Harry Potter : A family??

The Hogwarts Express rumbled steadily along the tracks toward Hogsmeade Station, its scarlet engine slicing through the countryside. Inside one of the compartments, Harry Potter sat quietly by the window, watching the world blur past in shades of green. His thoughts drifted between excitement and nervous anticipation, occasionally wondering what Hogwarts would really be like.

A knock on the sliding door startled him.

"Excuse me, do you mind? Everywhere else is full," a red-headed boy asked, poking his head through the doorway.

Harry looked up and smiled. "Not at all."

The boy stepped in and sat across from him. "I'm Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley. That was so cool how you and your parents showed up."

"They're my uncle and aunt, actually," Harry corrected him. "And I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Ron's eyes widened instantly. "So it's true... I mean, do you really have the—?" He pointed awkwardly at Harry's forehead.

"The what?" Harry asked, confused.

"The scar," Ron whispered, leaning forward.

Harry smiled and pushed aside his fringe, revealing the lightning bolt scar.

"Wicked!" Ron gasped.

Harry laughed lightly. That was when the trolley lady arrived, pushing her cart full of magical treats.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked kindly.

"No thanks, I'm all set," Ron mumbled, holding up a somewhat squished sandwich wrapped in wax paper.

Harry noticed Ron's discomfort immediately and remembered Evelyn giving him 1,000 Galleons as pocket money. Without hesitation, he pulled out some coins.

"We'll take the lot," he said cheerfully.

Ron stared, wide-eyed, as the trolley lady beamed and began unloading nearly everything onto their seats.

Soon, the two were surrounded by sweets, laughing as they tried each one.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans," Ron explained, holding one up. "They mean every flavor. There's chocolate and peppermint, but also spinach, liver, and tripe. George swears he got a booger-flavored one once."

Harry popped one into his mouth, chewed, then immediately pulled a face. "No wonder my uncle never bought them for me before."

"Your uncle must be very nice to buy you all this stuff," Ron said, genuinely.

"Of course he is," Harry replied with pride.

"This is Scabbers, by the way," Ron said, pointing to the rat that was now rummaging through a Chocolate Frog box. "Pathetic, isn't he?"

"A little bit," Harry admitted, trying not to stare.

"Fred taught me a spell to turn him yellow. Want to see?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry grinned.

Ron lifted his wand and cleared his throat, just as the door slid open again.

A bushy-haired girl with bright eyes stepped in. "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one."

"No," both boys answered at once.

Her eyes landed on Ron. "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it."

Ron shifted nervously. "Uh, yeah. Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow."

Nothing happened.

The girl tilted her head. "Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it?"

Ron looked mortified.

She straightened her skirt and added, "Of course, I've only tried a few simple ones myself, but they've all worked for me." She stepped inside and pointed her wand at the mess of wrappers. "Scourgify."

With a swirl of magic, the rubbish vanished.

"Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter!" she gasped as her eyes fell on his scar.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she introduced herself. Then, turning to Ron, she asked, "And you are?"

"Ron Weasley," Ron replied through a mouthful of jelly slugs.

"Pleasure," Hermione said with slight disapproval, then looked back at Harry.

"What about you, Harry? Know any spells?"

"Of course," Harry replied, then began casually casting spells: Leviosa, Glacius, Geminio, Accio, and more.

Ron and Hermione watched in awe.

"But most of those are advanced spells—they're not taught until year five!" Hermione exclaimed.

"That's wicked, mate," Ron added, still munching on candy.

"Really? I didn't know that. My uncle taught me all of them."

Hermione tilted her head. "Your uncle? You mean the man who was with you when you came? What spell did he use? I never read anything about a lightning teleporting spell."

"Oh, that was my uncle's specialty. Lightning magic. It's a whole branch of magic he created."

"That is wicked," Ron said again, crunching a Fizzing Whizzbee.

Hermione leaned closer, eyes wide. "That's fascinating. Who is your uncle, by the way?"

"Maximus Moriarty. He…"

Hermione cut him off. "Oh my god, Maximus Moriarty?? As in the Ender of the Sand War? The Slayer of the Black Dread? The Vanquisher of the African Dark Lords? The Black Knight, the Reaper, the Hand of Death, the Liberator, the Second Coming of Merlin?! That Moriarty?!"

Hermione was practically hyperventilating.

Even Ron paused mid-bite. "Mate, I don't know who your uncle is, but he sounds mad wicked and cool."

Harry beamed. "I didn't know he had so many titles."

Hermione clutched her chest. "He's in history books while alive! And don't get me started on his wife—she's a legendary witch—wait a second, the woman with you, she was Evelyn Moriarty???" she was hyperventilating all over again.

Harry opened his mouth, but a voice called down the corridor, instructing students to change into their robes.

"Well, I'd better go. See you at the Sorting!" Hermione said, hurrying out.

Ron and Harry began changing into their uniforms, still laughing.

The train began to slow. Moments later, a booming voice echoed across the platform.

"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!"

"Hagrid!" Harry waved as they stepped onto the platform.

Hagrid grinned. "All righ', Harry? Come on then, follow me!"

The group of first-years followed Hagrid down a lantern-lit path through the forest. As they walked, he told them tales of Hogwarts' founders and the long history behind the boats they were about to ride.

When they reached the edge of the Black Lake, small boats awaited. Four students per boat. As they sailed across the still water, the silhouette of Hogwarts rose into view.

It was majestic. Sprawling towers, glowing windows, ancient stone. Harry was struck silent. 'It's as big as Moriarty Castle,' he thought with a grin.

The boats docked, and the students followed Hagrid up the stone steps. Professor Minerva McGonagall awaited them inside.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But first, you must be sorted into your houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are here, your house will be your family. Your triumphs will earn you points; rule-breaking will lose them. The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly."

As she turned to leave, a blonde boy stepped forward.

"It's true then," he said, voice low and arrogant. "What they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

The group of students began whispering.

"This is Crabbe and Goyle," the boy said, gesturing to two hulking figures behind him. "And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron snorted. Draco narrowed his eyes.

"Think my name is funny, do you? I don't need to ask yours. Red hair, hand-me-down robes? You must be a Weasley."

Then he turned back to Harry. "You'll find that some wizarding families are better than others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

He held out his hand.

Harry shook it, but his grip tightened. "Pleasure, Malfoy. I realize that Ron laughing at your name was disrespectful, but mocking his family makes you no better. You both are in the wrong here, so I won't take sides. Oh, and by the way," he squeezed harder, "I am fully capable of choosing the sort I want to befriend. Do not impose your opinions on me again. Are we clear?"

Draco blinked. "Y-Yes. Sure. Potter."

Professor McGonagall returned and led them into the Great Hall. Floating candles illuminated the enchanted ceiling, bewitched to reflect the night sky.

"The ceiling isn't real," Hermione whispered to Ron and Harry. "It's bewitched to look like the sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Once the first-years were lined up, McGonagall announced, "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."

Dumbledore rose with his usual twinkle. "I have a few start-of-term notices. First-years should note that the Forbidden Forest is, as its name implies, forbidden. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, reminds you that spellcasting in the halls is prohibited. Also, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death."

There was an awkward pause.

He smiled.

"And lastly, we will welcome two new great professors this year, teaching two new subjects. Please welcome Maximus Moriarty and his wife, Evelyn Hayes Moriarty. They will tell you about their subjects personaly."

Gasps, whispers, and chatter filled the hall.

Harry stood still, shocked but overjoyed.

End of Chapter 12.

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So, what do you think the couple's subjects will be?

And did any of you guess it right?

Want another chapter? Motivate me, and you will get it.

Be seeing ya all.