A/N: Hey all!
First of all, thanks to all of you who reviewed last chapter, this story is finally past 100 reviews.
Secondly, the updates are not going to be as regular as before for at least next month and a half. I will try to update next chapter within two weeks, but no promises. Reasons: School, exams, assignments, etc. Please tolerate me. As soon as all these troubles passes off, I will start updating every week.
Now, off with the chapter.
Chapter 7
Harry and Niall, along with the rest of the first years, were standing in the great hall, surrounded by the chatters and stares of their seniors and teachers. The great hall was nothing as Harry ever imagined. True, some book referred it as a 'magnificent sight which cannot be replicated easily' or 'a temple of powerful charms', but he never expected it to be so…grand, beautiful, breathtaking. The great hall was filled with four tables arranged parallel to each other, designated to each house. The staff table was placed at the end of the hall, with a huge window right behind it viewing the mountains. The place was illuminated with floating candles. But this was not the biggest grandeur of this place, no, it was its roof. It was charmed to view the weather outside, and currently it looked as if it gazed straight at heavens.
Harry watched his surroundings with awe, an expression which looked comical at his face. Niall chuckled.
Harry's attention diverted to him.
"And what are you laughing at?" Harry asked, still in sullen mood about the fact that Niall refused to tell him about the sorting procedure. When Professor McGonagall explained them the rules of this school, Harry was most confused about the sorting ceremony (scared too, but Niall shouldn't know that). And Niall didn't back off to flaunt the fact that he knows everything about sorting as well as houses.
"Your face, it's so funny." Niall replied, chuckling silently. Besides him, Rom was smirking.
Harry glared at them.
"Whatever."
Harry glanced at the staff table. He saw Professor Potter drinking from his goblet, staring at him. Harry smiled at him, and he mouthed 'Best of luck'. Harry's heart swelled at just a simple gesture. He smiled back.
Besides Professor Potter sat Mrs. Potter, talking with a short, plump woman. Whatever she was talking about, she seemed to enjoy herself immensely.
He saw Professor McGonagall entering the great hall with a three-legged stool, and placed it in front of the staff table. She placed an old and moldy looking hat on it, with many patch works on it. Harry stared at it quizzically, glancing at Niall from time to time. He didn't look surprised at all.
"Now as I call your names, you need to come here while I place this hat on your head." Professor McGonagall said.
Harry exhaled a breath which he didn't know he held. Niall chuckled loudly, attempting it to turn into a cough. Harry wasn't fooled.
"And you couldn't inform this to me because…"
"I wanted the suspense to kill you, and it was so funny!" Niall replied, muffling his laugh behind his fists.
"Thank god, Fred and George told me we have to wrestle a troll." Ron replied, not aware of Harry and Niall's conversation. Niall and Harry looked at each other, not knowing weather to laugh or roll their eyes.
They did both.
"Wrestle a troll; it's so stupid, as if a troll can enter Hogwarts." A girl ahead of the three boys said. Harry observed she was the same girl who was annoying others with her knowledge.
"And who are you?" Ron asked rudely.
"Hermione Granger. You?"
"Ron Weasley."
"Harry Wright."
"Niall Potter."
"You are Niall Potter? I read all about you. Pleased to meet you." She said. All around them, people started whispering to each other.
"What's so special about you?" Harry asked, confused.
"You don't know? He is the one who-"
"Shut up, Ron. It's nothing, I'll tell you later." Niall said to Harry, glaring at Ron. Ron, in return, glared at Harry. Hermione kept glancing at the three boys, confused.
Just then, "Abbott, Hannah" became a "Hufflepuff", "Bones, Susan" also became "Hufflepuff", "Boot, Terry" became a "Ravenclaw", "Brown, Lavender" became "Gryffindor, "Bullstrode, Millicent" became "Slytherin", "Finch-Fletchely" became "Hufflepuff" "Finnigan, Seamus" became "Gryffindor".
When "Granger, Hermione" was called, ron started pleading "Not Gryffindor, not Gryffindor".
"Why not Gryffindor?" Harry asked.
"Are you mad? She will make my life hell if she comes to Gryffindor." Ron replied.
"And what's the guarantee that you will be Gryffindor?" Harry asked.
"My whole family is in it." He replied.
"Well, I hope she's in Gryffindor." Harry said, just to spite him. As if some sort of cosmic energy is supporting Harry, the hat shouted just on the cue.
"Gryffindor."
Ron groaned.
After few mild swearing words and 'life is not fair's' from Ron, "Longbottom, Neville" was called. The boy was practically in tears when the hat announced "Gryffindor".
"Good. He deserves to be in Gryffindor." Niall said.
"You know him?" Harry asked.
"Sort of. My mum and his mum used to be dorm mates. We have met a couple of times."
"Oh."
"Neville has confidence issues. I suggest you never insult him." Niall said.
"Why would I insult him? He seems like a good lad." Harry replied.
"Good."
"Malfoy, Draco" became Slytherin ("No surprise there", Niall said), "Patil, Padma" became Ravenclaw, while "Patil, Parvati" became "Gryffindor." After few more names, the hat called.
"Potter, Niall."
Whispers broke out throughout the hall. There were lots of "The Niall Potter", "That's Niall Potter" and "Hope he's in our house" from all the house tables, except Slytherin. In fact, the Slytherins were exceptions to all the things. They clapped less when a new member joined, they talked less while the sorting is going on, they even smiled less. Majority of them had a frown as their default expression.
Weird lot.
Niall walked to the hat, and McGonagall placed it on his head. Barely a minute passed, when the hat announced "Gryffindor." The whole Gryffindor table kept cheering, and a pair of redhead twins kept chanting "We got Potter, we got Potter." Harry immediately liked them. Lily and James Potter were beaming at Niall, while Niall jumped (literally jumped) to the Gryffindor table.
Soon, McGonagall announced "Weasley, Ronald" who was placed in Gryffindor, and then came his turn.
"Well, well well, you certainly have an interesting mind." The hat said in his mind.
"Umm…thanks."
"You have talent, lots of talent; hmm…believe in what you see rather than what others believe, good…intelligence, and a nice memory power…you certainly are talented, young man."
Harry waited for the decision, but the hat continued.
"You have a thirst to prove yourself, and cunningness to reach your goal no matter what. You know, you can be perfect in Slytherin."
"Not Slytherin, please not Slytherin." Harry chanted, horrified by mere thought of belonging with Malfoy.
"Why not?"
"Please, anywhere but Slytherin."
"Okay, you certainly have courage. Not to mention, pride, determination and a certain charm. I think the house you desire will suit you, but Slytherin was surely the better option."
Harry opened is eyes when the hat announced "Gryffindor."
Harry sat with Niall, who was beyond happiness. He looked at Lily and James Potter, who were beaming at him the same way they were beaming at Niall.
"Told you they like you." Niall said, observing where Harry was staring.
Harry smiled at him.
"We are going to have so much fun, Harry." Niall said, stuffing his mouth with chicken legs,
It's going to be fun, indeed.
xxx
Dumbledore was sitting in his office, sucking on a lemon drop. Lemon drops are the best things in the world, according to Dumbledore. They had perfect shape, perfect size and perfect taste. Just like him, totally perfect.
But his perfect façade was currently at stake. At sorting, he finally saw the older Potter, Harry. After spending him one glance, Dumbledore understood how James came to the conclusion Harry was his son. He was a mini-James in his looks, and his eyes, a complete replica of Lily, proved that he was Lily and James's son.
And Dumbledore didn't like that, not at all.
Arthur Weasley told him this morning itself that James was conversing with that muggle matron. Dumbledore has sent his men to the orphanage, and right now they mist be modifying her memory. If everything went right, Dumbledore was sure James will be convinced Harry was not his son. After he came to know Remus Lupin was helping his friend (No surprise there), he needed to be more careful. Remus Lupin is one of the best researchers in the whole England, that's why he was appointed in Gringotts inspite of being a werewolf. He was the reason majority of the hidden treasures and gold were brought to Gringotts, and goblins are satisfied because of that. Sirius Black, senior auror was also helping James, and although he was not important, he was still a threat. Not to mention he was the head of Black family, a respectable and important name in wizarding community. James Potter was also here in Hogwarts, so Dumbledore has no chance of harming that boy or expelling him for no reason (Although it is worth a try to create situations). On top of that, Lily Potter is here, having full access to Harry's blood anytime. If she tests his blood and matches if with hers or James's, the game will be over.
But Dumbledore is two steps ahead of them.
On cue, an owl landed on Dumbledore's table.
Dear Mr. Dumbledore,
It has been decided by National Magical Law Enforcement team on your suggestion that 'Rule 3465: Blood Adoption and Blood-Heirloom Charms' are added to the "forbidden Charms by Ministry" list. If gone against it, the user can get a penalty of five thousand (5,000) galleons and a year in Azkaban.
The news will be published tomorrow in every news-paper and news-letter, as well as the minister will announce it tomorrow on Wireless Wizard Network.
Wishing you good day,
Pomona Jordan
Secretary of Head of Department of Disciplinary Control.
Dumbledore smiled, it was so easy. He just fed some cock-and-bull story to the ministry, bribed some of them and everything went as he wanted. He still couldn't believe, Fudge is so easy to manipulate.
Suddenly, there was a bright light engulfing him. It was a eagle patronas, sent by one of his alleys. It said, "Longbottoms are involved with Potters, foolproof information." And then it disappeared. Dumbledore was worried. New additions to his enemies, and that too powerful ones. Frank Longbottom is a very important auror, soon to be head of his department. Alice Longbottom is also one of the most famous and popular journalist.
It was dangerous, very dangerous. If Longbottoms are involved, then it can be certainly dangerous for him. He has to keep an eye on them too, and if something went out of his hands, then he can surely threaten them.
That's it, he need to keep an eye on all of them. He will not take a risk, not at all.
After all, no one can overpower Albus Dumbledore, no one at all.
Next chapter: Someone's life is in danger, someone is disappointed and someone comes to a conclusions.
