A Different Beginning
Transfiguration, Potions and a Letter
"SLYTHERIN," the hat shouted. However, the hat seemed to say something that made Draco upset, because he flung the hat down and glared at it. Professor McGonagall had to push him towards the Slytherin table in order for the next person to be sorted.
During the sorting of more people, Harry glanced up at the head table to see a man with greasy black hair and a hooked nose, who was talking to a man in a turban, looked into Harry's eyes, and Harry felt pain on his forehead, but it vanished as soon as it came.
"Potter, Harry," McGonagall called out. Whispers broke out amongst everyone as Harry stepped up and sat on the stool.
"Hmm, Potter, eh," a voice in his mind said, "You could do well in Slytherin, but you also have plenty of courage, hmm." Not Slytherin, please not Slytherin. Harry thought. Anything but Slytherin.
"Not, Slytherin, eh, then better be…" the voice thought, "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry instantly relaxed, and made his way over to the Gryffindor table. People were clapping, and Fred and George were yelling, "We got Potter!" Harry looked up and saw Hagrid grinning at him, and Dumbledore sitting in a large gold chair. Moments later, Dean Thomas and Ron joined Harry at the Gryffindor table.
After the last person had been sorted, Albus Dumbledore stood up, and welcomed everyone.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before the feat begins, here are some words you should keep in mind: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." He sat down, and everyone clapped. Harry smiled, that was normal Dumbledore for you. The dishes in front of him changed to being piled with food, and Harry eagerly dug in. Harry would never say this out loud, but the food here could rival Mrs. Weasleys, or even his mum's cooking. Harry glanced up at the head table, and saw the same greasy haired man clearly now, only to recognize Snape. His mum would sometimes talk about her former best friend, and show him pictures. Now he just looked foul and dark.
People gasped as ghosts wandered into the hall. One ghost looked longingly at Harry's steak.
"Can't you eat?" Harry wondered.
"I can't, I don't need to, but it would be nice," the ghost replied, "I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"You're Nearley Headless Nick," Neville gasped.
"I would prefer Sir Nick," he said stiffly.
"How can you be nearly headless?" Seamus asked. Sighing, Sir Nick pulled down on his left ear. His whole head swung off and fell, except for a part that acted like a hinge.
"Anyways," Sir Nick continued, "I hope you new Gryffindors help us win the house champion, it's been six years, and I hate hearing The Bloody Baron's bragging, he's the Slytherin ghost." After some more chatting with the people around him Dumbledore stood up.
"Just want to clarify, no one is allowed to go into the forbidden forest, and some older students will remind the younger ones," Dumbledore's twinkling eyes looked over at the twins, who in turn grinned.
"No magic in the hallways and between class, and quidditch trials will be second week of the term. Anyone playing should contact Madam Hooch. This year, anyone who wishes to die a painful death can visit our third-floor corridor on the right hand side, so, it is obviously out of bounds." Harry made a mental note of that, and looked around. Some people had laughed, but most remained serious.
Now, the school song before we go to bed,' Dumbledore waved his wand, and a gold ribbon flew out. The school sang:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarst,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or yound with scabby knees,
Out heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
(Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, pg. 128)
Everyone finished at a different time, and then they all left to go to their house. Harry and Ron followed Percy up the stairs, and to a portrait of a fat lady.
"Password," she demanded.
"Caput Draconis, "said Percy, and the portrait opened to a round hole in the wall. Everyone stepped through, and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room. Harry went up the stairs to the boys dormitory, to find his stuff by a bed. Ron sat down on the bed next to him.
"Well, we're finally here," Ron yawned, "G'night Harry."
"Night," Harry fell asleep almost instantly.
The next morning, Harry was eating a piece of toast when he saw an owl fly down. He recognized Merlin, the family owl. He untied the letters, and Merlin flew off. He picked up the first one, which was from his parents.
Dear Harry,
How's Hogwarts? Congrats on getting into Gryffindor, Dumbledore fllooed us after the feast. You should've been here yesterday, after we got home, we had the Weasleys come over for supper. Ginny and Selena both raced after the snitch, and Ginny won by an inch. Afterwards, they both hung out in Selena's room, and were reluctant to leave. So Ginny and Selena won't be too lonely, it seems. Well, write us back, but you don't have to do it soon. Make sure to stay out of trouble, and have fun!
Love,
Mum and Dad.
Smiling, Harry put the letter away, and turned to the next one.
Harry-
Heard you got into Gryffindor, I can't wait until I'm there with you next year. I caught the snitch an inch in front of Selena's hand, but she doesn't mind. We're actually pretty good friends now, but not as close as you and I. Write back soon!
-Ginny
Harry made a mental note to write back, and packed up his things. On the way to the dungeons, he and Ron caught up with Hermione.
"What do you think Snapes like?" Ron asked.
"It's Professor Snape," Harmione corrected, "I heard he's prejudiced towards Gryffinor house, but he's a teacher, he can't be." Harry snorted, and Hermione glared at him.
"From what I've heard, he only like Slytherin, and he's a horrible teacher," Harry said.
"Well, we won't know until we find out," Hermione sniffed. Harry and Ron rolled their eyes, and stepped into the classroom. It was dark and gloomy, with no windows. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville all sat down in one row. The door then opened and Snape strode in, his black robes flying behind him. Moments after, Malfoy strutted into the classroom, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. Seamus raced in after him.
"Five points from Gryffindor for being late," Snape said.
"Malfoy came in late to, professor," Ron raged.
"Ten points for talking back," Snape flicked his wand, and writing appeared on the board.
"I can teach you to bewitch the mind, or even put a stopper to death," Snape started, "However, some of you in here decide to not pay attention." Hermione jabbed Harry, who was copying down what Snape said. He looked up into the cold eyes of Snape.
"Mr. Potter, our new celebrity," he said slowly. Malfoy smirked, and Ron glared at him.
"Where would you find a beazor?" Snape asked.
Harry thought, than answered, "Your ingredients cupboard."
Snape sneered, "Ten point from Gryffindor for you cheek, Potter." After a devastating lesson, in which Slytherin earned 30 points, and Gryffindor lost another 20, Harry sulked up to Transfiguration. Ron sat next to him in the classroom, looking equally depressed.
"Mr, Potter, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall's sharp voice brought them back, "Would you care to show the class how to transform a match into a needle, like Ms. Granger here has?" Harry waved his wand, and the match hardened, but didn't fully turn. Ron's attempt didn't do a thing.
"Keep trying," Professor McGonagall told them. By the end of the lesson, only Harry and Hermione had fully accomplished turning their matches into a needle, giving Gryffindor back 20 points.
A/N: Here it is, I hope you like it. Review plz :)
P. S.
Quick Poll, How soon should Harry and Ginny get together? I already have plans for CoS, so not during that year. Right after? Yule Ball? Help! Just leave your answer in a review.
