Lion Hearted Hero-Disguised Hero

Chapter 2

Harry's departure to Hogwarts was marked by a mix of emotions. His parents had instructed him to attend the school and make them proud by being sorted into Slytherin. His father had left him in the drawing room with these words, while his mother called a house-elf named Pinkie, who trembled in front of her.

"Take this boy to King's Cross Station," Harry's mother ordered Pinkie, and with that, she left, leaving a nervous Harry behind. Last month, his parents had informed him that he would start his fourth year at Hogwarts in September. Harry couldn't express how happy he was, but his only worry was that he couldn't be with Pinkie anymore, and Professor Lupin wouldn't be his teacher.

Taking his trunk, Harry and Pinkie apparated to King's Cross Station with a creaking sound. Harry couldn't help but feel for the house-elf who had endured heavy punishment and thunderous yells for even the smallest mistakes.

"Pinkie, can't you just go from here? I will give you clothes and release you," Harry offered.

"No, Master Harry. Pinkie will stay here. When you leave this place for good, I'll come with you," Pinkie replied with unwavering loyalty.

Pinkie then guided Harry through a wall, where he felt the magic surrounding him, indicating he had arrived at Platform 9¾.

The Hogwarts Express was abuzz with the excitement of students heading back to school. Harry, after a warm hug with Pinkie, the loyal house-elf, passed through the magical barrier onto Platform 9¾. The feeling of magic in the air never ceased to amaze him. He chose an empty compartment in the middle of the train and immersed himself in his books, eager to make the most of the journey.

As Harry sat alone in his compartment aboard the Hogwarts Express, he was soon approached by two girls. One had striking black wavy hair and grey eyes, radiating an air of confidence and beauty, while the other had vibrant red hair that reminded him of someone he couldn't quite place.

"Can we sit here?" the black-haired girl asked, her eyes holding a certain spark. Harry smiled warmly and replied, "Of course," gesturing for them to take a seat.

Once they were settled, Harry couldn't help but ask, "First year?"

The black-haired girl huffed and replied, "Third year," her tone tinged with a hint of pride.

Harry arched an eyebrow, and she let out another huff, this time turning her playful side on as she asked,

"Never seen you before. Who are you, a new professor?" She chuckled at her own joke.

The red-haired girl shot her friend an exasperated look before addressing Harry, her voice polite and inquisitive.

"I haven't seen you before... May I know your name?" she asked.

"I am Harry Carrow," Harry replied, "from the House of Carrows. I was homeschooled before and will be starting my fourth year."

The exchange in the compartment continued as Lyra Black, the black-haired girl, couldn't resist making a rather pointed comment about Harry's supposed darkness.

"Carrow, you are dark," Lyra spat, her tone filled with disdain. "Lyra Don't be mean "Her red-haired friend, quickly stepped in, trying to maintain a more pleasant atmosphere. She sent Harry an apologetic smile, silently acknowledging Lyra's behavior.

Unperturbed by Lyra's attitude, Harry turned his attention to her with a piercing glare. "Who are you?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Lyra responded confidently, "I'm Lyra Black."

Harry couldn't help but reflect on her family name and the connotations it carried. "If family names are taken into account," he began, "you would also be considered rather dark, wouldn't you?"

With a mischievous smile, Rose introduced herself, breaking the tension that Lyra's comments had created. "I am Rose Potter, heiress of the ancient and noble House of Potter."

Harry instantly found himself drawn to Rose, appreciating her warmth and friendliness. However, the stark contrast between her and Lyra, who came across as arrogant and unpleasant, was impossible to ignore.

As the conversation flowed, a bushy-haired girl entered the compartment, seeking a place to sit. Harry, sensing that she was going through a difficult time, nodded and welcomed her with a warm smile. The moment Hermione Granger, the bushy-haired girl, noticed Lyra Black, her expression hardened.

Lyra Black, upon noticing her teased in a playful tone, "What happened, Hermioneeee eee? Did someone take your book?"

Rose quickly intervened, giving Hermione a gentle pat on the arm and apologizing on her behalf.

Hermione introduced herself, her excitement palpable. "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger. And you?" she asked Harry.

"I'm Harry Carrow, and I'm starting my fourth year," Harry replied. Hermione, also a fourth-year student, bombarded him with a barrage of questions, her curiosity uncontainable.

However, the harmonious atmosphere was disrupted when a large boy entered the compartment and made an offensive comment, causing Hermione's demeanor to change drastically. She shivered, and her face fell, as if she had resigned herself to a familiar and unpleasant fate.

The boy's wicked grin persisted as he added, "Ha, the Potter and Black are here too. Don't be shy, you three; come and play with us."

The blond boy beside him visibly tensed at his words. Lyra, however, reacted with venom, sarcastically telling the boy, "Go and do your business, Flint."

Unwilling to back down, the boy raised his wand menacingly towards Lyra, prompting Harry to spring to his feet and confront the aggressor. He asserted firmly, "Leave this cabin."

The boy retorted with a challenge, asking for Harry's identity. Harry, unwilling to engage further, replied, "I don't want to explain my details to a bully."

In a swift motion, Harry disarmed the boy with a wandless spell and sent a chilling warning: "Don't mess with me."

Defeated, the boy exited the compartment in silence, bringing an end to the confrontation. Hermione expressed her awe at Harry's actions, while Rose thanked him for standing up to the bully.

Hermione couldn't hide her amazement as she spoke to Harry, saying, "It was terrifying, Harry, to see you like that...and you've done wandless magic; it's incredible. I heard it's difficult to study."

Harry, being modest, responded with a shrug. "I've been able to do it for years."

Rose chimed in, expressing her gratitude with a smile. "Thanks a lot for defending us, Harry."

Harry reassured her, saying, "It's alright, Rose. I just hate bullies."

Lyra, ever the provocateur, interjected, "You don't have to do it, okay? I know how to handle them."

Harry nodded, acknowledging her comment. "Of course, you were doing a great job provoking them and all."

But Lyra continued, poking at Harry. "Who are you, THE SAVIOUR... you're as bad as them."

Rose, always calm and collected, stepped in. "Ly, don't be ungrateful."

Lyra, unwilling to let go of her hostility, retorted, "Rose, he's just pretending to be nice; he's like one of them, a bully..." Her words dripped with disdain.

Hermione, not willing to let Lyra's comment slide, added with a glare at Lyra, "Harry is not a bully... if anyone here is a bully, then it's you."

Lyra, frustrated by the exchange, snapped back, "You're out of your brain, Granger; maybe your books ate your brain."

Harry, growing weary of the ongoing argument, interjected with a frown, "SHUT UP, Black. Can't you just keep your mouth shut for a minute?"

Lyra opened her mouth to retort, but Rose swiftly cast a silencing spell on her and placed a book in her lap, warning, "Stay there, don't tempt me to stun you."

Resigned to silence, Lyra begrudgingly started to read. The atmosphere in the compartment settled, and the three of them redirected their conversation towards more pleasant topics, discussing books, Hogwarts, and the wizarding world. However, Lyra's persistent glare continued to cast a shadow over the journey, especially when it was directed at Harry.