i.
The day had already begun to approach late dusk as the train slowed to a halt at Hogsmeade. The station's lanterns all lit up as Heimdall stood at the head of the train. Waiting for the students to start pouring out, he wondered about the first years. Last year's group had been just as intimidated by him as all the others (and had caused the least amount of trouble that year). However, Heimdall had learnt the hard way that not all first years stayed frightened by him after the first impression.
And now they had a transfer student as well this year. A Steve Rogers, from Brooklyn. His mother had gone to Hogwarts before Heimdall had been employed. Rumor has it she ran off with a squib to America before she finished her studies and was back in England for her son to live the life she never had, without the father. But Heimdall was never one for believing in something he had not seen or heard himself. His eyes were the most trusted as they managed to see almost everything, and so Heimdall knew everything involving Roger's mother during her time of Hogwarts.
His train of thought was broken as he noticed the group of confused first years gathering together on the platform and decided it was time to get to work.
ii.
Steve trailed after the younger students up the stairs. To say he was feeling a bit out of place was like saying the sky was blue. The strange looks he kept receiving from kids and portraits alike, even the groundskeeper (Heimvall? Heimball?) had stared at him throughout the entire boat ride here, just made him more jittery. Al though, he was probably receiving even more than usual because of transfer (if you could call it a transfer as that would mean he had to have come from a magic school).
Everything was so much to take in, the giant castle, living paintings, the Giant Squid, not to mention the amount of students. In Brooklyn he'd only gone to a small local school with no more than two hundred kids at least. And that had been in some old building which they had tried to rebuild but left it half-done (budget cuts just weren't good enough). This place was what he imagined the private schools looked like, all those brochures he used to see on the streets and in newspapers coming to mind.
At the top of the last flight of stairs stood a man in his mid- thirties with a sharp suit and a stoic expression on his face. Any small whispering that had been going on between the first years had dwindled down into a hushed silence. His eyes swept over the group before landing on Steve who flushed and looked away. He remained quiet for a minute or two before clearing his throat.
"Good evening first years," the man began. "And transfer student. Welcome to Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizards. My name is Professor Coulson and behind me is the entrance into the Great Hall where you will be sorted into houses - "
Steve's mind wandered as the Professor talked about something that involved hats. Nothing he said made any sense to the blonde and just puzzled him even more. His mind wandered back to some of those sweets he had bought on the train. He didn't want to disappoint his mom by spending all his money on sweets so he only bought what he thought was safe. A chocolate frog and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. They really hadn't been lying when they said every flavour. But maybe it was just his unfortunate luck that he ended up with the flavour of sweaty gym shoes.
He bit his lip nervously and his attention was reverted back to the professor as he finished talking. The huge twin doors behind him opened and he lead the group in.
iii.
The chattering in the Great Hall was hushed to a few whisperings as the doors opened to the first years, led by Professor Coulson, most of them stumbling in with wide eyes and nervous expressions. However, Tony's gaze landed upon the blue-eyed, blonde haired stud that stood out from the first-years. His shoulders were hunched over but his eyes were wide open in amazement of the Great Halls wide ceiling. Thunder clouds were rolling amongst the floating candles as the occasional flash of lightning could be spotted if one was paying attention. Which Tony was not, as all his attention was focused on the new student, who obviously was not a first-year, and watched him walk with the group to the front of the hall.
"Hey, is that a transfer student?" Pepper asked out loud. "Huh, been a while since we had one. Wonder what house he'll be in."
Tony furrowed his brows. "I bet you a galleon it's Hufflepuff, the only thing special about him is his looks."
Pepper shot him a look of disapproval before turning her eyes back to the first years.
Tony rolled his eyes before deciding now was a great time to test Bruce's patience with his latest invention from the summer.
iii.
Nick Fury, current principal of Hogwarts, observed the new students with his one eye. He was trying to see which of them would cause him the most amount of trouble and property damage. He wasn't fooled one bit by their big eyes and pouting lips. No, he had learnt that the hard way. He noticed the transfer student instantly, a quick glance of body language showed no bad signs. Not bad for a kid from Brooklyn, then again his mother had always been a nice student. He always thought it a shame she never finished her studies, she would've been an amazing witch. His observation was cut short as Coulson began the sorting.
"Parker, Peter."
And as he watched the first new student of Hogwarts climb onto the stool he cast one last glance at the transfer and relaxed back into his seat.
iiii.
"Rogers, Steve."
The blonde swallowed and clenched his fists tight as he walked up to the stool. He could feel the stares of everyone in the room. It probably didn't help that he was the last to be sorted, he shakily exhaled as Professor Coulson placed the old looking hat on his head. Steve shut his eyes tight waiting for….well he wasn't sure what.
Well well well, a voice said. What have we here? Steve Rogers, oh your mother was a great witch, very kind and enthusiastic.
Who are you? Steve thought.
You can call me Jarvis, the voice replied. Now I know the perfect place for you-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Cheers and applause erupted in the Great Hall as Steve opened his eyes and smiled nervously and stumbled over to the table with the red flag hanging over it. But his nervousness soon vanished as people were eagerly thrusting their hands into his face to introduce themselves.
"Hello there new friend! I am Fandrall," a young blonde haired boy said after grabbing his hand. "This over here is Hogun," - grunt - "He's shy."
"Nice to meet you-" Steve tried to say but was interrupted by strong pat on the back with enough force to make him choke on his words.
"Volstagg! Pleasure to make your acquaintance!" a big, slightly overweight boy said grinning hugely.
"And I am Thor Odinson-" another blonde boy tried to say before he was interrupted by a girl with long dark hair.
"Thor, really, keep it down they can here you from the moon!"
"My apologies, Syf."
"Hi-!"
But before anyone else could get a word in the students' quieted and turned towards the teachers table where the principal was now standing up.
"Welcome new students, welcome old," he began, scanning the room with his eye. "It is time again to start a new year here at Hogwarts, and a new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. Please welcome, Professor Obidiah Stane."
A bald man with a short and well-trimmed grey beard stood up and waved as the students clapped politely. A huge smile adorned his face making the aged lines on his face more obvious.
"Now, the rules are simple here. No going into the Forbidden Forest, no skipping classes, using any of the banned items on the list, which is currently located on the notice board, is prohibited and no leaving your dorms after curfew, Mr. Heimdall will be in charge of any punishments for any students found wandering the halls. And lastly, the most important rule of all."
The hall was silent as Headmaster Fury paused to gaze across the room, taking in every witch and wizard before continuing.
"Respect. Respect towards each and every one of you, no matter your house, your year, your skill, respect is to be shown at all times. Let's make this a good year. Now, let's eat."
Applause rang out as he took his seat and clinked his spoon against his goblet. Suddenly, the plain, empty tables were filled delicious and sweet smelling cuisine of all sorts. Everyone, except Steve, began shoveling the food onto their plates. Steve was still admiring how quickly everything had appeared.
"So, Steve, right?" the girl with long dark hair asked. "Where are you from?"
"Oh, uh," Steve fumbled. "Yeah, I'm from Brooklyn."
"Wow, well, we're all from Scandinavia, except Hogun, but we're raised here in England."
"Ah yes, we returned to the home land this summer to celebrate the festival of Midsummer!" Thor said loudly and was instantly shushed by Syf who he paid no attention to as the all familiar ghosts began appearing again.
"Sir Nicholas!"
"Why hello, young Gryffindors!"
Steve's mouthed dropped at the sight of a real ghost. His mom had mentioned them before, but he wasn't sure if he'd actually believed her. However, now, watching the ghost almost pull his head clean off, Steve was willing to believe anything this school told him. He smiled to himself. This school was going to be great.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of food and loud stories being told of earlier years at Hogwarts. Before he knew it, Steve was being led up to the Gryffindor dormitory. The moving staircases made him a bit uneasy but no one else seemed to care too much so he tried not to think about them as they climbed up several, and waved to a few paintings, before stopping in front of the biggest moving painting Steve had seen. The painting was of a large, elderly lady who only opened up when given the right password (and performing her latest piece which she claimed to have 'Practiced all summer!' which made them all cringe).
Inside was the common room, a wide but cozy space with sofas and chairs for all Gryffindors to get together that was decorated in deep reds and golds with a blazing fire lit up. The dormitories, Steve found, were also draped with reds and golds but mostly just the four post beds. Steve was a bit embarrassed that he was rooming with none of the people he had met, but his roommates were just as nice anyway. Peter had welcomed him by offering chocolate frogs and the others began talking loudly about their favourite sweets. Steve joined in occasionally but mostly finished any unpacking and began writing a letter to his mother. The conversation died out early as everyone decided they needed to rest before classes tomorrow, and Steve eventually fell asleep after worrying about lessons for half an hour.
v.
"Did you see him?" Tony questioned. "Him, the blonde, blue-eyed boy wonder. Come on, you can't have missed him!"
"Sorry if my dick doesn't immediately spot blue-eyed blondes like yours does Tony," Bruce replied sarcastically whilst climbing under the covers. "He's just another Gryffindor anyways."
"Oh Banner, you need to lighten up!" Tony cried jumping on Bruce's bed causing the boy to squeak. "Just because you haven't been getting laid most of this summer-"
"I wonder why that is, oh yeah I'm a-"
"Doesn't mean all your doom and gloom should bring down other peoples opportunities to get laid!"
Bruce rolled his sighed deeply before kicking Tony off of his bed.
"Goodnight Tony."
Tony huffed childishly before crawling into his own bed. But he couldn't sleep now, even if he tried. So, closing his curtains and mumbling a silencing spell he continued tinkering on his prototype for a blah blah
vi.
"Tony? Tony! Are you listening to me?" Pepper snapped her fingers in Tony's face impatiently.
"I'm always listening Pepper," Tony mumbled still not looking at the redhead.
"It's hard to be sure when you can't seem to keep your eyes off the transfer for more than five minutes."
"Is that jealousy I here?"
"Only in your dreams, Tony."
Tony sighed before sneaking one last glace at the blonde and returning to his abandoned book.
"Hey where's Bruce?" asked Tony, now suddenly aware of the third members absence.
"Preparing for tonight," answered Pepper without looking up from her book. "Which you would have known had you not been occupied drooling over Rogers."
"I was not drooling," Tony huffed. "I was observing."
"Oh, I'm sure there is loads to observe whilst he's writing and, occasionally, chewing at the tip of his quill?"
"It's for science," Tony argued weakly.
"Uh-huh," said Pepper with a knowing smile. "Now, tell me the three recognizable traits of a sleeping potion."
vii.
"What are you doing?"
Steve flinched visibly and looked up to find a small, but lean boy staring down at him. His dark hair was slicked back and his robes were green and silver. He looked to be younger than Steve by a year.
"I, uh, I'm drawing," Steve answered.
"Drawing?" they boy asked, arching an eyebrow. "Show me?"
Steve felt his cheeks heat up as he showed the boy his sketch of the Giant Squid he'd been working on. The boy was silent whilst he was staring at the blonde's sketch.
"It's good. You're quite talented," he said suddenly breaking the tense silence.
"Thank you," Steve replied and the boy smiled.
"I'm Loki Odinson," he held out his hand and Steve shook it.
"Uh, Steve Rogers. Are you Thor's brother?"
"Adopted brother, but yes. And you're in my usual study spot."
"Oh, sorry, um," Steve apologized, gathering his things. "You want me to move or-?"
"It's fine, as long as you're quiet, I don't mind."
"Uh, sure thing."
"Make a new friend, Loki?"
Steve's eyes locked with a redheaded girl standing just behind Loki, who'd snuck up on them whilst they were conversing. Her hair was short and curly, her robes the same colours as Loki's, and looked the same age as said boy.
"In a way. Steve, meet my friend Natasha Romanova. Natasha, meet Steve Rogers."
"Pleasure, " Natasha sad as she sat down in the grass with them.
Steve glanced between them nervously as they both read silently, occasionally turning a page. He returned back to his sketchbook and continued drawing.
vii.
"What was the wizarding community like in America?"
Steve looked up at Natasha who was staring at him pointedly. This was the third time he had joined the duo in studying under the tree and, even though not much was said, he felt included in something even if only for a little while.
"Oh uh, not very big. Well not in Brooklyn at least, and not for people earning minimum wage," he began. "It was just a few of us who would practice some basic magic or study whatever books we could find. We, uh, were the ones who couldn't afford to go to the wizarding schools."
"How come?" Loki asked, book put down and his attention solely on Steve.
"Well, the wizarding schools are few and far between," Steve began to explain. "Pretty much one or two in every state. Because there aren't many good secluded locations, or that's what they tell us anyways. I'm not sure how it works here, but they don't get a lot of funding. And my mom says we would have had to pay money she didn't have for me to go to school. Plus, if you don't live close enough you have to travel or stay at the dorms, which adds on more costs, etc.
"And my mom, well, she didn't have the most well-paying jobs. She had to have two, one for muggle currency and one for galleons. Because, uh, well it costs extra to convert dollars into galleons. So, uh, yeah, poorer witches and wizards started groups to help kids control their magic enough to get by."
"Your mother must have been very resilient," said Natasha, her eyes met Steve's and grew soft. Steve felt his cheeks warm up at her soft gaze before continuing.
"Yeah," said Steve smiling and looking away. "She really was, never gave up no matter how hard times got for us."
"What led to the decision for her to return with you to England?" Loki inquired.
"Oh, uh," Steve froze, unsure how to answer. He never knew how to handle new friends after sticking with the same ones for so long. "Uh, mom, uh, saved up enough money for us to return and she always wanted me to go to Hogwarts anyways so yeah…"
He trailed off and he inwardly winced at the awkward silence that followed. Thankfully, they promptly switched to discussing the answers to their potions homework. And Steve went back to his own work.
Xxx
A/N
So this is the first part of the Avengers!Hogwarts AU thing I did a while ago but then decided to redue into this. Any criticism is always welcome! And any questions and comments as well! Thank you again for reading 3
