I'm surprised at how many of you enjoyed my first chapter. Especially since a lot of the fans were also some of my more ardent Naruto fans.

Diehard Harry Ginny Leaf Ranger: I'm just glad you finally started these!

LR: Oh bite me. You were too annoying.

DHGLR: *Sticks tongue out*

LR: Anyways, here we go.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 2

Of Trains and Hats

Harry looked out the window of one of the several cars used by the battle mages. Unlike their wizard brethren, the mages had moved with the times in some areas. Due to their limited means of magical transportation, one of those moves was the purchasing of several cars and bikes.

Next to him was a pair of cages. One held a snowy white owl that Harry had gotten at Diagon Alley. After perusing his school books, he had finally named her Hedwig.

The other cagewas larger, containing a male red tail hawk that had been imported from the American Battle Mage Sanctuary. It was a curious one, as its red tail feathers were almost orange red, giving him his name Blaze. He was Harry's personal familiar, and had been trained to protect Hedwig while she delivered mail from Hogwarts to the Battle Mage Sanctuary, and vice versa.

Next to the cages was Travis who looked out the window in awe. Travis couldn't help but be amazed at all the buildings after being cooped up in the forests around the Sanctuary.

Gareth was in the front seat, driving. Next to him was his wife, a beautiful red haired woman, named Marian Wallace. Marian had actually been part of the Sanctuary in America, until she transferred to the United Kingdom for additional training. She never left, as she fell in love with Gareth, who had been one of her sparring partners.

Harry closed his eyes for a moment, remembering the event that had taken place not two days ago.

Flashback

Harry gulped as he waited outside a pair of massive wooden doors. Beyond them was the room that the Elders of the Sanctuary met in.

Gareth had brought him there before disappearing inside. He didn't know what was going on, but he did know that it had to be serious, or bad.

One of the doors slowly creaked open, and Gareth stepped out. "Come Harry."

Harry slowly entered and dropped to one knee, bowing to the five Elders before him. Each wore the pure white robe of their rank, and was seated or standing behind a half circle stone table.

Three of the Elders were humans, the fourth a goblin, and the last was a centaur. Each was the most respected, skilled, and powerful of the United Kingdom Mages.

The spokesperson of the elders stood. "Rise, Apprentice Potter."

As Harry stood, he continued. "We have been watching your progress in learning the skills and abilities of the Battle Mages. We also have taken into consideration your enrollment in Hogwarts. And that is why we have decided to promote you from Apprentice to Acolyte."

Harry's eyes widened. "E-Elders... are... are you sure? I'm still young, and have much to learn."

The centaur elder smiled, as he shifted. "You are humble. Good. But do not think we have made this choice lightly, Harry. Few are made Acolyte at your age. We believe you to be ready."

Harry slowly nodded, as Gareth approached, carrying a sheathe and a dark blue cloak. He nodded to Harry, who slowly removed his brown Apprentice cloak, and the wooden training sword.

Gareth smiled happily as he placed the blue cloak around Harry's shoulders. Now that it was unfolded, Harry could see it had lighter blue trimming the edges.

Gareth slowly held out the sheathed sword, which Harry reverently took with both hands. His hands traced the dark blue scabbard, before running over the hilt. He gripped it, and unsheathed the sword slowly.

It was a Scottish basket hilted claymore. The inside of the basket guard was lined with blue velvet. The outside of it held notches, where rune stones could be placed.

Harry's eyes watered slightly, as he sheathed it. Gareth held out one final pair of items. It was a pair of hardened leather bracers, with more notches for rune stones.

As Harry took them, Gareth smiled. "Congratulations."

Harry looked at the elders and bowed to them, before hugging Gareth.

Flashback ends

Gareth parked the car outside King's Cross train station. Harry slowly got out, looking around the bustling area. Travis went to get a luggage cart, while Harry and Gareth unpacked his trunk and the two familiar's cages.

Marian smiled, as she ruffled Harry's hair. "I can't believe you're leaving for most of an entire year. It will be quiet without you and Travis trying to beat each other and pranking us."

Harry smiled, as he hugged his mother figure. "I know, but don't worry. I might take Christmas break to come home."

Marian smiled, as they all walked into the station. Harry looked at the letter telling him where he was supposed to go. "Okay... we need to find Platform 9 and 3/4."

Gareth nodded. "Dumbledore told me about it, considering we had no past experience. It's the barrier between platforms Nine and Ten."

When they got there, Harry was surprised when he saw a familiar person. The red haired girl from Flourish and Blotts was tugging on a red haired women's arm. They were watching a lanky boy around Harry's age walk towards a barrier between Platform's Nine and Ten. A crowd of people obscured him from view, and then he was gone.

Harry nodded. "There." He said, pointing to where the girl and her mom were disappearing. Marian smiled as she took Travis and entered.

Harry and Gareth soon followed, arriving on a new platform that was crowded with families seeing their children off to Hogwarts. Harry whistled in amazement.

"And to think, it's all hidden right here in the middle of this train station." He said.

He and Gareth quickly found an empty compartment about three quarters of the way down the train. They put his luggage and both Hedwig and Blaze inside before Harry came out to say a final good bye.

Travis hugged him, looking a little sad and scared. "I'm going to miss you, Harry."

Harry smiled, hugging him back. "Don't worry Travis. I'll be back before you know it. Besides, you'll be coming next year, remember?"

Travis nodded, and pulled back. Marian came up next and hugged him, kissing his forehead as she did. "Be safe Harry. You know me and Travis would be upset if anything happened to you."

"I will mom." He said, smiling.

Gareth shook his hand, before ruffling his hair. "Don't give the other students too much trouble. Remember, they probably won't know much about mages for a couple years now."

Harry nodded. "Thanks. I'll remember."

There was a final round of hugs, and then Harry boarded the train. From his compartment, he waved good bye as the train began to pull out of the station. And then they were gone.

Harry looked down, feeling very alone for the first time in his life. He sighed softly as he stood and rummaged through his trunk for a second. He finally pulled out a book with Scandinavian runes on the front. But just as he cracked it open, a round faced boy slowly opened the compartment door.

"Umm... hi... do you mind if I sit in here?" The boy asked nervously, clutching a toad.

Harry shook his head, smiling at the boy. "Please, come in. I could actually use some company right now."

The boy quickly sat down, smiling shyly. "Thanks. I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom."

Harry nodded. "And I'm Harry Potter."

Neville froze, and his eyes glanced to Harry's forehead, where the small lightning bolt shaped scar was. "You... you're Harry Potter?" He whispered.

Harry blinked, and then laughed. "I keep forgetting that in the Wizarding World, I'm some big famous hero. Yeah, I'm him, but don't jump to conclusions on me just yet."

Neville slowly nodded. "R-Right. Sorry. It's just... well... everyone knows about you. You're the one who defeated... well... You-Know-Who."

Harry's smile faded a bit. "I didn't defeat him... I don't know what happened, but I was just a baby. I couldn't have defeated a half dead spider if I wanted to. I don't know what happened, but... I just consider myself somewhat lucky." He put his book aside.

Neville's eyes lowered. "Sorry... I didn't mean to offend you."

Harry waved his hand. "You didn't, trust me. I'm just... I just don't want you thinking I'm some type of big-shot, or something. I'm just a regular guy, who happened to have something happen to me that made me famous."

Neville nodded, as he held his toad. It seemed to be squirming a bit, trying to escape. Harry looked at him. "So, that toad your familiar?" He asked.

Neville nodded. "Yeah. He's Trevor. My Great Uncle Algie got him for me, when I was accepted. What about you?"

Harry pointed up to the luggage rack, where Hedwig softly hooted, and Blaze simply slept. Neville's eyes widened. "You have two?"

Harry nodded. "Yep. Hedwig is my owl, got her a few weeks ago at Diagon Alley. But I've had Blaze for almost two years now."

Neville just slowly nodded, as he looked back down. They were silent for a few minutes, before Harry spoke up. "So Neville, you looking forward to Hogwarts?"

Neville nodded nervously. "Y-Yeah... I... I really can't wait to study Herbology. I... well... I'm really into plants." He mumbled.

Harry grinned. "Really? That's cool! My guardians had me study herb lore and stuff ever since I was five."

Neville's eyes widened. "Since you were five?"

Harry nodded. "I wonder if they have any of the plants I've studied at Hogwarts."

Neville smiled a bit easier. "I've heard Hogwarts has one of the largest set of green houses in all of Europe. They have almost one of every kind of plant there."

Harry's grin widened. "Excellent."

The tension gone, Harry and Neville were able to chat a bit more easily. Eventually, their talk turned towards the primary Wizarding sport.

"So, this Quidditch game consists of seven people on a team. There are three Chasers, who use a ball called the Quaffle to try and score on the other team's hoops. The Keeper for each team tries to block them. Meanwhile, two players called Beaters use bats to try and stop balls called Bludgers from hitting their teammates. And lastly, a player called the Seeker tries to find a tiny gold ball called the Golden Snitch? And they win 150 points for doing so?" Harry asked.

Neville nodded, as he stroked Trevor's back. The toad had made a bolt for it earlier, only to be caught by Harry. Harry had showed Neville a different way to hold Trevor, and the toad practically fell asleep in Neville's hands.

"I still can't believe you have never heard of Quidditch before." Neville said. Harry chuckled, as he rubbed the back of his head.

"What can I say? I've kinda been under a rock these past ten years." He chuckled some more, only to stop when the door opened again.

This time, there was a girl with bushy brown hair standing there, all ready in her Hogwarts outfit. She glanced around the compartment, before looking at them. "Do you two mind if I join you? Everyone else out there is being rude, or immature. And I really want some peace and quiet so I can get back to my reading."

Harry blinked, and looked at Neville. When he got a shrug in response, Harry nodded. "Sure, come in." He said, as he scooted over, grabbing his book. The girl's brown eyes landed on it, and widened.

"What is that? I don't remember a book like that being on the school list? Was it? I can't believe I missed a book!" The girl said, sounding frantic.

Harry shook his head. "No, no. It's one of my own books. I brought it to study."

The girl took a breath. "Oh thank goodness. I would never forgive myself if I missed a book. I'm just so nervous because I'm a muggle born, and have no idea what to expect. But I'm really excited and can't wait to get started learning lessons. I've already read all my books twice, and am reading Hogwarts, A Historyagain. I can't wait to be sorted into a house. I'd really like to be in Gryffindor, but Ravenclaw doesn't sound bad either. By the way, my name is Hermione Granger."

Both boys stared at her for a few seconds, as the girl had been talking very fast, and without taking a single breath. When she shifted uncomfortably, they both shook their heads.

"Sorry. I'm Neville Longbottom."

"And I'm Harry Potter." Harry said. Hermione's eyes widened.

"Really? THE Harry Potter? I've read all about you! You're in a ton of books, like Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

Harry nodded. "They're all true." He said jokingly. Hermione blushed lightly at this, as Harry sat back. "Though you can't expect to know someone through books alone, unless they're dead, then that's the only way." He said softly, thinking about his parents.

Hermione mistook it for a joke, and frowned. "Books can be very informative." She said. "I've yet to find a book that was unreliable, save for fairy tales and works of fiction."

Harry smiled at her. "Mostly, you're right. But some books can be biased by their authors. What if a person who didn't like the Ministry of Magic published a book that slandered it? Should his claims and insults be taken as true without researching them, or are they perhaps tainted by his feelings and opinions?"

Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but then simply closed it, and 'humped', as she opened her book up and began to read. Harry and Neville chuckled lightly at this.

As time went on, they managed to coax her back out of her book, and the three of them talked some more. Harry had thus far kept the stories away from family, as he wasn't quite ready to tell them about his past and family yet.

As noon came around, an elderly witch came by with a cart full of food and snacks. "Anything from the cart dears?"

The three of them took a look, and Harry's eyes widened. "Wow." He whispered.

There were frogs made of chocolate, licorice wands, pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, and jelly beans called Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, to name a few. They quickly made their purchases, and began eating, sharing with each other.

Harry unwrapped a Chocolate Frog, and blinked as he found a card under it. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning it. "Merlin? These some type of collectible cards?" He asked.

Neville nodded. "Yeah. You're pretty lucky, Merlin's extremely rare."

Harry looked back down at it. The picture was of an old man with a long white beard and hair. His eyes radiated warmth and comfort, as he smiled up at Harry. He was dressed in rather old style robes, with a hood pulled up on the top of his head. His smile widened, and he bowed his head slightly to Harry.

Harry grinned at this. "They move?" He asked.

Neville nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't a picture move?"

Both Hermione and Harry laughed a little. Hermione explained. "In muggle pictures, the people stay still. They don't move at all."

Neville's eyes widened. "Really? Wow! That's so weird."

Their laughter was cut short by a scuffle in the hallway. Harry got up, and opened the door.

Outside, two rather large boys had the lanky red haired boy form the train station pinned against the wall. A smaller boy with blonde, almost platinum hair smirked as he waved a finger under the red haired boy's nose. "That was rather rude of you, Weasley. Trying to shove past your betters, when you should have waited for us to pass."

The boy growled. "Sod off, Malfoy! You're not my better!"

Malfoy smirked, as he looked to his companions. "Crabbe, Goyle. Perhaps you should teach this blood traitor some manners."

The two larger kids grinned, as their free hands balled into fists. But just as they were about to punch, their fists were caught.

"There's no need for that." Harry said quietly, as he held both fists. Everyone was shocked, before the boy named Malfoy snarled.

"You have no business here! Get out of the way." he said, reaching into his robes.

In an instant, Crabbe and Goyle had been knocked aside, and Draco was pinned to the compartment wall. Harry had the arm reaching into his robes pinned against the wall, while his other arm went across Malfoy's throat. "I don't know what your problem is, but you're going to back off, now. Understand?"

Malfoy slowly nodded, and Harry backed down. The blonde boy straightened his robes, before glaring at Harry. "This isn't over, whoever you are."

Harry shrugged. "That's your choice. Not mine."

Malfoy growled and snapped his fingers as he left. The two older boys followed behind.

Harry turned to the lanky red head. "You okay?"

The boy snapped. "I'm fine! I didn't need you to come along!" He yelled. Harry blinked.

"I was just trying to help." He said evenly. The red head growled.

"Well don't next time! I don't need someone to come save me!" The boy stormed off, and Harry sighed, as he came back into the compartment.

Hermione looked at him warily. "You shouldn't have done that, you know. You'll get in trouble before we even begin school!"

Harry smiled softly. "Maybe, but I can't stand bullies. They're the lowest of the low, cowards who can't deal with those who can fight back."

Neville smiled. "I thought it was cool! Especially how you caught their fists. You must be strong."

Harry grinned, while Hermione sighed. "Men."

The train continued on for hours. The countryside went from small towns to rolling hillsides to grassy plains, as the sky slowly became darker and darker.

At some point, Hermione had left to talk to the engineer. She returned, telling them that they'd be arriving soon and that they should change, before leaving to give them privacy.

Harry grumbled as he pulled his robes on. "Ughhh... how is anyone expected to do anything in these clothes? They're so restricting."

Neville just grinned ruefully and nodded, as they sat back down. A voice echoed through the train. "We're about five minutes from the train station. Leave all luggage on the train. It will be taken up to the school later."

Seven minutes later, Harry stood on the platform, watching the mass of young people mill about. He had left Hedwig in her cage but had released Blaze so that he could familiarize himself with the area. Blaze chirped form his shoulder, before taking off into the night air.

Harry was about to ask Neville what they should do now, when a loud voice echoed through the chaos. "Firs' years this way! Firs years over here! C'mon now!'

The duo turned to see a massive figure moving through the crowd, carrying a lantern. Harry's eyes widened. "Is he a giant?" He whispered to Neville.

"I... I don't think so... giants are supposed to be like twenty or more feet high." Neville gripped Trevor a little tighter, causing the toad to squirm.

The giant grinned at all the students who were starting to gather around him. "This way Furs' years! I'm Rubeus Hagrid, the groundskeeper at Hogwarts. Follow me!" He turned and led them down a narrow stone path to a lake, and slowly around a curve. "There's yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts."

Everyone gasped as they arrived on a ledge near a giant lake. On the other side, perched atop a high mountain, was a massive castle. It's thousands of windows sparkled in the night from the torches and candles lightning the inside. Dozens of turrets and towers dotted the night sky.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid pointed to a small fleet of boats. He climbed into one, while the first years clambered in. Harry and Neville climbed into one, followed soon by Hermione and a girl with blonde pigtails.

The boats sailed forward on their own, moving swiftly across the lake. They reached the cliff, and everyone ducked under a curtain of ivy. The boats sailed through a dark tunnel, reaching an underground harbor. Harry was the first out of the boat, and offered a hand to Hermione, while Neville tried to help the blonde girl.

The students in the first boats gathered on the shore, allowing more to disembark. Hagrid checked the boats and nodded. "Al'right. C'mon you little tykes."

Hagrid led them up a flight of stone steps, and to a large wooden door. He knocked three times, and it was opened by a severe looking woman in emerald green robes. Her black hair was in a tight bun, and she gazed on the students through square rimmed glasses.

Hagrid nodded his head. "The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you Hagrid. I'll take them from here." She led the students into a massive entrance hall. To their left was a pair of massive wooden doors, the main entrance into Hogwarts. Opposite to that were the sounds of hundreds of students.

McGonagall led them past the entrance to the hall the students were in, and into an ante-chamber. She turned to them as they all entered. "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now before you're allowed to join your fellow students, you are going to be sorted into one of the various houses here at Hogwarts. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each house will be like your family. You will have classes with your house, sleep in the same dormitories, and spend your free time in the common room. While you are here, you can earn house points for doing very well in class, or going above and beyond the call of duty. Rule breaking will result in a loss of points, as well as detentions and other punishments. By the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the house cup. For now, please take this time to smarten up. The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly." She left the room, and the students began to talk.

Harry looked at Neville. "Any idea what this ceremony is?"

Neville shook his head. Nearby, Hermione was going on about all the spells she already knew, and which might help. She was silenced by the appearance of several ghosts, who floated by, arguing about some person or spirit named Peeves. The ghosts seemed to be deeply involved in their argument, as they didn't notice the students. They glided off through a wall.

All the students blinked and looked at each other, only to look back at the door as McGonagall entered. "Please, form a line and follow me."

They were led into the Great Hall, which was a massive affair. Thousands of candles floated above four long tables, where all the other students sat. At the other end of the hall was another long table, where all the teachers and staff were sitting.

McGonagall led them down the middle of the hall, and they all looked up in awe. The ceiling was obviously enchanted, as instead of a stone ceiling, they were looking at the night sky. They looked back down as they arrived near the end of the hall. They were all looking at a stool with a patched and frayed hat sitting on it. McGonagall picked it up.

"I will call you forward by name, and you will place the hat on your head. When it decides your house, please go and sit with them." She held up a list. "Abbot, Hannah!"

The blonde girl from Harry's boat walked up, and sat down. The hat was placed on her head. There was a few moments of silence, then a tear on the hat opened. "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Hannah quickly rushed to the table on the right, which was cheering. The next person, Susan Bones, also went to Hufflepuff. Terry Boot went to Ravenclaw, the table on the left.

More and more students went to the various tables. Hermione went to Gryffindor, and was eventually followed by Neville, who forgot to take the hat off. He had to run back and hand it to a Morag MacDougal.

Harry growled softly as the blonde boy form the train was called. Draco Malfoy. So that's your name.

The hat barely touched his hair when it screamed "SLYTHERIN!"

Several more people were called, before Mcgonagall called out "Potter, Harry!"

Silence rippled through the room, as Harry strode forward, and sat on the stool. The last thing he saw was the amazement on most of the student's faces, before the hat's brim covered most of his vision.

"Hmmm... you're a tricky one, young Potter... I can feel destiny weighing on your shoulders. But which house... you're courageous, clever, and hardworking... you have the makings of every house but Slytherin. And yet... there is also something deep in you... something that Slytherin would bring out. I actually find myself quite stumped, young Mr. Potter. So I guess I'll ask you where you would like to go?"

Harry blinked and took a deep breath. I guess I'd prefer to go where my potential friends are. Plus, my dad was in Gryffindor. Maybe I can learn more about him.

The Sorting Hat seemed to nod in approval. "GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table exploded in cheers, as Harry stood, placing the Sorting Hat back on the stool. He walked over, smiling as he shook Neville's hands. He blinked as two red headed twins shot up, shaking both his hands in an enthusiastic manner.

"Absolutely smashing to have you here! I'm Fred Weasley, andthis is George." One of them said.

The other smacked the back of his head. "You idiot! I'm Gred, and you're Forge!"

They both just smiled as they sat back down, and Harry blinked. "Nice to meet you both." He said, as he sat next to Neville.

The Sorting continued, as another red head, which was the oldest he had seen so far, leaned over. "A pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. I'm Percy Weasley, a prefect of Gryffindor. Prefects are supposed to help keep the peace between houses and students. You've met my brothers Fred and George, who are both troublemakers. And that's my youngest brother, Ron." He pointed to the lanky red head Harry had saved on the train. Said boy was green, as he walked up to be sorted. Ten seconds later, he was announced as a Gryffindor, and staggered to the table.

Harry nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you to." He said, shaking Percy's hand. Meanwhile, the last of the Sorting took place, with Zabini, Blaise going to Slytherin. Harry looked up and down the table. There were golden plates and goblets in front of everyone, but the table was bare. He was about to ask Percy about it, when a voice drew his attention to the staff table.

Dumbledore had been sitting at the middle of the table, and now his eyes sparkled as he looked over the students. "Welcome one and all, to a new year of Hogwarts. Before we eat, I'd like to say a few words. Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak! Now dig in!"

Harry couldn't help but burst out laughing, which was covered by the sounds of cheering. "I-I-Is he serious?" He gasped out.

Percy smiled. "That's what makes him one of the best Professors and Headmasters of Hogwarts. He's able to bond with the students. Potatoes, Harry?"

Harry's eyes widened, as the plates were now full of all kinds of food. His mouth watered, as he nodded.

Further down the table, a sandy haired boy and Ron Weasley were talking to one of the ghosts from earlier. He was a distinguished looking gentleman, wearing a large ruff around his neck. The ghost looked cross for a moment, before tugging on one ear and causing his head to flop to one side. Harry blinked. "What happened to him?"

Fred leaned forward. "That's Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, but we all call him Nearly Headless Nick. Poor guy was executed with a blunt axe. It didn't manage to completely sever his head."

Harry just nodded weakly, as he began to eat.

Later, as desserts rolled around, Harry glanced up at the teacher's table. There was Hagrid, drinking deeply from a goblet, and talking to a tiny man in a pointy hat. Next to them, a dumpy witch with flyaway hair was talking to a woman in a nurse's outfit. There was a seat open, and then Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore. There was another two seats open, and then a man in a purple turban was talking to a teacher in black robes with black greasy hair and a hooked nose.

Harry was looking at them. The turban wearing teacher had his head turned away. The black haired teacher nodded softly, and then looked past the professor at Harry. He winced in pain, as his scar suddenly ached.

Harry looked away, rubbing his head. "Hey Percy... who are those two teachers there?" He pointed to the last teachers he was looking at.

"Ahhh. Professor's Quirrell and Snape. Professor Quirrell teaches the Defense Against Dark Arts class. Professor Snape teaches Potions, though everyone knows he wants Quirrell's job."

Harry just nodded softly.

As the last of the food faded away from their plates, Dumbledore stood. The hall fell silent. "A few words before you go to bed, if you will. All First Years will be note that the forest on the grounds is off limits. A few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." His eyes seemed to sparkle in the direction of the Weasley twins, who whistled innocently.

"Mr. Flich, the caretaker, has also asked me to remind all students that magic in between classes is forbidden in the hallways. Quidditch tryouts begin the second week of term. If you're interesting in trying out for your houses' Quidditch team, contact Madame Hooch."

His eyes seemed to lose some of their sparkle. "Lastly, an announcement that concerns the entire school. The third floor corridor on the right hand side of the school is off limits to everyone. Please do not enter, unless you wish to experience a painful and horrible death."

Silence hung over the hall, as Harry looked to Percy. "Is this normal?"

Percy shook his head. "No, it's not. Something is up. Perhaps it has to do with the break in at Gringotts." When Harry gave him a blank look, Percy explained. "At the end of July, someone tried to break into Gringotts. First time in a long time since it's happened. What's worse is they got away. Luckily, it seems that they didn't get anything."

Dumbledore smiled, his previous good mood restored. "Now, time for bed! Off you trot."

Percy stood up. "First years, follow me! I'll lead you to the Gryffindor's common room!"

The first years, tired from food and the late hour, followed him. Most of them didn't notice anything, like the moving suits of armor, or the portraits that talked and moved from frame to frame. But they did notice the bundle of walking sticks, floating in midair. Percy stepped forward, only to have to dodge as one flew at him. "This is Peeves, a Poltergeist. Peeves, show yourself."

There was a loud raspberry, and another stick was flung at Percy. Percy dodged it again. "Peeves, do I need to get the Bloody Baron?"

There was a pop, and Peeves appeared. He was a little man, with wicked looking eyes. He floated in mid air, chuckling evilly.

"Look it all the Ickle Firsties. More fun for me!" He swooped down at them, throwing another walking stick at Neville. Harry snatched it out of the air.

"Ooohhh, this one has spunk!" Peeves said, as he spun around, looking at Harry. "You wants to play with Peevesie?"

Harry held the walking stick, before spinning it. "Not really. I just didn't want anyone hurt."

Peeves cackled. "Naughty boy, for ruining my fun."

Percy growled. "Peeves, leave now, or the Baron will hear about this!"

Peeves stuck out his tongue and disappeared, dropping the sticks on the floor. He laughed as he flew away, rattling armor.

"Peeves is a menace. No one in this school can control him, save for the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin's ghost. Though I am impressed with what you did Harry." Percy led them further down the corridor they were in, not hearing Ron mutter 'show-off' under his breath. At the end was a human sized portrait of a fat woman in a pink dress. She raised her head as they approached.

"Password?" She asked, almost snobbishly.

Percy stepped forward. "Caput Draconis."

The lady nodded, and the portrait swung forward. "The password changes every month, with the new one being posted in the Common Room. Remember it, or you can't get access back in."

The Gryffindor Common Room was a large round room with dozens of armchairs, sofas, and tables. A fire blazed merrily at one side of the room.

Percy directed the girls up a spiral staircase, and the boys up another. The boys hiked up the stairs, before reaching a circular room that was obviously in one of the towers. The room had five four poster beds with deep red velvet curtains. All their luggage was all ready set up near their beds.

Too tired to talk, they got in their pajamas, and got into bed. Harry nodded to Neville, and closed his curtains. As he lay back on his bed, he smiled. This might be more fun then I though.

And end chapter. So... I ran a little long here, and I hope it doesn't detract from the chapter. I just really had a lot I wanted to cover this chapter.

As you may have noticed, Harry did not befriend Ron. I have a simple reason that was given to me by Door1530. If you have questions, let me know in your review. I'll answer if I can.