Harry took in the sights as he, along with his fellow first years, followed Percy Weasley to the Gryffindor common room. The group passed a hallway with what had to be hundreds of paintings, all chatting animatedly and trying to get a look at the new first-years.
"Yes, yes, new first years. You have seven years to get to know them, but for now we need to hurry - no telling when that staircase will…" Percy was interrupted by a loud rumbling noise as the staircase in question, which they apparently had to cross, rotated to face the other way.
"Move." Percy lamely finished. "Well, since it looks like we'll be stuck here a minute or so, might as well get the formal introduction out of the way. For those who haven't sat near me during the Feast, my name is Percy Weasley - fifth year, Gryffindor prefect. If at any point you have questions, feel free to ask them."
A voice piped up - a voice from above the students. "Do you want me to not drop this water-balloon on you? Think fast!"
A purple poltergeist made its presence known. As Percy said "no", he realized his mistake - and was promptly rewarded with a face full of water, to nervous laughter from the first-years. "Ooh, ickle firsties - what fun!"
"Peeves, do you want me to get the Bloody Baron?" asked Percy, indignantly. Mercifully for him, the poltergeist - apparently, this was the Peeves that the Hogwarts Ghosts had talked about - got bored quickly, after licking his finger and sticking it in the ear of Morag McDougal, who disgustedly tried to wipe it off.
"Sorry about that." Percy said, before casting a few spells to dry himself up and rid Morag of the uncomfortable feeling in her ear. "That was Peeves, the poltergeist. Several Headmasters have tried unsuccessfully to get rid of him - he only really listens to the Bloody Baron, other than that his only purpose is to cause mayhem in the hallways."
At that moment, the staircase moved back to its original position. Percy, therefore, took the lead again and led the students further through the hallways, until they reached a portrait of a rather enormous lady in a white silk dress, who he introduced as the "Fat Lady" before explaining that she guarded the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.
"Password, please?" the portrait asked. To Percy's answer of "Caput Draconis", she nodded and the portrait swung backwards, revealing a rather comfortable-looking room with a fireplace and a lot of squishy armchairs.
Harry blinked a bit. The Gryffindor Common Room reminded him a lot of home - he had a distinct feeling that his mum and dad had modeled their living room after it.
Percy directed the students to two staircases - the girls were to take one dormitory, the boys another. "Boys, this should go without saying, but don't try to enter the girls' dorms. The stairs will just eject you - and that's if none of the prefects or Professor McGonagall catch you before you even make it there."
A fifth-year girl, who Harry didn't recognize but would probably be introduced to later, took over for Percy to lead the girls into the dorm as Percy directed the boys to theirs - a room filled with luxurious-looking four poster beds, simple wardrobes and a bathroom off to the side.
"This is where you'll be sleeping for the next seven years. Don't worry about your stuff, the Hogwarts staff will put your clothes away and bring your belongings to the right place.
Class schedules will be handed out tomorrow at breakfast - school starts next Monday, so until then you have time to get used to the castle and your fellow students.
That'll be all - I bid you goodnight."
With that, Percy turned around and went further up the tower, where presumably more dorms would be found for the upper-year students.
Too tired to talk much, each of the boys simply pulled on their pajamas and claimed a bed.
Harry felt a moment of disorientation the next day, as he woke up in a bed that didn't quite feel like his own yet. He'd never been an early riser, but he wasn't the last of his yearmates to wake up - muffled snores could still be heard from one of the four-posters.
After freshening up and changing out of his pajamas, he made his way down to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Harry, good to see you're awake. You should make your way back to the Great Hall - breakfast's starting. I'm a Prefect, so-" Percy was interrupted by his two brothers, Fred and George.
"Even at Hogwarts, brother?" One of the two said, followed by "You've only gone and mentioned it twice a minute, all summer-"
As the Twins left, Percy continued. "As I was saying, as a Prefect it's my duty to wake students up if necessary, so they don't miss the first breakfast. That's when schedules are handed out, after all. Go on, don't keep your friends waiting."
Nodding, Harry left. He remembered the way back down fairly well - even with the overtly magical layout of the castle. They were on the fifth floor, but Harry only had to go down two floors to reach the Great Hall on the ground floor. Harry vaguely remembered his dad talking about a room that was only there on Friday afternoon as he joined breakfast.
"-I think it's because first year's the biggest adjustment." Hermione continued the conversation Harry had walked in on. "Especially Muggleborn students - I was eight when I got introduced to the magical world, but if I hadn't been, I think this would be when it'd sink in. Adding clubs to that would just make my head hurt."
"Might also have something to do with Quidditch - that's only open to second-years because you have to be done with flying lessons for it, and Duelling isn't really possible until you've learned a few spells, so they might've made the rules easier by just saying 'all clubs'." Ron added. "Hey Harry, we were discussing clubs - why first-years weren't allowed in them, and which ones we'd join."
Harry nodded, thankful to be filled in - though he'd gotten the gist of the topic already.
"Well, in order - I think I agree with what Hermione said. It's going to be hard enough learning how to use magic properly and getting used to living in a place where you go up from the fifth floor to reach the basement, never mind adding clubs. And I'm honestly not sure which club I'm signing up to next year - they all look pretty interesting, plus we'll have all year to make up our minds." Harry supplied, sitting down and filling his plate with the food that had appeared in the meantime as conversation continued.
A few minutes later, Percy Weasley made his way downstairs, a bedraggled-looking Seamus Finnigan in tow.
"Right, that's everyone - I have your schedules for the term." Percy said, producing a stack of parchments with timetables and handing one to each first-year. "For the first two years, you'll all be sharing a schedule as you won't have electives."
Harry looked at the schedule. Charms, the first class, was apparently at 'Third floor, opposite the statue of a thunderbird', whereas Herbology later in the week would be "Greenhouse 4". He almost missed the explanation that "Because the layout of the castle changes, any classes that take place inside just have a floor number and a landmark to look for."
"I think that's everything for most of you. Harry, please follow me - the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall wanted to talk to you. The Headmaster mentioned something about a family heirloom, and Professor McGonagall had something about a few extra rules. They're both at the Headmaster's office."
George couldn't resist that opening. "Wow, Harry. Class hasn't even started yet, and you're already going there? Broke our record, we took a week…"
Percy was quick to shut him down, however. "Harry's not in trouble, unlike you two. Setting off a dungbomb in one of the carriages, really?" At the twins' unrepentant grins, he elected to ignore them. "Harry, come with me. The Headmaster's office is this way..."
Harry followed Percy through a few hallways, up to what he was pretty sure was one of the towers, to where a gargoyle was blocking the way. "Well, Harry, this is where the Headmaster's office is - just up the stairs past that gargoyle. I'll be heading back to the Great Hall while you're there." Harry was just about to ask how he was supposed to get past the gargoyle, when he noticed Percy had already turned his head towards it.
"Mars Bars", Percy said - causing the gargoyle to nod and move out of the way, as apparently that was the password.
Harry made his way up the stairs as Percy turned back.
"Ah, Mr. Potter. Do come in." he heard the headmaster say, just before the office properly came into his sight.
Harry looked around. Albus Dumbledore's office was filled with knick-knacks. A trill was heard from a songbird, perched behind the Headmaster - it made Harry feel calm as it started singing.
"Mr. Potter, please do sit down. I assume you know why we've called you here?" said Professor McGonagall.
"Well, Percy did say something about special rules, and something about an old heirloom?" replied Harry.
"Correct. Now, let's start with the rules. I've been made aware you are an Animagus, a snowy owl to be precise?"
Harry, taking this as a cue, changed into his Animagus form. Professor McGonagall blinked as the songbird trilled again - Harry felt rather like his father was talking to him at that moment. In order for the conversation to continue, Harry turned himself back.
"Yes, that's what these rules will be about." Professor McGonagall continued.
"Specifically, I have been notified that you enjoy spending time with post-owls. While I will not begrudge you that time, students will want to use the owls to send letters - you are not to get in the way of that, and especially not to attempt any deliveries away from the school grounds. Hand such letters to one of the actual post-owls."
Harry nodded. It seemed sensible enough, really - he wasn't permitted to exit school grounds either way, this was just specifying on that rule.
"Further, if I hear of any mischief you've caused with your Animagus form, you will face consequences for it. Your father's reputation precedes you, in this matter."
Another nod. Harry wasn't really planning on anything that broke school rules, either way - harmless jokes were allowed. He had no real desire to follow in the Marauders' footsteps, especially when it came to bullying.
"Lastly, any rules regarding the use of broomsticks apply to your Animagus form - no flying in narrow hallways, no taking off from any of the towers. These rules are there to prevent accidents, and I expect you to respect them."
She didn't wait for an answer before finishing. "That will be all from me. If you will excuse me, I do have some preparation left to do - materials left to gather. Headmaster, Mr. Potter." With nods to each, she stood up and walked out.
"Well, with that unpleasant business out of the way… I do hope you're settling in nicely, Harry? You don't mind if I dispense with the formalities, do you?"
Harry was somewhat relieved. If the Headmaster was being informal, that was as sure a sign as any that this was not a visit of the bad variety.
"Well, the layout of the castle is still a bit confusing. Things keep changing."
"Yes, yes. Magic, especially in great concentrations, tends to have a will of its own. The castle, old and filled with magical students as it is, might very well be considered sentient - it loves introducing students to Peeves on their first night, and one of my predecessors attempted to abolish the House Point system only to find every door leading outside. You may learn more about it over time."
Albus took a deep breath, and looked as if contemplating something.
"But, I digress. I'd called you here on request of your father, actually - I have something of his, that I've put off investigating for far too long. However, I have finally managed to find the secret to its longevity - it is a form of blood-related magic, similar to one of the contingencies I had planned for if…"
He let the sentence hang for a moment, looking far older than he had just moments ago.
Harry understood, without it needing to be said, what was being said - if Lily and James had not survived the night of Halloween, 1981, Albus Dumbledore would have used blood magic to keep Harry safe at his closest blood-relation's house - his aunt Petunia, in Surrey. Harry's parents had told him about that contingency a few years ago, after the last time Lily had visited her sister.
"My apologies. I was considering the could-have-beens, which I do have to say I am thankful didn't have to happen. To conclude, I have the Cloak-" Harry could hear the capital letter - "in this parcel, which I was hoping I could use your lovely owl to help deliver back to your home?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course, sir. Actually, I was planning on going to the Owlery this afternoon, I have a letter for my parents as well - promised I'd tell them when I'd settled into the castle."
Albus smiled. "Do you mind if I Apparate us both there? It's normally impossible, but being the Headmaster gives me an exemption to the Anti-Disapparition Jinx and I'd like to exercise that privilege at least once in my life. If you'll take my arm, and think about your owl..."
Harry did just that, and felt the unpleasant sensation of being squeezed through a small tube. Hedwig was eager to take both Harry's letter and the boxed Cloak, which was a surprisingly light package - but still large enough that another owl had to be called in to help.
That done, they Apparated back, and Harry went off to enjoy the rest of his days before classes.
Had a bit of writer's block with this one, so hopefully it is still good. Next up, classes - or, the meat of the story.