Harry Potter: No More Holding Back

In the afternoon, Hagrid paid Harry a visit, bearing a chocolate cake with green writing that he had baked himself, along with a book on charms for brooms.

"Thought with how yer interested in learning an' Quidditch, you'd like it," Hagrid said.

"Thank you, Hagrid," Harry replied happily. He wasn't accustomed to people giving him birthday presents.

Harry shared some details about his Gringotts appointment with Hagrid, who laughed heartily at the story of how he made Corpnik laugh out loud. He also told Hagrid about the cake he received from the Leaky Cauldron team and observed a few people on his way back from Gringotts.

"There was this one blond boy who seemed to have swallowed a lemon. But his father didn't seem to be any better. And they looked disdainfully at the students who looked like Muggleborns to me," Harry remarked.

"Ah, could've been the Malfoys. Nasty business, them. Lucius Malfoy is a big fish, has contacts to the Minister, but was thought to have been with You-Know-Who. Bought himself free. Claimed to have been under the Imperius. Don't know if that's true. He's nasty enough to have done it willingly. But he's got gold, so many don't dare crossing him. His son should be the age to start Hogwarts now," Hagrid explained.

Harry nodded and then inquired about the Zabinis.

"Ah, yes, Black Widow Elladora," Hagrid began. "She's been married six times now, but somehow her husbands always die soon. Could have something to do with that after her first one died in an accident, with whom she'd had her son, she looked for rich old men. Couldn't handle the stress of having a beautiful young wife, many say. Others tell she's killed 'em, but nothing could ever be proven."

"Did you meet 'em?" Hagrid asked.

"Yes, when I got my robes at Madam Malkin's, Blaize Zabini was also fitted for his. We talked a bit. I got the impression that while he was a bit arrogant, I'd get along with him well enough. He seems to be at least intelligent enough to not simply judge on rumors but to get more information about something," Harry explained.

"Yes, that fits their personality. The Zabinis have been Slytherins for generations. But I didn't hear about them being dark. Still high stuck on believing in pureblood supremacy," Hagrid informed Harry.

This prompted Harry to address a question that had been on his mind.

"Hagrid, would you be mad if I was sorted into Slytherin? I think I'll go to Ravenclaw, but some of my character traits fit Slytherin."

"Nah, Harry. I know you. Yer a good kid. And nobody with a moon owl as a familiar could ever go dark. Hedwig wouldn't allow it," Hagrid assured him.

Harry felt relieved to hear that. While he didn't usually care much about people's opinions, he didn't want to lose Hagrid's friendship. The gentle giant of a man had given up a lot of his time to look after Harry at the Leaky Cauldron and had been a great guide in helping him learn his way around.

While Harry had noticed a slight bias against Slytherins, he also observed that Corpnik seemed to possess extensive knowledge about certain wizarding families. Determining what was true and what was exaggerated would be part of the puzzle, and Harry made a mental note to explore further.

Later, Hagrid bid him farewell as he had an errand to run for Dumbledore at Gringotts.

...

Beginning of a Journey

Harry stood at the entrance of King's Cross Station, his trunk placed on a trolley to blend in with the Muggles. While he could have easily shrunk it and tucked it into his pocket, the guide had recommended the appearance of a normal Muggle student heading to boarding school.

Hedwig's stand was in the third compartment of his trunk, and she would join him on the platform. Preferring freedom to confinement, he had given her the option to meet him once he crossed the barrier or fly to Hogwarts independently. Hedwig chose the former, and Harry, over the past month, had become more attuned to understanding her hoots and behavior, a manifestation of their familiar bond.

Dressed in Muggle clothes that could pass for a school uniform, Harry opted for comfort on this relatively warm day, skipping a jacket. Black pants, trainers, and a dark blue pullover with his family crest adorned his figure. Beneath the pullover, the collar of his white polo-shirt peeked out.

Two weeks before starting Hogwarts, Harry had ventured into Muggle London with five hundred galleons exchanged for pounds. A shopping spree ensued, securing a complete wardrobe, including sportswear for his training regimen. He also bought board games for the common room evenings, anticipating fellow students interested in playing.

For the journey, he packed two card games in a backpack — a simple double set for games like poker and rummy, and a newer game called "Wizard." The description intrigued him. Alongside the cards, a bottle of cooled pumpkin juice and a lunchbox completed his travel essentials.

Approaching the barrier between platforms nine and ten, Harry felt relieved that the method of reaching the platform had been outlined in the Muggleborn guide. Hagrid, while providing the train ticket, had overlooked explaining this crucial detail.

As Harry approached the wall with his trolley, a hint of nervousness crept over him. Closing his eyes in anticipation, he awaited the magical transition to Platform 9¾. However, when he opened his eyes, the familiar platform sprawled before him, with the Hogwarts Express waiting to embark on another journey.

A grin adorned Harry's face; he was about to step into Hogwarts, the very school his parents had attended. Hedwig, his faithful owl, swooped down, and he extended his arm for her to land.

"Hey, girl. Did you have a nice flight?" he inquired, receiving a positive hoot. Hedwig perched on his shoulder as he observed the bustling scene.

The platform was already abuzz with people, even though the train wouldn't depart until eleven, still half an hour away. Harry retrieved his trunk, tapped it with his wand, and watched it shrink to fit into his pocket. Most students were adorned in robes, and he pondered how they discreetly arrived without drawing attention from the Muggles.

Perhaps side-along apparition, he mused, recalling Professor McGonagall's method during their journey to St. Mungo's. Knowing there was no Floo connection here, he had asked Tom for the easiest way to reach the platform from the Leaky Cauldron.

Tom and his crew had prepared a delightful lunchbox for his journey, and Harry thoroughly enjoyed his stay at the Leaky Cauldron. Although he couldn't entirely evade recognition, Tom skillfully managed the situation when patrons greeted him upon discovering his identity.

While listening to fascinating stories from the regular patrons, Harry had reluctantly accepted that a similar scenario might unfold at Hogwarts once the students learned his name during the sorting.

As he mingled with the crowd, Harry overheard snippets of conversations between parents and children. Well-wishes for the new school year were exchanged, some reminded their offspring to study diligently, and one father confidently declared that this would be their house's year for the Quidditch Cup.

Owls hooted, toads croaked, and cats meowed in the background, creating a symphony of magical sounds that filled the air. Tonight, Harry would experience the Sorting Hat ceremony and discover his fate among the houses of Hogwarts.

.....

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