Chapter 2. Meetings.
Thanks to Marie's impeccable driving skills they made it to King's Cross with time to spare. The station was in a state of controlled chaos, with muggles confusedly ogling robed wizards, magical pets creating almighty racket and the Ministry's officials surreptitiously casting Confundus spells at regular intervals. Harry had already sent Floyd, his eagle owl, to the Hogwarts' Owlery. Much more dignified that way, not to mentioned practical. Why the solution had never occurred to him (or Ron) in his previous life was beyond him.
As they crossed the barrier, Harry noticed the new head girl calmly giving instructions to first years. She was quite a beauty, blessed with haughty aristocratic features and with her thick wavy hair dressed in a somewhat severe braid. Andromeda, Harry realised. And the gangly Hupplepuff with a head boy budge standing nearby was surely Ted Tonks. Interesting. They didn't look even remotely like a couple. If anything, Ted looked apprehensive of the Black girl.
Suddenly Harry was assaulted by all his past doubts. It would be years before Ralf would master arithmancy, after all. What of all the changes that were happening right now? That already had happened? What if Tonks would never be born just because he had arrogantly taken it upon himself to save her from dying? For now the brothers had decided that Harry shouldn't interfere with the marauders' friendships (and rivalries), but what if he had already? What if they all would end up in different compartments simply because Harry had been added to the picture?
"You think too much," Ralf muttered. "Go with your guts when in doubt and leave the thinking to me," he smirked.
"Works for me."
"Mrs. Hagel, over here!" Fabian called, causing Ralf to scowl reflexively. The twins reacted to Marie the same way the Weasely men reacted to Veela, which never failed to amuse Martin and irritate Ralf.
As the adults were exchanging pleasantries Harry spotted a golden chain dangling around Fabian's neck. A pocket watch? But the Fabian in Harry's old life owned a wrist watch…
"What's that?" Harry nodded at the chain.
"Not sure," Fabian said.
"Yeah, Fab found it in the pyramid at Teotihuacan.""You wouldn't believe what curses those Aztecs put on the thing!"
"Dad had to ask a Mexican colleague to help breaking them."
"Said it was nothing like he'd seen before."
Mr. Prewett had worked as a curse breaker at Gringotts before retirement.
"Wow," Harry marvelled, "So, is it just a bauble, or does it do anything?"
"No clue."
"We hope to research while in Hogwarts."
"If we could get into the Restricted Rection."
"Hey, could I have a look?" Ralf asked.
"Sure, your nerdiness." Fabian held out a golden disk wrought with an intricately coiled feathered serpent and unfamiliar looking glyphs.
"Hmm." Ralf said. "I bet it's not Goblin-made."
"So?" Gideon huffed. "Still neat."
"That's not what I mean," Ralf said pensively. "Well, good luck with your research," he handed the amulet back.
"You mean we'd need it?"
"Hey, I don't mean anything. I've got not a clue what it is."
"Annoying little git, isn't he? Wait till you start Hogwarts…"
"Yes, so many opportunities to get our backs at him…"
"What with no Nutty around…"
"Don't bully my brother," Harry intervened. "And don't underestimate Nutty…"
"Time to find your compartment, boys," Martin called.
As Harry and the twins mounted the train, Harry saw Ralf chivalrously lifting a trunk belonging to a first year. A first year girl with dark red hair and bright green eyes, to be exact.
"Thank you," Lily smiled. "Are you a first year too?"
"No, I'm just seeing my brother off," Ralf nodded in Harry's general direction. "And you are very welcome."
"Well, let's go, or we won't find any seats," an eleven year old Snape was giving Ralf one of his trade-mark glares, but his brother was too busy staring at Lily with the intensity he usually reserved for particularly tricky mathematical problems to notice. "I'll carry that for you," he said firmly.
Damn it all. Harry thought dismayed. Of what use Ralf's celebrated brains were going to be if he didn't even think with them?! He was too young to be so susceptible, anyway, Harry fumed. Suddenly Harry remembered that Snape was another child prodigy and he'd fallen for Lily while they'd both been still pre-teens. Double damn. Harry decided to give up on puzzling out all the ways his brother crushing on his former mother could screw-up their future. Some things were just too weird to contemplate.
Harry and the twins were settling down in their compartment when Ralf poked in to say bye. He looked so dazed, Harry wanted to give him a hard shake.
"Did your new friend introduce herself?" he asked irritably.
"No," Ralf looked surprised. "Why?"
"Never mind. I'll send you an owl as soon as I talk to Vector." They both hoped Ralf could get a head start with the arithmancy thing.
"Will do. Well, bye, guys. Have a nice year."
They were about to start their first round of exploding snap, as the compartment door slid open, and a very timid looking Remus Lupin asked whether they'd mind if he joined them.
"Yes."
"No," Gideon and Harry said simultaneously.
"Don't be a git, Fab," Gideon said mildly. "First year, right? I'll get it for you." He vaulted the boy's trunk.
"Thank you," Remus said shyly.
They were in the middle of introductions when Lena barged in to demand the new Nimbus.
"What's that, an heirloom?" she asked as she spotted Fabian's golden chain.
As the twins regaled her with a heavily embellished version of the amulet's discovery Harry noticed Remus staring at it with awe.
"Don't worry, it's de-cursed," he reassured. "Mr. Prewett used to work as a curse-breaker."
Remus merely nodded, but once Lena had finally left their compartment he asked to have closer look.
"Hmm," he said handing it back. "It's not Goblin-made."
What is it with all these younger nerds, Harry thought with asperity.
"So what if it isn't?"
"Not sure," the werewolf said musingly. "I'd need to check it up first. You see, the gold Cortes plundered was Goblin-made. That was what got them up in arms and started a major rebellion. Remember, the one when Tarquinius Colvert tried to come up with a Goblin-specific pox strain, and ended up killing muggles by thousands…."
Harry tried to recall what he knew about Goblin rebellions, but all that came to mind was Ron making up their names for his exam paper.
"So what are you going to look up?" Fabian sounded as intrigued as Harry felt.
"Hmm," Remus look puzzled. "You see, I always assumed that all Aztec gold was Goblin-made. After all, they didn't know any other metals, like iron… I don't know if there is much Aztec-related stuff can be in Hogwarts library. What with the Borgia papers ended up in Muggle collections…"
"They never deciphered Aztec writing, right?"
"There were a few attempts, but nothing comprehensive," Gideon confirmed. "Though the chap, who helped us to de-curse it reckons this character means death." He pointed at an innocuous looking glyph.
Great, Harry thought. Another symbol of death paired with a snake thing.
"I heard, Aztec writing system isn't actually human," Remus put in. "That's why no one could crack it."
"That's just rumours," Fabians dismissed. "Other beings may have their languages and their magic, but writing is a human thing, just like wands. Even centaurs, for all their claims to superiority, use Ancient Greek for writing."
The twins must have had a head start with their research, Harry realised. He was starting to feel well over his head, and thought longingly of exploding snap, when the door slid open once again and an auburn head poked in.
"Sorry," Lily said. "My friend and I are looking for a seat."
"They could fit here, couldn't they?" Remus asked hopefully.
"Sure." Harry decided that thinking was overrated, after all. It was Ralf's province anyway. Provided that he regained his brain function after the encounter with Lily.
The twins shrugged good-naturally and made room for the first-years.
"So what house do you think you'll get in?" Lily asked Remus after another round of introductions.
The boy chewed his lip nervously. "Not sure", he said,"Dad wouldn't say how the sorting is done."
That set the twins off.
"Aww."
"Parents, they are like that…"
"But don't worry, ikle firsties, that's why you need older students to guide you."
Amused, Harry listened as the twins weaved the tale involving labyrinthine stairs and various malicious creatures. Lily and Remus listened round-eyed, and appeared to drink every word, but Snape looked sceptical.
"They are screwing with you, Lily," the dark-haired boy had finally enough. "There is no way they allow us anywhere near werewolves. Let me guess, you are Gryffindors, right?" he sneered at the older boys.
"Got a problem with that?"
Apparently thinking better than repeating the brawn-versus-brain crack, Snape shrugged and settled for a dignified silence instead.
Lily, however, swelled with indignation.
"That was mean," she huffed. "I am not from a magical family, so how was I to know that you were having me on?!"
"So what house are you hoping for?" Harry tried to diffuse the tension.
"Sev and I are aiming for Slytherin," the girl replied proudly.
"What?!" the twin hooted.
"A muggle-born Slytherin!"
"Talk about miracles."
Immediately Lily turned an alarming shade of red.
"You've got a problem with muggle-borns?" she demanded, her green eyes narrowing to slits.
Harry noticed that Snape was looking distinctly uncomfortably now.
"We don't—"
"The snakes, though…"
"Let's just say, they aren't too welcoming."
"Don't forget, venomous."
Lily frowned uncertainly.
"Is that another of your jokes?"
"No," Harry confirmed, "it's a known fact that Salazar Slytherin was against admitting muggle-born students to Hogwarts. He eventually quarrelled with the other founders because of it and left."
"That was a thousand years ago," Snape said defensively.
"Still, the houses mostly reflect their founders' values," Harry returned. "Slyths are ambitious and snooty," he smirked at Snape. "Ravenclaw is for nerds, Gryffs praise daring and chivalry—"
"And Puffs are all work and no play," Gideon supplied.
"Yeah, the choice is really obvious," Fabian added.
Harry glanced at the first years. Snape looked distressed, Remus worried, and Lily pensive.
"Hey, that's the food trolley!" A welcome destruction, he thought. "No, don't bother," he added as Lily reached for her money bag. "Since you are all first-years, it's our treat."
Fabian and Gideon looked bemused, but didn't argue. Snape seemed uncomfortable at the idea, but when Harry and the twins retuned laden with food and sweets he seemed to decide to take his clues from Lily and tacked in.
As they were gorging themselves on pumpkin pastries and chocolate frogs, the conversation finally shifted from ancient civilisations and house politics to more age-appropriate exploding snap and Quidditch. Lily was browsing enthusiastically Remus's collection of famous witch and wizard cards and listening to Harry's and the twins' rundown of the Quidditch rules, as well as the latest gossip concerning famous players. Until, that is, Gideon mentioned the price-range for top broomsticks.
"What!" she exclaimed, glancing at an unhappily looking Snape. "That's just scandalous."
"You'll train on the school brooms free of charge," Harry soothed.
"Mind you, they are mostly only good for sweeping…"
"But it's not like you can join your house-team until your second year."
"Sometimes the house team can sponsor you for a decent broom, if you are a good flyer, right?" Remus asked uncertainly.
"Yep, Harry's old man just shelled-out few galleons for a Nimbus."
"Which likely goes to Rivers, the lucky sot."
"Unless Stebbins sabotages him."
"Think we should get McLaggen to taste his food?"
Lily and Remus laughed, but Harry privately thought the idea had merit.
"And what are you riding, a Milky Way?" Snape re-entered the conversation. That was an old American family model. Their slogan 'Steady as you go' had long since become a byword for inept flying. Harry smiled unoffended.
"You'll see soon enough – when we trash Slytherin."
"Never then."
"Keep dreaming, little viper."
"Yep, wishful thinking costs nothing."
They continued to bicker, however there was no real bite to it.
"Are all families sorted in the same houses?" Lily asked. "That nasty boy said all his relatives were in Slytherin."
"Explains the nasty bit."
"Yep, a huge giveaway, that."
"Not necessarily," Harry said. "I bet my brother'll end up in Ravenclaw."
"No one is going to be fool enough to take it," Gideon snorted.
"What about your parents?"
"Dad was in Gryffindor. Mum's French, so she went to Beauxbatons. She is a muggleborn, like you," he felt compelled to add.
"And our resident house ghost is one of Harry's ancestors," Fabian boasted.
"A ghost?!" Lily's eyes grew the size of saucers.
The twins launched into the description of Hogwarts ghosts, sharing their theories concerning the blood-stains on the Baron's robes or reasons behind Myrtle's chosen dwelling-place. Lily kept glancing at Severus whenever she thought they were pulling her leg, but for once the dark-haired boy listened intently, obviously taking mental notes, as Fabian offered some extremely unhelpful advice on dealing with Peeves.
"Well," Harry said as the train finally pulled up at Hogsmead station. "See you guys in the castle." They had already explained about first-years taking different route. Nodding their greeting to Hagrid the boys headed to the carriages.
"So," Fabian said impishly, "are you going to duel your brother over the little fire-eater?"
"What? No!"
"If you say so."
"Yeah, mate, you both seemed to have appointed yourselves her protectors."
"I was just being nice. A foreign concept to you guys, I realise."
"Question is, why were you being so bloody nice?"
"Yeah, to the point of buying treats for that little snake…"
"Stop it."
But of course it was too juicy a topic for them to stop. The twins kept at it until they finally settled down at Gryffindor table and they all started to enthusiastically exchange summer stories with other house-mates. Nick stopped to say hello and inquire after various Pombrooks' portraits. Until finally the scared looking firsties filed into the Great Hall and the Sorting began. There was a long hush and then audible gasps as the Hat started its song.
Gather 'round, gather 'round,
Listen to my tale.
I will tell where you're bound,
All, without fail.
Lions, they are bold and proud,
Ready for a fray.
Always the ones to stick around
To save another day.
Eagles, quick and needle-witted,
Like to soar high.
Clever, talented, committed,
Learning on the fly.
Badgers fair and assiduous,
Loyal to a fault.
As straight shooting and on purpose,
As a crossbow bolt.
Snakes are shrewd, and sly, and cunning,
Slither in the grass.
Always plotting, always planning
In and out of class.
I have lived a thousand years,
I have seen it all.
I will know your hopes, your fears,
Read you like a scroll.
Trust my judgement, try me now –
I am never wrong!
I will put you in, I vow,
Where you belong!
McGonagall started to call out names and soon after Avery was dispatched to Slytherin it was Sirius's turn. As his name was called Sirius stole a quick glance at his cousins then set his jaw determinately and put the Hat on. There was a longish pause, and then the Hat called for Gryffindor. Flashing a quick grin at James who sent him the thumbs-up, the Black heir plopped at the Gryff's table, deliberately choosing a seat near Nick. Which put him right across Harry, of course. Harry glanced at the Slyth's table. Andromeda's face was a vacant mask, but Narcissa looked positively gob-smacked. Harry was one of the few who clapped.
"Uh-oh," Fabian said.
"It's him," Gideon followed.
"Must be. You are, aren't you?"
"I'm what?" Sirius returned aggressively.
"A person, responsible for a certain red-head first-year ending up in our compartment."
"Described to us as a 'nasty boy whose entire family is in Slytherin."
"Fits the description, doesn't he?"
"The family is far from happy, by the way," Gideon observed.
"Don't care what they think," Sirius said sullenly. "And it was that Snivellous kid who was nasty."
The twins hooted.
"An apt nickname!"
"Yeah, I can sort of see where the Hat was coming from…"
"Welcome, fellow Lion!"
"Hush, it's the fire-eater turn."
Lily approached the stool looking tense.
"Hey, Harry, care to put a wager on that one?"
"You give me good odds for Gryffindor?"
"Do we look like suckers?"
"Gryffindor!" the Hat announced.
"Yeah, figures…"
This time the applause was heartier.
"Hello again." Lily plopped at Harry's right. Pointedly ignoring Sirius, she turned to Nick instead. "You must be Sir Nicholas? I am so happy to finally make your acquaintance!"
Head wobbling with pleasure, the Ghost beamed at the redhead.
"Another one to bite the dust…" Gideon muttered. "I hope it's not catching."
"Look, there is Remus!" Lily looked up interrupting Nick's enthusiastic account of his almost-beheading.
This time the pause was even longer than with Sirius, Harry thought. Finally the boy was sorted into Gryffindor too. Not long after Pettigrew joined him to Harry's displeasure (what did the Hat see in him to put the rat with the lions?!), and then it was James's turn. His sorting was a matter of seconds. Sliding on the bench near Sirius (the other boy having saved the seat) James flashed a confident grin at Lily.
"Glad to see you standards improving!" he said.
Fabian sighed.
"This is starting to look like a serious cause for concern," he muttered.
Lily spared James a disdainful look and turned to watch Snape's sorting.
"No surprises there," Harry looked on as the dark haired boy was welcomed by Lucius Malfoy.
"You can say that again," James gave a nasty laugh. "You could practically stamp a snake on his forehead."
"Not that you'd see it behind that greasy mane he calls hair." Sirius blew at his own luxurious bangs for effect.
"I thought Gryffindors were brave at heart, not bullies," Lily bristled.
"Look here—" Sirius pulled his wand.
"No, you look." Harry shifted to shield the girl, before he even realised what he was doing. "Put it away. Gryffs stick to Gryffs, and it's bad manners to draw at ladies."
Sirius seemed to consider him.
"Fine," he tacked his wand away. "If you wish to resolve it formally, you know where to find me."
The twins howled with laughter.
"Told you so."
"We've got a Femme Fatale in our midst."
Harry shook his head incredulously.
"You haven't done anything worth duelling over …. yet. And I am not your enemy, Sirius."
Learn to pick your battles, you moron, he wanted to add, except he knew his idiot of a former godfather would take it as a challenge.
As soon as Dumbledore made his usual announcements Harry stood to leave. He had classes in the morning, after all, and a very long letter to his brother to write.