My Life in Harry Potter Universe

Noticing how crowded the front compartments were, Scarlet headed straight towards the end of the train and finally found an empty one near the back.

She quickly tugged her luggage into the train and settled in. The compartment was quite spacious, so she sat near the window to leave room for anyone who might come in to share. Not long after, she heard someone utter a pained “Ouch!” and the thudding sound of luggage hitting the floor right outside the compartment door she had just entered.

She exited and saw the protagonist struggling to heft his belongings, failing to lift them into the train.

Well, can’t expect a skinny boy to lift such huge luggage, eh? “Hi, mind if I help?” Scarlet approached and asked. Just as she spoke, Fred and George seemed to notice the boy’s struggle and came closer.

Hmm...seems like I’ve bumped into the storyline, Scarlet mused. The twins themselves are adorable; it does seem like a great element to add to the story. The protagonist could gain help and friendship through them...So, should I back off and not interrupt the storyline?

“Oi, look who it is! Our long-lost sister!” one of the twins called out with a grin.

“We were going to invite you to our compartment --” the other began.

“--but it’s a bit of a madhouse in there. Thought you might fancy some peace and quiet,” The first one finished.

Yup, definitely some important characters in the story. Scarlet thought. She smiled and nodded, “That’s thoughtful of you. Now, shall we help him with the luggage?”

“Right you are!” one twin exclaimed.

“Always happy to flex out muscles for a damsel in distress.” the other added with a wink.

The twins were about to lift the trunk, but Scarlet patted one of the trunks twice and lifted it with ease, as if it were light as a feather. She brought it into the compartment in the blink of an eye, leaving the twins and the protagonist in awe.

“Blimey,” one of the twins muttered, “did you see--”

“Yes, I see...”

Scarlet poked her head out from the compartment, “Need any help?”

“Nope!”

“Comin’ right there!”

After the protagonist’s belongings were settled in the corner of the compartment, Harry thanked them while wiping sweat off his forehead, exposing his scar.

“What’s that?” said one of the twins suddenly, pointing at the exposed scar.

“Blimey, are you--?” the other twin added.

“He is,” the first twin looked at the protagonist, “Aren’t you?”

“What?” the protagonist seemed puzzle, and Scarlet, who stood beside him, knew this must be an important scene, so she remained quiet.

“Harry Potter,” the twins said in unison.

“Oh, him,” The protagonist obviously uncertain about how he should react, blushed under the twins’ gaze, “I mean, yes, I am.”

Just as the two boys were about to say something, Mrs. Weasley’s voice came from outside the train, “Fred? George? Are you there?”

“Coming, Mum.”

They gave the protagonist a last look before hopping off the train and rushing to their mother’s side.

Scarlet motioned for the protagonist to settle in, “Have a seat, make yourself at home.”

“Thanks,” The protagonist said timidly, as if he wasn’t used to such a welcome.

“I’m Scarlet Smith, and you are?”

“I’m Harry Potter.” Harry, the protagonist, said with a slight stutter. The sound of the Weasleys bidding goodbye was just outside their window.

He glanced at them subtly, and Scarlet noticed the admiration hidden in his eyes; he was longing for a goodbye like the Weasleys had. Scarlet frowned at this realization; now that everything had settled down, she noticed Harry had come alone.

Skinny, oversize clothes, alone with no family bidding goodbye to a boy who’s just 11 or 12 years old...Orphan? Scarlet mused, well, if that’s the case, at least he seems to have a proper place to stay. No visible bruises, better than most poorly managed orphanages where children have to scrounge for food or face bullying from local troublemakers. But the twins seemed to know him, so he’s famous somehow? Wait a minute...

Scarlet’s gaze fell upon the boy’s scar, and the power bestowed upon her sensed something odd.

She half-covered her eyes to hide her purpose and focused her stare on Harry’s scar.

Queen Scáthach of the Isle of Skye, may the power of the Shadowy One be with me, she silently recited the chants. She seldom used this chant as most of the time she could witness oddities without it, since one of the abilities bestowed upon her by the Queen of the Shadowy Land was to witness death and soul. But this time, it felt...very odd.

And indeed, she was surprised by what she saw through the gaps of her fingers - there was a foreign soul fragment attached to the boy’s scar!

No wonder it felt odd; the soul fragment was too weak for her to notice at first glance!

Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, the compartment door slid open, and the youngest Weasley boy came in, “Er, is there room -- Oh, it’s you, Scarlet.”

“Hi, Ron. Want to join us?”

Ron nodded, looking relieved, “Everywhere else is full.”

He sat beside Scarlet, sneaking glances at Harry before averting his gaze and turned to Scarlet, “Bit weird, isn’t it? Never seen another redhead our age outside the family.”

“I was surprised to see you all as well.” Scarlet replied.

Harry, sitting across from them, looked puzzled, “Aren’t you siblings?”

Scarlet smiled, “Though I’d love to be, we’re not related.”

“But we could be siblings!” The compartment door slid open again, the twins were back, “Hey, Ron.”

“Listen, we’re heading to the middle of the train -- Lee Jordan’s got a giant tarantula down there.”

“Right,” mumbled Ron.

“Harry,” one twin said, “did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. Oh, and that’s our honorary sister we’ve just adopted!”

The other twin turned to Scarlet. “Speaking of which, we should catch up once you’ve settled in at school. Lots to discuss about being an honorary Weasley and all that.” He patted the compartment wall twice, sending a hint that Scarlet instantly noted.

“Sure, sounds good.” Scarlet nodded, surprised that the twins were perceptive enough to sense her action just now.

“Right then, we're off.” The Weasley twins chorused.

“Bye,” said Harry and Ron, while Scarlet just waved.

After they left, Scarlet explained, “We just met at the platform. I think they were curious because of my hair.”

Harry nodded understandingly.

“Are you really Harry Potter?” Ron blurted out. Harry nodded.

“Oh - well, I thought it might be one of Fred and George’s jokes,” said Ron. “And have you really got -- you know...”

He pointed at Harry’s forehead.

Harry pulled back his fringe to reveal the lightning scar. Ron stared. “So that’s where You-Know-Who...”

“Yes,” said Harry, “but I can’t remember it.”

“Nothing?” said Ron eagerly.

“Well -- I remember a lot of green light, but nothing else.”

“Wow,” said Ron. He stared at Harry for a few moments, then, as though suddenly realizing what he was doing, quickly looked away and noticed Scarlet was deep in thought. “Scarlet?”

“Oh.” Scarlet snapped back to attention and shook her head, “Nothing, I was just curious...It seems like Harry’s a famous person?”

“Blimey, you’re having me on,” Ron said, his eyes wide, “How can you not know about Harry? He’s the one who defeated You-Know-Who!”

“Well,” Scarlet rested her chin on her palm, “I suppose this is something wizards know but Muggles don’t? To be honest, I had no idea such a magical realm existed before the acceptance letter arrived at my doorstep.”

“Oh...right,” Ron’s ears turned pink as he remembered their conversation with Ginny. “Sorry, I forgot you’re new to all this...”

“It’s okay.” Scarlet pondered for a few moments before taking out her purse, “Want to earn some pocket money?”

“What?” Ron looked bewildered, as did Harry.

“I need someone to guide me through the wizarding, someone I can turn to whenever I have questions - at least for this month. I’d rather not bother too many people with constant inquiries, so I thought it best to hire someone.” Scarlet took out ten gold Galleons, “This is for your time in answering my questions this month. I’ll likely find other ways to get answers next month that won’t trouble anyone...Would you be willing to spare your time? I could add more if you think it’s necessary.”

“Ten Galleons? Just for answering questions?” Ron’s jaw dropped, “That’s...”

“Well, I think it’s worth it,” Scarlet showed him the coins, “So, do you accept it? No worries if you decline, I can find someone else.”

“Bloody hell, yes!” Ron exclaimed, carefully taking the coins, “I mean, yeah, I’ll do it. I'll tell you everything I know. And if I don’t know something...”

“Yeah?”

“Well, I’ve got five older brothers,” Ron said, puffing up a bit, “I’m the sixth in our family. And Ginny too, if you need to know girl stuff.”

“Sounds great!” Scarlet was about to ask something when Harry, looking a bit hesitant but curious, spoke up, “Erm, do you think I could join too? I mean, if it’s alright...I’ve got loads to learn as well.”

“Of course, but there’s no need to pay since we’ve made the arrangement. In fact, I think I’ll ask most of my questions in writing, if that’s alright - I prefer to jot down notes.” Scarlet said, pulling out a palm-sized notebook and a fountain pen.

Ron’s eyes widened, “Blimey, you’re like a proper businesswoman with all these deals!”

“I am, actually,” Scarlet replied matter-of-factly.

“What?” Ron and Harry exclaimed in unison, looking gobsmacked.

Scarlet tapped her chin as she chose her words carefully, “Well...my family owns some companies. They’ve given me shares and funds to invest. Of course, I can’t make decisions directly, being underage and all, but I work through a manager. So, in a way, I do have my own business.”

Seeing their awestruck faces, she continued, “To be honest, Hogwarts wasn’t my first choice. I was planning to skip a few years ahead in Muggle school, aiming for university. That’s where I’d learn most of what I need for my career. But now I’m at Hogwarts, and their magic is new to me, I’ve got to juggle magical studies and business. Make sense?”

Both boys shook their heads, looking bewildered.

“Right, let me put it this way,” Scarlet said, ticking off points on her fingers. “I’ll need lots of owls flying back and forth. Contracts to sign, decisions to make, market news, important reports...It’s a lot to manage. That’s why I’m willing to pay for help with smaller tasks. Ron, if you or your friends want to earn some extra pocket money, I could really use the help, at least for the first few months.”

“Blimey, I’ll definitely help,” Ron agreed, still looking a bit dazed. “You must be dead busy, eh?”

Scarlet shrugged, “It would be easier if I weren’t attending Hogwarts. Back home, I’ve got assistants and contacts to help out.”

Harry spoke up hesitantly. “Scarlet...you’re from a Muggle family too? But you seem so ...calm about all this. I wish I could be more like that...”

“Don’t worry, Harry. You’ll be fine,” Scarlet reassured him with a smile. After all, you’re the protagonist, you need to be fine or else the story would have a bad ending, she mused. “I’ve got a few secrets that explain why I can be calm. Perhaps I’ll tell you later, but for now, just enjoy the excitement of starting school. It’ll be brilliant, I’m sure.”

“Thanks.” Harry replied with a shy smile. Meanwhile, Ron could barely contain his eagerness to provide his services worth ten Galleons a month.