Chapter 6

The Hogwarts Express

As soon as their parents were out of sight, Percy separated from the group, announcing for the umpteenth time that he was a Prefect and that he was needed to perform the tasks that came with that title. The rest just nodded, unsure about how to respond to this declaration. 

Percy ducked into a compartment, at which point Fred and George seemed to take it as their cue to do various impressions of what Percy had just said. 

"Typical Perce, wanting to be with others of his-" 

"Distinguished status." George finished his brother's sentence.

The twins left them too, after spotting a boy with dreadlocks named Lee Jordan, who Harry figured was a friend of theirs. That left him, Ron, and Miles. The three found a compartment together, though Harry could tell Miles wasn't a big fan of the environment. At last, he got up. "I'll catch you a lot later, I'm gonna go see if I can find some friends," and left the compartment.

That left just Ron and Harry. "I haven't seen you much at your place." The redheaded boy started.

"I don't come out of my room much."

"Why not?"

Harry contemplated telling him about Dumbledore but knew that might just start more problems if Ron told his family anything about it. "I dunno, I suppose I like it there."

Ron shrugged. "Alright."

After that, the two boys continued to talk, and it was evident to Harry that they had a lot to discuss. Actually, it was more his listening as Ron went on, but he didn't mind. Ron asked him if he liked Quidditch, to which Harry responded he wasn't all too familiar with the sport. That set Ron off on a long yet somewhat interesting description of the game and rules.

The trolley witch came by shortly after Ron had finished on Quidditch. Having been given galleons to spend on the train by Miles, Harry bought nearly the entire cart stock, though he made sure to save plenty for his brother as well. As they ate the sweets, they talked more, and Harry knew he'd found a good friend in Ron.

"So Harry, what house would you like to be in?" Ron asked as he bit into a Jelly Slug.

Harry pondered the question. He'd thought about it a great deal last night but honestly wasn't sure. "Maybe Slytherin?"

Ron recoiled as though he'd been slapped. "Why on earth do you want to go there?"

"It seems nice."

The redheaded boy just gaped at him. "You've got to be joking. Harry, there's not a single wizard that went bad who wasn't in Slytherin!"

"So? That doesn't mean you can judge the whole house."

"Well, I'm going to go to Gryffindor. My whole family's been there." He paused. "So were your parents, you know."

Harry shook his head. "I don't know... I suppose I'll just see what the hat has in store for me."

Ron was now trying to catch an escaped Chocolate Frog. "Good luck with that mate."

☆

After leaving Harry and Ron, Miles set off down the train. He was going to join them again soon, but before that, he wanted to meet his other friends. As he was walking down the train, he bumped into the trolley witch.

She smiled at him. "Anything from the trolley dear?"

Figuring he might as well get something, Miles replied, "Bertie Bott's please, if you've got 'em."

After making his purchase and handing over some sickles from his pocket, he continued down the train. He was just about to reach the back, where he suspected they were all sitting when he was nearly knocked over by a girl running out of a compartment. He was sent across the aisle and banged into the doors of another compartment. 

"I'm so sorry!" A girl with dark, frizzy hair apologized. 

He blinked, a little dazed, and saw an arm being extended in his direction. He took it and allowed himself to be helped up. "It's no problem at all, really."

She smiled. "Well, I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm Hermione Granger."

"Miles Potter."

Her eyes widened. "The Miles Potter?"

"You know it. The Boy Who Lived, The Chosen One, The Savior, those are all me, but I prefer Miles," he said with a grin.

"Well hello Miles," she said with a smile. "Hope I see you at Hogwarts later, hopefully under better circumstances than me knocking you over."

He chuckled, "It was no problem, hopefully, I see you around as well." And with that, he made his way to the back of the train again. At last, he found the lot of them holed up in a compartment a few down from the back of the train. 

"Miles!" They chorused when Theo opened the door for him. 

"Hey," He nodded to everyone in turn. "Theo, Blaise, Pansy, Daphne, and Draco."

They nodded as well. Blaise stepped up. "Enough with the formalities, good to see you mate," he said, hugging Miles. 

A good-natured laugh was exchanged between all of them as Miles hugged him back. He proceeded to greet everyone in the same way, though his hug with Theo was brief, as he sensed the other boy tense up. Eyeing him strangely but not commenting on it, Miles sat down. They proceeded to continue their discussion. 

Draco informed him that his father insisted he come over to Malfoy Manor over the winter holidays, as they were throwing a ball for Yule. Miles was all too happy to agree, ecstatic to not have to spend the holidays with his mum and dad the whole time, knowing that some sort of party was going to be held, and his being the "Boy Who Lived" would somehow get dragged into that as well. Besides, he'd love to spend the holidays with his friends. 

Theo was just going to start talking about his summer when asked when the compartment door was thrown open. They all looked up, and Miles saw a familiar pair of faces. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle stood in the doorway, scowling at Draco. 

"We've been looking for you," Crabbe said. Goyle grunted in agreement. 

"You've found me," Draco replied cheekily. 

The two looked around the compartment, and Miles saw out of the corner of his eye that the others too were giving them defiant looks. Crabbe and Goyle had always been at the Malfoy household and most of the others' as well, exempting Theo, as Miles couldn't recall anyone other than Draco having been there before. Lily and James would have never allowed them or their parents over, and Miles understood why. 

While the rest of them had also met during dinners and parties, those two had never really got along with anyone, and the feeling was mutual. Draco, in particular, couldn't stand them but had to as his father was on good terms with their fathers. Miles couldn't understand it, but he knew not to pry. 

Blaise shot Draco a look before standing up. "Well, it's been great seeing you again, we'll meet later at the feast."

Simply glaring at the rest of them in response, the two trudged out the door, probably in the direction of the trolley witch. Or, knowing Crabbe and Goyle, just taking whatever sweets they wanted from their fellow students. 

An uncomfortable silence ensued after the compartment door had been shut once more. "What was that about?" Daphne finally said. 

"I'm not sure actually," Draco replied. "They seem to think we're close, but honestly I probably wouldn't have gotten to know them if their parents didn't know mine. They aren't the best company."

"Maybe you won't see them as often once we're at Hogwarts?" Pansy suggested.

"I doubt it. They'll be in Slytherin for sure, and as for me, well... you know. My father says the house is pretty close."

Theo nodded. "I get what you mean. My mum barely spoke to me all summer, but this morning she told me she'll send an owl once I've been sorted into Slytherin house. I assume that means I shouldn't expect one if I don't get in."

The rest nodded, except Miles. Blaise noticed. "I suppose your parents want you to be in Gryffindor?"

"I'm not sure honestly. My dad seems to, and my mum was neutral about the whole thing." Miles said with a shrug. 

"Would she be as neutral if you were put into Slytherin?" Daphne asked. 

He smiled. "Well, if she isn't, at least I'd have you lot." 

The rest reciprocated his smile, looking touched. Pansy looked out the window. "I can nearly see the castle! We'd better get our robes on."

As he tugged his robes down over his head, Miles wondered what was laying in store for him when he arrived at the castle.