A/N Update 6/14: I put up a poll on my profile for Harry's potential partners. If you could, dear readers, please vote!

Chapter 3

Visiting Hemlock was nice. The principal was kind, and the campus was beautiful. "You would be welcome, Alex, to attend our summer programs. Do you have any particular class in mind?"

"I would like to learn how to manipulate my element. Well, first discover my element," Alex said.

"Ah, yes. That is a hard class, Alex. But if you wish, I will enroll you into the coming summer's class. It is always a pleasure to see a student discover their element," the principal said, smiling contentedly.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Freeman," Alex smiled.

The principal nodded, "It would be great if you were able to attend Hemlock, Alex."

Alex bit his lip, "I do. It seems a lot more open minded than Hogwarts, but I want to avenge my parents' death. And if Voldemort attended Hogwarts, the best place to start is in Hogwarts."

"I understand," the principal said. "But you are always welcome here during the summer. Good luck, Alex, and be careful. Hogwarts may be safe from outsiders, but you never know what might be inside. It's a very old building, and there may be rooms and objects in there that even the Headmaster doesn't know exists."

Alex nodded, "I will, sir. Thanks for everything!"

"Ready, Alex? You have everything you need? Your suitcase, your laptop, your-" Alex's father started, looking nervous and slightly excited.

"Chill, dad, I've got everything. Now don't you forget to charge your laptop. When I get to Hogwarts, I'll email you, kay?" he said.

"Sure thing, kid. Now, be very careful, and never leave without your wand and gun," his father said sternly. "If anything happens, go to the nearest American embassy, and email me."

Alex nodded, smiling nervously. "Yeah, I'll be careful, dad."

"It's almost time, kid." Both son and father grabbed onto the quill as it glowed with the magic of a Portkey, and with a whoosh, they were gone.

"Wow…" Alex said, looking around in awe. "Look, dad, it's just a train…"

"Ha, I thought it'd be some sort of flying carpet," his father said, grinning. "Now, remember what I told you? You're in a foreign country, so know where the nearest American embassy is, and get their email. Always keep your wand, gun and laptop on you, no matter what. I know you want to avenge your parents, but you have to be safe, okay? You're still a kid."

Alex pouted at the last statement, but nodded. "Of course, dad. I have no obligations to Hogwarts. I'm only doing this to pursue my goals."

Alex's father grinned, ruffled his hair, and helped his son get his trunk onto the train. "Good luck, kiddo."

Alex sulked, but then grinned, "Don't get too lonely, old man!"

Alex's father drew himself up in mock offense, "Lonely? Old man? I am only forty, young man! And why would I get lonely, kid?"

Alex grinned cheekily, and escaped onto the train when his father reached out to mess his hair.

Lugging his trunk into an empty compartment, he settled down, gently smoothing out the fur of his new cat. It was a small black kitten with white paws and green eyes. It meowed at him, and he chuckled, "Like that, don't you, Dahlia?"

She meowed again, and started to lick her paws daintily. Alex grinned fondly, and turned to his book about English pureblood etiquette. It was very tedious, he noted, as he scanned the pages bored. He scoffed as he read about how each pureblood lord would smile politely at each other, praising the other with thinly veiled insults. It irked him that if he wanted to claim the Potter lordship, then he would have to endure that type of political environment. But if that was what is needed to avenge his parents, then so be it.

Suddenly, a knock on the door drew him from his thoughts. He looked up as the compartment door slid open to reveal a boy that looked of Italian descent who was standing next to a paler boy with brown hair and dark brown eyes. The Italian boy looked at him, "Can we sit here as well? The other compartments are full."

Alex nodded, scrutinizing them subtly. "Sure thing. Name's Harry. Harry Potter." He decided to keep his adopted name secret, before his home was flooded with Britons trying to get to the 'Boy Who Lived.'

The pale boy spun around, eyes wide. The Italian's reaction was not as pronounced. "You're American," the Italian said, blinking in wonder.

"Uh, yeah," he said, "I am…"

"That's interesting. How did you get to the USA?" he asked, truly curious.

Harry shifted uncomfortably, "Well, when my parents died, I was left with my uncle and aunt. My uncle… well, my father says that he left me in an alleyway, and that's where my current father found me."

The two boys stared at him, eyes wide. The Italian frowned, "Are you relatives magical?"

"I don't think so?" Harry said, shrugging.

"Who would put Harry Potter in a muggle household?" the pale boy demanded, scowling. "And with such horrible muggles as well! Any wizarding family would have killed to adopt you."

"Maybe that's why I was put with muggles who had no idea who I was. So I wouldn't become an arrogant git that thinks the world has to bow down to him," he said, shuddering. He hated those types of people. He had met plenty of them in the military schools he went to when his father moved around to different military bases. They all thought they were so great because of whatever title their father held. It sickened him really, that people thought that they were entitled to things that they did not work for.

The pale boy scoffed, and turned to stacking his trunk on the racks. "Well, there are plenty of pureblooded heirs that believe the world should be handed to them on a golden platter just because of their blood. For example," he exchanged a look with the other boy, "Draco Malfoy. His father is Lucius Malfoy, one of the most influential people in the Ministry, so he believes that just because of who his father is, he should have everyone's respect."

Harry nodded, eyes darkening and narrowing, "Well, then, he should be sure to avoid me." Smiling cheerily, he said, "What's your names?"

"Zabini. Blaise Zabini," the Italian said, demeanour much warmer.

The pale boy nodded, still slightly stiff, "Nott. Theodore Nott."

"Nice to meet you, Theo, Blaise," he said amiably. "I have a question. How does the British Wizarding World work?"

A little taken aback by the use of their first name, Blaise blinked slightly, "Well, the purebloods are at the top of the social hierarchy, and they have the most privileges and influence. Halfbloods are normally looked down upon by purebloods, because of the fact that one of their parents had 'tainted' their family's pure blood. Muggleborns are at the bottom. They usually have little to no rights, and all of the undesirable jobs are usually taken by these people."

"So the hierarchy is based on parentage and ancestry?" Harry said, beyond disgusted. The American Wizarding World was so different from the British Wizarding World, it was unbelievable. The British Wizarding World seemed so backwards and behind the modern muggle world that Harry was starting to doubt his decision of returning to the UK.

"Basically, yes," Theo admitted.

"What about the Ministry?" Harry asked, preparing himself. "Is it corrupt?"

Blaise chuckled, "Corrupt? That's an understatement. My mum told me once that the only reason why Lucius Malfoy is so influential is his money. The current Minister, Cornelius Fudge is a sucker for money."

Harry was seriously disgusted. "This is the British Wizarding World?"

"Well…" Theo grimaced. "Fundamentally, yes."

"Now I'm wondering why the hell I ever returned to Britain," Harry sighed.

"Why did you? If America was so good, why did you return?" Theo inquired, leaning forward in his seat.

"I'm here to find out about my parents and their past, and to know the world they knew as well," Harry said, eyes sad.

Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock on the door. Harry called out, "Yes?" and the door was slid open, revealing a bushy haired girl.

"Have any of you seen a toad?" the girl asked, voice slightly imposing.

Theo shook his head no, and Blaise and Harry both said no. The girl seemed to deflate. Harry suggested, "Well, if you're looking for a toad, shouldn't there be a spell to retrieve it?"

The girl's head turned to look at him so rapidly Harry was sure her neck cracked. "You're American," she said, blinking in wonder. "Why aren't you in an American school? No in any offensive way," she added quickly.

"I'm here because my parents attended Hogwarts," Harry said. "Harry Potter, by the way."

Her eyes grew wide, "Harry Potter? Why would you be in America? I've read all about you in books. They say that you've been slaying dark creatures for a few years now."

He raised an eyebrow, internally promising to remind those publishers and authors the power of the law. "I am very sure that I have been in America for the past nine years, and I'm very sure that I did not know about the existence about magic until a few weeks ago."

Blaise snickered, "You've got a lot of fangirls in the Wizarding World, Potter."

Harry turned to him, "Blaise, why do you call me by my last name?"

Blaise gave him a look, "Why wouldn't I? I don't really know you, nor did you give me the permission to call you by your first name."

Harry frowned, "But I always call people that are my age by their first names. I guess that's just how it works in America…"

"How is life in America? I read all about the World Trade Center, and it was really cool! I've always wanted to see it! Did you see the American Wizarding Community? Oh I'm Hermione Granger, by the way," she said eagerly, leaning forward.

Harry grinned, "American Wizarding Community is really awesome! They have really advanced technology, like this laptop!" He pulled out his laptop and showed it to Hermione.

"But," Hermione said, suddenly frowning, "Doesn't magic mess up technology?"

"Some American inventor invented a magical Internet so it'd be easier to communicate and stay informed about the magical and muggle worlds," Harry said. "This way, I can communicate with my dad easily!"

Hermione's eyes grew wide, "That's ingenious! Oh how I wish I had one!"

"What's the Internet?" Theo asked curiously. "I've never heard of it."

Harry raised a disbelieving eyebrow, "Wow… The British Wizarding Community is, um, outdated."

"That's an understatement," Hermione muttered.

"So, what is the Internet?" Blaise pressed, ignoring the comments.

Harry sighed, "The Internet is a tool the nonmagicals use to communicate, retrieve and publish information, as well as stay connected to the rest of the world. It's basically an owl, a newspaper that is updated by the hour with almost every new article published, and the world's largest library all in one."

Blaise's eyes went wide, "The Muggles made this? That's incredible." He frowned, "But if the American wizarding community can use a form of the Internet, then why can't we?"

"I don't know," Harry said truthfully. But he did have some theories, and those theories were not to be said aloud to any British wizard.

Hermione cocked her head to one side, "Harry, if the American Wizarding Community is so modern and closer to home, then why didn't you stay in America?"

Like he had told Blaise and Theo, he said, "I want to get to know the world my parents knew and died for." And I want to kill Voldemort myself. It's not possible that he would be defeated so easily.

Hermione smiled, "That's a nice reason to come here. Well, I should probably go ask the prefects to help retrieve the toad then."

She turned to leave, but before she could, there was a knock on the compartment door. She slid open the door, ready to excuse herself, but came face to face with a round faced boy. She lit up, "Oh, hi, Neville! I was just about to go ask the prefects to help us retrieve Trevor."

The round faced boy whose name was Neville nodded in thanks, retreating from the compartment. Hermione waved goodbye to Harry, Blaise and Theo, "See you at Hogwarts, Harry, Blaise, Theo."

"See you, Hermione," Harry said cheerfully.

Theo's face was expressionless, but Harry could see he was warming up to him. Blaise however, was also smiling happily.

The compartment door slid open with a loud and rude thud, revealing a young boy with red hair and freckles. "Are you Harry Potter?" the boy asked.

"So what if I am?" Harry responded, already disliking this boy. He had no manners. "What's it to you?"

"Why are you American?" Ron demanded, frowning disconcertedly.

"Why can't I be American?" Harry retorted. "I was raised in America."

The boy spluttered for a moment, "So, are you Harry Potter?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Yes."

"Harry, you need to come with me to my compartment!" the boy said urgently. "You shouldn't spend time with these snakes," he said, glaring at Theo and Blaise in disgust.

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Snakes? I don't see snakes, only a blundering sloth." Blaise covered his snort as a cough, eyes alight with amusement.

The redhead blinked, confused, but then plowed on, "It's okay if you don't see them as snakes, because I'll help you find Lighter friends! Come on, there's no time to lose!"

Harry was seriously getting annoyed. This guy was like a fanatic. What was up with the Lighter friends? What did that mean? "Dude," he snarled, "I'm gonna give it to you straight. You don't come barging in here like you freaking own the place, and then insult my friends. That's a terrible first impression."

"Harry, they've already corrupted you! I need to save you from the Dark!"

Blaise was nearly rolling on the floor with laughter and Theo was smirking, but Harry wasn't amused. "I have no idea what you're talking about, with the Light and Dark stuff, but I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone to save me right now. And I'm not corrupted. I just have common sense." To see that a person like you will not be a good friend.

The redhead frowned, and then opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Harry said in a forcefully polite voice, "Please leave our compartment. The train is nearing Hogwarts, and we need to get changed."

The boy blushed, and then retreated from the room. Harry glowered for a moment, and then glared at Blaise, "Why are you laughing?"

The boy burst into laughter again, "That Weasley is an idiot. It was hilarious to see you insult him like that!"

Harry smiled, turned and got out his robes. "We should get our robes on now."

Ten minutes later, the train stopped. They were finally there.

Harry looked at his trunk, "How are we going to lug our trunks all the way to the school?"

Blaise smirked, "We don't need to, obviously. We leave them here, and then someone from the school will get them for us."

"Oh," Harry blinked. "Right…"

Theo snickered. Harry scowled playfully, and followed the Italian off the train.

"First years! First years!" a voice boomed through the din of students.

Harry turned towards the source, and his eyes widened when he saw a man about ten feet tall. "Whoa," he breathed, "He's really tall!"

"That's Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts," Blaise informed him. "Rumors say he's half giant."

"Looks like it," Harry muttered back. "Too big to be fully human, don't you think?"

"Four to a boat! Four to a boat!" the man bellowed.

Harry, Blaise and Theo got into a boat, where they were reunited with Hermione. Hermione smiled happily at Blaise and Harry, "The prefects used a spell to help us get Trevor! It was really cool!"

"I bet it was." Harry grinned, "Magic just opens up a whole new world of opportunities and possibilities! I sometimes still think it's a dream."

"I feel the same," Hermione said, smiling softly. "When I was younger, my parents were terrified of the magic I had. Obviously we didn't know that it was magic, but at that time, my parents had me go to the nearest church and get exorcised. Of course, I wasn't possessed, so the exorcism didn't do anything to me. My parents later on accepted that I was just different, though."

As they neared Hogwarts, they caught their first glimpse of the majestic castle. Harry gasped, awestruck at the Gothic styled piece of architecture. "It's beautiful," he said in wonder. "It's so grand and ...beautiful!"

Theo nodded, eyes wide as saucers as well. "When my mom said it was majestic, I had no idea it was like this." Blaise could only agree silently, too awestruck.

Harry could feel the magic radiating off of the castle, calling to him. An unbidden smile rose to his lips, and he basked in the warm and welcoming feeling the castle gave off. And he finally felt that going to England was not a bad idea. Hemlock's school was nice, but it was no where as beautiful and grand, nor did it radiate sentience.

When the boats docked, the first years walked to the main entrance of Hogwarts, with Hagrid at the front. The mighty doors swung open, inviting them in.

Harry breathed in, suddenly giddy with happiness and drunk on the magic that was so alive. "Do you feel that?" he whispered to Blaise, who blinked at him. "There's this feeling, i-it's… I don't know how to describe it. It's like a mother welcoming home her children who've been gone for so long and are finally returning."

"Harry, you're off your nutters," Blaise muttered back.

"Do you actually not feel that?" Harry said, suddenly frightened. Blaise shook his head no. "Nevermind then…"

Suddenly, screams filled the air, and Harry's hand immediately fell on his gun, finger on the safety. He whirled around to locate the course, and did a double take. "Ghosts?" he asked, blinking. "Today's just been full of surprises…"

One ghost, who was talking about someone named Peeves, took notice of the first years, "Ooh! First years, correct? I do hope to see you in Hufflepuff, my old house, you know."

"Yes, yes, Friar," a stern voice said. "Now, the Sorting is about to start." An elderly woman with a tight bun on the top of her head stood there at the opening of the Great Hall, tall and regal. "Come now," she beckoned to the first years as she turned and led the way into the Great Hall.

As the first years stood in a line in the middle of the Great Hall, Harry noticed an inconspicuous stool and hat. Hat? Surely they… Then the hat started to sing.

Harry blinked, and then blinked again. "I should be getting used to these surprises," he muttered to himself.

After the song, Professor McGonagall started to call out names.

"Granger, Hermione!"

Hermione shakily walked to the stool and donned the hat, clenching the seat of the stool until her knuckles grew white. "Gryffindor!"

Harry clapped along with the others, grinning at his female friend.

"Potter, Harry!"

Suddenly, whispers filled the hall. As Harry walked past, he heard people whispering in disbelief, "The Harry Potter?" So tiresome.

He took a seat, and pulled the hat over his head. It slid past his eyes, shielding him from the stares of the entire Hall. Harry Potter. You have an interesting goal in mind, young Potter. So young, yet so ready for battle. Trained to become part of the military, ready to fight for your country for your entire life. Gryffindor would be good for you.

Harry frowned, No. I need to be in Slytherin.

Why, young Potter? the hat asked, sounding amused.

Harry grumbled, You can read my mind. Figure it out yourself.

So full of spirit and life, this one. Just like another American I once Sorted, the hat mused. You want to be Sorted into Slytherin because you want to take away Lord Voldemort's followers. That is very brave of you, Harry Potter, to choose your ambition over your welfare. You know what being in Slytherin is like, don't you?

Harry rolled his eyes, Duh. I always research beforehand.

There's Ravenclaw in there as well, but you are not motivated by the thirst for knowledge. You are motivated by the desire to accomplish and achieve your goals. Slytherin would indeed do you well, the hat said. But are you sure you want to be in Slytherin? It will affect you forever.

Harry strengthened his resolve, Slytherin is my choice. If you do not put me in Slytherin I will demand to go back to America.

The hat chuckled, Threatening me, huh? Well, Slytherin would indeed make you great.

"SLYTHERIN!"

A/N Hallo, hope you like this chapter! And if you think this is good, or has anything that needs criticism, please review so I can take your opinion into consideration.

Any suggestions for pairings? So far, we have HarryxHermione, HarryxHannah Abbott. About slash pairings, not too sure, because of the time period and the fact that he wants to be part of the military, but feel free to suggest slash pairings! It'll be another obstacle for him to overcome. :) Thanks, baes.