Chapter 3

Disclaimer:- I still don't own anything here.

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The journey to Hogwarts was an adventure in itself. As we sped along the Scottish countryside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and anticipation. But my mind also wandered to the tasks that I had been delaying. Most importantly, what path to pick? I know I can't be the hero; after all, I can't change the prophecy... no, I don't want to change the prophecy. I could do without a perpetual sword hanging above my neck. But even then, a basic outline of tasks that need to be done and plans on how to accomplish them started to form around in my brain.

First things first -> Devour as much knowledge about the wizarding world as possible. For all intents and purposes, this is an entirely new world for me, different both from my home and the Muggle world here. It would do me a world of good to understand the history of this world and the etiquette of society. I have learned some aspects of this from the books purchased in Diagon Alley, but I hope the Hogwarts Library will deepen my understanding.

Second -> Be the best I can be. I may not be able to challenge Hermione Granger, after all, you don't earn the title of 'The Smartest Witch Of our Age' by just regurgitating stuff, but I'll do my best to understand the theory and finish the practical aspects as soon as possible. For that purpose, it would be best to join the 'RAVENCLAW' house. I could get lost in the crowd; after all, who cares about one more nerd in a sea of nerds?

Third -> Try to get a read on the Golden Trio and the professors. I'm not saying that I should become the best mate of 'The Boy-who-Lived'—it would be too suspicious considering he is a shoo-in for Gryffindor and I wish to be a 'Claw. Too much closeness, too soon would raise suspicion, no doubts about that. But it does not mean that I can't observe. I can be the friendly Ravenclaw with important information about critical things. Essentially, try to start a small dependency and slowly turn it into a friendship. Somehow that feels manipulative, but that's neither here nor there.

These would be the short-term goals. I should try to get all these done by the year-end. For the long term, the most important goal would be to 'SURVIVE'... survive the war that is for sure coming in a few years. After that, as a hyperactive ninja had said, I will be the strongest. The strongest wizard of our generation is what I aspire to be as a long-term goal. It will be very difficult, no doubt about that, but I will dedicate myself to achieving it right away from the first year itself.

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As I was finalizing these things in my mind and thinking about how I needed to get started on Occlumency as well, I heard a knock on the door and noticed the Trolley lady on the other side with a smile on her face and her cart of sweets. I had not noticed how quickly the time had flown as I was busy in my own thoughts. More than 2 hours had passed. Thankfully I was still alone in the compartment. Was the previous war really that brutal that compartments in the train are almost empty?

"Anything off the Trolley, dear?" the Trolley lady asked as I mulled over these thoughts.

My parents had converted some Muggle money to Wizarding Currency; the exchange rate was one Galleon almost equivalent to 5 GBP. My parents had converted around 200 Pounds, and I had been given 15 pounds for the first semester as pocket money; the rest I would have in the second semester. Still, 15 Galleons, if used properly, could last a long while in the Wizarding world. Just buying small amounts of everything from the trolley cost only 11 Sickles—a great discount if you ask me.

I enjoyed the Chocolate Frogs and got Albus Dumbledore's card. Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans though—I got grass flavor, not bad, but I was hoping for something better and sweeter. As I was enjoying my treats, there was another knock on the door, and I suddenly cursed my earlier observation of being alone. I should not have tested Murphy. Well, anyway, here goes nothing. The door opened, and standing on the other side was none other than Draco Malfoy along with his two bodyguards. I had completely forgotten that Malfoy would be going around the train searching for the Boy-who-Lived.

"I heard the Boy-who-Lived is on the train. Have you seen him?" demanded Malfoy. That was a demand. He was demanding an answer from a stranger without even giving introductions. Nice manners, Malfoy; Mama Malfoy sure would be proud if she heard about this.

"No, I have not seen him," my reply was short and to the point. No need to make this visit longer than it has to be.

"Hmm, I have never seen you before. What is your name?" another demanded. Does this kid not understand the concept of polite conversation?

"Shouldn't you introduce yourself first?" I should not have said that. I needed to be careful. Malfoy in the books had a habit of whining to his father and getting his way, and my status as a Muggleborn is not going to help me in this.

His cheeks reddened slightly, "My name is Draco Malfoy, heir to the Noble House of Malfoy. Now, who are you?" he introduced himself. No handshake gesture, understandably.

"My name is Alex Phillips, first-year," I replied.

"I have not heard of a House Phillips, another Mudblood then," his nose upturned.

My fists balled as I tried to control my anger at the insult. Not even halfway through to Hogwarts and the insults have already started. I can't do much now; I don't have any friends in the magical world, and the Malfoy name carries a lot of weight here. I just kept quiet and raged within my head. He took my silence as defeat.

"Just stay out of our way, Mudblood, and we won't have any problems," he slammed the door, and I could hear the footsteps moving away. I can see how Harry Potter would almost beg the Sorting Hat to put him in any other house except Slytherin as that was where Malfoy went.

I tried to put that conversation out of my head as I gazed out of the window. I can't do anything now, and focusing on that would lead to nowhere. I just have to become strong to overcome bullies like him, not just strong but the strongest.

The rest of the journey passed quickly, with no more visitors. As soon as the evening set in, I changed into my Hogwarts robes, and soon enough the conductor's voice rang through that we were about to reach Hogsmeade and that our belongings would be moved to the school soon.

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Meeting Hagrid was an experience in itself. I mean, an eleven-year-old seeing an eight-and-a-half feet tall man, who by the way is still considered a half-giant, would be awe-inspiring, yes, but it definitely also created a little fear. Only my knowledge about how gentle Hagrid truly is kept me from squeaking, which my other friends did when he boomed out calling the first years to him. Four to a boat was the rule, and I did not know the kids who were sitting in the boat with me—just like seeing Hagrid; watching Hogwarts for the first time was also an experience. This one of wonder; it was breathtaking watching the illuminated castle from the tiny boat. The boats stopped on the shore, and I could see a boy searching for his toad.

Neville Longbottom, a main cast member, and his contributions in the later parts were exemplary. Now though, the chubby boy was frantically trying to search for his toad as we made our way to the castle. I could hear some chatter in the background. Hermione claimed she read all of 'Hogwarts: A History,' Malfoy bragging to his bodyguards and to anyone who would care to listen about his amazing flying skills. And in all of this, I finally rested my eyes on a boy with unruly black hair walking with a boy having ginger hair.

Harry Potter, The Boy-who-Lived, orphan, probably suffered greatly over the last 11 years at the hands of his own extended family. Low on confidence, and low on self-esteem, and probably has a saving people thing.

Hermione Granger is studious and loves following rules and gaining more knowledge. An ideal student, most likely a teacher's pet, and certainly will get nicknamed 'Know-it-all' before the first month is done.

Ron Weasley, on the other hand, 6th kid in a family of 7 siblings, lives in the shadow of his older siblings, and wants to break out of it. Jealous, lazy, and mean. This is my current understanding of the main cast as of now. Some things are bound to change; some things won't. I will have to observe them and time my interactions with them properly; nothing should come off as suspicious.

Oh look, we are on the steps, Hagrid is already banging on the door and the Ghosts have come out to greet us. Nothing out of the script as of yet; sure enough, McGonagall comes out and gives a lecture about what our lives here would entail, and voila! Neville has finally found his toad. Sorting could not come quickly enough, and I was already tired of my classmates guessing about the process. Fighting a trolling, lmao, the entire first-year batch would. And finally, we are moved towards the Great Hall. I can see the faculty members and the Sorting Hat placed on the stool as Deputy Headmistress McGonagall rolls out a list of students to call one by one for sorting.

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Sorting was normal. Abbott and Bones to Hufflepuff, Boot to Ravenclaw, Malfoy to Slytherin, and Granger to Gryffindor, and after what felt like an eternity, my name was called.

"Alex Phillips," called out McGonagall, and I moved on to sit on the stool, and the hat was dropped on my head.

"Ohh, a Transmigrant, it's been quite some time since one of you walked these hallowed halls," said a voice in my head. Shite, I had forgotten that the hat literally reads your head to sort you into a house. I started panicking and suddenly heard laughter in my head.

"No need to worry, lad. I cannot divulge any details that I learn here to anyone. I am bound to the school, and my only work is to sort the students," replied the hat, and my head chose that moment to put up a picture of Harry Potter pulling out the sword of Gryffindor from the hat in the second year. I raised an eyebrow at that memory.

"Ahh, well.... that's one more of my responsibilities. Anyways, let's move on to sorting you, shall we?" the hat sounded embarrassed there.

"You have courage in spades, and you have cunning as well. After all, it's not easy to forget the past, not to mention the plans you have already made. Admirable. Perhaps, Gryffindor is the correct house for you. Even I know you would suffer greatly in the house of snakes, no matter your talent," the hat was not understanding my dilemma.

"I can't be in Gryffindor, and no, not in Hufflepuff either. Please, please put me in Ravenclaw. I wish to gain knowledge about this world, and I want to become strong. Ravenclaw can set me on that path," I replied almost desperately. I can't suffer a setback this soon. It would be irreversible as well.

"But Gryffindor can nurture that courage as well; you can become strong in that house. I can't understand why you would decline it. Do you not wish to get close to 'The Golden Trio' as you put it?" the hat replied.

"No, no, no... I heard that Ravenclaw has its own library. I would get better support there. Also, no one would care about one more nerd there," I tried to explain myself.

The hat's voice turned serious, "Mr. Phillips, I do not like it when kids try to pick their own choice, even when I know what's better for them, and you know what I do to them. I ignore their pleas and put them where they should be, so you better be..."

Well, not even one day in, and I already failed.