📖 Chapter 1 – The Morning of Departure
The dawn of September 1st broke golden across the quiet streets of Little Whinging. At Number 4, Privet Drive, no alarm clocks rang, no teapots whistled, and no frantic Mrs. Weasley voice urged a household into motion.
Instead, at the stately Chronos residence — a grand house hidden just at the edge of Privet Drive — the day began with warmth and unhurried purpose.
Harry woke first. He lay in a room that looked more like something out of a storybook than anything he had ever known: high ceilings, tall windows spilling sunlight onto polished stone, and a bed that felt softer than clouds. After a summer spent here with Percy and his wives, he still sometimes pinched himself, wondering if this was all real.
He sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes, and smiled when he saw Hedwig — the golden eagle Percy had gifted him — perched proudly at the foot of his bed. Her golden-tipped feathers caught the morning light, gleaming like fire.
"Big day," Harry whispered, excitement bubbling in his chest.
Hedwig ruffled her wings and let out a proud, piercing cry, as if reminding him to be brave.
Down the hall, the scent of breakfast drifted from the dining room — but what really made Harry smile was the sound of quiet laughter. Percy's laughter.
He padded barefoot down the corridor and, as always, found the scene both strange and comforting.
Percy sat at the head of the long table, broad-shouldered and effortlessly regal even in simple robes. Beside him, Artemis and Athena leaned close, one draping a hand on his arm, the other whispering something in his ear. Their voices overlapped in playful competition, and Percy's deep chuckle filled the room.
Artemis wore a short, modern dress that scandalized the neighbors when she walked outside, legs bare and golden in the morning sun. Athena, in contrast, wore sleek trousers and a fitted blouse, her elegance so sharp it looked like she had stepped from a fashion magazine. Both were radiant, their affection for Percy utterly unconcealed.
Harry had gotten used to the sight: Artemis pressing a kiss to Percy's cheek while Athena brushed his hair back from his face, Percy accepting it all with an easy smile, then turning and returning their affection with equal warmth.
It was… strange, yes. But it was real.
And Harry, who had spent his life in a cupboard, unloved, found himself basking in their warmth, even when it left the neighborhood gossiping.
"Morning, Harry," Percy greeted, his voice calm but carrying a weight that never failed to settle Harry's nerves. "Ready for today?"
Harry grinned, sliding into a chair across from them. "I've been ready all summer."
Artemis reached over to tousle his hair. "Brave words. Let's hope you're still saying that when Snape glares at you in class."
Harry wrinkled his nose. "Percy already warned me about him."
Athena smirked. "Then you'll do fine. Confidence disarms small men quicker than a wand."
Percy chuckled at that, sliding a plate toward Harry piled high with toast and eggs. "Eat well. Today marks the beginning of your story, Harry. And you must never forget—it's your story, not anyone else's."
Harry nodded, the words settling deep. Dumbledore, Voldemort, even wizarding society—all the names Percy had whispered warnings about—suddenly felt less intimidating. With Percy beside him, with Artemis and Athena watching over him, he felt strong.
Breakfast passed with laughter and teasing, though Harry tried to ignore how often Artemis leaned into Percy, lips brushing the line of his jaw, or how Athena's hand stayed possessively over his. Their touches grew more daring as the morning went on—Percy's hand brushing Artemis' thigh beneath the table, Athena's eyes narrowing in mock challenge when Artemis stole a kiss from him.
Harry looked down at his plate, cheeks warming, but he smiled nonetheless. If this was what love looked like, then he didn't mind witnessing it.
Kaal, Percy's immortal familiar, swooped suddenly through the open window, his colossal wingspan casting shadows across the room. The phoenix-dragon hybrid settled on the balcony, letting out a resonant cry that made the dishes rattle.
Even Hedwig stirred on Harry's shoulder, bowing her head in acknowledgment of the creature.
Percy stood, his movements smooth and commanding, and laid a hand over Artemis' and Athena's shoulders. "It's time," he said softly, but the words thrummed with the weight of inevitability.
Harry's heart leapt. This was it—the day he left Privet Drive behind forever, the day his life truly began.
Together, the four of them stepped out of Chronos Manor, sunlight breaking across their path. Percy walked at the center, Artemis and Athena close, their closeness openly sensual, drawing scandalized whispers from neighbors who peeked through curtains. Harry trailed beside them, his eagle perched on his arm, his steps lighter than they had ever been.
For once, he wasn't the boy in the cupboard. He was Harry Potter, wizard, and today, with Percy at his side, he was ready to meet the world.
📖 Chapter 2 – King's Cross Station
The black car rolled smoothly down the streets of London, enchanted so subtly that no passing eye noticed how it moved without sound, nor how space inside stretched to hold four passengers and two familiars comfortably.
Harry leaned close to the window, his heart thudding with excitement. The city bustled outside, people rushing to work, cars honking, pigeons scattering across sidewalks — but for Harry, none of it mattered. Today, he wasn't just another face in the crowd. Today, he was going to Hogwarts.
Beside him, Percy sat with his arm draped lazily over Artemis' shoulders. She leaned into him, her silver eyes half-lidded, clearly savoring the warmth of his touch. Across from them, Athena smirked knowingly, though her own hand had never once left Percy's knee.
Harry coughed, pretending to study Hedwig perched on his armrest. He was used to this by now — the constant undercurrent of affection between the three immortals — but it never failed to make his cheeks heat.
"You'll scare half the platform if you keep this up," he teased lightly.
Artemis tilted her head, grinning like a fox. "Good. Let them be afraid."
Percy chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "It isn't fear they'll feel, Harry. Awe, maybe. Curiosity. Jealousy, most certainly." His eyes glinted with quiet amusement, ancient wisdom in their depths. "But not fear. Not unless they make the mistake of trying to chain us."
The car slowed to a stop outside King's Cross Station. Harry stepped out first, heart hammering, and was immediately swallowed by the tide of commuters. People rushed past them, clutching briefcases and newspapers, muttering about trains and schedules.
But when Percy emerged, the crowd seemed to part instinctively. Heads turned. Eyes widened. The air seemed to bend subtly, as though the world itself acknowledged his presence.
Even in simple black robes, Percy radiated command. Artemis, in her short silver dress, drew stares that were equal parts admiration and scandal. Athena, sharp and elegant in fitted dark trousers, carried herself with such poise that businessmen in suits faltered mid-step.
Harry almost laughed. To muggles, they probably looked like celebrities. To those who knew better… well, the wizarding families scattered across the platform would know exactly what kind of power had just walked among them.
Near the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Harry spotted them — a cluster of red hair, children chattering, luggage piled high. The Weasleys.
Molly Weasley was fussing over her brood, adjusting ties and smoothing cloaks with harried affection. She glanced up — and froze. Her eyes locked on Percy, then slid to Artemis and Athena holding his arms, then back again. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again in scandalized horror.
She drew herself up, clutching her bag to her chest like a shield.
"Well, I never!" she huffed, loud enough for half the platform to hear. "Parading around like that in front of children! Two women, clinging on him like—like—shameless hussies! And you allow young Harry to see this?"
The Weasley children stared, eyes wide. Ginny blushed furiously, Ron gawked, and even Fred and George exchanged intrigued looks.
Harry stiffened, but before he could speak, Athena stepped forward.
Her smile was razor-sharp, her voice dripping honeyed steel.
"Mrs. Weasley, is it? You presume much for a woman who knows so little. What you call shameless, we call love. What you call scandal, we call truth. Tell me—" her golden eyes narrowed— "is it better to hide behind false propriety, or to live honestly in devotion? Which would you teach your children?"
The crowd had gone still. Molly's face flushed crimson, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.
Artemis laughed, a bright, mocking sound. "Careful, Athena. You'll melt her pride faster than Percy melts steel."
Percy himself said nothing, only watched with an expression that was half amusement, half warning. The air around him was heavy, charged — and though Molly puffed up indignantly, she did not speak again.
Harry glanced at the Weasley children, who now looked at him with something like awe.
Ron whispered to him, wide-eyed:
"Blimey, mate… that's your family?"
Harry grinned, confidence radiating from him. "Yeah. That's my family."
Together, they approached the barrier. Percy placed a steadying hand on Harry's shoulder, Artemis and Athena flanking him protectively. The crowd whispered, some in awe, some in envy, some in scandal — but Percy ignored them all.
Harry straightened his back, lifted his chin, and with Hedwig perched proudly on his arm, stepped through the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Behind him, Percy followed, his wives on either side, their bond so tangible it seemed to hum in the very air.
And as the scarlet steam engine came into view, Harry felt it deep in his bones: the world was watching. And nothing would ever be the same again.
📖 Chapter 3 – Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
The barrier shimmered behind them as Harry, Percy, Artemis, and Athena stepped onto the hidden platform.
A billow of steam rolled across the air, carrying the hiss and clank of the scarlet steam engine. Owls hooted from their cages, cats meowed irritably, and voices rose in a mingling of laughter, complaints, and farewells. The Hogwarts Express loomed like a promise — or a threat.
Harry stood still for a moment, drinking it all in. He had dreamed of this day, yet nothing had prepared him for the vibrant life of wizarding families gathered together. Cloaks rustled. Wands tucked into belts gleamed. Mothers kissed cheeks, fathers ruffled hair, and children hurried with trunks that clattered on the cobblestones.
But as Percy and his wives stepped fully into view, the crowd shifted. Conversations faltered. Heads turned.
The air itself seemed to change — a pressure, a hum, as though the wards of the platform bowed in subtle recognition.
Artemis' silver eyes swept the scene like a predator surveying her forest. Athena, golden and poised, studied every face with sharp calculation. Percy walked between them as if the crowd did not exist, hands resting lightly on his companions' waists, their closeness radiating a bond so intimate that it left no space for doubt.
Harry could hear it — the whispers spreading like wildfire.
"Is that… House Chronos?"
"It can't be. That name is only found in old records—"
"Look at the goblins' reports, you fool. It's true."
"Two women… with him? At once? Shameless."
"Shameless? Or enviable?"
Families edged aside as they passed, though none could look away. Children gawked openly. Pureblood parents muttered behind gloved hands, masks of dignity cracking beneath envy and outrage.
Harry adjusted Hedwig's cage proudly. For once, it wasn't him being stared at like a curiosity. The attention was on Percy, Artemis, and Athena — and Harry found that he liked it that way.
They reached the train, where red-clad attendants hurried about. Students were already climbing aboard, some rushing, some reluctant. The Weasleys bustled nearby, Molly still flushed from Athena's cutting words. She muttered furiously under her breath, shooting occasional scandalized glares at Percy's group while ushering her children forward.
Ginny, face still pink, stared unabashedly at Percy until Molly tugged her along. Ron sneaked another wide-eyed glance at Harry before darting after his brothers.
Then came the pure-blood families.
A cluster of Malfoys — Lucius tall and pale with his serpent-headed cane, Narcissa elegant and cold, Draco at their side with a sneer already forming.
Lucius' eyes narrowed at the sight of Percy. His voice, smooth as oil, cut through the noise.
"Well, well. So the whispers are true. House Chronos dares return."
Athena's gaze snapped to him, calm and sharp enough to slice stone. "Dares?" she echoed softly. "We need no permission from you, Lucius Malfoy. House Chronos existed before your line was even dust in the wind."
Narcissa stiffened, her composure cracking ever so slightly. Draco's sneer faltered, replaced with uncertainty under Artemis' unflinching silver stare.
Lucius inclined his head, lips curling. "Still, power without control breeds chaos. I trust you'll… remember your place."
Percy finally looked at him. Just a glance — steady, ancient, and utterly indifferent. The weight of it made Lucius blanch, though he forced a smirk to hide it.
"My place," Percy said, his voice low and smooth, "is wherever I choose to stand."
The air between them grew taut, whispers erupting around the platform.
Harry swallowed hard, a strange thrill rushing through him. He had seen bullies before — Dudley, Petunia, even Vernon — but none had ever been dismissed so completely as Lucius Malfoy had been just now.
Other families followed suit. The Greengrasses whispered furiously, their daughters sneaking glances at Percy with a mixture of curiosity and blushes. The Notts murmured about "alliances" while pretending not to. The Parkinsons were less subtle, openly discussing matches in voices just loud enough to be overheard.
Athena's lips twitched. "They scheme already," she murmured in Greek, voice low for Percy's ears only. "Desperation always breeds foolishness."
Artemis pressed closer to Percy's side, her hand brushing against his chest in a gesture that was half possessive, half intimate. "Let them stare. Let them want. They will choke on envy before they ever touch what is ours."
Percy kissed her hair absently, golden eyes sweeping the crowd with calm dismissal. His wives pressed closer, and though their touches remained soft, there was nothing subtle about the sensual charge that rippled between them.
Some parents looked away in outrage. Others simply could not look away at all.
Harry's chest swelled with something fierce and defiant. For the first time in his life, he stood not in the shadow of shame or pity, but in the presence of power that chose him.
When Ron finally managed to sidle up, muttering "Blimey," Harry just grinned.
"Welcome to the future," he said under his breath, glancing toward Percy, Artemis, and Athena. "It's going to be different from what anyone expects."
The conductor blew his whistle. Students began boarding in earnest. Steam hissed, owls hooted, trunks clattered.
And as Harry stepped toward the train, Percy's hand settled briefly on his shoulder — firm, steady, protective.
"Go," Percy said softly, warmth threading through his voice. "This is your journey now. But remember — we are always with you."
Harry nodded, his heart soaring.
The whispers rose again as he boarded the train, Hedwig's golden eyes gleaming through the bars of her cage.
Behind him, Percy stood tall, his wives at his side, their sensual unity a blazing defiance against every scandalized whisper and every envious glare.
And so Harry Potter's first true step into the wizarding world began not in isolation, but in the shadow — and light — of House Chronos.
🌌 Chapter 4 – Boarding the Train
The scarlet steam engine hissed like a dragon as Percy, Artemis, Athena, and Harry stepped along the platform. Owls hooted from their cages, cats darted between legs, and the air smelled of smoke, pastries, and excitement.
Harry kept looking around, his green eyes sparkling with wonder. Percy stayed close, one hand brushing against Artemis's, the other at ease behind Athena's back, gently guiding her forward. The three moved like they were born to command attention — and they did. Parents whispered, children stared, and heads turned wherever they passed.
"Feels like walking into an arena," Artemis murmured, lips curling into a small smile as her silver-gray eyes swept over gawking faces.
"An arena full of gossiping sparrows," Athena added, her tone dry, though her hand tightened around Percy's.
Percy chuckled softly. "Let them talk. Harry's the one they should be staring at."
Harry flushed, glancing nervously at the passing families. "They're staring at all of us," he muttered.
"Then stand tall," Percy said gently, leaning close so only Harry could hear. "Every look they give you is proof you belong here."
Harry swallowed, nodded, and straightened his shoulders, trying to mirror Percy's calm confidence.
The group reached the train, polished brass glinting under the sunlight. Students hurried past them, dragging trunks, hugging parents, shouting last-minute goodbyes. The scent of steam and soot grew stronger. Percy shifted his trunk with ease and opened the nearest carriage door.
Inside the corridor, the air buzzed with chatter. Students poked their heads out of compartments, their gazes immediately locking on the four newcomers. Harry heard whispers ripple down the hall.
"Is that—?"
"Harry Potter!"
"And who are those two girls with him—?"
"No, look at him—dark hair, tall—something strange about him…"
Artemis smirked faintly at the attention. "Subtle as deer in the snow," she said under her breath.
Athena's eyes glittered with amusement. "It's remarkable how quickly children weave myths."
Percy's lips brushed Athena's temple, low enough for only her to hear: "Careful — you're starting to enjoy the attention."
Athena arched a brow, deliberately pressing closer into his side as they moved. "Perhaps I enjoy your hand on my waist more."
Artemis elbowed her playfully, but Percy's answering grin was slow, unbothered, and entirely intimate.
Harry rolled his eyes good-naturedly, used to their closeness by now. He nudged Percy. "Compartment?"
Percy nodded, letting Harry choose. They slid into an empty one midway down the train. Percy stowed the luggage with casual ease, even Harry's heavy trunk, while Artemis and Athena sat beside him — the goddess of wisdom leaning into his arm, the huntress curling close on his other side. Their bond was quiet but unashamed, and Harry, far from scandalized, found it oddly grounding.
When Percy finally sat, Artemis tugged at his sleeve and whispered something that made Athena laugh softly, low and warm. Percy bent to answer, lips brushing Artemis's ear, and she shivered with pleasure. To anyone peering inside, the sight was scandalous — a boy their age seated with two stunning girls draped against him, utterly comfortable in a closeness that seemed more adult than anything on the platform.
Harry smirked, leaning back in his seat. He could already imagine what rumors would run through the school before the train even reached Hogwarts.
Across the corridor, students paused to peek in, whispers mounting:
"Who are they?"
"They're with Potter!"
"But—look at them—"
Percy ignored it all. Instead, he rested a hand over Artemis's thigh, the other brushing Athena's fingers, grounding them in that quiet, private bond the three of them always shared.
Harry tilted his head, eyes bright with mischief. "You do know half the train is going to explode from curiosity, right?"
Percy grinned. "Good. Better they're curious than dismissive."
The train gave a sharp whistle. Steam whooshed past the windows. And as the Hogwarts Express lurched forward, Percy leaned back with his wives nestled against him, Harry smiling across from them, and the entire carriage buzzing with whispers of the four who had just claimed the spotlight of the journey.
🌌 Chapter 5 – New Faces
The Hogwarts Express rumbled steadily through the countryside, its carriages full of chatter and excitement. Inside their chosen compartment, Percy sat comfortably with Artemis pressed against one side and Athena curled into the other, his arms loosely around them. Their touches were easy, unashamed — fingers brushing thighs, hair stroked back, whispers traded in tones that were both tender and teasing.
Harry had grown used to the sight over the summer. To him, this was simply family. He found himself smiling, warmed by their closeness as much as the fact that they never hid it.
The compartment door scraped open suddenly. A lanky red-haired boy stepped in, dragging a battered trunk behind him. His ears were already pink, and his gaze flicked nervously between Percy and his wives before landing on Harry.
"Er—everywhere else is full. Can I sit here?"
"Of course," Harry said at once, smiling. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
The boy's jaw dropped. "Blimey! I thought it was you at the station. Mum told me not to stare." He slid into the seat beside Harry, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "She also told me to keep clear of… uh, them." His eyes darted back toward Percy, Artemis, and Athena.
Harry's grin widened. "And what do you think?"
The boy hesitated. His ears went redder. "Well… Mum says it's improper, two girls like that clinging to one bloke in public, but—" His voice cracked slightly. "But I reckon your mum's not always right about everything," he added quickly, as if defending himself.
Athena's lips curved in a small, knowing smile. "Your mother certainly wasn't right about us."
Ron nearly choked. "I—I didn't mean any offense!"
Percy leaned forward slightly, dark eyes calm. "None taken. But tell me, do you always let your mother's words make up your mind for you?"
The question landed with a weight Ron clearly hadn't expected. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again. Finally he shook his head, muttering, "No."
Harry patted his arm. "Then forget what she said. They're my family. If you're sitting with me, you're sitting with them too."
Ron blinked. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "Friends?"
"Friends," Harry said firmly.
The tension softened. Ron relaxed enough to start rummaging in his pockets. "Oh—yeah, right. I'm Ron. Ron Weasley."
Before any further words could settle, the compartment door slid open again. A bushy-haired girl poked her head inside, eyes sharp and assessing.
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy called Neville's lost one."
When no one answered, she stepped fully in. "I'm Hermione Granger, by the way." Her eyes immediately snapped to Harry. "You're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, aren't you?"
Harry, far steadier than most eleven-year-olds, nodded. "I'm Harry Potter, yes. But books don't always tell the whole story."
Hermione's mouth opened to fire another question, but her gaze strayed — inevitably — to Percy and the girls at his side. Her brows furrowed.
"You three…" she began, choosing her words carefully. "You don't seem like normal first-years."
Percy met her gaze without flinching. "Looks can deceive."
Hermione flushed faintly, curiosity flickering behind her eyes. She slid into the empty seat next to Ron, though she couldn't stop sneaking glances across the compartment.
Conversation picked up again. Ron admitted his worries about being poor in a world full of gold. Percy answered with a quiet word that soothed without pity. Artemis teased Ron about stuffing his face with Chocolate Frogs until he nearly dropped a wrapper on the floor. Hermione listed facts about Hogwarts houses while Athena gently corrected a detail or two, leaving Hermione frowning thoughtfully but clearly intrigued.
Through it all, Percy and his wives shared small, intimate touches — a hand brushing across his chest, fingers entwined beneath the bench, a whispered tease that made Artemis smirk and Athena's lips twitch with amusement. Ron studiously avoided staring. Hermione, however, kept stealing sharp, curious looks, her mind whirring with unasked questions.
Beyond their door, the corridor buzzed with gossip. Whispers rippled every time a student passed: Harry Potter is here. He's traveling with… who are they? Did you see the way they were with each other? They don't look normal at all.
Inside the compartment, laughter and new bonds slowly took root — fragile but real.
Chapter 6 – Malfoy's Offer
The rhythm of the train lulled the compartment into a comfortable warmth. Ron was halfway through a chocolate frog, Hermione was scribbling notes in the margin of Hogwarts: A History, and Harry was relaxed — far more relaxed than he ever imagined he'd feel on this journey.
Percy sat with Artemis tucked comfortably against his side, her silver eyes soft with quiet amusement, while Athena leaned forward slightly, her fingers brushing Percy's knee with subtle intimacy as she asked Hermione about spell theory. Their bond was not loud or vulgar — but it was obvious, undeniable, and more than a few passing students had whispered when they glimpsed it earlier.
The door slid open again with a sharp clack.
Draco Malfoy entered, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. His pale hair shone under the carriage lights, and his smirk was one he'd clearly practiced in the mirror. His eyes flicked across the room: Harry first, then Percy, then Artemis and Athena — lingering too long on the two girls before narrowing slightly at the closeness between them and Percy.
"So it's true," Malfoy drawled. "Harry Potter, on the train to Hogwarts. And here I thought you'd be… different."
Harry arched a brow, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "Different how?"
"Different from this lot," Draco said with a tilt of his head at Ron's hand-me-down robes, then at Hermione's bookish posture. His eyes swept to Percy, Artemis, and Athena. "And… whatever this is supposed to be." His lip curled slightly at their closeness, though envy flickered underneath the disdain.
Percy didn't react — not outwardly. He leaned back, one arm draped lazily over Artemis' shoulders, as though Malfoy wasn't even worth shifting for. Artemis smirked faintly, her hand resting on Percy's chest, and Athena's cool, assessing gaze pinned Draco like a specimen under glass.
Draco, unnerved by their silence, pressed on. He turned back to Harry with a practiced flourish, extending his hand.
"You'll soon find out that some families are better than others, Potter. I can help you there — make sure you don't end up with the wrong sort."
Harry didn't take his hand. His green eyes, no longer shy or uncertain, locked on Draco's with steady resolve. "Thanks," he said evenly, "but I think I can tell the right sort for myself."
The words landed with weight. Harry wasn't sneering, wasn't mocking — he was simply confident, in a way that made Ron sit up straighter beside him and Hermione glance at him with wide-eyed admiration.
Draco blinked, caught off guard. This wasn't the uncertain boy he'd expected.
Percy finally spoke, his voice low and calm, but carrying an edge like stone grinding against stone. "Harry doesn't need lessons in judgment, Malfoy. He's already learning just fine."
Artemis tilted her head, lips curving. "Besides, offering 'friendship' with one hand while insulting those around him with the other… that's not exactly wise."
Athena's smile was razor-thin. "It shows more desperation than strength."
Draco flushed, his smirk faltering. He pulled his hand back sharply, glaring at Percy before looking at Harry again. "You'll regret this. Hogwarts can be… unfriendly if you make the wrong choices."
Harry leaned forward slightly, unflinching. "Maybe. But I'd rather make my own choices than have someone else make them for me."
There was no mistaking the sting in that line — Percy's lessons echoed clearly in Harry's words.
Crabbe and Goyle shifted uncomfortably, sensing the turn. Draco stiffened, trying to salvage dignity with a scoff. "You'll see. Some of us are destined for greatness. Others…" His gaze swept Ron, then Hermione, with disdain. "…aren't."
But when he looked back at Percy, Artemis, and Athena, his bravado faltered. Something in their quiet, unbothered presence unsettled him — the way Percy's fingers brushed lazily against Artemis' arm, the way Athena's eyes never wavered, the way Harry didn't need them to speak for him, but they spoke anyway.
With a frustrated flick of his cloak, Draco stormed out, Crabbe and Goyle stumbling after him.
The door shut with a slam.
For a moment, silence hung in the compartment. Then Ron let out a snort. "Blimey. You shut him down quick, Harry!"
Hermione looked impressed, though she tried to hide it behind her book. "That was… well said."
Harry grinned faintly, glancing at Percy, Artemis, and Athena. "Guess I learned from the best."
Percy smirked, squeezing Artemis' hand. "You handled it perfectly. Remember, Harry — you don't need to shout to win. Just know who you are."
Artemis leaned closer to Percy, her lips brushing his ear in a sensual whisper only he caught. "And who he is becoming…" Her hand lingered just a little longer on his thigh.
Athena's gaze softened as she looked at Harry. "Strength doesn't always come from bloodlines or gold. You proved that just now."
Harry nodded, feeling a quiet pride settle in his chest as the countryside blurred past. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just surviving — he was choosing. And with friends like these, he knew he'd never stand alone again.
Chapter 7 – Journey Bonds
The train roared steadily along the tracks, countryside flashing past, but inside their compartment, the air was thick with something warmer, heavier.
Percy sat in the middle, the anchor of it all. Artemis leaned into his chest, her legs curled slightly on the seat so her body pressed against him. His hand rested over the curve of her hip, thumb stroking slow, circular patterns that made her lips part ever so slightly in a soft breath. On his other side, Athena sat straighter, but no less entangled — her fingers laced with his, her knee pressed tightly to his thigh, her head turning every so often to brush her lips against his jaw in unhurried kisses.
Ron tried not to look. He really did. But his eyes betrayed him every time Percy's hand slid higher on Artemis's side, or whenever Athena's lips lingered too long, too tenderly, against Percy's skin. He tore open another Chocolate Frog just to have something to do.
"Blimey," he muttered at last, ears scarlet. "You three… honestly, it's like you've forgotten the rest of us are even here."
Percy smirked, his hand halting just long enough to squeeze Artemis's waist and make her shiver. "We haven't forgotten," he said smoothly, his gaze sharp with amusement. "We simply don't hide."
Artemis tilted her head up then, brushing her lips across Percy's neck, a soft hum escaping her throat. "If they can't handle it," she teased, her voice low, "perhaps they should look away."
Ron nearly choked on his sweet, while Hermione stiffened, her cheeks a deepening pink.
"It's just—" Hermione blurted, words tumbling in her rush to justify herself. "It's just not what most people do, at least not in public. You don't seem to care at all."
Athena's eyes snapped to hers — sharp, intelligent, and commanding. "Why should we? Intimacy isn't weakness. It's truth. And truth isn't diminished because others find it… inconvenient."
Hermione swallowed hard, her blush spreading down her neck, unable to look away from the certainty in Athena's voice — or the way Percy's thumb was now tracing slow, deliberate circles on Athena's inner wrist, his touch making her lips twitch into a restrained smile.
Harry, meanwhile, was grinning. "Told you," he said to Ron and Hermione, half-laughing. "They don't put on a show. That's just who they are. Took me a while to get used to it, too."
"Used to it?" Ron groaned, covering his face with one hand. "Mate, I'll need a year at least. Maybe more."
The tension finally broke into laughter — Ron with his nervous chuckle, Hermione with a tight giggle, Harry's easy mirth filling the room.
But Percy never let up. His fingers played absently with a strand of Artemis's hair, tugging gently until she turned her face for a kiss that was unhurried, lips parting just enough to make Ron throw his arms up. "Merlin's beard! You're trying to kill me!"
Athena's low laugh joined Artemis's softer one, and Percy leaned back in his seat with both of them pressed against him, looking entirely unbothered.
As the train carried them north, sweets and stories filled the space — Ron's tales of pranks gone wrong, Hermione rattling off every fact she'd memorized, Harry's joy at Hedwig's sharp hoot above them. And threading through it all, like a second heartbeat, was the constant sensual current of Percy's bond with Artemis and Athena: hands stroking thighs, lips brushing skin, whispered teases half-heard but fully felt.
By the time the sky outside deepened toward twilight, the four of them had settled into something rare and fragile: a sense of belonging. Ron was still red-faced, Hermione still flustered, but none of them had left. And Harry realized, as he leaned back with a grin, that this strange, scandalous, wonderful group already felt more like family than he had ever known.
Chapter 8 – Hogwarts at Last
The train whistle shrieked long and low, sending a shiver through the compartments as the scarlet engine began to slow. Students pressed against windows, trying to glimpse the flicker of lanterns outside. Excited chatter and the screech of trunks being dragged filled the air.
Inside their compartment, though, the atmosphere was calmer — heavier. Percy sat between Artemis and Athena, their closeness unbroken even as the train shuddered. Artemis rested her hand against his chest, fingers splayed as if she could feel the steady thrum beneath his skin. Athena leaned slightly into him, her lips brushing his jaw in a brief, teasing kiss that earned the faintest chuckle from him.
Harry, watching them with an amused grin, snapped the clasp of Hedwig's cage shut. "You lot really don't care who's looking, do you?"
Percy tilted his head lazily toward him, one arm tightening around Artemis's waist. "Why should we?"
Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Fair enough. Just… people will talk, you know."
"They already are," Athena murmured with quiet satisfaction, her fingers threading through Percy's as though daring anyone to question it.
The train jolted hard as it ground to a stop. Outside, voices shouted: "Don't forget your trunks! Quickly now!"
Ron nearly tripped over his own feet in the scramble, his ears red. "Honestly, can't you three ever stop with all that?"
Artemis's smirk was slow, knowing. "Why? Does it make you uncomfortable, Ronald?"
Ron's splutter was drowned by Harry's laughter. Even Hermione, flustered as she tried to wrangle Crookshanks back into his basket, muttered something about "public displays of affection" while sneaking glances she didn't think anyone noticed.
The corridor was clogged with students, but space seemed to open wherever Percy walked. With Artemis and Athena linked to him on either side, their bond open and undeniable, people instinctively shifted aside — curiosity and unease flickering in their eyes. Harry strode just ahead, shoulders squared, carrying himself with the quiet confidence Percy had drilled into him all summer.
Hedwig hooted proudly from her cage, wings half-spread, as if echoing Harry's newfound self-assurance.
"Remember," Percy said quietly, his voice low but steady enough to cut through the noise for Harry alone. "Walk as if you belong. Because you do."
Harry nodded once, green eyes alight.
The platform was alive with chaos: lanterns glowing through mist, owls shrieking, cats darting underfoot. Families craned their necks, whispering as soon as they spotted Percy's group.
"That's Potter—"
"And those girls with the boy—who are they?"
"They don't look like first-years…"
Percy ignored it all, though he felt the weight of every stare. He wasn't here to fit in — he was here to protect, to guide, and to walk beside Harry.
At the edge of the platform, Hagrid's booming call rose above the din: "Firs'-years! Firs'-years this way!"
Harry looked back at Percy, nervous excitement buzzing in his voice. "This is it."
Artemis squeezed Percy's arm possessively; Athena brushed her lips against his temple, then gave Harry a small, approving nod.
Percy smiled faintly, calm as stone. "Yes," he said. "And you're ready."
Together, they stepped into the swirling fog — four figures bound tightly together, a sight that had already set the platform whispering.
The first-years of Hogwarts had arrived, and the wizarding world would never be the same.