Altered Fates

Part One: The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter Three: Train Ride and the Sorting

After their return from Ithaka Rd, Cedric taught Nico as much about the magical world as he could. Quidditch, Hogwarts, magical creatures, the laws they were expected to follow, the Ministry of Magic (where, according to Mr. Diggory, his mother worked as head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Improper Use of Magic Office) and, of course, the four Hogwarts Houses. "Each House has it's good points and it's bad points. Slytherins get a lot of bad rep because they produce the most Dark magicians, but they can be quite friendly and are really cunning, and the Auror Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody was a Slytherin. Ravenclaw is usually known as the House of the Brainiacs, which is really good if you like learning, but sometimes they can focus only on that, so they sometimes don't make the best friends. Gryffindors are really brave and adventurous, do great under pressure, and are great friends, but sometimes they are too daring and get into dangerous situations, while others are extremely arrogant or prejudiced. They also turn out the most pranksters of all the Houses. The Marauders were all Gryffindors, and then there's the Weasley twins in my year. Finally there's the Hufflepuff House, we're usually fair, honest, loyal, and hardworking-"

"That fits you like a glove!"

"Yeah, everyone says I'm the definition of Hufflepuff, but we have our bad apples as well. See, while the other three Houses all fit their descriptions, we get most of the spares as well, so we have a lot of duffers. Take for example someone who graduated about three years before your parents, Gilderoy Lockhart."

"Oh, I've heard of him. Isn't he the really famous author with all the alliterative titles?"

"Yeah, that's him. He's a great big fraud. Dad says that the only thing he was ever good at in school was memory charms so he probably never did any of those things." Of course, practical knowledge wasn't the only thing that the Diggorys taught him in that intervening month. They also taught him some of the wizarding world's favorite tales, usually by Beedle the Bard. Of all the tales they told him, none fascinated him more than the Tale of Three Brothers, the tale of the Deathly Hallows.


On September 1, the two boys and their fathers flooed to King's Cross station and said goodbye. The 'brothers' split up as Cedric met with his friends from school and Nico was left in his own compartment. He was just putting his trunk away when he spotted a toad of all things. Figuring it belonged to someone, Nico looked around for a cage to hold it, but couldn't find anything, and the toad kept hopping away when he attempted to catch it. So, just to try it one more time, he attempted a spell that he had found in a Muggle fantasy book Cedric had given him for his birthday. "Huildr!" To his surprise, not only did his wand respond (for the first time,) but it also worked perfectly. When he went to grab the toad, it couldn't move making it extremely easy to catch. "Now now, you're going to stay here until your owner comes and finds you."

It wasn't until about thirty minutes later that a tall boy about Nico's age who had yet to lose his baby fat came in and asked if Nico had seen his toad. "You mean this little escape artist?"

"Trevor!" The boy grabbed the toad excitedly, like he was a friend who hadn't been seen in years. "Thank you so much! I thought I'd lost him."

"No problem. My name's Nico, Nico Grace."

"Neville Longbottom."

Nico gasped in shock at that. "Oh! So you're Neville. My dad's told me a lot about you." Neville was about to ask about that when Trevor made another bid for freedom. Even with both boys working together, they only just barely managed to catch the toad before he escaped into the rest of the train. "I don't suppose you have a cage to keep him in, do you?"

"No, not really. I've got a terrarium, but it's too big to carry around, so my Gran shrunk it and put it in my trunk. Other than that, I don't have anything for him."

"Well, that's going to be something we're fixing as soon as possible." Then Nico asked about something Neville had said that confused him. "Wait a minute, what do you mean your Gran shrunk it? What about your parents?"

Neville turned away at that. "I don't want to talk about that right now." They didn't speak to each other again until the trolley lady came up with snacks. After another couple of tense minutes, Neville eventually asked "So, how did you find out about being a wizard?"

Nico laughed at that. "That's actually a pretty funny story, because I should have figured it out years before I actually did. My dad's an animagus, and I saw him change when I was six. But it wasn't until after I turned nine and my brother told me that I knew, and it wasn't until he took me to his home that I actually believed."

"What do you mean you didn't believe until your brother took you to his home?"

"Sorry, I just call my best friend, Cedric Diggory my brother. We've gotten so close over the past three years that we consider each other brothers. What about you? How did you know?"

"Well, for years my family thought I was a Squib . . ." When Neville saw his questioning look he explained. "Basically the reverse of a Muggle-born, a Muggle born to magical parents. Anyway, my Great Uncle Algie was always trying to catch me off guard, to scare some magic out of me. Once he pushed me off Blackpool pier, and I nearly drowned. It finally happened when I was eight though. He was hanging me out an upstairs window when Aunt Enid offered him a meringue. He completely forgot about me and let go, but then I bounced all the way down the garden to the road!"

"WHAT? They tried to kill you just to see if you could use magic?"

Neville nodded while apparently trying to clean out his ears. "Would you mind shouting a bit louder? I don't think they heard you on the other side of the Channel."

Nico blushed at that. "Sorry, it's the redhead in me. There's a reason for the stereotype about redheads and their tempers. Everyone tells me I have an explosive temper and a voice to match it. But it sounds to me like they were more interested in knowing that you were a wizard than in your health." Nico quickly realized that this was another sore subject for the other boy and changed directions. "So, what subjects are you interested in?"

That was definitely a safe subject as Neville quickly started talking about his love of plants and his negligible cooking skills which made him doubt his potential at potions. That quickly led to negotiations about the two boys tutoring each other, as Nico had never even been within five miles of a garden. They quickly came to consider themselves friends and lost themselves in their conversation, so much so that they almost didn't notice Trevor's third escape attempt. The two boys stumbled over each other once they saw Trevor making a run for it and then had to chase him down the corridor.

Once they had caught Trevor, a bushy-haired girl came by and got after them for "behaving so childishly, racing up and down the corridor."

"Sorry about that, but we were trying to catch Neville's toad here. Besides, we are kids, what do you expect from us?" Nico said. She huffed at that and stormed off.

"You know Nico, whatever house she's in, I hope we're not in it."

"I don't know Nev, she might actually make a good friend, if she lays off on the rules. I don't know why, but she strikes me as the kind of person who's smart and was teased for it, so she doesn't know how to make friends."

"Maybe. Hey, what's up with calling me 'Nev'?"

"It's a nickname. Don't you like it?"

"Actually, yeah. Could be worse. Some kids back home called me 'Hobbit' because of-"

"Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings having an area of the Shire called Longbottom. I know, it's one of my favorite series." They would have kept talking, but the train was slowing down, so they quickly changed into their uniforms. Once they had left the train, they were gathered around a large number of boats by a giant of a man. Nico attempted to get into the same boat as Neville, but he had already got into a boat with the bushy-haired girl, another redheaded boy, and a small, dark-skinned, black haired boy. So he had to share a boat with two boys and a girl that he didn't know. The boys introduced themselves as Blaise Zabini and Justin Finch-Fletchley, while the girl said her name was Daphne Greengrass.

The four didn't have much time to talk though, as their first sight of Hogwarts caught their breath. It was an enormous castle perched right on the edge of a cliff looking over the loch. Every window was lit up, making it seem like Hogwarts was the only light in the area, a very good effect in Nico's mind. They landed at a set of docks and led into a boathouse, where the giant knocked on a door three times. The door opened to reveal a tall, black haired woman in a green cloak, someone that Nico instinctively knew was not someone you would willingly cross unless you had a very good reason to. The giant, who was apparently named Hagrid, called her Professor McGonagall. McGonagall then led them up the stairs to the main part of the castle.

Once they were nearly at the top of the stairs, McGonagall stopped and turned to them and started a speech. "Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, 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 within 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. 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 points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

This was the one thing about Hogwarts that the Diggorys and his father had not warned Nico about: how the students were sorted. The other redhead said something about a test, while the bushy haired girl started talking about spells that she had learned. Nico doubted it would have anything to do about spells, if only for the Muggleborns that came without studying ahead. The test idea had some merit, but before he could think about it anymore, twenty ghosts came floating through the wall behind him, led by the Fat Friar and Sir Nicholas once again arguing about Peeves the Poltergeist. Nico greeted the two ghosts like they were old friends, much to their surprise and delight. After both ghosts offered their good wishes, McGonagall returned and led them to the Great Hall. To Nico's shock, in the open area between the teacher's table and the four house tables stood a three-legged stool with an ancient hat sitting on it. Just as everyone was wondering what they had to do with it, a rip opened up and the Hat started to sing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can 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 at 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.

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!"

Nico felt like strangling Cedric the next time he saw him alone. How could he have not warned him about the stupid Hat! But there was nothing he could do now, so he just waited and watched the Sorting. Justin was the first person he knew to be Sorted, and he went to Hufflepuff. He didn't recognize any other names, until McGonagall finally called out "Grace, Nico!"

Nico quickly stepped up to the stool and put on the Hat. Then the Hat started to talk to him inside his head. "Hmm, this is difficult. You could fit in any of the Houses, except for a few small problems. Oh ho! An animagus already, and so young. So, you're smart enough for Ravenclaw, with their thirst for knowledge, but your heart outweighs your head. You would also work well in Slytherin, ambitious and cunning, but far too trusting. Honest and hard-working like Hufflepuff, but too daring. So, better be . . . GRYFFINDOR!"

The Gryffindor table started cheering for him, while Cedric caught his eye and nodded encouragingly. The next name wasn't someone he recognized, but the person was. "Granger, Hermione" turned out to be the bushy haired girl from the train and became another Gryffindor. Then Neville came and his sorting took quite a while.

Once McGonagall put the Sorting Hat on Neville's head, it immediately started talking to him. "So, you're Neville Longbottom. I'm sorry about your parents, they showed great promise."

"You know about my parents?"

"Of course. Former Headmaster Dilys Derwent has a portrait there, and she immediately told us what had happened. If you want, I can tell you many stories about your parents."

"Thanks, hat, but where would I find you?"

"The name's Alistair, and I stay in the Headmaster's chambers unless I'm needed for the Sorting. Now, to get back to business. Hmm, a good mind and very loyal. What's this? Oh my, I haven't seen that gift in sixty years! It may be blocked, but it's still there."

"What gift? What are you talking about?"

"An extremely rare gift, but don't listen to rumours. You are the first in your family to have that particular gift. But there's something else here . . . my oh my, courage in abundance! And one other thing. Mr Longbottom, the definition of courage is the act despite your fear. What do you call it when there is no fear?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Well, you're going to have to tell me one of these days, as you are going to be using both in the Lion House."

"No, put me in Hufflepuff."

"But you belong in Gryffindor!"

"No, my Gran is constantly telling me I'm a Hufflepuff."

"And I say you're a Gryffindor!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Glad you see it my way. Gryffindor!"

Neville blinked in shock several times before taking Alistair off and glaring at him. "You sir, are a sneaky snake of a hat."

"Glad to be of service, Mr Longbottom. And what did you expect considering the Founders all put some of their personality into me?" Neville just shook his head and walked off to join Nico.

"What was that about, Nev?"

"That hat tricked me into Gryffindor!"

"Yeah, well, the hat knows best, Nev. If it thinks you belong in Gryffindor, then you belong in Gryffindor."

After Neville came a name that Nico recognized but had never met: Draco Malfoy who was sorted into Slytherin before the Hat even touched a single hair on his head. Theodore Nott was also quickly sorted into the House of Snakes. Then came another person, someone that Nico recognized by both sight and name: Harry Potter. However, Nico didn't recognize Harry for the same reason as his classmates, he recognized him all the same because of the distinctive messy black hair and glasses. Those two together instantly reminded him of pictures his dad had shown him of James 'Prongs' Potter. After about a minute, Harry was sorted into Gryffindor followed closely by the redhead-a Ron Weasley who also got into Gryffindor, while Blaise was sorted into Slytherin.

Once the Sorting was finished and Professor Dumbledore had greeted them with a few odd words, a magnificent feast began and people started getting to know their new housemates. Nico struck up a fast friendship with Harry, especially when he told him that Eric had known James (and he didn't ask to see the scar.) Ron mentioned the fact that Sir Nicholas was also known as 'Nearly Headless Nick' and Hermione asked how that was possible. Nico smiled as Nick acted like he hated how the conversation was going, but he knew that for the most part, Nick loved the fact that he was famous for being 'Nearly Headless Nick.' The only thing the ghost hated about it was the fact that he couldn't get into the Headless Hunt, a ghost club exclusively for the beheaded.

After they finished dessert, Dumbledore had a few announcements. "First years should note that the Dark Forest is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." When he said that, he was looking straight at the Weasley twins at that. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all 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 Madam 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." Nico stared at him in shock. It was almost as if Dumbledore was begging his more curious students (such as himself and probably Harry) to go to the corridor just to find out why it was off limits! But before he could start thinking about the mystery, Dumbledore cried out "And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he were trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. But everyone froze when Nico reached inside his robes and pulled out a violin. He played a few quick test notes before noticing the rest of the school staring at him. "Well Headmaster, are we singing or not?" Dumbledore shrugged and started revealing the words again. And as Nico started playing a quick ditty, the rest of the school sang out the song, quickly matching the lyrics to Nico's tune. All, that is, except for the twins Fred and George Weasley, who stuck with a funeral march.

After the song, one of the Gryff prefects, Percy Weasley led them up to the dormitory. They were slightly delayed by Peeves the poltergeist (who reminded Nico very much of the cartoon Mxyzptlk) and had started throwing sticks at them. Nico immediately decided that he was going to get on very good terms with the poltergeist, as he had plans to continue his father's legacy at the school, and who better to aid him than a poltergeist? He easily fell asleep that night, already making plans on things to do to live up to the legacy of the Marauders.

A/N: The idea that Moody was a Slytherin comes from HarryPotterNut94's story Hogwartians read the Philosopher's Stone. The tune that Nico plays during the Hogwarts song is called Two Hornpipes, made famous as the ditty played during the Tortuga bar fight in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Dead Man's Chest. READ AND REVIEW!