Chapter 4

Weeks passed, and Slytherin house quickly became even more of a home to Billy. He was firm friends with the rest of the first years, and soon began to look up to the upper years with respect. He spent most of his time with Fraser, who was beginning to open up more now he had settled in, and the two boys spent most of their time together. Slytherin won the first Quidditch match of the year against Gryffindor, and Billy wrote an excited letter to Harry, describing every detail of the game.

December arrived, and soon the castle and its grounds were covered with a blanket of snow. The corridors grew icy, and in the dungeons their breath rose up in front of their faces. Whenever possible, the Slytherins kept to the warmth of their common rooms and dormitories.

Eventually, it was time to go home for Christmas.

"So William, which four positions have the most authority in the Wizengamot?"

"Um…" said Billy, struggling to remember. "The minister for magic."

"Yep," said Anthony, waiting for the rest

"The head of the Magical Law Enforcement,"

"Yes."

"The Chief Warlock, and the Supreme Mugwump?"

"Almost," he smiled. "The Chief Warlock is the one that resides over the Wizengamot, but the Supreme Mugwump is the head of the International confederation of Wizards, which we will talk about next term…"

He continued to quiz Billy on everything he had taught him that term, as the countryside flew past the train window, the snow gradually ebbing away as they travelled further and further south.

"You're a bit distracted today," commented Anthony eventually. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said. Anthony raised his eyebrows.

"You're getting good," he said. "If I didn't know you, I might have actually thought you had nothing on your mind…"

He grinned sheepishly, squirming slightly under his mentors knowing gaze.

"You're worried about going home," he guessed, turning back to the potions book he had open on his lap. "I don't blame you, but I'm sure it will be alright."

"You don't know what they're like," muttered Billy.

"There' a reason Snape chose me as your mentor," Anthony told him. "My family were in Hufflepuff for generations. I'm an only child, you know, and my parents were only children. I have no cousins, second cousins… I'm the only Piper of my generation. The whole family was watching me, and I was sorted into Slytherin."

"How did your parents react?"

"They were shocked," he chuckled. "That's an understatement. But they got over it, that's the important thing."

"I'm wondering whether I should have followed Fraser's lead."

Fraser had decided to stay at school for the holidays, much to the surprise of his brother.

"There's time," said Anthony. "If it truly is awful, you can always stay at school next year."

"You're right," said Billy, feeling more cheerful. "There's always next year. Harry used to stay at school sometimes; he said Hogwarts was amazing at Christmas time."

"I stayed last year, when my parents were in France for their anniversary. It truly was spectacular, and the food was even better than usual."

"I can't believe that!"

"It's true!"

Billy glanced out the window. It was properly dark now.

"We must be nearly there."

Right on cue the train began to slow down. Anthony grinned at him, and tucked away his book.

"Have you folded your robes properly like I showed you? You don't want them to get all creased inside that rucksack."

"Nicely folded and ready," he grinned. He pulled on his jacket and gloves, wrapping his green and silver scarf tightly around his neck.

"Are both your parents coming to collect you?"

"I expect so. That's the way it usually was with Harry and the twins."

"How are your sisters? I haven't seen much of them around recently."

"Well you won't, they're Gryffindors. They're good, I think. I hardly see Jessica, but Emily always stops to talk to me. She's been applying for placements, she wants to study advanced arithmancy next year. Of course, she will have to go to America for that, you can't really do further study in Britain, unless it's a mastery, but the range of subjects is so narrow…"

"Yes, Professor Vector himself is from America, I think he mentioned something like that. Something about 'us Britons never taking it seriously'."

"That's what Emily says," he laughed. "But you mustn't tell anybody, she hasn't even mentioned it to Jessica, she's such a tell-tale. I think Harry knows, but Mum and Dad would hit the roof if they knew she was planning on going abroad. They're so uptight."

Anthony laughed as the train pulled into the station, patting his protégée on the back.

"Welcome to the years of teenage rebellion, kid," he said. "Do you need help with your back pack?"

"No, it's alright, I've got it."

The train jerked to a stop, and the two boys joined the other students streaming out of the doors. Billy clung to Anthony's hand to stop them being driven apart by the crowd. As they neared the barrier he grew more and more nervous, clutching Anthony's hand tightly. The older boy winced.

"Sorry."

"That's alright. Um… name as many British Ministers as you can."

"Cornelius Fudge,"

"Yep, but that's an easy one."

"Millicent Bagnold, Nobby Leach."

"Carry on,"

"Faris Spavin, Evangeline Orpington."

"Any more?"

"Otta… otty…"

"Ottaline."

"That's it. Ottaline Gambol, Grogan Stump."

"Any more? I don't… I don't know…"

"What about Artemisia Lufkin?"

"Seriously?"

"Or Unctuous Osbert?"

"Who even has names like that?"

"Beats me."

Laughing they passed through the barrier, scanning the crowd for their parents.

"There they are."

Anthony looked over and saw the Potter family, already waiting with the two girls. Billy made his way towards them, but didn't relinquish Anthony's hand. As they neared the Potter's, Anthony's own family called out to him.

"I have to go, kid," he said. Billy nodded, and shook Anthony's hand formally before giving him a quick hug. He bounded towards his parents, hearing Anthony calling out to him.

"Have a good holiday, William! Owl me if you have problems with… with your homework!"

"Will do! See you in January!"

He skidded to a stop in front of his mother, grinning cheerfully.

"Hi Mum! Hi Dad!"

He permitted his mother to hug him, and his father to clutch his shoulder.

"You ready to go home, son?"

"Of course! It's Christmas!"

They laughed, oblivious to his discomfort, and headed towards the car.

"So how's school, Billy?" asked Lily when they were on their way home. "Is it fabulous?"

"Even better!" he said enthusiastically.

"I hope you're working hard."

"Of course, but the work this year is quite easy, so there isn't much to do."

"Easy?" asked James in astonishment. "You think first year is easy?"

"Of course!"

"Which lessons are your favourite?"

"I'm doing quite well in transfiguration," he told them. "But the best subject has to be potions."

"Potions!" exclaimed James. "Why on earth…"

"Just like his mother," said Lily pointedly. James blushed, and focused on the road.

"By the way," continued Lily. "We'll be going to the Weasley's on Christmas day. Molly's invited us, although Merlin knows why…"