Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC... well, you get what I mean.
Author's note: So this chapter is a little longer because I had some time to spare and instead of publishing two shorter chapters I thought I'd publish one longer one.
Reviews:
Swordalfgun: Well, you're right about the three houses. Hex does have a Huffelpuff side but she tends to hide it for reasons that will be uncovered later on in the story. In regard to the vortex manipulator, Hex only has a self made prototype and she doesn't know whether it will work or not. She will be giving it a go at some point but not just quite yet.
celf: Thank's for reviewing, though Hex isn't really the type to know about anything to do with My Little Pony, so I think it wouldn't quite make sense for her to go there.
Atro Gobo: Are you by any chance psychic? Or can you read my mind. You're completely right that there is something about that nick-name. As to what is so specia about the nickname will be revieled at some point but not until quite a bit later. Thanks for th review as always though! :)
: Thanks! ;)
Tsobail: 'Yes. Good, good, good. Good in many ways. Good you like it so far.' Sorry but I had to use the opportunity to quote the Doctor. Thanks for reviewing :P
Everyone in the Weasley house celebrated the arrival of the Hogwarts letters and decided that they would spend the day at Diagon Alley, seeing as Hex needed clothes anyway. All of them went through floo network, which Hex honestly didn't find too bad. The group decided to split up and although Molly and Arthur did offer to pay for everything, Hex insisted on paying for herself. Hex was confident that she would be able to get what she needed so, keeping an eye at the time as they had agreed to meet at the ice cream parlour by four, Hex rushed off to the book store first. Hex first got all the books from the list that she needed and then went around the store grabbing books on things she didn't know about yet, which honestly weren't that many thanks to the knowledge that her pocket watch had given her. Thanks to the pocket watch, Hex already knew certain things about herself. She knew that she could easily perform wandless magic, even with higher level spells, she knew that she was a multi-form animagus, which was an animagus that could turn into more than one animal, she knew that she would easily cast a patronus and she knew that she excelled at Legilimency and Occlumency, which were after all a lot like telepathy.
Once Hex had all the books she wanted, she used wandless magic to add an untraceable extension charm to the main part of her bag and she put the books away in it. That was much easier than using technology to add a pocket dimension.
Once Hex had all the things she needed except for her robes, a wand and a familiar, she decided that she should best get some different clothes because she noticed how people looked at her funny. At least she had managed to wash up somewhat at the Burrow. It didn't take too long for Hex to get some clothes and school robes. Normally shopping in the 'muggle world' would have taken her much longer. Yay magic!
Hex knew that she didn't want to enter Olivander's with an animal so that was where she headed off to next. She arrived only to find Ron and Molly leaving. "You all right dear? Getting your wand now I suppose. Ron just got his. It's three now so don't take too long" Molly said when she almost bumped into her. "He's mad, I tell you! That Olivander guy really is creepy. I'd watch out if I were you" Ron said. Hex just smiled at Ron's silliness. She knew that Ron was basically terrified of anything new. "Alright, thanks Ron" Hex said, before she happily skipped into the shop. Olivander was already at his desk and looked up when the door opened. "Ah yes! You must be Ms Firestone! Just a second" and off he went. Hex wasn't too surprised by his behaviour, having expected it somewhat. Olivander soon came back with three long boxes. It didn't take long to find out that none of the three wands were meant for her. After that he tried with a different five which all didn't work either. "Maybe… Oh I wonder" Olivander said as he rushed to the back of the shop. Hex was getting a little worried now. Olivander had looked almost afraid and in awe at the same time as he spoke.
After a little while Olivander came back with a box that looked different than all the boxes Hex had seen so far. This one was styled and made of wood. It looked beautiful and made her wonder how the wand looked. Olivander carefully, almost delicately, lifter the lid of the box and held it out to Hex, seemingly almost not daring to touch the wand. Hex reached over and picked it from the box. "Ah! That's your wand then. Now, I didn't make that wand but it was passed down to me through many generations of wand makers. It's Elderwood with a dragon heartstring and pheonix tears core. It's not the Elderwand in case you were wandering but it is a very special wand. The dragon from which the heartstring was taken was called the golden dragon and was the only of its kind. The wand will burn anyone but it's owner and will give off a tune only it's owner will hear when there's danger. You, my dear, will be a very powerful witch" Olivander explained. Of course. Leave it up to me to get the most powerful wand in the store. Hex quickly paid Olivander, but before leaving cast a quick wandless and wordless obliviate spell so that he would think that he had given her a relatively regular wand and would completely forget about the wand that he had really given her. Sorry but you get caught by Voldy at some point and I can't have you telling him about me. I can't be special to you. Hex argued mentally.
The whole ordeal in Olivanders had taken half an hour which left Hex with half an hour to get a familiar and to get to the ice cream parlour. Hex didn't take long to find the store with all the colourful creatures, and as soon as she entered the store, a golden phoenix, decorated with silver feathers in its tail came flying down from its perch and landed on her shoulder. Hello. Hex heard in her mind, and it took her a moment to find out that it had been the young phoenix that had spoken to her. Hello. My name's Alexis but most call me Hex. What's your name. Hex was definitely intrigued by the bird. I'm Flame. Flame replied. Hex smiled at the bird on her shoulder. Nice to meet you Flame. Would you like to come with me. I have to warn you that I won't always be around because sometimes I hop off to another place for a while but it could be fun. Hex offered. I would love to. Flame replied. Having made up her mind, Hex went over to the cashier.
"Oh! Looks like that one finally found someone to be happy with. Tell you what, you can have her for free. She wouldn't go with anyone else. They couldn't even get her off her perch" the shop owner explained. Hex thanked the old man and walked out with Flame on her shoulder. Hex was first at the ice cream parlour with 10 minutes to spare which she spent talking to Flame. She told Flame all about her watch and what it did while Flame told her about what she was capable of and shared stories of all the strange people that had come to the store. Through Flame, Hex had found out that she should be able to communicate with all creatures, including snakes. Does that mean I'm a parselmouth? No, cause I can talk to other animals too right? I just have to try and understand them and I will, like Flame said.
Ron was the first to arrive with Arthur. "Wait! You got a phoenix! But they're like super expensive" Ron exclaimed. "Yeah but the shop owner gave me her for free. Said that she wouldn't go with anyone else and was happy that she had found someone" Hex easily replied, gently stroking the bird which hadn't left her shoulder. Flame was smaller than Faux seemed in the movies, probably because she was younger, but that made it easier for her to sit on Hex's shoulder so she didn't really care about that. Hex had to give a similar explanation when the other Weasleys joined them at the parlour. Hex insisted on paying for the first (and only) round of ice cream, despite Molly and Arthur lightly protesting against it. After all they did let her stay under their roof and they fed her as well.
Hex wasn't afraid of using magic outside of school because she knew about a spell to dismiss the trace on her and used it as soon as she had landed in this Universe, but she still couldn't let anyone else see her use it just in case. She would have to wait for at least the train to be able to use magic in front of people. As soon as they were back at the Burrow Molly went straight to the kitchen and started cooking. Fred and George probably went to their room to work on Pranks, Ginny disappeared to her room probably to swoon over Harry while Ron went off with his father to play some chess.
Hex wanted to read through her books, knowing that she would get through them all before dinner, but knew she had to at least ask poor Molly if she could help with the cooking. Though the woman seemed quite hyperactive and capable of doing it on her own. Molly of course didn't want any help so Hex told her that she would be upstairs reading, which was that same thing that Percy would probably be doing now according to Molly. Except I'm nothing like Percy and I can't wait to do my own pranks in Hogwarts, especially in fifth year with Umbridge.
As Hex had thought, she had easily gotten through all of her books before dinner with time to secretly practice spells as well. As a result Hex had also completely mastered her patronus before being called down to eat. She had even managed to make the silvery blue dragon go golden using some of her older memories she would never tell anyone about.
That was how Hex spent the rest of her three weeks at the Burrow. She got quite close to the Weasleys and perfected her Magic, even inventing new spells and coming up with new ideas for potions. Hex had bought a little golden journal and had, like in the Tardis Blue one, written down notes about the movies and made a list of things she would try to change and how she would manage to do so. She knew that she was going to save Sirius Black no matter what. She wasn't sure if she liked Dumbledore enough to risk so much to save him, seeing as he did seem somewhat manipulative. After all, it was kind of needed for a lot of the plot to happen as well. She could save Cedric though without too many consequences because Cho wasn't meant for Harry anyway. She would also maybe destroy the locket, first chance she got and would just have to make sure that things went well enough without it later on in the story. Oh and she'd definitely try and save Lupin and Tonks. Ugh! So many people to save. Why do they all have to go and die. I mean, getting into trouble I get cause the Doctor does it all the time, but dying permanently is something else entirely.
It was soon time to go to the platform 9 ¾ which wasn't too difficult to find with Molly's help. That was where Hex first met Harry. "Excuse me! C-could you tell me how to…" Harry trailed off, gesturing towards the wall. "How to get on the platform? Yes, not to worry dear. It's Ron's and Hex's first time to Hogwarts as well. Now all you've got to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous" Molly explained. Ginny shyly looked at Harry, who had glanced at Ron and Hex at the mention of their names, saying "Good luck". Hex watched Harry go through and decided that she'd go next.
Hex wasn't nervous at all and leisurely walked through the wall to the other side, waiting for the others to come through, Molly had told Ron and Hex to stay together for the train ride just in case and Ron didn't seem to mind so Hex agreed. It also meant that she would be in the same carriage as Harry and later also meet Hermione.
By the time they had boarded the train, Hex having to help Ron with his trunk, and it took off, Ron had somehow managed to get dirt on his nose and frankly look absolutely silly. Hex found it hilarious so she didn't say a word about it. She hadn't gotten a cage for Flame and had agreed that they would meet in the castle once they were there. Hex had found out that through some kind of bond that they had made that she would be able to summon Flame wherever she was which would help her keep Flame a secret. Hex wasn't too keen on advertising the fact that she had a phoenix to the whole castle. Hex had even gone so far as to teach Flam how to turn into another animal and convinced the Weasleys that Flame had flown away and that she now had a golden fox as a familiar instead.
Once they had reached the compartment with Harry in it, both Hex and Ron stuck their head through the door. "Excuse us, do you mind? Everywhere else is full" Ron asked. Hex had spent the last three weeks trying to teach Ron what manners were and she must admit that he had considerably improved.
"No, not at all" Harry said. Hex grinned at him and Harry smiled back shyly. Sorry kid but I'm far too old for you. Not this body, but… ugh, whatever. Ron and Hex both got into the compartment. Hex easily lifted her trunk with no difficulty at all into the overhead compartment causing both Harry and Ron to stare at her a little in shock. "Er, Hex, would you mind…" Ron trailed off, gesturing to his own trunk. Hex just shrugged and lifted his trunk and put it away as well. "Blimey you're stronger than you look" Ron commented to which Harry just nodded. "I like sports" Hex gave as an explanation before she sat down next to Harry while Ron sat across from him.
"I'm Ron, be the way. Ron Weasley" Ron said, holding out a hand which Harry shook. "Oh, and I'm Alexis Firestone, but everyone just calls me Hex" Hex said cheerfully, holding out a hand much the same way as Ron had done. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter" Harry said. This caused Ron to act much like a fish to which Hex just rolled her eyes. "So-so it's true? I mean, do you really have the… the…" Hex reached over and smacked Ron on the arm. "Rude" was all Hex had to say to that. Harry looked a little confused. "The what?" he asked. Ron leaned closer in a failed attempt to stop Hex from hearing him whisper "Scar?" "Oh, yeah" Harry said, lifting his hair so that the scar was visible. "Wicked" was all that Ron could say to that. "Honestly Ron. It doesn't matter. He's a person like you and me and not some artefact in a glass case" Hex said, earning a small smile from Harry.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" the trolley lady asked once she reached the compartment they were in. Hex shook her head, having enough energy without the added sugar rush while Ron held up his mushed food as an excuse. Harry, having seen Ron, pulled out a hand full of Galleons from his pocket saying "We'll have the lot". Ron, his rat and Harry spent the next couple minutes eating sweets until both boys had almost nothing but wrappers on their laps. Ron was about to try to use a spell on his rat when Hermione appeared in the entrance of the compartment.
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one" Hermione asked the group. Hex and Harry shook their heads while Ron said "No." Hermione, seeing Ron's want out, became interested. "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then" Hermione encouraged. Ron strangely cleared his throat before saying some strange rhyme that did nothing. Like Hex, Hermione had already changed into her school robes and therefore looked a bit like a teacher when she lightly scolded Ron and repaired Harry glasses. "Holy Cricket, you're Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger… and you two are…?" Hermione asked once she had sat down next to Ron. Before Ron got a chance to say anything with his mouthful, Hex beat him to it. "I'm Alexis Firestone but most people just call me Hex" Hex introduced holding her hand out for Hermione which she politely shook before turning to Ron who had swallowed by now. "I'm Ron Weasley" he said, not really holding out his hand because he knew that it was sticky from all the sweets. Those two are going to regret having all those sweets in the morning and I already feel sorry for the people in their dorm.
Hermione told the boys that they'd better change into their robes as well before getting up and leaving, only to return to tell Ron about the dirt on his nose, which in turn caused Hex to laugh hysterically. It didn't take long until the train finally arrived and everyone piled out of the compartments. Hex decided to stay close to Harry just in case and she couldn't wait to meet Hagrid. "Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!" Hagrid shouted form near the front of the train. Harry, flanked by Ron and Hex, walked up to Hagrid. "Hello, Harry" Hagrid warmly greeted. "Hey, Hagrid" Harry replied with a smile. Hex just grinned up at Hagrid and waved enthusiastically, earning a large smile form the gentle half-giant. Ron seemed a little more afraid than anything else.
Everyone followed Hagrid to the boats where they got in four per boat. Harry, Ron, Hex and Hermione all shared a boat. During the ride to the school Hermione and Hex talked about magic and some theories that they had both read about. Hex knew she had to be careful with what she told Hermione about because some things didn't exist yet but it was still interesting to talk to someone who was at least somewhat intelligent. Oh I'm starting to think like the Doctor now. Or is that more like Sherlock? Is there a Sherlock Universe as well?
That was when Hex remembered that she hadn't checked her pocket watch yet, so as everyone filed into the castle, Hex pulled it out and opened it. Hex first noted that the date had changed to the actual date in this Universe which would be useful to her later on. Then she checked the two arrows. The golden one was now where the silver one used to be and the silver one was pointing to the beginning of the red numbers. At least it wasn't mauve, the universally recognised colour for danger. Now that would have been bad. No, red's just means camp. Yeah, cause that's so much better. Hex had put her sonic in her hidden pocket as well as her phone, leaving only some sweets, some string and her pencil case in the main compartment of her bag which she had fitted with the portable perception filter and had charmed as well with powerful spells that were meant to have a similar effect. She also used the same spells on her hidden pocket plus some other, stronger ones that were useful in case her isomorphic control system failed so it would still only be her that would be able to open the pocket and get to its content.
The students all went up some stairs to where Professor McGonagall was waiting. There she gave her speech before Nevil jumped for his toad. Professor McGonagall informed them all that the sorting would start shortly before leaving. That was when Draco gave his own little speech to Harry, not including Hex in his insults, and Harry turned him down quite clearly before Professor McGonagall returned. "Go Harry!" Hex whispered to him as they were told to what to do, earning an amused smile from the boy.
They were soon standing at the front of the great hall, waiting for Dumbledore to 'say a few words' as Professor McGonagall had put it. "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you" Dumbledore said before sitting back down from the head table where he had stood up from.
"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger" McGonagall said, Hex hitting Ron when he called her mental. Hermione was quickly put into Gryffindor, followed by Draco who got put into Slytherin. Hex was only half paying attention until she noticed Harry put a hand up to his scar. Hex put a comforting hand on Harry's arm in concern, being fully aware of what was going on but being unable to do anything about it. At least no one dies this year except for Quirrell who I can do nothing about, not that I really want to anyway.
"Harry, what is it?" Ron asked, looking worried for his new friend. Harry though brushed it off as nothing and soon it was Ron's turn who quickly got sorted into Gryffindor. Hex was busy going through four specific spells in her head that she had prepared. No matter what house she was put in, she would have something. She already had a tight grip on her wand which was halfway up her sleeve. She could easily do the spells wandless but she didn't want anyone knowing about her ability to do that just yet. It didn't take long till Harry had his go as well. There were only five students left from the group when it was finally Hex's turn to go up.
"Alexis Firestone" Professor McGonagall called out. Hex quickly made her way up to the stool and the sorting hat, keeping her wand hidden the whole time. Gryffindor would be ideal but I'll make do with whatever I get. Hex thought before Professor McGonagall lowered the hat onto her head. Well this is interesting. You'll have to let me in dear, I can't see past your walls. Hex understood what the hat meant and pulled her walls back a bit so that only her surface thoughts were exposed. Well, you seem to have quite the control over your mind. Is there something you're hiding in there? The hat teased. More like something I'm keeping safe. Hex gave as an explanation. The hat didn't question it any further. This is rather rare. You seem to fit into all four houses perfectly. You are cunning and ambitious, yet also kind and gentle, even if you do tend to hide the trusting and kind side of yourself. You are hungry for knowledge and a genius, but you seek adventure and are loyal and brave. I see you have a preference for Gryffindor though. May I ask why? The hat asked. It would make a lot of things easier. Hex said, not wanting to go on and on about the topic and just wanting to be sorted.
Alright, whatever you want dear. The hat finally gave in before shouting "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table cheered and Hex let her wand drop into her hand as she stood. She then said the words to the correct spell and a large lion of golden dust appeared behind her. It rushed to the centre of the great hall where it roared and then exploded into little golden flecks that drifted to the ground. The majority of the hall burst into applause. "For that amazing display of magic, 15 points to Gryffindor" Professor McGonagall announced with a smile once the noise had died down, causing the Gryffindor table to erupt into cheers once more and Hex earned a bunch of pats on the back once she sat down next to Harry, across from Ron and Hermione.
"That was really good. Would you show me how you came up with the spell?" Hermione asked once the sorting was finished and the feast had appeared on the tables. "Sure thing Hermione. We'll probably be sharing a dorm so I'll explain before going to bed" Hex offered, before dropping some food onto her plate. "That was wicket though" Ron said between mouthfuls of food. Harry nodded at Ron's statement and started eating as well.
Harry then started having a conversation with Percy, which Hex ignored because she knew what it was about. Hex was more interested in sir Nicholas who appeared through the table, eliciting a shout from Ron. "Hello sir Nicholas, it's an honour to meet you sir" Hex said politely. "The honour is all mine milady. May I enquire what your name is?" sir Nicholas asked. "Alexis Firestone sir, but most people call me Hex" Hex said, to which sir Nicholas nodded before flying off. The rest of the feast went similarly, and Hex even got to meet peeves who seemed to take an immediate liking to her, to everyone's surprise. Hex did feel eyes on her throughout the feast though, and by looking in the corner of her eye she noticed the Dumbledore was staring intently at her, as if trying to find out what she was. Good thing I put my mental walls back up and reinforced them as best as I could.
Once they had finished their meals the prefects escorted their houses' first years to the dorms and common room. Percy was the one to lead the Griffindor first years to the painting of the lady, saying the password "Caput Draconis".
The common room seemed even more beautiful than in the movies. Hex didn't have time to explore though and wasted no time in getting to her dorm which she indeed shared with Hermione and started setting everything up. Using wandless magic Hex charmed the top of her bed to show the stars, while she made sure that she had all her essentials in her shoulder bag, which still had the perception filter on it. Hex had quickly realised though that the shoulder bag was rather impractical and had bought a kind of bag that could be attached at the waist. Hex removed her hidden pocket, with a little difficulty, from her shoulder bag and put it in the new bag at her waist. She also added all the charms, including the undetectable extension charm, and put all her other stuff in as well. The only things that weren't in the bag were the vortex manipulator strapped to her wrist which looked like nothing more than a leather bracelet and her wand safely tucked away in her pocket. Hex also added the portable perception filter to the bag and charmed it with several spells. Now her shoulder bag was nothing more than a shoulder bag with some charms that she could use to carry her school supplies around. The waist bag would look like nothing more than a belt to anyone else or wouldn't be noticed at all.
By the time Hex was done, Hermione had come up to her for an explanation to the spell. Hex spent the rest of the night before going to bed, explaining some basic spell creating theory to Hermione, who absorbed it all like a sponge and had some questions at the end which Hex easily answered. As soon as everyone was asleep, Hex had called Flame to her and they had spent some time chatting through their minds.
In the morning they had transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. She was in her animagus form on her desk. All the students just sat down except for Hex who walked up to the cat. "Good morning Professor" Hex said, only loud enough for the cat to hear, who tilted its head and gave what seemed to be a smile before Hex left and sat down next to Hermione. As expected, Harry and Ron where late.
Hex, knowing most of the stuff being taught that lesson, spaced off a little and thought about her night at the Burrow where she had transformed into her different animagus forms. She found out that she was quite comfortable as a canine or feline, one of her favourites being an abnormally large wolf. She quickly found something that was common throughout all of her forms as well, and that was that all of them were somewhat golden. As a fox she had gold and white fur. As a wolf she had gold fur. As an eagle she had black feathers with gold in them. Hex was pretty sure that this had something to do with her watch. She also managed to cast some cool fire affect around her while changing.
Next was potions, which Hex thought was ok with, not really having the same dislike towards Snape as everyone else in Gryffindor. Soon it was midday and almost everyone was gathered in the great hall. Students were all doing homework or practising little spells. Seamus was trying to turn his cup of water into rum with little success. Hex though, had something planned. Hex had spent last night with Flame coming up with the perfect prank for the start of the year. As soon as the hall was reasonably full she would start. The whole thing would be done with wandless and wordless magic. Hex decided it would be best to do it after the owls came with the mail. Nevil got his remembrall. Something Hex didn't expect, was to be talked to by Harry. Harry went on to explain to her and Ron about the break in at Grinngots. Soon the hall quieted down again and that was when Hex got to work.
First, the whole hall darkened, causing some people to freak out while others broke out into whispers. Then, the main doors to the hall opened and acrobats made of fire came rushing in. They were all doing tricks in the air. In front of the head table they formed a fire-human pyramid. The top seemed to wobble through and the whole thing came crashing down into a fire ball which flew up and morphed into a dragon, before disappearing entirely. The whole hall went back to the way it was after that and loud cheers erupted from most of the tables. Fred and George even said something about finding out who did that and getting them to do pranks with them. Hex had decided to go with the dragon because it was her patronus. It was something no one would figure out until at least the third year. People started calling the mysterious prankster 'The Fire Dragon'.