Chapter 4 – – What was that title?

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"Okay, listen-up first years the Hufflepuff common room is below ground and behind a stack of barrels. You will find the kitchens are located just down there. Now we pride ourselves here in Hufflepuff to be the only house to have a defense mechanism for entry into a common room. If you don't tap the right barrel with the right rhythm you're going to get doused in vinegar."

We found the common room to be like a large circular lounge with the tips of barrels sticking out all around the walls. All in all it seemed comfy and we were warmly welcomed. The Perfects gave us a briefing on what to look out for and which teachers were nice or mean. My dorm room had three beds for me and my two roommates Justin Finch Fletchley and Ernest " Ernie" Macmillan. We settled down and studied our class schedules until Ernie asked, "How in the hell did your owls get down into this dorm? Were under the ground and there isn't any windows?"

"Don't worry about it Ernie she's a special owl and she can get a letter delivered to anyone anywhere. Even I have given up figuring out how she does some things." This got Hedwig to fly over onto my shoulder and give me cheek rub. I made a mental note to check the back of my robes for any special deliveries from Hedwig, after all she was a cranky old bird.

Meanwhile in the headmaster's office Albus Dumbledore was having a shit-fit! Where was Harry Potter? Any owls he tried to send out refused to leave as if there was no Harry Potter. The Goblins were not allowing him "Albus Dumbledore" anywhere near the Potter vaults regardless of how much screaming he did over being Potter's legal magical guardian. He wanted to find the brat just so he could wring his neck. AND now he had another brat he had to deal with tomorrow afternoon.

/Scene Break/

Luckily Hufflepuff only had few classes with Slytherin house, one was the History of Magic which most people slept through according to older students. All the girls that sat together in the train decided to sit with each other and Wendy dragged me along. It was in that class that Wendy and I got an up close exposure to Draco Malfoy and his two boobs, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. They charge into the history classroom pushing people out of the way and making nasty comments about dirty blood and those beneath their family standing in the community. Actually Draco did the mouthing and the other two did grunts and knuckle cracking.

From what we had seen of Malfoy he was an arrogant blood purist and a cowardly bully and seemed to like to hurt people. Wendy and I had established that much at breakfast this morning.

Ron Weasley and the other Gryffindor first years were still getting Malfoy's groupies attention as everyone filed into the classroom. When he spotted our little group he charged over…

"What are you two Slytherin's doing sitting with those losers? Merlin one of them is that Gryffindor mudblood!"

"Bugger off Malfoy! Were not interested, and take your two Trolls with you! Daphne calmly stated.

It looked like he was going to run his mouth a bit more in Daphne's direction but he suddenly stopped and his face turned red. It appeared that I had gotten his attention and he was going to start on me but was interrupted when the ghost Professor showed up and told everyone to take a seat.

Finally the classes for the day were done. Wendy and I were discussing Snape's incompetence as a teacher as we headed down the hallway heading for the dinner meal…

"Trying to be something you're not Smythe? Part of his rant was a statement, "Wait until my father hears about this! You're a mudblood trying to be Lord Slytherin, take off that house crest before I remove it for you! My father has told me who the real Lord Slytherin is and you couldn't even polish his wand."

My goblin hired history tutor had filled me in on Wizard and Goblin history but also a lot of recent political history including the Malfoy's. Besides I owed him for his attempted kick after his father had knocked me to the ground in Diagon Alley. I couldn't miss the opportunity, I pointed my finger and said…

"What? Is it your dream to act as your father has? That being on your knees and kissing the hem of a half-blood's robes, does that turn you on Malfoy or does it make you a Malfoy?"

Draco went for his wand. The focus ring on my pointed finger sent a week 'Depulso' spell which sent Draco, arms flailing, backwards. His wand flew from his hands as he fell to the corridor's stone floor. It definitely left the arrogant loudmouth speechless as he scrambled to his feet, turned and tried to run off. Unfortunately as he blindly ran, he wasn't looking and ran into his Head of House's leg, Hogwarts favorite Death Eater, Snape.

Snape apparently had been lurking in the shadows, he slithered over, snatched me up and forcibly dragged me to the headmaster's office as he ran his mouth. I was after all an eleven year old and Snape was a bit bigger. I allowed him this one time intrusion on my person. Next time he was going to suffer, Professor or not.

I was told later by Wendy that one of the professors finally came by and did a 'Finite Incantatum' on the two stunned boulders blocking the hallway. Wendy was thrilled to have helped stunned the boulders. She said that Malfoy was having a whining fit, after we left, as he couldn't undo the spells done by what he called an eleven year old Mudblood.

Snape's ranting and threats were pretty much ignored by me as I was contemplating calling Libby or doing great pain the next time he manhandled me. I realized we were now in the headmaster's office as Snape had finally shut up.

"Mr. Smythe it has come to my attention that you are wearing an illegal house crest and now Professor Snape informs me that you have now insulted and attacked a fellow student. That is why you have my attention." The headmaster started.

"I assure you headmaster that I am Lord Slytherin. Your insulting student was factually reminded, after his insult to me, that his father was indeed on his knees kissing the robes of the past Lord Slytherin. As you well know all Death Eaters were required to submit to that act. Just asked Snape as I'm sure he can tell you the requirements of being a Death Eater." I figured I might as well get in the shot while I could. I was about ready to tell them if he ever touch me again it would be his last action but Snape had a rant to get started first...

"Why you lousy arrogance, snot nosed muggle, I should…" Snape's rant was interrupted by Dumbledore raising his hand and stating…

"That's Professor Snape Mr. Smythe."

"You jest, I've had a class with Snape this afternoon and he is no more a professor than your Phoenix over there." I growled as I pointed to the Phoenix who looked to be insulted by the association.

"I'm afraid your disregard for the rules and your insulting of Professor here at Hogwarts is enough justification for your expulsion."

I pulled out a piece of paper and a muggle ball point pen and scribbled a quick note. Then looked at Dumbledore and said, "Your threats should be made in the presence of my guardian."

"You can whine to your guardian after your expelled." Snape sneered.

"Hedwig!" Hedwig the Phoenix flamed in, took one look at me, grab the note, and flamed away. Dumbledore seemed temporarily stunned by my control of a Phoenix or he had a sudden case of heartburn. Snape seemed to mad to notice so I gave him another verbal shot.

"Snape I think you'll find my guardian will be quite prompt and effective in dealing with you lot."

"If you're not expelled I'll have you in detention for the rest your life!" Snape screamed.

"No Mr. Snape I think you will find that you are dangerously close to finding out what the Ancient House of Slytherin via my hand can do to you and your feeble existence."

That's when Snape lost it and pulled his wand…actually almost pulled his wand. I flicked my left hand and sent an incapacitating spell which also sent Snape flying backwards and no longer part of the discussion. My focus ring was among a couple other rings which of course I had to wear on that hand as Lord Slytherin etc. I figured this was a free shot as Snape was not expecting me to do this as a first year student. It wasn't until later that I found out that Snape was Draco's godfather so that's where the extra hate came from. I had embarrassed his little snake.

"Highly unusual, a Wandless stunning spell from an 11-year-old?" Dumbledore mumbled as he seemed impressed but several minutes elapsed as he thought about his different problems of expelling the arrogant brat in the first week of school.

"Harry my boy have a seat, care for lemon drop?" Dumbledore was stalling for time as he needed to think. He didn't seriously think that the brat was really Lord Slytherin but he needed a closer look at all the rings on the kids left hand. His thinking was interrupted when his fireplace roared to life with blue flames and a head appeared in the fire.

"Dumbledore what the hell are you doing I've got a contingency of Goblin warriors in my office demanding access to Hogwarts and Lord Slytherin."

"Minister, I'll be right there just leave the 'Floe' access to your office open. Lord Slytherin please return to your normal routine I'm sure this is all been a very large mistake." Dumbledore then leapt into the fireplace.

As I left the headmaster's office, Snape still laid out cold on the floor. I felt my level of fun here at Hogwarts had just increased.

/Scene Break/

Whoever had said what to whom had not reached my ears other than Ragnot's note stating if there were any further problems to send Hedwig. Snape pretended I didn't exist in the classroom and I heard no more from the headmaster. Every thing was quiet except for Draco's mouth which he couldn't seem to control.

Everything was running smoothly for about a week until Wendy pointed out a noticed pinned on the Hufflepuff common room bulletin board. Flying lessons would be started this day with Slytherin house.

"Dogs bollocks!", I growled, the closest that I had ever come to a broom was sweeping the Dursley's floors. "I'll probably be arse about face on a broomstick and all in front of Malfoy. I could almost here his taunts already. It now became clear why Malfoy was expounding on his flying prowess last night at dinner for half the hall to hear."

/Scene Break/

Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, gray hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk. She started right in…

"Well, just don't stand there?" she barked. "Everyone stand by a broomstick and tell your broom 'UP', come on, hurry up."

I looked down at the broom and to say that the brooms were old would not be an exaggeration. As in everything else all went quite well except having to listen to Malfoy's mouth. Madam Hooch attitude cheesed me off over allowing Malfoy's mouth to continue running during the class.

This class turned out to be enjoyable but of course it did not stop weird things from happening around me. The first thing was Madam Hooch telling Cedric Diggery the Quidditch captain about my flying abilities.

"I am Cedric and the captain of Hufflepuff Quidditch team. While I am not going to give up being Seeker we do need a Chaser. Madam Hooch says your good, want to give it a try?"

And I suddenly found myself on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.

Wendy by this time had made friends with Hagrid the gamekeeper of Hogwarts. So one afternoon we just had to go have tea with Hagrid. Hagrid's hut was near the forbidden Forest and as we approached we saw him working in his garden. That's when weirdness struck again as a unicorn foal came prancing out of the forest and started nuzzling against my side which of course started me petting the animal. Then a Thestral foal charged over and occupied my other side for a bit of petting.

Hagrid yelled something like, "Oy, what are you up to" and started to head toward me but was halted in his tracks by a couple of centaurs who raced up with their arrows pointed at Hagrid.

"The forest has spoken leave the foals alone." That's when Hedwig the Phoenix landed on my shoulder and started to sing. For some reason I couldn't understand Hedwig but the foals seem to and gave a final nuzzling and trotted off back to the Forbidden Forest.

"I've never seen the likes of it; unicorns don't like males, damn odd that is." Hagrid mumbled as he return to his garden.

/Scene Break/

Draco's crowd was becoming a pain in my life. They tried to trip me in the hall or interfere with my practicals in my classes that we jointly shared. He tried to stick his two goons on me but when they tried to rough me up in front of a couple of older Hufflepuff students, who happen to be ardent Quidditch supporters... the hexes must've really hurt as the two goons raced off to the hospital wing for treatment.

Christmas vacation arrived and Wendy and I decided to stay at Hogwarts. Neither of us had any place to go and the Goblins were not big into celebrating Christmas.

"Hi there mind if we join you guys?" Tracy Davis asked as she sat down with us at the Hufflepuff table in the Great Hall.

"Why are you and Daphne here? I would've thought you had been home with your families." Wendy inquired.

"I don't get along too well with parts of my family so were both happy by stay here over the break." Tracy grumbled.

"My parents had to leave the country for some business so I get to enjoy Hogwarts." Daphne explained not looking happy.

We as a group spend our time in the library and enjoyed the Christmas decorations and food that Hogwarts provided and we all even exchange gifts.

The day after the break ended Malfoy strutted into the Great Hall with his two loves, Crabbe and Goyle, just in time for the evening meal. Even with the high table full of teachers Malfoy engaged his mouth…

"Enjoy your last meal Smythe, fathers on the school board he's been talking to Minister Fudge. You should find yourself out on the street with your Muggle friends very shortly." Crabbe and Goyle were not the talkative types but were good at cracking their knuckles, scowling and grunting in agreement with Malfoy's. However when Draco stopped to make his profound statement he for got to tell the stupid apes to stop. Since they were doing the glare and growling routine at me they ran into Draco. As Draco scrambled to his feet...

"The only thing you're scaring Malfoy is the floor with your bad breath so why don't you just chivvy along." My comment seemed to infuriate Draco

"I think you need to be taught a lesson Smythe tonight, if you're not scared... Wizard's duel…Wands only, no contact. Are you game Smythe or are you now shaking in your cheap Muggle boots? Malfoy steered.

"Of course we accept Malfoy, I'm his second. Third floor corridor 10 o'clock tonight" Wendy seemed almost happy as she answered for me.

"Dual accepted so until tonight, Smythe, Mudblood." Draco wandered off with a smile on his face. His continual harassment and calling me a Muggle or mudblood led me to believe certain things. He most likely received some training at throwing curses from his Death Eater father while he probably thought I had no training as a Muggle raised. Dueling tutors crossed my mind as a smile crossed my face but when Malfoy had gone...

"Err, Wendy… Isn't the third-floor corridor the corridor that Dumbledore warned everybody about?"

"If Malfoy doesn't figure it out somebody's going to tell him. If not, maybe Filch will catch him sneaking up there. And if he doesn't show up you know what kind of trouble you can cause him and what you can claim from his oh so pureblood family for violating a traditional dual." Wendy was now grinning.

/Scene Break/

Wendy and I arrived early and position ourselves across from the door we had heard growling noises coming from. We slipped behind one of the torch columns and used a 'Disillusionment Charm' on ourselves to await Draco. About a quarter to 10 o'clock Draco showed up with both Crabbe and Goyle but also with two other older Slytherin.

"Come on out Smythe and face your betters." Draco was shouting but when he received no answer he started kicking open doors. When he was across from us he found that last door was locked so he cast the simple unlocking charm and raced in yelling...

"I'm gonna make you suffer Smythe." Seconds later he came flying out the door screaming like the hounds of hell were chasing him. Hitting the wall he then collapsed to lay a crumpled and bleeding pile at our feet.

As we looked up we saw a humongous dog's head attempting to force his way out the door. As we slowly started backing down the corridor Crabbe and Goyle grabbed Draco and sped down the corridor along with the other two older Slytherin students.

Back in common room... "What in the blood hell was that animal we just saw?"

"Harry all I want to say is I do not want to see that thing again. I could've sworn the thing had three heads."

Later research in the library showed that it was probably a Cerberus and indeed it was from the Gates of Hell.