Chapter 4: Cross-Cultural Complications
The barrier.
The thing that separates Monsters from Humans.
"How are we supposed to get passed this thing?" Andalus asked Sans as he pulled his hand back quickly when the conflicting magic shocked him.
"I should be able to put a hole in it with one of my Gaster Blasters. It won't last long, and it won't take the barrier down completely, but my magic will be enough to bend the space around it." he answered his younger brother.
He summoned one of the goat-like dragon skulls and the pure white beam of light seared a hole in the practically invisible barrier, his hand was cloaked in blue and the edges of the barrier was as well, though they started to close.
"Hurry guys, this won't last!" they ran through with their bags in tow.
Only to meet a strange tabby cat on the other side, with a stiff posture. That turned into a human.
"My name is professor McGonagall, you are Sans, Papyrus, and Harry, yes?" she asked them.
"With all due respect professor McGonagall, my name is Andalus." she nodded.
"Ah yes, I almost forgot, my apologies Mr. Tipografia. Now I'm sure you're all aware of your situation, most monsters aren't seen as civilized beings in wizard society, not that I know why. The amount of prejudice has never made sense to me. Now come along, we have to go get your school supplies, and meet with Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Why are we meeting the Headmaster personally, professor?" Sans asked her with his eyes narrowed.
"The Headmaster requested specifically to see you three. He wants to go over some details about your stay at Hogwarts."
"Alright then..."
"Now, hang on to my arm." they did as told.
And they flashed away with a loud pop.
O-o-o-o-o-O
The appeared in a bar, with loudly conversing occupants swinging wands and drinking what Sans thought might be alcohol.
"Good evenin', Mrs. McGonagall, would you like anything?" Tom, the bartender asked her while scrubbing a glass. Sans was reminded of Grillby, and how he would always talk to him when he visited. He yanked his hood over his head while Andy put on his pilot goggles and Papyrus pulled his scarf over the lower half of his face.
"Not today, Tom, I have students that need to get their supplies. Maybe another time." Tom waved goodbye as they walked out into an alleyway off of the bar.
"Why are we in an alley Professor?" Papyrus asked her. She smiled a rare smile at him and tapped a pattern out on the brick wall.
They gasped in awe as an entire street full of shops and wizards wearing every color of the rainbow appeared in front of their eyes.
Professor McGonagall threw an arm up dramatically, "Welcome to the Wizarding World!"
O-o-o-o-o-O
The brothers were in a clothing shop to get their school uniform. Not a pleasant experience, especially with that annoying blonde-haired kid ranting about "their kind" and "filthy monsters".
"Are we sure he's your age? He acts like a two year old. And we're talking about how an eight-year old me raised you; me of all people!" Sans whispered to Andalus as he was being fitted. Andalus had to smother his laughter his hand and had tears in his eyes.
"I guess we could say that he's not the most colorful crayon in the box, nor the sharpest tool in the shed, which is funny considering that our bodies are magical constructs and we don't even have brains or any physical organs to process thought." they snickered, including Papyrus, which was actually really sad, because he has the longest streak for not laughing at his brothers' jokes.
"Are you even listening to me? My father will be hearing about this; he's one of the highest ranking Ministry officials." Draco said smugly.
"Oh!" Sans said a completely innocent look on his face, "I've never heard of your father, I probably won't ever. The Ministry can't control "our kind" as you so lightly say. We fall under the rule of King Asgore, not your government." he had one eye open; his left, "So I would stop your petty racism and grow a backbone." a light blue flickered in his eye menacingly.
Draco paled as he looked at him and started shivering, "Maybe someday you'll come out of your pathetic shell, but until then... stay away from my family." they left the store with their uniforms in bags.
"Nice." Andy commented.
"I try."
O-o-o-o-o-O
The trips to the other stores weren't nearly as interesting, though they did have to forcefully pull Sans away form the potions shop, and Andy away from the Nimbus display.
"But it looks so cool!" he cried.
"First years can't bring brooms to the school. Maybe you can try out for the team next year." McGonagall said lightly.
"Don't worry Andy I was sure to pack the Thunderbird for ya'." Sans whispered to him.
"Thank you, Sans." Andy looked happy and skipped all the way to the next shop.
"Now, as monsters I know you don't need a magical focus to perform magic." the brothers nodded, "So instead I decided to get you all pets." they stopped in front of a shop that said "Eeylops Owl Emporium".
"They don't have just owls though, there are many kinds of creatures, you can pick anyone that you want."
They looked around for a bit, most of the animals either hissed or cowered away from them. Papyrus was disheartened until he felt soft fur nuzzle against the back of his head. He reached behind his head and was surprised to find a small gray bunny in the palm of his hand. It blinked up at him headbutted his hand.
"Awwww, you're so cute!" he squealed. The bunny stood on it's hind legs and puffed up the fur on it's chest heroically, soaking up the praise Papyrus gave it.
Sans was walking towards the back of the store and he saw a puff of white fur run behind some of the cages. He sighed it seemed that there were no animals that would-
Something jumped on top of his skull. It stood there for a second before lying down and not moving. He reached up and brought it down to look at it.
It was some kind of snow cat, with long fur, whiskers, and big paws. It drowsily opened one golden eye and looked at him before climbing back up onto his head and going to sleep.
"Yeesh, I thought I was the lazy one."
Andy looked at the owls, he wanted something sky worthy, ready to take on any challenge. A snowy owl sat in a cage and was clearly trying to pick the lock, it looked at him and gestured to the lock.
He opened the cage and the owl swooped onto his shoulder, tapping his head affectionately.
They walked up to the front desk, and McGonagall raised an eyebrow at their choices. Papyrus continued to praise the tiny animal in his palm.
"I suppose that you've found the animal to your preference." they nodded, except Sans, as he still had the kitten on his head, "Alright, we'll take these ones."
The clerk coughed as he saw the animals, "Are you sure? Those are some of the most feisty animals in here, especially the female snowy owl, and the male pygmy rabbit. Also you are aware of what cat you got right? That's a Canadian lynx and kneazle mix! I'm surprised he didn't hiss at you, kneazles are extremely intelligent, while rather lazy. So, are you sure?"
"Yeah we'll take them." they chirped.
O-o-o-o-o-O
Q/A:
What will the reaction be to skeletons attending Hogwarts?
There are going to be some very mixed reactions. That's all I'll say.
Will there be a Golden Trio?
No. I don't really see Sans or Papyrus actually getting along with Ron or Hermione. Unless they reform or something, and this isn't one of those fics.
How are you going to present Snape?
This is actually going to be one of the biggest things, but basically the brothers are going to look at him in a very different light as he has no clue who Andalus is. The only people that do know are Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sans, and Papyrus.
Font names?
I'm pretty sure that it's basically a tradition amongst skeletons to give their kids font names. Kind of like how there are some families that constantly pass down a single name in human culture.
Wizarding World's reaction to Andy's name?
Yeah trust me, once the beans are spilled Andy's going to be extremely pissed off.
Is this going to follow the books?
In some ways. Otherwise, HELL NO!
ALSO! A big thank you to those of you that follow, favorite, and review! You have all been patient, and that's a big help. I love getting reviews; they encourage me to write more often. And cyber cookies to those of you that encourage me to do well in school, I'll try my best for you!
"Stay Hyper!"- Birch