It Could Have Gone That Way; A Harmione Fanfiction

Chapter 1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

"Excuse me?" Harry said nervously.

"Hullo, dear. First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new too." The plump, red-haired woman smiled warmly at him.

A tall, equally red-haired boy gave Harry a feeble wave.

"Um...yeah. The thing is - the thing is, I d-don't...er...know how to..." Harry stammered.

"How to get onto the platform?" The woman asked kindly, and Harry nodded.

"Not to worry. All you have to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron."

"Er - okay..." Harry felt fear flood through him. He pushed his small trolley round and stared at the wall. It looked very solid.

He started to walk towards it. People jostled him on their way to platforms nine and ten. Harry sped up. He was going to smash right into that ticket box and then he'd be in trouble, he knew it. Leaning forwards on his trolley, he broke into a run - the barrier was getting nearer and nearer - he wasn't going to be able to stop - the trolley was out of control - he was a foot away - he closed his eyes, ready for the crash-

It didn't come. He kept on running, then opened his eyes. His jaw dropped in awe.

***********

"I heard you had to live with Muggles. What were they like?" Ron asked, patting his pocket.

"Horrible. You're so lucky; I wish I'd had three wizard brothers-"

"Five." Ron cut him off gloomily,"I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. Then it's Ginny's turn next year. She's the youngest. I guess you could say I've got a lot to live up to. Also means most of my stuff's hand-me-down. Got robes from Bill - he's the oldest - then I've got Charlie's - he's second oldest - old wand. Then Percy's - he's next. You met him though. You know, Percy the Prefect - old rat. Here." Ron pulled a sleeping, fat, grey rat from a pocket in his jacket,"His name's Scabbers. Bloody useless though, he is. Hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my dad for being made Prefect, but they couldn't aff- I mean, I got Scabbers instead." Ron's ears turned alarmingly pink.

Harry, who had not had any money at all until a month ago, thought there was nothing wrong with not being able to afford an owl. To cheer him up, he told Ron all about how he'd had to wear Dudley's old clothes for years and that he never got proper birthday presents. Ron's mood had lightened considerably.

"...and until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort-"

Ron gasped.

"What?"

"You said You-Know-Who's name!" Ron whispered, sounding shocked, "I'd have thought you of all people-"

"I'm not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name." Harry was quick to assure him,"I just never knew you shouldn't. Bet there's loads more I don't know. I think I'll be bottom of every class..."

"Nah, mate. You'll be fine. There's tons of other kids who come from Muggle families. They'll be dimmer than a Flobberworm, I can tell you."

Ron laughed and Harry, guessing that whatever Ron had said was meant to be funny, laughed with him. In all honesty, Harry didn't have a clue what a Flobberworm was, but he didn't think it sounded much like a compliment to be compared to one.