Chapter 2:
Ever since he could remember, Alistar Morningstar had wanted to go to Hogwarts. The stories of the school, both from his brother and his parents, had encapsulated themselves into his imagination and told their stories throughout his dreams.
He stood on the quidditch pitch; his black hair combed neatly on his head. He stood tall as he looked over a team of silver and green, determined smiles spread across their faces as they looked towards him. "Alright guys," Alistar said as he pulled his broom off his shoulder. "Let's show those Gryffindors what Slytherin is made of." The six before him let out a rousing cheer as Alistar turned around and entered the pitch. All around him cheers echoed his name. Alistar! Alistar!
"Alistar… ALISTAR!"
Alistar was roused from his dreams as a face looked down at him. The boy laughed at Alistar as he ruffled Alistar's hair. "Morning sleepy head."
"Anubis," Alistar yawned as he stretched. "Good morning."
After many years of being woken by Anubis, Alistar had grown accustomed to his adoptive brother's facial features. He had a long face with blue eyes and a messy tangle of curly dark hair. Attempts to groom such unruly hair had always ended in failure. Alistar never minded, however. Anubis wore it strikingly well.
Anubis wrapped his arms around Alistar. "Happy Birthday!"
Alistar smiled at the gestured and hugged Anubis back. "Thank you," He replied. Anubis let go of him, allowing Alistar to get up from the bed.
"I think breakfast is ready. It smells like pancakes!" Anubis smiled brightly.
"Good!" Alistar said as he walked over to the dresser. "See you downstairs then."
"I'll see you downstairs," Alistar remarked as he pulled his robes for today out from the small wooden dresser. Once changed, Alistar combed his dark hair. He admired his reflection for a moment, smiling broadly before a crack snapped him out of his trance.
"Alistar, they're waiting for you."
Alistar spun around behind him to see a very snazzily dressed house elf standing before him. The elf's eyes twinkled as he bowed towards Alistar.
"Good morning Happy," Alistar said towards him. "I'll be down in a minute."
Happy nodded towards him. "Oh, and Victoria requested that I inform you that she has arrived."
Alistar's smile widened. "Thank you Happy," Alistar said as he looked down at himself. "How do I look?"
"Oh, very good, Alistar," Happy replied with a nod, his ears flopping as he did so.
"Please extend my gratitude to Dopey," Alistar said as he adjusted his robes. "I doubt very many wizards can pull off this level of tailorship."
"You're too kind Alistar," Happy replied. "But I shall inform him. And happy birthday."
"Thank you Happy. Please, enjoy your day."
With another crack, Happy was gone. Alistar smoothed out his robes one more time before leaving his and Anubis' bedroom.
When Alistar entered the dining room, the quiet murmur of conversations died out as five pairs of eyes turned to him. Anubis smiled brightly as he gestured Alistar over to a seat between him and another boy with auburn hair and hazel eyes. The boy, Alistar's older brother Atticus, smirked at him as before busying himself with his cup.
Alistar had just enough time to recognize a trap when a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind. "Happy birthday Ali!" A girl's voice called out as she and Alistar struggled to remain standing upright. A roar of laughter echoed from the table as Alistar freed himself from the tight embrace.
"Good morning, Victor," Alistar smiled back as the girl pushed a lock of curly black hair from her face. She flashed Alistar a toothy grin before walking with him to the table, sitting next to an older man with straight dark hair and all black robes.
"Good morning, Professor Snape," Alistar smiled. Snape nodded back at him as Alistar sat down besides Atticus. He leaned towards his brother and whispered softly "So much for a warning."
Atticus shrugged. "Should've came down earlier. Grumpy refuses to serve breakfast without you."
"Grumpy has ears, Master Atticus," A house elf grumbled as he seemingly appeared out of thin air, causing Atticus and Alistar to jump slightly.
"And very good ones at that," Mrs. Morningstar said from across the table. "I was the one that requested Grumpy wait for us all to come together."
"Thanks Mom," Alistar replied as Grumpy raised his hand. The doors to the kitchen opened wide and several plates came flying out, piled high with pancakes. Grumpy then pointed at everyone at the table, causing a plate to go flying towards them. Alistar's plate landed perfectly in front of him. The words "Happy Birthday" were written into the pancakes. Alistar took a bite of them and smiled, strawberry and chocolate. The perfect pancake.
"Very well done, Grumpy," Mr. Morningstar said as he took a bite from his own.
Grumpy bowed towards him. "You're too kind, Master Theodore."
Mr. Morningstar cringed at that slightly as a slight smile broke across Alistar's face. It was way Grumpy showed his affection to the Morningstars, referring to them all as 'master'. Though they all had stopped trying to correct him, Alistar's father still resented the term when it applied to him. It reminded him too much of a decade ago.
The doorbell rang, causing a temporary pause on breakfast as the seven looked up to
"I'll get it," Atticus said as he stood up from the table.
"Don't bother," Grumpy said. "Greeter already got it."
Greeter the house elf was Happy's brother and took his job as the Morningstar's door elf very seriously. So much so that no one could remember the name that his parents had given him except for Happy who refused to give up such information.
"Master Malfoy! You're early! And your brought young masters Crabbe and Goyle, how wonderful!" Greeter's friendly voice echoed through the house. Like most other rooms of the house, the front door was enchanted to echo any conversations had between Greeter and the visitor throughout the house.
"I was hoping to speak with Theodore and Cassandra," Lucius said dismissively, his similarly echoing throughout the house.
"Why certainly," Greeter said. "They're in the dining room, they already know you're here."
"I really wish he wasn't," Theodore sighed as he finished his breakfast. "Grumpy, would you mind fetching Lucius and Narcissa some coffee?"
"Of course," Grumpy said, his voice somehow less pleasant than before. "Shall I fetch anything for young Master Draco?"
"If he should ask for anything," Theodore replied evenly.
"Wonder what Uncle Lucius wants," Victoria commented as footsteps echoed from the hallway, at least three pairs of them.
Snape straightened up slightly as the words 'Uncle Lucius' left Victoria's mouth. Alistar raised a slight eyebrow towards Snape as a weird emotion floated in his mind. "What are you worried about professor?" Alistar asked.
Snape's expression whipped around to Alistar and in the next moment, the thought worrying was gone, vanished completely from Alistar's mind. "Nothing."
Having grown up around Severus Snape for his entire life, Alistar knew better than to press the issue. Fortunately, he didn't have to as footsteps trailed from the hallway. A moment later, the Malfoy family was standing in the doorway to the dining room. They were accompanied by two other boys, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Draco Malfoy's best friends.
"Lucius," Mr. Morningstar said, forcing a smile. "How are you doing? Please, have a seat. Coffee?"
"Yes, please," Mr. Malfoy replied as he headed towards the table. Mrs. Malfoy nodded, indicating she'd like some coffee as well. "Severus, I'm glad to see you're here too. It will make this a little easier on all of us."
"In that case, why don't you kids go play outside while us adults have a little chat?" Mr. Morningstar said, a smile across his face. Alistar raised an eyebrow, unsure if it was forced.
"Ok," Alistar said as he took the lead. "Oh Dapper!"
A house elf dressed in a suit and top hat appeared seconds later. "Yes sir?" He said.
"Could you please grab the family's brooms and the quaffle? We'll meet you out back."
"Right away sir," Dapper replied before disappearing once again.
"You have a very polite young man," Mrs. Malfoy commented.
Mr. Morningstar smiled. "Why thank you Narcissa," he said as Alistar lead his group of friends outside to where Dapper was waiting with the quaffle in his hand and seven brooms scattered around him.
"Thanks, Dapper," Alistar said as he took the quaffle from the house elf. He then turned to Draco, "How do you want to divide the teams?"
"My mates vs. yours?" Draco asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Victoria said. "Atticus-"
"Will be playing keeper for both sides," Atticus interrupted. "I need to shake off the rust from the summer anyway."
"Well then it's settled," Alistar said as he mounted his broom. He kicked off from the ground and soared about ten feet into the air. He leaned forward and the broom responded almost instantly, taking him straight for the three rings that made up the Morningstar Quidditch pitch. Once there, Alistar turned his broom around to see Anubis and Victoria right behind him. They stopped and turned to face Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Atticus flew in the center of them and held out his hand, asking for the quaffle. Alistar happily replied and tossed the ball to Atticus. He caught it and looked to the six of them.
"Alright. You must pass it at least three times before you can score. First team to three wins. Ready?"
"I'm ready," Alistar replied.
"Ready to lose," Draco commented with a smirk.
"I know you are," Victoria remarked.
"On your mark," Atticus said. "Get set… GO!" He threw the quaffle up in the air before retreating to the goal posts.
Alistar watched the ball rise and shot after it. He stretched his hands out just as Malfoy zoomed past him. Alistar hissed and took off after him. He started to catch up when Malfoy. Alistar watched it as Crabbe outstretched his arms to catch it only for a blur to snatch it out from in front of him. Alistar leveled his broom and took off after Victoria who let out a laugh as she tossed the brown ball to Alistar who caught it. He turned around and came face first with Goyle who gave him a toothy smile.
"Yo! Alistar!" Anbuis raised his arms. Alistar turned his head away from Anubis and Goyle moved with his head. Alistar tossed the quaffle off in the opposite direction. Goyle made a dive to catch it but it was too little too late. Anubis caught it easily and fired it off to the goal. Atticus was quick, however, as he blocked the shot.
Atticus smiled widely at Anubis. "Nice try buster," he said as he tossed the ball to Crabbe. After getting the ball, Crabbe darted away from the goal with Anubis following hot on his heels.
Alistar shot after them just as Crabbe passed the quaffle to Malfoy. Malfoy turned around and threw it to Goyle who caught it and fired it into the goal. Atticus watched as the quaffle sailed missed the hoops and drew his wand. "Accio!" He commanded. The quaffle came screaming back to his hands. Atticus pocketed his wand before tossing the quaffle to Alistar who caught it and darted away on his broomstick.
"What's the plan now Ali?" Victoria asked as she zoomed up beside him.
"You're going to take the shot this time," Alistar replied. "Anubis and I are going to pass it between ourselves and shoot it over to you when Atticus tries to defend."
"Sounds like a plan," Anubis said, making his presence known.
"Go low," Alistar said over to Anubis as he looked behind him, seeing Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle chasing after them. "Now!"
Alistar pulled his broom up, willing it to gain altitude as he looped over Draco who stared back at him in surprise. Alistar righted himself up and zoomed forward, tossing the ball to Anubis who threw it back. They were rapidly closing in on the goal now, Atticus watched them and angled his broom to block the goal. Alistar raised his arm to throw the quaffle and tossed it to Victoria, Atticus' face going wide eyed as he zipped over to the hoop. His efforts were in vain, however, as Victoria threw the quaffle through the hoop.
"Nice play," Atticus said as he pointed his wand down at the quaffle.
"Not bad, Morningstar," Malfoy said as he flew besides Alistar.
Alistar smirked as Atticus called out to them. "Oi! Malfoy!" Draco looked over at Atticus just as the quaffle came to him. He caught it and Alistar reached out to snatch it from his arms.
"Thanks Draco!" Alistar replied before darting away from Malfoy.
"Nice play Alistar," Anubis commented as he flew besides Alistar.
"Thanks, here. Do something with this," Alistar tossed the quaffle to Anubis. Anubis nodded and darted away from Alistar just as Draco flew between them to intercept the pass. He turned to Alistar as Crabbe and Goyle chased after Anubis.
"That was cheating!" Draco said to Alistar.
Alistar chuckled. "It's only cheating because you didn't think of it first."
Draco smiled at Alistar. "The only unfair fight is the one you lose Morningstar." Draco's smile was short lived however when his head snapped forward, propelled that way by a brown ball smacking into the back of his head. Alistar shot up and grabbed it before shooting towards the goalpost.
"Sorry Draco! I was trying to pass it to Alistar!" Vicotria shouted. Alistar wondered if it was truly an accident as he beelined for the goalposts, staring down Atticus as he flew closer and closer. Atticus stared back into his determined expression with a smile as Alistar tossed the quaffle off to his left. Atticus' eyes widened as Anubis shot it straight into the ring.
"Come on Atticus! You're supposed to be a keeper!" Draco called out.
"Maybe don't let Alistar snatch the ball out of your hands this time," Atticus retorted as he threw the ball to Goyle who once again zoomed off, flanked by Victoria on one side and Crabbe on the other. Alistar watched Goyle pass it to Crabbe and Crabbe toss it back before stopping in midair, causing Victoria to zoom past them.
The two of them turned around and headed straight for the goalpost. Alistar zipped forward, trying to intercept them but it was too late. Goyle tossed it to Crabbe but Atticus was prepared this time. He guarded the hoop Crabbe was aiming for with a smile on his face.
That smile faded when Crabbe tossed it back to Goyle who threw it through the now undefended ring. Alistar clapped for them as Goyle turned to him. He flashed Alistar a toothy grin.
"Got the idea from you," Goyle said modestly.
"I think Atticus is going easy on us," Draco said. "I thought he'd block at least something by now."
"He blocked the first two goals alright," Alistar pointed out. "It's probably hard to block anything when you're not supported by a couple of beaters. And a bludger is probably the only thing my parents won't buy for us."
"Shame," Draco commented as he flew off. Alistar looked after him as Goyle floated over.
"What's his problem?" Alistar asked.
Goyle shrugged. "It's Draco. You know he's a sore loser."
"Not much gracious in victory either," Alistar commented. Goyle let out a chuckle.
"Happy birthday by the way," Goyle said as Atticus tossed the quaffle to Anubis. Goyle took off after Anubis, followed closely by Crabbe and Victoria. Draco made an attempt to cut him off before Anubis threw the quaffle to Alistar. Alistar caught the quaffle and threw it back to Victoria who caught it and turned around, barely managing to avoid Crabbe snatching for the ball. Victoria smiled and wagged her finger before flying towards Alistar. Malfoy caught on to what Victoria was about to do and flew in front of Alistar, snatching the ball as Victoria tried to pass it to him. He turned around and dove straight for the hoop, trying to throw it through.
Atticus caught the ball easily. A smile crossed his face. "Still think I'm going easy?" Atticus commented as he threw the ball to Anubis. Draco made a face as Anubis zipped past him, throwing the ball to Alistar who tossed it to Victoria. Victoria caught the quaffle and turned around, heading straight for the goal hoop. Anubis headed for the opposite one and Atticus moved himself to block a shot from Anubis. Sure enough, Victoria threw the ball to Anubis.
Alistar zipped forward and intercepted it and fired it through the center ring as Atticus over committed, prepared to block a shot from Anubis. Atticus sighed as the third goal went flying through the ring and towards the ground.
"Well played," Atticus said as he drew his wand. His gaze drifted towards the ground, his eyes catching on something below. "We've an audience."
Alistar looked down to see a small band of kids looking up at the seven of them. Behind them, at the house, a table was already set up and the house elves busied themselves by walking amongst the adults with trays of food and drink.
"Huh… Suppose I should go down and say hi," Alistar commented. He flew towards the ground and dismounted the broom, the rest of them doing so behind him. "Dapper, would you please come here for a moment?"
The house elf appeared instantaneously. "May I offer you a cup of butter bear?" He said as he held out a tray out for Alistar.
"I'd love a cup," Alistar replied as he took the tray from the house elf. "But I called you to put the brooms and quaffle back into the shed."
"Of course," Dapper replied with a bow. He handed Alistar the tray and took the quaffle from him. With a snap of his fingers, the brooms flew over to him. Dapper placed himself on top of one and zipped off, leaving Alistar with a particularly weighty tray of butter bear.
"Here Alistar," Atticus said as he pointed his wand at the tray. "Wingardium Leviosa." The tray started to levitate in the air and Alistar let go of it. He took a cup from it as the crowd of people started to walk towards him.
"Thanks Atticus," Alistar said. He smiled at the crowd and held up his cup. "Hello everyone, butter bear?"
"That wasn't half-bad flying from all of you," The leader of the pack, a rather tall boy, said as he approached. He took a cup of butter bear and looked to Atticus. "You're definitely slipping Morningstar."
Atticus smiled. "I'll be in shape by the school year Flint," He replied.
"I hope so," Marcus said. "Keepers are hard to come by." His gaze turned to Alistar. "If you're sorted into Slytherin, hit me up next year. All our chasers are aging out after this year and with a little more training I'm sure you three would make an unstoppable offense."
"And if we're not," Victoria asked smartly.
Marcus turned to her with a dark expression across his face. "Then don't play quidditch," he threatened. He took a cup from the tray and walked away from the group, heading back up to the house where a couple of teenagers had gathered around.
Alistar leaned over to her. "You don't seriously think that you won't be sorted into Slytherin, do you?"
Victoria shrugged. "No point in planning around uncertainty."
"Spoken like a Slytherin," Alistar said, a smile coming across his face. "Come on, the day is young and so are we."
The sun had started to set when the parents had summoned their children back to the house. A procession had started, Theodore leading it, through the backdoor and into the house itself. Alistar followed behind the last of them and followed the procession through the familiar path of the backdoor and towards the dining room.
The room had once again extended itself to accommodate the guests. Seats were taken and drinks were ordered as the Morningstar house elves rushed around like busy little ants around a hive. As Alistar entered the room, one of the elves grabbed his arm. He was quickly followed by one grabbing Anubis and giving him a similar treatment.
"Happy!" Alistar protested as the elf led him to the head of the table.
"I'm sorry sir, but Theodore had requested that the family sit together at the head of the table," Happy explained as he dragged Alistar.
"We'll talk to you after dinner!" Anubis said as Victoria watched them get pulled away, suppressing a laugh.
"You better," Victoria called as she walked over to Snape and sat beside him.
"Alistar," Mr. Morningstar smiled widely as Alistar approached. He got up and hugged him before putting an arm around his shoulder and guiding him to a seat next to Atticus, opposite from himself. "How was your day?"
"Simply brilliant," Alistar replied. "We played a lot of games, quidditch, broomless-quadpot, wizards chess-"
"And I beat Bulstrode in exploding snaps," Anubis reported proudly as he sat next to Alistar.
"Wonderful!" Cassandra said, smiling as she ruffled Anubis' hair. "I love exploding snaps."
"Just never play with Nifty, she cheats," Atticus commented.
"Nifty doesn't cheat, you're just bad at the game Atticus," A voice said from behind them. Alistar turned around to see a house elf in a dress standing before them. She bowed to them and said, "She would also like to know what she can get the Morningstars to drink."
"Amontillado, my good house elf," Mr. Morningstar replied.
"Ooo… I'll take a goblet of that myself," Mrs. Morningstar said.
"Butterbeer," Atticus, Anubis, and Alistar said in unison.
Nifty smiled brightly and bowed. "Very good, Nifty will go fetch that immediately." The house elf turned around and left.
"Oh, Alistar. I wanted to tell you this earlier, but I made some changes to the dinner menu," Mr. Morningstar said.
Alistar looked up at him curiously. "What kind of changes?"
"Oh, I merely added an option. Roasted peacock."
Alistar's curious expression only grew more so. "Why peacock?"
"Oh, it's simply delightful," Mrs. Morningstar said swiftly, cutting off Mr. Morningstar's reply. "You have to try it."
There was a strange look on both of his parent's faces, almost as if they were trying to conceal laughter.
"Oh…" Atticus shortly started to chuckle in afterwards.
"What's funny?" Alistar asked as he turned to Anubis.
"Beats me," Anubis replied.
It took Mr. Morningstar a moment to regain his composure. But once he did, he stood up and held his arms out, calling attention to himself.
"My friends," Mr. Morningstar said as he flashed a smile to the crowd. "Today we are gathered here in celebration. The preservation of our kind, the noble pure-blooded wizard." He raised his goblet up in the air. "To Alistar Morningstar, my youngest son."
"To Alistar!" The toast echoed across the room; glasses raised in the air.
"Now, my many friends. Dinner is served. Please, enjoy."
The doors behind the Morningstar family flew open and several plates of entrees and sides filled the table. Alistar watched as a bird that he guessed was a peacock landed in the center of the table, right in front of Lucius Malfoy. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy's face started to turn pale white as laughter echoed from the people around them.
"What's wrong with them?" Alistar asked as he helped himself to a scoop of mashed potatoes.
Alistar's parents had started laughing quietly now. Alistar looked to both of them.
"What's so funny?" Alistar asked.
"Whatever it is, it appears to be amusing to Mr. Snape," Anubis said. Alistar's eyes looked down the table where Snape who looked at the Malfoys with a wide smirk on his face. "Perhaps it's an inside joke?"
"Maybe…" Alistar said, though he wasn't entirely convinced. A strange thought floated into his mind as he studied the Malfoys again, a mixture between embarrassment and something else.
Something told Alistar that the Malfoy's facial expressions had something to do with the peacock and whatever they had discussed earlier with his parents. That made Alistar grow curious. What had his parents talked about with the Malfoys and why was Snape involved? The question was short lived in his head, however, as he realized his mother had been right.
Peacock was simply delicious.