Chapter 1
I do not own the characters
Seventh year at Hogwarts a new student transfers, a young Sherlock Holmes. Younger brother of the Minister of Magic had always been taught at Home until the Minister decided Sherlock needs school teaching for his NEWTS.
The great hall filled with students, the new school year was about to begin. Headmaster McGonagall watched the students with interest. Ten years had passed since the battle at Hogwarts when Harry Potter defeated Voldemort and the European wizarding world had never been so harmonious. McGonagall sighed wishing Albus had been around to see how the world had changed. Thinking of Albus brought a smile to McGonagall's face, recalling the young Albus Severus Potter, in a mere 9 years he would be gracing the halls of Hogwarts himself. Snapping herself from her day dream McGonagall looked around to see that all but the first years had made their ways to their respective tables. There was still inter-house rivalry, predominately between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins, but at least the muggleborn hatred was almost nonexistent. The Gryffindors were the loudest waiting for the sorting ceremony to begin.
John Watson sat with his friends at the Gryffindor table who seemed to be trying to mimic mandrakes with their hollering. John chuckled at their antics looking around to see a mixture of disgruntled and amused faces.
"So my Dad said the Minister's brother is coming to Hogwarts this year. Wonder what he'll be like." One of John's friends, William, remarked.
"The minister's brother? Wow I wonder what house he'll be in." Jordie added.
The group wondered who this Holmes brother was when Professor Sprout led in the first years for sorting. The hall gradually quieted down as the small witches and wizards filtered into the hall. The eleven year olds looked around the hall in wonder and nervous excitement until the Professor stopped them in front of a chair and a black hat. The sorting hat awoke to see the crowd before him:
'A thousand years or more ago Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor, They shared a wish, a hope, a dream, Now each of these four founders By Gryffindor, the bravest were For Hufflepuff, hard workers were While still alive they did divide Twas Gryffindor who found the way, Now slip me snug about your ears,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!'
(JK Rowling)
The students, save the first years, erupted in applause, thrilled by the sorting hat's song. The sorting begun. Each time the hat cried out the name of a house, the respective students cheered. Gryffindor gained eight more brave lions to their midst. The sorting ceremony was finishing up when the doors to the great hall swung open banging against the walls in a dramatic fashion. A young man, around 17 years, strolled inside marching toward the front of the hall. All eyes were upon him as he walked up to a stunned Professor Sprout. The boy didn't seem to notice or perhaps he didn't care about the eyes upon him.
"I understand there is a sorting process into separate houses at this school. I am new here and require sorting. Not that it is necessary; I will be sorted into Ravenclaw."
Stunned silence amongst the students and the professors. Headmaster McGonagall recovered first as she stood up to approach the boy.
"Well Mister….?" McGonagall led.
"Holmes."
"Oh yes Mr. Holmes, I received an owl from your elder brother this summer about your transfer. I trust you to know, Mr. Holmes that I expect the students here to be on time and respectful of other students and the staff." McGonagall gave her famous glare to an unaffected Holmes.
"As such, I believe we should sort you now before we add any more disruptions to the evening. Have a seat Mr. Holmes."
"My name is Sherlock."
"Excuse me?"
"My name is Sherlock, 'Mr. Holmes' is by brother." Sherlock flopped himself onto the stool awaiting the hat. McGonagall nodded curtly before placing the hat on the student's head. A few beats of silence before the hat cried out a victorious "Ravenclaw". There was scattered applause throughout the hall, no one sure how to take the new student's behavior.
William whispered to the other Gryffindors around him, "Well that's not what I was expecting. He seems rather full of himself yea?" The students around nodded in agreement while John stared curiously at the new Ravenclaw sitting at the end of a table now reading a very thick book. There was something about him he had to admit.
After the feast the houses all headed to their dormitories. John sat in the Gryffindor common room with his friends in front of the fireplace. The younger years were trickling to bed, getting sleep before their first day of classes.
The group of five seventh years talked amongst themselves, catching up after a summer apart.
"The Chudley Cannons' beater is totally better than the Harpies'!"
"Even if that's true, you can't beat the Harpies' seeker and you know it!"
William and Amos argued back and forth. John ignored his friends as he spoke to Jordie and Danielle about their summers. It's not as if he wasn't interested in quidditch, he was actually a chaser for the house team and co-captain with Amos, but he just wasn't interested in the never ending argument between those two.
"So what is it I hear about you seeing the Weird Sister's reunion tour?" John poked Jordie.
"Oh it was bloody amazing!" Jordie exclaimed. "I never thought I'd be able to see them in concert myself." John nodded. He wished he was able to see them as well but his family couldn't afford to do such things. Even if they could his father wouldn't allow him to buy a ticket for a wizard band over the summer. His father was disgusted by the fact that he was a wizard. Sometimes John felt his father saw him as a monster. It certainly was difficult being a muggleborn with a family that disapproves of magic. Danielle noticed John drift into his own thoughts and wanting to bring them all together she offered a game.
"Anyone want to play a game of Exploding Snap?" Danielle suggested. The prospect of a competitive game snapped Amos and William to attention. The gang gathered around playing round after round. As usual, Jordie won almost every game.
"You are so cheating Jordie!" William accused.
"I am not!"
"Liar."
William and Jordie started arguing making the others stop playing and laugh at the two, always fighting. John relaxed with his friends recalling the day's activities.
"Did anyone else notice that the new kid didn't eat anything at the feast?"
"No. Why did you John? Checking him out?" Amos joked causing John and the others to laugh along.
"Whatever you tosser." John joked back. He looked at the clock and noticed it was past one.
"I think I'm going to turn in." John stretched, "Not like anyone else had a shot at winning anyway." John gave a knowing look to Jordie causing the other's to laugh and William to renew their argument. "See you lot in the morning." John went to his room he shared with the other boys and got ready for bed. Another year at Hogwarts. He had the feeling this year was going to be different.
The morning light shone into the Gryffindor tower waking the sleepy teens inside. John groaned as he sat up needing to get ready for the day ahead. He looked around and saw Amos still sound asleep while the other boys began getting ready for their day. John groaned, another year having to wake him up every morning. Getting up, John walked over to Amos' bed.
"Hey." No reaction. John tried a little louder.
"HEY." Still nothing. John had hoped Amos would become a lighter sleeper after doing this for years. John slapped Amos's chest harder than was necessary.
"Bloody hell John! What did I do to deserve that?" Amos cried.
"Sorry. Just get ready. We need to be at breakfast soon." John strolled off.
The boys met up with Danielle and Jordie in the common room.
"Looks like the boys have had a late start this morning." Danielle crossed her arms smirking.
"Sorry love." Amos replied to a furiously blushing Danielle. He always knew how to make the girls fluster. His shaggy brown hair hung in his tired dark eyes. Amos let out another yawn stretching his muscled arms over his body. John envied Amos' good looks and height.
"Stop being such a wanker Amos, I'm starving." William strode ahead. William was taller than John but shorter than Amos. Unlike Amos, William had his brown hair cut short and neat; freckles covered his nose making him appear younger in years. William could handle Amos better than John being as they were both beaters on the team, always working together. The group stepped out of the portrait and headed to breakfast together. Upon walking into the great hall John glanced to the end of the Ravenclaw table, Sherlock not in sight. He would have thought him hungry after not eating dinner last night. Shrugging it off John turned to his friends.
"I'm going to go sit with Greg and Molly. Catch you guys at Care of Magical Creatures." John called behind him as he headed to the Hufflepuff table. John sometimes felt as he should have been sorted into Hufflepuff. He didn't feel extraordinarily brave or bold like a Gryffindor should. John sat across from Greg at the table giving a genuine smile.
"Good morning you two. How are things?"
"It's been a day since we last spoke John," Greg laughed out, "everything is normal." John gave a sheepish smile to his best friend. John had spent a lot of nights with Greg over the summer when his father got particularly drunk and felt like punishing John for his magic.
"Are you excited for the first day of classes John?" Molly asked sweetly.
"I suppose so. At least Care of Magical Creatures is today since the Gryffindors have that with the Hufflepuffs."
"Yea Hagrid is a good bloke. That class isn't too bad." Greg added.
John headed with Molly, Greg, and his friends from Gryffindor to Hagrid's hut for the first day of class.
"Hello Hagrid." John smiled.
"Hello there John! Hello there Amos." The group smiled to Hagrid.
"Well I gots a great lesson planned fer today. Follow me." The class walked around Hagrid's hut to find eggs.
"These here er Hippogriff eggs. Now everyone is going to get into groups of three and take care of the egg over the year." The students looked alarmed at the daunting task ahead. "Don't you worry you will be leaving teh eggs here after each class." Relieved, the students broke into groups, John with Molly and Greg.
The rest of the class flew by as Hagrid taught the class about different types of magical creatures that laid eggs and how to spot them.
After class John left with The Gryffindors to go to Herbology with the Slytherins. The class was tortuous with the Slytherins. The tension in the air was palpable making the class drag on until finally they were released for lunch.
At lunch Greg and Molly sat at the Gryffindor table. Everyone was having a light discussion about Weasleys' joke shop when John noticed Sherlock walk into the great hall. The boy walked to the nearest table and grabbed one roll of bread before leaving the hall again. Molly seemed to notice as well as she leaned to John saying, "you don't think that's all he's going to eat do you?" John shrugged not knowing the answer.
"What do you lions have after lunch?" Greg unknowingly broke the conversation.
"Double Transfiguration." Jordie replied.
"Ah. We have Herbology with the Ravenclaws."
"You get to meet the Minister's younger brother then!" William called out interested. "He seems like an odd bloke." The others nodded in agreement before turning the conversation back to the joke shop.
Greg and Molly waved to the Gryffindors as they separated outside the Great Hall.
Transfiguration was as difficult as John remembered. Their lesson involved turning an orange into a singing watch. Why the spell was useful John had no idea. He finally managed to make a watch that hummed off key before the class was dismissed. John collected his stuff then waved to his friends, heading off to meet Greg and Molly outside for their afternoon break.
John waved to them from a distance, "Hey!"
As John approached he saw their faces screwed up in an odd mix of anger and embarrassment.
"What's wrong?" John wondered.
"The new guy. Sherlock…he's…well…he's…"
"A right bastard he is." Greg interrupted making Molly wince at the foul language.
"Why? What happened?" A concerned John asked.
"He knew things."
"Like divination?" John asked making a disgusted face at the subject.
"No. It didn't seem like magic. He's just. I don't think a human can be that smart." Greg conceded embarrassed. John looked to Molly who was nodding her head thoughtfully. Molly was one of the smartest people John knew, if she thought he was this intelligent something must have happened.
"Explain."
Greg scratched the back of his head seemingly at a loss for words, "He knew things. Like he took one look at the Professor and knew everything. But not like he read her mind but he pointed out things about the way she walked or the type of fabric on her pants and could just tell you what everything meant. I can't explain it." Greg sighed. "It was totally invasive. He made you feel naked. Everyone wanted to punch him. Even Professor Sprout was close to throwing him out after all the comments he made during the class! He had no respect for the Professor."
"That's unbelievable." John murmured, "Well he must fit Ravenclaw like a glove!" John defended.
"Even the Ravenclaws seemed to hold distain for him. Everyone treated him like a virus." Molly contributed. "When we were leaving I heard some of the Ravenclaws whisper 'freak' under their breath."
"I can't believe someone like that exists." John admitted.
"Believe me, I can't either." Greg replied. "The break is almost up. We better be off."
John nodded before turning to head to History of Magic. John learned the spell to bewitch his pen to take notes after his first year at Hogwarts. How can you pay attention when even Professor Binns bored himself to death?
John sat in the back of the room laying his head on the table. Having this class with Slytherins was the best case scenario. No interaction necessary. John looked over to the classroom side of snakes before nodding off for a nap.
Finally classes were finished for the day and everyone had three hours until dinner. John headed to the common room to get homework done before dinner only to run into Amos on the way.
"Hey, John. I'm glad I caught you. We're heading to the quidditch pitch now."
Tryouts. John had nearly forgotten that today was tryouts for new members. "I just need to grab my broom and I'll be right there."
Amos nodded before heading to the pitch.
John couldn't believe he forgot about tryouts today. He was co-captain with Amos after all. After John grabbed his broom he met up with the Gryffindor players.
Tryouts lasted into dinner but he felt confident they had a strong team for this season.
"We are going to kick serious ass this year!" Amos let out a yell pumping his fist in the air excitedly shortly joined by William. John laughed at his enthusiasm.
"You know we are!" John high fived his co-captain. "Let's get some dinner I am starved after that!"
Skipping the shower, the boys headed to dinner, their spirits high.
John was sitting at the Gryffindor table joking loudly with his friends. The group of boys were still in their quidditch uniforms catching the eyes of many girls in the hall. Amos gave several of them winks causing them to fluster immediately. John laughed loudly watching him flex absurdly at the table.
Amos continued flirting when John felt it. Eyes on him. John isn't a stranger to people looking at him, after all his friends are obnoxious and he is one of the captains of the quidditch team but this felt different. His body was heating up because of the gaze. Quickly, John looked across the hall to see the new boy, Sherlock, staring at him over his impossibly large book. The boy's eyes were calculating and penetrating. John couldn't look away. Luckily a fifth year Gryffindor blocked his view.
"Hey Emmeline." William mumbled through mouthfuls of food.
"So?" She questioned the three.
"So?" Amos echoed.
"So did I make it?" She asked eagerly.
Amos faked concern, "hmmm", he tapped his chin with his finger thoughtfully, "did you make it?" Emmeline glared at Amos' obvious teasing.
The boys laughed at her anger. "Congratulations, new Gryffindor keeper!" Amos gestured widely in dramatic fashion.
Emmeline looked shocked then squealed in excitement before hugging the nearest one to her forcefully. William coughed out some of his food from the force before patting her arm awkwardly, "You're welcome."
The girl nearly skipped away to her friends to convey the good news making the three boys laugh. John looked back to the Ravenclaw table only to find the one he was searching for was gone.
