With only a few weeks to go until they started attending Hogwarts, Severus confiscated the prank items Sirius had given the children: about four "Hypotos" sweets, candies that induce a hiccup attack when ingested; two soaps with frog eggs, which hatched when they touched water, causing the soap to be full of tadpoles and subsequently frogs everywhere, Severus had to admit that the accelerated growth had its merits. Also, a sachet of Burping Powder and an ordinary-looking teacup that had been charmed to bite the nose of anyone who tried to drink from it. He was a victim of this prank, as was his wife.
- "Pranker children aren't born, they're made. Generally, a prankster child is a child with a great sense of humor, an outgoing and creative child who enjoys laughing and making others laugh, and very attractive social qualities, as long as they know how to handle them," - Eleanor said on the subject. What worried Severus was precisely that they wouldn't know how to handle it with the bad influences around them.
- "But Dad, they're fundamental to our socialization and being respected."
- "That's absurd," - The adult wizard replied.
- "Uncle Sirius says..." - Chris began to explain, and was stopped by his father with a gesture.
- "I should have known your 'uncle' would be involved." - Severus growled.
Honestly, he wasn't in favor of the Marauders being considered 'uncles,' even if they were Harry's guardians. He appreciated even less that they wanted to indoctrinate their children with their Marauder Decalogue. The last thing he wanted was for any of his children to resemble that group of bullies. - "I don't think they have the criteria to know how to use these items."
Eleanor heard the complaints and went over to see what was going on. Her youngest son was busy with the butterflies among the flowers, the cats and dogs were sleeping in the sun, and Marcus wouldn't feel alone at that time.
- "When it comes to children's humor, we have to be patient," - She said to Severus. - "Jokes help them understand social norms. Scatological topics like farting, pooping, etc., are gaining popularity."
- "We're not like that, Mom!" - The children complained, their faces disgusted.
Eleanor laughed heartily, infecting Severus, who, despite his restraint, found his children's expressions comical.
- "At two, you started holding your nose and pretending to throw away the trash while doubling over with laughter."
- "What does that have to do with anything?" - Liam questioned.
- "Not much, just nostalgia. Why do you have to grow up so fast?" - Eleanor said, stroking their heads.
- "Fine." - Severus sighed. - "If you promise to be responsible and not hurt others, I'll consider returning those items for you to take to Hogwarts."
- "Promise!" - They replied together.
.
In the summer, Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor was one of the top places in Wizarding London. Florean Fortescue himself served the customers. A historian by profession, he enjoyed having his own business. This parlor had a brightly lit terrace where customers could look out over the panorama of the Alley.
Severus let the children go to the parlor with Remus; he would be overseeing the affairs of his Apothecary.
Chocolate was the common flavor among the ice cream choices.
- "Hold still, Marcus, you've got it on your clothes." - Harry said, wiping his cousin's face with a napkin.
In the distance, Harry recognized the Weasley twins with Charlie. He was excited to see them, but at the same time, he found it strange. From what he knew, Charlie must be in Romania. From the direction they were headed, they must be heading toward Gambol & Japes, the joke shop in Diagon Alley, although he knew they would have a greater preference for Zonko's in Hogsmeade.
- "Harry, are you going to Hugh's birthday party? We're going to get him "Street Fighter II," he mentioned he wanted it," - Chris said.
- "His dad promised to get him a new video game console. He invited us to play, but we still don't know if we can go." - Liam added. - "He asks a lot about the new school. I think he's going to miss us."
- "I'll go say goodbye; it might be the last time we'll see each other. I don't know if we'll keep in touch over the holidays."
- "Oh, right. It would be strange for an owl to deliver a letter, and Hogwarts doesn't have phones." - Liam commented more thoughtfully.
The boys brought a pot of ice to share at his house, and Severus welcomed them into his shop, looking tired.
- "Ten minutes and we'll be leaving. I have to take some orders, so I'm not free," - Severus said.
- "No problem, I'll look after them," - Remus replied.
.
Harry had a sleepover at his aunt and uncle's house. He helped his Aunt Petunia with some of the preparations. It was strange that he was clumsy with things Mrs. Dursley had taught him in his previous life. His Aunt Petunia was easily distracted and had a knack for cooking, but sometimes forgot the basics. Alfred, his house-elf, was working with his "Uncle Severus" in the lab, but had left most of everything ready. However, his Aunt Petunia had the idea of making individual pizzas. The idea was to leave them ready to put in the oven later.
- "Congratulations to us!" - Eleanor exclaimed.
Harry smiled, adjusting his glasses. - "When the twins finish their game, they'll probably be happy to help eat them," - Harry joked.
- "Very true," - She replied, following the joke.
The wizard felt more empathy for his current aunt than for his previous one, whom he called Mrs. Dursley. Sometimes, Harry felt his aunt knew more than she was letting on. She even looked at him suspiciously when he helped with the gardening. They had made a garden on the terrace with pots and vines supported by the terrace railing. At Privet Drive, Harry usually took care of the garden and the housework. Petunia Dursley taught him how to do each job; if he made a mistake, he was punished. Therefore, these were activities he knew how to do.
The current Petunia, his aunt, wasn't a fan of housework. Alfred took care of that, and his aunt didn't drive him crazy by checking that the housework was spotless. As long as it was clean and dust-free, it was fine, of course, the house-elf's work was impeccable. Mrs. Dursley made him sweep and mop the floor twice, then wax and polish it. In retrospect, Petunia Dursley must have had some OCD about that.
Another different thing about his family was that his aunt considered him like a son, even taking him into account for outings or studying. She was the one who enrolled him in the same school as Liam and Chris, the same one his younger cousin now attended.
Petunia Snape helped him maintain a good academic average; she never mistreated him, insulted him, or complained about him having better grades than his cousins at some point. It was refreshing and unique to have a second mother. In his previous life, Molly Weasley wanted to be one, and at one point, for moments, he felt that way. But she was never completely on his side and was always the family friend, not part of the family, even if she maintained otherwise. She primarily obeyed Dumbledore, even if he was wrong in Harry's opinion.
In the mornings, the children slept on top of each other like snakes. Marcus joined them at some point during the night, one foot right in front of Harry's face.
- "Boys, time to get up," - Eleanor said softly. - "It's already 10 in the morning."
- "Five more minutes," - One twin murmured audibly.
- "Make it seven," - The other murmured.
- "Ten is better." - Harry murmured, also murmuring.
- "It's not an auction. You have two minutes. I'll come back and see you," - Eleanor said, picking up the youngest, who curled up like a kitten. She hugged him and took him to his room, where she woke him up, helped him wash, and dressed him. She went back to get the children, who had slithered like caterpillars and fallen asleep on the way to the bathroom.
- "What time did you go to sleep? We warned you not to stay up so late. Do you want me to bathe you?"
- "No!" - They exclaimed, embarrassed, knowing she was quite capable of doing it.
The twins visited their mutual friends, saying goodbye until the holidays as if they were truly going to reunite, which they had hoped for. However, the months and new friends, the distance between environments, could change that, but even so, his childhood friends would always be in his heart, just as his mother explained to them about friends who part ways along the paths of life.
Harry, for his part, also made friends, but he was always prepared to stop seeing them at some point. Unlike his cousins, who had close contact with those who were neighbors, Harry maintained lukewarm friendships. Perhaps his need for close friends was satisfied by his family, or because he knew his friends were waiting for him at Hogwarts, even if they didn't know who he was.
.
- "I don't want them to leave!" - Marcus exclaimed stubbornly at his brothers' imminent departure.
- "It'll be for a few weeks, and then we'll come back," - Said Liam, unconvinced, beginning to feel fearful about the change of life, because it would be a change from his routine. He was tempted to tell his parents that he'd be better off staying and studying magic at home.
- "We'll send you letters, and you can write to us," - Chris said confidently. - "We'll be back for Christmas and stay for a few days before going back to school." -
- "Dad!" - Marcus looked at Severus with a pout, hoping his dad would say his brothers could stay.
Severus gave him an intense, neutral look. - "There's no magic school that isn't a boarding school, sorry."
- "But why can't they just come and go from school like they have been? It's wrong. My brothers will be far away, and I don't want to."
Finally, the youngest agreed and accepted that his brothers should go to boarding school, a place he would go to in a few years when his brothers were in fifth grade.
The trunks were ready, and they rented a spacious car so they could all go together. First, they loaded the twins' luggage, then made room for Wally's cage, leaving room for Hedwig's cage. Once inside the car, Eleanor drove to Harry's house, where Sirius was waiting for them with Remus and the boy. They arranged Harry's trunk with the others and the cage in its place.
The birds greeted each other and closed their eyes, knowing it was best to rest while they were in that cage; soon they would be able to stretch their wings.
They all got in the car to go to the north of central London. The station was in a strategic location connected by the main subway lines to the rest of the city, fostering the formation of a very dynamic and interesting neighborhood around it. Here was the famous platform 9 3/4, which gave access to the exclusive Hogwarts platform, which was one of the hidden platforms in King's Cross Station. Another heavily used platform was Platform 7 ½, hidden between platforms 7 and 8. This platform offered access to the long-distance train, similar to the Muggle Orient Express, which visited the main magical towns of continental Europe.
They arrived at King's Cross Station at a quarter past ten, parked a few meters from the entrance, then got a trolley where they loaded the twins' and Harry's trunks to enter the station. They were attracting attention because of Hedwig and Wally; their cages were being carried by the boys, who ignored the curious glances.
According to the large clock above the arrival timetable, they had time to arrive. There was a large number 9 on one platform and a number 10 on the other; in the middle, invisible to the eyes of people without magical abilities, was the Hogwarts platform.
After checking that no one was paying attention to them, the boys crossed first, leaning over the trolley and running or walking quickly to get through the barrier. Memories, nostalgia, Harry was one of those who felt déjà vu, while for the other children, Eleanor was an exciting novelty.
The Hogwarts Express was a steam train only in appearance, as it was powered by magic. A gleaming scarlet steam engine waited on the platform to take the students to Hogsmeade Station, where they would be transported to Hogwarts Castle.
Harry looked toward the iron archway where the platform number was marked: 9 3/4
- "Don't lose your tickets. It's almost 11, but it's best if you find a seat. It'll fill up quickly," - Eleanor commented excitedly.
The smoke from the engine rose over the heads of the noisy crowd. Eleanor smiled when a cat crossed near her legs. Dozens of owls made themselves heard, some with a grumpy hoot, above the noise of chatter and the movement of heavy trunks.
The first few cars were already packed with students, some leaning out the windows to talk to their families, others arguing over whose seats they would be.
Eleanor was one of those who helped the boys load their trunks and decided to get on with them to see the inside of the famous train for herself, even if it was only for a few minutes. Thanks to the charms, the trunks weren't heavy, but they still required two people to carry them due to their size.
Surprised glances crossed Eleanor's vision as she moved forward with the children, looking for an empty compartment or the spot where Draco and Neville were.
They crossed the car, and Eleanor realized that the upholstery in the compartments changed from car to car. A slightly silly fact, but interesting to her.
They found an empty spot. Marcus climbed onto the seat and opened the window, signaling to his father. Remus, who had boarded with them, stowed the trunks in the luggage rack and left the cages in a corner of the compartment.
- "It's time to get off," - The werewolf wizard said to Eleanor.
She nodded, but first took a seat and imagined herself traveling like any other student. The bubble burst when she heard the guard's whistle, giving the first warning for the students to board.
- "Don't forget to fold the bag you carry your robes in neatly," - Eleanor recommended. - "Take a little extra change for the lunch cart. Don't overindulge in sweets. Save the rest of your money for other expenses; don't buy stupid things or get scammed at school. Also, don't buy pre-made potions for your homework. Severus taught you that cheating won't do you any good."
The children replied yes and told her not to worry. She hugged all three of them and said goodbye to each of them.
After Remus said goodbye, Eleanor and Marcus went downstairs, passing an agitated Neville, who waved and said goodbye at the same time, dragging his trunk. But his father helped him, and then one of the boys went to get it.
- "Trevor had run away again. I don't know why my uncle gave Neville a toad, but he became attached to the frog, so we couldn't refuse him to keep it." - Alice commented.
- "We were late looking for him, and when we got here, he jumped onto a lady's hat. He almost got lost. It took us a while to realize until the lady screamed in fright," - Said Frank Longbottom, arriving at his wife's side.
The train began to move, and the boys leaned out the window to say goodbye again. Harry saw his family waving. Marcus was smiling sadly, running to follow the train for a few meters until it began to speed up, and then he stood there waving.
- "Okay, the adventure begins." - Chris commented as he sat down after helping Neville pack his trunk.
Harry watched out the window as the train turned, the houses flashing by. Everyone on the train did the same, calming their own nerves.
The compartment door opened, and a red-haired boy leaned out.
- "Is there room here? All the other cars are full."
Harry nodded, and the boy sat down. It was a shock to see Ron so young again. Fate was taking over; their meeting on the train was destined to happen one way or another.
- "Thanks. You don't know how far I had to walk," - He said, relieved to finally have somewhere to travel.
The redhead glanced at the group and then quickly looked back out the window, as if he hadn't been watching them. Harry noticed he still had a black mark on his nose, just like the first time he'd met him.
- "Do you want us to lift the trunk onto the top compartment?" -
- "Or would you rather keep it handy?" - Liam completed the question.
- "Uh, I don't know why it's a bit heavy. But if you want, we can try," - Ron replied.
Together, they lifted the trunk onto the trunk. The twins discreetly used some magic to levitate it, which wasn't unusual for them. Harry was always surprised by how natural these actions felt to them. Of course, they still couldn't move large or heavy objects with magic like their Aunt Petunia could, but it was obvious that in the future, they would be able to. His cousins inherited their mother's abilities. For Harry, his Aunt Petunia was a mysterious and very peculiar woman.
Ron thanked everyone again and introduced himself as Ronald Weasley. The boys, in turn, also introduced themselves.
- "Potter? Are you the son of Lily and James Potter?" - Ron asked, amazed.
- "Yes, they were my parents." - Harry answered proudly.
The redhead expressed surprise and mentioned hearing from his parents that the Potters had defeated He Who Must Not Be Named. Then he seemed uncomfortable at his reaction.
- "I have twin brothers; they're in third grade this year. Fred and George are riding in the middle of the train because their friend Lee Jordan has a giant tarantula, and I don't like spiders, so I found somewhere else to sit." - Ron said, changing the subject.
- "We're the oldest. We have a younger brother and Harry," - Chris said.
- "I'm an only child." - Neville chimed in, adding something to the conversation. - "My parents are Aurors, so I wish I had siblings."
- "I have five siblings. I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say they have very high standards. Bill and Charlie have already graduated. Bill was the class leader, and Charlie was Quidditch captain. Now Percy's a prefect. Fred and George are very unruly, but despite that, they get very good grades, and everyone thinks they're a lot of fun. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it won't be much because they did it first," - Ron explained to the others. - "Besides, you never get anything new with five siblings. They gave me Bill's old robes, Charles's old wand, and Percy's old rat."
At the mention of the rat, Harry tensed and clenched his fists.
- "Interesting, some psychological complexes occur in families. The younger brother feels the need to stand out above the rest of his siblings." - Chris said solemnly.
- "This can damage self-esteem. According to your explanation, you feel like all eyes are on you, as well as all the family's expectations. This way of thinking can cause frustration and anxiety. Tell me, Ron, do your parents compare you to your siblings?" - Liam asked, imitating his mother.
Ron stuttered, not knowing how to respond, and it helped that, yes, his mother used to compare them all, not just him, to one of his older brothers.
- "Ron, we're just getting to know each other, but we advise you not to continue down that path. You can make bad decisions while struggling to find yourself, trying to prove your true worth to the rest of your family, and that can lead to serious anxiety disorders and a feeling of inferiority."
- "Our mother is a psychologist. If you'd like, we can ask her to meet with you. I think expert help can help you understand that you are your person. Being the younger sibling doesn't have to be a problem for your development."
Ron was starting to get annoyed; Harry noticed his ears turning red—one of the signs he was about to explode.
- "Chris and Liam, stop pretending to be therapists. Reading your mom's magazines doesn't make you a psychologist... Sorry about my cousins, Ron," - Harry said. - "My aunt is a doctor who helps people with life problems, dealing with stressful situations and mental health issues. Some people see her because they've been feeling depressed, angry, or anxious for a long time. Others go because they need help with a chronic condition that interferes with their lives or physical health. Some just need support with short-term problems—like feeling overwhelmed by a new job, or struggling with the death of a loved one."
Ron seemed to calm down a bit. - "Oh, I get it. Your cousins are like my brother Percy," - Said the redhead. - "My mum's a homemaker, and my dad works at the Ministry."
- "Well, as you already know, our mum's a psychologist," - Said Chris, trying to make peace, since neither he nor his twin had meant to offend Ron. - "Our dad is a Potions master."
- "My godparents work independently on their projects," - Harry added vaguely.
Neville chimed in, saying his parents were Aurors and loved their work. He mentioned he'd met Ron's father a few times when visiting the Ministry with his parents.
Ron rummaged through his jacket for his fat grey rat, who was sleeping. - "His name is Scabbers, and he's useless. He barely ever wakes up. Dad gave Percy an owl because he made Prefect, but they couldn't affo— I mean, that's why I got Scabbers." - Ron's ears flushed red again. It seemed he'd said more than he meant to, accidentally revealing something he hadn't wanted to share.
- "We share an owl, her name's Wally." - Liam said, pointing to their owl. - "Say hi to Ron."
The owl gave a hoot and stared at the red-haired boy, making him flinch slightly and shy away from her unsettling gaze.
- "Charming, isn't she?" - Liam asked fondly, looking at the bird.
- "Yeah, sure." - Ron replied sarcastically.
- "The white owl's mine," - Harry said, pointing at his bird. - "Her name's Hedwig."
- "I have a toad. His name's Trevor. He's very restless, so he wears a harness and leash like a dog. The guys came up with the idea so I wouldn't lose him," - said Neville.
Ron refrained from making fun of him, instead glancing at his pet with dismay.
Meanwhile, Harry couldn't understand how, even with a bounty on that Death Eater's head, he still ended up as a Weasley family pet. How many times had people claimed he'd been caught? And yet there he was, dozing peacefully. Harry would need every ounce of self-control not to hand him to a predator—but no, he should find a way to deliver him to the Aurors. So that, once and for all, justice could be done.
He simply had to be patient.