Hello there! Welcome to the first chapter of the sequel to "Magical Secrets at Sea", written by wonderful digisammiegirl! I adopted this continuation from Older Than Time, as you most probably know already. I'm sorry it took me that long to post anything, this chapter was supposed to be up much earlier, but my beloved laptop died on me before I could do so. I lost quite a lot of data because of that, including this fanfic. The external HDD proved to be a bit of a blessing, since I had four and a half chapters stored there plus a document with my musings about the plot and whatnot. So, after I nursed my muse back to health a bit and was given a temporary laptop by one of my siblings, I set to work and... here it is! I hope you all will enjoy the revamped chapter one :)
On another note: because of me still not having a laptop of my own and muse problems, the updates will be irregular, most probably every two weeks. Real life isn't merciful either. I hope you'll understand :)
This chapter was self-betaed, therefore any typos or other mistakes are my own. Further chapters will be monitored by my wonderful, patient beta: LittleMoonlightLover!
Disclaimer: I own nothing from either HP or PotC worlds, everything belongs to their creators. I only own (partially, my beta owns the rest) the plot of this fanfiction. I gain no money from this, I'm a poor student, so please, don't sic lawyers on me, 'kay?
Chapter 1: Pirates, sortings and meetings
An (edited) excerpt from the previous story:
"Well, well," a gravelly voice sounded out in his head. "Never thought I'd see a pirate of your sort here, Mr. Sparrow. But yes, I see what is going on. Clever. Quite clever. Your goddess is a smart woman, preparing you as she has. Hogwarts hasn't had such a well prepared student in a long time. It will be refreshing to see what you do. And I see you have made a friend already. Yes, Longbottom could use a good friend and vice versa. And what of young Malfoy? Ah yes, yes I see. But now, where to place you? Oh, don't worry, nobody will know what I saw in your mind, lad. Not even our esteemed headmaster will be able to pry any of your secrets out of me. Therefore, let's see...
"Hufflepuff is an option. You would do well making loyal friends, yet you might scare a few of them off. Ravenclaw would be good for you with your eagerness for knowledge, yet you would probable drive the others crazy with your pranks: that's a Gryffindor trait, but your cunning would make the other lions wary of you. Slytherin would be a good environment for you to practice, but your adventurous and spontaneous nature would set them all on edge. Any way and I'll have quite a bit of fun watching you, young one. But where to put you?"
"Yes, I see. Then you'd better be…"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The majority of the hall fell into silence while the Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers. Harry grinned, hopped off the stool and handed the Hat to McGonagall, who was quite surprised, flustered maybe, but the boy filed it for later inspection. He strode to an open spot next to a pretty redhead and her blonde friend, their names escaped him. Something like 'Bons' and 'Abbit'? Nevertheless, he introduced himself, using that Sparrow charm. Both blushed and giggled while the lads around him were excited to have the famous Boy-Who-Lived in the supposed 'House of duffers'. Nothing too eager or overbearing through, but the young pirate had to wonder. Why was it so important which House he ended up in?... oh he knew he was some kind of, what was the name Sara used? 'Celebrity'? Yep, that one. So, he was one here, but why the Houses mattered so much? He had to look into the matter. It could influence his game here, and if he wanted to win, he had to gain as much knowledge about the players as he could.
A quick glance around told Harry that the other... houses... were surprised, if not disappointed with Hat's choice. The Gryffindor table especially, one could almost see the black cloud hanging above the group. Some of the students there were already whispering to each other, throwing a glance here and there at him. The rude redhead from the train, Ron... Wensly? Wezly? Weily? Something like that, was especially enticed, gesturing to himself and to Harry, most probably boasting that he was in the same compartment on the train.
Ravenclaw... well, they were studying him carefully and quite sneakily, he had to admit. He had a feeling they would try to dissect his mind if he gave them a chance, some of the older ones were frowning at his tan and longer hair, as if it was not in accord with their visions. Huh... they could pose a challenge for his wit, and if there was one thing the young pirate would never pass on, it was a challenge. He would have to see what they can offer...
The fourth table, the green and silver one, was much more quiet and collected than the other two (three, including his own). Harry instantly detected some veiled distaste aimed at him, hints of some more unsavory feelings as well, but there was also... consideration. They were... sizing him up. It would seem they were as much shocked by Hat's choice as the Gryffindors, but they hid it far better. Draco, the blonde Harry met twice, was quietly conversing with some of his new friends. When he glanced at the Hufflepuff table and met young pirate's eyes, he held his gaze... and nodded gently, in acknowledgment. Harry smirked slightly and nodded back. Slytherin seemed like a place where power plays were as common as trouble when his dads were around. House for ambitious ones, huh... well, it would seem he would not get bored here. Challenges all around, so much knowledge to gain, allies to find, valuables to... err... discreetly be misplaced into his care, games within games... yes, his mind was whirling with possibilities. But first, he'd have to know the rules of the ultimate game, and for that, he needed to get a sense of the teachers. Speaking of which...
Up at the Head table, the teachers were recovering from their shock. Well, most of them were. The witch that looked as if she spent her time outside a lot looked smug as she collected several galleons from her fellow professors. Harry would have to see what that was about. Another exception was a black-haired, black-robed teacher, who had a glare of the century on his face, as if Harry murdered his entire family or something. Another issue to ponder upon...
"So Harry," the redhead, now known as Susan Bones asked, interrupting his observations. "Why did you change your name? It's supposed to be Potter, not Sparrow." The way she said it sounded very rude.
"Well love," Harry began, pirate brogue on his tongue. "That's a question ye be askin'. Problem is, I'd rath'r not be sayin'. Can't have certain people of… 'higher stations' findin' out too soon, savvy?"
Harry's manner of speech confused Susan. "Savvy?" she asked. "What's that mean?"
"Savvy be savvy, love," Harry said with a rogue-ish smirk. "Means that I be askin' if I be understood, savvy?" Susan blushed the look on Harry's face, but nodded quickly and turned to Hannah, who thought the whole thing was rather funny. Harry turned towards the Headmaster stood, giving out a speech, something to do with 'Forbidden' and 'a most painful death'.
Well now, I take that as a challenge, gov'na…
Harry lay in his bed, pondering the great mysteries that held his soul captive. His 'inner eye' circled the enigma that was at the forefront of his mind.
Back in the Great Hall, he witnessed a great many things that boggled his mind and ensnared his senses. These wizard-folk lived richly, if the golden plates and cutlery was any clue, yet some ate with manners more horrible than those on the Black Pearl. One example, a very disgusting one, was Ronald Weasley (Harry managed to remember his name after some memory jog). He had shared Harry's cabin on the train ride. The lad seemed perfectly normal, just a tad mentally inferior, but upon seeing the grand feast that appeared quite literally out of nowhere, the lad had dived into the meal with such horrendous gusto, that he, Harry, immediately lost his appetite.
Harry had turned his attention back to the Head Table, unable to further watch Weasley's atrocious manners. He observed each professor, taking in their appearances, mannerisms, and suspected level of wealth. Not that he had any plans of stealing the supposed wealth, more like 'liberating' it for those less fortunate… such as the crew back in Tortuga…
He missed his family of thieves and cutthroats…
On the far left from his point of view, sat the giant of a man called Hagrid, according to Susan. He was the Gamekeeper of Hogwarts. Probably knew a great deal about the Kraken within the lake.
Next to Hagrid sat a deranged-looking woman covered in shawls and wearing a pair of thick spectacles. The woman would have appeared right at home in the fortune teller's shop on Tortuga. Probably taught fortune telling as well… Next up sat a man who could have worn a hook instead of a hand, as well as replacing his left leg with a pegged one. He was missing bits and pieces of himself, and from the look on his face, his mind as well.
The center portion of the table held three people conversing quietly. The Headmaster Dumbledore, the stern woman McGonagall, and a kind faced healer that seemed out of place. Dumbles and McGonagall would sneak a few glances at Harry every so often. The governor looked slightly put-off, maybe even worried; there was also a hint of disappointment in his eyes. What for, Harry had no clue. McGonagall was no longer surprised, but she too was a bit disappointed and a note of sadness could be seen in her otherwise cool gaze. The healer was clearly checking his physical state, when her eyes fell on his hair she frowned deeply. Oh, he will probably be in trouble for his long hair, Auntie 'Maria mentioned something about posh people who believed men should have only short bangs or something... oh well, one shall see what happens. Good thing he didn't have dreadlocks like his Dad, that would open a new can of worms.
On the healer's left sat a greasy-haired man in black, the one with the death glare, that sneered then appeared deep in thought, switching between each expression. The young pirate knew instinctively that he had to watch out for this man, at least until he found out what made the teacher so hostile towards him. Further down sat a twitchy man that set Harry on edge; the man was hiding something. Harry hoped it was treasure. Just meant more for him to… liberate.
Calmly eating her meal was his Head of House, Professor Sprout was what Hannah called her. She noticed Harry's stare and waved kindly at him. He responded with a grin that was a mix between Jack's roguish smirk and Will's open smile. And next to Sprout sat two women that appeared much younger than the other teachers. Neither Susan nor Hannah knew their names. He'd find out later.
The feast ended quickly with Headmaster dismissing them for bed. The First Years like Harry were directed to follow Professor Sprout to their Common Room. The young buccaneer followed his fellows, Susan and Hannah trailing close behind. They came upon a portrait that made Harry stop in his tracks and just... gape.
Well I'll be damned…
"Greetings young Hufflepuffs," it said. "I am Sir Francis Drake and I shall be the guardian to your dormitory for as long as I remain here in this castle." The sailor was somewhat of an idol to Harry, his exploits making him almost as famous as Jack was. Will told him of Sir Drake, having ferried him to the Locker previously. The man was a gentleman pirate, having practically coined the phrase during his adventures.
Professor Sprout addressed the new students in a kind voice, "To enter the Common Room, merely speak the password. It changes every 2 weeks, so make sure you keep track of the changes. The current password is 'Nombre de Dios'." Sir Drake nodded at the phrase and his portrait swung open, revealing an archway that led into the Hufflepuff Common Room. As the group started to move again, Harry had to be gently prodded by Susan to snap out of his fan-worshipping and follow the crowd. The children filed in, standing near the roaring fireplace at the center of the room. There were many soft and lumpy cushions piled around the hearth, giving them ample space to sit.
The room was decorated in earthy colors; browns, tans, and pale yellow surrounded the children. The walls were sparsely decorated, a few torch-holders and a single, unmoving portrait of a woman in her late 40's. She wore a thick fur-lined robe in pale yellow and pitch black. In her hands rested a small golden cup with an animal on it, a badger or hedgehog from what Harry guessed.
"This is the Hufflepuff Common Room," Prof. Sprout announced, gesturing around the room. "Here is where you can relax, spend time with your friends and classmates, and most importantly, study well. This room is your home, your haven. This is where you will always be safe as long as I am the Head of Hufflepuff." She was smiling at each and every student.
"This house will be your family. We take care of each other, united as under one roof and banner. There is an old rivalry between the houses of Hogwarts, but we Hufflepuffs will not take part." She was stern at that phrase. "We follow the teachings of our founder Helga Hufflepuff", she gestured to the unmoving portrait. "She valued hard work and equality in those she taught. We do not cheat or take shortcuts. We buckle down and get the job done. We may not be always brave, or quick-witted, or cunning, but..."
We may be duffers, but we're a family of duffers…
Harry was amazed at Prof. Sprout's words and could see everyone taking it to heart. Hufflepuff was gonna be an interesting place for a thieving scoundrel that he was gonna be…
"Well now, why don't we start with few introductions to get to know one another?" inquired Prof. Sprout. The tall blonde boy sitting beside Sprout stood and cleared his throat.
"I'm Cedric Diggory and I'm a Second Year. I'm from a full wizarding family that has been part of Hufflepuff for 4 generations." He sat back down and gestured for the kid on his right to go next. One by one, each First Year stood up, nervously introducing themselves and sat back down quickly. They said their names, likes and dislikes, etc. Every few or so were asked questions by the other students. Finally, it was Harry's turn.
"I be Harry James Turner Sparrow. I be a halfblood that lived in Tortuga." Sprout was baffled by his accent, not recognizing the pirate brogue. "I enjoy da win' an' surf an' sailin' to da horizon. An' a bi' o'gold n'vr hur'." A whole slew of hands flew up, some waving frantically. Harry gestured at Macmillan.
"Why do you speak with that horrid accent?" the sandy-haired boy rudely asked. Sprout made a disapproving sound, but Harry answered anyways.
"Raised in Tortuga; Ev'ryone dere talked like dis," he stated. "Where was I?" Susan whispered that he hadn't said his dislikes yet. "Oh, I 'ate dem fake gold dat dey sell durin' festiv'ls. Dem tourists always be givin' dem to me an' da crew fo' laughs…"
The students, as well as Sprout, were more perplexed by his words. Most were unable to make out what Harry said; the few that could didn't understand why he was given fake coins during festivals. Sprout, however, clapped her hands and sent them off to bed, wishing them a pleasant night.
Cedric pointed out where the students could sleep and headed off to bed himself. Harry and his fellow lads strode into their dorm, 3 beds spaced out around an iron heater.
And we now return to the young buccaneer laying awake, pondering a great mystery. As he fall into a sleep deeper than the sea, he ponders one last time,
W'ere dos platters gold, or gold plated? I'd rather get me money's worth…
And... there it is. New Chapter One! Please read and leave a review! Flames are NOT welcome, constructive criticism IS, very much so. See you in the next chapter!
Erephen