In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom

Chapter 5: Hogwarts, the train journey

Chapter 5: Hogwarts, the train journey

I received the letter from the owl. The poor animal was exhausted. I mean, wizards can grow broken limbs but still don't have a better way to deliver the letters. Winny snapped her fingers a table full of small meat pieces was summoned and I think the Owl fell in love with Winny.

I opened the letter. It was the standard template letter with the standard books for the first year. Nothing changed. To make sure this harry potter world had no changes, I tried to look for any mention of the professors but there was no such list. I guess I can only confirm the existence of 'Professor Quirinus Quirrell' only by going to Diagon Alley. He must be near the bank anyway.

I called for Winny, Silvi and Dufus. They were house elves now and Silvi and Dufus were the new ones under Winny. I gave them clear and direct orders for the work they are supposed to do when I am gone to Hogwarts. How to maintain communication and How to take care of my parents. These things come naturally to them but once directly ordered they pay a lot of extra attention.

Winny, let's go shopping in Diagon Alley. It's time to buy some things before school starts and check out our finances.

-----Diagon alley----

Me and Winny came out of the floo fireplace and went towards Gringotts. This is the only modern-looking place I have seen in the entire London magical circle. Just the warning at the gate seems stupid. I mean if you really want to put fear inside someone, you need more than some letters. A tour of vaults where they keep the dragons chained and torture them would have been a better idea.

Anyway, I do see one of our future professor talking to some Goblin about his new vault. Nice. The future is safe and I can put away my unnecessary worries. But why did this guy has a vault here and what did he put inside? Is it really empty or filled with gold coins? I mean he went on a world tour to find Voldemort and in just one year, he was able to find him hiding in Albanian forest.

Is this some sort of coincidence or he knew where to go and how to look for him? I think I did find something interesting for my first year.

While I checked my finances which seemed in order, after all, I did check them thrice and looked for all small details and hidden clauses in the account. Goblins, great with alchemy and greatest in greed for gold. I think they hate dragons because of this similar trait. They must have had battles in past for wealth.

Me and Winny went from shop to shop to collect all our necessary items mentioned in the school supply list and then decided to head back. No, in this life I have no interest in taking a toad as a pet. I have no reason or love for pets anyway. I like plants more. They are easier to feed & maintain.

After I came back to Manor I noticed my Nan was somehow sad and happy. Her expressions would sometimes indicate her turmoil. I talked to her to lengths and calmed her down.

"Remember Nev, we Longbottom may not be the oldest and noblest house in wizard community but when it comes to magic, we have left a deep mark in the history. Do make us proud boy," were the final words she said to me before I left for the train station.

I decided to go alone instead of taking my Nan with me. My luggage was neatly packed by Winny and I rushed towards the wall leading to the station. I did notice a lot of crowd at the station. Clearly, the news of Harry Potter has excited the entire wizard community in London. The Boy-Who-Lived is obviously more important to hundred others who did not.

The train was simple, old and like the wizarding world stuck in the last century. I started looking from one compartment to another. I finally found one, cast a feather charm on my luggage and moved them properly.

There was a lot of noise. Pet owls screeching and people shouting. Someone running outside. Honestly, it bothered me too much. How hard is it to get on a train like civilised people? Soon, the door of my compartment opened up and I found the person least expected to see at the door. Hermione Granger.

Cute, bushy hair and future part of the trio. "Why is she here?" I was thinking this too loudly it seems as she said "Hello, you won't mind if I sit here? Clearly, there is a lot of space."

"No issues. Feel free. However, I was working on something last night and wanted to take a rest before reaching school. So, I hope we can maintain some peace." I offered her a seat but made it clear I was not in the mood to talk. I decided it is best to take a nap anyway. Save a lot of trouble from all the chit-chat.

The train started to move and I dozed off. I felt her leaving her seat and going outside. It seems the story of harry potter and friends will begin. Yay! Good for her. Better for me.

I was in the middle of my sleep when someone, clearly lacking any manners, violently stormed inside.

"Look, who is sleeping here.....It's the fat Neville. It seems you ate too much and want to sleep pig!" came the most annoying voice I ever heard. Well, the tone did make me look who was the speaker and behold! It's the poster boy for the pureblood family. Draco Malfoy along with his two minions.

"Before I take offence for any shit you just said Draco-death eater-Malfoy, you better leave!" I gave him a clear warning but it seems he failed to understand my meaning.

"What did you say, fatso? You better respect our family or don't forget what happened to your parents." This little piece of shit had the balls to speak about my parents. It seems some people really need to properly educate their kids. Alas, I had to be the one to do in their place.

I moved my hands and his lackey were thrown outside by a repulsion charm. Seconds later, the door was closed and I locked with another spell, Colloportus. Now, Draco was trapped alone and while his underlings tried to open the door, they failed.

"Now, what were you saying about my parents, Draco? You see, I didn't get it properly." I said while moving closer. A smile on my face and anger burning inside. Before Malfoy could open his mouth again, I punched his face hard and probably dislocated his jaw.

In the next 10 minutes, before the prefects from Slytherin house could come, there was enough crying and shouting to scare kids around us. I made him sing the most beautiful song he can while I was crushing his ego and some of his bones.

No worries, this is a magical world. Even bones can regrow so joints can easily be fixed. Just some joints twisted with pure strength and kick to balls that made him pee his pants. This asshole could not even last 10 minutes before passing out.

Someone used Alohomora, the unlocking charm and finally came inside. I could see some prefects along with a few heads trying to see the scene. Nobody said anything. I think it must be because my knuckles were bleeding and there was some blood on my face. Oh! It's not mine. When I broke his nose, it sprayed some blood.

I looked at the Slytherin prefect who was a tall but thin boy and before he could something, I pushed my hand and Draco's body flew directly at him. He caught the body but the force pushed him and others out of my cabin. I locked the door again without a word and started wiping the blood. Reparo and the small damage done to seats was fixed.

Finally, peace and no one else came till the end of the journey. When I think it was getting dark, someone finally knocked. I unlocked the door and see Ms Bushy hair along with the famous Potter and Weasley standing outside.

"Hello, I just needed to put on the coat you see. The official dress. I will take it in a second." She replied while still standing outside the door. Clearly, I did put some fear into a few people.

"Please you don't have to be wary of me. My name is Neville Longbottom. Mr Ron Weasley here can explain my family history here and I think you will find me harmless for you. Anyway, I have dressed already so all yours." I said to her and walked out. The trio opened up the path hurriedly.

I chuckled. This was not how my year should have started.

I walked and did a small tour of the train when I finally saw the castle outside. Hogwarts. The boarding school for the next 7 years. I do feel some excitement though. I guess this castle and the prospect of learning magic inside it is still exciting. I hear the sound warning us that we will reach in five minutes and our luggage will be taken separately.

"First year, First-years over here," I heard the loud voice. No doubt, Rubeus hagrid. He is definitely half-giant.

"Come on, follow me- any more first years? Mind your step now. First-year follow me," He kept shouting or maybe that was the normal volume of his voice but I am not sure.

I saw Draco with his lackeys, limping and whimpering like a little girl. Clearly, this boy never got beaten properly in his life before. I looked at him and he flinched and hid behind his lackeys. Good.

We followed Hagrid to the boats, four people in one and it was not hard for me to find three other kids. The gossip regarding the train thing has not reached everyone ears till now.

When I finally saw the castle, it definitely impressed me. It was towering, beautiful, old but not ugly. It commanded respect and felt like a noble holy place. It was properly lit and looked more fantasy than anything.

The boats kept moving slowly and suddenly Hagrid shouted, "Heads down!" I saw there was an arch on the cliff but maybe it was smaller for a half-giant. No one needed to duck or anything. I saw the water, dark and scary. I remember the giant squid and Merpeople I have seen in the films. Well, this does look scary at night.

We finally went into a tunnel and then reached a sort of wooden platform. Climbed a few stairs and then Hagrid finally knocked on this huge door.

The door swung open at once. Looking at the stern face, it was clearly Professor Minerva McGonagall.

"The first years are here, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

She nodded to Hagrid "Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door wide to the entrance hall, which was truly enormous. I mean our manor is also huge but this was truly magnificent.

She then spoke about sorting, houses and introduced us to house cup. There was also something about pride or honour but I think I already stopped listening to her until she looked at me directly.

"After the dinner, Mr Neville Longbottom and Mr Draco Malfoy, please follow the prefects to the Headmaster's room."

"Sure Professor." I gave her my neck bow and if she was looking for fear or guilt on my face, she was sorely disappointed.

Instead of Harry Potter in the movies, now all the kids were talking about me and Draco. It seems I stole all the limelight and not in a good way.

'The ghosts suddenly came and I was wondering if I die, how would my soul look? I mean will it have my appearance of last life or this life?' My chain of thoughts was broken when professor McGonagall came back and we followed her inside.

The main dining room or the great hall was another sight. It was like there was a night sky inside, on the ceiling and so many candles were floating in the air. In the movies, this scene hardly looked this magnificent. Clearly, the castle aged well and it is a marvel of magical creation.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward, put down a four-legged stool and again a classic witch hat. I know this is the sorting singing hat but it is really ugly. C'mon in the whole magical castle, no one knows a charm or two to clean it? Anyway, it sang a song, too long and too boring!

Finally and when I was truly sure I am more hungry than tired, Professor McGonagall came back with a student list, "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

Thank Merlin.

Just like in the canon Harry Potter was sent to Gryffindor. People at Griffyindor table went wild with that announcement for some time they forgot about me. I was also after him and selected to Gryffindor but yeah, I am not popular like him. I took my seat on the table and smiled politely.

I was waiting for the damn thing to end now and get some dinner when finally Headmaster Dumbledore got up from his seat. He said the four magical words and sat down and food appeared on the plates. I started eating my dinner without caring for anything else now.

I was eating like a hungry lion I was and then I noticed others watching me. Maybe it's my food or the speed of eating it. I don't care about their thoughts for either reason. I ate and drank and finally felt there was life coming back to me.

Some senior girls giggled and I think Fred and his twin brother George were whispering something and then I noticed Slytherin table across the hall.

Draco is surrounded by a few others but most other people are laughing at him. Clearly peeing his pants had ruined any reputation he had. I still think the one who attracted the most attention was our boy, Harry Potter. He was acting too damn shy and Hermonie sitting next to him will often steal glances at me but then look somewhere else.

When we were all done and it was over, our prefect boy asked me to follow him to the headmaster chamber and so I did. Didn't have any other choice anyway. Draco was also coming and we both reached his office door.

Well, let's see what Gandalf has to say now.