Settling In on the Hogwarts Express

Just as the train started to pull away, another knock was heard. Turning, Harry saw that this time a very timid looking Neville Longbottom had entered and was now standing awkwardly, clutching his toad in his hands.

"D-do you m-m-mind if I sit with you?" he stuttered out.

Without sparing the girls a glance, Harry agreed, indicating for Neville to sit next to him as he moved his satchel out of the way.

"Hello," Harry greeted, knowing that at this age Neville was a walking bag of nerves. It wasn't until 5th year that the Neville he knew gained any confidence. "Who've you got there?" Harry asked, indicating to the toad.

Neville seemed to calm down when Harry started to speak to him. "T-Trevor. His name is Trevor, and my name is Neville, Neville Longbottom," he said, looking around the compartment.

Looking up, Harry gave the girls encouraging smiles, which they seemed to pick up on. Sitting forward, Hannah and Susan both introduced themselves.

Once they had done, Harry smiled and introduced himself, "Pleased to meet you, Neville, my name's Harrison Potter."

Neville spluttered and tried to say something, but no words came out. Deciding to save him, Harry smiled and said, "I know, I know - Boy-Who-Lived and all that rubbish, but really? I'm just Harry."

Susan, who had watched this, laughed, "I see what you mean, Harry. I bet it does get tiring being treated like that all the time."

Neville seemed to shrink in on himself for a moment before he realised they were not laughing at him, sending Harry a hesitant smile.

"Do you have the scar?" Neville asked hesitantly, reminding Harry that Neville was a true Gryffindor. The girls instantly stopped their quiet conversation to look at Harry with interest.

Sighing, Harry moved his fringe and showed them before brushing his hair back into place.

"Does it hurt?" Hannah asked tentatively.

Harry smiled at the girl. "No, not usually. However, sometimes it can ache after I have dreams."

Susan frowned. "Dreams?" she asked.

"I think they're of that night," Harry paused to shrug, "I'm really not sure, and sometimes it just aches in general," he said, wanting to spread this story for when his scar ached in Quirrell's presence, if it did this time around.

"Oh," was the quiet reply he got.

"Well, that was depressing," Harry said, trying to brighten the mood. "Before you got here Neville, we were talking out the four houses. Do you know which house you want?"

Neville seemed to shake himself before he smiled. "My gran thinks I destined for Hufflepuff," he said sadly.

"And what's wrong with Hufflepuff?" the girls demanded simultaneously before they giggled.

"N-nothing," Neville said, scared for a moment he had insulted them.

Harry laughed. "Ignore them Nev, they're both proud descendants of mighty 'puffs," Harry said.

"What about you, Harry?" Neville asked.

"Honestly there's a chance I'll be in Slytherin I think, but I want Ravenclaw," Harry said, shocking them.

"S-S-Slytherin?" Neville squeaked.

"Sure," Harry said happily, ignoring their horrified looks.

"Do you really think that's possible?" asked Susan.

"It's the house of ambition and cunning," Harry said, "and I think that I'm ambitious."

"But, well, You-Know-Who…" Hannah trailed off.

"I don't think that an entire house should be judged just because of what happened in the last war. I mean, not all dark wizards are in Slytherin, there are dark wizards in any house, just like there are light wizards in any house, including Slytherin," Harry said.

Susan nodded. "You're right, Harry."

"Anyway, I think I would prefer Ravenclaw, so I'm going to ask the hat for that."

"Ask the hat?" Neville asked.

Harry realised his mistake, remembering how wizards all tried to keep it a secret how you were sorted. "Oops," he said sheepishly, looking around the compartment.

Hannah and Susan shared a look and laughed.

"It's okay Harry, we know how it works," Hannah said.

"Yeah, my aunt Amelia told us because we were worried," Susan continued, whispering conspiratorially.

Neville just looked confused. "I don't get it," he said making them all laugh again.

"It's okay Nev, don't worry," Harry said.

"You never did say where you wanted to be placed, Neville," Hannah said after she finished laughing.

"Oh, well, I think I want to go to Gryffindor," Neville said. "My parents were in Gryffindor, but, well, I doubt I'll get in…"

"Don't be silly, Neville," Harry said. "I think you would do great in Gryffindor."

"Really?" Neville asked eagerly.

Just then the door to their compartment opened, causing them all to turn and look.

"Can we help you?" Susan asked.

"Can I - oh, it's you," came the derisive voice of Hermione Granger.

Seeing her look, Neville turned to Harry. "Do you know her, Harry?" he asked.

"We met briefly in Ollivander's. Miss Granger, yes?" Harry said, saying her name as a question.

"He was very rude to me actually," Hermione said. "Didn't your parents teach you not to be rude to people?" she added snidely. Harry couldn't believe his luck - with that comment she had doomed herself, not just to him, but to everybody who heard it.

The silence that followed was consuming. Harry had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, which made the situation for Hermione worse as it looked like he was trying to contain his sadness, not his laughter.

" Get out," said Neville, his voice so soft and deadly that even Harry was shocked for a moment.

"I beg your pardon?" Hermione said, shocked by his tone.

"I said leave," Neville said, standing.

"But-"

"You heard him," Susan added, also standing and giving Hermione a withering stare.

Looking around, Hermione stuck her nose up and turned, slamming the door in her haste to retreat.

Silence fell before Hannah hesitantly spoke. "Are you okay, Harry?" she asked.

Taking another moment as he feared if he opened his mouth he would break out in laughter, Harry shut his eyes and centred himself. "Yes," he said softly.

Turning to Neville, he smiled at the boy, who was still standing and looking shocked. "Thank you, Neville," Harry said. "Thank you all," he added to the girls.

....

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