Harry hated being the center of attention. It was especially aggravating when anyone who recognized him immediately wanted to inspect the scar on his forehead. It made him feel like a zoo exhibit.
Yet he never found the courage to say no. Maybe it was just an easy way to break the ice. So when he noticed Ron staring intently at his brow, he brushed his hair aside to let him see.
"Merlin's beard."
Ron breathed the words like a prayer, his eyes still fixed on Harry's forehead. Harry felt his cheeks flush.
Warren tapped Ron on the head with his wand.
Ron yelped and clutched his head. "What was that for?"
"For being rude."
"I was just curious."
Embarrassed, Ron turned away and stared out the window.
Harry sat down awkwardly beside him. His eyes darted around the compartment, searching for a safe place to rest his gaze, before finally settling on the wand in Warren's hand.
The Weasleys had helped him twice now, and Harry felt they were decent people. His nerves settled a fraction. As he watched, his curiosity eventually got the better of him.
Er, Warren? Do you mind if I call you that?
Warren nodded as he stroked Milo's fur. "Of course, Harry."
"What was that thing you just did?"
"The Levitation Charm. It's a basic spell used to make things float. It's in our first-year textbook."
"That's amazing." Harry's green eyes widened. Then his face fell. "I've been trying to learn magic for a month, but I haven't managed to do a single thing."
Warren shrugged. "I've been practicing spells at home since I was eight. You grew up with Muggles, Harry. Don't compare yourself to me. Loads of Muggle-borns are in the same boat."
He didn't mention that he had mastered the Levitation Charm after only two tries. There was no need to show off in front of a kid.
Harry felt a little better. He was about to step into a whole new world, yet he was terrified of falling behind before he even started.
Then he realized he had been ignoring Ron. He hurriedly tried to draw him into the conversation. "Ron, I bet you know loads of spells too."
Ron didn't say a word.
Harry watched Ron's face slowly turn a bright shade of red. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Across from them, Warren burst out laughing. Harry realized he had made a huge mistake.
It was incredibly awkward.
Just then, the compartment door slid open once more. A smiling woman with dimples asked, "Anything from the trolley, dears?"
She was pushing a cart that was absolutely piled high with sweets.
Harry shot up from his seat. He had never had friends before and wasn't sure how to act around kids his own age. He figured buying them sweets was a good place to start. Besides, he had money, more than he'd ever had in his life.
When Harry returned, his arms overflowing with candy, he immediately caught Ron's attention. Ron stared as Harry dumped the entire pile onto the seat and enthusiastically urged them to dig in.
Go on, help yourselves. I bought loads. I can't eat all this by myself.
Ron tried to be polite. "Mum packed sandwiches."
But Warren was already happily tearing into a pack of pumpkin pasties. He wasn't a child. If he ate Harry's sweets, he could always make it up to him later.
When he saw Warren helping himself, Ron reluctantly reached for a Cauldron Cake and took a bite. Harry was absolutely delighted. In all his eleven years, he had never truly shared food with anyone. He had never had enough to share, and there had never been anyone there to share it with. It felt wonderful.
Harry and Ron talked as they ate, warming up to one another quickly. They chatted about Chocolate Frog cards and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Warren chimed in every now and then. For the most part, however, he simply watched them with a faint smile, his thoughts racing in the background.
He had often wondered in his past life what might have become of Harry. Considering his terrible upbringing, if Harry had never met Ron or Hermione, the outcome seemed obvious. He would have either been corrupted by the endless attention and turned into a vain celebrity, or he would have spiraled down the same dark path as Voldemort.
But that was merely a hypothesis. In reality, right here on this train to Hogwarts, at the turning point of his life, Harry had found two lifelong friends. They would fill the hollow spaces in his heart with genuine affection.
Dumbledore always said love was the most powerful force in magic.
However, in Warren's opinion, destiny was the true force to be reckoned with. He intended to seize it with both hands.
He traced a finger along his wand and gazed out the window. The train had just passed the final stretch of tidy, cultivated farmland. The fields extending toward the horizon were growing wilder, giving way to dark mountain shadows, scattered forests, and winding rivers.
After a long while, the compartment door slid open for the third time. A round-faced boy stood crying. "Excuse me, have you seen a toad? His name is Trevor. I've lost him."
Harry and Ron shook their heads.
"I'll help you look." Warren stood up. "Come on, Milo. Sniff him out."
Milo jumped down from the table and followed him.
The round-faced boy wiped his nose, looking grateful. "Thanks, really. I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom."
"No problem. Call me Warren."
Warren wasn't being completely selfless. He just wanted an excuse to stretch his legs and give his brother and Harry a chance to bond.
As Warren left with Neville, Harry sighed. "Your brother is really nice, Ron."
Ron's face scrunched up. "He isn't. He's scared me loads of times ever since we were little. And Fred and George are just as bad."
Harry shook his head. "He's your brother. Of course he plays jokes on you. But look at how he treated me and that other kid. Before today, I thought all brothers were like Dudley."
They had talked about Dudley earlier. Harry had described him as nothing less than a demon in human form.
By comparison, Ron actually started to think Warren seemed like an angel. He began to brag a little. "Well, he's not that bad, I guess. Actually, aside from scaring me all the time, Warren's great at everything. He's been brewing potions since he was eight. Everyone has heard of him. He's a famous genius. Plus, he makes the most money in our whole family. Look, he even bought me my new wand."
Harry watched as Ron held up his wand like a precious treasure. He felt a sharp pang of envy. No one had ever given him a gift like that.
Meanwhile, completely unaware that his brother was singing his praises, Warren located Trevor with Milo's assistance. He sent a tearfully grateful Neville on his way and was about to head back when someone called his name.
"Warren Weasley?"
He turned. Not far away, Hermione Granger stood, her bushy hair framing her face as she stared at him, her eyes practically glowing.
//==============//