Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction. I don't own any of the characters in the Harry Potter universe nor am I making a profit out of this.
The Lights of My Life
Chapter One
The noise in the Great Hall reduced to a murmur and then silence as Minerva McGonagall, deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts led the first year students in. A lot of students were dividing their attention between the new students being sorted and the man sitting at the Head Table. They speculated if he was a new teacher.
Hermione Granger was staring intensely at him, wondering where she had seen him before. Ron finally silenced her with a glare and told her to be quiet so that he could hear the sorting.
She sighed and agreed watching the sorting, deciding to put the man out of her mind for now. Professor Dumbledore would introduce him and then she would know who he was.
A couple of minutes later the sorting was over. But two boys were still standing and waiting. Professor Dumbledore stood up and smiled.
"We have two transfer students this year. They are to be 3rd year students and shall be sorted right now. I trust whichever house they go into, will make them feel welcome, especially the 3rd years."
He indicated with his hand for Professor McGonagall to proceed.
"Lucas Shacklebolt," she called out.
One of the boys confidently walked forward and sat down on the stool. The sorting hat was placed on his head. After a couple of seconds, the hat called out, "Gryffindor!"
Applause went up from the Gryffindor table as the young man smiled at the other boy and went to the Gryffindor table. He flashed a thumbs up sign at the other boy who, on closer inspection, people realized was his twin brother.
Further along the Gryffindor table, Fred and George Weasley exchanged surprised looks with each other which then changed to excitement.
Professor McGonagall called out, "Lucien Shacklebolt."
Lucien went forward and sat on the stool. Once the hat was placed on his head everyone waited. It was clear from the way the boy was shaking and nodding his head that he and the hat were having a discussion… or an argument.
The hat hadn't taken so long to sort a student since the sorting of Harry Potter. Soon whispers broke out among the students.
"Very well," the hat sighed in Lucien's ears, "if you're sure?"
"I am," Lucien said softly.
"Gryffindor," the hat called out.
Applause greeted Lucien as he went to join his house and brother at the Gryffindor table.
Albus Dumbledore smiled and clapped the twinkle in his eyes bright. He stood up, "Congratulations students on being sorted. I trust everyone will make their new housemates welcome." He paused before giving the usual start of term announcements about not going into the Forbidden Forest, the list of banned items being listed on the castle's caretaker Mr. Filch's door and a few other notices. "Before we tuck into the feast that has been prepared, I would like to introduce our new Potions Professor, Professor Severus Snape. He is one of the best Potions Masters in the world and we are quite fortunate to have him here."
Professor Snape stood up and bowed to the applause he received. The students had disliked the previous Potions professors and figured that he would be a pleasant change. Hermione applauded enthusiastically as did the Ravenclaws who knew Professor Snape's reputation as being something of a genius.
"And now, let the feast begin," he clapped twice and food appeared on the table.
The students happily began to fill their plates while chattering. A few Gryffindor girls noticed that during the course of the meal one of the twins kept putting food onto the other's plate which they found sweet.
-x-
After dinner house prefects began leading the first years to their respective dormitories. Lucas and Lucien went with the first years so that they could familiarize themselves with the way.
Once in the Gryffindor common room, the prefect told them how to get to the third year boy's dormitory. Both boys followed his directions and went into the room where they found their beds and trunks. After taking a quick wash and changing, they settled onto their beds. Exchanging a few glances with each other Lucien settled down on his bed and snuggled down under the covers. When Lucas looked over at him ten minutes later, he smiled to see him sleeping peacefully.
A little while later, the rest of the third year Gryffindor boys entered their room. Each one smiled at Lucas and tried not to make too much noise so as not to wake Lucien.
When Lucas saw that the other boys were ready for bed, he shut the book he was reading and set it on his bedside table. After wishing them a goodnight, he blew out the candle by his bed and slid down under the covers.
Sleep came to all the boys very easily that night.