A Life Hidden

Chapter 1: The Train

A Harry Potter Fanfiction

By: Legato Deathscythe

Disclaimer: Don't own shit. Don't even own my own house. That's all I'll say on the matter this whole fic.

To say that having to walk through a wall and finding ones self in front of a large red locomotive was strange would have been an understatement. Jim had known from the day Professor Minerva McGonagal had shown up on his families doorstep speaking of magic and wizardry that he would never be normal again. Not that he had been from an early age. One does not simply appear on the roof of his home, nor suddenly make things disappear without knowing they are different from others. His family followed him to the train. They were not related to him by blood, this James Harold Cole knew. He had been adopted early in life after being found in a garbage bag by his adoptive brother, Marcus. Marcus was no less then ten years his senior, and while Jim was heading off to start his education in Magic, Marcus was going to go on to University to continue towards his degree in Criminal Justice.

His adoptive Mother, Rose, smiled at him and pulled the youngest member of her home into a loving hug. She smiled as she said, "You learn everything you can, and tell me all about it when you write home."

Jim smiled and said, "I will momma."

Marcus smirked as he ruffled the younger boys hair, "And be sure you don't do anything I wouldn't do."

David Cole gave his son another hug and smiled at him, "Whatever you do there, you come back the best wizard you can. That's all I can ask of you. And try to have some fun while you're at it."

Jim smiled and adjusted his glasses. His dark hair brushed against his forehead as he said his goodbyes and pulled his trunk up onto the train. He found himself an empty compartment, and waved to his family through the window as they departed. After his luggage was stored away he sat down and sighed. He felt a familiar feeling against his skin and chuckled as a snakes head popped out of his left sleeve. He looked down and ran his fingers between the reptiles eyes and just sat there.

When the compartment door sprang open he was startled. He looked up and saw a red haired boy walk in and ask, "Mind if I sit here with you? Everywhere else is full."

Jim just smiled and nodded, indicating the seat across from him. The red haired boy stowed his trunk and sat down, looking rather winded. He reached out his right hand and said, "Ron Weasley."

"James Cole, you can call me Jim."

With introductions out of the way the two started discussing what was coming up and what they could expect. Jim was interested to know that Ron had five other brothers, all of whom were now or had been students at Hogwarts. He smiled as his snake popped her head out of his left sleeve again, startling Ron.

Jim smiled and said, "This is Sylvia. She's my friend."

"Your friend?" Ron asked, a little confused that the snake hadn't been referred to as a pet.

"Yes, she watches out for me, keeps me safe, and all she asks in return is white mice and some body heat. She's a Brazilian Boa Constrictor," Jim said.

"I see," Ron said, then pulled out a cage with a rather large rat in it. He kept the cage close by him as he said, "This is Scabbers, he's been in my family for years."

The snake took one look at the rat, then turned it's serpentine head towards Jim and hissed, "I do not like that rodent. It tasssssssstes of lies and deceit. It tassssstes as if it were a man and not a mouse."

Ron started to get freaked as Jim responded back, hissing to the snake in his hands, "That isss strange. Do you dislike how Ron tassstes?"

"No. He tassssstes of friendship and honesty. But there issss a hint of ressentment, of being the one overlooked. It is a normal tassssste for one whom comes from such a large family I've found," Sylvia replied.

Ron's eyes were wide as Jim looked at him. Jim had a confused look on his face as he asked, "What's wrong?"

"You're a Parseltounge?" Ron asked, his voice wavering.

"That's what Professor McGonagal called it when she brought the letter. I was rather interested in that ability when she explained it to me. I guess I'm just lucky," Jim said.

"Right, lucky," Ron replied.

"Before I found out about magic I was thinking of going into zoology when I got older. Being able to talk to Sylvia has made me very interested in reptiles and how they live, snakes especially," Jim said.

"I bet."

Before they could say anything else, the door opened and two other children looked in. One was a boy, rather shy and scared looking, and the other was a girl with big bushy hair and large front teeth. Jim looked up at them while petting Sylvia and said, "Hello."

"Hello, you wouldn't happen to have seen a toad have you?" the boy asked, stuttering the whole time.

"Sorry mate, only reptiles in here are on his arm," Ron said, pointing at Jim.

Jim gave Ron a look before saying, "Frogs and toads are not reptiles, they are amphibians."

The girl looked at him and asked, "You have a snake with you?"

Jim smiled and introduced Sylvia to the other two children. He then asked Sylvia, "Can you find Trevor for them and bring him back here without injury?"

The other two children had a similar reaction to hearing him speak to the snake for the first time that Ron had. Sylvia simply said, "Yessss. I will find this toad and lead him here. You should be sssssafe enough with these three while I am gone. I will also tassste some of the other children. I do not want you to be harmed, my hatchling."

Jim smiled and sat his left hand on the floor, allowing Sylvia to slither out of his clothes. The other two children just watched as the snake left the compartment, sliding between them. Jim looked up and said, "Sylvia will find him and lead him back, no worries."

The girl looked at him and introduced herself and the other boy, "I'm Hermione Granger, this is Neville Longbottom."

"James Cole, this is Ron Weasley," Jim said. Ron nodded as Neville sat down next to him. If Jim didn't know better he could swear that the two boys were trying to inch away from him.

"I haven't read about what you just did. Do you have that snake under a compulsion," Hermione asked.

Jim just shook his head, "No, she does what she wants. I just understand her, and can talk to her. Always been able to."

"You should be careful. It's against the law to practice Magic outside of Hogwarts if you are underage," Hermione warned.

Jim gave her a confused look, "But it's a natural thing."

"I know, and I don't really understand the reasoning myself. But the Ministry of Magic does not allow underage wizards to practice outside the school."

Jim looked at her confused before saying, "Huh, that sounds rather stupid if you ask me."

Ron chimed in at this point, "Kids can't really control their magic. We don't want everyone to know witches and wizards are real. That would put all of us in danger."

"I suppose that makes sense. But still, it seems like it's just going to hold us back," Jim said.

Ron just shrugged his shoulders, "Way it is."

Before anyone could say anything there was a low thud at the door, followed by a hissing sound. Jim got up and opened the door, allowing Sylvia to slither in. The snake came in and slide it's way up his leg then around his neck before disappearing into the collar of his shirt. Behind her a toad hopped in and sat there. Neville got up and immediately retrieved his pet frog Trevor.

"Find out anything interessssting?" Jim asked.

"Avoid the blond haired boy followed by two larger boysss. They taste of cowardice and betrayal, they taste of privilege and entitlement. I believe one was called Draco Malfoy. He tastes bland and empty. Watch out for that one, hatchling," Sylvia warned.

"With how you talk to that snake, you might be a natural for Slytherin," Neville said.

"Slytherin?" Jim asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Slytherin is one of the four houses at Hogwarts. Each first year is sorted into a house that best fits them. Slytherin is mostly purebloods and the ambitious. Ravenclaw is for those who are most clever and studious. Gryffindor house is for those most brave and daring. The rest end up in Hufflepuff, the most loyal. It's all in Hogwarts: A History. Didn't you read it?"

"Don't get onto him. Lot's of Muggle-born students don't know anything about the school until they get there," Ron defended him.

Hermione glared at him, "I'm Muggle-born and I took the time to find out."

Jim looked down, idly stroking Sylvia through his robes. He could hear her hissing, "You can trust them, if you decide to tell them part of your sssstory, hatchling. Perhapssss you could learn about those who left you if you choossssse to."

Jim sighed and said, "I don't know if I am Muggle-born or not."

"How's that, mate?" Ron asked.

"It is rather easy to know," Hermione said.

Jim just sighed, "I was adopted very young. I don't know who my biological parents are."

A silence fell over the children in the compartment. They fell into thoughts about their families and their pasts. Jim ran his fingers along the comforting scales of Sylvia's head. He then changed the subject, "Have you read anything about the subjects, Hermione?"

"Yes, I'm very much looking forward to Transfiguration. It's supposed to be the hardest subject a wizard or witch can master. Changing an object into something completely different, it's going to fascinating! I already read most of the spells in the book," Hermione said, practically exploding in excitement.

Jim smiled, "I honestly think I'm more interested in potions. I've always had an interest in chemistry. I'm not as good at that as I am when it comes to snakes, but I think I should do well. That's why I didn't bother with the history behind the school honestly. I wasn't as interested in where I was going, as I was with what I was going to learn."

Hermione nodded at that. It wasn't a good excuse for not finding out everything someone could find out, but it made sense. Jim simply wanted to learn what he could in school, not just go through the whole history of the place. Maybe it was the same for a lot of Muggle-born wizards. She was just the abnormal one of the lot, again. It was depressing.

"Oh, did you read in the Daily Prophet? Someone broke into Gringotts," Neville said.

"Really?" Ron responded, absolutely shocked someone had pulled it off.

"Yes, they broke into a vault, but the vault had been emptied earlier in the day. No one knows how they pulled it off. The goblins are trying to make sure it doesn't happen again," Neville said.

"Huh, there's something you don't see everyday I suppose," Jim said. He let the other children continue their conversation as he looked out the window of the train. He pet Sylvia as he watched the world race by. He wondered about the parents that had discarded him so long ago, and wondered about who they had been. Maybe they had given birth to another child, a brother or sister, that they had kept. Maybe they had cared more for this second child then they ever would have for him. It wasn't something he liked thinking about.

He tried to push those thoughts from his mind as Sylvia gave him a comforting squeeze. Maybe he would make some friends at this school who were the same species as him this year. At least Sylvia would always stick by his side.

–

The arrival to Hogwarts was just as unique as the trip on the train to get there. Jim joined Hermione, Ron, and Neville on a boat that guided itself to the other side of the Black Lake. It was pleasantly cool here to Jim, however he knew Sylvia would hate it. She was bunched up as close to his skin as she could get under the robes he had put on. The snake popped it's head out of Jim's left sleeve as the giant of a man, Hagrid, had motioned for the first years to get on the boats. When asked why she was with him like that, Jim said, "It's too cold here for her."

Hagrid smiled and said, "No worries then lad. I know how beasties can get when they aren't comfortable. Just keep a good hold on her as we go."

When they got to the other side Hagrid lead them into a hall and spoke to an older witch Jim recognized as Professor McGonagal. She told them to wait there to be called and went into the Great Hall before them. While they waited, Jim looked around him. He kept his left hand raised with Sylvia's head resting on the back of it, his right hand nervously stroking her scales. Several of the other students seemed to keep their distance from him. Jim was slightly confused as to the reaction. After all, he wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. The blond haired boy Sylvia had warned him about was staring at him. Jim just tried to ignore him as he waited for his name to be called. He heard Professor McGonagal call names of students into the hall. It went on like that for a while, "Abbot, Hanna," then he heard "Bones, Susan." Name after name until he heard, "Cole, James."

Jim entered the Great Hall nervously. He sat down where Professor McGonagal indicated and continued petting Sylvia. Before he knew it she had placed some hat on top of his head that dropped down over his eyes. A second later he heard a voice inside his head speak, "Interesting, what have we here. You seem rather fond of that snake Mr. Cole. I knew a boy several years ago who also had an affinity for the serpents. He was filled with darkness and hatred. You are not, but you share similar history with him."

"What do you mean?" Jim asked inside his head. Sylvia could tell he was getting nervous and comfortingly ran her scales over him.

"He too was a child abandoned when he first came to this school. But unlike you his life was bereft of love and care. He grew bitter over the years and in time came to be known as Lord Voldemort. You will find no one in this school who does not fear that name, save for the Headmaster. I also believe that you have nothing to fear from that name."

"The only name I'm interested in is the name of the people who abandoned me. I just want to know why."

"That I do not have the answer for, Mr. Cole. I do however have a different answer for you. You would do well in Slytherin with your gifts, but I doubt very much you would belong there. You only trust those your familiar agrees with, and I believe you would do best in a place she would find pleasant. Good luck to you as you go on to be in..."

"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shouted out to the hall.

Jim smiled and took the hat off, handing it back to Professor McGonagal. He walked over to the Gryffidor table and sat down next to some other people. Sylvia poked her head further out so she could watch the rest of the sorting with Jim. The snake startled a few of the other students, but nothing seemed to come of it. After the sorting was finished, and Professor Dumbledore said a few words (Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!), the tables filled with an assortment of food. Jim looked it over and turned to Sylvia.

He asked, "Isssss there anything here you might find edible?"

Sylvia looked over the feast and said, "Perhaps some of the roasted beef will do. I do prefer my meal to have the spark of life still within it, but simple cooked meat will sustain me."

Jim nodded and filled a small plate with some bit sized chunks for her. He fixed himself a plate and began eating as Sylvia gulped down her share. Across from him, Hermione Granger sat amazed at the pair. She couldn't help but wonder at Jim and his pet.

Jim looked up and smiled at her, "I'm glad we found something Sylvia can eat. White mice are going to be hard to come by around here. I already know it."

"I read once where someone did an experiment with a pair of snakes. They fed one snake raw steak and the other cooked steak. It turned out the snake that ate the cooked steak was able to get more out of the meal then the one that ate it raw," Hermione said.

Jim and Sylvia looked at each other then back to her, "Huh, that's interesting. One thing, The Sorting Hat called Sylvia my familiar. What is a familiar?"

Hermione looked at him for a moment and said, "A Familiar is an animal that a witch or wizard has bonded to them. They can sense the others feelings, emotions, thoughts. As the bond grows, the familiar can sometimes act as a roaming informant of a kind. You could see the world through her eyes."

Jim smiled, "I didn't know that. I've always been able to talk to her, and we don't hide anything. I suppose it helps that no one understands us."

Hermione smiled, "Yes, it does."

Jim looked up at the head table and saw all the professors enjoying their meal and talking amongst themselves. He turned back to Hermione and started talking with her about what the courses might be like. They agreed to study together, and hopefully learn as much as they could about this world they were in. Sylvia hissed contentedly as she pulled herself back into Jim's clothes.

At the head table, Dumbledore leaned towards Minerva and said, "You were correct, the resemblance is uncanny."

"If I didn't know better I'd swear he was James Potter himself. Save for the eyes," Minerva said.

"Still, he doesn't bear the mark on his forehead," Dumbledore said, a bit concerned.

"I don't think that matters, Albus. Muggle's and wizards both have ways to cover or obscure such marks," Minerva replied.

"She makes a valid point," Severus said to Dumbledore's other side.

"We will need to keep our eyes open then. His familiar being a serpent is rather curious," Dumbledore said.

"It could be a coincidence. The Slytherin bloodline could have split off long ago, allowing this boy the power he seems to have. The fact we have no credible information of his birth and bloodline makes any determination difficult, at best," Severus Snape said.

"And the resemblance to the Potter's?" Professor McGonagal challenged.

"Another coincidence. However I will concede that the more coincidences that seem to surround him, the less coincidental they become," Snape said.

"I would ask both of you to watch over him closely. I will make arrangements to confirm the boys true identity," Dumbledore said.

McGonagal pursed her lips, "If you are correct Albus, then what do we tell him? He's spent the majority of his life despising an unknown parentage for abandoning him. What do we do if we are right?"

"If it truly comes to that, then I shall tell him all that I can at this time," Albus said.

The other two professors understood what that would mean.

–

Jim and the other first years followed Percy Weasley up to Gryffindor Tower. It had already been an interesting day, that much was given. He took in the castle with all it's sights and sounds eagerly. Percy's warning about Peeves was stored away in his head as they came to the painting of a Fat Lady. Percy gave her the password, allowing the group to walk into the common room. After directing the first years towards their respective dormitories the prefect stayed in the common room for a while to render any help that may be needed.

Jim and Hermione said goodnight to each other, and Jim went up the stairs towards his bed. He shared the room with Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and another boy named Seamus Finnegan. Jim let Sylvia out of his clothes and onto the large bed that had been assigned to him. The serpent curled herself up and found a spot on the bed she liked while Jim changed for bed.

He pulled the curtains and got under the blankets. Sylvia slid underneath the covers to share body heat with him and both boy and snake slept peacefully.