Soon enough, they were in what felt like an underground dock and they all piled out of the boats.
Once Hagrid was assured everyone was out of the boats and accounted for, even Neville's missing toad was found. Hagrid went up and knocked on the door before going in and soon after a strict looking woman, with her gray hair done up tightly in a bun at the top of her head and nose that reminded Greyson of a hawk, came out. She looked like she had no time for nonsense, and no one questioned her as she led them to a small chamber outside of two giant doors.
"Alright, line up in rows of two," she instructed, voice shrill but precise and they all settled down to listen. Whoever her gaze landed on seemed to fidget, and Greyson found himself unimpressed. These are my classmates? Great. "My name is Professor McGonagall and we are about to do the sorting ceremony and you will be placed in one of four houses, each of which has produced many great witches and wizards. Your house is to be like your family here at Hogwarts and you will be earning points towards the House cup. Everyone matters as even the smallest amount can cause you to win or lose the cup for your house. Now, when I call your name, you are to come to the front of the line." She turned around, with a dramatic flourish of her black robes, before opening the doors to reveal a great hall.
Four rows of tables, each filled with students, took up most of the room. Loud chattering and laughter filled the hall and he took it all in, floor to… well, no ceiling. In its place seemed to be an open view of the night sky, clearer than Greyson had ever seen it. There was a long stretch at the very back of the room filled with what he assumed were the professors. They all seemed to have the same general style of dress as Professor McGonagall. Greyson took it all in for a few moments, just as Harry did.
"It's just bewitched, you know," he heard Hermione tell a girl behind him. "It's not really the night sky. I read all about it in Hogwarts: A History." Soon they reached the front and Greyson could feel everyone's eyes on them, making him wish he was invisible. An invisibility spell will be the first thing I master I swear, he thought petulantly as he watched Professor McGonagall pull out a dirty, tattered old hat from a box and set it on a stool.
Greyson frowned at its frayed edges and spots almost threadbare upon it before it began to sing. It's song was about the Hogwarts houses calling Gryffindor brave, Slytherin cunning, Ravenclaw wise, and Hufflepuff loyal and how it would put you where you belong. Soon enough McGonagall pulled out a list and began calling out names in alphabetical order. Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom were placed in Gryffindor, while that Malfoy kid and his two goons were in Slytherin.
"Potter, Greyson," McGongall called and Greyson once more summoned his waning energy and gave his brother an encouraging smile.
"Watch," He said, seeing how nervous Harry was. "There's nothing to it." He walked up and felt the hat plopped on his head.
So much to choose. The hat whispered in his ear. You are smart, Ravenclaw maybe? But so very loyal, perhaps a Hufflepuff? No, no, you are destined for greatness... so it must be "Slytherin!" the hat yelled out and Greyson once more felt that pit in his stomach. Everyone had talked about how bad Slytherin was. Slytherin?! Harry doesn't belong in Slytherin but obviously he's going to be with me. If anyone gives him grief, I'll be ready. The Slytherin table clapped, save for Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.
Greyson squared his shoulders and walked down proudly, sitting in an empty spot, watching to see where Harry was to be placed. WhileGreyson hoped beyond that his little brother would be with him, he honestly didn't see him as a Slytherin. If anything, he saw Harry as a Hufflepuff as they seemed to be soft and kind like his brother. After a long while the hat finally shouted loudly. "Gryffindor!" and his heart sank.
Harry seemed just as shocked as he was for a quick second before excitement lit up his face. It dimmed as he caught Greyson's eye, and the smile sent to Harry this time took so much effort he wasn't sure he pulled it off. But this seemed to be enough for Harry and he watched as Harry went off excitedly to his house table, where the Weasley twins were proudly shouting, "We've got Potter! We've got Potter!" He could see Harry's smiling face, though it did little to help him. He was thankful that at least Ron was placed with him. Ron was good for Harry and would hopefully make sure his little brother was alright. Greyson looked at Hagrid, aiming a smile his way as well, but it seemed Hagrid's attention was on Harry and Greyson had never felt more alone. Of course. Why am I surprised? Harry is the Boy Who Lived. I suppose I'm just Greyson. Foolish. His smile fell, and he didn't bother putting it back, settling in for the rest of the ceremony.
Once the last name had been called, a man in bright purple robes and a long silver-gray beard stood up with half moon spectacles. He seemed to demand attention and Greyson found his eyes following him as he made his way to center stage. He gave a short speech before food appeared about blubber oddment, or something. Greyson hardly paid attention to him as his entire attention was focused on his brother and what was happening over at his table.
"Hey, Potter!" one of the boys yelled snapping their fingers at Greyson, causing him to blink.
"What?" Greyson snapped irritably. He did not appreciate someone snapping at his face to get his attention like some kind of dog.
"We were asking you if you're related to Harry Potter, the famous one," he said.
"How many other Harry Potters go to Hogwarts?" Greyson asked. They didn't answer but he watched as their face scrunched up, irritated. "But yes, Harry is my brother." He left it at that and returned his focus to Harry, not really caring for any of the conversations going on around him.
At some point he nibbled on a bread roll or two, but he didn't really remember grabbing it. Soon enough all the food disappeared and became desserts and it was around this time that Greyson saw Harry wince and touch his scar. He gripped the table, holding himself back from running all the way across the hall like a mother hen to check on him. But fortunately he had Ron and he would be forever grateful at the concern that showed on the red heads face for his brother.
The old man with the long beard said some more words once the food was gone and plates were cleaned, mentioning how you should go into this forest and something about playing a quidditch and going to the third floor and then suddenly, the whole school began singing. Greyson blinked and looked around, usually the last person to be caught off guard by something as obvious as a school sing along. It was hard to think, the days events weighing on him almost physically. Even worse was how out of tune and off note everyone seemed to be, but the old man waving the wand did not seem to care in the slightest.
Soon everyone around him stood up and began filing away and Greyson watched as he was led in the opposite direction of his brother. Harry didn't even look back.
Down they went, heading towards the dungeons. Seemed fitting for a house that produced dozens of wicked witches and dangerous wizards. Destined for greatness, huh? Stupid hat. Soon they stopped in front of some stone wall. "Now, remember the password to the common room," some lead student said instructed, voice bouncing off the stone around them. "It's Huffleduffs." Greyson watched as the stone slid into itself to reveal a hallway, green wallpaper and silver accents welcoming to the eye. "This way now," he said and led them deeper.
Greyson looked at all the stone, worn smooth from the centuries of students that came before him. When they reached the end it showed a huge room also decorated in emerald green with silver accents. Lush emerald green rugs covered the floors, with chairs and sofas of the same green surrounding the rugs and around the fireplace where there was a roaring fire made up, warming the cool dungeons. Don't tell me everything is going to be green? It made it feel a bit... homey.
Grey walked over to a large window and stepped back as a giant squid swam by. "Woah," Greyson said and went to touch it as it didn't seem to be just a window. When his hand made contact with the surface, it came back wet. Greyson felt undoubtably stupid. Of course it wouldn't have been held away by glass. They were in a magic castle to learn magic at magic school. Harry would get a laugh at his brother's foolishness if he ever got to tell him.
Speaking of Harry, wait till he saw this! He would love to see the view of the lake from down here. He turned ready to tell his brother and then remembered... he wasn't with him. He vaguely listened to where his bed chambers were, but only paid attention when he heard he was sharing a room with Malfoy. Of course. Why not add him to, not just today and every other day, but let's make it to where I have to be with the dolt who liked insulting Harry and Hagrid while we're at it?
He saw the dark wooded four poster beds, dressed in green and silver silks and velvets and looked perfect for a long night of rest, something Greyson already knew he was likely not to get. Fatigue was weighing heavy on his shoulders but his mind was still running in small circles.
"You best stay out of my things, Potter," Malfoy sniffed as he began getting his own things out of his trunk, taking the only other bed in the room, and Greyson rolled his eyes.
"And pray tell, what would I do with a few used snot rags and skunk oil?" Greyson asked him as he noticed there was a green and silver knitted scarf with emerald green gloves as well as 3 green and silver ties sitting on the nightstand. He looked over at Malfoy to notice his face was once again tinged red. Well, at least he had someone who was as easy to mess with as Dudley was, even if he was worlds brighter than his large dimwitted cousin.
"I'll have you know," Malfoy started.
"That your father paid fifty galleons for your trunk to be imported from the Nile itself? Or that your robes are lined with gold?" Greyson asked before rolling his eyes. "When will you get it through your thick skull that me and my brother aren't dazzled by people with money showing off how rich they are? Nor do we actually care about how much they have, otherwise Harry wouldn't have befriended that shabby redheaded poor boy despite your best efforts to make a fool of him."
Malfoy just opened and closed his mouth a time or two, seemingly flustered at being talked back to in such a way, before finally settling on. "Just don't touch my stuff," and continued unpacking and Greyson did the same, adding another eye roll for good measure.
Soon enough, the Slytherin Common Rooms became quiet as students went off to sleep, except for Greyson.
He laid in his bed for what seemed to be forever, though it had only been fifteen minutes according to the mechanical alarm clock that had been underneath the scarves and gloves.
He glanced over and saw Malfoy fast asleep. Though he was laying on his stomach, one leg kicked out with the blanket hanging haphazardly off the bed. He even had his head lolled to the side with his mouth hanging open, drooling. Malfoy was different sleeping that way with all his defenses down and not looking down at everyone like they were slugs or roaches needing to be squashed. In fact, he looked quite peaceful, making Greyson wonder what kind of weight was resting on his shoulders to make him act an ass all the time. They were going to be rooming together for who knew how long. Maybe he could make an effort to get along with him. Maybe.
He sighed and dug out one of his books, A History of Magic this time, and went to sit beside the fire and see if the giant squid would keep him company. He sat in one of the couches and tried to get comfortable. But he couldn't.
All Greyson could do is worry. When will I see Harry? How often do houses get together? A spike of dread lodged itself in Greyson's throat at the thought. What do I do without Harry here? How can I help him if he needs me if I'm this far away from him? Was his little brother doing alright? Was he able to sleep fine? What if the others were treating him poorly because Greyson was a Slytherin? Greyson knew how poorly everyone thought of his house, what if they took that hate and directed it at his little brother?
He felt his stomach twist up in knots. He sat there, his book forgotten, and kept repeating those same questions over and over again in his mind. After a while, he began to pace until the bell tower rung out announcing that it was four in the morning.
Four in the morning was an unbelievably lonely time in the Slytherin common room, Greyson decided. Not much swam in front of the common room and the fire had died out with only a few shining embers glowing in the dark of the room. Should we have even agreed to come here? He sighed and took his book back to bed and laid there until sleep overcame him but it wasn't very restful. Harry's back as he walked away from him was the last thing he thought of.