The point of view will occasionally switch between the Black twins and Harry.
Most of what you read is taken directly from my copy of the first Harry Potter book.
I found some of the names of what could be unknown characters on the wiki, although most of them didn't have any descriptions or appearances in the movies. I'll try not to include too many important original characters in this... even though two of the main characters are ocs… I'm doing my best okay-
Also see me insert a subtle reference of something that probably didn't exist in 1991.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black haired witch in emerald green robes stood on the other side, looking over at the first years with a stern face. Lyrae recognized her at once, for her mother had told her and Leo a few tales regarding the head of Gryffindor house, Minerva McGonagall.
"The firs' years, professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you. I will take them from here."
She pulled the doors aside. Lyrae's eyes widened at the largeness of the entrance Hall. She wouldn't be surprised if most of her house could fit in it. The stone walls were lined with flaming torches and the ceiling was so high she could barely see it. An impressive marble staircase faced them, possibly leading to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall. Lyrae could hear the faint chatter of numerous voices from a doorway to the right. The rest of the school must've already been there, waiting- but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, having to stand unusually close to one another and peering around nervously. Lyrae's ear was squished against her slightly taller brother's jaw and her elbow was pressed against the smaller Harry Potter's shoulder.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start of the term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend your free time in your house common room."
She proceeded to name the four houses. Lyrae mouthed along to her; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. She explained the concept of the house points and house cup, but at this point, Lyrae's already lost interest. She looked over at Harry and all the other muggle raised first years around them. Each and everyone of them had a look of bright wonder in their eyes.
"I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours," Professor McGonagall finished. "The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Leo looked over Lyrae's head, prompting her to follow his lead. She choked back a snicker at the sight of Neville, whose cloak was fastened under his left ear, Ron, who still had dirt on his nose, and Harry, whose black hair looked like it had never been combed in his entire life. The Boy-Who-Lived nervously tried to flatten it with his hands. Lyrae followed his lead, but both attempts were met with little success.
Seems that they were doomed to have tangled hair forever.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber, her emerald robes swishing elegantly at her feet.
"How exactly do they sort us into our Houses?" asked Harry.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking," answered Ron. Lyrae stared at him in bewilderment, before collapsing into giggles.
"Fred said it, not me!" Ron said, getting defensive.
"Your brother has a strange sense of humor," Leo said wisely. "For it's a hat we must face."
"A hat?" Harry exclaimed in disbelief.
Leo nodded regally. "You put it on and it searches through your brain." He reached over and poked Harry's forehead. "Decides where you'll fit in and thrive."
"Though my brain?" The green eyed boy looked positively frightened. He looked around anxiously at the other equally frightened first years.
Leo had begun rubbing his face with the sleeve of his robe, attempting to get rid of any grime, and tousled his hair to give it more volume. As much as her brother played the humble card, Lyrae knew he could be rather vain.
She was nervous, yes, just like everyone else, but she was mostly joyful at the idea of getting sorted. She remembered what Mum would tell them whenever she recalled stories of her time at Hogwarts.
"Your father was a Gryffindor," she would sometimes say. "I wasn't, I was in Hufflepuff, as you know, but I'd sometimes wished to be part of his house. The Sorting Hat told me I had the courage to be one, but it also said I had Slytherin potential, so I don't know what the odds were of me being a lion."
Lyrae had always admired her generous, resourceful mother. As the years passed, she wanted more and more to be a Hufflepuff and make Mum proud. She knew she had enough of the qualities for it, or at least, she thinks she does. She'd never asked Leo about which house he truly wanted to be in, but she hoped he would be in the same one as her.
Then something happened that made Lyrae yelp in surprise- several people behind her screamed. Those around her gasped and pointed, for about twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall.
Pearly white and slightly transparent, they glided into the room, talking amongst themselves and hardly paying any attention to the first years below them. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk wa saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost- I say, what are you all doing here?" A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be sorted, I suppose?"
A few people nodded mutely.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" he said. "My old house, you know."
Lyrae found herself grinning hesitantly at the ghost.
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," she told the first years, "and follow me."
Lyrae nudged Leo in front of her. He looked back at her with a small smile, which gave Lyrae the urge to flick his nose with her index finger. They walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
Lyrae looked up at the thousands of candles floating above four longue tables packed full of students. These tables were covered in golden plates and goblets, all of which were empty.
At the end of the hall was a long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up there, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. Hundreds of faces were turned towards them, dimly lit by the candlelight.
Lyrae looked up expectantly at the ceiling. She wasn't disappointed, as it was dark and dotted with stars. Her mother had told her about how it was bewitched to look like the sky outside.
Professor McGonagall silently placed a four legged wooden stool in front of the first years. On top of it, she put an old pointed hat. It was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. Lyrae dreaded having to put it on her head.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Everyone stared at the hat, as if waiting for something. Then, the hat twitched, and a rip opened near the brim. It looked like a rather wide mouth- and the hat began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find,
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden inside your head,
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindor's apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll find your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole Hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables before becoming still once again. Lyrae looked over at Leo, who had the pinched expression of someone trying not to laugh. She herself was grinning dumbly at the hat's lyrics.
"Did you two know it would sing?" Ron asked them, dumbfounded.
"Mum kept it quiet, I'm guessing," Lyrae said. "Wanted to make it a surprise."
"And what a beautiful surprise it was!" Leo exclaimed truthfully.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.
"Abbot, Hannah!"
A pink faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause-
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Lyrae saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at the girl.
That'll be me soon, Lyrae told herself. She reprimanded herself right after, remembering Leo's favourite phrase; "Don't set your sights on just one house, you might be disappointed."
"Black-Yang, Lyrae!"
There were a few scattered murmurs around the Great Hall. Lyrae ended up glancing at Professor McGonagall's face by chance. She wore a strange expression. Lyrae looked down at the hat and picked it up. It fell over her eyes as she sat atop the stool.
"Well, well," she heard a voice resonate inside of the hat. "There's bravery here, yes. A strong sense of right and wrong, and such loyalty, my, my. And an open mind, tons of patience. I know where to put you-"
Put me in Hufflepuff.
"Hmm? Why would I do that?"
I'm fit to be a Hufflepuff, aren't I?
"Yes, that you are. But is that really where you'd thrive? Gryffindor would be a good fit for you, you know."
I want to make Mum proud. I want to be in the same house as she was. I want to prove to people that Hufflepuffs aren't cowardly and can do great things, too.
"Alright, then, it better be- HUFFLEPUFF!"
Lyrae's heart was beating hard against her chest. She walked over to the Hufflepuff table, feeling… oddly miserable. The cheers of her new House didn't sound as enthusiastic as they'd been before.
She sat down, and even when a handsome second year clapped her on the back in a friendly way, she didn't dare smile. She feared that she'd made the wrong choice.
"Black-Yang, Leo!"
Leo took the hat and put it on his head, forcing his hands to stay steady.
"Another Black, eh? The girl's brother, yes, but there are many differences between you two. You've got ambition, lots of it, and you're prideful, oh my, with an extraordinary sense of self. A very good mind, a knack for deduction, loyal only to those you deem close. Yes, I know where to put you- SLYTHERIN!"
Leo took the hat off. His lip was trembling. It hadn't considered- not even Gryffindor? Or Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff?
"Come along, now," Professor McGonagall whispered to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Leo walked over to the Slytherin table, whose polite claps had come too late and left too early. He sat down at the age of the table besides a burly boy with crooked teeth, who sneered at him.
Leo turned around and avoided eye contact with the Slytherins.
Wait until Mum hears about this, he thought.
Harry Potter looked regretful as he looked over to whom he'd probably thought was a new friend mere moments ago. Ron Weasley wore a similar expression, although he looked much more… resentful? Leo didn't really know what the red head was thinking, or if he even cared that Leo had gone into Slytherin.
All he did know was that he would not look at the Hufflepuff table where his sister sat.
The Sorting continued.
"Bones, Susan!" called McGonagall.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped; several Ravenclaw got up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them. Leo wondered bitterly if they would've done the same with him, if he'd been a Ravenclaw.
Mandy Brocklehurst went to Ravenclaw, too. Lavender Brown was their first Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded in cheers. Leo could see a pair of identical red headed boys catcalling. He stopped himself from rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
Tracey Davis and Millicent Bullstrode became Slytherins... Justin Finch-Fletchley became a Hufflepuff... And on it went.
For some, the hat shouted the name out at once, like with Hannah Abbott, but for others, it took a while to decide. Seamus Finnigan sat on the stool with a peculiar expression for almost a whole minute before getting sorted into Gryffindor. Leo hoped he hadn't looked as lost during his own sorting, or as worryingly concentrated as Lyrae had been.
Hermione Granger was up next. She practically ran to the stool and eagerly jammed the hat on her head. Leo expected her to go to Ravenclaw, so he was rather startled when the hat announced "GRYFFINDOR!"
When the toadless Longbottom boy stepped forward, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide for him. When it finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!", Neville ran off still wearing it. He had to jog back as the students laughed to give it to the next first year.
Malfoy, looking as unpleasant as ever, practically swaggered forward as his name was called. The hat barely touched his head when it screamed "SLYTHERIN!". The blonde sauntered over to his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking very pleased with himself. He shot a nasty look at Leo in passing.
Git.
There weren't that many people left now. Two more joined Slytherin- Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson -before the long awaited name of Harry Potter was called.
As expected, whispers broke out throughout the hall and students looked over at each other in something close to amazement.
It took a little while with Harry. Leo couldn't see most of the famous boy's face, but his mouth was formed in a frown and his shoulders had tensed up, and then-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Leo felt the tiny sliver of hope die in his chest at having a friend in his own house. The Gryffindors had apparently lost it, judging by their incredibly enthusiastic cheers. The two red headed twins were chanting "we got Potter!" over and over, while another, older redhead shook Harry's hand.
Dean Thomas went to Gryffindor... Lisa Turpin became a Ravenclaw... Isabella Tintwhistle was a Hufflepuff... and Ron Weasley, looking peaky, went over to join his brothers in Gryffindor. Blaise Zabini walked over to Slytherin. Before his new housemate disappeared from his view by sitting on the opposite end of the table, Leo had a few seconds to admire his elegant walk and finally styled hair- ugh, and didn't that leave an unpleasant taste in his mouth?
Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.
An old man with a very long white beard, half-moon spectacles and wearing a set of colourful robes stood up, beaming with his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all here. This could only be the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore.
"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And there they are;: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everyone clapped and cheered. Leo couldn't believe his luck.
A mad genius. An absolute mad genius!
Leo looked over at the gold cutlery covering the table as the pleasant smell of good food filled his nose. The once empty plates were now piled high with food. Tasty looking meats, sauces and veggies steamed, and everyone quickly dug in. Strangely though, peppermint humbugs dotted the table here and there in small bowls.
Leo could ignore his current situation of his sorting. The food takes top priority for the moment; he could sulk about it later in private.
He snuck a fistfull of peppermints into his pockets; his mother had cast a permanent cleaning charm on the inside of his pockets when they'd bought the robes. He then proceeded to pile the lamb chops, steak, boiled potatoes and carrots onto his plate, happily dousing them in gravy.
While stuffing food into his mouth, Leo looked over at Malfoy and froze in his chewing. A gaunt, blood stained ghost was looming over the blonde with a blank look on his face.
"That's the House ghost." Leo looked up to the girl seated in front of him, who'd spoken. She had droopy eyes, a round nose and curly red hair. Strangely, she reminded Leo of a poodle.
"He's the Bloody Baron," she continued. "He looks scary and doesn't act too nice, my brother says we have to be careful with him." She motioned to a boy with curly black hair sitting a few people away on Leo's left. "He got spotted while being out after curfew by the Bloody Baron. He's been terrified ever since. I'm Tracey Davis."
"Leo Black-Yang."
"May I ask why you have two family names?" Tracey Davis asked him, taking another bit out of her fries.
"It's a long story." Leo smiled at her, trying to make himself unreadable. "Maybe if I end up liking you, you'll get to hear it!"
"As if." Davis pointed her fork at him. "You keep that cheery attitude up and you'll be gobbled alive by our housemate."
"Don't cut me short yet, Davis. You better believe, I've got tricks up my sleeve."
"Of course you do- you're a Slytherin."
A Slytherin… right.
Don't limit yourself to one outcome, you might be disappointed.
He was a real hypocrite, wasn't he?
Fine, then. It wasn't what he'd wanted or expected, but he could roll with this. He could adapt and learn.
Maybe then, he'd be able to prove that Slytherins weren't all bad.
Lyrae had been trying to catch her brother's eye for most of the feast, but found herself giving up. He wouldn't look at her, instead concentrating a little too much on the food and eventually striking a conversation with a haughty looking girl with curly red hair. She'd tried getting the attention of Harry and Ron, but since they were on the opposite side of the hall and distracted by their own conversations, she remained unsuccessful.
Eventually though, her gluttonous appetite caught up to her and she had no time to talk to the three idiots. She gulped down the pumpkin juice once and a while between helpings, but stopped once the desserts started to appear, preferring the pudding over the drink.
At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Albus Dumbledore got to his feet again.
"Ahem- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start of term notices for you.
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed to the Gryffindor table, where the Weasley twins looked very pleased with themselves.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, your caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials shall be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds for anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
"...Huh?" Lyrae uttered. "Is he joking?"
"Probably not, honestly," said the short girl with the braided hair on her left. She looked just as confused as Lyrae herself. "Who knows with Dumbledore, though?"
"How much do you wanna bet I can convince a couple of Gryffindors to come check it out with me?" Lyrae asked her. The other looked alarmed, but the boy in front of Lyrae had a thoughtful look on his face, seeming to seriously consider what she'd just said.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" continued Dumbledore. He gave his wand a little flick and a long ribbon flew out of it, which rose above the tables and twisted itself into words.
"Everyone, pick their favourite tune!"he said, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed,
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our 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, and we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Lyrae had decided to sing in the melody of the Little Mermaid's Under the Sea. She faintly heard Leo's rendition of "Back in Black", which she found terribly funny but didn't have the time to laugh about. Everybody finished the song at different times, with the Weasley twins finishing last with a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped the loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
The Hufflepuff first years followed the Prefects out of the Great Hall. They went down many flights of stairs, some of which moved around dangerously. Eventually, they arrived next to a set of wooden doors, where Lyrae could hear the clinking of voices and the murmur of voices.
"These are the kitchens," said the tall Prefect, pointing to the doors. "You can visit whenever you like- the house elves will be very pleased to have you, as long as you don't say anything insulting."
Lyrae faintly remembered an old house elf that her mother had mentioned belonged to the twins' grandparents on the Black side, but had never met him. She wondered if he was her and Leo's, now that their father was imprisoned.
The Prefect moved towards a nook on the right hand side of the kitchen corridor. He gestured for the students to come look.
"You see these barils?" he said. "The entrance to the common room is hidden by magic, of course. All you have to do to reveal it is tap the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of 'Helga Hufflepuff', which will make the lid swing open." He did just that, exposing a passageway big enough for anyone to crawl through. The first year watched on in amazement.
"However, if the wrong lid is tapped or the wrong rhythm is used," said the second Prefect, "you'll be doused in vinegar and won't be able to get in. Very unpleasant."
"Speaking from experience, Trisha?"
"Shut it, Gabriel. Come on now, through the barrel passageway!"
One by one, the Hufflepuffs crawled through the large entrance. Within a few moments, Lyrae emerged to sunlight and a comforting warmth. Several first years ooh-ed and aah-ed, her along with them.
The Hufflepuff common room was earthy and low-ceilinged. Lyrae could see rippling grass and dandelions through the circular windows. A lot of burnished copper was about the place, either hanging from the ceiling or sitting on the windowsills. The seemingly overstuffed sofas and chairs are all in the house colours, yellow and black. Copper lamps cast a warm light over four-posters, all of which were covered in patchwork quilts, and copper bed warmers hung on the walls. A large, honey coloured, wooden mantelpiece with carvings of badgers on it was located under a large portrait of a round faced woman with a kind small and a gold cup in hand.
There were two large round doors in the walls on either side of the common room. The Prefects said that they were the doors leading to the dormitories, with the boys on the left and the girls on the right.
"Your luggage should be waiting in one of the rooms," the girl Prefect said. "You'll be rooming with four other people, so please try to get along as best as you can! If you can't find your things, don't be afraid to ask someone for help."
Lyrae followed the other girls through the circular door and the little tunnel leading to the bedrooms. It didn't take long for Lyrae to find her things, for the pet she'd had for three years now was very loud, barking all over the place at the smell of people.
When she opened the door, she was greeted by a ball of russet fur jumping at her legs and licking her knees.
"Hey, pretty girl!" she exclaimed, leaning down to pick up her dog. "How're you, you little rascal, eh? Did you miss mama?"
"You have a dog?"
Lyrae turned around and came face to face with a tall, willowy brunette, who was looking down at the squirming animal in her new roommate's arms.
"Just so you know, she doesn't shed, is super well trained, and is an absolute joy."
"I didn't think we were allowed dogs at Hogwarts!"
"Ron Weasley has a rat and my cousin had a full tank's worth of fish." Lyrae scratched the back of her dog's ears. "Mum asked the Headmaster if it was alright, anyway, and he said yes, as long as Arty here doesn't cause too much trouble."
"Arty?"
"Her name's Artemis, isn't she cute?"
"She's super cute!" cried another girl, who had a long nose and bright green eyes. "What breed is she? Where'd you get the name 'Artemis'?"
"She's a mini Labrador-Poodle mix. Her name's Artemis like the Greek goddess, you know? My brother, Leo, he's got a cat and named it Apollo. We have a theme- our family owl's Hades."
"Just make sure your dog doesn't ruin any of my things," said the tall brunette.
All five girls prepared for bed, getting into their PJs and mildly organising their things. Lyrae eventually learned all of their names- Hannah Abott, the nervous blonde with pigtails, Haruka Endoh, who had an assortment of homemade bracelets and necklaces that took her awhile to get rid of, Susan Bones, whose hair was worn in a long plait down her back, Poppy Caxton, the tall brunette, and Madhumati Parmar, who had immediately gotten to bed with her robes still on.
Honestly, Lyrae couldn't wait to see what her school year had in store for her.
Leo stared at the curtains surrounding his bed. He found out that he'd be rooming with Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Maxwell Lazenbi and Gordon Pummel. Leo had found Nott and Zabini fairly unpleasant, Lazenbi far too quiet and shifty and Pummel a groveling mess, who ended up sticking to Leo's side for most of the evening until they'd both gone to bed.
Can't wait for my school year at Hogwarts, he thought sarcastically.