"It's him. . ."
"That boy is. . ."
"I heard he cast Dark Mark at the. . ."
"He should be sent to Azkaban. . ."
"Stay away from him he's trouble. . ."
"You know his mother's. . ."
"His uncle's Sirius. . ."
"Over the summer he visited her at. . ."
"Lestrange! Even the name makes me sick. . ."
"Is it true that he has a blood curse that makes him. . ."
"Heard he was born evil. . ."
"Should expel him. . ."
Whispers, gasps and gossip followed Rastaban Lestrange as he and his cousin, Nymphadora, made their way through station 9 3/4. Nymphadora's hair was a blazing purple as she was beginning to be annoyed by all the tense stares. Andromeda had a protective arm around Rastaban's shoulders who's own hair was emerald green. They ignored the idle gossip between students and parents as they approached the train.
After the World Cup they had returned to the Burrow during the early morning. Mrs. Weasley had been waiting for them outside. She had flung herself on her husband and a copy of the Daily Prophet fell from her hand. The headline read TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP: NEWEST DEATH EATER EMERGES! After Molly embraced the twins Andromeda and Ted decided it was time to leave.
Rita Skeeter had written the article. She scolded the Ministry for its so-called lax security and their inability to apprehend the vandals. Towards the end she wrote of how Rastaban was found at the scene with Harry Potter no less. She claims that Rastaban tried to kill Harry as a form of revenge for his parents' imprisonment.
And it seems everyone ate it up.
Rastaban held his head high amongst the crowd, as high as his height could allow him. Tonks leaned over and whispered, "What is it the muggles say, 'no such thing as bad publicity'?"
"That's one way to put it." Rastaban sighed before he scoffed.
"Ignore them, love." Andromed squeezed her hand on his shoulder.
Rastaban sensed how tense his cousin suddenly got, "You know you don't have to tense up whenever we pass by a newspaper." He stated, "You all know I didn't do it. That's all that matters to me."
"Death Eaters are getting bold." Tonks commented, "They were trying to make a statement, attacking the Quidditch World Cup like that."
"Ted's getting a workload at the Ministry." Her mother commented.
The Ministry has been in utter chaos since the World Cup. Ted couldn't even make it to King's Cross Station to see Rastaban off. It's the first time they weren't together before he left for Hogwarts.
"I don't see why everyone's so afraid of them." Rastaban shrugged, "They follow a wizard who was bested by a baby." He smirked to himself as they arrived at the door to the cart.
Tonks yanked Rastaban into a tight embrace, "You don't have to act tough around me you know."
Rastaban scoffed as they pulled away, "Who said I was doing it for you? I'm trying to convince myself to not be so terrified." He said before he was pulled into his aunt's embrace.
"Is it working?" She asked.
"Oh no, I'm about to piss myself." He smiled brightly before they heard the train's whistle, "Well I'm off. Wish me luck."
Tonks shrugged, "No I won't."
"Be careful and stay out of trouble!" Andromeda called.
Rastaban stuck his tongue out at her before the train began to pull out. The train had already gone too far for Nymphadora to come up with a reply. With his cousin gone, Rastaban's smile dropped before he sighed and turned around. Swinging his black leather satchel over his shoulder.
Now alone he took a deep breath before he walked down the cart. He kept his head low as he passed by each compartment. He was looking for an empty one but it was a futile search. Everyone's on board now so there mustn't be a single empty compartment.
Looking ahead he saw Draco approaching with Crabbe and Goyle tailing him, "Just my luck." He sighed before he bumped into someone.
"Well, well, well if it isn't our superstar." Draco said teasingly, "How's fame treating you, cousin."
"A whole lot better than that hair color is treating you." He shot back before he stepped towards him, "Move over."
"Where are your manners?" Draco stepped in his way, "Did that filthy blood traitor wench forget to teach you any?"
Rastaban moved so fast the others could hardly react. One moment Draco had a tormenting smile on his face and now he had a fearful glower as Rastaban jabbed his wand to his chin.
"Talk about Aunt Andromeda like that again and I'll turn you into a ferret and throw you into the owlery." His voice had an edge to it, one that showed Draco that his cousin wasn't bluffing.
"Rastaban."
Looking over Draco's shoulder he saw Harry's head sticking out of a compartment. Rastaban's face began to turn pink before he pulled his wand away from Draco's chin. He quickly pocketed his wand before he met Harry's eyes.
"Would you like to sit with us?" Harry asked.
Rastaban gave his cousin one last glare before he replied, "Of course, I'd love to." He shoved past his fellow Slytherins and joined Harry in the compartment.
Inside sat Ron and Hermione who each gave him a pleasant smile. He took a seat next to Harry and across from Hermione. They sat in silence before the muggle-born finally asked, "Are you alright, considering everything?"
Rastaban shrugged, "I'm fine, all things considered."
"You know none of us believe what the Daily Prophet says about you, right?" Harry quickly said.
"Yeah even my mum doesn't believe it and she believes just about anything from the Prophet." Ron added.
"Unfortunately most people aren't as smart as Mrs. Weasley." Rastaban sighed before he leaned against the window.
"Where's your owl and bags?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.
Rastaban blinked before he exclaimed, "I almost forgot!" He quickly opened his satchel and reached down to his shoulder before he found what he was looking for, "Ah ha!" Sitting up he pulled out a cage with two large ravens inside.
"Those things are bloody huge!" Ron exclaimed, gawking at the sheer size of the ravens.
"They're called Odin Ravens." Rastaban explained to them, "They were a gift."
"What are their names?" Hermione asked, leaning towards the cage.
Rastaban pointed towards the raven closest to Harry and said, "He's Kowalski," He then pointed at the raven closest to him, "and she's Lita."
Rob had a dumbfounded look, "Why's you name them that."
Rastaban shrugged, "I named them after the best friends of the man who gave them to me."
"Who gave them to you?" Harry asked as he watched Kowalski preen Lita's feathers.
Rastaban looked at the ravens before he replied, "An old family friend."
After that they descended into a number of topics. Soon it began to rain heavier and heavier as they grew ever closer to their destination. The sky began to darken to a dark gray, and soon the lights in the ceiling shined brighter than the light outside. Rastaban rested his hand on the cold glass, he enjoyed the rain especially whenever he would read.
Eventually the trio's friends would pop into the compartments. First were Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas. They were together at the world cup as well. Rastaban began to think that the two of them don't come separately. The two spoke about the world cup, Seamus smugly spoke of the Irish victory before they got into what happened afterwards. It was blatant how they tried to avoid looking at Rastaban, they more than likely read the Daily Prophet.
It was when Neville Longbottom arrived that Rastaban finally decided to leave. He's never spoken to the round-faced boy personally but they have a troubled family history, "I should go change into my robes." He suddenly declared, "We'll be arriving soon." With that he grabbed his bag and bird cage and walked out.
Rastaban changed into his robes in silence. He spent the remainder of the train ride standing aloof in the corridor. Once the train slowed to a stop the students flooded out of the compartments. Rastaban followed the flood of students out of the train into pounding rain. The sky was dark with lightning lighting up the sky. Rastaban quickly placed the cage back into his bag to keep Kowalski and Lita dry.
He didn't pay attention to anyone else as he ran into a carriage. He reached up and pushed his wet hair out of his face. With his vision clear he saw that he sat across a pale blonde girl with big eyes, "Hello."
"Hello." She replied with a small voice, "My name is Luna."
"Rastaban." He nodded in greeting.
"It's really coming down!" A new voice said as a head of red hair came to sit next to Luna.
"Hello Ginny." Luna greeted pleasantly.
"Luna, I thought I saw you come in here." Ginny replied with a smile before she saw Rastaban, "Rastaban, what are you doing in here?" She asked curiously, "I thought I saw you sitting with Ron and the others."
He shrugged, "We got separated when I changed into my robes."
"This bloody rain!"
Someone else climbed into the carriage and sat down beside Rastaban. He quickly recognized her, Tracy Davis. She's a Slytherin in his year.
Looking up she just realized who she has to sit next to. Her eyes landed on Rastaban whom she nodded to, "Lestrange."
"Davis." He replied before the carriage jerked forward.
The rest of the ride was silent save for the crashing of thunder. Rastaban and Ginny would awkwardly look around, Luna hummed absentmindedly and Tracey kept her gaze out the window. Once the carriage reached the destination the occupants quickly ran inside save for Luna who seemed to enjoy the rain. Despite their hurry the lot of them were soaking wet by the time they made it inside. They all sighed in relief as they were immediately warmed by the large torches lining the walls.
"Move along!" Professor McGonagall said sharply as she herded the groups of students, "Into the Great Hall, on you go!"
The Great Hall was grand as per usual. Hundreds of candles floated above the heads of the students. The chattering of students echoed through the hall. The house tables were nearly filled to capacity.
The four of them were separated as the students filtered out to their house tables Ginny to Gryffindor, Luna to Ravenclaw, and Rastaban and Tracey to Slytherin. The pair of Slytherins separated as well when Tracey took a seat with Daphne Greengrass who sat across from her boyfriend Cassius Warrington. Rastaban walked along the long table until he found an empty space between Sally Smith and Emma Vane.
Rastaban bounced his leg not out of impatience but out of nervousness. Looking up to the staff table and noticed a trio of empty tables. Professor McGonagall must still be herding the stragglers into the Great Hall, Professor Hagrid most certainly is still sailing through the lake with the First Years and the last chair belonged to their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who would it be this year? The rest of the chairs were occupied, he looked over the faculty before his eyes landed on his favorite teacher, Professor Flitwick.
Professor Flitwick always treated him with kindness and respect. All the teachers did to some degree but Professor Flitwick seemed more genuine than the others. Rastaban saw the only way to repay him was to be his top student. He studied hard and casted every charm perfectly.
His eyes drifted to his second favorite teacher, Professor Snape. He liked Snape for the opposite reason he liked Flitwick. The professor treated him just as coldly as he did with everyone else and he just had to admire that. Aside from that, potions class was his favorite.
He was lost in thought before the wooden doors groaned open. Everyone turned to see the new flock of first years being led inside by Professor McGonagall. It seems the rain had taken its toll on them as they were soaking wet. It was as if they swam across the lake rather than sailed. Everyone one of them were shivering, wet messes save for one boy who was wrapped in Hagrid's fur coat.
The first years left a wet floor in their wake as they followed Professor McGonagall to the top of the Hall. There she placed a three-legged stool before the new students. Atop the stool was a ragged old hat. Everyone in the room stared at the hat in silence. A long tear in the hat moved before it broke out in song.
A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
The hall erupted in applause when the hat finished it's latest song.
Everyone watched anxiously as Professor McGonagall unrolled a scroll, "When I call your name come forward, sit on the stool and put on the hat." She announced, "When the hat announces your house you will go and sit at the appropriate table."
"Ackerley, Stewart!" She announced.
A bow with sandy hair broke away from the group and made his way to the stool. He visibly shook from head to toe as he sat down. Professor McGonagall gently placed the hat on his head and everyone waited. The Hall waited in silence before the hat announced. . .
"RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaw table erupted in applause as the boy hurried to their table.
The professor announced the next name, "Braddock, Malcolm!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
The table erupted in cheers and applause around Rastaban who simply clapped. There are a few booes that could be heard from across the room but the table elected to ignore it. They've gotten used to the booing and the ridicule.
It continued on like this.
"Branstone, Eleanor!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Cauldwell, Owens!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Creavey, Dennis!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
A boy from the Gryffindor table stood atop his seat and clapped and cheered louder than the others.
"Dobbs, Emma!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
It continued on like this with the line shrinking painfully slow.
"Prewett, Mafalda!"
A girl with long red hair pulled back into a ponytail approached the stool. She wasn't like the others Rastaban noticed, the others shook when they approached the stool but she stuck her head up proudly. She spun around and sat on the stool confidently before Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
Only, the hat remained silent.
A hatstall.
Hatstalls were exceedingly rare to the point where whole generations would never see one. The entire room froze in tense silence as they waited for the hat to announce her house. The hat spent nearly ten minutes in silence before finally announcing. . .
"SLYTHERIN!"
The entire Slytherin table, including Rastaban, stood up and applauded as the girl joined them on the table. She held a proud smile as she sat down. The other tables remained silent except the Weasley twins who booed.
"Pritchard, Graham!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Quirke, Orla!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
It went on before the final boy, Kevin Whitbey, approached the stool.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
A few audible sighs could be heard from across the room as Dumbledore stood from his seat, "I only have two words to say to you." His deep voice boomed, "Tuck in."
Rastaban heard, "Hear, hear!" from across the room before food magically appeared on the empty dishes before them.
Everyone enthusiastically began to fill their plates to the brim with food. The Hall was abuzz with the loud conversations of the students. Rastaban silently ate his food as he zoned out everyone's voices. He glanced around the room spotting Luna pleasantly eating pudding and Ginny sitting with her brothers and friends.
Once the food had all but gone Professor Dumbledore approached his podium, "So! Now that we're all fed and watered, now I must ask for your attention once more, while I give out a few notices."
A few groans were heard from each of the tables. Every year Filch gives out notices to Dumbledore of various things he wishes to be forbidden.
"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it."
"That's likely." Rastaban muttered as the Headmaster continued.
"As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year." Dumbledore cleared his throat before continuing, "It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."
This announcement caused an uproar from all the houses. Rastaban himself was disappointed as he enjoyed watching Quidditch. The thrill of the sport exhilarated him as it did for everyone else. Why would they do this, Quidditch has been an important part of Hogwarts for centuries so why cancel it?
"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts. . ." Dumbledore paused as a rumble of thunder shook the room.
The large wooden doors of the hall groaned. Everyone turned around to see a single man standing at the doorway. The man leaned on a staff, clad in a black leather cloak. A bolt of lightning traveled across the ceiling brightening the room with a flash of light. Lowering his hood the man revealed a head thick with long dark gray hair before he made his way up the hall.
An audible clunking sound was heard as the man wobbled his way between the tables. Another fork of lightning flashed with the crashing of thunder causing a few students to yelp or gasp. The man's appearance chilled Rastaban, everything from his hair to his eyes. One was a normal brown eye and the other was bulbous and blue. The blue eye moved independently of the other darting around before it landed on Rastaban. He felt relief when the eye rolled away from him.
The man reached the Headmaster and offered a scarred hand and Dumbledore took it. They shook hands as they exchanged muttered words. Once they finished their hushed conversation Dumbledore gestured to the last remaining seat at the head. The man wobbled towards the seat and took it.
"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Moodey." Dumbledore announced.
The room remained silent save for the few applause from Dumbledore and Hagrid. Rastaban knew of Mad-Eye. He mentored Dora as she trained to become an Auror. He's never met him in person though.
Clearing his throat Dumbledore continued, "As I was saying." The man smiled at the student body who were still transfixed on the newest teacher, "This year, Hogwarts has the honor of hosting a very exciting event for the coming months, an event that hasn't been held in over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year!"
The silence from before was broken when someone exclaimed, "You're joking!" This caused almost everyone to crack up in laughter even the Headmaster let out a chuckle.
"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said before he stroked his beard, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar." He would've continued if professor McGonagall hadn't cleared her throat, "Er - but maybe this is not the time." Said Professor Dumbledore, "Where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament. . . well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely." Rastaban knew of the Triwizard Tournament, he read about it as he was studying the histories of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, "The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities - until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."
Oh. Rastaban almost forgot about that. Some years the challenges were so perilous that some students would die horrible deaths. Although most students didn't seem to be fazed by this.
"There have been several attempts over the centuries to reinstate the tournament," The Headmaster continued, "none of which has been very successful. However, our own departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt. We have worked hard over the summer to ensure that this time, no champion will find himself or herself in mortal danger." The Headmaster paused so the students can soak in the information, "The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money."
"Putting your life at risk and all you get is a thousand Galleons?" Rastaban muttered to himself as students exchanged hushed whispers.
The whispers ceased as Dumbledore spoke once more, "Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts, the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age - that is to say, seventeen years or older - will be allowed to put forward their names for consideration." The room erupted in objections, "This -" Dumbledore raised his voice slightly, for several people had made noises of outrage at these words, and the Weasley twins were suddenly looking furious - "is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion. " His light blue eyes twinkled as they flickered over Fred's and George's mutinous faces. "I therefore beg you not to waste your time submitting yourself if you are under seventeen."
"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!" With that Dumbledore sat down again and turned to talk to Mad-Eye Moody.
There were hushed conversations all the way down to the dungeons. Rastaban wondered to himself in excitement. Who's the impartial judge, what will the challenges be, what will the students from the other schools be like? His mind raced with questions.
Arriving in the dungeons they approached the stone wall that was the secret entrance into the common room, "I know the password." The Headboy announced, "Merlin's beard."
The stone wall slid open to reveal the Slytherin Common Room. Green light illuminated the group as they stepped through the entrance. With the sky darkened by the storm the only light came from the green lamps on the wall. The older students went directly to the dormitories as the prefects showed the first years around.
Walking down towards the end of the room the boys and girls split off from each other. The boys went right where they found a spiral staircase that went further down. The dormitories were in different levels of the staircase. Rastaban's room was smack dab in the middle of the staircase.
Entering his room he already found his roommates, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. He got on with Blaise well enough, they would exchange polite greetings when they past each other in the corridors. On the other hand he couldn't stand Theodore who he thinks could be worse than Draco at time.
The two fire places in the room were already lit, no doubt by a house-elf. The Slytherin Common Room and dormitories were situated beneath the Black Lake leaving it dark and cold. The lamps and fireplaces were left burning all day and night to keep a warm atmosphere. In contrast the two windows between the three beds looked out into the lake being cold to the touch.
Taking his usual bed at the left side he found his bag waiting for him. He quickly unpacked everything and prepared for bed. Brushing his teeth, slipping on his pajama bottoms and old black t-shirt he quickly dived into bed. Pulling the green curtains of the four post bed closed he quickly settled into the soft mattress and pillow.
He can't wait for October.