Puck's Children
By Jade & Masterharper
Disclaimer: We don't own Harry Potter. We don't own Microsoft either, but if J.K. Rowling or Bill Gates is interested in selling, please contact us.
A/N: Masterharper: Jade, can I use your account. (puppy-dog eyes) Jade: Go away, I'm using the computer for writing my stories. Masterharper: But I got a story. Jade: (Sigh) OK, lets hear it. (Masterharper then tells her the idea) Jade: Not bad, but I can make it better....
Chapter 1
Uneasy Feelings
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stood in the entrance hall in front of the huge doors of the castle. She stood there waiting thinking the students must have taken longer than usual to get in the boats. Not a good sign for the intelligence of the group. She waited for the usual hard knock at the door so she could perform her annual and secretly favorite duty as Deputy Headmistress. She looked forward to this day every year. Not only was she able to see the looks of astonishment on the children's faces, but since they were young and new to the school, she could tell a lot about the children by their facial expressions. More often then not, she could even predict what house the child would be in, a record even Sybil could not claim.
The knock on the door did come, as much seen in the door shuddering under the force as heard. In practiced form, by the third knock the Professor had a hand on the handle to open it. Pulling it open a bit with ease, she stepped into the entrance blocking any view of the hall with her tall frame and flowing robes. Adopting her trademark stern face she glanced at the huddled first years. She then looked up at the giant man in front of her. Even with her impressive height and being two steps higher then he was she still had to crane her neck up to see him.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Professor Hagrid." Adding the Professor title was the only thing of the little ceremony that had changed since she started. "I will take them from here." Pulling the door wider to let the students and Hagrid in, she could not help but lean in a bit toward Hagrid and whisper so only they could hear, "What took so long?"
What little of Hagrid's face that could be seen behind the beard reddened. "One of the tikes is scared of the lake."
"Aquaphobic?"
Hagrid took on a slightly confused look, "If you say so Professor."
"Thank you Hagrid." McGonagall got rid of the small grin on her face before turning to address the students. Several were staring in awe of the room around them. "Follow me," she commanded and they obeyed. She led them into a small chamber just outside the Great Hall. The murmuring of the other students could be heard, louder than in previous years because of the wait. Facing them she saw almost all of them were peering about nervously. The stood close together, the survival instinct that told them there was safety in numbers was kicking in. It was a pity really, this was the last time they would be standing as group like this. After this they would always, on purpose and unconsciously, divide themselves into groups.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall started letting her eyes wander among the group, pausing over each student to consider. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses." The first years were dividing their attention between her and drying their clothes, it was raining lightly outside. "The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts." A boy in the front was trying to hide his fear while maintaining an aura of superiority. Probably pureblooded, perhaps related to young Mister Malfoy, he had the same eyes. This one was definitely a Slytherin. "You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room." The boy next to him looked like he would wet his pants. He was also shivering, probably the aquaphobic Hagrid spoke of. A Hufflepuff for sure. "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." The tallest one in the group, a girl, stared at her like nothing was more interesting. McGonagall would have bet money on her being a Ravenclaw. "Each house has produced outstanding witches and wizards." A boy and girl which, judging by their hand holding and their similar looks, were twins, stood steadfast even though they looked as nervous as the rest. Two more for my house, McGonagall thought with an inward smile.
"While you are Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while and rule-breaking will lose house points." Her eyes moved on to a girl who was dividing her attention between the lecture and the walls. When she looked at the Professor their eyes met. In her hazel-tainted green eyes McGonagall saw a glint of something that set up a red flag. She was not sure what it meant but she knew it was trouble. She had seen similar looks in the eyes of the Marauders and most recently in the Weasley twins. She was fairly sure she had seen the exact look somewhere else, but could not remember where. She dismissed the idea that she would be a troublemaker on par with the Weasleys though. Troublemakers like that came in two's or three's, and she was the only one with the look among the first years.
"At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor." A pretty girl was combing her already perfect hair while listening. Her vanity pointed her to Slytherin. Her clueless look implied Hufflepuff. Mentally, McGonagall crossed her fingers that she would not be in Gryffindor. "I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." A boy dripping in mud stood next to the pretty girl. One would have thought he had fallen in a puddle, but his smile on his face made it seem that he had been rolling in it.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school." She paused and looked at the mud-covered boy again. "I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." With that she turned and left the chamber. The look in the girl's eyes still bothered her. She knew she shouldn't worry, but she still had an uneasy feeling about the year.
*****
Inside the Great Hall the students were catching up with one another. At the Slytherin table, Prefect Draco Malfoy was shaking hands with his admirers and those that just made nice to him not to stand out. At Hufflepuff, the new Head Boy was giving a lecture to the students about winning the house cup this year. Only one of the prefects, Ernie Macmillan was listening. At Gryffindor the so-called "Dream Team" was saying hello to all of their friends, while Ginny Weasley showed off her new prefect badge to her friends. At the Ravenclaw table the scene was very similar. Except for one person.
Like the others he was sitting with his friends. In fact he was sitting next to his best friend, Zachariah Arrowsmith, who was showing off his new prefect badge and carrying a conversation with their two other friends. While the others talked about Quidditch, the prefect leaned over to his friend. "Hey Patrick, what's happening?"
Patricio "Patrick" MacGregor gave his reply deadpan. "Not much since the last time you asked, Zack."
Zack sighed, "Look man, I'm as surprised as you that I got the badge. We both know you should have, you're the smart one. You can do almost every spell the teachers throw at us. I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking." He stopped for a moment. "Maybe if you actually did the homework before the day it was due." He trailed off with a slight grin.
Patrick snorted, "Yeah, or maybe if he thought anyone would listen to me."
"They would when you started hitting them with curses that would have them in the hospital wing for a week." Zack laughed loudly at this and, after an unsuccessful attempt to keep it in, Patrick joined him. The reminder of the incident that started their friendship in the first place got rid of the ill feelings.
"Well," Patrick said thoughtfully, "This does keep me from having to become respectable." After a moment a cruel smile crossed his face. "And I don't have to worry about you bugging me to set you up with-" He was cut off when Zack put a hand over his mouth. Zack looked frantically at their two friends and was relieved that they apparently were still engrossed in Quidditch. He then looked over his shoulder at the Gryffindor table to make sure his now fellow prefect hadn't heard the remark. She was still talking to her friends, her red hair standing out among them. Shooting his friend a look that communicated that he would be more then happy if a basilisk came and gobbled Patrick up, he lowered his hand. Patrick chuckled and took a drink of water from his bottle; he had been smart enough to come prepared for the wait.
"It would be smart to remember that I can give detentions," Zack threatened.
"It would be smart to remember what happened to the last prefect who did that to me," Patrick replied with a mixture of mirth and warning. Last year, Ernie MacMillian had given him detention for running in the hallway after Patrick had run into him. Soon after, Ernie had walked around all day with a sign on his back that neither he nor the teachers could see. Ernie had yet to lecture Patrick again. "Especially since I'll have help this year."
"Oh yeah," said Zack remembering. "Your sister starts this year."
"Yep." And as if on cue, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall led the first years in. Since he was sitting on the wall side of the Ravenclaw table, Patrick had a fine view of the procession. As his sister passed she gave a small wave and smile. Nodding recognition and smiling back Patrick sat back and waited for the Sorting to begin, because after tonight's ceremony, the real fun began.
A/N: Pranks galore ahead. R&R Thanks!
Disclaimer: We don't own Harry Potter. We don't own Microsoft either, but if J.K. Rowling or Bill Gates is interested in selling, please contact us.
A/N: Masterharper: Jade, can I use your account. (puppy-dog eyes) Jade: Go away, I'm using the computer for writing my stories. Masterharper: But I got a story. Jade: (Sigh) OK, lets hear it. (Masterharper then tells her the idea) Jade: Not bad, but I can make it better....
Chapter 1
Uneasy Feelings
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stood in the entrance hall in front of the huge doors of the castle. She stood there waiting thinking the students must have taken longer than usual to get in the boats. Not a good sign for the intelligence of the group. She waited for the usual hard knock at the door so she could perform her annual and secretly favorite duty as Deputy Headmistress. She looked forward to this day every year. Not only was she able to see the looks of astonishment on the children's faces, but since they were young and new to the school, she could tell a lot about the children by their facial expressions. More often then not, she could even predict what house the child would be in, a record even Sybil could not claim.
The knock on the door did come, as much seen in the door shuddering under the force as heard. In practiced form, by the third knock the Professor had a hand on the handle to open it. Pulling it open a bit with ease, she stepped into the entrance blocking any view of the hall with her tall frame and flowing robes. Adopting her trademark stern face she glanced at the huddled first years. She then looked up at the giant man in front of her. Even with her impressive height and being two steps higher then he was she still had to crane her neck up to see him.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Professor Hagrid." Adding the Professor title was the only thing of the little ceremony that had changed since she started. "I will take them from here." Pulling the door wider to let the students and Hagrid in, she could not help but lean in a bit toward Hagrid and whisper so only they could hear, "What took so long?"
What little of Hagrid's face that could be seen behind the beard reddened. "One of the tikes is scared of the lake."
"Aquaphobic?"
Hagrid took on a slightly confused look, "If you say so Professor."
"Thank you Hagrid." McGonagall got rid of the small grin on her face before turning to address the students. Several were staring in awe of the room around them. "Follow me," she commanded and they obeyed. She led them into a small chamber just outside the Great Hall. The murmuring of the other students could be heard, louder than in previous years because of the wait. Facing them she saw almost all of them were peering about nervously. The stood close together, the survival instinct that told them there was safety in numbers was kicking in. It was a pity really, this was the last time they would be standing as group like this. After this they would always, on purpose and unconsciously, divide themselves into groups.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall started letting her eyes wander among the group, pausing over each student to consider. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses." The first years were dividing their attention between her and drying their clothes, it was raining lightly outside. "The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts." A boy in the front was trying to hide his fear while maintaining an aura of superiority. Probably pureblooded, perhaps related to young Mister Malfoy, he had the same eyes. This one was definitely a Slytherin. "You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room." The boy next to him looked like he would wet his pants. He was also shivering, probably the aquaphobic Hagrid spoke of. A Hufflepuff for sure. "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." The tallest one in the group, a girl, stared at her like nothing was more interesting. McGonagall would have bet money on her being a Ravenclaw. "Each house has produced outstanding witches and wizards." A boy and girl which, judging by their hand holding and their similar looks, were twins, stood steadfast even though they looked as nervous as the rest. Two more for my house, McGonagall thought with an inward smile.
"While you are Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while and rule-breaking will lose house points." Her eyes moved on to a girl who was dividing her attention between the lecture and the walls. When she looked at the Professor their eyes met. In her hazel-tainted green eyes McGonagall saw a glint of something that set up a red flag. She was not sure what it meant but she knew it was trouble. She had seen similar looks in the eyes of the Marauders and most recently in the Weasley twins. She was fairly sure she had seen the exact look somewhere else, but could not remember where. She dismissed the idea that she would be a troublemaker on par with the Weasleys though. Troublemakers like that came in two's or three's, and she was the only one with the look among the first years.
"At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor." A pretty girl was combing her already perfect hair while listening. Her vanity pointed her to Slytherin. Her clueless look implied Hufflepuff. Mentally, McGonagall crossed her fingers that she would not be in Gryffindor. "I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." A boy dripping in mud stood next to the pretty girl. One would have thought he had fallen in a puddle, but his smile on his face made it seem that he had been rolling in it.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school." She paused and looked at the mud-covered boy again. "I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." With that she turned and left the chamber. The look in the girl's eyes still bothered her. She knew she shouldn't worry, but she still had an uneasy feeling about the year.
*****
Inside the Great Hall the students were catching up with one another. At the Slytherin table, Prefect Draco Malfoy was shaking hands with his admirers and those that just made nice to him not to stand out. At Hufflepuff, the new Head Boy was giving a lecture to the students about winning the house cup this year. Only one of the prefects, Ernie Macmillan was listening. At Gryffindor the so-called "Dream Team" was saying hello to all of their friends, while Ginny Weasley showed off her new prefect badge to her friends. At the Ravenclaw table the scene was very similar. Except for one person.
Like the others he was sitting with his friends. In fact he was sitting next to his best friend, Zachariah Arrowsmith, who was showing off his new prefect badge and carrying a conversation with their two other friends. While the others talked about Quidditch, the prefect leaned over to his friend. "Hey Patrick, what's happening?"
Patricio "Patrick" MacGregor gave his reply deadpan. "Not much since the last time you asked, Zack."
Zack sighed, "Look man, I'm as surprised as you that I got the badge. We both know you should have, you're the smart one. You can do almost every spell the teachers throw at us. I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking." He stopped for a moment. "Maybe if you actually did the homework before the day it was due." He trailed off with a slight grin.
Patrick snorted, "Yeah, or maybe if he thought anyone would listen to me."
"They would when you started hitting them with curses that would have them in the hospital wing for a week." Zack laughed loudly at this and, after an unsuccessful attempt to keep it in, Patrick joined him. The reminder of the incident that started their friendship in the first place got rid of the ill feelings.
"Well," Patrick said thoughtfully, "This does keep me from having to become respectable." After a moment a cruel smile crossed his face. "And I don't have to worry about you bugging me to set you up with-" He was cut off when Zack put a hand over his mouth. Zack looked frantically at their two friends and was relieved that they apparently were still engrossed in Quidditch. He then looked over his shoulder at the Gryffindor table to make sure his now fellow prefect hadn't heard the remark. She was still talking to her friends, her red hair standing out among them. Shooting his friend a look that communicated that he would be more then happy if a basilisk came and gobbled Patrick up, he lowered his hand. Patrick chuckled and took a drink of water from his bottle; he had been smart enough to come prepared for the wait.
"It would be smart to remember that I can give detentions," Zack threatened.
"It would be smart to remember what happened to the last prefect who did that to me," Patrick replied with a mixture of mirth and warning. Last year, Ernie MacMillian had given him detention for running in the hallway after Patrick had run into him. Soon after, Ernie had walked around all day with a sign on his back that neither he nor the teachers could see. Ernie had yet to lecture Patrick again. "Especially since I'll have help this year."
"Oh yeah," said Zack remembering. "Your sister starts this year."
"Yep." And as if on cue, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall led the first years in. Since he was sitting on the wall side of the Ravenclaw table, Patrick had a fine view of the procession. As his sister passed she gave a small wave and smile. Nodding recognition and smiling back Patrick sat back and waited for the Sorting to begin, because after tonight's ceremony, the real fun began.
A/N: Pranks galore ahead. R&R Thanks!