Chapter 2
Settling In
Nick followed his classmates into the Gryffindor Common Room. It was just as they said, all red and gold. The furniture was also red and gold, and the fireplace was rather large. The rumours were true, it was exactly the way Nick pictured it in his mind. Most students simply glared at Nick, trotting up the stairs to their rooms. It was Daniel's first time at Hogwarts too, but Nick was even more so nervous because he didn't feel like he belonged. He sighed, sitting on one of the sofas by the fireplace.
"I'm doomed." Nick said, watching the flames flicker.
"What are you talking about?" Daniel asked, sitting next to Nick.
"If my parents find out I was sorted here, they'll mark me as a disgrace! All my friends are going to hate me." Nick replied, face palming his forehead.
"Your parents love you, I'm sure they'll—"
"Just stop Daniel. You have been very nice to me, but it is clear to me that I am not welcomed by the others." Nick interrupted. "I mean, did you see the way they looked at me? If looks could kill I'd be dead." Nick added.
"That may be true, but rather or you like it or not—you are Gryffindor now. You're one of us." Daniel replied. Nick sighed, Daniel was right. You can't change the old ways of the sorting hat. Besides, there was a guy named Sirius Black who was a Gryffindor among his family of Slytherin, and he was branded as a hero. Although, he was dead now. No matter, Nick knew he had to sleep on it. Perhaps tomorrow would be a better day.
The next day…Breakfast….
As usual, as soon as Nick entered the great hall—gasps and glares would be upon him. Daniel patted his shoulder reassuringly and the two walked over to the Gryffindor table. Nick picked at his eggs, he was feeling way too sick this morning to eat. One of the other Gryffindor's named Frank Webb spoke out. He was a third year.
"Don't worry kid, the glares and gasps will die down. In the mean time you just enjoy your first time here at Hogwarts. Daniel here is the little brother of my best friend. He won't let ya down, I can tell you that much."
After Frank spoke, others followed.
"My name is William, this is Murphy. We're sorry for giving you the death stare last night."
William said.
"Yeah, we forgot that it wasn't your fault. The sorting hat picked you, so we figure if the sorting had sorted ya here, you belong here after all. The sorting hat is never wrong mate."
Murphy added. Nick smiled for the first time in hours and replied.
"It's all right guys, I would too. Besides, what my father represents—I wouldn't blame you guys if you hated me."
Frank scoffed and replied.
"Eh, you're not your father. Remember that."
Nick was starting to finally fit in. Until he was called to Professor/Head Mistress's office. His parents awaited him there. His new friends walked with him to Headmistress's office in support.
"Look mate, whatever happens—we're here for ya. Just remember that." Frank sat, patting Nick's shoulder. His hand practically covered Nick's entire shoulder and back, the guy was huge. Daniel walked over, speaking as well. "We'll meet you back in the common room later, alright mate?" Nick nodded, and his friends left—vanishing in the hallways. Nick gulped, as the eagle statue turned into stairs. 'This is it.' Nick thought, climbing the stairs. 'I'm dead.' He thought again. As he reached the top of the stairs, he could hear his father's shouting already. The doors opened, and Nick stood at the doorway.
"I don't care about the bloody rules! That old hat made a mistake! It should be thrown into a shredder I tell you!" Douglas shouted, unaware of his son standing right there.
"I stand by my choice Mr. Bridgeworth. Just as I stand by my choice when I sorted you." The sorting hat said in a snide yet respectful way.
"This is a disgrace! An abomination!"
"Mr. Bridgeworth, I believe the final guest for this meeting has arrived." Headmistress McGonagall said. Douglas turned to see his son standing right there.
"Come on in dear boy, your parents wish to speak with you."
Nick nodded and came into the office, letting the doors close behind him. Headmistress led Nick and his parents to her desk. She took a seat, and let his parents speak. Poor Nick was caught right in the middle of the debate. He'd much rather be in class right now. He knew things were about to get very unpleasant.
"Now Mr. Bridgeworth, you know the ancient rule and traditions of this school. The sorting hat put Nickolas in Gryffindor, and that is where he will remain." Headmistress said.
"Oh rubbish!" Douglas said, sitting back in his seat in anger.
"Calm down my love, we cannot fight a 1,000 year old tradition." Gena said calmly, resting her hand on Douglas's knee to try and calm him.
"Well perhaps the law should be changed! I have connections Headmistress, I can sway the Ministry to be rid of that old hat—"
"Can I say something?"
Douglas, Gena, and Headmistress looked down to see Nickolas with his arms crossed. Douglas sighed, and spoke again.
"Son, it's rude to interrupt your superiors. As I was saying Headmistress—"
"Stop, Father. I like where I am."
Douglas gasped and shouted at his son, Gena desperately trying to calm him down, with tears wilting in her eyes.
"ARE YOU BARKNG MAD?! NEVER HAS A BRIDGEWORTH BEEN IN ANYTHING BUT SLYTHERIN! THOSE FILTHY POOR EXCUSES FOR WIZARDS! WE WOULD NOT BE CAUGHT WITH THE LIKES OF THEM BOY!"
"Mr. Bridgeworth calm down—"Headmistress began, before being interrupted by Nick.
"Those "poor excuses"? They are my friends! I will not stand here and have you insult them Father!"
Douglas scoffed and replied, still shouting.
"YOU'RE "FRIENDS"?! YOU ARE A BRIDGEWORTH! YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE IN SLYTHERIN!"
"WELL MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE!"
Nick shouted back. Gena was in tears now, Headmistress rushing to her side, hugging her in comfort.
"OH, YOU THINK SO HUH?! HOW'S THIS FOR A CHANGE HUH?!"
Douglas raised his hand and slapped Nick across the face, sending him to the ground.
"Mr. Bridgeworth—!" Headmistress started, before being interrupted once again.
"I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS! YOU ARE NO SON—"
"STOP!" Gena shouted, rushing to Nick's side, holding him close.
Douglas looked upon his wife, holding their son. Both of them were in tears.
"DON'T YOU DARE DOUGLAS FIZROY BRIDGEWORTH! DON'T YOU BANISH OUR SON! CAN YOU NOT SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?! LET HIM BE!"
"Gena…I…." Douglas began, before being interrupted by Gena once more.
"If this is to be his fate, then let it be. He is happy, do not hold this against him. If Gryffindor is his house, then so be it."
Douglas sighed, and turned towards the door. "Fine….Don't expect me to like it….We're through here…."
SLAM went the door! With that, Douglas left. Nick was in tears, and in pain from his father's beating. Gena carried him to Headmistress who in turn led them both to the Hospital Wing. It was not that bad of a bruise, but unfortunately Headmistress did not have the proper treatment in her office. Things were still being unpacked and moved around since the Hogwarts Battle. Some parts of the building were STILL in crumble. However, the school was up to code enough to open it to the students. Dumbledore would have wanted it that way. From ashes like a phoenix the school had risen.
Later…in the Hospital Wing… Madam Pomfrey had treated the large bruise on Nick's face with a bag of ice.
"Well, that ice has been on there for 20 minutes, the swelling should have gone down."
She said, removing the ice pack. The swelling had indeed gone down, but it would not fade until 2-3 days from now. Daniel and Frank had heard the news, rushing to Nick's side. Gena observed Nick's new friends.
"Nick! We came as soon as we heard!" Frank said.
"Yeah, one of the Ravenclaw's spotted you being rushed here by Headmistress." Daniel added. Both friends turned to see Nick's Mother. "Also by this fine lady as well, Mrs. Bridgeworth I wager?" Frank said with a smile. Gena nodded and got up.
"Well son, I see you're well looked after. I best get home to your Father, let's hope the house is still intact." Gena said with a joking grin. Nick smiled and replied. "See you during the Holidays Mum." Gena bowed with a smile, and left the Hospital, eventually leaving the school. Headmistress stood up and spoke to all three boys.
"Off you go, you still have classes. Nick, you've missed your morning classes. For that, I am sorry. It would appear this has been a waste of your time. Go now, you still have Herbology, and Ancient Runes.
The boys nodded, and headed to their last classes of the day. They had Herbology first, as they treaded down to the Greenhouses. Just in the nick of time too, as Professor Longbottom had just begun the lesson.
"All right first years, who can tell me what Devil's Snare is? Anyone?"
The class was quiet. Nick knew this one, as his father kept a small greenhouse in the basement. His Father was best at Herbology, graduating at the top of his class.
Nick put his hand up high. Professor Longbottom pointed and said "Yes you there in the back."
Nick cleared his throat and answered the question. "Achem… Devil's Snare is a plant with the magical ability to constrict or strangle anything in its surrounding environment or something that happens to touch it."
Professor Longbottom smiled ear to ear and replied.
"Yes! Mr…?"
"Bridgeworth Sir, Nickolas Bridgeworth." Nick replied. He couldn't help but see his old best pal John glaring at him.
"Very good Nickolas! 10 points to Gryffindor."
Other Gryffindor students gasped happily with smiles, Daniel came over whispering "Nice one Mate." Nick smiled whispering back "It was too easy, Father is rather obsessed with Herbology. I rather like it too."
The day passed, the other Gryffindor's finally warmed up to Nick. As for Nick himself, he was going to be the unique one in the family. He was making history, the first Bridgeworth in Gryffindor. He was never happier, and couldn't wait to have dinner with his new friends.
The Great Hall…
Nick sat down with Frank and Daniel. All the other Gryffindor's kept coming up to him and apologizing for their rude behaviour. Just then, Gryffindor's new house ghost popped out of the table. A young red haired fellow. Nick knew who this was. He knew the ghosts name to be Fred Weasley. His Brother told him of the many deaths from the Hogwarts Battle, including this poor boy from the Weasley Family. Father said the Weasley's were a disgrace to all Wizards. How could anyone hate such a funny and kind guy like this?
"ELLO, RUMOR HAS IT YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE IN SLYTHERIN." The ghost Fred said, laughing his arse off. "Boy were they wrong, your father must be furious!" Fred said again with a laugh. Nick laughed and replied.
"Indeed sir, as you can see by this shiner."
Fred chuckled, floating over the table now.
"Sir? I like this one very much. Well, I best go find Peeves. Good to finally meet ya! BEST PUT A COLD STAKE ON THAT SHINNER OF YOURS, AHAHAHA!"
With that, the house ghost of Gryffindor flew away—vanishing.
"Boy, he's in a pretty good mood. You know, despite being dead and all." Nick commented, taking a sip of his milk. Frank nodded and replied.
"Yeah, can't say for his family though. Rumour has it that his twin George is manic depressive now. He can't even conjure the Patronus charm anymore. Seems all his happy memories was with him."
Nick frowned, and his heart sank. His Father was a death eater, and he fought alongside the dark lord. For once, Nick felt ashamed of his family name. Maybe he was meant to be in Gryffindor to be the one Bridgeworth who did something worthy with their life. Perhaps Gryffindor would change his prospective on what it meant to be a good wizard.
Later….In the Gryffindor Common Room….
"All right, let's play a game! Gather round you lot!" Frank said. "What say we all play a round of Bertie Botts huh?" Frank said again.
The whole common room cheered. Curious, Nick spoke to Arie, one of the girls in Gryffindor.
"What is the object of this—"game"?"
Arie giggled and replied.
"A contestant is chosen, and then blind folded. They are then fed a bott, and have to figure out the flavour without seeing the bott, as it is sometimes easy to spot the flavour by its colour."
Nick laughed and replied.
"Are you serious?"
As Arie nodded, Frank pointed to Nick. Oh no, too soon to be laughing.
"Nick, get your arse up here. Time to ring you in on the Gryffindor traditions."
Nick rolled his eyes, and the house cheered his name. He got up to the chair, and was blindfolded with Frank's Gryffindor Tie. Frank then took a bott out of the package and popped it in his mouth. It was a vile flavour, but Nick kept chewing. He then spat it out and took a guess.
"Ughh, judging by the foul back taste in my mouth, definitely sewage flavour."
Frank looked on the box and shouted "Dear god he's right!"
The whole house cheered. For once, Nick felt at home. Perhaps Gryffindor wasn't so bad after all. So he decided that he would break Bridgeworth tradition. He was truly a Gryffindor. Down the road, he would run into many obstacles on the way to achieving this new goal of his. He no longer felt like an ugly duckling. He felt more like a swan. As his new friends hugged him, he thought to himself: 'I'm going to be the next Sirius Black. I'm going to break tradition.'
Word from the Author: & I hope you all are enjoying this story! For those who read my other stories, I promise to update soon! And for those who read my Drarry fanfic, I once again changed things around and updated/edited the chapters again. Thanks for reading!&~Mirokufangirl229
