Good Friends

Chapter One: Getting to the Train

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

~The Sorting Hat, The Order of the Phoenix

Luke Hamilton knew two things that day: he was not going to be late, and he would be in Gryffindor.

Growing up in a pureblood family who had a history with Gryffindor was motivation enough to want to be placed there. But that wasn't all. Being smart and nice and ambitious doesn't matter if you aren't brave enough to move forward with it. At least, that's what his dad told him. So, as he packed his trunk full for Hogwarts, he contemplated what it'd be like in the Gryffindor dorm. Probably awesome. He said to himself.

Then, he worried himself over the other houses he might be put in. He had promised himself he wouldn't do this, but it kept happening. Ravenclaw wouldn't be that bad. He thought as he closed his trunk. But imagine being in Slytherin. He shuddered, His parents had told him half-heartedly that Slytherin was a fine house, and that they'd still be proud of him. But he couldn't bear to imagine the shame. Better Hufflepuff then Slytherin. He thought, slipping on his socks.

He looked in the mirror for a moment. A brunet, disheveled looking eleven year old stared back at him. He was a little bit short for his age, and he had light blue eyes filled with excitement. The muggle clothes were a little loose. He'd have to change immediately on the train. He put on the most confident face he could, grabbed his owl, Jonathon, and dragged his trunk down the stairs.

His dad put the trunk in the car. Mr. Hamilton was a tall, lanky man with hair so brown, it was almost black. He had playful brown eyes and smile creases around his eyes. He spent a lot of time in Albania, studying how the environment caused the population of wood creatures to sky-rocket. In fact, Albania was where he was headed as soon as he dropped Luke off at the station.

Mrs. Hamilton started the car. She knew how to drive better than Mr. Hamilton. Mrs. Hamilton was a short, thin woman with blonde hair to her shoulders. She had light blue eyes, like Luke. She was a very warm, kind person. She often went to the neighbors houses and helped their children get better "miraculously". Once everyone got in the car, Mrs. Hamilton started driving.

Mr. Hamilton talked a lot all the way to the station. Luke had a feeling he was more nervous than him. Mr. Hamilton had run into the wrong wall in his first year and he missed the first week of class healing. Ever since, he always let other people run first, and then he would. Mrs. Hamilton laughed at all his jokes, though they weren't remotely funny. Luke stared out the window and sighed. There were too many things that could happen before he got to Hogwarts. But he strangely wasn't worried. Instead, he spent the entire car trip imagining what friends he'd make there.

****

They made their way through the train station. Mr. Hamilton pushed Luke's cart, which Luke thought was unnecessary, though a nice gesture. Jonathon glared at Luke through the bars of his cage. Jonathon was no stranger to how much of a klutz Mr. Hamilton was. When Luke first got him, Mr. Hamilton accidentally dropped the cage and broke the bottom. Jonathon had been skittish ever since.

Luke saw a lot of wizards in the station, all pushing towards Platform 9 ¾. Once Mr. Hamilton saw everyone go through safely, he ran and disappeared into the wall, Jonathon screeching angrily. Luke and his mother held hands and ran together. Suddenly, he was in a different station, with Hogwarts Express in high banners across the station. Luke's dad had already loaded his trunk onto the platform.

"Well, okay," said Mr. Hamilton uncertainly. "We'll miss you."

"Thanks, dad," Luke said, hugging him.

"Remember, Luke," Mrs. Hamilton said, her voice soft. "No matter what house, you are our son. We won't be angry, we love you. Make friends."

"Yes mom," Luke smiled, and hugged her too. One thing was for sure. He was going to go to Gryffindor, and his friends would be from Gryffindor.

"Go on, get on the train!" she said. He waved goodbye, and dashed onto the train. He looked back out, his parents were standing proud. He smiled. He was going to Hogwarts.