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Harry Potter
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Harry Callahan JR.
Chapter Nine
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ooOoOoo
Harry led Ashley out of the kitchen and up the stairs where they found the Weasley twins with a fake ear in their hands along with Hermione and Susan. They were staring at them like they had horns or something.
"What's up? Harry asked.
"What did…"
"you do…"
"to the…"
"greasy bat? " the twins asked.
"I muggled him," Harry replied as they pushed past them to go up the stairs.
"You attacked a professor. How could you? You'll be expelled," Hermione started to rant.
" Three things Hermione. One, he is not a professor at this time. Two, this is not Hogwarts and three, what he said about my mother and my fiancée was wrong, and I could have just killed him instead of tasering his ass. Now pardon me but Ashley and I, are going to go fuck," Harry replied leaving the girl with a shocked expression.
Harry dragged Ashley up to their bedroom and into his trunk. Pulling the lid closed behind them, they ran to the study and sat down at the double desk. On the desk was a small red stone that Harry tapped with his wand while a quill was writing out on a large roll of parchment.
The stone turned blue and Dumbledore's voice was heard.
"Now the schedule for the guard shift in the Hall of Mysteries is as followed. Monday and Thursday night Arthur and Sturgis have the shift. On Tuesday, it will be Nymphadora…"
"I told you to call me Tonks!"
"Yes, sorry about that. As I was saying, Tonks and Sirius have the shift on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, while Dedalus Diggle and Elphias Doge have Wednesday and Saturday. It's imperative that Voldemort is not able to recover the item. Do you understand me?" Dumbledore asked the room.
"What is this item you're protecting?" came Harry Senior's voice.
"It's a powerful item that if Voldemort was to recover it, then all would be lost," Albus replied.
"Then I saw we get it out of there," Alastor said.
"We cannot, only two people can remove the item and one of them is Voldemort," Amelia stated and then said, "Albus, you and Snape need to back off on that boy. He could have easily killed Snape for what he said. Hell if I was him, I would have killed him for calling my mother and fiancée that. Just so you know Snape, I did some checking on Miss Anderson this morning after they mentioned they were attending Hogwarts this year. She's not a mudblood as you called her; she is a seventh generation witch. Her mother and father are Aurors in San Francisco. Her brother is the top duelist for his year while right behind him is Mister Callahan. Her grandfather on her father's side is the elected official to the American Congress of Magic while her grandmother is a potion mistress. Both her grandparents on her mother's side are runic experts and ward homes for a fee…"
"I see you did some digging into my son's girl, I should warn you all. She won't take crap off anyone and will hurt whoever attacks her or Harry. If she doesn't, then Sheba will hurt them and that is something you don't want coming after you," Harry senior stated as he stood up.
"Now, I'm going up and get some sleep. It's been a long day and gun fights at my age tire me out… especially when I have to kill stupid ass punks that don't have a brain in their heads," Harry Senior stated as he left the room.
As the door closed Molly's voice was heard.
"Albus, I'm not sure we want those two at Hogwarts. They are really violent," Molly stated.
"Harry must attend. He needs training only I can give him," Albus replied and then said, "once we get him away from that girl, and get him with a nice girl like Ginny…"
"Over my dead body. I don't want that bastard anywhere near my daughter," Molly screeched.
"Molly, it's for the greater good. Harry must be with a pureblood from England, not some girl from the colonies. The purebloods of England will demand it," Albus stated.
"Not going to happen old man. You leave my Godson and his fiancée alone…"
"Sirius, you will see I'm right…"
"No Albus, you're wrong," Amelia said.
"I agree with Amelia and Sirius. Leave them alone," Remus added.
"I agree too," Tonks said.
"Fine, I'll leave them alone for now, but if he gets out of control, I will break them up and ship her home," Albus stated.
"Now for the escorts for the children on September first, Alastor, are you going to be able to guard the children?" Albus asked.
Harry shut the stone off and leaned back into his chair as Ashley sat on his lap to cuddle.
"It's going to be interesting," she whispered as she watched Sheba slither down her perch and across the room to them.
"What is love," Harry asked as he wrapped his arms around his best friend for the last eleven years.
"Going to Hogwarts and not our old school," she replied with a sad sigh.
"We'll be back with our friends before you know it," Harry replied as there was a knock on the door.
"Come in dad," Harry shouted.
The door opened and Harry senior looked in and asked, "You kids ok?"
"We're fine, Mister Callahan," Ashley replied.
"Ok, good. So I assume you heard what was said," Harry senior asked as he came in and sat in one of the chairs.
"Yes, we did. It was confusing about what they were talking about," Harry said as he scratched Sheba's chin which caused her to purr.
Harry senior watched Harry's familiar and shook his head in amusement, "Well are you two sleeping down here?" he asked.
"Yes, if you want, take my bed in my trunk Mister Callahan. That way you'll be protected from those idiots," Ashley said as she picked up Sheba and set her on the floor before standing up.
"Thanks, now you head off to school the day after tomorrow, try not to kill anyone on the train. I know it's hard with all these idiots running around, but do try," Harry senior replied as he hugged Ashley and ruffled Harry's hair. Releasing Ashley, he walked away and stopped at the door, "Goodnight," he said as he stepped out of the room hearing the two kids telling him night.
"So what do we do about the houses?" Ashley asked as she sat back down.
"Not sure, not sure I want to be in one, with the way this country is run. If I was to find myself in Slytherin, I would be hated by the Gryffindors. If I wind up in Gryffindor the Slytherins would hate me. The same if I was a Puff or a Claw with the Gryffindors," Harry replied as he opened the fridge and pulled out two bottles of coke.
"Yeah, I believe they would. They would say you are ditching your parents because they were Griffs. You're screwed either way," Ashley said as she grabbed the coke and opened it before sitting on the two seater couch.
"Wish we knew how we're sorted," Harry asked and then stopped as he looked over at the box of shrunken portraits. Walking over to the box he looked through it until he found his parents picture and pulled it out. Enlarging it, he stuck it to the wall with a sticking charm.
"Mom, Dad, I need to ask one of you a question. Can you come out" Harry said.
The door in the back of the picture opened and Lily Potter strolled out in a robe, "What is it son," she asked.
"Mom, sorry to wake you so late, but I have a question for you," Harry replied.
Lilly yawned and sat down, "what is it?" she asked.
"How are we sorted? We've been talking about the houses, and personally we don't understand them," Ashley said from her spot on the couch.
"Oh, we're not supposed to tell our children but since you two really don't want to be there. They sort you with the sorting hat. The hat is an ancient artifact of Godric Gryffindor that the founders enchanted. It will look for the strongest characteristics and sort you into that house…"
"So if you're brave and rush off to battle you'd be in what house?" Ashley asked.
"Gryffindor. If you're cunning and ambitious you would be in Slytherin but that is also the house of dark as it's called. Loyal would put you in Hufflepuff while intelligence and a bookworm would put you in Ravenclaw," Lily said as she yawned again.
"Thanks Mom, we will let you get some sleep," Harry said as he stood up.
"You should too, it's late," Lily replied as she walked to the door in the back of the painting and stepped through.
"Well love, we should head to bed too," Harry stated as he held his hand out to Ashley.
"Yes…" Ashley replied as she as she took Harry's hand and he pulled her to her feet. They started walked into the bedroom when Ashley said, "I think we should go for Ravenclaw," as they changed into their night clothes.
"I agree. We are bookworms," Harry replied with a grin as he kissed Ashley as they climbed into bed.
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ooOoOoo
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The alarm going off had them awake at seven am. Harry let Ashley use the bathroom first as he went into the kitchen and turned on the rune modified coffee pot. Using his wand, Harry used the breath freshener and cleaning charms on his mouth as he walked back into the bedroom where he found Ashley drying her hair using her wand. Giving her a kiss, he walked to the door as he said, "Morning love, coffee will be ready real quick."
"Thanks. Want me to make breakfast?" she asked.
"No, figure we can grab something at Kings Cross since it's only a cab ride away. Why don't you call for a cab," Harry replied as he stepped into the bathroom.
"Ok, I will," Ashley replied as she grabbed her cell phone and the phone book that the American Auror division had supplied.
Ten minutes later, Harry and Ashley were sitting drinking their coffee when Harry's dad stepped into the room.
Morning dad, coffee is on the counter," Harry said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Thanks, just what I wanted, all they have downstairs is tea. Damn Brits," Harry senior said as he sat down and then added, "by the way, found out what that orange stuff they were drinking. Its pumpkin juice."
Coffee flew from Harry's nose as he gasped out, "You have to be kidding me?" as Ashley handed him a towel.
"Kid you not. Seems that is the traditional drink over here in England for the magical world and all they serve at that school," Senior replied as he drained his cup.
"Dad, let me give you some money. Send us several cases of juice and milk. They can send it through the floo. No way am I drinking that," Harry stated as he dropped the napkin beside his saucer.
"I get right on it. At least you have some here. I'll see if they can shrink them down so you can store them in your fridge," Senior replied as he stood up and said, "Well you two stay out of trouble, and I love you Harry. Don't let them control you. Ashley, watch over him and both of you keep in touch."
Harry stood up and hugged his dad, "We will dad. Love you and don't be too rough on the new recruits at the academy," Harry replied.
Harry senior smirked and as Ashley hugged him as well, he replied, "If, I'm not tough on them, some punk ass kid will hand them their asses when they get into their first gun battle."
"True dad, but at least wait until you get them on the range before showing them up. Also make sure you keep your appointment with the doc on the eighteenth. You're not getting any younger you know," Harry replied with a grin.
"Shud up you young whippersnapper," Harry Senior replied as he pulled Harry to him again and rubbed his knuckles in his hair.
"OWWW! Stop it," Harry replied as he tried to get away.
Harry Senior chuckled as he let his son loose, "Now stay out of trouble," he said as he walked out of the room and grabbed his bag.
Harry and Ashley followed him out and over to the floo where his dad threw some of the powder in the fireplace.
"Damn I hate this," senior said as he stepped into the fireplace, "San Francisco, Auror Department."
The fire died down as Harry and Ashley went into the bedroom to finish getting ready. Harry went through the shirts Ashley made for him and found one with that had a picture of a 44 magnum held by a girl and the caption said, 'Do you feel lucky, Punk? Well do yeah?" The gun was held by a girl while the target was a Death Eater in his terrorist outfit. As the animated image activated the Death Eater sent a green beam from his wand towards the girl who ducked as she fired the pistol. The next scene had the Death Eater lying on his back with blood pooling where its head had been and the caption changed to say, 'Tagged and Bagged.'
"That will tick them off when they hear about it," Ashley replied as she picked up her backpack.
"I know, like yours will make all the normal wizards shit their robes," Harry replied as he read Ashley's shirt that said, 'Voldemort, oh stop shitting yourself, it's just a name and a bad one at that. Flight from death, well we know what he's scared off,' and the picture showed Voldemort crapping himself as Death walks towards him with his scythe reaching out for Voldemort.
Harry grabbed his pack and asked, "How long until the cab gets here?" as he handed Ashley her windbreaker and slipped his on.
Ashley glanced at the clock and replied, "ten minutes as they headed for the stairs as she slipped her windbreaker on.
They exited the trunk and shrunk their trunks down and picked them up. Depositing them in their pockets they headed down the stairs to the front door. As they walked they could hear the people in the other rooms stirring as they went down the stairs. Turning towards the door, they heard the kitchen door open and someone coming up the stairs so they stepped into a side room to see who it was. Harry wasn't surprised that it was Mrs. Weasley and they watched as she went up the stairs. Once she was out of sight they opened the front door and walked out of the house to see a cab slowly coming up the street.
Harry stepped out on the sidewalk and raised his hand to get the cabs attention and the cab sped up and pulled over next to them. Harry pulled the door open and Ashley slipped inside and Harry followed her.
"Kings Cross Station, please," Harry said as he closed the door.
"Right away Guv," the driver replied and did a quick U-turn.
Harry looked back at where the house was and saw the door open and Mrs. Weasley stepped out and looked around.
"Well love, looks like they know were gone," Harry whispered in Ashley's ear.
"Oh well. Sucks to be them," she replied as she cuddled into Harry.
Harry was looking up the road and as they went around the corner he perked up, "Hey, pull into McDonalds for us and I buy you something," Harry asked.
"Right away Guv," the man said and pulled into the fast food restaurant.
They made their order and Harry paid for the meals. Five minutes later, they pulled up to Kings Cross Station and they climbed out. Harry carried the drink tray while Ashley carried the four bags of food they bought. Once inside, Harry spotted a map and they checked to see where they had to go.
"Platforms nine and ten are that way," Ashley said as she spotted the signs.
"Ok, let's get going. I'm sure Dumb-as-a-door has his followers out looking for us," Harry replied.
Walking quickly towards their destination Ashley stopped as she saw a book store. Sticking the bags of food in her back, she added the OJ and milk containers to the pack as well.
"Come on," Ashley said as she grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him into the store.
"With a snicker, they stepped into the massive store.
Each of the grabbed a basket and started going through the store, while Harry went to the RPG section, Ashley was in the sci-fi section. Books started flying into the baskets as they worked their way back to the front of the store. Once there, Harry pulled out his bank card the Goblins gave him and paid the twenty-seven hundred dollar bill. With each of them carrying eight bags of books, they headed back out of the store and to the men's room where Harry unshrunk one of the trunks and deposited them all in the trunk. With the trunk back in his pocket they continued on until they found the location they wanted.
"Well mom said we walk between the pillars between platforms nine and ten. She said to be closer to ten because it is platform nine and three quarters not nine and a half," Harry stated as they walked right to the wall and turned around. Leaning against the wall, they waited until it was clear and stepped backwards onto the platform.
Turning around, Harry's left eyebrow went up when he looked at the 4-6-0 Hall class locomotive built just after the turn of the century.
"Now that's an old piece of crap," Harry stated as they started walking towards the train.
"Harry, it's not a piece of crap," Ashley replied, "It's just outdated."
"Outdated is not the word for it. It belongs in a museum not pulling students across the country," Harry said as they walked up to the train.
"Yes, its old, and not every train can be like the ones in Japan that you raved about when you went there last year," Ashley replied as she stepped up onto the train.
"True, nothing beats those beauties," Harry replied as they started walking towards the front of the train. Finding a compartment they stepped in and Harry sealed the door using a rune stone he stuck to the door and pulled the shades down on the windows as Ashley pulled her trunk out and enlarged it.
"What you doing?" Harry asked as he opened his pack and pulled out their milk and oj.
"Turning some music on, put up some silencing spells on the wall," she replied as she went down stairs and turned the music on. As Led Zeppelin started playing, she floated out two big speakers and stuck them to the walls on each side of the door.
"Which tape?" Harry asked as they settled onto the bench to eat.
"Houses of the Holy for now. Please pass me a milk," Ashley replied.
Settling down to eat, listen to music and read, the time passed quickly. Students started arriving and headed for the train to grab a compartment or chat with friends. Several looked at the train because of the music that could be heard coming from their compartment. Some people tried to open the door, but with the spells they placed on it, they couldn't open the door to either complain or make a comment. Ten minutes before eleven, Harry saw Madeye step onto the platform and look around and then looked right at their compartment.
Harry raised his hand and waved and went back to his book, as he said, "Looks like the bird club is here along with all those redheads."
Ashley turned the page of the Runes book she was reading and replied, "About time, trains about ready to leave."
"Yeah it is. I wonder who will try and get in first?"
Harry and Ashley continued listening to their music and read as the ward stone on the door glowed from spells hitting the door. After a few minutes the stone turned black again and there was the sound of a horn blaring. Exactly at eleven o'clock the train pulled away from the platform with a pull of its horn.
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ooOoOoo
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Hermione and Susan stood outside the door with the rest of the Weasley as Sirius and Madeye tried to get the door open. They were hurling unlocking spells at the door that she'd never heard of but was determined to learn them at school. Sirius stopped casting and stepped out of the way as Madeye up his spell casting.
"Damn what did he put on the door?" Sirius asked.
"It's a rune stone," Madeye replied and then said, "and a good one. I can see it taking the energy from the spells, but whatever runic sign it is, it's a powerful one."
"Runes can't do that!" Hermione snapped out and then said, "Can they?"
"Aye, they can. Like I said, whatever run he used is powerful and using our spells to make it more powerful. Sirius, you're just going to have to wait until we get to Hogwarts to talk with him," Madeye said as he put his wand away but his eye was looking down the passageway at the four Slytherins.
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ooOoOoo
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Draco Malfoy stood at the end of the carriage and watched as the blood traitors, and mudbloods tried to get the door open to the compartment. After ten minutes of casting spells at the door, they walked away. Looking to his left at Pansy, he said, "I wonder who's in there that they want to talk to so badly?"
"I don't know Draco, but let's go back to our compartment, the smell of blood traitors and mudbloods is getting to me," she replied.
"As you wish my lady. Goyle, Crabbe, find out who's in the carriage if you can," Draco ordered as he led Pansy back to their compartment.
Behind them, the two bodyguards moved towards the door and tried peeking through any cracks between the shades and edge of the wood.
"I think there are two people in there, but not sure. Can you see anything Greg?" Vinnie asked.
"Nah, let's go find some food to steal from some firsties," Gregory Goyle said.
"Sounds good to me," Vinnie replied.
They two hulking fifth years headed towards the back of the train where the first years usually gathered.
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ooOoOoo
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The train chugged through England and up into Scotland leaving a stream of smoke behind her as the miles fell away. Hours later, Harry and Ashley were down inside their trunks figuring out what they were going to wear to Hogwarts. Harry settled on black jeans with metal studs running up the outside of the jeans with a two inch belt. Hanging from his right hip was a ten inch bowie knife and on his left was his trusty taser. He decided on the same shirt just to piss the pureblood bigots off. For shoes, he was wearng laced up black combat boots that had two more knives and a back up wand inside. Over the whole outfit he settled for a black duster with hidden pockets holding his pistols and ammo clips that went to his ankles. A black Stetson rested on his head with one of Sheba's feathers stuck in the brim. Holding his arm out, Sheba flew over to him and slithered inside his duster.
Harry climbed out of his trunk and shrunk it down. Sitting down, he waited for Ashley to come up from hers as he opened his runic book and started reading.
"Attention students, we're five minutes out from Hogsmead station. Please leave your trunks in your compartment, they will be taken to the castle for you. All first years will be met and taken to the castle by a different path. Carraiges are waiting to take all returning students up to the castle. We hope you enjoyed your journey with us and have a good school year."
Harry closed his book and slid it into his pocket as Ashley came out of her trunk. She was wearing tight black jeans that looked as if they had been painted on her. She had the same shirt on as from earlier and was wearing her duster along with a fedora. She had the same type of boots on as well.
"Looking hot babe," Harry said as Ashley shrunk her trunk and picked it up.
"Thanks love. We should blow them away," she replied as she sat down next to Harry and kissed him.
"I think you will want your cowboy hat, that rain is really coming down," Harry said.
Ashley looked out the window and saw the steady stream of rain running down the window. Pulling her wand out, she tapped the emblem of her family house and it changed to a black Stetson like Harry's.
They felt the train slowing, so Harry stood up and walked to the door. Ashley was right behind him as he pulled the runic stone off the door and placed it in his pocket. They exited the compartment and were down the stairs before anyone had left the other compartments. Looking around, they started walking towards the shadows of the station as the rain came down heavier as someone cried out.
"First years over here," a female voice shouted out.
Harry and Ashley leaned against the building watching as the kids rushed to the carriages and climbed inside trying to stay dry. They saw the Weasleys, Susan and Hermione get off the train and they were looking around.
"Bet you they are looking for us," Harry said softly.
"No bet," Ashley replied as they watched them head to the carriages.
They first years were gathered up by a witch who was missing several limbs and led down a path towards the lake.
"Really are the witches or wizards or sheep?" Harry asked as he cast the umbrella spell over them as the last of the carriages left.
"Sheep, but I do feel sorry for those first years going across the lake," Ashley said as she pulled out her shrunken broom and enlarged it.
"True," Harry replied as they mounted their brooms and followed the carriages.
Ten minutes later they landed behind the last carriage that had pulled up to the castle. Shrinking their brooms, they put them back in their pockets and headed for the main doors where a man was mopping up mud and water.
Harry and Ashley cast a notice me not spell on each of them and walked into the hall. The first thing that caught their eye was the ceiling showing the storm in all its glory. Four large tables stretched from one wall towards the head table where a dozen people were sitting.
Harry was about to whisper something to Ashley when the woman from the station slipped into her chair and the door to the left opened and Professor McGonagall came into the room leading a line of first years.
The buzz of talk in the Great Hall faded away. The first-years lined up in front of the staff table facing the rest of the students, and Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them, then stood back.
The first-years' faces glowed palely in the candlelight. A small boy right in the middle of the row looked as though he was trembling.
The whole school waited with bated breath. Then the rip near the hat's brim opened wide like a mouth and the Sorting Hat burst into song:
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
'Together we will build and teach!'
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might some day be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, 'We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest.'
Said Ravenclaw, 'We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest.'
Said Gryffindor, 'We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,'
Said Hufflepuff, 'I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same.'
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A house in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with duelling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came c morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfil my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether Sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you . . .
Let the Sorting now begin.
The Hat became motionless once more; applause broke out, though it was punctured, all across the Great Hall students were exchanging remarks with their neighbours, and Harry, clapping along with everyone else, knew exactly what they were talking about. (From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
As they watched the students being sorted, he noticed Dumbledore looking right at them and frowning.
"I think he sees us," Ashley whispered.
"Yeah, he does," Harry replied.
As the last student was sorted, Dumbledore stood up.
"Before we continue, we have two more students to sort. They are transfer students from San Francisco Magical Academy. Recently a student who has been missing from the hallowed halls was found in the United States and was convinced to attend the school of his parents but first we must go by alphabet order so the first person to be sorted will be Ashley Anderson."
Ashley dropped her spell and headed up between the two central tables. The click of her boots on the paved stones rang through the room as the students started whispering.
"Miss Anderson, where are your robes?" Professor McGonagall asked as Ashley opened her duster and sat down on the chair.
"Robes are for the bedroom, I wear clothes," she replied as she waited for the hat.
"Robes are the uniform of this school. I expect you to be wearing them next time I see you," Minerva said as she dropped the hat on the girls head.
Harry watched as Ashley seemed to be arguing with the hat. Finally its brim opened and it shouted out, "Ravenclaw."
Harry smirked as Ashley stood up and walked to the Ravenclaw table where she sat down. He noticed that people were looking at her shirt and some of the students at the Slytherin table were glaring at her.
Dumbledore stood up once more and started speaking again.
"Now for our final new student to be sorted, he should have been sorted here when he was eleven, but due to his mother's sister, he was left in San Francisco where he was adopted by a muggle Auror called a police officer. He took on his adopted family's name not knowing his true name. That student is Harry Potter who prefers to go by his adopted name. Please welcome Harry Callahan to be sorted."
Harry glared at the old man for giving his real name. Opening his duster, he started walking and felt the notice me not spell drop. Hearing several gasp from what he assumed were muggleborns as they saw his shirt he smirked as he sat down.
"Mister Callahan, what I told Miss Anderson applies to you. Make sure I see you in robes next time," Professor McGonagall ordered.
"Not likely," Harry replied as the hat dropped over his eyes.
Harry felt the probe from the hat and raised his shields.
'Very impressive shields there Mister Callahan,' the hat said.
'Thank you,' Harry replied.
'You're welcome. Unfortunately for you, I've been around a lot longer then you so let's see where we shall put you even if you don't want to be here,' the hat said.
'Ravenclaw please,' Harry replied.
'I will decide where you go. Now let's see. Your cunning and ambitious but I can see you kill everyone of the Death Eater children in a week. You're loyal to your friends and a hard worker as well as smart and to fit into Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw… BY MERLINS HAIRY BALLS!'
'What?' Harry asked.
'Why would you jump off a cliff?' the hat asked.
'Because it's fun,' Harry replied with a smirk.
'FUN! Looks suicidal to me. What is it called?' the hat asked.
'BASE jumping, is an activity where participants jump from fixed objects and use a parachute to break their fall. "BASE" is an acronym that stands for four categories of fixed objects from which one can jump from. They are buildings, antennas, Spans like bridges, and cliffs for Earth. The memory you saw was Ashley, her brother and I jumping off Half Dome in California. We also did it skiing and it was a blast,' Harry replied.
'Definitely Gryffindor,' the hat said.
'You put me there and there will be some dead people. Namely the Weasleys as I heard what they wanted from me,' Harry stated.
'I see what you mean,' the hat replied before shouting, "Ravenclaw!"
Harry felt the hat pulled from his head so he stood up and walked towards Ashley. Sitting down beside her, he kissed her as the food appeared. Harry pulled out several bottles of coke and handed two to Ashley as she started filling her plate with food.
"Thanks," Ashley replied as she opened her bottle and took a sip of the drink as Harry filled his plate.
"Welcome love," Harry replied as he started cutting his pork chop.
Harry and Ashley and talked with their neighbors. Most wanted to know what it was like growing up in the colonies and Harry and Ashley told them they were not the colonies anymore. That the colonies had grown into one of the most powerful world powers in the world. The purebloods didn't believe them, but they didn't care while the muggleborns new better.
Finally the last of the food vanished and Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too."
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred-and-sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.
"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the —"
He broke off, looking enquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge cleared her throat, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair and Professor McGonagall's mouth was as thin as Harry had ever seen it. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.
"Thank you, Headmaster,' Professor Umbridge simpered, 'for those kind words of welcome" (From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
Harry stood up, even though he didn't like Dumbledore, what this woman had done was rude, "Excuse me, but you should sit down and let the Headmaster finish what he was saying. He is the headmaster of this school and you owe him your job and respect."
"Detention Mister Potter," Professor Umbridge snapped out.
"Sorry, I don't do detentions," Harry replied and then said, "Please continue Headmaster. When you're finished the Toad looking woman can say what she wanted too."
Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat, "Thank you, Mister Callahan. Now as I was saying. Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the sixteenth of the month. There will be signup sheets in each dorm for prospective players. Hogsmeade weekends are posted as well. All students must have a signed form from their guardian that allows them to visit.
Harry and the rest of the students listened as the headmaster droaned on about the news and then said, "Professor Umbridge, you wished to say something to the students?"
Professor Umbridge stood up again and cleared her throat again ('hem, hem'), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. Now the Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."
Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back to her. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawk like, and Harry distinctly saw her exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little 'hem, hem' and went on with her speech.
"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation, because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognised as errors of judgement. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."
She sat down. Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead, though Harry noticed that several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again. (From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
"You've got to be kidding me," Harry stated as Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Schedules will be passed out tomorrow morning at breakfast. Now off you trot to your dorms. Mister Callahan and Miss Anderson, please stay behind so I may have a word with both of you."
Harry and Ashley sat there waiting for the students to leave and then headed up to the head table where only Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and a short man were the only ones left.
"You wanted to see us?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Mister Callahan. Where did you and Miss Anderson go this morning? Mrs. Weasley went up to wake both of you but you were both missing from the house," Dumbledore asked.
"We left early so we finish our shopping. Then we got on the train, ate our breakfast and then arrived here," Harry stated.
"Why couldn't Mister Black and Moody enter your compartment on the train?"
"Because I warded it so we wouldn't be bothered by the students," Harry replied.
"Please refrain from doing so again. It's a safety reason…"
"Bull, it's a control issue with you. Now can someone show us to our dorms, we're tired," Harry replied.
"Mister Callahan, that will be ten points from Ravenclaw for rudeness," McGonagall said.
Harry shrugged and replied, "You can take as many points off that you want. We don't care. Neither of us wants to be here so it doesn't matter to us."
"Mister Callahan, I'm Professor Filius Flitwick your head of house. We will have a talk about the school later this week. Please refrain from causing too much mayhem until we can talk. Now follow me and I'll lead you to the dorms," Filius said.
Harry and Ashley followed the Professor out of the room, not seeing the toad looking woman watching from the shadows.
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NOTE: My Writing is a little slow right now. I'm dealing with a family medical problem that has come up with my 80 year old father. We found out he has CLL or Chronic lymphocytic leukemia which has kicked my bipolar into overdrive as I lost my mom less than three years ago.
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Harry Potter™ is a registered trademark and copyright (©) of J.K. Rollings and all that crap. The only thing mine is the idea and several characters. Everything else is hers including all the money... Harry Callahan is owned by Malpaso Productions… Damn wish they'd share.