatever I wanted as long as I didn't get caught. He also warned me to not discriminate against Slytherin because some of them were our allies, anyways all the snakes are dark wizards so what if I played a prank on them, I am sure the headmaster won't punish me. I will become a light wizard as powerful as Dumbledore then I will change his opinion about the light!

As I walked towards the Hogwarts Express, I reunited with Sirius who was chatting with another boy. Despite feeling a pang of jealousy, I greeted him with a smile. I asked them both if they were excited about going to Hogwarts, and they replied with enthusiastic grins, eager to cause some mischief. We searched for an empty compartment, but all of them seemed to be occupied, and we ended up knocking on the last available door.

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The door was opened by three Hogwarts students, all boys. It was there I saw three boys, one of them had messy black hair and glasses, and I recognized him as James Potter. He had a confident grin on his face as he talked to his friends. The second boy was tall and thin, with sandy blonde hair and a serious expression. This was Remus Lupin. Despite his serious demeanor, I could see kindness in his eyes. The third was Sirius. He was tall for his age and lean, with striking features that made him stand out from the crowd. He had long, black hair that fell in waves around his face, and his dark eyes were contrasting with the wild smile he was displaying. The younger version of my father, Sirius, and Remus looked at me curiously, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Peter wasn't with them.

"Oye mate, can we sit here?" James hurriedly explained himself, looking more than a little uncomfortable at being fixed like this.

"Sorry, I was thinking that you seemed like guys I know. Of course, the compartment's big enough for us. Come," I tried to smile.

"Oh, I'm Hadrian Peverell," I introduced myself.

"I am James, the big boy is Remus, and this is Sirius," James gestured to the two boys beside him.

"Well, since we're going to be here for six hours, we should probably get to know each other. Which house do you think you'll get in?" James asked.

"I dunno, probably Ravenclaw. I read a lot," Remus said, shrugging.

"So mate, how did you get that scar? It's so cool," James asked, pointing at the lightning-shaped scar on my forehead.

My head snapped toward James, and I answered, "None of your business." I could see a hint of disappointment on his face, but I didn't feel like sharing my story with them

James and Sirius seemed to calm down, and the conversation shifted to many different topics. "Do you play Quidditch?" was, of course, one of the questions asked. From what I had heard of him, James was a Quidditch fanatic at the same level as Oliver Wood.

Remus shook his head and pulled his bag closer. "Brooms don't like me, but I take it you do?" he asked.

James nodded frantically. "Of course! If I were allowed, I would try out for the chaser spot this year, but I can't until next year," he explained. Sirius agreed and mentioned that he wanted to be a beater.

It was an hour later when the lady with the trolley came around and asked them if they wanted anything. Sirius and James pulled out a few galleons and bought all they could. They stocked up on chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, pumpkin pasties, etc.

We all got to know each other better. I learned that James and Sirius had been friends since they were very young. Despite knowing it my heart feel warm at seeing Sirius like this, twenty years later he was a shadow of himself, always drinking and confounding me with James and now I can see why.

Another hour passed before the compartment door opened again. Despite the three of us groaning, I looked up to see Severus Snape standing there, with a complicated face

"Oh, look at this. A blood traitor," he sneered, surely referring to Sirius.

"You listen here, snake. This is our compartment, and you insulting us isn't a very good idea," Sirius spoke up, trying to maintain a sense of calm.

James joined in after Sirius, "You made a bad choice by coming here alone. You are outnumbered. It would be best for you to leave."

It was after this that a young redhead girl walked in. "Severus? Whom are you talking to?" she asked, then looked into the compartment and was shocked to see two wands being pointed at Snape.

"Put those away, boys," she ordered firmly. Snape scowled but did it without another word. The redhead girl turned to us and introduced herself as Lily Evans and asked softly "Sorry for the action of Severus, may we please join you all in this compartment?

"Excuse me," the young redhead girl introduced herself as Lily Evans and asked politely, "May we please join you all in this compartment?" Upon seeing Severus scowling, she quickly ordered the other boys to put their wands away in a firm tone.

James put his wand away and nodded, "Sure, come on in." He made room for Lily and Severus to sit down.

Sirius, on the other hand, was not so welcoming. "Why would we want him here?" he sneered, gesturing towards Severus with his wand.

Severus replied, "I don't want to be in the same compartment as this filthy blood traitor anyway."

Remus spoke up, trying to calm the situation, "Let's all just try to get along. It's going to be a long ride."

"I can't take it anymore," I interjected, not wanting to endure their argument for another six hours. "Both of you, stop it. And if I catch either of you reaching for your wands again, there will be consequences."

Lily apologized for Severus's behavior and sat down beside me, keeping a close eye on Severus to prevent any further conflicts.

"Where do you think you'll be sorted, guys?" my future father asked, looking around at us.

Sirius immediately replied, "Gryffindor, of course!"

I hesitated before answering, "I don't know, it depends on how we are sorted." I didn't want to give away my thoughts on the matter.

My mind was filled with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, I wanted to be in Gryffindor and follow in the footsteps of the original Harry Potter. But on the other hand, I was aware of the dangers of getting too close to someone like Dumbledore, who was known for his manipulative tendencies. I could go to Slytherin and gain great allies there too, I didn't believe that all the pureblood kneeled to Voldemort at this time. There was also some advantage to being sorted in Ravenclaw like a one-person chamber

As I was lost in thought, Remus interrupted, "You okay, Hadrian?"

I quickly snapped out of my daze and replied, "Sorry, I was just mulling over something." I felt a little embarrassed that I lost myself in thought. In the end, I decided that I would see the Hat decisions.

Lily spoke up next, "I'm hoping for Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. I value bravery and intelligence equally."

Snape rolled his eyes before answering, "Slytherin."

James grinned, "Gryffindor, and I'm hoping Lily and Remus will be there too."

Remus shrugged, "Either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw for me. I think I have traits that would fit both houses."

By the time we arrived before the great wooden gates, the six of us were on pleasant terms. Even Sirius and Severus had put aside their differences thanks to my meddlings, at least for now. While we were on the train, I couldn't resist teasing Severus about how his relationship with Lily might be affected if he was sorted into Slytherin. To my surprise, he didn't seem to see any issue with it.

As we approached the gates, Hagrid, one of Harry's greatest friends who had been tragically killed in the war, stepped forward and knocked three times. The door creaked open, and the group of nervous first years were met by a tall and stern Professor McGonagall who was dressed in her usual black robes, which were adorned with emerald-green trimmings. The robes were long and flowing and reached down to her ankles. She wore a pointed hat, also in black with a green band around the base, which completed her formal look. The green trimmings on her robes matched the color of her eyes, which shone with a bright intensity as she welcomed the new students to Hogwarts. Despite the formal attire, Professor McGonagall was not intimidating. Her warm smile and kind demeanor immediately put the first-year students at ease, and they knew that they were in good hands under her guidance. Her face was less stern than I remembered from the future, but there was still an air of authority about her.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said in her Scottish accent, her eyes scanning over each of us. "I hope you're all prepared for what's to come."

We followed her into the castle, marveling at the grandeur of the entrance hall. The floating candles and moving staircases were just as magical as I had imagined.

We followed McGonagall into the Great Hall, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the place. Harry's memory of this place didn't deserve the castle. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky, and the four house tables were filled with students dressed in their respective colors. McGonagall explained the house system and the way we would be sorted into their new family gesturing us to stand in a line in front of the staff table.

When the word "family" was mentioned, I couldn't help but feel a wave of disbelief. The Gryffindors of Harry's time were all blindly following each other, like sheep. Throughout his seven years at Hogwarts, Harry only managed to make five friends, and even then, Ron didn't quite fit the criteria of a true friend. The Slytherins, on the other hand, were like a family - but what kind of family would kill their own for the sake of their master? As for the Ravenclaws, I didn't even want to entertain the idea of calling them a family. Need I say more than "Luna Lovegood"? The Hufflepuffs might come close to resembling a family at Hogwarts, but once they left the castle, they were just as spineless as the rest. I highly doubt Susan Bones ever alerted her aunt about the troll - she was probably too busy following the Gryffindor herd.

As I looked at the older students, my mouth went dry and I felt a surge of fear. Although no one was staring at me in particular, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. But then I remembered Harry, who had been scrutinized by many more people than this. Why should I be afraid of a few stares? As I thought this, I realized that my fear was not of the students themselves, but of the spells I might have to defend against if attacked. My body was tense with anticipation.

Suddenly, a gasp went up from the crowd, and I was jolted out of my thoughts. I followed their gaze to see a ragged and worn hat sitting before us. A laugh bubbled up inside me as I saw all the eyes trained on the hat, and my body relaxed in relief that the attention was no longer on me.

Then, the hat opened its mouth and began to sing:

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the same yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were their such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name."

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of the sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to Daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships are firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while, it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with dueling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last, there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founder's four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still, I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still, I wonder whether Sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within.

I have told you, I have warned you...

Let the Sorting now begin.

While the hat ended his song, the whole hall burst into applause. And then McGonagall stepped forward reading a long parchment. As I stood there, waiting for my turn to be sorted, I couldn't help but notice two people who caught my attention. The first was an eccentric old wizard with a long beard, whom I recognized as Albus Dumbledore. The second was a woman with striking features and a confident stance who was sitting at the Ravenclaw table. She had a serious expression on her face and looked like she was in deep thought. While I didn't know the woman, the power she was radiating was strange. It wasn't a menacing or evil power like Voldemort's, but it was a palpable presence nonetheless. I couldn't help but wonder what her story was and what kind of role she played at Hogwarts. Albus-too-many-bloody-names-Dumbledore was a legendary figure in the wizarding world, but I know how dangerous he was. Tom Riddle may have been terrifying, but at least he was straightforward in his evil intentions. Dumbledore was a mystery, and that made him all the more scary.