Disclaimer: I own Cecilia Hetts, and besides that nothing else.
Chapter 1
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat around the Gryffindor table, watching the Sorting Ceremony. Ron didn't care more or less about who was sorted where, and he gazed longingly at the bare platters in front of him, holding his stomach. Harry and Hermione, however, spotted something unusual about the line of first-years up front. A very tall girl stood at the end of the line, impossibly tall for a first-year. Harry leant over to whisper in Hermione's ear.
"Who d'you reckon she is?" he asked.
"No idea, Harry. But she is big, isn't she?" Ron looked up from the platters, and turned to Hermione.
"Who is big?" he inquired, looking around.
"Honestly, Ron, don't you notice anything but the plates?" Hermione said, exasperated. She pointed to the line of first-years and indicated the tall one.
"Wow, she's huge! D'you think she could be a half-giant, like Hagrid?" Ron said loudly. Harry nodded.
"You could be right, mate. She definitely has the size." , he added.
"Shh.it's starting!" Hermione whispered urgently.
Professor McGonagall was entering the Great Hall carrying the Sorting Hat. She placed it on the stool, and stood back. The hat's brim opened wide, and without further ado began to sing.
"Four houses are your destiny,
All for a different quality,
But in the wizarding world
No longer will you be divided,
You must think as one,
Move as one,
And show your lot of loyalty,
Bravery,
Cunning,
And wit.
I do not sort to separate,
But rather to eliminate,
All the enmity between you,
So hear me well,
I beg you,
Be you in strong Gryffindor,
Or in true Hufflepuff,
Maybe in clever Ravenclaw,
Or in sly Slytherin,
Unite as one and delegate
Under one flag and celebrate,
Only when the Dark Lord has gone,
And this second war you've won."
The whole school was quiet, and no one moved an inch. It was the second year in a row the hat had warned the school about unity and staying together. Professor McGonagall felt that this was her cue, so she said, "Let the sorting begin. Amber, Leslie!" she began, and one by one the line of first-years was thinning. Oddly, though, there were only a few new Slytherins this year. The other houses received quite a handful of students, but Slytherin gained only five or so. Harry then noticed that the Slytherin table wasn't cheering or booing anyone, which was very unusual. However, Harry was tugged on the sleeve by Hermione, and he snapped out of his reverie.
"She's going to be sorted." , was all Hermione said, but Harry understood and watched attentively.
"Hetts, Cecilia."
The tall girl walked calmly to the stool and put on the hat. It slipped over her head and was silent for a while. Then, "Gryffindor!" , it shouted, and Cecilia Hetts strode over to the Gryffindor table, all beaming. But to Harry's surprise, she didn't join the first-years at the end of the table but rather joined Lavender and Parvati. He was still puzzling over this when Hermione said, "Hi. My name's Hermione. Are you a sixth year?" Before Hermione got an answer, Dumbledore stood up. "All students, welcome. We will now begin our feast. Tuck in!" , he said, and suddenly, the plates in the Great Hall filled with mashed potatoes, pudding, roast beef, and an assortment of other delicacies. While filling her plate, Cecilia answered Hermione's question.
"Yep. Came from America. My father is working at the Ministry of Magic now. He replaced someone named Umbich or something like that." Between a mouthful of mashed potatoes, Ron snorted loudly.
"Sorry," , he apologized, "but that is the perfect name for that demon."
"Actually," Hermione looked at Ron witheringly, "her name is Umbridge. She was our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher last year. She was something of a dictator." , she said, dishing up some roast beef.
"Oh," Cecilia laughed, "It's OK to talk ill of teachers in front of me. I'm used to it."
"So, which part of America do you come from, exactly?" Harry asked curiously.
"Pennsylvania. It's lovely over there. Not that I don't like it here," ,she laughed, "but I get homesick sometimes." A look of cloudy desolation crossed her face, but soon she cheered up and smiled again.
"So, you do go to a wizarding school? Like us?" Ron asked. Hermione rolled her eyes and Cecilia laughed.
"Yes, I do. What's the name?" she inquired of Ron, who immediately swallowed his mouthful of beef.
"Ron Weasley." , he said, a look of utmost pride upon his face.
"And you?" she indicated Harry.
"This is Harry Potter." Ron said.
"Interesting. Nice to meet you." Harry was relieved that she didn't try to look at his scar, something everyone stared at when they first met.
"By the way, Ron, what's up with Fred and George? How's business going for them?" Harry asked Ron. Two years ago he had given his Triwizard winnings to the twins to start a joke shop. Last year, they fled from school to open a shop called "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes" in Diagon Alley.
"Well, they come home once in a while, you know, and Mum isn't very happy, though now she lets them do it. She said it's their future and if they want to ruin it it's up to them. I think she'll soon get over it, though." Ron said as-a-matter-of-factly ,and added only so Harry and Hermione could hear him, "Percy is not coming home though. I bet you he's still sulking somewhere out there, hiding his face. Mum just can't forget him. After all, he's the one who's acting like a git." Percy, Ron's third oldest brother, had defied Voldemort's return and turned against his family to ally with the Minister for Magic himself. He only had done this then to prove himself wrong, for it was finally concluded that Voldemort was indeed back again.
At this moment, Dumbledore stood up and opened his hands to the crowd of students.
"Greetings, all students. I do hope you all had a good holiday, and that you will enjoy this year more than ever. We have an interesting line of first-years, including one sixth year who has moved here from America." There was a general applause for Cecilia and the first-years. "For Defense Against the Dark Arts, since we have run through all our previous teachers, not being able to keep them, I will be teaching that subject this year." Most students clapped, but some from the Slytherin table didn't budge, and nor did Harry expect them to. "Quidditch tryouts will be held two weeks into the semester, and I must also remind all of you that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone. Mr. Filch has also posted up the notes for illegal, er, toys that you might be playing with. Students who wish to go to Hogsmeade had better keep a good record with Filch, or he will keep you out-of-bounds from the village. I would also like to advise you all to listen to the Sorting Hat's song this year, for what it says is true. We will only be strong if united. OK, that is enough for me now, I would like to ask all of you to leave this hall, and follow the Prefects and Head of Houses to your dormitories. Good night." Dumbledore said, and sat down. Harry watched Dumbledore closely during the whole speech and he thought that he had somewhat lost some energy that was there all the years before this one. Hermione seemed to notice the same thing.
"You know," she said, "I think that Dumbledore's job is costing him a lot. He wasn't as cheery as usual tonight."
"I know," Harry said, "he did seem really old and tired today. Maybe it's the Order." The moment Harry had said that, he automatically regretted it. Old memories of Grimmauld Place, the Order's headquarters, flooded back into his head, and every single one of them seemed to be filled with the image of Sirius' face. He felt the stabbing pain for a moment, and he continued to be silent that night, something Ron and Hermione didn't notice, because they were bickering yet again. Since the summer back in Privet Drive, Harry's temper had somewhat decreased. When Dudley or Uncle Vernon began to pester him, he just let them get through with it and then left them alone.
When finally the last person had went upstairs, Harry could no longer hide his feelings. He just sat there, head in hands, taking slow breaths to calm his trembling hands. All of a sudden, a soothing something entered his feelings, smoothing out his pains and troubles. He had no idea what it was, but it felt so good after all the agony he had to face. A hand touched his shoulder. He whipped around and saw Cecilia standing there in her nightgown.
"Harry? Why are you still up?" she asked him. How different her accent was, Harry realized.
"Oh, I um. I'm not tired yet." , he said quickly.
"BS. I know your tired. Just cut the crap and tell me why." Cecilia looked somehow concerned, and Harry decided to ignore her odd use of diction.
"Oh, nothing much. Just. a little stressed." , he answered in a falsely bright voice, "You know how annoying relatives can get over the holidays."
"You better know that you're not fooling me, but likewise, I can't force you to tell me anything." She walked to the stairs and turned back. "Goodnight."
Slowly standing, Harry trudged upstairs to his dormitory and collapsed into bed without changing. It's been a long holiday, he thought. Now it's going to be a long school year.
Chapter 1
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat around the Gryffindor table, watching the Sorting Ceremony. Ron didn't care more or less about who was sorted where, and he gazed longingly at the bare platters in front of him, holding his stomach. Harry and Hermione, however, spotted something unusual about the line of first-years up front. A very tall girl stood at the end of the line, impossibly tall for a first-year. Harry leant over to whisper in Hermione's ear.
"Who d'you reckon she is?" he asked.
"No idea, Harry. But she is big, isn't she?" Ron looked up from the platters, and turned to Hermione.
"Who is big?" he inquired, looking around.
"Honestly, Ron, don't you notice anything but the plates?" Hermione said, exasperated. She pointed to the line of first-years and indicated the tall one.
"Wow, she's huge! D'you think she could be a half-giant, like Hagrid?" Ron said loudly. Harry nodded.
"You could be right, mate. She definitely has the size." , he added.
"Shh.it's starting!" Hermione whispered urgently.
Professor McGonagall was entering the Great Hall carrying the Sorting Hat. She placed it on the stool, and stood back. The hat's brim opened wide, and without further ado began to sing.
"Four houses are your destiny,
All for a different quality,
But in the wizarding world
No longer will you be divided,
You must think as one,
Move as one,
And show your lot of loyalty,
Bravery,
Cunning,
And wit.
I do not sort to separate,
But rather to eliminate,
All the enmity between you,
So hear me well,
I beg you,
Be you in strong Gryffindor,
Or in true Hufflepuff,
Maybe in clever Ravenclaw,
Or in sly Slytherin,
Unite as one and delegate
Under one flag and celebrate,
Only when the Dark Lord has gone,
And this second war you've won."
The whole school was quiet, and no one moved an inch. It was the second year in a row the hat had warned the school about unity and staying together. Professor McGonagall felt that this was her cue, so she said, "Let the sorting begin. Amber, Leslie!" she began, and one by one the line of first-years was thinning. Oddly, though, there were only a few new Slytherins this year. The other houses received quite a handful of students, but Slytherin gained only five or so. Harry then noticed that the Slytherin table wasn't cheering or booing anyone, which was very unusual. However, Harry was tugged on the sleeve by Hermione, and he snapped out of his reverie.
"She's going to be sorted." , was all Hermione said, but Harry understood and watched attentively.
"Hetts, Cecilia."
The tall girl walked calmly to the stool and put on the hat. It slipped over her head and was silent for a while. Then, "Gryffindor!" , it shouted, and Cecilia Hetts strode over to the Gryffindor table, all beaming. But to Harry's surprise, she didn't join the first-years at the end of the table but rather joined Lavender and Parvati. He was still puzzling over this when Hermione said, "Hi. My name's Hermione. Are you a sixth year?" Before Hermione got an answer, Dumbledore stood up. "All students, welcome. We will now begin our feast. Tuck in!" , he said, and suddenly, the plates in the Great Hall filled with mashed potatoes, pudding, roast beef, and an assortment of other delicacies. While filling her plate, Cecilia answered Hermione's question.
"Yep. Came from America. My father is working at the Ministry of Magic now. He replaced someone named Umbich or something like that." Between a mouthful of mashed potatoes, Ron snorted loudly.
"Sorry," , he apologized, "but that is the perfect name for that demon."
"Actually," Hermione looked at Ron witheringly, "her name is Umbridge. She was our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher last year. She was something of a dictator." , she said, dishing up some roast beef.
"Oh," Cecilia laughed, "It's OK to talk ill of teachers in front of me. I'm used to it."
"So, which part of America do you come from, exactly?" Harry asked curiously.
"Pennsylvania. It's lovely over there. Not that I don't like it here," ,she laughed, "but I get homesick sometimes." A look of cloudy desolation crossed her face, but soon she cheered up and smiled again.
"So, you do go to a wizarding school? Like us?" Ron asked. Hermione rolled her eyes and Cecilia laughed.
"Yes, I do. What's the name?" she inquired of Ron, who immediately swallowed his mouthful of beef.
"Ron Weasley." , he said, a look of utmost pride upon his face.
"And you?" she indicated Harry.
"This is Harry Potter." Ron said.
"Interesting. Nice to meet you." Harry was relieved that she didn't try to look at his scar, something everyone stared at when they first met.
"By the way, Ron, what's up with Fred and George? How's business going for them?" Harry asked Ron. Two years ago he had given his Triwizard winnings to the twins to start a joke shop. Last year, they fled from school to open a shop called "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes" in Diagon Alley.
"Well, they come home once in a while, you know, and Mum isn't very happy, though now she lets them do it. She said it's their future and if they want to ruin it it's up to them. I think she'll soon get over it, though." Ron said as-a-matter-of-factly ,and added only so Harry and Hermione could hear him, "Percy is not coming home though. I bet you he's still sulking somewhere out there, hiding his face. Mum just can't forget him. After all, he's the one who's acting like a git." Percy, Ron's third oldest brother, had defied Voldemort's return and turned against his family to ally with the Minister for Magic himself. He only had done this then to prove himself wrong, for it was finally concluded that Voldemort was indeed back again.
At this moment, Dumbledore stood up and opened his hands to the crowd of students.
"Greetings, all students. I do hope you all had a good holiday, and that you will enjoy this year more than ever. We have an interesting line of first-years, including one sixth year who has moved here from America." There was a general applause for Cecilia and the first-years. "For Defense Against the Dark Arts, since we have run through all our previous teachers, not being able to keep them, I will be teaching that subject this year." Most students clapped, but some from the Slytherin table didn't budge, and nor did Harry expect them to. "Quidditch tryouts will be held two weeks into the semester, and I must also remind all of you that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone. Mr. Filch has also posted up the notes for illegal, er, toys that you might be playing with. Students who wish to go to Hogsmeade had better keep a good record with Filch, or he will keep you out-of-bounds from the village. I would also like to advise you all to listen to the Sorting Hat's song this year, for what it says is true. We will only be strong if united. OK, that is enough for me now, I would like to ask all of you to leave this hall, and follow the Prefects and Head of Houses to your dormitories. Good night." Dumbledore said, and sat down. Harry watched Dumbledore closely during the whole speech and he thought that he had somewhat lost some energy that was there all the years before this one. Hermione seemed to notice the same thing.
"You know," she said, "I think that Dumbledore's job is costing him a lot. He wasn't as cheery as usual tonight."
"I know," Harry said, "he did seem really old and tired today. Maybe it's the Order." The moment Harry had said that, he automatically regretted it. Old memories of Grimmauld Place, the Order's headquarters, flooded back into his head, and every single one of them seemed to be filled with the image of Sirius' face. He felt the stabbing pain for a moment, and he continued to be silent that night, something Ron and Hermione didn't notice, because they were bickering yet again. Since the summer back in Privet Drive, Harry's temper had somewhat decreased. When Dudley or Uncle Vernon began to pester him, he just let them get through with it and then left them alone.
When finally the last person had went upstairs, Harry could no longer hide his feelings. He just sat there, head in hands, taking slow breaths to calm his trembling hands. All of a sudden, a soothing something entered his feelings, smoothing out his pains and troubles. He had no idea what it was, but it felt so good after all the agony he had to face. A hand touched his shoulder. He whipped around and saw Cecilia standing there in her nightgown.
"Harry? Why are you still up?" she asked him. How different her accent was, Harry realized.
"Oh, I um. I'm not tired yet." , he said quickly.
"BS. I know your tired. Just cut the crap and tell me why." Cecilia looked somehow concerned, and Harry decided to ignore her odd use of diction.
"Oh, nothing much. Just. a little stressed." , he answered in a falsely bright voice, "You know how annoying relatives can get over the holidays."
"You better know that you're not fooling me, but likewise, I can't force you to tell me anything." She walked to the stairs and turned back. "Goodnight."
Slowly standing, Harry trudged upstairs to his dormitory and collapsed into bed without changing. It's been a long holiday, he thought. Now it's going to be a long school year.