A giant bald eagle soared through the entrance and flew like towards Peeves, who, surprisingly, fled.
"Yeah, Freedom!" Alfred said, giving his eagle a high five. Yes, an actual high five. Hand to wing.
But then the Bloody Baron came around the corner, and the students realized why Peeves had actually left. That made no difference to Alfred though. As soon as one ghost went away, here came another one! "Shit!" Alfred yelled, and ran. . . straight into Professor McGonagall.
"Amer–Alfred? What in heavens name is this?!" she asked him.
"It's was a ghost dude throwing water balloons! And now there's another ghost! Minerva, what are we supposed to do?"
Some of the onlookers gasped. The new kid had just called McGonagall by her first name? Who did he think he was? Minerva, however, seemed to think nothing of it. "Alfred, ghosts are normal here at Hogwarts," she said (a bit patronizingly). "Surely Arthur told you?"
"Yeah, but," Alfred said, visibly shaking, "but, but, GHOSTS!"
The commotion was so loud now, that Dumbledore came into the entryway. "What is the matter?" His eyes fell onto the trembling Alfred. "Ah. Come, Alfred, let's get you into the Great Hall, my friend. We have much to discuss," and Alfred was led away. At the edge of the room, Dumbledore turned once more. "Matthew, would you like to come too?" Matthew speed-walked over to them and they walked together into the Great Hall.
Whispers erupted all over the room about what had just happened. "Dumbledore knows the twins personally. . . I hear they're super rich. . . Their older brother is Arthur Kirkland! . . . Someone told me that they're the purest of pure bloods. . . Really? I heard they were Muggleborns. . . What houses do you think they'll be in?"
When everything settled down, people began trickling into the Great Hall, finding, to their great surprise, Alfred and Matthew sitting on either side of Dumbledore, deep in conversation.
"So, how are your countries doing?" Dumbledore asked them, eyes twinkling.
"It's a bit shaky. There's turmoil in Ferguson, as you probably heard, then there are those cases of Ebola being treated in Georgia, and just a few days ago we got the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. from Thomas Eric Duncan! We're just lucky he couldn't have infected anyone on the plane," (note in end comments) Alfred responded. It was these times that Alfred was the most like his true self. He didn't have to pretend to be stupid for other's comfort, he could be as intelligent and informed as he wanted, and truly was.
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. He had connected with most of the countries right off the bat. In a way, they were quite similar. They presided over something, yet at the same time, had to stay back too. The troubles of their people pained them. And especially as was the case with Alfred, it was too dangerous to show your full intellect. A genius world superpower, and a genius Dumbledore would be too formidable and fatal. Although many already considered Albus brilliant, if he ever delved too deep into his thoughts, bad things would come of it. And so they had both made promises to themselves that they would hide their intellect as best they could.
I'm sorry! I know it's just Iike I'm taunting you about them not getting sorted yet, but really it's not intentional ^+^ Anyways, about the Ebola note, I know it was confirmed on Sept. 30, and the day in the story is Sept. 1, but yeah, it's handy for the story. Also, if you don't know about Ebola, look it up. It's huge and everywhere.
Anyways, tgtf! At last, the end of the school week. It's my advisory donut day tomorrow, :3 *noms*