1st September 1992, King's Cross Station, London
As he had suspected, Harry had spent the better part of his morning calming down both Sirius and Remus, who both decided to have nervous breakdown at the thought of Harry being so far away and in Dumbledore's grasp.
"I'll be fine. I have allies in the castle, both Filius and Snape are trustworthy and, hell, Lucius is on the Board of Directors. Nothing bad will happen," Harry said as he forced the two men towards the parlour and, more importantly, the main Floo system. It was almost ten and he didn't want to keep his friends waiting.
"Fine, fine, no need to push," Sirius said, letting Remus go through the Floo first.
"You know, I think the Blacks have a family seat on the Board of Governors," Harry said, thinking of a book he had read.
"We do," Sirius confirmed before taking a handful of powder and disappearing. Harry followed after him, stumbling as he landed at the station.
"Will you take it up?"
"Maybe. Although there is a seat, I would still need to be recommended by a current member."
Sirius was becoming more active in politics since Harry had freed him; although he didn't have a passion for it, he knew that making allies would benefit him and Harry. However, as he had never bothered to pay much attention to his father's lessons, and the fact he had run away before they had gotten to the important political strategies, Sirius was pretty much playing blind. His name and natural charisma, and the fact he and Lucius had a rather strong alliance, were the biggest draws he currently had. He was lucky there hadn't been a formal full Wizengamot session yet. While all members were invited to vote in trials, full sessions were called only four times a year with the next in autumn. He had already had many different proposed bills sent to him as he was now an active member and he honestly didn't know how people could find any joy out of this. All the reading and the scheming was boring to him, however, for Harry, he would do it.
"I'm sure Lucius would gladly recommend you, if just to have an ally with him," Harry said, cautiously looking around before flicking his wrist and making all of the powder currently on his robes disappear before his robes and hair straightened out.
He had finally had his hair cut and it was now back to being shoulder length; still longer than in his old life, but Harry had found he liked it. It separated him from the boy he was - he still had things in common with the 'old Harry' but he was slowly becoming more Harrison James Potter-Black than Harry James Potter.
Seeing Lucius alongside Narcissa and Draco, Harry made his way other to his friends. Narcissa, seeing them approach, sent them a dazzling smile.
"Are you ready for your second year, Harrison?" she asked after leaning down and giving him a soft hug and kiss on the cheek. As there was nobody else really on the platform she pureblood mask to fall.
allowed
her
"Yes, aunt Cissa." She had insisted he call her aunt after the second time he had been over to the manor.
"Excellent! Now, I expect at least one letter this week from both of you. I want to hear all about your lessons and classmates," she said in mock sternness.
Harry and Draco exchanged looks before replying in sync, "Yes, ma'am."
Lucius gave the boys a soft look. "Now boys, I don't want to hear you've been caught getting up to any trouble." Sirius smiled. "And by that he means cause as much as you can, but don't get caught."
Lucius sent the man a look. "Obviously," he said.
Harry smiled at the interaction. Although Lucius wasn't as obvious as Narcissa, and much more calculating, he really felt like he had a family in these people. Neville was still his best friend, but Draco was sort of like an annoying little cousin who you couldn't help but like. He was spoilt and arrogant but also caring, sweet, and, underneath all of his masks, he was a loyal friend.
Soon enough Madam Bones appeared with both Hannah and Susan; they usually arrived to everything together with either Hannah's parents or Susan's aunt. Madam Bones didn't stay long, trusting the girls to get on the train, however she did stop to briefly talk to Sirius and Lucius and give both of the boys hugs.
Harry hadn't seen Hannah since getting their school supplies as she had been on holiday and greeted both girls with hugs.
Neville soon arrived and Harry was happy to see the slight changes in the boy. No longer did he walk with his head down and eyes averted but instead he walked with confidence. Seeing this, Harry smiled. He would never regret being friends with Neville.
Once they were all together the adults quickly spelled their trunks and owl cages onto the train. Harry, however, didn't need this as he kept his shrunk in his pocket. There was another round of goodbyes and promises to write and the friends soon found themselves on the train in a compartment near the back.
~
The train
Halfway through the journey, Harry found himself wondering if perhaps the Weasleys would actually be better off if their youngest male member was to mysteriously disappear. His journey had started off great: he and his friends had chatted about their holidays, eaten sweets, and played a few games of exploding snap. However, Harry should have known it wouldn't last. It was while they were daring each other to eat different Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans that the door to their compartment had opened quite forcefully.
"Harry mate, how's your summer been?" Ronald asked.
Harry sent his friends incredulous looks before he sighed and stood, facing the redhead. Although taller than in his last life, Harry was still shorter than Ron by a few good inches.
"As I said when I saw you in Diagon Alley, I do not wish to speak to you again. If I had my way I wouldn't even see you again. Unless you're here to apologise, which I very much doubt, I think you should leave," Harry said.
The rest of the compartment watched as Ron's face slowly went red and started to match his hair.
"But-but - I was only saying the truth. You were with Malfoy, he's a dirty Death Eater!"
Harry sighed again and put up a hand when he saw Draco rise, most likely to defend his father. "Lord Malfoy is practically my uncle, so I would recommend you stop saying such slanderous things. Now, as I said before, leave."
"You know what? I will. You're just a dirty Death Eater sympathizer. You're worse than them, actually - you're supposed to be a hero! But you're nothing! I'll show you. I'll be a great hero one day and you'll regret ever picking them over me!"
Harry watched with cold eyes as Ron stormed out of their compartment. Although he knew the words were meaningless, he momentarily got lost in his memories. Flashes of Petunia and Vernon beating him, calling him a worthless freak, quickly crossed his mind before he was able to stop them.
Shaking his head to rid himself of his past, Harry turned and faced his friends. "I hope you two have finalised your plans for that menace," he said to Neville and Draco. The two boys shared sly looks. "We may have."
"Good."
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