Chapter 2: Boundaries

Just as a particularly abashed first year took his seat at the Hufflepuff table, so the sorting hat lifted the brim of its wizened hat and began to croak out its customary yearly song.

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts.

So many centuries I have sat by

And watched your young heads grow.

Of magical wonder and hidden secrets

That you probably ought not to know.

Noble Gryffindor and his sword of victory.

Clever Slytherin with his mysterious ways of old.

Beautiful Ravenclaw and her tantilizing charms

And kind and gentle Hufflepuff, not to be undone by the other trio.

Your teachers tell you wonders

Of what is easily in your magical grasp.

You are surely aiming to seek

What is beyond the stars.

Still there needs to be a reminder

For those young and ambitious few.

That the line between good and evil

Is determined through the first person view.

But this year I urge you

To keep on the beaten track.

For danger is on the horizon

And I fear Old Hogwarts is back.

For it was twenty one years ago

That a great wizard fell from power.

Our lives returned to normal

And everyone was no longer dower.

Yet in those moments of relief

A blind eye was turned

To enemies long since forgotten.

Once again I ask you to come together

And prevent an unlikely split.

For now we need each other more than ever

If in this Great Hall in happiness we wish to sit.

A light murmuring rippled through the students as the wizened Professor McGonagall stepped forward to take the sorting hat from its perch. Albus raised an eyebrow to James across the table and he simply shrugged his shoulders and stared intently up at the headmaster. Professor Kingsley looked passively out at the throng of beady eyes peering up at him. A slight quickening in his heart caused him to clear his throat before he addressed the hall.

"Wise words from an ever wiser member of our family," his deep brown eyes radiated trust as his deep voice boomed comfortingly over the students. Licking his lips, he continued. "To add my own words of caution, may I remind all that the forbidden forest, remains forbidden and that journey's into the black lake are strictly prohibited to NEWT charms and transfiguration students." He smiled at the gentle giggling that broke out after a moan of complaint from the Slytherin table. Professor Michael would like to remind you that Quidditch tryouts will be organised by house captains, a list of which can be found in the entrance hall. Other than that, let the feast begin."

At his words the gleaming gold dishes were filled with sumptuous food. Huge crusty steak and kidney pies appeared in front of Albus' wide eyes. Golden plates of fat crispy sausages, and creamy mashed potato. Tender fillets of chicken surrounded by every sauce imaginable appeared before the Gryffindor's eyes, each eagerly seizing the nearest dish and piling their plate high. James laughed as he watched little Hugo Weasley shovel an obscene amount of food into his tiny mouth. He glanced up at the staff table and saw the faint smile of George Weasley before he turned back to conversation with Professor Longbottom. George had taken up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts and had been Hogwarts most successful and long standing teacher for twenty five years. James felt the emotion well up inside him as he gazed up at his favourite teacher, the man that he knew was once a twin. It had always been strange coming to Hogwarts as the son of who many thought to be the saviour of the wizarding world. His Dad had sat the three of them down each on their eleventh birthdays and told them his story which had climaxed so dramatically twenty one years ago. It was true, a few of the details were kept close to his chest and he promised to reveal them when the time was right. Despite his famous tale, Harry would always say his greatest adventure was seeing his sons grow up into the great men that they had started to become but James always swelled with pride whenever his Dads tale was mentioned. Nowadays he liked to think people talked to himself, Albus and Lily because they had a lot to offer people on their own level. Come to think of it, he had just been elected Quidditch captain and was eagerly waiting picking his team.

Albus smiled across at James as he licked his plate clean, grinning as he did so. Brushing off his robes he ventured over to the Slytherin table and plonked down next to Alec. Judging by the size of his plate, he had barely started but the sheer volume of pasta that was dripping from the boys chin suggested it was the third or fourth helping. Waving his wand, Albus conjured a napkin that began to wipe away the smear of sauce all around Alec's mouth. Smiling the boys helped themselves to dessert and buried their heads into discussion over the sorting hat's song.

As the sky drew darker outside, the last of the food was waved away and prefects began to escort the new first years back to the dormitories for the first time. Just as Alec and Albus were about to take their leave, Professor Kingsley strolled up to them and asked them for a word. Age had been kind to the powerful man and it was only in the last year that whispers of silver had crept over his beard. He had lost a little weight over the years but his face had retained that aurora of life and strength. His eyes focused on the two boys who barely came up to the top of his chest.

"I do hope our most promising students will heed the words of our wise old hat?" A smile crinkled across his face and he raised his eyebrows in mock frustration.

"Of course sir, we will be sure to set an example." Albus had to tread hard on Alec's foot to keep him from laughing

Kingsley's brow furrowed as he recalled a moment three years previous.

"Come in," he murmured at the soft knock on the door. Leaning back on his chair a little, he surveyed the troubled expression of Minerva McGonagall.

"What can I do for you Minerva," his voice sounded hard and he scratched at his eyes impatiently yet he tried to keep his expression pleasant.

"It's about the new lists," she said carefully "There is a student I think we should talk about." Kingsley continued to look puzzled as he stretched forward and lifted the parchment from her grasp.

"Grindelwald," he breathed, the eyes of the surrounding portraits fluttering open, several gasping at the name. It was however the eyes of only one man that the two professors gazed towards.

Albus Dumbledore's bright blue eyes radiated curiosity as he looked soberly down at the two. A curious expression of what looked like bewilderment and even jealousy flitted across the wizened face but in a blink of an eye, the familiar twinkle rested in its place.

He paused to compose his thoughts. "That's interesting," he said quietly. Kingsley detected something inscrutable from the tone of his voice but couldn't place it.

"How is that possible Albus?" McGonagall whispered her eyes full of worry.

"Ah but I think the question is when did it become possible."

The two exchanged puzzled glances before the old headmaster chuckled scratching his chin and continued.

"There was once a whisper that Grindlewald had a lover." He let the thought linger into the room and had heard the current headmaster snort loudly and raise his eyes towards the ceiling. "Don't be so naïve headmaster," Dumbledore said, startling the large man by the tone of his voice. "Grindelwald was never Voldemort. He committed unspeakable atrocities but he had the capacity to love, simply not enough outlets to show it." He trailed off, his eyes falling and Kingsley watched as a single tear tracked down his face and onto his silvery beard.

"Watch the boy carefully," he continued. "As to whether he knows about his relation to Gellert, only time will tell. I am sure the headmaster will keep me updated." He nodded expectantly in the director of Kingsley who gave a stiff nod.

In a slightly gentler tone he added "Oh and do watch out for young Albus Severus Potter." There was no mistaking the twinkle in his eye. "I am intrigued, as I am sure you are Severus," Dumbledore raised a brow and gazed over at the quiet expression of his successor. A curt nod and a wry smile was enough to pull at the corners of Dumbledore's mouth.

"We'll see whose talents he collects." With a last smile towards Professor McGonagall he fell back asleep.

The memory faded in front of Kingsley's eyes like a particularly unsettling dream and he gazed at the blonde boy before him.

"All good so far," he thought to himself, ushering the two along to join their fellow housemates. Kingsley walked slowly through the castle, smiling at the grandeur that had not left him since the first day he had been here. Smiling to the familiar gargoyle, he ushered the password and let himself get swept away towards his door. Plonking into the comfortable seat behind the desk, he reached for a bottle of Single Malt Whiskey and poured a generous measure into the tumbler that conjured before him. He smiled slyly, he had always preferred muggle spirits.

"Long day?" The soft voice of Albus Dumbledore startled him from his moment of peace. Eying the portrait carefully he grimaced and took a long sip from his drink.

"Better than some," came the deep reply.

"I'm sure." Albus' eyes danced behind the half mooned spectacles. "The sorting hat just recited me it's song," he continued, interest flickering across his face "What do you make of it old friend."

Kingsley eyed the headmaster tentatively as his gaze swept around the room.

"I'm not entirely sure, it was certainly engaging." The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was unrelenting as he stared avidly at the headmaster.

"Then again how much we can take as a true warning against how much is speculation.." he trailed off, wrapping his hands around the tumbler and taking another long sip.

"Perhaps we can have this conversation if anything comes to light." Suggested Dumbledore, stroking his beard fondly." Kinglsey recognised the dismissal and got up from the high leather chair, clutching his drink firmly.

"Until we speak again Albus." Kingsley raised his glass to the portrait and bade him goodnight.

Albus Potter woke with a start. He frowned against the bed covers and pulled them over his head, shielding the light that crept under the curtains. He had been having a particularly interesting dream and he couldn't help but notice the soft thump of his heart against his chest. Reaching across for his glasses, he pushed them on to his nose and tip toed to the shower. It was still early and there was no sign of life from the rest of the dorm. The warm water ran down his body and he felt revitalised from the murkiness of the dream that continued to wash over him.

He had been flying across the Hogwarts grounds, fighting off a mysterious black smoke that hovered behind him while Alec's face bobbed maliciously in the horizon. Turning off the taps, he wrapped a warm towel around him and sat against his comfortable pillows. He still hadn't figured out the reason for the sorting hat's song but perhaps it was just trying to entice them into closer house bonding. Merlin knows much of the Slytherin house kept itself separate, especially from the Gryffindor's. Pulling on his robes, he made his way into the common room noticing a particularly dishevelled James Potter sitting in one of the armchairs.

"You're up early," Albus mumbled, trying to glean information from the parchment that James was gazing at fondly.

"Al!" James gasped and hurriedly waved the parchment plank. "What are you doing here?"

Albus shrugged and laughed at his brother. "Going to breakfast?" He offered, patting James on the back and leaving him to wallow in embarrassment as he pushed through the portrait door. Pulling his timetable from his pocket, he noticed he had Defence first and couldn't help but feel a little knot of excitement grab his belly.

Gulping down his breakfast, he met Alec in the entrance hall who was gazing fondly at the back of his sister Lily as she walked off in the direction of the dungeons "Ready for class?" Al asked, unable to keep the slightly harsh tone from his voice. His sister was, after all, far too young to be interested in boys and certainly it couldn't be one that was this close to himself. That would just be weird. Alec smiled his knowing smile and together they set off in the direction of the defence corridors.

Professor Weasley was busy sorting stacks of parchment as the first of his class shuffled through the door. Unsurprisingly, Albus Potter and young Grindelwald were the first to cross the threshold. As the class filled, he sighed at the task he had in hand for this morning. It wasn't a pleasant one but, according to Mr Head Auror and the Headmaster, it was a topic that needed to be approached. As the last pupil took his seat George waved his wand and a large heavy book floated in front of the students eyes.

"Dark Wizards of Our Time," he read aloud, chancing a glance towards the reactions from the room.

"It is the opinion of Harry Potter, Head Auror at the ministry of magic." A few people gasped and Albus beamed up at George, giving his friend a slap on the back. "- And the headmaster," George continued "That we need to journey into the past.

Waving his wand the book vanished and in its place, formed a strange mist that reminded Albus oddly of his dad's pensieve at home.

"Class, if you would follow me."