September 1, 1991
The Hogwarts Express steamed through the countryside, its scarlet engine a vibrant streak against the rolling hills, the clatter of wheels a steady pulse. Inside a quiet carriage, Harry sat alone in an empty booth, the window framing fields of green and gold. His trunk and Hedwig's cage rested above. He sat in a meditative focus while the system screen was shimmering in front of him. The train ride would bring new faces, and everybody would want something from him, so he was getting ready to face the situation.
The booth's door slid open, interrupting Harry's focus, the system screen fading. A lanky boy with red hair and freckles stood there, clutching a battered trunk. He said with an eager voice, "Is it okay if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." Harry nodded, his expression guarded, closing the system with a thought. "I'm Ron Weasley," said the boy, while putting up his hand for a handshake. "Harry Potter," replied Harry, tone cool, his instincts wary of quick familiarity. Ron's eyes widened, his trunk clattering as he sat. "Are you really him? I mean, you're Harry Potter? Have you got... – the scar?" He leaned forward, pointing.
Harry remembered him from the original story from his previous world. The boy, Ron, was Harry's best friend during his whole journey in the magical world. He went through almost every big event of the story with original Harry, but now Harry's instinct was telling him that there was something unnatural about this situation. His magic sense was telling him something, but he was not able to pinpoint it right now. He put it in the back of his mind for a later review in his Memory palace.
Harry's jaw tightened; Lena had warned his scar drew attention. "Yeah, it's me," he said curtly, brushing his fringe over the scar. Ron grinned, undeterred. "I heard all about you! You defeated You-Know-Who when you were a baby! Do you remember anything?" Harry's annoyances spiked, his aggression surfacing a little. "I was one," he said, voice flat. "I don't have any memories about that." Ron pressed, asking about his life, but Harry deflected, offering minimal details. The bracelet stayed cool, no hostility present, but Harry remained reserved, noting Ron's eagerness to claim friendship.
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Ron, eager to impress, rummaged in his trunk, pulling out a battered wand. "Want to see something brilliant? My brother Charlie taught me a spell to turn my rat yellow." He gestured to a sleeping rat, Scabbers, on his lap. "Watch this!" He cleared his throat, waving his wand dramatically. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!" A faint spark fizzled, and Scabbers twitched, unchanged. Harry raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
The door slid open, and a girl with bushy hair and bright eyes stood there, her robes pristine. "Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one". Harry looked at her with an annoyed face. He disliked people who just barge into the others' business and then start demanding things of them without proper manner or attitude. Harry shook his head, then her eyes went to Ron, who was still holding his wand. She had heard him from the outside and decided to share her thoughts with them. "That wasn't a real spell, was it? I've read all the first-year texts, and there's no such charm." She sat in front of Harry without asking, and then decided to introduce herself, "I'm Hermione Granger", speaking in a tone that portrays her as doing some favor to them. Harry met her gaze, voice neutral. "Harry Potter," he said, and her eyes flicked to his scar, widening. "You're Harry Potter? The one who defeated You-Know-Who?" she asked excitedly, while going through all the information that she had read about him in the books.
Harry looked at her and said, "What is it to you?" a little aggressively, as she was getting on his nerves. Then he ignored her and started looking at the scenery outside.
Hermione got angry at the ignoring and turned to Ron. "You should study proper spells. I've read all the books from our year, though I haven't tried them yet." Ron scoffed, "Who needs books? Harry's famous, he doesn't need that rubbish." Harry looked back into the booth and narrowed his eyes, his Shade edge cutting through. "Don't speak for me, Redhead," he said, voice sharp. "I'll decide what I need for myself." Ron flushed.
Hermione, undeterred, addressed Harry, "Are you from a magical family?". Harry shook his head negatively. "Since you were raised by muggles, you probably don't know much about magic. I've studied every book from the curriculum." Her condescending tone grated on his ear, and Harry leaned forward to confront her in her bossy way. "Books don't teach everything," he said firmly. "I've learned magic my way, and it works. Don't assume you know everything." Hermione blinked, taken aback, but still defiant against the disagreement that she was smarter than everybody else.
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A sharp knock preceded the door opening, revealing a pale boy with slick blond hair, flanked by two stocky boys. "Everybody on the train is saying, Harry Potter is in this booth." he looks towards Ron, then Hermione, and lastly Harry. Harry answered by nodding his head. "I'm Draco Malfoy," he said, voice smooth, "Behind me are Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle." and then put his hand out for a handshake to Harry. The bracelet confirmed no ill intent, and Harry, recognizing Draco's way, was like a child from a business family who raised his status by associating with others. He had seen some others like him during his dealings with the criminal world, so he shook his hand and responded with business-like respect. "Harry Potter," he said, nodding firmly.
Draco's eyes locked on Harry's scar, a smirk forming. "So it's true. You defeated the Dark Lord, didn't you? Quite the story." He sat, Crabbe and Goyle looming, seeking acknowledgment. Draco leaned forward. "You'll soon find some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." He sneered at Ron, whose face reddened, but Harry spoke first, voice even but firm. "Worth comes from what you do, Malfoy, not your name." His tone, respectful yet unyielding, earned a raised eyebrow from Draco. "Point taken," Draco said, a flicker of interest in his eyes, clearly angling for alliance.
Ron interrupted while fuming, "Harry, you don't want to be mates with him! Malfoys are evil!" Harry's eyes flashed, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Didn't I just tell you to keep your mouth to yourself. I will do whatever I want and I'll choose my friends whoever they may be, carrot top," he said, voice cutting, shutting Ron down. "Not you." Ron shrank back, and Draco smirked, nodding slightly, and left with Crabbe and Goyle, saying, "We'll talk later, Potter."
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The booth got quiet until a soft knock brought a round-faced boy, his robes askew, hands empty. "I'm Neville Longbottom," he stammered. "My toad, Trevor, he's missing. Have you seen him?". Neville's nervous kindness, like polite strangers in Little Whinging, earned Harry's friendly smile. "Harry Potter," he said, voice warm but reserved. "No toad here, but I'll look out."
Neville's eyes widened at Harry's name. "You're Harry Potter? The one who—You-Know-Who?" He hesitated, "My gran says you're a hero." Harry shrugged, keeping a polite distance. "Just a kid who got unwanted attention," he said courteously. Hermione, eager to take charge, suggested they all should move out and look for him. Harry shook his head, "That's of no use. You should ask a senior for some magic spell that can help you find it." Hermione huffed, "Why not help him, rather than just moving him out of here?". Harry's tone hardened "When you came here you were looking for it, then why are you just sitting on your ass since then." Neville caught in the tension, thanked them and left.
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After some time, the door burst open, revealing two identical redheads with mischievous grins. "I'm Fred Weasley," one said. "And I'm George," said the other, winking. "Heard Harry Potter's in here." Harry nodded, amused at their humor. "Right here," he said, and they grinned, leaning in. "The Harry Potter? Defeated You-Know-Who as a baby? Respect!" They decided to have some fun and ease the new students a little bit. They teased Ron about his rat and told them about their alleged exploits in the Hogwarts till now. Harry offered a faint smile, his mind relaxing a little bit, finding their stories enjoyable.
As the train neared Hogwarts, Harry sat alone, after the others had gone to change into robes. He summoned the Memory Palace, reviewing his encounters with everyone he met today and storing the information about them.
The train stopped, and Harry stood, prepared to enter Hogwarts, with his head held high and poised for the mission's next step.
[Word Count: 1492]
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