Sunday 20th August 1972

McKinnon Home, 12:00

Marlene was going to be prepared this year. She was going to be organised. She was going to be put together.

She couldn't find her shoes. Why was it always her shoes?

Rummaging under her bed didn't make them magically appear. Nor did emptying her drawers. Though she did find her new Charms textbook. Huh, she hadn't even realised that was missing. Where on earth could her shoes be? She let out a frustrated noise.

"Why does it sound like a herd of elephants going across the ceiling?" her mum asked, suddenly appearing in the doorway.

"They'd have to be very tiny elephants," Marlene said cheekily.

That got her a very exaggerated eyeroll. Then her mum did a dangerous thing, she looked around her room. Uh oh.

"I can explain-" Marlene began not actually knowing how she was going to explain this.

Somehow, she didn't think that the excuse of "looking for her shoes" was going to cut it.

Arms were now folded across her mother's chest; a dark look on her face. That was really not good.

Her mother pointedly looked around the room again. The look she gave Marlene and Teagan's room was not a good one. In fact, it went beyond not good and was decidedly annoyed.

"This was tidy," Mary said in a scolding tone.

Marlene looked around her and winced. Whoops. Apparently, she couldn't look for things in an organised way. Everything seemed to be emptied out onto the floor. Why were her dresses out? She hadn't gone anywhere near her wardrobe.

"I'll fix it," Marlene promised her.

"You better."

"I just need find something first," Marlene said distractedly, looking around her room.

Mary lifted something from the ground behind her. Marlene blinked at her mother, mouth gaping open. It was her shoes!

"My shoes!"

"Here," Marlene deftly caught them when Mary threw them at her and cradled them in her arms.

"Where were they?"

"In Ciaran's trunk."

Okay, that was a new one, even for her. At least they were here now. She made as if to put them at the bottom of her bed, all ready for next week, when she realised there was no space there. There were a pile of books and comics, all draped with some nice decorative socks, instead. Great. Why was being organised so hard?

Mary waved her hand at the room.

"This better be back to the way it was before dinner," and with that she disappeared.

Not even an offer to help. Okay, it was sort of a mess of her own making. But still!

Marlene looked around her in dismay. All of her stuff seemed to be absolutely everywhere. Was that a sock on the light?

Where was she supposed to begin?

Thursday 24th August 1972

Madam Malkin's, Diagon Alley, 20:30

Elsie admired herself in the mirror, twisting this way and that so she could get a better look at her robes.

She finally got a new set; her old ones having been passed down to Sophie. Gran had had to undo all the House specific stuff for her, obviously, but apparently that was easy enough. Then again, Gran had been selling them for years.

Yes, it was rather last minute to get them. Rather ironic when she lived just above a Robe store and her Gran was the owner. There had just been no time, the Hogwarts Rush had been continuous this year. They had barely had a moment to themselves and everyone was getting on each other's nerves. She'd even caught Sophie giving off to Faye and Sophie never gave off to anyone.

But she got her new robes and she was happy. These looked far better on her, they really flattered her. Well, as much as school robes could. At least her chest wasn't tight against these ones!

"You done looking at yourself?" Linda snapped.

"In a minute."

She wasn't going to let one of her annoying sisters ruin this for her.

Friday 1st September 1972

Evans Home, 07:30

"One of these days we're all going to be on time," Mr Evans grumbled.

Severus gave an awkward nod as Lily giggled beside him.

The Evans had been kind enough to offer him a lift to Kings Cross today. Apparently, Petunia didn't want to come and she had been deemed old enough to stay behind by herself for the day. That was good, Severus didn't think that he would have taken up the offer if she had.

Not that he could have, the Evans' car only seated five (he said only and his parents didn't even have a car) so he and mother would have to make their own way to Kings Cross. Again. Personally, he'd much rather side-along with mother - cars looked so dangerous - but she had jumped at Mrs Evans' offer so here he was. At least he wasn't going to get queasy from the feeling of getting compressed in a narrow tube.

'HOOOONK!'

Severus jumped and almost hit the roof of the car as Mr Evans hit the horn.

"Hurry up, Rosemary!" he bellowed out the window. "Where are you Chryssie?"

"That never hurries them up," Lily commented in a completely unconcerned tone.

Surely her dad was mad? He sounded very angry. Why wasn't she more concerned?

"It makes me feel better," he grumbled.

It made him feel better to shout? The normally mild-mannered Mr Evans?

"We're never ready early enough for dad," Lily confided. "We could be ready at one in the morning and he'd still think we were late."

"We are going to be late!"

Lily rolled her eyes at Severus and mouthed "See?" at him before answering her father, "We're not going to be late!"

Severus didn't know what to say to that, he didn't know how long it took to drive from Cokeworth to London. Just that it took a while. See, this is why apparating was better. Instantaneous. None of this waiting around.

There was a 'click' noise from their house and Severus saw Mrs Evans come out of it.

"Finally," Mr Evans muttered. "Only one more to go."

"What was that, dear?" Mrs Evans asked as she slipped into the front seat.

"One of these days I'm going to go off to London without you."

Severus didn't know how that would work. Chryssie and Lily were the ones who had to go to London, not him, so it wouldn't make any sense for him to go without them.

"Threats, my dear," Mrs Evans dismissed, then turned around to him and Lily. "You two okay?"

"Yep," Lily chirped as Severus gave a short nod.

"Laughing at daddy," Lily added.

"Hmpf," came from the driver's seat but a fond smile was reflected in the mirror.

"Chryssie will be here soon," Mrs Evans turned back to her husband. "She just wants to say goodbye to everything."

"Of course, she does."

Severus frown in confusion. What in Merlin's name would Chryssie be saying goodbye to? All her family, except Petunia, were here. And saying goodbye to her wouldn't take long. Neighbours, maybe? But Mrs Evans said she was saying goodbye to everything, not everyone.

"I need to use the toilet," Lily suddenly announced, unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door.

"Seriously?"

"One minute, daddy. I'll be quick."

With that, she darted back into the house. It was only Severus and Mr Evans in the car now. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Well, not literally. Car seats were actually quite comfortable it turns out. It was just that he never really spent any time with the Evans adults. Never spoke with them either. He didn't exactly come to their door asking Lily to come out and play like he had seen other children do.

Mr Evans looked at him in the mirror up by his head.

"At least you're sensible, Severus," he was told.

"You don't need to use the bathroom or anything, dear?" Mrs Evans asked.

He shook his head. "No ma'am."

He'd sorted himself out before coming over here. He'd even eaten breakfast this time, last year he had been far too excited and nervous to do so.

"Finally," Mr Evans said, interrupting his thoughts.

Severus looked up, expecting Lily but his hopes were dashed. It was Chryssie running out of the house.

"Just one more," Mr Evans stated needlessly. "How long does it take someone to go to the toilet?"

"You can't rush someone in the bathroom," Mrs Evans scolded.

"There she is," Severus felt the need to point out as he saw Lily follow her sister.

Petunia actually appeared at the door, looking more than a bit annoyed. She gave them a short wave before slamming the door shut. Lily passed Chryssie and slipped into the car. Chryssie had almost got to the car when a look of dismay appeared on her face.

"I forgot to say goodbye to the roses!" she called, turning back to the house.

"Chrysanthemum Dilys Evans! Don't you dare go back to the garden!"

Severus watched as Chryssie did just that. He wouldn't be if he got that tone from Mr Evans. It was kind of scary sounding. Not than anyone else thought so in the car. Lily was giggling again and Mrs Evans was patting her husband on the shoulder, not even trying to hide her smile. Severus shook his head. He didn't understand these people at all.

"We'll get there, love," she said soothingly.

Mr Evans rested his head on the steering wheel and groaned.

"Tomorrow at this rate."

Tonks House, 09:00

Mum was nervous. Like, really nervous. More nervous than she was and she was the one going to Hogwarts. Dora watched her mother pace back and forth, not saying a word. It was a bit freaky to watch. It made her feel more nervous.

Dora tugged at her braid, the ends turning orange-brown.

"Don't do that, Nymphadora," came the inevitable scold.

She wasn't sure whether mum meant the hair tugging or the colour changing. Both annoyed her when she got like this.

"Annie, calm down," dad said gently. "We're not going to leave for at least another hour."

"Calm? I am calm!"

Dora and Ted eyed her mother's fizzing hair. It wasn't exactly the look of a calm person.

"Help," Dora mouthed to her dad.

He knew how to deal with mum when she got like this. Okay, she was being a bit unfair. Mum was usually the calm and collected one but apparently something about going to Hogwarts set her off.

"You're getting all worked up."

"I am not!"

Dad's eyebrow went up. Mum deflated and she brushed her hair out of her face. Dora didn't know how her mum put up with so much hair. Catch her shifting hers to that mess. No thank you.

"Okay, maybe I'm overreacting."

"You're just worried. It's completely normal..."

"Maybe we should home-school her..."

"You know we can't do that..."

"I'm going to Hogwarts!" Dora said in an outraged tone.

There was no way she wasn't.

"Don't shout," Dad scolded but her parents disappeared into the kitchen.

She didn't know why; she could still hear them after all.

"You need to calm down."

"Seriously, Ted, this isn't a good idea."

"She'll be fine."

"Cissa is still there."

Dora had to scrunch up her nose at that. It was weird that she was going to Hogwarts at the same time as her Aunt.

"She'll be fine," she heard her dad repeat murmur.

"You don't know my family."

"I know enough to say that they are absolutely bonkers."

"Exactly."

"You don't think they'd be behind those strange attacks on Muggles that the Prophet-"

"They're crazy, Ted, not demonic."

"Fine line."

"Ted."

"Sorry, sorry."

"No, I am. It's just Dora-"

"They won't bother with the likes of her."

"Our scandal is still so fresh..."

"It was twelve years ago."

"People have long memories and Sirius' sorting didn't help."

Dora perked up at the sound of her cousin's name. He had been in the newspaper this time last year. Not the front cover or anything but still in it. It apparently had been quite important that he had gone into Gryffindor. He had been like a celebrity!

"It's not like there's a target on her back."

"But Bella-"

Dora looked at the clock again. The big hand had barely moved. She sighed heavily and leaned back into the sofa.

McKinnon House, 10:00

"Marlene, why aren't you ready?" She heard her dad ask in exasperation as she ran back up the stairs.

"I can't find my shoes!" she called back down.

"Did she not get all her school stuff ready last week?" mum asked dad.

Okay, yes, she had done that. Best of intentions and all that. Apparently, getting prepared days in advance was just giving her more opportunity to lose something.

"Shoes, shoes, shoes," she muttered to herself as she skidded into her and Teagan's room.

"Don't you dare mess up your room!" Mum called up in a threatening tone.

Pfft, as if she'd ever do that. Though, now would technically be a good time to do it considering she would quite literally be out of the country for three months. But no, that would get her a scolding like no other and she'd probably spend the whole of Christmas doing the barn chores by herself. Nope, not worth it.

Hopefully, she'd be able to find her shoes without turning her room inside out. Why didn't the dammed things just stay put? It wasn't like they could walk away by themselves!

Platform Nine and Three Quarters, 10:55

"Bye mother. Bye father," Regulus said dutifully, giving his mother a stiff hug and his father a handshake just like Sirius had done.

He was off to Hogwarts today! Finally.

"Make sure you do the family proud," father told him.

Regulus noticed that he hadn't said that to Sirius. Some things took a while to forgive apparently. Getting sorted into Gryffindor was evidently one of them.

"Yes, sir," he said quietly.

What else could he say? He got a short nod in return and he thought he saw Sirius stupidly roll his eyes but his older brother was quick and soon had a bored expression back on his face.

With a final nod and a wave, both Black boys made their way easily onto the train. Thank Merlin for featherlight charms or else he'd be clunking around like everyone else seemed to be doing. Regulus gave a disapproving sniff. There was really no reason to struggle with your trunk.

As if he knew what he was think, Sirius told him, "Some people's parents don't let them use magic at all over the holidays so they don't realise they can make their luggage lighter on the way back to school."

"That's just silly," Regulus responded, shaking his head. "Anyone can use magic at home as long as they aren't caught."

"A lot of them aren't behind our wards," Sirius pointed out.

"Then their parents should cast it. They should know."

Sirius just shrugged at that, obviously not knowing how to answer. The two dragged their trunks down the corridor (they were still too big to lift even if they were light - neither of them was exactly big).

"Want to join me and my friends?" Sirius offered.

Regulus shook his head. Mother had made him promise not to. Who knew what dangerous ideas Gryffindors would give him?

"I said I'd look for the Carrows," he explained.

They were going to be first years too. They were also suitable company and not too bad to talk to which was a win-win.

Sirius scrunched up his nose at that. He never had liked the Carrows. Said they were rather blunt. Which was true but that had the right way of thinking. They had just never been taught how to portray their ideas properly.

"Sirius! Sirius!" a voice called.

Regulus looked down the carriage to see a messy-haired boy run towards them. It was the Potter Heir. James? Sirius was friends with James Potter?

"Hi, James," Sirius greeted.

"I got us a compartment on the next carriage," he said, panting slightly.

Apparently, he had run the length of it. Not exactly proper behaviour.

"Good," Sirius said. "Do we have to share?"

"Nah, I got it first but we'll have to hurry."

Sirius turned back around to face Regulus.

"You sure you don't want to join us?"

Regulus shook his head. Definitely not. Sirius shrugged.

"Suit yourself."

And he started to follow James Potter down the carriage, leaving Regulus behind. He couldn't help but feel a bit lost as other students rushed by, some bumping into him.

With a sigh, he adjusted his grip on his trunk and started moving. Not down to the carriage Sirius and Potter went down. The one behind him. He still needed to find a seat. And the Carrow twins. None of that would be done by just standing here.

Hogwarts Express, 11:05

Remus struggled with his trunk down the small corridor on the train. The movement of the train didn't help any as all it did was make him collide with anyone else in the corridor as well. Which no one appreciated if the dirty looks he was receiving was anything to go by. He had to find a seat. His grip on his trunk slipped slightly. And quickly.

A familiar head popped out of the compartment he was outside of.

"I thought that was you, Remus!" James said happily. "Come on in!"

Well, that was handy. Sirius was in the compartment too. As was Peter. It looked like they were all back together. Which was good. Going two months without seeing each other was enough time just to doubt your friendship. But it looked like theirs was okay.

Between the four of them they managed to get Remus' trunk up onto the luggage rack. It probably would have been easier if they were all the same height but they got there in the end. They were red-faced and sweating but they did it.

"Is this all to us?" Remus asked as he sank into a seat.

"Yes," James said happily. "We're not first years to be chucked out."

Personally, Remus didn't think that they were much bigger than some of the first years and he was sure the older years thought that as well. Nonetheless, it was nice not to have to share with anyone and talk as much as they want.

"This is where Sirius and I met last year," James told him proudly as he sat across from him.

"You can't know that," Sirius protested. "All the carriages look the same!"

James shook his head. "They don't!"

"They do!"

"Not this one," James insisted. "This one has a dented curtain rail."

He pointed at said rail for emphasis. Sirius shook his head.

"I don't see it."

Remus narrowed his eyes and looked closely along the whole length. He was about to deny the absence of a dent as well when something just above him caught his eye. It was a tiny dent. Like, really tiny. And it was on the underside of the rail. How in Merlin's name did James see that?

He gave James an exasperated look. "Really, James?"

"Where is it?" Peter asked sceptically.

Remus pointed and the other two boys crowded around James to see. Sirius still didn't look too convinced.

"I bet a lot of those are damaged."

Remus had to admit that was a fair point. This was a train full of nothing but children (except for the driver and the trolley witch), of course some of the furniture had to be a bit dinged up.

But James shook his head again.

"None are like this. This dent is in the shape of a lightning bolt!"

Remus tilted his head to one side and shook his head. James was making things up now. There was no way that dent looked like a lightning bolt.

"It does!" he insisted at their sceptical looks. "Just, look, tilt your head to one side and cup your hands around your eyes."

Huh. He couldn't believe it. The dent did look like a lightning bolt. If lightning bolts could be horizontal. Which he thought they could. Sometimes anyway. He wasn't exactly an expert.

"Told you," James said smugly, folding his arms. "It's our carriage."

Remus thought that it probably wasn't a good idea to point out that it was only theirs for the length of the train ride. James just looked too pleased with himself.

"But how do you know that any of the other dents aren't like this?" Remus demanded suspiciously.

"I checked them all," James replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world to do.

"Seriously?"

"Actually, he's Sirius," James pointed at Sirius.

They all groaned at that. It was such a bad pun.

"But, yes," James continued. "I really did check them all."

"How?"

"I got here really early."

Further up the Hogwarts Express, 13:00

"So, we're going to go across a lake?" Chryssie checked.

She had been making her and Sev go over the exact procedure she'd be following after she left the train. Over and over. Lily knew her sister liked being prepared but this was getting a bit ridiculous.

Lily shook her head.

"No," she corrected her little sister. "You and all the other first years will go over the Great Lake."

"You get the best view of Hogwarts from there," Severus interrupted. "It's amazing."

Chryssie looked between the two of them, a confused and worried look on her face. Lily didn't know why she was worried. She should be happy. Excited. She was going to Hogwarts.

"What if I fall in?"

"The Giant Squid will pick you out," Lily dismissed. "You'll just get a bit wet if you do."

"Which you won't unless you act the fool," Sev added.

Chryssie's eyes practically bugged out of her head.

"There's a Giant Squid in the lake?"

"Where else would it be?"

The Great Hall, 18:00

Sirius watched the line of first years anxiously. He knew he shouldn't be showing it but he couldn't help it. This was his little brother getting Sorted here, he was allowed to be a bit nervous.

Regulus was also nervous, Sirius could tell. On the outside he was wearing what Sirius liked to call 'The Black Mask - calm, composed, almost indifferent - but Sirius knew his tells. The muscle in his jaw was twitching and he was holding himself too stiff. If only Sirius could be up there with him...

"Black, Regulus."

Regulus made his way to the stool, head held high as the Hall went silent. They remembered what happened to the last Black. Sirius tried to ignore the glances that were sent his way and watched intently.

Was Regulus going to be easy to Sort? Difficult? Was he going to be a proper Black or was he going to follow Sirius? Or maybe go to a completely different House?

Sirius didn't know where he wanted Regulus to end up. Slytherin would mean that he wouldn't be on the receiving end of the disdain the suspicion he'd been under all last year (and still was). Sirius didn't want that for his little brother. But Gryffindor meant that Regulus would be with him. They could face the world togeth-

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin Table erupted into cheers. Sirius blinked. That was a quick decision. Regulus stood up and quickly looked at the Gryffindor Table. He met Sirius' eyes before almost imperceptibly straightening up and striding over to the Slytherin Table. Narcissa made sure to actually give him a hug and Malfoy and Lestrange looked incredibly smug. But Sirius didn't care about any of that (even if it was annoying), what he cared about was the brief apologetic look that flashed in his little brother's eyes. Or did he just imagine it?

He practically jumped a foot in the air when someone patted his shoulder.

"Bad luck, buddy," James sympathetically.

It felt like everyone was looking at her. Oh, Chryssie knew that was ridiculous- no one was interested in a little first year - but it didn't stop her feeling like they were. She flexed her fingers by her side, trying to steady her nerves. She wanted Lily up here with her. She would make her feel less nervous, make her laugh. Let her ignore all these faces looking to the front.

Why were they sorted in front of the entire school? It was so nerve-wracking. It wasn't like they were a circus act or something? Chryssie still didn't understand how she was going to be Sorted. Lily wouldn't explain and Chryssie couldn't remember what Lily had said in her letter home this time last year. Watching people getting sorted before her didn't help either. That ratty, old hat, that sang a weird song, was put on your head and shouted out a House? How was that supposed to work?

"Evans, Chrysanthemum."

Snickers broke out across the hall and Chryssie couldn't help but blush. Oh, how she hated her name sometimes. Why did daddy have to like Chrysanthemums so much? Keeping her head down, she shuffled over to the stool.

She closed her eyes so she didn't have to see anyone. Not that that mattered as she felt the hat get plopped onto her head and settle to somewhere just south of her nose. Whose head was this hat even made for?

Oh, nobody's in particular.

Chryssie pitched forwards as she heard a voice. It was in her head? Or could everyone else hear it too?

I assure you only you can hear me.

She wasn't sure that made things any better. A voice in her head? That wasn't a good thing, even in the magical world, was it?

Not normally but I am a special case.

"That's just what something bad would say to you," she thought.

I suppose so. You have a sharp mind on you.

That briefly got her distracted from the alleged hat's voice in head.

"I do?"

Indeed. Plenty of creativity too.

"I like art?"

No exactly what I meant but there really only is one place for you.

RAVENCLAW!

Wait, that wasn't Lily's House! The blue and bronze table erupted into cheers as the hat was lifted off her head. Chryssie glanced hesitantly towards it.

Ravenclaw?

"Malkin, Sophie."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Frank groaned as he clapped furiously for the newest member of Gryffindor House. Fantastic. A Malkin. Now there were two of them at Hogwarts. The rather small, dark-haired girl waved over at the Hufflepuff table before settling down at the Gryffindor one. She looked quite pleased with herself. As she should. Gryffindor was the best House, after all.

James and Sirius and his other friends let out a final, loud "WHOOP!" just like they had done for every other new Gryffindor. Apparently, they were taking it upon themselves to make sure every single Gryffindor had a loud welcome to the House. Frank supposed that that was one way to demonstrate House loyalty.

They got three more students (Rose Nosk, Albert Orpington and Luca Rowle) when the name he had been waiting for was announced.

"Shacklebolt, Hayden."

Frank leaned forwards, wondering where his friend's younger brother was going to end up. Was he anything like Kingsley?

"GRYFFINDOR!"

That was it. Fate hated him. Absolutely hated him. A Malkin and a Shacklebolt in Gryffindor? They weren't going to survive. At least they weren't in the same year as him, so he wouldn't have to deal with the combined craziness. Directly anyway. Unless he was made Prefect in two years. Which he had been hoping for but now he wasn't sure.

"Tonks, Nymphadora."

Tonks let out an audible groan as her name was announced. Lots of laughter at that too. Stupid name. She glared at nothing in particular to demonstrate her displeasure as she went over to the stool.

She thought she also heard a few whispers amongst the laughter. They were repeating her surname.

Looks like mum was right. People did remember. It was kind of silly. Who cared if a pureblood married a muggleborn? It didn't really matter and it was for love! Tall and proud, that's how you dealt with situations like these, mum always said. You don't let people see they've got to you. Of course, that didn't exactly go to plan. She should have focused more on her own two feet. Her foot caught on something and she stumbled with a 'CRASH' to the floor. Oh no.

Tears came to her eyes and people gasped as her hair automatically changed colour. Stupid emotions. Stupid magic. Stupid feet. The whispers about her weren't exactly whispers any more.

"What in Merlin's name?"

"She's a Metamorphmagus!"

"Is that natural?"

"Can't believe she fell!"

"Bet it's from a ritual - wasn't her mum a Black?"

"It's a gift. Very rare."

"Weird"

The laughter was worse though. She was expecting whispers, had been prepared for them. She didn't like being laughed at. No one did. She wiped furiously at her eyes and did what mum always told her to do. She picked herself back up.

It was an awful lot harder to do it here, in front of hundreds of people, than at home where her parents just rolled their eyes at her and made sure she wasn't injured. She did it though and managed to safely sit on the stool. Thank Merlin the Hat was far too big and slipped right over her face.

Well, you've had an interesting start to your time at Hogwarts.

"Shut up," she grumbled, crossing her arms.

Wait. What?

It's both amusing and frustrating when parents don't tell their children that I can communicate.

This was really weird. The Hat was talking inside her head? How come no-one told her?

Exactly, my dear. Apparently, it is some sort of tradition. But tradition has a time and place, young lady.

"Yeah, yeah," Dora said dismissively. She'd heard enough of that from mum thank you very much. "Aren't you supposed to be sorting me?"

Dora swore she heard and felt the Hat sigh in head. Which shouldn't really be that surprising considering he (it?) sang and talked and stuff.

No respect for your elders, young people these days. That 'stuff' I do is most important. The most important event of your Hogwarts career.

"Sorting me."

Exactly.

"Get on with it then."

Oh, a cheeky one. Don't get a lot of those.

Dora rolled her eyes. She wasn't usually this cheeky (she wouldn't dare to be) but it had been quite the difficult start, ok?

That Hat muttered (thought?) something about "rude brats" and "not getting paid enough". How would you even pay a hat? What would a hat spend money on?

Shall I get on with this then?

Oh, yeah, she was here to be Sorted.

"Please do."

Hmpf. Indeed. Let's have a rummage around then.

"That's creepy sounding."

Will you let me get on with this then?

"Yes, sir."

Much better. Now then. What are you made of, Miss Tonks?

"Well-"

Rhetorical question. Hm, bold. Inquisitive. Interesting mind. You work hard to do good work...

"No point in half-heartedly doing a job."

Definitely not. Oh, there's a strong sense of fair play here...

"Only way to play."

Hmm. Oh, this is interesting. You communicate with the elder Mr Black?

"He's family!"

Such loyalty. Well, that means there's only one place for you...

"There is?"

Will you kindly stop interrupting?

"Sorry."

Hmpf. Well, you're going to be right at home in...

HUFFLEPUFF

The whispers and giggles turned to gasps as her hair turned yellow and black. House pride and all that.

Gryffindor Table, 19:00

"Hey, who's that?" James asked after swallowing a piece of gammon, pointing at the Head Table.

There was a new face there, right between Professor Sprout and Professor Boreales, the Astronomy Professor. A new male face that was looking quite nervous.

"Probably the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor," Frank replied from beside him. "We get a new one every year."

"The curse is real?" James asked in an amazed tone.

He hadn't seriously thought it was. Mum and dad had said it was all rumours- they had had the same teacher for Defence the whole way through their time at Hogwarts.

"Apparently so. I had a different one in first year as well. He'll be my third Defence Professor."

"That's really weird. What happened to Professor Curborough? "

Frank shrugged.

"Resigned?"

"I heard he got recruited to be a Nundu Catcher," a girl from Frank's year interrupted.

A boy who looked very like her shook his head.

"That's stupid. There's no way Curborough would he a Nundu catcher. He's too weedy."

"He wasn't going to be all hunter like in class!"

Another, identical, boy chimed in, "I could see it."

"You're mean to be on my side Julian!"

James watched the back and forth in interest and then looked at Frank.

"So, a result of the curse?"

"Looks like it."

"Has anyone tried anything about it?"

Curses could be broken after all. That's what curse breakers were for.

"They can't seem to do anything about it."

James sat back and shook his head. You thought you were getting used to Hogwarts and then stuff like this went on.