Manny-The-Great back again to deliver chapter 3 for the readers out there who enjoy my rookie attempts at writing a decent story. Disclaimer on chapter 1. I also have to thank tsunami for that information about sharks, for some reason when I researched sharks that never came up. And to answer Sakura Lisel I would believe that even though the old man knows Harry opened the letter and sent his acceptance he would believe Harry was a confused little boy so why not send someone he trusted to lead Harry to the light side and even take him shopping, Hope that clears everything up. Anyway read away-

Perched upon a build directly across the street from King's Cross station was a Peregrine falcon, As if tipping over the bird of prey dived head first into the alley out of everyone's sight. Moments later a black clad bare footed boy walked out of the alley walking towards the train station. Harry entered the station cautiously knowing from here on out he was in Dumbledore's domain, Reaching platforms 9 and 10 Harry with the help of his eye's immediately started picking out oddities. There was a bunch of kids with trunks that could only be bought in Diagon alley, Then there was some kids who had no fashion sense at all and looked like they got there clothes from some charity Harry recognized them as kids who grew up in the wizarding world trying to blend in with muggle culture. Then there was the kids who looked regular except there parents were paranoid messes constantly darting there eye's and looking all around the station as if trying to see something invisible Harry pegged them as what his books called Muggle-Born's. But the oddest thing he noticed was a group of red heads all bunched together as if in a football huddle, There was the middle aged woman who was obviously the mother and two identical twins that looked like 3rd or 4th years. Next to the twins was an older boy who was maybe 6th or 7th year and next to him was a boy Harry's age who was obviously a first year by the way everyone was fussing over him. But it was the girl who looked about 1 or 2 years younger then him that got his attention because she briefly turned in his direction and noticed him then quickly turned back to her family only for Harry to be on the receiving end of the whole family's stares.

"That wasn't suspicious at all" Harry sarcastically muttered under his breath but couldn't help but think 'How did they know it was me? I don't remember seeing any of those people in Diagon alley or ever in my life...Oh wait Hagrid could've told Dumbly how I looked and he passed it on to the red heads or they probably just used the memory basin to see how I look' Harry proud of his mad deduction skills saw the red heads walking to the 9th platform pillar and curiosity made him stop and watch.

They got closer to the pillar and Harry heard the mothers voice "Pack full of muggles like always" Harry was pretty sure her voice shouldn't be so loud especially when using wizard terminology. They then stopped in front of the pillar and the mothers voice rang out again "Whats the platform number again?" then a younger feminine voice squeaked out "9¾ mum, Can't I go?" Only to have the mother respond "Next year Ginny dear your to young" It was at that point Harry tuned them out 'How can a mother with 3 kids already in Hogwarts not know the platform number but the kid who isn't even going to Hogwarts knows it. The old man may be clever and crafty but he needs some better followers' Harry thought with a smirk. Looking back at the red head family he caught them just in time to see one of the twins run full pelt straight into the pillar and disappear.

'Not exactly secretive I hope they have some kind of spell to stop the muggles from seeing the obvious' Harry thought as he watched the other twin run into the pillar, Followed by the first year boy then the oldest one who had enough sense to walk through the pillar and then the mother and her daughter. Harry walked up to the pillar and inspected it, Not seeing anything magical at all Harry just followed what the red heads did and he leaned on the pillar checking himself for wand,ticket and money Harry let himself fall through the illusion but caught himself before falling on his ass.

Now the sight of the Hogwarts express would amaze anyone except Harry who just had another thing to criticize 'A steam train?, Muggles stopped using them like 50 0r 60 years ago maybe I should just expect the primitive of the wizarding world' Harry shook his head in disappointment but he quickly boarded the train and passed a lot of empty compartments cause he wanted to be in the back at the last compartment. Reaching the end Harry entered the compartment and sat down hoping to get some rest before having to see Dumbledore.

5 minutes later Harry heard his compartment door open and standing there was the first year red head boy, Having the boy close enough Harry noticed the boy was short about 5ft had freckles and blue eye's and dirt on his nose. Trying not laugh Harry raised an eyebrow at him.

Getting the hint the boy asked "Mind if I sit here? All the others are full"

'Liar!! There was like 12 empty compartments' Harry thought but gave the boy a nod anyway. The boy came in with his trunk and with difficulty hefted it into the overhead rack and sat down. He fidgeted for a while and said "My name is Ron Weasley, and yours?"

"Harry Potter" he answered.

Ron eye's widened and he asked "Wow your Harry Potter?? Do you have the you know...scar?" Gesturing to Harry's forehead.

Harry just wordlessly moved his hair showing his lightning bolt scar. Ron gasped at the sight of Harry's scar and muttered "Wicked"

"You think its wicked? You think the scar that reminds me of my parents murder and killer is wicked?" Asked Harry with narrowed eye's.

Ron sputtered out an apology while at least having the decency to look ashamed but Harry ignored him in favor of looking out the window. They hadn't moved yet and Harry was pretty bored but once again the door to his compartment opened up and there was the twins. One of the twins moved over to Ron and said "Hey there RonnieKinns settled in alright?"

Ron's face turned red in either embarrassment or anger but nodded anyway while the other twin looked over at Harry and said "Just here making sure are ickle little brother is all settled in I'm Fred Weasley and you are?" But before Harry could respond the twin near Ron came over and said "I thought I was Fred dear brother" To which his brother responded "That's right old chap I guess that makes me George" Then they both grabbed Harry's hand into a double handshake, They really were identical right down to the height, build, freckles and brown eye's but with Harry's eye's he noticed one difference George's nose had a birthmark where Fred's did not.

Shaking there hands in the odd handshake Harry felt something in the hand George was holding that felt like paper looking up at the twins with a raised eyebrow he was going to ask what was going on but was stopped by the warning look on the twins face. The twins let go and Harry quickly turned the paper invisible hiding it from view making the twins raise two eyebrows in wonder of where the paper went but Harry reassured them with a wink, George gave him the slightest of nods and said "So who are you and where are your shoes?"

Harry smirked and answered "I'm Harry Potter and I don't like shoes"

Fred gave him a weird look then laughed "Gred my dearest brother it seems like we have the pleasure of meeting the young Potter"

"Indeed Forge, My apologies young Potter but a Mister Lee Jordan has a pet tarantula we must see" George said and they walked out with Fred leaving a parting comment "See you at the feast ickle RonnieKinns"

Harry smirked at the twins behavior then turned to Ron and stated "You must love having those two as brothers"

At this Ron turned gloomy to Harry's confusion and said "Sure when there not pranking me or making fun of me"

"What about your other brother I saw?" Harry asked.

"Percy? He's no fun all he cares about is school and doing the right thing all the time" Ron replied.

Now Harry was getting a little ticked but said "And the little girl that came with you?"

"That's my little sister Ginny, She's so annoying but she's coming to Hogwarts next year" Said Ron with a disgruntled expression on his face.

Harry was about to give this ungrateful kid a piece of his mind but was interrupted when Ron continued "I have two other brothers, Bill and Charlie but they both work out of the country. Bill's a curse breaker for Gringotts in Egypt and Charlie works with Dragons in Romania" That stopped Harry 'That woman has 7 kids??' He thought not believing someone could have so many kids but quickly gathered himself and stated "You have dirt on your nose Ron" Satisfied that Ron was now occupied Harry relaxed in his seat while slipping the note George gave him in his pocket. Out of no where a loud whistle pierced the air and the train started to slowly move, Smiling in amusement Harry heard the twins shouting to Ginny that they would send her a Hogwarts toilet.

The two sat in silence for a while until once again Harry's compartment door opened but this time it was an old woman pushing a trolley who asked "Anything off the trolley dears?" Ron shook his head in a negative fashion while sullenly pulling out a packed lunch but Harry got up walked over to the trolley and inspected the contents. There was chocolate frogs, every flavor beans, acid pops and some other stuff. Picking up 3 chocolate frogs Harry gave the woman a couple of sickles and sat back down. He opened one of the frogs and was surprised when it tried to jump away only to be foiled by Harry's quick reflex's, Although he wouldn't admit it he was amused and excited when he bit into the struggling frog.

Looking down at the box Harry noticed a card, Picking it up he had to resist the urge to rip the card into shreds. There on the card was Albus fucking Dumbledore smiling at him almost as if he knew how much Harry hated him but didn't care. Harry just threw the card to the side not really caring what the old man did with dragons blood. Relaxing Harry finished his chocolate frogs saving the cards of some Flamel guy and some woman named Circe, Leaning into his seat Harry was ready to fall blissfully into the dream world but to his utter annoyance and anger his freaking compartment door opened again!.

Standing in his doorway this time was some chubby kid with dark brown hair with hazel eye's that was slightly watering indicating that he was about to cry, The boy looked at Harry probably seeing his annoyance and said "I'm sorry but have you seen a toad around here?".

Both Harry and Ron shook there heads in the negative and the boy wailed tears spilling as he practically screamed "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!" And was ready to bolt from the compartment but Harry's voice stopped him "Wait! Come here and sit" Gesturing to the seat beside him ignoring the incredulous Ron sent his way. Harry watched as the kid had a two second internal fight but he gave up and sat next to Harry. For some reason Harry felt sorry for this boy and wanted to help him.

"Are you calm now?" Harry asked.

The boy only nodded his head 'Maybe its his meekness and uncertainty that makes me want to help him' Harry thought while asking "Whats your toads name?"

"Trevor" Was the hesitant answer.

Harry nodded and grabbed his wand and said to the boy "Stand in front of the door" Seeing the boy do as he said Harry merely pointed his wand up and said "Accio Trevor the toad"

Within seconds a little blur sped into the compartment straight into the boys cupped hands and when said boy let out a joyful cry of "Trevor!" Harry was pleased he could help him. Turning to look at Ron he was a little ticked that the red head was still giving him that disbelieving look. The boy then stood in front of Harry seemingly gaining confidence from the toad and said "Thank you I appreciate your help um?"

"Harry Potter" Said Harry while gesturing the kid to take his seat again which he did "Whats your name?"

Widening of the eyes was the only reaction the boy gave to his name which Harry thought was way better then Ron's reaction "Neville Longbottom" said the boy.

Harry was going to keep the conversation going but was distracted by a frizzy and bushy haired haired girl who had poked her head in the compartment. The girl spotted Neville walked up to him ignoring everyone else in the process and exclaimed "Neville did you find your toad?" Harry noticed she had slightly larger then normal front teeth and brown eye's that complimented her hair greatly.

Neville nodded his head holding out Trevor for her to see and said "Yes thank you for your help Hermione, Harry here was the one who got him back" Pointing a finger to Harry.

Hermione looked over at Harry giving him an analyzing look that made Harry raise an eyebrow in amusement, Then as if she had decided on something she held out her hand and declared "My name is Hermione Jane Granger pleasure to meet you Harry"

Even more amused at the formality Harry took the offered hand and got up to his feet still holding her hand and he made sure to look deep into her eye's as he responded "My name is Harry James Potter and the pleasure Ms. Granger is all mine" He then brought her hand up to his lips and lightly kissed the back of her hand. Satisfied with the coloring appearing on her cheeks Harry pressed on "Ms. Granger please allow me to introduce Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley allow me to introduce Ms.Granger and Mr.Longbottom" said Harry as he pointed each person out to each other.

Neville had gotten up from his seat with his hand out ready to give greeting to Ron but said red head merely looked at the offered hand grunted then turned his head away. Hermione looked disgusted at Ron's behavior while Neville just looked on in confusion while he went back to his seat.

"Please Ms. Granger take my seat, I'm sure you don't want to sit next to such a rude individual" said Harry emphasizing the word rude while giving Ron a dirty look. Hermione sat down next to Neville while Harry closed the compartment door and sat next to Ron who gave Harry an apologetic look but Harry now knew better then to accept those looks at face value from Ron.

For the next hour and a half Harry, Neville and Hermione spoke about what they would expect from Hogwarts and how Hermione read about Harry in some books while Ron sat in his seat sulking like a spoiled child that had its toy taken away.

"Harry can I ask you something?" asked Hermione breaking the temporary silence.

"Yes you may Ms. Granger" Replied Harry.

Hermione rolled her eyes but asked "Where are your shoes? Or socks? And why are you barefooted?"

Harry smiled he had been waiting for that question and answered "I don't own any shoes or socks because I don't like them"

Hermione looked like she was about to continue the questioning but the opening of Harry's compartment door stopped all conversation.

"Why is it my compartment that everyone wants to be in?" Harry muttered angrily with a scowl on his face.

3 boys entered Harry's already occupied compartment, The leader of the boy's had blond almost bleach hair that was sleeked back and blue eye's adorned his aristocrat features. The two the boys were basically body guards having fat and big builds trying but failing to look intimidating.

The leader looked at everyone but stared at Harry as he asked "I heard Harry Potter is on the train are you Potter?"

Harry eyed the kid wondering if he was a threat or not but answered "Yeah I'm Harry Potter, What can I do for you?"

The blond kid raised a hand in greeting which Harry took and said "I would like to extend a hand in friendship, My name is Draco Malfoy and these two are Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle"

Ron audibly snickered at Draco's name but all he got was a glare in response, While Harry responded "I accept your hand in friendship this is Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger"

Draco looked at those introduced to him and commented "A Weasley and a muggle-born?"

"I know Ron is a bit rude but do you have a problem with muggle-Born's? Cause I'd have to disappoint you by telling you I am muggle raised which essentially makes me a muggle-born" Said Harry with narrowed eye's.

Draco looked down at Harry and stated "I'm pure blood why would I lower my self to associate with someone from a blood traitor family like the Weasley's or a filthy muggle born girl?"

Harry stood up towering over Draco and whispered "Then you must not want my friendship, Now take your two pure blood pets out of my compartment and never approach me ever again unless your ideals have changed understand?"

Draco glared at Harry with as much hatred as he could muster but Harry was unaffected. So with a sneer Draco left with his two goons following behind him. Looking to his little group Harry saw Ron practically glowing red in anger but Harry ignored him not really knowing what to say but as he looked toward Hermione he saw her near tears.

"Whats wrong Ms. Granger?" Asked Harry trying to make her feel better.

Hermione wiped her eyes dry and responded "Its just that even on my first day of Hogwarts people are already looking down on me"

Neville put a comforting arm around her shoulder and Harry said "Don't worry about those other gits, You already have a good friend in Neville and me all on your first day so if someone gives you a hard time just tell them to bugger off"

Hermione nodded and muttered her thanks to both Harry and Neville still ignoring Ron. They all sat together in silence until the train finally stopped. Everyone except Harry left there trunks as they were instructed to and stepped off the train, Immediately a booming voice made itself known "Firs years firs year this way please, Gather round".

Harry spotted Hagrid and followed the crowd towards the giant man "Everyone hear? Right then follow me" Asked/stated Hagrid. The group of firsts years trudged along with Hagrid who was leading them down a narrow walkway, Finally they reached the beginning of a lake where a boats were lined up near the waters shore.

"Four to a boat now" Hagrid said.

The first years hurriedly made there way to the nearest boat, Harry found himself in a boat with Neville, Hermione and unsurprisingly Ron. Hagrid seeing everyone in a boat said "Right now keep yer hands inside the boat and don't be playing around less you fall in and meet the giant squid sooner then ya think"

Standing up on his own boat that astonishingly held up the girth of Hagrid, He exposed his pink umbrella and firmly poked the floor of his boat commanding "Move" and with slow resistance at first the boats started to move gaining speed as they glided across the water. Harry ignored the casual conversation going on between Hermione and Neville and also ignored Ron's half hearted attempts to start a conversation about something called Quidditch. After about five minutes Hagrid called out to them readying them for the sight of Hogwarts castle. Right around a small corner they turned and there was Hogwarts castle in all its magical glory, Even Harry could not muster up a criticizing thought even though it set the medieval theme the wizarding world had into stone. It was just perfect the magic surrounding Harry made him feel welcomed and cherished and protected but there was a deep feeling of uneasiness and wariness that the castle emanated as if for Harry it self. It was then that Harry remembered exactly who resided in that very castle and mentally thanked Hogwarts for its warning 'So Hogwarts a castle deems fit to warn me' Harry thought with a grimace while all the boats washed up against the shore.

Getting off the boats with all the other first years they walked with Hagrid until he came upon a big wooden door. Hagrid raised his giant hand and knocked loudly three times, The door opened up and from the back Harry could clearly see the stern looking woman wearing black robes with the ridiculous hat on her head making her look silly instead of the imposing status she undoubtedly wanted to be seen as.

"Got the first years for you Professor McGonagall" said Hagrid.

McGonagall stiffly nodded and responded "Thank you Hagrid that will be all, Now follow me" Her slight Scottish accent swimming in authority no doubt earned from being a professor.

They all walked through the door standing crowded in a small room with Harry persistently staying in the back not wanting to be the center of attention yet and Harry noted with a start the Hogwarts was made of stone and was extremely giddy. McGonagall stood in front of a second door and said "Ok children the sorting will begin shortly, There are four different houses you can be sorted into. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, And Slytherin all named after the Hogwarts Founders respectively and each have there own dormitories with there own Heads of Houses. You will live in your chosen house and your house mates will be like family. There is also a house point system in which good behavior will earn your house points and bad behavior will have points taken away and at the end of the year the house with the most points will be awarded with the house cup. Now I will return when the sorting is to begin so take this chance to tidy yourselves up a bit" McGonagall explained looking disdainfully at a couple of first years in the front who were messy looking and walked out of the room.

At once everyone started to talk, Filling the small room with unnecessary chatter. Harry merely observed and listened as Ron explained his fear of the sorting by revealing that one of the Weasley twins told him you would have to fight a troll. Suddenly a burst of cold hit Harry's skin making him shiver slightly and he exhaled his visible breath 'There's a ghost in Hogwarts!!' Harry thought as he moved his head around searching every part of the room for any ghosts, No one commenting on Harry's behavior just chalking it up to him being in a new place.

A series of screams interrupted Harry's pondering of possible ghosts, Looking in the direction of the screams he saw them. There was four ghosts chatting about someone except they did not look like any ghost he had ever seen, Micheal and the park lady were transparent but looked like themselves. These ghosts were glowing an eerie silver color and one of the ghosts even had blood stains with chains on his body. Harry watched in interest as a fat ghost spoke to a couple of kids closest to the door 'I guess wizard ghosts are different from non magic ghosts, I really shouldn't be surprised' Harry thought as McGonagall came back into the room shooing away the ghosts and gesturing for the kids to line up and follow her.

As they walked into the great hall everyone broke the line and huddled up together, Harry was still in the back but could still see the whole great hall. Harry faintly heard Hermione explaining the charmed ceiling to Neville but ignored the conversation, Harry looked up at what could only be the staff table and felt his blood boil because there he was Albus Dumbledore sitting in the middle of the table speaking with a black haired hooked nose man. Harry calmed himself not wanting his anger to get the best of him, And watched as professor McGonagall put a stool in between the four tables and put a black old wizarding hat on top of the stool. McGonagall then proclaimed for the entire great hall to hear "Presenting the first years, The sorting shall begin" And then the brim of the hat opened and the hat started to sing.

After the song was finished Professor stood beside the hat with a big piece of parchment in her hands and she started to call out names. Harry watched as various kids sat on the stool putting the hat on and the hat would shout out whatever house they belong in. Hermione and Neville were sorted into Gryffindor while the Malfoy kid and his bodyguards were sorted into Slytherin but there was also some Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's to. As most of the kids were now sorted the little group Harry was surrounded by was now smaller and people were now casting him curios looks because of his lack of footwear and lack of robes. Finally Harry's name was called and he walked from the back of the group to the stool and noticed he had the whole great halls attention. He heard many questions and statements flying around the hall like "That's Harry Potter?" "Where's his robes?" "Why isn't he wearing shoes?" "Wow that's THE Harry Potter" "He's so cute!" "Look at those muscles!" but Harry ignored all of them and sat on the stool letting the curios and disappointed looking McGonagall put the hat on his head.

"Aw Mr. Potter it is nice to finally meet you, Don't talk just listen I don't have much time. Your house has already been chosen for you, Just remember Hogwarts herself shall do her best to protect you from her headmaster and many others within the castle shall also help. Do not fall for the manipulations of Mr. Dumbledore and be strong because he will use any means to get what he desires, Good luck young Potter. And with that last statement the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!!".

Harry stood up using all self control to reign in his anger and walked over to the table where the Weasley twins were shouting "WE GOT POTTER!! WE GOT POTTER!!" Sitting between Hermione and Neville, Harry took a glance up at the staff table and saw Dumbledore smiling down at him with his blue eye's twinkling merrily and a look of satisfaction upon his face. Harry looked away and locked eye's with the hooked nose man who sneered at Harry as soon as they locked eye's but Harry just rolled his eye's at him and looked towards the next man who was looking nervous and was wearing a purple turban around his head and when the turban wearing guy turned his head with his back facing Harry's general direction Harry felt a a slight burn in his scar. Harry quickly looked away ignoring that Ron was sorted into Gryffindor and thought 'I didn't even get a proper sorting, And now some big nosed guy gives me that disgusted look as if I was a roach or something. Plus my scar starts to burn because of that turban guy this year is gonna suck' Harry was broken from his inner musing when Dumbledore stood up basically commanding silence.

"Welcome to Hogwarts my first years and welcome back to Hogwarts my upper years, I have a few announcements to make the forbidden forest is just that forbidden to everyone and there are a number of items not allowed in Hogwarts that are posted on Mr. Filches office door. There is also no magic allowed in the hallways before or after class, Time tables will be handed out tomorrow during breakfast by your heads of house and classes will begin after breakfast. There is a 9 o' clock curfew any student out of there dormitories will be given detention, If anyone has any questions feel free to ask any of the professor's or your house heads. Also the third floor is out of bounds to all students who do not wish to die a painful death, Now I only have three words left and they are Nitwick, Oddment, and Tweak enjoy the feast" Explained Dumbledore and with a clap of his hands large amounts of food appeared on every table.

Harry stared at the mouth watering food and with a shrug of his shoulders started to load his plate and dug in. Not paying attention to any of the conversations or questions about his clothes Harry thought about how Hogwarts would help him and who he could trust that wasn't sided with Dumbledore. He also remembered about the note George gave him and knew he needed privacy to read it. Harry sighed Dumbledore had an unhealthy obsession with him but for now all he could do was wait until there first encounter.

This concludes chapter 3 hope it was good but you can tell me what ya thought by reviewing, Anyway the next chapter will have the first day of classes including potions class and maybe a meeting with Dumbledore.

Manny-The-Great

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