[Revisions: Monday, July 15, 2024]

Basil's face lit up with a smile as he saw Harry approaching. His emerald green eyes blinked when he noticed a boy with red hair and blue eyes following Harry closely.

"Bass! Where have you been? I've been waiting for you in the compartment. Were you stuck in the restroom?" Harry teased lightly.

Basil blushed, embarrassed, and glanced shyly at Draco, deep in conversation with Blaise and Theodore.

Harry followed Basil's gaze and spotted Draco. "Oh!" Harry smiled mischievously. "You found yourself a girlfriend," he nudged Basil playfully, winking.

Basil quickly turned to Harry. "Draco is not my girlfriend! And besides, he's a boy," Basil whispered back, flustered.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh! I didn't know. He's too pretty to be a boy," Harry mumbled.

"Wait, Draco?" Harry whispered, warily eyeing Draco.

Basil noticed Harry's cautious look towards Draco. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted.

"Harry! When are you going to introduce me to your brother?" the red-haired boy beside Harry exclaimed.

Harry and Basil turned to look at the red-haired boy.

"Sorry, Ron. Bass, meet my new friend, Ron Weasley," Harry introduced Ron to Basil.

Basil smiled warmly at Ron, glad Harry was making friends at their new school.

"Nice to meet you, Ron. I'm Basil Potter," Basil extended his hand to Ron.

Ron eagerly shook Basil's hand, thrilled to meet the brother of the Boy-Who-Lived.

"You must be proud to be related to the Boy Who Lived. Mum tells me stories of Harry defeating the Dark Lord," Ron said, hoping to strike up a friendship.

Basil's eyes narrowed, raising an eyebrow. "You do know that Harry and I were just babies when Voldemort died. It was our parents who defeated him. They sacrificed their lives so that my brother and I, and everyone in the Wizarding world, could live in peace," Basil explained firmly, gripping Ron's hand tightly.

Ron blushed, embarrassed. "I...I didn't mean..."

"And you know what bothers me?" Basil continued his voice firm. "Why haven't I read about my parents' heroic deeds? All I hear about is my little brother defeating Voldemort this or that. It feels like the Wizarding world is erasing what my parents did in that war when we were just infants!"

Draco finished his conversation with Blaise and Theodore, noticing Basil looking upset.

"Basil, what's wrong?" Draco asked as he, Blaise, and Theodore approached Basil, Harry, and Ron.

Harry glanced at Draco, staying silent, remembering Ron's earlier comment about Draco's family supporting the Dark Lord who killed his and Basil's parents.

Ron opened his mouth to speak but paused when he finally noticed Draco standing next to Basil.

"Draco Malfoy. My dad warned me you'd be starting school this year," Ron said firmly, gazing at Basil.

"Basil, I suggest you stay away from Malfoy. He's bad news, and if you keep hanging around him, your life will be cursed," Ron warned Basil honestly.

Draco started to respond but stopped when he saw Basil step before him, blocking his view of Ron.

"Look!" Basil grabbed Ron by the collar of his school uniform.

"I don't appreciate you bad-mouthing my friend. I know about his family's history in the Wizarding War, but he was just a child like Harry and I. He had nothing to do with what happened to my parents. So, I suggest you keep your negative comments to yourself. Do you hear me?" Basil stared fiercely at Ron.

Ron blushed, speechless, unsure how to respond to Basil's intensity.

"Also, everyone!" Basil turned to address the surrounding first-year students, who were watching with mixed emotions. "If you speak or act poorly towards Draco because of his family's past, you'll answer to my wand! I won't hesitate to hex any of you. Got it?"

The first-year students whispered among themselves, looking at Basil with awe and uncertainty.

Draco stood there, stunned. He couldn't believe Basil had defended him like that.Harry remained silent, surprised by his older brother's actions. This wasn't the Basil he knew from living with the Dursleys.

A cough caught everyone's attention. They turned to see Professor McGonagall standing nearby, her eyes misty.

"Mr. Basil Potter, please let go of Mr. Ronald Weasley," Professor McGonagall said calmly.

Tears welled up in Professor McGonagall's eyes as she saw Lily's spirit in Basil, remembering how Lily had once defended a student from bullies at his age.

Reluctantly, Basil released Ron.

Ron awkwardly stood beside Harry, embarrassed under the scrutiny of the other students.

"Everyone in the Great Hall is waiting," Professor McGonagall said, changing the subject and turning to lead the first-years to the Great Hall.

Basil glanced at Ron. "So, your name is Ronald. No wonder you looked familiar. You remind me of Ronald McDonald, who I hate with a passion," Basil muttered as he took Draco's hand and walked away, followed by Blaise and Theodore.

Many Muggle-born and Half-blood students chuckled at Basil's comparison of Ron to Ronald McDonald.

"Harry, are you going to let your brother treat me like this?" Ron asked quietly.

Harry remained silent, unsure how to respond to Basil's unexpected behavior.