Chapter Two: An Introduction to Hogwarts

The day to board the Hogwarts Express had finally come. For about a month, Zeke had taken upon himself to study his school texts, not that there was anything else he could possibly first book he read was the one McGonagall had gotten him about recent wizarding events. She had said that it would help him adjust to the wizarding world. The book was was boring until he got to the part about the Dark Lord's defeat by Harry Potter. It said that the boy's parents, Lily and James Potter, had died protecting Harry. However, the child had disappeared following his triumph. After several months of searching, Ministry officials declared the boy dead. Zeke shrugged off this story and spent his other waking moments in the thrilling mystery that was Tom Riddle. He resolved that he would scour the library once he arrived at the school. Every school had a library, of this he was certain.

Zeke was correct in assuming that there was to be a new roommate. The new roommate was named Frances Rogers. He was a frail boy with light brown hair and blue eyes. Frances mostly kept to himself, as he was shy and reclusive. The only words Zeke heard from him were "good morning" and "good night". Zeke considered himself lucky, he could have gotten one of those annoying people who ask too many questions or a complete boor.

Joshua had brought him to the station and looked a bit sad to see him off. Zeke had an anxious look about him.

"I'm sure that you'll have yourself a fine time, Zeke." Joshua predicted as he gave Zeke a firm pat on the shoulder.

"I hope so."

"Write to me when you have time."

"I will."

"Do you know how to get to this '9 and ¾' platform?"

"Yes, Professor McGonagall told me how."

"Good. I'll see you at the end of term, eh?"

"Yes."

In a matter of minutes, Zeke was completely alone. McGonagall had said to "simply go through the barrier". That would mean he would be running straight into a wall. What sense did that make? Regardless of the lack of logic this suggestion implied, Zeke decided to do it. He ran at full speed with his eyes closed...and didn't feel a thing? Once he opened his eyes, he saw a red steam engine and hundreds of students boarding the train with their parents waving to them. It had worked. Zeke proceeded to board the train. He sat down in the first empty compartment he found and waited for the train to start.

Ten minutes had passed before the blond he saw in Diagon Alley opened his compartment door. Next to him was the same bushy-haired girl, looking somewhat subdued, and two thuggish boys.

The boy extended his arm and said in a rather sophisticated drawl, "I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy. You are...?"

"My name is Ezekiel Bishop, but I'd prefer it if you called me Zeke."

"Are you a pureblood?"

"I beg your pardon?" Zeke had no idea what he was talking about.

"You must be a mudblood then. I've already got one." he said offhandedly as he looked back towards the girl. From this, Zeke gathered that he had intimated the girl because of her blood status. Either that or the girl liked him so much that she was willing to sacrifice her dignity. When the four had sat down, she had sat on the floor by Draco's feet without protest.

"I really don't know what I am. My parents died when I was a baby. I don't even know my real name." Draco looked taken aback.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize. Perhaps you may be of the proper birth after all."

"Perhaps."

There was a momentary silence before Draco spoke again.

"Behind me is Crabbe, Goyle, and Granger." Zeke gave the three a polite nod.

"What house do you want to be in?" asked Zeke.

"Generations of my family have been in Slytherin. It wouldn't do if I didn't get in there. Of course, Crabbe and Goyle get in also." The two oafs gave grunts of approval. Granger remained silent.

"I'm not sure what house I want to be in."

"My advice to you is never to get sorted into Gryffindor. That house is full of blood traitors, halfbloods and mudbloods who are quite horrendous. Granger, however, knows her place. I wouldn't mind it if she were placed in Slytherin. She's a proper mudblood." He looked condescendingly down on the girl who looked up at the snobbish blond in hope. Zeke had been correct. The girl ferverently adored Draco.

"Thanks. I'll do my best." The rest of their conversations followed a similar outline.

Two hours into the train ride, a red-headed boy opened the compartment. A sneer appeared on Draco's face.

"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost his."

"I know who you are. Red hair, tattered robes...you're a Weasley. I bet your family had to sell half your home just to get you here. You'll be in Gryffindor, no doubt." Draco taunted. Weasley looked like he was about to choke Draco.

"Why you..." Before any more could be said or done, Zeke had pointed his wand at Weasley and threw him out of the room.

All of the others were shocked, including Zeke himself.

"Good job, Zeke. You're all right by me. I can't stand that filth." Zeke smirked to himself. At least he had some allies now.

The train ride continued on as mainly Draco and Zeke talked. Finally, it was dark and the train appeared to be slowing down.

"Sir, I believe it is time we should get changed." It was the first time Zeke had heard Granger speak. The brunette had a soft, pleasant voice.

Draco considered her suggestion for a moment before saying, "Yes, it is. Go get dressed in the bathroom. Return quickly."

"Yes, sir." She obeyed and quickly grabbed her things.

Once she left, the boys changed into their school robes. As promised, Granger returned in a reasonable amount of time. The train had come to a complete stop. The group left their belongings in the compartment. Draco had explained that the house elves would transport them to their dormitories.

A rather large man ushered all the first-years into small boats. Malfoy and Zeke situated themselves in one of the decent looking boats. Granger didn't seem upset that there wasn't room left for her and joined some girl with a pug nose in another boat. Within two minutes of getting in a boat, Crabbe and Goyle had capsized their boat and were blubbering for help. The large man ended up having to rescue the two oafs.

All the first-years were organized in a line outside of two big doors. Zeke recognized McGonagall immediately.

"Now, you will all be sorted in a matter of minutes into one of the four houses. I suggest you smarten yourselves up before you're called. When I call your name, you will go towards a stool where the Sorting Hat is. Place it on your head and you'll be sorted. Any questions?" Nobody answered. "Good. Follow me."

The first-years entered the Great Hall and were awed by it. The first girl called, Hannah Abbot, was sorted into Hufflepuff.

It was soon his turn. "Bishop, Ezekiel." Zeke placed the Sorting Hat on.

Ah, I was wondering when you'd show up...Your parents were Gryffindors, but you are not. Clearly, you have traits admired by Salazaar Slytherin- intelligence, cunning, and above all, ambition. However, don't be in too much of a rush to prove yourself.

"Slytherin!"

Crabbe and Goyle were sorted into Slytherin as predicted. Hermione, as Zeke learned her actual name was, got sorted into Slytherin. Nobody clapped for her, but Draco seemed pleased nonetheless. The second the sorting hat was placed over his head, he was declared as a Slytherin. Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor just as Draco had said. With a few odd words, food appeared on the tables. Zeke at to his heart's delight.

After the feast, a Slytherin prefect led the first-years to their respective dormitories. Rest had caught up with Zeke by the time he had gotten settled into his bed.