The Fifth house
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Their use within this work of fiction is in no way, meant to infringe or steal that copyright, nor to dilute the characters
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Chapter one
Jonathan Anderson

Jonathan Miles Anderson was for the most part a fairly normal child, he attended a regular school in the small county
town of Heatheryfold near Aberdeen.
He lived with his adopted parents, George Smythe and Katrina Smythe who loved Jonathan as thier own for Katrina was unable
to have children of her own.

Jonathan's life would be idillic apart from three small complications; the first of which was the only link Jonathan had to
the family which abandoned him a green dog collar and tag, if Jonathan had realised that his neck had changed in the
nine years since he had been with the Smythe he may have had an idea that something was wrong. These things of course
only turn up in retrospect however. For now Jonathan was vaugly proud to wear the collar, if only because nobody could
take it off without cutting it, something to which Jonathan found himself rejecting any time it was suggested.
The second complication was the tag on the collar, a simple small dog tag which simply read, "Runt" a fairly strong
insult since Jonathan was quite tall at a rather towering 5 foot 8 which for a nine year old is giant sized, nor was
it because he was particularly weak he was quite well toned and muscular as a matter of fact.
But whatever the reason for the name on the tag, it had made him the object of some humliation at school, kids being kids
would tease him about it constantly.
There were only two that did not, one was Erik Presswell who was also an adoptee and understood Jonathan's situation where
as the other was a Pamela Heart a kind girl who didn't have a mean bone in her body.
These two individuals were the only real friends Jonathan had and they were the only people apart from Jonathan and the
Smythe's that knew Jonathan's third complication.
Jonathan Anderson, known quite simply as Runt to most was cursed. His curse took the most unsual nature of an agile and
nimble feline tail as well as several other very cat like aspects to his character the most notable of which was a huge
love of fish and a dexterious grace that was impossibly human.

Jonathan awoke on the day of his tenth birthday, he knew it wasn't his real birthday it was unlikely that anybody knew
his exact date of birth so the Smythe's let him choose a day of the year and today the 22nd of June.
It was a day like most at that time of year, a bright summer morning and a Saturday as well which made things even better.
Soft light filtered in from the windows, vertical slats of sunbeams that made Jonthan smile as he saw the dust dancing
gently in the beams of light.
Jonathan sat up slowly in bed and saw a large neatly wrapped present, it had bright yellow wrapping with small blue
triangles all over it and was tied with a large red ribbon.
Jonathan's face broke into an impossibly wide smile as he jumped out of bed onto the soft carpet and started to unwrap the
present, careful not to damage the ribbon so he could play with it later.

Then Jonathan ripped into what remained of the packaging, streams of yellow paper with small blue triangles flew across the
room settling neatly into a large pile on the ground.
Jonathan reached into the box and was delighted beyond words when he pulled out a large silvery fish, with a little red
ribbion around it.
"Happy Birthday Jonathan!" Mrs Smyte's voice announced from the door behind him.
Jonathan turned quickly and jumped at Mrs Smythe hugging her tightly, "Thanks Katrina, it's the best present ever!!" He
exclaimed happily.
"Come along son..." Mr Smythe's gruff voice announced, "Breakfast on the table in five minutes..."

After a short shower Jonathan changed into his weekend clothes, unlike his normal school clothes Mrs Smythe had altered
Jonathan's casual clothes so there was somewhere for his tail to get out.
Quickly changing into his clothes Jonathan rushed to the kitchen where a plate of smoked kippers sat waiting for him as
well as a bundle of mail. Mr and Mrs Smythe both had many brothers and sisters who treated Jonathan like a nephew as they
knew how much he meant to the Smythes.

Among the cards was a curious envelope which instantly caught Jonathan's attention, it wasn't addressed to him but it was
as it simply read;
Jonathan "Runt" Anderson
43 Skene Street
Heatheryfold
Aberdeenshire

"Katrina..." Jonathan said holding up the letter to Mrs Smythe.
"Oh my..." Mrs Smythe said quietly fearing that it was one of the school kids practical jokes.
Mr Smythe sighed and took the letter, "I'll deal with this nasty..." he said ripping it into little pieces stuffing them
into his pipe and smoking it.
"Hmmm..." Mr Smythe said curiously, "Good paper..."
The kitchen table was filed with laughter as Mr Smythe slowly smoked the entire letter.

After breakfast Jonathan was putting the cutlery away when the door bell rang.
Rushing to the glass door Jonthan saw the unmistable figure of Erik standing there with a large box under his arm.
Jonathan fiddled with the lock until it opened.
"Hey up Runt!" Erik said happily.
Unlike when the other children called him Runt, Jonathan almost liked it when Erik did so he didn't emphsis the word and
made it sound just like a normal name.
"Got something for you Birthday boy..." Jonathan said handing over the package, it was unusually heavy and wrapped in
simple brown paper and string.
Jonthan was going to open it right away but Erik shook his head, "Not here mate, inside..." Erik spoke in a tone Jonathan
was unsure of, it had great authority and also a hint of fear.

Jonathan took Erik into the living room and placed the box on the table.
"To be honest, it's more from my parents then from me they apparently bought them for me but I don't have the gift." Erik
said pointing to the box.
"The gift...?" Jonathan said quietly.
"Yeah, the gift. I'm just a muggle but you Runt, well you know..." Erik said smiling brightly.
Jonathan looked blankly at Erik and even frowned slightly before shaking his head, "No... I don't." He quietly said.
Erik stared directly through Jonathan as if he was trying to pierce his very soul.
"You don't know..." Erik asked again.
Jonathan shook his head, "No, and you're scaring me Erik." Jonathan said the fear evident in his voice.
"You got a letter, right?" Erik said slightly unsure of himself.
Jonthan turned slightly white.
"Henry burnt it..." Jonathan said quietly.
"He did what?!" Erik cried.
"We thought it was from one of the kids at school... Erik what's this all about?" Jonathan asked anxiously.
"It's about you Runt, it's about you having a tail. It's about your parents." Erik quietly replied.
"See your folks are like my adopted folks, they have the gift and you have it too, obviously." Erik continued, "Now I'm not
going to say anymore until tommorrow."
"What will happen tommorrow?!" Jonathan queried.
"You'll get another letter..." Erik answered slyly.
With that Erik took the box to Jonathan's bedroom and put it at the end of the bed.

The rest of the day passed like a blur, Jonathan and Erik played in the park for a while before heading back home for
supper and finally bed.

Jonthan didn't sleep that night, instead his unnatural curiosity finally got the better of him and he opened the present
from Erik.
He was a bit worried at what was inside, a large collection of strangly titled books including Magical Theroy, The Dark
Forces: A guide to self-protection and The Standard book of spells (grade 1).
Under the pile of books were some strange clothes, three black robes all of which had been hastily modified to include
a tail hole, a short pointy black hat and some shiny black gloves that felt like scales.
Finally there was a small pewter cauldren which all the items had been resting and a small slip of paper which appeared
to be a voucher for some kind of wand.

Jonthan sat the rest of the night awake, scared and confused by this unusal present from Erik's parents.

The next morning, a Sunday the 23rd of July was to be an unusual day Jonathan who had not slept all night knew this, he was
unsure how he knew this but it was a feeling inside that he knew meant only one thing.
Today was going to be an exceptional day indeed.

Jonathan wearily walked out of bed, he was still wearing his clothes from the day before and trudge to the letter box,
sure as night is dark and day is light there was a hand written envelope addressed in the same manner and way as the last.
Cautiously he opened it, a slight smell of rose eminated from inside the envelope and there was a hand written letter which
Jonathan read intently;
Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin first class, Grand Sorc., Chf Warlock,
Supreme Mugwhump, International Confed. of wizards)

Dear Runt,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find
enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September.
Due to your exceptional circumstances we have enclosed your ticket with this letter.

Yours Sincerly,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

At the bottom of the letter was attached a small blue train ticket which read, "Aberdeen to Hogwarts school, 1st Sept.
Platform 13"
Jonathan held the letter in his trembling hands, it made little sense but the words where there.
"Jonathan?" Mrs Smythe's voice said looking at the shaken Jonathan sitting on the floor.
"What's wrong love?" Mrs Smythe asked.
Jonathan handed her the letter.
"Well I never..." She exclaimed glancing over the contents with great intent.
Just then the doorbell rang, which was odd since it was still very early in the morning.
In the darkness and distortion of the glass door Jonathan could make out Erik and his parents.
Mrs Smythe opened the door, indeed Erik was there as where his parents both dressed in long flowing black robes.
"Martha, Iain?" Mrs Smythe said cautiously.
"Yes Katrina... We have some things to discuss with uh Jonathan." Erik's mum said, she seemed to almost stumble with
Jonathan's name.

Five minutes later Mr Smythe was up as well and everyone was in the living room, Jonathan had taken the box Erik had
given him yesterday in as well and Mrs Smythe had tea and sandwiches made for everyone.
"So now." Mr Smythe started, "What's this all about?"
"Well..." Erik's dad started to reply, "Runt here as us of the magical way know him is a wizard."
There was a muted pause before Mrs Smythe broke the silence.
"Yes, we know." Mrs Smythe said quietly confirming suspicions she had harboured for many years.
Jonathan sat feeling very cold.
"To ensure that Jonathan's talent is controlled, he should go to Hogwarts he will fit in there." Erik's mum mutely said.
"If it's for the best..." Mr Smythe said quietly.
Erik's dad nodded vigriously, "If his talent wasn't tamed he could go wyld, he'd then be hunted down to ensure muggles and
wizards alike were not harmed."
Jonathan shifted closer to Mrs Smythe, "I don't want to go..."
Mrs Smythe place a hang gently on Jonathan's head and stroked his hair softly, "You know you do really, it's not like
you'll be going forever..." She said quietly and in a soft tone.
"We'll take him to get a wand and then help you show him off at the station nearer to term time." Erik's mum noted quietly
to Mrs Smythe.


Chapter two
Going shopping

In the months that past Runt as he now called himself was getting more used to the world of magic, he'd already read all
the books that he was supposed to read but still felt something was missing.
It was not late August and he knew the day he would have to travel to Hogwarts was fast approaching, Mrs Smythe had made
him several more cloaks, all with tail holes including some for winter with extra warm lining just in case.
Mr Smythe had for the most part tried not to get involved, Runt knew it was not because he didn't care but because Mr
Smythe knew there was little to do that would help he was out of his depth.
On August the 28th Erik's mum dropped by and told Runt that he'd have to come and get his wand now.
Dressing in what would normally be school clothes to hide and concel his tail, Runt went into town with Mrs Presswell, not
quite sure where they could get a wand from but fairly confident Mrs Presswell would know.
Indeed she did, driving in to Aberdeen Mrs Presswell parked the car and lead Runt down a street he didn't remeber passing
any time ever, in fact it didn't even have a name.
At the end of the street was a small bronze door, Mrs Presswell took out a small stout wand and pressed it against the
door.
"Who goes there?" The door asked loudly.
"Martha of the third circle." Mrs Presswell announced loudly.
"Well well, Martha Presswell I thought you'd gone muggleside for good." The door cheerfully announced.
"I have!" Martha laughed heartily, "Just helping Runt here..." Martha said indicating Runt who was trying to hide from
the door.
"Hmmm, Runt you say..." The door questioned, "Step forward boy, let me see you!"
Runt stepped out from behind Mrs Presswell.
The door paused for a moment.
Runt felt something cold gnawing at him, gnawing through him almost.
"Martha, I'll have to inform the council if you let this Muggle into Otherdeen." The door said cautiously.
Mrs Presswell looked at Runt carefully, a similar feeling of cold swept over him.
"... This... This can't be..." Martha said, "Show him your letter Runt."
Runt held up the letter from Hogwarts for the door.
"Curious..." The door said reading the letter, "Very well."
The door went quiet and swung open reavaling a quiet market place that looked like something out of the middle ages.
"Welcome to Otherdeen..." Mrs Presswell said leading Runt in the door and into the market.

Stalls bustled with a small throng of people, all wearing various colours and styles of robes, nobody seemed to notice
the out of place Runt and Mrs Presswell as they worked there way past the crowds and to "Donald Patersons Wand Shop"
"Got your voucher?" Mrs Presswell asked rhetorically.
Runt pulled the voucher out of his pocket.
"Getting a wand is a very personal thing Runt, I'll wait out here for you." Mrs Presswell said ushering Runt into the shop.

It was dusty inside and quiet as well, boxes lined the shelves and everywhere that there could be a box there was.
"Hu..hu...hello?" Runt quietly intoned.
A small man with a bristly grey beard appeard, "Yes?"
"Mr Paterson?" Runt asked quietly again, slightly afraid of the sheer presence the man conveyed.
"That's me..." The man answered looking at Runt closely.
Runt handed over his voucher for a wand.
"Now what do we have here...?" Mr Paterson said examining the voucher. "Well... well... A wand voucher how incredibly it's
been almost two centuries since i've seen one last."
Runt gasped a bit at the legnth of time mentioned.
"Never mind young man, it's still valid!" Mr Paterson joked, "Now let's get you a wand..."
The small dusty man vanished into the back of the store and reappeared with a box, he placed it on the counter and opened
it.
Inside was a highly crafted wand, it had a jet black onyx handle and sparkling silver shaft.
"Try it boy..." Mr Paterson suggested.
Runt took it from the box and remebered the words of Waffling's book Magical Theroy and pointed it at the floor away
from anything.
A brief flash and a puff of foul black smoke emerged from a now charred spot where Runt pointed the wand.
"Oh... Someone who at least has read the required material!" Mr Paterson laughed, "Not the wand for you..."
Runt and Mr Paterson repeated this bizzare ritual for several hours, each time the wand reacted badly for Runt.
Eventually Mrs Presswell came in.
"Trouble Donald?" Mrs Presswell said smiling at the small dusty man.
"Martha!" Mr Preston cried happily, "Why it's good to see you again..."
Mrs Presswell briefly hugged the diminitive figure of Mr Preston.
Mr Preston smiled and looked up at Martha, "Well Runt here has a problem, none of these wands appear to want him."
Mrs Presswell whispered something quietly to Mr Preston, Runt couldn't hear what it was but knew it was bad simply
from the reaction on Mr Preston's face.
"I see..." Mr Preston said anxiously, "Maybe... A diffrent approach then..."
Mr Preston vanished into the depths of the store for several seconds and returned with a very small and very dusty box, it
was amazing it was still holding together.
Mr Preston set it down before Runt and motioned for him to open it.
Runt opened the box, as he did the box fell apart in his hands a small silver ruler sat in the box.
"Try that..." Mr Preston said.
Runt picked up the ruler, a great whirl of energy and sense of power filled the room, Runt glowed a slight golden colour
as he was filled with this.
"Cool..." Runt exclaimed happily.
Mr Preston nodded at Mrs Presswell.
"This should be very intresting..." Mr Preston said.
Mrs Presswell nodded, "I wonder what old Dumbledore will say..."
Runt ignored the two others and put his new found "wand" carefully into his upper pocket.
"It's a omen..." Mr Pretson said quietly.
Mrs Presswell nodded, "That it is old friend, but for good or ill only time will tell."
Runt and Mrs Presswell left the shop and headed back for Aberdeen.

Mr Preston put the numerous boxes back into their places on the shelf muttering all the time, "It's an omen..."


Chapter three
Platform 13

The auspicious morning Runt had been waiting for arrived, all packed he gave Mrs Smythe and Mr Smythe a huge hug and
promised he would write at least every week.
Mr and Mrs Presswell arrived with Erik, they all got into Mr Presswell's large people carrier and drove to Aberdeen
station.
At the station Runt looked around, it was quite quiet but there were a few people milling around.
"You best say your goodbyes here..." Mr Presswell said.
Erik was the first spitting into his hand and shaking Runt's hand, "Good luck man, you're about to have a huge and great
adventure."
Runt smiled, "Thanks Erik, I'll bring you back something cool..."
Erik broke into a large smirk, "Wicked."
Runt instantly replied, "Innit!"
Both Runt and Erik laughed loudly, ignoring the other passengers looks of disgust.
Mr Smythe put a hand on Runt's shoulder and just nodded, Runt knew exactly what he meant and wiped his hand clean before
shaking Mr Smythe's hand and then hugging him tightly.
Mrs Smythe who was at this point crying loudly took out a hanky and cleaned Runt's face with it.
Runt was going to protest but let her do it anyway before hugging her tightly.
"Bye Ka.." Runt started to say before changing his mind, "Bye Mum, Dad." He said quietly.
Mr and Mrs Smythe looked at each other proudly.
"Bye son." Mr Smythe said proudly looking directly at Runt.

With that Mr and Mrs Smythe with Erik turned around and left the station.
Runt wiped away a tear.
"Right, this way..." Mr Preston said.
"Darling, I'll go with the Smythes." Mrs Presswell said kissing her husband on the cheek and also leaving.
Mr Presswell looked a bit shocked at this but lead Runt up a set of stairs, over a bridge, up some more stairs and over
another bridge before heading down some stairs.
"This is it..." Mr Presswell said indicating a deserted rail siding, a delipated and damaged iron side read, "Pl rm 1 3"
"Best wait in the waiting room..." Mr Presswell indicated a small glass booth by the track.

Runt opened the door and was amazed to see a clean and perfectly kept railway office had it been the Victorian era, a
large plump man in a conductor's outfit smiled at Runt.
"Ticket sir?" The conductor asked.
Runt handed over his ticket.
"Very good sir, train will be here in five minutes." The Conductor said punching Runt's ticket.

"Oh..." Mr Presswell said, "I have one more thing for you..."
Runt looked to Mr Presswell who pulled out two neatly wrapped presents.
The first was from Mr and Mrs Smythe, he could tell it was a fish straight away and he smiled happily.
"I'd save that for the train, it's a long journey..." Mr Presswell said quietly.
Runt nodded and put the fish in his hand luggage bag.

"Train now on platform 13 is the express train to Hogwarts school." The voice of the conductor annouced loudly.
"Well Runt, this is it." Mr Presswell said shaking Runt's hand.
"Mr and Mrs Smythe should be here to see you off but muggles simply can't get here." Mr Presswell explained.
Runt nodded knowing that this was the realm of magic.
"You take care of youself now, don't want the Smythe's getting upset." Mr Presswell commanded."
"I won't..." Runt quietly replied, taking the trolley with all his things on it to the platform.

A long steam train with many carridges sat on the platform, Runt headed for the guard van and pushed his belongings into
the space there then found his carridge number on his ticket, he was in carridge 28 which was just before the guards
van.
There was nobody else on the platform, nor did it appear that there was anyone else on the train at this point.

Runt relcutantly opened the carridge door and sat down, looking out the window at the delpidated station siding.
Mr Presswell stood there smiling brightly and waved at Runt before taking out a wand waving it in a flowery motion
and vanishing a puff of bright yellow smoke.

"ALL ABOARD!" A loud voice intoned.
A whistle blew somewhere in the distance and the train shunted into life.

Runt sat in his carridge looking out the window as the train steamed into the countryside.

Eventually after what seemed like many hours it stopped at another station and more children got on, all near the
front of the train.

Runt sighed unhappily, it was almost lunch time as well so he took his present and unwrapped it, inside was indeed a fish
which Runt greedily ate before falling asleep in the carridge.


Chapter Four
Hogwarts School

Runt awoke with a jolt as the carridge door opened.
"Who..what??" Runt started before realising he was still on the train.
"Oh hi there..." A young boy said happily.
"Hi..." Runt said groggily looking back at the boy.
"I appear to be sharing this carrige with WOW!! Do you have a tail?!" The boy excitedly asked walking into the carridge
and closing the door.
Runt nodded, "Yeah..." He said yawning widely. "Sorry, long journey.
The boy sat opposite in amazement, "Wow... A tail."
Runt smiled and flicked his tail slightly, "It's not that great really, hurts sometimes is an annoyance the rest."
"James." The boy said announcing himself, "James Taylorson."
Runt extended a hand which James shook, "I'm just called Runt now..."
"Runt?" James asked, "That's a cool name!" James exlaimed jealously.
"You think so?" Runt said in amazement.
"Oh yeah! If I had a cool name like that nobody would tease me..." James said unhappily.
"You were raised in wizard family?" Runt asked looking slightly perplexed.
James nodded, "Brought up in Eldritch a wizard town. Yourself?" James retorted.
"My parents died when I was three, been brought up by the two best Muggles in the world Katrina and Heny Smythe."
"Woah... You were raised by Muggles..." James said in shock.
Runt nodded, "Yep."
"Woah..." James repeated.
"So you don't know much about magic then?" James asked.
"I've read the books, still don't know much." Runt admitted.
It was true that for a wizard Runt didn't know a huge amount, but he had a basic graps of all the rudimentrys of magic
now indeed he could have even moved onto level two things had he so desired.
"I'm just not that smart, things don't stick..." James noted, "I mean I know I should be able to do all these things, but
I just never remeber how..."

James and Runt chatted away for several hours, James intrested to hear how things where on the Muggle side and Runt
fascinated by tales from Eldritch, a wizard shadow town in York.

Eventually the train arrived at a station.
"Train terminates here, Hogwarts School." A loud voice announced from a pipe in the carridge.
"Looks like we are here..." James said.
"Aye." Runt agreed opening the door and stepping out onto the platform.
A throng of other children, all dressed in robes emerged from the carridges, Runt looked at himself and noted he was still
wearing normal clothes.
He stepped back into the carridge and saw James getting changed into robes.
"Sorry... Thought you knew." James said.
Runt smiled, "I did, but I forgot." He said happily.
James giggled getting the joke and helped Runt into his robes.

Emerging again onto the platform that throng of children had subsided there were only a dozen or so left including James
and Runt.
"Come 'long now, you don't want to be late on yer first day." A gruff figure easily seven foot tall said to James and Runt.
"No...no...no Sir." Runt stammered rushing past the figure to the guard's van and getting his belongings.
"You don't need to do that..." The gruff figure announced, "It'll be magic'd to your room."
"Oh..." Runt said quietly, extremly fearful of the large figure.
"I dunno Firs' years..." The gruff figure sighed.
"Oh bloody hell, you two both firs' years right?" The man said looking at James and Runt.
James nodded dimly for them both.
"You're supposed to be in the boats already, ol' Hagrid will make sure you make it to Hogwarts safely tho'." The man
announced ushering James and Runt down towards a lakeside where three small rowing boats remaind.
"Come alone now!" The towering man called Hagrid said as James and Runt stood dumbly at the banks.
James hopped into the boat carefully but Runt with amazing dexerity leaped into his seat.
"Pretty impressive..." Hagrid said setting the boats out across the water.

The imposing castle like figure of Hogwarts school sailed into view, it was massive and seemed to fill the entire skyline
as James and Runt sailed up to it.
"Now you two, hurry along see that line of young 'uns." Hagrid said pointing to a line heading in a large door, "That's
where you should be."
Runt grabbed James by the hand and ran very quickly to the line, James had trouble keeping up but found that holding
onto Runt he managed to somehow keep up with the amazing pace that Runt was running at.
After only a few moments they were both at the end of the line.

The procession of children clad in robs stopped at a stairwell, a women smiled at them all.
"I am Professor McGonagall." The women announced very clearly, commanding instant silence and respect from the assembled
crowd. She was tall and had black hair and a very stern face.
"You first years will be taken to the grand banquet soon but first you will be sorted into houses, there are four houses;
this is very important because the house you are in will be like your family. You will have classes with the rest of
your house, sleep in the same dorms and share the same common room. The houses are Grffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw
and Slytherin. While here you will earn your house points by good behaviour and new discoveries but break any rules
and you will lost points for your house." Professor McGonagall explained to all the intently listening students.
"Ths house with the most points wins the conveted house cup." She concluded before opening the doors behind her.
"Follow me this way..." She said walking through the doors.

The line of students followed Professor McGongall into a large hall, many other children sat already at the table and at
the end of the hall a large table with important and old looking wizards sat.

"When I call your name come forth and be sorted." Professor McGonagall said holding up a dusty old hat.
She started to read from the list, "Astella, Sonia."
A older looking girl with dark brown hair stepped forward and sat down, the hat was put on her head.
After a few seconds it cried, "Hufflepuff!"
A table cheered at this and the girl went to join them, several ghosts suddenly appeared at the table and cheered widly
also.
"Bashir, Egbert." Professor McGonagall cried.
A young boy with messy blonde hair sat on the seat, after a pause the hat cried again, "Hufflepuff!"
"Crocker, Charlie."
The hat this time cried "Ravenclaw!" another table cheered widly as their new member joined them. More ghosts appeared at
a diffrent table.
Runt patiently waited, he wondered if they would call his second name. He wondered if he had a second name...
Whilst thinking this there was a sudden hush in the room as Professor McGongall called out the next name,
"Potter, Harry."
Whispers from all around the hall broke out.
Runt saw a boy wearing glasses with shortish brownish hair approach the seat, he wasn't sure but he could feel something
from the boy there was a definte power to him.
The hat was placed on his head and after a while it cried, "Gryffindor!" and the loudest cheer in the room went up.
More children were sorted then Runt knew what was next, yet Professor McGongall called out something else;
"Taylorson, James."
Runt looked at James and at Professor McGonagall in confusion, nobody noticed and James sat in the seat.
"Gryffindor!" The hat called out after only a few moments.
There was a muted cheer from the Gryffindor table for this, not as loud as for Potter, Harry but still a cheer.
James went and joined the Gryffindor table.

Finally a "Zephod, Michael" was made a Ravenclaw as Runt was still standing there waiting to be called and Professor
McGongall rolled up her scroll.
The head of the table; Albus Dumbledorf headmaster of Hogwarts, if the little table place card were to be believed
coughed gently as Professor McGongall rolled up the scroll.
"I believe you may have missed one..." A scratch voice emerged from Dumbledorf, it carried a lot of power however.
Professor McGongall unrolled the scroll and checked through the names quickly, then again slowly.
"Do you have a letter child?" Dumbledorf asked loudly.
Runt took the letter from his cloak pocket, he knew all the eyes in the room were watching him, he could feel them burning
into him.
"Hmmm. Runt..." Dumbledorf read allowed.
Runt nodded slightly but didn't say anything.
"Very well have him sorted also." Dumbledorf announced.
Runt slid up to the chair and sat on it, the hat was placed on his head.

A quiet voice inside his mind spoke to him and him alone.
"You don't belong here..." The hat said.
"I don't?" Runt replied thinking his answer back.
"No... Why you shouldn't be here at all really, how intresting..." The voice continued, "I see you, as you are.
"What am I?" Runt asked, hoping for some answers.
"You are the crossroads, you are what will define the future of all." The voice answered enegmatically.
"Where do I belong?" Runt asked the voice.
"Not here..." The hat said again.
"I know..." The hat began before announcing to the room; "Familarius!"

There was what can only be described as a dead silence.
Nobody in the room spoke, nobody in the room breathed.
Even the ghosts which had been louder then anyone in the room were quiet.
Professor McGongall was the first to speak and she spoke to the hat.
"Sorting hat of power and knowledge of which house does this one belong?" She asked the hat.
"Familarius!" The hat repeated.
"So it's true..." Dumbledorf said knowledgably.
"You here are witness to two great events here tonight, the one who lived Harry Potter joins us at our little school and
this one here... Runt will be the first ever member of the fifth house." Dumbledorf announced to the still muted crowd.
"Hagrid, show Runt here to my office..." Dumbledorf said more quietly to Hagrid.
"But now to feast!" Dumbledorf cried as mountains of food magically appeared on every table.
"Come along..." Hagrid said showing Runt to the door.
Runt drooled and looked at all the food which had appeared but followed Hagrid out of the hall and up to Dumbledorf's
office.

Chapter four
Familarius

Hagrid and Runt waited patiently outside Dumbledorf's office for Dumbledorf to arrive.
"Say, that tail o' yours." Hagrid asked noticing the nervously swishing tail of Runt's, "You get that magic'd on?"
Runt shrugged, "I don't know i've always had it..."
"Bit of a rum do." Hagrid replied with symapthy in his voice.
"Aye, just a bit..." Runt commented.
"Runt wasn't it?" Queried Hagrid.
Runt nodded.
"Looks like you might become just as famous as my Harry." Hagrid laughed loudly.

For about half an hour more Runt and Hagrid chatted about nothing in particular, there wasn't much common ground to speak
on so the conversation was mainly limited to Runt finding out more about Hagrid, which wasn't much as Dumbledorf appeared
quite quickly.

"So..." Dumbledorf said gliding in. "A member of the fifth house..."
Runt stood on his feet his head down.
"I'm not a king... Just your headmaster." Dumbledorf said quietly to Runt.
"Thank you Hagrid, that will be all." Dumbledorf continued dissmissing Hagrid.
Hagrid looked slightly concerned but left instantly.
"Won't you come in?" Dumbledorf offered as he gestured towards the door and it swung open.

Runt entered into a very small office, there was nothing but two comfy chairs and a rather art deco looking lamp.
Dumbledorf turned the light on illuminating the room in a pale blue light, "Anti-Scrying device..." He said pointing to
the light; "Makes sure that this is just between you and me."
Runt gulped with worry, this was sounding serious.
"No need to be afraid boy." Dumbledorf intoned, "You should be proud!"
"I'm confused sir..." Runt said softly, he was still very intimated by the presence of Dumbledorf; "Professor McGongall said
there were only four houses..."
Dumbledorf laughed, "Indeed until tonight there were just four! You are the first member of the new house Familiarius."
"Oh..." Runt wimpered quietly.
"Oh indeed..." Dumbledorf reassured Runt, "The fifth house has been prophised for many years."
"What should I do sir?" Runt asked cautiously.
"Well, your lessons will be diffrent for a start, you aren't really a wizard at all you see." Dumbledorf started to explain.
"I'm not?" Runt murmered slightly confused, "I don't think i'm a muggle either sir..."
Dumbledorf broke into a wide smile, "Perceptive as well, you really are perfect for house Familiarius."
"Sir, what am I?" Runt asked bluntly.
"You are as your tail quite clearly shows a Familiar, like the owl or toad you are certainly and obviously one of the
feline variety." Dumbledorf noted.
"I'm a cat?" Runt said in shock.
"Not as such, most of the students here have a Familiar, a compnion to help them understand the nature of magic." Dumbledorf
started to explain, "A few of the more powerful wizards have more powerful Familiars, such as dragons or Gryphons. You
however as far away from those simple creatures as is possible without becoming human."
"You are in essence a creature of pure magic, a wild and powerful spirit not born of this plane." Dumbledorf continued.

Runt listened in disbelief as Dumbledorf continued to explain Runt was not native to this world but born in a magical
sidepocket of reality and how his power would come not from outside with a wand or potion but from within.
"But I have a wand..." Runt said holding out his silver ruler.
Dumbledorf picked it up and said a few quick words, "Try picking it up again."
Runt did so and the same whirling energy, the same feeling of power the same golden glow occured.
"That wasn't supposed to happen..." Dumbledorf admitted sounding confused.
"What was supposed to happen sir?" Runt asked.
"Nothing, it's not a magical device at all and as such has no stored power the spell I cast confirmed this." Dumbledorf
rationalised.

Runt looked at his reflection in the ruler, it was odd he seemed almost more feline; he could see himself as he was but
with ears on top of his head, fur all over his body and paws that could still be used to hold things instead of hands.
As Runt stared longer at the ruler he realised there was nothing in his paw.

Paw.

He had a paw.

Dumbledorf looked on in amazement as Runt transformed instantly in front of his eyes.
"This is you as you really are..." Dumbledorf said stuttering slightly.
Runt looked over the rest of his mutated body, he was having a hard time understanding what had just happened.
"Where did the ruler go?" Runt eventually asked aloud.
"It's in your pocket." Dumbledorf said pointing to the top pocket of Runt's cloak, "The real reason nothing should have
happened is because it was an illusion, you never handed me over the ruler at all it's been in your pocket the whole time."
"I think we need to investigate this further Runt." Dumbledorf announced.
"We?" Runt asked gingerly unsure if he wanted to undergo any tests or probes.
"The teaching staff here at Hogwarts." Dumbledorf informed Runt.
"Oh..." Runt replied quietly.
"Yes..." Dumbledorf concluded, "Investigate this much further."

"When do we start?" Runt asked curiously.
"I think straight away." Dumbledorf replied, "I'll take you to a staff meeting, in the mean time we can't really have you
by yourself..."
"Can I be resorted?" Runt asked optimistically.
"No, once sorted you are there to stay, but since a house of one would be drain on yourself and our resources as well as
being a very lonely time, is there any other house that you would like to at least share the common room with?" Dumbledorf
asked guessing the answer already.
"There is..." Runt said.
"Excellent, I'll get a spare room created in the Gryffindor quarters at once." Dumbledorf proudly announced.
"The amazing Harry Potter and the reality defying Runt, both members of my old house."
"You were Gryffindor as well sir?" Runt rhetorically queried.
Dumbledorf nodded proudly, "Indeed I was Runt, indeed I was."

Dumbledorf led Runt up a set of stairs and into the Gryffindor common room, there a small crowd were gathered around
Harry Potter asking him a barrage of questions, the only one that wasn't was James.
"Runt?" James asked agog as Dumbledorf and the very cat like Runt entered the room.
The questions stopped and everyone turned to see what had walked in and were likewise surprised.
"Runt here will be a memeber of Gryffindor until house Familiarus has at least ten members, which isn't likely anytime
in the near future..." Dumbledorf announced.
"Now he's a Gryffindor until I say otherwise and if I hear of anything being said that he's not by anyone, those people will
lose thier house points..." Dumbledorf warned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To be continued...

Watch out for more from this story in "Dreaming"
/=====================================\/====-==========\/=======================================\
| 00:36 ||The Fitfh house|| 14th January 2002 |
\=====================================/\=====-=========/\=======================================/

Dedicated to KinkyTurtle for liking the Harry Potter books.

Special thanks to:

Oh just everyone I know really. Try http://www.livejournal.com/users/fionacat/friends to find them all.

All on #Toonplay, #Warnercafe and #Watertower - Find out why on irc.wtnet.com

Everyone in the West Corner of the Park

Acmemouse, OkkayWeener, NakkoSqrl, rhia, Mintaka, Davidmouse, Taperlass, P3, Chilly,
Tony_Fox and NeuCoyote as well as anyone else from #Bohemia (*evilme* for forgetting)
just for being cool and such.

Um, there should be something here but it's 1am now.