Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews, guys! I'm really glad you've liked it so far.
"Speaking" / 'Thinking' / Letter / (Beastspeech) / "Spell"
Harry Potter and the Chosen of Hogwarts
Chapter Two: Hogwarts and a Ceremony
"Her death has all the pathetic uselessness of martyrdom, all its wasted beauty." (The Picture of Dorian Grey)
"Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him." (Henry Miller)
In retrospect, Victor was always a little unclear about those next few minutes. That's the way it goes. The moments that change your life are the ones that happen suddenly, like the one where you die. (Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures)
"Students?" barked the Archchancellor.
"Yes, Master. You know? They're the thinner ones with the pale faces? Because we're a university? They come with the whole thing, like rats " (Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures)
The most decisive actions of our lives-I mean the ones that are most likely to decide the whole course of our future-are more often than not, unconsidered. (Andre Gide)
"He means well" is useless unless he does well. (Plautus)
Every man has three characters; that which he exhibits, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has. (Alphonse Karr)
Hogwarts School of Magic
September 1st, 1991; 12:01 AM
'They're coming!'
Hogwarts, which had been asleep for nearly three centuries, suddenly snapped awake, its personal magic stirring around it as it came to life. Slowly Hogwarts came back to itself, and remembered what had awakened it from its long sleep. Had it been human, it would have felt joy. Its children, its chosen, were coming that day. They would be among the newest of its charges, the ones that the others called "First Years". Happiness echoing in every stone of its walls, Hogwarts decided what it needed to do.
Carefully it extended its magic towards the only other being in the castle who knew it was alive. The Sorting Hat had been peacefully sleeping, having just finished his newest song for the new school year a few hours ago, but he awoke when Hogwarts pushed against him with magic impatiently.
'Hm? Oh, my dear Hogwarts. What is it this time?' The Hat sounded annoyed. Hogwarts rarely bothered him, but he didn't appreciate being awoken so soon after he'd gotten some much needed sleep.
Images flashed in the darkness of his hat. Robes, the symbol of a seven pointed star above a pair of scales, five vague figures, and the stool he sat on at the beginning of each year.
The Sorting Hat was instantly alert and he said to the sentient castle, 'It's going to be this year? My, my, I'll have to add a new verse to this year's song . . . .'
Hogwarts, satisfied, withdrew from the Headmaster's Office, leaving the Sorting Hat to figure out rhymes for the newest verse of his song. Now all it had left to do was wait for its chosen to come to it. It wouldn't be long now.
Privet Drive, Surrey, England
September 1st, 1991; 1:21 AM
Privet Drive was silent and still in the early hours of September 1st, as all but one of the occupants was asleep in their beds. The night was muggy and thick, but the building clouds in the dark sky foretold rain in the coming days that would end the heat spell.
Harry Potter looked up as he heard a crackle of thunder across the sky. He smiled at the sight of lightning against the sky – he loved storms, and if one was going to happen tonight it gave him even more reason to stay up. Rubbing his eyes he put the book he'd been reading to the side and adjusted the small lamp he'd managed to convince Petunia into giving him.
Vernon had been furious when Petunia had informed him about how Harry was going to that – in his words – "freak school of his no good parents". Harry had remained quiet and still as Vernon ranted until he calmed enough for Petunia to move in and smooth things over. She had convinced him to give Harry the second bedroom with comments about how those people were watching the house, and how the consequences would be dire if they found out that the boy lived in a cupboard (she conveniently forgot to mention that one of them already knew). So Harry had been bundled up into Dudley's spare bedroom, all with complaints from the original owner of the room that came to no avail; Petunia was determined, and Harry doubted that any whines from her son was going to stop her.
Petunia had also managed to convince Vernon to let Harry keep his trunk. She'd told him that it was unlikely Harry could manage to do anything to them at all – after all he was a "worthless scrap of a boy with a brain hardly worth mentioning". Harry had felt oddly amused by that comment; it sounded more like something Professor Snape would say than his Aunt Petunia. But he had a lot to thank her for; he doubted he would manage as well in the wizarding world if he hadn't been given the time to read the books he'd purchased in Diagon Alley.
When they'd entered Flourish & Blotts on their shopping spree, Harry had been eastic. He liked reading, and with such an interesting subject as magic there was so much he wanted to learn. He'd picked out far more books than he'd needed to, all on various subjects. The looks Mr. Malfoy and Snape had given him when he showed up at the front desk with a huge tower of books had been quite amusing.
However, Harry had set his books aside for the night to look over the documents that Ramadi had given him in Gringotts. He hadn't glanced at any of them yet as he was content to just absorb the wizarding world before he started to look at his own inheritance. Harry looked down at the papers in his hand and absently noted that they were made of the same thick parchment as his Hogwarts letter had been. Carefully he scanned down the first page, making sure to miss nothing.
MISTER HARRY POTTER
Vault Inheritance
Potter Vault (#1202): Contains 2,978,625,361 galleons, 391,103,429,089,958 sickles, and 408,819,254,901,291,009 knuts of wizarding money, 2,290,000 pounds of muggle money, 10,000,000 galleons in priceless wizarding artifacts and gemstones, and many personal family items left there by Mr. Potter's parents for his future use.
Gryffindor Vault (#9889): Contains 947,000,000,000 galleons, 301,972,485,472,193,481 sickles, and 736,394,458,105,683,583,593 knuts of wizarding money, 9,000,000,000 pounds of muggle money, 200,000,000 galleons in priceless wizarding artifacts, and many Gryffindor heirlooms.
Black Vault (#1401): Contains 818,000,000,000 galleons, 374,194,928,248,167 sickles, and 5,194,394,295,184,058 knuts of wizarding money, 300,000 pounds of muggle money, 540,000,000 galleons in priceless wizarding artifacts, and many Black heirlooms.
Le Fay Vault (#9991): Contains 901,000,000,000,000 galleons, 385,294,492,048,385,395 sickles, and 294,597,295,039,687,295,029 knuts of wizarding money, 600,000 pounds of muggle money, 120,000,000,000 galleons in priceless wizarding artifacts, and Le Fay heirlooms.
Harry's eyes had widened progressively as he read through the sheet. He had always been poor – the Dursleys had never even allowed him pocket change for lunch, let alone regular money – and have that much money was a supreme shock. Harry could hardly believe the numbers. Shaking off his daze he flipped through the stack to the next page.
MISTER HARRY POTTER
Land Inheritance
Potter Line: Godric's Hollow (England, Located Unknown), Potter Manor (England, Location Unknown), Apartment #201 (London, England), Potter Summer Home (Madrid, Spain), Marauder's House of Mischief (London England).
Gryffindor Line: ¼ of Hogwarts Castle (Scotland, Location Unknown), Gryffindor Castle (Scotland, Location Unknown), Gryffindor Manor (England, Location Unknown), Gryffindor Summer Home (Venice, Italy).
Black Line: Black Manor (England, Location Unknown), Black Alley (part of Square Alleys, England), Grimmauld Place (London, England), Black Summer Home (Hokkaido, Japan), Get-Away Home (Outback, Australia), Padfoot's Pad (Paris, France).
Le Fay Line: Le Fay Castle (Scotland, Location Unknown), Le Fay Manor (Outside of Dublin, Scotland), Hidden Cottage (Location Unknown).
Harry blinked rapidly re-reading the words over and over again to make sure it was true. When he had finally convinced himself, it was hard to keep in a yell of joy. He had homes! He could leave the Dursley's! He couldn't keep the large grin off of his face. He was definitely going to go back to Gringotts so he could ask about the exact locations of some of his houses. Excitedly he shuffled through the rest of the papers and was startled when a small note fell out.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I have taken the liberty to add in the family trees of your various bloodlines and descriptions of the most likely gifts you may have inherited during your Rite of Transition. If you have need of any more information, you are welcome to come to me for help.
Sincerely,
Master Goblin Ramadi
Harry smiled as he set the card and eagerly picked up the remaining sheets of parchment. There were five extremely thick pieces that were obviously folded, and Harry supposed that those were his family trees. He set them aside, deciding that early morning wasn't the best time to look over them properly. Instead he picked up the remaining two sheets of parchment that had detailed pictures and descriptions written on it.
Harry scanned it carefully, looking for any familiar symbols. He'd finally gotten the chance to look at himself and he'd been stunned by his new tattoos. He was still clueless as to what most of them meant, but maybe this sheet would help him figure out what they were. His eyes stopped on a familiar symbol and he stopped to read the description next to it.
Ouroboros: A snake biting its tail, the Ouroboros usually signifies never-ending life. The wizarding gift it depicts depends on the placement and color. If the placement of the Ouroboros is above the shoulders, and the color is darker (blue, purple, black, brown, ect.) then it usually signifies an ability in Scrying. If it is below the shoulders and a lighter color (white, yellow, orange, red, ect.) then it usually signifies the ability in Tarot, or fortune-telling.
Harry blinked and remembered the deep purple snake circling his neck. Had it been biting its tail? Harry was pretty sure that it had. 'So I can . . . scry? Whatever that is,' he thought, making a mental note to look up the gift as soon as he could. He scanned the rest of the paper and found three more symbols that looked familiar.
Ankh: A cross with a loop at the top, the Egyptian Ankh was worn in the ancient days by Pharaohs as a connection to the Gods. The Ankh is often seen with gifts such as Mental Magic (Occlumency, Legilimency, Telekinesis, ect.), and Warding. Usually if the Ankh is somewhere in the head region, it symbolizes Mind Magic, and if it is on the arms it symbolizes Warding. The color of the Ankh is not as important as it is in other gifts, but it should be noted that most users with a particular strong gift that deals with this symbol have had the tattoo painted in bright, vivid colors against their skin, red and orange being the most often seen.
Japanese Kanji (Element): The Japanese Kanji for Element is tattooed for an Elemental who has not yet discovered their key elements. Once the Elemental has discovered and mastered its key element, the Kanji will disappear and be replaced with the element's specific tattoo. The symbols for the elements are completely dependant on the individual and their own trials trying to get master that element. There are 10 elements that can be mastered and tattooed into the skin (Fire, Weather, Water, Earth, Air, Metal, Stone, Sand, Wood and Glass), but there have been hybrids in the past (such as Water and Air to make Ice and/or snow, Fire and Weather to make Lightning, ect.). Most Elementals can control at least five elements, with only one or two as their most proficient.
Moon of Diana: Diana is the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, and the Moon is well-known as her individual symbol. This tattoo is unique only to Beastspeech, and scholars who have studied transition gifts and their tattoos suppose that since Diana can technically be seen as the Goddess of wilderness and animals, her symbolic moon is only appropriate for a gift that gives the user the ability to speak all animal languages.
Harry was relieved that he found out what a couple of his gifts were, even if he had known about the Beastspeech already. He flipped over the last page and was surprised to find another note written by Ramadi at the very end.
Mr. Potter,
If you have gifts that cannot be found on these papers, you may have to search harder into your family lines to find them. On the family trees I have given you, each name should have their transition gifts listed somewhere. If I may, I would recommend you a dictionary to transition tattoos. It is called 'Beginner's Guide to the Rite of Transition' by Anthony Scare and you should be able to find it in the Hogwarts Library. If not, Flourish & Blotts should have them in stock.
Yours sincerely,
Master Goblin Ramadi
Harry made a mental note to give Ramadi his thanks when he next saw the goblin and put the sheets down. He looked over at the family trees, wondering if he should look through them or now, and then decided that it would be best if he left them for tomorrow.
Harry got up from his bed, stretching out his sore muscles, and ambled over to his closet, where his animals were. He flung open the doors and smiled when the three animals in the closet woke and looked up at him.
"(I just wanted to say I'm going to sleep)," he said to each of them in their own particular language.
"(It's about time, my human)," Bast, the winged cat he'd named for the Egyptian goddess of cats, said haughtily. "(You stay up too late and get up too early. It cannot be healthy.)" She slinked out of her small sleeping basket to curl around his legs, purring gently.
Harry smiled down at her. "(No, likely it isn't. But the books! I can't stop reading them.)"
"(Surely you can read during the daylight hours, Harry)," Eris, his black snake, hissed out thoughtfully.
"(No he can't)," Acer, the black raven, cawed out, eyes fixed on Harry's tired face. "(The fat people will punish him.)" Eris hissed angrily.
"(True. But no more reading this late, Harry)," Eris demanded, raising himself up so he could stare at Harry more easily.
Harry laughed and bent to pick up Bast. She curled up in his arms, purring as he scratched lightly under her chin. "(Don't worry, Eris)," he said to the over-protective snake. "(After tonight we'll be at Hogwarts. I won't need to hide my reading there.)"
"(Good)," Eris said, curling back into himself. "(Now go sleep.)"
"(Goodnight, Harry)," Acer called. "(Have a good rest.)"
"(I will. Goodnight, Bast, Eris)," Harry added, setting down Bast in her basket. The kitten looked up at him through half-lidded eyes.
"(Goodnight, my human)," she murmured, already half-asleep. Eris gave a hissing laugh.
"(Good sleep, Harry)," he said and Harry nodded before gently closing the door. He sighed and rubbed at his eyes, heading for the bed. Although his animals were over-protective, they were right about needing all the sleep he could get. Tomorrow was Hogwarts! Harry smiled. He couldn't wait.
Kings Cross Station, England
September 1st, 1991; 10:50 AM
Harry didn't turn to watch as his relatives drove away from the station, too relieved to be free of them to care about saying good-bye. Petunia was the only person in that house that he remotely liked, and she had managed a whispered good-bye to him before they had left. He was lucky that his aunt liked him – he had no idea how he would've convinced Vernon to let him keep his animals with him during the last month at the Dursley's.
He briskly weaved around the crowd of muggles already gathering at the station, trying to find Platform 9 and 10. He had never been to a train station before this – the Dursley's hated bringing him to just to the next town over; they would be horrified if they had to bring him with on a long trip. Usually if they were gone for days at a time, they left him with Mrs. Figg, who was the only adult on Privet Drive who could tolerate him.
"Muggles!" Harry's whipped around at the word. "They always crowd the station! Hurry up children; we have to get to the Platform!"
The speaker was a short, plump woman with frizzing red hair. Harry's eyes widened as he took in the eight other red-heads following behind her – an older man, obviously the father, and seven children, most of which seemed to be older than Harry. Most of them were also boys, although he thought he could see a little girl hurrying after her father.
'The Red-Headed League,' (1) Harry thought with some amusement as he hurried after the large group. They were most likely magical if they knew words like 'muggle' and they were Harry's best bet for finding the Platform. Sure enough, they soon came upon Platforms 9 and 10. Harry hung behind as the group of red-heads stopped – he didn't really want to meet with people yet.
His eyes widened when the children started to run towards the wall, and they got even bigger as they disappeared behind the wall. Harry knew he shouldn't be surprised, especially with going to Diagon Alley and everything that he'd read over the last month, but he couldn't stop being shocked when he actually saw magic.
He snorted as the two red-headed twins disappeared behind the walls with a flourish, followed by a boy with a sour tilt to his mouth. The parents and the little girl turned to leave, and Harry quickly darted past them and flung himself at the wall. Even after seeing how the red-headed family went through so easily, he half expected to make an idiot of himself and crash against the bricks. He was pleasantly surprised to find that he passed through the barrier just as easily, with only a flash of feeling as he passed through the bricks before he was on the other side. Harry looked over his shoulder at the brick wall behind him with a frown - 'what was that feeling?' – but soon he shrugged and turned to see the platform. His eyes widened again as he took in the huge, bright red train in front of him, busy students rushing inside to find a seat.
Harry was distracted from gaping when someone slammed into him from behind. He bounced forward with a groan, braided hair swinging over his shoulder from the impact. Harry turned, ready to give the annoyance a piece of his mind, only to stop short when he saw the white-blond hair that could only belong to one person.
"Draco, most people say hello to their friends, not jump on them," he told his friend dryly. Draco smirked and tugged on Harry's hand.
"But I wanted to surprise you!" he said, pulling Harry towards the train. "Plus, you were just standing there, gaping at the train . . . boring!"
Harry sighed in exasperation. "Next time – if there is a next time – be sure to yell out 'I'm jumping on you Harry' before you do that." He gave Draco a stern look. The blond, however, wasn't scared and only waved off Harry's instructions.
"You need a little scaring, Harry," he said as they boarded the train. "You're so serious!"
Harry sighed again. Something told him that no matter what he said Draco wouldn't listen to him anyways. 'Maybe it comes from being an only child?' Harry speculated as Draco continued to drag him along, looking for a compartment. They found one at the very end of the train that only had one student in it, one that looked around their own age. He had thick black hair, dark skin, and vivid, midnight blue eyes.
"Blaise!" Draco cried, letting go of Harry to hurry to the boy's side. Harry shrugged and slid into a seat as Draco chattered happily at the boy – Blaise – who was more interested in Harry than hearing all the news from Draco, who'd he'd seen only days before.
"I'm Blaise Zabini," he said, holding out a hand. "Who're you?"
"Harry Potter," Harry said, clasping the boy's hand in his own and giving it a firm shake. "Nice to meet you Blaise. Now Draco has someone else to chatter at."
Blaise laughed. "I feel sorry for you, having to deal with that. I'm used to it by now. Draco and I have been together since we were toddlers - I'm the only one who can put up with his snobbish attitude," he added affectionately.
Draco just sniffed. "I'm never been so insulted in my life," he muttered. "See if I ever decide to grace you two with my presence again."
The two other boys just exchanged a look and laughed.
It was three hours into their ride to Hogwarts when someone else came into their carriage. Harry, curled up by the window with a book in his hand, looked up when the compartment doors slid open to reveal one of the red-head league that he'd seen at the station. He recognized the boy as the one who'd entered the platform after his flamboyant twin brothers.
"Is it alright if I sit here?" the boy asked, a blush creeping up his ears. "My brothers kicked me out."
"A Weasley?" Draco drawled, drawing the boy's attention to him. Instantly the red-head stiffened. "Do we have to take him?" Harry frowned at Draco's attitude and cut in before the boy could make a retort.
"Ignore Draco – that's what we all do anyways. What's your name?"
"Ron Weasley," the red-head answered, still glaring at Draco. "And my family is better than any dark, Death Eater Malfoy could ever hope to be a part of!" he added with a sneer.
Harry sighed. 'Way to go, stupid,' he thought as he watched Draco's mouth tighten.
"Draco!" he snapped, stopping the blond before he could do something foolish. He turned to Ron, a noticeably cool look in his eyes. "If you have a problem with one of us, you're leaving. I don't care what stupid feud you have with Draco, but I want to have a nice, quiet train ride, so either keep your mouth shut or go. And you, blondie, need to learn some manners," he added in to his friend. Draco glared at him.
"I'll stay," Ron muttered sullenly. He took a seat next to Harry. "Who're you, anyways?"
"Harry Potter," Harry answered simply, ready to be done with conversation and start to read his book again. However, Ron's gaping look got his attention and he frowned. "What?"
"Y-you're Harry Potter?!" the red-head said in amazement. He either didn't notice or ignored Draco's frantic hand motions for him to stop talking. "Blimey! My dad told me about you! Your parents defeated 18 Death Eaters, all by themselves before they died! Dad said it was bloody impressive! Your parents are heroes! I didn't know that their son was going to be in my year," he added to himself excitedly. Harry's lips thinned.
"Yeah, so impressive," he said cuttingly, ignoring Draco's worried look. "Dying and leaving their son an orphan – what a bloody accomplishment!" He threw himself to his feet and stormed out of the compartment, leaving a stunned Ron and worried friends behind. The carriage was silent for a moment before Draco let out a silent sigh and sneered at the red-head.
"Way to go, you moron," he snapped. "Next time we throw out any idiots who try to join us," he added in to Blaise, who gave a startled laugh. Draco sighed and got to his feet. "I'd better go after him. Make sure the moron doesn't leave – if we set him on the masses, we'll probably get blamed for what he says in his stupidity."
With that parting insult Draco left the compartment. Ron turned to Blaise guiltily.
"Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Draco found Harry near the bathrooms, leaning against the wall with a frown on his face. The blond sighed and stood next to him, letting his friend know that he was there but not saying anything until Harry wanted to talk. 'Considering I've only had one true friend my entire life,' he mused thoughtfully as he waited. 'I'm pretty good at this whole friendship thing.'
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry's voice broke him from his thoughts. "If Ron knew, you must have too, right?"
Draco sighed. "I didn't want to blurt it out like the moron did. I have more class. Besides, how do you tell a person how his parents died? I wasn't sure how to broach the subject with you."
Harry smiled at him. "So considerate, no matter how snobbish you act."
Draco gave a haughty sniff, trying not to show how glad he was Harry was acting more like his old self. "You are worthy of my consideration," he said stiffly. "People like the moron would never get any of it, that's for sure."
Harry smiled at him. "Of course, how silly of me," he simpered. Draco gave him the evil eye when he heard the laughter in his friend's voice.
The two stood there for a few minutes before Harry spoke again, in a hesitant voice. "Draco . . . can you tell me about my parents? How they . . . died?"
Draco sighed. He should've known this would be coming. 'Damn you Weasley.' "I don't know that much about how they died because they were a Light couple but . . . . They were supposedly taken surprise by a raid and fought a huge group of Death Eaters. They managed to kill 18 of them before they got killed themselves. It was considered a huge accomplishment by your side because those Death Eaters were Inner and Outer Circle Death Eaters. The highest rankings and your parents alone managed to kill 18." Draco shook his head. "It was pretty impressive."
Harry gave him a sharp look and Draco winced, closing his mouth. 'Maybe not so much for their orphaned son, you idiot,' he berated himself. 'Now you'll become as incompetent as Weasley.'
"What are Death Eaters?" Harry's voice drew him from his thoughts. He looked up to see the brunet frowning thoughtfully. "You mentioned them, but I really have no idea what they are. An organization? A gang? What?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "You mean that you've read all those books and you still haven't come across a mention of them?" Harry shook his head. Draco frowned. "That's almost insulting," he muttered. "Death Eaters," he added, raising his voice, "are the followers of the Dark Lord."
Harry frowned. "Which Dark Lord?"
"The current one," Draco told him.
Harry blinked. "Oh, you mean Voldemort then." He ignored how Draco flinched violently at the name. "I came across his name in one of my books. The author was really particular about calling things by name. So Death Eaters are his lackeys?"
"His devoted followers!" Draco snapped, outraged.
Harry shrugged. "I've found that what some people thought to be 'devoted followers' were in actuality puppets dancing on their strings by a puppet-master. Your father is a Death Eater, isn't he?"
Draco choked, caught off-guard by the sudden comment. "W-what?" 'I thought he didn't know anything about Death Eaters!'
"You called Voldemort the 'Dark Lord' when the book said most regular people call him 'You-Know-Who'. And you're very passionate about Death Eaters being 'devoted followers'. And when you talked about my parents you said 'your side' – the Light side, since my parents were a Light witch and wizard. Plus, your reaction just cinched it. You should work on that." Harry smirked at him.
Draco blinked several times before smirking slightly. "If you're not in Ravenclaw, Harry, you'd make a good Slytherin. Never thought a Potter would get that kind of compliment," he added in bemusement.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why? Because most of my ancestors were Gryffindors?" He snorted. "I am my own person, you know. I could care less about what house a bunch of dead guys were in – I'll be in whatever house I want to be."
"Well, I'll welcome you if you join me in Slytherin," Draco said with a smirk. Harry smiled.
"So certain, Drakey-poo," he teased. Draco stiffened.
"Don't call me that, Harrikins," he hissed. Harry laughed.
"Fine, fine I'll concede. No embarrassing nicknames for you if you don't give me any." He looked up as a group of older students passed them in the corridor. "Want to head back?"
"Yes," Draco said with a sigh. "We probably should get changed anyways. Plus, I better make sure Blaise hasn't murdered Weasley yet. No need for him to go to Azkaban because of that idiot."
They arrived at Hogwarts later on, pulling up just as the sun began to dip behind the horizon. Ron and Harry, after some awkward silence on Ron's part and angry ignoring on Harry's, managed to make a truce and get along just fine, much to Draco's dismay. Thankfully, in the blond's opinion, they managed to lose Ron in the crowd as they headed off the train.
"Firs' years! Firs' years this way!" Harry heard a huge voice boom and pulled Draco with him towards the lake. He blinked when he saw the towering shape of a man and his first thought was that this guy must have some giant blood in him.
"First years go this way, sir?" he asked politely to the huge man. Beady black eyes peered out from a tanned face half covered with a bushy black beard and then the man smiled, white teeth flashing.
"Yup. Over in th' boats, th' firs' years go. See Hogwarts bette' tha' way."
Harry nodded in thanks, ignoring Draco's sneer of disgust, and pulled his friend over to a free boat. Inside there was only one other person, a girl with a head full of bushy brown hair who was peering at the lake as if it was going to come up and eat her. She started when she felt the boat rock as Draco and Harry entered and turned to greet them with a smile.
"Hello!" she said. "I'm Hermione Granger. Who are you two?"
"I'm Harry Potter, and this is Draco Malfoy," Harry said, gesturing to his blond friend.
Hermione's eyes lit up. "So you're the one whose parents battled 18 Death Eaters?" She didn't notice Harry's tense body or Draco's sigh of despair. "They show up often in the most recent history books."
"Yes, I'm the one," Harry said with a strained smile. Hermione must have finally realized that it was a sore subject and she gasped, a hand flying over her mouth.
"Oh, I'm sorry! It's just that it was an interesting battle, and I forgot that it probably isn't the greatest reminder for you . . . ." She gave him a guilty look.
Harry smiled at her, this time more genuinely. "Don't worry about it, Hermione. I have a feeling I'm going to get that a lot the next couple of days."
"Especially if you get into Gryffindor," Draco butted in. "Their common sense isn't connected to their mouths – they'll just pour out whatever they want without thinking it through beforehand. That's why you should aim for Slytherin, or at least Ravenclaw. People won't pester you as much."
Harry smiled, amused at his friend's insistence on getting him in what Draco considered to be the "best houses". "Oh? So the Slytherins won't resent me for being the son of the ones who killed 18 Death Eaters and the Ravenclaws won't find me such an interesting study subject that they poke and prod me for days before relenting?" Draco's mouth opened and closed, trying to find an argument. When he came up short he just crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. Harry took pity on him.
"Don't worry Draco – I want to be with you. You're one of my only friends, besides Blaise," he told the blond quietly. Instantly Draco brightened. Harry turned back to Hermione, who was watching their interaction with interest. "How was your train ride?"
"Oh! It was good," Hermione said, beaming. "It was a little over-whelming to go through that barrier – I thought I was going to hit the bricks and make a fool of myself! – but seeing the Hogwarts Express made it all worth it! Of course, Neville lost his toad and we ran into this horrid boy and his older brothers – they were trying to turn a rat yellow, can you believe it?! And it wasn't even a spell, it was a poem . . . ." Hermione trailed off as the boats began to move across the lake and whirled around so she was looking out across the dark water.
"In Hogwarts, A History it says that first years come across the lake so they can be awed by the school when they first see it," she said, never once turning to look back at the two bemused boys behind her. "I don't want to miss a single moment!"
Harry turned to Draco, who was eyeing Hermione with something between disgust and fear. The blond, seeing Harry's questioning eyes on him, muttered under his breath, "Are all girls this barmy?"
Harry laughed. "I wouldn't know – she's the first I've actually talked to."
Draco sighed. "Such a help you are."
"Ssh!" Hermione told them harshly. "Hogwarts is coming into view!"
Harry leaned forward eagerly, straining to see in the darkness. Just as he was about to say Hermione must be mistaken the group of boats turned a bend and Hogwarts loamed into view above them.
Harry looked up at it awe. It was a huge castle, with twisting torrents and towers that seemed to touch the sky. As he looked at the castle all he could feel was calm comfort, as if he was returning to a place he knew well instead of arriving at one he didn't know at all.
The boats bumped gently against the shore and the giant man began to collect all the first years, herding them up towards the castle doors. Harry, Draco, and Hermione hurried after them. Harry kept sneaking peeks at the castle, smiling. He had no doubt that he would love it here.
The group of first years, led by the giant, made it up to Hogwarts front doors. The giant knocked against the doors three times, making a huge, thumping noise. Immediately they opened.
The first years started to go inside only to be stopped by a stern looking woman in robes with her hair tied back severely from her face. Harry thought that she looked very much like his old Math teacher, who had been a sour old woman so straight-laced it was a wonder she bend down to put on her socks in the morning. He hoped this woman wasn't as severe.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," the giant said.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," she answered primly. Hagrid nodded to her and turned to go back outside, leaving the first years alone with the woman. She turned sharply on her heel and the first years quickly followed her as she made her way through the huge entrance hall. Harry smiled as he felt a warm, loving presence envelop him, and took in the high ceiling, old fashioned torches, and gleaming marble staircase with awe. Harry could hear the drone of voices to the right, but McGonagall led the first years into an empty chamber.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "I am Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family at Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," she continued. "Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most house points will earn the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will become a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily in front of the entire school. I will return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." She left the chamber. (1)
The first years gathered together in a tight group and there were many whispered questions about the sorting. Harry didn't say anything about the wild speculations of what the sorting would entail, but he personally felt it wouldn't be anything as strenuous as fighting trolls or banishing ghosts. He doubted wizards were so cruel to do that to 11 year old kids, especially since some of them hadn't even had magical training yet. As the minutes dragged on the whispers grew and Harry could see that quite a few of the first years looked scared to death. Ron was one of them.
"My brothers said that they had to fight a troll!" he muttered to Harry.
Harry sighed. "Ron," he said slowly, "from what you've told me I wouldn't believe any stories your brothers have fed you."
Ron grinned sheepishly. "True."
"My father already told me what happens," Draco said, with a sniff. Harry sighed again.
"Draco," he said warningly. "Play nice with the other children."
He heard Ron stifle a laugh and Draco shot him a glare. Harry smirked back at him good-naturedly and was about to tease him further when some of the first years screamed suddenly. Harry turned and raised an eyebrow when he saw ghosts drifting in from the walls.
"Ah, look, the first years have arrived," one of the ghosts said, eyeing them as if they were some kind of fierce animal. "This is supposed to be the year isn't it?" he asked to one of the ghosts nearby him. The other ghost nodded and the first ghost smiled. "Excellent. She will be pleased."
"She?" Harry didn't realize he'd spoken until all the ghosts looked at him. His mind raced through the possibilities. "Are you talking about Hogwarts?"
"Don't be silly, Harry, Hogwarts is just a castle!" Hermione told him bossily. Harry frowned at her.
"We're talking to ghosts and you can't believe that a castle can be alive?" he asked sensibly. He saw the ghosts giving him smiles and turned back to them. "Is it Hogwarts you're talking about?"
"You're a smart boy," the first ghost said admiringly. "You'll be in Ravenclaw for sure, unless you're one of hers." Harry gave him an impatient look. "Yes, we are talking about Hogwarts, little one. But we've already said too much – it's time for us to go. Good-bye and good luck with your sorting!"
Harry watched as the ghosts floated back in the wall and sighed. "Well that was interesting."
McGonagall popped her head in as soon as he'd finished speaking. "Follow me, children. Your sorting is about to begin." Harry had a sudden image of her dressed in the typical witches clothing, weaving her long-nailed hands together as she tried to get them in her pot of stew to cook. He snorted at the image. 'I've been reading too much,' he thought. 'And the other first years are getting to me.'
The first years dutifully followed McGonagall out of the small room and into a huge chamber. Harry looked around with interest – the room was covered with floating candles, and there were four long tables taking up most of the space. Each of the tables had a banner above it – a snake at the far left end and then a badger, raven, and lion following it. At the very end of the room there was another table, this one turned so it would face the students, and there were a number of odd looking teachers seated there. Harry only really paid attention to one; the long, white-haired old man dressed in deep purple robes decorated with stars and moons. He looked like the typical image that someone would have if they thought of Gandalf from Tolkien's stories. 'That's Albus Dumbledore,' Harry thought with certainty.
His attention was taken from the old wizard when the four tables gave thunderous applause as the first years approached a three-legged stool with an old hat perched upon it. Harry blinked and for an instant the color sight he'd had just after he'd found out he was a wizard appeared and the hat looked like it was burning in gold and red. Only the slightest hint of other colors remained – the slightest dash of a pale yellow, an edging of blue around the red fire, and a pure green circle at the very center of the mass of color. 'The Founder's colors,' Harry thought, with the same certainty he'd felt about Dumbledore. 'They made the hat. It's enchanted.' Just after this revelation hit him, the colors disappeared and all he could see was an old, raggedy hat once again. However his guess about enchantment was proven right when the brim of the hat opened and words poured out of its makeshift mouth:
"Oh, you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave of heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
And there is one more place to go
If she does approve the choice,
It's there you will learn all you need to know
And you'll really find your voice.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!" (2)
Silence took over the hall until McGonagall cleared her throat and stepped in front of the stool, a long list in her hand. "I will call your name," she told them clearly, "and you will step up and put the Sorting Hat on your head. Once it decides where you go, you will join your new housemates at your table." She cleared her throat again. "Abbott, Hannah."
A small girl with blonde pigtails shakily walked up the stool and placed the hat over her head. The thing was so big compared to her that it fell well over her eyes and concealed her face. After a moment the Hat yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF," for the hall to hear and the students underneath the badger banner gave a loud cheer.
The sorting continued in a similar matter and Harry drifted as McGonagall called up more people until he heard her say, "Granger, Hermione." Harry instantly snapped to attention and gave Hermione a small smile before she stepped away. She was too nervous to smile back.
The hat was as big on her as it was on all the other children, but Harry noticed that it took a considerably longer time for the Hat to decide where to put her. It had already been five minutes, and some of the first years were whispering among themselves. Harry never took his eyes off Hermione, who was wringing her hands in her lap.
Finally the Hat roared, "APPRENTICE TO MINERVA MCGONAGALL!"
The hall went silent. Harry blinked. 'Apprentice?' he thought, looking at the shocked faces of the teachers, most especially McGonagall. 'What is an apprentice?'
Hermione took off the hat and stood, looking at McGonagall nervously. The older woman gathered her wits and told the girl, "Please sit at the Gryffindor table, Miss Granger. You can talk to me after supper." Hermione nodded and dashed over to the Gryffindor table, who welcomed her with an unenthusiastic cheer. Whispers were spreading across the hall, questions about apprentices among them.
Harry turned to Draco as the next student was called up. "Do you know what an apprentice is, Draco?"
Draco still looked surprised. "I've heard of them. Supposedly there used to be a lot in the Founder's Era, but the last time there was an apprentice was 200 years ago, and it was only one! The book I found only said that apprentices are attached to a certain teacher who will be able to teach them far better than if they attended Hogwarts as a normal student." Draco looked excited and Harry knew his friend was wondering if maybe there would be more than one apprentice this year, and if that one would be him.
Harry looked up at McGonagall and wondered why she was the best to teach Hermione. She'd said she was the Transfiguration teacher, hadn't she? Maybe Hermione had a gift or talent for that.
"Longbottom, Neville!" McGonagall said, and Harry watched a chubby boy with a long, sad face and brown hair walk up the Hat. He was shaking much more badly than the students before him had.
The Hat didn't need to wait for this one; instead it instantly shouted out, "APPRENTICE TO POMONA SPROUT!"
The students were shocked once more. Not only one, but two apprentices! Harry felt sorry for Neville; the poor boy looked like he was about to faint on the spot from all the attention. A plump lady with gray hair and an easy smile nodded to him.
"Go sit with the Hufflepuffs, dearest, I'll see you after supper." Neville scuttled towards the badger table, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"Malfoy, Draco," McGonagall said, and Harry got the impression that she frowned as Draco stepped forward, a cold mask covering his face.
He sat down regally on the stood and the hat barely touched his head before it shouted out, "APPRENTICE TO FILIUS FLITWICK!"
The look of delight on Draco's face made Harry smile. No doubt his father would be pleased that his son was one of the first apprentices to be seen for 200 years. It only made him sad that he wouldn't be able to see Draco that much, since he had no doubt he'd be in a House instead of apprenticed. After all, there wasn't anything special about him.
Flitwick, an odd, short man with flyaway white hair, looked as delighted to have Draco as the blond was to have him, and he gestured for the Malfoy to sit with the Ravenclaws. The sorting continued, but there was a greater sense of anticipation for every first year now, an expectation for another apprentice.
"Potter, Harry," McGonagall said, and there was the barest of a smile on her face. Harry stepped forward, all while wondering if she'd known his parents. After all, he'd never talked to the woman before, so why would she be happy to see him?
He sat on the stool and placed the hat over his head, a little disgruntled when it flopped over his eyes, hiding his face from sight.
"So sorry, dear boy . . . . I did ask Godric to make me smaller, but I was the only hat he had on hand, and I was made to fit him, not you tiny first years . . . ."
Harry was a bit startled hearing the voice inside his head. "Yes, not everyone expects a talking hat. Now let's get to sorting you, shall we? You have a wonderful mind – one Rowena would be proud of! – so Ravenclaw would suit you very well, but . . . . I don't think it would be the best place. Perhaps Slytherin, for you've got your own measure of cunning and ambition, but then Slytherin isn't the right place for you either. Let's look deeper, shall we?" Harry felt the odd sensation of having invisible hands sneak into his head, as if to ruffle through his brain. "My, you have a number of Gryffindor characteristics and the patience of a Hufflepuff . . . . You'd fit well into any house, dear boy. But wait!" The feeling of the hands went away. "Oh, that explains very much. You're one of hers. And she wants you to go to – oh my! Well, I suppose they will learn to live together . . . . Good luck, dear boy, you'll need it. And please do come visit me from time to time – a mind such as yours will be a welcome distraction from my yearly boredom. Now you belong as . . . ."
"APPRENTICE TO SEVERUS SNAPE!" The Hat yelled to the hall and for a second Harry couldn't move from the sheer shock. He was with Snape? He hadn't even hoped to be an apprentice, to be with Draco, and the Hat had given him to Snape! 'There's no one I'd rather be with,' Harry thought dazedly. 'Snape is extremely clever and tough. He'll work me to my bones, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.' A voice in the back of his head commented on how much of a geek he was, but Harry didn't mind it. Instead he looked up to the teacher's table.
Snape looked decidedly shocked, and Harry couldn't tell if it was in a good or a bad way. Once he realized Harry was looking at him, he waved a hand to the Slytherin table. Harry moved quickly and sat down at the very end, ignoring the stares and whispers. He was in a daze for the better portion of the rest of the sorting and didn't pay attention until the very end, when Blaise's name was called.
Blaise took up quite a bit of time and Harry was only marginally surprised when the Hat called out, "APPRENTICE TO POPPY PROMPHREY!" Harry smiled as Blaise let out a long sigh and sent a suffering look to the ceiling, as if to ask 'why, God?' Dumbledore gestured for Blaise to take a seat and the Zabini hurried over to the Slytherin table to give Harry some company. They both ignored Draco's pout at the Ravenclaw table.
"Well, this is an exciting new year for all of us!" Dumbledore said with a kind smile. "Before we begin our banquet I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
Harry's eyes widened as numerous dishes appeared in front of him. With a hesitant look at the other happily eating students he started in on his own food.
"What a crazy start of the year," Blaise said, making his way through mashed potatoes and gravy. "Who would've thought we'd be apprentices, Harry?"
"Do you know what apprentices are, Blaise?" Harry asked. "Draco didn't have that much information."
"Not surprising," Blaise answered. "His father has the best dark arts library around, but apprentices are light stuff and Lord Malfoy doesn't have much on that. Apprentices," Blaise continued and he assumed a teaching posture that Harry found infinitely amusing, "are special students picked by the Sorting Hat to be put under one teacher, or 'Mentor', if you will. Unlike the other students apprentices study harder, longer, and faster. We study in certain areas; the areas our Mentor either has a Mastery in or is talented in. Usually an apprentice is given to a Mentor because they have compatible magic, or that student has a gift in the area the Mentor specializes in. Unlike the rest of the students we don't have a house or any affiliation with one unless we want it, and we graduate two years earlier than they do as well."
"Why was there more of them in the Founder's Era?" Harry questioned. When Blaise raised an eyebrow, he shrugged. "Draco mentioned it."
"When the Founders were raising Hogwarts, there were many witches and wizards, but most of them had no idea how special they were," Blaise explained. "Only those with pureblood lines knew about the wizarding world. In the beginning, only those people were the ones who attended Hogwarts. Most pureblooded families tend to have only one or two children, so there weren't as many students. The apprentice system was easier – a mentor could have up to six apprentices, and they all specialized in what their mentor did. Only after the invasion of muggleborn wizards was the sorting system installed."
"Fascinating," Harry breathed. He'd have to find books on apprentices; it sounded like a very interesting topic, especially since he was one now.
Blaise gave him an amused look. "I have no doubt you would have been in Ravenclaw, Harry."
Harry just smiled.
Dinner was long, and Harry was relieved when it was done. He didn't think he'd be able to eat another bite, even though he'd eaten less than everyone else at the table. When Blaise had questioned his tiny portions Harry had changed the subject easily. He didn't want anyone to know about the Dursleys, not even his newfound friends.
Dumbledore stood up as the meal ended. "Ahem – just a few words now that we are fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Harry raised an eyebrow as Dumbledore's eyes flashed to the Gryffindor table. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, our caretaker, to remind you that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year; the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." (3)
Harry frowned, ignoring the few barks of laughter that echoed throughout the hall. He turned to Blaise, who looked as serious as he did about the whole thing. "Why would he tell us that?" Harry asked quietly. "Anyone in Gryffindor is going to respond to a challenge like that. Probably some of the other houses will too – especially the older years."
"Maybe not," Blaise answered thoughtfully. "The students respect Dumbledore – maybe they'll take his word for it."
Before they could talk further, Dumbledore continued with his speech. "Also, to our newly inducted apprentices – you may meet with your mentors after we have finished with dinner and we will discuss housing and schooling options as a group. Now – let us sing the school song!" Harry made a face. "Everyone pick a tune and off we go!"
Harry didn't open his mouth but he listened with some amusement to the two flamboyant twins he'd noticed at the train station finished last in a slow funeral march. Dumbledore wiped his eyes as they finished.
"Ah, music!" he said. "A magic beyond all others. Now, bedtime! Off you trot!"
The students rose as one and disappeared in groups through the Great Hall doors. Harry and Blaise stood as well but headed towards the staff table. As they approached Dumbledore was sending off Hagrid through the doors. Harry wondered if he was sending for Blaise's mentor, who they hadn't yet seen.
"Ah, yes, the apprentices," Dumbledore said as they stood in front of him. "Blaise Zabini and . . . Harry Potter, correct?" Harry frowned as Dumbledore looked at him with a strange glint in his eyes. 'Why is he looking at me like that?' he wondered. "And here is Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom, and Hermione Granger!" Dumbledore cried as the three other apprentices approached the table.
"Mentors, would you come over here, please?" Dumbledore called and Snape, McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick hurried over to his side. "Poppy will be here in a moment, Mr. Zabini," the old man said to Blaise. "She is the school nurse and she doesn't often come to these functions as she's preparing for the new year." He turned to his teachers. "Now! This is the most unusual occurrence, and we must decide what is to be done about it."
"Are our apprentices supposed to live with us, Headmaster?" McGonagall asked, sending a worried look Hermione's way.
"Yes, yes, of course! They have to a place to sleep, do they not? Hogwarts will provide extra rooms in your quarters, of course." He turned to the apprentices. "The apprentices do not have to attend classes, but you may, if you wish, look into any classroom. Otherwise your time during the day is yours. After classes end, it is your mentor's decision on what will be learned and when." Dumbledore gave them a smile. "Now, I believe that the children are sleepy, so we should send them off to bed! Any other questions can be dealt with later on. Ah, here comes Poppy!" Harry turned to see a short, thin witch with graying hair rushing across the hall.
He turned to the others. "I'll see you all tomorrow. It was nice to meet you, Neville," he added in to the Longbottom, ignoring his look of shock. Then Harry turned to Snape, who was eyeing him with an odd look in his black eyes. "Shall we go, sir?"
Snape smirked. "Yes, let us retire, Potter. I shall see you all tomorrow," he added in to the rest of the teachers and, with a bow of his head, departed from the head table to hurry across the hall, Harry at his side.
Their walk was mostly silent but filled with stolen glances. Harry knew he liked Snape well enough and if there was one teacher he wanted to fill the spot of Mentor it was him. But he wasn't sure what to expect from his new Mentor. Snape, on the other hand, was still in shock at not there being apprentices but that he was mentoring one as well. And a Potter at that. 'Well,' he thought, glancing down at the boy from the corner of his eyes, 'at least he's sharp. And those gifts . . . . He'll be very talented once he grows into them.'
"My rooms are in the dungeons," Snape said, breaking their uneasy silence.
Harry got the image of a bat in a cave and hid a grin. Snape would have rooms in the dungeons, wouldn't he?
Snape led Harry through twisted hallways and down staircases that tended to move when people were mid-way down them until they came into what Harry supposed was the dungeons. They were dark and somewhat dank, and what little windows he could see were small and barred. Snape led Harry down a few more hallways until they stood in front of a portrait of a man with long black hair and icy green eyes. The man in the portrait had two snakes curled around his arms – the right one was white and the left one was black – and there was a large cauldron sitting in front of him. The man turned when he heard Snape and Harry approach.
"Who is this, Severus?" the man asked, eyeing Harry with interest. "Isn't he a little young for you?"
Severus glared. "This is my apprentice, Salazar. His name is Harry Potter."
Salazar's eyes lit up. "There are apprentices again?! How many?" He eyed Harry again and asked, "And did you say Potter?"
"There are a total of five apprentices," Snape said with a long-suffering sigh. "And yes, I did say Potter, and yes he is the son of that Potter."
"You're Salazar Slytherin," Harry interrupted quietly. He looked up at Snape. "Does this mean you're Head of Slytherin like Professor McGonagall is Head of Gryffindor?"
Snape sighed again. "Yes, it does. Now are you going to let us in Salazar or are we to sleep out here for the night?" He glared at Salazar for good measure but the painting seemed unimpressed.
"You've got a bright apprentice," he said approvingly. Then, seeing Snape's aggravation, he sighed and swung open. "There you are," he said, voice muffled.
"Finally," Snape said, walking in through the doorway. Harry followed, looking around in wonderment. This wasn't what he'd imagined Snape's rooms to look like.
The walls were lined with books and bookshelves – books were perched on every available space. There was little furniture other than a single couch and chair surrounding a large fireplace, and no decorations. The colors in the room were plain and subdued shades of brown. On the right wall there was a closed door and an entrance to what looked like a small kitchen, and on the left wall there were two closed doors. It didn't give off an air of hominess but Harry could see himself living here with little complication.
"Your room is likely through there," Snape said, waving a hand to the closed door on the right. "That wasn't there when I left."
Harry nodded. "Should I stay in here tomorrow, sir?" he asked quietly. Snape snorted.
"Tomorrow is a Saturday, Mr. Potter," he said. "You were lucky enough to start school on a Friday, which means there will be no classes tomorrow. At least, that is, for the other students. You, on the other hand, will begin your training tomorrow. No apprentice of mine will be slacking off." Snape's eyes glinted as he said this. "Breakfast will be at 7:00 tomorrow, exactly. Either be up then or starve until lunch. I will see you in the morning, Mr. Potter." With that, Snape swept away and entered one of the left doors, which Harry assumed was his bedroom. Harry cautiously went to his door and opened it, only to gasp at what was inside.
Compared to Snape's bland living room, Harry's room was extravagant. The carpet was thick and lush and painted a deep, midnight blue. The walls were a similar color, but they also had subtle swirls and patterns painted on them that were colored a lighter blue, making them stand out against the darker background. In the middle of the room was a huge bed, covered with pillows and blankets all the same shade of midnight blue as the room. Bookshelves lined the walls, and there was two doors – one, Harry assumed was the closet, while the other was probably a bathroom. The ceiling of the room, however, was Harry's favorite – it was designed very much like the Hogwarts Great Hall and showed the purple-black of the night sky, with hundreds and thousands of twinkling stars decorating it.
"Wow," Harry whispered. Didn't Dumbledore say Hogwarts prepared the rooms? Why would Hogwarts give him this? 'The ghosts and the Hat mentioned beings one of hers,' Harry thought as he moved through his room in a daze. 'Maybe it's because we're apprentices that she favors us.'
Harry moved towards the bed and started when he found his trunk and three animals on the floor beside it. 'How did that get in here?' he thought in amazement. 'No one knew about this until just a while ago . . . .'
He decided to ponder that later. Carefully he unlatched the cages, setting Bast, Eris, and Acer free. Bast immediately jumped onto the bed, curling up into a ball, and Eris followed her, though more slowly. Acer, however, decided to perch on top of the nearest bookshelf.
"(This is better)," Bast purred. "(This is fitting of my human. The castle has good taste.)"
Harry smiled in amusement. "(This is better)," he said. "(Make yourself comfortable. I want to see what the rest of it looks like.)"
"(Hurry up, Harry)," Eris hissed, curling up beside Bast. "(You need sleep.)"
"(Yes, mother)," Harry said, laughing as Eris hissed at him. He turned towards the two doors he noticed earlier and opened one of them. He blinked as he took in the huge closet. 'This could fit Dudley's first bedroom inside it,' he thought in amazement. 'Why would I need so much room?' He shut the door, shaking his head, and turned towards the next door.
The room inside was, as he'd suspected, a bathroom. But it was unlike any bathroom he'd ever seen before. The tiles were pure black and the room was as large as the Dursley's living room. In one corner there was huge tub that probably could fit at least five people that had a variety of taps lining the edge. A large sink stood near the door and there was a large shower and toilet next to the tub. 'Wow,' Harry thought, shutting the door and turning back to his bedroom. 'I knew that Hogwarts life would be better than the Dursleys, but I had no idea it would be this good.'
He opened his trunk and changed into pajamas. He could feel sleepiness overcoming him now that the excitement of the feat was over and his new room was properly explored. He slowly climbed under the thick covers of his bed, and sighed happily when he sank into the mattress below him. 'Heaven,' he thought as his eyes slid shut.
Bast moved from her previous sleeping space to curl up on Harry's chest while Eris slithered to the pillow nearest Harry and slept there. Acer, who barely slept, stayed above on the bookcase, watching over them all as they slept.
Author's Note: And there's chapter two. I'm pretty proud I managed to get it out so quickly – usually this would take weeks of labor and toil and forcing myself to work before I got it finished. Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoyed it. Leave a review and tell me what you think!
(1) The "Red-Headed League" is a reference to one of Sherlock Holmes' Cases during the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In the case there was a group of people who only accepted red-haired people to work for them – thus the "Red-Headed League". It always made me think of the Weasley family.
Note about Names: In case anyone was wondering, Bast is named after the Egyptian God that was the patron of cats, Eris is named after the Greek goddess of strife, and Acer's name means sharp in Latin.
(1) Taken and slightly edited from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone paperback U.S. version, pg. 114
(2) Taken and slightly edited from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone paperback U.S. version, pp. 117-118
(3) Taken from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone paperback U.S. version pp. 126-127