On Loan, Chapter 2: Sorting Feast

I woke up when I banged my head on the ornate and tasteful possibly antique British 4 post bed that looked like it was a part of the Tolkien collection from Crate and Barrel that the whole place was decorated in. Not really medieval, but what a housewife from suburban England would think looked medieval. Now, I'm the next best thing to 7 feet tall, and apparently this bed was designed for people of more average height, so I was a bit cramped as is, not to mention Mouse taking up the bottom half and Mister an entire side.

I sat up slowly in a very Boris Karlof fashion, arms up and everything, when I realized the Padawan was already standing in the room with a silver tray waiting on me. She set the tray down on a side table, Mouse jumping up and going to her for some pets now that her hands were free. Molly paused to run her fingers through his long fur to give him the desired scratches before straightening and walking towards the window. She pulled the curtain back in an irritatingly chipper fashion, a smile wide on her face.

"Grraaa fire bad" I groaned, throwing an arm over my face as the sunlight streamed into the room.

"Oh so Frankenstien today.… Okay that's a way to go." Molly said, the smirk never leaving her face.

She stood there in some of the items of uniform clothing we had brought with and dressed in at my direction. A shirt cropped plaid skirt, a tight button up white shirt, the buttons straining in the front and ready to pop if she took a deep enough breath, her...uuhh..."body jewelry" pressed tight against the thin cotton. A set of purple suspenders clipped to the top of her skirt and pressed her breasts together, drawing even more attention to them. The tattoo that ran from her thigh to her collar bone played peek a boo on the little bit of bare midriff showing at the bottom of the shirt, and her belly button piercing caught the light and only drew more attention to her flat stomach. She's cut the sleeves off in typical Grasshopper fashion. Dark fishnets stood stark against the pale skin of her legs, and not quite platform-style motorcycle boots, laced tightly over her calves, made her her look as if she was nearing 6 feet tall. She had the appearance of being all legs and youthful, bountiful curves. He blonde hair, still dyed brightly at the tips, surrounded her lovely face and one of the scarves they were obsessed with her at the school trailed down over her shoulder framing her chest even more, and trailing down to her well shaped athletic legs, ending right above her crotch.

Yes this would be the perfect outfit for what I had planned. I smirked to myself, not exactly looking away. I had to remind myself that I've known her since she was a child, and that her father would not approve of my thoughts.

But that didn't mean I couldn't put her to good use in other ways.

"Ummm boss? Do I look... umm nice?" She asked sheepishly, flicking her hair behind one heavily pierced ear and blushing a little.

I realized that I was staring and it could, and probably would, be taken the wrong way. I know Molly has had a crush on me for some time, and I was sure that I was making the kid nervous.

I let a rather evil looking smile enter my features, one akin to what you would expect of a rather nasty cartoon billionaire as I steepled my fingers saying, "Eeexxcelleent."

Molly looked both shocked and like she was going to burst out laughing as I relaxed with a chuckle.

"Sorry, Grasshopper, I was just checking out how my distraction was coming, didn't mean to go all Bob on you. Stars and stones tell me that's coffee and a doughnut" I said.

She sighed apologetically, "No boss it's some kind of hot black tea and a scone with something made of I think a kidney on the side? " Her voice lifting in doubt at the end.

"GAWDDDDDDDDDD...I hate English food so much." I said in my best 6 year old mom I don't wanna eat this voice. All the same, I stood and grabbed the tray, bringing it to the front room and sitting at the table to eat.

Bob whistled from his place on the bookshelf. "Oh Molly!" He called. "Looking fabulous!"

"Shut up, Bob." I growled, debating on giving the food to Mouse to eat instead. "Too early."

"Whaaaat?" He complained, not taking his eyelights off Molly's direction. "Can't I admire beauty when I see it."

I sipped at the near volcanically hot tea and ate whatever the hell scones are made of while the Grasshopper sauntered over to Bob, her sheepish attitude having faded to her normal self assurance.

She smiled warmly through bright, red lips. "Oh Bob, too bad you don't have a body so all you can do is look and not touch."

"Well, looking is just fine if you ask me, however-"

She cut him off by picking him up, taking him to the bedroom, and shoving him in my sock drawer.

I smiled as I tried to enjoy my breakfast, far more enjoying the scene before me, Molly's looks aside. She walked to the coat hook besides the door and tossed a coat over herself, no point in revealing my plans too soon. After all, there was a grand feast for lunch to welcome the new students.

"Almost done there?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

I tossed the rest of the scone to Mouse who finished it in a small bite and stood up. "Just gotta get dressed."

I turned and went into my room, Mouse staying besides the table, and closed the door behind me to get dressed in my finest most respectable teaching ensemble.

Jeans, a bright blue t shirt with Spiderman's face in the middle of the chest and "excelsior!" in big red letters across the top. I tossed on a Cubs ball cap and to top it off, a huge rodeo bucket belt Wild Bill gave me and my big fuzzy pink bunny slippers, a fuzzy fleece bathrobe "acquired" from a Hilton for my "wizard robe" in lieu of my normal duster. I tossed my gray wardens cloak over it all and picked up my staff and my blasting rod. I spoke in my best imitation of fellow Chicagoan Al Bundy voice, "Lets teach."

And off we went down the shifting stair cases, Mouse close behind. Mister having ignored us completely in favor of remaining in the big, soft bed.

Paintings on the walls as we walked by stirred with excitement, talking to each other, to us, and to the array of students who were starting to fill the halls. In general the ghosts and portraits wished everyone good luck on the new school year, to me in particular they wished good luck on avoiding the curse.

We checked in on the classroom, making sure everything was set up right. We rehearsed our steps and how we were going to play off the first class. I double checked my schedule, first class today was seventh years, generally seventeen year-olds, which was perfect for my ploy. I had fifth years this evening, then my days alternated between the odd numbers and even numbers. Classes didn't start until after the Feast and Ceremony, so I only had half the normal students today.

I moved to my office, slipping into actual shoes and out of the bathrobe for the duration of the Feast. I had an hour between then and my class, plenty of time to shift back into the insanity. I knew Molly wouldn't let me wear these every day.

Mouse found his bed that the House-Elves, being that are effectively the Brownies of the Goblin world more than actual Elves, had left for him in my office and promptly fell asleep. I smiled as I retrieved a notebook to move it to my desk in the classroom.

I let my dog rest, I knew he wasn't supposed to be at the Feast today anyway. While the House-Elves enjoyed him, this was a special meal apparently, and I felt that we shouldn't stand out too much. I knew already that some professors would be wary of me, just because they knew what it meant.

"All good, Boss?" Molly asked as I came down the half-spiraling staircase from the office.

"All is well, Padawan." I said, flipping the notebook onto the desk. I held out my arm for her to take. "Shall we go eat? Best to be early."

She took it, a bounce in her step, and together we went back out into the surprisingly empty hallway.

Arm in arm we made our way to the Great Hall, noting more children in color coded robes going the same direction as us. Before we reached the ornate open doors we ducked into a side hall, going to the staff entrance.

Molly left for her seat at a small table on the side of the dias, other assistants of staff members sat there. One of them, the head janitor and his cat, glared at us as we walked by, the cat hissing at both of us.

"Rude." Molly scoffed under her breath.

"Now, now, Padawan, control." I reminded her, not happy with the man and his pet either. I purposefully kept Mouse in my office for this, he could have left that scruffy cat in his office. Maybe one day I'll convince Mister to come out with me and then he'd see a REAL cat.

Leaving Molly at her seat, I turned and found mine own, next to a massive man sporting a very impressive, if unkempt, beard.

He smiled down warmly at me. "Greetings there." He said, extending a large hand for a shake.

"Nice to meet you." I responding, taking the hand with one of my own. It's not every day that I feel small compared to someone else.

"Names Rubius Hagrid, Professor of Care of Magical Creatures." He introduced himself, pride in his voice.

"Harry Dresden, stand in for Defense Against the Dark Arts." I said in kind.

He rocked his head back slightly. "Ah, the Warden Commander I've heard about."

I took my seat. "Good to know that my reputation proceeds me."

Hagrid shrugged. "'ere it does just with the staff. Many of them are Council, others were."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Were?"

He chuckled softly. "Long story short, was blamed for a crime I didn't do an' got kicked out. Dumbledore was the only reason I was allowed to stay around and eventually was given this 'ere position."

I chuckled as well. "I know how that goes all too well."

I thought of my own story, how I was forced to kill my mentor at such a young age, how the Wardens wanted me dead until Wizard McCoy stepped up for me, how Morgan was always breathing down my back.

Morgan.

That thought hit hard.

Morgan had just gone through was Hagrid had just described, came to me for help. It was about a month ago. He had been innocent, and his sacrifice brought to light corruption in the White Council, weakness against the Red Court, and the very reason I was here.

I sat with him as his life left him, asking me to allow him to take the blame.

"You okay there, Harry?" Hagrid asked.

I blinked, not realizing I had taken to sulking.

"Sorry, Hagrid." I said, stretching slightly. "A… friend of mine went through something similar to your story recently." I looked away, unable to finish the sentence.

The giant of a man sighed, nodding, understanding. "Things didn't end well for him…" He almost whispered.

"Not for anyone, really."

Silence fell between us, though the Great Hall itself was bustling. I looked around as I did every time I came in here. The ceiling was tall, and enchanted. Candles hovered above our heads, and the ceiling itself looked like the night sky, complete with twinkling stars and occasional streaks of a meteor. Stone pillars holding massive braziers lined the walls, and behind us stood four large hourglasses, each with a small amount of sand colored either red, yellow, blue, or green in the bottom. Crests of each house stood above them.

I glanced over to Molly, she was looking around wide eyed. I couldn't begin to describe how she reacted learning this place was real. I can only guess at her excitement. She had been telling me all about the books, and found a way for me to watch movies via way of a rather impressive projector and help from her father, Micheal.

Her eyes were pure joy as she watched the students enter the Hall by grade, taking respective seats. Each was in a black robe trimmed in the same colors as the hourglasses on the wall.

"Uh, Hagrid," I started, "isn't the Sorting Ceremony normally at night?"

He nodded. "It used to be. Headmistress McGonagall thought it would be best for the students, primarily the First Years, to have more of a lunch then get into their studies. The First Years get a day to settle and explore so as not to get lost."

"That, actually sounds like a good idea."

"I thought so too." He smiled down at me. DOWN at me. Gosh, is this how everyone else feels around me? The poor short people. Poor Murphy!

Hagrid looked around briefly and sat straighter as the doors to the Hall closed. "Ope, about ta begin!"

I straightened myself, making sure the gray cloak kept my shirt hidden while still being able to move my right arm to eat. I wished that the food was out already, that little scone thing was not enough to feed me. Casually I took a page from Mollys' book and cast a veil around myself, one that would make me unassuming to the students and would not allow them to keep their attention riveted on me. They would know someone was sitting there, but couldn't tell my features.

It felt like they were closed for an hour. Silence fell over the Hall, even with hundreds of kids at their tables.

Suddenly, the doors swung open and a tall, lean lady in a shimmering emerald green dress and a tall, black witches hat led in a small flock of children, probably just under 50 of them.

Between us and them, sitting on a small stool upon the second step up to a dais, was an old and worn out hat…. That began to move…. And…. Sing?

At first it was singing about itself and I guessed the founding of the school four being a common theme. Then it slowed, and the topic seemed to shift to something more ominous.

"But blood has been spilt

Both innocent and not

Both young and old.

Demons come from worlds abound

From which we were unsure.

Coming in to wake our minds,

From this dream we held so dear.

Have they come inside already?

Have they seen our plot?

Have we already lost the war?

Is it all for naught?

Time is short

Of this I fear

Signs are showing

Danger once again.

So let us keep the tradition

And come forth and show

Let this ceremony now commence

And to your Houses go."

The woman, Headmistress McGonagall, was standing with her back to us, next to the hat, so I could not see her reaction.

Hagrid, on the other hand, had his deep brow furrowed in worry. Molly matched his expression. She caught the warning.

"Welcome," Headmistress McGonagall started, "to your first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before I hand off the Ceremony I have a few announcements to make." She paused for dramatic effect, her graying bun at the back of her neck under the brim of her hat swaying back and forth as she looked at the students. "First, remember that the third floor corridors are out of bounds for any student." I smirked, that was a good way to keep students away from where the staff lived. Though, from what I have learned, there also are many dangers there besides grumpy wizards being woken from their slumber too early.

"Second, our Care for Magical Creatures professor, Rubeus Hagrid, has asked me to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is just as it says, forbidden. Please avoid it alongside the Whomping Willow that is on the grounds. Third, we have a few new professors this year, there are too many to introduce so you will see them at your classes."

She looked around once more before nodding and handing a scroll off to another, much shorter, professor who stepped up to the other side of the hat with a stool.

The first student was called up, a small shy girl, and she was seated on the bench with the hat on her heat.

"Hufflepuff!" The hat shouted out after a moment.

I glowered. Psychomancy, a mind reading hat? That was breaking one of the Rules I was sure.

The young girl bounced off and sat next to a boy a year older than her, sprouting bright blue and purple hair? And did his face shift to look like a badgers snout when she joined him, giggling? I blinked and his face returned to normal. That wasn't right. He was also the only kid in the whole place with a not normal colored hairstyle.

The next two girls were called up and placed into Gryfindor, one was entirely too good looking to be eleven, the other a scruffier looking red head. The hat seemed to enjoy them a little too much, calling them both "Weasleys" as he cheerfully announced their houses with a laugh. Slytherin followed, as did a Ravenclaw. The rest of the students, 48 to be exact, were sorted into those four houses.

Once they were all seated and the Sorting Hat returned to its' place on the stool, Headmistress McGonagall stood from her throne in the center of the professors table to address the room one more time.

"Now that you have been sorted into your Houses, please be mindful of your Head Boys and Girls, alongside the Prefects. Ensure that each of you abide by the rules put down before you. And do not be tardy to your classes." Again she paused, seeming to enjoy the effect with a glimmer in her eyes behind wiry spectacles. Finally, she raised her hands in a grand gesture. "Let the feast begin!"

At her words food magically appeared in towers before us. Towers of chicken, steaks, and doughnuts! Large bowls of salads and mashed potatoes with gravy and butter. Platters of different breads, cheeses, and meats.

My stomach made a happy noise as we all dug into the heavy lunch. Quickly I checked the pocket watch that had been given to me, enchanted so I wouldn't break it. I had about two hours now before my first class.

Smiling I filled my plate and my stomach and eagerly awaited my chance to make a first impression. Or, rather, for Molly to have her debut.