A Hogwart's Tale: The Knights of Hogwart's
Part 1, Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own JK Rowling's Harry Potter.
A/N: SS/HG. This is the sequel to A Hogwart's Tale: Interview with a Snape. This story occurs ten years later.
Answers to questions/comments can be found at the end of the story.
The Start-of-Year Feast
Severus was placing the last of his classroom supplies in the large storage cabinet behind his old oak desk, when he heard the classroom door open. Closing the cabinet doors and locking the padlock, both by key and magic, he turned to his visitor.
Standing straight, with her shoulders back and hands clasped before her emerald-green robes, Minerva McGonagall walked into the classroom. "Professor Snape," she greeted with a slight nod of her graying head.
"Headmistress," Severus acknowledged. "What may I do for you?"
The corners of her mouth twitched as she stifled a smile. "I have finalized Jas… Mister Snape's schedule. I would like to run it by you."
"Thank you." Severus gestured to his desk, "Please do."
vvv
Jasper stared out the window of his compartment. Thankful that he was alone, he wondered what he could do while he spent his afternoon stuck on the train. Since his school books were packed and stored in his new travelling trunk, reading ahead of the class would not be an option. Sighing, he contemplated napping.
Snick. The compartment door slid open to reveal a smiling witch pushing a cart full of Wizarding snacks and candy. "Would you like any?" her high-pitched voice sang.
Shaking his head, Jasper tried not to frown. As he stood to close the door, he answered her politely, "No. No, thank you."
Standing, alone, he wondered if he should leave his quiet sanctuary to find friends. Smiling grimly, he decided he would much rather take that nap.
The sound of the train slowing woke Jasper from his nap. Groggily, he opened his eyes to peer out the window. Though night had fallen, he recognized the building and shapes materializing before him. They were entering the Hogsmeade Train Station. Straightening his robes, the raven haired boy prepared to disembark the train.
vvv
"Hmm…" Severus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "This should work. Are the other professors in agreement with this schedule?"
Minerva looked over Severus' shoulder, her eyes glazing as she thought back to her previous discussions. Speaking slowly, she carefully answered Severus, "Jasper's case is… new to us. To our recollection, we have never had a student in attendance while one of their guardians was a professor. That, added with the fact that he is both your and Hermione's child, will undoubtedly cause conflict."
Though Minerva paused, Severus remained quiet. The look upon her face informed him that she was not yet done.
"First years are required to take Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Herbology, and Flying. Having spoken with Professor Slughorn, he agreed that it would be… foolish for Jasper to attend Professor Macmillan's first year Potions class. Horace also alluded to the fact that your son should probably skip the second year class as well." Smiling grimly, Minerva shook her head, "But that is for another time. In the end the staff agreed unanimously to this schedule."
Severus smiled, shocking Minerva. Though he had been a different man the last ten years, seeing him happy, especially when he smiled, still disconcerted the staff. Regaining her equilibrium, the headmistress smiled back.
vvv
Even though Jasper had spent most of his time growing up in Hogsmeade, he had never been on the Black Lake. Having alternated between summers at Spinner's End and school terms at Hogsmeade, the large lake was never available for him to explore.
He watched as Hagrid guided the first years to the magic boats. The students eagerly find their seat. Waiting patiently, Jasper was able to find a lone, empty boat as Hagrid took to his own. With Hagrid, Hogwarts' Keeper of Keys and Grounds, in the lead, the boats coasted smoothly across the dark lake towards their destination.
Jasper's was silent as he watched the lake pass beneath his boat. Though he could hear the excited chatter from his year mates, he was more interested in the secrets of the lake. The darkened sky and lack of moon hindered his viewing.
Feeling as if something beneath the black ripples called to him, Jasper grasped the side of the boat with his left hand as he reached out with his right. Dipping his fingers into the cold, rippling water, he shivered at its frosty touch. The shock of the water's temperature jarred him from his trance.
Trying to erase the need to answer the water's call, Jasper shook his head. As he pulled his hand from the lake something warm but clammy briefly grasped it. Hastily, he grasped the side of the boat with both hands and leaned over the edge. The lake's ripples revealed nothing.
Sagging, Jasper sat back in the boat. As he pondered what could have grasped his hand, he briefly wondered if he had imagined it.
vvv
They approached the rocks that held Hogwarts upon them and a small opening covered in a curtain of hanging ivy took form. As the first years ducked their heads and passed through it into the school's underground harbor, sounds of anticipation filled the air. The boats continued towards the docks, where they stopped.
Exiting the boats, the children looked around in amazement. For many, this was their first view of Hogwarts. Following Hagrid, the first years climbed the stairs and entered the lawn. By now, all the first years were jittery with anticipation.
As they approached the castle, the tall, decorative oak doors opened before them to reveal the Entrance Hall. The students filtered in slowly, but quickly spread out to admire the torch lit room. Directly across from the entrance rose a magnificent marble staircase with hallways leading off the room peeking out from behind it. The double doors to their right were closed, but the sounds of conversation drifted through them.
From their left, standing before another set of double doors, an imperious voice spoke to their large escort, "You may leave, Hagrid. I shall take them from here." Dressed head to toe in ruby-red robes and hat, with long brunette hair hanging loose, the stern woman turned to the first years. Her haughty voice was raised as she dictated, "Quickly now, follow me."
The commanding professor's robes swished as she spun around threw the oak doors that were behind her open. Briskly, she crossed the room. "Hurry now, gather round." Her right foot tapped the flagged stone floors impatiently as she waited for the students to file into the room.
The moment everyone was in the small room, she raised her wand and closed the double doors. Without preamble, she began her speech, "Welcome, first years, to Hogwarts. I am Professor Vector. You will wait here in the Chamber of Reception until you are called to the Great Hall.
Once you are in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into one of four houses. Each house, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, is noble in its own right. Your house will be your family. Therefore, your triumphs will earn your house points while your… misdemeanors will lose points. At year-end, the house with the most points wins the house cup.
After you are sorted, join your house. Once the ceremony is completed, the start-of-term banquet will begin. Clean your selves up, I shall return momentarily." With that, the professor walked briskly through the group of students, who parted to let her pass.
vvv
Jasper tried not to smile as he listened to Miss Septima speak. Though her words and demeanor were brisk and arrogant, he knew her to be strict yet understanding. As his year mates parted to let her pass, Jasper caught her eye. The slight upturn at the corner of her mouth let him know that she was enjoying herself.
He didn't have to wait long for her to return. Slipping to the back of the group, Jasper trailed behind as they crossed the Entrance Hall to the Great Hall. Forming a double line, they followed Miss Septima into the large room.
Jasper's brown eyes widened as he took in the sight before. Though he had been to the Great Hall with his family for various occasions, the sight before him was both new and stunning. The same four tables lay before them, pointing towards the long table where his father and the other staff sat. Yet, it was decorated differently from anything he had seen before.
The high ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky while thousands of white candles twinkled floated in midair. Ghosts flitted about as they moved from table to table either talking to students or scaring them. The tables themselves were piled with food and drink as students filled the seats.
Though voices could be heard outside the doors, once Jasper and the other first years entered, silence descended upon the room. Following the other students, Jasper walked through the great hall to the empty space before the staff table. As the group spread out, Jasper watched Miss Septima place an old four-legged stool in the center of the area before Miss Minerva. Resting upon that stool was an old, ratty witch's hat that Jasper knew to be the Sorting Hat.
Suddenly, brown hat's eyes opened and it began to sing. The lyrics spoke of the houses and there deeds before pausing. The Sorting Hat then sang out, loud and clear,
"Our queen is quite content
Thy moments well were spent.
Good deeds to others, thou wilt see
Rich blessings shall bring back to thee."
Jasper stared as the hat fell silent. Perplexed, the room remained hushed.
vvv
Severus watched as Septima slowly called up each of the first years to be sorted. Impatient, he waited for his son to be called up. Though Hermione hoped he would be sorted into Gryffindor, Severus was afraid it would be Slytherin.
"Snape, Jasper." The air hissed as Severus sucked it in. Eyes on his son, he held his breath. The room was in slow motion as he watched Jasper sit upon the rickety stool.
Septima handed the tall, lanky boy the hat.
Milky white hands took the Sorting Hat from her and lowered it onto frizzy, black curls.
Worn brown leather scrunched as the hat's eyes closed.
vvv
Stomach clenched and shoulders stiff, Jasper placed the Sorting hat on his head.
"Hmm. Interesting," a voice whispered. "Intelligent, very perceptive. Should it be Ravenclaw? But wait, there's something elusive. Dare I say cunning?"
Not Slytherin. Please, no. Jasper thought hard at the hat.
"Eh? Mmm… Not Slytherin, but it's in your blood, boy."
Must prove that Snapes are not bad.
"Ah. Courageous, I see. You've got plenty of fortitude in you…"
vvv
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Swoosh. Severus felt the air leave him. Though he had hoped that Jasper would not be sorted into Slytherin, he still felt disappointed that his eldest son would not be in the same house as him.
vvv
Swoosh. Jasper let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Shoulders relaxing, he returned the hat to Miss Septima, who smiled kindly, and found an empty seat at the end of the Gryffindor table.
Character Profile: Jasper Albus Snape
- Gender: Male
- Age: 11
- Date of Birth: July 1, 1997
- Blood Status: Half-Blood
- Hair: Dark black, frizzy curls
- Eye Color: Brown
- Skin Color: Pale white
- Family: Severus Snape (Father); Hermione Snape (Mother); Rose Snape (Sister); Hugo Snape (Brother); Wendell Granger (Grandfather); Monica Granger (Grandmother)
Answers to questions/comments:
(1) This is the sequel to A Hogwart's Tale: Interview with a Snape.
(2) Each chapter will have a "Character Profile" at the end for the OC's. A family tree can be found at on my deviantart page for sailorkechara (*Contains Spoilers*).
(3) Lyrics are from the public domain song "Fairy Ring" by C.W. Adolphe Schloesser.
(4) Check out my facebook page! /anna .kaehler .7 (No spaces.)
(5) Beta'd by DragonSlayer412. Thanks for reading & reviewing!
