"Frank Iero, you keep that wand hidden until you get on that train!" The eleven year old's mother scolded as he held the delicate object out in front of him.

"Yes, mama." He replied, quickly hiding it in the small bag he would be carrying on his back.

His mother nodded as she climbed out of the driver seat and stepped over to open his door. "There's muggles all around, we can't let them see. Now," she looked at her watch as Frank slid himself out of the backseat, "do you remember where the platform is?"

"Yes, mama." Frank nodded as he pulled his trunk out from the seat beside him, "Nine and three quarters; I remember from when we took Alex a few years ago, I know where to go."

His mother smiled sadly at him. "I know... Just, your first train ride to the school and I can't make it... The ministry has been tacking on so much extra work."

Frank offered her a smile. "I'll have Alex take a picture and send it by owl. Remember, it's the black one named Fool."

"Yes, Frank." His mother laughed, looking genuinely happier about the situation.

"I'll ask if I can send a letter, too, after I'm sorted. Do you think I'll make it into the same house that dad did?" He rambled as he adjusted his trunk in order to wheel it along after him.

"I don't know, Frank. I'm still pulling for you to make it into my old house, myself."

"Aw, mom, I don't want to be a Ravenclaw, they're a bunch of nerds."

"Nerds who end up with very decent jobs at the ministry of magic." She said as she leaned down to press a kiss against Frank's forehead, "Any house would be just fine for you. The sorting hat knows what it's doing." She ruffled his dark hair before standing upright. "Don't worry too much about it."

"I'm not!" Frank scoffed, waving away his mother's words.

She nodded, "Alright. I'll see you at holiday." She pulled him close for a tight hug that left him breathless once released. She gave him one last smile before climbing into the driver's seat of the car. "I'll miss you."

"Bye, mama." Frank waved before he moved towards the train station. He happily hurried through the crowds of rushing people. Most of the ones rushing by were suited muggles, off to whatever business meeting they had on that given day. Frank didn't mind, though. With his small stature, he could easily maneuver between them even with his large trunk.

"B-but I have a letter that says-"

"I'm sorry, kid. Nine and three quarters? Platform doesn't exist!"

Frank walked up upon the conversation between a station worker and a timid, strawberry blond that looked about Frank's age. The boy nodded, looking on the verge of tears, as the worker stepped away. The boy looked so small and lost, Frank felt bad for him. He made his way over to the boy.

"Hey, kid!" Frank called out as he walked upon the boy, "Did you say nine and three quarters?"

The other boy looked at Frank with wide eyes as he nodded. "Yea."

Frank smiled at the boy. "Follow me. You must be new."

The boy let out a sigh of relief, nodding and following where Frank gestured for them to go. "Thank you! I am new, well, I've never heard of this place before I got my letter..."

"Muggle parents?" Frank asked as they made it to a less crowded section of the station. The confusion on the other boy's face made Frank laugh, "Nonmagical, I mean."

The other boy let out a soft "oh" before nodding. "Yea." He stopped moving when he saw Frank do the same. The two were standing just in front of a brick wall. He looked at Frank with curiosity. "What's this?"

Frank gestured at the wall, "Platform nine and three quarters. Doesn't look like much but, believe me, it's there." Frank slid his hands past one another, making a clapping noise as he explained. "You're just going to run right through it."

The boy's eyes grew wide again, "Isn't it solid?" He asked, lowly.

Frank shook his head. "I've ran through it all the time with my friend. He's been going to Hogwarts for four years now.." Frank held out his hand, "I'm Frank, by the way."

The other boy held out his hand with a smile, "I'm Patrick." He turned to the wall, nervously. "So, it really doesn't hurt?"

Frank grinned as he pulled his hand away from the shake. "I'll show you." He tightened the grip on his trunk before taking a quick breath. He then began to take a running start at the wall, taking in the crowded platform full of fellow wizards and witches.

Frank found himself swept up in the crowd that was moving towards the magnificent train. He moved along with the crowd while also scanning for anyone he knew. He waved his hand in the air as he found such a person.

"Alex!" Frank called out to a boy with dark, purple hair. The boy turned, grinning at Frank.

"Hey, little dude!" Alex laughed, waving at Frank as he walked up. He gave the younger a high five, "Finally able to take the train?"

Frank nodded, excitedly. "Hell yea! I'm so excited! Mom couldn't come to see me off because of the ministry, though."

"Bummer, dude." Alex frowned, "Does she want a picture? I just got a new camera from my summer job earnings."

"You know my mom, of course she does!" Frank laughed with a grateful 'thank you'.

Alex grinned, "I'll take it when you're getting on the train. You can come sit with Jack, Zach, and I. Rian got invited into the prefect car."

"Don't you have to be fifth year for that?" Frank asked as the train whistle blew, screeching loudly through the air.

"Yea, and I intend to be it for Ravenclaw next year." Alex said as the two moved towards one of the train cars, "Keep going, I'll get the picture." He swung his bag on his shoulders to the side so that he could dig into it. He quickly pulled out an older model, film camera. "Smile and wave." He grinned, bringing the camera up to his face.

"Cheeeese!" Frank smiled widely, climbing up the steps and waving before he let himself hang out of the train car. Alex gave him a thumbs up after a minute, giving Frank the signal to jump off the train and grab his trunk. "Thanks, Alex, I owe you."

"Don't sweat it." Alex said as he grabbed his own trunk, "C'mon, let's get on board before Jack opens all the chocolate frog cards we've stockpiled over summer."

Frank grinned widely as he followed Alex onboard the train car. "Are we doing some trading?"

"Hell yes, we are." Alex nodded as the walked down the narrow corridor, "I'm trying to lighten my Albus Dumbledore collection. Got a Hermione Granger card by chance?"

"I've got about six Harry Potter cards." Frank shrugged, "I'm still looking for her, too."

Frank and Alex continued to converse back and forth, as they passed by closed rooms. Along the way, they passed one room in particular that seemed a bit lonely. A boy with pale, white hair sat nervously in his compartment, looking out at the crowded platform. His eyes scanned the crowd nervously in hopes of seeing at least one familiar face.

"Knock knock!"

The boy turned with a sigh of relief as a familiar face scooted into the compartment. The newcomer was his friend Ray. Gerard had known Ray for years, thanks to their parents being friends. As Ray slid into the compartment, he had a taller boy trailing behind him.

"Beginning to think I'd be in here by myself." The pale haired boy laughed as the other two sat across from him; the seat right next to him remained empty.

"Sorry, Gee, I ran into this guy coming through the wall." Ray laughed, gesturing to the boy next to him. "This is Dallon. Dallon, Gerard."

"Nice to meet you." Gerard smiled, holding out his hand to shake Dallon's.

"You too." Dallon smiled back, "I think I saw you on the platform, wasn't there another kid with you?"

Gerard nodded. "My little brother. He'll be coming in a couple years. My mom brought him to send me off."

"That's cool." Dallon said, adjusting in his seat, "My dad came to drop me off before work. He's the magical one of my parents."

Gerard and Ray nodded as the train lurched forward, slightly, with the echo of a whistle running through the air. All three boys looked around, grins spreading on their faces.

"I think it's happening..." Ray said, looking out the window at all of the waving family members and friends on the platform.

"I'm so nervous to go, honestly." Dallon said, adjusting in his seat again. "My dad always tells stories about the place..."

"Same with my mom." Gerard said, turning away from the window. "She says it's a mixture of the good, the bad, and the dirty at Hogwarts."

The train was moving at a steady pace now, speeding along its tracks. The three boys were getting along quite well when there was a soft tapping on the door. They turned to see a timid, strawberry blond was pushing the door open with a nervous smile.

"Hello, I'm Patrick." He introduced himself, "There's no room anywhere else, may I sit with you guys?" He asked.

Gerard nodded, patting the empty seat next to him. "Sure thing, Patrick! I'm Gerard, that's Ray, and that's Dallon. Would you like help with your trunk?"

Relief flooded Patrick's face. "Please, thank you? Oh my goodness, this is all so insane..." He rolled his trunk into the room before closing the sliding door. With Gerard's help, he lifted the trunk up into an overhead compartment. Patrick quietly thanked him once again before taking the empty seat.

"Are you a first year as well?" Ray asked.

Patrick nodded, "Yea. I don't have magic parents, so this is all so new and insane..."

Gerard patted Patrick's shoulder. "You'll adapt to it. It may take your parents a bit longer, but you'll do fine. My dad had to when he found out!" Gerard laughed.

"You only have one magical parent?" Patrick asked, to which Gerard nodded.

"Both Ray and I have the situation of our dad's being muggles, while our mom's a witch." Gerard nodded, "Bit of a nasty shock when they found out."

"I have the opposite situation." Dallon added with a laugh, "My dad is the magic one. He works in Diagon Alley for Mr. Weasley."

"Wait a minute." Ray's eyes widened as he turned to Dallon, "Your dad works for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?"

Dallon grinned, "My dad was mates with them in school. Mr. Weasley offered him the job a bit after he got the news that I was coming."

"Dude." Ray was looking at him with disbelief, "That's awesome."

"Was that the practical joke kind of shop?" Patrick asked, "Diagon Alley, that's where I picked up my wand and stuff." He shook his head whike pushing a breath of air past his lips, "So many shops... How do you guys manage it?"

"Like Gerard said, you get used to it." Ray smiled, "My mom didn't even mention it until I started running up walls and my dad thought I was possessed."

The group laughed. Patrick covered his mouth to muffle his giggles as a small cart stopped outside of the sliding door. It seemed to be covered in various sweets of all varieties. The woman pushing it slid the door open with a warm smile. "Can I offer you boys something?" She asked as the sugary smell filled the compartment.

Ray and Dallon stood up, quickly, pointing out various treats while digging money from their pockets. Gerard was about to join them, but noted how Patrick was looking down at his shoes. Gerard frowned.

"Hey, Patrick." He smiled at the strawberry blond as he nudged his head towards the cart, "Can I offer you your first taste of wizard world candy?"

Patrick shook his head, "Oh, no, that's okay, Gerar-"

"I heard yes." Gerard winked as he stood up. He stepped over to the cart, ordering two of each of his favorite sweets in order to share with Patrick. The strawberry blond looked beyond grateful as Gerard sat back down with an armload of candy. "Try the Fizzing Whizzbees, they make you float for a minute."

"No way!" Patrick laughed in disbelief as Gerard passed him the candy, "Candy can do that!?"

"Certain types." Gerard nodded, "Others are rather normal, or have less fun side effects."

Patrick listened intently as he opened the colorful packaging Gerard had given to him. Gerard looked through the other colorful candies he had gotten. He finally decided on a simple sucker with no added side effects. He unwrapped it and popped it in his mouth as Patrick cried out. The strawberry blond was floating a few inches up off his seat with a look of disbelief.

"I can't believe this is real..." He whispered before laughing, "Magic is real!"

"Real as it can be." Dallon grinned as he bit into a liquorice wand. "Just wait until you see this place. My dad says it's impossible to really explore it all."

"I heard they have secret passages everywhere." Ray grinned with mischief gleaming in his eye.

Gerard looked out the window as the others continued their exchange. The landscape was moving quickly past, taking them closer and closer to the school. Gerard let out a slow breath as he continued to watch the scenery; he was so anxious about going to Hogwarts. It was an amazing feeling for him to know he would be surrounded with people like him, but that didn't completely trump the feeling of not fitting in at all.

What if his pale hair was too strange? The muggle children he encountered thought it was. What if he couldn't get the magic right straight away? What if he was placed in the wrong house? No, everyone said that the sorting hat was never wrong... Those reassurances couldn't stop the "what if" thoughts, however.

"Gerard!" Ray laughed as he tapped Gerard's knee, successfully pulling him from his thoughts. "Where do you hope to be sorted?"

"Don't know." Gerard smiled, trying to push his fears to the back of his mind. "Not sure if I have a preference."

"Sorted?" Patrick asked as he slowly sunk back down into his seat; the candies effects had faded.

"There's four houses." Dallon said, holding up his hand. As he named them off, he danced his fingers one over the other. "Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

"Named after the four founders." Ray added, "Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin."

Dallon nodded before continuing, "Each house embodies the morals and characteristics that each of its founders valued."

"Wow..." Patrick whispered, trying to take everything in.

"He's a muggle born, guys, you're going to explode his head with all the information you're trying to cram in all at once." Gerard said with a soft laugh.

Patrick, however looked at bit fearful at the comment. "Can head exploding happen here!?" He exclaimed, throwing his arms over his head and holding onto his elbows.

Ray covered his mouth to hide his laughter, unlike Dallon who had to bite his lip in both uncertainty and the avoidance of giggles. Gerard let a short breath out through his nose before patting the strawberry blond's shoulder, "Your head won't really explode, don't worry." He smiled at Patrick, "Not there at least."

"What!?" Patrick yelped, eyes growing wider. The others laughed loudly.

"I didn't mean it! Really, don't worry, Patrick!" Gerard assured, "I'm sorry, please don't panic."

Patrick shook his head, letting out a slightly crazed laugh. "This is insanity. This is so nuts."

"You haven't seen anything yet!" Dallon grinned, "Wait 'till we actually get there."

"I'm gunna die." Patrick laughed, nervously.

Gerard shook his head, "You'll be fine, Patrick. We'll look out for you." He smiled.

Ray and Dallon both nodded as well. "We've got your back. Us first years have to stick together!"

Patrick smiled between everyone. "Thanks, guys. I've only really met one other student so far, but everyone seems so helpful so far. I really appreciate it." He let out another laugh, "It's weird, but, I kind of like this weird world already."

Gerard looked back out the window as the other three burst into conversation once again. This was going to be a whole new world. Strictly magic, compared to a world of half and half. He would be by himself from his family, including Mikey, who he had always woken up early with to watch cartoons. There was none of that where they were going.

"Hogwarts, here we come..." He smiled to his reflection in the glass as the other three in his cabin erupted into an exclamation of some sort. Gerard turned back around to join in on the conversation and laugh with them as the train trudged on, taking them to their awaiting adventures.

---
A/N~ sound promising?

After WTDWM, I really wanted to do another HUGE au or something and, when I asked what you guys would like to see, nearly everyone screamed for a harry potter/hogwarts au!

So, I present to you, Faux Amour!

Now, the next few chapters will take place in the first year, but the main story doesn't happen until we go through the time warp ;). It primarily takes place a bit further into their Hogwarts experience, but I wanted to provide first year backgrounds! I hope you'll like this!

Just in case you guys didn't know, as well, @epichorn31 has a Hogwarts au called Gerard Way & The Triwizard Tournament if you're interested in it! I haven't read it myself ((because I'm a horribly lazy reader sometimes, but it's on my list)) but I have only heard good things from it! We're not delving into that aspect of the HP universe, so I promise these will be different.

Also, I hope you have a lovely day/night <3

~Skittles Out~