Violet Summer: The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 1: The Strange Girl

The first-year students gathered on Platform 9 ¾, their minds swirling with a mix of emotions and thoughts. Nerves gripped them as they prepared to board the train, while older students moved effortlessly amidst the crowd. Hogwarts House prefects stood near the entrances, extending warm greetings to the newcomers.

In the midst of these new arrivals, a young boy with a renowned name stood awestruck, bewildered by the enchanting spectacle of the magical world he had just entered. Accompanying him was a family of swift movements, their hair sharing a distinct color. This boy was Harry Potter, a name that had achieved widespread recognition in the wizarding community. However, Harry had only discovered his extraordinary heritage a month prior.

Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts, had provided Harry with scant details about his train journey to the renowned school. While Hagrid had shared stories of Harry's fame and the truth behind his parents' fate, he seemed to have overlooked the crucial information on how to find the correct platform. In Hagrid's absence, Harry stumbled upon a welcoming family who gladly guided him through the magical barrier. Yet now, he found himself trailing behind their son, navigating the train with uncertainty. His eyes darted around, observing his fellow students before the platform vanished from sight, and he was whisked away into a private compartment.

The train ride seemed to stretch on, giving Harry and the boy, whom he soon discovered was named Ron Weasley, ample time for an effortless conversation. Ron had a somewhat leisurely and unhurried way of thinking, yet his kindness and sense of humor endeared him to Harry. Their camaraderie blossomed swiftly, making the journey much more enjoyable for both of them.

"So..." Ron began, his voice laced with a hesitant swallow. "Since you're Harry Potter and everything... Would you mind if I could see your scar?"

Harry chuckled at Ron's bashful request, finding amusement in his apprehension. He nodded in response and gently brushed his hand across his forehead, pushing back his hair to unveil the distinctive lightning bolt scar above his brow. Ron's eyes widened with astonishment, completely captivated by the sight before him.

"Blimey, it really does resemble a thunderbolt," Ron exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

Harry moved his hand from his forehead. "I suppose it does."

"I still find it strange you had no idea how famous you were till recently. You're practically a celebrity in the wizarding world," Ron said.

"That's what everyone keeps saying," Harry replied, still feeling unnerved by the whole celebrity status.

A woman's voice echoed through the corridor, catching Harry and Ron's attention. They turned their heads towards the open door of their private compartment, where they spotted an older woman standing with a trolley filled with an array of fancy sweets. Harry's eyes sparkled with delight as he beheld these unfamiliar treats, a novelty for him.

"Anything from the trolley, my dears?" the woman asked.

"Nah, I'm good," Ron replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. Harry glanced at Ron, his gaze drifting down to the sandwiches he held in his hands—unappetizing and slightly soggy. He remembered Ron mentioning his family's limited financial means, and a sense of guilt washed over Harry. It pained him to think that his parents had left behind a substantial fortune locked away in Gringotts while Ron struggled to afford even basic luxuries.

Harry stood up, leaving his seat and stepping out of the compartment to approach the trolley. He had intended to buy a variety of treats, planning to share them with Ron. As the woman listed the available treats, Harry's expectations were shattered. The names she mentioned were completely foreign to him. His mind had expected to hear familiar names like Snickers or Mars bars, but it seemed that such treats were unheard of in this new wizarding world.