Quick A/N: I do not own Harry Potter J.K. Rowling does. I only take credit for the new names that you hear (Irys, Mia, Thomas, Luna, Spirit and the others that are new that I forogt to name). They are of my invention, please no flames. James and Peter's last names are of J. K. Rowling's invention, but I gave them a first name. Hope she doesn't mind. I found that Cedric Diggory wasn't there long enough in the Goblet of Fire, so I decided to make him a part of my book. Please don't get mad at me. The song is not mine either it is my writer friend ShayaLonnie's from her Fanfiction "Debt of Time" one of my all time favourites. Hope you don't mind Shay, I didn't have the patience to write one and I found that yours fit my story perfectly.
P.s If anyone see parentheses (I hope I wrote that properly and ()these) I use them in my original writing to tell me where I need Italics because fanfiction dot net doesn't show them when you copy and paste into the New Document file. Anyways without further adieu here's Chapter 4.
Chapter 4
Black, Yellow and a Badger
September 1st, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Third Floor Corridor
September 1st had come so quickly it made Anna's head spin, soon everyone would be arriving for the evening feast and she would take her place with the rest of the first years, get Sorted, then go off with her Housemates, and that her things would be placed with everyone else's trunks.
Anna and Spirit walked around Hogwarts' empty corridors one last time before they were filled with students. A painting waved to her and she waved back stopping to have a small conversation with the lovely princess and her daughter, for the third time that week. Suddenly, Anna felt something furry around her legs, since she was wearing the new robes bought for her, Minnie telling her it was appropriate for the Sorting Ceremony in the Great Hall. Anna still had yet to see the Great Hall, having eaten every meal with Winky, Spirit and another house-elf named Tilly in the kitchens before Anna and Spirit would give each elf a hug, bid her thanks and goodbyes before meeting Minnie in her office to travel the world.
So far Annie and Spirit had been to Paris, Rome, Russia, Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, Romania to see the Dragons, Egypt to see the pyramids, and France to relax for the day. Minnie treated her like she was her own daughter and Anna couldn't have been happier travelling with her and Spirit.
Earlier that Morning
September 1st, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Minerva's Office
An overly excited witch came bouncing down the small spiral stairs, her bushy black mane of curls bouncing behind her as she jumped down the stairs; a small black, green eyed feline jumping quickly behind the witch struggling to keep up.
"Good morning Minnie!" The little witch exclaimed, as she hugged the older witch, a twinkle in her ocean blue eyes.
"Good morning Annie," Minerva smiled at the young girl. "Happy birthday, dear."
Anna beamed brightly, her blue eyes flashing violet for a few moments—a little longer than usual—before returning to their normal blue hue. "Thanks Minnie! So where are we going today? Brazil? Tokyo? Australia? Maybe back to Paris? Or Rome? Oh! I'd love to go see the Dragons again, the Antipodian Opaleye was my favourite!" The little witch ranted, having enjoyed the trip to Romania to see the Dragons.
The Opaleye had come right up to Anna and Spirit and rubbed her long silvery snout against Anna, catching the little witches attention immediately, and Anna instantly fell in love with the large, beautiful, dark purple dragon.
"Well today, dear, it's the start of term," Minerva said, when Anna gave her a confused look, the older witch explained. "School starts today, the train will leave the station from Kings Cross Station at 11 and will arrive here at 9pm for the Greetings Feast. The farthest we will be going today will be Hogsmeade, since I have to get ready for my classes. . ." Minerva looked at Annie, whom looked extremely disappointed. "Don't you worry dear, we'll go to Honeyduke's for a bit, than come back up here, I'll buy you a birthday basket at Honeyduke's and make sure it's filled with Chocolate Frogs, loads of Sugar Quills because I know they're your favourite, Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, Licorice Wands, and maybe a box or two of Bertie Botts' Every Flavour Beans?" By the end Anna was jumping up and down excitedly nodding vigorously.
She suddenly stopped jumping and smiled brightly looking at Minerva. "Please." She said in a small voice.
"Come along, and maybe, if we have enough time, we can stop at Zonko's Joke Shop and buy you a present, but first I have a gift for you already, well two, one wants to see you. The second is a parcel from your parents."
At the mention of one wanting to see the young witch, a familiar barn owl flew through the open office/Tower window. "Luna!" Anna exclaimed at the sight of the family owl whom landed on her currently vacant shoulder, Spirit being in the corner drinking from a saucer of milk, ears back, slightly growling, eyeing the owl in loathing hatred from the display of affection her owner was giving the family owl.
The owl hooted like she was saying "Happy Birthday" and nipped Anna's fingers affectionately as the young girl untied the medium sized parcel from her leg, which Anna knew was from her parents.
"Go on dear, open it." Minerva encouraged, smiling at the young witch with loving care.
Anna opened the parcel and found a letter along with her gift.
"Go on dear, read it aloud." Minnie said as she smiled at the now 11 year old.
Anna nodded and read the letter from her parents aloud. It read:
"To my loving and sweet baby girl,
Happy birthday Annie. Your father and I have decided to get you this lovely necklace for your birthday, Minerva gave us the idea of jewellery when she told us she'd gotten you a black travelling cloak. We heard you've gotten a new kitten, Spirit. Minerva had mentioned her in the letter she sent us when you arrived to Hogwarts safe and sound, we're proud of you sweetheart, though your father has been deported once again to the army to protect the people of Afghanistan, he left about a week ago, he wanted to send you something but he couldn't sadly, your father writes to me daily; with Luna's help, of course, who has come in handy. She has no problem flying the long distance, when she returned last night, she had a small parcel attached to her leg. The necklace is from me; the sapphire is real and the gift below is from your father in Afghanistan.
We miss you so much sweetheart. Enjoy your birthday and your first day of Wizards School. We love you. Don't forget to write.
Love,
Your Mother, Mary "
Anna put the necklace on while she read aloud—the y in her mother's name was connected to a small heart, like she always made it—, a few tears ran down her cheeks as she held back a sob when she read that her father had been deported once more to fight the Muggle war in another country. She reached into the depths of the parcel and pulled out a small box.
Anna held back a sob as she opened the small box to find two small acorns and another letter this one shorter as to fit inside the small parcel.
Finally the tears came as they poured down her cheeks. It was the first time Minerva had ever seen the little witch anything but happy and her first instinct was to sit down and open her arms; welcoming the small child, whom ran to her and cried.
Once she'd calmed down and stopped crying, taking short, shallow breaths, Spirit in her lap being affectionate to calm down her owner and Luna perched on the owl perch nearby. "Minnie?" The little girl asked as she looked up at the older witch whom was gently rocking the little witch in her arms.
"What is it dear?" Minerva asked softly, her voice sounded younger and she looked younger too, as she hugged the little witch tightly.
Anna held up an acorn and asked with a small voice. "Can you turn these into something I can wear?"
Minerva nodded and waved her wand, turning the two small acorns into a set of stud earrings and handing them to the small witch, whom had two little holes on her ear lobes, which must've been what Muggles call a piercing.
Anna looked at the pair of earrings in wonder and quickly put them on, something Minerva knew she'd never take off for anything. "Oh! Thank you Minnie! Thank you"Annie exclaimed, hugging the older witch tightly.
Minerva smiled and pet her curly mess of black hair. "You're welcome. Now let's go get you some sweets, shall we?"
Anna jumped to her feet. "Yes please!"
Present
September 1st, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Third Floor Corridor
Anna looked down to find Mrs. Norris rubbing at her legs. The sign that the others would be there at any moment. Anna swooped down to pet Mrs. Norris and thank her for coming to collect her, Anna and Spirit followed Mrs. Norris around the castle, the large red-eyed fluffy calico cat making sure the small witch didn't get lost, or worse; run into Peeves.
Once in the entrance hall, Anna saw Filch and sent Mrs. Norris off, but not before she gave the lovely cat yet another scratch behind the ear and a quick petting before saying thank you and sending her Filch's way. She smiled at him in gratitude and he smiled back, having enjoyed a few cups of tea with the young witch. Spirit jumped on Anna's shoulder to rest her paws and eyes.
The large clock in the Entrance Hall struck 9, one by one the children filed in, the first years wearing full black robes, like Anna and the others divided into different houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Minnie having already explained when Annie had first saw the House Points.
Citrine and Ruby were side by side on one side of the Hall, their jewels neck in neck almost completely filled, whilst Sapphire and Emerald stood on the opposite side of the hall Sapphire winning against Emerald but not by much.
Anna's things had disappeared to join the rest of everyone's luggage when she'd be Sorted and her things would appear into her new home for the next seven years to come.
She went to join the first years, the first thing she noticed were the two heads of ginger hair.
The Twins! She thought with excitement, her eyes flashing violet for a moment before returning to their original ocean blue hue. "I wonder if we'll be Sorted into the same House!" She hoped that they would, than she'd have a chance to become good friends with them.
Anna had joined the rather large group of "Ickle Firsties" as someone a few years older had snickered to his friends as they passed, all wearing the Slytherin colours.
Minnie... er... Professor McGonagall, had then appeared to escort the first years to be Sorted. They entered the Great Hall and Anna immediately took notice of the enchanted, starred, galaxy-like ceiling. She stared at it in wonder, she'd read about it in the book Minerva had given her when they'd first met a little over a month ago.
She'd read it to Spirit, whom she had sadly told to go and wait with her trunk, much to the little kitten's dismay, but she obliged and pranced off towards the many trunks. She'd landed on the one she was certain was her owners and Anna nodded telling her silently to wait there, the small feline nodded and layed down, waiting for her owner to return with the promise of something to eat.
Four long tables, each a different colour; crimson on her close right, sapphire on her close left, golden yellow on her far right, and a deep emerald on her far left.
They all stood at the end of the path, in front of a rather large table and there stood Minnie beside an old three legged stool an old battered hat sitting atop the stool. The hat she knew from the encounter with it in the Headmaster's office when she'd met Professor Dumbledore for the first time when she'd explored the castle, the day she'd gotten her account at Gringotts.
A white haired girl was shaking beside her, she put a consoling hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile, the white-haired witch returning the smile immediately. She outstretched her small hand to Anna and said, "My name's Irys, with a Y, Irys IshStar Bones, call me Star."
Anna took the girls hand and shook it. "My name's Tassiyanna, Tassiyanna Maria Cloud, call me Anna, or even Annie. It's nice to meet you, Star." She giggled when she said the nickname.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Annie." The little witch giggled at the nickname as did Anna. "How come I didn't see you on the train? I'm pretty sure I would've noticed you."
"Oh! I wasn't on the train, Irys. I was already here, have been for a little over a month. But you have to tell me what the train ride was like, I hope we get Sorted in the same House." Anna whispered. 'Oh! I think, we're about to get started!' Anna silently exclaimed, her eyes flashing violet for a moment.
"Me too!" Irys said smiling, as she looked forward.
The Hat had taken it upon itself to sing a little song, the entire Hall went silent and the Hat's mouth appeared as it started to sing. It sung:
Stick me here upon your brow
And let me sing my song
I'll dig inside your tiny minds
To see where you belong
Sit right down and let me see
The puzzles in your mind
For you will notice there is not
A secret I can't find
You might belong in Gryffindor
And wear the red and gold
Chosen by brave Godric
Who picks the daring and the bold
Perhaps you'll find in Hufflepuff
You prefer yellow and black
Followers of good Helga
Kindness they never lack
If you find yourself in Ravenclaw
You'll wear the bronze and blue
And see that wise Rowena
Likes her students original and true
If you're destined inside Slytherin
Silver and green you will don
Salazar made Ambition
His Houses words and song
Regardless where I place you
Hogwarts binds you all together
For even once outside these walls
Your magic lives forever.
Professor McGonagall introduced herself as Deputy Headmistress and their Transfiguration Professor. "... when I call your name, you will come up and sit on the stool, I will then place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be Sorted into one of our four Houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Let us begin..." Minerva opened a large scroll that was in her hands and named the first name on the list of first years.
"Bones, Irys." was first and Irys swallowed hard as she made her way to the three-legged stool. She sat and the Hat was placed upon her head. It took a moment before the Hat suddenly shouted. "HUFFLEPUFF!" Irys made her way to the cheering table of golden yellow Hufflepuffs.
A few other names were called, a blonde haired boy named Thomas also went to Hufflepuff, a girl with sparkling green eyes went to Gryffindor, and another boy with blonde hair went to Ravenclaw and then the name; "Cloud, Tassiyanna." was called and silence fell.
Anna visibly swallowed and made her way to the stool, she smiled brightly to Minnie, whom smiled right back. Anna sat and the Hat was placed on her head and her ocean blue eyes were covered. The sound?
Pure silence...
Suddenly the Hat started speaking in her ear. "Cloud, eh?"
"Y-yes, sir." Anna stammered, answering the Hat.
"I see great courage, a thirst to prove yourself, not a bad mind either, but where to put you? You have the bravery of Gryffindor, the mind of a Ravenclaw, the ambitions of a Slytherin as well as their resourcefulness, but I see great loyalty and a hard worker, like Hufflepuffs." The Hat's raspy voice said in her ear, she was terrified almost shaking.
"Better be... HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hat then shouted and the Hufflepuff table busted into cheers as the Hat was lifted from her head and she smiled at Minnie before running to join Irys, whom was cheering the loudest of all.
The Sorting Ceremony ended with the Twins. "Weasley, Fred." and then "Weasley, George." were called and both got placed in Gryffindor, making Anna silently pout.
Professor Dumbledore then stood from his seat and offered a few words to everyone before they ate. "Welcome! Welcome to another year of Hogwarts! First years must now that the Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. I'd like to introduce Professor Higgs, who will be taking the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Now I'd like to say a few words before we dig into our feast and here they are: Nitwit! Lobato! Bazinga! Tweak! Thank you." He said as he sat back down.
Everyone clapped and cheered. Anna was slightly confused until she noticed piles and piles of food in front of Irys, Thomas Newton, Cedric Diggory, James Summers, Peter Stebbins, a few others, as well as all the older Hufflepuffs, and herself. Anna shook hands with a few Hufflepuffs and then quite suddenly a scream at the Ravenclaw table was heard, making everyone turn to look at the almost faint, little witch with pigtails tied up in two blue bows to match her House colours.
The Ghosts of Hogwarts had appeared, first was the Bloody Baron; the Slytherin Ghost, then the Grey Lady; the Ravenclaw Ghost, Nearly Headless Nick; the Gryffindor Ghost, and finally the Fat Friar; the Hufflepuff Ghost.
"Hello Friar!" A sixth year Hufflepuff had called, to which she was immediately answered by the friendly ghost.
"Why hello Tonks!" The Ghost had beamed at the short bright pink haired Hufflepuff. Her hair immediately changing colour to purple when she was addressed, Anna's eyes flashed violet at the change and she had beamed at the sixth year, whom wore a Prefect badge on her robe, her tie was loosened and she wore a beautiful smile.
Here's Chapter 4. I hope you enjoyed it, Chapter 5 should be up within the hour. Reviews are always appreciated. T. T. Zoldy 3