Second chapter up. Tell me what you think once you've finished reading it. Love you all Moondustangel xxx
Waking up in the morning Maria got into her uniform along with the others. She had been right in her assumption that Harry would buy Ron's things for him. This year they were wall travelling to the school in style. Malfoy wouldn't be able to mock the Weasley's now would he!? She gathered up her trunks and headed to the kitchen to have breakfast with the others. Glancing at the time she saw that it was nine thirty and that they had two more hours before the train would be leaving. After breakfast they all aparated into the King's Cross toilets with their luggage and went to platform nine and three quarters. Upon entering the station platform they all noticed how different it looked. The overhead bridge leading from one side of the platform to the other was raised much higher and the ceiling was huge. The station also looked as though it was much bigger. Then the train appeared and it looked much more different then the old Hogwarts train had. This train was all black and gold outside and was split into two levels. It also seemed wider if that was even possible.
Each level was designed for each specific house although you didn't have to sit in each area if you didn't want to. These were only designed this way as a guideline. Really you could sit anywhere you desired. Seeing the trains new large and slightly imposing size they then realised why the platform had been so big. On the front of the train in golden cursive letters were written the letters M and A. They entered the train and went with Harry and Maria to the Pantera section which was upstairs beside the Lapin area. Finding a compartment they entered it gasping. This certainly was very different to the way the old compartments were. Inside the centre of the compartment was a medium sized table with a lamp on it. At the four corners of the room were four plush leather corner armchairs with foot stools in front of them. The chairs were purple and the compartment was painted a nice teal colour. There were golden luggage racks overhead as always. Each compartment came with four complimentary sugar quills and some pumpkin juice as a welcoming gift for everyone now attending the new school. This year was already looking better then it had done most other years.
Draco Malfoy pov.
I entered the new train. It looked impressive enough although my family have been in bigger trains. I am glad to have gotten rid of any people in my life who shouldn't have been in it. I looked for one of the Zorro compartments and finally found it downstairs at the back. The compartment was rather large much to my surprise. The old Slytherin compartments were fancy enough but even these were bigger. I was very upset to learn that at eleven years old my parents had lied to me. A week before school was supposed to start my mother and father brought me into Dumbledore's office for a practice sorting as they called it. They told me all pureblood children had these and so I thought it was normal. I had been sorted into Ravenclaw because of my smart brain but then on the actual sorting day I had been sorted into Slytherin. I was disappointed to learn later on that father paid a lot of money to have Dumbledore place charms on the hat to put me into Slytherin anyway. He obviously didn't feel I would do him proud in any house that wasn't Slytherin which he had been in all of his youth. I do resent him for this as I can't help but feel that my life might have been different had I not been in Slytherin.
This time round however there was no jinxing of any parchments and so I was in Zorro as I had found out the other week. The compartment was painted a royal blue shade. Inside it were two golden coloured pumpkin shaped daybeds each with two beds and a small table between. I saw all of free sugar quills and pocketed them before Blaise, Crabbe or Theo saw them (ungrateful bastards). More for me I thought taking one out of my pocket and sucking it. Unfortunately the pumpkin juice was in a fancy style carafe with four glasses and so I couldn't take that. If truth be told I hadn't taken the sugar quills just for me (see I do care about some people at least) I had taken three of them for my girlfriend Astoria. My mother always tried to persuade me to try and find a better more pureblood type of pureblood girl but it was utter nonsense and I told her I wouldn't be hearing of it. The boy who just wouldn't ever die was back again which was so annoying. I swear he was the bane in my life. Blaise is so annoying at the moment. He keeps talking about Potter's hot girlfriend and even when I told him who it used to be he just said that this somehow makes her even better looking.
I think it's disgusting but who am I to know anything. He wasn't even part of my house. He was part of Potters house Pantera but I know that's just because of its connections to Italy. We'll still be best friends anyway no matter what happens. I've tried to tell him not to befriend Marianna I think is her name but I can safely say that even if he does it won't be such a bad idea really. Yes alright you've got me I am jealous that she looks so good and has chosen Potter now but hopefully Blaise can break them up. I'll tell him to leave Tracey and then watch it fall apart for Potter!
Ron's pov.
I left Harry, Hermione and Ginny to explore the Lobo carriages and compartments. I mean sure I'll miss being near Harry all the time but Ginny's in my house and so is my girlfriend Katie Bell. Bit of a surprise that as even I didn't see that one coming. It happened two years before the war. I caught her in the quidditch changing rooms crying because she'd overheard that git Malfoy telling people in his house that he did curse her in our sixth year and enjoyed doing it. I've never been too good at the whole emotions thing I mean even Hermione will tell you I've got the emotional rang of a teaspoon or whatnot. I do hope I'm slightly better now though. So anyway I found her crying and before I knew what was happening I was telling her how devastated I'd be had Malfoy been successful because she was so smart and pretty to me. She leaned in and kissed me and I promised to always protect her and I always have. She has been my strong presence in my life. She was so helpful when we lost Fred. I was so sad about that but having her there for me really helped. Katie is so beautiful and I always try to remind her I think this. Those legs Merlin's baggy pants they don't half excite me sometimes. Let's just say I understand why she's in quidditch with us. She is like my favourite foods I want to have her all the time (See what I did there?). Oh I know I'm shocking I'll never be that funny even when I do try.
I couldn't believe it when she'd told me she'd be in my house as well. It means that even though Harry isn't in my house I can spend a lot more time with her which is so cool. She loves quidditch but unfortunately supports Puddlemore Utd. I've told her Chudley Cannons are the best team but since the ruddy pumpkin heads never win a bloody match I can see why she wouldn't like them I guess. They're still the best team to me. I can't wait to get to school and eat I'm bloody starving, and eh yeah seeing the new castle will be good. My letter said it looks the same outside but dead different inside or something. I'm bloody lost looking for these damn Lobo compartments. I've just been past the Lapin ones but can't find the Lobo ones. Oh wait here we are. Oooh these look lovely. These compartments are a little but different to the old ones. The compartments are definitely much bigger. Wow ok so the walls are painted a nice burnt orange colour which oddly enough isn't totally clashing with my hair and there are two large green leather sofa's in here. I can see many various end tables at either side of the sofas and they all have a wolf design on them. It's pretty cool actually and it's all like outdoorsy and stuff. How exciting more sugar quills I'll just have one more oooh and I'll keep this one here for Katie. Ginny is gonna love it here when she comes here!
Luna's pov.
I am loving this new school although I don't particularly see what was wrong with the old one but oh well. I am part of Lapin house which means rabbit in English. My favourite animal's asides from puppies and owls are rabbits. I know of course that crumple horned snorcacks don't exist much to my dismay but I know there'll be lots of nargles in the new school to watch out for. How exciting. Nargles are little creatures that go into your brain and make it all fuzzy overloading it with information and they are desperately tricky to find. They also steal things sometimes which can become rather bothersome. I am so happy right now. I am wearing my new uniform and it's very floaty. I feel like such a lady in it and the beret looks so French and stylish. My daddy was very proud of me as he knew I'd be in the smart house here. I don't mind having to repeat for another two years as I'll be with friends. I do hope they have pudding at the feast it is my favourite. I especially love treacle tart and my favourite lemon cheesecake. I'd eat it all day if I could but daddy tells me you can get fat if you eat to much although I don't think so but oh well.
My boyfriend Neville is in Pantera with Maria and Harry. I've been with him for four months now and I've never been happier. He accepts me as I am and has never asked me to change which is amazing. I love the fact that he's so passionate about Herbology and I'm certain he'll teach it one day. I'd love to teach divination or astrology myself. Maybe astrology more as that deals more with the stars which are fascinating. I can't believe Hermione has changed so much. I knew of course all along that she was different. Only a pureblood cold really have punched Malfoy in third year with such confidence. We are so different as people but I wouldn't change having her as my friend for anything. Her fresh views really interest me as do mine to her I suppose. I've just been with them in their carriage which looks lovely. I got to spend some time with Neville which is amazing. He is the worlds' best kisser and I know people think I'm only all about education but it's not true really. I do love education but sometimes I love sex more. Yeah Neville's love of plants is a real turn on. I can't explain it, it's just sometimes when he's working with his plants or telling me all about them that I get so aroused.
I'm on my way to Lapin carriages now to see Cho. She's a good friend of mine in my year at school. We're in the same house and everything. Our compartment is much bigger then it ever was. We have four seats similar to Pantera house in each corner but beside each one we have an end table with a rabbit on it. It's so cute. We even have a few book shelves containing books on France and French foods which is wonderful. The couches are a nice red shade and the room had been painted a wonderful silver shade. On our ceiling we have a small chandelier. It's wonderful looking. My letter told me that every house gets to the castle a unique way particular to that particular house so I wonder how my house will get there how exciting.
Normal pov again.
Soon enough the train had arrived at Hogsmeade and the intercom came on to alert students how each house would be going up to the castle. "Can I have your attention please? All students in the four houses will be travelling to the castle in a different way. The students in Zorro house will take the carriages up to the castle as they usually would have. All Pantera students will go to the castle in special lifts that take them directly inside the main hall of the school. Lapin students will be using different port keys handed to them to access the school and finally lobo students will be entering a submarine to take them to the school and will resurface at the edge of the black lake nearest the school. Enjoy your time at Merlin's Academy" said the announcer happily. Maria took Harry's hand and they entered the lift with Seamus and Neville in tow. The lift doors closed and they were asked to hold on to the railings at either side and for good reason. When the lift began to move it started to sway from side to side, back and forth, up and down and finally round and round. This was no short lift ride either. The trip took a total of five minutes and was like being on a more secure type of rollercoaster. Maria loved it although Seamus did look like he might be sick. When they arrived the main hall looked the same as it always had which they partly guessed it would. They had to wait here for the rest of the students to come up to the school so they could enter together.
Entering the submarine Ron was terrified. He'd seen what they did before on the fellytision thing his dad had brought home and it scared him greatly. What happened if they bloody thing never resurfaced again. He'd be stuck under there with no food or water and he'd bloody die. Ginny of course had told him to stop being such a bloody Nancy but it was easy for her when Dean was snogging her face off. This meant she didn't need to focus so much on it. With reassurance from Katie he was now sure they wouldn't die. It also took roughly five minutes and then they were able to get out much to his relief. I mean he could do flying but submerging under water for five minutes gave him the willies. Oh very brave he thought frowning deeply. Getting out he held Katie's hand and went into the castle where Maria and Harry were waiting for him and Katie. Lapin students of course just appeared inside the doors of castle a lot of people falling with a thump which was rather funny to behold. Luna was among the only few people in her house who floated gracefully down. Then shortly afterwards the Zorro house members arrived. They all entered the great hall which was now known as the lounge.
They all gasped. Inside it looked very different indeed and was painted a nice cream colour. The sky was still bewitched to look like the night sky but there wasn't so much severe wood anymore making it less imposing. Gone were the four previous boring long house tables and in there place were different dinning areas for the different houses. Dining booths for six people went along the walls for Pantera house. These booths had their own lights inside and could easily sit six members in from the house in each one. The tables were large enough and so could accommodate the different foods which would be coming up to them once the meal had begun. Lapin house had round dinning booths in the middle of the room which looked amazing and provided great privacy. These nice but large booths had more then enough room to accommodate all the different foods. With these tables they would spin around to face the top table containing staff for announcements and then swing back around to face the doors once again. Lobo house had big square tables upon which each year could sit meaning that were seven tables in total. Zorro house had circular tables that like Lobo house could fit an entire year on one of them. In the centre of these table though was a large round platform upon which the food would be placed. This way you could twirl around the platform to get the foods and place them on your plate.
Grabbing a booth Harry and Maria sat down with Seamus and Neville while Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini joined them. They had all decided to try and get on for the remaining two years of school and leave the animosity behind them. Something that excited Harry very much. He had a sudden fiancé and what he now hoped would be some new friends as well. He was also exciting in learning of any dirt that existed on Malfoy but Blaise was a hard nut to crack. Pansy however who was sick of Draco would have no issue spilling the beans on him which gave Marianna a great sense of joy. It did seem weird that Harry wanted to be their friends at all but as the war was over and they were in the same house he decided they should get on and put all the petty blood status things behind them. Besides which Blaise's family had been neutral in the war and Pansy had only suggested everyone grabbing Harry as she feared for her own life as would anyone in that position so he couldn't blame her really. Over at the Lobo house Ron and Theodore Nott were talking about quidditch and Ginny was talking to Katie about how her summer had gone. Draco sat at Zorro beside Astoria and Adrian Pucey talking about how superior his house was to all the other. "It may not be Slytherin house anymore but it's still the best house there is!" he could be heard saying by anyone who walked past his table. Luna was so fascinated by the mechanism that mad her table spin around to address the principal while she talked that she found it difficult to focus on anything else. Soon enough her table was spinning around as Professor McGonagall introduced everyone.
"I'd like to welcome you all to a rather new and different year this year at the newly formed Merlin's Academy. I am sure all of you now know of the lies and scandal surrounding Hogwarts such as taking large cash bribes in order to get someone's son or daughter into a particular house which was done by many purebloods and was very wrong indeed. Here at MA We strive to give you the best education possible which is why we have four new houses with new and unique uniforms for each house. As you will be able to tell once you go inside them each house has a new and differently styled interior with differently accessed living quarters for all. After the meal I will be giving every table a sheet with directions to your new house, how to get the door or whatever it is to open and of course the passwords. Some houses will require a one time blood sacrifice which means that one time the student will need to cut his or her finger with their wands and smear their blood on the door of that particular house and then give the password. After this has been done you'll never need to give a blood sample again. Now the staff this year is different. At Hogwarts things were all over the place staff wise which I will not be allowing here in Merlin's academy. The staff here will be well educated and permanent also. The head of Lapin house is a new member of staff Professor Charles Weasley. He has many years experience working with dragons and even fought in the last war which is why he'll now be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts permanently." She paused to let it all sink in before continuing.
"Ok next representing Zorro house we have our new charms teacher professor Marcus Flint a former pupil of Hogwarts. Now representing Pantera house will be Rubeus Hagrid who is still the care of magical creature's professor here. He has been promoted to this prestigious position for years of loyal service here when Hogwarts was here. He shall make a fine head of house so please give him a round of applause. Lobo house's head will be professor Slughorn teaching potions. Professor Flitwick has decided to take up the position of Divination teacher and will also teach a new programme called wandless magic skills for life. All the other teachers will be remaining in their position as well as our ever faithful caretaker Mr Filch who has asked me to remind all that even though we live in a safer time the forbidden forest is still forbidden to all students unless collecting potions ingredients. Enjoy your meal and welcome back!" With the conclusion to her speech the food appeared and everyone tucked into their food. It was starting out be a wonderful year and Harry was so excited.
