"Hogwarts Turned Upside Down"
Description: Harry's 7th year at Hogwarts and everything seems to get turned upside-down. The United State's Salem Academy comes for a visit and things start to heat up! Non-canon! Slash and lemons.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! I make no profit from writing this story other than the pleasure of writing this story.
AN: Second story of the year. I'm either on track or reeeeeeally bored. On a side note: I'm more than open to collaborations and betas. I know I don't have a lot of stories out or a lot of experience but I would love to learn how to work with other authors in writing other stories and taking constructive criticism. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy!
Harry Potter was bored out of his mind. Normally the train ride to Hogwarts was filled with stories of the summer holiday and general fooling around. However, this year Ron and Hermione reappeared from their brief meeting and not much information was exchanged. Two-thirds of the Golden Trio were Head Boy and Head Girl so their responsibilities had increased to include a short briefing on this years activities to the other Prefects. Especially this year.
"We're not allowed to say anything, Harry. I'm sorry." Hermione bit her lip after Harry asked what took so long with their meeting.
Ron shook his head when Harry's gaze switched to him. "Sorry, mate."
The Boy Who Lived sighed. "Dumbledore."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a brief look before returning their attention back to their friend.
The whole train ride was spent in a comfortable silence; Hermione reading The Daily Prophet, Ron perusing a Quidditch Magazine, and Harry staring out of the window at the passing scenery. As much as he didn't want to, he felt his mind wandering to the time spent at his aunt and uncle's home. This summer wasn't so bad, the "impending doom" or "the freak" turning seventeen left Vernon and Petunia Dursley to their own devices, leaving Harry to take care of himself. No cooking for others, no cleaning up after his cousin, and no uncle breathing down his neck whenever he felt something was amiss. It felt good to be, somewhat, on his own for a change. He learned how to cook for himself and learned how to cook well. He also decided that now was the time to change his wardrobe to more fitted, more fashionable clothes. A year ago, Harry didn't think he would ever wear his own pair of designer jeans, but his parents left him even more money when he became of age. There was more money than he knew what to do with.
"Maybe I'll ask Dumbledore to help me with some investments." He thought with a smile.
Eventually, the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station and the students took their time making their way to the carriages as the new First Years were taken to the boats. Harry, Ron, and Hermione settled into a carriage with Neville Longbottom. The four of them made small talk until everyone was seated and awaiting the Firsties.
The sorting process was long and boring as usual with the annual poem the hat recited. After all was said and done and when everyone thought Dumbledore was going to finish his announcements he threw everyone for a loop.
"This year," the Headmaster smiled enigmatically, "we will be having some guests stay with us very much like a few years ago with the Triwizard Tournament." Here, Argus Filch appeared from the side door nearest the staff table and whispered into Albus' ear. The Headmaster continued. "I am pleased to welcome, from the United States, the Dean of Administration, Lauren Smith, and her students from The Salem Institute of Magic."
Excited whispers carried through the Great Hall as the doors opened to the entrance of a small group of people. The Dean of Salem Institute was of average height and build with long, chocolate brown hair and green-blue eyes that exuded an aura of strictness. Her confident strides lead two rows of fifteen students on each side; girls on one side and boys on the other. Despite the clean cut dress suit of the Dean, the students, however, were dressed in casual muggle clothing. Dumbledore walked down the dais to greet the stern-looking woman with a smile and while the two conversed, the other students looked at their surroundings. Most giddily pointed at the enchanted ceiling while others brought their gazes over the students and their uniforms.
Harry and his friends didn't bother to hide their curiosity at the new strangers. Ron and Hermione, however, only held general interest in the newcomers. Harry, spotting this, immediately remarked, "You two knew."
Hermione nodded. "Dumbledore sent Ron and I a letter this summer explaining to us that we were only to inform the prefects that we would be housing students from Salem. He didn't say more than that."
Frowning, Harry looked to Ron, who shrugged before focusing back at the new witches and wizards. "I wonder what for."
One of their housemates, who's name Harry couldn't remember, leaned over and said, "My da works for the Ministry, he said that they were thinking about including exchange programs over the next couple of years. It's one of the reasons why they held the Triwizard tournament here; so they could get some interest from other countries. They'll do anything to gain back popularity."
Harry shrugged indifferently. It wasn't as if it would affect his last year at Hogwarts. He did find it odd that the students from Salem didn't have uniforms like them or Beauxbatons or Durmstrang.
The students of Salem made their way to a makeshift table to the side of the Great Hall while their Dean took a seat at the staff table, cordially shaking hands with some of the teachers there. Dumbledore then turned to his students and announced, "Let this be a wonderful and eye-opening experience for all this year. Now I do believe we have a feast to be had."
And with that the rest of the student populous ate their supper and went off to bed.
AN: This is a VERY short chapter and I do apologize for that but I'm very happy with how it came out. Let me know what you think!
Cecilia